Revolution For Vengeance

By Adrian D Roberts

Valerie Carter has been released from The Rock to find herself as the figurehead of the Rebellion. She must return to Olympus, the capital planet of the Pantheon, yet again, to convince the Legion rank and file to join their cause. How can she do this when she is responsible for the greatest tragedy in their 1,500 year history?
Only if she can reclaim the name of the Battleborn and prove herself worthy of their allegiance would they agree to follow her. There will be no more hiding. Soon everyone in the Pantheon will know her name and face.
With the might of Shadow Company, the skills of the Crew and support of Hanna and Deni, Valerie will fight for the Manual men and women. She will fight for their rights against the Privileged.
Even with this immense responsibility riding on her shoulders, she has but one goal. She will find the man responsible for the deaths of her family and she will have her vengeance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adrian D Roberts
• Release date: Aug 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310431258

Adrian D Roberts

Adrian D Roberts was raised in Essex, England until relocating to Northamptonshire in his thirties. When growing up he dreamt of being a Police Officer and managed to realise that dream straight from School. Dreams don’t always work out so after two years as a Constable he joined a Paper Merchant and begun to sell paper for a living. After fifteen years in sales and buying he decided to accept voluntary redundancy to work on his new dream of writing.With a daughter that he dotes on, he is a keen cyclist and reluctant runner. An avid reader of just about everything but majoring in Science Fiction and Fantasy his other hobbies include Karate, indoor climbing and arguing alternative points of view.

Book preview

The heavy oak doors shut behind Grand Admiral Antonio Cestari with barely a whisper. Yet in his head they had the sound of a blast door slamming shut. All the eyes in the room turned to him and, for the first time in decades, he had to concentrate on keeping his expression neutral.

Welcome, Admiral. President Klostermair said from the head of the large oak table. The words were there, but with little welcome in her voice. The warmth to him from her childhood was not in evidence today. Please, have a seat. There was only a single chair available and he felt all ten pairs of eyes on him.

Thank you, Madam President, he replied in a calm voice and walked across the thick, blue carpet to the chair between the Secretary of Defence, Paul Moore and Antonio’s own subordinate, Grand General Cormac Xia, head of Legion Intelligence. The fact that Cormac Xia was there before him was not lost on Antonio.

No one said a word or even met his eye as he sat. Every man and woman in this room, at the top of the Presidential Tower, owed him favours, but none of that mattered today.

I have called this meeting, the President began. To discuss the second massive breach in our security in the last three years. Namely the attack on The Rock, a prison so secret even I did not know its location. Perhaps you can give us a short briefing on that matter, General Xia.

Of course, Madam President, the short man in his impeccable uniform to Antonio’s left said. Another slight on his authority, the President should have asked Antonio, who would then delegate it to the General.

Nine days ago, Cormac Xia continued. The Rock, situated in the Blaze system, was successfully attacked with all prisoners released and removed from the system. The attack was led by a Legion Commando Devil unit. Shadow Company, in Fully Powered Body Armour, were assisted by six hundred unknown men and women in Legion Medium Powered Armour and equipped with Legion weapons.

Why are they unknown? Secretary of Treasury, Tershia Setlock asked in her high singsong voice.

Although they were wearing Legion equipment, we are not missing any Legion units other than Shadow Company itself. Antonio grimaced mentally. There was no way Cormac Xia could confirm that yet. It would take a minimum of a hundred and ten days to get that information from the Legions furthest flung Battalions.

We do know Shadow Company left with a full Forward Operating Base Module. One of those holds enough arms and armour to equip a full Battalion of a thousand infantry soldiers. We presume that is what they used to equip these people.

How did they gain access to The Rock? Secretary of Security, Sunkish Bala asked. It is my understanding Devil Companies would not have the transports available to them for this kind of assault. The Rock must have had its own defences.

Indeed it did. Substantial ones. They were all destroyed in the first moments of the attack by multiple missiles and Pulsar Cannons fired by an unseen ship.

Unseen? Secretary of Justice, Deshi Nault asked.

Yes, The Rock included the most advanced sensor suites the Legion has at its disposal and yet they could not see this ship. Its stealth capability were far greater than anything we currently have deployed.

The Border worlds have something more advanced than us? Secretary of Exterior, Baptiste Evink exclaimed. This is worse than we thought.

