Allies of Convenience: Pirates of the Badlands Series

Allies of Convenience

Pirates of the Badlands Series

Sean Benjamin

Copyright © 2024 Sean Benjamin

All rights reserved

Second Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2024

ISBN 979-8-89315-098-8 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-89315-115-2 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

Epilogue

Glossary

About the Author

For my brother, Larry

A warrior first, last, and always

It seems like there is always enough time…until suddenly there isn't.

Common enemies are how all allies begin.

—Ally Carter

Necessity never made a good bargain.

—Benjamin Franklin

Great necessities call out great virtues.

—Abigail Adams

You must learn to exist with no religion, no country, no allies.

You must learn to live alone in silence.

—William S. Burroughs

Preface

This is a tale of spaceships and people in the far future. I will be the first to admit the physics do not work in all cases, but hopefully, the story does. One of the adjustments to physics is the concept of subspace. The adversaries must have the ability to surprise one another regardless of their level of technology or number of weapons. In this story, surprise is accomplished by warships having the ability to go subspace. Ships can vanish off all sensor sweeps while still being there. Star Trek connoisseurs will see a similarity to the Romulan cloak of invisibility, but I based subspace on World War II submarine warfare. Submarines use stealth and surprise to approach and attack enemy ships—often ships of greater size and abilities. Navies respond to the submarine threat with tactics, sonar, and depth charges. If a submarine can be detected during its approach and attack, there is a very good chance it will be destroyed. These same principles apply in subspace warfare. Ships in subspace attempt to approach targets at a slow speed to keep noise to a minimum and then come out of subspace at a time and place of their choosing to attack their targets. Ships in subspace can be detected through listening devices and then be placed in a general location. Once detected, subspace ships are open to countermeasures from ships in regular space. Ships in subspace can't fire weapons, and communications are very limited. When they come out of subspace, they are vulnerable to attack for eight seconds as they cannot raise shields or fire weapons until completely clear of subspace. As with all tactics, there are advantages and disadvantages to going subspace. Use it at your peril.

I have taken a second deviation regarding future combat. With the continuous advancement of technology, if there is a future need for warships in space, these vehicles will be unmanned or manned with very small crews. Humans will make the strategic decisions on when and where to engage an enemy force. Once the strategic decisions are made and battle is imminent, humans will make the tactical decisions on employment of forces at the battle site. Once the battle is joined, computers will fight the enemy. These machines will fire the weapons, assess damage, deliver follow-up attacks, and make the thousands of decisions required by a rapidly changing battle situation. The speed of warships and complexity of the weapon systems will demand nothing less. However, in this story, I have kept more of a human element in the fighting—probably less realistic but definitely more fun.

Several terms used in the story may be unfamiliar. Members of any occupation, age group, geographical location, or lifestyle talk in abbreviations or specialty words unknown to people not of the same membership. A glossary is included to explain these terms.

Introduction

This story takes place in the future far out in space. Mankind has moved out into the wide expanse of our universe. Much of the history of earth is being repeated on a larger galactic stage. Empires have been formed, and competition for trade, territory, power, and riches continues. There are three main political entities and numerous minor powers involved. The largest entity is the Aurora Empire. Ruled by a governmental structure much like the United Kingdom, they are a democracy with a monarch as the head of the state. They have been first among equals for decades. Their home planet is Zelenka, so they are commonly called the Zekes. The Orion Confederation is the closest rival to the Aurora Empire in size and abilities. The Orion government has ruling institutions that vary by planet, but power rests with an unelected central committee. The OrCons have always seen the Zekes as their chief rivals. The last empire is the Goldenes Tor. It is smaller than the other two empires but matches them in ambition. The Goths will play both sides of any situation and continually look to expand in size, treasure, and power. All three empires have common borders with each other and are constantly jostling to improve their positions through trade, military power, or political arrangements.

There are many solar systems and individual planets that have local rule and are unaligned with any empire. Also, there are solar systems and planets claimed by several powers. Much of this story takes place in a multisolar-system area informally called the Badlands. Disputed by two empires and many smaller governments, this region is lawless and ruthless as individuals, organizations, corporations, local governments, and the empires jockey for advantage. Pirates and criminals abound; violence and death are daily rituals. Although outlawed in much of the universe, the slave trade flourishes. Money, influence, and power trump decency and morals. Such is life in the Badlands.

1

"Mackenzie, come in."

