Authors: Bennett R. Coles
“Sir, madam.” It was a servant. “Admiral Randall Bush and the officers of the
Neil Armstrong
have arrived.”
Perfect timing. He’d purposefully told his new Research colleagues that the party started an hour later than it did, to give him enough solo time with the wealthy guests to establish his position as a veteran. Not that he expected these bumbling eggheads to upstage him, but every opportunity had to be played properly.
“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “Some of my Astral Force colleagues have just arrived.” Leaving Soma to lead the gossip about the war, he started toward the house to receive his new guests.
* * *
“Commander Brisebois,” she stated simply as the neural scan flashed over her. It was still fun to say, though her rank really wasn’t new anymore.
What was even more fun, she realized, was to watch the subtle but unmistakable surprise whenever some flunky realized that she was someone important. The surprise was usually greater when she was in civilian clothes which, due to her position in Intelligence, was most days.
The servant stiffened slightly, and quickly turned his attention to her companion.
“Kit Moro,” he said, keeping his head steady for the neural scan. The servant studied his readout with sudden interest. He glanced up at Kit.
“You have an optical implant.”
Kit smiled and produced his media card. “I’m a freelance cameraman—it’s registered.” He cast a sidelong glance of resigned amusement at Breeze as the servant conducted a quick verification. It was common, at security checks not manned by the State itself, to have to resort to more old-school proof. Private citizens and organizations didn’t have the same level of access to the universal ID chip implants.
“You’ll have to keep it deactivated while inside the residence,” the servant said firmly.
“With pleasure.”
His easy confidence was probably what Breeze liked most about him. There were plenty of men who could match him with good looks and style, but most of them were trying very hard to impress. Rarely did she meet someone who seemed so at ease with the world. As they passed through the gate and into the residence, he reached out smoothly to drape her arm in his—a move that could either be the courtesy of a gentleman or the advance of a suitor.
It intrigued Breeze that she couldn’t tell which.
“Thank you for coming,” she said suddenly. She realized that her words might sound too eager, and when he glanced over she rolled her eyes slightly. “I never know who’s going to be at this sort of thing, and it’s good to know I’ll have at least one interesting companion.”
“The Astral Force’s best and brightest?” he protested. “How could they not be interesting?” His wry expression matched exactly what she was thinking.
The reception hall of Thomas’s house was flooded with sunlight, but comfortably cool. Marble floors sparkled under whitewashed walls, and open arches led to a lush, green lawn beyond. Guests were already mingling in small pockets, and with no uniforms to guide her Breeze had to look sharp to spot the most interesting targets. Admiral Chandler was supposed to be here, she knew, and hopefully a few more flag officers would deign to attend. In particular she needed to find that slime ball Bush. She wanted to talk to him…
She needn’t have worried, though, for Admiral Bush noticed her almost immediately, abandoning the hors d’oeuvres and descending like a plump pigeon. His tubby figure wasn’t complemented by his choice of outfit, and Breeze really wished he’d pay for the surgery and get a full head of hair. Their professional relationship to date had been cordial, and she’d let him play the role of magnanimous admiral, but his lascivious glances were becoming a bit too much even for her.
“How nice to see you, Breeze, welcome.” His soft face was all smiles as he reached to kiss her hand. “And I don’t believe I’ve met your husband.”
She laughed easily, squeezing the hand that still held hers, and brushing Kit’s shoulder.
“Oh, Admiral, you underestimate me!” she replied. “I’m not ready to settle down just yet.” She freed her hand from his grasp and placed it in the small of Kit’s back. “But I agree that this gentleman is worth a second look.”
“Kit Moro. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Admiral.”
Bush shook Kit’s hand and beamed. “The pleasure’s mine, sir.”
She pressed her hand against his back just a bit more firmly. “Kit, I’m sorry but I need to discuss business with the admiral for just a moment. Could you get us some drinks? I promise we’ll be done by the time you get back.”
He feigned a tiny sigh. “The trouble with being a civilian among the military.” He flashed her an easy smile and stepped back. “I’ll take my time.” With a graceful turn he strolled away toward the elaborate bar on the far side of the garden. She couldn’t help but watch him go for a moment, but quickly turned back to business.
