The Lost Fleet: Courageous

Another, deeper, frown. “I’m of two minds about telling you, Captain Geary. But you surely noticed the byplay between Captain Desjani and Commander Yin toward the end of the conference.”

“Yes, I did. What was that?”

Duellos spoke with clear reluctance. “I doubt that Captain Desjani has heard, unless someone claiming to be a friend has passed on the rumors, but you should probably be aware that some of the rumors claim that you and Captain Desjani enjoy a close relationship.”

It was Geary’s turn to frown. “I take it you mean something more than a close professional relationship.”

Duellos nodded, his expression reflecting distaste at having to discuss the matter.

“Are they claiming I’m cheating on Rione? I thought the whole fleet knew about her.”

“Apparently you’re able to keep two women happy,” Duellos replied, then quirked a sardonic smile. “One man allegedly able to keep the likes of Rione and Desjani contented. By all rights that should enhance your reputation, I’d think.”

“It’s not exactly funny,” Geary responded.

“No. It implicates not just your honor but also Captain Desjani’s, and for that matter Co-President Rione’s.” Duellos shrugged. “Anyone seen as your ally is fair game for those who oppose you.”

“Including you?”

Duellos nodded silently, and Geary shook his head. “I shouldn’t be surprised. But I’ll watch my step with Desjani, ensuring there’s nothing that even the most twisted mind could warp into some kind of improper action between us.”

“Twisted minds are enormously inventive,” Duellos pointed out. “If you were on my ship, they’d probably be spreading the same rumors about you and me.”

“No offense, Captain Duellos, but you’re not my type.”

“None taken,” Duellos replied with a grin. “Besides, my wife would look askance on such a relationship.”

“Women can be like that,” Geary agreed, recalling that Duellos had a family back in Alliance space, then couldn’t help a small, derisive smile. “For a guy allegedly with two women, I’m sure not getting lucky very often.”

“Look at the bright side,” Duellos offered. “If you really were cheating on Rione with Desjani, or vice versa, one or both of those women would surely kill you and laugh as they watched you die. Women can be like that, too.”

“They can indeed. Especially women like Rione and Desjani. Thanks for the heads-up on those rumors. I don’t want anyone’s honor questioned on my account.” Geary hesitated as another question came to mind along with memories of Rione. “That stuff that Captain Badaya brought up, about the hypernet gates…”

Duellos nodded calmly. “We managed to defuse that.”

“How much do you know about that?”

“Species extinction.” Captain Duellos leaned back again, closing his eyes for a moment. “Supernovas or novas going off in every star system with a hypernet gate in it. Commander, pardon me, Captain Cresida has let a small group of us know of the potential threat. She anticipated you might need backing up on the matter.” Opening his eyes, Duellos gave Geary a serious look. “I hope you won’t be angry with her. I think Cresida was wise to tell a few of us, as you saw during this conference when the subject came up.”

“I did see that,” Geary admitted. “You’re right. She was smart to do it. I’m frankly afraid for anyone to know, but if we’re to prevent the worst from happening, some people have to know.”

“Who else have you told?”

“Only Co-President Rione.”

“Ah. An Alliance senator.” Duellos grimaced. “The Alliance Senate would vote to use the gates, to explode the ones within Syndic space. You know that, don’t you?”

“That’s was Rione’s assessment, too. And the Syndics would have time to figure out what we were doing and retaliate in kind.”

Duellos nodded, suddenly looking older. “If you get this fleet home, you carry with it the knowledge to wipe out the human race.”

“Yup.” Geary slumped and rubbed his forehead. “Do you want to take over command?”

“Not on your life.” Duellos’s eyes strayed to the star display. “Perhaps the living stars have decided humanity is a hopeless case.”

“The living stars didn’t create the hypernet gates,” Geary replied, his voice harsh.

“If they guided us, it’s the same-”

“Someone…something else gave us that technology. I’m sure of it.”

Duellos pondered the words for a long time before answering. “Some thing. Nonhuman?”

“That’s my guess. Rione agrees with it. We think they’re on the far side of Syndic space.”

“An interesting idea.” Another long pause. “They gave us poison wrapped in candy and are just waiting for us to pop it into our mouths?”

“Maybe.” Geary made a gesture toward the star display. “We can only guess at their motivations. They’re right that humanity is just stupid enough to take their gift and wipe itself out, but they forgot something else about people.”

Duellos raised a questioning eyebrow. “And that would be?”

“We hate being told what to do, and we’re very unpredictable.”

The other officer smiled. “True. May I share this information?”