Someone was calling the flagship over an open frequency. Despite the fact that the call came over the comm speakers and could be heard by everyone on the bridge, Communications Petty Officer Third Class Janice Chou instinctively put her right hand to her ear to ensure her earpiece stayed in place as she swiveled back to her communications console in response to the hail.

The calm voice repeated his call, "Mackenzie, come in."

Janice scanned her board. Sure enough, the hail was coming in on the common port frequency monitored by all ships while in orbit above Potenka.

Janice keyed her microphone. "Station calling Mackenzie, identify yourself."

The voice did not answer the demand but responded with a request, Let's go covered.

The watch officer walked over and leaned down to Janice. Go ahead and shift him to a covered channel and find out what he wants.

Janice nodded. "Station calling Mackenzie, shift to 347.95 and prepare to go covered."

"Aye, Mackenzie."

A few seconds passed, and the voice returned on the designated frequency. "Mackenzie, I am up on 347.95."

Chou responded, Got you. Prepare to sync up…three…two…one…go!

The voice changed slightly as the transmission became modulated to prevent eavesdropping. Up and covered.

"Mackenzie, up and covered. Go ahead, caller."

"This is the pirate vessel Predator, Raferty Hawkins commanding."

Quiet grew on the bridge as officers and ratings turned toward Janice's station. It wasn't every shift that a pirate craft called on one of the queen's warships. Chou had the certain feeling that what seemed to be the beginning of a boring bridge watch was about to take a turn in an unanticipated direction. She didn't know if that was good or bad, but it would definitely be different. After weeks of showing the flag and routine training, she looked forward to different.

The voice continued. Let me see you.

Janice started in surprise, "Say again, Predator?"

The voice calmly restated, Let me see you. I don't do audio only.

Janice glanced back at the watch officer and got a shrug in response. Well, why not? She had never seen a pirate before. Janice touched her keypad. A man immediately appeared on her screen, and she viewed him with interest. Dark-blond hair, dark-blue eyes, and lean in stature, the man was dressed in brightly colored civilian clothes. The pirate captain leaned back into his wide captain's chair with his left leg draped over its left arm. The pose revealed knee-high black boots with a dagger hilt displayed from the top of the left boot. He wore the authority of command with a quiet, competent air as if it were the obvious natural order of the universe. He stared evenly back at her. A few seconds passed.

You through? he asked, not unkindly.

Janice started again, Huh, sorry, I was…curious.

Never seen a pirate before?

No, sir.

Quite all right. Captain Raferty Hawkins. He tilted his head, obviously waiting for her to respond in kind.

Petty Officer Third Class Janice Chou.

He smiled. This transformed him from an average-looking man to something quite different.

Very nice, thought Janice, very nice indeed.

Well, Petty Officer Third Class Janice Chou, I have some information to pass on to your command, but I'm only going to tell the tale twice so you all have to decide who you want in the audience. After two renditions, I'm sure I will be too bored to do it again.

The watch officer leaned over Janice's shoulder as he looked at the pirate captain.

Lieutenant Commander Paul-Henri Boulanger here. You can tell your story to me. His voice carried a hint of condescension.

Fine. If Hawkins had noticed the tone in the voice, he chose to ignore it. He casually placed his left hand on the hilt of his boot dagger. I receive a brief from my intel officer each morning. Yesterday she informed me there was an Orion Confederation squadron with a Goth escort hiding behind Bolton's Planet. Their intentions were unknown, but we assumed they were preparing to hit you. They moved out earlier today, so I expect you're going to be hit within the next ten hours and hit hard. This is part of a large series of OrCon attacks against the Aurora Empire. I assumed you knew this force was coming, but after seeing the disposition of your forces and your lack of preparedness, it is obvious you do not know, so I'm telling you.

The pirate flashed his smile again. He then placed his right elbow on his chair arm and settled his chin in his right hand as he waited for a response, the perfect image of congenial boredom. Nobody was bored on Mackenzie's bridge. Silence reigned as everyone fixated on Chou's station. Several people moved up behind her and the watch officer to peer over their shoulders at the pirate on the screen.

That's not possible, stated Boulanger flatly.

Hold that thought. It will make a nice epitaph. Hawkins shifted in his seat, obviously impatient to get the next and last telling of the tale done. That's one rendition. You have one left. Who's the audience?

You may have to repeat your story more than once for verification and details, Boulanger said somewhat absently as he considered his best course of action.

Nope. You've just burned up one rendition, and two is my limit on this.

Standby, please. Boulanger reached up to his comm earpiece.

