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The Whisper de-barnacled and held a parallel course with the diplomatic ship and its naval escort. Zofie engaged the handshake protocol with the Eddy shipyard's harbor-master software to find a berth.
The small ship eased automatically into dock. Marshall looked worse than Zofie felt from the jump back from the Confluence. To be fair, the info-mule had been running half-empty after her debriefing. "Are you up to hunting up a real meal and drink?" Zofie asked.
"Oh Lord, am I ever."
"I thought Kondradt would be waiting for us. Want to contact him before we hunt and gather comestibles?"
"Screw him," said Marshall. "He can find me."
"I want to alert Brother Remorse as well. And I want to know where Pious and team are." Zofie queried the harbor-master. "Is Penance in port?"
"The Penance left ten standard days ago."
"Is Brother Remorse on station?"
There was a delay in the answer. "He is. The brother is not body-linked to the station communication. Would you like a message delivered to his berth?"
"Thank you, yes. Tell him the Whisper has arrived and Zofie will be in Eddie's Dive for the next two hours."
*
The pub was nearly empty. Zofie and Marshall downed a rejuvenation elixir before proceeding to select protein and alcohol cocktails. Remorse arrived simultaneous with their food.
"Can you join us?" Zofie asked. "Kondradt's picking up the tab."
The brother's robe was cinched tight and looked like it could go around him twice. "My ministry hasn't garnered much compensation thus far, sister. I would welcome the chance to share a meal."
Once he settled into food, Remorse asked, "How was your mission?"
"Successful so far. We've only initiated a first step. Higher powers can take it from here. We're out of it."
"We hope," added Marshall.
"Any word from Penance?" Zofie asked. "Their mission goes well?"
"Mixed success," Remorse answered between chewing and washing the food down with diluted wine. "They ran into some trouble with a salvage cluster but plan to regain traction soon. The Crossed Swords showed up to aid them but I gather from Brother Pious it was Carver whose ingenuity settled the problem."
"I've missed a lot in my absence," said Zofie. "Who's crewing Crossed Swords?"
"Two people from Slate's Progress. A woman named Chels Harte whom the brothers and I met the first time we visited Progress and a salvager named Altman. My colleague, Atone, remained behind."
"That leaves Brother Atone alone on Slate's," said Zofie. "Abandoned. Like you." The missionaries spread themselves as thin as Remorse's waistline. At least DualE and Carver bolstered Pious and Cardinal. Zofie took pride in her role in freeing Carver.
"I'm not abandoned," said Remorse. "This is a challenge to create a new congregation. It's a battle but I'll rise to that challenge. As will Atone on Slate's Progress."
A fourth voice hailed them. "Didn't take me long to figure out where you'd be."
"Kondradt, join us," said Marshall. "Do you know Brother Remorse?"
"By reputation. Your presence aboard the 'yard is a benefit, brother." Kondradt didn't sit down. He addressed Marshall and Zofie. "If you would finish up your meal, we have a briefing to attend. Your association with me was sufficient to have you included."
"There goes my plan to get well-decompressed," said Zofie. "Are you sure you want me?"
Kondradt nodded. "Your input and future actions could be needed."
Zofie passed her mug to Remorse. "Yours to finish if you like. You can access the Whisper if you want a change from your berth. I know the cubby-tubes here are a bit confining. We'll catch up later."
"Most appreciated," said Remorse. "A scene change might be in order."
"Bring your navigation records for Penance and Crossed Swords," said Zofie. "I've a sense they could use more resources on their mission."
Zofie and Marshall followed Kondradt out and onto a waiting scooter.
*
The briefing was underway when Zofie and company were ushered inside. To Zofie's surprise, Chancellor Mekli was present. Mekli co-chaired the meeting with his Director General Shoop and an Admiral Bakken, a toughened, crewcut naval officer. The two diplomats and female commander looked grim, and not just from jumpspace hangover.
"Admiral Rowland's flightplan wasn't registered with the 'yard but we know he tracked a small ship called The Crossed Swords out into the Eddy." A junior officer handed a flimsy to Bakken.
"We don't have anything more specific? Can we track this Crossed Swords from its plan?"
"No sir. They filed a typical prospector plan. Time and general quadrant only."
"We've got to locate Rowland without alerting him," said Bakken. "That means no public requests for sightings amongst nearby operations. Suggestions?"
Zofie nudged Kondradt. "I might be able to help," she whispered.
Kondradt stood. "My associate may have relevant information, Admiral."
Mekli leaned and spoke into Bakken's ear. The admiral stared at Zofie, then nodded. "Proceed."
Zofie approached the three. "You said Rowland was tracking the Crossed Swords. I have friends aboard another small ship, a missionary craft, the Penance. Penance and Crossed Swords were or are still, in the same area. I believe Penance did file a more specific plan and Brother Remorse, one of the missionaries who is aboard this station, has their most recent location."
"You will contact Remorse, find out where they might be, and relay the information to me," said Bakken.
Zofie realized from Bakken's tone this was not a request, this was an order.
Bakken turned to the two men beside her and spoke too low for Zofie to hear. Nods from Mekli and the Confluence representative triggered a gavel hammer from Bakken. "Admiral Rowland has entered Eddy space without authorization for aggressive purposes. He has breached the terms of the peace accord by engaging in espionage at Realm facilities. He attempted to arm seditious uprisings within Argosy Realm. Rowland is hereby declared 'Rogue' and all steps necessary to recall him are invoked as of this moment." She pointed to Zofie. "You will accompany my fleet, Miss or Ms..."
"Ked. Zofie Ked, sir."
The meeting had finished. The diverse coalition wasn't wasting time or effort in prolonged debate. Zofie hadn't anticipated joining the navy. Certainly not the Confluence Navy. She wondered if it came with a pension.
*