Not precisely, Mr Secretary. We believe the ship is actually a prototype of a design we currently have still on the drawing board named the Spectre, the prototype was built and in the test phase on Furioso. It was thought destroyed, along with numerous other R&D projects, when the station’s anti-matter reactor was forced to overload and detonate. The Spectre is one of many projects awaiting the personnel and facilities to continue. It was, unfortunately, quite low on the list of priorities. As you can imagine, that should be revisited. The General glanced at Antonio and his meaning was clear. Yet another mistake to lay at the Grand Admiral’s door.

How could they get their hands on something like that? Secretary of State Damita Xia asked.

That is tied into why they attacked The Rock, Madam Secretary. Their former commanding officer, Major Valerie Carter was incarcerated there by Grand Admiral Cestari last year. She was previously believed to have been killed on Furioso. The Major was also the head of the Spectre project.

The general stopped his briefing and the room was very quiet, all eyes on Antonio. It was a complete set up with every question pre-planned.

What do you have to say for yourself, Admiral? President Klostermair asked.

He met her eyes calmly and he was reminded of his last meeting with Carter. For all the power the people in this room held, none frightened him more than that woman strapped securely to a chair. Now she was free, with an undetectable spaceship and joined by her old company. That was something to be truly terrified of, not becoming a scapegoat to these pampered fools. Not one of them had seen combat, they barely knew what a day’s work entailed. He had risen from a lowly midshipman to Legion Commander in Chief, through hard work, sweat and blood. Every man and woman in the Pantheon’s vast military was under his command and they thought they could frighten him?

He leaned forward with his elbows on the table and fingers interlocked in front of him. "The General is correct in everything he said. Major Carter is the most capable and was one of the most loyal soldiers in the Legion. Her family was killed and that began a chain of events no one could foresee. Those events are still continuing. The man behind her family’s deaths is still alive and until he lies dead at her feet, she will not stop. Ever.

I thought we could eventually bring her back into the fold. After a century on The Rock, she would learn to let go of her pain. That was a mistake as I underestimated the resources of those she was working with. Shadow Company had been kept out of the way for over two years and Carter was captured within two weeks of her appearance on Olympus. There was no evidence of any contact between them prior to her capture. There is much we do not know as we have only been aware of Shadow Company’s betrayal for less than fifty hours.

You are not giving the cabinet the full facts, Paul Moore, Antonio’s civilian superior, accused. I did not think that you would so, with the President’s permission, I released details of the Prometheus project to the cabinet before this meeting.

We suspected you would not be forthcoming with us, Admiral, Sunkish Bala said. If you had been, he waved to the woman on his right. Then Commandant Tvedt here would have had the entire Pantheon police force hunting this woman from the beginning.

It would certainly have made her capture easier, Pernelle Tvedt agreed.

A failure of this magnitude cannot go unremarked, Admiral. Baptiste Evink pointed out. Perhaps it is time you step down and allow a fresh perspective. There it was, the real reason for this meeting.

Indeed, Damita Xia agreed. Someone who is experienced with this type of covert fight.

Maybe General Xia would be best placed to do that. Baptiste Evink suggested.

That would be convenient. Tershia Setlock accused. Another cabinet post for the Xia Family.

It was not my suggestion, Damita Xia responded calmly.

Of course not, Tershia shot back. You had your loyal lapdog do it.

How dare you! Baptiste surged to his feet.

Yes I bloody well dare, we need someone who can think for themselves, not another mouthpiece for Alcander Xia.

I am not his mouthpiece. Damita demanded.

Right, Sunkrish Bala said. You only supported the Gadson bill because it filled the Xia family coffers. We should ask High Admiral Locklear to step in.

An old lover of yours, Sunkrish? Paul Moore questioned nastily. How stupid do you think we are?

Antonio looked on in horror as the meeting degenerated swiftly. People who had spent centuries learning to control themselves were shouting at one another. Old grudges and slights were dragged back into the light and flung about. The President sat wide eyed at the far end of the table, looking lost and in shock. The leadership of the Pantheon was falling apart in front of him and there was nothing Antonio could do. They wouldn’t listen to him. All of his credibility was gone.

CRACK!

The sharp sound cut through the shouting and all eyes turned to its source. Secretary of Interior, Petra Soetemeyer had sat silent through it all. Her sharp blue eyes now burned from her end of the table, directly opposite the President. Her hand lay flat on the table in front of her, palm down.

Are you all quite finished? the iron-grey-haired old lady said quietly. No one dared to respond. Sit. Down. It was not a request and those standing took their seats with sheepish expressions.