2

Skyler Mallory, a decorated naval officer, captain of the heavy cruiser Mackenzie, and Duchess of Albithor of the Aurora Empire, leaned back in her seat at the head of the dining table. Having been born into the aristocracy of the empire, she attended official meet-and-greet dinners all her life. In fact, she could do them standing on her head. It was always a good idea to meet the important people of any given geographic area in a social setting so relationships could begin on a positive note. After all, human contact was vastly superior to visual comm and printed texts. Getting to know people on a personal level at these social gatherings now would pay dividends in the future. Yes, indeed, always a good first step, except for the fact that she hated the damned things!

This conversation she was now ensnared in was an excellent example as to why. David Thorton was seated to her left. An Aurora Empire representative who was stationed on Potenka, he was droning on about his hard life here and how unappreciated his work was regarded back in the home system. Sky only pretended to listen and sympathize. She flashed back to the times she had been standing watch while her senior officers were attending social events. Back then, Sky thought the junior officers were working hard while their seniors were off playing. She shook her head. She had had many crazy thoughts as a junior officer.

Why are you shaking your head? asked Thorton.

I'm just amazed at how well you hold up despite all your responsibilities here, Sky responded without missing a beat.

It is a wonder. I assure you, Thorton said as he nodded in confirmation.

It's a wonder I don't throw myself out the nearest air lock, reflected Sky as she smiled at the bureaucrat.

Thorton was the caricature of the midlevel government official who seems to have existed since the beginning of bureaucracies. He was contrived, ornate, and self-important. He believed his many talents were being wasted here in the backwater of the universe, and he desperately desired to return to one of the empire's many centers of power. He didn't care which one as long as it got him out of here and back into the mainstream of empire life. He managed to convey all this in the first minute he was in the room without saying a word. Surely all the locals would have the same impression of him, so whatever good he was doing for the Aurora Empire here would be limited at best. Sky briefly wondered what he had done to be exiled out here, but then she decided she didn't care.

Sky and her new River-class heavy cruiser arrived in the system three weeks prior to take command of the small, nearly obsolete squadron that was representing the Aurora Empire here. For decades, a squadron had been kept here, but the demands of policing the other regions of the empire had steadily reduced the squadron here in both numbers and capabilities. The empire's continuous squabbling with the Orion Confederation further reduced the squadron as ships were moved to contested sectors on the other side of the empire that shared a common border with the OrCons. Sky found her units scattered throughout the Badlands showing the flag, enforcing the laws, and generally ensuring the Goths realized the Aurora Empire did not recognize their claim on the region. She brought her ships together for a tour of the major planets and ports of call. The transit time between planets was used for the sorely needed training to mold her squadron into a cohesive fighting force and not just a ragtag collection of individual ships. Her force consisted of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, four destroyers, and two auxiliary support ships. Outside Mackenzie, all the ships were old with limited capabilities, but the crews worked hard, and improvement was quickly forthcoming. Sky immensely enjoyed these training times. The planet visitations left much to be desired. Meeting the many politicians, business leaders, religious figures, and military commanders left Sky annoyed and frustrated. Vain, self-serving, and myopic were inadequate terms to describe the majority of these people. They constantly complained about all the other planetary leaders, made threats, and looked out for themselves at the expense of their people and the future. It was no wonder these systems were largely lawless with scant progress and little hope. The Badlands' nickname was well earned.

Now Sky's force was in outer orbit around Potenka, third largest and most populated planet in the Oliminate system. Her ships were clustered about the flagship, cleaning up their vessels while awaiting the commencement of liberty to the planet below scheduled to start the next morning. A two-day break richly deserved after twenty-one earth days (e-days) of work.

The inner orbit had thirty-two ships of various sizes and flags maintaining a close orbit above the city of Aquaban. Several of the ships were small military vessels belonging to a variety of planetary governments. The others were traders of all sorts of goods, both legal and illegal. Potenka was the busiest port in this sector, and this was a typical day for the space harbor.

Sky looked over her dinner party guests. At the opposite end of the table was Commander Ari Goldman, her chief of staff. Although Sky had not known him prior to his recent assignment to her command, he had proven to be resourceful and dedicated. Despite the recent lull in the Cold War with the Orion Confederation, good officers were always in high demand, and she was lucky to get him, especially since he was the only officer assigned as flotilla staff. He was responsible for all the administrative work and coordination of staff functions on the flotilla level. He worked hard at his duties, and Sky was impressed by the results. The remainder of the flotilla's staff work was done by Mackenzie officers, making for heavy workloads. Keeping this in mind, Sky kept the flotilla's admin work and duties to the bare minimum for her people.

