Return to Revein'sev, page 12
“Yeah, I remember,” Ruki agreed, “I remember this one. It was shattered by E’nor’Ta last time.”
“Yeah, on the other side, just before we crossed. I remember that too.”
Chipper pointed at one mirror and chattered, “I think she wants us to go there now.”
“I think you’re right,” Ruki nodded, then followed Race and Chipper through the looking-glass.
The In’gula came out of the shadows with its hands wringing together, “Soon, my E’nor’Ta. Soon you will have form to remove the sword. Remove the sword you will do.”
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The Rocinante
Medical Bay
________________________
Darnash held his newly fashioned quantum-phased inducer, hooked to a powerpack on his back. The shiny new tool glistened in the lights of the med bay.
Danielle carried a folded tripod with the scroll box under her left arm. The medical bay doors slid open with Jed coming through, “I just had to come down here and see this new device. You almost ready to head in?”
“We were just about to activate this cross-way to the corridor,” Darnash answered.
Doctor Lambert stood nearby, shaking his head, “The things we come up with. I gotta tell ya’, it’s pretty dangerous firing quantum weapons at anything.”
“It is necessary if we are to keep the fire dragon in stasis.”
Jed examined the weapon and backpack with raised brow, “So, just what is it this thing does, again?”
“It’s a quantum-phase inducer,” Darnash answered. “I position this on that tripod and aim it ninety degrees, perpendicular to the center of the gate. With a broad-spectrum dispersion pattern, the energy will envelop the fire dragon, keeping it in stasis so we can cross over into the realm.”
“You’re not going to come in contact with that beam, are you?” Jed asked.
“No,” Darnash explained, “We keep the beam active for one ma’na’ta. Artemis says we have one ma’na’ta to cross over with everything before the quantum phase effect runs out. If the gate is not closed before, the fire dragon will escape from its current state.”
“That would not be good,” Danielle added, “This creature will find a way to leave the corridor and enter into our world.”
“Depending on which gate is activated next, it could open to Earth or the Rocinante,” Darnash finished.
“Well, when you do make it across, tell Race he’s missed. We miss him. Besides, he can’t get out of his duties, forever,” Jed chuckled as Danielle nodded her understanding and Darnash turned to manipulate the cross-way.
After adjusting the fixer to the corridor, Darnash activated the cross-way, revealing the ominous creature frozen partway through the gate.
“Holy moly!” Exclaimed Jed as he peered through the cross-way, “That’s the things you have to stop?”
“Yes, Admiral,” Darnash nodded, “That is the fire dragon that is manifesting.”
“Just make sure that thing stays put. It doesn’t look like much fun to try and capture the thing if it does break loose.”
“I will do my best, Admiral,” Darnash assured, “Now, we must go to set the equipment up and test the device before we activate the gate to Revein’sev.”
“Good luck, you two,” Jed nodded as he watched Danielle and Darnash cross over to the corridor. Then, the cross-way powered down, closing the gateway.
“I gotta hand it to them,” Jed said, turning to Doctor Lambert, “They all are pretty brave taking this task on.”
“They still have to make sure that beast stays put on their return trip through.”
“I’ve come to learn to trust this team. They’ll get it done, I’m sure.”
Chapter Thirteen
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The Rocinante
________________________
“Jump complete, Admiral,” Commander Jameson reported, “The Primrose and Bristol are reporting in: No issues. Successful jump, the clock is set for ten hours and both ships confirmed nav synced.”
“Excellent,” Jed smiled, “Launch the CAP.”
“Right away, sir,” Lieutenant Henderson acknowledged, then turned to his console and ordered, “Attention, Primrose and Bristol, the Rocinante is launching CAP.” Turning back to his console, his report continued, “The Chief reports that our birds are in the air, now, sir.”
“Thank you, Mister Henderson,” Jed nodded from the CSC pit, “Get me the Primrose and patch the Bristol over.”
Lieutenant Henderson pressed button sequences on his console before calling out, “Primrose; Bristol, Rocinante. I have Admiral Fitz for Primrose actual. Stand by, Bristol.”
“Bristol standing by,” the voice echoed over the radio static.
“This is the Primrose,” Captain Rothgarson voiced, “Skatie is here, beside me. Go ahead, Admiral.”
“Captain McCartney on the line,” the next voice echoed over the distorted comm channel.
“I’ll do the first three-point-three-hour CAP. Primrose will follow for the next set, finally, Captain McCartney will finish up before our next jump. Make sure each ship coordinates your nav sync every thirty minutes before our next jump.”
“Right,” Skatie acknowledged over the comm, “We wouldn’t want to get separated like the Excalibur did.”
“Roger that,” Captain McCartney added. “We’ll be sure to keep those coordinates refreshed, Admiral.”
“Very good,” Jed answered, “I’m sorry I can’t meet with you all before our jump, but I’ve got a ton of stuff to get caught up on. Including interviewing one Major Bridges and his Lieutenant, Marco Hudson.”
“That should prove an interesting and hopefully, enlightening, conversation,” Captain McCartney added.
“I can only hope that one of them is ready to talk.”
