South of the Ecliptic. Donald Ph.D. Ladew
are agreements we must have before lift-off. By the way, just when did you want to leave?" Piehl asked.
The dark robe seemed to hang a bit more tensely. "Tomorrow morning would be good, if you can," she said.
"Excuse me! No, Ma'am. I understand your urgency, but if we are to be properly prepared there are special things that must be done first. For that class ship I need crew; two, maybe three more men. Then there is cargo to be found and other 'essentials'."
"Every day we remain is greater danger. Sir, I would not give advantage to the King's enemies." Lady Lociranu said.
"I understand. Flex, put out a code call for an astrogator with military experience plus hi-computational skill, top wage; you know where to look."
"Aye, sir."
Flex went to work with the Comp, and Piehl listed the extras he wouldn't leave without. He looked up and the dark shapes were still standing where they'd been, although the small one was tapping her foot with a vicious cadence.
"Forgive me, ladies. If you'd like, please take a seat."
At that moment they were interrupted by a gurgling series of snorts from the corner of the bar. The Sufic, who till then hadn't moved, turned lithely and went to where the old sergeant major lay curled up on a bench. Reaching down, he gently rolled the sergeant into a new position, causing his snorts to subside into a quiet wheeze.
Piehl looked at the Sufic with interest. Now this fellow I could like, Piehl thought. Retired sergeants aren't at their best without a battle to lie about, or other sergeants to drink with.
The ladies took seats as Piehl tried to gather his thoughts. It was time to let them know which way the wind blew.
"Ladies, the rules aboard the ship and dirtside, anywhere between here and our final destination are simple. If I give a command, you obey instantly."
There was a snort from the smallest cloak. Using his harsh flight deck voice, Piehl barked.
"If there's any argument you can find other means of transportation, do you Understand, Miss?"
"Yes, Captain, We understand completely," Lady Lociranou replied.
Piehl looked at all of them for a minute. "For my part, the crew and I will try to be as aware of your needs as shipboard demands allow. If however there's trouble I must have absolute obedience. It's for your survival."
"Excuse me, ladies, don't be alarmed," Piehl said.
"Sar'n Major, front and center, at the double!" Piehl put a lot of snap into the command.
The Sergeant Major came off the bench only slightly slower than in years past, took a quick sweep over his clothes, whipped out a big hunk of cloth and wiped his face. He strode over in front of Piehl and banged to attention with a crash of heels. While he didn't actually salute, he came to such rigid attention he gave the impression of having saluted.
"Sergeant, I need your service."
"Sir!" His posture seemed to become even more rigid.
"I have a bit of a situation here. I'd like my meeting with these ‘citizens’," Piehl inclined his head toward the three in stealth cloaks, "to go undisturbed for security reasons. I'd appreciate your help."
"Sir!"
“I'd like you to stand guard at the door. Allow no one in until we've concluded our business. Will you do that for me, Sergeant?"
"Of course, sir. May the sergeant ask how much you wish to remain undisturbed?"
"A lot, Sergeant."
He smiled with satisfaction, showing a lot of battered teeth in a weathered, durable face. He went to the door and looked outside, closed it and set the panel lock.
"I am sorry for the dramatics, ladies, but it occurred to me that you may have been followed, and it wouldn't do for us to be spreading our plans dockside. As soon as we're finished here I want you to go with the Sufic directly to the new ship. Proceed straight to your quarters and stay there. Lock up after you."
Piehl expected another termagant screech.
"Be still, girl. Your man can make arrangements to bring your things to the ship. I want the two of you to disappear. Your father can arrange the proper excuses as to why you are missing from court functions. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Captain." It was the sweet voice of the Lady Lociranou.
"Hmmmph," a quasi-affirmative grumble from the Princess. The Sufic Major bowed his head briefly in assent.
"Now, someone mentioned an armed cruiser. We'll need to know a lot more." Piehl was all business.
The Sufic Major stepped forward and pulled a micro-store from his cloak and handed it to Piehl. Piehl put it in his belt comp and reviewed the data.
The ship was named, Wellspring. After scanning the data, Piehl thought it would do, after he'd made a few modifications.
"Too light, too light by half. This stuff's fine if you want to annoy someone, but it won't terminate. Look at this, Flex."
Flex looked over Piehl's shoulder as he read out the data. "Five mega-joule semi-repeaters with a five second charge-up. God help us, good for hunting on Safari, not much else."
Piehl started punching out orders direct to Flex's comp. "Get this stuff installed right away."
"You expecting Armageddon?"
"No, but when it comes, I intend to participate." It was a different man who gave the orders now that there was a mission.
"Okay. Your wish is my command, Captain."
"Before you start, have the ship given a Class Five sweep, including N-Space tracers."
"Yes, sir. Have you any idea what all this costs?" Flex asked.
"Not to worry, Flex. King's Credit. If he thinks as much of his daughter as I imagine, he's not going to spare credits. And Flex, get a security drape put around the docking bay."
Piehl paused, reviewing. "Then get hold of Shorty McGrane. He's the best ship fitter on Regent's. His men can be trusted, they're Legion. We'll have him do the whole re-fit, no haggle, premium pay. I owe him."
"Aye, aye, Captain."
The princess's high voice dripped sarcasm. "What happened to the tramp captain? Now you sound more like an admiral on the Holo. All orders and let's get on with it," she mocked a man's low voice.
Piehl said nothing.
Flex answered for Piehl. "Look, your officiousness, he never was cowardly or itinerant. If you don't mind, Zip It Up!"
"How dare you address me in such a manner, you...you!"
Flex ignored her. Piehl was sure he could see steam rising around the cowl of her stealth suit.
"By the way, Flex, find out if IMP can be transferred to the new ship's central."
IMP was an Infinity Matrix Processor, something Piehl had retrieved from the old days in the Legion. It held almost as much data as Central System Files. The IMP definitely had more personality.
Piehl turned to the Sufic major. "On your return from the palace I'd like you to bring currency, different types, precious metals, gems and the like. You never know, might come in handy. Tell the King, he'll know what I need."
Piehl went to the bar. "Anybody need something to wet their cords, speak."
"I'll have a spice flame brandy," The Princess answered immediately.
Not likely, Piehl thought. "One nectar fruit with a quarter shot of mild spice wine."
This was followed by much bad language and grumbling from the princess.
"I see literacy is still not required among the purple, your tenderness,"