The Wrong Side of Space

Buckler Class Escort Destroyer

Brevic Republic Escort Destroyer - 402 Kite

Tonnage: 254,000 tonnes

Length: 389 meters (1276 feet)

Beam: 129 meters (423 feet)

Draft: 47 meters (153 feet)

Crew Complement: 351 (27 Officers, 324 Enlisted)

Armament: 16 Stratford second-generation radiant stream lasers, 68 Lyle quad AMS pulse lasers

Drives: 4 Allison-Turner Type-22 drives, 4 Allison-Turner Type-50 drives, 4 Allison-Turner Type-88 drives powered by 2 Omnicron 1200 power plants

Sensors: Standard Naka-Fujita sensor suite, APG-131X Hawkeye optical platform

Defenses: Duralloy armor, Warden ECM suite, Gibson defensive shields powered by 16 Gibson Series 320 shield generators

Fleet Organization Charts

Officer Ranks of the Terran Navies

Hollaran and Brevic Enlisted Ranks

DEPARTMENT OF STELLAR FORCES

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT

THE NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL

(THIRD STAR CLUSTER)

HAS BEEN AWARDED TO

LIEUTENANT GARRETT HESKAN

FOR

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT

1107.993

ACCOMPLISHMENT

Lieutenant Garrett Heskan distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as acting captain, BRS Derringer, FF-127. On 1107.993, Lieutenant Heskan rightfully acted upon Brevic Naval Regulations to assume command of Derringer tasked with special courier duty after her captain unlawfully and without authority acted in contravention of Brevic Naval Principles contributing to the destruction of Brevic Science Vessel REDACTED, BRSV-REDACTED. Despite facing grave peril in which several Derringer crewmembers were lost, Lieutenant Heskan’s actions prevented further instability to the REDACTED star system. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Heskan reflect credit upon himself and the Brevic Navy.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND

1127.993

__________//SIGNED//____________

REDACTED, Assistant Secretary, MIS

Administrator, First Fleet, REDACTED

Prologue

There will be no killing.

And what happens when Captain West refuses to back down? The marine first lieutenant punctuated his question by charging his sidearm. The timeless slug-thrower’s action was smooth and easy, producing the barest sound as the slide clacked into place.

There will be no killing, Lieutenant Garrett Heskan insisted.

Lieutenant, the third man in the elevator said in a deep voice, "you have full authority under naval regulations and Republic law. You cannot permit this mutiny to continue. Let me be clear; you will not allow this mutiny to continue."

Heskan nodded hesitantly. This is a mutiny all right, but which side holds the mutineers? I will not fire on a Brevic citizen, Heskan persisted, but his voice held less resolve.

The marine lieutenant exchanged concerned glances with the civilian as the central elevator doors opened silently. The three men were just meters from the bridge. The elder man held out his arm to delay Heskan’s exit. Lieutenant Heskan, you know you’ve been ordered to do precisely that.

Derringer’s first officer shuddered and then pushed past the outstretched arm of the Internal Security bureaucrat. Mr. Brewer, I know my orders. Heskan looked back as his marine fell in line behind him. Sid, cover the right side and I’ll watch the left. Keep an eye on WEPS; he’s the most likely to try something stupid.

Heskan could feel his pulse thundering in his neck as he approached the bridge door. This is crazy! Marc West is my friend. I’ve idolized the man for two years and he’s treated me like a son. Heskan paused at the portal. Damn him for doing this! How can he just ignore our orders? He broke the threshold of the door control sensors, which slid open the portal to reveal Derringer’s bridge.

Heskan charged into the room, his M-41 pistol clutched in both hands. The operations section commander gave Heskan a blank look as he rushed around the left side of the small bridge. Captain Marc West turned to his first officer. The initial, disbelieving look on his face transformed into a grim understanding that tore at both men’s hearts. However, only one man felt his cheeks flush red with shame, his eyes unconsciously looking away from the man rising from the captain’s chair. Out of the corner of Heskan’s eye, he saw Sidney Knight sweeping his M-41 over the right side of the compartment.

Don’t move, Gil, or I’ll double tap, Lieutenant Knight warned. The barrel of the marine’s pistol was leveled squarely at the weapons section commander’s torso and his finger rested firmly on the trigger.

