All That Glitters Ch. 02

"Aye, Sir. Clock set, sir, ten minutes and counting down," The Executive Officer responded promptly.

Three minutes later things suddenly started getting exciting!

"Sir, Tactical, we have movement around the ship sir!"

"What the fuck?" snapped Capt. Whatt. He pulled the information from tactical to his monitors. They showed rocks, with engines? Shit!! "Mines! He thought to himself.

"Weapons!"

"Sir, half the objects are already inside our weapons range! We can fire on those that are not but have no close in weapons systems that we can bring to bear on the others. Our systems are designed to fire on ships and large missiles/torpedoes at distance, sir!"

Whatt, of course knew this, but said nothing to his men. Tactical showed the 'rocks' had slowed dramatically and then attached to the hull of the vessel. They could hear the 'clunks' as they attached.

"Sir, Tactics, there are now six objects attached at various places around the ship. Sub-light engines aft, FTL vanes, and on the Mk-12 heavy weapons turrets. Sir, we now have eight objects attached to the ship and counting."

"Sir, Comms, we are receiving comms from the platform?" His Comms Officer relayed. "Audio only sir."

"Let's hear it, Comms."

"Unknown vessel, you have entered 109 Piscium star system in a clandestine manner. Your vessel now has Limpet mines attached to it at strategic places around your hull. You will immediately shut down your engines or those mines will detonate. The mines are designed to attach to your sub-light engines, your FTL vanes, and your weapons systems. If you attempt to shoot the mines now approaching your vessel, those now attached to you will detonate destroying the respective weapons. If you attempt to flee with either sub-light or FTL engines, those mines will detonate destroying the respective engine systems.

"Any attempt to manually deactivate a mine will result in the detonation of that mine.

"Shut down your engines and respond on this frequency within thirty seconds or mines will begin to detonate. Time starts now." A thirty second countdown started.

"Tactics?" Whatt shouted.

"Sir, we confirm mines attached to the sub-light engines, to the FTL vanes and to the external weapons systems. Heavy weapons turrets first and now to the smaller turrets. We currently have twelve mines attached to the ship with other mines moving in. It looks like we fell into a trap, sir." Tactical reported.

"Well, shit!" Whatt blurted out. "Shut down the sub-light engines. Lock out the weapons and keep your fingers away from any of the triggers," Whatt snapped. The bridge crew heard the anger in his voice and snapped to comply immediately confirming the completion of his orders.

"Comms, give me a channel."

"Aye, sir. Channel open, sir."

"This is Captain Bouyé Whatt of the Terran Union Naval Ship Wimple. Our engines have been shut down and our weapons are locked. What are your instructions? Over."

The countdown stopped at 12 seconds. "Unknown ship, you will remain where you are. Instructions will follow from the platform shortly. Out."

"Exec?" Whatt snapped.

"Sir, the response time was way to short for these comms to have come from the platform. They are likely automated comms from the mines themselves, which indicates that they have sophisticated AI. We are five minutes from expected response time from the platform. Unless they are better than what we expect." His Ex O replied.

"Alright people, we are safe for the moment as long as we do nothing to upset the mines AI's pre-programmed responses. We have a bit of a wait to see what will happen but otherwise man your posts as can be expected. Keep me appraised of ANY changes. I don't care who sees it first, just shout it out."

Whatt tapped the comms button for engineering. "Cdr Shedd, can we do anything about the mines?" He asked.

"Sir, we've scanned the mines. They were shielded with rock, likely mining debris, which confused our sensors for a bit, long enough for us to close on the mines ourselves. Once we were within their sphere of influence, the mines moved on us, and attached themselves to our ship in pre-determined places. That's a level of sophistication that tells me I wouldn't want to try to deactivate these mines unless I absolutely had to," Shedd relayed.

Whatt had come to the same conclusion but wanted his Chief Engineer's confirmation just the same.

"Sir, comms from station." The Comms O stated and then opened the channel.

That was fast! Whatt thought, as an image came up on his monitor showing Central Ops on Liramor-23.

