Shipping mishaps Chapter 9

A large and imposing member of the bat like Lsvrt ethui was striding across the bridge towards Admiral Luktruk. How can this day get even worse Luktruk thought to himself. Did I kill udse in a former life? Or do the 17 just hate me? He stood at attention, saluting the Grand Admiral, “Sir! I did not realize you would be coming.”

“At ease.” Grand Admiral Czuoi-xp said, waiving off the salute, “Admiral Geo, I will accept your terms, but with one or two caveats. Admiral Luktruk, good job, I will take it from here.”

Thank the 17, I don't have to deal with this cluster any more. Luktruk thought, “Thank you, Sir!” He turned and left the bridge, doing his best not to appear to be retreating. Good riddance.

*-*-*

The large Lsvrt Ethui that filled the holo caused Geo to flinch. The memories of her mothers fight being just too fresh in her mind to hold back the reaction. “What can I do for you Grand Admiral?” she said, trying to recover. “What do you have in mind to alter the deal?”

“The most important thing is: you will, in no uncertain terms, never try, and I do mean NEVER try to repair your primary or secondary weapon systems. I will not demand that they be removed, as they are well and truly integrated into your ship. Secondly, that you will only put yourself at MY disposal, not the Fleet in general.” The Grand Admiral said.

A little puzzled at this, Geo asked, “And why not bring myself up to full strength? Is there something that I need to know about my home that you aren't telling me?”

“Yes. Yes there is. And no, I will not tell you anything about it.” The Grand Admiral responded.

“Very well, then I will have to modify the deal myself.” Geo sighed, and stretched again, “I will only avail myself to you once per year, with no rollover of missed services; also, you will pay me 15,000,000,000 credits for the loss of my primary and secondary weapon systems.”

“Deal.” Czuoi-xp gave the equivalent of a smile for his species, “I will have the monies transferred immediately after you and I sign this agreement, face to face.”

Captain Lod gave a surprised chirp, bottom beak dropping.

“Very well, Grand Admiral, I will see you in an hour, in our currently opened bay.” Geo gave her best smile. “Good bye Sir.” With a wave of her hand she dismissed the holo before the Grand Admiral could respond. She turned to Lod, “How 'intercourse' are we, Lod? How badly did I just stick my foot in?”

Captain Lod just shook his head. “We are well and truly buggered, Admiral.”

*-*-*

45 minutes, and a metric shit ton of cleaning later, the 19 members of the crew were standing in the docking bay. “Now remember everyone” Geo was speaking, ”This guy is some grand high muckety muck. We need to be polite, and courteous.”

“Admiral Geo, Ma'am?” a Yeti like Ovdsmj that she couldn't remember the name of, raised his hand, “Do you not actually know who Grand Admiral Czuoi-xp is?!?”

Geo winced, “No, I actually don’t.”

There was a sudden intake of breath across the bay, as her crew and the 'POWs' gasped in unison. The Ovdsmj was the first to overcome their shock, “Um, OK. Czuoi-xp is the epitome of the proper soldier. A living legend in the Fleet as well as the CLSB. Even our enemies respect him. No criminal organization will raise a hand to him.”

“So what you are saying is 'Don't climb on his back and try to choke him out' like I did to big blue back there?” Geo responded, getting a small bit of laughter from the assembly. “Thank you for the info dump, I will keep it in mind.”

*-*-*

Precisely 5 minutes early, a drop shuttle landed in the bay. A ramp slid out, and a door large enough to disgorge a main battle tank opened. A lone figure strolled out of the ship and down the ramp, ending up a few feet from Geo. “Well met Admiral Geo, and well played with the holo insert of yourself to disturb Admiral Luktruk. I was very amused.” He made a happy gesture with his highly decorated tail.

“While I would love to take credit for that idea, my ship's AI, Campy, deserves the credit.” Geo gave a genuine smile. Her crew gasped at the show of aggression.

“Ah, good to know that the AI has a sense of humor. Now I believe we have a contract to sign?” Said Czuoi-xp, hiding his surprise at the show of teeth. Must be some form of cultural thing he thought, as several people walked down the ramp carrying recording equipment, and started setting up.

“Um, Czuoi-xp, what are they doing?” Geo asked, alarmed. “You didn't say anything about reporters.”

“I thought this would make an excellent impression on the gentle beings back home. Seeing the two of us signing a non-aggression/mutual defense treaty will put a positive spin on both of our images.” Czuoi-xp replied while straightening his immaculate uniform, “If you absolutely insist, I will tell them to pack up, but I really think, considering the history between our peoples, that it would be for the best.”

Geo thought fast, I have a business to run. I now have people to care for, and a home to maintain. Any publicity is good publicity. Dad, I really wish you were here to help. ”Very well. But I get 19% of any profits gained from airing the footage for the next 6 months.”

“You are a very shrewd individual, Admiral Geo. I look forward to working with you in the future.” Czuoi-xp responded. “May I invite the rest of my staff to come out now?”

“But of course, Grand Admiral.” Geo said absentmindedly, her mind still racing with thoughts and plans.

