Chapter 71 Tangled Orbits
01
'I have a ship's boat requesting to speak with the captain. Shall I switch it over?' asked Elana who was on harbor watch on the bridge. We had arrived in Constina orbit two days prior.
'Any ID?'
'No. Just an audio request.'
'Hum... I suppose, thanks,' I replied, reluctantly – couldn't imagine who it could be – but it best be faced. I called up the com screen on my desk.
'Wilcrofter, here,' I said as the screen lighted up and a face appeared on it.
She stared for a moment or two and broke out laughing.
There was a catch in my breath and for a few seconds I just watched her laughing, wondering abstractly how she'd changed. In no obvious way, but she had.
'Hello Min. It is wonderful to see you. What's so funny?'
'Your,' she gasped, 'Your pointy beard,' she replied making a motion with her hand on her chin to describe it. 'Why, you look – almost sinister, Captain Wilcrofter!'
'Eight years in the drifts have made me almost sinister. You're looking rather sinister yourself, in a sort of drifteer pirate way,' I added. She was her usual stylish self with her black hair pulled tight and a cap rakishly low over her eyes.
'Eight years in the drifts,' she replied. 'We've much to talk about. Privately. Can you forgo your nightly inspection and get away without further explanation?'
'For you, yes. But why such secrecy?'
'Because I've a lot of questions I want answers to before I care to make a general appearance. An old vanity of mine.'
'Right. Five minutes at the port gangplank.'
'I'll be waiting,' she said and broke the connection.
I pinged Botts' com link. 'That's our owner's boat approaching. She's requested a private confab with me. I don't expect trouble, but keep tabs just the same. Hawker Vinden must be involved in this.'
'Aye, Captain. I've traced the boat back to the Rift Raven, an eight-box trader which arrived in orbit four hours ago.'
'That sounds right. Keep an eye on it too.'
'Aye.'
I grabbed my cap and stepping out of my office, looked into the bridge. 'An old shipmate, Elana. If I'm not back by the start of the second watch, have Molaye ping me.'
'Aye, Captain,' she replied. If she wondered how an old shipmate found me, she didn't show it.
I made my way down to the port landing stage, deep in thought. There'd be complications now – I'd put decisions off too long.
The hounds were eagerly waiting on the landing stage. The white hull of the Ghost had already latched on to the gangplank dock. Opening the safety door, I followed the dogs out onto the gangplank. The access hatch slid open as I reached the end of the gangplank.
'Come aboard, Captain,' she called from the interior.
'Sorry guys. Stay,' I said to the hounds and climbed through the top hatch of the Ghost and swung down into its main compartment. The hatch slid closed above me.
'Join me in the cockpit. We'll go downside. It's been a long time since I've been under a real sun on a real planet,' she said, peering out of the cockpit's narrow access hatch.
I slipped through the cockpit hatch and settled into the copilot's chair next to her, just as I'd done, what? Nearly a decade ago, now? I took her offered hand. 'It's great to see you, Tallith. And to see you looking so good,' I said. She did look good. And it was good to see her. But I couldn't turn a blind eye to a tinge of sadness just at the edge of my consciousness. My life was going to change.
'I hope you're not feeling the need to flatter your owner, Captain. But it is good to see you, Captain Wilcrofter,' she said with a smile. 'And, by the way, it's Captain Vane, Ly Vane. You're not the only one who's been sailing under false colors.'
'Aye, for the same reasons, I'm sure. Tallith Min died in the Despar reef along with the Lost Star and its entire crew, which brings me to the burning question. How did you find us? We've never told Kardea where we've been operating, much less our name changes and modifications. I'm guessing, was it Hawker Vinden, or has the Patrol?' I asked, watching her as I buckled up.
She grinned, as she gently fired the steering rockets to break contact with the gangplank and edge away from the Starry Shore. 'Did you think I'd not recognize my Lost Star even if it's powder blue with different balancing engine cowlings?'
'I don't see how you could. There's not a marking you'd recognize on the old gal. I've put my own dents and scars to make her mine,' I replied. 'This is no chance meeting.'
She sighed. 'Ah, well, you're a suspicious old spaceer these days.'
'With good reason. So?'
'Yes, it's not chance. Yes, I would've never recognized my ship. And yes, it was indeed, Uncle Hawk, or someone pretending to be Uncle Hawk who told me where to find you and under what guise. But let's save all that until we're down. I've a need to feel a real planet beneath me, and a real sun above, now that I'm so close I can taste it. I've spent eight years in an eight-box trader amongst drift stations and cold drift worlds. I need to take a deep breath of real air.'
