Chapter 27 : Into the belly of the beast…
The trip back to the Cry Havoc took about twenty five momens and was quiet and uneventful for all concerned – the Councillors were thinking about issues back in their territories and areas of influence (as well as how to turn the situation they were currently in to their advantage), while all the Irregulars were in one way or another thinking about their upcoming mission into Scarran space and how they could come through it alive.
Hellbolt stood beside Shor at the pilot's console and talked him through piloting the lander back up to the Cry Havoc again – and although there were a few minor wobbles taking off, Hellbolt was quite pleased with how quickly Shor picked up the vagaries of piloting the larger craft. This one has a talent for piloting, he told himself, that I can refine with training into an above-average pilot and comrade – and both he and Ryalla have already seen at least some combat on Earth.
Once the assault lander had touched down back in its landing spot, Captain Lazarus commed Ghoost out on the flight desk and asked "Sitrep?" "Nothing to report, Captain" Ghost replied "All rather boring, really – though admittedly a few people did briefly stick their heads out of Councillor Lorshella's freighter to look around. But no-one actually got out". Captain Kran commed the recon specialist as well, who told him much the same thing in his own words – once the two Captains had shared their information, Captain Kran announced "We're back on board the Cry Havoc now. Any Councillors who don't want to stay and fight with us are now free to return to their own ships and leave. Any Councillors and soldiers who decide to stay will be assigned quarters for the trip ahead of us and will accompany our own troops on the training regimen for the remainder of the trip ahead of us. That will be all".
The Councillors nodded politely to Harrigan and Kran as they left the assault lander and headed back to Councillor Lorshella's ship a little further along the flight deck – none of them saying a single thing, and their faces giving no clue as to their inner thoughts that Harrigan could discern either. "Can't see much, either" Kran added when Harrigan looked at him "Though I'd guess that most of them are relieved to be getting back to Scarran space and their own territories. I should have known better than to expect assistance from them". "We had to try anyway" Harrigan replied, shrugging his shoulders "I'd assumed beforehand that the bulk of the Hand's forces would be committed elsewhere and would not be able to assist, but I did hope we'd get something – thankfully that tactical squad of Councillor Lorshella's is staying, and Councillor Shuljek brought his family and personal retinue with him".
"Your command is growing already, Captain" Harrigan joked as they watched Lorshella's ship prepping for takeoff – Kran just laughed and replied "Councillor Shuljek's troops will remain under his command, not mine – and remember that your human Captain has that tactical squad to get acquainted with".
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"Oh, yes" Harrigan agreed "But all that will really require is for them to get used to the idea of taking orders from a non-Scarran – once they see that the humans trust him implicitly with their lives, and especially if they are told of the events surrounding the extraction from the North Korean base on Earth, they should accept his command for the duration of this mission". "Let's hope so" Kran replied a little warily, and Harrigan added "We've got enough problems ahead of us without having any leadership tussles and challenges here – I'm grateful that Concillor Lorshella let them stay, but I won't stand for them holding us over a barrel about it". Once Kran had deciphered the meaning of Harrigan's expression, he nodded and accompanied him as he walked over to where that squad was standing on the deck while their sergeant scanned the area and tried to gauge what Harrigan's people were like.
"Sergeant…" Harrigan prompted the Scarran squad commander, trying to get his name. "Leurik, War Commander" the sergeant replied, standing to attention "Senior Sergeant Leurik. This is my squad, all veterans of both regular combat missions and intelligence-gathering missions for Councillor Lorshella. We won't fail you". Various growls and calls along the lines of "That's right!", "Frellin' right, sarge!", "Not in a million cycles!" came back from the squad members before their sergeant barked at them to quieten down, after which he tured to Harrigan and asked "So is this my immediate superior officer you have with you, War Commander? I have heard of Captain Kran before, and although he's very good at what he does, he is Bloodstar command – we are tactical troops". "The Captain's better at subtlety than he might appear to be, Sergeant Leurik" Harrigan replied, directing him away from his recent landing spot and over to the four humans "But you are right in thinking that he will not be your CO – that job goes to Captain Lazarus. CAPTAIN LAZARUS – GOT SOME NEW PEOPLE FOR YA! MAKE 'EM FEEL AT HOME!"
Lazarus got up from the Stryker's landing pad he was sitting on, and gestured for Ghost, Troll, and Jane to follow on behind him. Leurik was surprised to say in the least when someone who his eyes were telling him was Sebacean marched over to stand beside Harrigan with several similar-looking people and announced "I'm Captain Lazarus, sergeant, and you'll be under my command for the rest of this mission. With me are Troll – squad heavy, Ghost – sniper, and Jane – scout". "You're putting a Sebacean in command over my squad?" Leurik asked Harrigan disbelievingly "While you are the War Commander and can assign us to whoever you please, this will he hard for my people to accept".
Lazarus stalked over to Leurik, stared just a dench or two up into his face and barked "DOWN HERE, SERGEANT!" before giving him a light slap around the cheek and repeating himself. "I am your CAPTAIN while you're with us, and you'll DAMN WELL act like it! We won't hesitate to put our own lives on the line for you, so why are you whinging over inconsequntial matters that don't affect the job at hand, hmmm?"
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Leurik growled nastily and cleched his fists, and for a few microts quite a number of people thought a small war would break out right there on the flight deck. Kran was just about to signal Skirmish formation! to all of Harrigan's people and Shuljek's retinue when Leurik laughed out loud and slapped Lazarus on the shoulder, shaking him but doing no real damage, before saying "You have more of the personality of a Scarran then might be apparent to the eye, Captain – whatever species you might be! Good – at least I know you aren't some snivelling fekk-face and are willing to share the risks with those under your command".
Leurik and his squad looked closely at the humans, ignoring Jane for the most part but looking with some interest at Troll (Troll thought this was due to the fact he was still carrying the cannon he'd got hold of) and the most interest at Ghost and the rifle he was carrying. "A sniper, hmm?" one of the members of Leurik's squad murmured, looking more closely "The only snipers I've met seem to be slightly strange individuals and not at ease socialising with people – and I always got the impression that they were looking at me as if they were seeing me through crosshairs".
"Only on the job" Ghost replied to the Scarran, who stood a couple of hentae taller than him "It keeps me and my people alive. I may not be the life of the party like Troll there – he's the one with that funny-looking cannon you passed not so long ago – but I can hold up my social obligations as well". The two female Scarrans in Leurik's squad laughed at that, muttering among themselves briefly at the prospect of being seen in public with him until Leurik stared at them and they quietened down. "Well, then" Leurik said as the other calmed down and the mood returned to a more relaxed one "That takes care of you Sebaceans..". "Humans, Sergeant – humans. Not Sebaceans. I can see how you might make that mistake, but humans is what we are. Before that one behind you looks at me like that any more, the differences are all internal – at least that's what I've been told".
"Our combat medic – Lotha" Leurik explained "While we haven't got a sniper with us, she's also the best shot I've got. No demolition techs, either – there hasn't been any with us since I took command of the squad". "We got some good ones, don't you worry, sarge!" Troll replied with a grin "The Captain here's great at blowing stuff up, and there's a Scarran woman around here who's almost as good as the Cap as well. You can't miss her, she's as big as a house. Don't know any of the Councillor's guys well enough to know if there's demo people there – might be, though". "Her NAME, Troll…" Lazarus replied irritably "Is Koronna – and she might well be better than me, as a matter of fact".
Councillor Shuljek walked over to the little group, and Leurik barked "Councillor on deck!" – at which his squad snapped to attention. "As you were" Shuljek ordered them "This is a combat situation – we can dispense with the formalities. As for your question about demoliton experts, I do have one, though he does have a particular fascination with incendiaries that occasionally needs watching – STURK, GET OVER HERE!"
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The Scarran thus named jogged over with a grin on his face and announced "I'm Sturk – demo expert, specialising in all things that burn, scorch, or fry to little black crispy bits". "I've heard of you…" Leurik replied "While you're certainly good at your job, what I want to know is if you can move quietely and not let the whole neighbourhood know we're around?" "Oh, yes" Sturk replied, grin getting bigger "I can sneak in close and set fire to things and blow them up too – I guarantee it! Blowing things up and burning 'em down – frell, I love demo!"
"He fits the typical demolition expert's personality profile, sergeant – that I do know" Lotha told Leurik with a gruff laugh "That's speaking as a medic and from long experience in the Hand. Let's just hope his skill is as good as his mouth". Lazarus looked over his shoulder, found Koronna, and waved her over – while Lotha wasn't small, even she looked amazed at Koronna's enormous size and obvious strength as well as less obvious stealth as she came to a stop beside Lazarus in the position usually occupied by the XO. "Ser..sergeant-major Koronna" Koronna announced, as she remembered the rank Harrigan assigned to her. "Senior enlisted troop aboard" Lazarus explained "And easily my equal in demolition – if not my superior". Koronna smiled a little at Lazarus' praise of her, her heart lifting slightly at his words, then added "Master rating in demolition, held for fifteen cycles". "I've seen how good she is, sergeant" Lazarus said after that "We had to deal with a problem back on my home world – without Koronna's help, none of us would be here". Leurik saw the way her eyes flicked briefly towards the Captain, but didn't comment – though he did let a quick smirk spread across his face.
"Snipers?" Leurik asked next "They may well be the most eccentric soldiers in the entire military universe, but we'll need more than that hoo-man – however good he might be". Leurik barely heard the whisper of footsteps before the recon specialist was at his side, saying "I am a sniper, sergeant – it is my primary speciality. The human is good, sergeant Leurik, but I am still better – as you may see in the field". "And quiet as well" Leurik added with approval "Well, this is looking better – maybe this mission won't be such a…". He added a Scarran word that Lazarus' translator microbes couldn't catch, but which made Harrigan and the Scarrans laugh. "It doesn't translate exactly, Cap" Harrigan whispered in Lazarus' ear "But a human military equivalent would be 'goatfuck'". Lazarus just snorted and said "He's a sergeant, Harrigan – I should have guessed it would be something like that".
Something seems familiar about that Scarran sniper… Leurik thought as he watched the recon specialist head back to where he came from. While carrying a pistol isn't so unusual for snipers, those two shortswords in his boots certainly are…but he put his questions behind him as Harrigan told Koronna to get Leurik's squad to their quarters. "Captain Kran" Harrigan added once Koronna had led that squad away "Now would be a good time to get the call to arms sent. We've got a few arns at best before we have to leave here, and maybe a few at Che'naia to get our bearings, so the meetup opportunities aren't great – but let's see what we can dig up anyway. Call Crichton on Moya as well – though you'd better get Keyah to do that for you".
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Kran immediately ran out of the flight deck and over to the transit stop, Keyah running along behind him – once Koronna's car had left, he summoned another and headed in the other direction and up to the bridge as soon as Keyah had flopped onto her seat. "Why do you need me, anyway?" Keyah asked "The people of your group will not listen to me – so why am I here?" "The War Commander wants the human Crichton to be commed as well" Kran explained "and he and his crew do not hold a favourable opinion of Scarrans. But since they do have a Kalish with them, he probably thought you would be able to get a more favourable outcome from them and may be able to convice them to assist us once more". "Not an unreasonable asssumption" Keyah replied, her curiosity piqued by the prospect of seeing another Kalish – even if only on a comm screen "Scarrans are not always greeted with acceptance and interest – by my own people, especially".
Kran knew exactly why that was and did not miss the implication either – though he knew that life for those Kalish living alongside the Hand was certainly better, it was not always without incident, though thankfully these were quickly resolved. "So how long will it take for you to send this call to arms, Captain?" Keyah asked "A few momens? An arn? A full solar day?" Kran snickered at Keyah's impatience and eagerness to talk to another Kalish, then thought a little and replied "It should not take long, Keyah – all I need to do is compose the message, then compress it for burst-transmission to our nearest outpost, and everything else will take care of itself. It would help if…". "Yes?" Harrigan announced from where he'd just appeared at the second bridge staircase by the engineering console "I DID have that vision, Captain – I do know that traditionally the War Commander gave that call to arms himself. It'll help my credibility if you're there too, though – so don't be going anywhere".
