The Thin Blue Line by Christopher Nuttall

Author:Christopher Nuttall [Nuttall, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Galactic Empire, Military, Space Marine, Space Opera
Amazon: B00MV8VMSS
Published: 2014-08-23T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Indeed, even interrogating suspects could be a headache for any interstellar law enforcement official. The planet Rand, for example, forbade any form of interrogation unless there was solid evidence that a crime had been committed, while the planet Boskone permitted any form of information-gathering, up to and including torture, to retrieve information from suspects.

- Professor Leo Caesius. The Decline of Law and Order and the Rise of Anarchy.

“This is a bloody fucking awful place to live,” Hammerfest said, as the van parked outside a medium-sized house. “I wouldn't live here if you paid me.”

Belinda gave him an odd look. The house was situated within a garden, surrounded by a wall that ensured a certain amount of privacy for its inhabitants. This far from Landing City, it was relatively safe and isolated from the chaos simmering in the giant CityBlocks. It wasn't exactly as natural as the farmsteads on her homeworld, but it was far superior to a poky little apartment in a CityBlock.

And the people who live here are staggeringly wealthy, she thought. She’d had a bad feeling about this mission ever since she’d read the handful of briefing notes. They can afford to live far from the maddening crowds.

She sighed, then turned to face her team. They all carried pistols, stunners and zip-ties – and would have carried more, if she’d let them. Instead, she’d been careful to ensure they weren't overloaded if they had to drop everything and fight. She wasn’t expecting resistance, but she’d been surprised before in her life. It was better to take precautions than wind up having to improvise on the spot.

“You are not to hurt anyone unless absolutely necessary,” she said. Snatch missions in hostile territory were often dangerous, but this wasn't precisely hostile territory. “If you hurt anyone without a very good reason I will take it out of your hides afterwards. Do you understand me?”

There were nods. Like most brutal men, they followed orders from people who were clearly stronger and more capable than themselves, once the point had been proven. Belinda had won their respect by knocking Hammerfest down, then making it quite clear that she could do it again and again if necessary. But she still wouldn't sleep comfortably near them. Bella wouldn't sleep near them at all.

Belinda opened the van, then stepped outside to admire the house. It had almost no visible security, a testament to just how secure the gated estate was. The guards had hemmed and hawed for nearly ten minutes before letting the snatch team through the wire fence without alerting anyone inside. Belinda had no doubt that they were already passing the word to their superiors, who would call their political contacts as soon as they heard. It would only make their job more complicated.

And that’s why they sent us here, she thought. We’re expendable.

She took a long breath, enjoying the taste of the countryside in the air, then led the way up to the gate. It wasn't even locked! She rolled her eyes as she pushed it open, then strode up to the doorway and rang the bell.

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