Humans for Hire

Chapter 70


Moncilat IV-B, Throne's Fortune Headquarters

Nhoot had calmed down a little bit from her talk with Freelord Svitre. It was odd, he didn't smell like a Svitre, but that was a question for another time. The important thing was her new friend was sad. He was also very tall. Or he would be if he stood up, as he hadn't moved from the bed. He wasn't sleeping, his breathing was too irregular. Nhoot tapped the mattress of his bed, the lowest of a three-tiered bunk bed in order to let him know she was there.

A soft whimper was the reply.

Nhoot squared herself to do her job. "Hihi, I'm Nhoot. Well, my full name's Lieutenant Junior Grade Ensign Nhoot and I'm eight I think but I'm a morale officer with the Terran Foreign Legion under Freelord Major Captain Gryzzk - I'm not s'posed to call him Gryzzk because he's Papa but he's not my real papa and we're on a ship called the Twilight Rose which is s'posed to be bad luck but I don't think that's right because we haven't had a lotta bad luck what's your name?"

Her new friend finally slowly moved to a sitting position, huddling in the corner. "Pogrin."

"That's a nice name, I like it." Nhoot declared firmly as she sat on the bed. "So how come you're here?"

"We were...we were on a field trip to Moncilat V." Pogrin spoke softly as if afraid that saying would reveal a terrible secret.

"Oooh that sounds nice, are there birds there? Birds are nice I like the bird called turkey cause they're yummy, but not all birds are for eating some are for looking at but I don't know the difference because I'm not from Terra I'm from Hurdop. Well my parents were I've never been there but I've been to Vilantia twice and it was scary cause there's no ceiling but Papa said it was okay because it's a planet and planets don't need ceilings." She paused for a moment. "What's a field trip?"

"We go to places and see things. Moncilat V is where we harvest crystals for growing into things."

Nhoot made a little oooh face. "Are you still going to go?"

"No. It hurts."

"What hurts? I mean my knees hurt a little but I think that's cause I was on Moncilat Prime and then they took me here and I'm heavier here than there." There was a blink of realization. "Ohhhh, you're from there so your everything hurts."

There was a nod in reply. "My...they said my sister needs to do things before they'll let me go. I don't think she's doing good things and it's my fault that she's doing bad things..." Pogrin stopped talking to hide his face in his forearm.

Nhoot crawled closer and laid down with her head on his leg. "Lord A'ogers says stuff like this is called Big Feelings and that it's okay to have Big Feelings about big things and this is a big thing and I watch Lord A'ogers and Little Seed Road a lot with some of the other folks on the ship cause they can't read and I can't read too good either so we're all learning to do that cause some clans don't have to read so they never teach them how but now we're in a different clan so we're all getting to learn."

The admission appeared to stun Pogrin out of his misery. "You...you can't read?"

"Well I can a little - not as good as Papa but Papa's been reading for a long time and I haven't so we should do something to make you hurt less." Nhoot clambered up to the top bunk and pulled the mattress off of it awkwardly before wrestling it into position on the bottom bunk while Pogrin scrambled out of the way.

Nhoot settled it into place with a final effort. "Better?"

Pogrin tested it a bit, looking at Nhoot. "Better...you're not supposed to do that."

"We're not supposed to be here so it's okay to do things we're not supposed to do. But you should go shower over there cause your fur smells ucky."

"I...I don't know how to do that. There's no bathing tub."

"Oh. So we have showers. That's it over there, it looks like it's a one-knob so you pull it out and twist for hot and cold and push the button for soap." Nhoot paused. "It might not be good soap but you should use it anyway because it's better than being ucky and I'll see if there's clean clothes anywhere. I'd help more but I can't make the shower taller so you're gonna have to have a crouchy shower. Sorry." Nhoot grabbed Pogrin by the arms and tugged, being careful to guide him into the shower and close the door before she started rifling through the available shelves and finding some spare clothes.

Once everything was done, Pogrin looked only a little silly. The clothes were sized to a Vilantian adult, but they were still a little small and awkward on him. He slowly crawled back onto the bed and looked at Nhoot with a slightly curious expression as she was working disconnecting a small pipe from the wall. "What...what are you doing?"

Nhoot grinned brightly. "They didn't search me too good and Corporal Private Prumila gave me a multitool because she was sad and I helped her. Well, Papa helped her but she gave me this cause Papa didn't need one." Nhoot returned to her rapid searching of the cell. "So I'm gonna see if I can make a Learning Stick."