While Harrigan shoehorned himself into the comm desk chair (it was a fairly tight fit, more so than the command chair), Kran stood beside him and waitied for him to get ready. Once Harrigan was seated, Kran took a half-momen to connect his scrambler and search for an active Blood Hand covert network node – and to his surprise found one not too far away, spatially speaking, somewhere on Riaanond. "We are ready for transmission, War Commander" Kran reported with a proud grin "We have a network node close by that is active and ready to retransmit the message to all active agents and cell commands. If you wish me to guide you in the traditional call, sir…". Harrigan smiled a little for the first time in a few days, then nodded and said "Stay close and whisper it to me, then – my ears are more sensitive than this microphone, so I'll hear you and the computer here won't".
Over the next half-arn, Kran and Harrigan ran over several options for the message, trying to decide which would have the most immediate and effective impact on the hearts and minds of those who would be viewing and hearing it. "Not a bad effort, I think" Kran decided eventually, to which Harrigan added "It's as good as we're likely to get it, Captain – to be honest, I wish we could have got Captain Lazarus to do this, since despite that fact he can't stand diplomacy he's quite good at psy-ops like this. But the old ways say the War Commander himself or the King makes the call – and since there's no king I get to do it". Harrigan turned to Keyah after that and said "Your turn next, Keyah – Kran and I will head off to take care of more training, while you try every trick you know to get as many of Crichton and his crew to commit themselves to us".
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"I will try my best, War Commander" Keyah replied "But I can give no guarantee that any of them will assist us again as they did at Ithlin. They may not wish to do so, or they may have problems of their own to deal with". "Try, though" Harrigan told her "Give it your best shot. That crew may not all be trained soldiers but they have a habit of getting out of tricky situations with their skins intact that will definitely prove useful".
Once the two men had walked off down the stairs and away from the bridge, Keyah reviewed what little she knew of Crichton and the rest of Moya's crew. It wasn't much, she was well aware – I had, after all, joined with these people after much of their time with the human Crichton was over – but the War Commander has placed considerable trust in me, so I should do everything I can to show that trust is justified. So she hunted through the databanks of known friendly ships for the hyperwave contact details for the Leviathan called Moya, and punched in its code as soon as she found it.
On Riaanond, in a small, secluded, and well-camouflaged building out on the edge of the forest colonies, several Scarrans wearing the green of the Skulker Corps were maintaining their equipment and making the usual habitually wary patrol of the immediate area. They knew the locals would not give them any trouble unless they themselves were attacked, but they didn't get the important post they were in by being complacent – so they patrolled anyway, to keep their skills sharp. When the network node main terminal started bleeping at them out of the blue, the squad's combat tech was so surprised he dropped his tea on the floor before bellowing "INCOMING TRANSMISSION, YOU LOT!" and sticking his head out of the door way to make sure everyone was coming.
Their leader, a Superior Infiltrator Second Class of twenty cycles experience, immediately strode over to the tech – who was now back at the console. "What do we have?" he muttered "Information request? Transfer of personnel? Strike orders?" The combat tech looked at the transmission packet and decrypted it – then could barely believe his eyes, saying "Call to arms, sir – if this is to be believed, direct from the War Commander's own warship!" "Despite that being good news" the leader replied warily "I will need to verify this. Do we have even a slightest trace on the caller's origin?" The tech checked the packet header again and announced "Barter Moon, sir – not far from here, barely two days travel in fact. From a ship in high orbit". "Call that ship and get me put through to its Captain or most senior officer available" the leader ordered "Since no one's HEARD a real call to arms for many generations, I need to check a few things to make sure this is real and not a Hierarchy probe designed to make us reveal our presence. Meanwhile, bring the main node retransmitter up to standby – just in case it is real. Get our Strykers ready to move as well – in case it's not".
"Coming right up" the tech replied, getting to work – he knew the Strykers were ready anyway, a minor walkround and systems check would be all that was needed there.
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Keyah was just about to send the call to Moya when her main console started bleeping, indicating an incoming transmission. "What is it now?" Keyah grumbled to herself, putting the call to Moya on hold and putting the other transmission through.
"Yes!" she snapped "This is the ESV Cry Havoc – what business do you have with us?" "A transmission was sent to us" the senior Skulker at the retransmitter stated, pointedly ignoring Keyah's ire "From your location – for retransmission over our network. Since it is unusual in content, I wish to verify its origins before I pass it on as requested. Put me through to someone who can assist me in this". After a few choice Kalish swearwords, Keyah got in the internal comm to Captain Kran, who was indulging in his favourite training method and leading a run.
"Captain, Keyah here" she announced "Whoever you sent that transmission to does not believe it is real – and has just called US to verify it. Since I doubt he would take my word for it, you are the one with the authority to …re-educate… the caller – and I would prefer it if you did something fast, so I can contact this Crichton". Keyah smiled a little at the sounds of huffing and puffing Scarrans in the background, and a few strained groans from the humans as well, while Kran thought a bit – eventually replying "This lot should get cleaned up anyway – the run's almost over" before barking a few hasty orders at everyone, then returning to the comm to add "So I'll bring the War Commander up to sort this out properly". "Copy that" Keyah replied, both surprised and pleased that Kran would respond to anything she asked, even after the few weeken that she'd been with the Irregulars, then sat back to wait.
"Back to quarters, you smelly lot" Kran barked at the Irregulars and such guests as were with them on the run "And get yourselves cleaned up. War Commander, a quick word please…". When Harrigan walked over with a questioning look on his face, Kran explained the situation to him in a few short words, which got a short screech in response. "Right!" he growled "The clock is ticking here, and I'm not in the mood to wait a microt longer than I have to in order to get Talannah back here with us. Let's get this sorted out NOW – and hopefully we'll get a few reinforcements out of this". "I'm with you on that, sir" Kran added as the two of them grabbed the first transit car they saw and headed off to the bridge.
As soon as Harrigan stalked in, Kran a short distance behind him, Keyah waved the pair of them over to her comm desk where she put the call back through. "Oi, you!" Harrigan barked bluntly "We sent that transmission to you expecting it to be sent far and wide across the universe by now – why hasn't that happened yet?" The face of the screen turned to briefly confer with a comrade – the combat tech usually in charge of the transmitter, as it happened – before nodding and saying "You are the same one who was visible in the transmission that we received, sir, but I must clear a few things up first….". "He is War Commander Harrigan, you ignorant skulker" Kran growled back, anger and imatience beginning to rise "I am Captain Kran, and you had better retransmit our packet NOW!" "You, Captain…" the Superior Infiltrator Second Class replied drolly "I recognise…so perhaps you can clear up a couple of things for me…"
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Captain Kran proceeded to start screaming at the skulker on the other end of the comm line over Blood Hand history, Harrigan's previous visions, their current situation – plus more mundane matters like what he, Kran, would do to him if he had to come over there and sort it out personally. Harrigan managed to calm him down enough to get him away from the comm, before adding "On top of everything my Captain has said, Councillor Shuljek himself is with us – committing himself, his family, and his retinue to help in our mission. Time is critical to us, and we have none to waste – so faster movement on your behalf would certainly help matters, both on my wife's behalf and on behalf of Captain Kran's temper".
"Hmmm…" the skulker replied "Having a Councillor along with you certainly shows the seriousness of your intent – though your Captain's threats do not really affect us as this station is under the intelligence command of-". "Councillor Lorshella, yes – I know" Harrigan interrupted to reply "We've got a squad from her with us as well – though she decided not to come herself. Could you just get the transmission on its way? Lives are at stake here!" The skulkers conferred amongst themselves for a few microts before their leader turns back and replies "We will do it – though because of your own more reasoned talk and not your Captain's threats", then flicks a finger at the combat tech, who taps a few buttons on the hyperwave comm console in front of him to do as ordered and send the message on.
"We should start seeing results in a few arns" Kran said with some satisfaction "As soon as that message reaches the cell commands both in the Territories and in Scarran space – then, with luck, reinforcements will come". "We've barely GOT a few arns before we need to move" Harrigan reminded Captain Kran "And Keyah still hasn't commed Crichton's crew on Moya for their help yet, either – so we'd better be off so she can do her thing". Keyah's nose crinkled a little in incomprehension at Harrigan's turn of phrase, but she relaxed just a bit once the two of them had left the room and headed back to their transit car.
"Sir…" the nav officer on the ship bearing Talannah to trial announced "We have just entered the Che'naia system – we are in Scarran space once more". "Is anyone following our trail?" the Captain immediately barked "Accounts from the previous transport's crew say that their retrieval of our latest prisoner was contested". "Nothing yet, sir" the nav officer replied, just a little uneasily "Could be they're just slower than us, or that they have better sensors and are staying out of our own sense horizon to give themselves an edge". "I'm more inclined to believe the former" the Captain decided "Though the latter is not impossible. Keep alert and make sure the turrets are crewed at all times". The nav officer nodded and turned back to his console.
Moya was cruising at a fairly leisurely speed in a less well-travelled system when Keyah's call finally got through to her. "We've been dodging the big bad Peacekeeper wolf and all his patrols for over a weeken now" Crichton was telling Aeryn as the two of them walked through one of the many corridors on the way to the galley "Reckon they've lost us now – or just gettin' ready to huff and puff and blow the hull down?"
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"I would think it more likely that the forces searching for us, or at least you, Crichton" Aeryn decided after a momen's thought "Have been drawn off to more critical assignments. This does NOT, however, mean that there will not be forces ahead of us who have been alerted to our course – either garrison forces on a planet or two, or even a command carrier, since the Dacon is reputed to patrol this region". "Do you know the head honcho on that boat, Aer?" Crichton asked as they reached the galley a momen or so later – but Aeryn shok her head and replied "I did not have sufficient rank, influence, or security clearance to access personnel rosters at that level – I do not even know the name of the Dacon's Captain, let alone his history. We should, as you say, 'play safe' and stay out of their way". "Amen to that, hon…" Crichton said with relief as Dargo walked in and sat down heavily on his own chair a little further away "Don't wanna risk you again now you've got a bun in the oven again".
"I never will understand some of your hoo-man expressions, Crich-" Aeryn started to say, when Pilot interrupted them on the clamshell and announced "Incoming transmission, people! Long ranged, definitely from outsystem – whoever is hailing us is not close by!" Sikozu chose just that moment to saunter in with her usual slightly-superior air – but when she hear of the transmission she asked "Is the caller Scarran, Pilot? Or Nebari? Or from any major or minor power?" Pilot looked down at a display on his own console in the den before replying with some surprise "No, Sikozu – the caller is Kalish, and quite uptight at that".
Sikozu immediately got up and brushed her chair, and a couple of serving dishes, aside before striding over to retrieve a hyperwave comm relay, then she immediately turned on her heels and brought it back to her seat at the table. Both Chiana and Dargo grumbled at the mess she'd made on leaving, and hastily moved the remaining food out of her way (with Rygel making sure he got as much of it as his small Hynerian hands could grab) when she returned.
"Put it through to this terminal, Pilot" Sikozu commanded "We must at least hear this Kalish and what they have to say – it may prove useful". "You know, little miss orange muffet" Crichton told her, rufling her hair in a way Sikozu found intensely annoying "It's more polite to ASK the rest of us first". Sikozu nodded briefly but otherwise ignored him, waiting for Pilot to put the transmission through – when he did, she saw that he was indeed right – it was another Kalish on the other end of the line!