"Unknown vessel, this is Liramor-23 Control. You have entered this system in an illicit manner. Remain where you are until further notice with all systems shut down. The mines attached to your vessel are programmed to respond to specific threats such as the activation of weapons or engine systems. As long as you do nothing, you will be safe. Identify your vessel, your commander, and your purpose in coming into this system illicitly and we will act accordingly. Response time is three minutes from the end of this statement."

The image remained open but fixed tighter on the speaker so as not to give an indication of what might be occurring on the station.

Smart! Thought Capt. Whatt.

"That's a well-disciplined crew there, sir," his Ex O stated. "Note how they gave one overview of the control center and then focused on the speaker."

"You caught that, Ex O? Good. What does that tell me, people?" he asked his bridge crew.

"Sir, they do not likely have their fingers on a button right now. I would think they have weapons safe but probably active," his Nav O offered.

"Tactics, what do they have for weapons that we know of?" Whatt asked.

"Limpet mines, sir." Was the swift reply to a burst of laughter around the bridge.

Whatt heard his crew relax a little given the situation. Yes, they had been caught in a potentially deadly trap, but not by someone who would likely trigger their destruction.

"Sir, station designs indicate she has four twin barrel Mark-48 pulse cannon in turrets fore and aft on the platform. Since the station is shaped roughly like a fat top, that would put the turrets at the top and bottom of the vessel. The turrets can turn 360 degrees while the guns can swivel forty degrees left and right and can elevate almost ninety-five degrees in elevation and fifty degree in depression. Mark-48's could do some significant damage to us sir. She's well defended for a civilian mining platform."

"She is that," Whatt conceded. "Then there are all the smaller mining vessels. Tactics, if you were preparing this station to survive an attack, how would you use those vessels?" Whatt asked.

"Sir, some of the mining vessels are designed to move rocks up to a kilometer in size. That gives them a lot of umph, and the kind of rigid structure that can take an impact. They would be excellent ramming vessels.

"As well, if you armed them with a couple of tubes, you could fire kinetic energy yields at an enemy ship. The kind of precision that is necessary to place their vessel in the right spot on a rock to move it wold give them a pretty accurate platform to shoot from.

"The vessel wouldn't have to close in on the ships, just damage the weapons, sub-light engines and FTL vanes with kinetic shot. These vessels are more powerful than the repair tugs at most navy bases. They could hole an enemy vessel or push it out of the way like they push the rocks around. They could push anything up to and including the largest battleships in the fleet. That would give the station a significant number of armed vessels that had some useful capabilities." Tactics suggested.

"Want to bet that someone on Liramor-23 has already thought of that, Ex O?" Whatt asked.

"Sir, the station Liaison Officer is Capt. Raymond Clark of the Black Lightning Combat Engineer Brigade. I suspect we have him to thank for the creation and placement of the Limpet mines that we have attached to us. I wouldn't put it past him to have thought of tubes for the mining vessels, and likely a few other surprises as well." The Ex O said.

Whatt called up the information he had on Capt. Clark. Shit. This guy is bad news. He thought.

He split the tactical half of the main screen and posted the information on Clark in the lower half. After a few moments he could hear some whistles and comments from the bridge crew.

"Comments, Exec?" Whatt asked.

"Sir, this guy is a living legend. Twice decorated MH, four times decorated Star of Bravery, and decorated Cross of Courage. Gold Volunteer Pin. Space Jumper. The places he's been and the things the Black Lightning are rumored to have done. If only half of them are true it would be amazing to hear his stories," the Ex O responded.

"Shit! He was one of the eight pulled out of Planet Emporium! He earned everything he wears the hard way, sir!" Someone from within the Ops circle commented.

There was silence from the bridge crew as the members read through his history. What most noted though was not the number of places he'd been, but the number of reports still listed as classified even ten years from the end of the War.

"Sir, shouldn't we be sending a message to the platform?" A young ensign asked from his station.

"Want to answer that, Ex O?" The captain asked.

"We already have when we responded to the mines, Ensign. We should be coming up on the three minutes response time shortly," he replied.

A moment later the image on the screen changed and drew back showing more of Central Ops for the station. An attractive woman stepped up.

