ENT - 012 - Kobayashi Maru

SIX

Monday, July 14, 2155 EnterpriseNX-01, near Altair VI

T O A RCHER, the regulation-required inspection of the United Earth Space Probe Agencys port facilities at Altair VI had seemed all but interminable. The fact that the planets surface gravity, at least in the areas not outfitted with artificial gravity plating, was fifty percent higher than Earth normal didnt help matters any. And despite the protective eyewear that he and Malcolm Reed and everyone based at the Altair VI colony donned whenever the inspection checklist had required them to venture outside, the intense brightness of the sun had given Archer a nearly equally intense yearning for a welding mask.

Archer was thankful, at least, that the proceedings had gone largely without incident, and that the few areas in the central compound and its surrounding out-buildings that werent quite up to Starfleet standards and UESPA code hadnt affected any critical systems. Fortunately for everyone concerned, Altair VIs mild and relatively Earth-like climate, particularly at the high northern latitudes where the bulk of the settlements had been established, rendered the planets few thousand human colonists safe from pressure-dome blowouts and other similar technological catastrophes, if not from distant Altairs intense, ultraviolet-heavy brilliance. The few small problems that had been discovered during the inspection had been put right within a couple of hours with the aid of Enterprises new chief engineer, Lieutenant Mike Burch, and his able crew.

After he had finally finished with the inspection and the final exchanges of pleasantries with the ports command staff, Archer and Reed returned to Shuttlepod One and took it back into the green-tinged sky that overlooked the northern seaside port facilities. Archer turned the shuttlepod as it gained altitude, allowing him to take in the welcoming vista of the Darro-Miller settlement that had risen over the carbon dioxide-in-fused Altair-water aquifers to the south. The pioneer town was still growing quickly, already home to nearly twenty-two thousand humans; more than a few of these settlers would no doubt soon participate in the creation of other settlements, either elsewhere on this world or on the even more challenging surface of the systems still largely untouched fourth planet.

The magenta-and-white mountains beyond Darro-Miller rolled into view next, fronted by an enigmatic jumble of ruined stone columns and temples that had been left behind untold eons ago by some long-extinct sentient race. Archer looked on wistfully as the tantalizing ancient vista quickly vanished over the horizon and the shuttlepod arced upward toward a standard orbital insertion.

“They say the statues the archeologists found down there look almost human, Reed said, almost as though hed been reading Archers mind.

“Its amazing to find traces of anything that looks so much like we do almost seventeen light-years from home, Archer said as he returned his full attention to the console before him. “I wish we had at least a solid week down there to go picking through those ruins. The mysteries of where those ancient people had gone, where they had originatedand whether they were cosmic cousins of humanity or had arisen independentlywere enticing almost beyond measure.

“A few uninterrupted days of shore leave for the crew wouldnt go down badly either, sir, Reed said, wearing an expression that was somehow both hopeful and fatalistic.

“Time and tide are impatient mistresses, Malcolm, Archer said with a weak smile. “Duty calls. Starfleet says weve got pirates and raiders to catch.

Roughly forty minutes later, Archer found himself back on Enterprises busy bridge, along with Reed, Mayweather, and Sato. After confirming that the engineering repair team was also back aboard and ordering Ensign Mayweather to break orbit for the starships next destination, the captain leaned back in his command chair and watched Altair VI begin making a swift descent into the void. Presented on the main viewer in an aft view, the blue-green orb quickly began to shrink in apparent size, like a pebble falling in slow motion into a dark and bottomless pit.

Now he had to get Enterpriseback to the main civilian shipping lanes of Coalition space. It was time to resume the interminable vigil, patrolling for pirate vessels that only very rarely deigned to put in an appearance. Which really meant that it was time to go back to simply waiting around passively for something, anything, to happen, while the Romulans, and maybe the Klingons as well, continued drawing their plans behind the slumbering backs of the Coalitions perpetually distracted movers and shakers.

“On course and steady on half impulse power, Captain, Mayweather said as he entered several commands into his console, refining the starships flight path.

“Thanks, Travis, Archer said. “Engage warp drive, warp factor five. Lets not keep our pirates and raiders waiting any longer than we absolutely have to.

