All That Glitters Ch. 33

Rikki's people bring him home. The humans greet more new species. Plans are made to rescue Union Citizen slaves.

© bigtddybr May 2021. This story 'All That Glitters - Ch 33' or the series 'All That Glitters' cannot be transferred to any other site besides Literotica.com in whole or in part without the prior authorizations in writing from the author and bigtddybr must be credited for this work.

Due to the number of abbreviations, ship listings, and list of characters, in this story, I include a glossary that is now in a stand-alone chapter called 'All That Glitters: Notes'. Any and all information that you want or need to know about the series is included in Notes. It will be updated frequently simply by re-issuing the chapter to Literotica.

There is little attempt to explain the back story, so it is necessary to read previous chapters to fully understand where we are.

As before, I claim sole responsibility for the story line. This story is a fantasy, with no basis in reality. Any similarity that you may perceive to current events, people, or situations real or imaginary is completely unintended. Look no further than the story line for its intent and purpose.

A big shout out to SaddleRider for all the help she has provided in editing. With her guidance, I'm making fewer and fewer errors, but she still finds them. If you find any errors still left in this chapter, they are mine.

Please rate and comment. But keep your comments respectful. If you rant and rave or are disrespectful in your commentary, it will be deleted.

'Nuff said...enjoy.

Pallanders-4, HD-115153 (Punarjanm) Star System, One hundred and Thirty-Two Light Years from Terra

Cmdre. Liana Dostier sat in her office and wondered what she would have to do to get her shit together. Commanding the defences of a star system was not anything new for Liana, however, being the one in command of that system was.

She needed to find out if the pirates were already looking locally at the system. That meant deploying her assets, well, her one asset.

Capt. Beverly Davis wandered into Dostier's office.

"Nice place," she commented on the shoebox-sized office that Dostier now claimed as her own. It didn't even have a view.

"Ya, with everything going on here it was beggars can't be choosers," Liana scoffed.

"We'll be moving to Liramor-30 once they get their Central Control up and running. Annette Liramor assured me that they will build the new control area with a military wing in it similar to the new format on Liramor-23.

"You would have liked that set up, Beverly," she told her friend and confidant.

"Must suck to have to leave so many good people there," she replied to her boss.

"Tell me about it," Liana said with a grin.

"Now, we need to start the ball rolling. I want to mirror what we did at Liramor-23 and start firing probes toward the outer regions of this system, looking for lurkers. What do you have on board for probes?" Liana asked.

"Funny you should mention that," Beverly said with a smile. "We got a shitload of probes handed to us by the local base before we left Liramor Prime, most of them the new stealth probes. With the extras, we have exactly sixty-two probes to search our area with."

"OK, now I know what a shitload equals," Liana quipped. "How soon can you have them ready to launch?"

"I have the original six that all ships get as part of their inventory in the ready racks now, they are stealth type. I can launch fourteen every two hours after that. All Fairling Class refits have the same 'track' that The Wanderer has, giving us a means of easily moving probes/torpedoes/missiles from the magazines to the forward and aft racks.

"The Pegasus has eight 150cm tubes in the bow and six in the stern. I can hold twenty-eight probes in the ready racks and fire all at once but we have to get them out of the magazines, put them together, prep them to ensure they will work properly, set up their AI's and launch. That takes as much time to do as it takes to explain." Beverley laughed.

"Right, with the inner planets all currently on the other side of the sun, I need as many of your probes going to the edges of this system as you can launch.

"I want you to launch thirty of them out to these locations in four hours," she told Davis, showing her how she wanted to distribute them. "Then load another twenty-eight to keep on stand-by.

"The pirates likely approach is from these three areas. Simple system geometry gives us that," Liana told her subordinate. "That doesn't mean they will use the likely approaches though, which is why I want that many probes out and to different locations. I especially want a probe to look at the sweet spot between the binary planet pair, Punarjanm-4. There is a heavy electromagnetic field between those two planets which would make an ideal place to conceal a ship.

