A short chapter of the science fiction blog novel about a spaceship out of control in the hands of pirates. In this chapter Whitey, the boss of the Mercenaries convinces his men that in spite of excessive danger from the pirate fraction to stay with the ship.
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Chapter 38
Whitey Talks His Men Into Staying
Whitey began another long walk through the ship pushing the chest as it floated on an anti-gravity table. It was always a temptation to skim some of the gold coins and tell the tale that despite his best negotiations he was cheated. He would say he is giving up his share so they would suffer less. Of course, he would have already taken the biggest share, but those things always backfired. Somewhere someone would see something, or someone would find out the truth. His men forgave many other weaknesses but two were never overlooked- cowardice and cheating. He would be honest with his men and expect integrity from them.
He stepped aside as a crowd of prisoners clogged the corridor on their way to the transports. They looked defeated. Stripped of armor and weapons, the rangers looked thin and incomplete. Whitey felt sorry for them. He knew defeat in battle and experienced the uncertainty that followed; he knew the depression, guilt, and recrimination that came with it. These men were going to an uncertain future. Maybe they would be ransomed by the Government or exchanged. Maybe they would be on a prison ship or marooned on some moon.
Even though they were unarmed Whitey rested his hand on the blaster at his side- he never let his guard down. He recognized good soldiers when he saw them; these men had pride in doing their duty and carried themselves with nobility even in defeat. A few made eye contact, and he nodded, it was a respectful, a salute.
"Well, this is a rare sight." He muttered to himself.
The prisoners were followed by mercenaries marching in orderly ranks. The green and gray armor was cast for women, some of the armor was decorated with beautiful inlaid silver artwork. Locks of long hair fell out of helmets. Whitey recognized the colors of Sandy's Securities, another company of soldiers for hire.
“Sandy.” Whitey gave a mock salute as was the style among the pirates and mercenaries. "What a surprise to see you and your lovely ladies here."
“Ever the charmer, huh, Whitey," Removing her helmet she let her golden hair fall, her smile was sincere and broad. "That's better. I heard you were at this party. I saw your men keeping Stonebutt's jackals from murdering the prisoners."
"I hope there was no trouble between my boys and your, uh ladies."
"Ha! Your troops know real gladiators when they see them; so, yes we got along fine. But those idiots in Stone's division had to learn the hard way and there are four less of them than there was an hour ago."
"No surprise there. Your girls always knew how to take care of themselves. What is happening with the prisoners?"
“The Supreme Commander is negotiating with a neutral somebody to take them, I don't know who. We are bringing them to the transports where they are going to Cirrus five to be picked up.”
“That is good news for them. Are you going with them?
"We are joining the chase for the other ranger's ship."
"So you are staying on with the brotherhood?
"Why do you ask?"
"I have other operations after this is all done. I could use you and your ladies, my Raiders got pretty chewed up."
“Yea, I hear your men were the shock troops weren't they?”
“I figure we were sold out to take the worst of it from the rangers to soften them up. Then the rest of the Her Supreme Commander’s toy soldiers were to come in and clean it all up.”
“It worked. When the ship's defenders found Whitey's Raiders were at the dock they sent the best they had there; you kept them engaged while the rest of us overran the ship. You know you have enemies; it could have been anyone who set you up, Whitey. Or maybe it just worked out that way. Your guys are the best fighters around. I remember a story that the Judge on Torres Nine hired your boys as bounty hunters for all ten of their most wanted criminals.”
“Ha! My easiest job of all. When the word got out every one of the criminals turned themselves in. Good thing I got a big advance on their rewards; I never saw another cent from that judge either. Honest work like that is hard to come by these days.”
“Well, Whitey, I am staying on with the brotherhood. Every revolution is outlawed in the beginning, but winners tell their side, then history says they were visionaries and right. The Home World has wronged the Confederation of Planets and we need to stand up. Thank God Ruby Graves came to give leadership. The wrongs will be made right. It is the American Revolution of 1776 all over again. The oppression of the Home World is keeping us from developing our own societies. It has to end.”
Whitey shook his head. "I'm disappointed that you've taken sides. The first rule of a soldier of fortune is to stay out of politics, staying neutral keeps you out of jail and off of the gallows. Besides you cannot win against the Home World, Sandy. They have all the resources. The Supreme Commander has not sent a declaration of independence and is not recognized as representing any government. This capture of Stardiver Four and the attack on the Rangers is treason and will be seen as a Pearl Harbor.”
“No, Whitey, it's nothing like that.”
“Yes, everything like that. Pearl Harbor was viewed as a strong-armed sneak attack that provoked the Americans out of their isolation. Once they were provoked they would not be beaten.”
