Chapter 4
Commodore Barnhart was prompt. While I waited for the commodore, I looked into hiring guards for myself and my ship. Station security was supposed to safe-keep all ships that were docked, but things had been known to happen in the past.
The front desk suggested a company called, Triad Security. As the commodore had also mentioned Triad, I gave them a call. I was impressed that they knew my name, right from the start. Apparently I had made a 'whose who' list.
I talked to a partner about what I needed. I was offered several types of protection in the form of packages, and all were very expensive indeed! They also included me and my group moving to a more secure suite. They apparently maintained a couple of suites, that had been modified for just such purposes, at other locations.
I didn't stint. While it was not the most expensive package (that one included planetary protection), it was still going to cost me more than I would have thought possible to charge someone, and still keep a straight face!
An hour later found myself and my crew moved into a suite at the Cromwell Regency. It was one of the most expensive hotels in the space station. It catered to the very rich. This suite had been modified by Triad Security. It was very large. There was a 'main room', which was accessed through the suite's door.
There were five rooms that led off from the main room, so that everyone now had their own room, with one spare. The main room was done in soft colors, and was a spacious five meters square. There was a small bar, an entertainment center, and enough comfortable seating for ten people.
Each room was also fairly spacious, for a space station. Each sleeping room had an individual shower! Now that was luxury indeed!
Along with my security package, came teams of guards who looked well trained.
I now had around-the-clock protection in the suite, additional protection at the port for my ship, and protection for my crew. The price for all this was astounding. We had just received a briefing from the security team's leader about what to do in the event of an attack on the suite, when he paused. He told us that a Commodore Barnhart was here to see me, and did I want to let him in? I said yes.
The Commodore came in, and marched over to me, with his hand held out.
"I see you took my advice. Triad Security is a fine choice. A little expensive for my taste, but almost none better," he said while shaking my hand.
"Who would be better?" I asked curiously.
"My own security team of course. And they don't cost me an arm and a leg!" he responded with a laugh.
"You have your own security team?" I asked.
"I was referring to the LP navy trained security people. I am sure you can find good security in every government. Triad is made up of ex-military people, mostly. Some never served in the military, but have good qualifications. It is also well known that Triad does not skimp in training its personnel.
"I'm Lyle Barnhart. But you already know that. I have a couple things I wanted to discuss with you. First, can we get comfortable? We will need a reader, and if you have something to drink, I can take refreshments, while you review an information chip. This will keep us both busy for a little while," he said with an engaging grin.
Damn! I had been remiss in not offering him anything when he came in. I apologized for not offering, but he waved it off.
"Don't let it worry you. I seem to have that effect on people. Comes from the way I interact with others. I just sort of come into a place and try to take over," he responded with another grin.
I found myself liking this man. Soon he was settled with a bourbon, and I was settled at a desk with a reader.
I was listening and looking at intelligence captures, and feeling sick to my stomach.
It wasn't just my government that wanted what I had. Mara's corporate employers were busy gearing up for litigation, in case outright cooperation failed.
The TF was going to order me back to active duty, then order me to divulge everything I knew about the planet I'd found. Then it was going to get me to convince Eric he should turn himself and his ship over to them.
I snorted. Fat chance of that happening. I doubted there was a navy anywhere that could touch CCS-14. Well... Not in this universe, anyway.
I read and listened with fascination, as probable troubles and take-overs were listed there before my eyes.
I was also shocked to see that the new Deputy Military Attache to Halsy from the TF, was none other than a Colonel David Torsten. He had been a fellow captain in special ops, with me. He had specialized in 'prisoner extractions'. I shivered and wondered if he was here to kidnap me?
I sighed as I finished listening to the rest. I sat up and looked at the commodore.
"What is the League's interest? Forgive me, but I am sure it isn't from an altruistic caring for me," I said bitingly.
He chuckled and said, "I am here to extend an offer to you, and to your new world, to join the LP. Here is what I and the League think has happened. You stumbled upon a planet that had been colonized by an old sleeper/colonization ship. At the same time, there was this alien ship in orbit. 'Alien', as in not belonging to that world, or to any of our known space-faring nations. So you have a planet with people, and an advanced-to-an-unknown-degree ship with all it's accompanying technology. Knowing how the TF (or any other government) would react, you decided to keep the location unknown, and maybe make your own little government.
"How did I do?" he added curiously.
I nodded and said slowly, "Pretty much dead on. Nice analysis. What does the League want in exchange for 'letting us in'?"
"We can offer you protection. With the way the war is shaping up (and war it will be, though it is not proclaimed that, as yet), it will be a toss up as to who will come looking for you first. The technology represented by that ship alone, could make the TF or the PU, or even a small system such as Halsy, here, the king of space!
"The League has already gathered a small force to send to you, for you to use as protection. We are also ready to send men, equipment, loaded freighters... anything and everything which we think you will need to develop your new world.
"Of course, we would like access to some of that technology, but not like anything the TF or others would want. We believe in maintaining a balance. We would want an 'edge' in certain areas, for instance, but we don't need total dominance.
