Shipping Mishaps Chapter 12

The Nautilus dropped out of hyperspace and the system of Svoji came into view. The bright orange star giving a beautiful glow to the panorama of planets, and to the outer station. A station that was currently taking fire from a ragged fleet of freighters plus an outdated Corvette. Geo swore.

“Bring shields to 'full' strength. Comms, ask the station if they require assistance. Helm, get us in position for a good broadside on the big ship.” Geo said with a sigh. Why has this happened twice in a row?

Makmak, one of the mouse like Jarsnarg and the newest comms officer, spoke up, “We have a response. Putting it on screen.”

An opulent looking, neon yellow Brnul appeared on the screen. “Yes we need assistance! You stupid...” It broke off. “What in the great bowels of gitrach are you?”

“Well, with that kind of attitude, no wonder no one likes you.” Geo replied. “I am the Dirt-rockian known as Admiral Geo. And you will respect me as such, you blathering fool.”

“Well, I never---”

“Then you should try it sometime. I have deliveries to make, and a wedding to preside at, so lets make this quick. Pay me a bounty of 50,000 credits per ship, and I’ll take care of them for you.” Geo replied, starting to get annoyed. “Otherwise I will let them pick you apart, while you wait for the system patrol craft to get here.”

“25k. Nothing more.”

“50k, or nothing.”

“Fine. Contract sent.” the Brnul replied, as the desk it was sitting at shook from weapons fire.

“Contract received. Weapons, fire when ready.” Geo said.

Weapons officer Nr'foik, the Brnul specialist on duty, gave a toothy grin of challenge, selecting “Scatter Shot” from the munitions menu, then pressing the fire button. Near the bow of the Nautilus, the hatches on a ¼ mile square section of hull plating withdrew uncovering the point defence sliver cannons and the weapons fired. Most of them anyway, some sparked and went offline.

The volley had the desired effect on the pirates. The ships on the far side of the fleet broke off contact with the station, looking for the new threat. The first “line” of ships were immediately shredded. The ship behind them ate the shrapnel from the attack, the majority becoming disabled. The Corvette was venting atmosphere from a large number of holes, and although the engine had gone dark, it was still attempting to fight.

“Big Blue, here's an early wedding present for you; go capture that big ship!” Geo hollered into the comm at the Marine Lieutenant. Moments later, the marines were launching in an ancient combat drop shuttle. “Officer Nr'foik, don't hit the big ship on your next volley.”

As the small pirate fleet turned towards the Nautilus, weapons officer Nr'foik punched in the next weapon load he wanted to try and pressed the fire button. The “Swarm” munitions he had just fired oriented themselves within the targeting parameters, and expelled the swarm of sub-munitions they carried: limpet mines. Watching the scene play out on his targeting screen, Nr'Foik felt disappointed.

The half meter across Limpet Mines waited patiently in space. They were mines, that's what they do. Then the onboard mass detectors went off. The first mine, and it's closest 1999 brothers in arms swarmed the ship, a good sized tramp freighter, and attached to it's hull, then a 1000 meter long line of explosives detonated in a spiral pattern along the freighters hull. Nr'Foik was no longer feeling disappointed, as he watched the freighter peel apart.

I wonder what nano-disassembler rounds are? Nr'Foik thought. I will load those next. Sadly for him, it didn't come to pass. The remaining members of the pirate fleet fled from the system.

“OK, Goldilocks, That is 14 confirmed kills, 6 disabled, and 8 escaped ships. Now we are just waiting on Big Blue to tell me how the terms of surrender are playing out on the big ship.” Geo was grinning into the holo while talking to the station manager. “So, I tell you what, we keep the big ship and salvage the six disabled ones, and you only have to pay us...” she did a quick calculation in her head, “700,000 credits. A savings to you of 350,000 credits. Plus, you don't have to pay nearly so much for cleaning the lanes around your station.” She took a breath, “Will that work for you?”

“That Corvette is worth millions! Why would I let you just take it?” The manager fumed.

“Um, maybe because I have a platoon of Space Marines on board, securing it's surrender? I figured letting Big Blue loose on a ship like that would be a great wedding present for her.” Geo said.

“And just who is this 'Big Blue' of whom you speak?” The manager demanded.

Geo threw a picture of Ki'fopb (Kiki or Big Blue to Geo) into the holo. “Ki'fopb. My head of marines on board ship, bride to be of the lovely Bfop'r*ik or 'Bop'rik' as I call him, and very near and dear to my heart. You could almost call her a part of MY family.”

The station manager gasped, “WHY IS MY DAUGHTER WORKING ON YOUR SHIP?!?!?”

*-*-*

Kiki and Bop'rik had been planning the wedding and weren't having a good time. At least until they hit the deck of the Corvette. Then things were wonderful. Blaster fire and grenades were the sounds of the day, as their half of the platoon headed for the bridge, and the other half headed for engineering.

“So, what kind of flowers should we have this time?” Bop'rik asked.