"I doubt they will jump into the debris field: First, it's dangerous; Second, we have or will have Rockhounds and Survey vessels in the debris so they may be spotted. However, I want a probe out one minute, three minutes and five minutes light in the debris field on either side of Liramor-30, just in case. The big issue is finding the pirates before they can start getting information on us.

"I want to be aggressive if we find them. We use both ships, and tag-team an attack on the vessel. We capture it or destroy it as required. I don't want them escaping. Once we find their location, we jump in tandem right on top of them and knock out their drives then their weapons.

"We will give them one chance to surrender. If they refuse it, we take no chances and take them out," Liana stated.

"Now that's an ROE that I like!" Beverley smiled.

"Talk with Lt. Nyalla of the Dixon and make sure the two of you are on the same page when you go in against any lurkers. That means war-gaming possible attack strategies and scenarios. I will leave that up to the two of you.

"The Navy has promised me the first three ships out of refit or newly built from this station. I want to add to that by taking prize ships if possible, that's how we got the Pegasus, after all," she grinned. "However, we take no chances. If we don't have a choice, we take out any ships that resist surrender."

"I understand, Liana," Beverley assured her.

"Mariella, I want you to certify on the weapons boards of the Dixon," Dostier informed her aide-de-camp. "In a firefight, we need to be prepared. That means we cross-train like crazy all personnel on that ship, you and I included."

Cdr. Schell smiled; she'd always liked blowing things up.

Hospital, Hotel Deck, Liramor-23, Piscium System, 106 Light Years from Terra

Hanalei was in for her final prenatal checkup before the birth. She was now well into her ninth month and eagerly waiting to hold her baby in her arms.

"Everything looks good, Hanalei," Heyya told her. "The baby has moved into the proper position and only has to move down a little to be well placed for the birth. When the baby drops into the engagement position, it will be difficult for you to move around as your hips will begin to prepare for the imminent birth. That can happen at any time now. In fact, I am surprised that it hasn't yet.

"First births can be early or late, we can never tell. It all depends on how eager the little one is to see the galaxy," Heyya quipped.

"I am so much looking forward to holding my daughter in my arms," Hanalei said, smiling.

"Do you want someone to walk back with you?" Heyya asked, aware that Hanalei had come on her own because Fayad and Junelliya were both working.

"I should be fine," Hanalei reassured her friend, "It's only a little way to our place and I have Hanaya with me. I can send her back here if something happens and I can't get my comp open to contact the hospital."

Heyya laughed, recognizing that Hanalei was saying she was being a worry wort.

"OK, but the hospital should be on one of your immediate use buttons on your comp," Heyya said. "The baby is in position to drop into the birth canal, once she does, things can happen surprisingly quickly."

Hanalei nodded at the warning and hugged her friend. Only two more weeks to go now, perhaps less, and she would be holding her daughter.

UDC HQ, Capital City, Terra

Charles Demoiné was waiting to see Charles Ronter, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the man in charge of the Union Diplomatic Corps. He had been waiting two hours now and had no idea how much longer he would have to wait.

"Ambassador Demoiné, the Minister will see you now," the aide said as she opened the door to the Minister's office.

"Thank-you, Miss?" it never hurt to be nice to people who could help you, Charles had learned. However, the lady just smiled and pointed into the Minister's office. Charles smiled and nodded his head, entering to greet the Minister.

"Good morning, sir," Charles said on entering. He heard the door close behind him.

"Ambs. Demoiné, what the fuck is going on in your neck of the woods?" the Minister snapped.

"What do you mean, sir?" Charles asked, perplexed. "I have an agreement in principle that I have brought for your review, sir."

"Ambassador, are you aware that the President of the Union has just called me about your agreement in principle? Can you imagine how surprised I was; first, not even knowing that you had an agreement, and second, that the President knew of it before I did?" the Minister snapped.

"Sorry, sir." Charles replied, looking contrite. "However, the chain of command at Liramor-23 is a civilian unit, sir. They likely sent a copy to the President, while I came directly here via fast ship, which I had to borrow, with the actual signed documents, sir."

