Rogues Revenge ch 12 completed 6/8/03

[SteveMill]

Chapter completed below the -------------------

Chapter 12: Sating the Beast

It was hot down here in the mechanical heart of Station Prime where the waste heat generated by the computer cores, support systems and power plants that kept it running often overwhelmed the cooling system. It was even hotter in the claustrophobic chamber where Jakiziak Herranphut IV was lately forced to spend most of her days, at first fruitlessly combing logs for anything that hinted at inside involvement in the escape of Force and lately, configuring an early beta of software designed to parse security camera images for suspicious body language.

Too hot, even for a Teladi, she murmured to herself as for the tenth time this shift the software designated every movement in the main fighter bay, ‘anomalous.’ It must have been, she reflected bitterly, programmed by Split, who at last count had three genes directly implicated in their in-built paranoia. With a frustrated hiss she reinitialised a component of the neural net and isolated the feeder sub routines. While the code lines scrolled up the viewer she poured another glass of water from her flask. It was already tepid and from the chemical aftertaste, the recyclers still needed adjustment she thought.

Jakiziak leaned back in her chair, thankful at least that it was designed to accommodate her Teladi physiology. She liked her comforts and one of the few benefits of being so long on this station was that she had the time to organise her life to her own maximum pleasure. The other benefit was of course the wealth. Maximum return for minimum investment, it was a motto to live by and a creed that naturally led her to parlay her undoubted gifts to whoever would pay the most.

Crime pays, as one of her latest rules to live by stated, as does treachery.

When agents of Stoertebeker approached her for support her conscience put up barely a token struggle. The sums on offer mocked the credits her assiduously avaricious egg sisters could possibly accrue in a ten year of investment of the frugal legacy left by the death of their Egg Mother. In her minds eye she conjured images of the conspicuous consumption she could flaunt in the faces of her rival siblings should this business come to fruition. She did not know what this enterprise was, something big, something obscenely profitable, something massive enough to warrant the capitalisation given to it in the hushed tones of the better informed. Jakiziak had made it her business to listen in when their tongues were loosen by the twenty year old Argon Whisky she appeared to have an endless supply of.

‘The Enterprise!’ She now had two shares and the thought made her warm inside, a comfortable warmth, unlike the ozone dry heat of her small work space.

“Hello Jak.”

The Teladi computer expert reflexively flinched at the voice from the door’s security screen, spilling water down the front of her grey coveralls but that wasn’t what sent her body heat plunging towards the temperate, it wasn’t even the derogatory use of the insulting diminutive of her heritage.

It was the man himself. She quickly tapped the lock code into the touch pad and activated the door. The Stoertebeker Security Chief stepped through. Her eyelids nictitated nervously as she waited for him to speak. The human frightened everyone, he frightened her even when delivering untraceable credit chips drawn on anonymous accounts for, as he put it, ‘services rendered.’

She’d rendered him no services since facilitating the station seizure through a strategic neglect of certain protocols. Since then they had no contact other than to report the negative outcome of her scrupulous search through comms records and security access programs during the hunt for any aid Force had in his escape. She had found none and neither had the others in her small team, all cross-checking each other’s conclusions and methods. However Force managed it he had been assiduous in covering his tracks, so assiduous that she was certain the explanation lay elsewhere entirely. A conclusion she had stated and Hagman appeared to accept but now he stood here, filling the chamber with his intimidating bulk.

“Do you know Anton Keffler?”

Jakiziak’s body heat cooled towards the arctic and she became acutely aware of the large blaster strapped to Hagman’s waist and the manner in which his fingers danced over the holster. Of course she knew Keffler, he was the most gifted of her three underlings, almost as adept at her when it came to programming. Skilled enough to be a rival, which is why she made the portly human her second, despite his unpleasant body odour.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer still, it was another of her rules, cogent if not original.

“He supplied me with this.”