'I can imagine. I've been feeling the same way lately.'
She gave me a sidelong look, but said nothing and took us down to Leathport in her usual, fast, hot and screaming style. Unwilling to die in a fiery ball, I didn't distract her with small talk.
'Where can we go to talk without being overheard?' she asked as the Ghost's main hatch closed behind us, the leading edges of its stubby wings still throwing off enough heat to drive us quickly away. Turning her face to the low sun and taking a deep breath. 'A real world, again!'
'Well, there's a long beach with a yacht club and a fine restaurant twenty minutes down the coast by flier,' I replied. 'Lots of ambient noise so we can talk freely.'
'That sounds grand. Let's lift.'
So we made our way in the fading summer sunlight of early evening to one of the velowalk terminals scattered about the small craft port. I took her in, as we walked. She was even more the drifteer pirate captain seen whole. She was wearing high black boots over her black slacks. A black double breasted blouse with lots of gold buttons, a short black jacket with gold buttons as well, the white scarf and the black rakish cap low over her eyes completed her ensemble. She carried herself with casual self-assurance and a bit of swagger. It occurred to me that it was going to be interesting putting her and Molaye together. Slightly different styles, but the same attitude. Sparks might fly. And there was something else different.
'You've your legs back! Did you visit one of the First Worlds?' I asked. 'If I may be so bold?'
She laughed. 'Oh, you can get anything in the drifts if you know where to look. Had ‘em grown, first class First World standard clones. Ryth thought it'd be prudent, given our work. I was simply too memorable with the mech-legs.'
'You're simply memorable, mech-legs or no.'
'You're trying to flatter me. What have you been up to besides dolling up my ship?'
'Nothing. Who's Ryth?'
'The Patrol agent. Now answer my question.'
'Ah. Yes. I remember,' I said, and decided not to go further, adding, 'When we can talk.'
We engaged an idling flier outside the spaceport gates and exchanged casual news of our shipmates while the clearsteel towers of Leath slowly faded in the summer evening's haze. I had the pilot set us down on the knoll above the beach where Grandmama and I usually land for our private talks. Indeed, I'd been there only two days before, just after arriving, to walk the beach with her. We followed the narrow path down the low bluff and through the waving grass of the sand dunes of the broad beach. The roar of the distant breakers, the hiss of surf over the sands, the ever present wind and sea birds made it a perfect place to talk without fear of being overheard or spied on. I stopped to take off my boots – a matter of habit, I guess – and she followed suit.
You met Uncle Hawk. Was it him?' she asked as she sat beside me on the dune.
'You haven't?'
'No. We've only exchanged radio packe
ts. He left a message with Kardea that offered enough incidents with details that only he and I would know, to nearly convince me he wasn't dead. Since then we've exchanged a series of packets, and well, here I am...'
'Were you often in contact with Kardea?' I asked, off topic, but curious. 'I never received a word from you.'
'You never sent one to me, either,' she replied, tartly. Which was true.
'Well, yes. I guess I never had a reason to, and well, seeing that we were considered lost in the Despar reef – at least by our enemies, we've kept a very low profile. Our families still think we're trading deep in the drifts.'
'I'll want to know all about that. But first, what's your opinion of Uncle Hawk. He said he met you, and well, you weren't cooperative...
'Well, I refused to sell him your ship, if you call that not being cooperative...'
'That's not important. What is, is what you make of him. Did he fake his death, or is this some deeper plot?'
I considered my reply. 'First off, I don't know how much he told you, but before he kidnapped me to charter, buy, or hijack the Starry Shore, he tried to charter us anonymously for undefined drift work which I'd not touch with a cargo crane. He must have recognized me or one of our shipmates, when we called on Ravin, because the ship would have been hard to recognize even if he was paying attention to arriving ships. Anyway, two years ago, he sent Glen Colin to fetch me when I was down on Ravin...'
'A ghost?'
'No, the real Glen Colin,' I said and launched into a short version of that incident. 'So I'll warn you at launch, that the dart incident didn't sit well with me, nor did my subsequent interview with him create a very good opinion of Hawker Vinden. He seemed quite different. So you'll have to take that into account...'
'Noted. Now tell me all about him,' she ordered.
I told her how I found Vinden in great detail.
'So is he the real Vinden?' she asked when I finished.
