Faith in the Service: Alysha Forrest #5 by Hogarth M.C.A

Author:Hogarth, M.C.A.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Studio MCAH
Published: 2019-05-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

It bothered Taylitha immediately and immensely that ‘Star found nothing suspicious or annoying about Beringwaite. She’d brought him aboard, much to the eager interest of her all-female crew, and guided him to the bridge conference room, and now he and ‘Star were talking as if Beringwaite wasn’t an obnoxious jerk, which he obviously was, and how could anyone not see it written on his forehead? It was enough to make her question the justice of the universe.

“That’s a good shot right there,” Beringwaite was saying. “Make sure you dump a copy of this to the Cometfencer. Redundant evidence is good.”

‘Star, who was guiding the drone along the hull of the suspicious merchant vessel, said, “Very wise. It’s a pity we can’t board her.”

“We’d get her,” Beringwaite agreed. “She’s obviously dirty. But she’d be the only one we get. If word escapes that we’re doing random customs checks, this beachhead will empty like a resort before a hurricane.”

“We have a time limit, anyway,” ‘Star said. “These vessels believe their modifications will go unnoted because they’ve bribed the stationmaster. When the remainder of the vessels arrive for refit…”

“That’s true,” Taylitha said behind them, frowning. “It’s strange that merchant hasn’t left yet.”

“If she’d ran the moment we arrived, that would have looked suspicious,” Beringwaite said.

“Not to me?”

He snorted. “Yes, Scarlet, but we’ve established you think the best of everyone. Unlike suspicious old me, who’s gotten his ribs cracked by slavers one too many times.”

“I don’t think the best of everyone!” Taylitha complained. “I just don’t assume Fleet is harboring criminals!”

“Like I said,” Beringwaite said, and this time there was something a little sour, a little bitter, about the reply, “you think the best of everyone. Us included.”

“The modifications are well hidden,” ‘Star said, pausing the drone near one of the new weapons hatches. “I am surprised you identified them at all.”

“Experience,” Beringwaite said. “You agree about the ship itself?”

‘Star nodded. “Certainly too short-legged to deliver cargo long distances. Unless they’ve made interior changes we have no means to examine, they’re built for in-sector delivery, not further.”

“And what’s in this sector,” Beringwaite said, frowning. “Besides the inevitable dark bases.”

“Can you get in there, ‘Star?” Taylitha said, ignoring him. When the other woman glanced at her: “You hacked into the beachhead. Why not that ship?”

“There are legal implications to a Fleet officer invading a private merchant vessel that do not apply to a Fleet officer who is… examining… Fleet materiel on a Fleet station.”

Beringwaite snorted. “Very fine line you’re walking there, hackwitch.”

‘Star cleared her throat, but Taylitha could tell she was amused rather than offended. Because of course, the only one who realized that Beringwaite was offensive was her. “Also, were I to be detected, we would give away our hand. The prize needs to be worthy of the risk.”

“And this one isn’t?” Taylitha said.

“Neither of you have advanced clear goals to me,” ‘Star said. “Taylitha… you are in command in Alysha’s absence. I can give you recommendations but I can’t set policy.”

Beringwaite leaned back in the conference chair, both eyebrows up.

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