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Zofie rose reluctantly from the cryo coffin. Even the disturbed sleep of jump had been a welcome escape after her frantic leave-taking from the Eddy. The real universe was a cold consort.
The Whisper's heater growled but she wrapped two blankets around her shoulders and rubbed her arms. She tucked her legs under and checked the astrogation log. They were in Bohr. Neither she nor the Whisper had been sabotaged or diverted. All good.
Zofie extracted Marshall's coffin and initiated thaw. "Time to rise."
Zofie kept an eye on her shipmate while monitoring radio traffic. None. The Procyon crew were no doubt having their own revival party. Marshall's head appeared, then torso, followed by a series of phlegmy coughs.
"Welcome back from the half-alive," said Zofie. "Or is it the half-dead? Procyon should be releasing us soon." She passed one of her blankets to Marshall.
"I'll brew us a drink," offered Marshall.
"Grateful beyond words." Zofie made contact with the machine parts pod. It too remained barnacled. Contrary to the chartered agenda, it had not been released near Argosy Station. "Kondradt's influence overrode the Reds' plan. Now we just need to contact your liaison and provide Kondradt's proof backing your intel."
Marshall handed her a steaming mug. The aroma filled the cabin with a cheery sense. "Simple. And keep from being blown up if the wrong people determine our real mission."
"I'm sending out standard resale messages for the shipment. The Confluence Administration post is twelve hours from here. Minimal military presence and no navy ships close."
"So far, so good."
"Hailing Procyon, this is Whisper. We're awake and intact. Request de-barnacling for Whisper and my freight pod. Thank you for not losing it in jump." In case anyone was listening and there was a pretty good chance they were. "It's my ticket home and funds for my next, bigger, shipment."
"Acknowledged, Whisper. Anchors disabled. You may release."
Zofie transferred trajectory data to the pod's onboard guidance system and ensured the pod was free before tripping the Whisper's releases.
"I'll swing around to tug it with us. Strap in."
The acceleration pushed Zofie sideways in her seat. Soon they locked onto the cache pod and nudged toward their target haven. Zofie had Marshall's trigger phrase memorized so they'd both need to be present when they contacted the proper authority.
"I hope this center has someone with enough clout to act on your intel," she said.
Three hours into their burn, Zofie cut the acceleration. "We'll drift on course for six hours, then commence decel. You want a nap?"
Marshall undid her harness and floated free. "I'm ravenous. Post-jump rations are looking attractive. Join me in a wafer feast?"
"I will. While I monitor the space chatter. There's a flask of the Realm's fourth-best brandy in the cupboard marked Emergency."
"I'm on it."
*
Sated and slightly buzzed, Zofie initiated the retro-burn and began transmitting to the station, requesting diplomatic audience.
"State the nature of your inquiry?"
"Not an inquiry. A shipload of information from the Realm."
"State the nature of your information."
"In person only."
"State the nature of your cargo pod."
Zofie turned in disgust to Marshall. "This is getting repetitive."
She re-opened communications. "Again, in person only."
"We cannot allow unknown cargo any closer until inspected. Please release your pod in a stasis orbit and come ahead. Our security will examine and grant clearance."
"Shit. What do we do?"
Marshall shrugged. "My intel should be enough. Lock pod access for now. If the arms are discovered, who'll know we've taken them from navy agents in the Realm?"
"They'll just arrest us for smuggling." Zofie shifted to accommodate the altered circumstance. "The pod contains surplus refining machinery. As a cover for weapons destined to arm guerilla action the Realm. We prevented the pod's release mid-jump to bring them here, beyond the reach of underground forces. Can you ensure your naval representatives don't destroy the pod until we meet face to face with your diplomats?"
"Release the pod as instructed and prepare for escort."
"Escort? I'm sure I can pilot my way in without help."
"Consider yourselves under protective custody."
"I hate that phrase." Zofie banged her fist against the console. "We're under arrest."
Marshall took another generous swallow from Zofie's flask. "Not unexpected."
"You say that like you have a contingency plan." Zofie took the proffered flask and drank.
"We'll see if Kondradt anticipated correctly. If not, then we're no further behind."
"Not very comforting."
*
The women passed time in the featureless prison by exchanging stories of love, success and failures. After one of Zofie's longer, more excruciating tales, Marshall raised her hands in surrender.
"I win?" asked Zofie.
"For all time."
The wall began to slide open.
"About time." Zofie moved from direct sight.
"Stand down, ladies." Chancellor Mekli acknowledged Zofie's previous association with a nod. "Follow me, please."
"How are you here?" Zofie asked when they'd settled in the debriefing chamber. They couldn't have hoped for a more influential confessor but was their luck too good?
Mekli studied her. He was as physically unimpressive as the first time she'd met him. Not a man you'd tag a leader but he was as politically savvy as anyone she'd ever met. He shifted his attention to Marshall. "I haven't been back to the Realm since the accord was signed. I'm in safekeeping."
"You're a prisoner? Like us?"
"I could leave anytime, I suppose. But it would threaten the accord. I'm a performance guarantee. My subordinates are more than capable of running our government and our military. This may be the most important function I've ever performed."