At the center of the bridge, Captain West slowly shook his head as he spoke. I’m sorry I’ve put you in this situation, Garrett. You’ve got to trust me.

You’ve betrayed his trust and the trust of the entire Republic, you coward, Assistant Secretary Brewer loudly declared as he entered the bridge behind the two naval officers. "I’ll see you hung for sedition, Mister West."

West ignored the threat and the man. Garrett, think about your oath. Try to see more than what Internal Security is willing to show you.

From her station, Derringer’s sensor officer implored, Captain, maybe Lieutenant Heskan is right…

Nell, killing civilians is never right, West insisted.

Heskan swallowed, not quite trusting his ability to speak. Captain, it is my duty to relieve you of command under Brevic Naval Regulations. Hands trembling, he beseeched, Please, Captain. Lieutenant Knight will escort you to your cabin, sir.

West slowly walked toward Heskan as he calmly said, Think about who you are, Garrett. You are a better man than this.

Heskan realized his weapon was pointing at the deck and immediately raised it. Sweat stung his eyes. Captain, please. Stop. He stepped away from the man and felt his back press against the bulkhead.

You won’t do this, Garrett. You’re a good man, West told him. The captain raised his right hand slowly toward the M-41 and said, Give me your weapon, Garrett. Save your soul.

The report of a pistol seemed amplified in the small room.

My God, I shot him? Heskan, still unable to look his friend in the eye, scanned the man’s chest for the single red blossom that would appear shortly. When none came but Captain West slumped to the bridge floor, Heskan realized the shot had come from behind the man’s back. The wide, frantic eyes of Lieutenant Knight confirmed what Heskan already knew. To Knight’s right, Derringer’s weapons officer launched himself murderously at the marine, obscenities streaming in his wake. Heskan’s pistol instinctively tracked the lunging target and barked twice. Lieutenant Gilbert Erickson flew past the evading Knight and hit the deck hard and unmoving.

The bridge turned quiet as a crypt; no screams, no shouts.

The only sound came from the fading voice of Captain West. Garrett, you’ve got to see past the curtain. The man exhaled slowly, painfully, and then his friendly, brown eyes closed forever.

All other eyes turned to Heskan who stared, unseeing, at his dead mentor. There will be no killing, he whispered.

Brewer broke the spell. Lieutenant Heskan, you must assume command and carry out your orders. Bree is counting on you.

Knight decocked his weapon and, voice unsteady, said, Captain, what are your orders?

Heskan jolted at the realization that this was the first time in his career he had been called captain. He looked toward each section station and, to his astonishment, the remaining bridge officers offered tepid expressions of support. Not exactly a standing ovation but it doesn’t look like anyone is going to charge me. He walked across the room to Lieutenant Knight and handed over his weapon. This might be a mistake but I won’t captain the ship at gunpoint. Heskan knew, more than anything, he just wanted to be rid of the foul instrument. Turning his attention to the sensor officer, he ordered, Nell, One-MC. With a quick sweep over the panel, the woman pointed back toward Heskan, who walked to the captain’s chair and activated the arm console.

Attention, crew of the Derringer, this is Lieutenant Heskan. Moments ago, I relieved Captain West of command in accordance with Brevic Naval Regulations. As you know, Derringer has been ordered to intercept the science vessel, Bayless, and prevent her escape from Praxidike by any means necessary. A cadre of virus-infected scientists formerly employed on the system’s sole research orbital near the second planet had commandeered the Bayless. The research lab was the only source of life in the Praxidike star system, an isolated system that was the final stop in a chain of tunnel points near the Brevic Republic’s eastern border. The lack of terrestrial planets combined with the single tunnel made Praxidike unremarkable, unwanted, and unused by civilian commerce. These qualities formed the perfect trifecta for the placement of a bio-lab orbital, where research into cures for the most deadly communicable diseases the galaxy knew could take place. No mishap or disaster in this tiny, deserted parcel of space could possibly spread to the rest of humanity. Of course, the Brevic Ministry of Science had not counted on the unthinkable: an outbreak among the scientists and their creativity in fleeing the system. Pure happenstance had placed Derringer inside Praxidike, acting as a courier to deliver Assistant Secretary Brewer to the lab, when the Bayless had been seized.

