by K A Bledsoe
Wow, just jumped right in, didn’t he? But if he thinks Diarmin can be intimidated or startled into revealing anything, he is wrong.
“Standard procedure,” Diarmin said, a hint of chill in his voice. “If you hadn’t noticed, many of the ship’s systems are down there. I wouldn’t want anyone to accidentally damage or even brush up against sensitive machinery.”
“Ah, sensible precaution,” Hammins answered, ignoring the jab about not noticing. “Did you ever have any reason to question Mr. Bondle about the cargo?”
“We did before he was brought on. He assured us that it posed no danger. Passive scans of the six-alls revealed no leakage of any toxic substances.”
“Did you scan inside the six-alls?”
“Of course not, at Bondle’s request. He told me the same thing he told you, that scans may damage the cargo.”
“Were you aware that the permits from Bondle were false?”
Diarmin allowed his eyebrows to rise but said he wasn’t aware. Lenore began to wonder if the lieutenant was thinking she was in cahoots with Bondle and trying to determine if the rest of the crew were innocent or guilty. The rest of the questions were harmless and Diarmin was dismissed as the hooting of the airlock began.
“Let the corporal in, please,” Lenore said to Diarmin. “And bring him here.”
“Aye, Captain.” He nodded and left. Lenore knew he understood that no stranger was to be unsupervised aboard this ship.
Lenore moved to sit in the chair, but the lieutenant stood.
“If you don’t mind, Captain. I would prefer to continue the questions after the cargo has been scanned.”
Lenore caught herself about to grind her teeth again but nodded. “I will inform Mr. Bondle.”
Hammins looked like he was going to protest but instead headed for the airlock. Lenore went to fetch the scientist, glancing at Kurla’s closed door. Hm, wonder what she would make of all this. Bondle’s door was open and he leapt to his feet as soon as he caught sight of Lenore. He grabbed his scanner and followed Lenore to the cargo bay. Thoughts of the girl were forgotten.
***
Allison had retreated to her cabin, but Quinn was tired of hiding. His parents hadn’t told him to keep out of sight after the questioning, so he took advantage of the crowded ship to tuck himself into a corner of the cargo bay before everyone returned to scan the six-alls. He only had a few moments to ponder the situation before the shuttle returned. He was very edgy and didn’t know exactly why. The questioning had gone well, almost boring. In fact, he felt like he had been dismissed as irrelevant by the lieutenant. Though he was glad he wasn’t under suspicion, it still felt a little insulting. After all, Quinn was capable of doing much more, and, in fact, wasn’t as naive as the officer thought.
But Quinn wasn’t so caught up in himself not to notice how the rest of his family was feeling. His mother was holding back anger as well, but that was because she didn’t like officials aboard her ship. She was barely tolerating the passengers and Quinn got the feeling that after this mission, they wouldn’t take on any others in the future. He snorted. That would mean no chance of meeting someone new anytime soon.
His father was tense and worried, but Quinn knew it wasn’t all about the patrolmen. Maybe a little worry about Bondle and Kurla but for the family, too. I don’t know. But that annoyed him further. Maybe Allison was still too young, but he was old enough to strike out on his own. He had skills and could make it probably anywhere if they would just let him go. Maybe they were afraid he would slip and leave clues for the Xa’ti’al to find his mother. I am as good at disguise as anyone and they found her anyway with no help from me.
Allison. He was worried about her, though. She didn’t want to meet people, preferred being by herself. These extra three patrolmen were almost more than she could take. That wasn’t good. What if she had been the one to be captured by the slavers? She wouldn’t have lasted a day, delicate as she is. But maybe that was even more of a reason for Quinn to leave. Show her that there were good things to be had outside of the family. It might even encourage her to go to a school and make some friends. So that settled his mind. He would start looking for a good opportunity to find something else, so he could learn new things and grow without his parents molding him their way.
Through his musings, he’d been aware of the return of the shuttle and now heard footsteps descending the ladder. He pulled back a little further in the niche with his father’s workbench and watched the group.