"I see," said the Minister as he fumbled with his pen for a moment, allowing his anger to bleed off. "Right, lets see the damned thing then."

Charles opened his valise and drew out the documents for the Minister's review.

"Signed by whom?" the Minister asked.

"The Kumaraie, the equivalent of the Empress of her people, sir," Charles replied. "By myself on behalf of the UDC, and by Raymond Clark who is in charge of the first contact protocol, with the members of his staff and the Pod-Drran who drafted the document, sir."

"Who the fuck put Clark in charge of first contact protocols?" the Minister snarled.

"The President of the Union, sir, along with Adm. George Ramison, who he partially works for," Charles explained.

"Partially?" the Minister asked.

"The Raymond Clark, sir. Hero of Emporium. One of the most decorated men in Navy history. He has the President's and Adm. Ramison's confidence, sir." Charles replied.

"Shit. I don't suppose that we can go over his head then, can we?" the Minister snarled.

"Sir, all things said, Mr. Clark has managed to turn a war on its head and gain the confidence of a warlike people who the Union might have had to go to war against. He has engendered trust in the Kumaraie and, at her direction, her people will adhere to this agreement," Charles explained.

"I don't think we can fight this, sir. And quite frankly, I don't think we want to. This is a good agreement considering the situation. It is fair to both sides, provides us with technology that we did not have or even knew existed, in exchange for technology that we no longer use or need that we will share with the Pod-Drran.

"The exchange of technology will help the Pod-Drran to clean up their planet and survive into the next century. They also agree to remain in their local space and not threaten the Union and leave open the opportunity for further trade. I think it is as good a deal as we are going to get, sir." Charles said.

"What is your personal opinion of Raymond Clark, ambassador?" the Minister asked.

"Sir, I have had the opportunity to watch Mr. Clark in action for the better part of a year now. He is not a man I would like to go up against under any circumstances. He is the kind of man who will go in any direction, so long as it is forward.

"Throw this man to the wolves, he will come back as the leader of the damn wolf pack. He engenders loyalty but gives it in equal measure. He will do anything for his people, helping them with their education, strengthening them in their chosen fields of work, working with them personally or throwing money at things whatever option is necessary and can accomplish what needs to get done.

"The man is a billionaire on the level of the famous families, he cannot be bought, nor can he be intimidated. His trust is earned but once you have earned it, he will back you in full measure. However, he expects the same level of trust, support, and loyalty from those around him," Charles finished.

The Minister picked up and looked through the document, Charles still standing in front of the desk.

The Minister finally finished the document and nodded his head.

"Take a seat, Charles," he directed, suddenly becoming more conciliatory to his subordinate.

The Minister called for his aide to bring in some food and water. It would be a long day, but the Minister could see the value to the agreement. Now, he had to find a way to sell it to the Senate Oversight Committee.

The President, of course, was already on board with the document.

That might be the angle he needed to push this through the Senate, Ronter thought.

Combined Mess, PV The Wanderer, Parking Orbit, Liramor-23, Piscium System

Seito Ayesha and Sean Murphy stood before Captain Henadi Noor in full ships dress with all of their medals and honours, Sean in the black of security, Ayesha in the white of medical.

"From time immemorial, the greatest pleasure of a ship's Captain is the ability of conducting the marriage of ship's company or guests," Noor began.

"Today, we are gathered for the marriage of two of our finest, Seito Ayesha, our ship's Doctor, and Sean Murphy, The Security Team," that quip brought a little laughter from the ship's crew and guests who, while well used to the quip, still found it damned funny all the same.

"Sean, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day until the day of your death?" Noor asked.

"I do," Sean replied, getting a squeeze of his hand from Ayesha.

"Ayesha, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day until the day of your death?" Noor asked of Seito.

"I do," she replied, getting a squeeze of her hand back from Sean.

"The rings," Noor demanded. The Boatswain placed the rings in her hand.