You are all frightened and I can see why, she began. You fear you may lose it all and you are right. We are staring into a black hole capable of destroying our wealth, power and Privilege completely. Those around the table shifted nervously. "While you have played your games, using people’s lives as pieces, with little regard to the consequences, Admiral Cestari and I have been working every single day to ensure it does not all come crashing down.

It was our hubris that started this. None of you want to say it here, but you all read Bala’s briefing document. You all know what happened to Major Carter’s family and who she is. You know how we came to be here. Blaming Admiral Cestari is a panicked reaction and the wrong one. He is the best man for the job and he has my full support.

Antonio was as shocked as the rest of them, after decades of mutual animosity between Soetemeyer and himself, he never expected her support. Not like this, even with their recent reconciliation.

That maybe so, All eyes snapped to the other end of the table and President Klostermair. But it is my decision and not yours.

If you decide to remove him, you must remove me as well. The ultimatum was delivered without any emotion and had all the more impact for it. The two women stared at one another across the table, the air thick with tension. No one wanted to get into the middle of this power play.

After agonising minutes it was the President who looked away first and Soetemeyer gave the slightest of nods. The President looked to Antonio and he could see the defeat deep in her eyes.

It is my decision that you are to stay with our full support, Admiral.

Thank you, Madam President, Antonio replied with a small seated bow.

***

How did it go, Admiral? Admiral Standring asked.

About as bad as it could be, Wioletta, Antonio answered as he walked into his office at the top of the Legion Navy Tower. But also quite surprising. They tried to unseat me of course and I will need to have a discussion with General Xia on the matter of loyalty.

You convinced the President you are still the best person for the job?

Not exactly, Soetemeyer forced the President into supporting me.

Good. Antonio looked closely at his Chief of Staff as he sat behind his desk and saw only determination. Cormac Xia may want to stab him in the back, but Wioletta Standring was ready to stand by him in full. He nodded to her and she smiled slightly in response.

Do we have any idea who was working with Shadow Company yet and where that freighter went?

Nothing new I am afraid, she admitted with a sigh, though Antonio really hadn’t expected any. Unless a courier suddenly arrived with momentous news, it would take months to hear back from all twenty-five of the Pantheon’s main systems. Such was the way when your only method of communication was starships moving between systems.

With Shadow Company now in play, Wioletta continued. Do we pre-empt any announcement of Carter’s survival or stay quiet?

I don’t know, Antonio swung his chair around to look out over the vista of Zeus. The sun was low in the sky and the light reflected off the tall towers. Beyond them he could see the surrounding Ghettos of the Manuals. They were already dark, too low for the light to reach. It was like a brooding, dark mass encompassing a beacon of light.

Carter, I understand, he said quietly. She wanted vengeance for her family and her loyal company will support her, but what of the others? There were over a thousand people on that assault and they released twenty thousand prisoners. All removed on a single freighter, using mainly commercial shuttles. Who are they and what do they want?

It has to be the Rebellion.

It is the only thing that makes any sense, Wioletta. Yet I cannot see Carter joining them. These are the very people she and Shadow Company have fought against all their lives. How could they now be working together?

If it is the Rebellion, we will be hearing from them soon.

Then that is what we do. We wait. If the Rebellion claim responsibility for The Rock, we turn Carter into a pariah with Furioso. If not, we stay quiet.

I don’t like being on the defensive like this, Admiral.

Nor do I and lightning blast it! That’s all we’ve been since this entire mess began. At least if Carter is not working with the Rebellion, we know exactly where she is going to go eventually.

Yes, we do.

CHAPTER ONE

Ease her in, Rush, Valerie said. Just as we practised with the Pony.

I got it, Carter. Valerie could hear the strain in his voice, the five kilometre long freighter ahead growing closer in the screen.

How are we doing with the escorts, Hanna?

I’m working, Guv, Hanna responded brusquely from the co-pilot’s seat. It’s Angel.

Valerie smiled. Alright, Angel. Any sign those cruisers can see us?

Nothing, Hanna shook her head. Not a peep. Everyone is moving towards the hyper-limit with no deviations. The Spectre’s stealth is holding up, they have no idea we’re here.

Valerie stood behind Rush and Hanna’s seats studying the tactical display over Hanna’s shoulder. The convoy of a dozen freighters was making its steady progress towards the system’s hyper-limit. The planet Alexandria was far behind and the three escorting Legion Navy light cruisers hung on the fringes of the convoy. A counter on the edge of the display showed they had sixty-two minutes until they reached the hyper-limit and the convoy would jump to Atlantis.

