Working parties had dispersed throughout the ship trying to clean up the mess. It was a nasty job, and the NCOs were forced to become increasingly rough to keep the ratings at work. Kas actually had to caution his officers to give the NCOs a loose rein, and to ‘not see’ many infractions.
But as he returned through the Rekesh ’s airlock and unsuited, he encountered one of the working parties, and noted they were all wearing breathing apparatus usually used for exploration work on worlds where harmful trace elements had to be filtered from the atmosphere. He asked the petty officer in charge of the party about the masks.
The man shrugged. “The Chief brought ‘em around to us a couple hours ago,” he replied. “Chief said Lieutenant Commander Worshipful got the supply officer to pull ‘em from stores.” He sighed. “Sure makes a difference, sir. It’s still a nasty job, but at least now we don’t haveta stop every few minutes to barf!”
Kas dismissed the man, and continued to his cabin. He was impressed. Not only had Worshipful thought of the breathers, she’d somehow managed to get an innerworld bigot like Ra-Lavon to pull and issue them without Kas’ signature on a dozen requisition forms. This was the best news he’d had since boarding the Rekesh. It seemed that at least one of his officers was on the ball. In fact, maybe two of them. He determined to find out how willingly Ra-Lavon had participated. Maybe the man wasn’t such a hopeless prig after all.
But the smell wasn’t the only problem aboard the huge ship. When he reached his cabin, he saw urgent messages from the head of the civilian contingent installing the new AI, his new Chief Astrogator, and, of course, Roi Tremling, his Chief Engineer. He sighed, and got ready for a long day. He sighed again. Okay, make that a longer day!
Chapter 13
Var Ler-Traken breathed a huge sigh of relief as Starhopper boosted for the jump point. He might not be aboard Harpy, but at least he had a ship — of sorts. And a mission — one that could turn out to be hazardous, despite Preslin’s assurances.
As Starhopper passed through the tedium that was Jump, Var pored over both the ship’s logs and the supplemental report Preslin had drafted after they’d reached the Rekesh ’s system. The memory crystal containing the supplemental report would be concealed when they reached Remor. It contained the true account of the outward journey. The official log, naturally, contained only the information that supported Starhopper ’s cover.
Var pushed the viewer aside and sat back. Kas Preslin seemed a competent skipper. He approved of Preslin’s actions with the hidden beacon, for instance. And even his own cursory contact with Lieutenant Edro Jans showed Preslin’s switch of his designator from line to staff to be wise.
But regardless of the Commodore’s opinion, he still had his doubts about the two civilians. The woman was obviously Preslin’s doxy. The Commodore had no business risking such a vital mission just because he was horny. But Var had no choice. He called Lady Jane to his cabin, and asked her to brief him on Remor.
She shrugged. “It’s a major trading hub for the whole region. Half the planet’s covered with warehouses. We shouldn’t attract a lot of attention.”
Var frowned. “What about customs?”
She shrugged again. “Not much of a problem. They dragged this huge asteroid into orbit around the planet and built the biggest orbital station in space on it-or, rather, in it. Ships aren’t permitted to ground. They have to dock at the station. Customs just inspects everything removed from the ship.”
“Including the people?”
She frowned. “Not really. I mean, they may have hidden scanners or something but all I’ve ever been asked for is my ship’s papers. They’re pretty informal.”
“Yes. That’s what the Commodore said.”
She merely looked at him for a moment. Then, “You don’t like me or trust me at all, do you, Captain?”
He shook his head. “I neither like nor dislike you, Mistress.” He shrugged. “In any case, my personal likes or dislikes are irrelevant. I’m simply transporting you in accordance with the Commodore’s orders. As for trusting you, No, mistress. Not a bit.”
She sighed. “I think we’ve proved our good intentions. We could have betrayed the Commodore several times on the trip out.”
It was his turn to sigh. “I’ve read the logs. At first, you were under pressure to survive. You’d have promised anything. Oh, I don’t think you’re Alliance agents. But I must consider the possibility that you helped the Commodore only until you could learn where the Rekesh was located. Now that you know where she is, and that she is salvageable, it would be easy for you to contact the Alliance ambassador on Remor and pass your information along. I think the Commodore’s actions with regard to you were… unwise.”
Suddenly she smiled. “You mean you wouldn’t have picked us up?”
He shook his head. “No, Mistress, I wouldn’t. If I’d been on a mission as important as that, I’d have taken no chances. The Commodore admits in his logs that he knew what he should have done. He made his decision despite that realization. I’m not sure he’d have made the same decision if you’d been a hairy, two — meter male.”
The smile widened. “So you think I worked my feminine wiles on the Commodore and seduced him from the Path of True Duty.” Var could hear the capitals in the final phrase.
He relaxed slightly and produced a faint grin. “Something like that.” He frowned. “No matter how dramatically you put it, the Commodore risked the entire mission and the safety of more than 350 Fleet people out of sentiment. Or lust. Either way, I feel that risk was unjustified and I am uncomfortable giving you another opportunity to betray us.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “Nothing, at the moment. However, when we reach Remor I will insist that you and your friend remain aboard until we have talked with the Empire Embassy. If we are boarded or inspected, well, I’ll be armed. As will some of the crew. I hope to simply turn you over to the embassy staff, and let them deal with you and the Alliance.”
“You think the Commodore is that poor a judge of people?”
He shrugged again. “Irrelevant. The Commodore had no right to risk the mission for that judgment. I will simply behave as though you are enemy agents. If you are, I hope to prevent or delay you reporting what you’ve learned. If you are not, you will simply be somewhat inconvenienced. I regret that, but I think it is necessary.”
Her smile had faded as he talked. “I see. Very well. I have no way of convincing you of our good faith, so Lar and I will go along with your plans.”
She stood, frowning, her anger obvious. “But I want to tell you, Captain, that I consider you a pompous, officious ass. You’ll never be half the leader Kas Preslin is, or half the man! You represent the worst of the military — cold, ruthless, and driven. But Kas asked me to help you. So I’ll tell you what I know, and I’ll try to help you get safely clear of Remor. And I’ll enjoy myself by watching you try to decide how much of what I tell you is true, and how much Alliance lies!” She whirled and stamped out.
Var simply sat staring at the cabin door for several minutes after she left.
The problem was, she was right. He had no way of judging how much, if any, of her information was true. For all he knew, Remor was as paranoid as the Glory, and they’d all be arrested and shot almost immediately.
But he had to act as though her information was good. Certainly there were no better alternatives to consider. The only other system within reach with an Empire diplomatic presence was To-Han, with a small consulate. They couldn’t return there. Even if the Alliance hadn’t learned of Starhopper ’s real mission, Var could hardly show up with Preslin’s ship without blowing their cover completely.
He shrugged and tried to dismiss his fears. Even if she were an Alliance agent, Lady Jane would be unlikely to guide them into danger. No, her priority would be to make contact with Alliance authorities. After all, stopping Starhopper or the mission would be their problem, not hers.