Symphony Under Siege

By Stephen Hall

512 years in the future. Not your typical Thursday morning.

 

Five centuries from now, ex-navy officer Diana Singh commands the monumental luxury spaceliner the Symphony of the Stars. None of her crew knows their ship is smuggling a treasure worth millions. None of them knows which one of them is the serial killer. As Captain Singh pilots the mighty cruise ship back to base, she races to unmask the murderer in their midst before they can kill again.

 

So, not the most convenient time to be attacked by pirates...

 

"I am Captain Salazar Sharp, here to claim what is wrongfully mine!" For the flamboyant leader of the pirates, infiltrating the Symphony is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But the secret treasure that could make him and his crew filthy rich is only the beginning; his ultimate goal is a far greater prize...

 

Symphony Under Siege is a witty sci-fi adventure packed with heroic exploits, twists and turns, nail-biting cliffhangers and daring escapes. If you like rollicking, fast-paced sci-fi with a sense of humour, then you'll love this exuberant debut novel from veteran TV comedy writer Stephen Hall.

 

Buy Symphony Under Siege today and get on board the adventure!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Hall
• Release date: Sep 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9780648464013

Book preview

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 52

If you’ve enjoyed this book...

Acknowledgements

The Story Behind The Story

About The Author

Dedication

Also by Stephen Hall

Copyright notice

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Symphony Under Siege - I really hope you enjoy it.

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CHAPTER 1

512 years in the future.

A Thursday morning.

5:45 AM

In the Milky Way galaxy, somewhere in the Orion-Cygnus Arm, the endless and eternal vista of stars, stars, stars and more stars was suddenly interrupted.

An enormous, majestic spaceliner cruised through the vacuum, its immaculate white hull in dazzling contrast to its inky surrounds. This was the flagship of the FrontierLine Corporation’s fleet. This was the Symphony of the Stars, and it was ludicrously grand. Everything about the Symphony’s appearance told you it was expensive. But it told you in that arrogant, bored way, that made you feel a bit guilty about bothering it in the first place. This ship was designed, decorated and detailed to be seen, to elicit gasps of admiration from every passing onlooker. No onlookers were passing right now, of course - the ship was traversing deep space. Any gasps out here wouldn’t be from admiration; more from asphyxiation.

And yet, the ship was currently being observed. And observed rather intently...

◆◆◆

In the elegant sanctuary of her quarters, the Symphony’s captain, Diana Singh, was exhausted. She had slept fitfully last night. The events of the last few days had prevented her from escaping – however briefly – into blissfully ignorant slumber. She had been pacing her quarters for the past ten minutes, wrestling with the problem as she drank her third cappuccino, courtesy of the replicator in her kitchen.  

Despite her fatigue, her posture was rigid as she sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her eyes. The ViewWall behind her showed the glorious, infinite expanse, slowly sliding past. Space had always enthralled Captain Singh. For the past fifty years, at least. To her, space was no cold, lifeless vacuum; it was a never-ending showground – the ultimate collection of infinite wondrous possibilities, a profound and irresistible invitation. This one's a true starfarer, her mother often said. Back on earth, a thousand years ago, true seafarers were said to be ‘called by the North Star’. Diana Singh wasn't called by one star – she was called by all of them.

But right now, her mind was on other matters. She was poring over her ship's promotional brochure yet again, trying to force her regimented brain to think laterally. To open itself to any connection, association or memory, however random. She’d run out of any other ideas...

You’ve worked hard for your wealth. You appreciate The Finer Things. So do we. Welcome to luxury space cruising at its most sophisticated and opulent.

Welcome aboard the SYMPHONY OF THE STARS. You’ve earned the elegant indulgence of a lavish, all-inclusive Symphony of the Stars world-hopping experience. Design your own Symphony cruising adventure by choosing from our 4-planet, 8-planet and 12-planet cruises. There’s simply no better way to experience all the wonders of this solar system. Our ‘shore leave’ planet-fall excursions are exciting, informative and fun, with the most knowledgeable guides in the industry. They're all native to the planets you’ll be visiting, and they’ll show you all those exotic, out-of-the-way destinations that most travellers can only dream about! On your Symphony of the Stars holiday, you can do as much - or as little - as you like.

