Vigilante (39 page)
“Missiles away,” she said.
The firing of the Assassinators was anticlimactic when compared to the
rail guns. The missiles were smart delivery systems that were gently pushed out of their tubes.
They used minimal crude chemical propellant to orient themselves before starting their boost
engines.
rail guns. The missiles were smart delivery systems that were gently pushed out of their tubes.
They used minimal crude chemical propellant to orient themselves before starting their boost
engines.
Oleander looked up to watch, with the rest of the control deck, the
plots of the missiles as they overtook and passed the TLS
Percival
.
The missiles were death addressed to a specific type of ship and they paid no heed to the
Percival.
plots of the missiles as they overtook and passed the TLS
Percival
.
The missiles were death addressed to a specific type of ship and they paid no heed to the
Percival.
This hadn’t been the way they hoped things would play out, considering
the
Percival
had more than twice as many rangers as the
Bright Crescent
had commandos. Those special forces would have been
welcome in boarding and taking back the
Pilgrimage
, but somebody
had to go after the
Candor Chasma
. State Prince Hauser was on the
Percival
, and he’d already stated that since a Terran weapon, a
Terran design flaw, and Terran security procedures had precipitated this crisis, then it was
only fair the
Percival
perform cleanup. Now the presence of the
Minoans made “cleanup” an absolute necessity and had forced “plan B” into effect.
the
Percival
had more than twice as many rangers as the
Bright Crescent
had commandos. Those special forces would have been
welcome in boarding and taking back the
Pilgrimage
, but somebody
had to go after the
Candor Chasma
. State Prince Hauser was on the
Percival
, and he’d already stated that since a Terran weapon, a
Terran design flaw, and Terran security procedures had precipitated this crisis, then it was
only fair the
Percival
perform cleanup. Now the presence of the
Minoans made “cleanup” an absolute necessity and had forced “plan B” into effect.
“Relay to the Warrior Commander that we’d like Knossos-ship to follow us
to Sophia One and help with the
Pilgrimage Three
. We’ll be sending
boarding tactics for their review within the hour,” Aquino said.
to Sophia One and help with the
Pilgrimage Three
. We’ll be sending
boarding tactics for their review within the hour,” Aquino said.
“What if they ask about the
Percival
?”
Lieutenant Kozel looked terrified at the prospect of lying to a Minoan.
Percival
?”
Lieutenant Kozel looked terrified at the prospect of lying to a Minoan.
“Pass the comm to me if that happens,” Edones said.
As Oleander watched the forward part of the missile traces, she wondered
at the strange deficiency of curiosity in the Minoans. Luckily, the Knossos-ship didn’t once
question the use of the
Percival
for pursuing “criminals,” as
Edones had described the situation. The Minoans must have tracked the launch of the missiles,
but still made no comment.
at the strange deficiency of curiosity in the Minoans. Luckily, the Knossos-ship didn’t once
question the use of the
Percival
for pursuing “criminals,” as
Edones had described the situation. The Minoans must have tracked the launch of the missiles,
but still made no comment.
Both the Terrans and Autonomists preferred the Minoans never found out
about the missing TD weapon, and this was higher priority than hiding it from the Pilgrimage
ship line. Strictly speaking, this wasn’t a treaty violation, but the Minoans might still
invoke penalties.
about the missing TD weapon, and this was higher priority than hiding it from the Pilgrimage
ship line. Strictly speaking, this wasn’t a treaty violation, but the Minoans might still
invoke penalties.
As a result, the
Percival
was on a mission
that bordered on dishonor.
If
they successfully stopped the
Candor Chasma
, their highest priority was to destroy all evidence
that a TD weapon was involved. Rescuing any survivors was far down on their priority list,
allowing for the possibility that there
were
survivors after the
Assassinators were finished.
Percival
was on a mission
that bordered on dishonor.
If
they successfully stopped the
Candor Chasma
, their highest priority was to destroy all evidence
that a TD weapon was involved. Rescuing any survivors was far down on their priority list,
allowing for the possibility that there
were
survivors after the
Assassinators were finished.
Tahir turned away from the display. The final approval that flashed in
Abram’s eyes made his heart beat faster. Then his rush of hope flattened when Abram also called
Emery his son.
Abram’s eyes made his heart beat faster. Then his rush of hope flattened when Abram also called
Emery his son.
Didn’t you say, Father, that everybody has a key? A
weakness that can be exploited? Yours is that you fail to recognize your son has the same
capacity for hate as you do—and you fail to see my hatred is focused upon
you.
weakness that can be exploited? Yours is that you fail to recognize your son has the same
capacity for hate as you do—and you fail to see my hatred is focused upon
you.
