© Stein Willard 2024
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PART III
She didn’t expect the news to be good, nor had she anticipated it to be this bad. The pirate ship was part of the armada that had attacked them.
“Do you have any idea whether its presence here has anything to do with us?”
Commander Scholes nodded. “Our security team caught them staking out the Crusader from a tavern across from here.”
Jules clenched her fist. She didn’t have time for this. After nine months of sleeping with one eye open for fear of being ambushed in this unfamiliar and unpredictable part of the galaxy, she had hoped the next four months would be less like running a gauntlet and more like a working cruise. She looked around the table. All her executives were in attendance. They appeared as tense as she was, and she sighed. The directive served as a guideline for first encounters. It didn’t say anything about a second hostile meeting. She rose and leaned on the table, drawing the startled attention of the eight people around the table.
“I say we kill them with kindness.” She almost laughed at the stupefied looks on the faces before her. Henry blinked at her. “Yes, Commander Schultz?”
“I’m afraid I’m not sure what you mean, captain.”
Jules grinned. She was head over heels in love with her plan. “Let’s welcome them to the station in true Alliance style.”
“How…how are we going to do that?” Lt. George Graham was the head of the Reconnaissance department. The man could read a map upside down with absolute accuracy, but he wasn’t much help when it came to brainstorming covert operations.
“Cookies, casseroles and the lot. Lt. Killian, do we still have that piece of the hull we beamed on board after the battle?”
“Uh…yes, captain.”
“Good. Have it scrubbed and buffed until you can see your reflection in it. Commander Scholes, could you put an away team together consisting of two of your most skilled operatives for our visit to the pirate ship? Claudia,” she glanced at the ship’s Head of Nutrition. “I need a couple of casseroles and two batches of cookies ready in an hour.”
“Aye, captain.”
Pleased with the plan so far, she adjourned the meeting. Henry was the only one remaining. “Yes, Henry?”
“I don’t think it’s safe for you to lead the away team. I should…”
“You’re needed here, Henry.” She gave him a pointed look. “Your family needs you to be here in case something goes wrong.”
He nodded; his eyes were warm. “At least take Scholes with you.”
“Now, that I will do.”
Henry seemed relieved enough to smile now. “Kill them with kindness, hey? What if they don’t buy it?”
She chuckled. “Haven’t you ever played pirates and robbers? I did—as a child. Pirates never look a gift horse in the mouth. Free food, a contrite captain and an opportunity to exploit the stupid, female captain. They’ll eat it all up.”
“Now that you put it that way, I actually feel sorry for them,” Henry said as he left the boardroom.
Jules briskly walked to her day room and activated her intercom.
“Biotech lab here.”
“Lt. Coleman, I have a big favour to ask.”
“Yes, captain.”
***
The docks were busy with ships arriving and departing. The Station Master did mention earlier that the station supplied several small colonies in the zone of the basic services which necessitated daily commutes between them and the station. Jules was flanked by Commander Scholes and Lt. Bernas they made walked, having ditched their uniforms for dark pants and tunics with the Alliance’s insignia displayed on them. The outfit was an idea of the security team. It was less obvious than the uniform, and it created the illusion of a more convivial mood. In fact, the material was resistant to phaser fire and was infused with microscopic trackers to guarantee an easy transporter beam lock, if necessary.
The area became busier, rougher and shadier as they moved further from where the Crusader was docked. Referring to the ships berthed in this area was stating it loosely. Jules had seen better-looking wrecks at the ship scrapyards back home.
“The next one, captain.”
Jules pursed her lips as she studied the vessel in the flickering light. It still had some of the Crusader’s colours on its hull from where it had rammed against her ship. She felt for her phaser even as she suppressed the juvenile urge to vandalize the hull with her phaser. Jules heard a soft snicker and found both her companions watching her with amusement. She needed to get herself under control if she hoped to be believable.
Figures stepped out of the shadow the moment Jules’ foot touched the access ramp. They had been aware of their pursuers soon after they had left the Crusader.
“You are trespassing.”
She turned with a wide smile. “My name is Captain Jules Sher…”
“We know who you are? What do you want?”
Jules gestured at Scholes, who held up a large stasis case. “I brought a peace offering and…” She glanced at the other officer. “…something you’ve misplaced after our last encounter.” The shard from the hull gleamed in the weak, flickering light. The pirates were silent for a moment and she could sense their indecision. “If I could speak to your captain, I would be very grateful. I believe we got off on the wrong foot the last time.”
The four pirates murmured among themselves before one broke away to blend into the shadows. He was back after a few moments.
