Prisoner's Hope (The Seafort Saga Book 3) by Feintuch David

Author:Feintuch, David [Feintuch, David]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781453297032
Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Published: 2013-01-08T05:00:00+00:00

17

THE NEXT MORNING MANTIET and I were moved to another room, one that had a cubicle with a toilet. To my relief, Annie and the rest of our party were waiting.

When we were brought in, Annie cried out with relief. Thereafter, she seemed perturbed whenever I left her side, even for my restless pacing.

Like our previous cells, the room had no windows, nothing we could pry loose to free ourselves. Laura Triforth had apparently constructed her building with a prison in mind. For three maddening days we slept on damp mattresses, ate meager meals, and walked the confines of our chamber.

The chill air made my chest ache. With an effort I sat. “Mr. Bezrel.”

“Yes, sir?” He scrambled to his feet.

“Get my vapormask, would you?”

“I haven’t seen it, sir. Not since we changed rooms.”

I drew my jacket tight. When the guard next brought our food, I demanded my vapormeds. He ignored me and stomped out.

Alexi had lapsed into a moody silence; he slumped on his cot for hours at a time. Mantiet made frequent attempts to converse, most of which I disdained. However, at one point he inquired, “At the meeting, why did you call yourself plenipotentiary of the United Nations Government?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I rolled over on my side.

“Still, it interests me. Why?”

“Because it was true.”

“Do you have authorization or merely delusions of grandeur?”

Stung, I pulled myself up. “Command of Admiralty House can be likened to command of a vessel under weigh.”

“So?”

“The Captain of a Naval vessel has unlimited authority. Moreover he is, in fact, the United Nations Government in transit. Whatever powers Admiral De Marnay had, devolved on me when he left, and I’m the senior officer in the Hope Nation system.”

“Weren’t the Governor’s powers separate?”

“Yes, until the buildup of forces. Then Mr. De Marnay was given a united command.”

“Still, plenipotentiary of the U.N.—”

“It’s a long-settled law.” My tone was irritable. “The Captain of a vessel can do almost anything he wants.”

“And usually does,” said Tolliver sourly.

“Shut up, Middy.”

“Of course, sir.”

Mantiet gestured. “Is he always like this?”

“Only on occasion.”

“Why do you tolerate him?”

“He’s sort of—” I hesitated.

“A test of your endurance?”

“More in the nature of a hair shirt.” I regarded Mantiet sourly. “Are you done prying?”

“If it annoys you. How else would you pass the time?”

“That depends on why we’re here.”

Mantiet said, “We’re in storage until Laura decides what to do with us. We’re an embarrassment to her.”

“How so?”

“As you so eloquently pointed out, you represent the old, defunct government. And I represent a more moderate wing of her own party. We’re alternatives to her particular brand of republic. While we live, we’re a threat.”

“I don’t want to die!”

I turned toward the childish voice. “Steady, Bezrel.”

“I didn’t do anything! Don’t let her kill us!”

“Easy, Midshipman. You—”

“I’ll handle it, sir,” Tolliver said smoothly. “Let’s talk in the head, Avar. Don’t disturb the Captain.” He guided the boy’s arm toward the toilet cubicle.

“Don’t hurt him.”

Tolliver looked at me, surprised. “I didn’t intend to.” He shut the door.

I spoke softly, so Annie couldn’t hear.

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