Chapter 58 - Tensions will Boil Over

"Colonel!" James shouted. "At this point I'm assuming these are your friends. And that you somehow expect them to force us to allow you to complete whatever mission you were given."

"I have no idea what you mean," Colonel Johanes said quietly. "I'm a simple researcher, sent to investigate the artifacts discovered by your probes."

"Really?" James replied. "AI, did you complete the records check I requested regarding Colonel Johanes and the members of his research team."

"Affirmative," the AI replied. "Clint Johanes, cap score of six point six. On Earth, he worked for Bell Labs as a laboratory technician. Initial CAP testing showed that the man had a methodical mind and would be best in a non-combat research posting. Upon pickup, he was sent to Rathlinat, where there was a major research station. He has been based there since."

"What!" Colonel Johanes screamed out. "That's a lie! I was a head of research on Earth before I was picked up."

"I believe the AI has the correct information," James replied. "It would definitely explain your research methods since you have arrived. You might actually be an excellent assistant, but so far you've shown no ability to lead a project. However, the biggest question is: are those your friends?"

"James!" Ulla shouted. "We have a communication from the missile cruiser. They are demanding to speak to the governor of the colony."

"That's me!" Colonel Johanes snapped.

"Really?" I heard Yvette reply. "So we were all just imagining the AI telling you that your appointment was not valid? How about we test your theory again? AI, both James and Clint will respond. You can connect the real governor."

"What!" I heard the colonel scream out.

My master obviously realized what was going on. "If you are calling for Colonel Johanes," he said. "He's discovered that the orders sending him here were not valid."

"I need to speak to the colony governor," a crusty voice called out. "It is my understanding that renegades inhabit the planet. They were supposed to be rounded up before I arrived."

"James," Veronica called out. "The communication is coming from one of the new ships. We have four more ships in the system. It looks like a President Class carrier, a Europa Class cruiser and two Asia destroyers."

"Can we hail them or are they in the blind spot the missile cruiser generated?" James asked.

"We would have to rely on light speed communications for now," Ulla replied. "One of the replicators on Inanna has produced replacement repeaters, but they are still in transit."

"Wonderful," James muttered.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned. Janice was standing next to me. She had a tray in her left hand. I could see a selection of sushi populated the tray.

"Eat," she suggested. "You must be hungry."

I glanced at the teleportal controls. The attacks had stopped for the moment. It felt safe, but there was still a risk if I took my attention away from the console. I set up a security lock on the pad itself and activated a program that would alert me if anyone attempted to access the pad before turning towards my sister concubine.

"Thanks," I said as I reached for the tray. "I am hungry. My daughter should be as well."

Janice giggled. "Tina is bringing her. She just took some extra time to organize some comforts. James and Yvette are saying that this standoff might last a long time."

I nodded. "How long has it been so far?"

"Seven hours," Tina said from the doorway. "And the situation is actually getting worse."

"How?" I asked as I picked up the first piece of sushi and tossed it into my mouth. The selection offered by Janice included several of my favorites and I wanted to savor them, but the threat of another attempt to hack our teleport system meant I had to eat quickly.

"Four more ships that are clearly not ours," Tina replied as she picked up something from a wagon she had dragged into the room. She walked behind me as she continued to speak. "Ravenna appears to have a confused captain, that ship is hanging back and just watching, but River Oaks has been harassing Athena and now the missile cruiser is accelerating towards Cancun. They even have every active sensor aimed at Cancun."

I swallowed the piece of sushi I was eating. "Probably an attempt to intimidate Cancun."

"Cancun has no clue what's going on," Janice replied. "They lost every sensor they had. But you might be right. And then we have the recent transmissions from one of the new ships."

I nodded. "And all we can do is wait." I picked up another piece of sushi. Behind me, Tina was unfolding what turned out to be a special folding chair. She boosted me into it and I found that I was at the perfect level to operate the teleport console.

"Get you off your feet a bit," she informed me. "Now if you take off the jersey you are still wearing for a moment, we'll put Madoka in a sling so your daughter can eat."

"What about changing her?" I asked.

"I'll handle that," Janice said. "Just get her fed once you finish your own meal. We need you to keep people from using the teleport system to sneak into our enclave."

"Can do," I replied with a giggle. I finished the final piece of sushi left on the tray. Janice happily took it away, giving me space to pull the jersey off. Once I was topless, I held out my arms. Tina quickly handed me a sling. I put it over my right shoulder. Once it was secure, I held out my hands and took Madoka from Tina.

