Mission To Anarchy

By Michael Lorbeck and Randal Steven Meyer

Lieutenant Commander Ebner Vides Landremm Grew up on a dairy farm. He has a short temper that he keeps under control. He signed on at the Imperial Naval Academy so that his brother could have the farm and he could find something new in life.
Now he’s at the end of his military career, having been denied numerous promotions that he thought he deserved. Some organization or politician is tracking him and suppressing any records that would benefit his career, though there is nothing that he's able to prove. He wants to leave the Navy behind and start something new where he can succeed or fail on his own merits, not needing the approval of any bureaucracy.
As the commanding officer of the academy starship "Rapier", he has one more training mission to fly before retiring. The commander of the Academy, Admiral Rail, has given him constraining orders that make it nearly impossible to perform the mission correctly. With only a short time left in the military, and a sour attitude, Landremm chooses to interpret his orders creatively and take his ship outside the empire. So he loads seventy new ensigns aboard, and heads into the unknown.
Strange discoveries are made. Discoveries that can not be suppressed. Landremm realizes the new knowledge could put him at risk of assassination upon his return. While exploring the star system he chose to visit, the ships crew is stirred into confusion. His crew begins thinking in new and troubling ways. There is growing resentment among the crew, threats of violence, a case of outright rebellion, plus a problem no imperial officer has ever faced before.
As Landremm struggles to overcome trouble all around, he needs to keep control of both his crew and the situation. He needs to hold on to his sanity. He needs to refrain from killing anybody, and he wants to hold on to his dignity.
He doesn’t know if he can while dealing with anarchy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Lorbeck
• Release date: Mar 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463051436

Book preview

MISSION TO ANARCHY

MISSION TO ANARCHY

NOW THAT THEY'VE FOUND IT, CAN THE EMPIRE SURVIVE?

Michael Lloyd Lorbeck and

Randal Steven Meyer.

This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, incidents, and dialogue, are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2012 by Michael Lloyd Lorbeck and Randal Steven Meyer. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Contact us by e-mail at: [e-mail]

We would like to thank our editor for all her professional advice which we were often too stubborn to follow.

The authors would like to gratefully thank Diane Anthony, Geoff Gayle, George Ewen, Gwen Rogers, Jade Brehm, Jerry Blankenship, Mark McQueen, Rob Bowman, Sarah McQueen, Virginia Suarino, Wanda Zuege, and Ward Walker for reading our story and advising us while it was a work in progress.

Cover art created by Hans Clough.

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter eight

Chapter nine

Chapter ten

Chapter eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

Chapter fourteen

Chapter fifteen

Chapter sixteen

Chapter seventeen

Chapter eighteen

Chapter nineteen

Chapter twenty

Chapter twenty one

Chapter twenty two

Chapter twenty three

Character List

About Oscham

About the Rapier

Captain Landremm illustrated by Ian Mercer.

Chapter One

1169, Allonish 33, 16:33:29

Lieutenant Commander Ebner Vides Landremm strolled past the academy's auditorium on his way out. People were rushing past him to get seated before the newly minted ensigns began their graduation ceremony.

Another hundred fifty victims having to endure Rail's boring speech yet again. I wonder if the new class realizes how many times they're gonna hear that same speech.

He should write a couple more speeches and alternate between them so the kids won't know what's coming. Of course, that would mean Rail's having to actually think long enough to write the extra speeches. Guess it ain't gonna happen.

Oh well.

I gotta get something done. Only a few months to retirement, and I still haven't come up with a payback for Rail. I need to settle that score before I'm gone!

Being only five and a half feet tall, Landremm looked up to most of the people as he headed for the exit.

A bright red flag flashed in his field of vision. He tapped his right earlobe where he kept the virtual switch for his personal system. A message floated in his field of vision, ordering him to present himself to Admiral Rail before leaving the academy grounds.

You prick! You deliberately waited to send that until it was too late for me to see you before the ceremony. He turned around as he swore under his breath, then muttered, Connect me to Arlleshe.

He was brushing something off his shoulder when Arlleshe's head and shoulders with her long flowing black hair appeared in front of him. He lit up with a broad smile and gushed, Hey babe, how's your day?

