Chronicles of Athena Lee 6 Imperial Subversion (10 page)

“I think that you might have an edge on her, Athena.” I smiled at him. The rock filled the view screens of the bridge. That thing was massive. “Brace yourself here we go!”

The station hit the enormous asteroid on the side as it began to angle downward toward the planet. There was a very loud metallic crunch followed by alarms, alerts, flashing lights, and the rush of atmosphere escaping. Wilson likened what I did to an out of control bus being hit by a slow moving cement truck. The impact of the station pushed the big rock into a different trajectory, it missed the planet and was now irregularly orbiting it.

The station sustained massive damage on the rear section. Naturally, my quarters were a complete loss along with those of most of the crew. My favorite lunch spot was also gone, to my dismay. But our injuries were slight in comparison to the Imperial fleet. They had lost four destroyers, two carriers, a frigate, and one battle cruiser. The James Cook arrived back in time to see me crash the station into the asteroid. Captain Gorshin now had his ship in a guard position opposite the Imperial ships. The message he send me said the he was going to start calling me “Crash Lee.”

The Colonial office delegation that the Vanguard was escorting were horrified that the Empire had violated the kinetic strike treaties. The original conference was moved up and would be held on the planet. Even the Imperial representatives would be attending. It was going to be quite the circus, and might have been funny to watch if it wasn’t all so deadly serious.

Chapter 17

The conference took place more than a week after the Battle for Freedom, took place. The Battle for Freedom, the fact that the space station is called Freedom did not slip my mind. I am not that dense. At least not today. I ‘am’ unbelievably tired. I talked the medical bay into giving me stims, under medical supervision. Even Wilson is keeping an eye on me. Not even counting the giant dent in this station, which will take months to repair, we have tons of work to do around here. We defeated a fleet just a week ago. There are ships and parts of ships floating around everywhere. Luckily, one thing we have lots of are shuttle pilots. A new class had just finished this week, we had to rush their graduation. They, along with some reprogrammed construction drones, and a veritable army of my new Volley series ‘droids’ have been cleaning up the mess I helped to make. I just shook my head, I still can’t believe that damned name stuck to those little trash cans.

Several good things came from the battle. We now had several new allies. The visiting warships that had helped us fight off a kinetic attack on our planet sent word home and groups of delegates arrived. The idea that the Empire would do that to us got them thinking, that they could be next. Also, that we actually defeated an Imperial fleet with a space station, some space fighters, and a couple of freighters, that if anything, gave us what Wilson calls ‘street cred,’ and once again he really won’t explain. Big surprise.

One thing that we had been missing around here was a supply of ships to refit for our own new navy. Now we had just a couple. Two carriers, a battle cruiser, four destroyers, a frigate and a whole bunch of fighter bits and pieces now filled the shipyard scrapheap. Admiral Kane tried to lay claim to some of it, but we point blank told her no. That was a bit of a shock to her. Sanctioned or not, ships from her Navy tried to destroy our planet. She had a lot of trust to earn back.

My crew and I have finally got the cafeteria system rewired and reopened again. Nutritious or not, emergency food bars taste like shit! The entire station crew quarters were destroyed. I am currently living with Dar, down in Marine country. The other Marines don’t seem to care. She has been super busy too. Along with all the scrap metal are thousands of escape pods and floating crewman. The thought of a floating Dutchman without hope of being picked up gave me the shivers. Been there done that. Currently, I was on my way up to the bridge. Minerva had asked to see me.

I did not look my best when I entered the command deck. The two Marine guards on the door at the bridge, peered at me to make sure I was who I said I was. I looked like hell. They chuckled at my appearance and allowed me to pass.

When I stepped off the lift onto the bridge many of the officers turned and started clapping. I gave a weary bow and looked for my sister. I don’t like being a ‘hero’ all I did was drive a space station.

“Athena, you look like hell! Can’t you pass off some of that work to your crew?”

“I really can’t, they know the systems but I need to be available to sign off on it. Other than Chief Tad, I am the only Fleet trained Engineer that you have. Don’t worry, everyone is watching out for me, even Wilson. So, what’s up? Do you need me to rewire your chair again?”

“No, not the chair. Father has informed me that you have been requested at the conference.”

“Me? Why in the name of Spaghetti do I need to be there?”

“He said that he needs at least one member of the family to be present. I have to stay up here. There is way too much hardware in the system for me to ignore. Han… well, you know. So, that leaves you sister dear. Go down to uniform and get them to make you a dress uniform, again. Good news though.”

“What’s good about political dinners and social functions? You know I hate that crap.”

“I was about to say that you’re allowed an escort. I know of a cute Marine that could be available as both your escort and bodyguard.”

“We better be thinking of the same cute Marine or I am going to ‘pop’ you one! OK, fine. Tell father that Dar and I will be on the first shuttle down, after I get a new uniform. OK?”

“Get moving Lieutenant!”

I broke military decorum and gave her the one finger salute as I got on the lift.

___

Dar was happy to be my escort and bodyguard. She intended to as she said, ‘keep a close watch on your body’ anyway. My girl was just goofy sometimes. She really was happy to leave the station for a while. Guarding and interrogating prisoners was getting old for her. The uniform shop was happy to make me a new dress uniform. My sister had already given them instructions, all they needed was my measurements.

“Athena, If you get a minute, I need to tell you a few things.” Wilson, bringer of both good and bad news.