She took the data crystal, trying hard not to let her claws shake as she inserted it into a port. She had to stand hunched over her terminal, her back turned to examine the contents. She could imagine the soft hiss of metal on leather as the cold-eyed man pulled his weapon to shoot her down. He had a reputation and one well-earned if just a fraction of what was whispered about him were true and none of it involved fair-play.

It took almost all of her willpower not to void her bowels as she ran her own tester programs on the data reconstructed from purged buffers rolling up the small monitor screen.

“It’s lies,” she managed to hiss, turning to meet his frozen stare. “Forgeries and lies.”

And it was. Under other circumstances she could have professionally admired the brilliantly executed fake. It was good enough to fool almost anyone, stand up to the most rigorous scrutiny, except hers and she somehow doubted that would count in what passed for a justice system in her new Clan.

“I know,” Hagman replied, laying an friendly arm around her thin shoulders provoking an involuntary squeal of terror from her near frozen throat. Incongruously she noticed his fingertips were stained blue.

“I have worked with you, I trust your loyalty to me, but I am in a difficult position. Our leader seeks heads and in the face of this irrefutable evidence I do not think he would be inclined to risk the success of the Enterprise on my unsupported word. Would you?”

Definitely, most definitely she would, she wanted to say but wisely she shook her head.

“Now why would your loyal assistant attempt to implicate you in Force’s escape if you are not guilty?”

The walls of the small chamber seemed to close in around her as she raced to keep up with the twisting path of the conversation.

“Because he wants my position?” she stammered. Hagman slowly shook his head. She grasped desperately for alternatives. “Because, because…?” Inspiration struck. “Because he is the traitor, because he is guilty!!” Hagman nodded approvingly.

“Unfortunately I have no evidence of that,” he said regretfully, “However, I do have this.” He plucked the crystal from the port.

“I fake – I search again I find evidence, good evidence!” Jakiziak pleaded. “No-one need know.” She hated the whine in her voice.

Hagman smiled for the first time.

“Good, I expect he had accomplices also. I have my suspicions.”

He mentioned names and positions.

“Bring the proof directly to me in my quarters, do not even speak to anyone else. If I am satisfied you will be rewarded.”

Hagman hefted the data crystal.

“I retain this, from now on you belong to me. Understand?”

She understood only to well. When he left she added a Paranid saying to her list of rules.

‘If you sup with the devil have a very long spoon.’

Hagman returned to his quarters and stood before the easel in contemplation. Then he took a brush, dipped it in paint, rolling it until it was laden with colour and slashed the sky, mountain and serene lake with bloody red.


Coniston attempted to stop sweating by sheer effort of will but her armpits were as wet as her mouth was dry and she fancied she could smell the rancid trace of her fear.

Under other circumstances the view would be impressive. Unlike most gate sectors, the Sector Prime sky was not spectacularly disfigured by the gaudy daubs of nebulae illuminated by new birthed suns. Out here space was as it should be, full of stars, hard and bright as diamonds on black velvet and given full justice by the panoramic sweep of the Observation Lounge window.

It was a sight that would normally have held her spellbound by memories of the dreams that had driven her into space but now she was untouched as she attempted to divine the mood of the other participants in this macabre ceremony. Hagman was as impenetrable as ever, a face set in stone and a parade ground rigid stance, wrists clasped firmly behind his straightened back as he stood at Law’s left hand, just beyond the shield perimeter of the throne the Clan leader rarely seemed to leave.

Law himself was practically jovial, his mood fuelled by deep copious gulps of wine taken straight from the bottle clutched in his right hand and unconcerned at the ruby red excess dribbling down his chin. The image was too disturbing for her to dwell upon.

Her old Captain was the only one who had spoken to her but even Hart seemed a little distant. Guilt by association, she thought bitterly and hoped that later, in private, old friendships and loyalties would count for more. She had no doubt she needed them. Even though Law had made no comment and had even commended her for her decision to withdraw from the battle with Force, her command intact, his moods were too mercurial to trust, particularly with a vindicated Hagman pouring venom in his ears. That he was her enemy now she had no doubt and she bitterly regretted her previous complacency. It was not a mistake she intended to repeat.