“Final boost for trajectory change,” Julian said.
Emery was monitoring sensors and the weapon itself, courtesy of the old
control unit installed in this heap of a ship. Tahir glanced at Major Kedros, who looked tense
and focused on Julian. He hadn’t dared tell her what he planned, but he had no doubt she’d
cooperate when the Great Bull-shit splattered, so to speak.
control unit installed in this heap of a ship. Tahir glanced at Major Kedros, who looked tense
and focused on Julian. He hadn’t dared tell her what he planned, but he had no doubt she’d
cooperate when the Great Bull-shit splattered, so to speak.
“We need more acceleration to fit the profile,” Emery said. “I’ll
display the specs on your console.”
display the specs on your console.”
Julian slowly pushed up thrust from the boost engines, and watched the
diagram in front of him. The real-space piloting turned out to be tricky. They were dangerously
close to the sun and unable to bleed off excess gee that could harm them.
diagram in front of him. The real-space piloting turned out to be tricky. They were dangerously
close to the sun and unable to bleed off excess gee that could harm them.
“If your great leader had any respect for you, he’d have had you do this
around Laomedon,” Major Kedros said in a casual tone.
around Laomedon,” Major Kedros said in a casual tone.
“Shut up,” Julian returned automatically.
“I’m just saying that you could have lived through this,” Kedros
said.
said.
Emery looked sideways at Tahir, who shook his head. At this point, he
couldn’t afford to have Emery distrust the flight profile.
couldn’t afford to have Emery distrust the flight profile.
Tahir was pleased that Kedros was distracting Julian. He tried to catch
her eye, hoping she’d understand his approval, but she was staring at Julian’s profile.
her eye, hoping she’d understand his approval, but she was staring at Julian’s profile.
“I think Laomedon would have worked,” she said. “We could have flown
this profile around that gas giant, but Abram didn’t want the detonation to be anywhere near
him.”
this profile around that gas giant, but Abram didn’t want the detonation to be anywhere near
him.”
“Shut up. Besides, we’re going up in a ball of fury once the weapon goes
off,” Julian said, using a lofty tone.
off,” Julian said, using a lofty tone.
Kedros laughed. It was so unexpected and lighthearted that Tahir
couldn’t help grinning. Even Emery grunted out a chuckle at Julian’s expense.
couldn’t help grinning. Even Emery grunted out a chuckle at Julian’s expense.
“What?” Julian tried to spin his body around, forgetting that he was
tied to a chair and they were now in free fall. Instead, his arm flailed. “What’s so
fucking
funny?”
tied to a chair and they were now in free fall. Instead, his arm flailed. “What’s so
fucking
funny?”
“Get back to the rest of the profile.” Tahir grinned, but kept an eye on
Emery’s console, watching them fill the second half of the gee maneuver.
Emery’s console, watching them fill the second half of the gee maneuver.
“Again, what’s so funny?” Julian was back at the stick. Beside him,
Kedros was leaning closer, smiling.
Kedros was leaning closer, smiling.
“Because you’re going to die from
radiation
,
flyboy. There’s not going to be any
ball of fury
.” Kedros’s voice
was smooth and spiteful.
radiation
,
flyboy. There’s not going to be any
ball of fury
.” Kedros’s voice
was smooth and spiteful.
Tahir wanted to see Julian’s face, but time was getting short and he
needed to watch Emery. Kedros found Julian’s “key,” exactly as Abram had. Julian had a death
wish, what Abram called the blaze-of-glory syndrome that he’d looked for in the disaffected and
the anarchist masses. These people wanted to die for a cause, any cause, as long as it invoked
sincere feelings of justification and visions of grand immolation.
needed to watch Emery. Kedros found Julian’s “key,” exactly as Abram had. Julian had a death
wish, what Abram called the blaze-of-glory syndrome that he’d looked for in the disaffected and
the anarchist masses. These people wanted to die for a cause, any cause, as long as it invoked
sincere feelings of justification and visions of grand immolation.
“Radiation
poisoning
?” From the sound of
Julian’s voice, he hadn’t planned such an ignominious end.
poisoning
?” From the sound of
Julian’s voice, he hadn’t planned such an ignominious end.
“That’s it, flyboy. You’re going to be drilled so bad you’ll be
smoking.” Kedros sounded happy.
smoking.” Kedros sounded happy.
“Shut up, bitch.” Julian’s return didn’t sound so automatic this time.