Mayweather turned and favored him with a brief but rueful grin before facing front once again. “Aye, sir, he said, then pushed the throttle stick purposefully forward. The feel of the deck plates suddenly changed beneath Archers boots as the increased output of the vessels powerful matter/antimatter reactor sent subaural vibrations racing throughout Enterprises superstructure.

“Captain! Reeds sudden exclamation from the tactical console at the bridges aft section startled Archer out of his reverie. The keening wail of a proximity alarm pierced the air at almost the same moment.

Archer turned his chair around, then rose to his feet in a single swift, fluid motion. “What is it, Malcolm?

A frown of concern crumpled the ever-vigilant weapons officers forehead. “The long-range navigational sensors have just made contact with a small object in our flight path. It fits the general profile of a manned space vessel.

Archer motioned to Hoshi to cut off the klaxon, whose nerve-jarring noise abruptly ceased a moment later. “Collision danger? he asked, facing the tactical console.

Reed shook his head. “Correction, sir: The object doesnt lie directlyin our flight path. We should clear it by a hundred kilometers or more.

“So why the alarm? Hoshi asked. “A hundred klicks is a pretty wide berth, isnt it?

“In deep space, thats like practically trading paint jobs, Mayweather said, frowning as he studied the console before him. “If this things a ship, then why isnt it using a standard navigational beacon?

Donning a frown that matched the helmsmans, Archer nodded. “Thats exactly what I intend to find out, Travis. Match velocity and intercept.

“Aye, sir, Mayweather said, adjusting the stick with one hand as he touched a series of buttons and switches with the other. “Dropping out of warp.

“What about our pirates and raiders, sir? Reed asked as the deck plates beneath Archers feet resumed their usual subwarp feel.

Archer turned toward his weapons officer, noted his ironic grin, and returned it. “Lets just say its theirturn to sit around and wait.

“Unless theyve decided to come to us, Mayweather said, nodding in the direction of the unknown and not yet visible vessel.

Archer was already considering that possibilityalong with the possibility that the mystery ship might be a Romulan or Klingon vessel, here to probe Coalition defenses surreptitiously.

“Its definitely a ship, Captain, Reed said. “Im reading hull metal.

“Visual? Archer asked.

“Coming up now, Captain, Reed said.

Archer faced the forward viewer, upon which a long, slender shape was already beginning to resolve itself, obviously with the help of a good deal of low-illumination image enhancement. Whatever this vessel customarily used for running lights had been either disabled through mishap or deliberately turned off.

Archers frown deepened. “Its a ship, all right. Shes either rigged for silent running, or else shes a derelict. I dont think Ive ever seen that exact configuration before, though. He turned back toward the tactical station. “Malcolm?

Reed was already studying something on his console that only he could see. “Already on it, sir.

The aft starboard turbolift doors hissed open and TPol stepped purposefully onto the bridge, a look of concern overlaid upon her otherwise stoic Vulcan features. Archer nodded to her in greeting, and she returned the gesture before becoming completely absorbed in the image that had just formed on the forward viewer.

“The ship configuration databanks recognize the design, Reed said, his eyes abruptly widening.

“And? Archer said sharply, struggling with only partial success to subdue an intense surge of impatience.

“Its Klingon, Captain, TPol said calmly, beating the saucer-eyed tactical officer to the punch as she moved gingerly to one of the aft science consoles.

“Tactical alert, Archer said, and the bridge lighting dimmed automatically in response.

“For a Klingon ship, it doesnt look all that dangerous, Reed said, sounding surprised.

“Guess they cant all be battle cruisers, Travis said. “Even the Klingons must have freighters and tugs and garbage scows.

Archer nodded in agreement as he studied the image on the screen. Like the few Klingon battle cruisers he had encountered over the past few years, this vessel possessed a long, narrow midsection, which terminated on its forward end at a small oblong command-and-control structure that abutted a much wider aft section, to which a pair of engine nacelles were attached. Unlike those other vessels, however, this crafts hull seemed to display the wear of long, hard toil rather than the scars of combat, and was conspicuously bereft of overt weaponry.

