Chapter 24 Sanre-tay Day 1 – Bramble Vale
We took a lift down to the transport level and boarded a levatrain. It stopped at half a dozen crater stations and skipped as many more – blurs of light as we slowed, shot out of the transport tube's air lock, streaked past the platforms and accelerating again to four hundred kilometers an hour once back in the airless tube.
We talked of inconsequential things – mostly her travels on Lontria, usually day trips to a crater complex, Unity standard or mildly dissenting communities, each offering a slightly different take on how life should be lived. Under orders, I told her about our adventures aboard the Mountain King and she laughed at the parts I hadn't found funny at the time, so I may be getting the hang of spinning that yarn.
'We'll get off at the next station,' she said as we plunged once more into the darkness of the tunnel. 'Bramble Vale has a lovely park around its upper edge. It'll be mid-morning there and I'll treat you to lunch afterward.'
It was quiet, even sleepy as we emerged from the station. Azminn, a bright smudge in the golden domed sky was warm and bright on my skin and the air, mild and fragrant with sweet flowers. Bramble Vale was a fresh, green basket-like crater some ten kilometers across under its fabric dome. Its gently sloping sides are chiseled into diamond shapes by tree-lined streets that angled their way up the slope widening when they crossed to allow vehicles to switch lanes to follow the street up or down. Flowers, vines and trees grew everywhere – along streets, in yards, on walls, and on the flat tops of the houses, keeping the residential community of the shipyard and heavy factories located in the surrounding craters, fresh and lushly beautiful. The mild air was still fragrant from the brief early morning shower that washes Bramble Vale clean each day when the air temperature under the dome drops just enough to form a cloud and rain. It'd be hot and humid later.
We took a light monorail to the top of the crater wall where a road circles the rim and parkland slopes down from the rim wall amongst rocky outcrops, the dome arching overhead.
'Let's get down to business, Captain,' she said, as we set out along one of the paths that meandered amongst the rocks to flower gardens in rocky grottoes, open meadows and woods, park seats and sleepy cafes. 'First off we need to talk about security. I told you of my surmises in the radio-packet. How seriously do you take them?'
'You're in danger, whether or not the Azure Night was involved. You need to take precautions as a matter of course. I trust you are.'
'As for the Azure Night and the so called system pilots? Do you think I'm way off orbit with them?'
I shrugged. 'Best to take the possibility seriously. I don't see what we can do about him, or them, but to make sure they can't find you. Hopefully, they're already running for the drifts. Still, I'd like you aboard the ship...'
'Not a possibility. I am, however, constantly on my guard. I've made it a point to be aware of everyone around me these days. Whenever I travel, I do so very indirectly – random stops and jogs – so that if anyone is following me I'd notice. I have no intention of telling you where I'm residing so you can't give that information away, and I'll keep meetings like this – and those with Vyn and Ten – as rare as I can, and at random meeting places, like here. I'm taking the threat very seriously.'
The Unity provides a very stable, safe and secure society. Unity planets are finely sectored by security interfaces, places like transit points, buildings, major intersections all have security interfaces that automatically identify people as they cross them. It's one of those things that drive people to the drifts. Anyway, this data, who passes and when, is recorded and can be almost instantly accessed. Once a crime is discovered, every security interface surrounding the scene is searched and everyone crossing those interfaces, can be identified and if need be, interrogated using a mind-probe. While it's no harder to commit a crime in the Unity, than it is in the drifts, it's almost impossible, at least for capital crimes, to get away with it without being apprehended, mind-probed, convicted and sent to Felon's Rift. Almost impossible. Petty criminals like the wharf rats are familiar enough with their local security interfaces – warehouses security and such, that they can, with care, avoid them. In fiction, skillful criminals can, with very elaborate planning, commit capital crimes and avoid detection. And based on personal experience, it can be done in real life too – though we didn't alert the Guard, which may have made all the difference. In any event, pulling off a second attempt on Lontria, with its tightly packed security interfaces would be a very daunting challenge, assuming the assassins were professional enough to want to avoid Felon's Rift.
'Good,' I said. 'Hopefully that'll be enough. Still, we don't know what type of organization we're up against. Who's to say they don't have access to security interface data?' In fiction, once more, having your own people in the security service was an almost essential step in operating a criminal guild. Criminal guilds are rumored to exist; with little evidence they do. Still, that might just be evidence that Unity security is doing its job – keeping us feeling safe and secure.
'I'd think that unlikely, but even so, it's a chance I must run,' she said grimly.