"Greetings and salutations" Sikozu called in her own language "For once I see one of my own people out here. Do you require assistance? Are you under attack?" "Is Commander Crichton there?" Keyah asked up-front "This especially concerns him". "The whole gang's here, carrot-top" Crichton replied "Say your say". "I am calling on behalf of War Commander Harrigan" Keyah announced – and saw Aeryn's deflated sigh of resignation "His wife Talannah has been abducted, and we go to war against the Hierarchy to retrieve her and as many of our allies as we can. Forces have been marshalled to this end, but the War Commander has asked me to petition you in particular for your assistance. He believes your experience in covert operations will prove useful".
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While Aeryn, Crichton and the others immediately started a spirited argument over this revelation, Sikozu just sat there stunned. ONE person abducted, and they risk annihilation to retrieve her? Sikozu remembered Talannah clearly, knowing well that she was an ex-Deadhead – but if they take such risks for just one of their own, might they be persuaded to do perform similar feats on behalf of my own people in their struggle? Would this Harrigan's own Scarrans even consider such an option as acceptable to them? He has several personnel of other species as well – would they wish to involve themselves as well?
"We realy wanna risk our eemas for this Kalish we don't know?" Chiana asked, twitching a little in anxiety "Could very well backfire and drop us in the plok with the Scarrans, that could. They use Kalish to spy on other species, don't they?" "It is ONE use to which my own species is put to for them" Sikozu replied waspishly "But not the only one. I do not know, however, if this Kalish is telling the truth when she says she speaks for your human friend, Crichton – did this Harrigan have a Kalish with him?" "Sure did, Sputnik" Crichton replied, in a break between arguments "Just the one – a woman". He looked over at the display and pointed at it, saying "She's the one".
"Now that you have verified my identity" Keyah said next, rolling her eyes a little "Can we count on you to lend your assistance? We do not have much time left before we must change course for our next meeting point". "We gotta hide, stay low" Chiana insisted "I know he's the same species as you, but you got a new narl on the way – and we've ALL got Peacekeepers, Scarrans, bounty hunters and probably my own people for all I know after us as well. Stay low, outta trouble – that's my plan". "Why else can we not go to help?" Dargo asked "I know I would like to go – and the Scarran government's done enough to us that us giving a bit back to them is alright for once, yes?"
"I need you here to help protect Aeryn, D" Crichton pleaded "We get boarded up here or jumped down on some planet and I'm going to need you and you qualta to get us all out alive. Especially Aeryn and our upcoming kid". Dargo clearly didn't like the situation he was put in, but reluctantly said "I want to go, Crichton – but I'm needed more here by the rest fo you. So I'll stay". "If he wants to give us money like before" Rygel interrupted "Or other valuables, then I say we go! We can get more out of Harrigan if there's a chance of combat against Scarrans, after all! If not, then as much as I hate to do so I'll have to agree with Chiana there".
Their unending bickering may harm any chance to obtain this Harrigan's skills for the use of my people in their struggle! Sikozu fumed. A strange situation this is turning out to be – siding with one group of Scarrans to fight another group of Scarrans in order that this human might, just might, be inclined to aid the cause of Kalish freedom if an opportunity presents itself later! But even if the chance of him assisting us is slim, I MUST try – his military strength is strong and apparently growing, and such strength is in short supply amongst my people's allies at this time.
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So after reasoning this way, Sikozu snuck as silently as she knew how to out of the galley and back down Moya's corridors to her own quarters – where she gathered the small amount of currency she had and a few other possessions she considered would come in useful for her upcoming trip…or ordeal, she decided as she headed out and down a couple of tiers to the maintenance bay and transport hangar.
"Pilot" Sikozu called over her own comm "Can you splice me into the transmission to the human Harrigan's ship? I must talk to this Kalish from my current location, where the others cannot interfere". "Yes, Sikozu" Pilot replied with surprise as Sikozu opened the canopy on Aeryn's Prower and climbed inside, then shut and locked it before powering up the engines and onboard systems as quickly as she could "Though I do not understand why you would not wish their counsel". I know I will only get one chance, Sikozu told herself as her fingers flew over the controls – the Prowler responding well and lifting slowly off the deck and out towards open space. Fuel tanks are full, so I should have enough range to reach their ship – which is unique enough that even a Grudek couldn't ever forget it – as long as I am at least reasonably careful and no enemies present themselves.
"This is Sikozu Shanu calling the Kalish aboard the human Harrigan's ship" she announced as the Prowler flew out of Moya's bay doors, entering a quick course to Tal IV into the Prowler's navicomp "I have decided to add my own strength to yours – even if the others refuse! I am on my way to your current location as we speak, and should arrive within a couple of days". While Crichton and Aeryn looked goggle-eyed at each other over Sikozu's words, Keyah replied "While more help would have been appreciated, we are all grateful at least one of you decided to come – but you may need to link up with us as we move. Last point of presence in neutral space will be Watrukaria, Sikozu – you can link up with us at any point from Talzenadar IV until then. More reinforcements should be coming, so landing may become…muddled…if others arrive at the same time as yourself". "A risk I am willing to take" Sikozu decided resolutely, throttling up slowly to three-quarter power "Most likely intercept point wil be just short of Watrukarian space, and I will most likely be short of fuel at that point – so I would appreciate a prompt landing and refuelling as well".
"CHIANA!" Aeryn barked "FIND OUT WHERE SIKOZU HAS GONE – NOW!" Chiana looked over at Aeryn in amazement – then decided arguing with a pregnant Sebacean woman was not on her list of fun things to do for the day and ran out of the room, taking Dargo with her. "She would head first to her quarters" Dargo explained as he was dragged down the corridor "Then to the transport hangar. Let's just hope for both Aeryn and Crichton's sakes that she didn't take the Prowler". The two of them split up to search the tiers between their current location, Sikozu's quarters, and the transport hangar – Chiana taking the area closer to Sikozu's quarters and Dargo concentrating around the transport hangar.
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"Find any sign of her?" Dargo asked when they met up about a hundred metras from the transport hangar. "Not a thing" Chiana replied "I searched her quarters, all her stuff – she had more money in there than either of us would have guessed, you know – and even the vent shafts. Not even a fragment of orange fabric". "You'd better not have stolen any of that currency, Chi…" Dargo started to warn her, but Chiana just replied "I would NOT do that!" before grinning and adding "Well, not right now anyway - I've got enough of my own right this microt, and little miss smart hasn't got on my nerves for at least three solar days".
"Transport hangar, then" Dargo decided next, waving Chiana towards the door ahead of them "And let's hope that she hasn't…oh, frell…". Chiana looked over where Dargo was pointing – and sure enough, the space usually occupied by Aeryn's Prowler was completely empty, with only the imprints of the landing pads in the dust showing any sign that it was ever there. "Aeryn is NOT going to be happy" Chiana told Dargo after looking at the dustprints of the landing pads "You know that Prowler's her pride and joy, even more that that human is sometimes". Dargo nodded his agreement as the two of them took their time walking back up two tiers to the galley, musing aloud with "I wonder what Pilot has to say about that – and what his explanation for why he couldn't prevent her from leaving". "Not gonna be boring, that's for sure" Chiana decided – which Dargo, for several reasons, was forced to agree with.
"So where's Tinkerbell now?" Crichton asked when the two of them walked back in "Gone to fetch more supplies? Hope she hasn't taken the Prowler – you know how Aeryn gets when anyone but her does that…". However, Crichton soon picked up a certain undercurrent in the air – Dargo was just standing stock still, and Chiana's gaze was darting from point to point over the floor and ceiling – and asked, with a sense of inevitable foreboding, "OK, Pip – what's happened? Has Sputnik forgotten to tell us it's her eating time and left us without any food at all?"
"Er…" Chiana replied, edging over towards Dargo "That's one problem we DON'T have right now, Crichton – and even if we did, she'd not have left Moya over it. She'd be standing in here persuading us how necessary it was with her usual 'I'm always right' speech". "So what HAS happened, then?" Aeryn asked next, coming straight to the point "Is Sikozu still on Moya? I know she was more interested than most of us in this new call from that Harrigan – I wouldn't put it past her to leave on her own". When neither of them said anything, and indeed looked even more evasive, Aeryn probed further and added "She's left Moya, hasn't she?" "That's right" Chiana replied, slowly edging towards the door. "So that means we're down one transport pod" Aeryn told everyone "Not something I'd have liked to happen, but we can deal with it-" "Which you want to start doing by rippin' Goldilocks a new eema" Crichton interrupted to finish her off – once the obligatory few microts had passed for everyone to decipher Crichton's true meaning, Chiana and Dargo both snickered a bit while Aeryn frowned and replied with "And is that so wrong? She does need reminding that she's not in charge a little more often even than you do, Chiana".
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Normally, Chiana would have responded with some vigour to that – but knowing how Aeryn would respond when she found out what had actually happened, she decided to remain uncharacteristically silent (at least for now).
"So we might get a little more peace for a while" Aeryn thought aloud "Without her constantly trying to offer 'suggestions' whenever strategy is being discussed". "Hey, Aer…" Crichton interrupted "She doesn't always have bad suggestions, dear – some of 'em have saved us our eemas and our wallets". Aeryn acknowledged the truth of that reluctantly with a nod, then got up and headed for the door, saying "I'm going to check that she hasn't left a mess in the transport hangar – if she's damaged the Prowler, we will be having a serious talk (everyone substitued 'verbal flaying' in their heads when they heard that) when she returns".
Everyone else except Noranti and Stark followed Aeryn out of the galley and down the tiers and corridors to the transport hangar – by the time they had reached the hangar entrance by the maintenance bay, Rygel had started to figure out how it was going to go and had started snickering and laughing under his breath whenever he was near Chiana, though none of the others apart from Dargo yet knew why. This was, unfortunately, made painfuly apparent (especially to the ears) when Aeryn noticed the distinct absence of a certain small black fighter craft and yelled "SHE HAS STOLEN MY PROWLER! WHY HAS SHE STOLEN MY PROWLER! CAN ANY OF YOU TELL ME WHY-"
"Sssshh!" Crichton urged her quickly, trying to steer her twoards a seat "Calm down, Aeryn – stress like this isn't good for the baby! Especially when this one's growing a mite quicker than a human one". "I've told you before, Crichton" Aeryn replied with irritation, shrugging his hands away "It's a geometric pregnancy – all Peacekeeper females are modified this way to avoid unnecessary reduction in the military strength of their units due to normal-length pregnancy". "But this one's been brewin' for more than the weeken you told me that took" Crichton reminded her "Even that last Diagnosan we found remarked on that". "And you should also remember he didn't know WHY that is happening" Aeryn countered – then added with more relief "Though he did also say the child was healthy".
Aeryn immediately got on the clamshell to Pilot and harangued him for ten straight momens as to how Sikozu had managed to escape without him being able to apprehend her and reel her in. "As I have now told you FIVE TIMES" Pilot said when he could get a word in "Sikozu did not call ahead to advise me where she was going – and with her still inside Moya I could not use the external sensors to determine if she was flying a transport pod or Aeryn's Prowler! The only evidence I had that she had absconded with your Prowler, Officer Sun, was when she boosted to high speed after she had left Moya – and by then she was too far away for me to use the docking web to pull her back in, even if you discount the extremely high probability of Moya suffering damage by trying to retrieve an accelerating Prowler against its pilot's will".
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"Very well" Aeryn replied tightly "We can deal with this later – if Sikozu doesn't end up smearing herself across the side of a Scarran Dreadnaught, we can talk to her when she returns here. As I am sure even she would like to do now that she has lost the major part of her trust in Scorpius". "Gotta agree there" Chiana replied as they turned to go back to the galley "Even if trouble seems to find us a lot more often".
