Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (12 page)

"Captain Fryman. I am a freighter who has dealt with more than his share of pirates raiding merchant ships and touring vessels—unarmed ships."

"And that gives you the right to attack Katakan?" Buck was sure it wasn't a question. The woman was every bit as Ricknei had suggested.

"I decided to hit their home base and kill as many as possible. They have slaughtered many innocent people—a scourge on mankind. You have provided sanctuary by your own choice. I owe neither you nor them an apology." Buck had no useful information on Olivia Ravenscross or on Katakan. What possessed any leader to harbor the worst of mankind was something he would never understand.

"Bullshit. You think you're some kind of saint, the galaxy's savior. You are no better than they are, a murdering son of a bitch."

"Madam, your vitriolic diatribe will stop. The longer you resist, the longer you stay locked up. Now, may I come in? We have much to discuss." His words were conciliatory but his voice said otherwise.

Olivia seemed momentarily stunned and stepped aside.

Buck entered and closed the door.

"Please," he motioned toward some chairs.

Without a word, she sat, hands fisted in her lap. He didn't take that for acquiescence, quite the contrary.

"Katakan is now under my jurisdiction by direction of His Majesty Sebastian, Emperor of Iona. I have appointed Captain Tenkiller of Iona's Royal Navy as Governor-General. He has declared martial law. If you understand the significance of this, you will do nothing that would bring harm to the civilian population."

She opened her mouth to speak and Buck waved her silent.

"General Ricknei believes his commitment is to Katakan's constitution and has acceded to Captain Tenkiller's authority."

Hearing that the Army had capitulated, Olivia slumped slightly in her chair.

"I want you to address the people; tell them you have capitulated and ceded authority to Captain Tenkiller. The Empire of Iona has control."

"Never!"

Buck had no doubt she knew it was over, and saw no reason to continue the conversation. He left the bitter woman staring at nothing, her attempt to rule that end of the quadrant a dismal failure.

When Buck next met with Captain Tenkiller, he set out the principle dictates for Katakan. Iona's Royal Army Group Ten would redeploy from the home world for permanent assignment on Katakan. Integration as a sovereign province of Iona under the Royal House of Sebastian was to be complete in less than five years. Military rule would continue until they had completed the integration.

"Captain Fryman, I must say the Emperor picked the right man to deal with this problem," Tenkiller said a tone of admiration seemed to mix with concern that Iona could make the takeover stick when the Federation learned of the attack. "Your command of the battle was exemplary as is the course you've laid out for Katakan's future."

Of that, Buck was not sure. He mused over the man's attitude change but said nothing. He thanked Captain Tenkiller, wished the man well, and returned to Phoenix. He claimed salvage rights on the pirate ships. Whitecap and Bolen would remain at Katakan to sell the spoils with all the credits going to the crews and in Forthright's case, to their families. In addition, Bolen would undergo major repairs from the damage she'd taken in the fight.

Gambit and Liberty formed up to accompany Phoenix's return to Iona. With more credits than they'd ever had, Buck expected the crew to leave when they returned home. That was fine with him as he planned to put his little fleet back into the freight business having fulfilled the Emperor's commission.

Buck had one more important matter and went looking for Molly. He found her in the mess hall sipping a cup of tea. A few crewmembers were scatter about the room. He sat next to her.

"My goodness. You look like someone with a problem," she said curiously.

"No Molly, a question Will you marry me?"

Molly dropped her cup and swung her arms around him. "Yes, Buckley Fryman, Yes."

Yells of approval echoed across the room. 

Chapter Eleven:
Home Coming

B
uck stepped through the bridge hatch, took his chair as Phoenix approached Iona, and comm signaled for an orbit slot.

"Welcome back, Phoenix. You are to hold your position." The voice lacked the command that usually accompanied such an order.

Buck keyed the comm on the arm of his chair. "What's going on?"

"Hold your vector and cut your velocity to one hundred kpm, Phoenix."

Buck decided it wasn't throwing his weight around when he told the orbit master he was under orders from the Emperor and unless he had the authority to overrule the monarch, suggested they cut the crap.

