Chapter Forty-Six

Hostage Situation

“Merchant Captain Cross, how may we profit each other?” Crush asked as the comm line opened.

“First Assessor Nairn speaking, Captain. We understand you have been trading with other ships of the line.” The rotund figure smiled, mopping a small bead of sweat from his head as he did so. “Fair trades as well.”

“That is true,” Crush said, hoping the man would get to the point quickly enough to leave Crush time to plan around it. “Profit that flows each way will always flow back to you in time.”

“Indeed,” Nairn nodded and chuckled. “Our outlook was once much the same, Captain Cross. But times do change us all.” He looked off to one side for a moment, eyes scanning something Crush couldn’t see. “We have been looking in to you, Captain Cross.”

“You have?” Crush asked, seeing Quad moving his hands towards the weapon controls, just in case. They would never be able to take out a Capital ship, but they could hold one off long enough to make the nearest jump point.

“Oh, yes,” Nairn said with a smile. “We do a bit of checking into any new prospective business partners, Captain. Do you know what we found?”

“The usual, I suppose,” Crush smiled. “I have nothing to fear in my business history.”

“We did the standard check, going one system out from here, and the results were interesting,” Nairn said. “So we checked another system out, and the results were even better.” He looked at Crush and smiled. “So we went out one more… and found you did not even bother to dock at the Maiusarian station. Why?”

“We were informed of their business practices and their damnable fees,” Crush said with a grin. “Let those who grasp at your purse find themselves forever in your past.”

Something in Nairn’s eyes made Crush go on. He was still waiting for something, something Crush hadn’t mentioned…

“Besides, we lost some profit and cargo to an unscrupulous group from the Ten Suns Mercenaries. I deemed it best to leave before they took a greater share.” Crush sighed in irritation.

“And there it is,” Nairn visibly relaxed. “The final piece of the puzzle. Tell me, Captain Cross, why not raise a complaint? Others have.”

“The time spent would only increase our losses. It was better to move on, which proved a fruitful choice, I must say.” Crush said with satisfaction.

“I want you to know that you have just passed the tests of my own captain, Major Shareholder Ve’t’Chal. I believe we have a contract that would not only offer you much profit but a chance to have a senior Captain of the Line owe you a favor.” Nairn said with a conspiratorial smile. “Can you spare a couple of days for a significant payment?”

“Always,” Crush laughed. “What can we do for you?”

“Tell me, Captain Cross, can you carry passengers?”

While the cents crawled over every inch of the Taking Liberties to ensure there was nothing to give them away, Andy and Cara did their best to ensure the improvised cells would look authentic.

It was vitally important that they looked not just suitable but well used. If they appeared to be new, it would only raise suspicions and doubt. Crush knew they could not afford that. Not now.

He and Berenice, meanwhile, prepared to welcome their visitors and guests aboard.

“You know, I thought it was silly to make the interior of the ship look like a trader,” Berenice said absently, her mind on the adjustments to the welcome gifts she had prepared. “Before we left, I mean. It just seemed like overkill.”

“It was,” Crush agreed. “But I like to cover every eventuality beforehand, just in case. I never expected to actually have to use any of it.”

“Can you even believe this is happening?” Berenice stopped. “It is, isn’t it? This isn’t all an elaborate trap or something?”

“Why would they bother?” Crush asked. “They could have overpowered the ship with their entire fleet if they even suspected anything.”

“Right, right,” Berenice fidgetted. “How do you keep so calm? I mean, I know the nanites help a lot, but I can barely breathe; I’m so tense.”

“Honestly?” Crush asked.

Berenice nodded.

“I’ve been afraid at times of my life that lasted so long and were so intense that fear just feels like a part of me now.” Crush shrugged. “People always think of fear as a bad thing. It isn’t. It’s our guardian, keeping us alert and prepared. As long as it isn’t all you feel, you are fine.”

“What if I look too scared? I might give the whole thing away!” Berenice fretted.

“You’re a minor merchant meeting a Major Shareholder; fear will be expected.” Crush grinned. “Be nervous; don’t hide it too much.”

“Really?” Berenice laughed anxiously. “I can do that.”

“We both can,” Crush said, rolling his shoulders to loosen them up. “Here we go.”