Looking good, Rush, Valerie patted him on the shoulder. You’ve got this, time for me to join the Crew.

A narrow ladder led down to the Spectre’s small crew quarters. Designed for two people, it was very crowded by the Crew equipped in their Medium Powered Armour.

How are we looking, Guv? Judge asked.

All on schedule, we’ve got two minutes. Valerie sealed the hatch to the cockpit behind her and squeezed her way through the black armoured forms. The Crew had followed Shadow Company’s example and painted all of their armour matt black, with their own individual additions.

Troll sported a skull and crossbones very much in keeping with their current endeavour. Barney had gone with a large snarling bear across his chest. A set of very old scales, pre-dating electricity, tipped completely over to one side was on Judge’s back. Hobbs wore a green snake curled around a dagger on each of his arms. On Deni’s chest was a white knight piece, from the game chess, inside a red crosshair. Up in the cockpit Rush had a running cheetah across his back and shoulders. Silver wings were spread across the front of Hanna’s armour. Valerie chose the head of a Stone Dragon, the great maw open wide to display its long fangs.

Deni leaned against the main hatch at the other end and Valerie joined her. The girl nodded and Valerie gave her a smile in return. Deni had left her Scythe behind and held a Pulse rifle. A high powered sniper rifle wasn’t going to be much use in the close confines of a freighter. Valerie turned back to the Crew.

Helmets on, everyone, she ordered. You know your assignments, so let’s get this done clean and make sure we all get back alive.

What? You’re doing speeches now? Troll joked.

Only so I know you’re paying attention, Troll, Valerie shot back.

Valerie donned her own helmet, sealing it to the rest of her armour and checked Deni’s was secure.

Stay close to me, Deni, Valerie said over their closed net.

Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. We practised this.

Practice is practice-

And combat is combat, I get it.

Valerie smiled at the confidence in Deni’s voice. Hanna and her had learned and grown a lot while she was imprisoned. It wasn’t the false confidence that had gotten them in trouble with Cest either. Deni was showing the calm, measured assurance of a seasoned soldier.

Docking with the freighter. Rush’s voice came though the Crew’s open net. Deploying docking ring. A hiss and low mechanical clicking sounds came from the main hatch. "Ring secured and atmosphere is green.

Activate your boots. Valerie ordered the Crew and switched on her magnetic soles. She waited for everyone to give a nod to confirm they were secured to the deck. We’re ready, Rush. You can kill the gravity.

Done, he replied. You are clear to enter.

Valerie nodded to Deni and she tapped the command into the hatch controls. The floor in front of Valerie lowered down and, using the magnets, she walked down the ramp. A ring of black flexible material bonded the Spectre to the freighter’s hull, allowing Valerie and the others to survive the transfer.

A sealed, round metal hatch sat at the end of the ramp. Valerie unhooked a palm sized, heavy duty interface from her belt and attached it to the hatch’s controls.

All set, Angel. You’re up.

I’m connected, Guv, Hanna answered. Accessing their system now. Valerie knew the girl’s fingers would be flying over her virtual keyboard, unperturbed by working in zero gravity, her complete attention on the task at hand. Got it, should be opening now.

True to her word, the two-metre wide hatch sunk into the skin of the freighter and split apart five ways, each section sliding clear. Valerie disengaged her boots and using the rungs just inside, pulled herself into the freighter, moving down relative to the Spectre behind her. The further in she went, the more she felt the freighter’s own artificial gravitational field pulling at her. In the space of a couple of metres she was climbing up the rungs of a ladder.

Glancing back, she confirmed the rest of the Crew were negotiating the changing conditions successfully. Deni was right behind her, her helmet only an arm’s length from Valerie’s feet. Barney had pulled himself in and climbed a second ladder on the other side.

The Crew made it through the inner hatch and assembled in a maintenance area. Deni was already attaching a second interface to one of the ship’s engineering stations. While Valerie waited with her, the other four moved through the area to ascertain it was empty of sailors from the freighter. They soon came back with shakes of their heads.

Nothing here, Guv, Troll confirmed. We have it to ourselves.

I’m into their main system, Hanna said over the com. Uploading the ignore program now... That’s it, you’re clear. They won’t see you on playback. I’ve set a loop on the cameras around you and it’s linked into the ignore. The program will automatically build loops ahead of you. No one will be the wiser until you hit the more populated areas.