She snorted. Although she’d commanded this colossal shrine to hedonism for five years now, Diana Singh had never truly made her peace with the role. It was a cushy, by-the-numbers affair; chugging along the same route at the same velocity, with the same crew, year in and year out. The same destinations, the same empty entertainments - masked balls, cocktail receptions and dinners at the Captain’s Table with the same arrogant, entitled, soft types, time and time again.

Take in a live show in our 1,000 seat theatre!

Experience the very finest cuisine in our three award-winning restaurants, all featuring sumptuous, locally sourced delicacies from each of the worlds we visit. Join our team of sommeliers for an indulgent wine-tasting from our extensive cellar, home to over 12,000 bottles of the finest and rarest and most exotic wines, spirits and liqueurs ever assembled in this - or any other - system. Or simply relax with a drink in the stylish Shifting Sands lounge and watch the worlds go by...

Her disdain was borne of her days in the Third Offworld Navy.

Or rather her decades in the Third Offworld Navy.

As a raw recruit in her early twenties, she found the navy’s routine stifling. But eight years later, when her life fell apart, that routine was the only thing she could depend upon. She clung to the navy’s parameters and protocols. She made them her own and rose through the ranks - the steady upward arc of a textbook naval career.

If it’s relaxation and serenity you crave, the Symphony is made just for you. We have all the latest, most immersive VR therapeutic experiences, or for a more hands-on approach, pamper yourself in our indulgent and inviting Wellness Centre, where our massage therapists will make all your cares float away.

And don’t forget the Symphony’s Tranquility Forest on B Deck - home to over 10,000 trees, shrubs and plants – from Earth and elsewhere - all lovingly curated by our team of on-board horticulturists. And you’ll love getting lost in the Library, with its expertly curated collection of 20,000 books. Actual books, printed on paper! And don’t think we’ve forgotten the thrill-seekers! There are dozens of VR suites and antigrav playrooms, four rock climbing walls, three swimming pools, and the Mad Maelstrom water slide, dropping you a heart-pounding 150 metres! And for the extra adventurous, you can even suit up, step out of the airlock and take your very own Symphony Starwalk OUTSIDE THE SHIP!

She re-read the descriptions of various areas on the ship, trying to forget her own experience of them. Absently arranging and fixing her grey hair into its usual tight bun, she tried to envisage walking these well-trodden paths as though she were someone else… 

If shopping’s your thing, the Symphony is home to 22 of the biggest brands in fashion, jewellery and gifts in the entire system. Your onboard accommodation is simply second to none. Choose from 8 classes of exclusive, spacious, luxuriously appointed staterooms, all featuring fully customizable floor-to-ceiling ViewWalls. On the Symphony of the Stars, the splendour of the stars is all yours, all the time.

We take care of your every whim 24 hours a day, with award-winning personalised service from an army of discreet and caring butlers, maids, concierges and valets, all in your choice of human or Synthetic Human (latest models only). You're someone who has arrived. And yet, your journey is just beginning. This is the Symphony of the Stars - sophisticated cruising, for the discerning traveller. As The Bard says... Rich people are just like you and me - only much, much happier. Here on the Symphony, that's more than our philosophy, it's our promise to you.

… Our promise to you. She was surprised to hear herself say the words aloud. She was on the verge of making a connection, of seeing a link she hadn’t seen before. She squinted, thinking hard; something was about to fall into place…

Her coms call alert sounded, shattering her concentration.

Yes? she barked. Her First Officer’s voice came through the room’s ambient speakers.

I’m so sorry to disturb you, Captain.

Ms Bao, you know I’m not on duty for another 45 minutes?

Yes Captain, but this is important. You’re urgently required on the bridge.

Why? she sighed.

Pirates.

The word took a moment to register. 

On my way. She dressed quickly in her white, square-shouldered uniform, and dashed out of her quarters with an agility belying her 64 years. She jogged the last few metres of corridor to the Ship’s Bridge, nimbly hopping over a football-sized, crablike maitbot busily repairing a hole in the carpet.

Arriving on the bridge, she nodded a perfunctory greeting to her Second Officer, Mr Ortega.

Any other crew up yet?

No, Captain. All crew members currently in their quarters, all Synthetic Humans powered down.

