Incursion: The Corporate Wars, #5

By R Thomas McPherson

The Corporate Wars are spinning out of control.

An unidentified fleet is destroying corporate home worlds and is blaming the Wilson Corporation. Rick Thompson starts an investigation to find out who is responsible.

Can Rick find who's responsible and put an end to the corporate wars before humanity destroys itself? Find out in,

Incursion,

Book Five,

The Corporate Wars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Atlantic Industries
• Release date: May 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223985204

Book preview

Chapter 1 Preparation

W ow, said Rick. He was amazed at the size of the cavern. However, he didn’t know why he was stunned. Falcon was a mining corporation. The excavation of massive amounts of rock was what they did for a living. This area would make an excellent flight deck for the coming alien visitors.

The problem was that the entrance needed to be bigger. There was barely enough room for Rick's shuttle to get in. The entryway would need a lot more space for the size of ships needing to get in.

Rick made a list of the structural problems that needed to be handled as they walked around the hangar with Frank Davis. Frank was the mining foreman responsible for the construction of the hangar.

We are going to need more support columns. And we are going to need to handle the entrance. Wilson will get a construction battalion here to help you out. Our friends should arrive soon, and we must have this ready.

I understand that Sir, but we are a mining operation. We are lacking a little expertise.

I understand that. That is why Wilson will help you out with that aspect. Different subject, did you receive the shipment of Methane-Hydrate?

Yes, Sir, we did. We got fifteen hundred liters and instructions on how to deploy them on the dome of the landing bay.

That’s good. Before Rick could say anything else, Goliath came running up.

Sir, may I have a word with you? The way he came up to Rick told him that this was a matter of importance.

Mr. Davis, we will have to pick this up later. I'll let you know when we can have the construction crews come in and help out.

Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir.

As they walked back to the shuttle, Goliath said, Sir, the Admiral wants me to get you back to the ship as soon as possible.

Did he say why? If Ted wanted him back on the ship, then something happened that needed his attention. Do we have any idea what’s going on?

No, but he did say it was urgent. The only thing he did say was 'not over an open channel.' I got the feeling that something bad has or is about to happen.

Well then, we better get back. I guess we will find out when we land. Onward. There was an air of expectation. In Rick's mind, he went over all the things that could happen. Yet everything he thought of, there was nothing he could do to stop any of them.

Rick stopped his mind from spinning. He would know what to do once he discovered the problem. Rick sat back and watched the shuttle land.

Ted was standing at the hatch and skipped the formalities and said, Come on! There was a sense of urgency as Ted headed to his office. Rick was hard-pressed to keep up with Ted. Ted used a brisk walk or a slow trot; Rick needed to figure out which.

As they made it to Ted's office, Rick closed the hatch while Ted gave orders to the command deck to jump to Braxis.

Before Rick even had a chance to sit down, Ted said, The Wilson Corporation has attacked the Chippewa Corp at New Falls.

What? Rick was shocked at the news. Hobbs would never initiate an attack like that. There is no formal declaration of war.

I agree, but you need to see this. Ted sat behind the computer and started typing on the keyboard. This is being shown all across the Conglomeration. As Ted spoke, the screen came down, and the video started. It showed Wilson ships hurling asteroids down on the planet of New Falls. This wasn't an attack; it was an extinction event.

Oh my God, said Rick. He couldn’t believe that anyone could do something like this. Does Hobbs know about this?

Yes, it was Hobbs that sent this to me, said Ted. With orders to get back to Braxis as soon as possible.

We need to contact all the captains in the network and get them to New Falls!

Rick! yelled Ted to get his attention. There is nothing left of New Falls! Then in a softer voice, We do not believe that Wilson had anything to do with this. So now it is time to put your investigator hat on and figure out who did this.

Rick thought about that: Ted was right. This was a crime. Rick had to detach himself and look at it as such. Who was the suspect, and what was the motive? All right, if we didn't do this, then who did? Let’s look at the video again.