She looked quizzical. Hello dear, it's been fine so far. Are you about to ruin it?

Rail ordered me to appear in his office before leaving the grounds. I have no idea how long this'll take.

Eb!! Dinner's going to be ready in less than an hour!

I figured it would, but you know I can't say 'no' to Rail. Don’t wait. You guys go ahead. I'll eat whenever I can get there.

Well, your dinner might get cold, but I won't! Don't waste any time getting home.

Love you girl! Be there quick as I can. Bye. Landremm waved off. You should’ve gone into politics instead of enlisting!

1169, Allonish 33, 18:47:33

Rail didn't waste any seconds on chat, or even look up. He curtly said, I'm busy, certify receipt and pick up your orders.

All Landremm saw was the bald top of his head and the ring of red hair shot with gray and white that circled his head above his ears.

Landremm walked over to a machine on a wall and looked into the camera, mumbling, Lieutenant Commander Ebner Vides Landremm acknowledging receipt of document. He saw the tiny flash as his face was recorded and recognized. Landremm waited a second for his system to signal receipt. He turned back to the room and paused for a moment, reading the orders that displayed in front of his face. He ran a stellar coordinate search and felt like he was trying to swim in an empty pool.

Turning to Admiral Rail, he said, May I ask why these orders, Sir? The captains of training vessels are normally given freedom to choose their destinations so that they can adjust activities to suit the needs of the students.

All I did was tell you which direction to go. Pick whatever destination you want in that direction.

Admiral, you're sending me in a direction where there's almost nothing.

You mean nothing that strikes your fancy.

Sir, I'm formally requesting that you allow me the same discretion that other training captains are permitted in accomplishing their missions.

Rail finally looked up, snapping, Denied! Pick any destination you want in the direction I've ordered and get the job done.

Admiral, you know that there are numerous reasons for using multiple potential destinations and changing destinations en route. On that heading there are only two stars in the Empire and they're both less than a day's travel from here. I'm requesting the latitude to make choices that will benefit the students. This is a training mission, sir, not a joy ride.

Rail’s face burned red as he snarled, You've always been an insubordinate ass! I should've prosecuted you for those drugs on the Taralon. Then you wouldn't be harassing me with your petty demands now!

"Admiral, you know I didn't load those drugs! I discovered them in the hold as–"

"Shut up! I gave you a base heading with an acceptable deviation and now you're trying to bicker with me about destinations. You have absolute freedom to choose any destination you want within the parameters I gave you. I don't give a hot damn how far from Oscham you do or don't go so long as you keep it within the defined limits. Go to the far side of the galaxy if you want! But you damned well better stay within the navigational cone I gave you!

I'm recording, so don't give me any more lip or I'll start prosecution. And I want that ship back on time so we can do a proper accounting before the change of command!

Change of command? Are you reassigning me? Sir?

Don't try to play me for a fool! I know you're gonna retire in a couple of months.

I haven't uttered a single word about retiring, Sir.

Dismissed!

Aye aye, Sir.

In the parking lot, Landremm looked up at Oschams moon and the ring of asteroids and other trash orbiting out beyond the moon but didn’t really see what he was looking at.

I had big dreams when I entered the Academy. Serve one term and go into politics. Had I made it into any junior office, I'd probably be living in a walled estate in Luzhran by now. Maybe made it all the way to a seat on the Emperor's council if I'd had any luck, and then Rail would be kissing my ass!

Damn it! I'd jump into politics today if I thought I had a snowballs chance in hell of getting anywhere. There's just no way I can explain a record that's sealed so only the Emperor can read it.

So where does that leave me? Stuck with Rail’s asinine orders, and no options!

If I don't choose one of those two stars there's nothing but empty space between here and the edge of the Empire. The Rapier can reach either star in less than twenty four hours. I'll be spending several weeks making short hops back and forth between stars and never expose the students to a full round the clock duty cycle in null space. It's bad training!

Maybe Rail's being miserly about fuel. But that just doesn't make sense! We dump water into the converters. The water we destroy is a tiny fragment of the cost of running a starship.