Thank you, Mr Ortega. Let’s keep this to ourselves for the moment, shall we? No need to alarm anyone else - they’re jittery enough already.

The young man nodded obediently.

Captain Singh turned to her First Officer. She didn’t care much for Ms Bao; she’d always seen her as a tongue-tied sycophant. She was hardworking and devoted to duty, certainly. But a tongue-tied sycophant, nevertheless. 

Ms Bao, what can you tell me?

CHAPTER 2

512 years in the future.

A Thursday morning.

5:45 AM

Just beyond the range of the Symphony’s scanners, another ship was following, mirroring its velocity and course. From a distance, it looked like a beat-up old freighter, built to haul heavy cargo on short interworld trips. But closer inspection revealed its many blast marks, its hastily replaced panels and parts… and its weaponry. This was no ordinary cargo barge. This ship looked like all its battle scars had taught it a lesson, and it was damn sure it was going to win the next fight. Four plasma cannons - angled North, South, East and West - jutted out from its keel. Three Destroyer-class energy mortars were mounted on its port side, matched by three to starboard. They were flanked by two arrays of four SPR seeker missiles. A large section of the ship’s Cargo Hold had been converted into a bomb bay and fitted with six torpedo tubes. To add to the air of menace, someone had welded dozens of knife-like metal protrusions onto the ship’s hull and finished it with a paint job that suggested spattered blood. A lot of spattered blood.

This terrifying spectacle, this waking nightmare, this harbinger of violent death from the stars, was the infamous pirate ship known as the Cheeky Albert.

◆◆◆

Inside, the Cheeky Albert’s crew had assembled in the communal area, summoned by their leader, Salazar Sharp.

Salazar Sharp was your typical 39-year-old, flamboyantly dressed, heavily scarred, orange-haired, revenge-obsessed space pirate captain. He was well-versed in robbery, combat, kidnapping, extortion, forgery, and a dozen forms of weaponry. He was greedy, he was amoral, and he was an adrenalin junkie. A life of pillaging and fighting, of pursuing and being pursued, had taken its toll - a broken bone here, a scar there. Another scar there. And there, there… oh, and also there. In fact, his face had been so badly cut up in various knife fights over the years, its scars outnumbered its actual features. This did occasionally come in handy, however, when he preferred not to be recognized by certain former associates. Despite his alarming appearance and gravelly voice (a souvenir from a failed throat-cutting attempt), Salazar Sharp retained a certain rebellious charm, which made it easy for him to recruit new crew members, and hard for them to leave. He would never call them friends, though.

If he had any sentimental feelings, he reserved them for Maggie. Maggie was five years old now, and she went everywhere with Salazar. She was playful and inquisitive, she had twitchy, triangular ears and her favourite food was dragonflies.

Maggie was Salazar’s pet fox, and the mascot of his ship.  

Maggie sat contentedly at Salazar’s feet now, and the ship’s First Mate, Jiang - a young woman with a long black ponytail and pierced ears, eyebrows, nose and tongue - stood to his right, as he addressed the crew.  

Look alive, everybody! he yelled. Today is the day. If all goes according to plan, two hours from now, every person aboard this ship will be very, very rich. Quinn? Can you hear me back there?

Aye Cap’n! came a woman’s voice from the bridge. Quinn was the Albert’s pilot, and she needed to stay at the controls, to ensure that they stayed on course and undetected… until Salazar gave the word.

"Good. As you all know, the Symphony of the Stars has been of special interest to me for a very long time now. Jiang and I have done a lot of homework on this ship, on its captain, and on its secret cargo. Although, it’s not a secret from us, is it?" 

Smiles broke out on the ten faces watching their captain. They were definitely waking up now.

We all know exactly what that cargo is worth...

Some of the crew nudged each other, as greed bubbled through their veins.

"And today, ladies and gentlemen… WE WILL RELIEVE THE SYMPHONY OF THAT CARGO!"

A cheer burst from the crew, startling Maggie. She darted behind Salazar’s legs as he waited for the hubbub to die down.

But hear this… this raid is to be as peaceful as possible. This is a cruise ship, a soft target. Its crew are just waiters and maids. A couple of them may have weapons, but they won’t have the knowhow - or the guts - to use them. So you are to avoid any casualties.

From Salazar’s side, First Mate Jiang asked; Gotmund? Did you get that?

