Rogues Resurgence Ch 19 completed 22.4.03

[SteveMill]

Third section, below the ***************

Chapter 19: All’s Quiet

It had been a risk coming here, a gamble, he knew that but at least there was some reward. His was unnecessarily fluffing the orthopaedic pillow with firm, pounding blows and praising the progress he was making, thanks to the experimental treatment available only here. Conquering recalcitrant nerve fibres might not match fighting sinister plots to control alien technology but there was no one to pat his back for that. He deserved, he decided, some scrap of human comfort and if it came from a nurse undoubtedly hired as much for her good looks as her skills then so be it.

“That’s quite enough now my dear.” Artur chided. “I think it’s no longer a threat to my health and well-being!”

Tanya giggled, a flash of gleaming teeth, as white as her uniform which was at least one size too small for her figure. She did that a lot and laughter was also something he did not get enough of.

“Is there anything else I can do for you Mr Underhill?” She said, supporting him as he leaned back into the pillow. “And DON’T ask for THAT again, I’m not that sort of girl!”

Artur sported his best faux-rogue grin and reached for her collar button with his recalcitrant prosthetic. The fingers prodded her shoulder and she slapped the hand away with a smile.

“Much closer this time you disgraceful old man. I told you the treatments were beginning to take, we’ll have you removing bras and waltzing before you know it.”

“At the same time?” Artur leered theatrically. “While playing the piano?”

“Sure, why not?” She answered cheerfully. “Anything else you want me to do that falls within my normal job description?”

“With that proviso, no, I think I need to rest now and conduct a little business.”

“Business?” She twinkled as she transferred the results of his last Zero-G regeneration session into his record. “And what is it you claim to be today? Table tennis coach, Admiral of the Fleet, gourmet chef?

“Secret agent.” Artur answered, deadpan. “Doing what it takes to save the universe.”

“Now, that I can believe!” Tanya giggled. “You have an over-developed sense of privacy.” She indicated the custom data terminal on a swing-arm by the side of his bed. “And I bet that grav-chair has a hidden laser beam.”

“Two.” Artur paused. “And an ejector seat!” He continued with precise comic timing.

“Then I’d better leave you to your scheming. I’ll be back in one hour for ionisation therapy.”

Artur waited until she left the private room before swinging the terminal across the bed. He could now operate it quickly with his one good arm, tapping through menu selections deftly to absorb his custom news-feed search.

Nothing pertinent about Max Force on the public channels, just business background hits he dismissed after reading each précis. Daht though, that was a different matter. The reverberations from his interview showed only faint signs of dying out as commentator fed on commentator, amplifying rumour and conjecture and applying another touch of spin.

Daht had made no further comment. This was a problem that was not going to go away, he could feel that in his bones. They would have to meet soon.

He then shunted the comm. link through the relay concealed in his now customised grav-chair.

“Seera, wake up.”

The chair hummed to life and floated to his bed-side like an obedient pet under the control of his ship AI, from deep within the Antigone Memorial Trading Station.

“See if you have anything for me.”

He waited while the routines triggered by the code phrase worked to compile an update from the variety of less public sources he had covert access to.

It was short.

Treasure Chest, Force had attracted the attention of the local police on Garleth Prime. He read the file with pursed lips.

‘Associating with known criminals…..frequenting the haunt of known criminals……conspiracy to smuggle illegal narcotics…….conspiracy to outrage public decency………..a disrespectable attitude in the presence of a law enforcement officer.’

A lot of froth, Artur decided, but no substance, just wild accusations by a local Inspector. Even so, it could smoulder into an irritant. He checked the name and instructed Seera to insert a de-merit into his record using one of his high-level security clearance codes the next time she interfaced with the Naval Nav-Sat. Sergeant’s stripes would, he thought, probably curb his excessive zeal.

The door slid open as he finished the command and he looked up to see Tanya standing outside, half concealed by the bulkhead.

“Already? You said an hour..”

Artur’s voice trailed off as he noted her frightened expression. Before he could react fright changed to shock, a clot of thick dark blood gouting from her mouth to stain her chest like a sniper wound. The nurse slumped lifeless to the floor and a short, thin, pinch-faced man, sleek in a silk suit, stepped into the room, covering Artur with a tiny hand-gun and a much bigger grin.

“I have a message from my employer.” He smiled. “Time to check out!”

His grin grew broader as he savoured the last few moments of his victim’s life, then it faded into shocked surprise at the burning hole in his chest. The gun slipped almost apologetically from his fingers as he slowly collapsed, bewilderment frozen into a death mask.

“Fine shot Seera.” Artur managed to say through the engulfing numbness as he struggled out of his bed to semi-limp, semi-collapse to Tanya’s side. He did not need to check her pulse to know she was dead but he did so, superstitious hope that it just could not be.