“The vessel conforms to the general configuration of a Hasparath-class military cargo vessel, TPol said. “Two hundred thirty-seven meters in length, one hundred eleven meters at the beam. Mass of approximately two hundred thousand metric tons.

Archer nodded appreciatively. The other ship was nearly fifty meters longer than Enterprise,and considerably more massive. Hell of a thing to just leave lying around,he thought.

Speaking in clinical tones, TPol continued her report. “The vessel appears to have been modified to carry neutronic fuel and other volatile chemical compounds, judging from both the visible deviations from design norms and the vessels sensor signature.

“Is she a derelict? Archer asked. “Or is anyone alive aboard that ship?

“Scanning, the Vulcan woman said. After a brief pause she said, “Im picking up nearly four hundred strong lifesigns. She paused again as she raised an eyebrow and fixed her dark gaze upon Archer. “Predominantly human.

Archers jaw fell open involuntarily. “Humans. Operating a Klingoncargo ship. In Coalition space.

“And without a functioning navigation beam, Reed grumbled.

Anger drew Archers mouth closed again, hardening his jaw like quick-drying thermoconcrete as he turned to stare at the enigmatic image on the viewer. “Hail that ship, Hoshi. TPol, assemble a boarding team. Travis, I want you to warm up Shuttlepod One.

He turned again, facing TPol while Hoshi busied herself signaling the other ship. “That ships captain has got one hell of a lot of explaining to do, he said.

“Capture, Mayweather said, allowing himself to feel no small amount of relief as he heard the repressurization valve on Shuttlepod Ones portside hatchway give a reassuring whoomph. “Weve established a hard dock with the freighter.

“Ive always hated that sound, said Lieutenant Reed, who was seated directly behind Captain Archers copilots seat, to Mayweathers left. “It makes me expect to have to start sucking bloody vacuum at any moment.

“That, Malcolm, the captain said as he put the console before him into “safe mode, “is only the sound of two mutually compatible airlocks making beautiful music together.

“Perhaps the airlocks ought to get a room, sir, Reed said quietly.

Mayweather turned in his seat and cast a sidelong glance at the aft portion of the shuttlepods small crew cabin, where Chief Engineer Burch chuckled as he unhooked his flight harness. Reed nodded toward the captain as he unstrapped himself from his seat, checking the charge on his phase pistol as Burch and the two MACOs seated nearby did likewise before moving swiftly toward the hatch. Mayweather thought he saw the tactical officer suppressing a gratified smile as the ranking MACO trooper, Sergeant Fiona McKenzie, eyed the airlock with evident suspicion while the much younger and greener Corporal Matthew Kelly held his phase rifle in a white-knuckled death grip.

“Dont worry, guys, Burch said, evidently beating down an ironic grin of his own. “I packed a big roll of duct tape in my toolkit, just in case the airlocks decide to give us any real trouble.

“I suppose the airlocks would be one of the first things a human freighter captain would modify on a Klingon tub, Captain, Reed said, not sounding terribly reassured. “I just wish wed brought the captain of this free-falling disaster aboard Enterpriseinstead of agreeing to come aboard hisship.

Archer shook his head. “You know as well as I do that its standard Starfleet procedure to board and inspect any problem vessel we encounter, Malcolm, he said. “And judging just from what Ive seen so far, this bucket is a textbook example of a problem vessel.

“Fair enough, Captain, Reed said, raising his weapon to a ready position as the hatchway hissed open. “I just have a bad feeling about this ship.

Mayweather felt his ears pop slightly the moment the hatch cleared its seals, a sensation that punctuated the short-lived movement of a slight breeze as the small pressure differential between the shuttlepod and the freighter abruptly equalized. Having grown up on a freighter not so vastly different from this one, the sensation didnt trouble him in the least. As he followed the MACOs, Captain Archer, and Lieutenants Reed and Burch into the familiar narrowness of the gray, utilitarian corridor that lay beyond the shuttlepods hatchway, he felt a pang of nostalgia that bordered on homesickness.

Its been way too long since Ive been in touch with Mom and Paul and everybody else on theHorizon, he thought, drawing in a deep draft of the freighters recycled, faintly metallic air. I should at least get a letter off to them soon.