"But...but why?"

"Well, 'cause Col'un and Prumila are gonna come help us get away when Papa comes to rescue us and we're gonna need to help them." The absolute surety in her voice made Pogrin think for the first time that he wasn't going to be here for the rest of his life.

___________

Terran Foreign Legion Ship Twilight Rose

Gryzzk leaned forward in his chair almost of his own accord, knowing that the conversation had several things now riding in the carriage. "I'm listening. Present your barter." He glanced at his tablet to see that Reilly had sent a simplified version of her chest tattoo as Gryzzk's clanmark.

His counterpart's posture and scent relaxed, someone who had done this many times before and never lost. "Compensation for my clan and ships. Your clan leaves the system and swears on eternal honor to never return. Do this and the child returns to you unharmed within the week." A ridiculous sum was shown on the screen.

The bridge stiffened at the gambit. The barter seemed a standard opening, with the highest possible bid - so it was his turn to demand as much as possible. "Four of your clan are in my stockade. Leave the system with only your clan, save one ship. No hostages retained, no goods from Moncilat. We will rendezvous with your last sworn ship at Moncilat IV-A, hostage exchange to be made via shuttlecraft. After that we will trouble you no more until our next contract calls for us to trouble you."

There was a sniff in return and a wave of a jeweled gauntlet. "Unacceptable. I have an armada of ships, and the ground beneath my feet is firm and rich. If your clan leaves and swears to never trouble mine again, the child will be in your arms in five days time."

"Your ground is not as steady as you believe it to be. The Moncilat government seeks to make overture with the Terrans; mercenaries at first but of course after the mercenaries come the diplomats with their papers of promise." Gryzzk gestured with his free hand to show the bridge. "And then after that the Terran Self-Defense fleet arrives. Leave with every fifth piece of plunder while you can, no hostages. Exchange as previously specified."

Svitre's form stiffened slightly at the news. The bartering had taken on a new tone, with much more than hostages at stake. "I have friends who see the value of strong leadership. We already provide Moncilat what the Terrans only think they can, and at a much lower cost."

"We have measured that assumption, and found it wanting. Three of your ships were disabled by a Terran ship with no weapons to speak of. Consider what would happen if you faced Terran ships that were armed. Consider that this ship and it's sister carry Terran weapons augmenting Vilantian plasma."

"The Moncilat crave peace at any cost - even their own, as you've seen. You would be seen as the aggressor and subject to their law."

"The Legion has proven it's value with only two companies and a handful of days. The only targets of our wrath thus far have been objects with no crew to call their own. Do not speak to me of lawless acts when you sit upon Moncilat's stolen treasures and hurl death when your demands are unmet. You act as a spoiled cub who's milk is too warm. Take what objects you value and leave without trace, or you will watch from the twilight as your heirs argue over the precious things you wear before your body is even cold. A few hours of delay for an honorable foe would not be out of the realm of possibility." Gryzzk shifted, calmly sipping at his tea.

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There was a slight tapping as the other Freelord considered his options, finally shaking his head. "To leave with so little would invite conflict within the clan born of my weakness. You're trying to take what I've rightfully stolen, and there is no wisdom in your words. We claim this system as Freeclan Svitre's in service to Hurdop. You enter without invitation. We both carry hostages, but yours are of no value to me. Kill them in whatever manner you see fit - they will be the first martyrs of the clanwar. As you are a fellow Freelord, you have one day of mercy. If you have not departed the system before highsun tomorrow, your daughter will greet you when you pass to the care of the dead gods." The holo cut without a chance to respond.

Hoban chuffed softly, breaking the silence. "If I didn't know better, I'd say I just watched the start of the Hatfields and the McCoys."

Edwards shook her head. "I'm thinking more War of the Roses."

Gryzzk stood, straightening his uniform. "Sergeant Reilly, open a channel to the Stalwart Rose and to the rest of the ship."

Reilly tapped and nodded. "We're hot."