“I would not waste my time with either of them, Jed,” Skatie warned, “They’ll lie and tell stories to convince you are wrong and Admiral Gilmore is right.”
“I’m well aware of these half-truths they’ll try to sow. But at least we’ll get some intel.”
“Let us know how your conversations go, Jed,” Captain McCartney said, his voice crackling over the comm.
Lieutenant Henderson briefly broke in, “Admiral, the first CAP reports all is clear, sir.”
Jed, addressing his comm officer, “Very well, get them to spread out some. Get some eyes aways out to ensure we’re alone.”
“Aye, sir,” Henderson nodded as he manipulated his console, “Captain Simon, Admiral orders to spread out. Eyes and ears as far out as possible.” Holding his hand to his earpiece, the lieutenant listened to Rene’s response, then reported, “Captain Simon acknowledges. They’ll split up three ways for an hour and then report back.”
“Tell Rene, good hunting.”
“Roger that, Admiral,” Henderson smiled before relaying his message.
“With that,” Jed nodded, “I’ll be signing off for now. Report in every thirty minutes. Sooner, if anything shows up. Commander Jameson, you have the con. I’ll be in the brig. Don’t hesitate to contact me for anything.”
“Aye-aye, sir,” Commander Jameson acknowledged with a weak salute.
“We’ll keep this channel live,” McCartney’s voice finally crackled.
“Captain Rothgarson will be standing by, Jed. Skatie out.”
Jed turned and headed up the three steps leading from the CSC pit. Then, turned and saluted his XO before exiting the command center.
“Okay, men,” Commander Jameson barked, “This isn’t a party! Get your butts moving and do your jobs!”
The crew jumped into action as the XO continued barking his orders.
Jed laughed as he walked the corridor toward the ship’s brig. Shaking his head, he spoke softly to himself, “That’s a great XO. He always gets the men moving.”
A short time later, Jed reached the entrance to the brig and entered. The guards came to attention at their posts. Jed quickly returned their salute and ordered, “I want Nick in an interrogation room, stat.”
“Aye, sir,” one of them said.
The other guard motioned, “Right this way, sir. Sergeant Stone will bring Major Bridges in.”
The door opened revealing a table and two chairs on opposite sides. Jed pulled out one chair and sat, waiting for Sergeant Stone.
The interrogation room’s back door slid open and the sergeant escorted the man, his hands cuffed in front of him and forced him down into the chair across from Jed. Then, the guard shackled him to the table and saluted the Admiral before exiting and sliding the door closed behind.
“Nick Bridges,” Jed began, “It’s been some time since we saw each other last. How’s the wife and kids?”
“Cut the crap, Admiral. Just know that I’m not talking. There’s nothing you can say or do, to change my mind.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate, Nick. It really is,” Jed stopped, leaned against the back of his chair and remained silent with folded arms across his chest.
“What do you think I am, Admiral? Stupid? I know these tactics well enough to know you’re blowing smoke. Nothing more than a puff of smoke.”
Jed remained silent with arms folded and glared into Nick’s eyes.
“What? You’re not even going to ask me a question?”
“I already asked a question. It’s just you haven’t answered it yet.”
“I don’t have a wife and kids.”
“No, you don’t but your brother does.”
“You didn’t ask about them—”
“—Let’s just say you had better do some talking before I decide to ask you just how they are doing. You really don’t want that, Nick, now, do ya’?”
“You leave my brother and his family out of this!”
“There’s only one way that’ll happen, Nick. Only one way.”
Nick growled his anger, “You can’t do this, Admiral! You can’t!”
“Maybe I can, maybe I can’t. It’s all up to you, now, isn’t it, Nick?”
“Don’t lay this one on me!”
“Why not?” Jed said, unfolding his arms and leaning forward into his prisoner’s face, “Aren’t you the one with the master plan on Gilmore’s escape? Aren’t you the one who purposely maimed a prison guard? Aren’t you the one who killed two additional guards? You aren’t going to tell me anything about that, now are ya’? Not even to save your nephew’s life?”
“You piece of scum!” Nick spat at Jed’s face, then continued, “I was the master mind! Okay? I’ll tell you what you want to know. Just keep my brother’s family out of it!”
“You have my word, Nick. They’ll be just fine, as long as you continue to cooperate. Oh, and just so you know, Marco is already talking like a canary. So, the more you spill, the better deal you could get over your buddy in the next room.”
“Marco’s loyal. He won’t talk. I know this for sure!” Nick protested.
“He already has.”
“You such a liar, Admiral.”
Jed leaned forward once more, “Are you so sure? Don’t forget execution is the penalty for treason. Not only for you, but for anyone involved. That means, if I find any connection to you and your brother or anyone in his family that you even had a conversation with, they can and will be, charged with treason!”
“I said I’d tell you everything. But I don’t think you really want to know all of it.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Trust me. You don’t want to know who was really behind this little master plan of mine.”
“So, you weren’t the mastermind, after all? I might have figured you were too stupid to come up with that plan. Who were you working with?!” Jed leaned closer to the man’s face; the putrid smell nearly made Jed gag. “Tell me!” Jed shouted as he grabbed Nick by his lapels, drawing him even closer, his spit flicked from his lips hitting Nick across his face.