I shrugged. 'I didn't know him all that well before. He had a great deal more bonhomie back in Azminn. But, I suppose, he's more bitter now, or more driven, or perhaps we're seeing his true Four Shipmates character. And really, what does it matter if he's a clone or an eternal man, if he has Vinden's memories and purpose?'
'It doesn't,' she sighed. 'I just wanted to make certain that it wasn't some sort of elaborate trap. Though, I suppose if it is, he wouldn't have sent me here to collect the Lost Star...'
We walked in silence for several minutes, the thin sheets of water from the dying waves splashing over our feet.
'I don't have a choice,' she said.
'You need to meet him, if only to demand answers. You've just spent eight years in an eight-box trader simply because he wouldn't tell you what you should've been told after your parents were killed. But after that conversation, when talk turns to whatever he seems so intent on doing, you will have choices. I think you should give them a great deal of thought. What did he say he wanted to do, and why does he need the Starry Shore?'
'Oh, he vaguely suggested that it was to right a wrong. Something to do with the murder of his mother – my grandmother – and the usurping of her throne. The political angle we speculated about long ago.'
'And some sort of military adventure, I suspect. The thing to remember is that the better part of a century has passed and half the people living will likely not remember whatever injustice was done back then.'
We walked on in silence, the sea bird whirling and squawking overhead.
'We'll only know more when we meet him. So now, tell me, Captain, what have you been up to? Have you made me a rich ship-owner in my absence?'
'I'm happy to report, I have. A very rich ship-owner.'
She gave me a look, trying and failing to keep the surprise out of her expression. 'Do tell me how.'
I finished my report as we reached the harbor. Amdia had set and the harbor lights twinkled in the soft twilight. 'So you see why I'm so reluctant to go off to Ravin on a moment's notice. Oh, you can afford it, but well, we've worked very hard to establish ourselves in this system and we now have a nice, steady, lucrative run. You have enough credits to buy a second ship and deliver the ship to him within half a year if it's so essential to him. He's waited four or five years already, so another six months is neither dust nor gas – and he could have her without disrupting your business. Buy a second ship, have it outfitted while the Starry Shore makes one last run, which ends up on Ravin anyway. By then your second ship will be ready to replace the Starry Shore. And well, it would incite less comment if we didn't suddenly abandon a lucrative run to go off to the drifts – and hollow at that. I don't think drawing attention to ourselves is something Vinden would want us to do. Not with the enemies we have.' That was a lie. I was certain our enemies would know no matter what we did. Grandmama would see to that. A second ship might postpone for a while her finding out that Min had returned. Or not, depending on how good her intelligence network is. But running off to the drift would set alarm bells ringing – even if I said nothing to her at all. And I didn't see myself doing that. I was torn by two conflicting loyalties which could not be reconciled. I should've been growing cha...
She sighed. 'Yes, I see all that. The thing is, it doesn't matter anymore. Uncle Hawk says that I can expect to leave the Unity, and indeed, the drifts behind forever, and never look back once I see what I'm to rule – should things come off as he expects them to.'
'A big if. Why not go to Ravin and see him before you decide to pull the Starry Shore out of its orbit? If he convinces you, we can go. It's the more prudent way.'
She gave me a look. 'You haven't changed that much after all, have you?"
'No. I suppose not. Still, what I'm saying makes sense.' But only if I could keep her reappearance secret. If not, I'd likely be putting her in danger by delaying whatever Vinden had planned by six months. There seemed to be no escaping painful consequences.
She walked in silence for a few minutes as we approached the yacht harbor, and then she shook her head and said, 'No. I've spent the last eight years looking for answers. I want those answers and I intend to follow them wherever they lead, without distractions. You don't have a contract with Jardinn, so we're free to pursue other avenues. We'll pay them the freight charges for any boxes here on Constina – we can easily afford that – and they'll not complain, since we needn't do that at all,' and looking at me, 'I know this hurts. You've worked too hard to see it just tossed away on some wild, rock in the drift venture, but the Starry Shore is apparently essential for Uncle Hawk's plans, and the sooner we deliver her to him, the sooner we'll know the answers to all our questions. Really Wil, thanks to you I don't need the credits do I? We'll fix things so that you'll not lose your good name. I'll take all the blame... Owners, you know.'
