Embers of Rebellion, page 36
As they neared Zennai’s orbitals, Caleb studied the system. Like Newport, it was a hub world where agricultural produce from nearby colonies was gathered before being shipped coreward. Unlike Newport, Zennai had no jump gate, and its orbitals were sparsely populated. A single large trade station dominated the orbitals, with six freighters docked alongside it. Beyond that, only a handful of small stations served the planet’s surface.
The trade station was their destination. Both Falcon and Supernova carried full cargo holds of wheat and corn, intended for sale to agents sympathetic to their cause. The plan was for the crops to be mixed with locally grown produce and sent coreward, generating a profit for all involved. The credits from the sale would, in turn, be used to purchase fuel once they reached the Eridani Sector.
All in all, Zennai was a quiet system—perfect for their first mission.
Once they entered orbit, Falcon and Supernova transmitted their falsified identification codes—courtesy of Rebecca. Shortly after, they were assigned docking berths at the trade station.
As soon as the docking clamps locked into place, Rebecca rose from the command chair where she had been observing their approach. “I’ll be back once I make contact with our partners on the station. Then we can start unloading our cargo.”
Caleb unbuckled himself and stood as well.
“Where are you going?” Rebecca asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“I’m going with you,” Caleb replied. “If I’m going to play the role of a freighter captain for this mission, I need all the practice I can get. Besides, don’t captains usually handle negotiations with trade station managers?” He had already confirmed this with Freya. “It would look odd if I stayed onboard.”
Rebecca pressed her lips together, clearly displeased. She glanced at Freya. “Your First Lieutenant is a freighter captain. I should take her.”
“And then I’d learn nothing,” Caleb countered. “She can play a freighter captain at will. I need the experience.” He let his voice harden slightly. “I’m not asking you. I’m telling you what’s happening.”
Rebecca studied him for a moment, then exhaled through her nose and nodded. “Fine. Come with me, then. But first, we need to find you some clothes a freighter captain might actually wear. Something tells me your usual off-duty outfits won’t cut it.”
“I don’t know if that’s meant to be an insult or a compliment,” Caleb muttered to Freya, though she gave no response. Fighting back a sigh, he nodded to her. “You have the bridge, First Lieutenant.”
Ten minutes later, Caleb and Rebecca stepped through the docking hatch onto the trade station. Their implants immediately pinged with a station-wide map.
“This way,” Rebecca said, starting down the corridor. Then, in a lower voice, she added, “Let me do the talking at first. There are code words that need to be exchanged.”
Caleb nodded, doing his best to walk casually. Falcon’s passive sensors had picked up no signs of Republic warships in the system, and according to his father’s intelligence contacts, no Republic Navy forces had visited Zennai since the war had started. That meant the likelihood of running into a Republic patrol was low.
However, there were bound to be Regulators stationed here. Rebecca had provided him with a form-fitting mask designed to subtly alter his facial structure, making him harder to recognize. It should be enough to keep him anonymous, but he couldn’t deny the nervous churn in his stomach.
This is why you’re here, he reminded himself. To get used to this kind of thing.
Rebecca led him through a maze of corridors before stopping in front of a small office. She tapped the control panel, and the door hissed open.
Inside, a man sat behind a desk far too large for the cramped space. He didn’t stand as they entered.
“Ah, the Captain and First Mate of Mule, welcome to our humble trade station,” the man said, waving them in. “I trust you had a comfortable journey through the Eridani Sector?”
“We made good time and plenty of profits,” Rebecca replied smoothly. “It’s good to see you again, Joffrey.”
The man frowned. “Have we met before?”
“Once or twice,” Rebecca said with a smirk. “I was Second Mate on Recompense. I must say, I’m insulted you don’t remember me.”
“I mean no offense,” Joffrey said with a casual shrug. “I usually don’t forget a face as stunning as yours.”