The boarding umbilical locked in place with an audible ‘clunk,’ and the airlock began to cycle.

Ve’t’Chal was a strange creature. At barely four feet tall, the barrel-chested figure seemed like it should be cute but was far from it. Humanoid, but the reversed knees and elbows made every movement appear a little off and unsettling. As did the lack of a neck, the blocky face, and the head rising from the chest with nothing but muscle and thick, bony plates.

The whole was worse than the sum of its parts, and Crush made a mental note to avoid the creature's home system if he could possibly manage it.

The short, aggressive Captain inspected the ship from top to bottom, barely noting the offers of food and drink from the visibly flustered Berenice before walking straight off the ship again without so much as a word.

“That concludes things for the Captain,” Nairn said with a smile. In perfect contrast to his diminutive captain, the assessor was tall and wide and seemed to embody the word ‘corpulent.’

“Then perhaps we could continue the negotiation?” Crush asked.

“No negotiation is possible, I am afraid,” Nairn insisted. “You will take these individuals for us, in secret, and deliver them to the capital ship of Fleet Captain Hardwicke with all due haste. We will provide troops to keep them controlled in transit, and payment will be made half now and half on delivery.”

“I see,” Crush said. “And the contract for this?”

“Does not exist,” Nairn grinned. “But believe me, your payment on completion of the job will ensure you are not left feeling bitter over the deal.”

“I see,” Crush thought it over for a moment, just for appearances’ sake. “I agree.”

“Excellent,” Nairn laughed. “And feel free to exact a little revenge on the family of the captain who caused you some trouble. Nothing permanent, however.”

“I understand completely,” Crush nodded. “In truth, I will not bother. Such are the tides of the Merchant’s life.”

“An enlightened opinion,” Nairn nodded. “Keeping things professional is always the better option.”

Crush nodded.

“Are, here they are,” Nairn stood back as a collection of bound and gagged people were led onto the ship, Imperial Line guards leading the way. “Now, this packet will explain things to Hardwicke. Make sure to transmit it as soon as you arrive in the system.”

“Are they not expecting us?” Crush frowned.

“No!” Nairn laughed. “They were expecting us to keep these fools ourselves.”

“I see,” Crush kept his frown going, fishing for more information.

“Captain Ve’t’Chal has many holdings in the Confederacy. When the invasion happens, well, he will not risk being the one to lose their lives.” Nairn said conspiratorially.

“Will I draw this Hardwicke’s ire?” Crush asked.

“It will not matter,” Nairn waved the worry away, “He has made a mess of this, failing to crush an insignificant system. But as his sun sets, Ve’t’Chal’s will rise.”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“I understand,” Crush bowed. “My profit find you.”

“And you, Captain Cross, and you!” Nairn waved his goodbyes, stopping only to grab a bottle of alcohol he had enjoyed during the tour of the ship.

The moment the umbilical detached, Crush issued orders to head directly for the jump point leading out of the system.

The trip to the jump point was an anxious time for Crush and the crew. Not only were there the fifteen Imperial Line marines walking the corridors and holds around their passengers, but there was always the clock ticking away.

The timing here would be everything.

“Time to jump point?” Crush asked Tri.

“Fifteen minutes, Captain,” Tri replied.

The countdown timer on Crush’s HUD showed fourteen minutes and fifty seconds. He just had to hope that Nellie wasn’t late or early.

“Captain, we might have a problem,” Quad said quietly, flagging an internal security camera for Crush to see.

Three Imperial Line guards were clustered at the end of the line of cells, one of which contained a particularly attractive hostage. They were also clearly waiting for everyone else to leave the area.

Checking his monitors, he saw a fourth Line marine blocking the corridor, talking and laughing with the other pair supposed to be on patrol. Crush swore and accessed his own controls. With a quick and careful command, he set the nanites hidden in the locking mechanism to fuse the parts into a solid bit of metal.

Hoping to avoid any trouble, Crush opened the ship-wide comms.

“All hands, this is Merchant Captain Cross. We will shortly be entering the jump transition, and our drive is slightly out of alignment. All personnel please return to your compartments and strap in.” Crush said, keeping his tone friendly. “Thank you for your understanding.”

