The Praetoris downshifted into Linas-Drias with shields raised and weapons charged. Lowell stood next to the captain's chair, red lights washing over him as the ship went to battle alert.
Rik glanced at him as he issued orders to his crew. "Straight course to the planet. Broadcast the emergency priority signal. Fire warning shots on any ship that doesn't move out of our way."
Lowell cleared his throat. "I sincerely hope that won't be necessary."
"What did you expect? A parade?"
Lowell didn't bother to answer. He watched out the main viewscreen as the ship flew towards Linas-Drias. Ships scattered out of their path, mostly yachts and personal transports. The merchants were far fewer than they should have been. He waited, knowing the Patrol ships in orbit would shift to block their approach.
The tense silence on the bridge was shattered by a chime from the com station. Rik nodded at the tech. He connected the call.
The view of ships changed to that of a middle-aged woman with short-cropped dark hair and an Admiral's pins in her collar. "Commander Wexford, what is the Praetoris doing at Linas-Drias? You were stationed with the seventh fleet at Besht. And why are your shields and weapons raised?"
Rik took a deliberate step back and to the side, his attention turning to Lowell as he did so.
The woman drew in a sharp breath. "Why isn't Commander Lowell in cuffs and restraints?"
Lowell clasped his hands behind his back. "Because I'm not under arrest."
"You are wanted for dereliction of duty and treason. Commander Wexford, if you will not arrest this man immediately, you and your crew will be declared guilty by association."
Wexford shifted his gaze back to the Admiral. "I'm afraid I can't do that. High Commander Lowell is not the one who should be under arrest. We have proof to convict Theodys and Flanigan, among others."
"You will lower your shields and power down your weapons immediately. You will be escorted to the station where you will dock and surrender. Consider yourselves under arrest." The Admiral snapped off her connection.
"Open a channel, please," Lowell spoke to the crew. "Commercial and military frequencies. Then play the message I recorded."
The tech nodded as he punched in the commands.
Rik shifted closer to Lowell. "Do you really think they'll listen? You're accusing a lot of powerful people."
"With the proof to back it up." Lowell tugged his ear. "We might catch a few. But this was mostly to shake the hornet's nest and see what emerged. We'll see whose loyalty remains intact."
"The ships are arming weapons and closing, sir." The scan tech spoke crisply, as always, but with an undertone of resignation.
"Hold your position." Rik turned to Lowell. "What do we do when they fire on us? Shoot back?"
"They won't return fire. Not if they're listening."
Lowell's message contained a full accounting of Flanigan's actions as Fleet Commander along with the atrocities committed in the Patrol's name. It ended with the proof of Theodys' betrayal.
The ships slowed, surrounding them. Their weapons remained charged, but no longer targeted the Praetoris.
Lowell stepped down from the platform to stand next to the com station. The man clicked the channel to a live feed without being asked.
"You've heard the short version," Lowell spoke on the open channel. "I have more. Names. Dates. Evidence of treason from within the Patrol. It's time we cleaned house and arrested the real traitors. The charges against me are false. I'm coming to headquarters for a full account."
The man cut the feed.
"Dock with the station," Lowell ordered. "We'll start there."
The cruiser's engines slid them forward, towards the Patrol station orbiting above the planet. The Patrol ships moved back, clearing a path.
"Good sign or not?" Rik mused, watching the ships.
"They aren't shooting. That's good enough for me." Lowell tugged his collar. "We'll see what reception we get at the station."
Time dragged in tense silence. The crew spoke only when needed as they maneuvered the ship towards the station. They believed in him, Lowell reassured himself. If they didn't, they would never have followed his orders. He mentally reviewed the other members of the High Command. Which ones could he trust? Vandergilt would be on his side, she'd supported him before. Yambasa and Edwards, maybe. Julainis and Levin? Unknown. Kovalli followed Theodys. Lowell glanced at the com screen.
The tech glanced up at him. "Your message was sent as soon as we downshifted, sir."
Lowell nodded. He had to trust that someone believed him enough to arrest Kovalli before the man disappeared. If he hadn't already.
The docking clamps locked around the Praetoris. The woman at the helm turned to Wexford. "Ship is secure, sir."
Lowell flexed his hands. This was his fight now, one of words and legalities not weapons. Or so he hoped.
Rik turned to the man at the weapons control. "I need an escort, Zubaida. Volunteers only. I'm going with Commander Lowell."
"Make sure they're well-armed," Lowell said. "Just in case."
Zubaida snapped a salute then left the bridge.
"Ready?" Lowell asked Rik.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
They turned to leave the bridge. Half of the ship's crew stood to follow.
Lowell opened his mouth to protest, then changed his mind. These were people he was proud to have at his back. He trusted them more than he trusted the ones waiting on the other side of the airlock.
Most of the ship's crew crowded behind him when he opened the airlock door. Zubaida had found an impressive number of hand weapons. All of them were armed.
The door slid aside. Lowell stepped forward into the docking bay of the station. Weapons cocked on both sides of the door. Several dozen Enforcers, in full battle armor, surrounded him. Lowell raised his hands. He hadn't armed himself. He suspected he'd be met with force and he really didn't want a shooting war, not yet.
"Commander Wexford," he called over his shoulder. "Secure the ship. If they won't let you undock, blast your way free. Someone has to tell the truth."
Rik stepped up beside him. "I'm coming down with you. This charade ends now."
Lowell lowered his hands, shoving them in his pockets as they waited. The Enforcer troops stayed at the ready, weapons aimed at Lowell. They stood like statues.
Lowell sniffed. "Some idiot is going to get impatient and start shooting soon."
Rik glanced behind him. His crew guarded the entry into the ship, determination in every line of their set expressions. "My crew will hold steady."
Lowell rocked on his heels. He itched to be moving, to arrest those truly responsible, but nothing he could do now would force this to move faster. Unless he wanted to die a very violent death.
The Enforcers finally stirred, shifting aside to let a woman stalk forward. She fastened the last buttons on her uniform as she approached. Her eyes looked sleepy, as if she'd been rudely awakened. She stopped to glare, her prominent chin thrust forward.
"High Commander Grant Lowell, you are relieved of duty and under arrest until your evidence can be verified and corroborated." Her voice was sharp, hard as the steel deck plating under his feet.
Lowell held out his wrists. "Then arrest me, but do it quickly, Vandergilt. Before the real traitors escape again."
The woman waved one of the Enforcers forward. He snapped force cuffs around Lowell's wrists.
"Theodys confessed in his suicide note. The traitors have been dealt with. Except for you."
"Do we really have to play this game again?"
"Where have you been, Lowell? The charges against you are substantial."
"Flanigan's report? He's one of Theodys' plants. I've been trying to save the Empire, Liesl. The longer we stand here posturing, the longer Kovalli will have to cover his tracks."
Vandergilt shook her head. "He was arrested last week. His execution was this morning. You're too late, Grant."
"Then take off these cuffs and let's finish the job."
"I think I'll let you wear them a while." She turned to the men around her. "Clear a shuttle for immediate launch. The Emperor would like to speak with you, Grant."
Lowell shrugged. Let her play her game. He had bigger fish to catch.