Maybe Rail hopes he can court martial me for deviating from orders and going outside my assigned navigational cone. That seems more like the way Rail does things. He knows I want to train them properly.

And what was that comment about my retiring? I haven't said a word to anybody. Well, I told Arlleshe, but she can keep things to herself. Is Rail trying to push me into retiring? Maybe I should do a few more years just to piss him off. I'd have more time to come up with a parting gift to leave him with. I don't care whether I leave him with an object or a concept, as long as it bothers him. It’s the thought that counts!

Tossing his hat into the passenger seat and settling into his vehicle, he told it to go home. With nearly a hundred miles to cover he had thirty minutes or so to think.

As the machine gathered speed to fly, he told his system to call Arlleshe.

1169, Allonish 34, 10:11:37

Stepping up to the podium he looked at the seventy five new ensigns he would be qualifying for star flight, and started into his monologue. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Lieutenant Commander Landremm, the commanding officer of the Rapier, on which you'll be training.

"The Rapier is the last of the Sword of Doom class frigates. I'll grant you my ship's a little old, but she's been very reliable, and there hasn't been anything really new in engineering terms since she was built. The Rapier has been tuned and adjusted until she can keep up with any ship smaller than a battle cruiser and can even outrun a few of them . . ."

As Landremm rolled automatically through his speech, he looked around to see how the individual students behaved.

. . . and Second Lieutenant Ellem is our security officer. He'll be issuing your stateroom assignments and GQ stations. Please log into his office space sometime soon. I hate it when people are lost as soon as they step aboard my ship. Any questions?

Seventy five young faces attempted to look intelligent and remain passive. He waited for the usual questions. Light started creeping into some eyes and hands eased up into the air.

Landremm pointed at a slightly heavy girl with black hair cut to her chin and eyes that were puffy from partying. His system put the name Urlua Auslo above her head.

Yes?

I was wondering, Sir . . . I mean . . . are we gonna hafta spend a lot of time watching somebody run the systems?

No. You're going to run the systems. That's why you're being assigned watch stations.

He pointed at a tall skinny guy named Yawon Nia, with red hair pulled into a braided ponytail, an angry looking face, and arms like soda straws, grunting, You, in the second row.

How much access are you giving us, Sir?

Are you asking about system authority? There won't be any layered security. I run an open system for training missions. Nobody will need any passwords other than your standard access code.

Landremm thought he saw a shadow of contempt flash across the ensign's face for a few milliseconds. He keyed his system to look him up.

He pointed to a large, tall, blond man with heavily muscled arms and powerful looking hands. Landremm's system displayed Ernald Remogg for a name.

Where are we going, Sir? Or is that secret or something?

Landremm announced their course heading and was pleased to see that at least a quarter of the students had enough initiative to check that heading through their personal systems.

During the pause he looked at the data that had appeared regarding the skinny kid, and suddenly wanted to puke. Ensign Yawon Nia was nephew to Admiral Rail! His grades had been lackluster, as was his entire military performance, until the last three semesters during which he had a perfect academic record. Those three semesters coincided with Rail's assuming command of the academy.

After a few seconds a hand went up.

Yes?

Sir, there's only two stars out on that heading. And neither one is very far. Are we just going to hang around doing drills?

Drills are a way of life in the military. Once we go aboard ship, we're going to do around eight days of drilling before leaving orbit. But then we're gonna do some serious traveling.

Landremm surveyed the slack faces of the ensigns in the back row, who thought they'd go unnoticed, and recorded a list of people who'd need a fire ignited under them.

Ensign Nia raised his hand again.

Yes?

"There's a loading schedule for the Rapier's vacuum hold, but I can't read any manifest. What cargo are you loading?"

Noting several people with poorly suppressed reactions to Nia’s bold demand, Landremm cupped a hand behind his ear. I missed something in your question.

Nia hesitated for a second, looking irritated, SIR! What cargo are you loading?

If I wanted you to know that, I'd leave the manifest open for you to read. Wouldn't I?

Nia was silent. Other ensigns smirked at him. His eyes flashed as though he had just been challenged. He went back to working his system. Landremm keyed a function in his own system to lock the students out of the network. Who's got another question?

