Read The Universe — or Nothing Page 18


  Chapter SIXTEEN

  Drummer paced the command deck of the Plutonianflagship Dragon, Brad nearby. Scarf, sprawled inan open accello-net fastened to a nearby bulkhead,watched and listened.

  The ship vibrated as it moved along the launch railleading to the mouth of the tunnel hanger. CaptainHyk, the ship's Commander, hunched over a controlcomputer on the nearby bridge and snapped ordersto his Operations Officer. Both cast sideways glancesat Scarf, discomfited by his presence.

  Brad visualized the scene on the bridges and flightdecks of the more than two dozen warships, rangingfrom cruisers to fighters that formed the taskforce. All were in final countdown for launch fromtunnels and galleries cut into reinforced chasmsacross a hundred kay of Pluto's surface.

  At Drummer's invitation, Brad analyzed the launchschedule and deployment pattern. He had tactfullysuggested substantive alterations to minimizewarning time to the depot and its nearbytransports. After some debate, during whichBrad repeatedly justified his proposals to skepticalship commanders, they were computer-tested,modified and accepted.

  Brad knew he was on trial. Ram's words surfacedas he scanned the bridge: "...you will lie, cheat,bribe, subvert, sabotage, and kill for us, andshould our greater purpose call for you to do so,against us."

  "This one," he mused, ironically, "is on the'against us' side of the ledger."

  Hodak appeared at the entry to the command deckand beckoned to Brad. As Brad approached, Scarf roseand sauntered in their direction, seemingly scrutinizinginstrument dials and panels along the way. His earsseemed to throb with the effort of eavesdropping.

  "I've gone over the maintenance and operationschecklists for all ships and technical supportcommitted to this mission, as you told me to,"Hodak said, "and then spot-checked them againstinstalled equipment. We've only been on thisjob a couple of days, so I couldn't probe to anymeaningful depth."

  He heaved a deep sigh. "From what I've seen so far,Brad, the systems are not as well-maintained as theyshould be, and much of the data and crew trainingare not applicable or out of date.

  "My recommendation is that as soon as we get backwe conduct a hard-nosed professional inspectionof the fleet to pinpoint all the cats-and-dogs thesedunderheads have jerry-rigged into the equipmentand the software. We gotta give priority to thechecklists that need to be updated to correspondwith installed equipment. No two ships have thesame configuration, so each checklist will haveto be tailored. That's only the first step, and it'llbe one helluva lotta work."

  "Drummer's main concern right now is gettingthrough this operation without using weaponsor incurring a technical breakdown," Brad said."Either one will detract from the image we'retrying to build. He should know ASAP what youfound. I'll pass it along to him. Stand by withKumiko in case Drummer needs some technicaladvice on weapons or engineering."

  "Right."

  Hodak turned to leave, and his eyes met Scarf's.Hodak grinned, and gave Scarf a thumbs up. Scarfglowered and turned away, moving back to the net.Hodak disappeared down the passageway.

  The ship advanced along a rail into a gallery atthe mouth of the tunnel. Captain Hyk turnedto Drummer.

  "The Dragon is at launch station," he said.

  Drummer and Brad stepped from the command deckto a small balcony overlooking a shallow pit coveredby a pale, translucent screen. A network of lines,representing tunnels and galleries, formed on thescreen, each incorporating a tiny, yellow movingand blinking light to indicate a warship underDrummer's command. As each light reached launchposition, it halted and changed from yellow togreen. Drummer and Brad watched the last ofthe yellows convert. All green, ready to launch.

  Drummer picked up a microphone, Brad beside him.

  "This is Drummer," he said. "Operationauthenticator Tornado Six. Execute. First wave.Launch."

  Five green lights flashed to red and disappeared,on their way to predesignated stations outsideFandango: one off each blunt end of the Depotcylinder and the remainder at the entry to thegateway force field.

  Ten seconds later Drummer repeated his codes andlaunched the second wave. The corresponding lightson the screen flashed red and out. New green lightsappeared in their place, this time moving in arcsconverging on the cylinder centered in a sphere:the depot in its force field cocoon.

  The converging lines massed, reformed, and spreadinto a pattern resembling the spoke tips of an openumbrella, with the Gateway, the crowded transportsand the depot centered at what would be theumbrella's handgrip.

  ##

  Drummer turned his head and looked at Brad.

  "Went off rather well," he said.

  "Seems so. That was the easy part. I don't envyyou the next."

  Drummer touched a switch connecting him to thebridge.

  "Captain," he said. "Launch the Dragon. Take yourposition at the coordinates I gave to you. Activateour comm system to the depot."

  The ship shuddered as it shot from the gallery andheaded for the concentration of spacecraft abovePluto. It slowed as it passed through the umbrellaformation and stopped fifty kay from the nearesttransport.

  Time lapse from launch was less than two minutes.Surprise was complete; the effect, paralyzing.

  All movement around the depot slowed to a halt.The intranet filled with "What the hell's going on?","Who are these guys?", and "Bring on the dancinggirls." Then, suddenly, the channels blanked,replaced by silence.

  Drummer keyed his microphone open and handed itto Brad.

  Brad took on a harsh tone.

  "Attention: Commander of Slingshot Logistics Depotand Masters of all vessels, inside or outside theFandango Force Field. The national interests of theGovernment of Planet Pluto demands compliancewith Plutonian laws by all persons and propertieswithin its jurisdiction. You and your vessels andthe Logistics Depot are in Plutonian territory,therefore, our laws apply to you.

  "The Fleet Commander of this Plutonian SecurityForce wishes to speak with the Commander of theSlingshot Logistics Depot. Depot Commander, pleaseidentify yourself and stand by. Acknowledge."

  Silence. Thirty seconds.

  "Logistics Depot. This is the Plutonian SecurityForce. The message we sent you moments ago was forthe Depot Commander. Did you read? Acknowledge."

  The reply came.

  "Your message received. Please identify FleetCommander."

  Brad and Drummer exchanged glances. Drummerchuckled.

  "The formalities must be observed," he chuckled,his tone dry. "Tell him."

  Brad keyed the mike.

  "Fleet Commander Deke Drummer." He put a raspinto his voice. "Now, get on with it."

  Another voice came on.

  "Colonel Hanno here. I'm the Depot Commander.What the hell game are you playing, Drummer?"

  Brad's tone turned icy.

  "Let's get one point straight, Colonel Hanno. Youwill be speaking with a Fleet Commander with therank of Admiral. Should you need to be reminded,Planet Pluto is a sovereign and independent nation,and you are a guest within our borders. Your choiceof words is offensive. Do you read?"

  A long pause.

  "I read."