The Dead Priest

by K A Bledsoe

  Quinn turned to it, still smoldering. “Transition in ten seconds.”

  “Acknowledged,” said Diarmin.

  The seconds ticked by very slowly.

  “Coming out of transspace in three…two…one…” Diarmin’s fingers flew over the control board while Quinn put the course up on his display. The ship shuddered very slightly and the viewscreen showed the normal starry background.

  The ship turned and headed in the correct direction to the next jump point. “Fifteen minutes…mark,” said Diarmin. He sighed and turned to Quinn. “Look. I understand what you are saying but—”

  The rest of his sentence was drowned out by the ship’s alarm.

  Everyone responded instantly, and Lenore was obscurely proud that the tension on the bridge didn’t hamper her family’s abilities at all.

  “There is a very large ship out there, angling directly into our path,” Quinn reported.

  “We are receiving a request for communication, more like a demand,” said Allison.

  “Let’s hear it,” said Lenore. She knew what everyone was thinking.

  The Xa’ti’al.

  Diarmin’s attention were firmly riveted to the controls. Most likely planning an escape.

  “This is Central Galactic Patrol Ship Sentinel Five calling the L’Eponge Carre. Please shut down your engines and prepare to be boarded.”

  That was the name the ship had been using for their current mission. This must be something recent, thought Lenore. She opened a channel.

  “This is Captain Fleming. For what reason are you requesting to board?” She glanced at Diarmin, but he shook his head which meant there was very little chance of escaping the huge ship.

  “We have been given information that you are carrying dangerous and possibly illegal cargo and have been ordered to investigate. Please cease your evasive maneuvers or we will be forced to consider you hostile and take appropriate action.”

  With her finger on the mute button, Lenore said to her family, “Well?”

  “I might be able to get away if I have a perfect shot and get very lucky,” said Diarmin.

  “Except I am detecting a scattering field that will prevent the transspace bubble from forming,” said Quinn. “And they will be in range in less than a minute so there is no possible way we can continue on our current trajectory.”

  “Do you think it’s a trap?” asked Lenore.

  “The ship’s ID matches their engine specs,” said Allison. “And it is listed as the correct ship assigned to this quadrant.”

  “It’s twice as big as any other ship we have encountered which is typical for the patrol ships in this sector.” Diarmin grimaced. “I think we have no choice but to do as they say.”

  The com beeped again as if impatient. Lenore unmuted it. “Acknowledged, Sentinel Five. Our ship will reach zero velocity in five standard minutes. We will await the boarding party at the side airlock.”

  “Acknowledged, Captain Fleming. Sentinel Five, out.” The com went silent.

  “That gives us no more than ten minutes,” said Lenore.

  “To do what?” asked Allison.

  “The only thing they could possibly be referring to is Bondle’s cargo,” said Quinn.

  “Exactly. Diarmin and I will question him right now. Quinn, you check on the cargo and make sure anything in the cargo bay that may be the least bit suspicious is out of sight.” Lenore was feeling her adrenaline rising and ignored the slight rush of enjoyment she was getting out of some action. “Alli, make sure those files we pulled from the slavers are well hidden, even to the point of pulling them from the computer to hide on data sticks if necessary. And kids,” she said as they paused in their descent down the ladder to follow her instructions. “I would like you to stay out of sight if possible.”

  Both nodded, and Lenore ignored Diarmin’s eyebrows lifting at that last directive.

  To forestall the question she knew was coming, she spoke. “Let’s go see if Bondle knows what is going on.”

  ***

  “I really don’t know what it’s all about.”

  While Bondle’s words seemed sincere, Diarmin couldn’t help but wonder if someone could be that into their own little world to not even be aware of other possibilities.

  “Think, man,” said Lenore, and the stiffness in her voice told Diarmin she was only a step away from gritting her teeth. “Why else would they be stopping us? Who knows about the cargo?”

