All That Glitters Ch. 18

"I still say you're playing with fire," Thenton said. "But let's take a look at those items and we'll see if I think they can be released."

They watched the short clips and then went through the highlights of the documentary piece. At six hours long, it was a little too much to go through at one sitting.

"These are excellent pieces of work," Thenton admitted, after they had decided enough was enough. "I especially like how Ms. Stewart interlinked interviews with the survivors who made the command decisions, on both sides, with the timeline of events.

"Adm. Ramison with be here tomorrow," Thenton told her. "I will broach the subject to him and show him the clips. If he relents, then we will pass this to the local branch of Interplanetary News. I agree that this will help us cover much of our combined assess, including your rather charming looking one."

"Oh! Chanteur du pomme!" Annette laughed.

"I am not familiar with that term," Thenton laughed in return, "But it sounds interesting."

"It has the same meaning as 'apple polisher' in English," Annette said. "Literally translated, it means singing to the apple, as in 'apple of your eye'.

"I assume you referring to my lovely ass was retaliation for calling you 'older'?" Annette asked.

"Yes, but it did get my aide to look," Thenton smiled.

Annette noted the blush on the captain's face. Yep, he had been looking. That brought an unexpected smile to her lips, considering the seriousness of the situation.

Annette gave him a copy of all of the news clips, plus instructions from Cynthia Stewart for how they should be released. That would go to the local Interplanetary News outlet if Ramison agreed to release the files.

Interplanetary News Services, Planet Hanover

Late the next morning, Peter Broaden opened the latest large file from Cynthia Stewart and immediately called down to his boss. Frank Cassie came rushing into the room as Peter opened the short clip, the opening statement saying it all.

"This is Cynthia Stewart on Liramor-23," Stewart began. The image showed an exhausted looking reporter covered in soot and standing before a burning section of what appeared to be the mining platform which miners in EVA suits were trying to extinguish.

"There has been a second attack on Liramor-23, and this time it was not as one-sided as the last event. "There are multiple deaths and injured on both the platform and on the navy vessels in support of the system," the haggard looking reporter informed the viewer.

The imagery changed, and Ms. Stewart was now clean and presentable and the section she was standing in was no longer on fire.

"It has now been a week since the attack on Liramor-23. The Local Authority has refused to allow messages out of the system until all of the next of kin for the deceased had been informed. This was a lengthy task as there are a reported 624 dead, and almost 1,200 wounded on the platform itself, and a further 127 dead and almost 300 wounded on the navy vessels in the system.

"Pirates once again attacked Liramor-23, this time with the intent of taking the platform and making slaves of as many of the people here as they could in revenge for their last defeat.

"They sent eight war vessels and nine cargo ships against the platform, and even got assault troops onto Liramor-23. They tried their hardest to take the platform. They failed.

"If not for the senior staff of Liramor-23, the miners who defended their working home, and the navy vessels in system, the results would have been very different. The combined capacity of the pirate vessels meant that they intended to capture and make slaves of over 5,000 of the over 8,000 staff of the Liramor-23. The remainder would have been killed, a process they had already begun by eliminating the injured in the platform hospital and any of those who attempted to resist the attackers.

"The attackers killed indiscriminately. Staff going about their jobs who did not move fast enough died at the hands of these savages. Injured people laying in their hospital beds and unable to defend themselves were murdered in their beds.

"Many of those that died did so in defence of the platform, miners in EVA mining suits against attackers in EVA Combat suits. Their ultimate sacrifice was selfless and with the intent to protect their friends, co-workers, and the staff of the platform.

"Union Marines got onto the platform and made a difference in the local defence of Liramor-23. Two of those marines died, and five were so badly injured they had to be taken planet side for medical support. Another seven are still in the local hospital but should be released soon.

"There are still several hundred injured miners in Liramor-23's hospital. Hundreds more have been sent planet side due to the extent of their injuries.

"It is my fevered wish to see those brave men and women, marines and miners, be recognized as heroes by Liramor Prime and the Union. It is also my wish that the TGA take note of this second attack on the platform, and the purpose of the attack, the taking of slaves.

"Slaves in that number are not for use on pirate vessels. Those kinds of numbers indicate a planetary need for slaves. The people taken were meant to be sold for profit. The TGA must answer the question, where are the pirates selling those they take as slaves and put an end to this trade. Otherwise, no one in Union space will be safe from future pirate attacks.

"This was the second time that pirates attempted to take something as large as a mining platform. They failed both times. That should keep them from trying again for awhile, but that begs the question, for how long? The TGA must act to protect us all before the pirates gain back the courage to attack another large platform.

"This is Cynthia Stewart from Liramor-23." The image closed.

"Shit," said Frank Cassie. "What have we got Peter?"

"This quick news clip, two twenty minute briefs and a six hour documentary," Peter told him.

"Make copies," Frank ordered. "Put them in a message container for Terra on the new fast ship run going out this afternoon. This clip goes on air noon. Tonight, we air at least one of the two short pieces. You decide which one. The six hour piece will have to be reviewed before it goes on air. Put someone other than yourself on that, as the two of us will be busy," Frank finished.

