OMEGA Allegiance (3 page)

I mulled over the information. If we dropped Jontik off, the
Jess
would be compromised and unable to return to monitor him. If the
Jess
was discovered, we would also have no way of gathering intel on the portal gate to Andromeda. There were just too many unknowns for a viable strategy to be planned out.

Without a plan in place, I felt uncomfortable making a decision. "See if on your next run you can follow a ship out to the portal gate. I would be interested to know how they got one working that was also powerful enough to reach another galaxy. Everything I know about these portals says they are tamper-proof. If Harden Salton has figured out how to control them, that would have huge implications for the stability of the New Alliance. None of the other ruling families would allow one of the others to have that kind of power."

Garrett replied, "I've been wondering about that myself. One other thing that occurred to me when I saw Joni. We could alert the Salton security forces and they would just go out and pick her up."

I shook my head. "If we were to do that, we would forever seal our fate. If we contacted the Salton's organization directly, they would want to know how we came about this information. If we did it anonymously, we would not get credit for freeing her. Besides, if she is walking around down there with the Adicans, she must be doing it for a reason. She would otherwise just turn herself in."

Garrett sat back and crossed his arms. "I've had the same thoughts. The only way we come out of this thing OK is if we walk in with her. She doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger, so I think we have time to figure this out. If what you said before is true, they will have another couple months of training down there before the ships show up to take them to Andromeda."

I said, "Do whatever you can with regard to Jontik. Put one of your sensors on him and practice having him return data in the best format, whether it be on a ring or a shirt pin — whatever works. In the meantime, head back and try to get us some information on that portal. How does it work or how is it powered, anything that will tell us more than we know. I'll go back and check up on our ships and mining gear."

After my discussion with Garrett had ended, I followed Go out to Telfor for a test of the automated mining prototype. After the first hour of operation it became apparent that parts of the design were flawed. The seeking and guidance system was perfect. The drilling mechanisms, as well as the ore separators, worked better than expected. The major problem was one that we were thrilled to have. The ore hoppers were filling up too quickly!

The design called for a two hopper system. While the first hopper was being filled, the second, full hopper, would detach and navigate its way to a predetermined drop point. The drop point would be a conveyer that took the material to the mine's surface. It was determined that the ore separation stage could be further improved to provide a higher grade output, and that a third hopper should be added. Both improvements would be completed in short order. Several days passed before an updated design was ready.

After a second test of the new design, the decision was made to put the automated mining machines to work. The heavily automated shipyards at Dallex would be used to manufacture the automated miners, or autos as we called them. The Talisan managers believed that an initial production rate of fifty autos per month could be achieved in two months time with five hundred autos per month within three months after. If that pace held true, and the autos were as productive as the initial prototype, we would be able to meet the production numbers Garrett had sold to the Theta shipyards.

The Talisans were excited about the prospect of automated mining in the Omega sector. Their easily mined resources had been pulled from the ground centuries before. The autos would be able to pull ore from many colony mines that had been played out and abandoned. The detector technology allowed the efficient mining of resources where cost had been prohibitive.

Having only been a slave for a short period of time, I found it curious how quickly I could forget the Talisan transgressions. As a species, they seemed to be almost without moral thought. The lives or well-being of others seemed to not matter, their own people included. On an even more bizarre note, the Feldons, when dealing with their former slave masters, were able to put those transgressions behind as well. I had trouble deciding if it was a strength or a weakness on both counts.

Nearly a week had passed before I again heard from Garrett. Several trips to the portal gate leading to Andromeda had been conducted. Information gathered at the scene left as many questions as it did answers.

Garrett delivered a screen full of data to my display. "Take note of all the rock surrounding the base of that gate. I think it was just moved here from somewhere else. As to the size and power of it, the fact that it allows a transfer all the way to Andromeda … I'm a bit confused. You can see from the construction that it is essentially the same as the smaller portal gates, which makes it equally as old as them. Harden Salton's engineers didn't build this thing. I think they found it or took it from someone or somewhere else.

"On the image you can see the huge structure beside it. I believe that's all power systems they have hooked to it. You know, half the size of the portal gates is for the power generation required to operate them. One as big as this, it must use a tremendous amount of energy. While I was watching, a freighter delivered a load of cesium. I have to wonder how often that happens."

I replied, "I would be curious to see it in operation. How many ships pass through it when open and how often is it open?"

Garrett nodded. "I'll be trying to find that out in the coming weeks. I took the
Jealousy
back by the shipyards and it looks like they have a couple dozen warships sitting at the ready. Adicus had several million citizens. I would have to guess that maybe 60 percent would be sent off to war. The young, the old, and the infirm would make up the rest. That's still over a million people. A third of those warships were transports. Just as a quick estimate, I would say they can take about two-thirds of the Adicans with that fleet. So we should still have the time it takes to build those ships before they are sent through the portal."

"Do you have images of those ships?"

