In the story so far the Whitey's mercenaries were paid to provide protection to the General. But a double-cross cost the General his life and put Whitey's raiders at the mercy of the pirate's supreme commander Ruby Graves. This chapter of the science fiction blog novel tells us more about the Supreme Commander and gives some insight into Whitey's tactics.
CHAPTER 5
THE SUPREME COMMANDER
“At ease, boys,” Whitey commanded. He considered killing Stone right there. The numbers were against it at the moment; even though his men were better it would still be suicide, and would only gain revenge. He always looked out for his men first, revenge and cashing in the bounty could come later.
“Lieutenant Whitey.” The woman looked up and fixed him with painfully beautiful eyes. Her voice was as cold as frozen steel, “I am giving Stone provisional command of the Stardiver once we capture her. You will serve as his first lieutenant. Your men will be one of the boarding parties. You will overcome any resistance with whatever means are necessary. Once you and the other boarding parties have secured the ship Captain Stone will take command and you will be under his orders.”
“Supreme Commander,” Stone interrupted, “I don’t need mercenaries.”
“I have given my orders, Captain Stone,” she hissed. “I do not care to have them questioned.” Stone took a half step back and almost slipped in the red pool on the floor.
Whitey crossed thin arms over his chest, still holding a weapon in each hand. Taller than anyone else in the room he looked down his angular nose at her. “I understand my orders, but I do have two questions, and without answers, my men and I do not go on.”
“Yes?” The supreme commander’s eyes shrank into snake-like slits.
“First, who killed the General? We were in his pay, and it seems he is not able to pay us, so who is?”
She spoke slowly, “Your General was a spy and guilty of treason to the revolution. He paid the price. The revolution will pay your filthy blood money.”
Whitey looked at the ceiling as if he was daydreaming. “O.K. Boarding and capturing ships are uncalled for danger. My men will need to have extra weapons and armor.”
“We will give you what you need.” she said.
“And,” he paused looking directly at her, ”A twenty percent high-risk bonus.”
A new tension filled the room. Her staff stiffened in alertness.
“All about money isn't it, Whitey?”
“Not all, Supreme Commander. But we are mercenaries and we have been hired. If you want to change the contract fine, but the change comes with a price.”
“Why are you worth extra?”
“Push me to a fight and my men will walk out of here and yours won’t.”
“What are you saying?”
With a sigh and an impatient glance to the ceiling Whitey sneered. “Figure it out, your holiness. Your men are no match for mine. How many did Carl take down before Stone shot him in the back?” He glanced sideways at Stone and judged the man's reaction. The jolt confirmed Whitey's guess.
“You insult me?” The Supreme Commander leaned forward.
Whitey did not answer; he raised his right hand leaving the gun magnetized against his chest. He motioned quickly with two fingers downward and forward. All his men pointed their guns at the beautiful woman.
. “You threaten me too? You are bold. A leader must be ready to die. You know that Whitey. Ten percent extra, I agree- to the survivors.”
“Fine. Whitey turned to leave.
“The attack begins in two hours.”
“What!” Whitey spun around.
“Yes. We begin in two hours, the trap is already set. Your transport is at dock six and battle plans are there. Good hunting."
Whitey holstered his guns and turned his back on the woman.
"Just one more thing, Lieutenant."
He stopped at the door his back still to her. "Yes."
"What is command code alpha?"
He stepped through the door and turned to face her. "This." He brought his hand up and held it there for a moment. Looking her in the eye he brought his hand down in a chop motion. The remaining ninety men of Whitey's Raiders surged into the room. They were in command positions before any in the room could react; the Supreme Commander's staff were each facing multiple weapons.
Standing in the corridor Whitey gave a rare smile. "You see why we are worth that extra twenty percent you are going to give us?" Raising his hand he signaled and his men disappeared from the room like oiled shadows.
***
Whitey was sullen as he marched down the corridor. “Sorry about this, guys. We have been duped.” Joe, the C team leader, spoke up. “Looks to me like a set-up from the beginning. Looks like Stone’s doing if you ask me.”
Whitey’s mind was racing ahead putting Stone and the Supreme Commander in mental storage for the time being. “If that ship is captured we want to be in control. We have to outclass and outgun everyone else in this little play army; so that way when the time comes we call the shots. If their revolution is successful we might be in a good position in the new order. But more likely it will fail and we will need to be clear of it."
Mike, the B team leader, spoke up. “Boss, isn't it piracy to capture a civilian ship? Are we pirates now?”
“No. But we will have to shoot our way out of this one way or another. No matter what the Supreme Commander says, we do not use lethal force. We will let the others face war crime trials. Use stun and riot control ammo unless you hear otherwise from me. If things go bad we will try to take the ship for our own. We can exchange it for amnesty or ransom if her revolution goes bad.
“Is that the exit plan?” Joe wondered.
“Let’s get a look at this transport that Her Maybe-ness has set aside for us. If it is any good we get our hands on it and we keep hold of it. If things go bad that will be our way out.”
(c) Adron
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“Is that the exit plan?” Joe wondered.
“Let’s get a look at this transport that Her Maybe-ness has set aside for us. If it is any good we get our hands on it and we keep hold of it. If things go bad that will be our way out.”
(c) Adron
To proceed to the next chapter click here or choose from the table of contents in the sidebar.
To start at the beginning click here.
Please use the buttons below to share this chapter on your networks. Thank you.
