Dark Deeds (Class 5 Series Book 2) (9 page)

“
W
e can dock
in three hours.” Gerbardi looked up from his screen, ending his conversation with Larga Ways control, and Hal nodded.

Larga Ways' ability to dock a ship the size of the
Illium
was something that impressed him every time he visited.

Of course, battleships, no matter the size, usually weren't allowed to dock, but Larga Ways was in Grihan airspace, and the price the planet Balco paid for being a border planet with a way station just slightly on the Grihan side, was that Grih Battle Center ships were always welcome.

Balco itself was as neutral as a planet in the Grihan system could be. The Balcoans were content to pay nominal tax to the Grih for some services and Battle Center security, and to be left alone to trade in peace. They voted every fifty years or so on whether to become Grih's fifth planet, but every time, only about ten percent of the population was in favor, and Hal guessed all of the pro-votes were Grihan ex-pats.

“Larga Ways' station chief would like a meeting with you.” Gerbardi turned to Hal, hand hovering over his earpiece.

As Hal had been about to ask Gerbardi to set up a meeting with Tean Lee anyway, he nodded. “I have to hand Vilk over to his people, then I'll head straight to Lee's office.”

Hal had a strict schedule. For himself and his crew.

He wanted them away from Larga Ways as quickly as possible.

They had to deal with returning the mining vessel to its mother company and brief the authorities on Larga Ways about the deaths of the crew on board. Vilk, Kwo, and the small United Council office, as well as Grihan and Garmman consulate staff, would also have to meet to discuss how they were going to deal with Tak and his crew, and the fate of the
Fasbe
. For now, the trading ship was a crime scene the United Council Independent Investigators would need to go over, and so it would need to be stored safely until they arrived.

Hal frowned, and leaned toward Gerbardi. “Did Kwo or you get off a message to the UC investigative unit before comms were cut off?”

Gerbardi stared at him for a beat, then turned to the pale blue glass of his unit, and tapped away. He turned back and there was a satisfied gleam in his eyes. “We did. They even responded, and said they planned to arrive in four days. Which means they may even get here before we leave Larga Ways.”

“That's good.” Hal tried not to feel too much hope. They'd lost comms only a few hours later, and the UC team may never have even left if the Tecran had attacked UC headquarters or Battle Center. But if the comms problem was in the
Illium's
nearspace, then it would be good to talk to the investigators; either in person, or while the
Illium
was going after the Krik.

In a way, the UC team's appearance or not would be confirmation of whether this was a small, localized problem, or something much, much bigger.

He had to proceed as if either possibility were true. And that the Garmman could be involved.

“Tean Lee is very grateful for your time. He'll be waiting for you, however long it takes for you to finish your business with Councilor Vilk.” Gerbardi tapped his ear to end the call and Hal leaned back in his chair.

Lee was always courteous, but he was never this grateful for some of Hal's time.

Of course, the Balcoans would be watching the situation developing between the Grih and the Garmman closely. And they had to be getting nervous. Tean Lee would be under huge pressure to find out what exactly was going on.

Balco and Larga Ways would have to align with the Grih if it came to war, and their planet would be the first the Garmman would want to capture, to gain a foothold in Grih territory.

Hal stood and decided to brief a few of his team to go out and socialize at the bars and restaurants of Larga Ways for the day or so they'd be docked.

He'd like an idea of what the average citizen of Balco, or at least the way station, thought of what was going on, and what they'd heard from the Garmman side.

He called a small team together as he walked to the
Illium's
conference room and arranged a replacement for Carmain, so she could attend the meeting, as well.

Thoughts of Carmain led straight to thoughts of Fiona Russell, and the way she'd challenged him yesterday, staring him down. He'd been doing the same to her, but only because she'd seemed to be deliberately holding his gaze to make some kind of point.

She was lucky he had as much control as he did. He'd forced himself not to react.

She'd been transformed from when he'd rescued her. Her injuries were healed, and someone had found her some very form-fitting clothes.

When he'd rounded his fighter ship to get to her in the
Fasbe's
launch bay, she'd been in oversized overalls, and since then, in Grih visitor uniforms that were many sizes too big. He'd almost reeled back when he'd stepped into Mun and Hadri's med chamber and seen her.

Sleek, focused, and intelligent——the frightened, cowed refugee of the day before was not gone . . . her eyes were still wary and her body language spoke of caution——but those descriptions no longer defined her. They were background elements of a force to be reckoned with.