Ted started to play the video, and within moments, Rick said, Hold. Those are Wilson ships, but they are missing something. Rick could tell something was wrong but couldn't point out what it was.

It was Ted that came up with the answer. These ships are missing the registry numbers.

You are going to have to explain that one. What are the registry numbers?

It’s part of the Conglomeration treaty. In short, it's so you know whom you are dealing with. For Wilson, the two most common are W.C.M. followed by six numbers. And W.I.T. followed by five."

Yeah, said Rick. But what does that mean?

The first letter is the Name of the Corporation. The second letter is the type of ship, indicating whether it is a corporate or independent ship. The last letter is what the ship is used for. Military, Commercial, or Transport. The numbers are just for cataloging purposes.

I see. So a W.I.T. would be a Wilson Independent Transport.

You got it, said Ted.

So these are unregistered ships?

Yeah, that would be my guess.

Then there is only one place they could have come from, said Rick. Collier.

I knew we hadn’t heard the last of that bastard.

Yeah, but I don’t think it was Steve.

What makes you say that? said Ted.

Because he headed out into deep space and left everything behind. As Hobbs put it, he was possessed by a demon. Whoever is behind this has an interest in local affairs.

Ridges?

Yeah, said Rick. That's what I'm thinking. This is only a guess and just between you and me. I think Ridges found Collier's shipyard and took over the fleet to replace the ships he lost to us. The trouble is that we need to prove it. And that brings me to why the Chippewa Corp and New Falls?

Ted started typing again. Their major export is refined plasesteel. The asteroid belt around New Falls has all the raw materials needed to produce refined plasesteel.

Isn’t that used to make ship hulls?

Yes, it is, said Ted.

Then there is a logic behind the attack. Ridges is trying to cripple production and blame Wilson.

Cripple, or take over production. Everything needed is in that asteroid belt. To take over production, you must take out anyone trying to defend it.

Okay, let's assume you are right; wouldn't they need a foundry? asked Rick.

Every shipyard I know of has a small foundry. It’s usually used for making small or specialized parts. However, it could be used for larger projects; it would take a little longer.

Okay. Rick thought about the information. I need to talk to Langston as soon as we get back to Braxis.

All right, but why would you want to do that? Didn't he say he didn't know where the shipyard was?

Yes, he did. But I'm betting that he knows something without realizing that he knows. At worst, I waste a little time. If I'm right, he might give us a clue leading us to the shipyard. Look, I believe him when he said Collier didn't tell him. What I'm looking for is something out of the ordinary. Something he may not have realized at the time.

I see, said Ted. Well, I hope you find something soon.

We need to get a coded message out to the network of Captains. Tell them it was not Wilson, and we are trying to find out who framed us.

Yes, Sir, but I don’t know how much good it will do. Wilson is being discredited at every turn.

Yeah, I know. And that is exactly what a Croth agent would do. That's why I believe it is Ridges behind this.

You want me to put that in the message? said Ted.

No. Not yet; we can't accuse him without some proof.

"You know it’s Ridges.

No, we don't, said Rick. How do we know it wasn't some other Corporation that had a grudge against Wilson that just happened to run across the shipyard? Rick paused a moment. I just thought of something. Where is Dan?

Dan Fenwick, he is on the Ares with Jennings.

Good when we get back to Braxis, have them recalled. I need to talk to Dan.

Why? said Ted.

Because he might still have contacts in Rossom. We might be able to get a lead or a clue. If nothing else, we might be able to get confirmation that it was or was not Ridges.

I hope he can. Dan and everyone that joined us have been branded as traitors.

I know, said Rick, "But we are under a time crunch here. Thang and his people will be arriving in seven days. We need to end this, or at the very least, find out who is responsible for what is happening.

"Yeah, we do. Once we arrive in orbit around Braxis, I’ll let Langston know you are coming to see him.

In the meantime, I must make apologies to my wife. This was supposed to be a working holiday, and I will have cut it short.

Rick, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I have known Nancy long enough to know that she cares about people. What she is doing helps the people. I think that is why she likes you so much. Both men laughed. But seriously, she understands we are in the middle of a bad situation. Everything revolves around you.