  Bondle spread his hands, his nervousness becoming more and more palpable. “Only myself and my assistant. My home planet doesn’t even know. I…” He looked down at his feet. “I didn’t tell them. Didn’t want them to raise their hopes in case…well, you know, in case the medicines don’t work.”

  “Either you are lying, or your assistant turned you in,” said Lenore, the acid clear in her voice.

  “It’s not illegal, I promise. It is as I told you, medicine that I created so it is owned by my government who sponsors me. I don’t know why someone would say it is illegal or dangerous and I don’t know what else to say to convince you.” Bondle looked near tears so Diarmin took control of the conversation. No sense alienating the one man who could convince the patrol that the cargo was safe.

  “Mr. Bondle. Is it possible that the planetary government where your lab was located found out about and reported an illegal landing?”

  Diarmin ignored Lenore’s sour glance. He didn’t need the reminder that he had not bothered to hide his takeoff.

  “I suppose that is the most likely scenario.” Bondle rubbed his chin. “They could have figured where the ship landed and questioned my assistant. Assistant Mill was supposed to keep quiet that we transported something off the surface, but he hates to lie so he may have said something.” He looked back up and must have seen the anger still present in Lenore’s eyes. “But he would never have said that the cargo was dangerous. It isn’t in its current state, I swear.” He held his hands out in entreaty. “Let me contact Evan to verify if he said anything. And tell him that our planetary government will pay any necessary fines.”

  The airlock alarm on the other side of the lounge began hooting.

  “Unfortunately, we have no time,” said Lenore. “That alarm means the shuttle from the patrol ship with the boarding party is angling to dock.” She spun and started for the airlock.

  “You’d better come, too, Mr. Bondle,” said Diarmin. The man nodded and followed, the worried look still clear on his face.

  “I am detecting three life signs on the shuttle,” said Allison from her room as the three stood near the airlock. “Standard shuttlepod registered to the Sentinel Five.”

  Lenore nodded and Diarmin could see she had her gloves on and the look on her face told him she was mentally assessing her ability to deal with three should they choose to be hostile.

  Or if it was a trap.

  Quinn also stuck his head out of his room. “What about Kurla? Do we tell her about any of this?”

  “No reason to,” said Lenore. “She lost any privileges concerning ship business with her poor choices. Now back into your rooms and don’t come out unless we say so.”

  Diarmin wondered if his wife noticed the flash of emotion in their son’s eyes.

  The light next to the airlock door turned green at the exact moment that the hooting stopped. With the pressure equalized, Lenore opened the lock which showed a uniformed man standing in the connecting tube. He was impeccably dressed in the standard light blue patrol outfit, the bars on his chest showing the rank of lieutenant and several commendations. His cap was tucked under his arm as he walked through the airlock. The two men behind him were similarly dressed but with their caps firmly on their head. The one who came in behind the lieutenant was a corporal and the trailing one a private.

  “Thank you for allowing us to come aboard, Captain Fleming.” The lead man gave a short nod. “Lieutenant Sherrod Hammins.”

  Lenore nodded as well and indicated the lounge. “You didn’t leave us much choice, Lieutena
nt. I hope we can clear this up as soon as possible. We are on a deadline.”

  The three passed Lenore and went directly to the lounge. Hammins turned back to Lenore. “We will be as prompt as we can be while being completely thorough.”

  Diarmin grimaced inwardly. In other words, not quickly at all.

  “If we can inspect the cargo first, ma’am?” said the shorter of the two younger men.

  “Certainly. This way gentlemen.” She led the way to the cargo bay, the three officers behind single file with Bondle next and himself bringing up the rear. As they all gathered around the six-alls, the corporal pulled out a scanner.

  Bondle pushed forward. “Wait!” Diarmin could see the sudden tension in everyone so he stepped in front of Bondle.

  “This is the man who owns the cargo, Mr. Ven Bondle.”

  “Ah, yes, Mr. Bondle,” said Lieutenant Hammins. “We have your name as the first to question.”

  “Ask me anything just don’t scan the cargo. It could damage the contents which are very fragile.”