She was still too thin, the effects of too little food for too long didn't go away overnight, but he'd realized she was not just skin and bone. She'd spent her time on the
Fasbe
lifting heavy boxes, and she had the muscles to prove it.

She'd also stared him down, further proof that she was coming back from her trauma, although he wondered if she knew holding eye contact like that with a Grih was a challenge.

Perhaps he should ask Jasa or Carmain to speak to her about it. He had worked on building control, but not everyone had.

He reached the conference room and flicked on the screen at one end to connect to the
Fasbe.
He needed Rial and Favri in on the meeting, as well.

Chel shuffled through the door, still not completely healed, but almost there. He could coordinate the informal information gathering while Hal was accompanying Vilk to the Garmman consulate and also see what intelligence he could get from official sources.

Carmain arrived with Tobru, who had been on the
Fasbe
, but had come back to the
Illium
with Fiona Russell's handheld, now being examined by his comms and engineering teams. As Carmain closed the door behind them, Favri and Rial appeared onscreen.

Hal motioned to everyone to sit.

“We have about a day in Larga Ways. Enough to politely get rid of Vilk, deal with the mining vessel incident, hand over Tak and his crew and secure the
Fasbe
for the UC investigators, load some supplies, and then go after those Krik.” Hal knew they'd be lucky if it only took a day, but he had authority on Larga Ways, and Tean Lee would help smooth the way and speed things up.

“You sure we should hand Tak over to Larga Ways law enforcement?” Rial looked tired, and Hal guessed he and Favri were still searching the ship, looking for clues to Fiona Russell's capture and why Tak had her. Trying to find something before they reached Larga Ways and someone else took over.

“We have to. We don't have time for anything else if we want to go after those Krik. And there's a time limit on that, too. If we can't get them in a day, we have to leave them.”

“What?” Chel looked up from his place at the table, eyes wide.

Hal kept his face neutral. He sympathized with Chel, but he had no choice in this. “The lack of comms with Battle Center is too serious to ignore. And Fiona Russell may not know who abducted her or why they passed her on to Tak, but she's living, talking proof that the Tecran didn't just take Rose McKenzie, that it wasn't just mad Doc Fliap stepping outside the rules. One abduction could be argued as an aberration. A failure of their systems and the unlawful act of a scientist more interested in research than the law, but two is the start of a pattern. Most of what Sazo has said is classified, and I'm not senior enough to know, but Admiral Hoke was surprised and shocked when I told her we'd found another Earth woman. So I'm guessing it's understood the only Earth woman Sazo knows about is Rose. Which means a Class 5 other than Sazo took Fiona. Again, that indicates a pattern.”

“And knowing about Fiona might be what the United Council needs to kick the Tecran out.” Chel let out a sigh. “It'll prove they've been lying about Rose being a once-off mistake. So we have to get her there as fast as possible.”

“Unless Admiral Hoke has kept the information to herself for the time being, the UC already knows about Fiona, but I'm sure they'll wait to make a decision until they've met and spoken with her. I probably shouldn't even spend the day I'm giving us to get the Krik, but I can't let the bastards walk away if I can help it.” Hal steepled his fingers, saw Chel's acceptance in his quick nod, and relaxed.

“And the longer we have Fiona Russell on board, the longer we're a target ourselves. If the Tecran know we have her, they'll want to wipe us out of existence.” Tobru spoke for the first time. She was short——not as short as Fiona Russell, but petite by Grih standards——and a tactical expert as well as Hal's best shot. She didn't talk a lot, but when she did, Hal listened.

He nodded. “
If
they know we have her, and I don't see how they can. But once Tak and his crew are out of our control, and in the hands of Larga Ways authorities, they could bribe someone to get word to the Tecran. Or a Tecran spy could come to them.”

Carmain frowned. “If the Tecran gave Fiona to Tak to keep safe for them, would he risk letting them know he's failed?”

Hal shrugged. “I know Tak and his two senior officers are the only ones who really know what's going on. They won't talk, and we can't guess if it's to their benefit or not to pass word to the Tecran that we have Fiona Russell.”

“We have to assume they'll try,” Favri said from the screen.

Hal nodded. “I have a meeting with the way station commander. I'll give him some details.”

“Only some?” Chel asked.

“The fewer people know we have Fiona, the better. And that's part of why you're all here. Only people who need to be off the
Illium
to perform their duties are allowed to leave, and those who do say nothing about Fiona. Nothing. Make sure your subordinates understand that.” He looked them in the eye one by one, and got nods of understanding.

