Loyalty to the Cause (TCOTU, Book 4) (This Corner of the Universe) (27 page)

“Syntyche
squeezes every credit it can from transitory shipping.  Besides biomechanics,
Humex’s greatest asset is its location.”  Lombardi pointed at the system plot. 
“This system connects to four major star systems.  Anything going to Picus or
Terra Mater passes through this system.  Since Picus is a major hub for trade
between the Federation and Commonwealth, there is much profit to be made from charging
transit fees.”

“Well,
they’re not very well-defended for such an important system,” Vernay remarked. 
“Kite alone could conquer this system.”

“Only
after invading the Federation through the Syrinx system, Lieutenant,” Lombardi
noted.  “There was a sound strategic reason why Humex paid for liberty from the
Federation here but did not pay for Syrinx.”

“A
buffer,” Heskan summarized.

“Then
why doesn’t the Federation just reabsorb this system?” Vernay asked.

“There
is no reason to,” Lombardi explained.  “I understand the ‘Vic mentality is to
exert maximum influence over everything within their borders but the Federation
was well paid to give the corporate systems their autonomy, and ongoing trade
agreements remain favorable.”

Vernay
glared in annoyance at the Hollaran but listened as Lombardi pointed at
Gremlin’s
beacon on the system plot.  “That brig would be no match for even a single Federation
frigate.  That is true.”  The komandor then made a dramatic cutting motion at
her neck with a finger.  “However, the corporate systems have tremendous
clout.  Attacking would be akin to slitting their own throats for many leaders
inside the Federation.  Put simply, Lieutenant, political and economic
realities are all the protections the corporate systems require against two of the
three major governments.”

“Then
why have defense ships at all?” Vernay asked.

Lombardi
smiled knowingly.  “The only enemy of a corporate system is another corporate
system, and while it is true that most conflicts between these systems are low
intensity, such as espionage, there are instances where one corporation decides
it is time for more aggressive measures.”

“Gives
new meaning,” Heskan added, “to the term ‘hostile takeover.’”

“Precisely,”
Lombardi said.  “Humex is relatively safe though.  Its territory is large, with
three star systems including Syntyche.  Moreover, the Federation surrounds it. 
The other three major regions containing corporate systems have multiple
mega-corps bordering each other directly.  It is there that one finds the more
aggressive means of corporate warfare.”

“Is
that why Syntyche only has a few brigs?” Selvaggio asked.

Lombardi
nodded.  “Yes, but there are more defense ships in the other Humex systems,
including ships of the line.  Not many though, such vessels are expensive to purchase
and operate and Humex is all about profits.  As it is, Gremlin was purchased
from the Commonwealth ten years ago when she was purpose-built for this system.”

Heskan
looked at Lombardi inquisitively.  “How do you know that, Isabella?”

“As
I have said, Syntyche and the Commonwealth have deep ties to each other.”

“Bree
has generally avoided entanglements with the corporate systems,” Vernay noted
with satisfaction.

This
was true, in part, because only one of the four corporate regions shared
borders with the Republic.  However, the Republic also displayed a vehement animosity
toward the corporate systems as a matter of principle.  They were an affront to
the Republic tenet that freedom paid for with credits and not blood was not
true freedom.  By law, no system within the Republic could entertain the notion
of buying its secession, although there were examples of attempts earlier in
her history.  The Republic was a jealous mistress who guarded her star systems
as a miser watched over his coins.

During
the discussion,
Gremlin
moved to intercept.  The growing vector line
behind the brig’s symbol brought Selvaggio full circle.  “Komandor, do we have
enough credits to pay a transit and docking fee?”

“It
will be fine,
Tenente
,” Lombardi assured.  “Once we are closer, I will
speak to them.”

Despite
the relatively short distance between the two ships, it took over an hour to
reduce the span to where a near real-time conversation could be held. 
Gremlin’s
second message came seventy-three minutes after her first.

“CSV
Hussy, you will heave to without delay,” Holt ordered succinctly.  “You will be
boarded for ship’s inspection.  My comm officer is transmitting account details
for the immediate payment of your transit fee.”