Peter sent the documentary to his subordinate David, with instructions to drop everything he was doing and review the piece. Ten minutes later, his door slammed open with David standing there.

"Your shitting me, right?" he asked of his bosses. "This piece is almost as big as the aliens and I've only reviewed select portions of it."

"Your call, Frank." Peter said.

"The documentary airs tomorrow night. Tonight, we do both twenty minute pieces. Make sure that five minute clip goes out on the noon addition of the news, with instructions to inform our audience of further revelations this evening," Frank ordered.

Peter gave David a memory chip. "Have Merilyn get this to the space port with instructions to put it on the fast ship to Terra. It goes first class custom sealed direct to Interplanetary News on Terra She is instructed to pay whatever fee they want for that," Peter informed him.

"I love it when the smelly stuff hits the fans," David said with a grin as he exited the office.

Koh-Tan Se-Lam Roe - Command Ship, The Emperor's Fleet Shem, Five Light Cycles from the Home Star

Jurte Kur-Han Kai-Ro strode from the Jurte's personal cabin into the command center of the Koh-Tan Se-Lam Roe. From here, Kur-Han could look out and see all nine of the other vessels of the Emperor's Fleet Shem, part of the Gerlendie Guard, the Emperor's own guard.

Kur-Han was a Ro, a conqueror, but not just any Ro, one who had personally killed his enemy in hand-to-hand combat in battle. A Kai-Ro. There was only one level of Ro higher than a Kai-Ro, that was a Sai-Ro, one who had killed in defence of the Emperor or the Emperor's family. There were no Sai-Ro in existence today, but there was a Sai-Rai. Sha-Ret Sai-Rai, Kur-Han's Rai.

The Rai of the species were responsible for bringing forth the next generation and protecting it. The Ro feared an enraged Rai, and justifiably so. A Rai was larger, stronger, faster, and fiercer than any Ro when it came to defending the offspring.

Sha-Ret had personally chosen Kur-Han's to sire their impending brood. Soon, the Rai would be in heat and it would be Kur-Han's duty and desire to defend the Rai until a brood was apon the Rai's body.

A Rai's heat would last seven planetary cycles. A Rai in heat was like a beacon of light to other Ro, calling to them, inflaming their minds with desire and lust. Defending a Rai until the heat was finished and preventing another Ro from bringing forth a brood apon the Rai was a Ro's desire, duty, responsibility, and pleasure. Kur-Han was ready for it.

Kur-Han and Sha-Ret ruled together over the Fleet Shem. The Emperor's own fleet. Sha-Ret was better suited to ruling then Kur-Han. It was a pity that a Rai lost all perspective once a brood was apon them. Because of this, only the Ro of the species could rule alone. The Rai could rule, but not alone, at least not when with brood. They would fixate on the protection of the brood, for the term of the hatching, and up to five cycles beyond. They were incapable of anything else, and woe betide those who crossed a Rai with brooding instincts inflamed. The larger the brood, the more fixated the Rai became on protecting it. A strong Ro could create a brood of up to six offspring. Kur-Han expected a large brood.

Kur-Han looked out apon the fleet and smiled. By the hand of the emperor Se-Lam Roe, Kur-Han had been made Jurte, and given dominion over all the Fleet Shem oversaw. Within that domain, Kur-Han's rule was absolute.

Now that fleet was returning to the Home Star, to fight off yet another infestation. Kur-Han looked forward to the battle, this fleet was powerful enough to deal with any situation, this Ro hoped that a personal battle would ensue and that an enemy would be defeated in single combat. As commander of the Emperor's fleet, Kur-Han would be named Sai, and would attain the same status as Sha-Ret. Five more cycles and they would engage in battle. Kur-Han's dreams cycled between lust for Sha-Ret, and lust for battle. The distances between the stars were great, there would be time to dream, time for both lusts to be fulfilled.

End of chapter eighteen.

People have been asking about my choice of alpha numeric wording. I use the NATO standard phonetic alphabet which I have included just after the abbreviations below.

Deck and Level are interchangeable. Officially, on a platform or station it would be Level, while on a ship it would be Deck, but if you used one or the other, they would be understood.

Please rate and comment but remember to keep your comments respectful.

Thanks, bigtddybr

Because of the amount of abbreviations in this story, I include a glossary:

Adm. Admiral, naval rank (see Cmdr.) -- above a captain

Capt. Captain, in this series a naval rank -- usually a ship's commander

CCO Chief Communications Officer, corporate position

Cdr. Commander, naval rank -- one grade below captain

CIO Chief Information Officer, corporate position

CIWS Close In Weapons System, close in ship defensive weapons

CP Confederation of Planets, referring to the losing side of the Terran Unification War

Cmdre. Commodore, first of the admiral ranks (one star), it is followed by Rear Admiral (RAdm. Two star), Vice Admiral (VAdm. three star), Fleet Admiral (FAdm. four star, in this story a Sector Commander or equivalent), and Admiral (Adm. five star, usually senior command positions such as Chief of the Navy)

Comp Communication device / personal computer, usually worn on the wrist. Everyone has one, though there are levels of sophistication above the ordinary

Coms O Communications Officer, naval position in charge of comms

CPV Corporate Yacht, Corporate Private Vessel (i.e. CPV Liramor One)

CPO Chief Petty Officer, a naval rank, in this story it usually refers to the Boatswain, the senior enlisted rank of a ship, who literally owns the ship, he/she signed for it. The ship's captain commands, the Boatswain makes sure everything gets done. One rank below Senior Chief Petty Officer.

