"I have a theory in that regard," Deep Six said. "Was there not a maser or laser uplink at the offworlder base camp?"
"Yes, a laser link."
The Schalli clicked—a habit of his while he was thinking, "It is possible, sir, that the missiles were programmed to seek out that very uplink—particularly since it was probably ground zero."
"But who could have known about the laser uplink?" Gyro asked, "and known it would be in place at that time and that location?"
"Most logically," Deep Six said, "the captain of the ship who left them on Gypsy Island in the first place."
"Killing their own people to keep them from talking?" Coeur said, 'They are ruthless individuals we are considering," Deep Six observed. "Murder, regardless of species or allegiance, is probably not a difficulty for them."
"Hm. Snapshot, did we get a good enough track of their jumps pace entry vector to anticipate their destination?"
"Not a really clean one, but I'd say the general direction of Thoezennt Subsector."
"Surely' Gyro said, "that's not enough information to warrant a trip there,"
"In and of itself, no. But all the same, every little piece helps to fill in the puzzle."
"An apt metaphor," Deep Six said.
"Thanks. By the way, did either of you tell the government about the Gypsy Island explosions?"
"It was our first priority," Gyro said. "They were...concerned."
"I'll bet. Deep Six, get me the governor directly."
"Red Sun, I demand an explanation for all this! Am I to understand we've come under attack by nuclear weapons?"
"Governor, I suggest we maintain some perspective. Yes, Ra was struck by nuclear weapons, but we seriously doubt they were targeted at your people. We believe that the presence of our ship interfered with recovery of an enemy ground party, and they were subsequently targeted for elimination to prevent interrogation."
"Red Sun, I think we're mincing words. Can you assure me that there won't be more attacks from this enemy force?"
"No, sir. That's why we're recalling Asp Alpha to watch the planet."
"In this context, captain, f don't think there's any choice but to declare a full planetary emergency, and restrict the Hivers to Seabridge Nest."
"Sir?"
"Captain, we have to accept the possibility that Ra itself is the target of a spearhead assault. Under the circumstances, it will be an unwarranted risk to relocate the contaminated Hiver population."
Coeur fought back an urge to swear at the governor.
"Sir, I believe that would be a grave error. The Hivers represent no threat to your human population. If anything, distributing them to other areas will decrease the chance that all of them will be destroyed in a tactical strike."
"I appreciate that, captain, but my responsibility is to all the people of this pianet—not just representatives of the Coalition."
"Sir, I don't mean to be blunt, but I don't think you're grasping the big picture. You have practically no inherent defense against bombardment from space—which is the primary threat to your planet, not this virus. We—Hornet and Asp Alpha, will defend you against that threat."
"Frankly, captain, I'm not that confident that the planetary assembly will accept your word. After today's attack, I can't expect them to feel a sense of security and well-being."
"Sir," Coeur said, forbearingly, "I will give you my personal guarantee that if any missile from any attack breaks through our defenses and targets one of your cities, I will personally crash my ship into it before I let it impact, i am that serious when I say that your planet's security is our first consideration."
"But in return, you'll want those Hivers redistributed."
"That is correct, sir."
A long pause from the governor relieved Coeur.
At least he's thinking about it.
"All right, captain," Governor Bryce grumbled, "we'll do it your way. But if you're wrong about this—"
"If I'm wrong about this, governor, my new address will probably be at the Brusman Stockade."
"Roger, Hornet. Port Adrian out."
Coeur released the send switch on her communication panel and turned back to Gyro and Deep Six.
"That wasn't so hard. Do you have somebody for the next watch?"
"Snapshot," Cyro said. "Why, did you want it?"
"No, I'm just about dead," Coeur said wearily, standing and turning to leave. "Good night."
It wasn't Coeur's habit to keep a perennial overwatch on the personal relations of her crew—that was more Physic's job—but she was well aware of a deepening relationship between Drop Kick and Snapshot. Particularly toward the end of the trip from Aubaine, they'd spent a lot of time tinkering with each other's machinery, and that carried on into the days Hornet spent waiting for Asp Alpha to arrive. It became a subject of conversation one day into that waiting, after Coeur, Drop Kick, Crowbar, Gyro, and Deep Six met in the lounge to discuss the future course of their ship (Snapshot having the bridge watch).
