Destroyer: The Mutineers: Starship Series, #5

By Ken McConnell

Captain Vance, still plagued by the ill-effects of a poison dart from a mission to Declo, now faces a crew torn apart by their desire to return to Federation space and completing their mission of finding fugitive Trin Lestor and the Bluestar. Crew alliances shift as Vance makes one last, desperate attempt to repair their tunnel drive so they can get home. It's a mutiny in deep space as the military fleets of two planets battle to destroy the SS Truxtun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ken McConnell
• Release date: Feb 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393320944

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was mutiny, plain and simple. No matter how hard Lieutenant Cullers tried to couch what they were planning as being for the better good of the ship; it was still an act of rebellion against the captain’s authority. It was still a crime punishable by death. They were all officers of the Federation, on a Federation starship, on a lawful mission to find an escaped felon, and bring her to justice. As such, they still had orders to fire on, and destroy the Blue Star, formally the Black Star; a transport ship wanted for pirating. The only thing they really had going for them was the perceived insanity of their captain.

A year ago, Captain Vance had been hit by a poisonous dart that should have killed him. He survived and managed to fight off the ill affects of the poison. But ever since that fateful mission to the planet Declo, he had never really been the same man.

The SS Truxtun was now in the sixth year of a one year mission to the Ostrov System to find the Blue Star and her captain, Trin Lestor. In that time, they had seen the Star once and she had managed to give them the slip. They had found and subsequently killed the Star’s First Mate; Spinnaker, on the planet Declo. In six years of constant searching, they had never once laid eyes on Trin Lestor. Cullers was beginning to suspect the woman was either dead or had abandoned the Star and left the system. Her trail had gone cold in the last eight months and despite the Captain’s promises that they were getting closer, they were in fact not any closer to finding her then when they first arrived in the seven planet system.

How can a captain justify his mission indefinitely? They were isolated in the Ostrov system due to a broken tunnel drive. There was no way to make it back to Federation space, even if they had found Lestor and destroyed her ship. It was in the crew’s best interest to spend their energies fixing the tunnel drive so they could return home. Not to chase after a convict that for all they knew was either long gone or long dead.

Cullers was the most loyal to the Captain, other than his Executive Officer Commander Boxer.  The mutineers hadn’t even bothered trying to approach Boxer, but Cullers was still in play. Having tried to pull of a mutiny without him last time, Gran Baio saw an opening when he heard Cullers questioning the Captain’s motivations in the galley a few weeks before the takeover.

* * *

Baio slowed to a stop outside the entrance of the galley and quietly eavesdropped on a conversation between the Cook and the Chief Engineer, Cullers.

I don’t know, Seif. He’s just not the same man after coming back from Declo. I wonder if that poison did something to him?

Seif sat down beside Cullers with a cup of coffee for himself. He never joined the officers in the mess, but when they came to him with their problems after a shift, he made an exception.

What has he done now?

Nothing in particular. It’s just how he’s been acting lately; curt and to the point. He doesn’t just talk with anyone anymore like he used to.

Seif nodded and took a sip. I’ve noticed that too. He used to come talk to me, like we’re doing, after his shift or maybe if he couldn’t sleep, but he hasn’t come by once in a month now.

Cullers nodded, See, stuff like that. He’s also stopped nagging me about the tunnel drive. I mean repairing that should be our number one priority at this point, but instead, he’s still going forward with plans to go to Ostrov just to look for her.

That particular obsession of his has deepened since Declo, Seif agreed.

Seif leaned over to him and looked around to make sure the room was empty. If you ask me, I blame that red headed woman.

Sadie?

Seif nodded. She’s trouble. Got Boxer all wrapped around her finger and now she’s working her evil ways on the Captain.

Cullers gave him a skeptical glance. I don’t think she’s evil. But I agree, she’s up to something.

Never trust a ginger, that’s one of my rules to live by.

Cullers shook his head and finished his coffee. You’ve been scrubbing your pots and pans too hard, mister. Lay off the chemical cleaner.

Seif raised his nose at Cullers as he stood up and put his mug in the galley sink before leaving. In the hallway, Cullers bumped into Baio. Oh, excuse me, Cullers said. Baio just nodded and went on about his way to berthing.

A single knock at Jamison’s door and it opened. What?

I think we may have an opening with Cullers.

Jamison stood back and let Baio squeeze by him into the private room.

I just overheard Cullers telling the cook that he thought the captain was acting weird. We might want to approach him again on our, plans.

Jaye Jamison was in is late sixties, short hair, mostly gray going on white. Are you sure you’re talking about Lieutenant Cullers, from Engineering?

Baio nodded firmly. He wasn’t kidding.

Jamison took the cue and changed his tone. Okay, let’s corner him tonight.

* * *

Cullers had just gotten off duty and was heading to his cabin when two officers cut him off and redirected him into a room just off the galley. The room was used for storing canned food and other supplies that didn’t require refrigeration.

Cullers had unconsciously balled his fists in anticipation of an assault. The last time he had tangled with Jamison and Baio, he had them sent to the brig for attempted mutiny. He could feel his pulse racing as they shut the door behind them. Both senior officers stared at him with serious expressions and folded arms.

Lieutenant, we’d like to have a word with you. If you don’t mind? Baio asked.

Cullers eyed them both suspiciously before nodding his consent.