In addition to Thorton and Goldman, three other figures were partaking of Sky's food and drink. To her immediate right sat Deputy Chancellor Hasim Attus of the government of Potenka. He was in late middle age but carried himself as a much younger man. Dignified and polite, he was quiet, but observed everything while giving away nothing. Sky could well imagine him becoming invisible within a crowd at a reception or state dinner. She also suspected overlooking him would be a mistake.

Argus Colandra was to Thorton's left. He was a leading merchant and deeply entrenched in the political and commercial spheres within this system. He was urbane, well-informed, and a bit too smooth for Sky's taste. His dress and manner did everything to try to represent success and breeding. The success was a given, but the breeding was still a work in progress. Sky suspected he had humble beginnings and worked his way up. She had no desire to know the methods in which one worked his way up here in the Badlands.

Commissioner Catherine Putinsky sat to the right of the deputy chancellor. She was the head of the police and security for the planetary government. Putinsky was younger than the usual leader of planetary enforcement. In Sky's experience, this meant one of three things. Putinsky had political support through family or allies, blackmail on important figures, or was very, very good at her job. Sky wasn't sure which was true as she observed the commissioner but suspected it was the last. Putinsky was polite, engaging, and charming. It was also obvious she hated official functions. Sky thought she might get to like Putinsky.

Of course, the conversation centered on local politics and how the Aurora Empire was disgraceful in its handling of this part of neutral space. Sky got an earful of the empire's shortcomings in protecting law-abiding citizens, providing funds for commerce and infrastructure, and generally neglecting the obvious potential of this very, very important region. Attus and Putinsky tried to discuss other topics of less weight, but Thorton and Colandra wouldn't let it happen.

Mallory took it all in stride. Regardless of her ports of call, the conversation had been the same for the last three weeks. The reality was the Aurora Empire had its hands full with managing an ongoing relationship with the Orion Confederation while maintaining a cordial affiliation with the Goldenes Tor. This situation kept most of the Royal Navy's ships and military people focused on the common borders with both rival empires with an emphasis on the OrCon boundary. But the Aurora Empire's problems with the Orion Confederation were far away from here and of little interest to the natives of this region. The fact was the Aurora Empire didn't even claim the Badlands but wanted the entire area to be independent. The major obstacle to an independent region was the Goth's presence here and their long-standing claim to all the Badlands. Thus the Aurora Empire maintained a limited presence here as a counterweight while wanting to keep commitments to a minimum. One military base on the edge of the Badlands closest to the home system, a few civilian and trade administrators, and a handful of old ships were all the empire would commit here. Sky realized the Aurora Empire represented hope and stability for many in the Badlands, and these people wanted the empire here in a larger role. They wanted a sheriff to police the Badlands. They would be disappointed in that desire.

The chief of staff suddenly touched his hand to the comm device in his ear, rose, and moved away from the table. Must be important, Sky mused. The bridge watch officer knew not to disturb this event with routine matters. She turned back to Mr. Thorton and his nonstop ranting on the sorry state of affairs.

What? exclaimed Goldman from the corner of the compartment. He briefly glanced at the guests around the table and saw they had quickly turned to stare at him.

Embarrassed at his outburst, he turned his back to the table while talking quietly into his comm link.

A problem? Deputy Chancellor Attus raised an eyebrow as he regarded Sky from his seat on her right side.

We shall see, she responded with a smile.

Were you expecting trouble? Attus asked as he responded with a smile of his own.

No, replied Mallory. All should be routine.

Welcome to the Badlands, injected Thorton. There is no such thing as routine in this hellhole. He threw back the remainder of his wine glass as the other guests regarded him with indifference bordering on contempt. Sky was hardly a trained diplomat but even she knew such remarks made in the presence of the natives was ill-advised. No, actually, it was really stupid.

Nobody followed up on Thorton's observation, so the conversation waned and then died as all eyes steadily focused on Commander Goldman's back. Thirty seconds passed, but it seemed longer as Goldman was obviously engaged in a serious conversation. Finally, he turned and started toward Sky with a look of concern on his face.

She held up one hand in a halt gesture. Just tell me.

Goldman grimaced, aware his exclamation had removed any possibility of this development being discussed quietly with the commanding officer. There is a pirate online. He claims we are about to be hit by an OrCon squadron within ten hours as part of a broad OrCon attack against the Aurora Empire.

