Dragon and Liberator

"He wishes access to the K'da/Shontine vessel," the Valahgua said in his whispery voice. "That is obviously the motive behind this so-called modifier he claims knowledge of. You will not permit that to happen."

"Don't worry, Lordhighest; he's not getting anywhere near it," Neverlin assured him. "But I will admit to being intrigued. Colonel, instruct the fleet to prepare for immediate departure. We'll leave as soon as Mr. Morgan is aboard."

"We're taking him with us?" Frost asked, frowning.

"Him and the Essenay both," Neverlin said. "You have a problem with that?"

"Transporting a suspicious ship to Point Three?" Frost retorted. "Yes, I have a problem with it."

"Would you rather we negotiate with him here at Point Two?" Neverlin countered. "Giving anyone he may have talked to time to catch up with him?"

"I'd rather blow him out of the sky and be done with it," Frost said.

"That would be the wisest move," the Valahgua said.

"Perhaps," Neverlin said. "But as I say, I'm intrigued. Captain, signal all ships to prepare evasive patterns to Point Three. Each commander is to lay out his own course, with arrival six days from now."

The Valahgua alien rumbled somewhere inside his wide head. "I protest this plan most strongly," he declared. "We now take six days to reach Point Three? You had said it would take only four."

"It would," Neverlin confirmed. "But I think a couple of extra days of being undetectable by anyone else in the universe wouldn't be a bad thing right now."

"It could be a very foolish thing," the Valahgua retorted. "The K'da and Shontine could reach the rendezvous in as few as nine days."

"Which will still give us plenty of time," Neverlin assured him. "It's only a couple of hours from Point Three to the rendezvous."

"Is it truly?" the Valahgua asked. "What if this human has heard truly from the K'da?"

"He has a point," Frost said. "Once we're on ECHO we'll be out of communication with the rest of the fleet. If Morgan isn't lying, and if the rendezvous point actually turns out to be more than three days away from Point Three, we won't make it in time."

"Then they'll just have to wait for us, won't they?" Neverlin said tartly. "But they won't, because Morgan is blowing smoke. I'm sure of it."

"Then destroy him as the officer suggested," the Valahgua said.

"Not until I find out what flavor smoke he's blowing," Neverlin said. "Colonel—"

"You risk this mission for mere curiosity?" the Valahgua interrupted.

"I risk nothing, and this is far more than mere curiosity," Neverlin said coldly. "This man knew where Point Two was. I need to find out what else he knows. Before he dies. Colonel, have two of your Djinn-90s escort the Essenay here. While they do that, contact the team on Driftline and tell them to skip Point Two and head directly to Point Three once they've collected the Rhino-10s."

"Yes, sir," Frost said. "What about the Foxwolf?"

"What about it?"

"We still have only the single shift of my men aboard," Frost reminded him. "Do you want to swap the other two shifts back in?"

"What's your recommendation?" Neverlin asked.

For a few seconds Frost stared at the displays. "I'd say no," he said. "If Morgan has some trick planned, I don't want to be in the middle of a personnel change when he springs it."

"Agreed," Neverlin said. "Besides, I'd rather have your men instead of the Brummgas on hand here to watch him. Get the Essenay docked and then bring Morgan to my office." He raised his eyebrows. "Make sure you check him very carefully."

"Don't worry," Frost said softly. "We will."

Inclining his head to the Valahgua, Neverlin headed for the bridge door. Carefully, Taneem eased her way backward down the duct. "Did you hear all that?" she whispered when she was far enough away from the grille.

"Yes," Alison whispered back. "Can you find your way to Neverlin's office?"

"I think so," Taneem said. She reached a cross-duct and backed around the corner into it. "But can't you listen through the needle?"

"Yes, but it probably won't be loud enough for you to hear via comm clip," Alison said. "Besides, I'm curious to find out what this fake Virgil Morgan looks like."

"I understand," Taneem said, turning back into the main duct. "I'm on my way."

CHAPTER 12

The Foxwolf, as expected, was loaded to the gills with Brummgas.

They were everywhere. Some were lounging at consoles in various rooms, their wide bulks squeezed into chairs a couple of sizes too small for them. Others were running power cables along the corridor ceilings, apparently setting up special equipment. Others were simply milling around, or watching everyone else work.

Sure not working very hard, are they? Jack commented as he passed yet another group of idling aliens.