"Looking at the clues we've got," Coeur said, spreading out a map box with a holographic projection of the surrounding three subsectors, "we don't have much. We knowour target was operating a 400-ton ship—probably an old-style patrol cruiser—and equipped its people with at least one Guild weapon. Plus we've got that infonet briefing from when we left—that somebody thought a Guild manufacturing center was somewhere in Thoezennt Subsector."
"And," Deep Six added, "a possibility that the patrol cruiser was headed for Thoezennt Subsector when it jumped."
"Is this map recent?" Drop Kick asked.
"Only if you're a remnant," Cyro said, "Everything outside the AO is 80-year-old data."
The AO—or Area of Operations—was a rose-tinted 2one on the map, extending seven parsecs from the edge of the Coalition proper. Beyond were the hard Wilds— unmapped space Coalition vessels didn't enter without a very good reason.
"There are plenty of targets on our side of the AO, though. Nova Ryll, lote, Marax—all targeted for smash-and-grab missions."
"But all surveyed by our people," Deep Six observed. "And lacking any proper starport facilities."
"Maybe the starport's hidden' Drop Kick suggested.
"Possibly," Coeur said, "but look at this: Marax is the only unfriendly world with a starport of any kind at all, and it's flanked by worlds that are at least on speaking terms with the Coalition. Hardly an ideal location for a secret base."
"True," Crowbar said. "I say we look beyond the AO."
"That's a big step," Gyro said, "Even if we find anything, it'll take months to get back to the Coalition— assuming we're not blown up like every other far trader that ever left the AO. By that time...who knows how many Hivers would have died."
"Valid points," Coeur said, "but I'm going to have to agree with Crowbar, Physic is reasonably certain that the virus incubates over a two-month period, so we should be able to return before the epidemic hits all of the Coalition,"
'That may be true, captain," Deep Six said, "but we may not find anything at all. And there is no assurance that even if we find the base that distributed the virus, we will find a vaccine or data to produce one."
"Hell," Drop Kick swore, "I say it's worth the risk. At least if we found them, we could teach 'em a lesson about screwing with the Coalition."
'There is that," Cyro admitted.
"How about the sled?" Coeur asked Crowbar. "Do you think we can recover it and fix it after the SDB arrives?"
"Recover it—sure. Fix it? I don't know."
"Make plans to do that," Coeur said. "Now here's the course we'll set. Since Meadsk and Xezor aren't actively hostile to us, we'll stop there to snoop for rumors, then pass through Sauler and swing through the coreward edge of the subsector."
Cyro drew an apprehensive breath through gritted teeth, "Objection?"
"No, sir. Just wondering how many boneyards and vampire ships we'll meet."
"How about one enemy at a time," Crowbar suggested, "All right, then,"
Coeur said, "Deep Six, plot a jump course for Xezor. Dismissed."
Cyro and Crowbar stood and joined Deep Six in heading aft. Drop Kick remained behind, however, while Coeur folded up the map box.
"I'll take this up to Snapshot and fill her in. And since the radio's there, I can tell Physic and Scissor too."
"Right."
"Something on your mind, sergeant major?"
"Actually, yes."
"Shoot."
"It's a purely hypothetical question, captain. In the Corps, we have a strict separation between officers and enlisted, which is different from your service where there are no ranks."
"I've noticed that, yes."
"What I'm wondering, sir, is what the Coalition policy is on fraternization between the ranked and nonranked services."
"Hm. I don't believe we have a policy on that, although, come to think of it, the Coalition's so new we don't have policies on a lot of things."
"I see."
"Back in the Scouts, we were strongly discouraged from associating with Naval officers, which, I guess, made us de facto enlisted. Maybe we'll have something like that eventually."
"Hm."
"Is this something you're worried about?"
"Oh no. I'm just thinking hypothetically...about the future."
"Ah."
"You know," Drop Kick said, glancing at his watch, "I think I'll just find Crowbar and help him with the recovery plan for the sled."
"Fine idea' Coeur said, rising with Drop Kick from the table, and turning away from him to head for the bridge.
"I like it," Snapshot said, after hearing Coeur's plan. "Kinda takes the bear by the balls, as they say back home." "Colorful," Coeur said, swinging around in her chair to face the navigation/communications panels, "Say, skipper, I've got a question. Drop Kick and I were wondering..."
"About Coalition regs on fraternization?"
"He told you."
"I told him," Coeur said, turning back to face Snapshot, "that I don't know of any such regulations."
"It's not like anything's going on," Snapshot said, "We were just curious."