As you also know, Heskan continued, each of us understands what ‘by any means necessary’ entails. Captain West had refused these orders, citing the Republic’s constitution as justification to not fire upon Brevic citizens and, while I agreed with him philosophically, I was unable to rationalize endangering millions or billions of our citizens by permitting Bayless to escape the system.

Heskan noticed several of the bridge officers nodding in agreement. Despite being enormously popular on Derringer and generally regarded as a father figure by all, Captain West’s refusal to follow direct orders had been difficult for most of his crew to accept. Surely, the loss of a dozen scientists, while tragic, is defensible when the balance of humanity rested on the opposite side of the scale? Heskan privately knew West had believed there were facts missing but Heskan did not need to know the specifics, such as the strain of disease or how the scientists became contaminated, to understand the severity of the threat posed to the Republic and humanity as a whole. Our government put that lab in such a desolate spot for a reason and I won’t refuse our orders just because Brewer won’t disclose highly compartmentalized, classified information to me. I don’t need all the facts, I just need to trust my superiors and follow my orders.

As a result, I have relieved Captain West of command and Lieutenant Erickson of his duties. Heskan’s voice echoed through the corridor outside the bridge as his words played across the ship. If any of you feel unable to follow the lawful orders of your superiors, report such to your supervisor and confine yourself to your quarters. Heskan quickly muted the 1-MC channel and said, Lieutenant Knight, inform me immediately of any marine who refuses to follow your orders and I want a roving patrol of armed, loyal marines near the enlisted quarters. I also want a detail to remove… Heskan stopped, and then tentatively gestured dejectedly at the bodies of West and Erickson.

First Lieutenant Sidney Knight had been Heskan’s good friend since shortly after Knight’s arrival on Derringer over a year ago. The bonds of their professional relationship fused into genuine friendship when Heskan sided with the marine contingent commander over a dispute with the operations section regarding additional duties. Today, that friendship and trust had been crucial when Heskan disobeyed West’s orders to escort Secretary Brewer from the bridge to his guest quarters and instead conspired with Brewer to follow their orders to protect the Republic. Heskan took Brewer straight to Knight’s office and laid out his intention to reason with Captain West about the need to stop Bayless but relieve him of command if necessary. The marine officer had supported Heskan unequivocally. During their trip to the frigate’s armory, Heskan realized that most of the crew might support him as well. Derringer loved its grandfatherly captain but the Brevic military followed orders.

We’re going to stop Bayless, Heskan continued, unmuting the ship-wide channel. Although it is my hope to persuade these scientists to return to the orbital, we will destroy the ship if they force us. All sections ready up for action.

Heskan circled around the captain’s chair but found he could not bring himself to sit in it. Lieutenant Dunn, distance to Bayless?

The sensorwoman inspected her console and brought the system tactical view to the main wall screen. They’re twelve light-minutes ahead of us sailing at point one-three-C.

The tactical display, its view centered on the symbol of Derringer, revealed the three gas giants of Praxidike. Derringer was in orbit around Praxidike-2, just 30ls (light-seconds) from the science orbital. Bayless was already past the system’s third and final gas giant, heading directly for the lone tunnel point that led to Elara, the next star system down the tunnel chain. During the ninety-three minute head start afforded it by West’s disobedience, Bayless had closed to within 9.2lm (light-minutes) of the Elara tunnel point and escape.

The bastard gave them quite a lead, Brewer swore as he appraised the situation.

Heskan bristled by the command chair. Would it hurt him to show a little respect for the dead? Lieutenant Carroll, can we intercept them in time?

Derringer’s navigator quickly calculated the answer. We’re much faster, sir, but it will be close. We’ll probably catch them right near the tunnel point.

We’ll be in missile range much sooner than that, Brewer stated.

Heskan turned to face Brewer, who had seated himself in Heskan’s first officer chair. I won’t kill them if they agree to return to the orbital, Mr. Secretary. There’s been enough death for one day.

Brewer pointed at Bayless on the tactical plot and said, Those people have already shown their unreliability to the Republic. They may need to be removed.

Heskan shook his head forcefully. With all due respect, the orders said to prevent their escape from this system and that’s what I’m going to do and nothing more.

Brewer glared darkly at Heskan. Your orders may change, Lieutenant. We will do our duty to Bree. The stakes are too high for the Republic for anything less than a total conclusion to this event. Orders, like fortune, may change… Captain.

