UnderSilver

Chapter 1

Exchange

The gym was loud and raucous, the way she liked it whenever she was in competition. The crowd’s yells of encouragement, even their jeers, gave her strength. They were fuel to her muscles and put heat in her blood.

Rhone tossed her head, sending sweat flying. They’d been at this for nearly three solid minutes, and that was two minutes too long, in her opinion. She grinned at her opponent and kept her eyes locked on his. Rellis had a bad habit of shifting his gaze in the direction where he intended to make his next move, and she planned to take full advantage of that weakness.

His eyes dropped to her right hip. Suddenly, Rellis feinted and tried to dive for her thighs. Rhone leaped upward, somersaulted backwards, and landed on her feet on the floor mat. With a hard kick to the crouched man’s shoulder, she knocked him away. Rellis waved his arms, trying to keep his balance, but failed. He fell onto his butt, bouncing once with a loud grunt.

The referee blew his whistle. Score, Derth! Game over! The win goes to Derth!

Cheers went up. Several spectators moved in to clap Rhone on the back to congratulate her. She smiled as she thanked them and accepted the towel someone handed her to wipe her face. She turned to head into the locker room, when someone called out to her.

This isn’t over, Commander! I demand a rematch!

Laughing, she pivoted around. "I’m game, Ensign! Just choose a date and time! Next time, I’ll beat your butt instead of bouncing it!"

Rellis laughed in response and gave her a mock salute. In other circumstances, the gesture could be taken as disrespectful. But they were off-duty, and regs allowed them leniency at those times.

Striding into the locker room, Rhone went straight to the showers. Drawing her tank top over her head, she was unprepared when a figure stepped out from around the corner. She came to an abrupt stop upon seeing him.

Damn it, Johannsson! You better have an iron-clad reason for being in here! She glanced around. No one else was in sight, making her wonder if the man had ordered the place cleared before he entered it. Neither did she miss the lieutenant’s careful scrutiny of her bared breasts, and made sure he caught her glower when his eyes returned to her face.

The Admiral sent me to tell you he requests your attendance upstairs. As soon as possible, Commander the man added with a faint smile on his face.

Rhone grimaced. Tell him I’ll be there in ten. I have to shower first.

It may not be wise to keep him waiting, Johannsson remarked. The man was getting too much pleasure out of this encounter. It was clear he wanted to see her squirm as his gaze rove down her nearly naked body. Rhone figured it was time to put him in his place and remind him of who she was.

"In case you didn’t hear me the first time, I said that’ll be all, Lieutenant. You’re dismissed." Rather than wait to catch his reaction, she slipped into the nearest cleansing stall and turned on the water. The next time she opened the shower door and peered out, the man was gone.

Rhone sighed. Regardless of the fact that the man’s attitude toward her was irritating and bordered on rudeness, Johannsson was right on one count. She didn’t need to keep the boss waiting. Not when the admiral had sent someone to semi-officially escort her to the bridge.

She kept her shower brief, foregoing washing her hair although it was sweat-soaked. Instead, she rinsed it out and tied it into a knot at the back of her neck before getting dressed. Since this was her day off, and because time was short, she chose to keep her running sweats on rather than go back to her cabin to change into her uniform.

Admiral Derth was in discussion with another crew member when she arrived on the bridge. Patiently, she waited for him to finish his conversation before clearing her throat. Derth turned and raised an eyebrow in her direction. Immediately, she knew she wasn’t in any trouble. Otherwise, he would have given her his patented scowl. The Derth Death Mask, as she’d heard some of the seamen call it. She saluted him, which he waved off.

Sorry to pull you away from your day off, Commander, but I needed to bring something to your attention. He motioned for her to join him and Captain Stasny over by the communications grid. Rhone gave the captain an inquisitive glance, which he answered with a grin.

At ease, Rhone.

What’s up, Walt?

We have a visitor heading our way, the admiral answered instead.

He had her instant attention. Oh?

"Lieutenant Jace Novick is due to arrive from UnderPlatinum in less than three hours. I want you to be his welcoming committee when he docks."

"From Platinum, sir? Why, if I may ask?"

Stasny took over. He’s bringing over a new subsonic wave responder that their scientists have been working on.

Rhone paused to chew over this bit of information. Stasny saw her hesitation.

"Let me guess. You’re wondering why Platinum is willing to share this new technology with us, am I right?"

That’s part of it. I’m also wondering why you’re having me meet the man instead of one of the scientists.

As for the share, it’s part of a swap the governor has arbitrated with the ship.

