Solbidyum Wars Saga Book 1: Battle of the New Orleans (29 page)

I had produced several vids of martial arts moves that
Marranalis was using as training tools for our own developing security force.  I would drop by for several hours a day to demonstrate moves and to critique the progress of the martial arts students or “Karate Ka”.  I was referred to by the students as “Shihan Tibby” as I was as close to a master as they were likely ever to get. Marranalis wasn’t even close by Earth’s standards but the students still called him “Sensei” by the Karate Ka, as he definitely was more advanced than they.  It was two days after our return from Nibaria that Kala came to me to tell me that everything was set up with Captain Maxette and with Piesew.  We would be able to entertain the Captain in two days and Piesew the day thereafter.  In the mean time I had received word from Orcpipin that a luxury passenger starship had collided with an asteroid and was being towed into the shipyard at Nibaria for repairs. It would likely be there for a year before being back in service. The starship line was letting most of the crew go as they didn’t have any another ship to place them on. There was a good possibility I could get a relatively experienced crew or at least partial crew that were accustomed to working together if I was interested. He said the ship would be arriving in about a week but he would be able to contact it before then and arrange for me to interview people for crew positions.  I thanked him and said I would be most appreciative if he did and would gladly pay him a finder’s fee if things worked out.

With all the events going on around the estate and on the
New Orleans
I was not having the personal contacts with my crew that I wanted.  They had become my family and I liked having them around, so I decided that every other day we would all gather together for the evening meal.  This would give us a chance to be updated on what we all were doing and it also gave us a chance for us all to socialize together a bit.  The meals were casual; most times we ate around a table in one of the dining rooms, sometimes we ate outdoors on one of the patios or balconies.  We took turns on selecting the type of food we would eat and the dishes we would have.  It was a lot of fun and we all enjoyed it.

The
following day Kala, Reidecor, Lunnie, Kerabac and I boarded the
TRITYTE
to fly up to the
DUSTEN
to pick up Captain Maxette.  Marranalis stayed behind to continue with the martial arts training.  We arrived in the hanger where a large crowd had gathered. On a giant vid screen on one wall images played of Kala, Reidecor, Lunnie, Marranalis and myself in scenes from our banquet with Admiral Regeny.  The words “Hero’s” and “TIBBY THE RESTORER” flowed across the screen and cheers and applause broke out as we opened the door and walked out onto the ramp.  Captain Maxette walked up as the crowd cheered on, “Where is Sgt. Marranalis?” he said looking about.

“I regret we didn’t bring him with us
.  He’s attending to the training of the security guards and trainers today for me and Admiral Regeny.  If I had known that this was going to happen I would have made sure he was with us.  Perhaps we can bring him with us on our return tomorrow for everyone to see?”

“I think those onboard here would appreciate that” the
Captain said.  There were a few moments where the Captain heaped on praises for those of us on the mission saying that regretfully Sgt. Marranalis was unable to be here due to other duties but that on his return the next day Sgt. Marranalis would be there for those wishing to see him.  Then he turned and entered the
TRITYTE
with us.  I let him take the command chair in the control room and situated myself in one of the chairs behind him next to Kala.  It wasn’t until after we had all settled in that I mentioned to him that he may want to contact his bridge and let them know we were flying to Nibaria and not to the estate. 

With a look of surprise the
Captain turned and looked at me and exclaimed, “Don’t tell me you bought the space yacht that Galetils was having built!? I’ve been dying to see that beauty!”

“Ok Captain
,” I replied, “I won’t tell you, but we’ll be there in time for lunch.”

I was surprised at
Captain Maxette’s reaction as we approached the
NEW ORLEANS
, being the Captain of one of the largest star ships in the Galaxy I would have expected a lesser reaction. However, from the moment she came into view until we docked in her forward hangar bay Captain Maxette was practically crawling into the view screen to get a better look.

“
Incredible, she certainly is larger than any other yacht in the galaxy,” Captain Maxette exclaimed. “You would have to shuttle people between her and the
DUSTEN
, no way she’d fit in a hangar bay.  Your hanger bays on her are pretty damn large. Outside of military ships and ship transports I don’t think I’ve ever seen bigger. You have two on her I understand, hangers that is.? Look at those lines, this ship is a real thing of beauty. What’s that name glowing on the bow,
NEW ORLEANS
, what’s that?”

“It’s the name I gave the ship,” I answered
.  “It’s the name of a city near my home on Earth. I thought I would name her as a reminder of a place I loved.”

“
Ahh, I see,” said the Captain, clearly distracted by other vistas of the ship as they came into view.

After
landing we were met by Orcpipin, who informed me that he had personally seen to all the arrangements of my requests, but he was still awaiting a GW pod message on the status of the crew passenger liner. Orcpipin led us on the tour, making sure to point out a few of the minor changes my crew and I had requested.   I told him that I had noticed the name
New Orleans
had been added to the hull per my request and that I was pleased.  With every bit of praise I gave Orcpipin he seemed to swell in stature a bit more; I was beginning to fear he soon would burst.   The Captain seemed to be in total glory pointing from one thing to another and “oohing” and “aweing” about everything he saw and came in contact with, but when we reached the bridge I thought the man would have a coronary. 

“This is
unbelievable, it’s like a luxury war ship, this cannot be what I think, an RMFF! What’s going to power it?”  Orcpipin related the explanation to the Captain that he had to us after which the Captain said, “Damn shame, what a huge leap forward that would have been.  If we could have RMFF systems on our major war ships and protecting our space stations, it would bring the rebel worlds crawling back to the Federation begging for re-admittance.  As it stands now you have a fully functional RMFF that has no power.”  I made no mention to the Captain of how I planned to get around that one little problem of the power.  The Captain was also amazed at the stock of munitions aboard and the weapons station.