"Of course, you would also realize other benefits as LP members. You, and others you would choose, would be accorded 'Heads of State' status. Your new planet would be accorded all the rights of being associated with us. Think it over. We won't force you or blackmail you. It's a good offer, and the ships we have at the ready for your use, will be available for the next forty-five days," he finished, looking at me intently.
I hesitated. Actually, it was a good offer. I wanted to jump at it, but I needed to talk to Eric, first.
It was right then that the suite communicator chimed. I transferred it to my reader, and answered it.
"Alexander Connor? I am deputy ambassador Derrick Walters. We had a meeting which you missed. Sir, it is vital that you come to the embassy at once. Your government has need of your talents and abilities. You may have missed it, but a recall was sent out for all officers and prior service officers in your category," he said all in one seeming breath.
"I am not going to be coming back to the TF. I am not going to be in a war you people started. The TF effectively froze most of my stock and assets, even before the 'problem' started. I can't even access my bank accounts in the TF. The TF is a bunch of thieves, Sir!" I exclaimed, and broke the connection.
The communicator started chiming again, almost immediately. I answered it, and it was the deputy ambassador again.
"Mister Connor. You don't want to take that tone with me, or that tact. I am sure that your accounts can be unfrozen. Just come to the embassy on Halsy and we will straighten this all out. The punitive damage done to your career and person is not worth disobeying me," the deputy ambassador said.
"Excuse me? I don't work for you. I don't have to obey you! As for damage to my career or person, I am not in TF space, and doubt I will be returning there anytime soon. You already have my assets in the TF frozen, which shows the type of lowlifes you people have reverted to being. Hold for a moment," I said and switched him to standby.
The commodore watched me as I went into my room, where I dug out a copy of the chip that was provided by me by a certain PU captain. I went back and switched the deputy ambassador from standby to active.
"Are you set up to copy, Sir?" I asked politely.
He nodded. I transmitted the information on the chip, and gave him time to review it. His face turned red as he viewed the obvious deceit the TF was partaking in, at the meeting. He looked back at me through the monitor.
"A copy of this is with a person I trust. If I go missing, this gets press coverage, which I know the TF does not want. I don't think the TF can afford this type of scandal when it is trying to justify its actions; and I know just which media outlets would dearly love to have this information," I said and switched off again.
This time I rang the front desk, and informed them I was no longer taking calls from the TF embassy. The TF could leave a message if they wished.
I sat back and sighed. Ok, I had let the guy get to me. Still, I felt satisfied with what I had done.
"I don't suppose you would care to share the information on that chip, would you?" the commodore asked me.
"Not at this time. But I will pass it along to you or your government, if the TF persists in aggravating me," I said grimly.
"Well, you have our offer. If you need a little more time than the forty-five days, let me know. I might be able to squeeze out an extension, if I can tell them you're seriously considering our offer. You have my com code," he said.
I was alone again, except for my Triad Security guard. He was against the far wall from me, staying out of my way. I knocked on doors. The other members of the crew came out of their rooms, where they had been waiting since I had been meeting with the commodore.
"Well, what did you think," I threw out to them after recounting these latest events.
"I scanned the commodore, and he is telling you the truth as he knows it. He is hopeful that a deal can be struck between you and the LP. He knows of no treachery being planned by any of his superiors," Kalia told me.
I nodded. "What do you think Jason?" I asked.
"Hell. From all I have heard, and from all of my dealings with other LP people; the LP is as good as its word, even if they are a little slow protecting other peoples property... Like those times the TF and PU took assets in League ports. Other than that, I say go for it, if I have a vote," Jason finished enthusiastically.
"Trish?" I asked.
"There is always a give and take in any deal. Jason, those ship assets in League ports were taken legally. I might caution you, Alex, that the TF might try something similar, here. Depends on the treaty, though. I say let the LP in. We need a heavy hitter on our side," Trish said with a nod.
"Ok, let's head for the ship. We need to contact Eric, let him know whats going on, and tell him about this offer. Jason? I want you to go over the food stores, and see what we need. Trish? I want you finding us a cargo of electronics. You know the drill. Kalia? I want you with me as look-out," I finished.
A short time later saw me, Kalia, and Jason, trooping into the ship. Trish was on her way to the trade board, to see if there was any sort of cargo in electronics components that was on our shopping list.
I headed into the control room of the Misty. One of the 'edges' the commodore would surely want, was this scaled-down faster-than-light radio I had installed, with help from the CCS-14 and from Eric. True, our universe had the ability to work FTL communications from ships, but they were bulky. The only ships that got them, were huge ships of at least 1000 meters in length at a minimum. The space requirement was just to great to install on smaller ships.
Eric's universe had solved that problem long ago. It was an easy thing to install into my ship. It was about the size of a football (no matter which variation of the game you prefer!). I made sure the guard was not in the control room with me, when I contacted the CCS-14.
I informed it of all that had happened, and what was going on. I asked it to pass this info to Eric, as he was planet-side. I told Eric to particularly pay close attention to the LP offer, as I was 'pro' towards it, at this time.
The CCS-14 acknowledged and signed off. Now I needed to make sure that someone I trusted had a copy of the information chip I had been give by my PU friend. Threats are only as good as your ability to carry them out.
Edited by TeNderLoin