'Yes, Min. Owners,' I replied. I hadn't expected my second ship idea to lift. It had been a work of desperation. And likely hopeless, as well. Grandmama likely had too many lines of information not to connect the arrival of an 8 box drift trader and any sudden change in my plans, be it buying a second ship or running off to the drifts hollow. Neb, she might even connect the arrival of an 8 box trader out of the deep drifts to Min without me tipping her off. Really, the safest course might well be to clear Constina as soon as possible, so they'd not have time to do anything here. Once in the drifts, or wherever we bound, well, that's a rift to cross when the time came...
And even as I was concerned about Min, I was concerned about how Min's arrival would affect Grand mama’s relations within the Order, since her protection of me would likely have to come to light. As far as I knew, we'd let my status as a target of the Order ride since there was no pressing need to resolve it. We may've let it ride too long. Perhaps she could simply not claim me as her grandson, and claim not to have recognized us as the Lost Star until the arrival of Min... It was going to be complicated and I wasn't looking forward to what I'd need do – whatever it was that would need doing.
As it turned out, I didn't have long to wait
. We'd just passed through the club house to reach the lamp-lit terrace that over looked the harbor, when...
'Why, Wil! This is a surprise, I hadn't expected to see you tonight,' said Grandmama M'Risha, stepping to my side. She gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek, both of which I returned, and stepping back, taking my hands in hers, gave me a sly smile. I knew Grandmama well enough to know that she was having fun. At my expense.
'Oh my, I see you already have a dinner partner,' she exclaimed in mock surprise with a glance to Min, who was taking this all in with a faint, somewhat bemused, smile. 'I am so sorry to intrude.' She wasn't.
'Yes, I have a dinner partner, and no, you're not sorry at all, but nevertheless, you're more than welcome to join us. May I present Captain Ly Vane,' I said with a nod.
'Captain Vane,' she said with a smile. 'Delighted to meet you... Your ship escapes my memory,' she added with a raised eyebrow and an offered hand. 'A rare drift bird, perhaps?'
'Aye. The Rift Raven. Happy to meet you,' replied Min warily, taking her hand.
'Ah yes, the eight box trader that just arrived?'
'Why, yes...' giving Grandmama a hard look.
'I'm in the export business to the drifts and keep tabs on the shipping in orbit,' said Grandmama, 'And I am just giving Wil here, a hard time. I don't intend to intrude.'
'Captain Vane is the owner of the Starry Shore,' I said simply.
'Indeed,' said Grandma with a glance to me, but I think she'd already reached that conclusion.
'And this is M'Risha Drae, the managing director of Jardinn Export Services, and I should add, the proprietor of a spaceers' row establishment of ill repute, so she makes it her business to keep tabs on all the ships in the orbit for two reasons.'
'Ah,' said Min with a sudden knowing smile in my direction. 'That makes everything clearer.' I'm sure it did. And didn't.
'M'Risha also happens to be my grandmother,' I added.
'Your grandmother?' she exclaimed with wide eyes. She considered M'Risha for a second and then she laughed, 'Not the drifteer grandmother!'
'That appears to be what I'm famous for in Wil's circle of friends.'
'Infamous,' laughed Min. 'Why, whenever Wil did anything non-Unity Standard, he'd blame it on you.'
'Non-Unity Standard?' said Grandma with a glance to me adding with mock indignation, 'My grandson?'
'Hard to believe, isn't it?'
'I've heard the tales. These days, I'm trying to keep him out of trouble. Still, I suppose I must shoulder my share of the blame,' said Grandma with a smile. 'I've five hundred generations of drifteers in my heritage, as does his grandfather.' It wasn't an apology.
'Well, Grandma M'Risha, I've spent the last eight years trading in the deep drifts, and I believe I can recognize a drifteer when I meet one, so I believe you,' laughed Min. 'I'm dying to learn how you and my Captain got together, so let's find a table. I've lived on synth food for eight years, and I'm hungry. Though I must warn you, I've plans for the Starry Shore so I should be the one to break that news and save your grandson the anguish.'
'Ah, but well, that might be for the best...'
'I hope I can make it right with you and I'll start by treating you to dinner.'
02
We – Min, Grandmama and I – took a flier back to the spaceport where Grandmama dropped us off before going on to check on her spaceers row establishment.
'That was fun. You've a very interesting grandmother, Wil.'
'Aye,' I said. 'She is.'
'And she's still all drifteer. Drifteers have a way about them that you can't miss once you know them.'
'Aye. I saw it in you too, so it's no wonder you got along famously with Grandmama.'
