The Absconded Ambassador by Michael R. Underwood

Author:Michael R. Underwood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Six: Rescue Op

IT HAD TAKEN FIVE HOURS, three calls, and a generous transfer of cash, but by 1600, Roman and King were strapping in to a Fader-7 HX with an after-market pulse cannon and a thoroughly illegal Ethkar cloaking system.

Commander Bugayeva pulled rank and got them jumped ahead in the flight schedule, cleared for departure at 1610.

Roman loaded the coordinates they’d gotten from Zoor, setting the computer’s navigation system to the task of plotting a course that would bring them to the hideout with minimal exposure and maximum speed.

“How certain of this lead are you?” King asked as they squared the gear away.

“It fits the region’s tale types, and presents a good, rounded story—we go and fight on the rescue op while Shirin and Leah cover. This type of world pulls on me differently than the rest of you. We’ll each have a couple of twists along the way, but my gut tells me we’re on the right path.”

King nodded. “Then we’re on the right path. Are we forgetting anything?”

Roman tapped a few more controls, then left the pilot’s seat to grab one more crate from the docking area, dragging it inside.

“Almost. This here’s our doorknocker.” Roman patted the crate. Gently.

“That’s not what I think it is,” King said.

“Unless you outright say what you think it is, we have plausible deniability. You can call me reckless once we’ve gotten in and secured the ambassador.”

“I’ll call you reckless any damn time I want to. But if it works, it works.”

“It’ll work,” Roman said. “I’ve had to lean into the Action Hero archetype, so let’s use it. Keep me from going overboard, and let’s sew this up quick.”

King pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly not comfortable with the risks Roman was suggesting they take. “Finish up the start sequence. Let’s get this disaster on the road.”

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