There was a stirring at the table as the guests looked at one another. Then all eyes shifted to Sky. Nobody spoke.

What pirate, and how does he know this? Sky asked calmly. Potential bad news was nothing new to her. She focused on verifying the information and its ramifications.

"His name is Raferty Hawkins, and he commands a ship named Predator. He says his intel officer briefed him on the OrCons yesterday."

Sky had read of the many Badlands pirates in her briefings, but there had been no names. She turned to her guests. Anyone know this Hawkins?

A scoundrel! exclaimed the merchant Colandra. He attacks ships and outposts throughout the system. Steals everything he can lay his hands on. His fleet is the scourge of trade and business here. He and his ships are holding back the advancement of civilization in this region almost singlehandedly!

Sky stared at him. He has a fleet?

Commissioner Putinsky went into her briefing mode from her seat across the table from Colandra. "He has several ships that support him on a more or less regular basis, but the pirates have no standard chain of command. They normally raid independently or in small groups. Pirate captains support him because he is successful and profitable. Exact numbers are not known, but he can draw on approximately a dozen ships for support. His own Predator and two or three others are destroyers, and the remainders are corvettes or smaller vessels with a couple support ships. With this force, he has been raiding for several years, especially against the slave trade and Goth commercial interests. The Goths hate him and have a price on his head."

I wish someone would collect it! interjected Colandra.

Putinsky continued as if he had not spoken. After hearing of the price on his head, he gathered several ships and smashed the lead elements of a Goth squadron searching for him. The Goths want him badly. Unlike most pirates, he looks at long-term implications rather than only short-term gains. He picks his targets and opportunities wisely. It is said he has money invested throughout the region, but I can't verify that. He frees slaves at every opportunity and has the support of many populations in the region. He has a first-rate tactical mind and commands loyalty from other pirates. They either work with him or stay out of his way. He is formidable.

You sound like you like him, Sky said, smiling at her.

Putinsky tilted her head in thought for a moment and then responded, I respect him. He's not like other pirates, more of a Robin Hood type. Probably the best of the lot. No, he is the best of the lot. If you have dealings with him, he won't stab you in the back.

You believe him about the OrCon squadron being nearby?

Absolutely. He has contacts everywhere. I'm not surprised he would know this.

Take Hawkins out now, and you would earn many friends here. Colandra spoke earnestly.

Maybe not, Putinsky countered. She gave a wintry smile to Colandra across the table. Upon his death, command of his flotilla would probably fall to Killian O'Hare.

Colandra paled visibly. Chancellor Attus shifted in his seat. Thorton shook his head wearily. Sky looked inquiringly at Putinsky for more information.

"Killian O'Hare is captain of the destroyer Nemesis and generally regarded as Hawkins's second-in-command. She is smart, brave, ruthless, and probably insane."

She's a crazy bitch! exclaimed Colandra. You must kill her also, Captain.

I don't have to ‘must kill' anyone, Mr. Colandra, Sky replied coldly. She stared at the short, stout man with a warning expression. She could work up a healthy dislike for Colandra with little effort. We've kept Captain Hawkins waiting long enough.

Sky turned to the comm station next to her seat. As she reached for the keypad, Goldman informed her, The bridge said he talks FTF.

Interesting, thought Sky. Most pirates would want anonymity. She ran a finger over the pad, and Captain Hawkins appeared on her floating screen. She smiled at his image and received a smile in return.

I'm Captain Skyler Mallory. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Quite all right, Captain. I assume you were asking your guests about me, and that takes a bit of time.

Sky absently noted no lag time between transmissions. This pirate was close by.

You seem well-informed, Captain Hawkins.

Being well-informed is what keeps me alive, and staying alive is always number 1 on my daily list of things to do. Speaking of staying alive, you have an OrCon squadron about ten hours away from taking a big bite out of you.

How large an OrCon squadron?

"Three battlecruisers, four heavies, three lights, and eight destroyers. The battlecruisers are Citizen, Senator, and Republic."

How do they know our exact location?

Goths are keeping them well-informed.

For a supposedly neutral power, that would not be too friendly. Sky smiled briefly. She wasn't surprised at this. The Goldenes Tor played both sides for a long time. They sold raw materials and goods to both empires and hoped the two rivals would continue to expend resources and capital in competition with each other. Undoubtedly, there would be a day when the Goths would make a move to expand their territory and power at the expense of one or both of the other empires. If, as this pirate claimed, general war had erupted between the Aurora Empire and Orion Confederation, the loser of the war might find the Goths waiting to help themselves to a share of their territory and other assets.