For the first time in a long while tears stung his eyes and it took all his discipline, all his self-control to hold in the swelling anguish in his chest, to crush it, compress it into a diamond of contained, focused fury.

The assassin’s lifeless corpse yielded only one clue, a tiny golden lapel badge, a single, angular S.

“Stoertebeker.” He muttered through teeth so gritted his jaw muscles ached. “Law.”

Law. This had to end, had to end now.

“Seera, it’s time to leave.”

The small laser slipped back into the grav-chair and he pulled himself into it.

Ten minutes later he was back in space heading for the comparative safety of Kingdom End. As he entered the Power Circle Jump-gate an Argon Explorer detached itself from the sector traffic. The catamaran-bowed fighter dropped a nav-sat and transmitted a short, encrypted message before scooping it back up. It then sped towards the Power Circle jump-gate at maximum possible speed.

Skull read the message and smiled.

------------------------------

“I’m sorry about the béarnaise sauce Artur, I’m afraid it’s resequenced.”

Artur waved Sinas’ apology aside and took another bite of steak. Medium rare, tender, moist and still completely tasteless. He swallowed quickly and took another gulp of faintly acidic white wine. No nose, no complexity but still 14% proof and Artur let it work, conjuring a faint glow, a slight lessening of something he had not felt for a long time, numbing guilt.

He finished it in two swallows.

“I was assured that is a remarkable vintage.” Sinas observed as he refilled Artur’s glass.

“My injuries go beyond these..” he gestured angrily with his good arm, “More obvious physical afflictions.”

“Ah, I understand. Is there a prognosis?”

“Not as good as for the prosthetics, if I could grab enough time for nerve regeneration therapy between assassination attempts!”

Artur shrugged wryly.

“My condition makes it difficult to disappear. It won’t be the last attempt.”

“You could stay here Artur, so far as anyone knows you’re still in Kingdon End. Don’t worry, your ship is perfectly secure. That Explorer you thought was following you fled back to Argon space when challenged by sector security, I’m afraid we are unable to trace the pilot. I imagine you have many enemies.”

He smiled at his own understatement.

“Many.” Artur agreed. “I can’t stay hidden here, I’ve work to do, but..”

He grimaced through a spasm as he carefully moved his prosthetic arm to take a bread stick. It shattered between the fingers, scattering fragments across the table.

“But I need a lot more nerve regeneration therapy. The Memorial Clinic was the best there is and there certainly is no chance of going back there. Have there been any repercussions?”

“Publicly? Almost none. It’s playing like a random killing of a nurse, no mention of you, which means..”

“Which means some pretty high level interest.” Artur finished for him. “There might be a degree of heat.”

“I’m owed enough favours.” The Factotum replied. “And regardless of what some alphabet soup Argon organisations might like to believe, the Boron security services have not yet ceded their independence to them. Do we have a suspect?”

With his good arm Artur placed the lapel-pin on the table between them.

Sinas took it and holding it to the light, examined it closely.

“Law.” He surmised. “The Stoertebeker Clan like to leave a calling card, to inspire respect. Your escape was fortunate.”

“Very.” Artur agreed. “If he had not paused to deliver a message I’d be dead.”

Sinas read the tone.

“So you don’t think it was Law? If not, who?”

“Who indeed? It still could have been him but it all seems, too convenient.”

He took a long sip of wine.

“And if I’m any judge of sociopaths, Law will be focusing almost single-mindedly on the more obvious and pressing threat.”

“Our mutual friend?”

“The redoubtable Commander Force.” Artur confirmed. “There have been no further developments?”

Sinas dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin before replying.

“None. Work on the Chip Fabrication Station is almost complete. The fusion reactor should be online on a few hours. To be honest I don’t know why Law hasn’t struck before now. The Black Heart transporter is there and we know it has been taking in supplies the Teladi have been placing in low orbit. It wouldn’t surprise me if The Teladi Board are turning a blind eye to Hornet class missiles but we have no assets positioned to confirm this.”

“Would Morn dare?” Artur asked sceptically. “The repercussions if she were caught.”

“Daht has her scared enough to risk anything.” Sinas answered, tearing a crusty delaxian roll to mop up the last of the sauce. “Check the stock market. Defence industry stocks are sky-rocketing and according to Boron sources, their proxies are flocking to Daht’s portfolio. There’s a war breeze blowing and Morn will have to tack into it if she wishes to retain her chair.”

“That bloody fool.” Artur said with a venom directed partly at himself. “The General hasn’t the touch for this sort of game, all we need are for the Split to get involved.”

He caught Sinas’ expression.

“Let me guess, the Family Njy?”

Sinas nodded confirmation. “The Butchers.”

