Marque of Caine by Charles E. Gannon

Author:Charles E. Gannon [Gannon, Charles E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military, Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781481484091
Google: NkbBvAEACAAJ
Amazon: 1481484095
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2019-07-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Eight

JUNE 2124

AOZHOODN, SIGMA 2 URSA MAJORIS 2 B

Shortly after Olsloov came out of shift near the smaller, orange star of the Sigma 2 Ursa Majoris 2 binary system, Caine Riordan had the uneasy feeling that everything was going too smoothly. They had reexpressed just twenty-two planetary diameters from the main world of Aozhoodn, received an immediate reply to their arrival hail, and were cleared for refueling in less time than it took to complete the formal request.

Very soon, reasoned Riordan, something had to go wrong.

But refueling proceeded without mishap, and Alnduul accessed Oduosslun’s comm code without any delay or difficulty. She picked up on the second page but, as had Uinzleej, answered in voice-only mode. “We have not met, Alnduul, master of the Olsloov.”

“That is true, but we have a common acquaintance.”

“And who is that acquaintance?”

“Uinzleej, keeper of Issqliin. He asks us to convey his regards.”

“Does he? That is most unlike him. Do you know him well?”

“No, Oduosslun. Our personal contact was brief. It was my companion who spoke with him at greater length.”

“Then why is it you, rather than your companion, who elects to contact me?”

“My companion’s command of our language, and mastery of our customs, is somewhat basic.”

A pause. “So, your companion is a human. From Earth, not a factotum.”

“That is correct.”

“Is he too fearful to speak for himself?”

Caine moved closer to the audio pickup. “I was simply waiting for an invitation to speak, Oduosslun.” Formal Dornaani introductions required using a common acquaintance as an intermediary.

“That was cannily worded, human. You seem to have a passable understanding of our customs, after all. When you have learned more, return. Perhaps I would be sufficiently interested to speak with you then—”

Alnduul interrupted. “Oduosslun, I suspect you will be interested in speaking with him now. Given your interests.”

“And what do you know of my interests, Alnduul?”

“Various sources consider you the preeminent independent expert on Dornaan’s modern era. And Uinzleej has implied that you have facilitated your research with esoteric research tools.” Which Riordan understood as a euphemism for gray market virtuality access.

Oduosslun’s reply was arch. “And did Uinzleej tell you that my insistence upon using those ‘tools’ cost me my post as Academician?”

“He did not.”

“At least he is not a shameless gossip. Very well. So you know who I am. Now explain why I would wish to meet this human at all?”

Alnduul’s nostril pinched: a frown, probably because Oduosslun had still not asked Caine’s name nor invited him to speak. “My friend has been directly involved with significant events in recent history.”

“Name one. Be sure that it will, as you claim, interest me, or we are at an end.”

“He is the human who made contact with the devolved Slaasriithi on Delta Pavonis Three, and later reported his findings and analysis at Earth’s Parthenon Dialogs. At which he suggested that humans had been taken from Ea—”

“Enough,” Oduosslun interrupted. “I know this human.” The gray haze of the comms holosphere brightened. The Dornaani imaged there was of indeterminate age but unusually well muscled for her typically slender species.

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