“If everyone would take their position,” Hagman said expressionlessly. Law’s throne glided into the large gap in the crescent of seats before the panoramic window. She took the one at the end and steeled herself as the Argon Lifter orbited into view. The freighter came to rest, relative to the station some 700 metres distant she judged with a professional gaze. Station-wide, all eyes would be fixed on monitors and Faith forced herself to stare, unflinching and emotionless as it drifted slowly towards them.

At 300 metres it slowly turned and right side on the airlock opened expelling two frantically flailing forms in a crystalline cloud of freezing air. The Teladi was still alive she could see as they drifted in on momentum, his reptile face rupturing in the vacuum and claws reflexively scrabbling, when it hit the crystal clear plexi-steel window. He was an anonymous communications technician from the recesses of her ship and unknown to her until Hagman threw the damning data crystal, detailing the reconstructed nav-sat communications with Force’s Orca onto her desk. His slow death left her unmoved.

The star-fished human though, staring blankly through exploded eyes, his frozen blonde hair sparkling with his last frozen breath, he was quite dead and she was not unmoved, not unmoved at all.

“And so perish all who betray me,” Law intoned, sonorous for effect. He touched a control to disconnect from the station-wide broadcast and took another swallow from the bottle before turning to Hagman with eyes that sparkled above his bloodied lips. “A most entertaining display old comrade, I am glad to see you have not truly lost your lust for the macabre.”

Hagman gave a smile she thought nothing more than an exercise of facial muscles, so expressionless were his eyes. “A shame I had to shoot the ring-leader but thanks to the assiduous work of the Teladi programmer we need not concern ourselves with traitors.”

“With Force friendless in this sector we can complete the shipyard, re-equip and build our strength,” Law agreed. “And perhaps next time the Infiltrator meets him in battle it will not have to flee,” Hagman added. “I suggest we reward Jakiziak in some way, and focus her talents on ensuring our continued security.”

“Make arrangements as you see fit,” Law answered. “Then join the celebration. You too my captains.”

He took another deep pull on the bottle before hurling it aside, drained.

The mandated party would already be convulsing the station and Faith nodded dutifully and trailed the others from the lounge, the eyeless stare of her tactical officer burning into her back.

On the other side of the Universe, on an azure beach in the languid heat of the double-sun day, two perma-frosted crystal glasses chimed.

“To us!” Max echoed. Despite his thirst he resisted the urge to drain the deliciously cold beauchamp. It was too early in the day, the vintage too fine and the ocean too temptingly refreshing. Us! Where once there was a hole, a yawning fracture that was the death of his father and cousin, that neither drugs or reckless risk-taking could fill, there was a lake. Max allowed himself to savour the word and sink into the depths of it’s meaning.

“What are you thinking?” Tyre asked. “You looked far away.” Max almost answered honestly but caught the unfamiliar reflex. “About taking a swim, maybe some more para-sailing.” Tyre sat up and peered at him over her wrap-around sunglasses. “Don’t lie to me Max, you were strategising again weren’t you? If I find that padd at the bottom of that basket again you’ll be sleeping on your own tonight!”

“Guilty as charged!” Max admitted with a grin, happy to cop to a minor misdemeanour rather than open the whole rotten barrel of his identity. National security, he reasoned, besides, with his only route back to his former life dead, he was to all intents and purposes, Max Force anyway. No harm, no foul but no matter which way he wriggled the lie cast shadows, particularly when obliged to flesh out the bare bones of his memorised biography with details that rang emotionally true in Tyre’s astute ears. There was only so much mileage to be gained from ‘I don’t really remember that far back’ and ‘it’s too painful to talk about,’ especially in the intimate unity of a post-coital glow.

It was times like that he needed Xela, Max thought, or possibly not precisely at times like that, he corrected himself hastily. In truth it was a bit of a relief to wear sunglasses that did not feel the urge to pass acerbic comments on his every word and deed. Instead she was embedded into the Chip Fab Plant systems running research on recovering information from the Challenger computer core while blind-siding Jack’s researchers. The Professor’s name was another secret, darkening his mood like a cloud across the sun.

