All That Glitters Ch. 32

Confrontation with the Kumaroe. An assassination attempt and rescue plans.

The Union confronts the Kumaroe directly. The Union prepares to rescue its lost citizens. An assassin attempts a kill.

© bigtddybr April 2021. This story 'All That Glitters - Ch 32' or the series 'All That Glitters' cannot be transferred to any other site besides Literotica.com in whole or in part without the prior authorizations in writing from the author and bigtddybr must be credited for this work.

Due to the number of abbreviations, ship listings, and list of characters, in this story, I include a glossary that is now in a stand-alone chapter called 'All That Glitters: Notes'. Any and all information that you want or need to know about the series is included in Notes. It will be updated frequently simply by re-issuing the chapter to Literotica.

There is little attempt to explain the back story, so it is necessary to read previous chapters to fully understand where we are.

As before, I claim sole responsibility for the story line. This story is a fantasy, with no basis in reality. Any similarity that you may perceive to current events, people, or situations real or imaginary is completely unintended. Look no further than the story line for its intent and purpose.

A big shout out to SaddleRider for all the help she has provided in editing. With her guidance, I'm making fewer and fewer errors, but she still finds them. If you find any errors still left in this chapter, they are mine.

Please rate and comment. But keep your comments respectful. If you rant and rave or are disrespectful in your commentary, it will be deleted.

'Nuff said...enjoy.

Andanii District Court, Aereet City, Andanii District, Planet Anuura, Caiden System, Fifty-Six Light Years from Terra

The Prosecution's trial of Wassim Andjuran was nearing its end after three weeks. It would soon be the time of the Defence.

However, Gakeemah Hasnawi, Andjuran's defence lawyer was in a panic. He could find no openings in the Prosecution's case. Even if he did, by some miracle, find a reasonable defence for Andjuran of the crimes he had committed on Anuura, he was already convicted of crimes on Terra that had resulted in the application of the death penalty. Andjuran would be returned to Terra, where he would automatically be subject to an appeal for the death sentence, an appeal that would likely fail.

Gakeemah was certain that Andjuran was guilty of all that he had been charged with, both here and on Terra. But the law said that he was entitled to a defence and Gakeemah had to find that defence. Maybe, just maybe, a plea bargain was the order of the day.

After all, Andjuran would receive the death penalty, on Terra. He would not escape justice...

Pallanders Orbital Shipyard, Liramor Prime, Liramor System, Thirty Light Years from Terra

Annette Liramor was standing on the bridge of one of two transport ships she had rented from Pallanders. The ships, SPV Trichord and SPV Allacia, could hold more than 700 passengers each in relative comfort. She would be using them for temporary housing until the Liramor-23 was up and running.

The ships could hold and feed all the miners they would need and could take on up to twenty large shuttles each. The downside was they had limited capacity in their EVA suit-up chambers. Pallanders was trying to figure out a temporary work-around for that issue.

Liramor Holdings had hired the ships for one year, just in case things went wrong at the construction site in the HD-1151532 (Punarjanm) system. The cost of hiring the ships was minimal compared to running them for the next year, but it was the best workaround that Liramor Holdings could pull out of its hat until Liramor-30 could support it's own workforce, perhaps a little more than six months off.

The ships also had limited jump capacity and could only jump twenty-two light years at a time. The ships could not jump through the Norane Nebula, so would have to go around, adding almost 240 light years of travel to the already 200 light years direct line to the Punarjanm system, it would take more than five days for the ships to get there.

The cost of rental was favorable for Liramor Holdings though, as these ships and two others, were laying idle at Pallanders Orbital Shipyard. Pallanders was happy to get some rent out of the vessels.

"We have checked the vessels thoroughly and they are up to safety standards," François Pallanders was saying. "They are slow by new ship standards as, with only a twenty-two year leap, they simply do not have an effective jump range by current standards.

"With the advent of the new fast ship commercial passenger lines, built around our Sprawl Class vessels, these slower ships have fallen out of favour. We picked them up for scrap directly from the corporation that had been running them.

"With the Navy pushing for our assistance on refit and new ships, we have put off other priorities for the moment, which means you get these ships at an excellent rate from us.

