RLINDA KETT
It was a favor at the request of King Peter and Queen Estarra, but she was really doing it for Reyn. She hoped that the people behind the mysterious Pergamus medical station would be compassionate, or at least reasonable. Even though the planet wasn’t part of the Confederation, she would twist arms or grease wheels, as necessary.
As the head of Kett Shipping, Rlinda could commandeer any vessel she liked. An available ship in the company hangar was fueled and ready to go; it bore the name of Declan’s Glory, though Rlinda didn’t know who Declan was or what his glory might have been. It was an older model, certainly not a combat ship, with too little cargo space to make it a profitable trading vessel, but as long as the ship took her to Pergamus, it would do just fine.
Somehow, the medical research center had remained off the radar for years, operating outside of Confederation laws. From what Dr. Paolus had revealed about the place, Rlinda expected to encounter high security and a chilly welcome, so she approached the planet cautiously and ran subtle scans to get a clear picture. She knew perfectly well how to sneak around; she and BeBob had tiptoed into plenty of planetary systems, even slipped under the notice of hydrogues during the Elemental War.
After her long-range scans mapped the planet, the sealed domes on the surface and the Orbital Research Spheres, Rlinda assessed the well-armed mercenary ships in orbit. She frowned and ran the scans again. It was a serious fleet, and they looked ready to defend against pirates or even the CDF. Unfortunately, Declan’s Glory had only a minimal defensive weaponry complement, so she wasn’t going to intimidate anyone. Rlinda would have to use charm instead.
She reminded herself that she was here on behalf of the King and Queen. She posed no threat to them, so she damn well wasn’t going to hide. If Zoe Alakis had vital information that could help Prince Reyn, then Rlinda would walk over coals—or breathe poisonous gas, in this instance—if necessary. Time to go in and get what she wanted. Reyn’s life depended on it.
Once she had a handle on the situation, Rlinda dropped all pretense, activated her engines, and cruised in from the outskirts of the system. She kept all weapons shut down (such as they were), sent out an ID signal, and made sure they knew she was coming, whistling and waving. A visitor on a diplomatic mission with important business and nothing to hide.
“Hello? Calling Pergamus. My name is Captain Rlinda Kett, a representative of the Confederation government with a special request from the King and Queen.” She guided the ship forward on a steady course, closing the distance rapidly. “We need a big favor, and you’re in a position to look like heroes. I’d like to request a meeting with Zoe Alakis, please.”
Pergamus reacted as if she had lobbed a bomb at them. In a scramble of activity, the mercenary ships activated their engines and moved into defensive positions. Some remained as guard dogs near the research spheres, weapons activated and directed outward. Others charged out to intercept Declan’s Glory.
A gruff voice spoke, “This is a restricted system. Depart immediately.”
Rlinda felt a prickle of cold sweat all over her body, but she didn’t flinch. On the comm, she kept smiling. “Come on, now. I just want to talk. I don’t want any trouble.”
“Then depart,” said the voice. “You have no authority to be here.”
“Did I mention the King and Queen sent me, alone, on a diplomatic mission? I’d say their authority is worth something.”
On screen, the gruff mercenary was replaced by a mahogany-skinned man with high cheekbones and a gaunt face. His eyes looked like black holes. “Pergamus is not a signatory to the Confederation, and so your authority is not recognized here.”
Rlinda raised her hands and let out what she hoped was a disarming chuckle. “You haven’t even heard my pitch. It’s a small thing, but lives are at stake. Let’s meet like grownups and discuss this.” She smiled. “We can even do it over a nice dinner—my treat, and you definitely won’t regret it.” Who could resist that?
“Please leave, or we will enforce our security perimeters.” The mercenary ships closed in, and they made a point of activating their weapons. “With all the means at our disposal.”
So, it was going to be like that. She knew her shielding wouldn’t withstand a full barrage, and even on her best day she couldn’t outfly all of them, certainly not in Declan’s Glory. Rlinda found this very disturbing; their response didn’t make any sense. She had already identified herself, and they had to know the CDF would come breathing down their necks if they harmed her. Was this small isolated facility trying to start a war with the Confederation?