Rhone gave him a quizzical stare.

Is there something I missed? Stasny inquired with an amused grin.

Aye, sir. The other shoe.

What other shoe?

"Quid pro quo. We get to share Platinum’s little toy. What are we giving in return?"

Ah. Well, that’s where you come in, Rhone, the admiral answered. She turned to listen. Those new shields you have circumventing the ship? They want to know more about them. Especially on how you devised a way to divert a sea dragon when nothing else we’ve invented has managed to slow them down, much less stop them.

Rhone blinked in confusion. You want me to give this guy all my research on the wrap shields?

Stasny crossed his arms over his chest and leaned in closer to her. You know the politics involved with this job, as well as anyone. Those wrap shields are a thing of beauty, and an ingenious solution to several problems. We were stunned when you presented them to us last year because, for all their simplicity, we could not believe such a defensive measure had not been developed before then. How else do you think you got your gold cluster?

She glanced from the captain, to the chief admiral, and back. They knew she was aware of the fact that those wrap shields had been instrumental in getting her boost in rank in Security.

The admiral continued as she tried to find something to say. "Platinum’s been besieged of late with sea dragons and slugs. The slugs especially are getting into their ponics tanks and eating their vegetation. The ship put out an SOS for help with their problem, and said they’d come into some new warning equipment they were willing to barter in exchange."

"So Governor Marsh decided to hand over my−our shield to them in exchange for what? Some newfangled subsonic wave gizmo?"

Sorry, Rhone, but those are our orders, the admiral apologized.

Stasny gave her a wan smile. Quid pro quo, Commander. Quid pro quo.

Chapter 2

Arrival

Rhone stood on the docking platform and watched as the distinctive Platinum skiff made its way to the first open slip. As it slowed and turned, she allowed herself to admire the craft’s sleek lines.

Its interior is probably more luxurious than our first class crafts, she silently commented to herself. Envy briefly swept over her, but she quickly brushed it away. She mustn’t allow the officer to see the green tinge of jealousy clouding her face, or be aware of her wish to board the skiff to check out all its accommodations.

The skiff nudged the side of the dock, allowing the platform to lock onto it. The hydraulic lift raised the boat above the water line, until the craft was even with the pier. Not long after, a single figure emerged from the boat and climbed up the short ladder to the upper deck. Rhone’s eyes locked on the small black satchel he wore, the strap drawn diagonally across his upper body. The officer moved sluggishly as he regained his land legs. She pressed her lips together to hide her smile. She’d probably be just as wobbly, too, after nine hours on the open waters.

Hello!

As the man drew nearer, she could tell he was younger than she’d expected. Mid- to late-twenties, with a head of thick brown hair in a non-regulation cut. She blinked in surprise. And no uniform. The man wasn’t wearing a uniform. At least, not any kind of uniform she was familiar with. The pale blue shirt fit tight across his chest, the top two buttons undone. The navy blue pants were just as form fitting. But she couldn’t see any insignia. No stripes or stars, epaulettes or bars. He wore no cap. There was nothing about him that would indicate he was part of the military. In fact, he looked like one of the populace. A civilian.

He kept his head down as he watched his footing. It wasn’t until he reached the landing that he finally looked up and glanced around, spotting her. A big grin creased his face, and Rhone felt her heart do a backflip. The feeling she got as she stared at his face shocked and surprised her.

Not good, Rhone. Hold on and back off.

The man’s eyes dropped to the silver oak leaf on her chest, next to her nametag. The silver momentarily threw him, but the oak leaf didn’t. She reminded herself that the crew on each ship had incorporated its name into their emblems. Where his bars, if he had any, would be made of platinum, to represent his home vessel, the officers on UnderSilver sported silver insignia. The man stopped dead in his tracks, eyes widening, then snapped to attention and saluted.

Lieutenant Commander Derth? Lieutenant Jace Novick reporting in.

She accepted his salute with a wave of her hand. How was your trip, Lieutenant? Uneventful, I hope.

Fortunately, yes. Of course, the chances of a tark or sea dragon accosting you are slim to none, since a skiff is small enough to fly under their radar. Plus we can outrun those suckers, even if they did manage to hone in. He paused, his eyes giving her the once-over. So, Derth, eh? Any relation to Rhone Derth, creator of the wrap shields?

That would be me. I’m Rhone Derth.

He gave a little laugh. You’re not as old as I thought you’d be.

The comment, for some reason, didn’t sit well with her. The man was too sure of himself, and way too lax in military standards. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

I also have an IQ of one eighty-two, and an attitude to match, Lieutenant. So don’t underestimate me. Do I make myself clear?