Garrett replied, "I do. You'll have them in just a sec."

When the images came up on my display I began to look them over. The warships looked like the ones I had seen while at the training school with Joni. The transports, except for the obviously added gun mounts, at first looked like any other high capacity transport ship. As I zoomed in on each of the transports one thing became apparent.

I said, "Garrett, these are not new transport ships in these images. I see evidence of burn strikes on the hulls. The other ships look new, but the transports have seen battle!"

The comm was silent for several seconds. "Hmm. You're right. I hadn't noticed that before. I spent my time looking over those heavily armed destroyers."

I shifted uneasily in my chair. "I think you should keep an eye on that Andromeda gate. They may be sending ships back through."

Garrett crossed his arms as he leaned back. "If that's true, they could have the ships they need for transport at any time. I'm going to drop a passive probe near the gate. After that, I'll head back to Contonal to figure out how to get Jontik down on that planet.

"How are the ships coming along on Dallex?"

I replied, "They should be ready for a fleet test in another month. The Talisans are conducting flight worthiness tests on the fighters as they come out of the yards. The first destroyer is due in a few days. So far, those computers you sent seem to be working perfectly. The blasters arrived from Orwall yesterday. Let me know before you do anything on Contonal."

Garrett half smiled. "You don't have to worry about that. I don't plan on doing anything if I can't get your feedback on it first. I have the urge to charge in there right now with guns blazing to get her out. But I'm pretty sure that would be a bad idea."

As Garrett continued to talk, he relayed that Joni had been seen a second time, in the same area as before. If he had a way to get Jontik to the surface, he would put him on the ground in the same compound. When the discussion had ended, I traveled back to SS241 to check on the progress of the security forces and Layda's government.

I sat in a chair in front of Layda's desk. "Do I understand correctly that you've increased the funding for the security forces?"

Layda nodded. "I have. Tax revenues have been coming in at an increased pace with the shipping lanes once again open. I've authorized enough credits for the new Chief to hire an additional eight detectives for the inspection service. The crimes unit is the bigger expansion of the two. There were two detectives for this station and none for any of the colonies. We will be training and equipping at least two criminal detectives to be stationed at each colony. They will only become active during cases that involve multiple colonies."

I smiled. "I'm glad to see you taking on these challenges. If you want to expand the economies out here, you have to provide a secure environment for the businesses and for the people they employ. If it's any consolation, I believe you are going about this in the right manner."

Layda grimaced. "I hope you are right. So far I've received nothing but pushback from the colony governors. They think we are only sending people out to stick our nose in their business. I assured them the agents should be viewed as liaison resources. They won't have the power to arrest anyone within a colony's jurisdiction without written consent from the governor of that colony. Everyone has been on their own for so long that they view offers of help as meddling."

I tapped my knuckles on the top of her desk.

Layda said, "What was that?"

I looked down at my outstretched hand. "Oh, sorry. It's a habit I picked up from Go. When Humans agree with something or wish it to happen they knock on a surface with their knuckles for good luck."

Layda shook her head. "I thought they gave a thumbs up or a high slap or something. You know, I like the Humans I have encountered, but sometimes they are a strange crew."

I smiled. "They have their curiosities, as do we all."

Layda brought up a holo-display above her desk. "When you are done with the fleet at Dallex, I plan to order fifty-five ships for use by the security forces. A dozen will go to the inspection force. The rest will be used by our first tranche of off-world detectives."

I nodded. "It sounds like you are modeling the force after what we have on the other security stations."

Layda smiled. "I had my people do research on it. The training manuals that should be here are non-existent. I've placed an order for them through the security service headquarters on SS3. The Chief there was floored that someone was requesting them. I think it prompted him to do a review of their own training."

I again wrapped on the desktop with my knuckles. "Before you ask, this time it was for the job you are doing here. You seem ever more confident each time I see you. The decisions you are making are along the lines of what I would do."

"Well, Mr. Beutcher, sometimes it's overwhelming, but I just keep at it and after a while everything eventually seems to just fall in place."

I said, "Have you talked with Jallis much of late?"

Layda pursed her lips. "Not as much as I would like. He's in a similar situation. We are both dealing with issues that we never gave thought to before. We have tried to be a prop for each other. I can't tell you how many times I've had to turn away from a comm call because I was about to burst out in tears. Not that he hasn't wanted to do the same, I just think it's better for each of us if we offer support to each other rather than being a burden."

I nodded. "I had confidence that the two of you would do well at this work. I'm glad to say that confidence was well placed."

Layda stood. "You know, sometimes I don't know whether I want to thank you or punch you for getting me into this. But I suppose for now I'll just have to thank you. I hate to kick you out, but I have a staff meeting in about fifteen minutes that I need to prepare for. If you want to do me a favor, go find Chief Rollings and tell him I would like him to attend. And don't mention the ship order I'm working on. I'm saving that for a surprise."