Max got quickly to his feet to forestall another twitch of Tyre’s antennae.

“I’m going to take a swim,” he announced. “Burn off a few calories before lunch. How about you, race you to the reef?”

“So you think I’m fat do you?” Tyre pouted before laughing at his sudden nonplussed confusion. He hated it when women did that and the fact that Tyre was as quick as every other woman he’d known to twist his words like a wrestling hold until he conceded defeat in a battle he had not knowingly joined just convinced him there must be a gene for it, somewhere on the missing X chromosome probably. He’d ask Xela but she’d no doubt take it personally.

“No,” she continued, “I’ll just stay here and work on my tan.” She stretched languorously and began massaging oil into her barely clad body. “Don’t be a prude Max,” she chided at his frown. “It’s a private beach and there’s no one to see.” She deliberately dribbled oil onto her breasts and began massaging it in. “Except for the hired help,” Max muttered, referring to the four incongruously suited figures scattered discreetly along the cliff line of the small cove, as he retreated to the safety of the ocean.

“They’re not my idea!” Tyre called after him. They weren’t his either but Corrin would not let him leave the Enterprise until he agreed to let Anje Delenari hire some protection. With her customary efficiency the PR woman threw in a permanent air patrol. All day and all during the brief nights afforded by the twin suns, a black heli-jet circled the small island, far enough to be a small silent dot skittering across the horizon, close enough to discourage any boat or aerial vehicle that strayed too near their private hideaway.

The island belonged to a client of Anje’s, a software magnate who made several fortunes from blue-sky AI research and was only too pleased to loan one of his many homes to someone as notorious as Max, who felt like he had somehow joined an invisible club. Set in the tropical belt of Three Worlds Alpha it was, as Tyre remarked somewhat fancifully as they flew in, an emerald set in a sapphire sea.

The mansion itself was an object lesson in combining wealth and taste, a circular structure of white marble cooled by the sea breeze and enclosing a labyrinthine courtyard gardened with the exotic fruits and spectacular flora of a dozen planets. At the far end of the island, taking the concept of room service to new extremes, was a small village whose sole purpose it seemed was to conjure up whatever service or diversion their hearts desired, from scuba diving among the corals to the finest of meals.

“I could get used to this in future!” Tyre exclaimed.

The future, he thought, plunging into the cooling waters and setting out for the distant reef with long powerful strokes. What future might that be? Being hounded from planet to planet by both guilds once Xela’s clan credit transfer scam was inevitably traced back to him? Dodging Stoertebeker and Skull assassins once this was all over? He pushed the thought away in favour of relishing the sun on his back, the pleasure in stretching long unused muscles and the knowledge that he had something to live for at last.

[Al]

Just reading through....

1. "already tepid and from the chemical aftertaste the recyclers still needed adjustment. " It doesn't read right to me. Something more like this perhaps "already tepid and, from the chemical aftertaste, she could tell the recyclers still needed adjustment. "

Good stuff. Some of the sentences seem unnecessarily long, particularly when describing her thoughts on her ill-gotten gains but I'm not sure whether they could be split or or truncated without losing the flow.

I see Hagman is setting others up for the fall and enlisting someone he no doubt feels can fabricate the required 'evidence'

Al

[Moss]

Hagman will chose Laws next victims by selecting the most convincing lies as evidence then, very devious, getting rivals to set each other up, saves him any hard work, i'd bet he told the other programer a very similar tale and owns him too. Till he hands one or the other over to Law (if he does go through with it that is, I can't work out this guy as yet, seems to have a concience, but is also ruthlessly practical!) A very interesting character, another good read, cheers Steve.

[SteveMill]

Just reading through....

1. "already tepid and from the chemical aftertaste the recyclers still needed adjustment. " It doesn't read right to me. Something more like this perhaps "already tepid and, from the chemical aftertaste, she could tell the recyclers still needed adjustment. "

Good stuff. Some of the sentences seem unnecessarily long, particularly when describing her thoughts on her ill-gotten gains but I'm not sure whether they could be split or or truncated without losing the flow.

