CHAPTER 8
I let that one sit for a moment and used said moment to take a quick look at the expressions in the room. They didn’t seem overly threatening, but then again, this was Herion, where the military tended to assume their way was the only way to go.
“As great an idea as that sounds, we do have a job we were hired for.”
“Just what would that be?” Lionside sounded curious in the way of all law enforcement through recorded history.
“We have an order for magma,” Slinkie answered. “For the Ipsita Company.”
“What do they need magma for?” Lionside didn’t sound like he believed us.
“New production. They’re doing something called the ‘Fall of Pompeii’. No idea what it’s about, but the Props Master said it was historical. You know Ipsita—they try to be authentic.”
The only other one from this unit chatting it up spoke again. “Then why not film on Thurge or another volcanic planet?” I took a closer look. He wasn’t quite as big as Lionside, all the way around. He was fairer, too, though I got the impression Slinkie thought Lionside was better looking. No matter, all women loved a man in uniform—I had no trouble hating this guy, too. He was young, younger than me I was pretty sure. So, why was he the one backing Lionside?
“Ismaliz and Thurge aren’t on close terms right now. Besides, I don’t ask clients why they want something. I just make sure we obtain it for them legally and at our agreed upon price.”
“Aren’t you a saint?” This guy didn’t like me. Okay, I could abide by that. Made hating him easier.
“Excuse me, but who are you?” Slinkie’s voice was back to bewildered. “I thought Bryant… excuse me, Major Lionside, was in charge.” She flashed Lionside a gooey smile. She batted her eyelashes, for good measure. I had to work hard to control my nausea.
Lionside smiled, but it looked forced to me. “Major Nitin has been recently assigned to us. He likes to help out.” He turned to Nitin. “Don’t you, Nigel?”
Nigel Nitin? Herion ran to stupid names.
Nitin nodded. “I’d like an answer, Captain Outland.”
“I’m not a saint. You have to be martyred to be a saint, at least as it’s been explained to me. I’d like my question answered, too. Which was, how do we leave Herion safely in order to go about our legitimate business? I thought Herion Military was in charge of protecting this solar system.”
Lionside sighed. “Yes, we are. I’d like to ask you to delay leaving, Captain Outland. You’re the only ship to survive a run-in with…whoever they are. That you’ve seen the attackers is wonderful in that we can, hopefully, gain some clues as to who’s been destroying ships in our solar space and perhaps ways to stop them.”
“We have no magma on Herion, of course,” Nitin said. He looked supremely smug, like he’d trapped me into a corner.
“So very true. We weren’t headed to Herion, we were going to Runilio.”
“Why not Thurge? So much closer to Ismaliz.”
“And, as I mentioned, those two planets aren’t getting along right now. We thought it would be more diplomatic to get the magma from Runilio. If that’s all right with you, Major.”
“So, why come to Herion, Captain Outland?” Nitin still seemed to think he had me over some imaginary barrel.
“Well, it could have been because we were being attacked by a dozen nasty ships and wanted to head to the planet that supposedly was here to protect us.”
Lionside nodded. “Nigel, really. Captain Outland did the right thing.” I wondered at this positive statement being sent my way, then realized Lionside was smiling back at Slinkie. Oh well, take the good whenever it hits you, as Great-Aunt Clara used to say, even if it hits you in the stomach.
“Happy to help Herion Military out, but we also have to make money. Don’t get paid until we deliver, sort of thing.”
Lionside nodded. “I’m sure you’d all like to rest and recoup. As long as we can call on you for more details, why don’t you join the rest of your crew and relax a bit.”
“I didn’t see much of a crew,” Nitin said quietly.
I stood and gave him a wide smile. “We like to travel light.” I helped Slinkie up. “I think it’s time for the Governor’s medicine.”
“Yes. Bryant, see you later?”
Lionside stood and gave her that little bow of his. “I’ll make it a priority.” He led us out. “Where will you be staying, Captain?”
“I planned to sleep on the ship.”
“Oh, no. New laws. I understand why you wouldn’t know them. Had to be put in place once these mystery attacks started. All visitors must sleep at an official Herion hotel of some kind.”
“Convenient for the merchants.”
Lionside shrugged. “It’s a bad business out there right now, Captain. Our trade’s been badly affected. I think you’ll find the prices very competitive now.”
This was news. “How long have these attacks been going on?”
“Six months. Long months, too, believe me.”
“We just saw you at Io Station not two weeks ago.”
“Yes. Military are having no issues getting in or out of the solar system. Only military can say this, however.” Lionside looked worried. “I know you have an order you want to fill, Captain, but I can’t offer you escort. Which means, as soon as you leave Herion, you’re fair game for whatever’s out there. You were lucky once. Do you feel that you’ll be lucky twice?”
“If you do something right more than twice, it’s skill, Major, not luck.”
He chuckled. “True enough. But, truly, consider staying on Herion longer than planned. Maybe with what information you have, we’ll be able to stop the threat quickly and you’ll be able to leave safely.”
“We’ll think about it.”
Lionside gave us, well, Slinkie, the bow, then he turned on his heel and strode off. She stared after him. I kept on hoping he’d trip, but no such luck. He was a skilled strider.
“So, how soon are you going to jump him?”
“Nap, you’re such a moron. We need to find the Governor, fast.”
“Why?”
There’s a look that all men have seen from a woman, at least once in their life, and all women seem to come out of the womb able to do—the “you’re such an idiot” look. Slinkie was giving me that look, big time. “Because I think we’re in trouble.”
“Oh. Right. I knew that. Why do we need the Governor?”
She rolled her eyes, grabbed my arm, and dragged me off. “Because more than just us are in trouble.”