"We can afford to give you that good rate as you are going to be building the new mining platform in the Punarjanm system. That is a bonus for us. Any help we can bring you will eventually wind up helping us," François finished.

"I am glad we can do business together that is mutually beneficial, François," Annette replied. "These two vessels will help us immensely.

"Are you going into the business of outfitting new cruise vessels, then?" she asked.

"Just a test market with these four," he answered. "If it works out, then we may do so."

"Let me know if you do," Annette told him. "I find I have an embarrassing amount of free money at the moment and am looking for a way of making use of it. Investing in Pallanders has been good for me and I wouldn't hesitate to invest further."

They both headed to the ship's shuttle bay and were soon on the Pallanders station, watching as the two transport ships moved away, heading to the Punarjanm system.

Andanii District Court, Aereet City, Andanii District, Planet Anuura, Caiden System

The court was called to order and the Judge raised a point of order.

"I understand that Wassim Andjuran wishes to change his plea?" he asked.

"Yes, High One," Gakeemah Hasnawi replied.

"The Law does not allow the court to accept a plea of guilty in a case that could end with the death sentence," the judge reminded the court.

"High One," the Prosecutor stood to answer. "We have accepted a plea of guilty on all charges except those of murder and attempted murder with the understanding that the prosecution would abandon those charges."

The watchers in the court suddenly grew restive as they thought that Wassim Andjuran would escape justice. The judge called for order and gave the Prosecutor and Defence an angry look.

"Explain yourselves!" the judge snapped.

"High One, if Wassim Andjuran is convicted of murder and attempted murder charges, he cannot give restitution to those whom he has harmed," the Prosecutor advised. "The Court will hold his estate in escrow until such time as the cases of murder and attempted murder have been completed including the requirement for an automatic appeal if the death penalty is imposed.

"This would result in a delay of perhaps many years before anyone could bring a request for compensation to the courts. The number of people who could receive restitution form the estate is high, but some of them are in ill health and might died in the interim.

"If we accept a guilty plea for all charges other than murder and attempted murder, and drop those charges, we can immediately begin to provide restitution in some form or another to the wronged.

"Wassim Andjuran has already been found guilty of murder and attempted murder charges on Terra. Justice will be fulfilled. We can begin immediately to provide restitution here on Anuura and return Wassim Andjuran to Terra where his case will automatically be appealed. Let them worry about the time that he has on Terra. Let the wronged on Anuura be afforded restitution now, High One."

"Defence, is this an Alford Plea?" the Judge asked, meaning they are not admitting guilt, but they are admitting that sufficient evidence exists to potentially obtain a conviction.

"No, High One, we would be admitting guilt on all other charges," the Defence stated.

"Have you discussed this with the families of those who have been wronged?" the Judge asked.

"We have not, High One," the Prosecutor admitted.

"Then the Court cannot accept or disregard this plea bargain without such input," the Judge indicated.

"We will adjourn for twenty-four hours, to give Counsel time to discuss this issue with the families involved in this case. Court is recessed until this time tomorrow," the Judge banged his gavel and left the courtroom, leaving the two Counsels to deal with the family representatives, who suddenly swept forward as Andjuran was rushed out of the room.

Conference Room One, Liramor-23, Piscium System, 106 Light Years from Terra

The morning brief was a little different as Adm. Rolland Heist, Chief of Navy Intelligence was attending.

Fiona listened to the suggestion from Dr. Galt and Dr. Heyya on 'Teatime for Mothers' as presented by Dr. Mirren. From the sounds of it, while the CMO was passing along the suggestion, her own opinion of it was sceptical. Fiona let her finish.

"Dr. Mirren, is this you first time working in space as a CMO?" Fiona asked.

Mirren heard the implied criticism in Fiona's voice and knew that she had done something wrong but was not sure what it was.

"Yes, ma'am," she admitted. "I've been the Assistant Administrator of some large hospitals on Liramor Prime but this is my first time in space."

"Natural progression then from Assistant Administrator to Administrator," Fiona admitted. "However, I sense from you some scepticism for the efforts of your staff, Dr. Mirren. That is not a good thing.

