Limits of Power (Interstellar Navy Investigations Agency Book 2) by Hugh Taylor

Author:Hugh Taylor [Taylor, Hugh]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2015-11-19T05:00:00+00:00

***

The Dauntless was surrounded by three patrol craft, but the authorities were letting them pursue their mission. In fact, Jameson had been able to surreptitiously discover that the governor had sent a courier ship to the nearest navy base and was already planning an evacuation. Still, nobody completely trusted the police to not apprehend them, so they went to the surface loaded for bear.

The three marines, Zervos, Todorov, and Anderson, were all in full battle rattle. Ward and Kato were too, though their law enforcement insignia was prominently displayed. Owens, on the other hand, was dressed in civilian clothing with no visible weaponry. In a weird sort of way, it was polite, essentially acknowledging to the locals that he was an intelligence official.

The shuttle landed at the small pad belonging to the Calama Polytechnic Institute, or CPI. The marines and special agents spilled out of the craft and were met by two very surprised police officers. “Do you really need to be that well-armed?” the senior officer asked them.

“I sure hope not,” Ward answered.

“But our luck hasn’t been very good lately,” Kato added.

The police officers led them into the university. “We have another officer waiting with Professor Petrini, so he knows to expect company,” the senior officer informed them.

Ward nodded in response, keeping a careful eye on the populace. Students and faculty alike were understandably taken aback by their presence. Some even looked ready to bolt, but the steady and professional pace of the team projected urgency, not emergency, so there were no panicked screams. Within a few minutes, they were in a flustered Professor Petrini’s office. “More of you!” he practically yelled as the team entered the room. “As I was telling this officer, I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“That’s good,” Ward said, “because we’re hoping you can do something right.”

The professor’s expression went from afraid to confused. “… What?”

“Doctor Petrini, can you assist us in saving the life of a rear admiral who was hacked by the Katildans or their allies?” Owens asked, looking him directly in the eye.

“You must be joking—” Petrini said, subconsciously stalling for time.

“I would never joke when there are worlds at stake,” Owens said. It might’ve sounded funny coming from someone else; but from Owens, it rang with sincerity.

“Worlds at stake?” Petrini asked. Ward knew that the human brain fought for time when it needed to digest something, and Dr. Petrini had just been given a lot to digest.

“Yes, Professor,” Owens said.

“Um … can you bring him, or her, here?” Petrini asked.

“Unfortunately, that’s not really feasible,” Owens said.

“Ah, you need me to come with you,” Petrini said, with some suspicion rising in his voice. “So that’s why you brought so many cops, and soldiers too.”

“Actually, we’re here to protect you,” Ward said.

“Right. A sleek black ship—I’m assuming it’s black—shows up, disgorges people with way too many guns and questionable identities, and asks one of the foremost experts on AI to come with them,” Petrini said. “I’ll tell you now so you can leave me

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