“So, what are you doing here if you don’t believe in our cause? Have you turned pirate?”
“Money, sweetheart. This was to be the big payout. We were General Armstrong's bodyguard and security for his headquarters. I was one of his advisers. The pay was good. But someone put a hole in the bank by way of a blaster through the General’s back, and then we were tricked into this little mess.”
“I bet you were a promised a double bonus too?”
“Maybe I was.”
“Don’t spend it all in one place.” Sandy held out her hand, White took it.
“Good luck, Sandy. "If you are ever near Whitey's Cantina stop by. Drinks are on me."
“Good luck.” She puckered up her lips in a mock kiss and winked. He watched her walk after the prisoners.
Sandy stopped and turned calling out to him. "Hey, Whitey. One other thing."
"What is it?"
"I thought you might like to know. A transport brought some fresh faces on board."
"Don't keep me in suspense. Who?"
"Some engineering and geeky types. But you will be interested in knowing some came on who were wearing red armor."
"Thanks for the heads up."
Whitey made his way back to his men.
Near the common room was a bar and lounge where Whitey and his men found a place to sit and talk. The chest was open and the gold was stacked up in equal piles on tables around the lounge. “There you are men. Now, boys, I’m staying on. Anyone who wants to cash out and call it quits can do so now. Nothing will be said good or bad if you do. If you stay with me you know what to expect. We will fight, we will see friends and foes die. We will share the pay; it has been tripled by the Supreme Commander herself; so staying on will be worth it. On the other hand, we will be with Stonebutts mob. “
"Wait a minute," Mike said. "A little while ago you were going to get our pay and we were going to get out of here. Why do you want to stay now?"
"The Supreme Commander Herself has contracted us to be her personal force. She wants us to make sure Stonebutt does not run The Stardiver into an asteroid, or set it adrift, or let it be recaptured or something. We will take orders from her directly and not have any duties to Stone. We will be independent of the Brotherhood.
Another spoke up. “I don’t like being on the same boat with Stonebutt. His men are wild and some are clinically insane. And Stonebutt is as crazy as the rest of them.”
Another man grumbled. “Yeah, he killed Marx and took over the ship. I say we stay around as long as it takes to toss him in an airlock and shove him out.” Most men were in agreement.
A quiet man spoke softly. “Their red book says command may be taken by assassination. Boss, just go in there and do it. We are with you and we can take Stones mob. We did it once in the corridor; remember they attacked our rear. We owe them. There are only about four hundred of them, they are nothing but a mob, but there is a good eighty-five of us, so I figure we could take them.”
“If we kill Stone," Bill observed,"then we have to kill his men, but then we will have the ship.”
The men were nodding enthusiastically.
“But," Whitey countered, "If we take the ship. We will have no friends. Right now we are in the direct pay of the Supreme Commander Ruby Graves herself. But if we take the ship they will think we are taking it from them and they will want revenge. We will be fighting the brotherhood and we will be criminals to the home planet. One or both may put a bounty on our heads.”
“Not a bounty, Not again.” Several men moaned.
“Why not take the ship," Mike said, "Then return it to the home planet. They will reward us.”
Bill's old face wrinkled into a broad smile. “This ship would make a great flying casino. We could have gambling all over the place and there is an arena where we can bet on fights.”
Whitey put up his hands. “Guys- the point is right now we need to play along with the ‘Blood-or-hood.’ So, who is with me?"
"So long as we are not pirates," Joe said, "We are security contractors, right? We don't break any laws. No one goes to the gallows later on."
"That goes without saying." Whitey shook his head. "And if I find out anyone here commits a crime while in my pay then I'll execute justice myself."
"So," he continued, "stay on as an independent security force and get the ship online; with triple pay. Who is with me?"
All the men raised their hands.
“Thank you, men," Whitey nodded, "You are the best there is and you won't regret it."
"And now to business. We are among hostiles. Use the appropriate protocols. No one goes off alone. No one is to engage Stonebutt’s men in conversation or a fight. If you have to kill any of them keep it quiet, clean and secret. C team will fortify the docking bay where the shuttle is, we will make that our base. Our orders are to get the ship online, fully running and battle ready."
"Everyone knows their jobs, Bill, your guys see about defenses. Mike, take B team and get the computers online. Joe, D team is assigned to the engines and mechanics of the ship. Think of it as a salvage operation under arms.”
Bill spoke up. “Boss, if we are among hostiles I’ll put Black Jack and Ben as your bodyguards they are most rested up.”
"Good call, Bill.” Whitey gave the casual salute. "Very well men." They all stood up like springs and saluted. “Sir.” Whitey turned and followed by his bodyguards went to find out what was happening with Stone."
(c) Adron
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