Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (17 page)

"It's tricky but if we're careful, we should be able to pull it off," Buck said. What went unsaid was one mistake and the engine would explode, killing the ship along with all hands.

O'Toole backed away from the instrument board and motioned them all into chairs. Apparently, he wasn't ready to call the bosun'. Knowing the Marines stationed outside couldn't hear them, the five men talked engines, experiences, and where they'd served. Buck learned someone had hired the Blue Marlin for this job although the engine crew had no idea what the Molly Celeste carried. The bridge officers and engineers were from the original crew. All others had come aboard a few months earlier after a stop at Barnard's Star, as did the Marines.

"Rumor has it they jumped your ship to get some diamonds," O'Toole said. "We're not criminals and don’t like having to do this. But they've got the guns and I suppose the money to buy the right people." O'Toole suspected the scuttlebutt was true that the Molly Celeste held gems and with a royal seal attached that told everyone not to mess with it. Apparently, leaving them there solved a number of problems.

Buck nodded.

"Any idea what's going to happen to us?" asked the engineer.

Buck shook his head and looked away. "I don't know. But you don't pull something like this and leave witnesses. That means the Blue Marlin's crew as well. You've seen it all."

"Yeah, I've thought about that." The rest of the engineering crew sat with their mouths agape, faces filled with fear.

"Chief, you mean we're gonna be killed?" The younger man’s eyes were filled with terror.

"Blue Marlin's crew numbers one hundred," said the engineer. "The bridge and engine crew amounts to twenty-one people. As I said, all the rest are from Barnard's Star."

"And our fifty crewmen along with fifty Marines," Buck said and added, "That's two hundred twenty-one. Think they can murder that many people and keep it quiet?"

The engineer didn't answer and instead nervously asked, "What are you going to do?"

"What are
you
going to do?" Buck asked. The truth of the matter, neither man had many choices and they knew it.

"Why don't you explain the part problem to the bosun' and let's see what washes," Buck said. Unless another ship had a replacement part, the only alternative was Tommy's idea and the long shifts at the controls.

Stepping to the door, the O'Toole asked the Marine to summon Dickey.

Outside the control room, the two talked for a few minutes and the bosun' left.

Returning, the engineer said, "Our bosun' isn't a happy man. He even questioned me like it was a conspiracy. I like our chances even less."

The five men sat in silence waiting.

"Here he comes," Tommy said quietly.

"Use the work schedule you suggested," Dickey said and before leaving, briefed the Marine guard without addressing Buck and Tommy.

Twelve on and twelve off at the controls proved exhausting. Undivided and immediate attention to every detail wore on Buck and Tommy.

The chief engineer deferred to Buck and Tommy saying their knowledge and experience exceeded his. That meant frequent visits with the ship's captain, who insisted he be fully informed, giving Buck the opportunity to gather detailed knowledge of the Blue Marlin's layout.

Gaining the Blue Marlin's Captain's confidence, Buck told him what he expected their fate to be.

The man had reached the same conclusion months earlier. Together, they agreed to watch for any opportunity to change their situation.

"Who are you Marcus? I think you are not who you would have us believe," Captain Lenning said in a private moment.

"Few of us are, Captain." Buck stepped through the hatch into the passageway; the Captain's eyes carried a touch of humor. Buck had learned from O'Toole that Captain Lenning was a man of principle. He came from a family that had distinguished itself and had high standing in the ship recovery business, one usually fraught with less than honest people. Buck suspected there was more than that to the man.

Returning to the crew area, Buck and Tommy took roll call. "Farley, Jacob Farley," Buck repeated.

No one had seen the former astrogator leave after Buck and Tommy's summons to the engine room.

Bosun' Dickey appeared, a dozen Marines behind him.

Buck's lips pursed. His first concern, that the deposed astrogator had given in to his fears and told their captors Buck's real name and rank.

Dickey strode to where Buck stood.

A good head and a half shorter than his captive, feet spread, hands on hips, said, Dickey said, "Well, Minister Fryman, looks like your little game is over. We got us quite a catch. Come with me."

Almost in unison, the Molly Celeste crew moved forward, but stopped as the whine of Marine's arming their weapons filled the large room.

Instead of heading for the brig, they marched forward of the bridge to a cabin.

