Chapter 2

The IWS Nighthawk was one of only a few phantom-class stealth warships ever to be commissioned. Small and agile, it was hard to see and even harder to target. Black from bow to stern with its identifier lights usually kept off, its signature was that of Intel Wing. One that, when transmitted to an Imperial Station, said, in no uncertain terms: Do what we say without asking questions. Why we’re here is none of your business. Stay out of our way.

The ship was fast and quiet, but relied mostly on stealth for defense. Utilizing technologies most of the galaxy didn't even know about. And it was with those technologies that the rogue ISS Phoenix had been finally tracked down. The Fifth Fleet had swept its space looking for it, for over two standard days, before eventually appealing to Intel Wing for help. Another two standard days and it was back under Fleet control. Now the Nighthawk trailed it and its flotilla to Praxis where justice would be served. And, hopefully, the incident would be investigated.

Calvin Cross, the commanding officer of the Nighthawk, remained unsettled. The whole incident made no sense to him. His investigation into Captain Asari Raidan and the Phoenix had been unfortunately short, conducted in only two days while he tracked down the missing ship, but he had expected to find a motive that explained everything. He hadn't. No one had. A decorated captain, a veteran of the Great War, inexplicably going rogue, attacking and destroying a civilian convoy of alien traders, and then refusing to communicate with any Imperial ships or outposts for days. Then, when finally caught, he surrendered without resistance. Now he sat, presumably on his bridge, soaring toward Praxis where he'd certainly face the death penalty.

Why would you do it, Raidan?

Some believed he'd mentally snapped. Years of too much pressure? Mid-life crisis? Chemical imbalance only now manifesting? Calvin dismissed all these theories. Raidan definitely had a motive, it was just a matter of finding it.

"Entering Praxis System. Braking thrusters have fired and we're again in normal space, Captain," said Sarah from the helm. She was a young brunette, though a year his senior, with wide brown eyes and a relaxed demeanor that was well-known to their tight-knit crew. People joked she'd be calm even if the ship were breaking apart and everyone was about to die.

"Thank you," Calvin nodded. He didn't like being called Captain, partly because it felt too formal, but mostly because it wasn’t true. He wasn't a captain. On paper he was a Lieutenant Commander, a technicality few people other than his crew knew about since he was a CO and therefore held the rank of Acting Captain.

"Contact the control tower, put in a docking request, and begin a standard approach. You know the drill."

"Yes, sir."

They followed behind the Phoenix, while the other two warships were on its flanks. The Phoenix's identifier lights flashed the brilliant white signal of surrender, illuminating its damaged hull. That was another mystery, the plasma burns and the shredding pattern that could only have been caused by the heavily mounted guns of a serious warship, damage not caused by the Imperial navy. His only other engagement had been the skirmish with the Rotham freighters, but surely freighters wouldn’t be outfitted with weapons like that.

A transmission came over the bridge speakers. "IWS Nighthawk. Please power down your weapons and standby for authentication." Two sentry ships broke from their patrol pattern and approached from the port side.

"We've been targeted by two small destroyers, weapons armed," said Miles from the defense post.

"They're a bit touchy this close to the border, aren't they?" Calvin had done plenty of missions this far out but had never docked with any of these deep space outposts. "Okay power it all down. Do what they say."

A minute later, the ships broke off and swept back to their patrol pattern.

"IWS Nighthawk, you're clear to approach."

They passed through the station's outer defenses and, after receiving clearance from Traffic Control, entered a long orbit around the planet while awaiting their turn to dock with the station. They were last in line, following the Phoenix and the battleships from the Fifth Fleet, meaning they had time to spare.

"What do you suppose happens next?" asked Sarah.

"Two words," said Miles from the defense post, "Military Tribunal."

"I don't think so," said Calvin. "The Phoenix never fired on any of our ships, and given the international nature of the incident, I expect a General Tribunal."

"I would have expected a court martial,” said Shen.

“It’s a complicated situation to be sure, which makes me wonder what other people are speculating,” said Calvin, flashing the mischievous smile he was famous for, the same one that made people guess he was even younger than his twenty-five years let on. "Let's tap into the local news. Shen, go ahead and put it on every non-essential screen on the bridge."

“Aye, sir,” his operations officer said. His long, unkempt hair and bulbous figure made him seem a poor fit for Intel Wing but Calvin doubted there was a more brilliant person on the ship.

Seconds later, several dark screens flickered to life—including the one at the command position. The image clarified to reveal a female reporter whose voice filled the bridge speakers.

"… and we're getting reports now that the man who military police took into custody is Captain Asari Raidan of the Imperial Starship Phoenix. For those just tuning in, moments ago, military police swarmed the terminals of Access Point One and arrested who we now know to be military Captain Asari Raidan. A passer-by caught this footage."

The image on the viewers shifted to show several blue-and-black navy officers descend a ramp, accompanied by marines in grey fatigues. Upon reaching the bottom, the leading officer—Raidan—raised his hands and allowed several military police to surround him, cuff him, and take him away. A throng of people, including station personnel, tried to get a closer look but were held back by a line of security officers.

