Descent by Hamish Spiers

Author:Hamish Spiers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space opera adventure novel, space opera series novels, science fiction space opera adventure novel, soft science fiction space opera, speculative space opera adventure novel, space opera pulp adventure, space opera military science fiction female protagonist
Publisher: Hamish Spiers
Published: 2017-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

16. The Task Force Departs

Carla smiled as Eroim came into her ready room. “Long day?”

Eroim shrugged. “It wasn’t too bad, Captain. Kind of reminds me of some of the good old days actually.”

“Which parts of ‘the good old days’?” Carla asked, hoping to perhaps gain a glimmer of information about the old man’s past.

“The parts where I was on surveillance detail,” Eroim said with a sly smile. He knew what his captain was playing at.

“I see,” Carla said, leaning back in her seat. “Those parts. Well, did you see anything interesting?”

“I did,” Eroim said. “And you and Reece aren’t going to like it much.”

“That would hardly be surprising, though,” Carla said, “given what you and Reece already found out. So let me guess. Kareim’s protected?”

Eroim nodded. “Got it in one. I saw him meeting a senior planetary security official and it looked as though he was giving the guy some kind of treat. And I’ve seen enough shady dealings in my time to tell the difference between a one off bribe and a regular payment in a quiet ongoing relationship. This was the latter.”

“I see. So Felkar is a sanctuary for him.”

“That’s right. We’re not going to get any help from the authorities here.”

“And they’re no friends of the Frontier either, are they?” Carla asked, her gaze cast down in thought.

“I’m afraid not. I don’t think a request for this man’s extradition would do any good.”

“Then I think,” Carla said, “that we’ve done all we can here.”

“Within our legal rights, at any rate,” Eroim pointed out. “There are other options. And, if I can remind you, Captain, there isn’t much in the way of correlation between ethics and the law on this planet. This is a rogue state and it’s on no good terms with anyone but another rogue state.”

“That is a concern,” Carla said. “Given the scale of Kareim’s operations and the fact he’s protected here, he might well be arranging a big shipment of delydrium for Imraec Tarc. But the best course of action open to us now would be to warn the United Frontier.”

“It’s making its move soon?”

“I’ve heard nothing official,” Carla replied. “And, just so we’re clear on this, neither have you. But I can join two and two and I think I’ve got a fair idea of the timetable.”

“So what are your orders, Captain?” Eroim asked.

“We’re going to push off and head for the nearest friendly communications relay point. Then we’ll take things from there.”

“Reece will want to stay here.”

“Reece is his own man and he’s free to do what he wants,” Carla said, although her eyes betrayed her real feelings.

“You don’t want to leave him, Captain,” Eroim told her. “I know that. And I know you’ve got your sense of higher duty. I see it in everything you do and, love, bless you for it. But don’t forget the little things matter too. Because if we don’t care about the little things, then there isn’t any point in worrying about the big things either.

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