The Spindle Station: Book 2 of the Alliance Conflict (39 page)

Russ and Blaze approached Jim and said, “We have an opportunity for you.”

Jim was standing next to Colin. Clearly the opportunity was military related or they would have approached him in private. Jim responded, “I’m listening.”

Russ said, “They don’t stock missiles on the supply ship, just the raw materials. Then, they build to order whatever missile each ship has used. Efficient use of storage space I suppose.”

Jim asked, “The machines they use are just like the ones we took from Waylon?”

Russ simply smiled in response to the question. He continued, “I downloaded the programs for all of the missile types. Our machines can build the important ones – ship and shield busters and defensive missiles.”

Jim was already waving for them to move the components to the
Sunflower
. Jim asked, “How many missiles?”

“1,000.” Russ answered.

As they were loading the extra supplies, Colin gave Jim a tour of the back section of the ship and told him about their adventure in Trilon. They started in the former crew quarters. The walls creating the individual quarters were gone. Now, the entire area was one large room.

There was a straight, welded line on the floor transitioning from the existing deck material to new. The new floor was broken into 1 meter square tiles that were welded on all 4 sides. It looked like a one-colored chess board.

Jim looked at Colin and said, “I like what you’ve done with the place.”

Colin replied, “Yes. We were bored and thought we would remove the back half of the ship and redecorate.” Colin pointed in the general direction of engineering and said, “The Hiriculans were even nice enough to give us a power generator.”

Jim asked, “What did Captain Solear say?”

Colin chuckled and replied, “He was…impressed with our resourcefulness.”

The rest of their conversation was cut short when the both received a summons to the captain’s conference room.

Chapter 18

Frank tried to concentrate on the bill being discussed, but his mind kept wandering back to the military mission to Influenla. Admiral Dolen should have reached the station by now and engaged the Hiriculans. However, the Senate still hadn’t received any updates about the mission since the fleet left Opron.

The update was three days overdue. There could be any number of reasons for a delay, but it didn’t set well with Frank. At this point he simply needed to know something, hopefully confirmation of a victory.

However, three days late for a critical update probably meant the news would not be good when it finally did arrive. Frank was secretly working on his ‘our fleet may have had a setback, but there is nothing to worry about’ smile.

Frank turned his attention back to the debate at hand. Senator Korno was speaking.

Korno: “The shipyard in orbit around Altian 3 is simply too small for today’s usage…”

Figur interrupted, “Well if you need it bigger now, why didn’t you build it bigger back whenever you built it.”

It was, Frank thought, a one of the dumber questions that Figur had asked that afternoon. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the worst. Frank put his hand under the table, extended his finger, curled the others into his palm and made an imaginary gun. He practiced shooting Senator Figur.

Korno answered, “We didn’t need it bigger when we built it. We needed it the size we built it when we built it that size. Why would we build it any other size?” Korno was clearly exasperated.

Frank realized the debate had suddenly become entertaining and could perhaps provide a momentary diversion from worrying about the past due communique. Frank jumped into the fray by saying, “Senator Korno, please remind us exactly what is wrong with the station.”

Korno gave Frank a dumbfounded look. More than likely there was an entire summary on his communication pad that he was supposed to have read before the discussion. Also, Korno had probably just reviewed everything. Frank smiled politely and said, “Please Senator.”

Korno answered, “The station was built over 600 years ago and is showing its age. Maintenance costs are extremely expensive, especially when the staff has to perform exterior welding to repair a hole in the shell.”

Frank nodded in agreement. Exterior repair was extremely difficult to perform. They had to create a temporary atmosphere around that portion of the the station, remove and replace the non-conforming plate, and then weld a new one in its place. The photonic absorption welding process was extremely difficult to perform in that circumstance and could often result in a visible weld seam.

Frank chuckled at the thought of having to view a space station with visible cosmetic blemishes. He could well imagine that was the true reason why the Altians so desperately wanted it replaced – it probably looked ugly.

Korno waited in silence for a moment. Since there were no questions he continued, “The station only has three internal ship bays. It is too small for naval use and has been deemed unworthy for commercial traffic.”

Figur joined back into the conversation, “Why don’t you just increase the size of the current station? Surely that would be more effective than replacing it entirely.”

Korno replied, “It simply isn’t practical. It would be more time consuming to add on than to simply replace.”

Frank checked his communication pad and noted that had been 3 minutes since Figur had last heard himself talk. Frank thought, the being is slipping – normally he only makes it to 2.

Frank realized that Figur was actually against building the new station. Frank wondered what the big deal was. If the Altians wanted a new station, then they were going to build a new station regardless of whatever the Senate decided.

In fact, Frank guessed that the Altians had already built all of the major sections of the new station. They were only now seeking approval because the new station would soon be visible.

Frank scanned the room. Clearly the three Altians were going to vote yes. He could tell that Senator Amanda from Solaria was also going to vote yes as reciprocation for Korno’s help in securing the necessary steel for her building.

He looked at the remaining two Advranki Senators. Korno had probably made a secret arrangement with one of them already; meaning the vote would pass 5-3. Frank estimated that he only had a minute or two to make an impact.

Frank said, “What do you intend to do with the old station?”

Korno replied, “That decision hasn’t been made yet.”

Frank tried to think of something random to do with the thing that could potentially embarrass Senator Korno later. Suddenly, something popped into his head and he pursued it.

Frank replied, “I will vote yes to the bill if you agree to tow the old station to Waylon. With the constant threat of Hiriculan incursion, we need to secure our far borders with a small military base. The base will give us advance notification of any movements and will prevent the Hiriculans from trying to steal the system.”