She turned to me. 'My parents came from outside the Unity, but I don't feel any affinity for the drift worlds and stations I've visited either.'
'Well, you're not exactly Unity Standard,' I replied. 'And you certainly look like a drift pirate.'
'And don't forget it, Captain. But that's why I need to meet Uncle Hawk, and perhaps follow him to where I do belong.'
'I suppose. Hopefully he'll make it clear what it involves before you commit.'
She shrugged. 'Does it matter? We'll know more shortly. I am sorry to tear you away from your grandmother and your cozy orbit.'
'The life of a spaceer,' I said. 'Though I think I'm coming to the end of that life.'
'We'll see about that,' she replied guardedly.
'Aye. So what are your orders?'
'Fuel up and wait in the offing until I can complete the purchase of the Rift Raven,' she replied. 'I'll have to buy out the Patrol's share of the ship since it has not been ten years. I have the credits, even without the ones you've earned, I'm just hoping it won't involve a lot of red tape. And I must break up with Ryth, which I hope to do without too much fuss as well.'
'Ryth?'
'You know, the Patrol agent. We've been partners. The arrangement made things easy aboard ship. A small ship and all. Everything settled...' she said, without looking at me. 'We're well matched. It worked out fine.'
'Then why break up?' I asked, trying to sound casual.
'Why? Well, Ryth is a dedicated Patrol lifer. You have to be, to be an undercover agent. And given Uncle Hawk's mania for secrecy, I can't imagine he'd want the Patrol in on his secrets. So taking Ryth along would force him to betray either the Patrol or me. I couldn't do that to him. No good solution, really. Still, we're young and dissolving a partnership, may not be pleasant, but it's the far better course in the long run.'
'He doesn't know about Vinden?'
'No one knows. I've kept my correspondence with Uncle Hawk strictly secret. Even Vyn and Ten don't know about it. Uncle Hawk was very definite on keeping everything secret for as long as possible. He said we're so close to righting the wrong that it'd be a great tragedy if word leaked out. As far as the others know, we've come to Amdia because we're all in need of a little rest and recreation.'
Little did she know. Moving fast was our best option. Though how St Bleyth would react to the reappearance of Min and what their current relationship is with their client is an unknown.
'What are you going to tell Ryth, if not the truth?' I asked.
'Oh, I'll tell him the truth. Enough of it so that he understands that if he follows me, he'd likely have to betray me as well.'
'And Vyn and Ten?'
'They've been out of the Patrol for forty years or more. Their first loyalty is to me. Besides, they're still looking after me,' she laughed sarcastically. 'They'll follow me, whether I like it or not.'
My com link buzzed. 'Captain?' said Molaye in my ear.
'It's Molaye. I asked that she'd check with me at the start of the watch,' I said to Min as I opened the link.
'Morning Molaye. I'm fine and will be up shortly.'
'Was that the Ghost?' she asked. She must have checked out the ship's sensor record before calling.
'Aye, and keep it to yourself. I'll explain when I get back.'
'Right, Captain, if you say so. I'll be waiting.'
'Soon,' I said and closed the link, adding to Min, 'A precaution. We have enemies.'
She nodded. 'Yes, we do. Can you catch a shuttle up? I'll make my grand appearance after we've sailed.'
'Right. What should I tell them?'
She shrugged. 'We're sailing for the drifts on my orders. Say no more than that. Hush-hush. If anyone doesn't want to continue to our final destination, they can leave the ship on Ravin. For now, everyone stays. You know, the old 48-hour rule,' she added with a grin.
'Aye, I believe I've heard of that.
03
I found myself too tired to think as I rode a shuttle back to the ship. Probably for the best. I saw no point in keeping secrets from Molaye, so I briefed her on Min's plans and told her she could tell the crew we were sailing for the drifts on Min's orders once we fueled and cleared orbit. I asked Molaye to gather a list of what consumables we'd need, and after I had a nap, we'd shift the ship
to the fueling station and go downside to arrange for the delivery of needed supplies.
I used the sleep machine to get a solid nap before moving the ship to the fueling station and turning her over to Riv. Myes came to see me as I was preparing to run downside with Molaye.
'Ah, Skipper. Where do Nadde and I stand? We were planning to take a voyage off...'
'Aye, of course. I'm afraid it'll be more than a voyage. I've no idea when or if we'll ever return to Constina,' I replied. 'I've not been given specific sailing orders.'
'Are you willing to sail without us? Seeing that we haven't signed off yet and might be within the 48-hour period,' he asked warily.