“And the other reason?” Rial asked.

“I need all of you except Carmain to go have a drink, a meal, do some shopping on Larga Ways, out of uniform, and with your ears open.”

“You want to know what the mood on the ground is.” Tobru gave a slow nod.

“If the Garmman are feeling aggrieved or if they're really on the Tecran's side, someone, somewhere, will have heard a whisper of it on Larga Ways. It's one of the major hubs of interaction between Grihan and Garmman traders.” Favri was nodding as well.

“You can go as couples. It'll help you blend in. Favri and Rial, and Tobru, you choose a partner. Chel, you coordinate while I'm running around.”

“What about me?” Carmain didn't look surprised to be excluded from the excitement, she was the most junior officer here, and she wouldn't be in line for this kind of op unless they needed someone with her particular looks.

“You're here because I want to discuss Fiona's security. We're clear that if the Tecran know we have her, they'll do anything to get her back. So that means while we're docked in Larga Ways, I don't want her leaving her room.”

Carmain's jaw dropped.

Hal winced. “I know. It smacks of imprisonment, but I need you to explain the reasoning to her. This is for her own protection. I can't let anyone catch sight of her, and there may be officials coming onboard. I could insist on meeting off-ship, but that's out of character, and it would be the first time I've done it. I'd rather they think we have nothing to hide.”

“If there are Tecran spies on Larga Ways——and there definitely are——as soon as they know the
Fasbe
has docked, they'll know we have Fiona,” Tobru said. “Unless that kind of information is only being shared right at the top. But the
Fasbe's
arrival will be recorded, and someone, somewhere, will make a note of it.”

Hal nodded. “That's why I've instructed Gerbardi to call the
Fasbe
a different name, and why we gave the impression we were bringing in two vessels attacked by the Krik, instead of one. I've also arranged for us to have a docking arm to ourselves. Unless someone knows what the
Fasbe
actually looks like, we've covered ourselves as best we can. Rial, find out from Gerbardi what name he gave to Larga Ways so you give the right information when you bring the
Fasbe
in.”

Rial nodded. “You want us to check in to a hotel or something while we nose around? Or use the ship as a base?”

Hal pursed his lips. “Hotel. Stay at different ones, and each team, let the other team know where you are so they can follow you at set times, just to see if someone is watching.”

“Fun.” Favri grinned, and Hal hoped she was right.

It didn't feel like fun to him. It felt like there was a huge meteor heading straight for them, and it wasn't a case of if it would hit, but when.

F
ee liked
to think she wasn't an idiot, and after everything that had happened to her in the last two and a half months, she could happily agree to stay in a large, well-equipped room for a day or so.

No problem.

She'd sat in the cell on the
Fasbe
for over six weeks before something had changed and Tak had let her out and tried to pretend she had never been a prisoner in the first place. So this was nothing.

It had also been done with an explanation and an apology.

It made her all the more willing to not be difficult about it, even though she sensed that if she'd refused, they would have locked her up anyway. It sounded from what Carmain had said that it wasn't only her who would be in danger, but that the whole ship could become a target if the Tecran were to discover she was on board.

She wouldn't have blamed them for forcing her if she'd objected, but as it was, they'd been grateful for her acceptance and lack of a tantrum, and everyone was happy.

So why, after all that, did they want her to go out onto Larga Ways?

Fee shifted her gaze from the official at her door to the huge screen that made up one wall of her room. She'd set it to show Larga Ways itself, using an image taken from the
Illium's
outside lens feed as it had approached the way station.

They'd arrived mid-afternoon, and the way station had been awash with sunlight.

She had no objection to exploring the place.

It looked breathtaking, and as a whole day had passed since they'd docked, and Pila told her they'd been delayed and would be here another twelve hours at least, it was mid-afternoon again. She wanted to feel the sunshine on her face.

The picture she'd built up in her mind of a trading way station circling a planet had been drawn from grungy first person computer game imagery, all dull gray metal and long passageways, dark alleys, and dangerous figures lurking in the shadows.

Instead, Larga Ways looked like a child's drawing of a sun, a disc with rays streaming from it at even intervals. Each ray was a docking arm, and the whole of it was encased in a dome of dark purple light.