“
Galetils had this ship built like a warship only it looks like a luxury cruise liner.  I thought the
DUSTEN
was overly opulent, but this ship puts the
DUSTEN
to shame.” Captain Maxette stated.  “Who did you pick for Captain?”

I laughed
, “Well if you’re available,” I began knowing full well he was not, “seriously though Captain I was hoping you might be able to recommend someone.”

“I’
ll tell you Tibby I would be seriously tempted if I didn’t have the
DUSTEN
running through my blood,” the Captain said.  “This is a ship any captain would be proud to fly.   There is a man who I think would be good for the job, an excellent captain.  He is ex-military but has a blemish on his record and was drummed out of the service, unjustly in my opinion.  He severed gallantly in a number of run-ins with the rebel worlds but went afoul with one of the higher brass at headquarters.  There was an incident on his ship, an explosion and fire, at the time he was in his quarters sleeping.  At his hearing he was accused of not responding to calls to the bridge when the accident happened and that he failed to take appropriate actions once he was awakened and in charge.  The funny thing is that none of his crew supported the claims, nor was there any material evidence to support the claims either.   In the end he opted to resign with honors rather than be dragged through the mud.  It hurt a lot of us that he didn’t fight it. Personally I think he would have won in the end.  He was well liked by his crew and I would not be surprised, should you hire him.”

“I’d like to meet him, what
is his name?” I asked.

“
Stonbersa,” the Captain said, “last I heard he was still on Megelleon looking for work on any large ship he could find.  But most of the larger ships have lifetime captains and until a new ship gets built or a captain dies there are few openings.  Even when the old captain dies his successor is usually his first officer.  If you like I will see if I can contact him for you.”

“I w
ould be most appreciative of that Captain.” I said.

“I know of this one
, this Captain Stonbersa, “Orcpipin said, “he once brought the
DOEKO
here for repairs after the battle at Potaeria.  He is a genuinely nice man, refused to leave the ship during repairs like many captains do, did his own inspections but was never harsh or rude if he found something amiss, but still he was firm about getting things right, even the workers here liked him.” 

The Captain went to the communication console and tu
rned to me “Do you mind if I try and reach him now?”

A few minutes later a brown skinned man with snow white hair appeared on the
screen, “Captain Maxette! What a surprise, it’s good to see you, you old Calagee.  To what do I owe this call?”             

“Captain
Stonbersa, old friend, it’s delightful to see you looking so well.   The
DUSTEN
arrived in orbit a few days ago and I was hoping we might be able to meet while I was here.”

“In orbit
, well unless they did a bang up remodeling job on the
DUSTEN
I would have to say looking at my screen image that you currently are NOT on the
DUSTEN
.”  Stonbersa said with a grin.

“You are so right,” Maxette replied, “but you will never guess just where I am.”

“Granted, you are right there,” Stonbersa  answered, “I cannot think of a ship that has a bridge like what I am seeing.”             

“I’m standing on the bridge of the
NEW ORLEANS
Space Yacht next to none other than Tibby the Recoverer on the space yacht formerly being built for Galetils of Astamagota.”

“You l
ucky Calagee, I’d give my right foot to see the inside of that ship!” Stonbersa exclaimed

“Really,
” Maxette said, “and just what would you give to be captain of it?”

“Are you kidding
?” Stonbersa responded, “I’d give both legs and ride around in motorized body scooter for a job like that.”

Captain Maxette laughed, “Well don’t go having any amputations just yet
. Tibby is looking for a captain and I tossed your name into the pile, he would like to meet with you.”

“
Don’t kid me with something like this!  This is not some practical joke is it? You could give me a heart attack if it is.”  Stonbersa  had a shocked look on his face.

“Totally serious my friend,” Captain Maxette responded
. “Tibby come here a minute so Captain Stonbersa can see I’m not leading him on.”

I walked over beside Captain Maxette and looked into the screen and for a moment looking at
Stonbersa. I got the idea of what I must have looked like several times since my incredible adventure began, the look of shock and disbelief on his face said it all.

“Honored Citizen
Tibby the Re-Recoverer,” Stonbersa stammered, “I am deeply honored.”

I laughed
, “Don’t be too honored yet, you haven’t seen the ship and I haven’t made you an offer.  How soon can you be available for a trip to Nibaria to see the ship and for an interview? “

“
Ahh well, I can be available any time that suits you.” Captain Stonbersa said.

“Good to hear Captain
, pack an overnight bag, I’m having the
TRITYTE
fly back there to pick you up. They should have you back here about the time that Captain Maxette is ready to leave this evening, unless,” I turned to Captain Maxette, “would you be available to spend the night on the New Orleans and go back to the
DUSTEN
in the morning?”

“I think that can be arranged” Captain Maxette replied
“I’ll just need to make a call to the first officer on the
DUSTEN
to let them know.” 

“Ok
ay then Captain Stonbersa,” I said,  “I’ll have Lt. Reidecor provide you with instructions where to meet the
TRITYTE
and we’ll have you here by dinner this evening. I’m sure you and Captain Maxette will enjoy being able to see one and another as well.”

As I walked away from the view screen and over to Reidecor, “Contact
Marranalis and tell him you’re bringing him back here with you.   Kerabac and Lunnie your services are required aboard the
TRITYTE
for the trip. Kala and I will be staying here until your return.”