“Wheres the welcoming committee? Archer asked, his phase pistol drawn and at the ready. The MACOs flanked him as he took the pointMayweather knew he wouldnt have agreed to bring the troopers along had either of them insisted on taking the pointand moved steadily forward down the conduit-lined corridor toward a bend some ten meters distant.

“They knew we were coming, Mayweather said, his voice echoing along the otherwise silent corridor. Unlike the captain and Reed, he had left his weapon holstered, though he wasnt allowing his hand to venture far from its handle. Somewhat encumbered by the half-meter-long toolkit he carried, Burch had likewise left his phase pistol at his side.

“Maybe theyre baking us a cake, Reed said with a weak smile.

The sound of multiple footfalls approaching from beyond the bend in the corridor prompted Mayweather finally to grasp his phase pistol and raise it defensively. Despite the results of Commander TPols sensor scans, he half expected to bump into a group of angry Klingons at any moment.

Three figures suddenly strode into view.

“Halt! McKenzie cried as both MACOs raised their weapons in a clear gesture of warning.

The trio, which consisted of two men and a womanall apparently humanabruptly stopped in their tracks. Each of the three raised their hands, their faces displaying expressions of pure shock.

“Oh, crap, said the middle-aged Asian man who stood at the front of the trio, his colloquial speech belied by an accent worthy of an Oxford English Lit professor. “Looks like weve been boarded by bloody pirates again.

Mayweather nearly snickered out loud at this as he appraised the other mans ruffled white shirt, black buccaneer-style boots, and bright paisley-printed waist sash. All that was missing from the stereotypical image of an ancient Caribbean freebooter was an eye patch, a parrot perched on one shoulder, and perhaps a peg leg, though an open jug of rum and a hook hand would have been nice touches as well.

“Easy, Sergeant, Archer said to the female MACO. She nodded to her fellow trooper, and both took a step backward, their rifles lowered slightly. Mayweather continued holding on to his own weapon, as did Reed.

The captain holstered his phase pistol, took a step toward the olive-skinned Asian man, and extended his right hand. “Captain Jonathan Archer, he said. “Commanding the Starship Enterprise,from Earth.

“Captain Kojiro Vance, the man said, accepting Archers handshake and flashing a brilliant, and apparently somewhat relieved, smile. “Master and commander of the merchant vessel S.S. Kobayashi Maru,based out of the port of Amber on Tau Ceti IV. Welcome aboard.

Archer released his grip on the other mans hand and took a moment to exchange introductions of the other members of the boarding team and Vances officers, both of whom were clad in light blue jumpsuits more characteristic of flight engineers or other technical personnel than of pirates. Vance introduced the woman as Jacqueline Searles, his chief engineer, and the man as Arturo Stiles, his first mate.

Once the initial pleasantries were completed, Reed said, “We used our searchlights to read your hull markings and looked up your vessel in the Earth Cargo Service registry. From beneath a disapproving scowl he added, “The records show her as a Class-III neutronic fuel carrier, one presumably manufactured by an Earth firm or one of the Martian contractors.

“Imagine our surprise at discovering that shes actually a rehabilitated Klingon military freighter, Archer said.

Vance sighed, staring off at a bulkhead as he gathered his thoughts. “So youve noticed that, he said at length. “The port authorities tend to overlook such things in some of the more remote places. I suppose thats one of the advantages of adopting Tau Ceti IV as a home port, rather than carrying the flag of Earth or Alpha Centauri or Vulcan.

Or even Altair VI, for that matter,Mayweather thought, wondering if the still relatively new frontier settlement there had already acquired slightly too much law and order for the freighter captains taste. The fact that Tau Ceti, whose human colonies lay about five light-years closer to Earth than did Altair, could allow someone like Vance to operate with impunity seemed to Mayweather a testimony to just how much work lay ahead for the nascent Coalition of Planets. Vance and his ship seemed to be an object lesson in how desperately the interstellar neighborhood needed the law and order the Coalition promisedincluding, apparently, those parts of the galaxy that were in Earths backyard.

