Shadowed Passage, page 1
Shadowed Passage
Argosy Realm, Volume 2
Al Onia
Published by Al Onia, 2022.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
SHADOWED PASSAGE
First edition. March 28, 2022.
Copyright © 2022 Al Onia.
Written by Al Onia.
Also by Al Onia
Argosy Realm
Barnacle Passage
Shadowed Passage
Jake Nourth
The Fourth Vertex
The Third Redux
Watch for more at Al Onia’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Al Onia
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
Epilogue
Other ebooks by Al Onia | Javenny | Transient City | Rogue Town | The Sixth Helix
About the Author
Thanks to Sandra and Mike for reading the early version and urging me forward.
Chapter 1
Argosy Station – In jumpspace standard, Argosy Realm's nearest hub to the Bohr Confluence, providing Realm-Confluence exchange in goods and services. Jumpship maintenance and refit facility. In accordance with the peace terms negotiated between Bohr Confluence and Argosy Realm, control will pass from solely Realm oversight to joint governance. Transfer to occur with the arrival of the Frigate Rickover under Admiral Wolfe Rowland's command. See hyperlink for evaluation for strategic strengths and weaknesses.
Confluence Navy Brief.
Carver Denz knew he was suffering a jumpspace nightmare. In reality, the Rickover provided barnacle passage for his small ship and the one he'd been commissioned to protect. In the spook dimension dream he struggled to protect himself. The part of his brain in real time and space recognised the illusion but it didn't diminish the primal fear for his life.
He fought back against the knife-wielding attacker. He blocked the blade with his forearms, risking non-fatal cuts over a deadly gut slice.
The attacker's face was hidden behind a fogged visor. Carver pushed away. An alarm rang, distracting his nightmare assailant. Carver drifted up, arms spread like an angel's wings. His assailant sunk lower and away from sight and mind.
Carver's transition from jumpspace dreams to hit-the-deck-moving was sudden. Normal gradual waking from jumpsleep had been bypassed. On his back in the cryo coffin, he recognized acceleration pressure. Disoriented but stirred into action by the continuing klaxon, he pushed up from the coffin as it emerged from its cubbyhole in his ship.
Carver performed an inelegant roll over the edge. The two-person ship's deck frosted his bare knees and palms. The liquid in his lungs crystallized on the icy deck then evaporated within the Crossed Swords.
De-barnacling alarms rang with an incessant shrill. A verbal cry roared once. "Under fire." It wasn't repeated.
Who or what was under attack? Not the Crossed Swords, or he'd be breathing void instead of pressurized air. Carver pulled himself to the pilot chair and coughed out the remaining deepsleep fluid onto his lap. He heard a repeat of his phlegm-clearance from behind. His shipmate and business partner, DualE, was awake.
"Remind me again why I signed up for this?" she rasped.
"You were bored with naval administrative purgatory." Carver fought down nausea. "I feel like two kilos of crap in a one kilo sack. Now remind me why I'm here."
His colleague braced herself upright, her tall muscular form undisguised by the cryo flimsuit. DualE's military bearing frothed to the surface, cryo-lag or not. She took the second pilot chair and began monitoring. "Where do I start? You were jilted. Your sudden wealth didn't buy happiness."
"Too easy," he said. "As an impartial observer and my partner, forget love and money. What's the real reason?"
"I think you needed to prove to yourself your success wasn't a fluke."
Success? The return journey from Argosy Station to the Bohr Confluence weeks ago had been anything but a success. Except they'd survived. "Nearer the mark. You don't think it was a fluke?"
"Biding my time, Carver. But I wouldn't be here if I thought luck was your sole talent."
Carver activated the Crossed Swords' external monitors. The Rickover and its two fighter escorts moved away from them. Or they from it. The dreadnaught Indefatigable accompanying Bohr's peace-keeping force wasn't in sight. It hadn't emerged yet from jumpspace. Or dropped short to scout Argosy's surroundings. Was it the source of the emergency call? Or the source of the attack?
"What the hell, Carver?" DualE's fingers punched more icons on the monitors.
"We've been cut loose. Admiral Rowland's transport commitment is apparently complete. Up to us to get on to the Eddy."
"Any word from Argosy Station?" DualE toggled a full range of communication icons.
"There was an 'under attack' cry."
An incoming message crackled. "This is Penance. Brother Pious speaking. Crossed Swords acknowledge."
Carver and DualE's fellow barnacle and clients were in the same situation. "I thought Rowland would provide protective escort into Argosy. Either we don't need it or he's crossed us up." Carver regretted booking barnacle with the navy but it had been expedient and agreed to by their clients. And free, as part of DualE's naval severance.
"We're here, Brother Pious," DualE answered. "Are you free from the Rickover?"
"We were barely conscious from cryo when released."
Carver turned to DualE. "The brothers chose not to meditate this time through jump. Cryo's nightmares don't scare them." His attack nightmare before revival bore some resemblance to a past incident but the vagaries of spookspace's time distortion could reflect an event yet to occur.
