Taedarian Nights. Troubling Dawn.

8 months. 8 months crammed into a tin can with dozens of other men who hate it as much as I do. Men who sometimes wish they took prison time instead of deep salvage detail.

Out here, the vastness of space runs endless. Supplies always run low and patience even thinner. Countless "altercations" have occurred in our glorified community service and I've lost count of the accidents during salvage operations in the void.

Almost home...

This is Sergeant Siorm, end report.

As the sgt lied back on his cot, the hum of the engines vibrated the rickety interior walls of his quarters. A constant metallic shaking noise, met with an occasional heavy thunk when the ship's drives hit PI (Particle Interference). The constant sound was enough to drive any man crazy, but when you work 20 hour shifts, 7 days per week, sometimes your body is too tired to care. Just a semi-soft spot for your head and a plank to lie on is all a man needs when he is this tired.

Siorm worked security detail on the deep salvage ship, Bel'Kima, and was on his last tour before returning home for a permanent planet side assignment. Generally, the only crews the fleet could get to work these rough operations are criminals who favor space travel over a prison cell. They only become regretful after the intense punishment they are put through to ensure the precious metals being mined, or stripped, are preserved for the corporations that own the fleet.

Safety measures are sub par at best as more investment is spent on securing the valuable cargo than the quarters of the men who serve on the ship. But there are those who still believe the hard work teaches them a valuable lesson in respecting in what you don't have and living with what you do.

Com: "Sgt Siorm"

Siorm: "Mmmm... whaaa." half asleep

Com: "Sergeant, report on deck with the rest of the team. That is all."

Siorm turned and growled at his communication device. As he got off his cot, he muttered obscenities under his breath.

Siorm was in "drag-ass" mode as he liked to call it. Casually reporting to the deck, he adjusted his vest and insignia proper as he stood in the formation line. The rest of the enlisted men were already there and all the senior officers even. Oldies never mixed with the babies before, this must be important.

Captain Kelwar: "Thank you all for coming on short notice. I'll relay the intel given to me and keep it just as vague."

Kelwar had served in the Nesono Fleet for 10 plus years. A former drill instructor in the Trinadgey Alliance, Kelwar was one of the many decomissioned officers when the council voted to draw down its military forces throughout Rilold.

Nesono was one of the biggest corporations in the Rilold system and operated outposts even on the border of the once volatile system of Pvetraus. Driven by profits and run by high powered government officials, they always gained contract work before any other company who offered better safety to their workers, but less pay to their senior staff.

Even in another galaxy, dollars, yen, pounds... whatever you want to call it. Wealth. Remember the Golden Rule?

Kelwar tapped some keys and changed the HUD (Heads up Display) to broadcast a spaceport image.

Kelwar: "Operations have given us orders to dock at the nearest spaceport, here" Kelwar pointed.

"We are to cease salvage operations immediately and transmit our cargo inventory to them at once."

Kelwar changed the screen to a large star, just outside Pvetraus, along the 3rd quadrant border of Rilold. The station shown in the previous image was a small dot compared to this infernal giant.

"Taedars Six, men. 3rd quadrant."

The room went from a silence to a quiet talk between some of the men.

Kelwar: "Wrap it up!" The room hushed.

"We also have been instructed to not let the crew of Taedars inspect the cargo, therefore, we are to remain on the ship until a relief team arrives and clears us."

One of the senior officers raised his hand.

Kelwar: "Lt. Onyer, yes?"

Lt. Onyer was fairly new to Bel'Kima and was still in the "always ask questions phase".

Onyer: "Captain, a relief team? We're in no man's land. That could take weeks!"

Kelwar: "Lt, from what I've been told a team will be docking not long after we arrive. We'll have them clear the cargo and..."

Onyer: "And Taedars Six?!" The Lt interrupted loudly "That's in the 3rd quadrant! Why there?"

Kelwar was known as a patient man, however, he was also known to speak his mind as he became agitated.

Kelwar: "Lt, as I was saying, they will clear the cargo and you will be back home before your mother misses you too much."

The crew laughed.

Kelwar: "So listen up, men. Docking in 4 hours. Ensure your lock down checks are in order and weapons stowed, same procedure as normal. Lets gets this over with and get out of there."

The crew settled a bit and nodded.

Kelwar: "Dismissed"

As the crew gathered themselves to exit, Siorm stayed behind, watching the captain engaging conversation with Rayan Ahini, a civilian consultant that was picked up three stations ago under orders to observe the salvage operations of their last point.

Ahini has been kept under lock and key in another part of the ship, away from the enlisted men and far away from the workers. Siorm knew any consultant had to be a company man sent to protect the investment of the salvage. But it was rare in this case, as the only operations since his arrival have been of a few deserted, run down cargo ships and fragments of an old destroyer.

Ahini almost seemed to be directing the captain on his objectives and Siorm watched as Kelwar bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Wait a minute. This is a civilian. What authority does he have here? What is going on? Siorm thought to himself.

As Siorm patrolled his sector and initiated the lock down sequence of the workers, he couldn't help but replay the conversation taking place with the captain.