“Whats your point, Captain Archer? Searles asked, folding her arms defensively across her chest. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she frowned, revealing the subtle, scar-like lines characteristic of long-term exposure to low levels of delta radiation, which was still a common pitfall in the space freight business. Mayweather guessed she was probably ten to fifteen years younger than her apparent age, which might make her his contemporary.

“You dont think flying around in Coalition space in a Klingonship is a problem? Mayweather said, holstering his weapon. No wonder these people prefer to ship out with their lights turned off,he added silently.

Searles waved one of her hands dismissively. “Captain Vance has had the Maruretrofitted extensively since he acquired her. Except for her gross hull configuration, shes about as much a Klingon vessel as your Enterpriseis.

Stiles, the fortyish jumpsuited man who stood at Vances other side, spoke up in clipped, almost angry tones. “Thanks to those modifications, the Maruconforms to every regulation in the UESPA rulebook governing the equipment and capabilities of Class-III neutronic fuel carriers.

Vance nodded, looking pleased at the point his exec had just made. “For all intents and purposes shes precisely as advertised in your ship registry, as well as in our current ECS flight plan, and in our own logs: a Class-III neutronic fuel carrier with eighty-one hands on board.

Archer raised an eyebrow. “Eighty-one? Our sensors picked up quite a few more lifesigns than that.

“In addition to the Marus crew, were also carrying about three hundred colonists, engineers, and various other technical experts and tradespeople, Stiles added, thrusting his chin out in Archers direction in a silent so thereexpression.

Vance nodded cheerfully. “All of them qualified, ready, and eager to carry the blessings of civilization to the farthest reaches of the galactic hinterlands. Where no man has gone before, as it were.

“Of course, youre welcome to verify all of that for yourselves if youre not content to take our word for it, Captain Archer, Stiles said in stilted tones.

Archer smiled humorlessly. “Im afraid Starfleet doesnt give me the option of taking anythingat face value, Mister Stiles. Especially not after weve found such a flagrant violation of ECS and UESPA navigational regs.

Vance once again looked confused. His expression would have been comical had the matter before him not been so very serious. “Come again, Captain? he said.

“Captain Vance, whyis this vessel running dark and silent? Archer said.

Vance shifted his weight from one buccaneer-booted foot to the other in obvious discomfiture. At length, he said, “Lately weve been experiencing a few smalltechnical problems, Captain Archer. But its nothing that Miz Searles cant handle. Were already well on our way to putting all of it to rights.

“Do you need any help? Mayweather asked.

“We could use our grappler, said Burch. “Give you a tow to the port at Altai

“Thank you, but that wont be necessary, Vance said quickly, interrupting. “Weve just had to shut down a few nonessential systems temporarily in order to make somein-flight repairs.

Archer glowered. “Are you telling me that you consider something as basic as your navigation beam a nonessential system?

Though Vance looked no less uncomfortable than he had before, he now seemed to have no trouble returning Archers glower. “Frankly, the only thing I consider truly essential, Captain Archer, is getting my ship back under way as quickly as possible. My passengers and cargo have to reach their destinations on time.

“And where might those destinations be? Archer wanted to know.

“The first one on this voyage is the Gamma Hydra system, Vance said around an avaricious leer. “Those planets and most of the surrounding sector are extremely resource-rich, with huge deposits of everything from deuterium to pergium to the dilithium everybodys been so worried about running out of ever since the Coridan disaster. Were transporting a crew of mineral-extraction experts and other specialists to the outposts that have been popping up all over the vicinity over the past few years.

Gamma Hydra,Mayweather thought, recalling that the Horizonwas scheduled to bring some technical and commercial cargo out to one of that sectors rapidly proliferating new outposts sometime in the not-too-distant future.

“Gamma Hydra, Archer repeated as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Judging from what Ive heard, thats a pretty rough neighborhood.

“Meaning what? Searles said.

“Meaning the Gamma Hydra sector is immediately adjacent to space claimed by the Klingon Empire, Captain Vance, said Reed.

Archer nodded to Vance. “Im pretty sure that the Klingons are every bit as interested as you are in developing the very same resources that youre salivating over.