Artur refilled his own glass, bending his prosthetic to his will, his brow beaded with the effort.

“I can understand the unease.” He replied. “The Split have long memories Sinas, the Njy even longer. Sector Five might be Teladi Gain now but they would slaughter and kill to expand their holdings. They have a foothold on the New Frontier with the Boron next door.”

“Quite.” Sinas said. “Half the Boron fleet is in my sector countering the Teladi build-up across the border. Most of the rest are down in Lucky Planets countering a build-up in New Income. That stretch of the New Frontier is very vulnerable.”

“What about Menelaus Paradise and environs?”

“A good question.” Sinas replied. “Xenon incursions are almost constant, rather than take the losses we are relying on the jump-capable fleet reserve, currently on manoeuvre in Atreus Clouds, in case the Clans get any ideas.”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice although they were the only two people in this small, very private, dining room.

“I shouldn’t know this let alone repeat it, you understand.”

Artur nodded.

“There has been some talk, talk at the very highest levels, about the utility of those sectors. They are difficult to defend and a sink for credits. It will be years before any investment pays off, if the Xenon don’t wipe them out or if the Family Njy does not find some pretext to attack them. Do you know the name Nibris?”

Artur thought for a moment.

“Joahan Nibris? Yes, factotum for the Ocean of Fantasy sector, she runs that whole part of the Boron New Frontier, Commander Force said he’d met her. He suspects she is involved in some way with the Clans, there is an Orca I believe, he thinks it is running supplies to the Clan Station beyond Menelaus Paradise. What do you know?”

“That our friend Max has designs on that ship, he asked me to check it out. He wants an Orca, we have a refurbished model in Atreus Clouds if he can come up with a fifteen million credits.”

“What did you find?”

Sinas took a drink to give himself time to think.

“Fact or conjecture?”

“Informed conjecture, let my friend here chew it over.” Artur patted his prominent gut.

“Well.” Sinas steepled his fingers, nervously running his teeth over the nails.

“She has definitely made some sort of deal with whoever runs that pirate station. My intelligence contacts say it is a counter-weight to the Split presence, I think they admire her pragmatism, it’s why they like Argon factotums, our ethics are so flexible. See no evil, hear no evil.”

“A convenient symbiosis.” Artur agreed. “What about the TL?”

“Ah, now that’s where it begins to get interesting. Your Max has sound intuition, she does have a jump-drive, licensed and cleared by both our governments at the highest level.”

“How high?”

“Higher than I can follow, Artur.”

Sinas paused to let the implication sink in.

“And the ship is owned by a whole Paranid doll of shell companies and I don’t think I’ve opened the last one yet. One name keeps coming up though, behind all the smoke and mirrors. Phoenix, but it could be another distraction. Does it mean anything to you or your stomach?”

“Phoenix? Are you certain your sources have that right?” Artur asked carefully.

“As certain as they can be Artur. This information came with a higher cost than just credits. I take it the name means something.”

“It’s a code-name.” Artur said. “A reference to one of the quasi-private companies that provide the sort of services more official organisations like not to stain their hands, transportation being one of them.”

He ran his hand nervously over his head and scratched at his collar.

“The implications..” He trailed off into thought.

“The implications indeed.” Sinas concurred. “But not unexpected. We both suspect this Shadow-Conspiracy of yours has deep roots and tall branches.”

Artur nodded glumly.

“But confirmation hardly makes my day. This means that Nibris may be more than just a dupe, we have to assume she is playing an active role. Max needs to know this.”

“He has a hanger on this station, Artur. Put together a message and I’ll get it safely to him. I don’t know what he can do about it though.”

Artur smiled for the first time.

“Young Max is a resourceful fellow, I’m sure he’ll come up with something brilliant.”

He paused and chuckled. “And on his past record, unnecessarily violent.”

“Speaking of which, whoever tried to hit you is probably going to try again. What can I do to help? You can stay here as long as you like of course.”

“Much appreciated, old friend.” Artur replied gratefully. “But I’d just attract attention and our relationship thrives on secrecy. I can’t go to Max, that would just confirm we were in cahoots and I don’t think whoever was behind the hit knows that. No, I think the Shadows were behind it, one way or another. The interesting question is, why would they want to point me at Law?”

“To implicate him in the killing?”

“No, too obvious, I’m not convinced it was serious, they expected me to escape, which my gut says, means they’re cutting Law loose, too much of a liability, or they’re watching to see where I run. They’ve probably got Max’s Place staked, in fact it’s a good sign.”

Sinas raised an eyebrow in silent query.

“It means he’s piqued their interest and they’re checking him out. I might have to take action against him to bolster his credibility.”

Sinas smiled. “I don’t know how you keep it all straight in your head Artur, but unless you get the medic side sorted you aren’t going to be able to do anything.”