Faces showed hints of quickly suppressed reaction as people realized they'd been shut out. Nia's face was plastered with poorly concealed anger. Landremm marked Nia's file for more attention and continued answering questions for another hour before dismissing the ensigns to their lunch.

Going to his office, Landremm began pulling up student files. What the hell is Nia up to? He tried to open the cargo manifest. That's not too odd, but his lack of respect is. He's not gonna find out what's going into the vacuum hold because that's not recorded anywhere.

His network calls look like trouble. His access codes carry a lot more authority than any ensign should have. Nia’s whole file has a pattern that adds up to somebody who shouldn't have a commission. So how did he get through? Rail is fixing the records for him. That would explain the lack of instructor comments. Rail must have given Nia the access codes he's using too.

So why has Rail assigned Nia to my ship? Rail must be after me again. He knows that Nia gets into a lot of trouble since he's fixed so many situations. He's probably hoping trouble will erupt that he can twist into a prosecutable charge against me, maybe deprive me of my retirement pay. That would fit with Rail's style.

I used to enjoy these star flights. Rail's making my last flight a walk through a mine field.

Damn Rail to hell!

All I've ever needed was one memory block to keep a copy of documents created aboard the Rapier since I assumed command, but Rail's spent his life undermining people. He isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but he certainly knows that people keep private data caches. What if he tries to find and confiscate my memory block? Now I need to buy more memory blocks, and install them in different locations in case he's after me again. I gotta have my own data set!

Landremm unclenched his jaw and sighed heavily.

1169, Loreem 1, 09:57:59

Landremm was at the spaceport. Navy protocol required that he be present to order the class of ensigns into space. It was a formal matter and everybody was wearing their dress uniform. He stepped into a restroom to make sure his uniform was in order, and to admire himself.

He critically studied the one streak of gray in his beard. His black hair fell around his head and hung straight in a thick mass, cut to a smooth level line above his shoulders. His beard hung from the bottom ridge of his jawbone and reached back to his sideburns, it came to a point under his cleanly shaved lips. I'm not hard bodied like I was back when I fought as a student here, but I still look pretty damn good!

He examined his boots. The toes of the dress boots curved inward as if coming to a point, but the tip was cut off square, leaving a flat end about one and a half inches wide. The two inch thick heels gave him a little more height, and he needed all the height he could get. He checked that his rank and command medallions were in place on the outside of each boot, above the ankle. His dark blue uniform pants were tucked into the boots per Navy policy. Landremm made sure that his few medals were in place on his vest, glanced at the cuffs of his cream colored shirt, and adjusted his gold neck cloth. He straightened the stiff and high collar that circled his neck and held his insignia of rank, a gold representation of a triangular sail crossed by a comet, then touched each of the four buttons on his purple vest to make sure none had popped off.

He checked the shoulder fasteners for his knee length dark blue cape, then fluffed the cape out, and watched it fall back into place while muttering, You should’ve run for office instead of enlisting!

With his five cornered hat under his arm, he walked out Checking the time, he realized he was close to being late and hustled his hundred ninety pound self down the hall.

The very efficient Lieutenant Junior Grade Yrev was standing where she could see the hallway. Her blond head turned and then she headed towards him. Sir, the transport is ready to load and lift.

You have the seating assignments?

Yes, Sir.

Then once you're loaded, you're authorized to launch, pending clearance from control. Send the transport over to Fleet storage once you've boarded. Any questions?

No, Sir.

They walked together into the lounge and Ms. Yrev caused all the ensigns to hear a tone through their systems. They promptly strode over, forming rows in front of her. Nia was considerably slower than everyone else about joining the assembly.

Landremm stared at Nia while saying, half an octave lower than normal, We’ll all wait for the slacker. Everybody turned to look in the same direction Landremm was.

Embarrassed, Nia tried to pretend he didn't care.

Ms. Yrev called them to attention and everybody straightened up. She reported to Landremm that all were present and accounted for.

Landremm told them to stand at ease and studied their faces for a few seconds. Second Lieutenant Ellem will be meeting you at the lock. You'll begin regular watch standing at oh six hundred hours tomorrow. So get your gear to your staterooms and settle in. Get some sleep. Tomorrow you'll be operating like the real Navy, so enjoy your last few quiet hours tonight. You are dismissed for departure.