When she'd asked, Carmain had explained that it was the same technology as the gel wall in the launch bay. A strong metal grid below the disc anchored it, and then soared up to arch over the station itself. Underneath the way station and near the top of the dome, the grid was intricate and dense, providing a strong support for the gel, and it was only at the docking arms that the grid was more open, to allow ships to enter.

The buildings on the way station were three stories high at least, and while it didn't seem as if there was anything resembling a park, plants and trees were obviously grown in pots and raised beds, thousands of them, making the buildings looks as if they were rising out of a lush forest.

The architect in her longed to explore, so she was hardly going to say no if Captain Vakeri was letting her out.

“Are you sure this is right?” she asked her guard again. “Shouldn't we wait for Pila?”

Hisma shrugged. “Commander Chel ordered him to communications ten minutes ago. I've tried to contact him twice and he's not answering, which probably means he's in a meeting and can't be disturbed.”

She looked at the United Council officer standing patiently with his handheld, which he'd shown them twice now, the seal of the Way Station Commander blazing bright from the screen. According to Hisma, it was completely legit.

“And you're sure this is okay with Captain Vakeri?”

Hisma nodded, and there was no doubt in his eyes. “He contacted me by comm and told me personally to expect Officer Talbo.”

Well. She sure as hell wasn't going to say no, then. At least they'd sent a Grihan United Council officer, not a Garmman. She may have had to turn the opportunity down if they had, because no way was she leaving alone anywhere with a Garmman.

“Great. Then I'm all set.”

“We need to wait for the helmet,” Officer Talbo said.

There was something about him. A twitch of nerves in the way he tapped, tapped, tapped on his handheld with his fingernail. Fee wasn't sure if he was intimidated by Hisma, whose shockgun had not fully lowered to point to the floor since Talbo had arrived, or whether it was his natural disposition.

It was hard to know what was normal and what wasn't when the new normal was completely out of her experience.

“Helmet?” Hisma frowned, and then turned, shockgun rising, as a member of the
Illium's
crew rounded the corner, a helmet in her hands.

“Commander Chel ordered this for you?” Her voice rose nervously and she held the helmet out, frowning at the shockgun.

Hisma lowered it. “What's it for?”

“To hide her ears and hair,” Talbo said.

Ah. It was making more sense now. They weren't going to flaunt her, they were going to pretend she was Grihan.

Although, if they were all so nervous about the Tecran finding out she was here, she wondered why the United Council was insisting she travel to them for a meeting, rather than seeing her on the
Illium
.

If they were all like Councilor Vilk, they probably thought they were too important.

She lifted her hair, twisting it and tucking it into a bun. Hisma took the helmet and gently put it on her head, and pushed it down.

“It's a little big, but then, they always are for the cadets, and that's what you look like,” the woman from the stores said, watching them with interest.

“Except for the . . .” Hisma stopped, and bit his lip.

Ah. Her breasts. She'd slowly gotten the picture that they were bigger than the Grih were used to. They tried not to stare, but they weren't always successful.

She raised an eyebrow at him, but the impact was lost because the helmet came down to her eyebrows and mostly hid them.

“Let's go, then.” Talbo looked like he was anxious to get moving.

“I know the captain said you had arranged security for her but . . .” Hisma looked Talbo up and down. “You don't even have a weapon.”

“Weapons are not allowed on Larga Ways, except by security, and there are two security officers waiting outside on the dock for us.” Talbo turned and started walking, and Fee shrugged at Hisma and followed. Hisma brought up the rear, and Fee guessed he'd stick to her like glue until she stepped down the
Illium's
ramp. He'd watch her back until the last minute.

“I won't look much like a cadet if there are two armed guards hovering over me,” she said to Talbo as they reached the main passageway.

The double doors out to the dock platform where right up ahead.

“They won't be hovering, and they're not going to be in uniform. You won't even know who they are or where they are. They'll blend in to the crowd around us and keep watch.” He spoke quickly, as if reciting from a script, and Fee guessed he'd had to say it a couple of times before to various twitchy visitors.

Fine with her. Even though Talbo was taking her directly to the United Council offices on Larga Ways, she would get to walk down the streets of this place. She wondered if it was possible to see Balco from within the dome, or whether the purple of the gel wall obscured it.

Two guards stood at the doors, and they came to sharp attention at the sight of her.

“Captain okayed it. She has permission to leave,” Hisma said from behind her. “UC business.”

Tablo waved his commander's seal at them and the double doors opened.

She took a deep breath and stepped outside for the first time in over two months.