“I will speak with the General, he’s got the resources and his Teladi have discipline enough to keep a secret. With luck I can get more treatment and talk him into toning down the rhetoric at the same time. The last thing we need is another war.”

“And you think he will listen? He’s a man with an agenda and I’m betting it bears little resemblance to yours. You know his record, he likes to gamble and he always wins, this looks like a major throw of the dice to me.”

“Get me a fast ship and a completely trust-worthy pilot and we’ll see.” Artur answered grimly.

---------------------------------------------

Too wired by fatigue and too aware of the stares and whispered asides of the rest of the passengers to sleep, Max found welcome refuge on the Lifter flight deck. The old pilot and owner of the converted freighter was happy to let him take the vacant co-pilot station and after Max assured him the two Confed Bayamon fighters were an escort not a threat he let the conversation lapse into an easy silence.

“Heads up Commander.” The cracked voice jolted Max from his doze. “Your friends are waving goodbye.”

Max rubbed his gritty eyes and looked out across at the port-side escort fighter. The pilot, expressionless behind a mirrored visor, threw another lazy salute. Max smiled and gave a thumbs-up and the Bayamon snap-rolled away on a heading for Confed Station.

With the jumpgate to Scale Plate Green looming the transport pilot flicked the intercom open.

“This is Cap’n Hamman speaking. We’re about to enter the Scale Plate Green jumpgate, please ensure restraint fields are activated and drinks capped. On behalf of Interstellar Transport Industries..” The man grinned through his unkempt beard and threw Max a conspiratorial wink. “I’d like to thank you for your custom. Put a chip down on the big wheel for me!”

“You’d be surprised how often that pays off!” Travers said, snapping off the comm. “Got me a tidy little nest egg building thanks to you. Hauling high rollers sure beats scruffin fruits.”

“My pleasure.” Max answered amiably. “Been on the frontier long?”

“As long as it’s been here Max. Max is okay right?”

“Sure, the brotherhood of pilots, ..?”

“Gann. Gann Hamman - Goddam hot-rodders!”

The Lifter decelerated sharply as an Explorer light fighter, a civilian sports mark to judge from the paint job, sliced into the line of ships for the gate.

Gann opened the comm. again.

“Sorry about that folks, gravimetric turbulence due to solar flares.”

He winked again, grinning widely. “Know nuthin’ Ground-hogs, bless their gilt edged credit chips!”

“Looked like a Giant Space Squid to me.” Max laughed as the Lifter nosed into the swirling maelstrom of the activating jump-gate. “Or maybe a UFO!”

“Saw one of those once, straight up, must have been twenty years ago, way out in Emperor Mines. Had a little business way out from the gates if you know what I mean and there it was, one big, big mother. Gave out this eerie feedback when I hailed.”

The Lifter burst from the jump-gate tunnel into normal space and Hamman quickly scanned the area.

“Report it?” Max asked evenly.

Gann looked at him sharply, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“I’m too old fella, to bother with whether you believe me or not. No, I didn’t report it, a yoinked license ain’t good for business. Got a snap of it though, sold it to the Weekly Universe News! Probably the only true thing they’ve ever published.”

“Hey, space is big and weird, Gann.” Max protested. “I’ve seen some strange shit in my time too. Any idea what it was up to?”

“Who knows Max? It was too damn fast, even if I wanted to chase it, which I most certainly did not, it just headed on out into planetary space. According to the WUN they have a big base out there, where they keep Argon women as sex slaves. Never trust an ET eh?”

“Yep.” Max agreed jocularly. “Damn ET’s, stealing our women folk and swamping us with their alien culture!”

The Lifter sped through the cordon of laser towers around Max’s two stations and the pilot called for docking permission.

“This is Max’s Place control, you are cleared to dock, please wait for the landing lights.” The automated system replied in a sex-less neutral tone.

The bay doors were already opening for the Destiny Star, distinctive in it’s red and black livery. Gann gunned the thrusters, adroitly cutting in ahead of the queue.

“In a hurry Max, the old bladder ain’t what it used to be, and Percy’s too damn big to piss in a tube!”

The Bliss Place auto-navigation took over, guiding the Lifter through the network of docking tunnels to the main public docking bay. Max waited with the squirming Hamman until the other passengers had disembarked.

“Short farewell Max, been nice talking with ya!” The pilot shook his hand quickly and vanished to the back of the passenger cabin with a cross-legged gait.

Tyre was waiting at the foot of the embarkation ramp, wearing a slinky long black dress and a happy but flustered smile, both suggesting she’d come straight from work.

“Would you like me to scan her for wires and weapons?” Xela asked archly. “And you might want to watch what she does with those nails.”

Tyre was in his arms before he could form a snappy comeback.

