(Former Slave Market, Madrigal Base, Madrigal System)
With the captain for the new flagship of First Group
decided, I sent Captain Virstina back to her room to gather her things and then
report to the navy part of the station for processing and an assessment on how
much retraining she’d need before she was up to speed on current weapons and
tactics. I’d brought her on board for her experience in larger craft, which we
lacked as a Navy, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to make sure she wasn’t
trained up as well as my current crews.
Looking down at my tablet, I sent a call for my next
interviewee to be sent in. Pilots, especially pilots who specialized in craft
that were wholly experimental, were always needed in any organization like
ours. Frankly, not everyone is cut out to be a pilot. Flying small ships was
exhilarating, but not many could handle the pressure of combat in those
conditions. Flying a fighter was different from steering a warship, after all.
The door opened, and in walked an Ihm female, standing just
over 1.5 meters tall. She was short for an Ihm, even a female, who were
generally shorter and slimmer than the males, but according to her files she
was an expert in hand-to-hand combat, among other things. Probably done as part
of her Bodyguard training. I watched, interested, as she sniffed the air, and
then sighed slightly, trying not to let me see the action. I knew that Ihm had
a sensitive sense of smell, but it was impressive that she’d clearly figured
out what had happened just before.
I pointed to the chair across the table from me. “Sit down.”
When she’d sat, I said, “My name is Mirikon Mollen.” Her eyes went wide, and I
grinned. “I see you recognize the name. Well, as you know, you are the property
of the Black Star Company now. Which means, when it comes down to it, that you
belong to me. The reason we are having this conversation is because I think
there are better ways to use you than simply making you an exotic sex pet to be
rented out as people see fit. Your name is Drah Sross, yes? Or is there another
name you wish to be called? Oh, and you may speak freely in this interview
unless I say otherwise.”
Drah took a breath, and then said, “Well, fine then. Yeah,
the name’s Drah. So, if you’re not here to make me your next conquest, then
what is going on here? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not missing getting put up on auction
to be some pirate’s bedmate, but I don’t see why the guy in charge would be
talking to me.”
“Well, the answer to that is simple. You are listed as a
pilot, yes? With a specialty in experimental craft? The attitude it takes to do
something like that is not exactly common. That you were a test pilot and still
have all your limbs means you were good, and you were lucky, which is even
rarer. So, the question I have for you, Drah Sross, is this. Do you want to be
a pilot again, instead of lifting your tail for every pirate who wants to try
something new?”
Drah bristled at that comment, but then according to the
information we had on file, she hadn’t been a slave that long, only a few
months, actually. That would explain the difference in her attitude with
Virstina’s. “Of course I want to be a pilot! Why in the abyss would I want to
do… that with anyone but a proper mate?”
I smiled at her, and said, “Excellent. Then in that case,
there are several options for you. If you feel you have ‘settled down’ a bit,
and no longer wish to do anything too experimental, there are always warships
and freighters that could use an experienced hand at the helm.” The look of
disgust on her face was clear enough, so I continued. “On the other hand, there
are two different projects you might be attached to, if you’re looking for
something ‘interesting’.”
Drah leaned forward, clearly interested at the prospect of
doing something new and interesting. “What is it? You’re building some kind of
experimental ship?”
“Ah, well, the first option would be for you to join our
cadre of fighter pilots. We’ve currently got three basic types of fighters. The
Raptor is a stealth interceptor, the Thunderbolt IV is a space superiority
fighter, and the Dragon is a bomber. Of course, being a fighter pilot is a lot
of excitement and danger, interspersed with a lot of training and boredom.”
I paused, and then said, “The second option, however, is not
so much an experimental craft, but one using known technology in new ways. You
are familiar with the X’thari, and their anchor drives, yes?” When she nodded
her head, I continued, “The four weaknesses of the Anchor Drive is that they
have a long charge time, they announce their presence before you arrive, and
they must have either the start point or the end point in the vicinity of a
Gateway. This need not be right next to the Gateway, of course, but within a
radius of about forty light-minutes. Of course, since the arrival is easily
detected anywhere within a solar system, these are critical weaknesses on their
own. However, the fourth weakness is the reason why the X’thari drives are not
typically used in most ships. Any X’thari in the area who detect a non-X’thari
using an Anchor Drive appear hardwired to seek and destroy the offending
vessel, ignoring everything else, even their own safety or any mission they had
been on.”
“You’re building a ship with an Anchor Drive? Why?”
“Oh no. I’m building a ship with two Anchor Drives, charged separately and ready to use within
moments of each other. Officially, the ship is an advanced scout ship that
we’ll be using to explore the Gateway network and look for planets suitable for
colonization. Naturally, that is just a cover, though one we will be actively
working on. In truth, the Heartseeker
is being built for one purpose, and one purpose alone. To find the X’thari
homeworld.”
“I’m in!”
With Drah’s enthusiastic acceptance of the role as the Heartseeker’s pilot, I smiled as I
mentally ticked off another box on the checklist of things I needed to do in
order to give the X’thari reason not to come wrecking my plans any more.