'An awkward question,' I replied with a grim laugh. 'Our owner told me to keep everyone on board. We'll be calling on a drift world where anyone who doesn't care to continue on can sign off. However, we're still a Guild ship, I haven't been given a definite sailing time yet, and you've already given unofficial notice about leaving the ship in Constina, so I guess I can let you and Nadde leave as we've agreed.'
'Won't Talley be...' he trailed off, giving me a questioning look.
'I'll deal with that. You just keep our plans, what little you know of them, to yourself,' I said. 'Don't worry about it. You're simply exercising your Guild rights.'
I called up their contracts and signed them off. 'I hate to sail without you and Nadde – we're family, but I'd hate to sail with you too. A long, iffy voyage to some undisclosed location is definitely not what you agreed to when Nadde and you signed back on. I'm pretty leery myself, and I'd rather keep as many of my old shipmates clear of it as possible. It'll be all volunteers after our next planet of call. This then simply saves you the passage back. But clear your gear out and get downside, just to make certain.'
'Are you sure? We could sail on till then. I'd hate to put you between a rock and a quantum storm.'
I shook my head, 'Thanks, but I'll deal with it. I'm sure Min will understand your reasons. And, Myes...'
'Yes?'
'Would you get the word out to the crew that if anyone else wants to sign off now rather than in the drifts, the next few hours are the launch window, before I have a definite sailing time and while we're still a Guild ship. I've been given my orders, but there's nothing I nor our owner can do about it should they care to exercise their rights as long as I haven't a set sailing time...'
'Aye. But I think they're rather looking forward to it.'
I shook my head. 'I wish I was...'
04
It was late morning in Leath, and seeing me walk through the office doors, M'Risha smiled and told her receptionist she'd be out of the office for a few hours with Captain Wilcrofter. Then, hooking my arm in hers, she led me to the lift and a flier waiting on the roof to fly us to the beach talking only of inconsequential things connected with the dinner and Captain Vane.
'I'm sorry about all this,' I began as we walked down to the beach.
'Whatever for?'
'For putting you in such an awkward position.' I replied. 'You certainly must report the appearance of Min and that'll force you to report my appearance as well, three years ago, not to mention our business relationship. You might want to forget who we are.'
'First of all, Wil, let me worry about my position in the Order. You've other things to worry about. Your grandfather has been rather guarded on the question of what to do with you so as long as you were in my charge and in no danger, he wasn't in any hurry to act. However, I think we can count on him should things turn iffy. This situation might just be what he needs to act. But even so, our protection will not keep you from adverse effects connected with the dangerous company you keep.'
'Right,' I said. 'I expect that. I don't plan on giving the Order time to act before we disappear into the drifts. And after that, well, I'm not sure I'll be back.'
'I wouldn't like that, Wil. I've grown used to having you around.'
'I don't like it either, Grandmama, but I gave my word... And, well, I dare say no more. I'm more concerned for you, since you're going to have to admit that you've turned a blind eye on me for three years. It might be better if you turned a blind eye to our relationship instead, and claim no knowledge of who I actually am. I can look after myself and take precautions. And I may be gone for many years, so it might just be better if you abandoned any plans to clear my name.'
'Not an option,' she said, slipping her arm around mine and pulling me close as we walked. 'I've got it covered. You see, keeping you close was all a part of my covert operation to locate Tallith Min. You've been my tethered goat, my bait, and I briefed at least one of my superiors about this operation,' and giving me a bright smile added, 'your grandfather. I'm in the clear. And since the operation has, in fact, succeeded in bringing Tallith Min into a position where we might be able to take action, my operation has been successful. I hope you won't feel guilty about that. The moment I recognized you, that result was inevitable unless you ran and kept running.'
Leave it to Grandmama to have a convincing cover story well in hand. I didn't believe it was anything but her carefully prepared cover story for this contingency. She was a smart, hard-boiled woman, but I knew she kept me close for reasons best left unsaid, so I laughed and said 'Baa!'
'You know; you can stay on here. I'm that certain I can clear your name.'
I shook my head, 'No. Not that I'm doubting you, but I've obligations, and well, even if you prevail on my account, I'm not sure that the Order will be all that kindly disposed to you for finding Min. Really, you've turned over the rock that reveals yet another failure of the Order. What, if anything, will they tell their client? And if they don't and the client finds out, as I suspect they will, what then? The Order is between a rock and a quantum storm and I don't see how they can get out of this situation untarnished. You may only be the messenger, but messengers often take the fall for the unwelcome messages they bring. I've a feeling your tethered goat gambit won't win you much acclaim...'
