Chapter 52

“When do I get a turn to fly the Z4?” Lindsay asked.

“When and if I employ you,” Zeke responded.

“Be that as it may, it doesn’t solve my problem,” Santos quipped.

“Sorry, Brigadier Santos. In the short term, I can only suggest you fly to Mars and beg Wayne to sell you more ships. He has started full production a month early, as it is. However, he told me he already has a backlog of orders.”

“I have to sort out a problem here, with the ESC not releasing my new Captain for my Rescue ship, Aida. Then, I have to go to Armstrong before returning to Mars. Once I’m home, I can try to find time to look into your problem, Sir.”

“Captain Walker, I’m Major Jensen. If you don’t mind me asking, who is it that ESC won’t release?”

“Captain Harold Stanwell, Major. He was captaining the Patrol ship that came to arrest me. His service time is up, and he was going to quit and come and command my rescue ship, Aida.”

“Is he the one who disobeyed his Commanding Officer?” she asked disapprovingly.

“At my command. Yes, Madame,” Zeke replied.

“How is it you can order him to disobey?” She bristled as Santos let her speak.

“Because, Major, I am an UNSEC Chief Justice. My appointment gives me carte blanche to investigate crime and accidents, and arrest criminals in Sol space. I can order any UNSEC employee, including those in any sub-branch, to assist me when investigating a crime or accident.”

“It’s a new appointment. I got the official letter just before I left Mars, fifteen days ago. It was signed by representatives of all the Space related Governments and agencies, including the ESC, SSG, Mars and UNSEC.”

“Since I was given salvage rights to Sol space and I offered that, my people could also do rescues. They decided I could also investigate accidents if UNSEC had no personnel in the region at the time. Where possible, I try to include the local MPs and Detectives.”

Zeke sat in the stunned silence generated by his passengers and the people at the Frigate’s helm, as they digested this extraordinary information.

He just smiled at the Major.

“Chief Justice Walker, how can we help?” Santos asked as he stood at attention.

“Just Captain is fine, Sir. Well, we came up with the idea that if we could get Harry transferred to UNSEC on either Morpheus or Mars, they could kindly lend him to me.”

“We thought it would keep your people happy, that an armed Patrol ship was under the command of a military person trained to command it. However, he would be mine to command.”

“He also has the credentials to be my Senior Detective. We will, of course, assist your people as the need arises, if it isn’t in conflict with my contract or appointment, Sir.”

“Captain Walker, see what you can do about those simulators. If you’re going to sell the Z4s to all and sundry, you should think about putting some simulators where people can train on them before they buy a Z4.”

“That is a really good idea, Sir, and I’ll put it near the top of my to-do list. I will have to determine how much they will cost to develop and make. Thank you, Brigadier Santos,” Zeke replied.

“Hopefully, it won’t be too exorbitant. I’ll go make some calls. I assume you want Stanwell here, ASAP?”

“If I could. Thank you, Brigadier,” Zeke replied respectfully.

Santos chuckled, “I do like mutually beneficial agreements. A certain ex-minister told me that you were very difficult to deal with. I will have to rethink everything he told me.”

“Well, he was a politician, Sir.”

They both grinned.

“What are you going to do with that container?” Santos asked as an afterthought.

“Investigate how it became salvage, Sir. Then, make a decision. Legally, it is mine. What I do with it is up to me. I will, of course, let Manny look at its contents since he is the Customs Officer for Section C, where my freighter is docked,” Zeke said as he pointed to Manny.

“Harsh, but fair. That freighter Captain will be arrested as soon as he docks. I’ll have Colonel Howe liaise with you. It has been a pleasure dealing with you, Captain Walker.”

“And thanks for saving my ship. We had no hope of avoiding that thing. Unfortunately, we’ll have to dock again. Some heads are going to roll in Control. I think a certain inspector has some questions to answer, too.”

“I’ll leave those problems in your hands, Sir. I have enough of my own. We will have to chat again soon. I need to enter my ship, Freya, now. Until later, Brigadier Santos.”

Santos nodded, and the comms closed.

Tean chuckled.

“Yes, Sir, no, Sir, three bags full, Sir. Just as long as I get my bloody Captain back, Sir,” she chanted.

Ignoring his sister, Lindsay asked, “Are you going to build the simulators and give them to the Brigadier, Captain Walker?”

“No. I’ll get Wayne to build them, but I won’t give them to him. However, he knows I’ll charge a reasonable rate. It has to go through the books. It would look like a bribe otherwise.”

Manny turned to Lindsay and said, “Zeke tends to be very honest in his deals. His word is better than a handshake and an ironclad contract. Just don’t try and cheat him or try to bribe him.”