OK, Angel. How are you doing with their communications?

Give me a chance, Guv. I’m good, but I’m not a miracle worker. Five minutes.

Valerie turned to the Crew. It’s time for us to move. Troll and Barney, engine room. Judge and Hobbs, life support. Checkmate and I have the bridge. Keep out of sight until Angel has the ship’s coms down. If they tell the escorts they’ve been boarded, we’re done. Questions?

They shook their heads and even Troll didn’t have anything to say. Valerie nodded.

Judge, you four take the lift. We’ll hoof it from here.

Good luck, the slight man said.

You too. You ready, Checkmate?

When you are, Deni replied.

Valerie nodded and after a quick check through the door to ensure it was clear, she and Deni headed out down the long corridor. The freighter was one of the modular designs seen throughout the Pantheon and beyond. It used two main hulls, one at the front for living quarters, shuttle bays and the main bridge. The rear hull contained the engineering, life support and ship’s store. Between them was a thin spine with freight modules attached all along its length. To save time loading and unloading the cargo, those modules would be detached and replaced in port, the cargo being removed after the ship had gone on its way.

Rush had docked the Spectre between two of those modules, three back from the forward hull. The Crew were using a hatch the freighter’s crew only used for emergency repairs between ports. The chance of encountering anybody there before leaving the system had been very slim.

A large freight and personnel lift ran from one hull to the other. That’s what Judge and the others would use as they had the furthest to go. Valerie and Deni were using the emergency access corridor running parallel to the shaft. Like the hatch, it was unlikely they would meet anyone until they reached the forward hull.

I’m into their coms system, Hanna reported. The Captain is chatting to the Captain of another freighter. Sounds like idle chit-chat.

That’s not good, Deni said, slightly breathless from the run.

Tell me about it, Hanna agreed. I can’t kill the conversation halfway through. If I do, we’ll have those cruisers on our asses before we can jump.

We can only do what we can do, Angel. Valerie said calmly. Keep Judge and Troll apprised. Tell them to keep out of sight until the Captain clears the line. He’s about to take his ship into hyper-space. He’ll need to concentrate on that soon enough.

It’s going to cut into our timetable, Guv, Deni pointed out.

We’ve got a bit of time to spare. Angel, simulate a power shunt in the com array as soon as the Captain wraps up. It’ll buy us some time to secure the ship before anyone starts panicking. As long as we have the bridge ten minutes before the jump, we’ll be fine.

On it, Guv, Hanna answered and cleared the net.

You sure this is going to work, Valerie? Deni asked.

Who knows? It’s my first time hijacking a ship like this.

What! You never told us that. You told Billy and the others we’d be the best people for this job.

That hasn’t changed, we still are. Shadow Company have never been sent on a mission like this before, our transport was always provided. They’re too busy training all those new recruits you sprung from the Rock anyway. The Rebels experience has been in ground skirmishes and none of the gang members Sneaker brought with him have played pirate. Only the Spartans have the experience, but they don’t have permission from their Polemarch yet. They can’t take direct action until they do. We’re still the best Crew available for the Job.

Oh great, you didn’t agree to this just to get out of the Briar Patch did you?

Valerie grimaced inside her helmet. Honestly? There’s some truth to that. They’re all looking to me to lead this grand revolution and it’s not easy to deal with. I couldn’t keep my family safe, how do I lead an army?

Deni was silent for a while and Valerie wondered if she wished Hanna was in on this conversation. Deni had become just as important to Valerie, but it was normally Hanna’s role to push Valerie. For all her strength and skill, when it came to her emotions and motivations, Valerie really was vulnerable. She’d finally come to realise how important Hanna’s questions actually were.

What happened then was outside of your control, Deni said shortly. Given what you knew at the time, could you honestly say you could do anything differently?

No, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. That’s our exit ahead. Valerie slowed down to a walk. She was glad of the diversion and the need to act rather than think. Deni dropped in beside her with her rifle up and ready. Drawing her Pulse pistol, Valerie checked the holomap on her wristcomp.

Angel, we are at position one, Valerie said into the com. How are the other teams looking?

They’ve arrived at the rear hull and are moving through as carefully as they can. Hanna responded, her voice distracted. She would be monitoring the ship’s internal cameras and directing the others around any obstacles. The Captain has finished his call and I’ve shutdown their external coms. They’re not worried yet.

OK, the other teams are ahead of us then.