CSec Chief of Security, corporate position

CV Cargo Vessel (supply ship)

Dir. Director, as in Director of Operations, corporate position

EA/PA Executive / Personal Assistant, corporate position

Exec, Ex O Executive Officer, a ship's principal administrative officer. On small ships the 2^nd in command and Ex O can be one and the same. On large ships, they will be separate positions

FTL Faster Than Light, referring to the multi-light year jump drive, military warships and some private/corporate yachts have a thirty-five light year jump capability, while large supply ships usually vary between fifteen to twenty light year capability

HRRC The Human Resources and Refugee Committee, standing TGA committee dedicated to supporting people in natural disasters and conflicts that are beyond the capabilities of planetary recourses

HR Human Resources, an administrative function

IFF Identify Friend or Foe, electronic identification system used between naval vessels to identify friendly vessels

IPPF Interplanetary Police Force, future parallel to Interpol. Union police force dedicated to interplanetary criminal matters

JAG Judge Advocate General, military legal system of judges and lawyers

Lt. Lieutenant, naval rank, one grade below LtCdr.

LtCdr. Lieutenant Commander, naval rank -- one grade below Cdr.

M/A Gen Marilon/Aruna generator, significantly improved Marilon generator designed by Dr. Aruna and business partner to Clark and Samson.

MCPO Master Chief Petty Officer. Navy enlisted Rank, senior most enlisted rank. Senior enlisted rank positions such as Command Master Chief are drafted from this rank.

Maj. Major, a military rank in the Army or Marines, equivalent to navy LtCdr.

Nav O Navigation Officer, officer responsible for plotting a ship's course

Nav Tech Navigation Technician, responsible for plotting a ship's course, does not have same responsibilities as a Nav O

NQM Navy Quarter Master. Master Chief in charge of issuing supplies to ships and navy personnel.

NS Naval Ship (i.e. NS Wimple)

PO Petty Officer. Non-commissioned rank in the TUSN, starting at PO3 and working up to PO1. One rank below CPO.

PSec Head of Personal Security, usually the team lead

PV Personal Yacht, Private Vessel

Ops O Operations Officer

SCPO Senior Chief Petty Officer. Navy enlisted rank, one rank below Master Chief Petty Officer.

SLO Senior Legal Officer, corporate position

SLt. Sub-Lieutenant, a naval rank one grade below Lt. and one grade above Ensign

SPV Passenger Ship, Space Passenger Vessel. Luxury passenger vessels would have cabins available to the passengers and would sometimes be used for interplanetary cruises

SOps Senior Operations Officer

Tac O Tactical Officer, naval position in charge of tactics

TGA Terran Union Governmental Authority

TUSN Terran Union Space Navy

UDC Union Diplomatic Corps, the TGA interplanetary diplomatic corps

VSC Veterans Security Company, a personal security company that Liea uses

Because communications can sometimes be garbled, letters and numbers are often 'spelled' out phonetically in order to lower the risk of confusion i.e. RH-136 would be Romeo Hotel One Three Six. This is referred to as the 'alpha-numeric spelling'. Here is a list of the NATO standard phonetic alphabet that I use:

A - Alpha, B - Beta, C - Charlie, D - Delta, E - Echo, F - Foxtrot, G - Golf, H - Hotel, I - India, J - Juliet, K - Kilo, L - Lima, M - Mike, N - November, O - Oscar, P - Papa, Q - Quebec, R - Romeo, S - Sierra, T - Tango, U - Uniform, V - Victor, W - Whiskey, X - X-ray, Y - Yankee, Z-Zulu.

There are now a number of navy and other ships, that are directly involved in this story. It might be difficult to track all of them, so here is a list of ships important to the story in order of their appearance:

RH 149 Rockhound 149, ore survey vessel. Raymond Clark's mining vessel in which he found his claim and evidence of aliens. Rockhounds can literally push one kilometer of rock. First seen in the prologue.

CPV Liramor One Ex Tung Class corporate yacht. Principal corporate yacht of Liramor Holdings. First seen in Chapter One.

NS Wimple Fairling Class Frigate, Capt. Bouyé Whatt commanding. Support ship for the Piscium Scientific Investigation Team. First ship in Cmdre. Marsh's command. First seen in Chapter Two.

NS Dewfall Burgan Class Battle Cruiser, Capt. Steven Pickering commanding. Often used by FAdm. Thenton or the Sector Forty-Two JAG for transport. First seen in Chapter Four.

NS Kindalla Fairling Class Frigate, Capt. Liana Dostier commanding. Second ship in Marsh's command. Dedicated to Piscium system security. First seen in Chapter Five.