The three guards were arguing, and one reached for the now fused door but was dragged away by the other guards. The hostage inside visibly collapsed in relief, crying as she rolled to face away from the doorway in her bunk.

Crush ground his teeth, but she would not be worried for much longer.

Anxiously watching their scans, Crush, and his crew saw the large flash appear on the far side of the system a few seconds before they were due to jump.

“Transmitting on wide beam!” Prim called immediately.

All across the system, the comm lines of every ship lit up with advertisements for the incredible deals available today only for the purchase of HyperDrive, the exciting new drink that everyone was talking about.

“Burst was sent,” Prim said tensely. “No response so far…”

The comm line went green as a broadcast echoed across the system. Crush flicked it on as Tri counted down to the jump.

“ALL SHIPS!” Nellie’s voice roared out of the comm. “This is Queen Bonne Chance of the Nanite Imperium. We are undertaking combat against the Imperial Line. Do not get involved, or we will crush you. Understood?”

“Jumping!” Tri cheered, and they were thrust into the colorful chaos of Transit Space.

“Prim, Sec, I want that ID beacon switched for the Line one,” Crush called as he stood.

“Yes, Boss.” They both nodded.

“Andy, Cara, we are a go. I repeat, we are a go.”

“At last!” Cara laughed nastily.

“I’ve sealed all the marines who were in compartments inside,” Quad said as he opened the back wall of the bridge, revealing their armor and weapons. “They are attempting to adapt to the sudden lack of oxygen.”

“Release the locks as we go,” Crush said, slipping on his own armor and grabbing a pair of pistols. “Lock down the prisoners.”

“Done!” Andy called with satisfaction as shields erupted on the prison cells and all the locks fused. “Are you going to do the thing?”

“Yes,” Crush laughed. “I am going to do the thing.”

“Do it!” Cara said as he heard her slapping a new power pack into her rifle.

“You’re on!” Berenice punched up the internal comm line and motioned.

“This is Marshall Crush of the Nanite Imperium. All Imperial Line personnel, drop your weapons and kneel down with your hands behind your head. Any resistance will result in immediate execution.”

“They aren’t complying,” Cara said grimly. “Too bad for them.”

“Everyone, move out!” Crush called. “Sweep this ship clean.”

“Yes, Boss!” Voices echoed in his ears as Crush stepped into the corridor, pistols raised.

===<<<>>>===

Marie Anjou was lying in her bunk, trying her best not to imagine what was going to happen to her when the soldiers returned.

She was the only daughter of a large family, but not a powerful one. She was only here because of her betrothal to a man from the Falling Waters clan, their youngest.

Those four guards had stared at her the whole time they had been shuffled from one ship to another, and she wasn’t an idiot. She knew what they were thinking, but the strict rules governing their fleet’s agreement with the Imperial Line had protected her so far.

But not now.

Now, and until they were delivered to the next ship, they were apparently not bound by the considerate treatment clause. She had heard them talking about it, just like she had heard them talking about what they wanted to do to her.

Not that she had needed the descriptions. Their eyes had already said it all when they watched her.

The moment she felt the ship shudder a little as they jumped, Marie did her best to stifle her tears. At the very least, she could fight back. Whatever else she was, Marie was an Anjou, and they were fighters.

Just as she rolled over to face what was coming, the voice came over the comm line, and she shivered as it spoke, not even understanding the words at first. She was just lost in the pure power of command it contained.

Then the words hit, and she shuddered in first relief and then fear.

The Nanite Imperium.

The Ten Suns were currently fighting the Imperium.

Marie wanted to weep at the cruel irony of being rescued, only for it to turn out to be just another capture. Still, she stood and paced in her cell, seeing others doing the same in theirs. Not all, but some.

They couldn’t talk; they were still gagged, but they exchanged nods.

They were citizens of the Confederacy, and they would fight.

Marie noticed her future husband, Vauban, was on his feet. The only Falling Waters man on his feet, at that. He looked at her with burning eyes and bowed.

She returned the bow, and they turned to face what might come.

Beyond their shielded cell, the corridor hatchway banged open, and two familiar marines dove through, firing madly behind them.

For once, they didn’t turn their eyes on her.

A blast knocked them from their feet, and a figure stepped through the hatch, twin pistols aimed at the pair on the floor. Hands raised in supplication, the two would-be attackers begged for their lives. The dark figure did not even hesitate, despite their begging, and executed them immediately.