Less likely to bump into anyone in the corridors back there, Deni said. Everyone should be hard at work.

Same for us, the crew should be either in the shuttle bays or on the bridge. Angel, we’re moving to position two, how’s it looking out there?

The first section is clear, second section’s looking a bit busier. That’s where the galley is and some of the freight handlers are grabbing themselves some food. I’m unlocking your door.

The red lock light switched to green and Deni hit the button. The hatch slid open and Valerie stepped through, pistol sweeping around in case Hanna had missed anyone. If she did, Valerie wouldn’t blame her. The girl was watching three screens at once, while continuing to evade the ship’s automated security systems.

As usual, she hadn’t. They didn’t meet a single person as they moved through the corridors and hatches. None of those were locked. The hatch to the spine gave access to the modules themselves. The officers wouldn’t want any of the Manual crew going there without permission. The sounds of spoken voices began to drift down the corridors and Valerie checked her map.

Galley is just ahead, she told Deni. We’ll take a diversion here through the Manual quarters, should be quieter.

OK, I’m right behind you.

A side corridor led them away from the noise and they stalked through the empty hallways. A side door slid open and a woman stepped out, her face shocked, eyes wide, mouth open. Deni’s rifle swung in her direction, but Valerie was quicker. She struck with a forearm to the chest, slamming the woman back into the room. Following her quickly, Valerie grabbed her by the throat and squeezed the carotid arteries on either side of her neck. The dazed woman was unconscious before she even realised she had been attacked.

Is she dead? Deni asked from the door. She wasn’t looking in, but keeping her entire attention focused on the corridor. Valerie felt a swell of pride at the girl’s actions.

No, just unconscious. New me, remember? I’m not allowed to kill anyone unless they’re a direct threat.

What do we do, then?

Not a problem. They were in a four bunk room and Valerie grabbed some sheets off a bed. Tearing them swiftly into strips, she had the woman hog-tied and gagged inside a minute. She shut the door on her way out. That’ll keep her quiet until we’re finished.

Should I have held my fire? Deni asked quietly as they carried on.

Not a chance. I’ve got the training, experience and reflexes to make that an option. You do what I trained you to. You see a threat, you open fire, no hesitation.

Got it.

Angel, Valerie said into her com. We’re coming up on position two. How are we looking?

Judge and Hobbs are in place. Troll and Barney are almost there, same as you.

Have you been able to find the L.I. agents? Every freighter carrying military grade material would have a team of Legion Intelligence agents on board to ensure it didn’t disappear. They would act and dress the same as the Manual members of the crew. The only difference being they were trained and armed. The four person team had already been identified by Hanna before they left.

Yep, they’re right where we expected them to be. Two on the bridge, one in life support and one in engineering. I’m dropping locations into your wristcomps now and linking live video.

Valerie paused and waved Deni over to a handy corner. Out of the way for the moment, she viewed the video on her helmets Heads Up Display. It was a standard commercial starship layout, Captain’s seat in the centre with three stations for the ships officers around him, engineering, astrogation and cargo management. A second ring of consoles on a lower deck surrounded them for the Manual staff. A man and a woman seated there were highlighted in red. Those were the L.I. agents.

You seeing them, Checkmate?

Yep, you go for the agents and I’ll take the command deck.

Sounds like a plan. Valerie glanced round the corner. The hatch to the bridge was just about in sight with no one around, a red light burning on the controls. Angel, door’s locked.

Same for engineering, Troll said on the group net.

And life support, Judge said calmly.

No problem, people, Hanna responded. I have all three keyed to open on my command.

Everyone ready? Valerie asked.

Set, Judge answered.

Let’s go be pirates! Troll enthused.

On my three count then, Hanna said. Valerie held two fingers up to Deni and she nodded her understanding.

Three, two. Valerie started running. One, mark! The door lock switched to green and slid sharply open. Valerie charged through, a pistol in each hand.

The Captain was closest. Valerie caught a momentary glimpse of his surprised expression as she dashed past, vaulting the engineering officer in one easy leap. Her feet came down hard on the L.I. agents back. His face slammed into the console in front of him, smashing it completely. Valerie’s right hand was already tracking towards the second agent. The woman was quick, her hand was reaching inside her jacket for a hidden pistol. Her fingers barely touched it’s handle when Valerie’s Pulse burst hit her squarely in the chest.