"Sean, you first," Noor said as she placed Ayesha's ring in his hand. "Speak your commitment to your wife, before me, this ship's company and our guests."

"I, Sean Murphy, ask you, Seito Ayesha, the love of my life, to join with me as my wife. I will support you in all that you do and help provide for you, our home, and our children from this day until the day of my death," he said as he placed the ring on her finger.

"Ayesha," Noor gave her Sean's ring. "Speak your commitment to your husband before me, this ship's company, and our guests."

"I, Seito Ayesha, ask you, Sean Murphy, the love of my life, to join with me as my husband. I will support you in all that you do and help provide for you, our home, and our children from this day until the day of my death," she spoke, as she placed the ring on his finger.

"Before the witnesses gathered here today, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride," Noor ended.

The ship's crew hooted as Sean picked Ayesha up so that he could kiss her properly. When they came up for air, Sean allowed her to slip down his body to the deck to a grand cheer from the ship.

"I believe that Raymond and Liea have both chipped in for drinks and food for this your wedding day. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Murphy and Seito Ayesha" Noor stated.

Someone brought out the traditional Navy squeeze box and began to play a waltz for the happy couple, the ship's compliment cheered on as they took their first dance together as husband and wife in the ship's combined mess, dancing happily before the Captain, the ship's crew, and their invited guest.

Interplanetary High Court, Capital City, Terra

Andjuran was stood in front of the High Court Judges as they began the mandatory review of his case. For cases involving the death penalty, the court required five judges to be present.

"Wassim Andjuran, you have been found guilty of attempted murder and murder and culpability in the deaths of many citizens of the Union, in the commission of crimes against the Senate and the people of the Terran Union," the lead judge proclaimed.

"You have been found guilty of over 200 serious offences including the murder of Senator Montasso, the attempted abduction of Cmdre. Fiona Marsh and Capt. Henadi Noor, the successful abduction and attempted murder of Capt. Henadi Noor, the selling of confidential information on the movement of ships, personnel, and supplies to criminal syndicates, including pirate syndicates, that left Union Citizens dead and missing, the missing suspected of having been made slaves, the theft of funds from the HRRC, the illegal use of state money for criminal purchases, including the construction of a mining platform to support a shipbuilding station that illegally built warships for pirate syndicates, graft, numerous cases of blackmail of Senate officials and Senators, and other offenses.

"Now we have an additional list of 132 new convictions from Planet Anuura to add to your crimes here on Terra.

"What concerns this court now, it is the fifty-three crimes to which the death penalty has been applied that concerns this court at the moment. Because the death penalty is involved, each of these fifty-three convictions will automatically be appealed. That could take many years.

"However, you were found guilty of these crimes in a single court action. As such, your appeal will be conducted in like manner to your trial, that is to say, all your fifty-three appeals will be conducted in one court action. There will be those who claim this to be an affront to justice, however, the gravity of your crimes is such that few will oppose this vigorously, especially when there are many precedents on just such actions.

"You will be provided counsel for the defence by the courts and your appeal will be conducted. Should you fail in your appeal, then the death penalty will be applied.

"Do you have anything to say to this court?" the lead judge demanded.

Andjuran did not. He was swiftly taken away and the judges looked at their calendar to see when the trail of Wassim Andjuran could be fit in. Surprisingly, it would be within two months.

SSP Whilhelm Harger, Handren Orbital Station, New Hadria, Seventy-Four Light Years from Terra

The supply ship Whilhelm Harger, belonging to Hildebrand AG, was sitting not far from the Handren Orbital Station above New Hadria. The station was in geosynchronous orbit that offered a huge swath of the planet below. Since most of the planet's land mass was in two great continents, the ship could see almost all of the one continent, the Audrille continent, below it.

That was fine with the ship's captain, who was using specialized optical gear to take a look at fixed locations on the planet. Fortunately, a good many of those locations were on this particular continent.

The captain conducted his legitimate business with the station, transferring trade items from the holds to the various companies that had handling facilities on Handren Station, and taking on trade items in return.