Expecting Vance to start pushing back harder against Archers increasingly challenging tone, Mayweather was surprised when the freighter captain merely threw his head back and laughed.

“My crew and I are probably responsible for a goodly number of those stories about dilithium-hungry Klingon raiders plundering the Gamma Hydra sector, Vance said after hed finally gotten his breathing back under control. “Spreading those kinds of tales tends to encourage my competitors to drill their wells somewhat closer to the safe green hills of Earth, as it were. Which leaves more profits for me to spread around the fleshpots of Rigel X and Risa.

“I suppose plying your trade in a Klingon-built ship could lower your profile quite a bit out in places like Gamma Hydra, Reed said in a tone that suggested he was beginning to appreciate the other mans tactical instincts. “At least as far as any real, live Klingons you might bump into out there might be concernedas long as they dont find out whos driving, that is.

“Very well reasoned, Lieutenant Reed, Vance said with an engaging smile. “Tell me, have you ever considered seeking your fortune in the private sector?

“Captain Vance, I didnt come here to bring my crew to a job fair, Archer said, his voice edging into noticeable testiness.

Vance sighed again, then nodded. “No. I dont suppose that you did. In any case, were not expecting a lot of trouble from the Klingons. At least not with the United Earth government and its Coalition of Planets allies working so hard to protect Gamma Hydra from the Klingons with that Neutral Zone ideaa no-mans-land that your Starfleet will no doubt defend with great ferocity once its established.

Evidently losing patience with the topic of galactic politics, Archer said, “Captain, my immediate concern is defending Coalition space from thisvessel.

“Im sorry? Vance said, his expression going abruptly blank.

“The Kobayashi Maruis a menace to navigation, Captain, Mayweather said.

Vance tipped his head to the side and blinked in evident bewilderment. “Beg pardon? he said.

“Againyoure not using a navigation beam, Archer said, speaking with exaggerated slowness, like an Academy instructor trying to get through to a particularly thickheaded cadet.

“Or even a bloody night light, Reed added without smiling.

“Captain Vance already explainedabout all of that, Searles said, frowning and speaking with the same slow meter Archer had used. “I had to take the navbeam offline for a few hours, just for the duration of our other repairs.

“Thats why I took the Marusomewhat off the beaten path, Captain Archer, Vance said, holding up a hand in an obvious effort to prevent Searles from aggravating Archer any further. “Out of consideration for any other vessels that might happen by while our trousers are still down, so to speak.

“How very considerate of you, said Archer.

Vance didnt appear to have noticed the jab. “On the other hand, space is bloody huge. I hardly think were posing any serious danger to anyone, navbeam or no.

“Then humor us, Captain, Archer said. “And remember, the sooner we complete the inspection the regs require us to make, the sooner you can get back to carrying, as you put it, the blessings of civilization to the farthest reaches of the galactic hinterlands. Where no man has gone before, as it were.

Vance appeared to be making a careful study of Archers expression, which was resolute. Then he spread his ruffle-fringed hands before him in an almost theatrical concession of defeat. “So be it, he said, turning and retracing his earlier steps down the corridor. “Follow me.

Mayweather found the nearly two-hour inspection tour both tedious and nostalgic. Tedious because there was precious little for a pilot to do while the more engineering-oriented portions of the inspection proceeded, and nostalgic because the freighters interior, in which he found himself wandering, was so much like the one in which he had grown up.

He passed part of the time in a surprisingly congenial conversation with Arturo Stiles, who also had found himself with little to do for nearly two hours other than to hang around the freighters crowded, ramshackle crew lounge, awaiting Mike Burchs detailed assessment of the freighters condition.

“I tried getting into Starfleet once, Stiles said, leaning against a bulkhead near one of the battered coffeemakers, from which he had just poured himself a full cup. “Couldnt quite pass the physical, though. His tone sounded vaguely resentful of the fact, though he offered no further explanation.

“Im sorry, Mayweather said, his elbows resting on a dull stainless steel table as he sipped at a cup of coffee that tasted as though it once might have been used to cool old-style plutonium fuel rods. He felt stupid that he hadnt been able to come up with anything better to say.

