Pearl of the Stars

Captain Grace Ifhans stared at the monitor protruding from the console in front of her. On screen she could see the Pearl’s hull, or at least a small portion of it, through the hazed plexiglass of a spacesuit helmet.

As with the majority of larger space-going vessels, the hull of the Pearl of the Stars was made up of several thousand smaller sheets of metal, an incredibly strong alloy, and it was standard Fleet procedure that all areas where two of those sheets joined be visually checked for integrity before the undertaking of any mission. It was a long and arduous task and took the better part of thirty six hours, but it had to be done. So engrossed was she that Grace did not notice Major Hynes’ arrival on the Pearl’s bridge until he spoke.

“The crew appear to be in good spirits Captain.” He spoke formally as even though the two were good friends, Hynes did not wish to show any behaviour that could be misconstrued by anyone wishing to undermine Grace Ifhans’ authority. He knew that she had enemies within the Fleet of which Hubbard and Frost were but two, and he did not want to give them fuel for their fires.

“Why would they not be Major?” Grace asked, the corners of her mouth turning upwards into a slight smile. “They believe as I do, we are going to end this war.”

“It’s not going to be easy. We have at least five months travel before we reach Others space, and that is assuming we take the most direct route.” Hynes paused as he fished in the breast pocket of his uniform and quickly found what he was looking for. He put the cigarette to his lips and struck a match. It flared and he waited for the flame to reach a gentle flicker before he put it to the tip of the cigarette. He sucked hungrily, relishing that first inhalation, and closed his eyes as he breathed smoke from his nostrils. “Do we have a heading?”

“We do Major,” she paused and glanced at her pocket watch. “In thirteen minutes I will announce that heading to the rest of the Fleet. Then in a little under half an hour, we will break orbit.”

“I feel it wise to keep your cards so closely guarded,” replied Hynes with a smile, doing a few quick calculations in his head. “But with that timing in mind, am I to assume the Pearl’s own unit is closest to our first jump point?”

“Your assumption is correct Major, but please press me no further. You have my friendship and my utmost respect, but do not think for a second that means you are beyond my dressing you down.”

“My apologies Captain.” Hynes stood to attention, flashed a quick salute, and left the bridge. Captain Ifhans watched him leave and then returned her attentions to the monitor. As the helmets interior camera panned around, something caught her eye, and her hand darted to the switch that would allow communication with whomever was wearing that particular suit.

“This is Captain Ifhans, pan right forty-five degrees.”

“Aye Ma’am,” the reply came back almost instantly and the image on screen showed that the wearer of the suit was following the command.

“There!” Grace almost yelled as she saw what it was that had caught her eye. “Tell me, what is that?”

“I... I actually don’t know Ma’am,” was the reply. It was some kind of device, Fleet designed by the look of it. Every seven seconds a dim red LED flashed and it was more by luck than judgement that Grace happened to have glanced at the screen when she did.

“Hold your position Lieutenant,” said Grace as she quickly lit a cigarette. “I’m sending a disposal team out to meet you.”

“Aye Ma’am, holding position.”

***

An hour later, Captain Grace Ifhans watched from the Pearl’s bridge as a small squadron of marines disabled the device safely, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the device had been set to detonate the moment the Pearl’s Faster-Than-Light drive kicked in and according to her chief technician, it was most certainly of Fleet design. It amazed Grace that someone within her own fleet would go to such lengths to remove her from command, taking the lives of eight hundred people as well as her own.

“Have every other captain in the Fleet check their own vessels for similar devices,” Grace barked into the com. “We’re not going anywhere until I am completely satisfied we can do so safely.” She turned to face Major Hynes. He had returned to the bridge moments after he had left, and alongside Captain Grace Ifhans, he had been paying extremely close attention to proceedings. “Fickling cowards!” She was understandably angry, and Hynes thought it best he remain silent, unless he was addressed directly of course. “I know I’m not every ficklers first choice to lead the Fleet and I doubt I ever will be but this attack wasn’t just aimed at me. If that fickling device had gone off it’d have taken my crew and my ship with it. I will not stand for that.” Breathing slowly, Captain Grace Ifhans calmed herself but could still feel her pulse racing as she looked Major Hynes directly in the eye. “Major, I want you to make it your number one priority. Before we leave Council controlled space, I want those responsible brought to justice.”

“Aye Ma’am,” Hynes replied with the smartest of salutes. “I shall see to it.”

***

Reports from Fleet vessels flowed in thick and fast, yet it was still almost twelve hours before the last of those reports came in. Devices similar to that found on the Pearl’s hull had been discovered, although the most worrying thing was that all affected vessels were part of the Pearl’s unit. Clearly there was someone, or a group of people within the Fleet, who were willing to go to any lengths to ensure Captain Grace Ifhans’ failure. However the thwarted attacks had the exact opposite effect, for Grace was even more determined that the mission would be a success.

Almost fifteen hours behind schedule, Captain Ifhans delivered a Fleet wide communication, giving the coordinates of the Fleet’s first FTL jump away from the Victoria system.

“Andos, Ma’am?” Major Hynes asked.

“Yes Major,” Grace replied. “Andos will give us plenty of choice for our second jump.” On the radar display, so vast it filled the bow wall of the bridge, the vessels of the Fleet began to move towards the assigned jump coordinates. Grace watched them for a few moments before her eyes came to rest upon the radars depiction of Victoria II. Once the Fleet left the Victoria system, they would not return for thirty-six months at the very least.

Thirty-six months during which time every single crewman would face certain death on numerous occasions.

Thirty-six months away from home.

Thirty-six months, yet Captain Grace Ifhans would not have had it any other way.