'And what about all the dissenting craters where Unity law doesn't apply?'
'There are hard security interfaces with mind probes at the entrance of the isolated craters to prevent criminals from taking shelter in them. Besides, the Guard can pursue capital crime criminals anywhere in the Nebula. The dissenting societies offer no guaranteed sanctuary. I don't see them as increasing the threat to me.'
I shrugged. 'Well, if you're comfortable...' I wasn't, but that wouldn't lift with her.
'You'll need to take precautions as well. Unlike me, you can't avoid CraterCity. Ship's business will take you down on a fairly regular basis. At a minimum you need to vary when and how you arrive. Don't fall into patterns. Don't become predictable in your business and pleasure. And don't spend a lot of time in any one place.'
'I'm just an inconvenient witness. I'm simply not worth it.'
'If they're intent on killing me for something I might know, they may think you know it too. But more to the point – you're important simply because you're a link to me. It's all about me, Litang,' she laughed.
'Well, yes, I see that. The less you tell me and the less we meet, the less of a danger I'll be to you and the less of a prize I'd be to them. Whomever they are.'
'Right. And that is how we'll operate. And I have to assume that the assassins did enough research before setting up their Calissant attempt that they'd know about Vyn and Ten. I won't be able to put off seeing them on a fairly regular basis, but I'll make those meetings at random times and places. Still, keep them as busy as you can aboard ship.'
'Right. Well, I'll take precautions – for your sake,' I added with, what I hoped, was an easy laugh – my best Brilliant Pax impression. I was, however, feeling far from that confident.
'You're serious, aren't you?' she asked, watching me carefully.
'Yes. You know I'm a cautious fellow. I take the threat to you very seriously. I take the threat to me, because if my connection to you, very seriously as well. I'll take precautions until we sail. And I'll hope that you'll decide to sail with us in the end – if only to get away from Lontria and put any potential assassins a star system behind.'
'No. And you know my reasons.'
'And you're still going after them, alone?'
'Yes. But differently. On Calissant I was thinking of revenge. Now I've come to see nothing good would come of that. It's a futile goal. But I still want to know who killed my parents and why. I'll find those answers, but I'll do it cautiously, in slow, hidden steps. You can now give me your lecture on how foolish I'm being.'
'No, I promised myself I wouldn't. I'll let Vyn give it,' I added, with a laugh.
'I don't believe you,' she replied with a smile. 'You're giving up too quickly.'
'Oh, I'm not giving up. I merely think I've a better offer, which, after you give it some thought, you'll agree that it's
better, quicker and safer than going alone.'
'And how is that different from a lecture?'
'I'm not going to try to talk you into it. I'll merely outline it and you'll see for yourself. And I won't even insist that you hear it, if you really don't want to risk seeing things my way... I did promise to offer advice only when you asked for it.'
'And now you're taunting me. Okay, Wil, make your case.'
'My case is simple. The Lost Star will take you where you want to go – at your command. And you'll have resources and shipmates with skills that'll make finding what you want faster and safer than if you go it alone.
'First off, there is the true log of the Lost Star which should, at least, give us some strong hints as to where to look, if not the actual place. Since the true log cannot be destroyed, we feel it's hidden in what's called a data black hole. In Rafe gil'Giles, we've one of a very small cadre of hackers who can find that data hole and fish the true log out. I already have him at work on the project.'
'Did you tell him why you wanted it?' she asked sharply.
'I told him given the ship's mysterious past, I suspected there are places in the Nebula that the Lost Star might not be welcome. I said you, as owner, would be interested in it too. I've said nothing about the Yacht Club, though everyone knows your suspicions about the crash, so using the ship to find the Four Shipmates' secrets wouldn't surprise anyone.'
'You know my attitude about putting people in danger by my presence.'
'In Rafe, Ten and Vyn, we've people who can make you, and the ship disappear. It took 'em half a century to track down the Four Shipmates, and they didn't seem to hide all that deeply. We can sail into the deep drifts as the Lost Star and turn up in another system as a completely different ship. Rafe was telling me the other day he can construct new identities for us that'll still refer back to our current Guild records for verification. It just involves some data switching in the Guild information system where he has cyber-bots in place already. You don't need to be a tourist at the mercy of ship schedules and routes to travel and still be anonymous.'
She gave a little shrug, but said nothing, so I continued, 'The Lost Star may be too well known to get close to your enemies, but if we're successful, we can perhaps earn the credits to buy a small drift trader you could use when the time comes so as not to arouse suspicion. It'd be far more convenient to locate and study your enemies aboard your own ship than as a tourist or a spaceer on some tramp – with no control over where you go, or how long you stay.
