Death Ship - SDD Five, Part Three

Raven was ordered to rendezvous with S.D.D. Righteous. Captain Merriel, Valerie and Scott were requested to shuttle to Righteous for a briefing. Captain Peter Bushman and his executive officer, Commander Susannah Franklin, met them in the hangar. They exchanged greetings and Valerie hugged her old friend. “Well Susannah, I hear you’ve found a home here on Righteous.”
“Right you are on that one Val.” Susannah answered, “Captain Bushman has been keeping me in line. These days everything is by the book.”
Captain Bushman heard his first officer’s statement and just rolled his eyes. That brought a chuckle from everyone.

The group entered the conference room and Susannah went out of her way to poke a rather large red headed Scotsman in the ribs. She turned to Valerie and said, “Never trust a Scotsman.”
“Oh now there love, “Alan Erskine protested, “I thought you said that you forgave me.”
“I forgave you, you god blessed highlander, but I still have to warn the ladies about you.”
Valerie smiled at Alan, “Chief Erskine, its nice to see you again. We met when S.D.D. Rooke joined the Europa battle group about five years ago. I’m Valerie Olson.”
“No introductions necessary lovely lady. Alan said graciously, “ I remember you quite well.”
“Chief Erskine my back side,” Susannah snapped, “Erskine here is a SPINTEL colonel, that chief rank was just a cover.”
“Really,” Valerie said with a smile.
“Yes and he played me up with it to, the bloody swine.” Susannah accused waving a finger at Alan, “He’s just lucky he’s so damn cute.”
Matthew Bushman called to his partner, “Alan, could you please come up here. I think we should get started.”
The SPINTEL officers introduced themselves then they got down to business. “Ladies and gentleman, we have a serious crisis on our hands. A group of directorate renegades calling themselves Final Showdown have made off with a valuable asset.
The alien ship discovered by the crew of S.D.D. Raven has disappeared from the space dock at Tau Ceti Four. We believe we know why it was taken and what they plan to do with it. What we don’t know is where the ship is now.
Alan and I did some digging into the intelligence data files looking for anything on the alien’s home system of Zeta Reticula. We found plenty. The Takelvee entered that star system about twenty years ago. They landed to find the indigenous population dead and their human labor force wandering the planet.
The Takelvee began tests to determine what killed the population. The tests were too late. The bacteria had already spread to their ships. A warning was sent to the warlords when their doctors realized just how serious the situation was. The Takelvee are even more susceptible to the disease than the Zeta Grays were. Within a few days the Takelvee strike force was devastated.
Instead of responding to the pleas of the strike force, the Takelvee warlords decided to incinerate the planet and destroy every ship in the system. They destroyed everything including their own ships. Along with the ships went all of the research their doctors did on the decease. Today the Takelvee are extremely vulnerable to this bacterium. The directorate planned to keep the ship as a waller. I’m sorry that’s a new acronym. Its spelled WOLR it means weapon of last resort. Unfortunately for us the Takelvee also have some pretty good agents. The hegemony got wind of our find and was preparing an ultimatum demanding the immediate destruction of the ship. Now that it’s gone they will hold us responsible. If that bacterium is unleashed on a Takelvee world, the results will be disastrous. The Takelvee agent made it clear to Alan and I that if that happens they would cross the line with everything they have. We’d be facing a war that would kill hundreds of millions on both sides.
Ladies and gentleman, we must find that ship.”
“Captain Bushman stood and asked, “How did they get the ship out of the Tau Ceti system?”
Valerie answered, “When we were on the alien ship, we discovered that the ship moved through the galaxy by using a system of portals. The energy of the portals bends normal space allowing the ship to travel many light years in an instant. These directorate people must have had enough influence at the space dock to let them remove the ship without setting off any alarms. They also must have discovered a portal in the Tau Ceti system.”
“Where would they take the bloody thing?” Alan asked, “There haven’t been any reports from any of the systems of human space. If they were in Takelvee space, we’d be at war by now.”
“Maybe the aliens had another asteroid base.” Scott said. Noticing the puzzled looked on the faces of the Righteous representatives Scott explain, “We discovered the ship inside a hollow asteroid in the Capella system. The asteroid hid an alien base. Its purpose is still unknown. These renegades may have discovered another base like that. If they did, we have a tough job ahead of us. The base we found had a portal within the rock. They could slip in and out of the base without ever being detected.”
“How do we proceed?” Matthew Bushman asked.
Commander Franklin asked, “In the initial data it indicated that the Takelvee had some knowledge of the mysterious point just inside human space, a place that they would cross the line to control if necessary. Is that true?”
“That point,” Valerie answered, “ it’s probably a portal point. The Takelvee may be aware of the existence of the portals without knowing exactly where they are. We know of one in that area. It would send a ship directly to Zeta Reticula. We also know that it is disabled. That may only be one of many in that area.”
“That’s a big area.” Alan commented.
“Commander Franklin continued her train of thought. “It seems to me that we need a two-pronged approach. The directorate should concentrate its assets close to Takelvee space and search for these portal things. Each one should be destroyed when they are found. This would also have the directorate’s strength where it is needed should the worst happen.
The slicksters here should start hunting down this Final Showdown group. The fact that their group has not yet moved the ship may indicate that they are not ready. They may still be vulnerable to infiltration. I’m sure my two friends her know quite a bit about infiltration.”
“I think I can help SPINTEL with this.” Scott volunteered.
“Really Lieutenant,” Alan asked. “Have you thought of something?”
“I have thought of someone Colonel Erskine.” Scott replied, “A corporal in my squad has had some contact with some outspoken people, people that advocate a no compromise position with the Takelvee. I think I can get him to give me a contact.”
“What makes you so sure?” Alan asked.
“I lost a man, no I lost a friend.” Scott said his voice betraying his feelings, “in our action in the Filas system. The last time Corporal Jackson saw me, I was quite bitter about it.”
Matthew Bushman concluded the meeting. “Captain Bushman, would you please contact the directorate and pass on our recommendation. “
Peter Bushman nodded and smiled at his son.
Matthew continued, “Captain Merriel, Alan and I will transfer to Raven with your permission. We’ll remain confined to an area that you designate. I think our presence on the ship should be known only by the necessary personnel.”
Then Matthew Bushman’s face broke into a smile. “Captain Merriel, Lieutenant Bort, how good are you at play acting?”