Frank figured this was a win-win for him. Since the bill was going to pass anyway he may as well vote for it. This way he can call a press conference announcing the deployment of the military to the far outpost. The news will certainly cover the transfer of the station and photograph it from all angles.

Then, if he felt like it, he could use the evidence of the seams to denounce the Altians for shoddy work practices and declare that Advranki Prime needed another station to in-source work currently being performed by Altians. It was a total farce, but should sell well with his constituents during the next election cycle.

The vote passed 7-1 with Frank’s amendment. Senator Figur was the lone dissenting vote. Frank realized that he could use that vote as evidence that Figur was secretly anti-military. He smiled, the day was getting better.

His mood was short-lived though when every Senator’s com pad activated a few minutes later. The Ceremonial Master paused the proceedings so that the senators could check the priority message from the
Exemplar
.

Frank read the message and watched the attached video. The message was short and to the point. It read: Influenla was a trap. Armada captured.
Exemplar
the lone exception. The surviving crew members are going to be transported to Hiricula for trial. The video showed only the last few minutes of the battle, where the Alliance fleet was trapped between three separate Hiriculan flotillas and forced to surrender.

Frank couldn’t believe it. The Alliance had just lost 14 ships and approximately 900 sailors. Further, the Alliance would have to make reparations for their return and the sailors in question would be forced to retire. This was going to become a political disaster. Frank now regretted voting for the mission. The only silver lining was that he intended to place all of the blame on Senator Figur.

Frank was the first to speak. He said, “Based on the time delay, the prisoners have more than likely already been moved. Realistically, there is no viable military action we can take to save them. I do however suggest that we reinforce Conron and put them on alert.”

Figur interrupted, “Excellent idea.” Figur paused for a moment when he realized that he could think of nothing further to say.

Frank continued, “This news was only sent to the Senate. We have a couple of days until the
Exemplar
arrives in Conron. I suggest we take that time and make preparations for a public announcement.”

Korno said, “I agree. If the announcement is made without any corresponding thought concerning a well-measured response, the beings in the Alliance will be extremely upset.”

“With its leaders.” Senator Amanda felt the need to add.

It was going to be a long couple of days.

………………..

Jack Dogbarks was frustrated. It had been 4 days since the Alliance attack and he was still stuck at the Spindle Station. Shortly after Jack had been contacted by the Alliance fleet, the Hiriculan station manager announced that an incident had occurred in the space surrounding the station. All freighters and transport ships were temporarily detained until the issue could be successfully resolved.

The station manager had not mentioned the presence of the Alliance fleet or a battle. However, there must have been one and the Alliance must have lost. Jack reasoned this to be true because several docking ports were now sealed and declared off-limits.

The Hiriculan commander clarified that the issue was almost resolved and clearance would be granted 3 days hence. He still didn’t announce the reason for the stoppage, but Jack believed that he knew the truth. They had Alliance prisoners sitting in the secret area of the station and didn’t want any information leaking out before they were transferred.

Jack had spent the last 3 days sitting on his ship. Jack was still allowed to enter the station. However, he felt uncomfortable wandering freely through the station’s corridors while there were prisoners aboard.

Jack was about to review the logs for his missing two pallets of sea moss one more time when he received an incoming call. Jack said, “Computer, who is calling?

…The station manager is contacting you…

Good, Jack thought. Hopefully he was calling to tell Jack that he would finally be allowed to leave.

Jack pressed the button to accept the call. A Hiriculan appeared on the view screen. However, it wasn’t the civilian Hiriculan station manager. This being wore a Hiriculan military uniform. The Hiriculan said, “Jack Dogbarks I presume?”

Jack activated the translator sewn into his mouth and translated the question. He answered, “Yes.” There was little point in saying more until he had a better feel for the situation.

The Hiriculan responded, “Hello, I am Clap’la, the captain of the frigate
Bloodlust
. We met when you first entered the system. We are currently in orbit around the station. I have an opportunity for you.”

Jack remembered a bored sounding Hiriculan from his first trip to the station and assumed it was this being. However, the Jack thought it was strange that a captain of a warship would waste his/her time talking to individual freighters. Either Jack was more important than he thought or traffic control duty was far more boring than he initially suspected.

Jack was interested in the offer, if only to alleviate boredom for a few minutes. He didn’t want to look overly eager though, so he decided to play the part of the inconvenienced freighter captain.

He responded, “Listen, I have been sitting here for days. My cargo is essential for a building project on Solaria. The project is sponsored by the Hiriculan High Council. If I am not released immediately I will miss my arrival window and delay the project.”

Clap’la responded, “I formally apologize for the delay, but I assure you that it wasn’t our fault. As you probably already know, this station was viciously attacked by an Advranki military fleet and we were forced to defend ourselves. We successfully resolved the conflict.”

Jack decided to press the issue, “That is wonderful, but your victory does not improve my delivery date. I am going to be late if I am not allowed to leave within the hour.” Might as well try, he thought.

Clap’la responded, “Fear not, we sent a message to Solaria on your behalf telling them that you have been delayed. They have adjusted the building schedule accordingly and the project is still on schedule. You will be allowed to leave in a couple more days.”

Jack replied, “You mentioned opportunity.”

“Yes.” Clap’la responded. “The military members comprising the Alliance fleet were overwhelmingly Advranki. However, there were two Altians and more importantly, two Solarians.”

Jack responded, “Okay.”

Clap’la continued, “The Hiriculan High Council wants the Solarian government to know that they are in no way holding them responsible for the attack on the Spindle Station. In order to ensure that sentiment is very clear and unambiguous, we would like to make a gesture of goodwill.”