“It was the President,” Nick somberly answered.
Jed shoved Nick backward and then leaned into the chair seatback, staring at him, “Now who’s the liar?”
“I didn’t think you’d believe me.”
“The President? Why would the President want Gilmore released? You really think I’m going to buy this?”
“Just because you don’t believe in a thing, doesn’t make that thing any less true, Admiral.”
“Explain to me, why the President would sanction this!? What do you have for evidence?”
“The reason the President want’s Admiral Gilmore released, is for our new war machine. If peace was truly happening between us and the Antarians, there’s no need to spend on the war. The economy tanks on his administration because the government isn’t buying more weapons, ships and fighters. People lose their jobs. With no money to spend in the private sector, hyperinflation soars to levels no one ever thought could happen. And our illustrious president and his entire administration is labeled as a failure. Failure results in low poll numbers and the likelihood of a failed reelection, ultimately resulting in the loss of power,” Nick smugly answered, “And it’s the power that’s really what this administration doesn’t want to lose, Jed. He’ll do anything to hold on to that. Mark my words, Admiral.”
“What about the proof?”
“Well now,” Nick leaned back in his own chair and grew a wide smile, “That will come at a high price.”
“What do you want, Nick?
“How much are you willing to give, Jed.”
“Keep it reasonable!”
“It’s very reasonable; I want immunity. Full immunity and my unconditional release.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Jed motioned with his hands, “Back it on up, there, Major. There’s no way you’ll ever be released. Not if I have anything to do with it. I think the best deal you could ever hope for, is life in the military prison system.”
“That’s my price, Jed—”
“—enough using my first name, Major! You will treat me and my rank with respect. You forget that the president promoted me personally.”
“That he did, admiral,” Nick’s voice displaying distain, “But that was before we came back from the dead. And that’s one good reason that he gave Admiral Gilmore direct orders to kill you rather than look like a fool demoting you.”
“Well Nick. I will say, this is quite the story. No deals until I find out what Marco will ask for.”
“You said Marco already sang like a bird—”
“—That’s what I said, alright. I lied about that.”
“I knew you were a liar!”
“Well, you called me one, so I figured I had better not make you out to be wrong. At least in some things. I’ll get back to you with a reasonable counteroffer if Marco is as loyal as you say.”
Jed stood without giving Nick time to respond and exited the interrogation room. Turning to the guard, who came to full attention, ordered, “Take Nick back to his cell and bring me Marco, on the double.”
“Right away, sir!” The guard saluted before charging off for the next prisoner.
Next, Jed tapped his comm link in his ear, and ordered, “Lieutenant Henderson, patch me through to the XO on a secure link.”
“Aye, sir,” Henderson acknowledged, “Commander Jameson, I have the admiral, standby on secure one.”
The XO donned his headset and pointed to his comm officer, “Go ahead.”
Jed silently nodded as Jameson answered, “Well, my interview with Major Bridges turned out to be quite interesting.”
“Sir?” Jameson asked.
“You need to keep this on the QT, but he’s saying the president is behind Gilmore’s escape.”
“You can’t be serious, Jed,” Jameson said with hesitation, then continued, “What’s he got for proof?” Jameson whispered into his headset.
“I don’t know what proof, yet, but he thinks it’s good enough to request full immunity.”
“Immunity?! For that piece of scum?”
“And he wants to be unconditionally released.”
“Whoa… if this is true—”
“—if this is true,” Jed interrupted, “We’ve got a lot of trouble.”
“I would think so, Jed.”
“That’s another reason why Gilmore’s got it out for us, so bad.”
“Makes sense. Whattya gonna do?”
“I’m about to talk to Lieutenant Hudson and see if he’s got a lower price for Nick’s info.”
“You want me to go to condition two?”
“Not just yet, Tom. I don’t want any possible moles in our ranks to know. But I do think it’s warranted to have Primrose and Bristol join our CAP. Let’s get as many eyes and ears out there, just in case Gilmore comes hunting.”
“I’m on it, sir.”
“Once I find out what Marco has to say, I’ll call for Captain McCartney and Skatie to meet in person over here. I can trust them, but I don’t know if I can trust Captain Rothgarson or his second, Valbrandrson.”
“I completely agree, sir. I don’t trust Styr at all. He’s a loose cannon that could easily be swayed to follow Gilmore.”
“Just keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Think of any others that we might be able to trust and we’ll include them in our meeting.”
“Well, sir, it won’t be a long list, but I’ll put it together.”
“Jed out.”
Turning, Jed noticed, through the one-way glass, that Lieutenant Hudson was in place.
The interrogation room door slid open and Jed entered and took the chair. He turned it around, plunked it on the deck with the back facing out and sat. Then, he leaned in and gave Marco a long stare.
Sweat drained from the Lieutenant’s forehead, down his checks and dripped to the table below.
“Nervous, Mister Hudson?”
“Yes,” Marco managed to say.
“You do realize you face execution.”
“Don’t kill me, sir. Please don’t! I’ll tell you everything—”
“—Which on my ship,” Jed cut him off, includes being tossed out an airlock!”
