Soel continued.

“As you already know, the other mercenaries have either turned on the empire, or have abandoned her without firing a shot in her defense. However, Captain Defacto, you were solely responsible for the destruction of eight Buldethian cruisers. Eight! Funny, the Imminent Destruction was the only cruiser to cause destruction for the enemy in the combat zone. You fought five enemy cruisers of superior construction, with no assistance from fighters, and destroyed every one with a disabled X-380. How?”

“I don’t like to brag, but I have pretty good reaction timing.”

“Not even the Dorian managed a shot at them.”

“The Dorian’s drive systems have been the same for the past fifty years; at full speed it could only manage maneuvers at one third velocity of newer vessels due to system degradation. I spent the money to have the Imminent Destruction upgraded, that’s all.”

“That’s not quite all.”

“I have a special relationship with my cruiser, and a little talent; I’d like to think,”

“You seem to excel in war, we have a lot in common.”

“I could care less about what we have in common.”

“Capturing this cruiser, Defacto. Don’t you think that’s a victory in itself.”

“This piece of scrap was nothing but a decoy. It’s shaped like a two-kilometer-long pencil, its armor is paper thin, and there’s only one set of engines in the back. One fighter could disable this junker, a good cruiser could annihilate it. I’ve seen a good deal of this ship, and a few of its remaining crew members. You killed a bunch of scientists and technicians. Congratulations, you hauled in a research station.”

“You really think so?”

Fade pounded the table, “I could have rallied the other mercenaries and won that battle if it wasn’t for this piece of flying shart!”

“You’re right about this ship, but it’s far more important than you realize. I have to get it to safety.”

“I could care less about you have to do.”

“Too bad,” Soel took a report from his file and pushed it across the table, “Your valor has been noted.”

The report contained a list of friendly and enemy ships. The Imminent Destruction was described as being disabled from damage caused by a Buldethian heavy cannon. The names of the ships it destroyed were listed in the first column: Death Ray, Power, Lucifer, Guardian1, Guardian2, Guardian5, Ultimatum, and Vaporizer. The second column listed them by class: one heavy cannon ship, three sniper ships, and four X380s. The third column listed destruction rating: seven completes and one disabled. Fade pushed the paper back to the lieutenant.

“I actually got credit for every one of my kills this time. I’ve grown used to much less.”

“The Dorian was powerless this time, and all five mercenaries left the battle. A few cruisers were destroyed by the explosion of the Dorian’s gun, but they aren’t listed in the report. The Buldethians have gone so far as to list you as a first class threat. They put a holograph poster on the network. I downloaded one for your pleasure.”

Lieutenant Soel handed him a portable holographic, it opened to reveal an X-380 depiction. The holograph of Fade was as large as his cruiser, but looked nothing like him. The caption underneath read: Five Million Gold Dubeths Paid by the Government of Buldethia for the capture of Mercenary Defacto, Dead or Alive.”

“Isn’t that an honor?”

“In the eyes of Imperial Command, yes. You never hear about Commander Emanuel Wanitake?”

“Tell me.”

“He was a land mercenary, had a band of thugs that fought for the Empire on Muglet. They succeeded in destroying resistance where the imperial garrison faltered. They were a rare case of mercenaries fighting with valor. No apologies, Mercenary Defacto, you seem to be one of those rare cases. Wanitake was a superb tactician, and a ruthless murderer. The independence movement put a price on his head. The governor of the planet knew the conflict was unfavorable. Local Imperial troops were starting to join independence fighters, so the governor offered a peace plan that included the execution of Wanitake and the arrest of his band. Emanuel Wanitake was captured in his sleep and hung in an open villa the next day. A show for the populace. Every member of his band was hung with him.”

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“Nice story. What does it have to do with me?”

“Something to think about.”

“I’m not ignorant of recent history. Emanuel Wanitake slaughtered the families of his enemies. He worked for the planetary government, and planned a coup against the governor. No comparison. I don’t slaughter the innocent, nor am I two-faced.”

“Well, whatever the case may be, the Independent Battle Corp. has been officially disbanded. You have the chance to enlist as a fleet officer, a lieutenant’s adjunct with a strong chance for promotion to Captain. If you trust the empire so much, why don’t you enlist? I will personally take you under my wing.”