Lombardi
stood next to Heskan at the captain’s console, waiting patiently for
Truesworth’s signal to proceed.  When she finally spoke, Heskan noted how improved
her English had become over the last months, despite her bemusing refusal to
use contractions.

“Captain
Holt, contact Chairman Lukas Nikitas and send him Isabella Lombardi’s regards
using the private channel code transmitted to you now.  We will continue on
course for Tuxevi and we request clearance to dock at the orbital of his
convenience.  Lombardi out.”  She looked at Heskan and added, “Please continue
on course, Captain.  I would prefer to not add one extra minute to the time I
must remain in these clothes.”  She tugged at her orange prisoner’s garb. 
Indeed, all of the Hollarans had been forced to wear the same clothes over the
last two weeks.

Heskan
smiled with empathy. 
Just when you’ve mastered tactics, then you’ve got to
learn strategy.  And once you’ve grasped the concepts of strategy, logistics
rears its ugly head.
 
We avoided all the Brevic ships and I.S. agents
only to be nearly foiled by something as mundane as simple supply. 
Heskan
knew that history was replete with examples where exhausting a supply train was
a far greater danger than any opposing force.

Hussy
plodded forward another 6
lm
while
Gremlin
fulfilled Lombardi’s request.  Fourty-two minutes passed
before the brig’s next reply was received.  Captain Holt’s real-time image
flashed into existence on the wall screen bearing a wide, almost eager smile. 
His speech pattern suggested he had rehearsed his message multiple times. 
“Syntyche sends its warmest salutations to Isabella Lombardi, Komandor of the
Commonwealth’s Navy.  Your fees have been waived and Gremlin requests the honor
of escorting your ship to the orbital of your choice.  Chairman Nikitas humbly
suggests the Vox space orbital, Docking Bay One.”

All
eyes on
Hussy’s
bridge turned to Lombardi who merely replied, “The honor
of your escort is ours and we will gratefully proceed to Vox, Captain.”  She
swiped her hand at Truesworth to end the encounter.

“Quite
a change in demeanor,” Heskan remarked.

Lombardi
laughed melodically.  “Realizing that you are speaking to the niece and adopted
daughter of Hollaran Naval Procurement will do that.  We will have no further
difficulties here, Garrett.  Chairman Nikitas owes the Commonwealth, and my
family in particular, a great debt.”

“What
happened?” Heskan asked.

“A
subsidiary branch in Humex was going to spin Nikitas’ department off in an
attempt to oust him,” Lombardi explained.  “When many board executives
abandoned him, the De Lucas backed his position and threatened to withdraw the
Commonwealth from several trade agreements if Nikitas was removed.  The ouster
failed and Nikitas eventually rose to prominence as head of the Board.”

“Sounds
complicated,” Heskan stated.

“Frankly,
it is.  I prefer my warfare much more open and honest.”  Lombardi smiled reflectively. 
“I guess I am not much of a De Luca.”

“Captain,”
Vernay said as she looked at Heskan, blue eyes wide with hope.  “Are we going
to actually, you know, get to leave Hussy when we dock?”

The
question spurred great interest among the bridge as each crewmember sat,
literally, on the edge of their seat.  “I don’t know, Stacy,” he confessed. 
“We don’t have any credits and I’m still not sure how we’re going to resupply
Hussy in this system.  These corporate folks don’t seem the kind to extend
credit to strangers.”  He looked guiltily at Lombardi.  “Isabella, I hate to
ask because I don’t think I could ever pay you back but is there anything your influence
can provide?”

Lombardi
smiled warmly at him before replying, “Garrett, I told you that if you took us
to Syntyche, I would take us the rest of the way home.  Lukas treats me like
his own daughter.  There is a hotel on Vox that I stayed in when I was fifteen that
I remember fondly.  I will have Lukas block off an entire floor for our
people.  I will also make arrangements to ensure we all have the resources
necessary to feed and, for all that is loving and merciful in the galaxy, clothe
us appropriately.  In fact, we should discuss what our plans will be after
Syntyche.”