Sure, Siorm had been on many salvage ops and he's found out the hard way on many occassions just how much impact politics have on your career advancement.

Siorm smiled and shook his head quietly thinking to himself, "But she was totally worth it".

Often times, consultants would board the ships just to go over protocol and delivery. Something about docking at an Alliance controlled spaceport, however, and expecting a relief team to be allowed to board the ship without inspecting the cargo first was a direct violation of Alliance order.

Under the Amnesty treaty between the corporations and Trinadgey, all vessels may dock at either side's station and claim amnesty. Once this is done, no one may leave or enter the ship. The contents would then be kept secret and the ship allowed to rest for two days before needing to depart. Although both sides deny the technology exists or is researched, they have equally accused one another of deploying scanners to penetrate the hulls and peek at the goods anyway.

Siorm checked the time. 35 minutes until dock.

Plenty, he thought. He made his way to the bridge.

The flight crew was busy making their calculations for docking as Kelwar stood at the helm, arms crossed and a stern look on his face.

Siorm: "Captain?"

Kelwar: "Yes, sgt?"

Siorm: "Captain, may I have a quick moment?" He spoke as he nodded his head to the side.

Kelwar: "Continue docking preparations." As the captain instructed the crew.

Kelwar and Siorm walked to a corner of the bridge. Ahini was on the bridge, watching the crew and the HUD as the station came into range.

Siorm: "Captain, what are we doing?"

Kelwar: "I know it sounds off, sgt, but we have our orders here."

Siorm: "Sir, Taedarian Stations are Alliance controlled. No way is a relief team going to board this ship under the treaty."

Kelwar: "I have explained that to Ahini, sgt, and he assures me the politics behind this are more than enough to complete this mission."

Siorm: "Sir, you have to..."

Kelwar: "Son, I don't have to do anything. You know as well as I do we only get paid to deliver the goods, nothing more. We don't get involved in the politics of the mission, only the completion with pay."

Siorm: "So this mission is now controlled by him?" Points to Ahini

Kelwar: "No, this mission is run by the men who pay the bills, and he is their right hand man, so I respect that."

Siorm glared at Ahini.

Siorm; "I don't like this, sir"

Kelwar: "Neither do I, sgt, but you need to pull it together and respect the chain of command. Understood?"

Siorm: "Yes, sir."

Kelwar: "Good. Now if you'll excuse me, we have a ship to dock."

Kelwar rejoined the crew at the helm as they finished their docking coordinates.

Siorm left the bridge and walked back to his quarters. Along the way, two men were arguing outside a storage bay and were getting louder as the sgt approached.

Siorm: "What's going on?! Stand down, men!"

Crew Member 1: "Ahh, whatever, man. I'm out."

Crew Member 2: "Sorry, sir. Just having a disagreement" He spoke as he turned to walk the other direction.

Siorm: "Hold up, there... What was that all about?"

Crew Member 2: "That ship in there, sir. The Cruiv..." He pauses

"Sir, that ship's call sign sounded familiar so I did some checking and learned it was the ship reported missing two months ago in this sector"

Siorm continued to hold the crew member's arm.

Siorm: "And? What's your point?"

Crew Member 2: "Sir, the guy who was just in here, Detec, his wife was on that ship when it went missing. He wouldn't believe me when I told him."

Siorm let go of his arm.

Siorm: "We only strip the useable materials, which there was hardly much left as if others had been there before. I don't see how that proves anything. The ship went missing, and if it was proven to be the one his wife was on, I'm sure an investigation will be conducted as to what happened."

Crew Member 2: "You don't get it do you, sir? We may not have recovered much of the ship, however, we did recover the flight recorder and that suit came in here with two armed men to retrieve it. Something on that recorder they don't want us knowing.

"Can I go now?"

Siorm nodded his head and turned to the storage doors. Each storage deck in the ship had two sets of doors. The main doors the team can pass through and a staging area that is prepped before the second set opens and the first closes behind them.

He opened the doors and stepped through only to notice two heavily armed men standing guard at the second set.

As Siorm approached both men lowered their high powered rifles.

Guard 1: "Sir, you can't be in here. You need to leave, now."

Siorm: "I don't think so, crewman, please step aside."

Guard 1: "Maybe you are not understanding me, sir. I'm not a crewman under your command, so I ask one more time, step back."

The rifle clicked and the ammunition pack began to hum. The guard appeared seriously intent on using lethal force.

Siorm put his hands in the air.

Siorm: "Ok, I'm leaving. But before I do, can you tell me under who's order this operation is?"

Guard 1: " Nesono, sir. Good day." He spoke as he motioned with his rifle.

Nesono... Those greedy bastards had something planned for this cargo to dock at an Alliance controlled station. No matter, Siorm thought to himself. Once we dock and the amnesty rule comes into play, security would alert Central Command if anyone attempted to board.

The Bel'Kima would be a target and if it did not follow instruction, per the treaty, it could have deadly consequence not just for the ship but also the crew.

Siorm had seen this game before. He had played the political sides of both parties to gain an advantage in his own career. He also knew when to keep his mouth shut and wait it out.