She laughed. 'True enough. You were born for the Order, Wil. Still, I was merely doing my duty. Covering up the failures of Covert Operations is the Masters' job, not mine. We'll just let them chart that course, won't we?'
'Be careful, Grandmama. Don't you be the goat that has to be sacrificed.'
'The failures of the Min contract can't be laid at my feet. The Masters of the Monastery won't be happy, but they'll find no actionable fault in my actions,' she replied, adding. 'I'm not from a family that produces sacrificial goats.'
'But it does produce black sheep...'
She laughed. 'Aye, black sheep. But not sacrificial goats.'
'Then I'll not worry about you. And you don't worry about me, either. I know enough about assassinations in the Unity to doubt you can arrange anything before we sail, and once we sail it's the deep drifts. I assume that despite the quasi-religious theme of the Order, it's still a business that employs business managers. The Order has already lost a great deal of credits, not to mention lives, as a direct consequence of the Min contract. To continue to pursue Min into the drifts will only add to those losses, certainly in credits, if not in lives, with little to gain. Plus, I suspect it's too late now to prevent the contingency your client had hired the Order to prevent. I realize the Order has a reputation to maintain, but the client in this case is not going to be impressed no matter what happens now. Even the Order has to cut their losses in credits and reputation sooner or later.'
'Don't assume that.'
'Well, I've no intention of letting my guard down. And though it's self-serving, I will tell you sincerely, that I hope the Order isn't foolish enough to attack the Starry Shore. I don't lose sleep over the prospect of facing a ship of the Sister Sinister class. Or even two.'
'You're that confident?'
'Aye. I doubt there's a crew in space who's seen more action in space than mine. And my Unity Standard veneer is pretty thin.'
'You let the Falcon Rock pirates take to their boats...'
'I have more respect for the
Order. I won't take any chances. And remember all those actions were prior to our dedicated anti-missile system, so they can expect losses if they try. Make that clear in your report. Hopefully they'll do a cost/benefit analysis before issuing orders to eliminate the Starry Shore. I'd hate for some poor captain of the Order to come upon us and feel that it was his duty to take us on.'
'You've become quite blood thirsty,' said Grandmama, who, I suspect was rather pleased. A chip off of the old block.
'Nah, it's just my beard that gave you that impression,' I laughed. 'However, D'Lay said that sometimes members of the Order find themselves on opposing sides in a conflict. So despite my heritage, I'd have no problem blowing an Order ship to atoms to preserve my ship, and look the Masters of the Monastery in the eye afterward.'
She gave me a look and another smile, 'Perhaps you will, one day. I'll pass your advice along.'
We walked in silence for a while.
'I'm going to miss you, Grandmama.'
'And I, you, son.'
'Perhaps when this is settled we can renew our acquaintance, though I suppose I'd need some sort of assurance things had been settled before contacting you. I'd hate to put you in an awkward position.'
'If it's settled and I believe it will be, I'll mention meeting you to your mother. If not, I won't. So if she knows of our meetings, you'll know it'll be safe to contact me. But, Wil, if you haven't the time – you can just call on me. Family trumps the Order.'
'I'd not want to put you into that position. I can look after myself, but, I don't want to lose touch, so I will see you again, when I can.'
'I'm sure you will,' she replied. Neither of us believed that.
We walked and talked our way to the Yacht Club and had lunch before saying our goodbyes.
'I really hope our orbits will cross again soon, Grandmama. I'm happy I've had this chance to get to know you and work with you. And you know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me.'
'Yes, and I've grown... fond of you, Wil. Please take care. And when you can, come and see me again.'
I gave her a grin. Fond of was probably a pretty notable accomplishment with Grandmama. Still I couldn't resist needling her, 'I've come to love you too, Grandmama. And I'm rather proud to have an Abbess for a grandmother. And I will take care, and see you again, when I can.'
She grabbed the lobe of my ear and gave it a twist. 'You don't tease your Grandmother or an Abbess, son.'
'Yes, Grandmama.'