My daughter was a little unhappy when I slid her into the sling. She was really too big to be comfortable in the device, but once she realized that my breast was available, she turned and started to suckle. I idly stroked her hair with my right hand as I started to watch the console again.

While I was eating, I had mostly ignored the speaker, but now that I was back on duty, I tried to pay attention. What I heard made it clear that the arrival of the new ships had definitely helped the situation degenerate more.

"What do you mean that Colonel Johanes is not the governor?" the crusty voice from the new ships shouted. "I was assured by General Holdsclaw that he had been properly appointed and would have control of the planet when my flotilla arrived."

"How could he be properly appointed?" Captain Gates voice called out. "He wasn't a colonist of Ishtar, nor was he stationed in the district."

"What district?" the raspy voice called out. "I'm given to understand that this whole system is inside Sa'arm controlled space."

Janice giggled. "Funny how there are no Sa'arm in this system, but we're still considered under their control."

"Ishtar is designated as a colony under the administration of Borneo District Command," the AI interrupted. "No governor was appointed when the planet was first colonized, so the AI selected one. Per standard Confederacy policy, this governor can only be removed by the AI or by his death."

"What?" the raspy voice growled. "What do you mean that the AI appointed a governor, I've never heard of that happening."

A female monotone spoke. "The Ishtar AI is correct. Confederacy AI units that are in charge of a colony may in the absence of a governor, appoint their own. These selections are considered legal by Confederacy law."

"When you think about it, Admiral," James said. "We've all heard that most of the alien races are rather passive. I imagine that, on most of their worlds, it's easier for the AI to select its liaison."

"What do you mean?" the raspy voice repeated.

"I can't speak for other planets," James replied. "However, here there really isn't a lot to govern. The human colonists attempt to keep things simple and maintain a strong level of order. In fact, other than requesting some upgrades, I can't think of anything we've demanded from the colony AI."

"Who the hell are you? And how would you know that?" the raspy voice repeated.

"That's the voice of the ringleader of the renegades," Colonel Johanes screamed. "His name is James Rabb and he has no official rank. Since I arrived, he's been insubordinate."

I could hear James sigh. "Colonel, how many times do you have to repeat yourself? Admiral Himmel and General Montgomery have already been informed of your attitude towards us. I'm sure they will be handling the situation in the near future."

"I'm here to handle it," the raspy voice said. "I should not have to tell you who I am. I have the authority to deal with a mutiny."

Just then, Veronica's voice broke into the conversation. "James, we have a couple of status changes. The Europa class cruiser had activated its engines. It's heading on an intercept course with Cancun. Also I have seven more jump points opening."

"Seven?" Yvette called out. "Can you give us some idea of what direction they are in?"

"Four are in line with the Wolf system, the other three are in line with Ursus," Veronica called out.

"Damn," James called out. "Everyone, play time is over. Fred, Tyson, get the laser tracking stations up. Everyone who has armor, get it on. Reggie, we need you on the main door. Tam, Tif, get to command, we'll need your expertise. Timothy, Linus, Louis, Terrence, get the docks and system defense up. Terrence, what's the status on Athena?"

"Captain de Wynter, I need you in a dock now. I know it's not recommended, but can you redline your engines for ten minutes," Terrence called out. "That will allow you to get to the docks in twenty-five."

"Do you have a good scan?" she asked.

"About eighty percent of what I'd like. Tam, who do we have who can run a pinpoint scanner? I'd love to get a scan on the inside of that hole in Athena's armor," Terrence called out.

"Kate knows how to do it," Tamara called out. "Xavier, I know you are getting into armor, but can we borrow her?"

"Amanda, loan a couple of your concubines to help Xavier get in armor!" James commanded. "Kate, get to command. Also, Madison, Patty, Tina, Jillian, Paula, you all have training on tugs and the teleport stations, get to the briefing room and start powering units up."

"On it," Tina called back. "The response was echoed through the speakers as everyone else started responding."

"What is this?" the raspy voice called out. "Task Force Oscar, form on the Martin Van Buren, prepare for battle."

"But Admiral Timmons!" Colonel Johanes screamed out. "You are supposed to be supporting me here."

"I can't do that if there are Sa'arm ships in the system," the admiral's raspy voice called out. "And I was told that there was a mutiny to put down. Right now, I'm not seeing a mutiny."