“Sir, thank you for a few moments,” she began. “As the head of Intelligence’s Dark Bomb project, I’m very keen to meet the research team involved.”
Pride beamed from his dark eyes. “I’ve given it top priority, and assigned my flagship to the task. They have orders to cooperate with your office, as required.”
“Thank you, sir. My team has sent over some initial questions regarding dark matter concentrations at depth, but we haven’t received anything back.”
Bush frowned slightly. “How long ago did you send the request?”
“Three weeks, and I know that the
Armstrong
has deployed during that time.”
His frown deepened. “I’ll speak to Captain Lincoln. Whatever you need, Breeze, you just tell me.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said with a smile. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”
“In fact, I’ll introduce you to the senior staff, and you can ask them yourself.” He gestured, and Breeze saw Thomas Kane, standing in the small cluster of officers just outside on the grass. It was annoying to have him so closely involved in her first important project, but at least now she was the senior officer. He looked relaxed in his civilian clothes, drink in one hand and gorgeous wife in the other. Despite her distaste for him, she had to acknowledge that he’d done rather well in the months since they’d returned.
Somehow his career was still on track, and his marriage had gone ahead, thanks to the devil’s bargain he’d been forced to strike with her. She’d never met Soma before, but seeing the two of them together now—mixed race, decent difference in height, good genes all around—she felt an uncharacteristic pang of envy. He was at the age when to remain single would seem odd, and with his wife’s wealth to match his own experience as a veteran, he had taken an important step toward securing a profitable future.
Unwittingly, she glanced back through the arches toward the bar, where Kit was chatting casually with the server, killing time to give her a few minutes for business. He was self-made, so no pedigree, but she had plenty of that, and the balance might be beneficial.
His dark, handsome features would certainly be telegenic, and his exotic career would add a touch of dash uncommon in a civilian. He was from Earth, which wasn’t as good as interworldly, but their mixed African-European genes would produce beautiful children. Her military service would be up in a year, and it was time to start thinking about options. She could do worse.
She and Bush moved toward the group that included Thomas, and he was the first to notice her approach, his eyes flashing with surprise, almost fear. She adopted her most engaging smile and stepped ahead of the admiral to greet him like a long-lost friend. She grasped his shoulders and kissed him fully on both cheeks, knowing that this was just a
bit
too familiar.
“Oh, Thomas, how wonderful to see you!”
He held his ground, smiling politely as his wife’s grip tightened around him.
“As much a pleasure as always, Breeze.”
Quick introductions saw Breeze acquainted with the new Mrs. Kane and Lieutenant Helena Grey of the
Armstrong
. Captain Andy Lincoln she’d already met on her only visit to the ship, and she was eager to grill him again on the lack of response to her inquiries about the Dark Bomb research, but Soma’s presence made such classified talk impossible.
Kit rejoined her with drinks.
Having regained his composure quickly, Thomas took the conversational lead. His wife made what Breeze considered a very obvious show of hanging on his every word, but so, strangely, did Lieutenant Grey. For an old nag, Helena certainly poured on the feminine charm, directing it equally toward Thomas, Andy, Admiral Bush, and even Kit.
Bush seemed strangely fond of her—
he hadn’t, had he?
—and Thomas navigated her charms with ease. Andy Lincoln, Breeze determined quickly, was clueless in a conversation that wasn’t about his job, and Kit sailed along with the flow of chatter as if he’d known these people for years.
“So you and Breeze served on the same ship in the recent troubles?” he asked at one point.
“Careful with your military terms,” Breeze chided Kit. “Even I winced at that. We serve ‘in’ ships, not ‘on’ them.”
“My apologies,” he offered with a slight bow towards Thomas, “to all those who served
in
a ship.”
Thomas kept his expression carefully neutral, she noted with quiet amusement. And his discomfort had nothing to do with Kit’s misuse of sacred jargon, she knew.
“Yes, we were both in the fast-attack craft
Rapier
.”
“And we both did time on Admiral Chandler’s staff,” she added, “when
Rapier
was out of commission.”
