Stone Blade by James Cox

Author:James Cox [Cox, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2014-07-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12. An Aggressive Move

For such a hectic afternoon entering the starport was anticlimactic. Micah and Ferrel, now garbed as bangers and wearing slouchy hats, accompanied Braz and Ox to a business built against the wall separating Anathema from the starport. The proprietor led them to a back room. The man moved a large crate, revealing a hatch into the ground. Down, across fifteen meters and up and Micah stood inside the starport just behind a storage shed.

Ferrel handed Braz the vouchers but kept a firm grip on them.

“One last,” said Ferrel, “From here we vanish. That's in your best, my brother.”

“Never seen ya,” burbled Ox, “Don' know yas from Addem.”

“Righteous here, gov,” said Braz, “Pleasure biz. Come back, eh?”

Micah nodded and he and Ferrel started toward the legation. Braz and Ox left in another direction, intent on purchasing something only the League could supply.

After a few minutes Micah and Ferrel sat inside Ramsey's courier; the legation itself bustled with people.

“Thank heaven!” Ramsey lost a great deal of tension from his face when he received the signal from his 'deserted' ship. “Sit tight. Jonas and Meshella will be there before long.”

Micah and Ferrel had just finished removing their rets and prints when the lock cycled. Ionoski, Kidwell and Ramsey entered, their expressions troubled.

“Bad situation,” said Ramsey before Micah could ask, “Rob McAnders, Sara Deil, Missy Haffenstatler and Lafe Treadley have been arrested.”

Micah felt a cold hollowness form inside him.

“They've been charged with espionage, sedition and treason.”

“How serious are they,” asked Ferrel.

“I'm not certain,” said Ramsey, “So far they've been vague on charges but it hasn't been that long. My gut read is this is a stick and they're waiting for a reaction before they offer the carrot.”

Micah gritted his teeth. He liked McAnders, Deil and Missy, annoying though she could be.

“What is our reaction, sir,” asked Micah.

“I've sent word to the League. They have a task group within a few days' jump. I requested an evac transport but I don't know how long that'll take.”

Micah did some mental arithmetic. Assuming a standard T-group meant one or two destroyers, two to four frigates and a smattering of support ships. With standard garrisons they could land between four hundred and a thousand Marines. Not enough to take a planet but surely enough to mount a rescue.

“Steady, Mike,” said Ionoski, obviously following Micah's thought, “That's the final option. Ian knows his business.”

Micah nodded. Likely the T-group would only have Fleet Marines more accustomed to blackwater combat than meteoric landing.

“My first order of business,” said Ramsey, “is getting you two isolated without rousing suspicion.”

“Arrest them,” said Ionoski, “For whatever reason. Make Meshella an accessory, in fact.”

“And I could evac you four to the T-group.”

“Three,” said Ionoski, “I'll need to stay.”

“What then?” Micah wanted to ask but Ferrel beat him to it.

“You get your wish, Mike. The three of you will meteor back down as soon as the fleet can get a rat around you.”

***

“I don't like this,” said Ferrel.

A day had elapsed since his and Micah's arrival.

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