“How about now? What’s up buddy?”

“I have been scanning the Imperial ships that the Admiral brought with her. Some of the communications are a bit strange.”

“Strange how?”

“It’s almost like there are two different communication nets on board one of them. I might be an echo or some kind of interference. I will check with the intelligence division. I just thought you might like to know. I found out something else, too.”

“What? Did you get caught playing disco again?”

“No, but that’s an excellent idea for later this week.” I just shook my head. It’s not good to give the little maniac ideas.

“I overheard some ‘conversations’ in Militia headquarters that your brother has reconciled with your father.”

“What! Father has forgiven the asshole? Will that man never learn? Han is a walking disaster. Father just can’t see past the bullshit. Did he let him back into the Militia too?”

“I only know what I heard. Do you want me to hack the Militia database?” He sounds a bit too eager.

“No! How about we let my father just tell me himself this time, OK?”

“Fine. I’ll catch up with you later Athena. I have a disco to go set up!”

I pulled out my communicator and called Min. Her aide passed the message for me. She called me back on my tablet.

“Athena, what’s wrong? It must be personal for you to call me on the civilian net. Is it father?”

“Well, sort of. Wilson intercepted a conversation that suggests Han is back in our lives. It appears that Father reconciled and he may be back in the Militia. Did you know?”

“No, not at all. Damn that man! Han is a walking disaster! Why, why, why would he let him back into our lives?”

“He likes the idea of a male heir, maybe it is that?” Min was one of the smartest women I know, but when it came to family she was clueless.

“Maybe. Do you have any idea what that idiot has been doing for the past couple of months?” Like I would know that!

“Do you want me to have Wilson find out?”

“No, Father will tell me if I ask him. It should be an interesting story though. Thanks for calling sis.”

___

As I found out much later it really was an very interesting story. Hannibal, being the brilliant strategist that he was, had just dug himself deeper and deeper into trouble.

Through the new connections that he had made helping out those casino owners Han was back on top! He had been welcomed back to the casinos and given credit chips for free by the owners for future favors. As long as he got to keep his bar, Han was a happy man. He had even won some big credit jackpots in his new friends’ casinos. He used what little influence he had to help his new friends to fight the taxes and threats of zoning laws. By getting involved with local business and politics he was becoming known as a businessman in the community. His new friends were right: those with Power needed to rule over those without.

Han checked his suit over one more time, this meeting was important to his future and he needed to look good for it. Once ready, Han took the stairs down to his club. He had closed it tonight for this special meeting. His friends had told him that some special members of the group he had joined were in town tonight and they wanted to meet him! These few months alone without family influence had taught him plenty of things. Above all, that connections were the way to the top, in life and in business.

The main conference room was all set up. He would run the bar, as he usually did. These meetings were private.

A chime sounded in the room. Han stepped over to the back wall and opened up the private entrance. He had this built when the group had told him they wanted privacy. So far it had paid for itself.

His friends came in first followed by two men and two women that he had never seen before. The four looked around at everything. They even pulled out some sort of scanning devices and scanned him! Han looked at his two business friends and they smiled and motioned to the seats at the table. The two strange men took up positions at the front and rear of the room, like guards. The two very strikingly beautiful women, sat down at the head of the table.

“Good evening Mr Hannibal Lee. You can call me Agent Black, my sister is Agent Orange. We are called Wardens. Our job is to police and protect the organization that your friends here represent. You have shown interest in joining our little group. Your friends here have lent you vast sums of credits to bring you into the fold. But nothing is free in this life Mr Lee.” At Han’s look of shock ‘Agent Black’ started laughing.

“Did you really think that you won that money? That you were just that lucky? That all of those women, that work at the casinos, just threw themselves at you based on your ‘good looks’ or skills in bed? And as for the free credits that these gentlemen here just gave you for future, ‘favors?’ As I said before, Hannibal, nothing is free.”

“As the Wardens of the Cabal, and yes, that’s the name of the organization that you have joined. Our primary job is to eliminate the enemies of our organization. Currently, there are two primary targets. The former Governor Norton and his aide Cole, your brother-in-law, I believe. I see the panic on your face. You needn’t worry, we’ll take care of them, not you. No, we need you to do us a rather large favor. Call it your price for joining the Cabal. You ‘do’ have a choice. You can say no. If you choose that route, you merely need to pay these gentlemen back all the credits that you owe them. Even the jackpot credits. Oh, and Han? We know about the safety deposit boxes you have scattered around. We know everything about you!” Agent Black chuckled. “Think about it for a few minutes. We can wait. Remember to choose wisely!”

What had he done? He’d done it again! He’d let his impulses screw him over again. He wasn’t totally sure who these people were, but they obviously had lots of power and influence. Han had no wish to be poor again. He decided he had nothing to lose by joining these people. If he got too deep he could always run to his father and tell all. He looked over at Agent Black and said, “OK I agree I want in.”

“Excellent choice Han! You will find that the Cabal looks after its members. We have lots of plans for the galaxy. Now you too are a part of them. But, there is a small price to pay first. A task that we have for you. The Inner Circle of our organization has many plans for this sector of space. The little revolution that you yourself participated in, -naughty boy,- messed up those plans. We intend to fix that. We need for you to reconcile with your family. We will provide you with documents and finance information that will prove to your father that you have changed and grown up.”