The look sent chills down Heskan’s spine as he reminded himself that Brewer was one of just three assistant secretaries, second only to the Minister of Intelligence herself. The man would barely have to twitch a finger to send my career into a tailspin. He could even have me drummed out of the Navy in a heartbeat. Besides, Garrett, we’re doing the right thing; we’re protecting the Republic. He gave the man an enigmatic nod, hoping the vague gesture would be enough for now. Navigation, move Derringer onto an intercept course for Bayless, maximum speed.

Aye, sir, Carroll responded.

* * *

One hour into her pursuit, Derringer was racing at .24c. Her chief engineer, Lieutenant Joanne Colt, had promised Heskan the standard frigate could maintain the incredible speed for at least another hour, far longer than would be necessary to catch up to Bayless. In the past sixty minutes, Derringer had closed the distance to the science vessel to just over 5lm. The outcome of the hunt had truly never been in doubt once Derringer had accelerated to nearly twice the science vessel’s speed.

Twelve more light-seconds until we enter missile range, Captain, Dunn announced.

During the entire chase, Heskan had stood either by the captain’s chair or next to the seated secretary, holding hushed conferences. As they closed on the vessel, Heskan’s repeated comm messages ordering Bayless to heave to had gone without reply. The lack of response was eerie. Are they already dead? Heskan wondered. He was vaguely aware that some of the deadliest strains of viruses could render a person unconscious in hours.

Putting the thoughts aside, he walked across the bridge and sat at the weapons station. Heskan’s practiced hands glided over the panel as he entered the console into SSM-mode and trained his targeting sensors toward Bayless while simultaneously linking the director computer to missile stations MS-One and MS-Three. Derringer had been at battle stations for the last twenty minutes and the missileers at those stations were waiting for their target. Heskan had discussed his plan of last resort with his bridge officers and the weapons crew of those two stations to ensure everyone understood the sequence of events that would play out if firing upon the Bayless became necessary. Secretly, Heskan had used the discussion to confirm that his crew would follow him. He could not shake a nagging feeling that his control over Derringer was tenuous despite having the legal authority for his actions. With his sickened feelings over West’s and Erickson’s deaths, his precarious position atop the ship’s command structure and the nerve-wracking presence of Secretary Brewer, the ethical question of firing on the Brevic civilians had receded from his view.

Heskan’s console achieved a solid lock on the schooner-sized science vessel and his missileers reported ready for launch. Both ports would launch twice. Heskan reasoned that the quartet of missiles would easily destroy an unarmed vessel the size of Bayless. His eyes glanced to the range indicator on his panel. Thirty seconds and the nightmare will be over.

His weapons station went dead.

Heskan raised his hands from the controls briefly in surprise as he stared blankly at the panel. He then tapped several commands into the console without effect. Joyce, is your panel working? he questioned the operations section head.

Yes, sir, she answered in a confused voice.

What the hell? Heskan unsuccessfully attempted to reboot the console. Finally, he pounded his fists on the panel once in frustration and stood. Get mine fixed, Lieutenant Howell! he snapped angrily at her.

I—I don’t understand, sir, Howell answered from her operations station. Power to the WEPS station has been interrupted at its source.

Heskan’s eyes darted to Engineering’s representative on Derringer’s bridge. The young ensign turned in his chair and nervously cleared his throat. Sir, it is my duty to inform you that your actions to assume command are contradicted by the Republic’s constitution and are illegal. Lieutenant Colt and Engineering will not be part of this mutiny.

Heskan moved toward the ensign, intending to slap the man, but stopped when he reached the captain’s chair. Seeing it still had power, he stabbed at the comm controls. Petty Officers Clark and Gibson, assume local control over your missile ports. You have your target, I order you to launch when within range.

The answer came back quickly. Sir, we’ve lost power to the missile launchers. We’ve been trying to contact you but it looks like your station is disconnected too. Aux Con and the CIC aren’t responding either.

Heskan killed the channel and opened a comm request to Engineering when the chair arm console went dark. Nell, One-MC at your station, now, he growled.

You’re on, Captain.

Heskan waited a beat to try to compose himself. Dammit, Joanne, restore the power now or… He trailed off. The nasty tone of his voice surprised even him as it carried through the entire ship.

A voice quickly responded over the ship’s public address. Or what, Garrett? You’ll kill me like you killed the captain?