We want to talk to you about the Captain.

Cullers shook his head and tried to dismiss the thought. Guys, he’s not doing anything that warrants a revolt.

Jamison looked at Baio. Baio put his arms down and took a step towards the younger officer. Look, we’ve been in this system for going on six years now. That’s five times longer than our original mandate from the Federation. We should  have found her by now. This system ain’t that big. We’re never going to find Lestor.

She’s either dead or she’s left the area, kid. Jamison finished.

There wasn’t a good defense for staying in the Ostrov system any longer. Cullers knew that; it was the one thing that nagged at him nearly every day.

Don’t you think I know that, gentlemen? Just how in the hell are we supposed to return to Federation space without a working tunnel drive? It would take us a decade at full speed.

Jamison stepped closer, eclipsing Baio. The comms aren’t really broken. We could signal the Fleet to send help.

What makes you think the comms aren’t as dead as the drive?

Jamison cocked his eyebrow. We ain’t stupid, kid. We know he had you disable them.

Cullers looked down, a sure sign that he was lying about the comms status. Baio took another step closer. His voice lowered in volume to a conspiratorial whisper. We can take the ship when he leaves for Ostrov. You can fix the comms, and we’ll send for help. It will only take the Fleet a few months to send a ship with repair parts for the drive. When they get here, we’ll let them decide what to do with the Captain.

Cullers looked back up at Baio. It’s still mutiny. When we get back we could all be put on trial for our efforts.

I’d rather take my chances with the Fleet than stay here with a crazy-ass captain, Jamison said.

Cullers looked both men in the eyes and then said, He has been acting a bit strange since coming back from Declo. Maybe he’s still sick from that poison?

Jamison’s eyebrow cocked. Perhaps we can get the Doctor to agree he’s unfit for duty? He made it seem like a simple proposition, so simple that Cullers nearly fell for it.

No. I’m afraid it’s not that easy. We’d need Commander Boxer to approve any action by the Chief Medical Officer regarding the Captain’s health.

But if she’s off the ship, that falls on me, Jamison said.

Cullers shook his head slowly. No, I don’t think she’d agree to it and she’s not technically out of reach, either.

Jamison put his hands on his hips and sighed in disgust. Baio took over, his voice still low. After you fix the comms, we could contact Fleet HQ directly for guidance. But if the comms stay down, I don’t see any other way to proceed.

Cullers took a step back and ran up against a shelf. Look, I see what you’re doing here. You’re trying to get me to agree with your plans to mutiny. It didn’t work at gunpoint, what makes you think I’d agree to it in a closet?

As the last words left his mouth, Cullers realized how stupid he sounded. They had him alone in a damn closet. Two against one.

The look in Jamison’s dark eyes was enough to send a chill down Cullers’ spine. Was he about to be murdered so that they could proceed with their ship takeover? Surely they would wait until the Captain had left the ship.

Baio put up his open hands defensively. We’re just talking, Lieutenant. Nobody’s taking any action.

Yet, anyway, Jamison added as both of them stepped out of the way to let Cullers leave. Cullers walked past both officers. As he was about to open the closet door, Jamison said, Don’t mention this to anyone, lieutenant.

Cullers started to turn around but didn’t.

* * *

The next day Cullers was in Engineering early on in his shift when he got a call from the captain to come to the bridge. Cullers had a few minutes to ponder what was up as he walked the length of the destroyer and then up a floor to the first level.

The bridge appeared normal when he stepped out of the lift and headed for the Captain’s chair. Vance was looking forward at the main viewer which showed the blue green orb that was the planet Ostrov. Cullers noticed that neither Jamison or Baio were on duty. That seemed odd to him.

Cullers came to the Captain’s side and drew his salute. Lieutenant Cullers reporting as ordered, sir.

The action drew a few curious looks from other crewmen as he waited for the Captain to return the salute. Customs and courtesies had largely been dropped by the crew at the request of Captain Vance. Everyone’s uniforms were threadbare at best and most had switched to locally purchased civilian clothes.

Vance was wearing dark pants and a black, loose fitting shirt. His beard had grown in again and this time he let it be scraggy, without trimming it to Federation standards. He waved off the salute and turned his chair around to face Cullers.

Cullers was one of a handful of crewmen who continued to wear his mended gray duty uniform. His boyish face was clean shaven. He looked younger and acted older than he actually was.

As ease, Vance said warmly.

Cullers relaxed and followed Vance’s gaze to the main screen.

We’re prepping the shuttle for an extended stay on Ostrov. Through a contact of Sadie’s we’ve found someone who claims to have known Trin Lestor. It’s the best lead we’ve had so far and I can’t let it pass us by.

Cullers looked at Vance and saw the thin lines of gray starting to tinge his beard. The captain was in his mid thirties and already graying. Cullers wished he had gray hair sometimes, if only for the respect it would afford him with certain individuals. He never seemed to look a day over fourteen, himself.

Who’s this person, sir?

A professor named Len Tokay. Sadie says he’s a propulsion engineer of some sort. One of their top starship designers.

Sounds like someone I’d love to meet, sir, Cullers casually offered.

Vance looked at him in thought for a moment.

"If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, you’d be correct. I do intend to ask him about our tunnel drive needs. The technology is beyond their abilities but the manufacturing tolerances are close