Here is the first chapter of my latest book. I plan to write several novels creating a series. I also plan to put in original graphics. Those pictures are in their formative stages and need to be prepared for distribution. Please, read and enjoy the story. If you have any critiques, I would be glad to hear them.
Here is Chapter 1:
The war had yet to start. It was a matter of time before the Alliance, Empire, and the Freeports started shooting at each other in earnest. I called myself a merchant; the powers called me a pirate when I was not serving their interests. I had many friends in all three factions of the war to come, and I was independent of them and dependent on all three of them simultaneously. I am Alexander Maximovich, Captain of the City of Moscow Freighter. My friends call me Sasha; my enemies call me much worse.
One place was special to me; My childhood friend was the first officer on the station. Her name was Susan. I lost her during the war when she was leading an attack against one of the powers waging war. But that is a tale for later.
She was 1st officer on the largest space station in the Neutral territories. Five hundred years ago, the three powers built the station starting from an asteroid made of solid iron and copper. They mined the metals from it and other asteroids near it. They captured many comets as a water source. As time went on, the station grew. Its purpose was a weigh station and unofficial bargaining location for the three major powers and the lesser factions inside each. For a very long time, it was a marginally safer place than many of the planets of the powers.
With my fleet of ships, we could traverse the settled space and many wild areas outside without too many problems from the major governments. I found many treasures and lost good crews and ships. Those tails will wait. During negotiations with another merchant, I lost my right arm to a laser blast and broke my left leg in three places. The ship’s doctor/cook set my leg and placed a regrowth frame for my arm. I went to the station to recover and refit two of my ships. The impending war had made travel more dangerous. The regrowth frame would take six months to have a fully functioning arm; the best advantage is the titanium-tungsten bones are nearly indestructible — no more broken arms. When I landed, the head of security was there to meet my crew and me. A real pain in the arse. His favorite activity when we were docked at the station was to follow my crew and me. My orders to the crew were simple stay out of trouble. So far, my crew had stayed out of too much trouble. Once a few of my people were cheated in a casino. They convinced the owner to give them their money back and anything they would have won if he did not cheat them. Security was not happy about the condition of the casino when my people left. That was a minor thing in the grand scheme of life.
After we were there for about a week, I was up and moving. I went to the officer’s dining lounge to meet Susan and the new Captain. He was a hero from the Telepath War and was tough but fair from what I had heard. They were eating a non-descript substance that was supposed to be breakfast at a table. Сьюзан, мой дорогой друг. Как дела? Что вы едите? It is breakfast. Что это? Sasha, you need to speak standard Intergalactic here. She reprimanded me gently. The others don’t speak Russian. I apologize; I did not mean to be rude. I told them. So, again what are you eating? Captain Blalock said it is a fully nutritious balanced protein ration. It looks terrible. I said. We have a section in our contract labeled SUAEI. What does that mean? I asked. Shut up and eat it. Susan replied.
The next morning I had five real meals delivered to them for breakfast Bacon, Eggs, toast, and real brewed coffee. The brew unit was sent with the meals so the coffee would be fresh. Even the head of security, Mr. Gerund, appreciated the gesture. He probably thought his meal was poisoned but ate it anyway. Later that day, I spoke with Lt Cmdr Susan Malochek; we grew up in Sangar in Siberia, a small town on the Lena River.
Susan, you are in a good mood today. Yes, she replied. I had a great breakfast; Thank you, Sasha. You are welcome. How could you stand that gruel for so long? I asked. You learn to tolerate it. I have a ship that needs a permanent safe place to sit. It is a hydroponic and traditional grow ship. It sits in Hyperspace near a UV source, but it is hard to transfer food and supplies. Long-term stays in Hyperspace are difficult for a ship, and EVAs are too dangerous. I would like it to sit safely from the sun this station orbits. We can provide food at a reasonable price. It will need to be defended on occasion. Some people think they can take from me without paying. I can also bring in other supplies the station needs. With the hostilities and the increase in pirates, I am sure you have some needs?
Yes, pirates like you have been an increasing problem in many sectors. Susan, you wound me. I am a merchant, not a pirate. You’re a pirate that would sell anything to anyone for a profit. She accused. I do make the best deals I can. You lost your arm, and your leg is broken in three places. That was a negotiation gone wrong, but you should see the Nargolan I was negotiating with. He will be in rehabilitation a lot longer than I will. But, on to important matters; what do you need for the station?