“Welcome back Max.” She whispered in his ear as she hugged him close. Her perfume, one notch down from cloying, enveloped him, triggering an autonomic response that surprised him with it’s intensity.

“Too much information stud.” Xela stated. “Disengaging sensors, going into stand-by. Try and be nice to..”

Her remaining words were lost as Tyre plucked the shades from his face.

“Ah, that’s better Max, only posers wear mirror-shades indoors.”

She unwrapped herself from him and slipped the shades into his coat’s breast pocket.

“Uh, thanks sweetheart, sure. Good to see you, have you done something with your hair?”

He cringed inwardly at the awkward response, caught between desire and enduring suspicion.

Tyre smiled and tossed her long hair.

“Chestnut highlights Max, you like?”

“It looks great.” Max answered. It did, now she’d pointed it out, but he could tell from the ghost of a frown that flickered momentarily on her face that it was not the expected response.

“Really great!” He added with more enthusiasm, cursing the seeming ability of women to read men’s minds, at least to their own satisfaction.

“That’s better Max.” She said, linking her arm through his, patting it patronisingly. “You just have to try harder.”

She sniffed.

“Beginning with a shower and a change of clothes. You didn’t call.” She continued as they joined the rest of the passengers passing through the security checks. Payter stood with the two-person team scanning each disembarkee, looking to catch his attention.

Max nodded a quick acknowledgement.

“I was worried. Was my present so big it had to be shipped in the hold?”

“Relax.” She laughed, cutting off Max’s inchoate splutter. “I’m kidding, a joke.”

The pause was perfectly timed.

“It’s something small.” She patted a coat pocket. “Like a ring right?”

She pulled him closer, chuckling warmly and Max couldn’t help but join in. It felt good and she felt good, her laugh enfolding him like a warm blanket. Max draped his arm over her shoulder and spontaneously kissed the top of her head, a brush of lips.

It had been too long, too long wrapped tight in his own body, his own mind and the temptation to just accept, to let the heat melt frozen suspicion was almost over-powering.

And yet?

And yet it was so damn convenient, so easy. He should check back with Rarr, see what that crook had uncovered.

Tyre relaxed her grip slightly, moving fractionally away, stiffening. Max stifled an urge to apologise.

“Your man wants to talk Max. He told me you’d called in, I expect he has all sorts of important things to discuss. I’ll be in my place, you give me a call if you want to grab something to eat.”

Her flashing eyes made it clear it was a challenge. She held his eyes long enough to satisfy herself the man understood and then softened with a smile.

“And don’t forget that shower okay?”

She patted his cheek and turned and left, sashaying her imperious way through the gaggle around the bay exit with deliberate, sensuous, rolls of her hips, followed by more than just Max’s hot stare.

“If you have a moment Commander.” The Sarge said, appearing at his elbow, his own eyes following Tyre’s exit.

“And she still checks out.”

Max followed him to Raider’s Territory.

********************************************************

Corrin shifted uncomfortably as he completed the third leg of his patrol, close enough to the Stoertebeker LT ring to see the mauve flash of the pre-fire sequence in the nearest as it rotated to target him.

“You’re cutting it real fine there lover.” Kaitrin stated from the All-Seeing-Eye, orbiting the Chip Fab site. “And you’ve been out there longer than standard protocols allow.”

“What protocols might those be sweetheart?” Corrin asked lightly.

“The one I just made up in my head!” she answered with a lilt. “You know what fatigue does for reaction times.”

“If you want to make up protocols.” Corrin suggested. “Make one covering the need for pillows on long duration missions. These Eels are great ships for the discount cost Max negotiated but I have a feeling the Boron have a lot to learn about human anatomy!”

“Boron are a pain in the ass, duly noted. Wait, incoming messages.” Kaitrin said, suddenly all business and Corrin listened to static as he cruised towards the western jumpgate.

“Good news and not so good news. Which do you want first lover?”

“Let’s go with the good.” Corrin answered.

“Good news, Max has returned to Scale Plate Green, and I quote, mission successful, reinforcements imminent.”

Corrin grinned and clenched a fist in vicarious triumph.

“And the bad news?”

“We’ve got media incoming, an Argon Lifter full of journo’s and broadcast gear. Smile, lover, we’re going to be live on the net and that Anje woman’s onboard. She says put on a good show.”

“Joy.” Corrin muttered with an utter lack of conviction. “If there’s a fight they’re going to have to take their damn chances in the cross-fire, make sure they understand that.”

“I’ll convey your concern for their well-being.” Kaitrin said. “But in a slightly more diplomatic way. Only evil doers fear the light. We’re not evil doers are we?”

Professor Challenger’s image sprang unbidden to his mind.

“Eye of the beholder I suppose.” Corrin answered after a slight pause.

