One's Aspect to the Sun (22 page)

“It was on board then?”

Viss nodded, but had the grace to blush. “Once I got you to leave Cargo Pod One empty, I had room for it, and that pod wouldn't have to be opened again, so the secret would be safe. The
Admiralo's
message came for me as soon as we were close to Earth.”

I threw my hands in the air. “And who's out here looking after my back now? I didn't see any Protectorate ships coming to the rescue when we were breached and boarded a little while ago!”

Viss frowned. “I don't think they were expecting that. The
Admiralo
didn't mention that anything like that might happen.”

“Who the hell were those guys?”

“I don't know.” Viss stroked his grey-peppered beard. “I'm kind of worried about that, to tell you the truth, since they knew exactly where to find us and where on the ship to look for the stuff.”

“Unless it was a coincidence,” Yuskeya suggested, but she didn't sound like she believed it. She stared at Viss coldly.

“Viss, did you tell Lanar we were going to Kiando?” I asked. “Maybe the message was intercepted?”

He shook his head solemnly. “No, Captain, because I didn't tell him that. I said I'd see how close I could get it, and let him know where the Protectorate could pick it up. We have some . . . mutual contacts . . . and I was sure I'd be able to arrange something. But I knew you wanted to keep the Kiando thing quiet.”

“I think it had to be PrimeCorp,” Baden said suddenly.

“Why?”

“If they've got an eye somewhere inside the Protectorate, found out where the stuff was headed and how, it'd make sense to come out and try to take it back.”

“PrimeCorp has an informant in the Protectorate? No way,” Yuskeya said, shaking her head.

Hirin spoke up. “If they were going to go to all that trouble,” he said, “Why didn't they just blow the hatch and come right through the ship after Luta, too? We know they're still after her. They could have taken care of two birds with one stone.”
Everyone fell silent, picturing that scenario, I suppose. I know I was, and I didn't like it. Then Rei snorted delicately.

“Different departments,” she said. “These guys probably don't even know anything about Luta. PrimeCorp's huge—big enough to make the Protectorate nervous. Not everyone's going to know what everyone else is doing.”

“Great, now we have two groups of PrimeCorp operatives after us? Makes me want to skip into the nearest unexplored wormhole and take my chances.” I turned back to Viss. “Did Lanar tell you why the Protectorate is tiptoeing around PrimeCorp? That doesn't sound right to me.”

Viss shook his head. “He didn't really say. But he said that PrimeCorp's planning something—he didn't say what—that the Protectorate is working to stop. But he said it's a 'delicate operation.'”

“If the Protectorate's worried, then I'm worried,” Baden said. Yuskeya looked like she was about to say something, but she scowled and stayed silent.

I sighed. “Okay, let's get back on track. Viss, get down and check the integrity of the cargo pod. I want to know how they got the doors open and if they damaged the ship at all. Yuskeya, set up a maximum range in-system scan and keep it running. I want lots of warning if anyone else comes looking for us.”

Viss nodded and stood.

“Viss, you know I'm going to have to check your story with Lanar.”

He grinned. “I wouldn't respect you if you didn't, Captain,” he said. “I'm half-surprised you're not locking me in my quarters.”

“Don't think I didn't consider it. Now get going.”

Viss flashed me a grin and headed down to the cargo deck.

“Baden, check all the crates that are in that pod, would you? Just make sure they're all secure again.”

“Aye, Captain,” he said.

I saw the gleam in his eye. “And don't
open
the crates. I know you'd love to get your hands on some of that stuff, but it's strictly off-limits, understood? Whatever's left, I want to deliver to Lanar intact.”

“Oh, Captain! Just a peek? I swear I won't take anything!”

I shook my head. “No opening the crates.” I grinned. “I know you wouldn't be able to resist the temptation. Think of it as me saving you from yourself.”

“You're a hard woman,” he said, shaking his head as he left the bridge. Maja followed him.

I stood up from my chair, although my body felt that it barely had the energy.

“Rei?” I stretched, feeling the kinks pull out. “As soon as you get the okay from Viss and Baden, get us back on track for the wormhole to Mu Cassiopeia, please. Once we're underway, I want to double up on bridge shifts. No-one's on duty alone. I am going back to bed, and if anyone wakes me before morning, I'm converting one of the cargo pods into a brig.”

In my cabin, I lay down on top of the bed without bothering to change my clothes. I wanted to shoot a message off to Lanar right away, lambasting him for first, using the
Tane Ikai
as a mule ship, and second, not coming to me with his problem instead of Viss. I know Lanar likes to think that I've always been squeaky-clean in my operations, but it hurt that he hadn't simply asked me to help.

It wasn't safe to send that kind of message, though; PrimeCorp owned the subcorp that had a monopoly on almost all the communications systems in Nearspace, and it was far too likely that any message might be scanned or intercepted. I considered asking Viss if he counted any data runners among his questionable friends and contacts, but decided against it. The ship was hot enough with all that contraband tech in the hold. I didn't need to add any other illegal activities to the list.

Anyway, I was still too mad at Viss to ask him for any favours. I sighed, rolled over, and resolved to put all worries out of my head and get some sleep. It must have worked, because I didn't even notice when Hirin climbed back into bed with me.

Chapter Thirteen

Hirin improved every day after that. We both felt certain that whatever secret helpers functioned in my body were now hard at work in his. He had already regained the improvements we'd noticed on the beginning leg of the trip, and seemed poised to make even further gains. Still, the thought of the next wormhole filled me with trepidation.

Our encounter with the pirates had one positive result. Maja and I arrived in the galley at the same moment the next morning, and I realized that sometime around the moment she'd arrived at the cargo hatch with a pin-beam Viper in her hand, I'd stopped being quite so angry with her.