A fairly unremarkable trading station a short distance off the major shipping lanes. A female Scarran trader was there in the main concourse doing quite a brisk trade in the various wares she sold when her comm started beeping. Normally she'd have silenced it and gone back to her bargaining, but when she noticed the unusual ringtone she excused herself from the customer and lowered the anti-theft barring around the counter before retiring to her small office in the back of her shop.
After jacking a small device into her personal terminal and her comm, she was able to decipher the message she had just received – and could barely believe what her eyes were telling her. A call to arms! Now! No one has heard one of these in generations, she knew – before smiling at the feeling of pride that she was seeing and hearing one right now. Letting off a loud bellow of triumph, she opened a hidden compartment under her bunk and retrieved her personal armour and weapons – her armour being decorated in the colours of the Imperial Guard Skulker Corps, which would have got her arrested or shot had she worn it in Scarran space. Flinging a dark cloak over it, she stalked out to the front of her shop – where by the look on the customer's faces, several of those remaining had heard her bellow – where she finished the one trade she was in the middle of earlier before closing the shop and locking up. "Got some serious business to attend to" she growled happily, before she headed off to where her Raider was docked – powering up and performing a fast enough takeoff to annoy a few dock patrons close by.
Somewhere inside Scarran space, at a Blood Hand cell under heavy attack. "FALL BACK!" a Blood Hand officer in a Tactical Command Lieutenant's uniform barked "BACK TO THE BUNKERS!" His senior sergeant had just enough time to relay the orders before getting his head shot off as the opening act of the Hierarchy's next attack wave. "Exterminate every one of these traitors!" a sergeant in Praetorian's black armour ordered his squad, while similar orders were being relayed elsewhere in the attack force "None must escape, none must even survive".
The nearest comm operator, the snap of pulse and plasma guns still close by, managed to catch a relay from their cell's hyperwave comm as the Irregular's transmission reached them. Without bothering his Co on the front line barely forty metras away, he ordered his comrade in the comm station to pipe the transmission over all speakers to strengthen the resolve of their troops. "It can't hurt" the comm operator replied "The attack goes badly for us – without something extra, we may have to evacuate noncombatants and children within the arn".
A few more microts later, Harrigan's transmission was being heard by every Scarran in the cell – and all of the attacking Praetorians as well. Most shrugged it off as a play by their enemies to buy time – until one old and angry grandfather bellowed "FOR THE GLORY OF THE KING AND HIS MEN! PUSH THEM BACK – PUSH THEM BAAACK!"
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Memories of history classes and all the stories his own grandparents had told him flickered through the Lieutenant's mind before he bellowed in response "AS THE KING AND WAR COMMANDER DID, SO SHALL WE! GRAK TA'HAA – NO PRISONERS!" and every Blood Hand member able to hold a weapon and able to see a Praetorian bellowed in both anger and exultation before opening fire or charging into close combat. Many did fall, but more succeeded in taking the fight to their enemy – and over the next several arns, the Irregular's message still ringing in their ears, every fighting Scarran in the cell gave their all to killing as many Praetorians as they could.
"What's the situation reinforcements-wise?" Harrigan asked Kran as the two of them walked into the hammond side flight deck to supervise combat training "Any responses logged yet? Personal calls? Greeting cards?" Kran signalled Wait! before coming Keyah on the bridge – she replied, after a few momens, "There is the one from the Kalish Sikozu, as you know…and just now, barely a half-momen ago, a response arrived from a retired skulker who is making her way to Watrukaria to meet us at maximum hetch. We may yet get some more people meeting us at Che'naia along with Captain Zarithak, but I doubt it. A pity no more Kalish can assist – they would be most useful for scouting and sabotage tasks". "We have to do the best we can with what we have to hand, Keyah" Harrigan reminded her wearily "And right now it's late and I'm tired – so I'm gonna get some sleep. See you in the morning". Keyah acknowledged his response and discommed, before pushing her own seat back and getting some rest herself.
Harrigan awoke later than he expected the following day – when he realised how late it was, he ran up to the bridge to get the Cry Havoc moving for the meet-up with Captain Zarithak at Che'naia. Keyah was still resting at her desk – but Hellbolt was there, as were Shor, Ryalla, and Tovak; so since he saw there was enough for a bridge crew, Harrigan assigned them each to a station and got everyone ready for when the time came to move. Kran called in a few momens later and said "I'd like to take my recon specialist down to the surface to see if I can find out about the ship that the Pot Luck met up with – I shouldn't be more than a couple of arns at most. We'll wear our old A-team uniforms so the local Scarans don't catch on to who we really are". "God plan!" Harrigan told him, glad to hear that Kran had an idea to help get thinbgs moving more quickly "Go to it and good luck – grab an Intruder, and whatever else you need, and get going right away!"
Kran tapped his recon specialist on the shoulder and nodded in the direction of the nearest transit stop – once they were aboard, he explained the whole situation. "We're making a quick stop planetside to see if there's anyone covered t the embassy here or at space comand who has tracked the ship the Sub-Commander was on. So we need to change into our A-team uniforms and get regulation equipment before we head down". The recon specialist smiled a little before nodding and getting the car moving for the correct flight deck, whispering back "It is fortunate that we still have those uniforms, Captain – and that they are in lockers in the flight deck armoury. Minimum of wasted time all round, sir"
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"These humans…" Sergeant Leurik remarked after an exercise a few momens later "Are not as feeble as their inferior size suggests, Koronna. They know how to move and think tactically and back others up – and the extent to which they do this suggest they have trained together for some time and have combat experience as well". "They are good" Koronna both confirms and insists "Especially Captain Lazarus. They are also combat veterans as you deduced – we rescued them from a mission going wrong on their home planet, fighting alongside them to ensure their mission was acomplished and extract them alive to this ship. You need not worry about them fulfilling their duties". "THAT one…" Leurik remarks, pointing at Troll "Moves more quietly than his manner or combat speciality suggests – and that woman…", he adds, pointing at Jane, "does well also – though she sems to be trying to prove something to anyone watching her around here. It must be as we were told earlier – she is one of only a few women on her planet in special forces".
Down on the surface of Barter Moon, Kran's Intruder had just landed in a pit just inside the area assigned for Scarran military flights through the region. Both him and the recon specialist quickly and carefully got out of the Intruder, retrieved their equipment, closed and locked the canopy, and left smartly at a fast walk with sufficient speed to suggest to the guard on duty that they had had long practice at this and didn't have any time to waste. The guard, despite being curious, didn't bother them in any way – he recognised the A-team uniform and insignia and also knew that they wouldn't tell him anything no matter how nicely he asked.
"We must move quickly but carefully" Kran reminded his recon specialist in a whisper "I would prefer it if we didn't have to kill anyone – but if we do, we should do so quietly and hide the body somewhere out of sight. The embassy must not realise we are here, or where our true allegiance lies". The recon specialist didn't say anything – he just checked his rifle was ready once more before moving alongside his Captain as he had always done. Soon the pair of them reached the lounge where the more reputable passengers waited for commercial flights to other commerce planets, pleasure planets, or their home worlds – while Kran busied himself at a public computer terminal, the recon specialist stayed on overwatch, scanning those walking past for any signs of Hierarchy affilitaion or other pointers to hostility. Good, he thought to himself, there are just those who are meant to be here – reasonably well-off travellers and businesspeople, watched by a few security personnel. He tensed a little as a few Scarrans walked through the building (high caste ones, Juroch noticed – and privileged ones as well), but when they seemed intent on ignoring him – and even Captain Kran, whose size made him stand out in many crowds – he did likewise.
"Come on!" Kran hissed to his comrade as he came away from the terminal "I am fairly sure that we have one possibility for getting the information we need – but we wil have to be quick, his meal break is almost over. Luckily, his place of work is not far".
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The two of them ran over to their destination at a brisk pace, pulling up behind a small trader's stall. Kran looked around as nonchalantly as he could manage before turning to the recon specialist and nodding – the two of them walked over and sat beside the probable contact, one on each side.
"I am a traveller from Kalishaa seeking that which is lost…" Kran whispered softly, so even the contact had trouble hearing it – when he did, he whispered back "I am a traveller from Che'naia – it is I whom you seek" before adding "No one's contacted me in several cycles – I began to think you'd all forgotten about me! What do you need?" "Some help with a private matter" Kran told him "An enemy vessel registered as the Pot Luck rendezvoued with a vessel of unknow type – they transferred someone of interest to me and mine from the Pot Luck to this new vessel before leaving. I want to know where they went – or the best possible estimate of their course". "Good – at last something I can do without risking my neck!" the contact replied "I know someone in there who'll get me what you want, and they're on duty now as it happens. I should have what you need within a quarter-arn – just follow me and wait outside when I go in".
Kran looked briefly at his recon specialist – who shook his head to indicate no listening devices or living eavesdroppers – before he himself nodded to their contact and folowed him at several metras distance over to the main space command control tower. After a slightly panicky momen while the contact vigorously persuaded his friend to let him in (during which Kran pondered the advisability of kicking the door in, and the recon specialist wondered how easy it would be to shoot the lock out without being detected by local security forces) and dashed up the stairs to the glassed-in control room several floors up, with the recon specialist watching his every move.
Slightly more than the nominated quarter-arn later, the contact returned with several sheets of paper and a small chip. Passing these over, he says "Almost thought I'd been stung for a moment! Police were up there, talking and asking questions as they do – seems someone else from the shift went missing and hasn't been seen in Cholak knows how long. Hope that's what you need – I'd better be off!" The contact took to his heels and ran off back to his own workplace, while Kran quickly perused the papers and stuffed the chip in his pocket. "It's what we need" the recon specialist finally heard a few microts later, which eased his mind "Now let's get back – time's running out ever more quickly".
Just as Kran's Intruder broke atmosphere on its way back to the Cry Havoc, a call came in to his comm from the bridge. "Captain, there's another vessel on a similar course to yours" Keyah reported "Heading for our hammond deck beacon! Come on close and check it over for us – and destroy it if it proves to be hostile". Kran rumbled happily, replying "On it, Keyah" before calling over his shoulder to his recon specialist and telling him "You've got the guns – but don't shoot unless I give the word. We've got what looks to be…", he pased his speech to ID the target before adding "…a Raider…and going at max burn plus a bit, too…heading for our ship. The War Commander wants it and its pilot identified".
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A soft "Copy that" and a double-click was all the response that he got – which, Kran admitted, was more than his recon specialist usually gave anyone – after which Kran directed his Intruder in behind the Raider's engine exhaust (noting that the recon specialist brought up the fire-control sensors and locked on to the Raider) before calling "Unknown Raider, this is the Intruder directly aft of you. Identify yourself immediately – the ship you approach is on wartime alert! Refusal to identify will result in you being shot down".
"This is Superior Infiltrator Second Class Kylith, Imperial guard skulker corps!" came the snappy and irritated reply "I'm running the engine beyond safe tolerances to come here in time to assist with your mission – and WOULD NOT appreciate being smeared across this system! I'd appreciate the flight deck doors being opened – and preferably a tech waiting to rebuild my engine!" Kran heaved a private sigh of relief, ordering the recon specialist to deactivate his fire-control sensors before asking "You are the one who sent the call acknowledgement to our ship several arns ago, then? You did well in reaching us so soon – and just in time, too! We are about to leave for our next meeting point".
Kylith silently praised the mechanics who'd kept her Raider in such good condition before throttling down to a safer speed and letting Kran pull alongside her right wingtip – she was glad to see that the pilot of the Intruder relaxed visibly when he saw her green uniform. "Stay on my wingtip" Kran advised Kylith "We will head aboard now – you will then be assigned to your quarters and probably meet the War Commander and some of the other Irregulars. But not me – I have to head straight to the bridge".