Somehow, though, she didn’t get the sense they were bluffing.
She dropped the conversational tone and put an edge in her voice. “Look, I’m the Confederation’s former trade minister and I have full diplomatic credentials, as well as the protection of the Confederation. I don’t believe you want to create an interstellar incident. I formally request a meeting with Zoe Alakis. I would prefer to deal with her directly.”
“You can speak with me.” He didn’t offer his name.
“All right, then, I’ll tell you,” she said, fighting back an exasperated sigh. “We know that Pergamus is a medical research facility and storage archive for numerous diseases and their cures.” She spread her hands, sounded a little more placating. “Now, I won’t go into the questionable nature of your activities, but we’ve been informed that Pergamus may have some medical research that could be vital to the treatment of Prince Reynald’s illness. The King and Queen have taken notice.”
The man just looked at her stonily, not admitting, not responding.
Rlinda waved a beefy hand. “We’re very eager to get help for the Prince, and I’ve come here to request that you share your information, your tests, anything that might help—as a humanitarian gesture. The Confederation would be very grateful.”
The man on screen remained silent for a long moment. “How did you learn about Pergamus? The privacy and security of this installation is paramount.”
“And Prince Reyn’s health is paramount to me, so let’s not do this dance. If it’s a monetary matter, we can certainly discuss. I’m sure we can work out a deal. The Confederation is willing to pay handsomely for all your records and any progress you might have made.” She paused, then added, “Please?”
“Confederation money means nothing to us, but our security does.” His voice became icy, his face even harder than before as he guessed. “Dr. Paolus gave you inaccurate information. This is a private installation. We have nothing for you.”
She felt exasperated. “But if you’re doing medical research, why won’t you share your cures? Or sell them? Doesn’t make any sense.”
“That is the decision of Zoe Alakis—and on Pergamus, her decisions stand. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
Rlinda was growing annoyed with this roadblock. “Then, please tell Ms. Alakis that we would appreciate her making an exception in this case.”
“She will not. Now please depart.”
“If I go back empty-handed, I assure you the Confederation will be even more curious. I can see your facility down there—disease research? Possible biological weapons? Such safety concerns would warrant increased scrutiny, whether or not you’re part of the Confederation.”
“Zoe will not change her mind.”
Rlinda met his gaze, measured him, and she found a cold depth that she had never seen in another human being. He looked like a tough nut to crack, and Zoe Alakis might be even worse. Frustrated, she crossed her arms over her chest. “At least tell me your name, so I know who I’m dealing with?”
“I am Tom Rom. I represent Ms. Alakis.”
A sudden chill went down her spine. She knew the name, but needed a moment before she could place it. Tom Rom—this was the man who had mercilessly hunted down poor Orli Covitz when she was infected with the Onthos plague. He had stalked her, attacked her, stolen vials of her infected blood—to be taken back to Pergamus? Orli thought he was dead, but obviously he was not. And Rlinda knew what this man was capable of.
Suddenly, she felt very vulnerable. Even though she carried the mantle of the Confederation, would that stop them? Tom Rom had to know this encounter would only raise suspicions. Did he expect the King and Queen to just ignore countless deadly diseases stored on Pergamus? Including, quite possibly, the Onthos plague?
Rlinda felt very eager to leave, and then she experienced a greater chill as she realized that it might be Tom Rom’s best option to destroy the Declan’s Glory and cover up any sign that she had ever been here. That would at least buy a little more time for Pergamus.
Her throat went dry. She had to deliver her report back to the Confederation, if nothing else. The weapons ports of the mercenary ships seemed to glow brighter than before.
Rlinda said quickly, “All right, I can tell where I’m not wanted. I was obligated to deliver my message—and Prince Reynald is very dear to me, personally. Please consider what I said? Thank you.”
Tom Rom did not respond.
She didn’t know how fast Declan’s Glory could fly, but she intended to find out. She adjusted course and retreated out of the Pergamus system, trying not to appear terrified. To her great relief, the security forces did not pursue.