Looking Glass 4 - Claws That Catch (48 page)

“It's my lot in life,” Weaver said, sighing.

“Once the Hexosehr are up and running, we'll seed the whole system, and especially the jump points, with spider mines,” Spectre said, rubbing his hands together. “Between that and the Tree, this solar system is going to be well nigh impregnable. And with the space dock already constructed, the Hexosehr can get to work on ships right away. Then there are the captured converts, three more dreadnoughts. As I said, I'll have a fleet soon enough. Just one thing. Miss Moon?”

“I do not want to be stuck on a space station for the rest of my life,” Miriam said.

“Can you train someone else to use the system?” Spectre asked kindly. “Pretty please?”

“You'll need someone trained as a singer,” Miriam said. “And a back-up band. And they'll have to be . . .  Actually, I don't know.”

“We'll hold auditions,” Spectre said, nodding. “Shuttle people out here to test them out. We'll find somebody. You're too valuable to leave here, even with the importance of this system.”

“Thank you,” Miriam said, dimpling.

“There are a thousand issues with this plan, sir,” Bill said. “Personnel?”

“Put gates in orbit,” the admiral said. “Not direct to Earth, obviously, but we can bounce them through a couple of planets and mine those. Personnel and comestibles can be transferred through those and shuttled in with Hexosehr shuttles.”

“And the station can't stop the Dreen from approaching Earth,” Bill continued.

“It will be a hell of a thorn in their side,” Spectre said. “We can build fleets right here, fill them with personnel gated in from Earth and Adar. Even if the Dreen come through, we'll be hitting their supply lines the whole time. And they won't be able to hit ours. And if the Hexosehr can crack some of this technology, well . . .”

“I see you've given this some thought, Admiral,” Bill said, grinning. “Last two: Are the Hexosehr planning on repairing the Blade? Again?”

“Yes,” the admiral said. “We've got the better part of a factory ship onboard the Thermopylae. They'll be starting as soon as they get their fabbers and bots set up.”

“Then I would suggest they do so in space rather than in the Tree, sir,” Bill said. “Really seriously suggest.”

“Noted,” Spectre said, frowning quizzically but not asking for clarification. “Last item, Captain?”

“No J-pop.”

THE END