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If the reminder annoyed her, she gave no sign outside the twitch of one side of her mouth.
"In spite of my better judgement, the admiral is letting you go," Marshall said. "However, Gamma will remain at a discreet distance behind the pod and engage any enemies. The mission remains the same. Stealth. During your time on board, Engineer E'rel has worked with my team to produce more devices such as the one which freed our four former-host guests. My chief engineer reports that she'd like more time to work on them, but we no longer have the luxury of time. We will move forward with what we have."
She rolled her shoulders for a moment. "Because the time on board Gamma has minimised the pod's fuel use, I'm able to assign four security officers to accompany you. They will operate under the orders of Commander J'avet." She eyed him. "Don't get them killed."
J'avet's mouth was set in a line. "My intention is never to get anyone killed."
"Yeah. Shit happens," Marshall said. "With four more trained, armed personnel, maybe we can minimise the shit and get the job done."
She turned her eyes on me and I had the idea she was about to say something I didn't like.
"I don't feel comfortable sending a civilian into what might end up as a conflict situation."
"I'd be lying if I said I felt comfortable going," I said. "But I'm still going. I've dealt with Iri before. And former Iri." I lifted my chin. I would stow away if I had to, but I wasn't being left out. My guys were out there and I wouldn't rest until I got them back.
"That's why the admiral is letting you go," Marshall said. "I suggested you would find a way to get back on board that pod."
"Damn right I would," I said. "When do we leave?"
"Within the hour," Marshall replied. "The engineers are finishing up some modifications to the pod, and making sure it's fully stocked with everything you need. Engineer E'rel, I'm sure you'll want to oversee the work." She jerked her head toward the door.
"Yes, I would." He hurried out without a backward glance.
Maybe Parvorans weren't assholes, they just hadn't learnt any manners. I've never been the kind of girl who tries to change a guy, so I guess I would have to get used to it. Who knows, they might pick up a thing or two in time.
"Pilot Brinley, you'll see the controls are now equipped with a tracker. We want to know the pod's whereabouts at all times." Marshall fixed her gaze on Brinley, who nodded.
"However," Marshall continued, "the tracker goes both ways, and has longer reach than the pod's existing sensors. You'll know the location of Gamma at all times, as well as any other ships, IF or otherwise, even at a few hundred kilometres distance. You can also shout for help and be heard sooner."
I sat back in my chair and asked, "If we ask for help, will any ship hear it?"
Marshall looked at me as though I asked a really good question. "Yes," she replied. "If you only want to speak to Gamma, you'll need to use the pod's usual comms. If you use the tracker, the Iri will hear it, too. We don't have time to modify it further."
"It will do," J'avet said.
"It will have to." Marshall straightened up. "We've done what we could while you were our visitors, but after this, you're on your own. I wish you luck on this mission. I'm sure you know how important it is."
"The future of the galaxy rests on our success," J'avet said.
No pressure.
My heart raced and my palms sweated like crazy. This was so much more than a rescue mission to save the guys. If we failed, the galaxy might well be fucked. Overrun by nanobots bent on domination.
Yep, we only had one option here, as I saw it. Don't fail. Absolutely no pressure at all, no way.
Shit.