"NS Wimple, I am Fiona Marsh, Director of Liramor-23 Mining Platform and Local Authority for Liramor Holdings. We have transmitted the deactivation signal to the mines. Please wait for the mines to respond that they are completely deactivated before proceeding. I would, however, advise that you not tarry in your location as the mines will reset shortly. We expect you on station within three hours with explanations for your method of entry.

"Please note that we have four twin Mk-48 Pulse Cannon Turrets that will be tracking your vessel as you approach the platform. Act accordingly. Liramor-23, out." And the image shut off leaving a view of the gas giant.

Simultaneously, several clunks were heard from around the ship.

"Sir, Tactics, the mines are detaching themselves from the ship. Sir, I had eighteen total mines attached to the ship. I now show eight mines moving away from the ship."

"Advise me when all eighteen mines are detached, Tactics." Whatt ordered.

"Aye, sir." They only had to wait a couple of minutes.

"Sir, all eighteen known mines attached to the ship have separated from us and are moving away."

"Comms, sir. Audio message, sir." The Comms O said and opened the channel.

"NS Wimple be advised that all mines are now detached from your vessel. Allow the mines to move at least ten kilometers from your vessel before you proceed. Out."

"All right people. We wait patiently for a few minutes then we have a rendezvous with the station. Nav, I need to know how much power to put on the engines to get to the station from our imposed standing stop, within the specified time limit. I would rather not be late for the lady in charge." He said to the amusement of the bridge crew.

"She is good looking, sir." Someone quipped.

Numbers started coming up on one of his monitors showing expected power settings. A nav plot also showed on the same monitor. Whatt and his Ex O conferred and agreed with the Nav O's numbers and sent back the OK on his work.

A few minutes later, the NS Wimple moved meekly to the station, showing to all who were looking that the vessel's weapons were powered down with all outer missile/torpedo tube doors closed.

Conference Room One, Liramor-23

Capt. Whatt, his Ex O, his Legal Officer, the Major in charge of the Marine contingency, and the ship's Chief Petty Officer, stood at parade rest in full dress uniforms along with the Senior Scientist, while Fiona Marsh and her senior staff took places around the conference table. Her aide showed the officers where they wanted them to sit, near one end of the table. At the other end was Fiona Marsh, and Capt. Clark, with her senior staff spread around the table. Capt. Clark was also dressed in full parade dress. Whatt's eyes kept coming back to the highly decorated officer. There was enough bling on the man to outfit a platoon of marines.

Ms. Marsh introduced her staff to them. Capt. Whatt introduced his EX O Cdr Saled Bright, Maj Ronald Pureland, the commander of the Marines, Lt Cdr Harold Quellette, his senior legal officer, Dr Silvia Hitron, the Chief Scientist of the expedition, and Chief Petty Officer David Lim, the Boatswain.

"Explain, please." Ms. Marsh snapped taking control of table again.

"Sorry, ma'am. We were given the task to infiltrate the system as a tactical exercise by TUSN. It was supposed to be a surprise to the station to show the need for TUSN support. I think that kind of backfired on us," he stated simply.

Ms. Marsh gave a snort. "You think?" She blurted. "You do realize that we currently consider ourselves to be under threat? Did you not get that as part of the brief?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am. However, our orders are what they are. We train all the time, ma'am, and this would have been an excellent training opportunity for us had you not already been prepared." He admitted. "We simply did not expect you to have been this prepared given the elapsed time." He shrugged.

"Elapsed time?" She retorted. "It's been three weeks since the TUSN received the message on what is going on here. While we don't consider ourselves to be completely ready by a long shot, we do have some contingency plans in place. Miners are known for their ability to react to unknown situations with whatever they have at hand," she snapped.

"Enough. You need to be briefed in on what is happening so that you fully understand why your presence is required. But before we do that, there are some questions on priorities on my platform and in this system.

"First: This is a mining platform. Its purpose is to mine minerals that are needed by planets all around the Terran Union. As such, mining operations will take priority over all other activities until such time as we find ourselves in a possible defensive position. Is that understood? Can you work under that condition?" Fiona asked rather testily.