Righteous moved on to the line and Raven carried its new passengers back to the heart of human space. Scott didn’t need much coaching to feel the anger over Sean’s death. Knowing that he had very little time Scott spent the day complaining loudly about the decisions made by the directorate. The curtain on the little play opened in the marines’ quarters.
Captain Merriel walked into the marines’ quarters making sure as many people saw him as possible. He entered Scott’s cabin purposely neglecting to close the door. “Lieutenant, we need to talk.”
“Captain,” Scott answered loudly, “begging your pardon sir but I do not believe any orders have been broken here.”
“Look Lieutenant”, the captain answered, “I know its tough losing a man, I’ve lost my share, that does not give you the right to question directorate orders.”
“We’ve been pulled off the line when we should be preparing a strike. “Scott shot back his voice getting louder, “Those four-armed bastards crossed the line, destroyed our equipment, and, damn it, they killed Sean, and what does the directorate do? Nothing. The Takelvee pay no price for their crimes. I’m sick of it. I’m sick of the directorate’s cowardice.”
“That’s enough Lieutenant,” the captain growled, “you are skating on thin ice. Don’t think that your relationship with my first officer will stop me from taking action.”
“If you want to take action,” Scott yelled, “take the tail out from between the legs of this ship and take it into Takelvee space.”
“That’s it!” The captain yelled back. “Lieutenant you are relieved of duty. I want you off this ship for thirty days. Your status will be evaluated then. Pack your bags Lieutenant.”
“That’s fine with me.” Scott answered, “Maybe I’ll find some people with some backbone.”
Captain Merriel left Scott’s quarters slamming the door on the way out.

Scott put the second act of the play into motion. He called Corporal Jackson. The Corporal entered Scott’s cabin and saluted.
“Corporal,” Scott began, “I assume that you were informed that Sergeant Wrobel will be taking over the squad. That means you will be commanding shuttle two during operations.”
“Yes sir, and if I may say sir, it was a pretty raw deal. In my opinion we should have had it out with those creatures once and for all a long time ago.”
“My feelings exactly Corporal.” Scott said.
“There are other people that think that way.” Jackson said in a probing manner.
“Really Corporal, have a seat, I think I want to hear more.”

Scott was to be put off Raven at the colony of New America on Gama Triangulum Four. Valerie held him close outside the hangar. “Scott, when will I see you again?”
“I’ll be back before you know it.” Scott answered trying to smile, “I have to be. These Final Showdown guys have to make there move soon.”
“Be careful Scott,” Valerie said with a crack in her voice, “I have a feeling these people wouldn’t think twice about killing you if your cover is blown.”
Scott chuckled, “If my cover is blown? Have you been reading those historical spy stories again?”
“Scott, I’m serious.”
Scott pulled her close, “I know you are Val. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. Besides, I’ll be meeting up with the two real spies in two days.”
They kissed, and then Scott picked up his gear and entered the hangar.