Rebecca gave him a small smile before glancing at Caleb and nodding. Her disguise altered her appearance enough that the compliment felt more like a formality than genuine flirtation.
I guess the code words were exchanged, Caleb thought.
“This is my Captain,” Rebecca said, gesturing toward him. “We’ve come to discuss terms.”
Clearly, names were not being used.
Joffrey studied Caleb for a moment. “The terms have already been agreed upon.”
“And yet the price of wheat and corn has risen another eighteen percent since then,” Caleb pointed out. “Not to mention, we’ve managed to bring ten percent more wheat than originally planned.”
Joffrey leaned back in his chair. “I might be interested in the profits your wares offer, but I also know you have to sell to me.”
Rebecca chuckled. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that… You know your competitors on this station, and in the Cradon system just as well as I do. Do you think we haven’t been building relationships with them, too?”
Joffrey’s expression darkened slightly. “What do you want?”
“Five percent more than our agreed price,” Caleb said, keeping his tone firm. “That still leaves you with the lion’s share of the extra profit from the rising prices. And we want our fuel tanks topped up—by the end of the day. We have other places to be.”
Joffrey considered for a moment but ultimately nodded. Caleb knew he was still getting a good deal.
“Done,” he said. “I’ll arrange the payment now. You can start unloading your cargo. Put the corn in Tank Six and the wheat in Tank Seventeen.”
“And the fuel?” Caleb pressed.
Joffrey’s fingers tapped idly on his console. “I’ll put your two freighters at the top of the schedule. The station workers should get to them within a couple of hours… but I can’t make any promises.”
Caleb’s instincts flared. Something about Joffrey’s tone was off. He glanced at Rebecca.
He’s angling for an additional bribe, her expression told him. Then, subtly, she shook her head. Don’t push it. We don’t want to seem too eager.
Caleb gave a curt nod. “That will have to do, then. I expect you’ll be hearing from me or another one of my associates in the near future.”
“As long as there’s profit to be made, you can keep coming to me as long as you like,” Joffrey said smoothly. “Until next time.”
Without another word, Rebecca turned and exited the office. Caleb followed her, matching her pace. They walked through the station’s corridors in silence, but he could sense the tension radiating from her. Her shoulders were tight, and her head subtly moved side to side, scanning the surroundings.
It took Caleb a few seconds to realize why.
If he’s turned us in, now is when the Regulators will jump us.
A wave of nerves rolled over him, twice as strong as before.
Yet nothing happened.
After a few more corridors, Rebecca gradually relaxed. When they reached Falcon’s docking hatch, she finally stopped.
“You go back to the ship and oversee the unloading,” she instructed. “I have a contact to meet in the station’s canteen.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Caleb asked, feeling as though he was being brushed off.
“This isn’t trading work. It’s a contact with the elements on Zennai who are sympathetic to our cause,” Rebecca whispered. “He’ll get spooked if I show up with someone. The Regulators are watching everyone in the Rim colonies like hawks.”
“Alright then, I’ll see to the cargo. But if you get into trouble, comm us immediately. Don’t forget we have my brother and his friends. I’m not leaving you behind.”
“I’ll be just fine by myself,” Rebecca said. “The last thing I need is your brother charging around like a bull and giving away my cover.” She gestured to Falcon’s hatch. “I’ll see you after.”
Without waiting for Caleb to reply, Rebecca spun and headed back into the station.
Caleb made his way to Falcon’s bridge and instructed Freya to oversee the cargo transfer. Out of curiosity, he then went down to one of the freighter’s cargo bays and watched as Falcon’s crew efficiently unloaded the wheat and corn. Massive hoses extended from the trade station, and workers in EVA suits secured them to the freighter’s hull. Moments later, the station began siphoning out the cargo.
Twenty minutes after she left, Rebecca pinged Caleb’s implant with a message:
I need to go down to the surface to check on something. Here are the details on the six freighters docked at the station. Ranger and Clipper will be of particular interest to you. I suggest you have Kevin hack into the station and access their docking hatches when the time comes. Use Supernova’s shuttle—I might need yours on the planet’s surface.
