Chapter 2
Eric and Alex talked for days, which turned into weeks, planning. The crew of the Misty had gotten permission to "visit" the compound that Eric had, with his ships help, restored to almost pristine condition.
One of the things that Alex had asked Eric to do, was to have his crew scanned by an empath from the compound, to see if they had a spy. They did, and it was Mara Bates of all people! She had assumed that Alex would be suspicious, and had arranged for someone who looked to be a spy to be aboard, to take any suspicion off of her.
Another surprise, was who she worked for. Not the TF or the PU, or even the League of Planets. No, she worked for the Balthor Consortium. It was a huge interstellar shipping and banking company, and they were everywhere.
Alexander had told his AI to download the star charts and math systems used by the CCS-14's AI. After that, it was only a short time until jump probes were headed out, gathering intelligence wherever they went.
One source of information was the GNA (Galactic News Agency). Reports were getting very grim concerning sporadic fighting between the TF and the PU. The League of Planets was still neutral.
Eric asked why the TF, being so much larger than the PU, couldn't just mount a large sustained attack and win. Alexander told him that the TF had borders to maintain. If they pulled too many assets from other locations, then other governments might invade or raid planets controlled by the TF.
Also, despite being smaller than the TF, the PU was every bit as technologically advanced as the TF. The PU had also invested in huge capital ships. They did not cost as much to make in the PU, as they did in the TF.
Eric was astonished at the number of star empires, dictatorships, democracies, and theocracies flourishing in this universe. It was a bewildering array of man's futile attempts at perfecting government.
Alexander told Eric about his meeting with an old acquaintance from the PU, and the subsequent find of the chip with the evidence of his own government's backstabbing on it. He explained that, apparently, the power metals were getting scarce. At least, 'on hand stocks' were.
Alexander was astounded when Eric's ship put in, "What you term as 'power metals', can be synthesized. It is a simple, though lengthy process. All raw materials can be found on this planet, with one exception.
"It would require several weeks, but I can build a small plant that can synthesize amounts that could be sold, provided there is a source for the missing element," the ship finished.
"Wait a minute. If you can synthesize this stuff, why didn't you make the stuff you need for your jump coils?" Alexander asked.
"I was unable to make what I need for repairs prior to your coming, due to a crucial element being missing. The power metals you have contain enough of a substance that can be substituted in place of that element, which is normally used in jump coil construction. I have been unable to detect any trace of the normal substance used in jump coil construction, as of this time," Eric's AI stated.
Eric had come to a quick accommodation with the King of the people on the continent where he had spent so much time. The King's Council was particularly interested in the fact that Eric promised benefits in education, health, and jobs for the people. A treaty was struck very quickly.
The people on the other continent were reluctant however. Eric knew that for this to work, it would take a united world. There could be no large group who were in opposition to the plan.
Eric did not understand the reluctance of the other continent to cooperate. He offered the same incentives as he did with the first one, and they had accepted. Yet the leaders of the other continent wanted nothing to do with a new interstellar community.
As much as Eric regretted it, he carefully considered his options, and decided to replace the current rulers of the other continent. It took only a few days to come up with a plan and have it run its course.
Eric had a SNARK weaken the molecular bonds holding a vaulted ceiling in place in the council chamber. Once it was sufficiently weakened, all Eric had to do was wait until the Council and the King were in a meeting. The CCS-14 sent the silent command.
The resulting collapse killed the King, the Council, and various lords and clerks in the immediate vicinity. Eric showed up with his combat car, and helped in the rescue effort. The remaining lords were so impressed, that when they formed an emergency council, they voted to grant land to Eric for his new 'interstellar compound'.
With that out of the way, construction began on the second land base on the planet. Construction on the second base was only three weeks behind construction on the first base. All in all, Eric and CCS-14 were pleased with the operation and the results. Naming of the bases could wait until Alexander returned.
The bases were being constructed with special drones that had been in storage in CCS-14. The construction was going much more quickly than if Eric were to depend on just the locals to help. He did hire locals, though, and everyone seemed satisfied.
Almost seven weeks to the day that the Misty departed, it returned. Alexander contacted Eric via the CCS-14, and told him he had a repair ship on its way to a specific set of coordinates. They had to get a move on, if they were going to make the meeting on time! So Eric had the CCS-14 give the construction drones their final instructions. The human supervisors were briefed on what was to be done. He then set course for the Misty. He wanted to make the ride to the repair ship with Alexander, as they had much to discuss.
We broke out of hyper, and detected the repair/factory ship, 'Marn'. It was at the coordinates I had specified, and was waiting for us. We had made it with two days to spare before it would have left orbit and headed back, contract broken.
After we entered normal space, Eric transferred back to his ship, and I watched as his ship was guided to a dock. A huge arm had swung out, and the CCS-14 was to anchor itself to the arm.