"We've just heard that Asari Raidan is now being transported to Detention Center 201. The Military has refused to comment officially on the arrest but we've heard from one officer, under condition of anonymity, that a General Tribunal might begin as early as tomorrow. He did not know if the trial will be made public."

Sarah waved her hand to get Calvin's attention. "Message from Control. We're cleared to dock in five-B."

Calvin nodded and muted the broadcast. "OK, Sarah, take us in."

"Your word is my command," her fingers deftly took the controls and, through the windows, the stardock slowly became visible.

"Roger that, Control, this is IWS Nighthawk beginning our final approach," said Sarah into her headset while piloting.

Calvin leaned back in his chair. "You know," he said looking over at Anand, his best friend and faithful XO. "I'm really looking forward to this time off."

"As if you could ever stop working."

"No, I mean it," Calvin laughed. "I'm worn out."

"If you're worn out that means the rest of us are borderline dead. The way they work us, sometimes I wish I were in the navy and could lounge around on one of those luxury liners." Anand shook his head in an exaggerated display of irritation. Calvin knew Anand slightly resented the regulars for having several more conveniences aboard their vessels: lounges, bars, gyms—things a stealth frigate didn't have space for.

"Enough to request a transfer?" Calvin asked. His voice was full of laughter but he was only half teasing. He knew his XO had some real grievances with the Intel Wing lifestyle and it was probably only a matter of time before he gave it up.

Anand ignored the question.

"Slowing to seven point two mc’s per second," said Sarah as the ship angled into position and halted. "All stop. The docking clamps are attached, concluding another perfect flight." Sarah spun her chair to face the center of the bridge, grinning.

"Good work, as always," said Calvin. He tapped his intercom. "All hands, this is the Captain. We're docked with Praxis One and the jetways are attached. You are ordered to the airlocks to vacate the ship. As of this moment you're on official leave for four weeks. That is all."

"So does that mean we don't have to follow your orders anymore, Cal?" asked Miles. He'd also turned his chair to face the center.

"Something like that," Calvin smirked. "But when it’s all over, so-help-me, I'll make you swab every deck on this ship. Now hurry and get out of here, your freedom is ticking away."

Miles laughed, he was a big man and his laughter was deep. "You don't need to tell me twice." He stood up and marched to the elevator. "See ya around the casino, Captain."

"Not this time. I only have a little money and I can't afford to lose any of it to you," said Calvin, but those were lies. As a single person earning a captain's paygrade he had more q than he knew what to do with, especially since he preferred a simple lifestyle.

His real reason for not hitting the tables was the Raidan case. He wanted to focus on it without any distractions. Especially the kind that could very quickly turn his affluence into poverty.

"Suit yourself, Cal. I have 2,000q begging to turn into 20,000—so don't get jealous when I return with the deed to somebody's house." Miles flashed a huge grin and the elevator shut.

***

Calvin exited the ship via the deck two jetway. Despite their being quadruple sealed and not very long, he always hated stepping through them. Somehow he couldn't hold back the thought of being blown out into space. Such accidents never happened, but it bothered him anyway because he could imagine it.

He cleared the secondary hatch without any trouble and descended the ladder, starting down the long ramp that led into the terminal. Before he reached ground-level, he caught sight of the concourse swarming with people. Some wore staff uniforms, others military garb—including soldiers at every checkpoint—but mostly they were civilians. Scattered in hundreds of small groups, all awaiting transport on whatever ships docked after the Nighthawk had been moved into long-term holding. The crowds surprised him, until he realized that while it was late at night in Standard Time, what he was used to, in Local Time it was almost midday. As if to rub it in, enormous blue digits glared at him from the wall.

1110 L.T. and 0230 S.T.

Since he was government personnel, security ushered him over to a basic checkpoint instead of the usual customs screening with its cumbersome procedures and long lines. Immigration was tough in all Imperial Systems, especially alien immigration. But he'd barely thought about it before since he was both human and in an elite branch of the government. They waved him to the next available desk where a middle-aged guard sat at a computer station. He wore a green uniform—local security, and sported a huge moustache.

"Hello, Sir, and welcome to Praxis One," the guard said. "Hand me your I.D. and press your thumb to the plate."

Calvin complied. They waited a minute for the computer to analyze his card for tampering.

"So uh... black-and-silver," the guard said, whistling as he looked over Calvin's uniform and saw the colors of Intel Wing—mostly black from neck to boots with a touch of silver, including his rank bar and officer’s sash. Calvin liked the look, he thought it was stylish, and much more interesting than the standard blue-and-black of the navy.

"So... are you here for some kind of big assignment? We usually only get blue-and-black through here."

Calvin fought a smile; he did like the attention. But he'd be a terrible officer if he let his ego loosen his lips. "Sorry, just on vacation."

"Right, of course," the man winked. "Then I wish you good luck with your vacation," as he spoke, the computer beeped its approval and the old guard nodded him through. "Follow the arrows to your left for accommodations, transportation, information, and anything else you need."