The man reacted as if she’d stomped on his favorite toy. She watched as his face hardened and his brown eyes darkened. Quite clear, Commander.

Good. Follow me. The admiral is waiting. She turned and started down the platform, toward the main body of the ship. She didn’t need to look behind her to know the man was scoping her out. Probably making the decision whether or not to like her, too. It didn’t matter. She’d been ordered to work with the man, not become best buddies.

He hustled to catch up with her, locking into step as they entered the ship. Immediately, he gazed in awe at the interior.

Wow. This is nice. Nicer than I thought.

You’re not making points with me here, Lieutenant, she icily replied.

Sorry. Look. A hand touched her arm. She halted and glanced back at him. "It seems we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, and I apologize. Obviously things are run here differently than they are on Platinum."

Obviously.

He sighed. Let’s start over, okay? He stuck out a hand. Jace Novick. Please call me Jace.

She accepted his hand and shook it. Lieutenant Commander Rhone Derth. You can call me Commander.

Before she could grasp his expression, Rhone turned on her heel and kept going.

After another half-dozen steps, he caught up with her. This time his voice was all business.

If and when you get the chance, Commander, I’d like to discuss with you how you came up with the idea for the wrap shields. Here, all these years, we’ve been shooting at them to defend ourselves. Then you come up with a way to use their own sonar against them. Have those waves bounce off the shield’s surface so that they think they’re facing one of their own so that they turn away to avoid conflict. It was brilliant.

She halted in the middle of the corridor. Lieutenant, remember what I said earlier about not underestimating me?

Yes, sir.

Don’t patronize me either. She continued walking, deliberately keeping her strides long. By the way, how is it you’re the person tapped to bring this new subsonic wave responder over to us? she countered.

The responder was my idea. I helped develop it.

She mentally made a face. Okay, she had to give the guy credit for having some brains.

Jace continued to observe the ship as they continued down the hall. You know, when I was in school, I was taught the history of how these ships came about. But being told about them isn’t the same as actually seeing them in person. I feel sorry for people who never leave their ships to see the other vessels. To actually note their differences and similarities. To view how beautiful and efficient each one is.

They reached the elevators. Rhone hit the up button, then faced him. You’re right. It’s a shame the colonies can’t intermingle and see what every ship has to offer. They’re pretty much stuck with wherever the luck of the draw placed them. But you know something, Lieutenant? Those people ought to be damn glad they even got a spot on one. Instead of bitching about how it isn’t fair they’re not on such-and-such ship, they should fall on their knees and thank God their number got drawn so they could leave Old Earth before she exploded. Granted, New Earth may not be an ideal planet to many, but it has a breathable atmosphere, it has more than enough water, and it has sustainable life forms to provide us with food.

The door dinged as it opened, and they stepped inside. Rhone hit the button labeled Bridge before continuing her lecture. We’ve been on this world for how many generations now? There isn’t a single original voyager left alive, and hasn’t been for decades. All we have to remind us of how wonderful Old Earth was is through our vids and books. She made a little disparaging noise. Who’s to say in another hundred years or so, that even those will be deemed falsehoods and fairy tales?

She didn’t miss the sad expression he gave her.

"I’m sorry that you have such a negative outlook on life on this world. But I do agree with you on one aspect. The people who are griping about how they wished they’d been put on UnderPlatinum instead of Wood or Bronze or Iron should be grateful they’re even alive to bitch." He started to say more, when the door opened.

The admiral was standing at the navigation console and staring out through the windows when they exited. Rhone stood at attention to wait for him to acknowledge their presence. After another minute, the man commented to the ensign manning the sonars, then turned to greet them. Rhone snapped off a salute, which was returned. A sideways glance at Jace showed him following her lead.

Lieutenant Jace Novick, Admiral. Permission to come aboard.

The admiral chuckled. "Permission granted. Welcome to UnderSilver, Lieutenant. How was your trip?"

Uneventful, although there were times I wished for something a little more exciting would happen to break up the monotony, sir.

The admiral nodded and held out a hand toward the satchel Jace carried. Is that the responder?

Aye, sir. Slipping off the bag, he laid it on a nearby charting table and opened it to pull out a black rectangular box. Pressing some hidden button, Rhone watched as the object projected a 3D screen above it. Within the bluish field, smaller green screens appeared.

The admiral held up a hand. Before you go any further, let me call in Captain Stasny. He’s my head of security. Rhone, will you send out the invite, please?

She nodded and hastened over