"They've led less regret-filled lives than me or you." She ramped up another signal. "That's from Argosy. We've arrived at our destination. Admiral Rowland and the Rickover fulfilled barnacle commitment."
"Rather unceremoniously," said Carver.
"Rowland's way of clawing back the indignity of transporting civilians."
"Vengeful prick, isn't he?"
"Shush. There's a naval priority message."
"...significant damage to two vessels in dock. Attack apparently confined to one salvo. Jumpfreighter Orson in decel."
"Can you raise the Rickover?" Carver asked. "I'd like an explanation."
"This is DualE aboard the Crossed Swords calling Rickover. Acknowledge."
"Get off the comm, Crossed Swords. Will explain when situation is secure. Attention freighter Orson. Prepare to be boarded for weapon search."
Carver and DualE exchanged glances. "That doesn't help much," he said. He hailed their patrons. "Penance. I suggest we navigate toward the station in Rickover's wake. The armed frigate should take care of any further attack, if that's what it was."
"Understood. Brother Cardinal has revived from cryo. We will follow you."
"Keep your eyes open," said Carver.
DualE settled into the second seat. "My former bosses only promised to get us this far. Time to start earning our keep protecting the brothers." She manipulated more information eddies on the screens. "Just because the navy won't talk to us doesn't mean we can't listen in."
The frigate's comm chattered on at least two fronts. "Argosy Station, are you intact? Do you require defense? Freighter Orson, stand off docking with the station. Hold your position at twenty thousand meters."
"Frigate Rickover. This is Argosy Control. Station suffered minor damage. Attack limited to one strike. No indication of further fire from unknown source. We thought it was the Confluence. Can you confirm no fire from you?"
"This is Orson. Our fuel tanks were holed by the same projectile which hit your docks, Argosy. We'll need tugs to stop where Rickover suggests."
"Orson, this is the Rickover. Not a suggestion. We command you stop where ordered."
"Just like the navy," said Carver. "Orders are orders. Don't waver for the situation at hand."
"Careful, Carver, those are my former comrades." DualE brought up Orson's trajectory. "But you're right. There go the tugs." She pointed through the viewport.
Argosy Station was illuminated by fire and sparks from two of the crippled ships in port. Its rings and spheres rotated about a long central axis. It looked like a necklace pulled straight and stood on end. Vertical was a mere concept in space but the artificial gravity within the station gave it up and down directions which Carver mentally applied to the outside vie
"I'm puzzled," said Carver. "Argosy Station could be considered a reckless target. Both sides use its jumpship maintenance and refit facilities."
"The station looks intact," said DualE. "I agree targeting it would be a poor choice for either side. Attention Argosy basal dock-master. This is the Crossed Swords out of Bohr Confluence. Permission to lock in for us and the Penance. Six passengers total."
"Crossed Swords and Penance. Hold your distance. We'll send a security team out once we've established you are not a threat to this station."
"We barnacled the Rickover from Bohr. If you're looking for a threat, a Confluence naval frigate poses greater danger than two small missionary craft. Check your logs, Penance was here two months ago and Crossed Swords is more of a danger to itself and occupants than the station or the Realm. We're coming in." DualE's voice was firm.
"I'm impressed," said Carver. "And surprised you never graduated to officer class."
"I've no authority to grant you access. You may approach but don't dock until I get permission." The station master's voice had lost some of its bluster.
"You may board us once we're docked," DualE answered. "The sooner we can make contact with an outgoing jumpship, the sooner we'll be out of your jurisdiction."
She turned to Carver. "I have been an officer. Twice. Both field promotions when our leaders got themselves killed and I took command."
"Didn't stick?"
DualE's grimace held something back. "I achieved mission goals and saved lives. Not every officer can make that claim. Those above me had different philosophies and I didn't complain too much about retreating to my former status."
Would she carry those different ideas into their mission? Carver liked the part about saving lives. He'd trust her that far.
"This is Penance," hailed Brother Cardinal. "Are you sure we're cleared to dock?"
"Stay in our target shadow, Penance." Carver assumed the pilot duties while DualE continued to monitor Rickover's progress.
Crossed Swords crept into the umbilical-laden gantry. Carver decelerated to a final thump and they were docked.
"Cardinal, are you berthed?"
"In twenty seconds, Mr. Denz."
"I see you now, Penance. We're underneath you." Carver activated the external lights on his ship. "I want to examine your barnacle mechs. We need to make sure none were damaged when Rickover kicked us free."
DualE moved toward the lock. "I'll do the same for us."
"Stay put," said Carver. "No sense in both of us being shot as saboteurs by a station security team."
Carver returned to the station master's wavelength. "Argosy Station. We are docked. One crew member EVA'ing to confirm integrity of hull and barnacle mechs before potential failure points become critical. Our jump transport did a one-way release on us. Acknowledge."