"Captain, there're a dozen ships approaching," said the comm operator. "Mixture of stuff, most likely pinnaces, and looks like some freighters.

"There's an incoming."

"Put it on the speaker," Buck said.

"Welcome home, Phoenix," the comm crackled. "Job well done, Captain Fryman." Admiral Basselrod was one of the few naval officers Buck knew and had become his friend.

"What in the hell is going on?" Buck didn't think any of this was necessary. A lot of people died in the attack.

"Emperor Sebastian has declared a day of celebration," Basselrod said. "First, for the brave freighters who gave their lives, and second, for dealing the pirates a disastrous blow. We are your escort to orbit."

Buck shook his head but directed the astrogator to form up with the array of ships.
Wait until I lay what I found at New Hope on the Emperor
, Buck thought.
He may send me packing
.

***

Buck headed for his cabin, palmed his shoulder comm. "Yes."

"The Emperor wants to see you," said the nervous voice. There was no mistake who was calling: Sebastian's secretary.

"You sound upset," Buck said. "Is something wrong?"

"I suspect there is. The Emperor seems very troubled. Please hurry."

Forgoing the welcoming committee, Buck signaled Danko would be in command.
So much for the welcome home
, he thought.

On the move down the passageway, he ordered a pinnace prepared to go dirtside.

Minutes later, now clad in what had become the formal freight captain's uniform, in hurried steps he reached the hanger bay. The dark blue uniform was a shade lighter than Navy blue, it carried none of the trimmings found on Royal Navy uniforms but still looked sharp. Buttons lined both sides of the breast cover. Buck preferred leaving the top three on the right unbuttoned and the piece lapped down, exposing the white lining. The visor cap sported silver, not Navy gold. He liked it.

Buck's pinnace settled on the tarmac near a waiting palace aircar.

"It isn't often I haul a hero," said the driver as he opened the door.

"No hero here." Buck still had to face the families of the lost Forthright crew. The credits they'd receive from the sale of the captured pirate ships, although substantial, were little consolation for their losses.

He wanted to stop at his residence and change into attire more appropriate, his blue suit, but the Emperor's orders were to deliver him directly to the palace. Dressed in his uniform instead of fatigues, he said at least he didn't look like someone that had completed his duty stint in a scullery.

His musing brought a laugh from the driver. "Don't worry. Your success at Katakan really has the Emperor revved up. Can't say as I blame him. That was one hell of a blow you dealt the pirates. And Iona gets to add a world in the deal."

They cleared the palace outer security gate. Buck smiled as he handed the man a thousand credits and stepped from the aircar. The tip was more money than the man would normally earn in a year.

"Sir, I'm in the service of the Emperor."

"So am I. Look, I made a lot of money on this raid and can share it if I wish. The Emperor won't mind. It's yours. "Keep it."

Buck took the marble steps four at a time to meet the waiting secretary.

Without a word passing between them, he followed into the palace, down a series of hallways to the Emperor's office.

The secretary opened the door and motioned Buck inside and followed.

Sebastian entered, still in his coat, with hands on hips and looked quite agitated.

The Secretary ushered Buck in, both bowed, and the escort backed from the room. No one entered the Emperor's presence alone. "Your Majesty, you summoned me? My apologies if I kept you waiting."

"I did indeed summon you. Just who do you think you are, proposing marriage to a royal?" He tossed his coat onto the desk and crossed his arms.

"Sire. What are you saying? I haven't proposed to any royal. Outside of Your Majesty, I know no royal." Buck's voice pleaded.

"Come now, Captain. Have you not courted Molly Durham?" Sebastian rocked forward on his toes, head lowered as he looked over his rimmed glasses, cherished relics. Forgoing transplants that eliminated the need for the old-fashioned lenses, the Emperor all but dared anyone to comment on his decision.

"Yes, Sire. I asked Molly to marry me. But, a royal? Molly? Sire, there must be some mistake."

"If so, it is yours. But then I could say yes. She seems to think it a good idea. Molly's a cousin: distant but a cousin."

Emperor Sebastian stepped forward and offered his hand to the dumbfounded freighter captain who meekly accepted the outstretched offering.