  Diarmin thought guiltily of his own scans and hoped he hadn’t damaged any of the medicines. But then he caught himself. He never actually scanned the containers, just the bay. And he also realized he’d been more trusting than usual. What if the reason Bondle didn’t want the cargo scanned was not because the contents were fragile, but because they were indeed something different? Something dangerous.

  “We need to determine if the cargo is hazardous as reported. If we cannot scan it, we will have to open it.”

  “No, no. That would be even worse. If you have a micropolaron scanner I will allow it. I have one in my cabin.”

  “Which could be altered to show any readout,” said the private.

  “I would never—”

  “Excuse me, Lieutenant Hammins,” said Lenore. “You said this cargo was reported hazardous. By whom?”

  “I am afraid we cannot reveal our sources, Captain.” He looked about to add something but the corporal chimed in.

  “Lieutenant, I have a micropolaron scanner on the ship. I can get it and return in fifteen minutes.”

  “Very good, Corporal. Please do that while I remain to question Mr. Bondle and the crew.” Hammins pulled out a small pad and tapped on it before looking back at Lenore. “Captain, my report says there are four crew on this ship and I only see two. I will have to question the others as well.”

  Diarmin could see Lenore struggling to keep her anger from showing so she merely nodded, turned and stomped up the ladder.

  Hammins turned to Diarmin. “Is there a place we can sit for the interviews?”

  “The lounge will do. I will show you.”

  The lieutenant nodded. “Mr. Bondle, you shall be first,” he said as he gestured the scientist to precede him up the ladder.

  “No,” he said. Everyone froze at the reaction. The private was the one to speak up.

  “Are you refusing to cooperate with an official investigation, Mr. Bondle?” he asked.

  Bondle’s bravado was brief as all eyes turned to him, the lieutenant’s slightly narrowed. “N- not at all. It’s just, I mean there can’t…” He straightened his shoulders as if gathering his courage. “I simply will not leave the cargo unattended with a stranger in the room who might damage the contents.” He held his hands up. “Unintentionally, perhaps, but I can’t take the chance.”

  “Very well, Mr. Bondle. Private Levi, you will accompany us.”

  Diarmin thought the private looked a little angry, almost to the point of defying the order. But the private noticed Diarmin’s eyes on him and the anger was gone. Everyone clambered up the ladder. Diarmin handled the airlock for the corporal’s departure while the others went to the lounge.

  When Diarmin entered the lounge, the lieutenant was seated at the table with the private standing at attention behind him. Bondle sat across looking very uncomfortable. Lieutenant Hammins paused in taking a breath, probably for another question, and looked pointedly at Diarmin.

  “I will check on the rest of the crew,” said Diarmin, then left the way he had come. He could hear the questions continue immediately so he figured the family needed a plan. Quinn’s door was open so he headed into his cabin.

  “Good, you’re here,” said Lenore. Allison and Quinn were seated on the bed, set looks on their faces. “I have briefed these two on what type of questions they will be asked and how to respond. You know the drill.”

  “Act innocent of everything, stay in character and give away no information for free,” said Diarmin.

  “Yes. And I will insist on being present for each being questioned.”

  “Well, Bondle is coming under fire now.”

  Lenore cursed as she disappeared out the door and presumably toward the lounge.

  Diarmin turned toward his children. “Well. Ready for your first official questioning by the law?” He grinned, hoping to put them at ease. Allison chuckled weakly but her eyes were wide. Diarmin hoped it was only nerves, not fear.

  Quinn said nothing, face completely devoid of any emotion.

  Diarmin wasn’t sure what that indicated. With a pang of regret, he realized he could no longer read his son’s emotions. One thing was very certain. When all this was over, they all needed to sit down and have a very serious family discussion, dealing with Quinn’s accusations and finding some way to resolve the differences that had sprung up between them. The discussion would be perhaps the most important one of their lives.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  As Lenore walked into the lounge, Bondle was just standing up.