More figures in dark armor stepped into the hall as the shields flickered out.

“Ship’s clear, Boss,” one of them said, his voice melodic and kind.

“Only one complied with the orders and is being escorted here by Quad,” the other said, her voice harsh and tinged with amusement.

The leader simply nodded and walked to the center of the hall, the blank faceplate scanning the cells, lingering on those who were standing, ready to fight.

Marie felt the hidden eyes slide onto her and braced for the usual inspection, but the figure never slowed, their faceplate turning back to the others.

She caught her breath as he removed his helmet, and she saw fine scales on parts of his skin. Despite them, she thought him attractive in a cold kind of way.

“I’m Crush,” the man said, a lazy smile on his face. “I bring greetings from Captain Hellena of the Falling Waters.”

Marie gaped, seeing others doing the same.

“The codeword I was given: Operation Fledgling,” Crush said, and Marie collapsed in relief.

Somehow, against all odds, they had been saved by the very people they were forced to fight.

Hours later, having been shown to quarters and given ship suits and baggy jumpsuits to wear over the top, Marie found herself sitting off to one side as a delegation led by the Falling Waters met with the Captain.

The eldest son of the Falling Waters, Catinal, was chosen to speak for them.

“I demand immediate contact with my sister Hellena,” he said stiffly. It was a stupid way to start things off, but Marie was not surprised. Catinal was good at one thing and only one thing: doing as his father told him to.

A pity the man wasn’t here.

“No,” Crush replied calmly.

That was all, no explanations. No negotiations, just a plain no.

“Then we will not comply!” Catinal stated, drawing himself up.

“With what?” Crush chuckled. “You are passengers, nothing more. How exactly do you intend to not comply? Get out and walk?”

“We will demand to be dropped at the nearest station!” Catinal protested while his mother, Turenne, Matriarch of the Falling Waters, put her head in her hands in dismay.

“Certainly,” Crush nodded, and Catinal looked triumphant. Briefly, "The next station on our path is a Sagacity one. You get out, and we’ll notify Hellena where to come and get you.” Crush sighed. “Or rather, where you were immediately handed back to the Imperial Line because that is what they will do.”

Turenne reached out and touched her son’s arm, and he purpled but sat down.

“Forgive my son’s natural suspicion, but it has been a trying time,” Turenne said placatingly. “Might I ask what happens next?”

“We are currently changing our ID beacon to one from the Imperial Line. It will get us through the final Sagacity system. “ Crush told her politely. “We will pass through another system and then arrive in the Maiusarian system, where Captain Hellena and her ships are waiting to collect you.”

“Which will, forgive me for saying this,” Turenne said. “Leave us on the opposite side of a very hostile set of systems from our people.”

“I understand,” Crush nodded. “I will be happy to escort a ship through Imperium space to deliver you to the Confederacy.”

“Why not simply fly us there now?” Catinal demanded. “Eh? Eh?” He looked around as if expecting to be praised and subsided quickly at the collected glares.

“Aside from immediately alerting the Line to your whereabouts and not having a reason to be headed in that direction after being hired to take you the other way,” Crush sighed. “It was not our agreement with Captain Hellena.”

“I outrank my little sister,” Catinal sneered. “Your agreement with me will supersede hers. As her hirelings, you are my hirelings. Do as you are told!”

Marie shivered as the eyes of the three people on the other side of the room went… dead.

Catinal swallowed hard.

“Your fleet has attacked and invaded our system—twice,” Crush said, his voice flat and emotionless. “We are not ‘hirelings,’ as you put it. We are the Marshalls of the Nanite Imperium. You are civilian families of people who are at war with us. I am offering you safe passage. That is all. I do not have a problem having you bound, gagged, and delivered to your family in a cargo pod.”

Marie looked across the table and saw the three people were not to be underestimated. Why did Catinal not see it?

“You wouldn’t dare!” Catinal protested.

“I was hoping you would say that,” Crush smiled. “Cara? Go nuts.”

What happened next was not funny, Marie had to remind herself.

Even when he was shoved bound and gagged into a barrel, it was not funny.

She was not the only one who had to remind themselves of that.