A brawny, blond mountain of a man at the back of the room nodded seriously. He was disappointed. Gotmund was the muscles of the crew, and he loved employing his incredible brute strength in fighting. Whether it was gunplay or hand-to-hand combat, he always won, and that made him feel good. A simple pleasure, but Gotmund was a simple man. He sighed and accepted that he’d still be able to put his strength to good use in shifting the cargo.

Yes, Gotmund said.

Say it back to me, Jiang said.

Avoid any casualties, Gotmund said forlornly.

Good, Gotmund, good, said Jiang. Cap’n?

Salazar nodded. "So, you all know what happens next; I’ll contact the Captain of the Symphony, I’ll tell her we will dock with her ship, we will enter their Cargo Hold, we will take their cargo and we will leave with it. She’ll protest and try to take evasive action. They won’t be able to beat our superior speed, maneuverability and the most excellent piloting work of Quinn..."

Thank you, Cap’n, Quinn barked from the ship’s bridge.

… and we will have them. If she voices any objections, a warning shot or two should clarify her thinking. What type of ordnance do you suggest?

He addressed the question to Fletcher, a wiry, shaven-headed young woman, who wore two pistols on her hips, another on her thigh, and a rifle slung over her back. Although her official role in the Albert’s crew was ‘weapons expert’, a more accurate description would be ‘weapons fanatic.’ She seriously loved her work.

I’d say a couple of rounds from the plasma cannons across the bow, then I’d follow that with four little proton disruptor stingers glancing off the port side aft, four off the starboard side and two more just grazing their bridge. That’ll show ‘em we mean business.

Thank you, Fletcher, Salazar replied, raising his eyebrows. Of course, we’ll halve those numbers. This will ensure that Captain Singh’s in a reasonable frame of mind, and she will then allow us to enter via the Docking Bay -

Jiang interrupted; Sorry Cap’n, just to check… Quinn, do you foresee any problems with the docking procedure?

Negatory. Quinn’s language was as much a product of her military background as her headwear. She wore a purple beret, whose central badge featured a star crossed by two dripping daggers. Although they’d never seen her without it, Quinn steadfastly refused to answer any questions about it.

Salazar continued the briefing.

Two crew members at the back of the group were not paying attention. The tall, pale man - Karlsen - was listening to the high-pitched voice of his skinny, moustachioed best friend Worrell, outlining his plans for his share of the loot.

"Well, not so much a mansion… more a palace, really. They’ve got all these beautiful grand palaces built into cliffs overlooking the sea, from 500 years ago or something. On the Northern continent. I can’t believe you don’t know the waterworld Fontora. It’s even one of the Symphony’s destinations!"

Sorry, said Karlsen.

Well, I forgive you, mate - I’ll even let you come and visit! Hey, why don’t you buy a palace there too? We can be neighbours!

In a beautiful grand palace next door to your beautiful grand palace? asked Karlsen.

Well, yes! In a beautiful grand palace next door to my beautiful grand palace!

Karlsen laughed. He’d always found Worrell’s enthusiasm contagious - ever since their school days, when crueller kids would call him Well Well Worrell, because of that noticeable vocal tic.

Well, when we make this haul, Worrell continued, you and I can buy anything we want. Any. Thing. The only limit is your imagination! Think big, Karlsen!

Karlsen nodded. As The Bard says, ‘My favourite amount of anything is’…

Worrell completed the quote with him; …‘TOO MUCH’!

Karlsen looked around the room at his crewmates - at Vasquez, Underwood, Devereux and AJ. By the end of the day, they’d all be filthy rich. Each of them would have more loot than they could spend in five lifetimes. He couldn’t wait.

First Mate Jiang took over the briefing, running final pre-raid checks.

Fletcher, she called, do all crew members have fully charged weapons, and spare ordnance?

Aye. She patted her own guns lovingly as she adjusted her bandolier.

"Devereux, do you have all the codes and protocols needed to access the Symphony’s Docking Bay, Cargo Hold, and all doors in between?"

Aye, came the answer from the crew’s expert safecracker and lockpick.

Underwood! Cap’n says we don’t expect too much trouble, but you have your full field medikit, just in case?