“Thanks for your help last night.” I pulled double caffs out of the machine for both of us.

She half-smiled and shrugged. “I didn't actually do much.”

“But you were there.”

“Sometimes families have to stick together regardless,” she said, handing me a plate of
pano
with an uncharacteristic grin. “Pirate attacks fall into that category.”

Rei came in then and we didn't say anything more, but I felt as if maybe there was hope for us yet.

We were still a day out from the skip to Mu Cassiopeia when Baden hailed me on the ship's comm. Hirin and I were playing
quozit
in my quarters.

“Captain, incoming WaVE for you, although the signal's weak.
Admiralo
Lanar Mahane, on board the Protectorate Patrol Ship
S. Cheswick
.”

“Thanks, Baden.” I switched to the incoming. Hirin mimed going to the galley for a snack and I nodded. My brother Lanar's face appeared on the screen, grinning through the grainy reception.

“
Saluton
, little sister! We meet again!”

This time I let the “little sister” thing pass. I was too angry to play games with him just then, but I knew the comm could be monitored, too, so I had to choose my words carefully. “
Hola
, Lanar. Calling to talk to Viss?”

“No, why would I—” he broke off and his grin disappeared. He swallowed. “Oh, how's Viss doing, then?”

“He got quite a surprise when we were breached and boarded by some space pirates. They were interested in some cargo I'm hauling.”

“
Dio
! Is everyone all right?” He looked stricken, and I felt perversely satisfied.

“Yes, and they didn't get away with much. What I can't figure is how they knew we had that particular cargo aboard. They must have had some kind of inside information. I think the shipper must have been careless.”

“You'll want to speak to him first chance you get, I guess,” he said carefully.

“Yes, I'm pretty much livid about the whole thing. He'll get an earful when I catch up with him next.”

“I imagine he'll feel pretty badly.”

“He'd better,” I said grimly. “So, what's this about? I didn't think I'd see you again this soon.”

He looked relieved that I'd changed the subject. “I wish this reception were better—we're just outside the wormhole to Beta Comae Berenices, ready to make the skip. Thought I might catch you before you left the system.”

“You did, just barely.” Apparently we weren't going to have much time. “Hirin's doing better. He's better than he's been in years.”

“Really? That's wonderful news, Luta. What happened?”

I grinned. “You might say I worked a little magic on him.”

He narrowed his grey eyes at me. “I wonder exactly what that means? I think we need to get together, face to face, sometime soon.”

“You're right about that. Did you get the message from PrimeCorp? About legal proceedings?” I hardly cared if they intercepted my feelings about that charade.

Lanar snorted. “I did! I think they're bluffing.”

“I don't know. From what I've seen of them lately it seems like they're a lot more intense than they used to be.”

“You're right about that.” He leaned closer to the screen, his eyes serious. “You've had more than one . . . encounter with them?”

“Yes, but I think the details will have to wait until we have that realspace chat. Listen. Does this have anything to do with those changes Sedmamin mentioned? They've always steered clear of you in the past.”

Lanar's lips flattened into a thin line. “I'd say it has a lot to do with that. I would have expected Sedmamin to be playing his cards a little closer to his chest, but he tends to forget that people can figure things out on their own.”

I sighed. “I love chatting with you, Lanar, but the riddles get tiring after a while.”

He laughed suddenly. “You're probably right, but that's all I can say now. You're doing okay, then?”

I nodded. “I'm fine. I have one passenger headed outsystem and I'm going to have a look around when I drop him off.”

“Hmmm . . . something interesting where you're headed?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “Maybe not. I'll keep you posted.”

“Do that.” He paused. “You don't think anyone is following you now, do you?”

I shook my head. “I don't think so, but I don't know for sure. I have Yuskeya running a constant in-system scan so we'll have lots of notice if anyone turns up. There shouldn't be any public record of where I'm headed next. I could be taking any one of the skips out of Delta Pav.”

“Well, if they're following you, remember that not every world is under PrimeCorp control. There are other corps out there, like Schulyer and Duntmindi, that don't like them any better than we do. You'll have better protection there.”

“I don't think it's going to be a problem.”

“Are you going to get in touch with PrimeCorp about the legal proceedings?”

“Are you kidding? The only thing I'll be telling them is to kiss my thrusters.”

He laughed again. “Good girl! I'd like to see Sedmamin's face if you sent that message. But listen, Luta,” he said seriously, “don't worry too much, okay? Whatever you think, I've got your back. And watch out for those quilberries.”

The reception began to fade. “What do you—Lanar!”

He grinned and mouthed
gis la revido
. I shook my head and waved to him as the carrier wave dispersed. “Yeah, see you soon, little brother.”

“What did Lanar have to say?” Hirin asked, coming back with some honey
kuko
for us.

I blew out a long breath. “He had the grace to look guilty when he realized I knew about his arrangement with Viss. And somehow he knows we're going to Kiando.”

“What? I thought you didn't log that.”

“I didn't. And Viss said he didn't tell Lanar where we were heading.” I frowned. “But he told me to watch out for quilberries. I got sick on them once when we were kids, visiting Kiando. That had to be what he meant.”

“Weird.” Hirin shook his head. “Must be a Protectorate thing. Maybe he knows about Dr. Ndasa?”

I shrugged. “I don't know. He told me not to worry too much, because he has my back. So he's keeping tabs on me—somehow. I don't know what he can do, though, considering that within ten minutes or so he's not even going to be in the same system. And if Lanar knows where we're going . . . well, what if PrimeCorp does have an informant in the Protectorate?”