"All personnel. This is Freelord Gryzzk. I've just been in contact with the local Freelord of the Throne's Fortune. We have bartered for our clanmates to no avail and in one day our clan will be at war. This will not involve any other clans or governments. Where two clans once stood, only one will remain." Gryzzk paused, feeling bitter weight on his tongue. "For those who have not yet made a decision with respect to joining the freeclan, weigh this reality in your choice. The covenants surrounding clanwar are available from the ship's library. I expect familiarization, as that is the standard we will hold ourselves to. In any event, no matter your choice there will be no excess shame or honor accorded as a result of this, so long as you perform your Legion duties appropriately - the only difference will be in assignments for tomorrow. The Legion will guard the ship, the clan will rescue the clan. Choice is the essence of the freeclan, and I will not rob anyone under my command of that choice. With that said, those have made their choice within the twelve hours will report that choice to the XO for further assignment. That is all."

Rosie arched an eyebrow smoothly at Gryzzk. "Freelord Major, we were given twenty-four hours by Freelord Svitre."

"Indeed we were, XO. However, there are two things to note. Firstly, I don't trust Freelord Svitre. Secondly, if we are to go to war we go to war on my signal, not his."

"Fair enough." Rosie cocked her head. "Freelord Major, there is currently a line forming outside medical, and I am currently processing eighty-five separate queries regarding the precise molecular pattern needed for the printers to mimic your scent in liquid form. There is also a similar query from the stockade, as I may have accidentally allowed them to listen to their Freelord's barter."

There was a ghost of a smile across Gryzzk's face. "I suppose that means the decision's been made by most." He sat for a moment, considering a plan. He needed more information to confirm if it was possible, which meant mentally steeling himself.

"Tuckers OK Corral Re-Enactors, Huckleberry speaking."

"Chief I have a question - what is the shortest possible R-space jump both ships are capable of making?"

"I'm going to need some more details here."

"The plan I am forming calls for a rapid strike to Moncilat IV-B behind the defensive line that will most likely be forming over the course of the next few hours. The most rapid form of transit available would be utilizing R-space, correct?"

"Major I'm not drunk enough to even consider the idea of an in-system R-space jump. Spin-up, spin-down, entry-exit points and grav-mass calculations...there's a reason jump coordinates are at the edges of a system and it's not because we like the ride." There was a pause. "Are you planning on rewriting the tactical manual as a hobby or is this some loony Vilantian thing?"

"Consider it a question from someone who does not know what cannot be done, does not care what shouldn't be done, and is rather keen on determining the most expeditious means of recovering his daughter and clan. If this question violates some law of physics, then we will plan within those parameters. However, if this is simply a matter of it being a difficult calculation, you have eleven hours to present the solution."

"What happened to twelve?"

"I presume you will need an hour at the outset to think it over, curse my name, my parents, my wives, and swear under your breath at the damned fool of a Major while drinking excessive amounts of coffee before remembering some quirk within the ship's systems that will allow it to be done, then contacting the Chief Engineer of the Stalwart Rose to check your theory, and finally commencing the actual work."

"Oh I'll be swearing loudly, Major. Would you care to listen in?"

"Not today, I have other conversations to have."

"Lucky you." There was a pause before Gryzzk heard Chief Tucker speaking to the engineering squad, having forgotten to disconnect. "Alright my lovely batch of wingnuts, the Old Man in his infinite wisdom believes that drinking coffee while suffering builds character and he's determined to ensure that we have more character than an ensemble mega-movie..."

Gryzzk disconnected from his end, not really thrilled at the idea of actually listening to the deep vocabulary of Chief Tucker. "XO, Chief Tucker has priority for computational cycles. Advise Stewart of our plan if you haven't already. Please tell me you were able to isolate the signal source."

"I have on both counts Freelord Major. Signal tracks back to Moncilat IV-B, facing the planet proper. Stalwart Rose's chief engineer wants to know what drugs you are on and where he may acquire some."

"I'll answer that later. For now, signal both ships for a tactical briefing." Gryzzk moved to the conference room and settled in, looking over his tablet of half-scribbled notes.

The forms of both captains resolved slowly - Rosie had pulled power from communications already in order to begin the necessary computation. Gryzzk took a breath before beginning.

"Captains, here is the current form of the plan. We will be attacking Moncilat IV-B. To do this, Legion ships will be making an in-system R-space jump to get behind any defensive formations and make two orbits - the first orbit will be to fix position and confirm landing coordinates, and second will be an orbital bombardment of their position. The goal of this will be to neutralize any defensive emplacements and disable any craft that may launch from the surface. During that bombardment we will be executing a ground attack, landing troops at available entry points and subsequently moving through the facility. The rules of clanwar will be adhered to during this, Captain Rostin."