We are short on every type of material I can think of. Our mining equipment is down more than it is operational. We should have ten wings each of Cobra ‘X’ wings and Raven ‘Y’ wing fighters, and we have maybe two fully operational of each. We have been cannibalizing ships to keep other ships up and running. The lack of fighters puts us in a bad defensive position. It is not like they can move the station on a whim. Our transports are next to useless. It seems that they are down for maintenance after every flight, and the crews have to do makeshift repairs. Our fabrication shops are in desperate need of metals and minerals. Food and medical supplies are in short supply.
It sounds like we can do business. How can you pay for the things you need? As I said, I am a merchant who can get you most of what you need. Still, considering the raids in Hyperspace, the Empire, Alliance, Federation, and many Freeport colonies will cost me quite a bit. We can make almost any parts you need for your ships if you get us the raw materials. Part of the station is industrial, and we need metals and minerals unavailable here. Please give me a list of anything you can trade with. I know many worlds where I can trade some base metals for exotics for a profit. She said I will send you the list by the end of today. Good, My ships loadmaster and I will see where we can trade up for things you need here. We will also see what we have that you need. My Grow-ship will be here in a few days. It is not the fastest ship I own, but it goes where we need her. I will station her close enough to the star to get the proper UV light. There are many animals and plants on her. Do you still enjoy rabbit stew? My cook is making some for lunch, would you join me? I can’t. I have back-to-back meetings with the guilds and unions. Maybe later. Okay, I need to get back to my ship to see what we have to help here. Also, to see where we can trade for you.
Later that day:
Loadmaster, did you get that list from Lt. Cmdr. Malochek? I asked. Yes, Sir, it came in about an hour ago. They have some base metals and a few hundred pounds of gold and platinum, nothing of much worth except on the outer planets. There is a giant asteroid with high carbon content, which could be worth something to the Alliance. The Empire has cut off the supply lines supplying raw carbon to them. If we bring in the Lake Baikal, we could put it in her hold compartment. The factories on Lexix-10 would pay well for the carbon. There are a few good-sized comets we could capture for the water. No telling how many planets we could trade water on. Make it happen. I am going to see when the St. Petersburg will arrive. We need to get her in position near the sun. She has been in Hyperspace too long. You got the Captain to agree to protect her? he asked. Yes, we will supply food to the station, and they will provide added protection to our St. Petersburg.
When I got to my stateroom, the logistic officer was waiting. Yes, Marina? Sir, I have been reviewing the list from Lt. Cmdr. Malochek; It appears she is asking for a new station. That would be Susan; she will ask for ten thousand credits and settle for a thousand. Check her list of what they have against the list of needs to see where we can get the best trades. I am doing that now; the computer should give us a list of possible soon. There is also the rim. she added. We could go a long way around the Freeport-controlled space to the edge of the Empire. Some isolated outposts need tech they normally don’t get a chance at. They have a lot of raw materials the station needs. Some younger star systems have plenty of asteroids and comets with minerals and metals we could trade for the parts she wants. We would make a decent profit to boot.
Their fighters are outdated and ready for the scrap heap. There are new versions of the cobra and raven, and we could find a few on the black market and station them in the St. Petersburg. She will need protection. Hyperspace was a safe place, but now I wonder how safe she will be when coming here. The station could not pay for a new fighter, let alone the 90 the Cmdr asked for. We can get materials to make new parts, but new fighters are almost out of the question. You said “almost” what are you scheming at? Well, Sir, a few fighter wings are led by people with negotiable loyalties. I wouldn’t say I like those negotiations; you can never trust the pilots or their commanders to stay and fight or not jump to the other side. I know that, Sir. I was talking about getting the fighters, not their pilots.
Marina, could you pull that off and get ten flight wings of “X” and “Y” fighters? I know a few units that would love early retirements on safe planets near the rim. See if you can make it happen. I want a few extra fighters on our cargo ships. We could also use a good battleship or destroyer for protection and retribution. I’ll see what I can do, Sir. Marina, go and let me know if you need any help negotiating. Sir, after the last negotiation, I will let you rest and take care of it myself. Besides, I like negotiating from a position of power. The station letting us live here is good for our business. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of everything. She said. That is what worries me; I said as she left my stateroom.
The rest of the day was spent reviewing Susan’s lists and the list the computer spit out of where we could make the best trades. I had to figure out the best routes to conserve fuel and time.
I was mentally exhausted and ready for a fight or a workout by dinner time, but my leg cast and right arm frame kept me in my chair. Next time I negotiate with Nargolans, I’ll wear a phase suit. The Narg can shoot at the mirage.