Besides, they were under high gee and he almost had to grunt to get out the plaintive words.
“We have radiation shielding.”
Besides, they were under high gee and he almost had to grunt to get out the plaintive words.
“We have radiation shielding.”
Ignoring Julian, Tahir watched Emery, who concentrated on his console.
They were finishing their gee maneuver.
They were finishing their gee maneuver.
“Ease up, Julian,” Emery said. “Slowly reverse thrust. Good. I’ll load
some vectors in for a flight plan.”
some vectors in for a flight plan.”
They were now in free fall around a strong gravity well. They’d gone
through their low to high gee conditions and were now floating. He heard Julian retch. Tahir
felt fine, but the free fall finally affected Julian. He kept his hand on his loosened stunner
as he hovered behind Emery. They both saw what they were waiting for; the controller displayed
a flashing yellow signal that read ARMED.
through their low to high gee conditions and were now floating. He heard Julian retch. Tahir
felt fine, but the free fall finally affected Julian. He kept his hand on his loosened stunner
as he hovered behind Emery. They both saw what they were waiting for; the controller displayed
a flashing yellow signal that read ARMED.
“Why do you think everybody in this system is hiding behind planets with
magnetospheres, Julian? This is just the start, flyboy.” Kedros’s voice whipped through the
control deck like a lash. “This nausea is the beginning of the grand death your leader is
expecting from you.”
magnetospheres, Julian? This is just the start, flyboy.” Kedros’s voice whipped through the
control deck like a lash. “This nausea is the beginning of the grand death your leader is
expecting from you.”
“Shut. Up. You. Bitch.” Julian was struggling against the nausea and he
hadn’t used a bag. Instead, he tried to hold the liquid mess together in the folds of his
elbow. The smell of vomit filled the control deck quickly.
hadn’t used a bag. Instead, he tried to hold the liquid mess together in the folds of his
elbow. The smell of vomit filled the control deck quickly.
“I’ve had it with the both of you.” Emery released his webbing, pulled
out his flechette pistol, and turned with a catlike grace, his free hand gripping the back of
his seat.
out his flechette pistol, and turned with a catlike grace, his free hand gripping the back of
his seat.
From his position behind Emery, Tahir saw Kedros make her move. He
brought his stunner up and pulled the trigger.
brought his stunner up and pulled the trigger.
CHAPTER 22
I hate to see pilots approach N-space drops by numbly
processing their checklists, not understanding the ne cessity of the buoy lock signal, or the
creation of the
Penrose Fold and Fold boundary.
Rant: Understanding Our Technology
,
Lee Wan Padoulos, 2101.078.12.19 UT, indexed by
Democritus 20
under
Metrics Imperative
A
s Ariane pushed toward Julian, she heard the
sizzle-pop sound of a stunner. Her tied fists hit Julian square in the face and her a knees
grabbed the chair arm. Julian pushed back with one hand and the other arm drew back to hit her.
They both had leverage.
s Ariane pushed toward Julian, she heard the
sizzle-pop sound of a stunner. Her tied fists hit Julian square in the face and her a knees
grabbed the chair arm. Julian pushed back with one hand and the other arm drew back to hit her.
They both had leverage.
Then came the slam of propellant from a flechette pistol and the whine
of twisting bladed needles. Julian flinched and ducked his head, so she slammed him in the face
again with her two-handed fist. There were free-floating needles everywhere. She closed her
eyes and tried to keep her head down as she hit Julian again.
of twisting bladed needles. Julian flinched and ducked his head, so she slammed him in the face
again with her two-handed fist. There were free-floating needles everywhere. She closed her
eyes and tried to keep her head down as she hit Julian again.
And again. Julian yelled incoherently. Needles were flying; she felt
pricking pain in her left leg.
pricking pain in her left leg.
“Get off him, Major Kedros.”
She looked up to see Tahir pointing a stunner at her. Most of the
flechette ammo had buried itself in the soft displayable covering on the walls and Emery’s
console, but some needles still moved around in free fall. Floating about were drops of spit,
blood, and vomit—she saw Emery lodged against the opposite wall, stunned. He must have pulled
the trigger on his pistol as he went under.
flechette ammo had buried itself in the soft displayable covering on the walls and Emery’s
console, but some needles still moved around in free fall. Floating about were drops of spit,
blood, and vomit—she saw Emery lodged against the opposite wall, stunned. He must have pulled
the trigger on his pistol as he went under.
“Yeth, ge’off, you bith,” Julian mumbled.
She regretfully disengaged, floating backward toward her chair. Tahir
stunned Julian and she raised her eyebrows.
stunned Julian and she raised her eyebrows.
