Read Online Marque and Reprisal by Elizabeth Moon - Free Book Online Page A

now.”
    “Ma’am?” That was Martin, still by the bulkhead.
    “We have police security outside for now. Alene, if you’ll show him how to access the cargo records—and by the way, Quincy, did the police give us back our missing cargo?”
    “No. They say they need it.”
    “Not as bad as we do. I’ll speak to them, after I’ve talked to Riel. I’ll want a time to departure as soon as you know, Quincy.”
    Riel followed her to her cabin, silent but radiating stubborn resistance.
    “Sit down,” Ky said, when she had seated herself in her desk chair. He perched on the edge of the other chair. “Look, Riel—I know you’re scared and I understand. You have every reason to think I’m a dangerous person to be around, and you may well be right. But before you decide to jump ship, you need to know what I know about the situation out there.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” he said.
    “It may not matter, but I will feel better if you know, so hear me out, please.” He relaxed a little, and Ky went on. “I was talking to Vatta headquarters about that sabotage attempt when the connection went. The assassins came into the Captains’ Guild before I could try calling my father directly. Later—about six hours, we think—the consul was on the horn to Slotter Key when the entire Slotter Key ansible connection went down. It’s still down. He doesn’t know if it’s an attack like that at Sabine, or something else entirely. From the little he was able to get before he lost the connection, it appears that either someone has a multiple grievance with ISC, Slotter Key, and Vatta, or by some chance different someones with different grievances have hit at the same time. I think the first is more likely. You were in Spaceforce, right?”
    “Yes, but—but nothing like this ever happened. I never saw combat.”
    “But do you still have any ties to Spaceforce? Some kind of duty to get back to them?”
    “No,” Riel said, with emphasis. “I just—I just want to do my job, without any of this excitement.”
    “I hope you have that chance,” Ky said. “I’ll authorize payment to date, and you can go.”
    “Now?” He stared at her.
    “Now. If you’re not coming, then you don’t need to attend the crew briefing, and we’re going to be busy getting ready to leave. I’ll contact the bank right away; they’ll have your severance ready. Under the circumstances, I believe you aren’t really entitled to anything but salary to date… but on the other hand there is a crisis, so I’m going to authorize a month’s extra. My father can scold me later.”
    “That’s—that’s very generous. I don’t know if I should—”
    “Riel, don’t argue. It’s my decision. Now get your gear while I call the bank.”
    It took only moments to authorize a draft for him. Ky went to the bridge, where Lee and Sheryl were working on the departure sequence. “Destination still Leonora, Captain?”
    “I’m not sure. Set us up for that, Sheryl; it’s days to the jump point anyway, if I change my mind. Lee, what have you got on departure clearance?”
    “Anytime, basically. They like a half hour’s notice, is all. It’s not exactly a busy station.”
    “Riel should be offship by then.” The sooner they were out in space, the better. She called down to Quincy. “What’s our status?”
    “We’ve been on standby since yesterday, Captain. We’re ready to go, and, yes, before you ask, fully provisioned.”
    “Good. I’ll contact the station authorities. Have Beeah check to be sure when Riel has cleared the ship, would you?”
    “He shouldn’t be leaving,” Quincy said. “Your father trusted him—”
    “At this point, I don’t,” Ky said. “I don’t need an unwilling pilot.” Quincy sniffed audibly. “Just have Beeah make sure he’s gone.”
    “All right.”
    Getting departure clearance from the stationmaster was as quick as Ky had hoped; clearly the local authorities would be glad to see the last of
Gary Tobai
. Ky