“Major Tinsi, I am Commander Heris Serrano, acting captain of the Vigilance. You are hereby confirmed as acting captain of the patrol craft Paradox.”
“What?” The face onscreen matched the database holo of Major Tinsi. “What’s—where’s Captain Ardos? Who are you?”
“Commander Serrano,” Heris repeated. “Heris Serrano. I’ve been on special assignment for the admiralty, investigating irregularities.” Such a handy word, irregularities. She was a little shocked at how easily the lie now rolled off her tongue.
“But you’re not—and where’s Commodore Garrivay? What’s going on over there?”
“Commander Garrivay has been relieved of his command,” Heris said. “I’m sorry to say that he and your Captain Ardos were involved in these . . . er . . . irregularities.” She held up a packet within pickup range. “We have recordings implicating both of them, and some other officers. We assume that officers not implicated are innocent—and that includes yourself, although the investigation will continue. May I take it that you are not in the pay of the Benignity?”
“Of course I’m not—what? The Benignity? Captain Ardos?” Captain Ardos, Heris reflected, must have been relieved to have so dense an executive officer. No wonder he had kept the man around for two years even though he couldn’t confide in him. No better camouflage than honest stupidity, ready to swear he had seen, heard, and suspected nothing.
Heris waved the packet, and Tinsi shut up. “Apparently several officers on each ship were involved. I suggest you take immediate steps to secure your position, in case there are more traitors aboard. We expect hostile forces in this system shortly; you will prepare your ship for combat, Captain Tinsi.”
“But I—but—”
“Or, if you feel yourself unequal to command, I can relieve you and assign another officer,” Heris said. Tinsi stiffened as if she’d filled his spinal column with a steel rod.
“No, sir . . . Commander . . . Commodore . . .”
“Commander will do. Now. I have a list of possible traitors aboard Paradox. These are not confirmed, but you might want to take precautions.” She transmitted the names in a burst of code. “You will maintain a shielded link to Vigilance, while I make contact with Despite.”
“Captain—Despite’s moving.” That was Koutsoudas, not waiting for Sirkin to transmit the call. “Pretty good delta vee, outbound toward the border.”
At least it wasn’t an attack on the station or her ships. Yet. “Weapons, bring us to readiness.”
“Sir.”
“Paradox, you are authorized to bring your weapons to full readiness.” What was Despite doing out there? Not simply running away; that would be too easy. Going to feint a retreat and then come back? Going to meet someone? And had she any chance to stop them? “We need to transfer gear and personnel from the yacht Sweet Delight to this ship—see to it—” she said to Major Svatek, who had reappeared on the bridge just before she called Paradox.
“Yes, sir. How many personnel, sir?” A good question. She still wanted to crew the yacht, in case they needed it. But right now she wanted Koutsoudas back at the boards of a Fleet ship, with direct access to the onboard databases, and to her. If it cost her a chance at Despite, so be it.
“Two,” she said. “The gear will be for myself and the personnel who came aboard with me—not much, a little less than standard officer duffel.” Already packed, it lay in the access hatch.
“Any problem with them going through the station? Do you mind if the civs know about it?”
“No—that’s fine.” It would be much easier, both now and when she assigned a crew to the yacht.
“Despite, hold your station. Hold your station. This is Commander Serrano, acting captain of the Vigilance . . . hold your station or—”
“Or what?” The display flickered as the signal stretched with the other craft’s acceleration and the comunit’s logic struggled to reassemble it, but Heris could see the face clearly enough. Lt. Commander Kiansa Hearne, not that much different from the days when she and Heris had shared a compartment in the junior officers’ warren aboard Acclaim. “I don’t know what you’ve done, but you have no authority. You’re a civilian now, Heris.”
“No,” said Heris. “Special assignment, Lt. Commander.” She would not use the old name. Kia had been a difficult young woman, but not yet a traitor. Heris had left the Acclaim thinking she had made a friend, proud of herself for the effort she’d put into it. “Surely you don’t think I was out here by accident.”
“I . . . think you’re bluffing.”
“I think you are. We have recordings from Garrivay’s office.”
“Blast.” Hearne’s face sagged. “That bastard. I finally get a ship of my own, and the next thing I know—” That had been Kia’s problem all along; she always had someone to blame for her failures.
“You’ve got a shipful of innocent crew,” Heris said. “Turn command over to your exec, or another loyal officer, and I’ll see what I can do—”
“I’m not stupid, Heris.” Hearne scowled. “If you’ve got real evidence, I’m dead meat anyway. Under the circumstances, I think a strategic withdrawal is in my best interest. You’d have a tough time catching me—especially if you’re crazy enough to stick around and try to stop the Benignity.”
“Your crew—” Heris began.
“My crew will have to take care of themselves,” Hearne said. “You understand that—yours did.”
The old rage and grief broke over Heris like a wave; she fought her way out of it in seconds, but made no more effort to convince Hearne.
“Captain, we have a statement from one of the officers on the list.” That was Oblo.
“Go ahead,” Heris said.
“Seems he was recruited by a Benignity agent about four years ago, and hasn’t done a thing for them since. Claims he didn’t know about the plan to surrender this system, but after he heard the recording he changed his tune and said he was coerced.”
“Well, it’s evidence,” Heris said. “I assume Lieutenant Ginese knows about this?”
“Yes, sir. And they’ve got uniforms for us now—”
“Good. You know what to do. Koutsoudas and your duffel will be aboard shortly. I’ll be contacting the Xavierans now.”
The General Secretary and the Stationmaster were side by side in the screen, looking grumpy until they saw who it was, then relieved. That relief wouldn’t last long, not with what she must tell them.
“I’ve taken command of the Fleet units operating here,” Heris said. “The former commander was removed for treason.”
“I wondered!” The General Secretary looked angry, ready to pound someone. “Well, you’ll have our backing, such as it is. What can we do?”
“Sir, you need to prepare for assault. We have no idea now how many ships are coming—we’ll tell you when we can—but delay is the best we can do. Remember what we talked about before. Get your people downside into the best shelters you can find—scattered far away from recognizable population centers, ready to live rough for some months. If you have deep caves, out in the mountains or something, that would be best.” She hoped the horse farm Cecelia was on was far enough out; she reminded herself to find out.