"You realize, Captain, you will be knighted for your efforts at Katakan and become a nobleman, a Lord after the marriage. From the day of the royal wedding, you will become Buckley Fryman, Lord of the Realm. That is unless you choose another title." Sebastian seemed quite pleased with himself.

Buck stood mute. With some difficulty he managed, "My Liege, this just can't be. I'm a freighter. A space freighter and before that an air truck driver and before that I drove an old-fashioned truck, one with wheels no less. Just drove it between docks."

"A noble calling, Buck; a noble calling indeed. I always wanted to drive one of those trucks, the one with wheels: rubber wheels mind you. Think you could arrange it?"

Buck hardly heard the Emperor's request. His mind was numb, unthinking.

For the next few minutes, Emperor Sebastian gave a recitation of a lord's responsibilities and place in the royal court. Buck's face hung slack, disbelieving.

"We've needed a reason to celebrate and now have two. Molly knows the responsibilities expected of a Lady of the Realm. All of her schooling prepared her for this moment. I will admit when she decided to become a freighter we were quite upset. I'm sure you can imagine the furor she caused. Of course, we were not well acquainted with the responsibilities of the calling but you've changed all that. As I said, a noble profession, Sir Buckley."

Buck regained his senses, at least enough to speak with some self-assurance. Molly would have a great deal to answer for not having told him of her royal lineage but that would have to wait. Feeling less than emboldened he said, "My liege, I have a matter to bring before you of the utmost importance. In fact, it may be the most serious matter one could ever present."

Sebastian turned to face Buck, his manner no longer that of an Emperor enjoying the prospects of elevating a hero of the empire but of an absolute monarch with no levity evident and perhaps suspicion of the man facing him or what he had to say.

Sebastian's eyes, hard and unyielding, locked on the freighter captain, and soon Lord, leaving him feeling more like a man awaiting his sentenced.

Buck sucked in a deep breath, slowly let it out and over the next few minutes told his Emperor what he'd found on New Hope: the long life secret. "My Emperor, no one else knows of this."

Sebastian, now seated, motioned Buck to take a chair his manner now that of a deeply concerned monarch. "This is indeed critical information, Captain. You have done your Emperor and the Empire a service by keeping this discovery to yourself.

"I’m sure you know the history of how the galaxy was first populated by Terrans who carried the long-life gene." Sebastian seemed to relax as his tone became conversational. "They left their world to keep the gene from spreading to the population. Over the years, after a number of wars, some thought the gene eliminated. What you have brought proves otherwise."

When told of the computer data Buck had collected, the Emperor's excitement rose to a new level. He punched a few icons. "Doctor Highlandermann, Sebastian here. I would like to see you."

Assured the doctor would be at the palace within the hour, Sebastian suggested Buck join him for a walk through his greenhouse. The monarch's manner had changed completely, again, this time that of someone completely detached from his royal duties.

"I didn't know you had a green thumb, Majesty."

"Yes, and I insist it stay a secret." With full computer controls in place, Sebastian had only to enter the variables he wished to subject the plants to and then over time observe the results.

Buck nodded and the Emperor continued. "I have tried for some time to cross pollinate the Iona rose and Terra Burgundian to create a deeper pink variety—unsuccessfully I might add as the Queen reminds me." Sebastian recited names of the various plants and the reasons he'd selected them for his ministrations. He reached to touch a flowering plant and stopped as his secretary approached.

"Dr. Highlandermann had arrived, Majesty."

Buck, as counseled, followed four steps behind Sebastian to his office where he met Iona's preeminent scientist.

Following introductions, Sebastian said, "Dr. Highlandermann, Captain Fryman has delivered us some very special data chips. Tell the doctor what you found, Captain."

Buck watched Highlandermann's reaction as he related his find on New Hope.

"Outstanding. My congratulations, Captain." Highlandermann turned to the Emperor, "A successful raid on the pirate stronghold, and this. Where did you find this man, Sire?"

"Ha. I have my ways, Doctor. Captain Fryman will make these chips available, but only your most trusted people are to know about this. It must remain among those few until I decide how we shall deal with it."