'So you see, we've the resources to avoid danger and find what you're looking for faster and on your own terms.'
'It's a tempting offer, but...' she said thoughtfully.
'Do I need to make it stronger? I'm not just talking about being safe from your enemies. Shipping as a spaceer in a system you're unfamiliar with can land in berths that are very unpleasant, even on Guild ships. And if you'd have to sail in the drifts, likely in non-Guild ships, it could even be dangerous.'
We walked in silence for a while. 'I'll give it some thought,' she said, at last. 'But tell me, could I not ask gil'Giles to create a new identity for me without being aboard? And could you not send along a copy of true log once it's out of the black hole? Why can't I reap the benefits of the Lost Star without adding to its risks? And if you manage to earn enough credits to buy a small ship, I can use those credits without being on the ship as well. You've given me something to think about, but it seems I still can avoid putting you and the gang in any danger at all while getting the benefits you've presented.'
Bloody Neb. That had actually escaped me. I shrugged. 'I suppose... But you'll be all alone in the wide Nebula – if you can give Vyn and Ten the slip, that is – which might be hard to do,' I added, desperately.
'Oh, I'll talk 'em around. Don't worry, they'll stay on-board.'
'I doubt it. Vyn looks on you as a daughter now.' Which might explain her rather tentative view of me – the price of that message from the Yacht Club.
'Oh, I can be very persuasive when I put my mind to it. I may have to slander you a bit, spin a tale about how I need them aboard to look after you and my ship. If you get a hint of that, just discount it. I trust you – and the gang with my ship, with or without Vyn and Ten.
'Thank you. Just so you know, I want all three of you aboard, but if we can't convince you to sail with us, I'd want them with you. You'll get no help from me in that respect. It's probably just timid old me, but I can't imagine kicking about the Nebula all alone,' I added, shaking my head. 'Really, Tallith, we're spaceers. A little danger is neither here nor there, and I know the gang will think nothing of taking on whatever slight danger you bring with you, which I think we can eliminate with Rafe's magic.'
'I'll consider what you said, but I doubt I'll change my mind. Now, what is it that you and Ten are so anxious to spend my credits on?'
'Two things. First, the anti-meteor defensive missile system. Our detection and control system is mid-level, but our current supply of anti-meteor missiles are very basic, providing us with only a C level of protection – adequate for circling Azminn, but not for drift work,' I said. Unlike in the drifts, meteors are very rare in the planetary belt and pirates completely absent, unlike the drifts. 'Vyn and Ten would like to see our system upgraded to B level at least, and ideally A level, if only to keep insurance rates affordable.'
'That just involves getting better missiles, or is there more to it?'
'I gather the ratings are a combination of control and missiles. Upgrading one or the other might earn us a B rating, but we'd need to upgrade both our sensor array and missile control systems, plus ship a larger variety and more sophisticated mix of missiles to get an A rating. I've scanned the catalogs and it seems with the ship's budget, a complete A level system would be out of reach even with the proceeds of the Tiladore charter. However, if we go refurbished we might be able to just swing an A level rating. Luckily the & Kin's yard, which your uncle always used for any work he wanted done on his ships, is located here.'
'Could we settle for a B level?'
'We could, but Ten says the lower A level insurance rates would quickly pay the difference. And, I should add, he's pushing for a full A level upgrade. He says he'd be a lot more comfortable with an A level response – which, I might add, makes me rather prefer an A level as well. But it's a matter of your credits...'
She sighed. 'At least we have some now. You're suggesting & Kin for the work.'
'No better yard. I'm sure they'd be eager to keep your business. And I don't think you'd find a better price. I can contact them and look into our prospects. Ten has turned in a number of possible options for both control and missile systems, so I can work up some hard prices for you in a day or two, with your permission, of course.'
'Fair enough. I can see we'll need to do something, and we do have some credits to work with.'
'Right, the second item is Vyn's suggestion that we add several drones to help navigate the drifts. In the charted and well-traveled space lanes they're not necessary, but if we're to sail the deep drifts, we'd want at least one and preferably several to extend our sensor range. We've one aboard we can refit during the long voyage, but she'd like two more. I gather sailing behind drones not only allows us to safely increase our speed, but extends our safety margin for any other unpleasant surprises the drift might spring on us. & Kin should have a good selection of salvaged drones, but I've no cost estimation. I'll get that for you too.'