Locked in his room, Buck waited in isolation. For a week, he saw no one but his guards. Even Dickey stayed away.

The electronic door lock's loud click brought him off his cot. Tommy Simms and the Chief Engineer O'Toole appeared in the hatch opening, Dickey behind the two, as a Marine trailed him.

"It seems there's a problem and possible solution these two need to discuss with you, Minister Fryman," Dickey said. The sneer hadn't left his voice. He motioned the two forward and the Marine guard closed the hatch and remained in the passageway.

Tommy squatted near Buck. The engineer took the chair, Buck again seated on his cot. For a few minutes, they discussed a problem then Tommy motioned for Dickey to join them.

Buck studied his friend with no idea what he was coming next. Knowing Tommy, it could be anything.

Cautiously, the Bosun' responded.

Tommy accepted a small black device from the O'Toole. "Bosun', when I push this here switch, all the hatches are gonna lock." Tommy made a big show as he punched the button. "Now, I know all them Marines of yors, 'cept that one outside our hatch, is locked up and most of the crew is too. That one in the passageway can't git in here neither. I also know none ain't allowed forward. I guess that's Captain's Land." He gave a knowing nod and grin. "That little button also killed their comm units."

"Now, here's what's gonna happen," he continued his manner casual to the point even Buck doubted his friend.

Dickey, next to the hatch tested the handle. It didn't move. He drew his pulser and pointed at Tommy. "Drop that or I'll kill you." The bosun' aimed at the engineer's head.

Tommy held up his hand. "You didn't let me finish Mister Dickey. Ya see, I punched this here button," he held the device up for inspection, "and if I let it go, the aft end of this big bastard will be blown to hell. All the engine people and our crew along with our Marines is safe. I told them ta go visit the Molly Celeste crew. Jist your Marines and ship's crew is in big trouble. They'll be the first ta die." There was no boast in the smallish man's voice, just the sound of someone deadly serious.

Buck, now standing, had overcome this own surprise and reached for the unbelieving bosun', disarming him.

"Tommy, can you open this hatch?" Buck asked.

Manipulating his gadget, the engineer nodded. "Call the Marine in," he ordered Dickey.

Dickey did as told.

Buck and Tommy disarmed and tied the Marine along with Dickey.

Buck, relieved the bosun' of his hand-held, just in case, stepped to the bulkhead and keyed the voice activated intra-ship comm.

He called the bridge notifying the Captain they had effective control of the vessel.

"Good, I think, Marcus, or I should say Minister Fryman. What do we do with this newfound freedom? We can't run, have no armament and are five-hundred billion kilometers from friendly territory."

Chapter Seventeen:
Measured Freedom

B
uck and Danko stepped onto the bridge.

"Welcome Minister Fryman and Captain Ravits,” the captain said. “A masterful ploy you pulled off indeed."

"Tommy Simms is responsible, Captain," Buck said. "I hope we live long enough to celebrated his ingenuity."

Captain Lenning nodded his approval. "Well, gentlemen, any suggestions for how we solve this dilemma?" he asked.

"It seems Tommy isn't quite through with his shenanigans," said Buck coyly. "He has another hare-brained scheme. It's crazy enough to work—I think or should say, I hope."

Over numerous conversations, Blue Marlin's engineer, O'Toole, had gained the trusted of the destroyer enginemen. Tommy’s plan was, using the excuse that Blue Marlin had burned their fusers, having to change settings so frequently, O’Toole would board the eight destroyers, asking to borrow one fuser from each engine. Even without the part, the eight ships could maintain alpha hyperspace, as could the transport. Unknown to all but Buck, Captain Lenning, O'Toole, and of course, Tommy, the Blue Marlin could reach the gamma level.

"Fortunately," Buck said with a bit of a wry smile, "when the destroyers accelerate to keep up with us, the depleted engines will stall, dropping the destroyers back into normal space as we speed off. No other damage accrues to the destroyers and the crews will be quite safe."

Captain Lenning shook his head. "I think, Minister, you are why I'm where I am. You captained the freighters that hit Katakan. We contracted to retrieve and haul a number of the ships that fled Katakan but couldn't make Barnard's Star. We did not know they were pirates. Our understanding changed once we reach orbit at Star."