"Stand by, stand by!" Keyah called over the flight deck tannoy "Inbound Intruder and Raider! Secure the flight deck immediately!" Councillor Shuljek and Harrigan immediate started barking orders and giving signals, directing the Irregulars and Shuljek's retinue to overwatch positions just as Keyah activated atmospheric containment and opened the deck doors for the two small craft to enter.
"A female Scarran…" Ghost reported, scanning the Raider's bridge window through his scope "I'm no judge of Scarran aging, but she's not young whichever way you look at it – let's hope she's good at what she does". Hmmm…looks like a maintenance area, Kylith thought as she directed her Raider over to it and lowered the landing pads, then dropped gently to rest on the deck. I will need that – my Raider is sorely in need of an overhaul – as long as these people don't shoot me as soon as I step outside! I wonder where the War Commander is…
She soon found out – though everyone carrying a gun pointed it at Kylith as she stepped out of her Raider's side door, Harrigan stepped forward and held up his hand before barking "HOLD YOUR FIRE, ALL OF YOU!" and striding over to see her. It is HIM! Kylith thought – a smile spreading across her face. The man I sold those swords to all those monen ago – he is the War Commander, and I was the first of the Hand to see him!
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Ignoring the huge firepower pointed her way (for the moment), Kylith strode directly over to where Harrigan was standing with the smile stil on her face – until she saw the sad look just barely hidden on his. He is gravely troubled, she knew, which was not good – so restrained her initial impulse to kiss him and instead gave the regulation Old Scarran salute before announcing "Superior Infiltrator Second Class Kylith, Imperial guard skulker corps, reporting for duty, War Comander!" Her original identity finally precolated through Harrigan's mind, and was enough to get a thin smile out of him – so he replied "I won't forget the woman who first introuced me to Scarran kissing in a hurry, will I?", which brought on gales of laughter from all of Shuljek's retinue and most of the Irregulars before he added "So I won't kill you if you use my actual name once and a while" and lifted her a dench or two off the floor in a hug.
"Hmmmm…" Kylith said quitely – so only Harrigan could hear - with a grin after he put her down "Hugged by the War Commander his very own huge, handsome self – today is GOOD! If I may ask, sir, why has the call gone out?" Harrigan's eyes tightened just a little and his head bowed as he told Kylith "My dear, darling wife has been BAGGED! Some rotten, stinking…", before subjecting everyone to half a dozen Old Scarran swearwords before continuing, "…took my dear Talannah away for a show trial and summary beheading! I, the Irregulars – that's all my people, and anyone else who wants to tag along, are going over to their place to get them to give her back – and give them a right kicking they'll never forget while we do so. Good ol' crush, kill 'n destroy – with a bit of sneaking thrown in for variety".
Kylith's own head lowered at this revelation and she replied "I am sorry for my remark earlier, si-" before Harrigan shushed her and said "Don't worry about that – in all truth, I needed the distraction. We'd better get you squared away for the trip out from here – we've got one more volunteer meeting us at our last neutral zone stopover before we head into nastyland proper". "How many skulkers do you have, War Commander?" Kylith asked, not yet feeling able to address Harrigan by name "And who commands them? I know you command them as War Commander, but who is the senior skulker? Normally I would assume, because of her background, that Talannah would commnand…". "I haven't yet decided that" Harrigan replied sheepishly, waving for the others to get back to training and bridge duties "As for skulkers – I haven't divided my own people into Blood Hand command units properly yet, though Captain Lazarus will command the Tactical detachment".
Kylith looked a little surprised when Harrigan pointed out which one was Captain Lazarus, saying "He had better be good if he expects Scarrans to follow him into combat, sir – that's all I'm saying. We don't trust…(Kylith used an Old Scarran word that Harrigan decided just meant 'those not of us')…easily. Except you now, of course". "Captain Lazarus was my old CO, Kylith – he taught me all the military stuff I know. If you trust me, you can trust him as well".
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She just nodded briefly before Harrigan added "Actually, I might be picking up a few skulkers at our Scaran space stopover, Kylith. Once I've got a handle on them, I'll decide on a CO for them – though there's one promising prospect among my own people, a new guy. And a Scarran, as it happens". "Not one of your own species, then?" Kylith asked, surprised "Not another of those ones who look Sebacean?" "Oh, one of them will be in the skulker detachment" Harrigan replied airly as the two of them grabbed the first transit car and headed to the crew quarters, accompanied by Hellbolt, Shor, Ryalla, Kran and Keyah – who would be heading for the bridge after Harrigan and Kylith got off "But apart from Captain Lazarus, none of them are officers or senior NCOs. Whoever actually gets the job, Kylith, there'll be something useful for you to do – I'll see to that".
Shor got the car heading to the crew quarters as soon as Harrigan stopped talking – but Harrigan changed his mind and ordered Shor "Straight to the bridge – may as well show Kylith that while we're going that way". "I have useful data as well" Kran added "If my source was correct, we may at least get an idea of what kind of ship we're chasing – since I doubt we'll find out where it's going until we reach Scarran space ourselves". The War Commander is placing trust in me quickly, Kylith decided, if I am to be allowed onto the bridge of his ship – not even a Blood Hand captain would ordinarily do that for those under his own command, let alone anyone else (and if I were ever on a Hierarchy ship's bridge, it would only be so that the Captain could assert his authority over me and use my presence to enhance his position before throwing me off the ship without a space suit).
"Up there" he told Kylith after the car reached the bridge and everyone got out "We'll come out behind the comm desk – everyone else with us can get to where they need to be quickly from there, and it'll let you have a good look around as well". While Keyah imediately sat at her comm station and Hellbolt headed for the helm, Kran directed Ryalla to engineering and Shor to the nav desk – since he already knew Ryalla had at least some skills with similar equipment to that on the bridge, he used the opportunity to have Shor learn something new.
Harrigan walked over to the command chair and settled himself into it, sighing softly. "Good…" he said softly "A seat that I can get in and out of without heavy construction equipment assisting me". Kylith just laughed and stood on the treblin side of the command chair, while watching Kran stride over to Shor on the nav desk and give him the chip from his pocket, ordering him "Bring that up – we need to know what's on it. Hopefuly it'll be course data for our target – or at least enough of a description for an ID later". There was course data – though it wasn't exactly complete, it did show that their target was taking roughly the same course as they were now on themselves, though Talannah's prison transport had bypassed the Watrukaria system altogether and headed straight for Scarran space.
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Kylith wandered over to look over Shor's shouder as he tried to make sense of the rest of the data. "It should be enough for at least a partial identification, War Commander" she told Harrigan, turning to face him "The ship looks to be new, fast, and fairly well-equipped – and capable of both atmospheric and space flight". "You recognise it?" Harrigan asked in surprise – but Kylith shook her head and replied "No, War Commander – occasional snippets and RUMINT only. Nothing more. Perhaps you have other contacts that may shed some light on this mystery". "We are meeting someone else, yes…" Harrigan admitted, before turning to Hellbolt and ordering "Set course for Watrukaria, Hellbolt – we'll wait for a few arns for our other volunteer to show up, then we head into Scarran space".
Hellbolt tapped out the course for Watrukaria – it wasn't a difficult one, being a little over two days travel in a medium-speed ship – before announcing over the PA "This is the helmsman speaking – we're changing course now, heading to Watrukaria for a short stopover. That'll be our last stop in neutral territory, everyone – savour it while you can" and sending it over to Shor at the nav desk, where Kylith encouraged him into getting it set into the autopilot first time, accompanied by only a slight hiss of jealousy from Ryalla at her closeness to him (which Kylith found quite amusing as well as pointless). "Right" Harrigan told everyone "You've got two days at most before we reach Watrukaria – I want you lot up here all the time, two awake and two asleep at a minimum, until we get there. Captain Kran might drop in while he's not supervising training, or maybe Captain Lazarus or myself – but right now I'm going to grab some shut-eye, and hopefully not wake up until lunc-Second Meal tomorrow".
It was, in fact, just half an arn before Second Meal when Harrigan woke up – he had ben plagued by occasional dreams of Talannah and the time they had shared together thus far, which had contributed to his sleep not being the most restful or regular throughout the night. His thoughts rarely strayed as far down as the regular and mundane matters of what they were doing right now as he ate almost mechanically – mostly, he was thinking of Talannah or of what might happen at the other end when he saw her again. I WILL see her again, he told himself firmly, I will. The rest of the day was spent in melee training with the other Irregulars and Shuljek's retinue, learning the finer points of two-sword fighting – it's quite tricky, Harrigan decided, but rewarding, if a little showy. Hopefully I won't need to resort to using any of this, he mused as he continued to train, but we all know how likely combat ops are to stick to the plan – so I'd better get this down cold while I can.
By now, Sikozu's Prowler had just reached the Talzenadar IV system. Calling ahead, she asked the tower "I am looking for a ship belonging to an associate of mine…" before giving as detailed a description of the Cry Havoc as she could. "Oh, it was here alright" the sensor operator on the other end of the line replied "But it left maybe a day or so ago. It wasn't going at a huge rate of hetch – so if your ship's in good order and has enough fuel, you may yet catch them. D'you need to know which way they went, little lady?" Sikozu ignored the 'little lady' remark and replied "No, thank you – I know where the will be going next. Thank you for your help – I must be off while I still have time to intercept them".
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Self-important little rajnot, Sikozu thought to herself as she entered a course to Watrukaria into the Prowler's navicomp and sent it on its way, I am a Kalish – and more intelligent than he will ever be! Once that small chore was done, she ran a quick diagnostic check before leaning back in her seat to rest.
No more than a day later, Keyah'svoice came over the PA to announce "We have now entered the Watrukaria system. We will be stopping here briefly to wait for a volunteer to arrive – after which we will be heading straight into Scarran space. So, with the War Commander's permission, this ship is now at General Quarters – sidearms and armour are to be worn at all times, and the essential bridge stations are to be occupied at all times. That is all".
As it happened, Sikozu's arrival and that of the Cry Havoc happened within a few momens of each other. As soon as her Prowler entered the Watrukaria system, its sensor control started beeping – the Cry Havoc was impossible to miss. "Autopilot disengaged…" Sikozu muttered to herself, pacing her hands and feet on the controls "…and comms activated – good, Aeryn has the knowledge to maintain these systems herself, even without my assistance…".
Harrigan was just leaving the bridge after checking in with Hellbolt when Keyah called his comm and announced "We have an inbound small craft, sir – Shor has ID'd it as a Prowler, moving extremely fast. Is it hostile? Should I ask for the guns to be armed?" "No, Keyah" Harrigan replied, signalling Kran to get the car heading back to the bridge "It's our volunteer from Moya – remember? The Kalish, Sikozu? Hold that call, I'll be back in a few microts!" Kran rumbled softly to himself, pressed a few buttons – and when the car didn't respond quickly enough, kicked the control panel hard, after which it halted and went back the way it came. "Much better…" he growled in Old Scarran "A big boot goes a long way…".
"This is Sikozu Shanu calling…ESV Cry Havoc" Sikozu hailed over the comm, pausing briefly to recall the ship's name "I seek landing permission on your flight deck – I come to add my strength to yours in your current endeavour. I am low on fuel, also – so if you could activate your landing beacon and open your flight deck doors with alacrity, please?" "I am Keyah Kamara, senior comm officer" Keyah replied, just a little proudly "The War Commander will be on the bridge soon to assis-Oh, hello sir – Sikozu is hailing us…". "Yes, Keyah, you told me on the comm just a few microts ago" Harrigan told her, waving at her to put the call through "On screen, please".
