War Is Hell

MAYDAY MAYDAY!! Mother McGee shouted, homing on Mont.

"We have you loud and clear Mother McGee, a high soprano voice answered. Star knew it was an insectoid from the sound of the voice. She was probably station mistress.

"You may make planet fall on the west end of the field. Repair facilities are available at that location." The voice informed them.

Mother McGee dropped below FTL. This time without such dramatic effects and spiraled in on the beam provided by the landing field. The west end of the field was raw red earth. No paving yet. Mother McGee settled on her fields and let down ramps.

Most all fields would accept an Enfield ship. They ranged in length from two to five miles and were just barely small enough to make planet fall without messing things up for the locals.

Mont was a Trispec world. She had a Hive, a Human settlement and a Hippoid settlement. Star had heard of such worlds but being a Mercenary, who fought for the Companies, or anyone else who could pay his fees, he had spent very little time within the Empire. This would be something of an education for him.

"What seems to be your trouble?" The little insect asked as Star walked off the gangway.

"Don’t know Little Sister. She dropped out of FTL on her own. There was a loud bang and after that nothing. We got her back up and headed for Mont soon as we could. The Captain and two crew members are missing. Other than that all seems to be normal." Star explained as the insectoid looked the ship over. She took to the air and made a very detailed inspection of the exterior of the ship.

"Number sixteen life boat is missing. That would account for the bang. She would have to be below FTL for the boat to launch. I hope you got a fix on the place where she popped the boat. We can backtrack it if you did." The insectoid explained.

Star liked insects. They always smelled so nice. This one smelled like some exotic flowers.

"What do they call you Little Sister? He asked.

"Patricia." She answered, busy with a computer terminal punching in the information Star had given her.

"That would make Carlson the closest world to where the life boat was launched. There’s nothing there. Not even an outpost. I don’t understand why anyone would want to get to that place. It’s semi desert with no real arable land.

"Don’t ask me. I’m a Mercenary, not a spacer. Have commanded a few Enfield drive ships though. Maybe that was a stopping off place for them. They could have a ship hidden there, or a meeting arranged." He thought on it a while and could come up with no other explanation.

Star walked over to the terminal building where a huge Hippoid leaned against the wall.

"Ha."

"Ha." Came the reply.

"You a Merc.?" The Hip asked.

"Among other things," Star admitted. "Not much call for my trade on your side of the line."

"War’s bad for business. Interrupts trade. Big ships live on trade. They have to stop everything to fight. Not good." The Hip said. His deep base voice rumbled in the heavy humid air.

"Wish the Companies saw things that way. They’re always fighting over one damn thing or other." Star answered.

"You’re a pretty big fellow. Should hold your own in a fight," The Hip observed.