05
I was waiting for Molaye in a cafe inside the main terminal building. The late afternoon sun was slanting through the tall clearsteel windows spilling across the wide mall when I saw her making her way through these strips of light to our agreed rendezvous. She wasn't wearing her pirate piece, this was the Unity after all, but the ghost of it was there in her swaying swagger. I noted how groups of burly spaceers shifted well out of her way instead of brushing past her like they would for an ordinary spaceer. And this, before they could make out the first mate's ring on her cap's emblem. She radiated that air of easy, carefree right to command that you can't fake. And everyone could read it. She smiled and greeted spaceers she recognized, and, as she approached, grinned when she saw me.
'How'd it go Wil?' she asked as she settled into the chair across the small table from me. 'We're all going to miss Grandmama M'Risha.'
'And the free drinks at the Wandering Star.'
She laughed, 'There was a lot more than free drinks. She's a good mate.'
'Aye, and I will miss her as well. We've grown quite fond of each other. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to get to know her better when I've given up this life.'
She laughed. 'And when will that be?'
'This will be my last voyage as captain. I hope the ship will be yours, at the end of it.'
She got serious fast, 'Really Wil? I thought you still had at least a decade left, now that we'd settled into a nice milk run. Or we had.'
'No. I was just letting you season, not that you needed it, but since you didn't seem too restless I kept putting off moving on, reluctant to leave the gang...'
'I'm not restless. Not at all.'
'You'd be soon, enough. And I'm truly tired of this shiftless life. So it's time. You see, long ago I made a promise to Min to stand by her when she confronts the killers of her parents. She's never actually agreed to that, but that now seems to be in our future.'
'Really?'
'This is strictly between us, but it looks like we're going to Min's home world, or moon, or whatever. Neb knows where we're going, but from what Vinden has told Min, I gather that there's a throne to be recovered from usurpers, and it's a case of do or die trying.'
'And you want to go along?' she asked. 'You always told me that all you wanted was a milk run.'
'All I wanted was a milk run, but that's hardly what we got until these last few years. And did it last? On Calissant I promised Min that I'd stand by her and I intend to keep that promise – if she lets me. But even if that doesn't fly this will be my last voyage. It's on to cha planting, or restoring vintage rocket boats, or something on a big, safe Unity world. And well, you're ready, and I don't want you to get impatient. I want to turn the Starry Shore over to you. Someone I trust.'
'I'm not impatient. I'm not sure I even want to be a captain. I like serving with you.'
'And I'd not want anyone else. But you do want to be a ship's captain. And you're ready to be one.
She grinned. Couldn't deny it. 'Do you think Min will appoint me?' she asked.
'Who else? And I'm sure you'll have as free a hand as I've had. She has no interest in being a ship-owner anymore. It will be yours. Hopefully you'll see the advantage of a milk run sooner rather than later. But that'll be your choice in a few months.'
She looked away for a few moments, thinking. And turned back, 'Thank you, Wil.'
'I always seen the it in you, Molaye. It was merely a matter of bringing you along and then getting out of the way. You've earned it. And that's what counts. Now, I haven't ordered yet, and there's no hurry to get back on board so what shall we have to celebrate the future Captain Merlun of the Starry Shore?'
06
Fueled, we took on supplies and shifted to the offing, awaiting orders. Two days later the Rift Raven cleared Constina orbit, and we sailed in company for Plyra. A day later Min ordered us to cease acceleration and clear our hulls of the tracers that had been slyly planted as we fueled and waited in the offing. Botts noted with special care the location of the three that had been attached to our hull – Grandmama was on the case – so we made quick work of it. We sent them on to Plyra and altered course for Ravin. I rather doubted we'd fool our trackers for long, but perhaps for long enough.
Ten days later, after we were finished with engines, we made the Rift Raven our drone and took her crew, Min, Vynnia and Tenry, aboard and partied for several days. Since they'd been aboard the ship when Botts had come aboard as a prize-master for Explora Miner, we didn't bother to hide Botts, though, as usual, we didn't share its full potential with them. I rather feared the influence of Uncle Hawk on Min, and so I warned my shipmates to keep Botts' full potential our secret. I think they were just as protective of it as I was.
As old shipmates, rather than passengers, Min, Vynnia and Tenry slipped right back into the ship's little society. Of course things were different. Molaye had Vynnia's old job, so Vynnia had to find other things to do. And Min was captain now, though there was nothing that required her to show her authority, so it didn't matter on a practical level. I still made my rounds and approved Illy's bookkeeping as usual, but I was already viewing myself as a passenger. It was time. The question hanging fire was, what lay ahead – following Min on a quest to regain some throne or finding a high volcanic peak on some world to plant cha trees.