"War Commander Harrigan" Sikozu announced, hesitating on applying such a grandiose title "You should remember me from your time on Ithlin – I am Sikozu Shanu, from the Leviathan Moya. I come to assist you – but you will need to tow me in if I cannot land within a few momens, as my fuel reserves are low in the extreme". "Hold it a microt…" Harrigan told her, flicking a finger at Ryalla – who ran over to the security desk and pressed the necessary buttons "There! You should have our beacon now, and the deck doors are open – if you'll wait a bit, I'll get a small welcoming party together for you".
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"Thank you for your prompt response" she replied – though with humans, she knew, it was often hard to tell whether they actually meant what they said or if it was some knd of joke or play on words. Irony and satire, Crichton called it. "I shall be along as soon as I can safely reach your vessel. If it is not too much to ask, could your comm officer be there to greet me? I have some questions that might be best answered by one of my own species". "No probs there, carrot-top" Harrigan replied, the nickname making Sikozu sigh softly in resigned acceptance and mild annoyance "I'm sure she's got questions for you as well. The bridge can function one down for a little bit".
Humans and their talent for assigning silly names to people! Sikozu grumbled, as she banked a little more to align the Prowler with the beacon's signal. They cannot seem to avoid doing that – perhaps their brains cannot wrap themselves around the fact that those not of their species have names as well (though after considering the short time she had spent on Earth herself, she knew this was not the case – they did this with each other as well)? Looking at the beacon signal, she noted that it indicated that she would be landing at the second of two flight decks present on the ship – which, she knew, meant that this ship is even bigger inside than it looks from here.
Harrigan called all of his human friends to be present on the flight deck with him, just adding Keyah and a small number of Scarrans – since he knew Sikozu would expect to see some here. Sikozu, however, despite having met Harrigan before, was feeling just a little uneasy – though I know this human Harrigan a little, any Scarrans here I am not so sure about, she thought to herself as her Prowler slid under the flight deck doors and over onto the main deck. Looking around, she could see many small craft of Scarran design as well as Councillor Shuljek's blockade-runner – I will not land next to that, she decided quickly, it probably belongs to a Scarran, and most likely one who would not appreciate my ship landing next to his. Sikozu spotted the one ship she did know, Harrigan's Harbringer, and settled the Prowler slowly to the deck beside it.
"In position…" the recon specialist whispered over his comm from the maintenance section "The Prowler has one occupant, War Commander…a young Kalish female…who appears to be powering down her craft, if I am any judge of things. We should be ready". "We're as ready as we can be" Harrigan told him, directing Ghost around to observe from another angle – Captain Lazarus, the remaining humans, and Keyah stood to his treblin, while Councillor Shuljek stood to his hammond side along with his wife and Lotha.
"Ghost – see anything else?" Harrigan asked a short time later – Ghost replied "Not a thing, sir – except she's gonna raise the canopy and get out now, by the look of it". Ghost was proven right when Sikozu did exactly this, popping the Prowler's cockpit canopy and climbing carefully onto the hull before jumping down to the deck floor and pulling the canopy shut behind her. At least Harrigan was not lying when he told me only a small group would be here to greet me – I recognise Harrigan himself, she knew, and the Kalish beside him. But I do not know the more well-dressed Scarran standing with him, or the female in black either (though she was relieved to note that the black was not the same black that she knew Praetorian battle units wore).
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Harrigan beckoned Sikozu over to where he was standing with the welcoming party – Ghost and the recon specialist stil in their hidden positions. These individuals are armed still, Sikozu realised in short order, even though this is ostensibly a welcome for an ally – the reason for my presence must be important to more than just Harrigan if this is the case.
She walked over anyway, Councillor Shuljek, Hallith, and Lotha watching with a mixture of welcome and indifference and the humans with more actual interest. Sikozu wasn't entirely sure what to make of that, but decided it must be because the Scarrans would have seen my people before many times – these humans may not have seen any Kalish beyond this female in front of me, and my differences to her would be interesting for them to see. Just as long as they do not bother me excessively with inane questions…
"Good!" Harrigan says, with some warmth "Another Kalish has chosen to aid us – welcome, Sikozu, to the ESV Cry Havoc and the 1st Deep Space Irregulars. The mission ahead of us will be hard in the extreme for all concerned – but the presence of yourself , a Kalish, may yet give us an edge we need…". Sikozu smiled a little primly at Harrigan's words – of course my presence will give you an edge, human! I am a Kalish, I am intelligent and resourceful in all ways – though it does also show credit to you that you know this and enlist my assistance and that of this other female.
Sikozu took a more detailed look at Keyah as Harrigan talked – this one carries herself as the military students at the Organisation did, she realised. Is she still a part of that group? Is she a danger to me and our people? Why is she here in the first place? I would like to know these and other things about her…
One of the humans waved around at nothing in particular she could discern – only for her to be surprised when two men appeared from concealed postions with very large guns in their hands. One was wearing an odd-looking cloak covered in small pieces of multi-coloured material (mostly greens and browns, with a little black now and again, she saw), while the other did not – but both carried the same kind of weapon, which did not appear to be of Scarran manafacture.
"Hey, there…" one of them said to her – a human, she decided, since no other race in existence talks like that "Nice to meet you! I'm Ghost, a sniper, and I'll be going along on this mission with you and all the others around here. What's your name?" He actually seems genuinely interested, Sikozu saw with surprise – he is not sounding patronising, or attempting to seduce me, or making any other hostile move. So she introduced herself with her full name, as she would to one of her own people – which made Keyah turn to listen and look, adding "I do not know what purpose I can serve in this endeavour – but I promised to assist and I will. Perhaps you – yes you, the Kalish female – can enlighten me on this matter".
"My name, Sikozu…" Keyah replied, as everyone reached the transit stop "…is Keyah Karimu Kalifa Kamara – though those here just call me Keyah. Though I am not yet sure of this, I suspect you and I will work together – scouting and recon and similar things. Whether we will join the main assault once we reach the objective, I do not know – but we will have much to do, of that I am certain".
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Interesting, Sikozu decided silently in her mind – but what are you doing here, around Scarrans? When Sikozu asked that question, Keyah hissed a little – but replied politely (if a little tightly) with "I am here to exercise my skills, Sikozu – and because the War Commander asked me to be here. I have fought beside him on his own planet, and it was my skills – mine, Sikozu, not those of a human or a Scarran – that ensured that battle went as well as it did at the start, and I am sure also helped ensure its success". "I thought…" Sikozu asked, once all the group had sat down in the transit car and Harrigan had sent it on its way "…that the Organisation had assigned you here – that this was an official position for you".
Keyah smiled herself this time, telling Sikozu "Nothing could be further from the truth there. I was on another planet when they found me – much of the better working options then exhausted. I was offered safe shelter, he chance to exercise my skills amongst those who would appreciate them, and much of what these humans describe as 'perks'. There is fine food here, for one thing – and our chef even makes the food of our people, and does so well". "It is good to know you make traditional foods" Sikozu complimented Keyah "As it happens, I was goi-".
"Not me" Keyah nterrupted with a smile, relishing this moment "Our chef is the wife of one of our Captains, and is a Scarran. But she knows how to prepare and cook Kalish foods correctly – I do not know if any of the Scarrans partake, but I know the humans do". "Kalish food is really good!" Ghost adds with a smile "I know I try to get some vrine whenever I can – that granga sauce is something else, and the meat is amazing too!" "Ghost's right, Sikozu" Harrigan told her next "I don't know if it's your eating time yet, but if it is, just sing out – I'll get Moratha to lay on a good Kalish traditional spread for you. There'll be plenty of the right stuff in stores to make it with".
A Scarran knows how to make Kalish food? Sikozu thought in astonishment – a SCARRAN? The idea of familiar food is a hard one to resist, but I cannot help but think that it would not be the same as if a Kalish made it – or even that it might be tainted in some way. But this Kalish, this Keyah, seems fit and well and unharmed – I may yet have time to ask her about her life here and if she is treated well on the way to this mission of theirs. I must also think of what Crichton always calls 'the big picture' – influencing them to assist my people in their struggle for freedom. To this end, I must do my best to ingratiate myself with them and make myself useful in this mission – when they see I am useful and that I help them, they will be more likely to listen to me on other matters.
She was even more surprised when she was shown her quarters. "Is this some kind of joke?" Sikozu asked, frowning a little "Are you showing me some Scarran officer's quarters, and then my own less well appointed accomodation later?" "This is actually your quarters, Sikozu" Harrigan told her with a grin "I've quartered you next to Keyah – she's next on the treblin – so there's one of your own species close by if you need to talk to someone. The rest of us are further along this deck, both Scarrans and non-Scarrans – though my own quarters are more towards the bow".
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"You command here, Ha-War Commander" Sikozu replied pragmatically, nodding "I assume you have appropriated the Captain's quarters for yourself, as a Scarran commander would do. I have not seen such quarters, but I have memorised the floorplans of normal Scarran dreadnaughts – they are larger and more luxurious than the others". "I share them with my dear wife" Harrigan replied with more feeling than Sikozu remembered him showing before "Who has been taken away from me. That is our mission – to go and get her back". "Keyah here told me that over the comm" Sikozu said, confirming Harrigan's words "She told me that you are prepared to go to war with the Scarran government over this issue – this is a major undertaking, and one for which I hope you have the proper planning and military forces to see through to a successful conclusion".
"All taken care of, young Sikozu" Councilor Shuljek remarked with a grin of his own "You are not the only one to come to our aid – I have my own forces, of course, and a small number of others are here already. But we will meet the bulk of our allies once we enter Scarran space". Sikozu rolled her eyes at this Scarran's way of addressing her, though she appreciated that it was more polite than she usually got from any of his species, before replying "Good, whoever you are. But I hope these forces can move quietly and stealthily – and not announce their presence to the entire universe by the tread of their big Scarran feet, getting us all killed".
Harrigan introduced Councillor Shuljek to Sikozu, including telling her his position – after which Sikozu made a perfunctory apology for impertinence and a promise to show respect. "Just hold up your responsibilities in the field" Shuljek told her once she'd finished "That is all I expect, and all our troops expect – they will do the same, and we will all help each other through the battles ahead. Whatever our species may be". He is blunt and unsubtle, Sikozu decided on hearing that, as I expect Scarrans to be – but also polite, which I do not. Harrigan must be having a civilising influence on them, strange though that sounds…
"You can stay and rest in your quarters" Harrigan told her next "Or you can wander around the ship and meet a few people. DRDs, or other Irregulars, will warn you off if you go where you shouldn't". "I think I should rest" Sikozu replied "Until the next meal time – though my eating time is close, it has not arrived yet, so I will use the time profitably to watch and learn about those who I will fight beside in the near future". "That's the way!" Troll told her with a grin "We're probably going to get volunteered for some more running or fitness training soon anyway – when we are, you might want to come along and even join in". "Not just yet" Lazarus told him "But soon, you're right in that. Once we're moving outsystem, I think…".
To help keep everyone's minds off imminent danger, Sikozu quickly discerned – this man has a good idea, he knows how to think, and is concerned for those he is with. Her spirits started to rise just a little, hoping that this human would be just as concerned for her welfare as for the rest of his people and for the Scarrans. "Then perhaps I can talk with you, Keyah Karimu" Sikozu decided "Is there some place in this ship where we can talk undisturbed and relax?"
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"I doubt there will be anyone in the galley for some time, Sikozu" Keyah replied "We can talk there if you like. Or we can find a workout room and train – it would do you good to practice with another Kalish, I think…". "The galley…" Sikozu replied "For now. Physical conditioning will be needed, though – I did not come through the military wing of the Organisation, but I did of course learn the basic skills all our people were taught. I am, of course, proficient with small arms".
"Good" replied Lazarus, turning to look at her "Thanks for volunteering that little pearl of wisdom. I hope you've used more than itty bitty pulse guns, though – because we don't use them, and you'll have what we have". "I am proficient in the maintenance and use of all regulation Scarran weaponry used by their regular forces" Sikozu told him with more than a little pride "Which includes their projectile weapons. I doubt any customised weaponry of yours will prove a major obstacle for me".