"Your doctors and nurses are all experienced at working in space. While you may think that you are downsizing from a large hospital to working on a mining platform's hospital, that is anything but the truth. The administrative burdens of working on a hospital in space are huge, as you are probably just discovering.

"Unlike planet bound hospitals, where you can order out if anything goes missing, you need to be aware of your requirements at least a month in advance and you cannot be short on anything, or someone might very well die.

"Your doctors and nurses are some of the best in the industry. Many are the same people that survived the aftereffects of the Second Battle of Liramor-23 and its tragic consequences. You will not find better medical people anywhere in the industry. So when you doctors suggest something to you to push to me or my staff, I would appreciate it if you gave an honest effort in that push.

"I don't care if you think it a lame duck idea or not, these people know what they are about. You take their suggestions and you give it your best effort to push it to the administration of this platform.

"If you don't like the idea, you can say something at the end of your presentation like 'I personally think this is a lame idea', but you do you darndest to ensure that your people get good representation at this table. Do you understand, Dr. Mirren?" Fiona demanded.

"Yes, ma'am," a contrite CMO responded.

"I actually think that this is something of merit," Fiona stated for the record. "I remember when my cousin was pregnant with her first, she was a nervous wreck by the end of it. The only thing that pulled her through was having our grandmother and her mother there to ask questions of.

"Can you imagine what it must be like for a newly pregnant woman or new mother on a mining platform who does not have the support of her family? Where do they get that support, that comfort? Who do they turn to who has had that kind of experience.

"I think that 'Teatime for Mothers' is an excellent idea, especially since it will only cost this platform cookies, tea and/or coffee, and the use of a conference room on Juliet Deck. It is all volunteer work by experienced mothers and new/expectant mothers.

"Something that helps the well-being of the people on this platform and has a minimal cost to it is something that I will almost always approve," Fiona told her.

"I understand, ma'am," Dr. Mirren said. "I apologies for my earlier actions, ma'am."

"Do not apologize to me, May, apologize to your staff," Fiona told her. "You failed to give them your best in this, your arena of choice. You are the CMO of this platform, May. I expect you to give me your best, to push for your people with tooth and nail in the appropriate venue.

"Here, behind these closed doors, I don't care if you call me the devil herself while you are fighting for your people and mine. But you will not give a half-hearted presentation to me ever again, or I will be looking for a new CMO.

"I already have one person I can call on immediately if necessary, the very same doctor who gave up those responsibilities to you when you arrived on this platform.

"Dr. Heyya may be a new doctor, but she has been in the medical trade for many years. She has vast experience in space medicine, she has experience in combat, she has experience in the Trauma Ward, she has the experience of a top notch administrator, and has my ear anytime she needs it.

"She willingly gave up her authority to you so that she could go back to doing what she does best, the finest damn Trauma Doctor in all of space as far as I, this platform, and the Marines, are concerned.

"You did note that her name tag is different than those of the other doctors and nurses in the hospital?" Fiona asked. "That nametag was given to her by the Marines for the selfless and tireless actions she performed to save many of the lives of those same Marines during the Second Battle of Liramor-23.

"Our lone psychologist, Dr. Leanora Galt, has held this platform together, tending to the mental trauma of those who suffered loss, suffered injury, or were forced to kill in the battle for this platform.

"If Dr. Heyya is putting this suggestion forward, with Dr. Galt as a tag along, you will be damned sure I will listen to that request," Fiona stated. "Your position on this platform is twofold, to advise me on requirements of the medical needs of the people of this platform, and to administer YOUR hospital's needs. This is the one and only warning you will receive from me on this issue, Dr. Mirren. Got it?"

"Yes, Ms. Marsh," Mirren said.

"And can the 'Ms. Marsh, shit when the door is closed, May. In here it's Fiona, or 'that damned bitch in charge', I don't care which, but I want you to believe you can battle with me face-to-face in this room for the medical requirements of this platform. In fact, I demand it.

"I rely heavily on your expertise, May, and the expertise of your people. Make sure I get that expertise when I need it," Fiona ended.

