EPISODE 51

Boarding Party

She was called back to the bridge when the cruiser came within visible range. There was an electric air of excitement and anticipation among the men gathered there. A Marine captain, wearing full battle armor except for his helmet, was conferring with Captain Hull while Galton explained the situation to her.

“We've sent out two drones to let us look over the ship in its entirety. Based on our observations, Rigel appears to have ejected all of its landers and emergency pods. However, we're not picking up any signs of them from the planet, which doesn't prove that they're not there, but it's mildly worrisome.”

“That could mean quite a few survivors,” she observed. “Or quite a few corpses flying endlessly through space.”

“We're all hoping for the latter, Miss York,” the navigator said, shaking his head.

She felt a sudden impatience seize her. “How soon before we can board her?”

“As soon as you're suited up and ready, Miss York.” Since the admiral's most recent directive, which both of them knew had probably been dictated by Director Karsh, Hull had been remarkably pliable. “Captain Pedrattus will be in command of the boarding party, but he has been advised of your special status.”

“Miss York,” the Marine captain nodded. He towered over her in his battle armor, looking like a knight ready to mount his space destrier. He wasn't a handsome man and his left cheek was puckered by an old near-miss from a laser or plasma beam, but she felt her womanly instincts stirred by his presence. “We'll take care of you. We're prepared to follow your lead once we've ensured the security of the ship.”

Hull was giving orders. “Tell the boarding party to stand by, and inform Lieutenant Tregaski,” he was speaking into a comm. He glanced back at York. “Suit up, Miss York. We'll launch the party in one point two kilosecs. Tregaski will have a laser for you if you want one.”

“Thank you, Captain. And you, Captain Pedrattus.”

York made a hurried trip to the hospital to talk with the doctor before going to the bay in which the shuttle was prepared for launch. She found Benbow busily packing a satchel and briefly told him what she wanted.

“Good idea.” Benbow nodded without stopping his work. His ready acquiescence told York that Hull had briefed his senior officers on the admiral's latest order. She grinned, wondering if a woman had ever before held effective command of an Ascendancy destroyer. It didn't appear likely.

Descending the ramp the starboard lander assigned to the mission, she ran into Les Osborn, who was wearing an armored spacesuit similar to the Marine battle armor. Osborn smiled proudly and tapped a gold sunburst on his left arm. “Been promoted, Miss York,” he announced. “I'm armament third.”

“Well done. I see you're part of the boarding party as well.”

“Captain said I should keep an eye on you in case those Marines got distracted.”

“I'm glad to have you along,” York said. “I hope they've got my suit ready.”

Tregaski and a lieutenant named Wexby were waiting in the launch bay with an eight-man party when he reached the lander area, with Osborn trailing behind. Tregaski straightened his big body as if uncertain whether or not to come to full attention, then barked, “Osborn, fall into ranks.”

“Aye aye, sir!” The new armament third moved with alacrity to join the other enlisted men. York suppressed a smile, noting with satisfaction that all of the Navy men were armed. Despite his initial skepticism, it was readily apparent that Hull had finally come to believe in the saboteur theory. The Marines, of course, were fully prepared to fight an all-out battle inside the ship; there were eight of them including their captain and she hoped none of them would feel the need to make use of the grenades adorning their belts.

Tregaski glanced at his wrist piece and nodded at her. “Your suit is right over there, Miss York. Wexby, help the lady into it.”

“Thank you,” York answered. The suit was, miraculously enough, a woman's suit that was kept on the ship for emergency purposes, but it was a little large for her. So, it was easy enough to get into, but more than a little clumsy to move in. Lieutenant Wexby did what he could, tightening the fittings on the waist, thighs, and shoulders, but there was nothing he could do about her lack of height or the oversized boots. Fortunately, it wasn't armored or else she might have needed one of the Marines to pick her up and carry her in under one of their servo-powered arms.

She glanced around. Captain Hull and Doctor Benbow were descending into the bay, both wearing their spacesuits. Benbow's was marked with a red cross in several places, including the helmet he carried under his arm. He looked grave and somber. Tregaski started to bark an order when Hull waved him to silence.

“Let's dispense with the formalities,” he said. “If there is anyone on that ship, they know we're here.”

“Aye aye, Captain!”

Hull looked at York and amusement flashed momentarily across his square face. “Give us a little warning next time, Miss York, and we'll find something a little more comfortable for you.”