“I’m going to take that as a ‘No.’ Kaitrin said firmly. “Note to self, don’t let the grumpy old libertine anywhere near an open mike.”

“Fine with me, fine with me.” Corrin answered.

The Ceo’s Bucksoid jumpgate swirled to life and spat out a Lifter in garish red livery. Bright white warning lights strobed from the nose and tail.

“The party’s all here lover.” Kaitrin said. “All we need now is the guest of honour.”

----------------------------------

“I’m not going to even ask where the credits came from sir.” Payter smiled. “And the Split don’t care. The Defeat yard is working flat out, the last of our surplus shields and weapons have been delivered and ten Raiders are standing by. I had to shift reserves from here to the front line as cover. That leaves us a bit exposed here but with nav sats in every sector from here to Family Whi we’ll see any trouble coming in time to call in Jackson’s people.”

“Good work Sarge.” Max replied. “How long ‘til the Mamba’s are operational?”

“Assuming we do the shakedown in flight, three hours Commander. I have an update on the assault plans.”

“Which ones?” Max asked.

“Both sir, the Stoertebeker station and the Orca. Jackson’s people have sent some pretty comprehensive data on the base but we’ve had to go with generic schematics for the TL.”

The Sarge punched keys on the small briefing room terminal, the holo-tank thrummed to life, displaying a rotating image of Law’s station. With deft flicks of the control wand he peeled away layers, delineating key areas, defensive systems, tactical objectives and penetration routes.

“How many men?”

“Ours or theirs Commander?”

“Both.”

“Defenders unknown Sir, we estimate three hundred but we don’t know what that big bastard TL has been transferring. There’s been a lot of traffic. Us? Two hundred.”

“Two hundred damn good ones.” He added, noting his Commander’s querulous brow.

“Plus another seventy five the Confeds can throw in the pot but I’m not counting on them. Unknown competence, unknown agenda. Makes me nervous.”

“Fair enough Sarge, projected casualty rates? Ours?”

He blanched at the answer.

“One million credits Sir, split between the survivors and the families of the dead. If that helps.”

“Double it.” Max said quietly.

Payter nodded understanding.

Max reviewed the plans in detail, but this was the Sarge’s field, not his and there was little he could add.

“There’s just one problem Commander.” Payter said at the end of his presentation. “Boarding. Getting past the pickets, accessing the docking bays. Everything is predicated on a surprise assault.”

“Leave that to me Sarge.” Max replied confidently. “I’ll get back to you on that.”

It was a mark of the respect the Raiders held for their dead leader that Payter accepted the assurance unquestioningly.

“Okay, give me an hour and we’ll pick up the new ships and join the party. Is my Mamba prepped?”

“Prepped to the gills.” Payter confirmed. “But I don’t understand why Law hasn’t attacked already, why he’s leaving it this late?”

Max shrugged.

“Perhaps we’ve hurt him worse than we think? Or the Teladi have him on a choke chain.”

“Or the bastard has something we haven’t reckoned with up his sleeve.” Payter replied, locking down the holo-tank.

“That’s not a comforting thought Sarge.” Max said, clapping him on the shoulder as they left the briefing room. “Just think positive thoughts.”

Max headed for Tyre’s quarters trying to follow his own advice.

She removed his coat and began removing his clothes the instant he was through the door. Disappointingly she bundled him into her shower and declined his invitation to join him.

“No time for that, tempting and irresistible as the thought is stud.” She checked her lipstick in her compact, frowned and touched up the totally invisible blemishes.

“We’re due in the New Frontier in about.” She checked her watch. “Twenty minutes ago. I bet you’re flying out pronto right? Not without a proper meal, and alcohol doesn’t count as a food group.”

Max turned off the shower and let the rising column of warm air cry him.

“Fine if we make it PDQ. What meal are we looking at? Different time zones.”

“Brunch I guess.” She replied. “And watch your language. Here.”

She threw a clean shirt at him as he stepped from the shower.

“I picked this up for you, it’s real silk, all the way from Queens Space. Blue is your colour, there’s a bunch of other stuff on the bed there.”

Max slipped it on, it was cool against his clean skin, and almost weightless.

“Hey, thanks Tyre, this must have cost you a month’s salary.”

“Don’t thank me too much Max, you’ve now got a credit account down at the LaVois concession. You got me this too, you closet romantic you.”

She held up a shimmering aqua stole, so light it seemed to float as she fastened it around her shoulders.

“I’m just generosity incarnate.” Max said, bemused, as he quickly dressed.

“You look great.”

“Of course I do Max.” She answered, taking his arm and guiding him towards the door.

“Don’t worry.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

“You’ll get the hang of this boy-girl thing if I have to spend every credit you have! Now hurry up, I’m starving even if you’re not.”