First came his father, followed closely by the corporal who was holding a rather wieldy instrument that Quinn assumed was the micropolaron scanner he had gone to get. The lieutenant was followed closely by the private and they all gathered around the closest six-all. Quinn saw his father open his mouth as the corporal lifted the scanner, probably to tell him to wait, but more footsteps indicated that his mother and Bondle were entering the bay.
“Thank you for waiting for the owner of the cargo to be present, Lieutenant Hammins,” said Lenore.
The sour look on the lieutenant’s face said he didn’t appreciate the sarcasm, but he nodded in an attempt to be gracious. Bondle went straight to the new scanner and acknowledged it was the proper one and wouldn’t harm the cargo. Everyone stood silently as the corporal held the bulky scanner under one arm while holding up a wand to the six-all. He waved it from top to bottom, repeated the process for each side of the six-all and again with the other three. He said nothing during the process and his expression did not even flicker. The lieutenant’s did, however, when the corporal presented the scanner readout to him.
“Well, I am afraid our information was correct,” he said to no one in particular. “The scanner is detecting radioactive particles in each cargo container.”
Each person’s reaction was different. His father’s eyes widened slightly, his mother’s narrowed, the private smirked and Bondle protested loudly.
“Impossible! There is absolutely no possibility of radioactivity in those samples.” He practically lunged for the corporal’s scanner. The lieutenant stepped in between them and held up a hand.
“Mr. Bondle. I cannot deny the readouts.” He shoved the pad in front of Bondle’s nose. “With this evidence, I must insist that the cargo be opened.”
“No no no no!” said Bondle. He waved his own scanner at the cargo and held it out to Hammins. “His scanner is faulty as you can see. Mine shows no radioactivity.”
“Another reason to open the cargo.”
“This cargo bay is not hermetically sealed. If the cargo is damaged in any way or even one sample container breached, it could cause a chain reaction and destroy the cultures that I have worked so hard to create.” His shoulders slumped. “Please, officer. I need these medicines for my planet. My people are dying. Isn’t there something you can do?”
Lieutenant Hammins actually appeared to believe the man, hesitating with his response. Quinn thought he was the one being naive. Obviously that’s what someone would say if they were shipping dangerous illegal cargo. A glance at his parents showed them watching everything very carefully but not engaging at all. What are they waiting for?
The corporal cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may. Back on the local patrol base we have the lab next to the medical facilities which is large enough for one six-all, and the containers can be examined safely in that environment.”
“Will that be satisfactory, Mr. Bondle?”
“I suppose I have no choice.” His entire body showed defeat.
Good, thought Quinn. Get this guy off this ship as well as his dangerous cargo.
“It is not satisfactory to me, Lieutenant Hammins,” said Lenore. “I contracted with Mr. Bondle to deliver him and his cargo from Drenon to Reese. The detour will be an unacceptable delay.”
“Ah, but you and your crew are not needed anymore,” said Hammins, the look on his face one of superiority. “My main ship is equipped with a boarding field that allows me to transfer the six-alls safely. I am confiscating the cargo acc
ording to regulation four-six-one of the illegal shipping codes.”
“But my cargo needs to be delivered within three days, four at the most,” said Bondle. “It will be useless after that.”
“Should the cargo prove harmless, I will personally guarantee to deliver it on time, Mr. Bondle.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“But that is not—” began Lenore.
“Captain Fleming. You have no legal right to protest. Might I suggest in the future to examine permits more carefully so you can avoid a similar situation.”
The complete blanking of emotions from his mother’s face might seem resignation to most, but Hammins should watch out. He had just made an enemy.
“Mr. Bondle gather your things. We will return to the ship and prepare to receive the cargo.”
Bondle nodded and hurried up the ladder. The private leaned over to whisper in the lieutenant’s ear. The lieutenant nodded and turned again to Lenore who was standing, arms loose at her side, saying nothing.