“I’m not turning over the Imminent Destruction to the ownership of the Empire. And it can still defend itself if anyone tries to steal it.”

“I thought as much. Would you object to working for me if it was strictly off the records, and off the books, off course?”

“I’ll pass on that one as well.”

“Take a look at this before we discuss the proposition any further,” Lieutenant Soel pushed another document across the table, a Buldethian report on mercenaries working for the Imperial Fleet.

Three had been paid to retreat from battle, all the sordid details were documented: the meeting place, the amount of money, and instructions to the mercenary captain. Fade ranked as a first-degree threat because he had turned down a bribe. An entire three pages contained intelligence on the Imminent Destruction with information about its design, upgrades, previous repairs, and battle history. A few pages were devoted to personal information. He read the spy’s report with interest. There were detailed plans to sabotage the Imminent Destruction, sneak agents onto the ship, and assassinate Fade. They had enlisted the cooperation of a pirate fleet, providing them with sophisticated weaponry for the job.

“Well this looks credible, because the agents placed aboard my vessel are both dead.”

“The Neimun is an information processing station as well as a command ship for covert operations. They never considered it vulnerable to takeover, but they never saw my unit coming for them. All their activities have been revealed, along with some of their agents. They have enough plants in Imperial Intelligence they make the gardens of Imperial Harn look like a flower pot. Did you catch the name on the report?”

“Yah, Xandrus. Never heard of him.”

“Meaningless code, but we know his true identity. It seems the controller was receiving daily reports from him.”

“Who is he?”

“Ganthor Tigo, a Hakkutian from the settlement of Farmutsville, his farm is a front for a low-level criminal enterprise.”

“I don’t know any low-level thugs on first name basis.”

"This message was put out over the network after they announced the award offer.”

A piece of paper slid across the table. It read: To mercenary Harry Defacto, come back to the Cozy Tavern in three Hakkut days or your girl’s old man is hamburger. We’ll be waiting.

“Are you going to save him?” Soel asked, “because without my help you don’t have a chance.”

“I’m at your mercy.”

The papers were slid back across the table. Soel pulled a little black box from his lap, and retrieved a key card for an S-119 transport.

“My first deal. Your Rigor fighter for an S-119.”

“It’s a deal,” Fade said, but Soel held the card back.

“Tell me something first. That revolver, where did you come across such a fascinating weapon?”

“You could say I was born with it.”

“Six material projectiles. The light neutralization fields that absorb lasers are useless against them. I feel projectile weaponry will make a comeback on the battlefield in the very near future.”

“What about disintegration waves?”

“Enough firepower eventually overcomes them, and they’re far too expensive for use by individuals. Light neutralizers are cheaper and wear down excruciatingly slowly. Then again, guns are dirt cheap, and most people with weapons don’t bother shielding because of the discomfort.”

“Better discomfort than taking a bullet, especially if you’re not fast enough to dodge.”

“True,” Soel relinquished the key card, then leaned towards Fade. “I have a job for you on Hakkut after you take care of the business involving that hapless tavern owner. I’ve discovered something about the location of a precious object, a crystal. It was lost on Hakkut, and the Buldethians have been clamoring to retrieve it. I want you to get it before they do. There’s a map of its location in your transport. You can return it to me at the Dofu space station in the Sol system. Private Nicolson will accompany you. She is due to emerge from the chamber fully healed today. Miss Howards is excess baggage for you, leave her on the Neimun. I’ll see that she gets back to Imperial Harn safely.”

“So you knew about Private Nicolson?”

“Nothing falls under my radar for long. I tolerated her as long as she could maintain her disguise. That’s over now, if word spreads that I allow women in my company, my name will be disgraced. She’ll be gracefully dispatched into your care. I’ll have her stricken from the military record.”

“What if she objects?”

“She has no choice. Otherwise it’s a court martial.”

“I’ll take her then.”

The chairs slid back with a screech. Soel offered his hand; Fade refused and the lieutenant took a breath as he narrowed his eyes.

“Get some rest until Private Nicholson is ready.”