“Im from a Starfleet family, though, Stiles continued, apparently unfazed by Mayweathers well-intentioned gaffe. “I have a niece whos just earned her lieutenants commission, a grand-nephew whos a freshly minted ensign, and a couple of cousins who made it as far as lieutenant commander. At least one of ems bound to make captain sooner or later.

“You must be very proud, Mayweather said, pushing the nasty-tasting coffee to one side, taking care not to spill any lest it eat through the table, the deck, and the Marus ventral hull.

Stiles chuckled mirthlessly, then looked around as though to make sure he wouldnt be overheard by any of his shipmates. “Im just glad I can take pride in somethingwhile Im serving aboard this tub.

While Stiles was speaking, a small group of men and women brushed past Mayweathers table on their way to the freighters self-service galley area. Most of them looked somewhat weather-beaten, though they all seemed strong and fit, fairly radiating both confidence and competence. As Mayweather quietly watched them going about their mealsthey all seemed to be doing their best to avoid any contact with the Starfleet intruders who had temporarily disrupted their ships routinehe reflected that these people represented the true cutting edge of the permanent expansion of humanitys presence throughout the galaxy. This crew reminded him of the stories his late father had told him of the hardy professional survivors whose livelihoods had required them to drive incredibly heavy multiaxle trucks over the treacherous ice roads of the remote Alaskan wilderness. Like those survivors, these people were the strong backbone of the human species ongoing effort to make a permanent mark on the eternal stars themselves.

Pioneers, as it were, on a wagon train to the stars.

“So youre bound for Gamma Hydra next, he said, turning back toward Stiles in the hopes of directing the conversation toward a happier topic than career regrets.

Stiles nodded. “If we ever get this inspection business out of the way so we can finish our repairs.

Mayweather tried to defuse the thinly veiled complaint with more small talk. “You know, my familys in the interstellar hauling trade, too, working with the Earth Cargo Service. I was born on a freighter, in fact.

Stiles chuckled around a sip of his own coffee. “Ah. A Boomer, huh?

“Better believe it, Mayweather said, grinning. “The family is still doing business in the ship I was born in. That boat has to be at least as old as this one. In fact, family legend has it that the inside of her warp casing was autographed by Zefram Cochrane himself.

“Get outta town, the other man said in an almost bantering tone.

Mayweather grinned. “Thats Moms story, and shes sticking to it. Anyway, the family freighter has a few stops in the Gamma Hydra sector planned for the near future.

“Really? Whats the ships name? Stiles asked, sounding genuinely interested.

“The Horizon.

Stiless eyebrows rose in surprise. “Its a small galaxy, Ensign. The Horizons scheduled to make a cargo pickup from us when we get to Gamma Hydra.

Mayweather didnt try to conceal his delight in hearing that. His grin broadening involuntarily, he said, “Do you think I could trouble you to deliver some personal mail to Rianna and Paul Mayweather, care of the E.C.S. Horizon?

Stiles shrugged. “I dont see why not. Assuming we can get there in time to make the rendezvous, that is. He rapped his knuckles against the bulkhead, and the sound made hollow echoes throughout the somewhat squalid crew lounge. The earlier curtain of glumness abruptly descended once again over the first mates demeanor.

Once again at a loss for a satisfactory reply, Mayweather felt relieved when Captain Archer, Captain Vance, Lieutenant Burch, and Jacqueline Searles chose that moment to step into the room, followed by Lieutenant Reed and the two MACOs.

Burch wasted no time handing Stiles a small padd, which the first mate studied with a steadily lengthening face.

“Heres a copy of my report, Mister Stiles, Burch said as he pushed a pair of old-style reading glasses onto the thatch of graying blond hair at the top of his head. “As Ive already explained to Captain Vance, this vessel is going to need some serious repairs before shes back up to UESPA code. Burch shook his head. “Dont ask me whats been holding your life-support system together.

“Clean living and noble intentions, for the most part, Vance said, looking vaguely dyspeptic. “The repairs will be expensive ones, no doubt.

“No doubt, Burch said. “Youve either just flown this ship through the flames of hell and back, or else youve been deferring your major maintenance problems and ignoring component-replacement issues for years.