"Remain within your ships until our inspectors reach you."
"Did you suffer casualties?"
"Unconfirmed. Discontinue communication." The speaker went silent.
"Thanks for the warm welcome," Carver muttered.
"I'm sure their hands are busy with more immediate concerns than a half-dozen wayfarers," said DualE.
"I need to move. I can't sit here for days until they bless us with inspection."
She held up a hand. "Hush, I'm listening to the Rickover." She'd donned headphones over her short-cropped hair and stuck a throat mic to her tapered neck.
Carver did the same and contacted Penance. "Brothers, you heard the instructions from the harbor master? I guess we're staying put."
"I suggest you use the time to find us alternate barnacle transport to Slate's Progress since the Rickover seems unavailable."
"I agree, Pious. Easier done in person within the station. I'd start with Phyl's Fill." Carver itched to get out of the ship and stretch. He didn't need to go to Phyl's. He wanted to.
"Can you contact the proprietor from here?"
"Good idea. First, I'm going to EVA and check our locks."
"Is that wise, given the harbor master's instructions?"
"It's wise if I find a broken or frayed anchor cable. I won't set boot on the dock. I doubt they're monitoring every small craft. It's worth the risk. Then I'll look for another jumpship." Carver removed the headset and moved to the airlock to don a suit.
DualE raised an eyebrow and lifted one earpiece.
"I'm going to check our anchors," said Carver. "If there's a jumpfreighter heading for Slate's Progress, we should be on it."
She nodded and returned to the comm monitor.
Carver suited and cycled outside. Beacons lit up glimpses of their surroundings. Three nearby ships were dark inside and out. He attached a line to his suit and spidered to the base of the Crossed Swords. His helmet light focused on the six anchor grapples and cable retractors. Carver manually unlocked each one and pulled the cables from their nests. Hand over hand he examined every meter of line. They passed muster. The Rickover had turned them loose in a hurry but the sudden release hadn't caused any damage.
He surveyed the docking lattice for activity from the station. It looked quiet. Carver stretched his tether and kicked toward the Penance.
He repeated his inspection. Satisfied, Carver returned to his airlock and cycled back inside.
"Welcome aboard, Mr. Denz."
A suited man stood at the front of the Crossed Swords' cabin. One glove held a heart disruptor pointed at his chest. In between, DualE sat with her hands behind her head.
"What the hell's this?" asked Carver.
DualE shrugged. "Apparently the spirit of cooperation agreed to between the Confluence and the Realm hasn't trickled down very far in the chain of command."
"Not entirely true," said the stranger. "You were instructed to remain aboard your ship. You didn't."
"We just got tumbled from barnacle," said Carver. "If we're to hitch another ride before we become a burden to this station, I needed to make sure we could hold on through spookspace." He made no effort to raise his hands. "I thought you were all too busy assessing damage from this apparent attack." Carver set his helmet down and leaned against the lock bulkhead. "Wait, you don't think we were responsible?"
"Rickover's ballistic backtrack indicates the attack, beam, projectile or whatever it was came out of jumpspace on the same trajectory as the damaged freighter, Orson." DualE's voice was calm, she was obviously trying to keep the situation under control.
Carver stared at the armed man. "Satisfied?"
"Well, Rickover's on your side, isn't it?" The man pushed a finger to his ear, apparently receiving a message. His focus returned to Carver. "You spent time in the Eddy and around Slate's Progress station."
It wasn't a question. "Fairly common knowledge," said Carver, trying to keep DualE's enforced calm. "Why?"
"A question for the questioners. Put your helmet back on, Denz. You're coming with me."
Carver laughed. "Seriously? An armed escort to customs? Or are you mad I EVA'd without permission. May I remind you a captain's first duty is always to his ship?"
The man didn't share Carver's humor. "No customs inspection required, Denz. You're under arrest. Suspicion of conspiracy and sabotage against Argosy Station."
"You risk creating a diplomatic and military incident before the peace enforcement has even begun," said DualE. "The Rickover will hear of this." There was an edge in her voice which Carver recognized. One distracted moment and the guy would be a tangle of messed up limbs on the deck.
Carver said, "DualE, don't. Wait until I'm gone, then contact Admiral Rowland." Carver donned his helmet and proceeded the man into the lock. Crap, first day on the job and I get arrested. Pious and his fellow missionaries better have patience. And faith in DualE as a solo escort.
Chapter 2
Admiral Wolfe Rowland studied the Orson's exterior scans. His drones had secured detailed images of the damage to the jumpfreighter and Argosy Station. A focussed strike through the Orson's outer hull, two docked ships and a dockyard gantry. One shot but the aligned initial wounds were only the beginning; the surrounding material, whether alloy, glassteel or organic began to crystallize further into the target, like a cancer. Station and Orson personnel worked feverishly to get ahead of the necrotic growth and remove the scars.