Caleb wanted to groan. I’m supposed to be in charge of this mission. Yet he knew there was no way Rebecca would listen if he ordered her not to go to the planet’s surface. Instead, he accessed the second file she had sent him. It contained data on the six freighters currently docked at the station. The two she had highlighted were owned by companies belonging to Senators. One was even owned by Decimus. That made Caleb smile.
Deciding to ignore the fact that Rebecca was making decisions for him, Caleb returned to Falcon’s bridge and briefed his officers on the situation. Then he alerted Major Hackney to have his platoon ready to take one of Falcon’s shuttles to the surface.
With nothing else he could do, Caleb waited as the cargo continued to be unloaded. A team from the trade station soon arrived to top off Falcon’s fuel tanks.
As time dragged on, Caleb grew increasingly worried about Rebecca. He did his best to keep it from his face, but the tension gnawed at him. Four hours passed before something finally happened.
“We’re being hailed by the station,” Ensign Nashville reported, a hint of confusion in her voice. “It’s not on one of their standard channels.”
“Let’s see who it is,” Caleb said, hopeful he already knew. Sure enough, Rebecca’s face appeared on the main holo display.
“Captain,” she said with a nod. “With your permission, I think there are a few folks down here who could use Major Hackney’s help.”
“Are you sure this is a secure channel?” Caleb asked.
“Of course,” Rebecca replied quickly. “No one can break my encryption.”
“Alright then, I guess you better tell me what’s going on,” Caleb responded.
“The Regulators here have been rounding up people they suspect are sympathetic to our cause. There are at least a couple hundred being held in their main compound, adjacent to Zennai’s capital. A freighter is scheduled to take them away in a couple of weeks. I think they’d be very appreciative if we were to set them free.”
Caleb’s expression hardened. “What kind of resistance are the Regulators likely to put up?” He asked as his thoughts turned to Zach.
“I don’t think we need to worry too much about that,” Rebecca said. “They think they’re as safe and secure as they can be. Hackney shouldn’t have any trouble penetrating the compound. How’s Kevin getting on? We should coordinate both attacks.”
Caleb glanced over at Kevin, who was seated at a console on the bridge. Caleb had arranged for Rebecca’s cousin to have a station there—both so he could help when needed and so someone could keep an eye on him.
“I’ve cracked the trade station security protocols,” Kevin said confidently. “Took all of ten seconds. The Captain didn’t want me doing anything else until we were ready. I can have those hatches open in a heartbeat.”
“Well, hold off for now,” Rebecca instructed. “The Captain was right—we don’t want to do anything that might alert the Regulators. I’ve sent a file on the compound. I’m sure it’ll be enough for Major Hackney to plan an assault.”
Caleb nodded as he processed the situation. “I’ll liaise with Hackney now. I’ll send him and his team down to the planet’s surface, then we’ll make our move up here once he gives the go-ahead.”
“Understood. I’ll stay back and out of the way with my contact until things are done,” Rebecca confirmed.
“Alright. Can we reach you on this channel if we need you again?” Caleb asked.
Rebecca nodded.
“Okay. Stay safe,” Caleb said before Rebecca cut the channel.
He turned to Nashville, “Send Rebecca’s intel to Major Hackney, then have him meet me in my briefing room to prepare a plan. After that, inform Captain Kursk that his crew will be responsible for securing the two freighters. Let him know we can open their docking hatches when the time comes.”
“Aye, Captain,” Nashville acknowledged.
“XO, with me,” Caleb said, gesturing to Freya. “I want your input on this as well.”