  “Ah, Captain,” said the lieutenant. “I am ready to speak to you and your crew. Are you first then?”

  Lenore was trying very hard not to grit her teeth at this self-assured young man’s attitude. He was just short of being pompous and arrogant. If it wasn’t herself and family coming under fire, she would admire this capable and efficient young man.

  “You may start with my crew, but I insist on being present.” Before Hammins could answer, she stepped back into the corridor and motioned at Allison who was first out of Quinn’s cabin. She reentered the lounge.

  “Captain, I usually don’t permit—” he began but cut himself off as Allison came into sight. The muscles along his jaw bunched and Lenore suppressed a wry laugh that at least she had got him to grit his teeth. It was obvious that Allison was a minor and there was no legal reason why Lenore couldn’t oversee the questioning. It also gave Lenore a chance to hear what everyone said, and she could make up stories to cover any error if she went last as planned.

  “Very well,” was all he said as he waved Allison toward the opposite chair. Bondle left through the other door toward his cabin, but not before shooting a worried look at Lenore. I will have to question him myself later. Who knows what things they asked him?

  Allison wasn’t even fully seated when the lieutenant began.

  “State your name and title please.”

  “Cathy Mikin, computer tech,” she answered, nearly matching his terse delivery. It wasn’t quite mocking but close.

  “And how long have you been aboard this ship?”

  Lenore answered before Allison could. “That question is not relevant for your purpose here.”

  “I need to know if she was on board when the cargo arrived.”

  “Then ask that specifically.”

  Lieutenant Hammins gave a respectful nod to Lenore, obviously aware that she knew questioning tactics and wasn’t going to fall for any of them. “Very well. Ms. Mikin, were—”

  “Yes, I was here,” she said. She looked sorry for her interruption but did not bite her lip, twist her hair or give any other tells that Lenore had warned her about. The officer ignored the interruption and kept going. He asked the usual, did she overhear anybody mention anything about the cargo being dangerous, any suspicious activity, and several other routine questions. Allison answered them perfectly, with an almost bored expression, until a certain question.

  “Did you know tha
t the submitted permits were forged?” Hammins’s face registered satisfaction at Allison’s surprise.

  “What?” she said. “That’s impossible. I checked it…are you sure?” She shook her head. “Boy, I blew that one.” She turned her head toward Lenore. “Apologies, Captain. I should have caught that.” She turned back to Hammins. “How did you know? Can you tell me so I don’t get duped again?”

  Lenore decided to intervene before Allison overdid it. “Leave it for now. We will discuss it later.”

  Allison’s shoulders slumped as she dropped her head and mumbled, “Yes, Captain.” Her dejection seemed so real that Hammins looked uncomfortable at getting her in trouble.

  “It wasn’t easy to catch. Could have fooled anyone,” he said. He returned Allison’s smile and said she could go. Lenore knew the interrogation had been relatively easy and realized maybe this Hammins wasn’t as tough and seasoned as he appeared to be.

  Quinn must have been waiting by the door because he came in as soon as Allison stood. He walked to the chair without even glancing at his mother. While she thought it was good that he wasn’t showing anything the officer could use against him, she didn’t like his completely shuttered face.

  The questions began along the exact lines as the ones Allison had been asked. Hammins was careful not to exceed his prerogatives with the questions and Quinn was done very quickly as well. With each interview taking five minutes or less, they might all be finished by the time the corporal returned with the scanner. Quinn stood and left, as emotionless as he had been when he answered all the questions. Lenore thought she saw the lieutenant’s eyebrow twitch as if in question to Quinn’s attitude, but he didn’t stop Quinn from leaving. Diarmin entered, passing Quinn and Lenore noticed her husband glance at Quinn’s face but within an eyeblink, he hid the fatherly concern and was all business for the patrolmen.

  “Bondle told me that you often oversaw his daily inspection of the cargo. Why? Did you have concerns that there might be a problem?” Hammins leaned forward slightly.