Nobody move! Deni shouted, her voice amplified by her armour and rebounding off the cold metal walls. Landing lightly on her feet, Valerie strode round to the Astrogator. Deni stood next to the Captain’s chair, the Captain himself was sprawled on the floor, blood leaking from a broken nose and Deni’s boot on his back.

The short, brunette Astrogator tried to sink into her chair, away from Valerie.

Course change, Valerie said harshly. We jump with the convoy, but we’re going to Romeo three-five-seven, not Atlantis. Start re-working the computations. The woman stared back dumbfounded. Now! With a jerk she started inputting the data on her console. Valerie turned away and positioned herself in front of the fallen Captain.

This freighter is now under the control of the Free People’s Society. Should you comply with our instructions to the letter, without any fuss, you will not be harmed. If not, you will be treated in the same way as those Legion Intelligence agents. Communications to the convoy are shut down. Should you normally talk to any of the other ships prior to jumping, tell us. You will continue to do the jobs you always do until you are relieved by our prize crew.

She stared out at them until they began to turn away to get on with their jobs. Valerie jerked her head to Deni. The girl moved off to one side where she could keep an eye on them all. Leaning down to the Captain, Valerie grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet.

Are there any other personal conversations you would normally have with the other ships before we jump?

How do you know about that? he stammered.

Answer the question. She squeezed his arm for added emphasis.

No! Only with Captain Wilhoit, he commands the escort.

Good, she shoved him into his chair. Get on with your job.

Erm, excuse me? a voice squeaked from behind. Valerie turned and saw the astrogator was white faced and shaking.

Yes?

Romeo three-five-seven is a blue hyper-giant star. It’s massive. We don’t have the charts to map our hyper-jump exit. Without those we’ll be destroyed. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.

Then it’s a good job we thought of that. Valerie handed over a small flashdrive from her belt. Everything you need is on there. The woman nodded and turned back to her console.

Angel, bridge is secure, agents taken out. Give me a status update.

Engineering and life support are both under our control. The only casualties were the agents, though Barney had to dish out some object lessons.

OK, we sit tight until we jump. After that we round up the rest of the crew. Stay sharp.

Always, Guv.

***

A little over two days later, Valerie felt the shudder of hyper-space transfer running through her. The main screen on the bridge reverted from the flowing gold surrounding the hyper-space field, to a single blue star.

Wow... Hanna whispered from beside her.

We’re much further out from its surface than the Blaze or Olympus stars, Valerie told her.

But it looks so much bigger.

"It should be, it’s over six thousand times the size of those two.

What?

Yep, it’s a shame a Red Hyper-giant isn’t around here. Those are even bigger. There’s one on the very edge of the Wild and I’ve seen pictures. It’s truly breath-taking. Maybe I’ll go there one day.

Really? You’d just disappear into the Wilds.

Maybe, Valerie shrugged. If I survive what’s coming, then what do I do?

You’re a soldier, there’s always someone else who needs fighting.

I don’t think I’ll want to be a soldier after...

Oh... What about us?

Valerie squeezed her young friend’s shoulder. Don’t worry, I can’t see it being anytime soon.

Major Carter? one of the freighter’s crew asked quietly.

Yes?

We’re being hailed by a ship without identification.

What are they saying?

The man frowned. It doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not supposed to, what’s the message?

Erm... ‘One, two. One, two. And through and through, the vorpal blade went snicker-snack.’

Good, Valerie said with a smile. That means our replacements are here. Reply with these exact words. ‘He left it dead and with its head he went galumphing back.’

While the confused sailor replied to the Wandering Pony’s message, Hanna leaned in close to Valerie and spoke in a low voice.

Am I glad they’re here. Between you and me, you stink.

Oh, thanks. You don’t smell so good yourself you know. Our armour could do with a good clean and we all need showers. With only eight of them to keep forty-six crew members under control, some sacrifices had to be made. That included sleep and showers. Valerie allowed each of them a four hour nap on the sealed Spectre, but that was all. The rest of the time they needed to stay in their armour. The only comfort she let them have was to remove their helmets.

Major Carter? Valerie looked back to the sailor working the communications console. They say they’re sending over a shuttle.

Checkmate? Valerie said into her com.

Yes, Guv? Deni replied from the shuttle bay.

A shuttle is heading your way from the Pony. You ready down there?

No problem. Rush is on the controls and I have the Scythe pointed right at the door. Anyone who turns up uninvited gets a large hole in them.