"Car's all yours, Harrigan" Lazarus told Harrigan as he, the humans, and most of the Scarrans got out and headed to their quarters "I'm gonna get a bit of shut-eye right now before the next meal, and I think our Scarran buddies here are doing the same. There'll be time enough to finish training once we're in Scarran space – Leurik's squad, Shuljek's boys and girls, and our people really just need some time to gel together and get to know each other anyway". Soon, only Harrigan and Shuljek still remained in the car – which Harrigan sent a little further on to the bridge. As they arrived, an empty car went past them the other way and Harrigan spotted Hellbolt carrying a number of tins in a sack up ahead – calling for him to wait. "We'll come up with you" Harrigan told him, beckoning him over "Time to get moving now". "A good idea" Hellbolt replied with some relief "Kylith spotted a Peacekeeper outpost down there in the jungle – don't know what kind of sensors they have, or firepower, but no point in taking chances, yes? They might find out something about this ship we don't want them to know".
A loud "WAR COMMANDER ON DECK! COUNCILLOR ON DECK!" was imediately barked out by Kylith from the nav desk when she saw Harrigan's unique shadow at the top of the comm desk entrance – though this was followed almost instantly by a brisk "As you were!" from Harrigan as he strode right over to the command chair and sat down, waving the others to do likewise. Since Keyah was helping Sikozu acclimatise to the ship, he directed Kylith to take over the nav desk and sensor controls from Shor and sent him over to the comm desk before activating the ship's PA and announcing "Now hear this! Now hear this! We're going to be leaving this 'ere mudball known as Watrukaria right now – and heading right into Indian country. So as of now, I'm raising the alert level to General Alert Level 2 – but PLEASE use your heads and stay cool, OK?" before turning the PA off and asking Shuljek "Since you're here, would you sit over at the gunnery desk? It's along the back wall there, next to the security desk".
Once Shuljek had found the desk and sat down, Harrigan called "Kylith, set course for Che'naia! Hellbolt, lock that in and get us moving as soon as Kylith sends you the course. Don't suppose anyone brought any food?"
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Hellbolt laughed and brandished his sack, upending the contents onto the deck as soon as the course had been laid in. "Nothing too fancy, sir" he explained, holding up a can "Self-heating rations. Just got a couple of packs of some unidentified savoury one, and the same number of the sweet course one – I've not eaten Scarran field rations before, so I don't know what they're like". No one seemed to mind – they all started hungrily on theirs as soon as they had it in their hand and opened.
"Captain!" came a voice over the wall comm in a room on a Scarran dreadnaught in the outlying area of the Che'naia system, three days later "The War Commander's ship should be arriving within the day, sir – you told me to remind you of this when the right time came". Captain Zarithak heaved himself up out of his bed and barked "Make us ready, First Officer! Engines to standby, main batteries and triple-A armed, and the duty Stryker flight to be placed on 5 momen alert!" before heading for the shower at the back of his quarters – running back briefly to add "And can someone please have something edible on hand when I get there!"
Twenty momens later, a slightly harried Captain Zarithak ran onto the bridge of the Sunbuster and sat down in his command chair. A further twenty momens later, an orderly strode in with a dish. "Keedva was all I had on hand on short notice, Captain" that individual told him, trying to apologise "I hope that meets with your approval". "It will be fine" Zarithak replied, easing the orderly's mind "Good, solid, and filling food – just what I need for this day". Once their Captain had eaten his fill, the dish was taken away and Zarithak ordered "Helm, all ahead one-third – get us to the meeting co-ordinates now!" before leaning back in his chair and watching his crew work.
"War Commander!" Kylith called from the nav desk "Big heat bloom up ahead - origin two-five-mark-three-four-zero, range eight hundred and fifteen kilometras!" Tapping out a target ID query, she sought for a possible match with the known spaceraft database in the Cry Havoc's main computer system – which came back within ten microts with "Dreadnaught! Weapons are armed, primaries and secondaries, and that heat bloom was the engines powering up and moving the target onto an intercept course with us!" "Keep calm, people" Harrigan cautioned everyone, though he was a little uptight as well "Hellbolt, keep us moving directly towards them, speed one-quarter; Kylith, interrogate their IFF for name and class information – we should get a handle on the ship's allegiance that way, shouln't we?" "Known Hierarchy ships shuld be listed in this ship's computer system" Kylith confirmed "Though I doubt any privateers or pirate groups could maintain a dreadnaught, if they have one it should be listed there as well". Kylih, of course, did not know of the change of alegiance made by Captain Zarithak and his crew.
"Conn, nav" the Sunbuster's nav officer called out "IFF interrogation signals coming from the target. Permission to jam?" "Denied" Zarithak replied flatly "I'm assuming until we get closer that this is the War Commander's ship – but just in case I'm wrong, I want three wings of attack Strykers on cockpit alert in ten momens and the decks made ready to launch. Cannon crews to man their turrets in case bridge control goes down. Sound general quarters".
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The Cry Havoc was now close enough for a detailed sensor scan – which Kylith obtained within a momen. "Dreadnaught following the mark-2 pattern, War Commander" she reported, the feeling of pride at calling 'War Commander' still in her voice "Flight deck doors are open but nothing's been launched. Main batteries and secondaries are also armed – but it's not moving towards us any further now". "Trannak!" Harigan called to the ex-Deadhead now on the security desk "Unlock and activate the secondary IFF code in the databank that Captain Kran provided for us. Kylith, change freqs as soon as your system registers the change. Hellbolt, prepare to move us close on my mark".
Trannak nodded his acknowledgement and tapped away at his keyboard. This human, whatever his rank might be, is coming to trust me more quickly than I had expected – perhaps this is because of our common military specialities? I do not know – but I must justify his trust in me if I am to make a place for myself here and stay by those I knew of old and any new friends and colleagues I have here. "Done!" he called microts later, his hammond hand flicking out at Kylith on the nav desk – who called back "Confirmed! Locked in and…on!"
"YELENT'II TA'KRII! (Author's note : 'Power and glory!' in Old Scarran)" called the First Officer aboard the Sunbuster in exultation when he saw the IFF readout change from 'unidentified' to 'King's Command – War Commander' and 'ESV Cry Havoc'. "Oops!" he replied with a sheepish grin, cringing just a little – but Zarithak just laughed and replied "You, I suspect, have more reason for relief and happiness than I do – you would have ben hoping for some generations to be able to see such things again. Whether I am just glad this is not an ambush. Nav, conn – full sensor sweep of the system and narow-band scan of the target vessel as soon as it's within range. If it is the War Commander's vessel as data seems to indicate, it will match the predefined data profile sent to us while at the teleconference".
"Range – two hundred kilometras" Kylith reported "Target IFF reporting 'Sunbuster' – archives report this ship assigned to Captain Zarithak and listed as missing in action". "It's ours, that's why" Harrigan replied with a very slight grin "Well, the Hand's anyway. Keyah, once we come to 160 kilometras, hail them. Councillor, stand down the main batteries but don't power them down completely – not yet. Neither Kylith nor the Sunbuster have reported craft lifting off from Che'naia itself or from orbit around it, but I don't want to take chances. Hellbolt, all ahead one-half – and be careful about it. Bring us up alongside – and get Captain Lazarus to pick a couple of volunteers once he's out of bed and get him and them down to the flight deck NOW! I might need to go over for a bit of a chin-wag with that ship's head honcho".
When the call came in, Captain Lazarus was not actually asleep – he was sitting in a rest area in the crew quarters with a Scarran demo operations manual and a bunch of equipment while Koronna made sure he knew what each thing did. "Come on!" he called to Koronna, dropping the manual on his chair as he rose "You're coming with me since you're here – I'll grab Troll on the way".
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Koronna smiled briefly at him as they passed Troll's quarters before bellowing "TROLL, YOU GREAT LAZY DRANNIT! GET OUT HERE NOW!" – and counting the microts on her fingers until he emerged. She'd got to eight before Troll ran blearily out of his quarters still doing his uniform jacket up, and nodded at Lazarus to continue. "Now you're awake, Troll…" Lazarus told him, guiding him firmly to the nearest transit stop with Koronna following behind him "I've got an important job for you – Harrigan wants us down on the flight deck. Yes, Troll, including you. I expect he'll want to talk to whoever we're meeting here – it'll show good faith if we meet on their ship". Troll brightened up a bit on hearing he'd get some flying done, though he deflated a little when he heard where his Captain thought they'd be going and made sure his newly-acquired Viper hadn't fallen out of its holster and his Ka-Bar was still buckled on his belt. Lazarus raised an eyebrow in Koronna's direction at that, but she just shrugged and shook her head.
"Com, conn!" the Sunbuster's comm oficer called "We are being hailed – by the Cry Havoc!" "On screen" Zarithak commanded "And calm down, everyone". Keyah's face and voice were on the other end of the transmission – many of the Scarrans breathing a silent sigh of relief when they saw a familiar species talking to them. "This is the ESV Cry Havoc. Would your Captain be prepared to receive a small party from our ship? I believe the War Commander is bringing a small retinue with him and wishes to meet with your Captain and discuss strategy". "Captain Zarithak here" the Captain replied from his chair "I will be on the flight deck to meet the War Commander and his party within a few momens. The flight deck will be made ready for him immediately", before cutting the call, barking several orders at the security officer, and running out of the bridge at full speed.
Not long after that, Captain Lazarus, Koronna, and Troll bolted out of a transit car and onto the hammond side flight deck, where Harrigan arrived shortly afterwards. Koronna directed them to a nearby Stryker 2 troop carrier – Harrigan sent Troll off to the tail turret while he pulled down an emergency jumpseat from the rear wall of the small bridge and said "Sorry, Captain – but you get that. I'm gonna fly and I don't think Koronna should have that seat, yes?" Captain Lazarus just nodded and buckled himself in, while he and Koronna did the same in the pilot and copilot's chairs. Once Koronna was satisfied Harrigan had performed the preflight checks satisfactorily, she comed the bridge to get the flight deck doors opened – and once Harigan saw them rise, he boosted off the deck fast enough to make Lazarus growl a bit, shooting under the still-rising doors into open space while still increasing speed and performing a tight barrel roll as soon as he was clear of the doors.
Lazarus almost screamed at him for doing that, but just sighed and laughed softly – whatever my stomach might say, at least these hare-brained stunts show he's slowly getting back to his old self again. The bridge crew on the Sunbuster had a good laugh as well when they saw Harrigan's antics on their sensors as well – though they were also glad to know that he had someone with him that was guiding him directly to their landing beacon and flight deck. This information was relayed to Captain Zarithak, who gave the order to open the doors just in time for Harrigan to be able to slide in under them fast and come to a rough but safe stop on the Sunbuster's flight deck barely forty metras from where its Captain was standing.
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Captain Zarithak grumbled a bit at that, brushing some dust off his armour – though he was more worried some of his own pilots might try the same thing rather than that he might be hurt himself. Never mind his wild flying, Zarithak decided, looking over at his first officer trying to stifle a grin, I will show the respect appropriate for his position so that my own safety and that of my ship and crew is assured.
Harigan, Koronna, Troll, and Captain Lazarus strode out onto the flight deck of the Sunbuster as soon as Harrigan had shut the craft down – they were met by the Captain himself as well as the senior officers of each of the three Blood Hand commands on board. To Harrigan's surprise, a loud and martial-sounding tune was playing over the PA – Zarithak smiled a fraction and said "It is the old Royal anthem, sir – which my First Officer here happened to have a copy of hidden away. I see you brought some of your people with you – who are they? Are any of them officers?" "Only one officer, Captain" Harrigan replied, waving Lazarus forward "This one – Captain Lazarus. He'll be comanding the Tactical units on this mission. The big woman just beside him is Sergeant-Major Koronna, senior enlisted troop aboard my ship – both of them are also my best demolition experts as well. The other one – get over here, Troll! – is a man from my home planet. Despite what he looks like, he is not Sebacean – which since he's close to several Scarrans and not keeling over from the heat backwash, you'd probably figured out already. He's the squad heavy from my old squad back home".