You make it sound like I’m the king of the universe. Everything does not revolve around me?

"No, I don’t look at it that way, but you are at the center. And you know it.

While he hated to admit it, he had been at the center of events as they unfolded. Partly because Hobbs put him there, but mostly because he needed to know; this started when he went to Collier’s house and saved his life. He didn’t need to go with the security team, but his demand to know drove him forward.

Once the planet of Pacifica was bombed, Rick’s sense of justice demanded that he know who was responsible. His need to know led to Nash. Rick was willing to risk his life to put Nash on trial. It was his courage that put him at the center of events. His demand for justice led people. Still, it was his need to know that drove him forward.

That pushed Rick to follow the evidence and find out who was destroying the labs. It wasn’t until they captured Collier that he found out who the real perpetrators were, the Aliens.

His need to know led him to first contact with the Croth, his need to know what this alien race was all about.

While Hobbs had sent Rick in to rescue Estey, Rick’s need to know got both sides of the Rossom, McTech conflict to work together. Rick wanted to know why Rossom would turn on an ally. He finally discovered that it was a Croth agent controlling Ridges.

There were many people involved, but it was Rick’s words and desire to help people that everyone responded to. Everyone had been telling Rick that he was at the center of everything, and maybe they were right. It didn’t mean that he had to like it.

It’s good that Nancy knows it as well, continued Ted. Talk to her. She will be disappointed, but she will understand.

Rick thought about that. There were times when Nancy had a medical emergency she had to attend to and ended up breaking their plans. Yes, Rick was disappointed, but he understood. Her profession was vital to her. Because it was important to her, it was important to him.

Nancy knew the importance of what he was doing and never once complained when Rick would take off and be gone for a day or two. She was never jealous, and Rick realized he had a good woman. He decided that he would do everything he could to keep her. Yeah, I guess you’re right.

You know I’m right, said Ted.

Well, I guess I better tell her what’s going on, said Rick.

Good luck, said Ted as Rick left the office.

Chapter 2 News

On the way to his quarters , Rick thought about how to break the news to Nancy.

As he walked into their cabin, Nancy was packing. She saw the look on his face and said, Okay. What’s wrong?

We are going to have to cancel the trip, said Rick with a sad voice.

I thought we still had a few days before you had to start getting ready for the alliance?

We do, but something has come up, and I have to get to work now.

Nancy stopped what she was doing and sat on the bed. So, tell me, what is going on?

Rick sighed and said, Nothing good. I can assure you. He paused, and Nancy gave him a look he recognized. It was the one she used when she wanted to say, are you going to tell me? It made Rick smile. That only infuriated Nancy. Okay, we are in a situation where it is believed that Wilson has attacked New Falls in the Chippawa Corporation.

Rick expected her to react with shock. Instead, she asked, What leads do you have?

This conversation led Rick to believe that Nancy knew him better than he knew her. None yet. I need to talk to a few people first.

Well then, I guess I better finish packing your bag. Rick looked over at the bed and saw his clothes ready to go into the bag.

You knew? It was Rick’s turn to be shocked.

I didn’t know. I suspected. We left Valance a day early. Knowing you the way I do, something was going on. I didn’t know what that something was until you told me.

I’m sorry about ducking out on our trip. I know you wanted to go to Odisume.

Nancy seemed angry. Rick, stop that right now. Both of our lives have been dedicated to helping people. I can’t stop you from being who you are. The truth is that I wouldn’t want to. If you change who you are, you wouldn’t be the man I love.

The lights dimmed and came back up. I guess that means we are in orbit around Braxis. It’s time for me to go to work. I need to go down to the planet. I should be home in time for dinner.

How many times have I heard that? said Nancy with a giggle.

What do you mean by that?

It means I won’t hold dinner. The last time you said you went to Anteagan, I didn’t see you until the next day.

Fair enough. Yet it was not like I intended for that to happen.

You never intended for it to happen; it just does.

"I got to go. I’ll talk to you when I get