For the Sake of Mercy (A Captain Henri Duschelle Story, #1)

By Steve K Smy

Captain Henri Duschelle must lead his loyal crew on a seemingly impossible mission: to deliver a vital organ to one of the crew's son, across the longest part of the colonised worlds - to an insane deadline. He is convinced that only his ship, the stunningly beautiful "Persephone" can make such a journey. But problems lie in wait...

A novelette.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve K Smy
• Release date: Mar 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301874590

Steve K Smy

Steve K Smy was born in Ipswich, Suffolk - a picturesque part of England famed for being part of Constable Country, where the renowned artist John Constable worked and produced many of his finest paintings. He has lived virtually his whole life there. He started writing for pleasure when he was 13 years old, with a science fiction novel! Naturally, his writing was less dominant for many years, as he and his wife Jenny raised their three children to adulthood and independence. He returned to writing seriously in February 2012, following a long illness. Since then, he has written and published, in ebook format, several short stories and, in ebook and paperback formats, four novelettes and a novella, and has been working on a major fantasy novel. His published stories include tales in three series: the Thief series of fantasy short stories, the mixed genre G1: The Guardians series (two novelettes and a novella, to date) and the science fiction Captain Henri Duschelle Stories (a short story and two novelettes, so far). The novelettes and novella have now been published in paperback. Fans of the G1: The Guardians series should be aware that a novel (part four of the series) is going to be published very soon! Mr Smy is also a blogger with a growing readership for his blog Imagineer-ing, Again, fans of the G1: The Guardians series will be happy to hear that they can find background information on the stories, especially the political shape of the world, in a special section of the blog site! Steve passed away on November 22nd 2013 after long periods of illness. His novels are being typed up and published by his son, Damien. Any profits are to be donated to Help for Heroes, a charity that Steve supported.

Book preview

For the Sake of Mercy

by

Steve K Smy

A Captain Henri Duschelle Story

***

Copyright © Steve K Smy, 2013

Published by Steve K Smy at Smashwords

The right of Steve K Smy to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the author or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licenses issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

***

Contents

Title

Copyright

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Finale

Part 1

Captain Henri Duschelle set aside his cup, now empty of the potent coffee he preferred, and checked the readouts on the repeater screen on his desk, checking the Persephone's position and progress. It was satisfying to see that there were no problems. The course as set, to nearby Tyrus, was straightforward, with no registered and beacon-marked hazards. In a little over a day, they would have completed another safe run, delivering the cargo in good time and ready to obtain a new deal. Duschelle stretched and was about to rise and head for the bridge when a chime sounded. He relaxed back into his chair and pressed a stud on his desk console.

The door opened silently and Third Engineer Dufresne entered. The man looked dreadful, his normally open, happy face drawn and miserable. He slouched up to Duschelle's desk and raised his eyes, watery with unshed tears.

What's wrong, Jean-Phillippe? the captain asked, aghast. What's happened?

It's... it's my son, my Michel, sir, the man said in broken tones. He has Itharani Syndrome. If he doesn't get a new liver very soon, he will d... d...

I'm so sorry, Jean! Can't they grow him a new one?

No. The disease has damaged his genetics so that any new liver from his own cells would still have the syndrome. The only hope is a liver from an organ bank. They have located one, but it's at Pelantia.

That's not far from here. Where's your son?

Igran.

Hell, that's as far from Pelantia as you can get! How soon can an emergency carrier get it to him?

That's the problem, sir. It will take too long. They can't make it in less than two months standard, Dufresne took a huge breath. I wouldn't ask for any other reason...

Duschelle was already making calculations. He hit a key and swept his gaze over the figures on the screen. Most were red.

We can make it in just over four standard weeks, the captain said. "It'll be tough, but it can be done. How long does your son have?"

Thirty-eight days, sir, he choked on the words and a few tears spilt down his face despite his control.

Fine, that gives us a little leeway. Duschelle rose and circled his desk, to put a hand on the man's shoulder reassuringly. Don't worry, Jean. We can do it.

Dufresne was unable to speak. He just nodded and left, before he broke down completely. The captain sighed and returned to his seat. He collected his thoughts for a moment and then pressed a button on his console.

Senior officers, report to Captain's ready-room immediately, he said crisply.

Gentlemen, Duschelle's eyes swept his gathered seniors. All