Vance responded with a noncommittal smile. “Lets just say that the vicissitudes of interstellar trade have lately placed some severe limitations on my ability to keep this vessel in factory condition. And all the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the formation of the new Coalition hasnt helped matters any.

Archers brow furrowed. “Uncertainty and confusion, Captain? Its funny how law and order can make everything look uncertain and confusing. Particularly when youve gotten used to making a living in the absenceof law and order, that is.

Vances smile grew ironic. “A pity you werent here to explain the newly lawful and orderly status quo to the Orions and the Nausicaans. Particularly the last few times they decided to deprive me of my cargo.

Vances earlier reference to the pleasure worlds he favored when his vessel was at liberty sprang abruptly into Mayweathers mind. Having lived in space all his life, he understood better than most that the interstellar hauling trade favored neither the lazy nor the libertine, though he also knew that brains counted for at least as much as hard work did. And he could see that this self-styled pirate was certainly not lacking in brains. Maybe if he spent more time working and less time partying,he thought, hed be able to afford to keep his ship from falling apart around his ears.

“We can tow you back to one of the drydock facilities at Altair VI in just a few hours, Captain, Burch said.

“And Im to pay for their services with what,Lieutenant? Vance said, sounding angry now that his embarrassing state of financial disarray had at last been laid totally bare. “My credit with the Altair VI port authority is, shall we say, less than sterling at the moment. My cargo is already spoken for, so I cant simply trade it away. Besides, the fine, upstanding citizens of Darro-Miller will want hard currency, and I wont be flush again until after the Marus current voyage concludes.

“In the state shes in right now, Captain, the Marus voyage is alreadyover, Burch said. “Im sorry.

Though Vance looked deflated, his tendency toward bravado hadnt deserted him entirely. Addressing Archer, he said, “You wouldnt be interested in floating us a temporary loan, would you?

Except for the faint clatter of metal forks against lightweight aerogel plates, a sudden hush blanketed the room. The crewmen and technicians who were eating at the tables along the opposite wall made a show of ignoring the tableau, though they had to have heard every word. Stiles looked like he wanted nothing more than simply to crawl away somewhere and die with whatever slender shreds of dignity remained to him. Mayweather felt intense embarrassment for the first mate, as well as for his captain.

Archer was the first to disturb the extended silence. “Im afraid I cant lend you any money, Captain Vance.

Vance now looked utterly defeated. “Then please dont neglect to scuttle us before you get under way for your next assignment, he said very quietly.

“But since the regs require me to render aid to all vessels in distress, Archer continued, “Ill lend you something more valuable than money: my chief engineer and his staff.

“Sir? Burch said, obviously as surprised as Mayweather was. Reed, Vance, Stiles, and Searles all looked poleaxed as well, and even the two usually impassive MACOs exchanged quiet sidelong glances.

“How much time do you need to get the Kobayashi Maruback under way? Archer asked the engineer.

Burch answered without hesitation. “Forty-eight hours, max.

“Then get busy, Lieutenant. Give TPol a list of whatever personnel and matériel you think youre going to need.

“Yes, sir, Burch said, grinning as he contemplated the no doubt unusual challenges that awaited him. Mayweather hoped for his sake that his repair-time estimates would prove as reliable as those his predecessor used to make. After all, as good as Burch had so far proved himself to be, he wasnt Commander Tucker.

Nobody is at the moment,Mayweather thought with a profound sense of sadness.

After directing Lieutenant Reed and the MACOs to remain aboard to keep an eye on things, Archer moved toward the lounges raised hatchway. “Lets head back to Enterprise,Travis. I want to get this job expedited so we can get back to chasing realpirates just as soon as humanly possible.

“Can never get enough of that,Captain, Mayweather said, grinning as he followed Archer into the corridor that led back to the section of the Kobayashi Maruto which Shuttlepod One was docked. As they walked, he contemplated still more endless hours of patrolling, watching, and waiting. And the interval that would precede the resumption of those monotonous tasks.

Forty-eight hours. Two days.

Plenty of time to dash off a few handwritten letters home before the Maruresumed her voyage toward Gamma Hydra, and a rendezvous with the Horizon.