“Come with me.” He walked past them and they followed. The ship looked slightly better on the inside, but Jules was careful not to touch anything. The Crusader’s crew were inoculated every time they left the ship, but Jules didn’t want to test the efficacy of the vaccination at that moment. They were led down dark, dank hallways and into a room with a roundtable and mismatched chairs.
“Wait here.”
Alone, they studied the room. Footsteps sounded and an alien of average height and a stocky build entered the room. His pointy ears and sharp nose made him look like a character out of a children’s story.
“Captain Sherwin. This is unexpected.”
She shrugged as she gave him a sheepish smile. “There is a saying from where I’m from that states that forgiveness guarantees a better tomorrow.”
The man tilted his head to the side. “You want to apologise?”
Jules had to dig deep inside to conjure up a blush. “I could’ve handled the situation better.”
“In that case, my name is Sonton.”
She gave him a blinding smile which he returned.
Gotcha!
***
The hour was late when Jules returned to her quarters. The pirate leader had been suspicious of the meal at first, but as soon as the buttery goodness of the ginger cookie burst on his tongue, he couldn’t scoop them into his mouth fast enough. He barely left some for them. She was relieved when they could wrap up the meal and return to the Crusader.
She walked to the processor and ordered a glass of water. Sonton treated them to some Eponin wine that was so potent, she could only manage a few sips. She finished the water and moved to her bedroom where she disrobed and took a quick shower. As tired as she was after the long day, she still found herself lying awake and staring at the ceiling. The day had been surprisingly fun. She particularly enjoyed the time spent with Lt. Kennard and she could see herself doing so again in future. It would be interesting to know what they had in common and maybe explore them together. The intercom on her bedside table chirped and she activated it.
“Sherwin.”
“Captain, we require your presence in the medical centre.”
Jules threw off the bedding. “I’m on my way.”
Dr Coombs had sounded worried. That was not a common occurrence. The woman was known for her equanimity and that was why she had chosen her to accompany them on this voyage.
Five minutes later she walked into the medical centre to find the doctor standing over a patient in a bed. “Doctor?”
“Over here, Captain.” Jules briskly walked over only to come to an abrupt stop. Lt. Kennard was lying on the bed, pale and motionless.
“What happened to her?”
“She collapsed in her lab and one of her assistants brought her here. She was already unconscious.”
“But…”
Both Jules and Dr Coombs jumped when Lt. Kennard suddenly sat up. Her eyes zeroed in on Jules, the unblinking stare was intense and Jules glanced over at the doctor. A responding shrug made her turn back to the brunette.
“Lt. Kennard, how do you feel?”
“Lara.” She lowered her gaze. “Please call me Lara, captain.”
The quiet request stirred something within Jules. Something wasn’t right. Lt. Ken…Lara was acting out of character. The woman was quiet and aloof, but never shy.
“Lara, do you want to tell me what happened to you?”
The woman had a pained expression on her face when she looked at Jules. “I’m not sure what’s wrong with me.”
Dr Coombs stepped closer. “Let me complete my examination. It might give us an idea of what we’re dealing with. If you’ll give me some room to work, captain.”
When Jules took a step back, Lara’s hand shot out and grabbed her arm. “Don’t leave.” She blushed and looked away. “Please.”
Jules was more alarmed at that moment by Lara’s reaction than she had been when she first saw her lying on the bed. She looked down at the hand on her arm and after a moment’s hesitation, placed hers over Lara’s.
“I’m not going anywhere.” The woman nodded before she lay back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
“How long has she been unconscious, doctor?”
The doctor glanced at the clock on the wall. “About four hours.”
Four hours? That meant that Lara had been admitted to the medical centre soon after she had left the ship. Why wasn’t she informed about the situation earlier? Maybe because you asked not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency, a tiny voice said. She realized that she still had her hand on Lara’s and removed it, only to have the woman’s head snap in her direction.
“Please stay.”
She nodded and reached for the outstretched hand. Jules felt a small tremor in Lara’s hand and gently rubbed her thumb over the pale hand. The centre was quiet as Dr Coombs conducted her examination. Jules studied Lara’s face. Her eyes were closed tightly and a fine sheen of sweat had formed on her forehead.
“I’m done,” Dr Coombs announced and both Lara and Jules looked at her. “I still have to run some blood tests, but the readings are not as ominous as I had thought earlier.”
“Yes, doctor,” Jules snapped impatiently.
“Her vitals are somewhat elevated. Dilated pupils. Increased heartbeat. An increase in body temperature.” The doctor shrugged. “I believe Lt. Kennard is experiencing sexual arousal.”
TO BE CONTINUED...