Still spinning from the stirrings her kiss inspired, Max let himself be led to the New Frontier restaurant.

“Nice shirt sir.” Ray opined as he led them through the half empty dining room to Max’s customary booth. “It goes so well with your…jeans. May I show you a menu madam?”

“We’re in a real hurry Ray.” Max interjected. “What’s quick?”

“I’m afraid we don’t do ‘quick’ here sir.” Ray answered stiffly. “However.”

He looked around the restaurant.

“The couple at Table Seven are having the roast glun-meek in braised clam sauce and Argnu steak, medium rare with fried tubule roots.”

“Well if they won’t mind?” Max said uncertainly.

“They won’t know sir, we’ll just consider it an object lesson in ungenerous gratuities.”

Max grinned.

“Okay, I’ll take the steak, if that’s okay with you sweetheart?”

The word sounded surprisingly right.

“Hmmn. Raw meat or strange alien dish I’ve never heard of? I’ll take a chance on the ET food, providing it isn’t alive?”

“I clubbed the kittens to death myself.” Ray reassured her archly. “Glun-meek is a sort of fish madam. Very highly sought after by gastronomes universe wide.”

“Well, if it’s good enough for snails it’s good enough for us.” Max said, ignoring Ray’s small, despairing sigh. “The steak for me and the Meek stuff for Tyre.”

“Tyre, that’s a very nice name, madam, memorable too.” Ray said as he tapped the order transfer into his padd. “Very well done sir.”

“What did he mean by that Max?” Tyre asked suspiciously after the waiter left. “For the owner of this station he doesn’t show you much respect does he? No wonder he gets bad tips.”

“No man is a hero to his waiter.” Max misquoted, deadpan. Smoothly changing the subject he asked. “I’m flying but do you want a drink of anything?”

“No thanks Max, I’m intoxicated enough with your sheer presence.” She rested a hand lightly on his knee. “But tell me about your trip. Business or pleasure?”

“Business, nothing interesting, just a little investment.” Max answered, masking renewed suspicion. “I doubt anyone goes to Garleth Prime for pleasure although I did hear some interesting old music. I might have Corrin book the band.”

“Breaking new markets for your dubious products Max? I thought Jackson handled all that for you. I hope he wasn’t leading you astray, I’m not sure I trust him.”

“Jack? He’s okay so long as our interests coincide. I grow the stuff, he sells it. I’m happy, he’s happy, the customers are very happy and the confectionary manufacturers are ecstatic. Everyone wins.”

“But it’s still illegal. What if you get caught?”

“Almost nothing’s illegal in Teladi space, and it’s Jackson’s people running the risks in other territories, don’t sweat it.”

“Ladies don’t sweat, they perspire, Max. How about the computer chip place, I hear that’s coming on-line soon.”

“Soon.” Max said evasively. “How did you hear about that?”

“It’s all over the news, Max. They say there’s going to be a big fight.”

She removed her hand, eyes showing a hint of suspicion.

“You’re being awfully evasive, you don’t really trust me do you Max? Relationships are built on trust you know. I read it in a magazine. It had a test too, perhaps we should take it?”

“Loose lips vapourise ships.” Max quoted with what he hoped was a disarming grin.

“Yea, there’s probably going to be a skirmish of some sort. What are they saying about it?”

“Nothing with the word skirmish in it Max. It’s okay, you don’t have to hide these things from me, I know you have a colourful background.”

She put her hand back on his knee.

“All girls love bad boys!”

She squeezed his thigh, high up and Max looked around but no-one could see into the seclusion of the booth.

“Really? That’s cool then.”

“No, not ‘really’ Max. That’s just what men want to believe. Don’t you know anything about real women?”

“Er – only where the bits are.” Max stammered.

“Some of the bits Max.” She replied with a perfect toothed grin. “But I have a magazine article on that too!”

She paused, barely.

“Or just ask your friend Jack. Just kidding Max, just kidding. The word they use is ‘show-down.’ The media remember? Men have such linear minds, you’ve really got to try and keep up! Ah, food.”

Tyre waited until he’d laid the dishes out before them and departed.

“Mmnn, this Gunk Reek is much better than it sounds.” She proffered a steaming fork full. The rich aroma made him salivate and the flesh melted in his mouth, blending perfectly with the shell-fish sauce to trigger taste buds he didn’t know he had.

“No thanks.” She said to the offered bloody steak. “I make it a rule not to eat anything that still moo’s. You go ahead and be manly though, just don’t get blood on that shirt. Does he have more ships than you?”

“Who? Law? Yes, probably. That clan is old and rich.” He chose his words carefully. “But we have the better ships and the better pilots.”

“That’s what the guy with the holo-sim on Network News said. He reckons you could get your ass kicked. Or words to that effect. Is that right?”

Max shrugged.