*
Zach Hawthorne gripped his plasma rifle tightly as he was jostled in his flight seat. The shuttle carrying him and his platoon mates descended rapidly through Zennai’s atmosphere. Kevin—whom Zach had met once or twice before on Newport Landing through Rebecca—had stolen the trade station’s flight codes. To the control tower at Scara, Zennai’s capital, their approach would look routine, just another shuttle bringing down a group of station workers for shore leave.
As the shuttle shed velocity, the vibrations eased. Zach let out a slow breath. He hated flying. Being on a spaceship was bad enough, but a shuttle was worse. You’ll be on the ground soon, he told himself as he felt the shuttle veer slightly off course. Up front, the pilot would be contacting Scara’s spaceport control tower, reporting “engine difficulties.” Without waiting for permission, the shuttle touched down on the outskirts of the city, just a mile from the Regulator compound.
“Go, go!” Hackney ordered as the shuttle’s rear access ramp descended, revealing the thick forest bordering one side of Scara.
Zach released the restraints holding his power armor in place and stood as quickly as he could. Power armor was a generous term—what he and the other Marines wore were essentially repurposed EVA construction suits dockworkers used back at Newport, now reinforced with armor plating. Someone had decided this was an acceptable combat solution. Zach had been told better versions were in the works. He hoped so. If the situation weren’t so serious, it would have been comical watching the Marines trying to move quickly in their bulky suits. It almost looked like they were stuck in slow motion.
Once they were on the ground, things improved marginally. The armor’s enhanced stride doubled Zach’s normal step length, so despite its sluggish movement, he covered ground quickly. Within thirty seconds, the entire platoon had reached the cover of large black-barked trees with red and purple leaves.
“Alpha Squad, take point,” Hackney ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Davis responded. Then, over their squad channel, he added, “You’re up, Hawthorne.”
Zach moved forward, his three squad mates fanning out on either side of him. They weren’t expecting resistance until they reached the compound. Zennai had no indigenous wildlife larger than a rabbit, and Rebecca’s intel confirmed that the Regulators never patrolled the forest—why would they? Who would be foolish enough to sneak up on their compound?
Even so, Zach advanced slowly and carefully, trying to make as little noise as possible in the cumbersome suit. The real advantage it gave him was his helmet’s HUD, equipped with an array of sensors. That was how he spotted the two heat signatures before his eyes could.
Immediately, he raised his fist—an order to stop.
Zach crouched down as the two children ran straight toward him. A couple of seconds later, his helmet’s external sensors picked up their laughter and the sound of their footfalls as they chased each other through the forest. Just as they were about to run straight into him, Zach retracted his helmet and set his plasma rifle down.
A moment later, two boys came into view. The one in the lead was looking behind him, oblivious to Zach's presence. It was his friend who spotted Zach first, stopping dead in his tracks. The first boy, seeing the look of horror on his friend’s face, turned around—and his eyes widened in alarm.
Zach put on the friendliest smile he could muster. “Boys, what are you doing here?” he asked softly. “Weren’t you told this part of the forest is off-limits today? You’re breaking regulations by being here.”
The horror on both boys’ faces deepened. Zach had to suppress a grin. There was nothing scarier to a citizen of the Republic than breaking regulations.
“That’s right,” Zach continued, keeping his voice gentle. “I’m a forestry worker. We’re about to start thinning the trees here. You need to leave.” He raised a hand and pointed back toward Scara. “Go now, and I won’t inform the Regulators—or your parents.”
The boys exchanged nervous glances before nodding vigorously.
“Go,” Zach ordered.
Without saying a word, the two boys turned and bolted in the direction Zach had pointed.
“Well handled,” Hackney said over the platoon’s comm. “Now let’s keep moving before the Regulators start asking questions about where the shuttle landed. Or those boys talk to someone.”
A few minutes later, Zach noticed the forest ahead was thinning. More sunlight streamed through the trees. “The tree line is thinning out,” he reported.
“Alpha Squad, move as close to the edge as you can and get a visual on the compound. Then launch your drones,” Hackney ordered.