"Of course not," Janice said. "How can twenty-two citizens and their concubines mutiny on a planet like this?"

I nodded. "James," Captain Gates' voice called out. "We're still about an hour out. Do you want to hold off on the repairs?"

"Why?" Timothy asked. "I don't know how you do it, because there is almost no armor left, but Cancon is actually in great shape. We do have to patch a lot of broken power circuits that connect to your scanners, but the rest is just installing new armor. We can have your ship repaired in two hours."

"Ships have started to emerge," Veronica called out. "I have Sif and Beowulf on vector from Borneo. Aspen and Mongolia have appeared from two of the Ursus jump points."

"Damage?" James asked.

"Give us some time," Tiffany called out. "Randi, Mike, Ingrid, Lily, I need some more scanner techs. Janet and Edith, if you can come as well, it would help."

"Candi, Mike, Diana, Madison, Monique, Geri," Tamara called out. "We can use you as well."

"You just called for Mike twice!" Colonel Johanes screamed. "Do you even know who you are talking about?"

"Of course they do," Michael shouted. "Tiffany wants my concubine Mickey, Tamara wants her sister concubine Michelle. Have you paid no attention to who all is on this planet."

"You have concubines manning the scanners?" Admiral Timmons asked.

"I only have twenty two citizens to work with," James called out. "Six are in the command post, handling different functions. There are three more working in medical. Then I have two handling tracking for some of our planet-based defenses. Manning the ground based lasers is hazardous and tends to ruin armor so eight of us stand ready to rotate the duty.."

"That leaves three citizens," the Admiral observed.

"I work in auxiliary control," Yvette called out. "Reggie is guarding one of our doors because we've had some problems with the men brought by Colonel Johanes. Gina is working in our nursery to keep our children out of the way."

"A concubine could do that," the admiral pointed out.

"They do," Yvette snapped back. "But we discovered that having a citizen in attendance helps keep the older children under control. Especially when their parent is one of the ones asked to work elsewhere."

The only response was a snort. "We have communications with Sif," Ulla called out. "The ship has taken only a few hits. No major damage, but they've lost power to the aft half of their grid. We need to scan to find the break."

"The other jump points have closed. Siberia and Morrigan were the other two from the Wolf system, Freya just emerged from the Ursus jump point," Veronica informed us.

"What the hell is this?" Admiral Timmons asked testily. "I have nine ships here, and no idea where they came from or why they are here."

"Ishtar is a repair station for the ships of Borneo District," Captain de Wynter called out. "We raid some of the nearby Sa'arm controlled systems. If we take damage, we can jump here for repairs. The planet has been a lifesaver to many ships in the district."

"And what should that mean to me?" Admiral Timmons replied. "I'm here to deal with a mutiny. I was supposed to be conducting at least one court martial."

"If you do that against Colonel Johanes, no one will say a thing," James commented. "Now please allow us to do our jobs. This many ships almost always means we have repairs to complete."

"I don't see any serious damage to any of these ships," the admiral growled.

I was shaking my head at his comments. Behind me, I could hear a series of loud thumps. I turned to look and discovered Brad, Xavier, Amanda and Deb all in their armor.

"We need to teleport to the laser ready room," Brad replied. "James was sure you would have found the teleport pad."

"Yes," I said with a nod. "And it seems that Colonel Johanes has stopped causing problems. Where are the others?"

"James said that the pad at the lasers is limited in size so we can only teleport four people at a time," Brad said. "They'll be following right behind us."

I nodded again. "Get on the pad and I'll activate it. Hopefully we won't need you."

The quartet made their way to the pad. I watched the console to verify that no attempts to subvert my control were ongoing. Everything was green, so I linked to the laser room and activated the teleport.

The four vanished. I waited a moment and then Brad called out. "Good teleport, Meiko. We are at the laser ready room."

Madoka started squirming against my chest. Janice noticed and gasped. "Sorry, I forgot you had her. I'll take her and change her."

"Thanks," I replied absently. The console was showing no issues. I started a quick teleport pad search to identify any additional pads.

"Only minor damage on the other ships," Janice said absently. "I think Siberia needs three turrets replaced. Morrigan and Freya just have a few damaged sections of their grids. Beowulf was actually untouched, but needs some resupply. I guess they were testing a new anti-missile module and used up every charge they had."

"We probably don't have spares here," I replied as the console started identifying the teleport rooms of each ship in the system.