I stood and held my big Grunta hand out over her desk. She took it with a smile and offered a vigorous shake. When I left her office I was almost on a high. Everything was moving forward at a brisk pace. The shipping lanes were secure, displaced populations were settling, commerce was moving all economies forward.

The Talisans help had at first been ridiculed and often cursed, but their persistent offers and lack of emotion in dealing with criticisms had placed them in good standing with most colonies. Their acceptance by others was almost hard to imagine given their recent transgressions.

A spirit of forgiveness was beginning to form around their deeds, and that spirit was spreading throughout the sector. I wondered, if given time, would Omega become one of the better sectors to reside in? I also wondered if any such success would bring with it the appointment of political hacks who answered only to the Saltons. With much luck and a successful rescue of Joni Salton, I hoped to find out firsthand.

Several weeks had passed before Garrett came over the comm with an idea. "I'm going to strip the ID and transponder out of one of my lifepods and then dump Jontik on a path that will land him in the middle of the compound. He's going to use the excuse that he hitched a ride with some shady salvagers who had come to Adicus. He helped them to the riches they wanted, and in return they dumped him here."

"And if they ask him how he knew where to be dumped?"

Garrett smiled. "That is actually an easy one. He will just tell them he doesn't know. He'll say that they kept him in a room for the journey. He'll say that he doesn't even know where he is. We've been discussing this for several days now and I believe we have a solid story for him to stick to. He'll tell them that he hid out when they conscripted everyone else because he was scared, and now he just wants to be with his people. It's weak, but they won't have any reason to doubt him. Who would be crazy enough to join a conscripted army?"

"Any news of the portal gate?"

Garrett nodded. "Two transports came back through. A destroyer followed just after. It looked as though it barely survived whatever fight it had been in. The port side had a number of open sections where whole armor plates had been blown off. I can only imagine that they will be using it for parts. The hull looks like it has a slight twist to it. It definitely took a beating.

"The transports moved on. The destroyer looks like it might not even have light-speed. At its current rate of travel, if it's trying to get back to the shipyard, it's gonna take it four months, if not more."

I leaned in as I looked over the image of the destroyer on the holo-display. "The plating we are building into our ships is almost a meter thicker than that of the destroyer. I just hope we don't have to put it to use if we have to chase Joni through that portal."

Garrett brought up a diagram of the compound on Contonal. "If all goes well, Jontik should be landing in the middle of that compound two days from now. I have five trackers attached to his clothing, and one that I had him swallow. It should remain in his system for about a week. If they take his clothing, we will switch to the internal one. We won't get video from it, but we'll be able to hear everything being said around him."

I switched back to the view of the damaged destroyer. "Give me a call when Jontik is on the surface. And send me all the info you have on the damaged ship. We'll study it to see if there are any weaknesses that we may want to address on our ships."

When the comm ended, I made my way to the storage area Marcos had used for his collections. Go came through the portal from Dallex and we met in the room that once again contained the AMP artifacts.

Go said, "You want another look at that suit?"

"Yes. I want to mess around with it, see if we can use it somehow. I have the operating system and software load from the arm pad to put back on it. I want you to take a closer look at it. Maybe you can pick out something we can use. According to the tutorials in that arm pad, the power cell runs on sodium. I don't think there is much left in it. See if you can figure out if it can be refilled or recharged. If we can charge that cell we can try out the suit and its gadgets."

Go picked up the power cell and began an inspection. "I'd like to know more about those gloves."

I nodded. "The tutorials claimed the wearer of the suit would be somewhat immune to external forces, essentially rendering them invisible in the process. The glove for the right hand has a propulsion system that can be used to maneuver when the suit is active. The left glove has a kinetic weapon that fires a small tungsten pellet, supposedly at half the speed of light."

Go looked up. "That's what I want to know: what makes the gloves do what they do?"

I powered up the arm pad. "What I would want to know is, can we replicate any of the technology, or would we even want to? If those who established the AMP had these technologies, they must have decided they were too powerful for anyone else to have. Otherwise they would be all over this galaxy."

Go poked at several slots on the power cell. "That's probably the same reason they locked away the secrets of the portals and the power generators. I used to daydream about those portals, about what you could do if you had one on your ship or even on your person. My initial thoughts were that it would be fantastic. Then I began to think about how it could so easily be abused. You could step through a portal to wherever you wanted, rob the place, and then step back without leaving any evidence or trail. And there would be no way to stop others from doing that to you."

I pulled up the holo-display and began to explore the diagrams of the suits make-up and abilities. "It says the power glove is a black hole generator. On the knuckle-face we will find small protrusions that allow the creation of temporary microscopic black holes. During their existence, the wearer of the glove is pulled towards them, the hole dissipates before the glove reaches it, and a new black hole is then formed just out from it. They happen in rapid enough succession that the wearer is constantly pulled in the direction of their aimed fist."