The three officers beside Zarithak nodded as they took this in – this Lazarus is obviously from the War Commander's own planet as well, they decided, though why the War Commander looks so different we do not know. "Have you selected commanders for the other combat branches, War Commander?" Zarithak's own tactical commander asked "The Bloodstars and the Skulkers will also need officers to lead them". "A good question" Harrigan replied "Though one I can only partially answer. Captain Kran will be commanding the Bloodstars, but I have yet to decide on a CO for the skulker units – if my wife were here, she'd be doing that. But since we're going to be rescuing her…", Harrigan paused for a low growl before going on, "…then I'll have to come up with someone else. If need be, I'll do that myself, since I doubt I'll need a large number of skulkers – but I think that a Scarran would probably be accepted sooner". That, Harrigan told himself, and the fact that none of the humans with me are suitable material for that position anyway – but I won't tell these officers that.
"I will not keep you here long, War Commander" Zarithak told Harrigan, leading everyone off the flight deck and over towards the bridge. Harrigan remarked on the different route, which made Captain Zarithak smile and explain "My ship is a newer mark 2 dreadnaught – whichever one you were on before was the older model. I am curious how you came to see the nside of a Scarran vessel, though…". "Maybe I'll tell you about that…" Harrigan replied as they walked "If we get out of this alive". Fair enough, Zarithak decided – it does not, after all, concern the safety of my crew or my ship. It can wait for now.
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A few momens later, the group approached the bridge – the combat commanders excused themselves and returned to their duties while Zarithak led Harrigan's group up the wide staircase to the bridge, where he called "WAR COMMANDER ON DECK!" at the top of his voice. Everyone stood up and snapped to attention – with the First Officer having a proud grin on his face as he saw Harrigan stride onto the bridge beside his Captain and accompanied by his friends.
"Welcome to the bridge of the Sunbuster" Zarithak announced proudly "Much of the layout you should know from its similarity to your own craft – I doubt it would change much – but my duty bridge crew you do not know". Zarithak took his time to introduce each of them in turn – Harrigan made sure to talk to them individually and thank them for coming, while Lazarus just kept his mouth shut and looked around him, nodding at the things he recognised and at the officers as well. "This, of couse…" Zarithak finished, waving one hand at the man standing beside him "Is my First Officer, and the one responsible for recruiting me into the Blood Hand along with the entire crew". "First Officer Karath at you service, War Commander" Karath said proudly, saluting in the traditional Royal manner – which Harrigan returned likewise.
Lazarus overheard the explanation of what Karath did, and asked "Which Councillor's command are you under, mister?" with an inquisitive look in his eye. Karatah looked back down at Lazarus – good, he is not afraid to look me in the eye – before replying "Concillor Lorshella, sir – intel command. But I have always served my Captain first". Lazarus grunted and nodded at that, adding "That one didn't send much help, but at least she sent something – one of her tactical sergeants has brought his squad with him. Not gonna be enough though, not by a LONG shot – I'll need at least a company of heavy infantry to work with". "We can spare such a force easily" Karath replied "I am surprised you will need so little help from us though…". "We'll need more than that" Harrigan told them "Captain Kran will need more Bloodstars, and whoever I get to cmmand the skulkers will probably want a few of your best to go with them as well".
"Ah, Captain Kran…" Karath replied with a thin smile "I have heard of him before – the Bloodstar troops we have might well fight each other to see who gets to go". "Just get their commander to pick a company that can be trusted to do their part" Harrigan replied bluntly "That's all I need" before waving Captain Zarithak and Karath over down the staircase and telling them "The biggest thing I'm going to ned your lot for is to watch our backs while the ground op's going on. I really hope we don't get bushwhacked, but I'm not taking chances and I'll need all my own people on the ground with me – so you get air defence duty". "Our pilots will be pleased to play their part" Zarithak replied with a smile "But the fine detail can be sorted out on the way – if time is critical, we should be off". "That reminds me" Harrigan added "We need to get into the space command computers somehow and check for the course of our target ship".
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Karath ran back up to the bridge for a few microts, returning ith another officer in tow. "Our duty intelligence officer, War Commander" Karath explained, not volunteering a name "He will get you what you need". Harrigan passed over the small chip in his hand, saying "That's what I know about our target ship and its course until now. I know it came through here a few days or so ago at most, I just don't knw where it went after that" – the officer just nodded, saluted, and went on his way.
"I'll need to contact my ship and tell them what's happening" Harrigan told Zarithak – Captain Lazarus, Koronna, and Troll stayed where they were while Zarithak and Harrigan returned to the bridge and walked over to the comm desk. "Hello, sir" Keyah replied once she'd been hailed "We were all wondering how well things were going – they are going well, I hope?" "They are" Harrigan confirmed "Just waiting on some intel and we'll be off". Not long after those words were spoken, the intel officer returned and waved his Captain and Harrigan over to the nav desk – where he inserted a new chip in a reader slot. "I had to slip that greedy clerk quite a lot of money…" he growled "But I got what you needed. That ship you seek is a new design not put into general production when your own ship was built – both were new designs built at roughly the same time period. It is a Switchblade class corvette, quite powerful and very fast – most likely course tracks are as follows".
The intel officer brought up that information on the main screen and began to go through it with the nav officer. Twenty momens later, he growled more nastily, pointed at one track, and said "That one – almost certainly". "Serakaa IV" Harrigan stated, reading the destination planet's name "What about it?" "It used to be a judgement complex in the Royal days - when the junta took over, it served much the same purpose, but for political trials. People they wanted to make an example of".
My wife is there! Harrigan knew with almost total certainty. Or almost there! "Plot course immediately, send course data to Cry Havoc, move out at best safe speed" Harrigan ordered almost without thinking – then shrugged in embarrassment at Captain Zarithak. "I do not mind" he explained "Time is not ours to waste – protocol is an unnecessary luxury at this stage" before turning to his bridge officers and ordering "Make it so!" Harigan then got back on the com and hailed Keyah again, telling her that course data would be on its way shortly – a loud cll in the background was recogniseable as Kyltih's voice shouting "CONFIRMED – COURSE IN AND LOCKED!"
"Captain Zarithak, with your permission…" Harrigan asked, picking up a microphone from the command chair's armrest – Zarithak nodded and aid "The crew will be glad to hear your voice as well, War Commander – it will let them know you are concerned for them and not just us officers". "Now hear this! Now hear this!" Harrigan called over the Sunbuster's PA – stopping crew throughout the ship "Sunbuster now goes to General Alert Level Two. We have the course of our enemy and will pursue at best safe speed".
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Talannah had been deposited in a cell several floors beneath the main judgement room a day or so previously, with her belongings being put in secure storage. "More for the look of the thing" the duty guard told her with relish "We'll play for it all after you're found guilty". "You think you wil survive that long?" Talannah told him with as much bravery and withering scorn as she could muster "My husband will be here to retrieve me before then, and all who stand against him will be killed". Needless to say, the guard – a Praetorian – didn't believe a word of it and walked off to his next duty station.
Further down, one more level. The cell was dark, but the occupant's eyes still saw with reasonable clarity. She did not know exactly how long she has been where she now is, although the talk of the guards and the shift changes led her to believe that two weeken would be a fair estimate of the length of her incarceration. I wish he were here, her mind told her in desperation – despite what he is, he treated me fairly and with concern for the short time I knew him. I would not be displeased to see him again – and would be very pleased and relieved if he comes to free me from this place. However unlikely that might be.
The next arn or two were taken up with both making sure that both ships set out on the correct course, and also on selecting troops to accompany the Irregulars on the ground assault. Though the Sunbuster was not functioning with a full crew, there were still a huge number of troops on board of all three Blood Hand commands – the Bloodstars were pleased to hear that both Captain Kran and Councillor Shuljek would be going to battle with them, though the Tactical units were sceptical of Captain Lazarus' capabilities. This lasted until he screamed in one Lieutenant's ear for almost one whole momen, giving him a couple of light slaps to add weight to his words. Koronna stood beside him all the time, which reassured both the officers and men to some degree as well – if he has a Scarran aide then he would be worthy to command Scarrans, many reasoned – or this woman would not stay with him.
The skulkers took Harrigan's presence in stride – most of their relatively small detachment just watched and listened as he talked to them about what he'd need. "We will stay ready and wait for your call" one of the Superior Infiltrators told him "When you require our assistance, we will be there".
Harrigan just nodded in acknowledgement and led his group back to the flight deck, thanking Captain Zarithak for his hospitality before they all boarded their Stryker and headed back to the Cry Havoc. "ETA Serakaa IV?" Harrigan asked Kylith as soon as he reached the bridge. "Perhaps four days – the dreadnaught's inferior engines will slow us down. This ship has more speed than is first apparent, it seems". "Less than I thought" Harrigan replied with a slight smile "Which is good – less time to be apart from my wife". "We should be thankful our destination is off even the less-travelled shipping lanes" Hellbolt said with relief "I've checked that over, and even warships don't go this way often".
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"Hah!" Harrigan replied "They'll probably think we're their relief, then – if they ever spot us at all! Right now I think we're as ready as we'll ever be – so just make sure everyone stays sharp and gets plenty of rest for the next four days". Hellbolt immediately commed Captain Kran to brief him on the latest developments, while all but Kylith and Keyah left the bridge to get some sleep.
Four more edgy days of avoiding dreadnaughts later, their small battlegroup aproached an unremarkable system in an out of the way part of the Scarran Empire. "That's it, then" Lazarus remarked, pointing to the red glowing spot on the insystem chart "Our target". "Damn right, Cap" Harrigan replied, fists clenching and unclenching slowly, before calming down and calling Kylith over to him.
"Sir?" she asked, not sure what was happening. "You've got experience in skulkering, yes?" he asked insistently – she replied "Yes, sir – but never at more than team level. I'm not officer material". "If this place has an offowrld comm rig on it" Harrigan explained "I'll need a veteran to lead a team of Zarithak's skulkers to secure and disable it – with a place like this, internal security for a large part of the complex might well be in the same place in case they need to call for reinforcements". "How will we be getting in, then?" Kylith asked in doubt "Sensors will pick up a capital ship if we move much closer than our current position".
"That's where the fun part starts" he told Kylith, leading her to the transit car and from there on a short trip to the hammond side flight deck. "You see…" he continued, leading her to the Harbringer "This 'ere's a stealth vessel, and big enough to hold one squad for the trip down. Your squad, if you want the job – I'll be flying, so all we need to do is hop over to the Sunbuster and get your troops ready". "Thank you, sir!" Kylith replied with pride "You wil not regret placing your trust in this old Scarran – there's still life left in me yet!"
As son as the Harbringer left the Cry Havoc, Kylith commed the Sunbuster's bridge and told them of their new needs – which menat that when they landed, three skulker teams were standing ready to meet them. "Good, everyone's ready!" Harrigan commended them "I see you have the smaller suppressed SMGs we have as well – but you can put them away, since I've had my guys make a few toys for you all. Kylith, if you'd get that crate Tovak left for us…". The skulkers proved very interested in the G8Cs, especially when a copy of the autofac dataprints were passed over for download into the Sunbuster's computers – and acclimatised themselves to the layout of the weapons in short order as well. Half an arn later, Harrigan announced "Fun's over, people – time to go! Into the belly of the beast…"