“Sorry.” Tahir grimaced and awkwardly motioned toward Emery. “He was
aiming the pistol before I could stun him.”
aiming the pistol before I could stun him.”
She pulled a few painful needles out of her thigh. As she looked up, she
saw Tahir tap a command at the weapons console.
saw Tahir tap a command at the weapons console.
“What are you doing?”
“Releasing the weapon,” he said.
“
What?
No!” She pushed toward him.
What?
No!” She pushed toward him.
“Don’t.” He pointed the stunner in warning. “It’s gone. It’ll detonate
in—”
in—”
“Seven minutes remaining,” announced the
Candor
Chasma
’s ship timer, which must have been set by Emery.
Candor
Chasma
’s ship timer, which must have been set by Emery.
“That’s enough time for you to get us out of this system.”
With agony churning her stomach, she watched the display on the weapons
console.
All this trouble and I still didn’t stop it
. The weapon,
released from its homemade clamps and holding its original velocity vector, was quickly
diverging from the ship’s path. The ship was now on a flight plan that Emery had loaded into
the autopilot.
console.
All this trouble and I still didn’t stop it
. The weapon,
released from its homemade clamps and holding its original velocity vector, was quickly
diverging from the ship’s path. The ship was now on a flight plan that Emery had loaded into
the autopilot.
“We’ve got to catch it,” she said.
“No, we’re leaving. We’re dropping to N-space before this thing blows.
The civilized galaxy will finally be free of Abram.”
The civilized galaxy will finally be free of Abram.”
“Not possible. The referential engine won’t work without a license
crystal, we’ve got no drugs, and we’re—”
crystal, we’ve got no drugs, and we’re—”
She was going to say they were too far from the buoy to get a lock
signal, but she stopped as he reached into his pocket and held up a license crystal.
signal, but she stopped as he reached into his pocket and held up a license crystal.
“I’ve already loaded codes for the Pilgrimage buoy, and you’ve done this
before, without drugs.”
before, without drugs.”
Her mind went into overdrive. There was time to catch up with the
weapon, or there was time to get within lock-signal distance of the buoy, but
there wasn’t time enough to do both before detonation
. They were still in free
fall, floating between the weapons console and the pilot chair where Julian still sat.
weapon, or there was time to get within lock-signal distance of the buoy, but
there wasn’t time enough to do both before detonation
. They were still in free
fall, floating between the weapons console and the pilot chair where Julian still sat.
Tahir nodded, taking her silence for cooperation. He holstered his
stunner and turned toward the hatch, using his toes lightly against the deck. “I’ll get this
installed while you—”
stunner and turned toward the hatch, using his toes lightly against the deck. “I’ll get this
installed while you—”
Her zero-gee training kicked in as she turned and grabbed the back of
Julian’s chair. Using the chair as an anchoring pivot, she twisted and clipped Tahir in the
back of the head with her boots. He grunted and flew forward into the hatch. She reached down
and pulled Julian’s stunner out as Tahir thrashed to turn around, using the hatch for leverage.
She felt no guilt as she stunned him.
Julian’s chair. Using the chair as an anchoring pivot, she twisted and clipped Tahir in the
back of the head with her boots. He grunted and flew forward into the hatch. She reached down
and pulled Julian’s stunner out as Tahir thrashed to turn around, using the hatch for leverage.
She felt no guilt as she stunned him.
“Thanks.” She grabbed the crystal as it careened past her face. “I’m
going to need this.”
going to need this.”
Joyce quickly reconsidered the wisdom of wreaking havoc on a station
with only a stunner, particularly when he came up against projectile weapons. Not that getting
hit with a stunner was any fun, but rubber riot-shot—
Where the hell did
they get shotguns?
—was painfully debilitating and flechettes were deadly.
with only a stunner, particularly when he came up against projectile weapons. Not that getting
hit with a stunner was any fun, but rubber riot-shot—
Where the hell did
they get shotguns?
—was painfully debilitating and flechettes were deadly.
As flechettes flew upward past him, he knew he needed better weapons and
a
plan
—that dirty four-letter word. It didn’t have to be an
elaborate one, because these guys were
stupid
. The proof was below
him, as a crazy tried to shoot flechettes up the manual access tube, only to have them ricochet
or fall back down.
a
plan
—that dirty four-letter word. It didn’t have to be an
elaborate one, because these guys were
stupid
. The proof was below
him, as a crazy tried to shoot flechettes up the manual access tube, only to have them ricochet
or fall back down.
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