Heskan’s
stomach flipped. 
That’s right.  There’s really no need for her or her crew
to return to Hussy.  I’m sure they’ll be much more comfortable on a luxury
passenger transport than cramming everyone back here.
  He felt his heart
flutter
.  Is Isabella leaving me?

Heskan’s
entire crew debarked
Hussy
upon mooring with the massive station at Syntyche’s
primary planet.  Docking Bay-1 had obviously been built to accommodate the
luxury ships of visiting dignitaries. 
Hussy’s
farcical presence secured
to a gleaming slip highlighted Heskan’s embarrassment for not only the
destitute appearance of his weathered command but that of his crew.  They had
emerged from
Hussy
tattered from stress, haggard from malnourishment,
and malodorous from poor hygiene. 
Two sani-showers, two hundred people
. 
What were we thinking?

His
shame at the condition of his crew had only increased when he realized that
Vox’s “Head of Reception and Decorum” was personally greeting them in the
docking bay with an honor guard.  Heat had risen in Heskan’s cheeks as crewmember
after crewmember exited
Hussy
wearing a thoroughly filthy orange
prisoner’s outfit.  The ridiculous image reminded Heskan of a circus he attended
as a little boy, his childish delight increasing with each additional clown
emerging from an impossibly small hovercar. 
We just needed music in the
background and we could have earned some credits by charging admission to the
spectacle of Hussy’s arrival
.  Naturally, Heskan had been unable to detect
any trace of embarrassment on Lombardi.
  Of course,
he thought. 
Isabella
handles every encounter with an infuriating, unflagging self-confidence.
 
She had simply shook the Vox representative’s hand and proceeded to ensure that
all her requests had been granted, starting with their accommodations.

A
clean and suited Heskan now knocked on the door of Vernay’s hotel suite.  While
he waited, he had to admit that Syntychen hospitality was remarkable.  The Vox representative
had even kept a straight face when assuring Heskan that his command would remain
unmolested during his absence, under the watchful eyes of the Humex honor
guard. 
As if someone would dare enter that rusty crate the way she smells. 
Heskan chuckled at the thought as Lieutenant Vernay finally opened the
door.

“Something
funny, sir?” she said in mock-offense while raising her arms to display a striking
blue Tourlenni dinner gown that fit her to perfection.  “I may go into business
selling the ‘Hussy Crash Diet Plan’ when I settle down,” she said with a
dangerous smile while turning in a gentle circle to model her attire.

Her
figure, already toned and athletic, had lost virtually all of its body fat in
the fortnight of hardship.  Heskan too had lost weight. 
I actually have
six-pack abs,
he chuckled to himself as he recalled dressing for the
evening.  He and the Brevic crew had been lucky.  Some of Lombardi’s crew, who
started out thinner due to their captivity, were malnourishment cases.  Seven Hollarans
had been admitted to the Vox medical facility and were under observation to
ensure they recovered properly.  Ensign May was the only Brevic admittee,
recovering well but checked in as a precaution.

“I
was just thinking what a difference a few hours makes.” Heskan said.

“I’ll
say, Captain,” Vernay agreed.  “I think I could get used to this kind of
treatment.  I actually got a massage in my room while a personal assistant
showed me dresses for tonight on the wall screen.”  She smiled broadly again. 
“Promise me that wherever we end up, we’ll have this lifestyle.”

The
pair began to walk down the lavishly carpeted hall toward the lift.  “I guess
we’re going to find out what’s next,” Heskan said with a slight twinge of
concern.  “Lombardi wants to use this dinner as a planning session on how we’re
going to move forward.”

Vernay’s
eyes rolled slightly but she said cheerfully, “As long as they serve food, I
don’t mind listening to her.”  She snickered and reached out to take Heskan by
the arm.  “Sir, you did it!  You kept your word.”

Heskan
nodded, a little too solemnly for Vernay’s taste.

“Garrett,”
she said as she stopped in the hallway, “I thought you’d be happier.”