Expanding the Fleet was one thing. But the Heartseeker
would give me the ability to reach out and give them something to think about.
After Drah left to get transferred to Fleet control, I summoned
the next candidate. Ozman Redmantle was short and stout, like all Gauz males.
Unlike most, he kept his beard short and well-maintained. Well, short for a
Gauz, at any rate. The beard was about twenty centimeters in length, and didn’t
have any of the normal braids or baubles most gauz favored. It was a habit
common amongst gauz engineers, as well as other professions where long beards
were a safety hazard (such as all lab sciences). He sat in the offered chair
without comment, watching me like he was trying to figure out how I worked and
what I was up to.
“I’ll keep this simple, since I am well aware that gauz have
no patience for pointless talk. My name is Mirikon Mollen, and I’m your new
owner. I have a whole fleet of ships, and I’m building more. That means I’m
going to need engineers to keep them running and get the most out of them. The
fact that you were part of the Consortium Navy is a point in your favor, as
their certification process includes working knowledge of a large variety of
ship systems, from shuttles to freighters to superdreadnoughts. Is this
correct?”
Ozman nodded once. “Aye, that’s right enough, though only on
the top level. No secret, but the training goes beyond just familiarity. As I
told y’er people during the ‘sorting’ process, I was the chief engineer on the Nateak, which is a frigate. I was on
leave, visitin’ me cousin in the Alliance, when the pirates got me. So, what
kind of ship are you looking to put me on?”
I chuckled, and said, “Well, if you’re looking for a more
sedentary life, after your ordeal with the pirates, I could always find a nice
freighter or work in the shipyards for you. Be nice and safe, if a little bit
boring.”
The Gauz looked at me like I’d just insulted his mother. “Ugh,
no! No way am I ready to go and be put out to pasture with those damned yard
monkeys! Those idiots think their precious schematics and manuals have all the answers,
and don’t know a thing about being a true engineer!”
Smiling at the man, I said, “Yes, I thought you’d say that.
In another life, I was an engineer, as well. You won’t be happy unless you were
on the decks of a warship, keeping the engines in tune and making sure that
your ship can keep running even with everything going to hell around you, because
the people who keep the ship fighting when the damage comes in are the ones who
truly decide whether their ship lives or dies.”
“Y’er not wrong about that, Master. You’re definitely an
engineer, or ye knew one long enough to pick up on some things. So, now that we’ve
established that you and I both know I’m best suited for working on a warship,
what kind of ship are you thinking of?”
“Well, have you ever worked on a battleship before, Ozman?
The first of our Wrath-class battleships is currently under construction, using
plans modified from the Imperial Navy’s Vindicator-class heavy battleships. The
Wrath-class incorporates technology Black Star has developed, as well as what
we captured from the X’thari to be an incredible force of destruction when it
comes to battles in space. It would not be out of line to say that one could go
toe to toe with a modern superdreadnought and come out ahead, so long as the
engineering staff are good at their jobs. And if the engineers were trained to
the standards of the Consortium, which is known for having some impressive
engineering…”
“Ah, yes, I can see what you be sayin’. But why go and copy
the Vindicators? Those things are twenty years old, and they’ve got nothing on
the Dhumal-class.” Ozman blinked, and said, “Wait a moment. Your group was
involved in the Civil War the impies had, right? You stole their ship designs?
How much did you get?”
I chuckled, and said, “Oh, only all current and historical Imperial
Navy designs. Official designs only, of course. Experimental ships that never
became production models, or those designed for other branches, like the Intelligence
departments, weren’t included in the data we were able to ‘liberate’. Of
course, the ship is still being built, so a Gauz engineer to help iron out the
details wouldn’t be a bad idea. Especially since he knows what goes into
keeping a warship running in battle.”
Ozman nodded slowly. “You’ve mentioned battle a couple times.
You planning on going to war with someone?”
I shrugged, and said, “Oh, not any of the groups in Known
Space, though if they come at me, then I’m not going to simply sit there and
let them hit me without a response. No, I’m primarily thinking about the X’thari,
and any other potentially hostile groups that may be out there. We’ve already
tangled with the X’thari once, and come out on top, but they bled us plenty. I’d
rather enjoy a chance to make them bleed instead.”
“And for that, you need a Navy, and ships that can bring the
pain. My uncle fought in the last X’thari wars, and those were nasty as hell.
Fine, Master, you’ve got yourself an engineer. Can’t wait to see what my new
ship will be like. Stupid pirates don’t know how to keep their ships in order.
Even this station is just barely holding together!”
“Well, suffice to say I have people working on that. Now, if
you’ll head out the door, the person outside will show you where to go to get
situated. And please send in my next interview.”
“Will do, Master.”
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Be sure to read my published works!
Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37
Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-stuart-grosse/1128941349?ean=2940161995297
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-omnibus-i-stuart-grosse/1128953195?ean=2940162052081
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y
City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1
Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR
The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T
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