First Casualty (41 page)

Mattim wasn't quite sure what he expected. The show of force was just that, a show. If it came to a fight, he'd surrender before firing a shot. Still, he wouldn't give up the ship without a try at bluffing his way through. The
Maggie
was still a good merchant ship, dinged a bit, needed some work, but a quick and easy conversion back to what she'd been. She was also a very deadly warship.

The man who lead the “buyers” was military to the core, back ramrod straight even as he came aboard hand over hand. Mattim spotted the flickering start to rendering honors before it was aborted. The woman behind him was beautiful in a pilot's jumper, sporting military rank he did not recognize. Her he recognized. When last he'd seen her, she'd been a happy kid, showing him around her father's gardens. Hers had been one of the faces on the bombs he refused to deliver. The last man aboard screamed bodyguard both by his carriage and by the hand in his jacket pocket. Mattim moved to meet them; the three newcomers halted in place. With Ding and Mary at his back, Mattim quickly blocked their way.

“I am Captain Mattim Abeeb, licensed merchant officer and commissioned officer of the Society of Humanity Navy, presently commanding this ship,
Sheffield
.” Okay, ape, let's pound our chests and see who runs.

“I am Ray Longknife, formerly of the Second Guard Brigade. This is my wife, Senior Pilot Officer Rita Longknife and her driver, also formerly of the Second. It seems I am to be offered Minister of Research and Technology in the next government for Wardhaven. My wife thinks we need a ship.” The man didn't bat an eyelash as he laid his cards face up on the table. Not a bad hand. Mattim concluded.

“Seems like you need a yacht more than a beat-up light cruiser,” Ding snapped.

Mattim pointed behind him. “This is my Executive Officer, Commander Colin Ding, and the commander of the marine detachment, Captain Mary Rodrigo, formerly of the Ninety-seventh Defense Brigade.”

That brought raised eyebrows from the “buyers.” “Were you at the pass the first day?” Longknife asked.

Mary nodded. “We did what we had to.”

Longknife's eyes took on a distant smile. “I'd like to hear your story, Captain. Could I buy you a drink sometime?”

“Be glad to, but I'd much prefer you didn't buy this ship out from underneath me, sir,” Mary quipped, and brought them to the heart of the matter.

“I don't know what you've heard about us.” Mattim's words were soft, but he poured as much power through them as Ivan pushed out his engines. “But we are not traitors. We may have drawn the line at bombing a billion civilians, but turning over an operational warship to Unity is not on the same side of the line. We've shown we know how to wreck a ship. We'll make sure it's nothing but scrap if we have to.”

Rita looked around, almost lovingly. “I've lost one ship this war, I'd hate to cause the loss of another one. Especially one that's gone so far.” That got Mattim's attention.

“Yes,” Mr. Longknife said, “we intercepted your message to the Ninety-seventh about the sour jump, or rather my wife did. I've never seen her so excited. I have not let my wife talk me into a political post so others can use me for a figurehead. Once upon a time, I was a damn good soldier. And I promised a dead man I'd make the future worth all the lives that paid for it. I think opening up the universe would meet his specs.”

“A billion stars just waiting for us.” The woman smiled and patted her stomach. “What a present for our child.”

Longknife held out his hand. “My friends call me Ray. The ship will have to haul cargo to keep us from going too far into the red. I need an experienced merchant skipper and crew.”

Mattim looked at the hand. “If I'm going to be wandering the stars, never sure of what I may stick my nose into, I'll need more than the usual crew.” He slipped aside and left the stranger facing Ding and Mary.

Longknife took the measure of the two of them. “I don't expect you to go looking for a fight, but good gunners and good troops can come in handy a lot of places. What do you say?”

Ding's answer was quick. “We're ready now, sir.”

Mary glanced around at her marines. “It beats the last job we had. Sure is a damn sight more interesting.”

Mattim reached for his new employer's hand. “My friends call me Matt.”

* * * *

“We get to go jump point hopping!” Zappa crowed from among the middies.

Sandy chuckled. “I wonder what we'll find out there? Or who?

About the Author

Mike Moscoe grew up Navy. It taught him early about geography, change, and the chain of command. He's worked as a cab driver and bartender, labor negotiator and data analyst. Now retired from building databases about the critters of the Pacific Northwest, he's looking forward to a serious study of human folly and glory. He lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife and her mother. He enjoys reading, writing, watching grandchildren for story ideas, and upgrading his computer—all are never-ending.

You may reach him at [email protected].