landing field’s security systems, and damage or destroy all the shuttles they could reach.
Since all of Jonas’ ships were too large to ground, all servicing and repairs had to be carried out at an orbital station. Virtually every tool, part, and supply had to be shuttled up from the planet. Tor’s mission had been to interfere with the servicing and even the staffing of Jonas’ ships by damaging or cutting their lifeline to the surface.
The escape plan for the commando had been as iffy as our own. After blowing Sheol out of anything that even resembled a shuttle, they were to regroup and reboard the tramp, where they would have mere seconds to don pressure suits while she lifted with her cargo hatch open, revealing the pair of heavy lasers welded to the hold deck.
Unlike us, there was a very good chance that the tramp would be pursued and attacked. Frankly, the lasers were more for morale than anything else. If Lubyloo couldn’t outrun any pursuers, there was little chance that the lasers could save the lives of the men aboard her.
“I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything from them?” I asked worriedly.
“I’m sorry, Captain. The only contact I’ve had was the acknowledgment of my signal as we entered Nemesis.”
“All right, Kaleen,” I began carefully. “In future, however, please inform me or whoever’s in command of any actions that you contemplate. I do not want you to underestimate a danger to human life. In this case, I approve. The confusion created by loss of gravity can only aid in our escape and that of Lubyloo. Just let me know before you do anything like that again, please.” I struggled to keep my tone even and calm.
“Yes, Captain,” Kaleen replied. Her tone was formal and grave. I could at least hope that she appreciated the importance of that instruction.
I was coming to realize that there were drawbacks to sentient ships.
Almost half an hour later Kaleen reported a ship lifting off Thaeron at a high gee. “From its size, I infer that it’s Lubyloo, Captain.”
I strained at the sensor screen. “Any pursuit?”
I could almost hear Kaleen shrug. “As we estimated, Captain, pursuit is not expected for a minimum of fifteen minutes. With communications blanketed by our announcement, the base has no way to inform the ships of the attack. Pursuit will require a ship to detect Lubyloo ’s departure, her captain to decide that something is wrong, and then give the orders. I will continue to monitor as long as we remain in sensor range.”
“Thank you, Kaleen,” I replied. “As I remember, Jonas didn’t think highly of initiative in his subordinates. Hopefully, fear of Jonas will keep any ships from going after Lubyloo — if they’re in any condition to pursue at all.”
“After all,” I continued, talking, as much to myself as to Kaleen, “Chu-Lo’s message has to have had some impact! With any luck, fighting has broken out on most of the ships, with half the crew believing the message, and the other half convinced it’s a fake. Is there any movement at all?”
“None of the ships have maneuvered. Gyrfalcon, the destroyer that escorted us from the jump point, began warming her inertial drives, but that effort has ceased.”
It was maddening, watching the ships of Jonas’ flotilla orbiting serenely, just as they’d been before we arrived. With our tape disrupting all communications, we had no way of knowing if anything was happening.
Our only evidence was negative. No ships broke orbit to pursue Lubyloo, which was boosting frantically for a secondary jump point, or us. I breathed a huge sigh of relief as we jumped.
“What about Lubyloo?” I asked Kaleen, “Is she going to make it?”
“As of the moment of our jump, no pursuit had been mounted,” Kaleen replied. “It is doubtful that even the fastest of Admiral Jonas’ flotilla could catch her, and nothing that could possibly catch her is armed. Barring accident, Lubyloo should escape.”
I sighed again. “Thank all the odd gods of the galaxy! I hope Tor’s casualties weren't too heavy.”
The trip back to Outback system was no less nerve-wracking than the trip out. We had no way to judge how much trouble, if any, we had caused, or whether we’d delayed Jonas’ attack sufficiently. As before, I occupied most of my time with Kaleen, who was becoming more human every day. By the time we emerged, I was seriously worried about how Cord was going to react to his newly sentient ship.
My return was cause for a surprisingly large and heartfelt party aboard Valkyrie. When I returned aboard, people held their positions just long enough for the military courtesies to be dealt with, and then I was mobbed.
Amazingly, the first person to rush up and grab me was Suli. Tears were streaming down those lovely ebon cheeks, but I barely had time to notice before she planted an enthusiastic kiss on my lips and hugged me tightly against her magnificent breasts. Then she released me and fled while I gasped for breath and struggled to regain my composure.
I didn’t have time to wonder about it, though. People I didn’t recognize kept coming up to me and shaking hands, congratulating me on my success. Since we didn’t know whether my mission had been a success at all, I felt their congratulations were premature. However, the party lasted all night.
I waited for Lubyloo to return before I risked a report to Cord. Tor’s news was good. They’d disabled or destroyed every shuttle that hadn’t been in space at the time. Resistance had been limited to a few guards and techs with improvised weapons. Tor’s casualties were light; two dead and three wounded. By any measure, our mission had been an unqualified success.
Nevertheless, I was still reluctant to call Cord. I had to tell him that the most expensive ship in space wasn’t just a ship, but a person. What if they didn’t get along? What if Cord tried to order Kaleen disassembled? What if… I sighed. Worry was pointless, and I had temporized enough.
Some preparations were necessary, though. As soon as we’d entered Outback orbit, I’d sent for Doctor Petain, the compman Cord had sent to introduce me to Kaleen. (And who turned out to be one of the top designers and experts on the rim!) Luckily, he hadn’t yet returned to the Haven system.
Ever since I’d taken him aside and gently told him there was no longer doubt about Kaleen's sentience, he’d been running her through a series of tests and exercises, getting more excited by the moment. I wanted to make sure that he’d be available to answer Cord’s questions. I also had to ask Kaleen to disable all her audio and video sensors in the comm room, a much more difficult task. Finally, I had to pull rank and pretend to get angry. I could only hope she’d obey. Living with a sentient ship took some adjustment.
Finally, all was in readiness. I took a deep breath and flipped the switch establishing subspace connection with Haven.
Cord had obviously been anxiously awaiting my report. The relief on his face when he saw me uninjured reinforced my decision to join him. Cord cared about people!
“Well, Admiral,” He began, “You seem to have survived.”
I nodded. “Yes, sir. Our part of the mission went exactly as planned, and the commando raid was also a success. Rimrunner and I are both undamaged, and the marines suffered two dead and three wounded. It could have been much worse.”
Cord grinned. “Excellent! Can you estimate the impact? How much time have we gained?”
I shrugged. “I’ve no way of knowing, sir. But after seventeen years in the Fleet, I’m sure that tape is the only subject of discussion in the Thaeron system.” I paused a moment before continuing. “Some Fleet people are going to die as a result of this. Maybe a lot of them.”
Cord nodded soberly. “I know, Admiral. However, we had no choice. If Jonas had launched an attack before we were ready, many more would have died.”
“I know, sir,” I replied, “But frankly, that doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“Nor I. But theoretically, there shouldn’t even be a problem. Direct orders from Admiral Chu-Lo should impress even the rawest recruit. Right now, Admiral Jonas and Captain Van-Lyn should be in their own brig, and the next-senior officer should be reporting to Haven for orders.”
I snorted. “Not likely! By now, Jonas is shouting his head off about how the message was faked, and if it was genuine, why did I run away? He won’t mention his ordering a marine to shoot me.” I shook my head. “No, there’s bound to be fighting and death in the Thaeron system.”
Cord nodded again. “I know. Actually, I’m hoping that one or more of Jonas’ ships will desert to us. All it would take would be a majority of the crew believing Admiral Chu-Lo’s announcement.” He shrugged, and then continued briskly, “Is there anything else, Admiral?” His tone was obviously dismissive, and he equally obviously