“We’ve beaten him every time so far, why not again?”

“Because he’s got some kind of big ship hanging around the man says. And you’re having to defend a fixed position right? Less scope for, what’s the word he used, a big one for fighting dirty. Asymmetric warfare, that’s it.”

“For a hostess you’re pretty well versed in military tactics.” Max answered, trying to keep his tone light.

Tyre looked at him closely.

“You really don’t trust me. What do you think, I’m some sort of spy, is that it? Well forgive me for taking an interest when my man could get himself killed. Everyone’s talking about it Max, how do you think that feels?”

Max didn’t know what to say and they sat in stony silence for a few minutes until Tyre pushed her plate away angrily and stood up.

“You can’t go through life like this Max, you’ll end up old and bitter.”

Her eyes glistened and her cheeks flamed red.

“If – when you get back you’d better have a long hard think about us Max.”

She stormed out through the suddenly silent dining room without a further word.

When Max reached the flight bay he was met by Payter. He handed Max the azure stole.

“She said good luck Sir.”

Max tied it round his neck, wrestling down conflicting emotions.

[Al]

Ahhh do I sense a small skirmish on the horizons? Great chapter and cant wait for more.

Al

[KiwiNZ]

VERY nice!!

Good to see Artur is still in the game, though, it looks like he is being played by Skull. Now that will be an interesting development.

I like the part with that poor ambitious Inspector, poor bugger.

Like Al wrote: Can't wait for more

[Gandalf The White]

Do I see a little there from LOTR? Mr Underhill? lol. Well, good read Steve. Keep it coming.

[SteveMill]

Do I see a little there from LOTR? Mr Underhill? lol. Well, good read Steve. Keep it coming.

Well spotted that man!

[Deleted User]

Do I see a little there from LOTR? Mr Underhill? lol. Well, good read Steve. Keep it coming.

Well spotted that man!

I was sure I knew that name from somewhere. I couldn't just place it.

Excellent again Steve.

IO

[Reverend_Vader]

I've never read any of your stories , or mercs for the simple fact that to me it would be like reading a book from the middle steve.

Do you have a site or anything where they are hosted so I can start at the beggining.

[KiwiNZ]

Do you have a site or anything where they are hosted so I can start at the beggining.

you will have to do a fair bit of reading there

CJ has the stories on his site. Not sure if they are complete but I'd say they are.

You find them under "X-Tension/Stories of X". Merc has got a pdf of his story. If he wants me to place it on my site I can do that. Otherwise just pm Merc.

[SteveMill]

I've never read any of your stories , or mercs for the simple fact that to me it would be like reading a book from the middle steve.

Do you have a site or anything where they are hosted so I can start at the beggining.

Hi Vadar

The both books will be on the x2 disk but i'll set up book one in pdf form for download on Monday.

[Adamskini]

\o/

[Gandalf The White]

lol. Bump.

So where is Valinore then!!!lol. Looking forward to more

[Oldman]

Same thoughts as Al

Good read as always.

Oldman

[Moss]

I've been wondering where Artur was hiding, seems it will be time for another showdown with Law soon, only problem for me here is I can't remember why or how Artur would be known by Law, I recall some info being swiped from Law, but not if Artur was known to be involved, unless this attempt on his life has no connection to the recent attempt on Max!

[SteveMill]

I've been wondering where Artur was hiding, seems it will be time for another showdown with Law soon, only problem for me here is I can't remember why or how Artur would be known by Law, I recall some info being swiped from Law, but not if Artur was known to be involved, unless this attempt on his life has no connection to the recent attempt on Max!

Artur could have come to Law's attention when one of Law's Teladi flight controllers betrayed him to Artur. He got his injuries at that time.

[SteveMill]

Second part posted.

[Al]

Just reading through at the moment. found this:

"The repercussions if he were caught.” referring Teladi Director Morn, who is female.

Anyway good stuff. Will be interesting to see what Artur does against Max to through his watchers of the Scent. And of course whether Max will get round to sorting out Law

Al

[SteveMill]

Just reading through at the moment. found this:

"The repercussions if he were caught.” referring Teladi Director Morn, who is female.

Anyway good stuff. Will be interesting to see what Artur does against Max to through his watchers of the Scent. And of course whether Max will get round to sorting out Law

Al

good catch, thanks Al.

[Adamskini]

\o/

[Gandalf The White]

Hi Steve, good read again. Look forward to part 3

[KiwiNZ]

Very nice read, Steve. There is a neat build-up of tension going on, I like that. Will be interesting the see how the General reacts to the now handicapped Artur. Dath being a soldier, I could imagine him considering Artur less useful, which, of course would be stupid ... but

I noticed a missing comma

"Phoenix, but it could be ..."

Looking forward to the continuation!