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Yuder gazed at the shuttle controls, reacquainting himself on the vessel’s operations before starting it. “Are you having trouble seeing?”
“Only if you call dark blobs hovering in my peripheral vision trouble. I noticed them after you landed yesterday. I haven’t seen them since, but better safe than sorry.”
Chapter Three
Kalquor, Fleet Headquarters
Following his report, Admiral Tranis was silent. Despite being on Alpha Space Station, which orbited Earth II, Admiral Piras stared at him across the desk in Tranis’ office. The other Dramok blinked slowly as he absorbed the news.
“The spyship orbiting Bi’is…the vessel that replaced mine…I mean, Captain Kila’s…hasn’t resumed communications?”
“As of a week ago, nothing. Shortly before, the father of an ensign on board received a strange message from his son.” Tranis sent it straight to Piras’ computer through a secure channel. He waited as the other Dramok, seemingly right there in front of him thanks to the clarity of their vid connection, read what Tranis already knew by heart.
Hello, my father,
I was sorry to hear you were unwell when Mother messaged me last. No doubt you’ve shaken off the shadow of illness by now. If there were danger, she’d have told me, so I hope I won’t offend you with this com. It’s just I’m worried, isolated as I am. Everyone is so busy, it’s as if I’m among strangers, and I have no one to talk to. I know, a Dramok must cast aside his feelings and attend to his duties, and I’m trying my best to do so. I suppose I regard it as my duty to contact you and let you and whomever else should know when I sense matters aren’t what they should be. On the surface, all is well; but deep down, I’m concerned. You did raise me to act on my concerns, thus this message.
I hope with every cell of my being to see you healthy and strong. My love is forever with my parents.
Ilid
Tranis watched Piras’ eyes move as he read the communication, then read it again. His counterpart’s lips tightened and brows drew downward. Despite the tense expression, Piras was handsome in his way, most of his somewhat delicate features offset by a strong jaw. Sleek black hair framed his features as they tightened. Piras had a bad habit of grinding his teeth.
Tranis noticed his own jaw clenching and forced it to relax. The two Dramoks hadn’t been on what could be called friendly terms for a large portion of their acquaintance, but they worked well together. Duty to the empire had always been their reluctant bond, in addition to others.
Piras directed his attention to Tranis. “It appears to be a warning of some sort. If anyone possessing half a brain had read it before it was sent, they’d have noticed. It must have gotten through the ship’s flagging system. It’s written in terms that wouldn’t have set it off.”
“We thought so too. Incidentally, the young man’s father hadn’t been ill. Ensign Ilid and his mother had no such conversation.”
“Is there more to this?”
“Normally, the young man sends coms intended for his parent clan to his mother. His Nobek father Gruthep is an intelligence officer in territorial enforcement and a former commander with the ground forces. It can’t be an accident Ensign Ilid contacted him instead.”
“A man of such experience would certainly detect the strangeness of the note. The wordsdanger, isolated, strangers…and the phrasesI have no one to talk toandmatters aren’t what they should be…it suggests he didn’t feel he could trust his commanding officers.”
“Which is what struck Gruthep. Most of us in Fleet Command who are aware of the com agree. It makes our inability to reach the spyship extra troubling.”
“Who was in command of Captain Kila’s replacement?”
Since the transfer had taken place and Piras was back in Fleet Command’s fold, Tranis could tell him. “Captain Abgi. Are you acquainted?”
“I am, and he’s a fine spyship captain. He’s been a part of the department for decades, decorated for multiple heroics. I can’t imagine him doing anything to set off a warning of this nature.”
“Nor can I, but his ship is missing. It demands an investigation.”
Piras’ brows shot up. “You aren’t thinking of sending—”
“After five years watching Bi’is, Captain Kila and his crew know the situation better than anyone. It makes the most sense to send them.” Piras was famous for his temper, but heat crept in Tranis’ tone. “I’d prefer not to, but who else is there?”
They glared at each other across a desktop separating them by a three-day journey.
Piras spoke first. “You’re leaving something out.”
“Nothing as far as this mission is concerned.” It wasn’t entirely true, but how could he complain to Piras about a mere sense of unease?
Tranis’ discomfort was due to the reaction to the Bi’is situation by their commanding officer. Rear Admiral Hobato, the chief executive in charge of Fleet Command, had been dismissive of Ensign Ilid’s message. His agreement to send another spyship to investigate the unresponsive vessel’s lack of communication had appeared halfhearted. It was odd behavior from a man Tranis knew to be meticulous and conscientious.
Piras’ expression suggested he was ready to argue whether or not Tranis was holding back. He surprised him. “All right, Admiral. I agree Captain Kila’s ship is the most logical to send to Bi’is to investigate. I’ll inform him immediately he’s to leave no later than tomorrow, Earth time.”
