The Derelict Duty: A Space Adventure (The Duty Trilogy Book 1) by James Haddock

Author:James Haddock [Haddock, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Matron Publishing LLC
Published: 2019-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

"Major, analysis of data?" I asked.

"We have a clear recording of the incident, Captain. However, Jazz was correct, they blacked all IFFs out. No warning beacons were broadcasting, no warning markers were operating."

"Did we pick up the audio transmission?"

"Yes Captain, audio captured."

"Send a copy of all that to Conclave Ops Security, and a copy to Aaron Stein with all logged complaints and reports. Send an encrypted copy to Jocko and Travis with an additional message of 'watch your six'."

"Done, Captain."

Aunt J looked at me, "they messed with family," she said. I nodded once. She nodded and left.

I looked at Jazz, "let's go home, love."

Station's Security visited us bright and early the next morning, wanting to take statements. Aaron arrived minutes behind them and sat in on every interview. He had calls in to the station's chief and station prosecutor.

He held a press conference, demanding answers, "How can a spacecraft fly around Conclave airspace, with no markings, no IFF with no one seeing anything? Supposedly, all tracking equipment was ‘offline’ during the time of the incident. Was it poor maintenance or was someone paid off? The public needs answers!"

Major had taken video feed from every source on the station and had traced the unmarked tug to its berth, where the pilot leaving the tug. The best part was a nice clear picture of the pilot. I called Jim Jones and gave him the data.

"I want to know all there is know about this guy. I want to know everything… if he has a cat I want to know how many times it goes to the litter box." Jim took the data, nodding, and left.

Jazz and I went to see Jade, she was out of the Auto-Doc but still in Med-Bay on bed rest. Mal was at her bedside, holding her hand. When Jade saw Jazz, she reached out to her. They hugged and cried. Jade was whispering, "thank you" over and over.

Jade looked at me then my hand, "I hear I owe you a new hand."

"Nope, everything was going fine until 'tool boy' here decided to help me, he's the one who did this." I held up my ruined hand.

Jade looked at Mal, he shrugged, "he was going too slow."

Jade looked at Jazz, "have they always been like this?"

"For as long as I've known them, pretty much, yes." Mal turned serious, looking at me.

"You know who did it?" All emotion left my face and I nodded. "You handling it?" I nodded once again.

I looked over at Jade, "they messed with family." Mal nodded.

***

Jade stayed in Med-bay two more days, then on bed rest for the rest of the week. Things were kind of back to normal. Station security still had no answers. Jocko and Travis had taken on added security. Aaron was still stirring the pot. Jim was still gathering info.

I needed a new hand although I had fixed mine to use in the short-term. I had ideas I wanted to try. I could get by with one and a half fingers and a thumb for a while.

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