"Yes, ma'am. We understand and can work around that," Whatt assured her.

"Second: There are unused construction bays on this platform that you can use that will give you more space than aboard your ship. That will allow you to use your ship for patrols and other such things and still give your scientists a place to work and your Marines someone and something to guard. Would that work for you? You can be assured that we will be able to control the information that leaves this platform for now."

"Yes, ma'am. That would actually help. But we would want to make sure that we can secure those areas and keep out all but authorized personnel," Whatt stated.

"That will not be a problem. The construction bays are separately sealed areas due to the potential nature of what might be under construction in them. Everything from various metal frames to potentially explosive products such as pulse engines, and of course, mines," she stated with a raised eyebrow. Whatt bristled at the jab, but really couldn't say anything.

"You will have complete control over your bays, but I expect to be appraised of your work as the Local Authority as indicated in the agreements already made with Liramor Holdings and the TUSN. We are already aware of the significance of the work you are about to perform. After all, we did find it."

"I understand ma'am." Whatt said with an exacerbated look to his people.

"Third: Certain areas in the system have been declared restricted to the miners that currently work here. You will have full autonomy and control within those areas. That is so you can complete your investigation and not so that you can stifle the results of that investigation. This is a mining platform and the rumour mill is rife. Most of the personnel on platform are aware of what might be out there. You cannot hide it and I do not expect you to. As well, as soon as the scientific community gets their hands on it, they will want to broadcast this find. This is not something that the TUSN nor the Terran Government Authority will be able to keep under wraps. This is an event of significant proportions for the entire human community, and it will be treated as such. Is that understood?"

"I have my orders, ma'am. Those orders are to support the scientific investigation and see to the protection of this system. My superiors have advised me that a significant scientific event has occurred here but not what that event is. I'm sure you will enlighten us shortly," He stated flatly, now becoming annoyed at this bossy functionary.

"Significant is not the word Captain. You are going to need more than the fifty-two scientists you have brought with you. We will brief you shortly on what has occurred. I assure you; your scientists are going to have kittens over this.

"Finally: While you are in this system, I am the Local Authority. I represent the Liramor Mining Company and Liramor Holdings, based on Liramor Prime. That's who I answer to. You answer to the TUSN. But our needs in this situation are of mutual support. I expect that support from you whole-heartedly unless and until Navy Command tells you otherwise. If that should occur, I expect to be advised of that decision as soon as you are made aware of it. In return, we will support you as best we can.

"Our Liaison Officer is Captain Raymond Clark. He has been a miner here for ten years and is fully aware of how we do things and what we do. He can and will advise you and this platform in his role as Civilian Liaison. His role will likely require him to attend briefings in the Liramor system and likely at TUSN HQ in the Terran system. At which time, we will deputize a senior member of your crew to act as liaison until Capt. Clark returns. This will be an opportunity for your personnel. I hope you will make good use of it."

"I'm sure that my personnel will look forward to that role ma'am." He said trying to hold in his temper at being told what to do as a Ship's Commander, even if it was couched as a suggestion.

"What? Being liaison to a pushy bureaucrat? Yes, I'm sure they will jump at the opportunity," Ms. Marsh quipped with a smile. Whatt laughed nodding his head being caught out once again by the somewhat charming Local Authority.

"Alright, lets get the legal stuff out of the way, then my personnel can adjourn, and you and your personnel will be briefed by Capt. Clark."

It took an hour to finish all the legal necessities before all but Clark, Marsh and the members of the NS Wimple remained for the brief.

"Alright gentlemen." Clark started. "Three weeks ago, I surprised this platform with this find," he began throwing up the imagery of the cemetery.

Immediately the members of the Wimple and the chief scientist were on their feet.

"Is this real?"

Fiona laughed. "My staff asked the same question."

Clark flipped through the imagery of what was obviously a cemetery showing the close-ups of the greenish-gold skinned bodies within.

"I was able to date the last entombing to approximately 360 years ago. I would like the scientists to confirm that or provide a more defined date. It is important as you will see shortly. Something that you should be aware of, the asteroid belt is a planet that disintegrated some 24,000 years ago." He let that sink in for a moment.