It was fascinating really. Almost as soon as the CCS-14 was at rest, a huge boxy crane like machine moved along tracks on the docking arm, and came to a stop a short distance from the CCS-14.
Eric gave permission for the repair ships crew to approach his ship, and start the process of cataloging the damage to the hull. Other members of the crew entered Eric's ship, and started the excited process of examining the 'jump coils', and figuring out how to remove and repair them.
The captain of the repair ship was excited about several of CCS-14's functions and abilities. He started dickering for plans, or items he could copy. This was what I was hoping for. If we worked it right, we might get our first willing colonists in the form of this captain and his ship! Nothing excites so much as new toys and greed.
CCS-14 had originally come with a compliment of three fighters. Two were lost during its mission. They were pre-programmed to perform specific functions. CCS-14 deployed its one remaining fighter, to provide protection in the event that the repair ship had been followed.
Days turned into weeks, and repairs were still being done. The biggest problem was the jump coils. Finally, all repairs were complete. CCS-14 broke with the docking arm, and accelerated away on a 'test of systems' run.
It was a fascinating thing to watch, as they did their, 'JUMP'. One second they were there, the next they were gone. Just blinked out of existence, unlike hyper entry which was kind of showy, with its accompanying light show.
They stayed gone for several hours. I was wondering if something had gone wrong when they just... blinked back into existence.
I ordered Misty to open communications with the CCS-14 but was told they were trying to contact us.
"Alexander? I just wanted you to know our jump coils seem to work fine. Did a bit of exploring just now. Open hostilities are taking place between the TF, the PU, and another group calling itself the, Costerman Principality. This later group has sided with the PU. Do you know anything about them?" Eric asked me curiously.
I sighed and said, "Yes. The Costerman's were a family that created a small kingdom, about a hundred and fifty years ago. They have been reduced to eight planets from their original 21 planet kingdom.
"The ruling prince, Troy Costerman, has been hanging onto his remaining planets by a thread. I guess by joining with the PU, they figure to get PU support. The PU is their nearest strong neighbor.
"If I remember rightly, the Principality has a navy consisting mostly of transports, freighters, and missile frigates. The PU is short on transports and freighters, so it would seem that this is a good deal for both parties. Just my best guess," I finished slowly.
At this time we were interrupted by the captain of the Marn. "I have been monitoring your conversation. If we go back, we will most likely be pressed into service by the TF or the PU. The League of Planets, while claiming to be neutral, has allowed both those parties to seize assets from League ports. If your offer is still good, I would like to accept your offer of citizenship in your new colony," he said.
Eric answered before I could. "We accept. I will give you coordinates. What is your top speed?" Eric asked.
"I can do one light year a day," the Marn's captain answered.
"Very well. Sending coordinates now. Will expect you at Longreach, in, call it eight days. Is that satisfactory?" Eric asked.
The captain nodded and signed off. Shortly, Misty informed me a scrambled message was coming in from CCS-14. I accepted.
"I know what you're thinking. I gave away the farm. We have several small nano-bots on his ship. They will monitor his course. If he goes anywhere other than Longreach, or tries to communicate between now and then by FTL radio, he will discover he has problems. Don't worry. I am not insane. I know what is at stake here," Eric said confidently.
I nodded. "Glad to know you aren't getting senile in your old age. Did you manage to get any other information on the hostilities?" I asked him.
He transmitted a very thick file my way, and said he would be scouting the battle area. He also said he was leaving the fighter with me for protection if we needed it. A single fighter?
"Do you know of any open ports that would be willing to allow ships to enter and leave during these tense times?" Eric asked me.
I had Misty send him the names of several ports. There was one in particular that no one would bother. It was very heavily guarded, and would take at least a fleet sized element just to break through to the planetary orbit; and then you would have to contend with its orbital forts.
So it was that the repair ship was slowly departing, and making way for Longreach. Eric was going to do some intelligence gathering, and I needed to go track down more equipment. I particularly wanted several freighters with specific items. They would be harder to come by, now that open hostilities were going on. Everyone would be holding onto whatever assets they could!
Still, there was a vast area not under the control of the combatants, nor involved with the war. I should be able to get something there. I also had to check on my investments. Not all were within the TF. 'Never put all your eggs in one basket.' That was what I had been told years ago, and I lived by that statement.
CCS-14 just blinked out of existence. I shook my head. That was an amazing thing to see! I looked at my crew. I had dropped Mara off. I did not want, nor would I condone a spy on my ship. The people remaining were proving to be extremely loyal to me, and to the idea of developing the planet Longreach. They had signed on for the long haul.
"OK, anyone have any ideas for supplies? First, we want to accept colonists. We also need a freighter to start ferrying supplies to Longreach. I have a bit of money, but we need to figure out a way to save it. I have a feeling that the TF is going to freeze my accounts for the duration of the war, at least," I said.
We were off, brain-storming ideas.
Edited By TeNderLoin