Mirren looked hard at Fiona, then gave her a positive nod of the head.

"Good, any other points then?" she asked, getting none. "One last thing, you, as department heads, might fight tooth and nail in this room for your people and their requirements, but once that door opens, you will follow the party line and not grouse or bullshit to your people about what I did or did not do.

"As far as you are concerned, you will back the decisions of this Administrative Council as if it was your own. You want to complain about it to the press, turn in your resignation first. You are, first and foremost, the department heads and as such, the representatives of this Administration to your people." Fiona gave each of them a hard look, getting nods back from all.

"I want the members of Fayad and Cdr. Teal's task force to remain, the rest, dismissed, Dr. Mirren, please remain," Fiona growled, opening the doors and watching the senior personnel file out.

Adm. Heist, Fiona, Cdr. Malteyea, Raymond, Liea, Kim, Gillaya, Fayad, Cdr. Teal, Celia Cordon of the IPPF, Capt. Balakrishnan, Capt. Giselle Florine commanding NS Kennedy, and Dr. Mirren remained in place. Many of the ships of the Piscium Defence Force were on combat exercises and thus, their captains were not available.

"Dr. Mirren, Dr. Heyya was the Acting CMO when this group was formed," Fiona explained. "Technically, she should be the one sitting here, however, you are now the CMO so I think it appropriate that you be read in on what this group is about. That way, if Dr. Heyya is busy, we have someone who can represent the medical aspects of this group."

"This group is the nucleus of the Navy's Anti-Slaver Task Force," Adm. Heist took over the explanations to Dr. Mirren, "with Fayad, and Cdr. Teal specifically responsible for looking for our missing Union Citizens that we believe may have been kidnapped by pirates, turned into slaves, and sold as such on the planets of the Alliance of Free Planets.

"This task force is being conducted from Liramor-23 for three reasons, the first is that the people here hate pirates with a passion. The second, is that I, the head of Navy Intelligence, believe that Navy Intelligence has been infiltrated by at least two pirate syndicates, the Deneb Syndicate is one of them. In case you didn't know, the Deneb Pirate Syndicate was part of the group that attacked this station, twice.

"The third reason is that this system is as far from the Alliance of Planets as we can get and, as a mining platform, access is restricted due to mining safety regulations.

"As far as you are concerned, the information that this Task Force exists will never leave this room. That information getting out may be responsible for the death of thousands of Union Citizens currently slaves on those planets. If the release of this information is traced back to you, you will never see the light of day again and you may vary well be subject to the death penalty. Do you understand, Dr. Mirren?"

"Yes, Admiral, I do," Dr. Mirren replied.

"Do you still wish to remain as part of this group, May?" Fiona asked.

"Yes, Fiona, I do. My cousin disappeared in a pirate attack some years ago, they never found her body. With the new information that has come out, our family is hoping she became a slave and may be found. To be part of that..."

"You cannot reveal any information, May, not even to the remainder of your family, not even to your lover, should you have one, unless he or she is part of this group," Heist said.

Dr. Mirren gave the Admiral a scandalized look at the thought of having a woman as a lover but did not see any overt display of the fact of same sex pleasures from the others, so quickly dropped the look.

Heist pressed a button on his comp. A moment later, his aide-de-camp brought a woman into the Conference Room by the other door.

The woman was sat beside Fiona who smiled at her and asked her to begin.

"I will not give you my name," Cassini Parron started. "If that fact that I was here were to become known, my life and the life of my employer would be forfeit.

"I am employed by the Handren Trading Company, specifically by Katryana Handren, the new head of the Handren Trading Company. I have been doing corporate espionage for many years now under her direction. I am good at my job.

"We are aware that you have been briefed on Ms. Handren's abolitionist tendencies and that Ms. Handren has contracted with Ambs. Flynet to find the whereabouts of as many of the Union Citizen Slaves as she can. I was assigned that task.

"When I found the information, I was paid quite handsomely for it and, combined with previous payments, am now ready to retire. My final task, is to supply the information that I received to this task force. I tried to give it to Adm. Heist but was told that I had to personally deliver it here," she groused, giving the Admiral a hard look that he simply ignored.