Zofie's doubts escalated. Did he have any influence?
"I'm one of your subordinates, Chancellor," said Marshall. "I have important information from Gar Kondradt. A more important cog in your team."
Mekli leaned close and studied her eyes, then nodded. "An information-mule. He told me to expect one or more at some point." He glanced at Zofie. "Do you carry her trigger?"
Zofie nodded.
"The intel I carry is as much for the Confluence government as you, Chancellor. Will it get to them?" Marshall drummed her hands on the table.
Mekli gestured to the wall and ceiling. "It will. We are monitored."
"By who?" asked Zofie. "Not the navy."
"By all parties concerned."
"Not good," said Marshall.
Mekli's twitch showed he grasped the problem. "I don't see how it can be avoided. You reveal your information and let the Confluence sort it out amongst their factions."
Zofie just wanted Marshall to dump her mind load and get the hell out of there.
"I can't tell you what's buried in my head, Chancellor. But Kondradt did impress upon me the need for discretion when it came to disclosure to the navy. I'm afraid you and the Confluence won't learn any of it under these circumstances."
This was her contingency plan? Zofie could utter the trigger phrase but would Marshall comply? Under tough questioning, likely. Zofie wouldn't expose Marshall to any rough interrogation.
"I see." Mekli put a finger to his ear and listened to some external source. "Return to your ship. I and one other will join you."
"A diplomat?"
"Someone unaffiliated with the navy, yes." Mekli stood and walked to the door. He accepted two identity discs from the guard outside and passed them to Zofie and Marshall. "These will guide you. I hope your information is worth the risk you're taking. Admiral Rowland's power and support is not to be underestimated."
*
"At least we're out of custody," said Zofie. "Though the Whisper is disabled."
Marshall chewed a wafer. "Food's better in the station."
"If I gave the trigger, would you be able to withhold your sudden knowledge influx?"
"Please don't test it." Marshall dusted the crumbs from her hands and opened the suit locker. "Let's check these over."
Zofie nodded. The Whisper was bugged no doubt by now. If they could cleanse the hard and the thin suits, they'd have four. Outside the docking bay, they could communicate in private with Mekli and the Confluence rep.
They'd finished removing all eight bugs found on the suits and secreting masking bugs of their own supplied by Kondradt when Mekli arrived. He introduced his companion. "This is Raddam Shoop, Sector Governor."
"Slight change of plan, Chancellor," said Marshall. "We're going for an EVA."
Zofie's attention switched back to Marshall. Her companion was losing composure, the download drugs were wearing off. It was like addiction withdrawal, Zofie supposed. They needed to get on with it. "Let's suit up," she said.
Zofie didn't think Shoop looked military. He was soft in the face. Puffy in the waist. They had to stuff him into the hard suit designed for someone Marshall's size.
"I think this is overly cautious," said Mekli. "Under terms of the accord, your information will be shared by Governor Shoop as he sees fit. And I'm sure it has some strategic value to the navy."
"Kondradt only told me to use my best judgment in keeping it out of their hands as long as I could. Once you hear it, you may agree." Marshall tugged Zofie's sleeve. "Once you give me the trigger phrase, shut down your suit comm. What you don't know shouldn't kill you."
Zofie uttered the trigger words Kondradt had given her. Through the flimsuit faceplate, Marshall's eyes fluttered. The info-mule spasmed from head to boot then relaxed. "I've got it, Zofie. Thank you."
As curious as she was, Zofie was more concerned with her survival. She switched off her radio and watched Marshall's faceplate blacken. No spy would read her lips. Zofie kept scanning their surroundings for any sign of others present. She spotted four and guessed more were beyond her sight. The ones she spied weren't moving and their backs were to the group. Not eavesdroppers, protection. There were peace opponents everywhere.
Twenty minutes later, Marshall moved to her side and touched helmets. "Let's go inside."
The four of them sat in the Whisper. Governor Shoop spoke first. "Coupled with your transparency regarding the cargo pod which accompanied you through jumpspace, and the questioning of the Procyon's captain, I'm giving credence to your report."
"You don't mind other ears listening to this, Governor?" Mekli surveyed the Whisper's cabin.
"It's important they do."
"Do you feel safe, Governor?" Marshall asked.
Shoop nodded. "I've already contacted my allies. Not with your details, of course, but some misgivings have been previously raised regarding our naval emissaries to the Realm. Rowland will be recalled. Chancellor, it's time you and I left for Bohr. Might I suggest we use your security for our escort?"
Rowland being recalled. Marshall's info must have been significant and verified. "What about us?" Zofie asked.
"I think the sooner you return to the Realm, the healthier it will be," answered Shoop. "Your incoming freighter has undergone turnaround and is ready to leave shortly. I suggest you barnacle."
The men left Zofie and Marshall alone. "Whisper's back on line. Do you trust them?"
"My job's done," said Marshall. "Revenge execution isn't naval style. I hope."
Zofie sealed the 'lock and prepared for departure. "Me too."
*