“So you both must know Katja Emmes?” Kit asked.
Breeze was startled into silence. Why did Kit keep coming back to that bitch? She glanced at Thomas just in time to see the red fading quickly from his cheeks. Amused, she decided to let him answer the question.
“She was also in
Rapier
,” he finally replied. “Except for when she was part of the planetary strike force.”
“You mean Abeona?” Kit said smoothly. “When your force attacked the Centauri homeworld?”
“That’s right,” Thomas acknowledged. “Katja was on the surface, and Breeze and I were in orbit.”
Kit’s face displayed admiration. “She sounds like one brave lady.”
Annoyance got the better of her, and Breeze tried to deflect the conversation.
“Crazy lady is more like it,” she replied. “Nearly got herself killed, standing too close to her own bombardment order. If it hadn’t been for Thomas coordinating the battle overhead, she might have got her entire platoon killed.”
Thomas’s face creased in the most open display of real emotion she’d seen yet.
“Hardly, Breeze,” he said, and he turned. “You’re right, Kit—she’s very brave.”
“Why do you ask?” Soma interjected. “Do you know her?”
Kit shrugged. “I did the filming for her interview with Chuck—a piece he’s been doing on that family of veterans. I’m almost surprised to not see her here.” He laughed. “With Breeze and Thomas working together again, why not Emmes?”
“I’m not sure how useful a strike officer would be on a Research mission,” Bush joked, to automatic laughter. Breeze forced herself to laugh, then assumed a serious look.
“Actually, I understand she’s been removed from duty.”
“Breeze…” Thomas warned.
She nodded, looking at everyone in the group to ensure she had their full attention.
“Apparently she pulled a weapon on a senior Army member, in her own barracks.” The disapproving clucks and murmurs she heard made her feel a little better.
“Sounds serious,” Kit commented. “What happens to troopers who do that sort of thing?”
Anger flashed up again, but she suppressed it in a moment, through long practice. She forced a sweet smile to her face and she rubbed her hand against Kit’s arm.
“They get treated,” she responded. “The Astral Force takes care of its own. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
Thomas and Soma suddenly looked at each other and nodded. He tapped his ear.
“We’ve just been told that Admiral Chandler has arrived,” he announced. “Admiral Bush, would you care to join us as we greet him?” The fat flag officer squeaked some affirmative response and waddled off in the wake of Kane’s flowing movements toward the house.
Kit didn’t miss a beat in what could have become an awkward silence, and he politely inquired into the duties of a Research ship. Lincoln, suddenly back in his element, began gushing about all the scientific awards his last command had won, and of his big plans for
Neil Armstrong
. Breeze listened with growing irritation, not only because the conversation was boring, but because she was beginning to get a sense of why her inquiries weren’t being answered. Kit, on the other hand, seemed engrossed, and she couldn’t gauge his sincerity at all.
He was smooth, no question.
Helena suddenly declared that she was going to freshen up, and invited Breeze to join her. It was the classic escape plan for any woman, and Breeze took it gratefully.
“I’m sorry about the captain,” Helena said quietly as they crossed the wide lawn together. “He loves his special experiments and the chance to win awards.”
“I don’t want to take away from his success,” Breeze replied, “but I need that Dark Bomb information.”
“I know, dear,” Helena responded. “Trust me, no one is more frustrated than me—and I’m the one who has to try and produce viable scientific results from the mish-mash of data this team produces.”
Breeze doubted the sincerity of this cunning old bat, but at least she could speak her mind to someone with the power to help her.
“We all know how to keep our bosses happy while still getting the job done,” she offered. “Get Thomas on your side, and let
him
fight with the captain.”
Helena rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Kane is no better. He doesn’t know the first thing about science, or leadership. He just hides away with Andy and plans the latest ridiculous assignment to drop on us.”
Breeze found that hard to believe, but it was gratifying nonetheless to imagine Thomas as an incompetent.
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s messed up.”
Helena nodded sympathetically, her face turning very earnest. “Science is a different world from warfare, and now I have two combat idiots who think they’re special forces or something, coming in and ruining what was once a happy ship.”