You're on equally unsure footing, Minister. Remember, you're on my ship, a captured Sol Defence vessel that's run by brutal discipline and faith.”
“Faith? You're joking.”
“My people have to have faith in each other and in my decisions. Otherwise there would be chaos. If one of us fails and survives we must have faith that everyone has learned from their experiences. Faith is at the core of this crew, if it wasn't that would leave money and fear and these days I can't afford to use either as often as I used to.”
He sat staring blankly, straight ahead, only nodding once to acknowledge what Captain Valance had said.
Jake looked to Cynthia, who had been watching the entire exchange with interest. “Open the comm ship wide please,” he asked.
“Yes sir, the channel is open.”
He stood up and looked at the Minister. “This is Captain Valance. We are beginning repairs and will be underway to the Pollanis System as soon as possible. The TRF Peter will follow if we leave before they can meet with us. We can't stay here any longer than necessary. We don't know if the Eden Fleet will return. While repairs are underway I'd like anyone who would like to join the crew of the Triton and has qualifications to send their information to the bridge. Keep it short. If you have children aboard, please be aware that this is a ship of war, and I won't want to put the young in harms way.
I can't offer you a great deal of payment, but the Triton is a city unto itself with manufacturing equipment, plenty of living space and a purpose. The Aucharian Military has been defeated in this solar system and after undergoing repairs in a safe location the Triton will be heading into the fight. We'll interfere with Regent Galactic's supply lines, liberate slaves, profit from their loss and make ourselves scarce. We will strike from the shadows, disappear in plain sight and become the three thousand souls that cost them billions.
It is essential that any Aucharian soldier who doesn't want to participate in rebuilding this ship and working towards the same goals disembark from the Triton. Return to your emergency shuttles or the destroyer docked then leave. If you aren't invested in our purpose, you don't have any business aboard my ship. Civilians who don't wish to remain may stay with us until we reach the Pollanis System.”
Captain Valance signalled Cynthia to close the channel and looked to Minister Lorne.
“You're going after Regent Galactic? That's insanity.”
“It's the best game out here, Minister. Anything with less than sixty guns won't have a chance against us and between the members of my existing crew we know the trade routes, the underground, and even a few other ships who would gladly join up if they knew we had their flank. I could start a fleet of my own if I like.”
“These people are untrained, only refugees and deserters.”
“The ship can train them, and if they don't measure up we'll leave them somewhere safe. In case you haven't noticed, this is a modern vessel with simulator visors, reconfigurable consoles and it's wider than it is long. There's plenty of room to train five hundred, maybe a thousand people at a time during normal operations.”
“You don't have the time, putting the ship under Aucharian Fleet control and collecting military personnel from the system for a crew would be much more effective.”
Captain Valance opened a private comm line. “Liam, how are our reactors?”
“I can get three online within the next four hours. It doesn't look like the other five have been activated for about eight years. I'd like to do a more thorough check on them before starting them up. I heard your speech by the way. I'll submit my qualifications right away.”
“You're hired. How is our cloaking device looking?”
“I'm having a couple of your more diminutive crew members reset the aft emitters and check the plating. It should be all set in about an hour. We won't be able to use it until we get a reactor online though.”
“Thank you Liam, we'd be dead out here without you.”
“My pleasure captain, just working on these machines is reward enough.”
Captain Valance closed the line. “With a working cloaking device this ship turns into an invisible city.”
“I'll watch the Newsnets for your execution. Regent Galactic is far more cunning than you give them credit for with more resources than you could imagine. If they can't find you they'll go after your crew through their families and friends. Then they'll force them to betray you.”
“We'll be ready.” He turned to one of Agameg's security team, a tall brown haired woman holding a heavy pulse rifle. “Escort the Minister to the brig. Make sure you search him thoroughly. Don't leave him with anything. No devices, no jewellery, and not a stitch of clothing. ”
“Yes sir,” she guided the Minister to the rear of the bridge, smiling at him.
“Go watch. Stay out of striking distance and keep your weapon trained on him.” Captain Valance instructed another female security team member.
When Minister Lorne and the two guards had left the bridge Captain Valance sighed and looked at Agameg, who smiled uneasily.
“A day that will live in memory,” said the issyrian. The fine, thread thin tendrils beside his mouth puffed outward for a moment. The only parts of his face that didn't look strange to anyone outside of his race were his lips and his eyes. The lips were thin, but much like a humans. His eyes were completely different, however. They were wide, deep or bright green depending on his mood and much larger, but their expressiveness was always easy to read. When he looked nervous they were almost completely O shaped. When he was concentrating they formed into wide slits, and when he was nervously trying to comfort someone it was somewhere in between, just like the expression he was making in that moment. The bright green tint of them told the Captain that Agameg was unsure, nervous. When the thin issyrian was relaxed the colour normally darkened, but they could also be a deep shade of green when he was tired.
“Have a seat.” Captain Valance said, gesturing to his left.
Stephanie looked up from the small control panel and holographic projector built into her chair and smiled at Agameg for a moment before it drew her attention once more. “Are all these applicants Cynthia?” she asked.
“They are. We're up to about eight hundred now including the military. Should I filter them or just send them to you?”
“I'm filtering them here. The variety of applicants we're getting is amazing. Some of them are from the starliner, others are from the escape shuttles. There are even specialists and highly educated people here.”
“Good, work with Cynthia to choose people for each department. We'll need everyone from technicians to reserve pilots.”
“Oh, if you find any washed out pilots or gamers, send 'em my way. They're crap in the cockpit, but gold in a gunnery turret.” Frost added from the security station. “And track someone down to help me here, security and tactical is a wee bit much.”
Captain Valance and Price moved to stand at the same time. “I can try sir. These systems look interesting and I've already worked with them a little,” Agameg said.
“Go ahead,” Jake invited. “How is that docked transport doing?” he asked the helm.
“They're still locked onto us.” Ashley reported.
“According to my readings they still have full life support. It looks like they're just clinging on for safety,” said the fellow at navigation.
“Or they're out of food and water. What's your name, by the way?”
“Larry Nevil. I was brought on as navigator when Wheeler got his deal from Regent Galactic. Before that I was navigator aboard the Cestrio. It was a long range customs pursuit ship that was damaged in an Aucharian attack.”
“He's one of the good guys sir,” Ashley said, smiling at him.
“Good to have you aboard. Sticking around?” Asked Captain Valance.
“Aye sir, if you'll have me. Living aboard this ship is better than living on a customs frigate or even a diplomatic cruiser. Even if it doesn't pay as well. Get a few shops and restore the botanical gallery and we'll have a real town square.”
“What's a botanical gallery?” Ashley asked with interest.
“On this ship it's a big space that used to have all kinds of plants and animals from Earth. There were paths going between them and a few different levels. I started working on it in my spare time using some of the seeds in storage. I didn't make much of a mark though, just the center part alone is huge.”