“Hmm, I think we should let the florist figure it out. I've never been that good at coordinating colors.” Kiki responded. “Duck.” He did, and she shot a pirate who was dropping out of a hatch behind him.

“Thanks. I will make a note to contact them.” Bop'rik replied.

The door to the bridge opened in front of them, revealing a frightened pirate. On the main screen beyond him was Geo. “I'm glad you made it to the bridge! These wonderful fellows have decided to surrender. Apparently, they didn't want to take the 'Hard Way’.”

*-*-*

Several grueling hours of work later, the disabled freighters and their crews were in custody, Geo’s new Corvette was docked to the station, and the Nautilus was in a parking orbit. When system security arrived the captured pirates were handed over.

Meanwhile, Geo and most of her crew were on Svoji Tri Station for some well deserved R&R. The station was large, well lit, and filled with plants. Lots of plants. Plants everywhere. Plants seemed to be part of the architecture. It reminded Geo of an indoor botanical garden. Then she saw one of the plants move.

“Kiki, what the is that?” Geo pointed at the tree that was slowly making it's way down the hallway.

“You mean 'Who' is that? They are a Grigned. I don't know their name. They are a peaceful and long lived species, and are excellent teachers and navigators. Do not be deceived by their slow movements, as they are omnivorous with a slight preference for meat.” Kiki replied.

“OK then. I’ll try to remember that.” Geo said earnestly. “Do they have I can kick?” she asked.

“You really need to get over your reliance on that trick. It is unbecoming of a warrior such as yourself.” Kiki replied with an eye roll. “They do not, as far as I am aware, have that can be kicked.”

The Grigned had gotten closer during the conversation, and announced its presence, saying “We are a civilized species, and as such do not flaunt our reproductive bits in the wind.” It then started wheezing. “I apologize, just a bit of Grigned humor. We most specifically DO waive our genitalia around in the wind when we wish to mate. So if a Grigned asks you to smell it's flower, you might want to be wary.” It then walked away down a side corridor.

“I should have warned you, they also have a... sense of humor.” Kiki finally said. “I need to go and calm my father down, so I’ll see you in the Pirate's Jaw in a few hours?”

“I believe that’s the plan. I also believe I'm supposed to pay for the drinks, right?” Geo replied, nodding.

“Yes.” Kiki gave a smile equivalent by scrunching her nose, “Have a good look around the station.”

Kiki and Geo parted ways.

*-*-*

Geo was having fun looking at all of the “nature” and “wildlife” around the station. The trees and shrubs (that didn't move) were beautiful, and gave the air a woody, earthy smell. The smell was just like the lakeside forest, back home... The tears hit her again. Reliving the loss, the grief, and the pain, she slumped down against a wall and shook for a while. When she finally looked up again, she saw that two Goraks with greasy feathers and dirty coveralls were staring at her. Both of whom were “showing teeth''.

“kijgkijrgli li;ire;ieerjli idjrlergg” the one on the left said.

Shit! I'm out of range of the ship's translator! Geo thought. I better think of something.

“ljstb oebt aovm neujhkd jeikcksor nrfighd.” the one on the right said. Then approached, a hand dipping into a pocket and retrieving a serrated blade.

Shit! Shit! Shit! What do I do? Dad always said “Fight a gun, run from a knife”. Guess it's time to run. She slowly got up, hands out in a placating gesture. As soon as she was stable on her feet, she turned and bolted.

Right into the arms of a third.

“Fuck” She screamed at the top of her lungs, putting all of her anger, sorrow, and frustration into her voice. Her assailant staggered back a step. Geo took the chance, and darted around them, only to feel something hit her in the small of the back.

She spun around, “Ouch you fuckers, that hurt!” Only to see three Goraks staring at her in very clear astonishment. One was holding a weapon she recognized as a standard issue security “stunner”. She giggled. “Seriously? You tried to stun me? And it didn't work? Kiki is going to love this!” She dropped her left hand to her hip, about to strike a pose, and felt the weapon on her hip. Crap! I completely forgot I was armed. No wonder they tried to stun me. She dropped her right hand to her waist, now fingering the grips of both guns. “Do you feel lucky punks? Well do you?”

The Goraks separated, putting about seven feet between each of them, then slowly started to close the distance.

With equal parts slowness, and care, Geo drew the weapons from each hip; the one in her left hand blocky and heavy, with an eight inch barrel and a green digital readout proclaiming “99 rounds, Safety off”; the one in her right was sleek, slim, and black, with a small bell shaped aperture at the end of the short barrel. On the side was a thin green bar indicating the power was full.

The Groaks stopped. They looked at the weapon in Geo's right hand, then at each other, then back at the weapon. What the hell are they waiting for? Why don't they charge in while they have the advantage? Geo asked herself. She continued to watch, as some conclusion was made. The three slowly backed off, appendages in the air, then turned and fled down the corridor.

Shaking with relief, Geo holstered her weapons, and as the adrenalin wore off she headed back towards where her crew would be waiting for her.