I see Hagman is setting others up for the fall and enlisting someone he no doubt feels can fabricate the required 'evidence'

Al

you're right - I've made some adjustments, thanks.

[Mercenary]

Never trust a pirate..

I wonder if someone might have suggested to Anton to set her up... double jeopardy.. or is it my suspicious mind..

[SteveMill]

Never trust a pirate..

I wonder if someone might have suggested to Anton to set her up... double jeopardy.. or is it my suspicious mind..

I was sort of hoping it was clear that Hagman is the prime mover behind the whole thing . As will be made clearer later.

[Al]

Perhaps Merc meant that he thought that Hagman was the person who suggested to Anton to set her up, in the same way that he did with her. That way he gets 2 options for a scapegoat.

Al

[SteveMill]

Perhaps Merc meant that he thought that Hagman was the person who suggested to Anton to set her up, in the same way that he did with her. That way he gets 2 options for a scapegoat.

Al

It's all useful feedback, I forget that in book form the readers would finish the chapter and be enlightened. I was certainly going for planting the clear suspicion in your minds. So, partial success at least.

[Al]

Thats very true. sometimes we are looking for explanations that would be later in the same chapter. Maybe you should start posting whole chapters......... <Al runs away to find asbestos suit >

Al

[SteveMill]

Thats very true. sometimes we are looking for explanations that would be later in the same chapter. Maybe you should start posting whole chapters......... <Al runs away to find asbestos suit >

Al

No, I like writing in smaller chunks and I find my attention wanders if excerpts read on line are too long. Besides - if I didn't publish i'd just spend more time revising it and I need to get this finished before October if I can.

[Mercenary]

Never trust a pirate..

I wonder if someone might have suggested to Anton to set her up... double jeopardy.. or is it my suspicious mind..

I was sort of hoping it was clear that Hagman is the prime mover behind the whole thing . As will be made clearer later.

Hagman or someone even more devious to catch Hagman out

I will assume for now that Anton is a scheming, evil minded bloke that, given the first opportunity decided not to investigate the intrusion into the system but set about framing her...

[SteveMill]

Never trust a pirate..

I wonder if someone might have suggested to Anton to set her up... double jeopardy.. or is it my suspicious mind..

I was sort of hoping it was clear that Hagman is the prime mover behind the whole thing . As will be made clearer later.

Hagman or someone even more devious to catch Hagman out

I will assume for now that Anton is a scheming, evil minded bloke that, given the first opportunity decided not to investigate the intrusion into the system but set about framing her...

Now you're just being willfully stubborn.

[Al]

Thats very true. sometimes we are looking for explanations that would be later in the same chapter. Maybe you should start posting whole chapters......... <Al runs away to find asbestos suit >

Al

No, I like writing in smaller chunks and I find my attention wanders if excerpts read on line are too long. Besides - if I didn't publish i'd just spend more time revising it and I need to get this finished before October if I can.

PS I wasn't being serious as I dont think I could wait 1-2 weeks for an installement of Rogues. The way it is is just fine with me

[Gandalf The White]

Very nice Steve. So, if ya want to get it done by october, can I take it that we'll get a chapter a week?lololol

[Adamskini]

all the evil men are out in force it seems!


\o/

[KiwiNZ]

Excellent read. I too do think that Hagman is looking for the best lies to mark somebody. Unfortunately he has to choose a member of the more capable staff. But having said that, it is also possible that he is securing his position to an extend that may allow him to kick Law off his throne.

Looking forward to the next bit.

[SteveMill]

Chapter completed.

[Al]

Good stuff Steve. Hope there isn't any sharks or equivalent in those waters

Al

[Deleted User]

Steve,
I like this sunny weather. It makes you write quicker!

I hope it lasts..


IO

[SteveMill]

Steve,
I like this sunny weather. It makes you write quicker!

I hope it lasts..


IO

It's what laptops and gardens were made for.