Ensign Nia came darting out of the group and stood squarely in front of Landremm. I don't like my duty assignment!

Landremm looked up into Nia’s eyes, softly asking, So what?

So change it!

Shut up and get on the shuttle!

Do you know who I am?

Yes. You're an insignificant ensign who thinks he's hot shit cause his uncle's an admiral. Now get on the shuttle before I have you put in the brig.

Do you have any idea what my uncle can do to you?

Landremm stared silently into Nia's eyes. Nia glared back for a second. Then, with a reddening face, took a half step back, turned, and stalked over to join the line of ensigns boarding the shuttle.

Landremm watched the people walking onto the ramp. Am I going to have to initiate a court martial? I've never brought charges against anyone before, but Nia looks like he's gonna be a real bitch to deal with. This could make for a messy end to my less than stellar career. Damn Rail to hell! And Nia!

I need to do my shopping and get home! I've got tonight with Arlleshe, then I won’t see her for half an eternity.

He watched for a few more seconds, shook himself and walked away.

Chapter Two

1169, Loreem 2, 09:28:52

There has to be something that'll steam Rail's liver every time he thinks about it! But what the hell could it be? The sonofabitch has done a fantastic job of shooting down everything I ever wanted. Like a chance in politics. He deserves to share the loss and emptiness, so how in hell do I help him do that?

Landremm’s bulk was seated immediately behind his pilot. He felt a swell of pride as he looked at his starship through the view screen.

Four hundred sixty five feet long, it spun around its long axis at about seven RPM. Most of it was one hundred ten feet in diameter. The north end was one hundred thirty feet in diameter, and was a hangar to carry auxiliary craft. It was capped by a hemisphere. There were ports on the central axis at either end where vehicles could dock to load passengers and cargo without stopping the ship's rotation.

The most noticeable features were the huge radiators, through which were generated the gravitic drive fields for accelerating to light speed. Six of them were mounted on fat stalks, evenly spaced around the hull in a set. One set at each end, a third set at the center of the hulls length. They were big, ovoid, and dull gray at the moment, but blasted out white hot light, like eighteen angry suns, when the ship was at full drive power. The ships surface had a mirror finish to reflect the intense heat emanating from the drive arrays.

The Rapier, seen from its south end, appeared to slow its rotation to a standstill and move straight toward them while the universe spun majestically around. The central port closed in on a spot below the view camera. There were some muffled clunks and the couplings were locked.

Thanks, Chief. Put it in the hangar and secure everything as soon as I'm out.

Aye aye, Sir.Landremm eased himself into the air, then over to, and through the airlocks, into the Rapier. Now Landremm began moving with a little dignity. After all, he was the captain of this ship. He was also visible to anybody that linked into the surveillance system.

He pulled himself into the ten foot diameter central column, floated sideways along the wall of the four hundred fifty foot pipe, and moved feet first into a five foot square hole. With a couple of pulls, he started himself down a ladderwell. It went straight ahead toward the center of the ship’s length and down to the outermost deck where the apparent gravity would be his normal weight.

He sort of floated down, but he was careful to keep his feet between the steel steps and the rest of himself. The off white bulkhead on his right kept nudging him and after a short distance his feet lightly contacted the steps. About then, the air was filled with two loud tones and the first officer’s alto voice declaring, Rapier, arriving!

The ladderwell descended through forty five vertical feet, broken by three pairs of emergency containment doors, confining eight feet of level landing plus pressure doors opening to lateral passageways. The farther down he went, the more firmly his feet pressed the steps. He finally carried his full weight when he stepped through a last containment door onto the quarterdeck.

On the quarterdeck all pragmatism was dropped. The twenty by thirty foot deck was covered with worn, thick, blue carpeting. The bulkheads were paneled with dark wood and the overhead was smoothly finished plaster. Lighting was indirect.

Straight across from the ladderwell, a large rectangular wooden desk sat beneath an image of the Emperor. It had three very comfortable office chairs, one behind and two in front of it. A sofa and three stuffed chairs were also on the quarterdeck.