Around the bay, several beings appeared, having turned off their stealth suits. Geo did her best not to jump, but failed. “What... When... Stealth suits. I should have known something like this would happen.” She drew her sidearms, pointing them very carefully NOT at Czuoi-xp. “I will now respectfully ask that the rest of you uncloak yourselves before I have Campy unleash the anti-boarding weapons.” I certainly hope we have anti-boarding weapons.

“That won't be necessary, Admiral.” Czuoi-xp said, hands outstretched in a placating manner, then announced with a cool and practiced voice. “All troops, Stealth suits off.” A full dozen more troops appeared. “I believe that's everyone, Admiral.”

Geo shook her head. “Thank you Grand Admiral Czuoi-xp,” she holstered her weapons, “I believe we should now set up for the cameras.”

*-*-*

As such things go, the press made a giant ordeal of the proceedings. Angles had to be adjusted, entrances re-shot, closeups of Geotrf]de, Panoramic shots of the hanger deck and crew. Still pictures of the signing as well as recordings, Interviews with the POWs and crew. All in all the 15 minute procedure took 3 hours to “properly” choreograph.

Once it was all over, Geo slumped in her chair, looked up to the too high ceiling, and said “Campy, I want a beer. What do you have in stores?”

“I believe we have managed to synthesize a fizzy alcoholic beverage that you can safely consume.” was Campy's prompt reply.

“Good. Please also serve something alcoholic to our guests, as well as some sort of food.” said Geo. “We don't want to be seen as poor hosts now, do we?” She thought for a moment, then whispered, “Oh, and make the news people's drinks stronger than everyone else's. I want to see what they will spill as far as information.”

“Very good, Ma'am.” was Campy's reply, a sparkle in his voice.

*-*-*

It had turned out to be a very fun reception that turned into an even more pleasant after party when Geo introduced the marines to volleyball. As the alcohol loosened the tongues, and unwound the nervous, the party progressed to a happy conclusion. Geo, only having had one drink (and it wasn't that good) found herself thinking why do people even drink this stuff? It must be an acquired adult taste thing.

Once things wound down, and the “guests” had left, Geo had Campy sweep the Nautilus for anyone left behind. None were detected. She went to her quarters and went to sleep.

*-*-*

Geo awoke feeling refreshed. On the table she found food and beverage, and consumed them. I need to find out who is doing this and thank them for it, She thought to herself. “Campy, what time is it?”

“It is 0730.” Was the quick reply.

“Do we have a central meeting hall anywhere on board?”

“Yes we do. Would you like me to call an all hands meeting?”

“If you would, yes. Oh, and would you give me a rundown on our next port of call?”

*-*-*

30 minutes later, the entire population of the Nautilus was seated in a large room near the bridge.

“Alright folks, I'm not well versed in the whole public speaking thing, but here goes.” Geo took a deep breath, “I, as most of you know, am Admiral Geo. Yes, I know, to truly be an admiral you need a fleet of ships at your command. Don't be pedantic.” She looked around while speaking, seeing most of the beings in the room paying attention. “Our next destination, I am told, is a fairly large station in the Grespa 3 system.” Some of the beings chuckled, others gasped, “Yes, I know, it is apparently a less than stellar place, but we have a delivery to make.

“Now on the off chance that some of you may not want to be dropped there, I would be more than willing to hire you at what Campy has assured me are appropriate rates for your specialties. Yes you in the back?” She pointed at a squid person who was waiving a tentacle for attention.

“Trans-union wasn't always the best at wages; is this a good time to renegotiate my pay?” It asked.

“Over the next several hours I plan to go through everyone's personnel files to see what they were paid and why. If I discover discrepancies, they will be fixed.” She took a drink from a water flask, “As for pay grades, general wages, bonuses, and raises, I will be working with Captain Lod and Campy to work something out.” The assembly started talking excitedly.

Looking over to Captain Lod, she quietly asked, “What did I say?”

Lod, who was just as excited as everyone else, looked at her and said “Bonuses. That is something that is unheard of, at least outside of corporate executives and the like. Normal workers like us never see such things. Ever.”

“Oh, I guess you never get overtime either then.” She said.

“What is ‘overtime’?” Captain Lod asked.

“Oh boy, do we ever have work to do. OSHA and the Department of Labor would have a field day out here.” Geo sighed. “Well, time to kick things into high gear.” Then louder, so that everyone could hear her, “I want this ship ready to depart in two hours. You have until arrival in Grespa 3 to make your decisions about employment. If you don't want to be dropped off there, we will be forced to charge you the appropriate fare as passengers.” She looked around at the assemblage of … People … they were just people now … her people. “Dismissed!”

*-*-*

In just under 2 hours the jump to hyperspace was made, and pushing the envelope at 12C, they would arrive in just under 3 days.

*-*-*

Looking over the holo display Yujcxv asked, “Well, uncle, what do you think?”

“I think that if we don't make very sure of things, this is going to be the worst thing that could ever happen.” Czuoi-xp said.

“Then let's make sure that everything works out.” said Yujcxv.