“Our scans indicate that there is another person aboard who I haven’t questioned.”
“Another passenger,” said Diarmin quickly.
He’s probably afraid Mom will lose it any minute, thought Quinn.
“May I speak with this person?”
“She has nothing to do with this situation,” said Lenore through stiff lips. “She boarded separately and is traveling to a different destination.”
“Nevertheless, regulations stipulate that all witnesses be questioned.”
Lenore didn’t even bother to answer, simply turned and left up the ladder. The rest followed, Diarmin last to leave. Quinn followed the group all the way to Kurla’s cabin.
Lenore knocked on the door then input the code to unlock it. Kurla stood, looking startled at the lieutenant pushing past Lenore to speak to her. But before he could get a question out, Kurla took the initiative.
“Oh, the Order be Praised, I am rescued,” she said, reaching for the lieutenant.
“Rescued?” he said as he took a step back from Kurla, raising his hands in an unconscious attempt to keep her at bay. She saw this and stopped her approach.
“These awful people have locked me in my cabin for no good reason,” she said, clasping her hands together and looking down. Quinn heard his father snort before he responded.
“She was caught with items stolen from our ship and restricted to her quarters,” he said.
“I didn’t take anything. I don’t know how those things got in my cabin.” She looked at the patrolman and emphasized each argument with a begging flourish of her clasped hands. “They locked me up without proof. A cruel punishment to someone who grew up on a large farm. I have been suffering from horrible claustrophobia for days.”
“It’s been thirty-six hours and she has been well cared for.”
“We shall take her off your hands, Captain,” said Hammins. “We have ways to determine guilt or innocence, all harmless and ethical of course.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you,” said Kurla as she grabbed his hand. “I am grateful…wait…no you can’t—” Her face changed as she released Hammins’ hand. “That would be acceptable,” said the deepened voice.
“What?” Hammins blinked at the sudden alteration.
Lenore quickly explained about the High Priest, although her expression showed she wasn’t liking how this was going.
The Priest continued speaking. “Kurla is under my guardianship so you have my permission to proceed with these tests.” Kurla’s body turned to face Lenore. “Captain Fleming. I apologize for all the inconvenience. Once this is resolved and I am back home, I will make sure you receive adequate compensation from the Order.” The body bowed again and when she straightened, all could tell it was Kurla again.
“Very well. Private Levi, please assist the lady with her possessions and escort her aboard the shuttle. Captain.” Hammins gestured towards the lounge, leaving the private and Kurla to packing. As the rest of the people went into the lounge, Quinn stayed in the corridor within earshot.
Hammins continued. “I am relieving you of all responsibility for the girl. As for the cargo and Bondle, at this time it appears you have either been duped into carrying illegal cargo or are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Unless I find evidence to the contrary, you are free to go after the cargo is aboard my ship. However, if I find any evidence of your collaboration in anything unlawful, I will press charges.”
“I assure you, Lieutenant, you will find no such evidence,” she replied. Quinn had to admire his mother’s restraint. Surely she must be itching to take down the officer. Through the doorway he saw the lieutenant nod, point the corporal toward Bondle’s cabin, and then turn toward the shuttle. Bondle exited, nearly running down the corporal. As they all disappeared out of Quinn’s sight, he took a few hesitant steps towards Kurla’s cabin. She was closing her small bag, the private waiting politely. Quinn cleared his throat, wishing the private wasn’t there.
“I, um, wanted to say goodbye, Kurla,” he said. She looked at him with anger and hurt in her eyes and he couldn’t leave it at that. He felt she had been used by either the Priest or Bondle and didn’t deserve to be labeled as a thief. “I am sorry about everything. I don’t know what happened. If I could help I would but…” So lame Quinn.
But Kurla’s face softened. “Thank you. I am hoping these nice men can prove my innocence and then I can go home.” She smiled at him. “I meant it when I said you can come with me. I… I’d still like that. But now isn’t the time.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for believing in me. Goodbye.” She left quickly, the private trailing in her wake.
