South of the Ecliptic. Donald Ph.D. Ladew
been trying to remember if we've met, but I can't make the connection."
She laughed prettily. "Ahh, Captain, you need no such traditional gambit to get acquainted with me. I'd be your friend if you were the biggest smuggler on the frontier."
"A fine sentiment but I don't understand, you aren't likely to be mixed up with smugglers. Besides, I'm certainly not one of the worst smugglers. Is there something I should know?"
"I hadn't intended it, Captain, but I don't know what the future will bring, so if some event separates us, I would want you to know." She looked at her clasped hands.
"Does the name Kenn Albione, Senior Lieutenant Kenn Albione, mean anything to you?"
Piehl felt a cold hand on his heart. Kenn! Brave Kenn of M.L.S. Lightsongs. His friend, now basic elements among the dust clouds around Vincent's Planet. When he had been driven in-system by four Imperial cruisers, Piehl tried to go to his aid, but it was too late. They finally obliterated him. Dark and terrible days. Piehl stood for a long time thinking about his young friend and the better days in years past. Dimly he realized someone was speaking to him.
"Sir Aubrey, Sir Aubrey!"
"I'm sorry, my Lady, I was remembering."
"Yes, as do I. Kenn was my twin brother."
So...It is true. They looked remarkably alike. Piehl felt the wrenching bitterness of it all. It had been nearly eight years and it still burned. He felt bound even tighter to a past he couldn't change.
"My lady, I am in your debt by way of your very existence. It is a debt I'm not sure I can pay, but I will try."
"It is not necessary. For Kenn you were everything he admired. His letters were full of General Piehl. He thought you were the bravest, most honorable man he'd ever met. Perhaps you blame yourself for his death, but remember there are worse ways to die than with the men you love and admire, in a fight you believe in. He chose to be where he was and I am thankful he had men with him who cared."
"Men who cared," Piehl murmured, more to himself than to her. He looked at the beautiful young woman across from him. "Yes, he had people who cared, people who will always care. I thank you for your words. Perhaps someday I will be able to accept them. In the meantime if there is anything I can do for you, I am at your service."
"I wanted to tell you I've been in contact with my uncle, the King, and he sent the information you asked for. I sent the data to your processor and destroyed the core," she said.
"The King is a clever man. In the Legion it was hoped we'd be able to negotiate with him, but it never came to pass." Piehl said regretfully.
"I know, he didn't have the power then that he does now."
"My Lady, how go things with the princess?" Piehl wanted to turn the conversation to less personal subjects.
She laughed. "She's young and full of it. She doesn't really understand all that has happened since coming to the ship. But she has good blood, Sir Aubrey. Once she's over the shock of being uprooted from her family and realizes the seriousness of the situation I'm sure she'll do fine."
"I hope you're right. This will be a long trip, possibly quite dangerous. My lady, please excuse me but I must get back to the men and get this refit finished. If there's anything you require, ask me directly and if I can I will provide it."
She smiled with great charm. "Your company from time to time would be more than enough, Sir Aubrey."
Piehl felt the temperature go up about ten degrees in the small cabin. He could see this talk leading to all sorts of complications.
"With your permission, my lady, I shall withdraw."
"Of course, Sir Aubrey." Her voice nearly held him there.
Chapter 5
Piehl sat next to the Star-Vue, checking jump routes to the Rim when he heard a startled curse over the commsystem. It was the Sergeant Major.
"Something going on up-ramp from the docking bay, sir. A gang of toughs headed this way. Fifteen or twenty of them pretending to be drunk, sir."
"Pretending?"
"Aye, sir. I ought to know a drunk when I see’s one."
"Weapons?"
"Yes, Captain. Hand weapons, several kinds of pistol, stun and harder. It looks like they've come to visit, Captain. With your permission, I'll greet our guests."
"Okay, Sergeant. I don't care how many heads get busted, but try not to kill anyone."
Piehl hit the warning Klaxon, then shouted over the external audio circuit. "This is no drill! Legionaires to the access, boarders incoming!"
Tools hit steel all over the bay. Piehl could see men reaching for the nearest heavy object. Personal weapons began to appear and with Shorty in the lead, they headed for the docking bay access hatch.
"Shorty, what about the upper access cover?"
All docking bays were required to have an access hatch in the ceiling in case of emergency. The law said they weren't to be used for any other purpose, but repair crews had been breaking that law since it was made.
Piehl was aware of it. It was also the easiest way to bring certain illegal items to a ship.
"I don't know, Captain, hard to get down from there."
"Sure, and a great way to sneak someone in while a ruckus is going on down here. All right, Shorty, cover the main passage and no one in, got it?"
"Right, Captain, ought to be a nice change of pace. I haven't had an opportunity to kick Imperial ass for years. I wonder if I remember how?"
Piehl laughed. "You'll remember, Shorty, it all comes back. Shorty, I'm headed for the upper access cover."
"Roger that, want any help?"
"No, I'll take care of it."
Piehl noticed two of Shorty's men were spreading protective covering over the hull of the ship. Quick thinking.
"IMP, you getting all of this?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Good, tell the ladies to stay locked up tight until I give the word, explain the situation as you see fit. Meanwhile, preserve security."
"Aye, Captain."
As Piehl finished giving IMP his orders the Sufic Major joined them. "Sir, may I join you above? Guarding women doesn’t do much for one’s edge. Two might be better than one."
"Alright, Major, let's do it."
Piehl was already moving. He grabbed a Stun Pistol from the rack, and with the Major right on his heels, ran to the port hatch. Outside, they moved to the scaffolding that reached up the side of the bay toward the access hatch.
When they were half-way up the maze of metal beams and pipes, the upper hatch cover began to open, and on a chance, Piehl let fly at heavy stun toward where he'd seen a hand at the edge of the door. There was a scream and the plate clanged down.
"Fine shot, sir," Major Tenn'ek shouted.
The hatch opened all the way in one move, but Piehl couldn't see anyone. Must have put a hook-bar in the latch and pulled it open from deeper inside the access.
They still had forty meters to go when several deep green bolts came out of the blackness of the open hatch. Their aim was poor.
“These guys aren't very good,” Piehl muttered.
Piehl didn't get it. Who ever put it in motion wasn't getting their money's worth. They moved sideways along one of the beams to a rib standing out from the docking bay wall. Chunks of molten Metal from a frame just above showered down around them.
Tenn'ek