Hawkins answered, I'm sure you're well aware of their modus operandi with regards to the relationship between your government and the OrCons. Not only are they informing on your position and strength, but they also let the OrCons pass through their space to get in position to hit you.

Sky nodded to herself. The information made sense. If the OrCons passed through any other neutral territories to arrive here, she would have been informed. But traveling through Goth territory to here would have taken time. This expedition must have been planned quite a while ago. The Goths will be risking much in supporting an attack on Royal Navy ships.

Be hard for you to file an official protest if you're dead. With the broad attacks coming at the Aurora Empire, all your fleets will be hard-pressed to hold their own. I don't think your government will be looking for new enemies to fight, so they'll let the Goths walk on this, at least for the foreseeable future.

Sky knew this was probably true. Where are the OrCons now?

Hawkins looked bored with the conversation and the persistent questions. My intel officer is up to date on all this. She'll brief you.

He reached for his keypad on the right side of his captain's chair. Another image replaced Hawkins.

A young woman, pixie-like with bright-purple hair, heavily rouged red cheeks, and a cherubic smile looked at Sky. A high elfin voice calmly proclaimed, My name is Beatrice Domengeni, but everyone calls me Baby Doll. You may also. She giggled and flicked one hand in midair. A 3D presentation materialized in front of her. "Three Congress-class battlecruisers, four Druhnyy-class heavy cruisers, three Rana-class light cruisers, and eight Lodnyy-class destroyers make up the strike force. There is also two Orion supply ships and a six-ship Goth escort. The OrCon's warships departed Bolton's Planet ten e-hours ago. They have one small trading ship with them named Crescent Moon to serve as a comm escort for them while in subspace. We estimate their current position as here. She pointed at a spot just over half the distance between their starting point to Sky's current position. We also estimate they will go subspace in six hours and strike you four hours after that. They are receiving info updates from here via a small trading ship named Lodus, currently in orbit below you. Once in subspace, the trading ship escorting them will stay in normal space to monitor messages from Lodus. The six Goth escort ships and two supply ships are two hours in trail of the attacking force and will come up after the battle is over."

"How do you know about this Lodus?" Sky broke in.

"Lodus came into this sector an e-month ago. She has a crew of four and no shipboard armament. Quite frankly, we've been tracking you, and we noticed they have been in every port with you, so we began tracking them also. I'm sure your observation records will show them with you."

Sky did not turn from her screen but gestured with her right hand toward Goldman. This proved unnecessary as he was already moving to a workstation along the far bulkhead to confirm this new information.

How long have you had eyes on the OrCon force?

Picked them up at Bolton's Planet. We had no contact with them prior to that. I suspect the Goth escort would have chosen a flight path from their base at Rosstrappe to Bolton's Planet to avoid the known trade routes, and they would have provided the OrCon ships with fake squawks so the formation would look like a convoy with escorts or an entirely Goth naval formation. Bolton's Planet is just an isolated ice ball, but luckily, we had a ship hiding out near there, and they reported the squadrons.

Sky doubted the last remark was true. A man as successful over the long-term as Hawkins did not depend on luck and random sightings. The pirates did not want to supply their source of information. Understandable. She nodded at Baby Doll and then shifted the subject. Your captain mentioned a general assault on the Aurora Empire?

Three general attacks aimed at your shipyards on Borcanda, your base at Excandor, and seizing the resource-rich Sapphire system, plus a number of localized spoiling attacks to inflict damage on the empire's military assets while they are unprepared. I can send a brief if you provide a path. Suffice to say, your empire is about to absorb an ass-kicking. Baby Doll nodded to Sky and gave an elfin smile to signal the end of her brief.

Thank you, Baby Doll. Sky nodded toward the screen. I'll see to it you get a path to send us the brief covering the general OrCon attacks.

Of course, Baby Doll giggled as her screen disappeared to be replaced by Hawkins.

I think we are about there, he remarked.

Thank you, Captain Hawkins. One question. Why are you helping us?

Hawkins leaned back in his seat and smiled at her. "As much as it pains me to admit it, the Aurora Empire provides the only stabilizing force here. The Goths claim the region, and your people dispute this by maintaining a naval force here. If you are eliminated or driven out, the Goths will move to fill the void. With a general war raging between you and the OrCons, I doubt the Royal Navy will be back any time soon, leaving