She sighed again. 'Anything else you need my credits for?'
'Those are the two major items. Everything else we picked up in Calissant. I'll transfer Ten and Vyn's detailed proposals as well as my final accounting for the voyage,' I said.
We spent the next several hours walking and going over our trade options and prospects – which came down to sending us out hollow in a month or two unless prospects looked to be picking up. Min said I could rotate the crew between unpaid leave and harbor watch rates without paying them off, the best balanc
e between the ship's and crew's requirements that could be found in these uncertain times.
Eventually we ended up in a walled garden cafe. The ally-like streets allow only pedestrian, small electric scooter and buggy traffic. They're shaded by trees and lined with high vine covered walls on the upside, pierced with gates opening to courtyards. The residences are of one to three stories, depending on their location in the diamond shaped block, and set back against the slope of the crater. The downsides of the streets are bordered by ivy and creeper covered walls of these residences, pierced by doors that lead to the house or courtyard. The buildings are all flat roofed with patios overlooking the green bowl of the crater. The cafe we found, Cafe Malay, was entered through a vine draped gate leading to a light dappled courtyard with tables scattered about. Only the kitchens were enclosed, since every day is a sunny day in the craters of Lontria.
The fruit, grain and stir fried vegetable courses were colorful, spicy and delicious. Even with a chef like Barlan, it's a treat to have something distinctly different – in this case, unfamiliar vegetables and a unique combination of spices...
As we sipped our cha in comfortable silence I considered the difference a month on her own had made. She looked up, noticed, and gave me an inquiring glare.
We'd arrived, once more, at a point where we were comfortable together. 'I was just noting that your youth has returned. When I first saw you I couldn't place your age, your face was thin and weary, but your eyes did not have the look of someone who'd seen a century. Now you look your age again, the stress lines are gone, and well, there's no mistaking your youth or happiness.'
'Thank you Captain. Such flattery. I do feel young again, or younger, at any rate, than I have for quite some time. My recovery was demanding and I'd returned to Calissant only two months prior to your arrival where I was kept busy starting my career as a ship broker and settling my parent's estate. It took its toll. But that's all astern now in time and space. Despite my habit of taking precautions and staying aware, I've felt comfortable here and have been able to enjoy the freedom to wander as I please.'
'It's good to see you this way. Still, I must admit I'd been rather keen on having you on board as a pilot and owner. Have you really decided tramp spacing is not for you?'
'Oh, I don't know,' she admitted. 'This has been a time out of time, so to speak. An interlude, not a life that I intend to lead. I'll just have to take what follows and decide...'
I said enough, so I left her to her thoughts.
We both started yawning so we said goodbye soon after and she went her way. I didn't ask because I didn't want to know where. I decided to take a bumboat back to the ship from Bramble Vale's small landing field, so I took the light monorail to the small landing field outside the crater's wall to signal for a lift. I was surprised to find an old friend and fellow first mate, Kan Kantis, of the Distant Star Line tramp Polaris, as the responding bumboat pilot. We caught up on news as he took me up through the anchorage to the ship. Kan said his boat was actually the Polaris's launch which he was leasing from the Polaris as it was paid off and laid up in the anchorage. As I mentioned, the Distant Star Line encourages go-getters and Kan Kantis, unwilling to rot about CraterCity, had struck a deal with his captain to lease the launch and operate a taxi service to serve the explosion in demand with all the ships in the anchorage. He'd started only a week before and was already making a small profit. Keeping busy and meeting old mates was his main motivation, or so he'd have me believe, but I know him better than that. He's right at home in the Distant Star Line. As I said, a go-getter. I told him he was the official bumboat supplier for the Lost Star, and invited him aboard for a mug of cha, but he got another signal so he promised to stop around, time permitting, and was off to pick up his next fare.
Vynnia looked in soon after I arrived back and I filled her in on all we'd discussed. After we'd gone over all the ship's business part of it, she asked me if I'd made any progress in convincing Min to sail with us.
'I presented my case, which I thought was pretty persuasive, but she was able to wiggle out of it,' I admitted. 'However, I think she can be convinced, but I'm going to hand that task to you and Ten. She's my commanding officer, I'm not in a position to constantly question her decisions, especially since she's not asking for my advice. You're like family, so you can be more insistent than I.'
She didn't seem especially happy. She may've believed I had more lift with her than I did, which made my casual acceptance of Min's plans all the more puzzling. Truth is that I don't know what I wanted. I had to just hope it would become clear when the time came to decide.