Operation Orion - Kevin Dockery [35]
LaRue turned the prisoner over to the chief of the boat, Swanson, who in turn designated two sailors to escort the Eluoi to the small brig nestled between the engines on K Deck.
Ruiz, Baxter, and Mirowski came last, hauling the long rectangular case of the shield driver between them. They detoured down to J Deck, where the device would be studied and stored for the duration of the voyage.
“Get that thing secured and then strap yourselves in,” Sanders ordered. “Come up to SEALS country once we’re under way.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” the master chief replied, as he and the electrician’s mate gingerly propelled the long, awkward shape through the transport hatch toward the stern.
The rest of the Team moved smoothly in the other direction, a maneuver they had practiced many times, until they had filed up to H Deck, the large compartment that was SEALS country. One after the other the men shifted position until the formerly spacious hold was crowded with men and equipment.
The executive officer of the Pegasus, Lieutenant Commander Pat Seghers, greeted the Team and Consul Char-Kane as they snapped open their helmets and started to drop their gear, each piece of which drifted around the compartment until it was snapped, belted, or strapped down.
“We’re getting under way immediately,” the XO said. Seghers was a gray-haired veteran of the “wet” navy but had really found his home in the spacefaring fleet. He was best known for playing his harmonica in the officers’ wardroom, occasionally piping the music through the ship’s intercom for the amusement and edification of the crew. “The captain would like you all to prepare for one G; he’s waiting for me to give him the word to go.”
“Chief? Master Chief?” Jackson asked Harris and Ruiz. “How long will that take?”
“Make fast, SEALS!” Harris barked. “Sixty seconds until we move out!”
“What about my wounded?” the LT asked Seghers.
“They’re in the infirmary up on D Deck. I understand they didn’t want sedation, but Lieutenant Alderson pulled rank on them and made them take the shots. She put a splint on Keast’s leg and dressed the wounds. They’re resting comfortably now.”
“Good for her,” Jackson said approvingly. He knew that the frigate’s short, sturdy medical officer was a no-nonsense kind of woman. “I’ll check on them once we’re under way.”
The SEALS wasted no time fastening the rest of their gear, shrugging out of their suits, or simply settling into the seats while they still wore parts of their gear. They knew there would be time for more permanent stowing once the ship was moving and artificial gravity was restored.
Seghers, the two SEALS lieutenants, and Consul Char-Kane took the four seats nearest the transport hatch. The XO pushed the button on his communicator. “We’re all fastened in down here, sir,” he reported.
Almost immediately the Pegasus surged, her engines almost soundless but undeniably powerful as they pushed the frigate into steady acceleration. As soon as the jolt of sudden gravity passed and the captain ordered the all-clear klaxon, indicating that the inertial dampening system was functioning normally, the officers and the Shamani woman started for the CIC.
“Nice work,” Carstairs said, as they arrived. “Mister Dawson can’t wait to have a look at that piece of equipment. A shield that can protect a ship in space? That would be quite a find.”
“It’s still a prototype,” Char-Kane explained. “But our scientists seem to feel it has a lot of potential.” She hesitated. “It would have been disastrous if the pirates had held control of it. They could have sold it to any bidder, and I have no doubt that the Eluoi would have been exceptionally anxious to get their hands on it.”
“Well, now it’s a bargaining chip in our own corner. I’ll brief Admiral Ballard as soon as we link up with the rest of the fleet.”
“How far behind are we?” Jackson asked, wincing at the memory of the fire-breathing admiral.
“Better than twenty-four hours by the time we make the jump,” Carstairs