Captain Rostin's face had a grim determination, while Captain Dulaine shifted uncomfortably before speaking. "Major, I am unfamiliar with 'clanwar'. Please elaborate on this."

"Simply put captain, the Throne's Fortune appears to be a collective of Hurdop clans. The clan that has taken a liking to this system finds it impossible to exist in concert with us. Quarter will not be given or offered to any who take up arms against the other clan. The only clans involved are the clans themselves and any secondary clans. Calling upon clan alliances is nominally forbidden, however covert aid has been known to happen. Tradition dictates that participants mark themselves with a wrist tattoo that has the respective Lord's scent mixed in. The war will end when one clan ceases to exist, either by forswearing their clan allegiance or by death to the last."

"That is...brutal." Captain Dulaine quivered visibly at the thought.

Gryzzk offered a weak smile. "I concur with that assessment. But such is the reality before us. That said Captain, your assignment within this is observational only. Take your ship and make for Moncilat IV-B at best speed. We will be relying on your sensors to provide intelligence with respect to any ship movements as rapidly as possible. Do not place your ship in excessive danger."

"Understood." Captain Dulaine settled back in his chair.

"Captain Rostin, any questions?"

There was a headshake. "No questions, however the crew has requested a sample in order to properly mimic your scent."

"Have your medical team send the request over - but do not expect rapid response, as my medbay is currently...busy." Gryzzk gestured to the two forms. "If there are no further inquiries, Captains - to your duties. Good fortune, and good hunting."

Gryzzk emerged from the conference room to find the bridge was more active and crowded than he liked. The scent of the room seemed as if he'd been here a bit more than he actually had, the Moncilat were crouched next to Hoban and Reilly with the two were being briefed on the controls and adjustments needed for their stations. In addition to this, the squad all had small bandages on their right wrists.

"XO, there is an explanation I am waiting to hear."

Rosie smirked a bit. "Well, Yomios and Miroka are both bridge-qualified in their respective positions and requested an amendment to their passenger contracts - I decided it best to grant that request as they both appear to have beneficial skills and the danger clause of their contracts does allow us to utilize them aboard the ship as needed. I'll let Yomios make her additional request, as it requires your authorization."

Gryzzk settled into his chair, waiting for Yomios to wrap up whatever she was doing and make her request.

Yomios lingered next to Reilly as Reilly finished her explanations, then glanced back as Reilly gave a nod and a small thumbs-up gesture. To her credit, Yomios wasn't quivering physically, but her scent was highly uncertain as she looked around before finally looking down at Gryzzk.

"Major. I understand that you initially came to this profession as an observer. I should like to fulfill the same role tomorrow. I have visited the armory and they have selected...'side arms' that they think would be most functional in addition to a mobile communications suite. I believe it would be beneficial for the children that are being held there to see a familiar face. With respect, the scent of the Terrans and yours is aggressive even in friendship."

Rosie coughed delicately. "Major, her record is excellent within her duties. Her marksmanship is suspect."

Gryzzk tapped a finger absently against his tablet. "Sergeant Major, I'm certain you have an opinion regarding this."

The slight touch of O'Brien's accent was enough for Gryzzk to know her thoughts fully before she'd completed her first sentence. "Major, on paper it's not so bad. But the reality's pretty real here - you're taking a bunch of risks. That said we're all so damned short compared to them that it'd take an act of Our Lord and Savior Private Murphy for her to cause a friendly fire incident. And at the end of the day you won't feel right denying someone else the chance you got. Even if it might come back to stab you in the back. Or the top of your fuzzy head."

"If that should occur I will be in an excellent position to deal with it promptly." Gryzzk voice was calm, but the flare of fear from Yomios communicated all he needed to know. "Very well. XO, note in the log that Miroka is to be temporarily rostered as a Specialist pilot and Yomios will be listed as an observer for tomorrow. She will be accompanying my team on the ground, while Miroka pilots my shuttle." Gryzzk gestured to dismiss Yomios, wondering just what tomorrow would bring. It was time to get things in order.

"Captain Hoban. Escort Specialist Miroka to a shuttle and assist in familiarizing her with the shuttle flight controls."

Hoban nodded with a large smile. "Will do, Major." He stood and took Miroka's hand.

Gryzzk lifted his right eyebrows. "And Captain. Remind the flight personnel that there will be no fornication within the shuttles or shuttle bays. Am I clear?"

Hoban's mood didn't visibly deflate, but his scent changed to something slightly less enthusiastic. "Yessir."

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