As the crew began its final sweep of the ship, Taedars Six came into view as Siorm waited in the observation deck. Although he was still not home, any man who works deep salvage will tell you the simple sight of another ship, a station or just another person outside of your crew was a welcome one.

As Taedars came into clearer view, something was not right...

As one of the largest stations in Rilold, fleet traffic was common from deep salvage vessels. Rarely, due to the distance and borders, would other ships even come out this far. On this day, Siorm noticed 2 ships he had not seen in a very long time. They were official Nesono fleet, typically used for transporting high end officials.

A voice echoed across the intercom system "Docking procedures initiated. Power down in 5".

Within moments, the Bel'Kima docked alongside Taedars Six and the engines began to power down to idle.

"Siorm, this is Kelwar. Report to main dock 1."

Siorm gathered his jacket and headed to the dock. Upon entering the hall, the Bel'Kima powered down to life support only.

Not wanting to take any chances, Siorm quickly entered his quarters and retrieved a lockbox. Inside was a pistol and two ammo clips. Concealing the weapon and clips on his person, he stashed the box and hurried to the dock.

Normally while docked, no weapons are allowed outside storage due to the prisoner workforce. Siorm was questioning all the rules at this point and believed strongly that not even the captain was playing by them.

As the dock doors opened, Kelwar and Ahini stood before him with several heavily armed men.

Siorm cautiously walked in.

Siorm - "Captain?"

Kelwar - "Siorm, good to see you."

Siorm - "Captain, what's going on here?"

Kelwar - "These men are here to ensure Nesono's property is handled accordingly."

Siorm - "I can see they..."

Ahini - "Sgt, thank you for coming. Let's get down to business here."

Siorm - "Look, Ahini. I know who you are and who you work for. You cannot just walk onto an Alliance controlled station with weapons!"

Ahini took a step forward - "Then you know not to question my order, sgt. This operation is under Nesono and you work for me. Understood?"

Siorm thought about his pistol, however, the 6 armored men put the odds slightly off from his favor...

Siorm - "Yeah, understood. So what's going on?"

Ahini - "Good boy. We are to meet up with the relief team on Bay 4 and take with us the containers over there." Ahini pointed to the 3 large containers near the doors.

Ahini - "I suggest you get some of your men to help you move them, as they are heavy."

Siorm - "Ahini, as soon as you open those doors, Taedars' security will be down on you quickly. Are you trying to start a small war?"

Ahini laughed - "You don't get it do you?"

Kelwar looked down and shook his head.

Siorm looked around puzzled - "Get what?"

Ahini - "Nesono controls Taedars Six, sgt. We are not worried about any hostility when we open these doors."

Siorm - "Nesono controls Taedars?! Since when?!"

Ahini - "Much has happened in the 8 months on salvage, sgt, but I can assure you, its for the best. Now, you can either continue wasting my time here, or, meet up with the relief team and collect your monies and get home. Your choice."

Siorm reluctantly nodded and began preparations on additional manpower for transporting the crates.

With the containers secured for transport and the armed men behind the workers, the bay doors opened and standing there were two additional soldiers.

Soldier 1 - "Sir, welcome to Taedars Six. We must hurry, power down will draw attention before too much longer."

Ahini - "Then get moving."

The two soldiers motioned for the wokers to follow them at a quickened pace.

The men approached Bay 4, 2 of the 5 workers did one final check of the containers.

Siorm noticed Ahini give a slight nod to whom he assumed was captain of the guard. The captain acknowledged and gunfire bursts erupted into the workers. Within moments, all 5 worker's bodies were shredded from the high powered blasts and Siorm and Kelwar were grabbed from behind and restrained.

Kelwar - "Ahini! What the hell are you doing?!" Kelwar's voice yelled loudly

Ahini turned to the captain of the guard - "Captain, take these two to holding and have your men finish the transport."

Guard Captain - "Yes, sir."

Kelwar and Siorm were struggling and yelling at the sight of the dead workers. Shock and fear came over both men as the soldiers escorted them away from the docking bay.

As they approached a holding area, Kelwar ducked quickly and kicked upwards at a guard's weapon, knocking it loose and into the direction of Siorm.

Kelwar was struck from behind from another guard and as he fell, Siorm dropped low to grab the rifle. His hands behind his back, he gripped the rifle and fired several shots into the guard that struck Kelwar.

Kelwar kicked hard into the knee of another guard and the sound of the break was intense. Screaming in pain, the guard fell over as Kelwar swung his hands under his legs, brining them to the front and lunging at the injured guard.

Siorm attempted to fire at the last standing guard but was kicked over and the weapon knocked free. As Siorm's attacker began to strike him in the chest, Siorm rolled away into an adjacent wall.

Noticing Kelwar choking the life out of the injured guard, Siorm's attacker changed targets and ran to Kelwar from behind and struck him with the butt of the rifle. Kelwar collapsed onto the floor as the guard hit him again in the spine.

Siorm quickly swung his hands forward and reached for his pistol.

As the injured guard limped upwards, he pushed aside the other. Raising his rifle at the back of a seriously injured Kelwar.

Two shots rang out.

To be continued...