Quinn rubbed his cheek. Maybe he could find evidence to prove she had been framed.
Chapter Twenty-eight
As soon as the questioning was over, Alli headed back to her room. That wasn’t to say she didn’t know what was going on, however. She pulled up her newest program which allowed her to listen to any or all the rooms of the ship. Guilt suffused her as she knew she was going against her parents’ wishes about spying, but for some reason she felt compelled to know what was going on. The program had video capabilities as well, but she didn’t usually use those. She hadn’t listened in on anyone privately in their cabins, but she heard everything that had occurred on board since the patrolmen arrived.
Well, to be completely honest with herself, she made the program right after the theft so it would record automatically whether she was watching or not. She felt that had such a program been in place, it would have proven beyond a doubt that Kurla did steal Dad’s stuff. And then she could show it to Quinn so he would stop mooning over her.
The questioning of Quinn went about the same as with her although the officer didn’t ask him about the fake permits. Allison was privately pleased that she managed to turn her surprise at the question into surprise that they were fake. Quinn wasn’t the only one who could act.
Ah, now they were questioning Dad. The questions seemed basic and routine and a little boring. When the corporal returned and everyone descended to the cargo bay, she couldn’t help herself. She activated the video as well as the audio. She listened to what everyone was saying, but she really was interested in her parents’ reactions. As she zoomed in, she caught sight of Quinn lurking in the corner. Typical, although she realized she was doing the same thing. But I am being more subtle, Quinn.
As she attempted to focus on her parents, the video fuzzed out and back in several times. There’s that stupid glitch again, but I’ve never seen that happen before. Maybe when I transferred the controls to my room instead of the bridge it caused a slight distortion in the transmitter. Or maybe looking for the problem made it worse. I never got the chance to give that pad to Dad. Probably ought to now, though there is nothing conclusive yet. Oh, hold on. They’re leaving the cargo bay.
Alli followed all the action in the cargo bay and back to Kurla’s cabin. She couldn’t believe that the cargo was dangerous, but she was glad th
at Kurla was leaving. When the groups split, she wasn’t sure who to listen to even though both would be recorded. She decided she wanted to hear how the cargo was going to be transferred but instead found her hand turning up the volume in the corridor outside Kurla’s cabin. As she listened to her brother and Kurla, she grew angry.
Kurla mentioned again that she wanted Quinn to leave with her. Was he seriously considering it? He didn’t say that he couldn’t or wouldn’t, just stood there dumbly staring with that goofy look on his face. Allison got the sinking feeling that if Kurla hadn’t been taken into custody by these officials, she would be trying harder to convince Quinn to leave the family and go with her.
And it looked like Quinn would go.
***
As the hatch slammed shut, Lenore stood with her arms crossed staring at it, trying to keep anger under a tight rein. There goes all chance of getting paid, she thought as the patrol shuttle pulled away with both passengers. Lenore realized she couldn’t count on the word of the priest. What if Kurla was found guilty and retained so long that the priest’s awareness dwindled to nothing? No, we can’t count on that money.
Lenore felt her lips tighten and was aware of Diarmin coming to stand next to her. She didn’t look at him and was obscurely pleased that he didn’t try to make her feel better in any way. He knew her well enough to know an arm or word of comfort would have the opposite effect. Now she was annoyed that he could read her so well. So much for the vaunted Xa’ti’al abilities to suppress emotion. Then she remembered her bioimplant that helped suppress emotions was gone and training couldn’t quite keep up anymore.
“Bridge or cargo bay?” he asked.
“What?” Annoyed again, Lenore grimly admitted to herself that she was letting the strong emotions distract her.
“Well, someone needs to be on the bridge for the field docking maneuver and someone in the bay to make sure the transfer of cargo goes smoothly. Which do you want?”
It took several moments before she responded, and it wasn’t to answer the question. “That cargo would have earned us enough money to get the defensive systems for the ship. And have plenty left over.”