For the first time they had left the Spectre unguarded. Those members of the freighters crew not needed to bring the ship out of hyper-space were locked in the galley. Troll and Barney were back in engineering and Judge and Hobbs in life support, everyone should be accounted for, but Valerie never believed in taking chances. Not when they weren’t necessary.

Is it still carrying that FOB? Troll asked over the com. And can we fit the Spectre in? Barney has a stash of beer in there.

Valerie laughed. Yeah, it’ll fit. They should have cleared the Helos and shuttles out. I’ve no idea if the Pony is still carrying it though.

No reason why they wouldn’t surely, Troll said. Where else are they going to stash it?

If it is, we’ll use it. All of the Crew were listening and they’d earned a respite. It was a seven day trip to the Briar Patch and there was nothing else for them to do aboard the Pony. Besides, there was still that shower in the Brigadier’s quarters...

CHAPTER TWO

ID’s, the guard on the gate asked in a bored tone.

Here you go, Julianna said as she handed them over. All five of us.

Water droplets formed on her arm as she waited for the guard to run the ID’s. The drizzle had been falling without a break for the past three hours, the wheelies wipers an ongoing swish, swish as they swept the water from the windscreen. The guard was nice and dry under the canopy extending out from his hut, but he didn’t make any effort to go faster and save Julianna.

After running the five cards through his scanner, he peered into the vehicle, his powerful light causing everyone to squint.

OK, looks all in order. He handed the IDs back. Good job you could get out here so quick. I heard a whole mess of the drivers were down with food poisoning.

You know how it goes, Julianna replied. Work’s scarce. The agency says it has five jobs, you get in the car and get down here as fast as you can.

Heh, ain’t that the truth. You been here before?

Not this depot, but they’re all alike, right?

Pretty much, he pointed to a tunnel off to the right. Park down there and take the lift up to the fifth floor. Drivers boss’ office is at the end the bay. You can’t miss it, it’ll be where all the shouting is coming from.

Got it, thanks.

No problem, have a good day. The guard waved them on and stepped back into his warm hut.

So far so good, Arlene muttered quietly from the passenger seat to Julianna’s left.

Nice of him to give us directions, Anoop said from the back.

Always pays to be nice to people and they’ll be nice back, Pekelo pointed out from next to him.

Or, he just wanted to get into Julianna’s knickers, Renard said from Anoop’s other side and laughed harshly. Julianna glanced back at the fat man with a pointed look. Anoop and Pekelo looked away swiftly and Renard went a bit pale. Sorry, he muttered.

No harm done, she replied coldly and rolled her broad, muscular shoulders. It was only fifteen degrees centigrade outside, but she still only wore a vest top. She knew the cleavage she was showing would help; it didn’t excuse one of her men being crude about it though. Gloves, boots and trousers with numerous pockets completed her outfit for the day. A short jacket was in the boot with the rest of their gear.

Following the guard’s directions, she drove down the ramp into a dark underground car park. Julianna pulled into one of the empty spaces and they all piled out.

Ahhh, Anoop said as he stretched. Next time I go in the front. I don’t think I could have taken being stuck next to that fat fuck for another minute.

Hey! Renard shouted and shoved him into the side of the car from behind. Anoop spun, his fist raised.

KNOCK IT OFF! Julianna shouted and they froze. What’s the matter with you? This is neither the time nor the place. If you think you can pull this crap because I haven’t been here for a few months, you’ve got another thing coming. Do I need to remind either of you who’s in charge?

Anoop lowered his fist and shook his head. No.

What about you, Renard? You need another lesson?

The man’s large face tightened, but he shook his head as well. No.

Good, now get your gear and let’s do what we came here to do.

Arlene had the boot open and passed Julianna her jacket, along with a Mag pistol from the hidden, shielded box. When everyone was similarly equipped, she locked the car and led them through the carpark to the lifts. The three men dropped behind as they sauntered along.

Have they been like this the entire time I was away? Julianna asked Arlene quietly.

Pretty much. Sorry, I should have kept them more under control.

It’s alright, Julianna said with a rueful shake of her head. You know that’s why I didn’t pick them to come with me for the assault on The Rock. Though in hindsight, Shannon, or one of the other Shadow Company soldiers running the training, may have been able to knock some sense into them.

Heh, I doubt it. I was there when you gave Renard his lesson, remember? He was out of action for two weeks.

Alright, maybe not Renard then, but it would have gotten Anoop and Pekelo to wake up.

"Leave it to Carter when she gets here. From