"Thanks." Calvin put away his card and wandered to the offices against the far wall. Had he actually been on an assignment, the military would have pre-arranged everything, and someone would have met him the instant he stepped through security. But since he was on leave, he was effectively a civilian. Which meant civilian accommodations, and having to deal with long waits, no-vacancies, prices, and lines. Inconveniences he'd forgotten all about because they didn't exist in his world of starships and open space.

He fell into line, trying not to push his way too hard through the mob of people doing business with the various offices and kiosks, or else just waiting around, and Calvin found himself wishing Raidan had been arrested on some small fringe outpost with fewer people.

He stood against the wall, unable to find a seat, and wondered how he'd pass the time. That's when a random stranger tried to engage him in polite—and very boring—conversation about nothing. Calvin made pointless small-talk for a few minutes while he searched for an escape. That's when he saw a beautiful woman in full navy garb across the room. She was striking even from this distance, and familiar.

"Oh what do you know," said Calvin. "I see an old friend. Thanks, though!" With that he rushed away, not wanting to lose sight of the woman across the room.

She was Summers Presley, XO of the ISS Phoenix, and definitely not an old friend. In fact, he'd never seen her before in his life, not in the flesh. She was breathtaking with her cascade of blond hair and exquisite physique and her aura of certainty was disarming. He knew of her because of his short investigation into the Phoenix and there was no mistaking her. Her file photo had looked more like it belonged in a model's portfolio than a military profile, and even it hadn't done her justice. She was probably the most beautiful woman Calvin had ever seen. A fact he hoped to ignore since it gave her an unfair advantage.

"Summers Presley," said Calvin, catching up to her. "I'm glad I recognized you, I have a few questions..."

"I'm sorry, do I know you, officer?" She looked distracted and slightly annoyed, no doubt because he'd just breached protocol. Unacquainted officers in uniform always referred to each other by title or rank, and never by first name. Casual use of given names was something unique to Calvin's command style, and certainly not encouraged by either the Fleet or Intel Wing. But this practice had now come back to bite him, especially since, officially, he looked like a lower ranking officer than Commander Presley.

"Oh right, sorry," said Calvin, but the damage was done. "I'm Calvin Cross of the IWS Nighthawk."

Her eyes jumped to his rank insignia. "Lieutenant Commander?"

"Yes. But don't let the silver bar fool you, I'm a CO."

Her eyebrows shot up and she gave him strange look—a mixture of intrigue, disdain, and skepticism.

"Look," he said, waving her away from the crowd of people. "I'm attending the trial of your CO and as an Intelligence Officer I've had to do some research. And, frankly, several things don't add up. I'm hoping you can help fill in the gaps, you know, the details that don't make it on paper. Like habits, traits, behaviors, and anything peculiar about Raidan’s personality."

"I don't fully understand," said Summers, she made no effort to mask her reluctance to cooperate. "Am I being implicated in some way?"

"Oh, no, no, not at all," said Calvin, raising his arms innocently. "This isn't an official investigation," he wasn't yet convinced she’d had no part in what unfolded on the Phoenix, but his priority was to investigate Raidan first. "Don't take this the wrong way. I'm just hoping you can tell me something I don't know. All of Raidan's, I mean Captain Asari Raidan's personnel notes describe you as an outstanding officer and, more importantly, a close friend. He trusted you. And you were near him when everything went down. Your perspective would be invaluable."

She looked hurt for a split-second. It passed almost instantly but Calvin knew what it was when he saw it. When it vanished she became colder than ever.

"Captain Asari Raidan was a very secretive man and he kept his true feelings to himself. I'm as mystified as you are, Lieutenant Commander. But the writing's on the wall. He either snapped and bowed to a hunger for violence or else succumbed to a deep hatred for the rotham he made us kill. Whatever the case may be, he's a criminal and unfit for command. Nothing more to it."

"With respect, Commander, there is more to it. And you should be the first to realize that. You served with him for six years and were his XO for almost two. Doesn't it bother you that a nine-times decorated captain, from an established affluent family, and a full citizen, would throw away everything without motive or cause, after twenty-nine years of diligent service?"

She closed her eyes for a moment and looked incredibly frustrated. "You speak as if I were somehow involved, Lieutenant Commander. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I wasn't."

"No, I'm sorry," said Calvin. "Sometimes I'm not very good at communicating what I am trying to say. So, instead, if you don't mind, I'll just ask you a few simple questions about the days leading up to the Beotan Incident. Beginning just before Captain Raidan ordered the Phoenix to go dark."

Again he saw the glimmer of what might have been sincere hurt. But this time, instead of looking vulnerable, Summers' eyes narrowed and her voice turned to steel. "I'm sure all your musings will be satisfied by the trial, which—despite what you may think—doesn't begin until tomorrow. Now, if you don't mind, I'd prefer not to discuss this any further off the record."

"Yes, of course," said Calvin, giving her an exaggerated nod. "Commander."

She returned the nod with a fake smile and walked away. He tried to keep his eyes from following her, feeling irritated, and wondering how he might have handled the conversation better.

He hated arrogant women, especially the attractive kind who’d probably had everything in life handed to them on a silver platter.