Aye, said the crew’s middle-aged, weary-eyed medico, sweeping her grey-blonde hair away from her eyes, and patting the shoulder bag she wore over her bandolier.

AJ? Good to go?

Good to go, barked the handsome, blue-haired mechanic AJ, patting his three tool belts.

First Mate Jiang turned her attention to the ship’s cook - a portly, sweating man in his late thirties. 

And finally, Vasquez! This is a big day, and we all have a lot of work to do - do all crew have full bellies?

They do indeed! Vasquez boomed, smiling wide and showing his three gold teeth.

Salazar had picked up Maggie and was now stroking her.

Oh, one more thing, he said. Once we’re aboard, you all know where to meet if I need to call a three-fourteen?

There were general affirmative noises.

Good. Any questions? Yes, Gotmund?

Cap’n, I know you said no casualties… but how do you feel about injuries?

Salazar gave a non-committal shrug.

Gotmund smirked as another crew member’s hand shot up.

Yes? Karlsen?

How will you spend your share, Cap’n?

I’ll think about that once we’ve got it back here, he smiled. Now, unless there are any other questions…?"

There weren’t.

Good luck, everyone... He looked each of his crew members quickly in the eye, as he milked the pause... Now let’s GET RICH!

Another covetous cheer went up from the crew, as Salazar and Jiang joined Quinn on the bridge, where she was closely monitoring the console in front of her. 

It’s time, said Salazar. Let them see us.

Quinn gently nudged the controls, and the Cheeky Albert smoothly surged forward and into the range of the Symphony’s scanners.

Salazar and Jiang exchanged anxious looks. The mighty cruise ship would surely be hailing them in minutes, if not seconds….

Salazar took a deep breath, considering all the planning he’d done to bring them to this point. He cradled Maggie in his arms, absently tickling her behind the ears.

They waited.

A minute passed.

Maggie grew restless and wriggled in Salazar’s arms. He put her down, and she scampered off down a corridor.

Another minute passed. It seemed slower than the first one.

"They can definitely see us?" Jiang asked.

Yep, the pilot assured her. We’re well in range of their scanners.

A third, separate, different minute passed. What was taking them so long? Salazar had spent a lot of time studying Captain Diana Singh, and he was certain she’d have been onto them before this.

Less than a minute later, four minutes had passed, and he was beginning to wonder if he’d misjudged Captain Singh. He was about to ask Jiang’s opinion when a voice crackled over the Albert’s speakers.

"Unidentified craft, this is Captain Diana Singh of the civilian cruise ship Symphony of the Stars. Please state your name, cargo and destination."

Salazar exhaled. ‘Here goes….’

CHAPTER 3

512 years in the future.

A Thursday morning.

5:50 AM

On the CheekyAlbert’s bridge, Captain Singh’s voice came through loud and clear: Please state your name, cargo and destination.

Salazar took a deep breath. "Open the channel, Quinn. Audio only. I don’t want her to see me just yet. State our name? Why, Diana! Are you telling me you don’t recognise the universally feared and dreaded pirate ship known as the Cheeky Albert?"

I’m afraid not. She looked at First Officer Ms Bao, who shrugged. To whom do I have the honour of speaking?

"I am Salazar Sharp, Dashing and Handsome Captain of the Cheeky Albert! Soldier of Fortune, Plunderer of Riches, Fighter of Fights and Breaker of Hearts, Scourge of the Stars, and Devoted Pet Owner."

I see.

I am Captain Salazar Sharp, here to claim what is wrongfully mine.

She paused for a second, to make sure he’d finished.

Right. I am Diana Singh, captain of -

"- the civilian cruise ship Symphony of the Stars, he interrupted. I know. You’ve been in command there for five years now. The FrontierLine Corporation coaxed you away from the Third Offworld Navy, where your distinguished career stretched back some 40 years and saw you honoured with the Order of the Blue Star for exemplary bravery and the prestigious Cross of the Three Navies."

Captain Singh was uneasy - how did he know so much about her?

It would appear you have the advantage of me, Captain Sharp. I must ask you again to please state your cargo and destination.

"Cargo? We don’t currently have any cargo on board, Diana, but rest assured, I do plan to rectify that. Which brings me to your second question; our destination is your Cargo Hold. My crew and I will be docking with your ship shortly, making our way to your Hold, and relieving you of the cargo