Bulkheads carried plaques and images referencing various bits of the Rapier’s glorious history before she had been relegated to training service.

The Navy had spent eight centuries defending the Empire against no enemies. Being a Navy without a war, status and comfort were the marks of a well designed ship. Imperial starships were carpeted. They had paneled bulkheads, jacuzzis, saunas, gymnasiums, and rooms and courts for various two person physical games.

There was a swimming pool on the south end of the Rapiers second deck that circled the ships circumference with five swimming lanes. Beside the pool were six lanes of running track.

Each crew member had their own stateroom with sufficient closet space. Meals were served in lounges among the crew quarters. People could take meals to their staterooms if they wanted to eat in privacy.

It was aged and worn luxury because the ship was seventy years old, but it was still a very comfortable way to travel among the stars.

The second his foot touched deck one, another loud tone filled the air. His Officer Of The Deck and Petty Officer Of The Watch were standing at attention. They held their left thumbs flat against the center of their foreheads with all fingers folded into their flat palms in the standard imperial salute.

So did his executive officer, Lieutenant Laroo. She had a slim build, with black hair that reached halfway down her back. Her skin had a slight olive tint and her eyes always looked half closed to Landremm.

They were all wearing the Navy work uniforms, short sleeved jumpsuits. Everybody had a patch indicating rank on both shoulders and on the front of their short billed caps. Commissioned officers wore dark blue. The enlisted people wore yellow. The suits fit fairly closely with the legs tucked into black boots that reached ten inches above the heel with medallions of rank above the ankles on the outside of each boot.

Landremm casually returned the salutes as he passed through the quarterdeck.

Ms. Laroo hustled to catch up with him on the threadbare carpeting in the passageway. She moved like an athlete or a dancer, never off balance or uncoordinated. Captain, student watch standing commenced at oh six hundred as you ordered, but we have a problem. Ensign Nia. About an hour ago, an order came from Admiral Rail to assign him duties on the bridge. I'm concerned that Ensign Nia is going to try to run the whole ship with Rail's backing.

Show me the order.

Laroo reached out and twiddled on a virtual keyboard, then flipped her hand toward Landremm. Text appeared in his view.

1169/4/2 09:34:18

NAOSN: A35D29H338

Priority: C

From: Admiral Rail, Commander of His Majesty’s Naval Training Academy

To: Commanding Officer, ISS Rapier

Assign Ensign Nia to duties and responsibilities that are carried out on the bridge of the ship.

Report compliance.

Author: Rear Admiral Y. Rail

Signature: Rear Admiral Y. Rail

Verification: 88927hds98745horf934hd

Landremm glanced at it. So Rail really wants to be a pain in my ass now. That's just marvelous! Forward that to records at Fleet headquarters with my objections. Put Nia on the discriminator watch in engineering. Reply to Rail with the information that it has been forwarded.

Aye Aye, Sir. She turned and walked off.

Landremm walked into his stateroom. Dropping his travel bag and hat on the bed, he continued into his closet and stopped with his hand on a work uniform. If Rail sees that message right away, he just might get pissed enough to remove me from command before I depart!

He turned and walked out with his jaw muscles flexing. Kanda! Tell Laroo to shift the watch from the quarterdeck to the bridge!

In a high soprano voice the computer said, Yes, Sir. She has been informed.

He snatched his hat and headed out. He was reaching for his door when the warbling of an urgent call from Ensign Nia trilled.

Landremm swiped to open the connection. What is it?

I just saw the messages that were sent regarding me and you need to know that—

Landremm cut off the link with an irritated flip of his hand and reached again for the door handle.

Nia's ID flashed in front of him with the emergency call alarm screeching. Landremm re-opened the link and suppressed Nia's mic signal. While Nia was realizing that he'd been silenced and turning slightly red, Landremm made some more adjustments. Now his softly spoken words were greatly amplified into Nia's ears and Nia could do nothing about it.

He made sure he had eye contact and stared for a moment before saying, "You're not at the Academy where your uncle can fix everything you do. You're on an Imperial starship.

"Using an emergency code on a starship when there is no emergency is a felony.