Heskan recoiled. Oh God, it’s out now. I didn’t kill the captain, Joanne, Heskan replied. Technically true, he rationalized even as his head shook in self-disgust.

The chief engineer’s voice taunted him from every speaker on the ship. Then put him on, Garrett. Let’s see what he has to say about your mutiny. Heskan could only stare at where West’s body had once lain.

Lieutenant Dunn broke the standoff from her SENS station. Derringer is within missile range now, sir.

Heskan glanced toward the sensor officer and asked, How long until Bayless reaches the tunnel point?

A little over sixteen minutes.

It will take nearly ten minutes for my missiles to close the five light-minute gap which gives me about six minutes to solve this, Heskan thought.

Colt’s mocking tone rang through the bridge. I can’t hear him, Garrett. Can you tell the captain to speak up?

Heskan looked at Knight as he walked to the sensor station. Sid, I want you to assemble a team to regain control of Engineering while I go down there and try to talk some sense into Joanne.

Knight nodded as Secretary Brewer gestured for the marine to use his comm console.

Heskan pushed the 1-MC controls. Joanne, I’m coming down to talk. I don’t like this situation any more than you but we’ve got to resolve this. He closed the channel and started for the bridge door but stopped as Brewer’s hand reached out to grab Heskan by the arm.

Captain Heskan, you have the full authority of the Republic to use any means necessary to regain control of your ship. Bayless cannot be allowed to dive into Elara. The threat must be contained here. A hint of apprehension in Brewer’s eyes was the only contrast to his foreboding demeanor.

Heskan gratefully left Brewer, and the bridge, behind. As he walked the corridor to the deck’s central elevator that would take him to Engineering, he felt the oppressive atmosphere lift from his shoulders. I really shouldn’t have left the bridge but it sure is nice to get away from that man. Oh, Joanne, why are you making this so difficult?

Heskan mentally rehearsed what he would say to Lieutenant Colt as he made his way toward the stern of the ship. He was still confident in resolving the misunderstanding between him and the engineering officer despite her obstinance. Joanne Colt was normally an easy-going and pleasant person. Her harsh, biting words over the 1-MC had been a rude shock as Heskan considered her. Even during our most heated arguments, she’s always been reasonable. Yeah, she can be passionate but this abject defiance isn’t like her at all, Heskan thought. Is there some kind of lingering resentment stemming from when we had to break it off after I became the first officer? Heskan shook his head reflecting on their relationship. It seemed unlikely. We both knew that was necessary. But if not that, what has changed her so much that she’s completely set against me? Joanne is the person I thought would support me the most.

A squad of eight marines led by Staff Sergeant Ferguson greeted Heskan. Behind them, the portal to Engineering was sealed. Heskan noted the team was geared for an assault, including a forced entry kit carried by Corporal Timmel. The staff sergeant nodded grimly to Heskan and said, Sir, we’ll be ready as soon as Timmel has the F-E-K on the door. I recommend you stay in the passageway until we give the all clear.

Heskan held his hand up. Hold on, Sergeant. Let me try to talk to her first. I’m sure we can do this without destroying the door and hallway behind it. Heskan walked to a wall panel near the passageway intersection and pressed the comm button. Engineering, this is Heskan. I need to speak with Lieutenant Colt.

"I’m standing right on the other side of the door, Garrett, but what’s left to talk about? You killed Captain West. Do you even understand that or have you gone completely insane?"

Heskan fought a wave of guilt as he replayed the moments of his mentor’s death. I didn’t want that to happen, Joanne. You know what he meant to me. More than anyone, you know. But dammit, we can’t just pick and choose the orders we’re willing to follow.

"We have to pick and choose the orders we follow, she implored. Otherwise, we’re just the strong arm of a dictatorship."

They’re legal orders, Joanne. Ask the Assistant Secretary.

There’s more to legality than just being told what to do by a higher authority. Colt’s voice faded but the disappointment and regret in it came through loud and clear. I thought you understood that.

Heskan’s datapad chirped and Brewer’s voice sounded through the tiny speaker. Captain Heskan, do I need to remind you that you’re running out of time.

Heskan pressed the wall comm controls again. His voice trembled at the sobering words as he all but pleaded, "Joanne, I have the marines out here and they’re ready to breach the door. You can’t win this. Get away from the