Buck admitted to Lenning's claim and made no effort to hide a guffaw. The Captain offered his hand to Buck. "It's my pleasure, Sir. And as for the idea, Tommy's you said, I say let's give it a try."

***

It took the better part of a T-week to affect the changes, all the time building their reputation as first class enginemen. O'Toole schooled the destroyer engineers in detail how to operate their engines with the missing part to avoid problems. Molly Celeste's Marines had gained control over the Blue Marlin's crew and Marine contingent, but not without some difficulty. Buck decided Bosun' Dickey should shoulder the responsible and put him in charge with the same understanding he'd given the Molly Celeste crew after their capture. "Behave or go out an airlock."

"Remember, Mister Dickey, unlike your authority, as Captain of the Molly Celeste, under articles approved by the Federation, I can summarily execute you for any infraction of my orders," Danko Ravits sternly warned. "And will if you break even the least…" He left unsaid the obvious.

"As for my traitorous astrogator, since matters have resolved themselves as they have, you can keep him."

Fortunately, all communication with the destroyer escorts occurred from the bridge and under Captain Lenning's direction.

A T-week later chief engineer O'Toole commed the bridge. "Captain Lenning, we are set to enter hyperspace."

The Blue Marlin Captain advised the destroyers and in turn received the coordinates they were to follow. "Not heading for Barnard's Star," he said. "I'm not familiar with our new heading." He commed the destroyer squadron captain and received the needed data.

"Minister, are these coordinates known to you?" He pointed to the plot board. Buck joined him and motioned Danko forward.

"Not me," Buck said and Danko shook his head.

"Suggestions," Lenning said cautious by nature.

"Let's get into hyperspace, lose these ships, and then we'll set our own course," Buck said with authority.

Ten hours later, from the bridge of the Blue Marlin, Lenning commed the destroyers to advise them they would leave normal space in eighteen seconds and gave the astrogator the command to engage.

It wasn't long until the comm said, "We've lost contact. They're in normal space."

"Captain," Buck said, "Do a sliding vector change. In case they should somehow gain control of their vessels, our slewing change will minimize the possibility of them finding and undoing our handiwork."

Captain Lenning had doubts about the extreme maneuver, as would most captains. A normal course change meant stopping acceleration, confirming coordinates before setting a new course. Whether the damaged Blue Marlin could manage the maneuver with the added load from the Molly Celeste remained a question. Reluctantly, he ordered the go-ahead.

Danko assisted the astrogator in keeping track of where they were and that amounted to no more than an estimate—actually, more of an uneducated guess since this was unknown space to them.

"When you space with Minister Fryman," Danko said with a grin, "we've had to do this a number of times. I'll admit it's a bit tricky. Hopefully, we won't get lost or break the ship."

The Blue Marlin astrogator shook his head in dismay. Accustomed to precise course changes after detailed and careful analysis, the man looked uneasy, worried, and let his Captain know his concerns.

Lenning reminded him of the firepower the eight destroyers could rain on them if they caught up with the Blue Marlin. That didn't end the man's doubts but did focus his attention on Danko's entries.

"Where are you taking us," Lenning asked his attention focused on the astrogator's entries.

"Far enough that we can enter normal space and undock Molly Celeste," Buck said. "I want her firepower available in case things get nasty."

Lenning agreed.

***

One week later, the Blue Marlin entered normal space and the crew spent two days freeing the moored Molly Celeste.

"I'm assigning men from my crew to man your ship," Buck said. With a minimal crew on both ships, exhaustion would soon overtake them and that meant mistakes.

With the Molly Celeste maneuvering under its own power, Buck asked, "Danko, any idea which way's home?"

"Kinda', Minister," he answered. "Need to run a few more calculations."

"Take your time." That brought a round of applause from the bridge crew. A misdirected heading could spell doom for a spaceship.

Buck keyed the comm. "Captain Lenning, I failed to ask you where your home is."

"And, Sir, I failed to ask you where you're taking us?" responded Lenning. After the chuckles stopped, he added, "Ever heard of the Alpine Sector? It's thirty parsecs from Barnard's Star left ascension approximately one-hundred twenty degrees on a one hundred degree vector, relative."