"I told you a while ago, Snapper, I don't much care what people do when they're off duty—just as long as it doesn't cause any trouble on duty. Of course, given the nature of our mission, no one's ever really off duty—they just don't happen to be at their station."
"We noticed that. That's why we've decided just to be friends."
Coeur made a bemused expression.
"That might be best."
"Say, skipper, did you want the conn?"
"Negative, I'm just going to touch base with Physic."
Fuzzy static sounded on the bridge speakers, then silence as Coeur got through. According to the bridge clock, it would be noon at Seabridge, I 300 hours, "Seabridge Nest, this is Hornet. Come in, please."
"Seabridge receiving you, Hornet. Co ahead,"
Coeur recognized the voice of Florence.
"I'd like to speak to Physic, Florence."
"Physic is unavailable at this time. She is responding to an emergency in the agricultural lab."
"Is somebody hurt?" Coeur asked, realizing the daft nature of the question as soon as she spoke it Yeah, there's 300 dead Hivers that are hurt. Good, Coeur.
But Florence was not a dumbot, and gleaned Coeur's meaning.
"Unknown. However, it was Manipulator Dina who summoned the doctor,"
"Understood. I'll reach her on her personal communicator,"
Coeur adjusted the radio frequency accordingly.
"Physic, this is Hornet. Are you receiving?"
Static.
"Physic, this is Hornet. Are you receiving? Respond please."
"Yes, yes, I'm receiving," Physic snapped. "I was in surgery and I didn't have a radio."
"Surgery? What the hell?"
"Don't worry, skipper, it's not as bad as it sounds. Well, actually, it's a lot worse than it sounds, but not right at the moment,"
"Doctor, what are you talking about?"
"It's Scissor. He's been working in the ag lab, you know, trying to isolate dormant virus samples in George's collection."
"Right."
"Well, about an hour ago, Dina's friends brought in a dead razorclaw they found on the edge of the nest— figured they'd autopsy it. Only it wasn't dead, and it hooked a claw into Scissor before Pratt's people could hose it down with machineguns."
"Oh my God."
"Yeah, well, you know Hivers. There's something new in the nest, they all gotta stick their curious nose in it."
"Was anyone else hurt?"
"Fortunately, no, and Scissor wasn't cut too badly either. But it did penetrate one of the arms of his vac suit." "You patched it, I hope."
'That we did, but I don't think it matters. That razordaw had all the symptoms of Hiver Folgorex syndrome."
Coeur shot a quick glance at Snapshot. Both were equally shocked"That's bad, doctor. Why didn't you tell us?"
"Like I said, Red Sun, I've been in surgery. I was going to call just as soon as I had a chance."
"Sorry. Do you need to get back to him?"
"No, he's doing all right. You want to speak to him?"
Coeur took a deep breath, "Yes, I've got news for both of you. Can you take your radio where both of you can hear it?"
"Hold on a moment...okay, we're together."
"Greetings, Red Sun," Scissor said"Scissor, Physic says you got in a scrap there. You okay?"
"Indeed. I find that I am well."
"Well, just keep your eyes open, all right? You're the last person we can afford to lose."
"Understood, sir."
"Well, all right. Like I was telling Physic, I've got news. Just as soon as the SDB arrives, we're going to pick up the tank and head on out for Thoezennt—unless you see a vaccine on the horizon."
"Well," Physic said, "Florence and I have made some progress. We think we'll have an antibody test by tomorrow, so we can definitely see who's got the bug and who doesn't."
"Good work. But what about a vaccine?"
"No way, skipper. Given the best lab on Aubaine and a year, maybe Here. I don't think so."
"That settles it then. Be prepared to dust off by the evening of Day 115."
"I am curious," Scissor said, "Do you think I should accompany you?"
"What about it, Physic?"
"I don't see why not; he probably won't get very sick for a couple of months. And—if you're dead set on going—it'll help to have a sick Hiver to test out any medicine we find."
"Good point," Coeur agreed. "Say, Doc, do you have any idea how the distribution of the Hivers went?"
"The results are mixed," Physic said. "But all-in-ail I think it was a good idea. Of the hundred Hivers we shipped out, there's two groups of 10 that haven't shown any symptoms yet. Just to be on the safe side, Dina has suggested that the Hivers in those groups avoid all contact with each other."
"How about there at the nest? Any improvement?"
"it's just a deathwatch here, skipper. Tomorrow Dina's going to have the five healthiest Hivers go under low berth suspension. The rest—all we can do is make them comfortable "
Murder, Coeur thought. Mass murder.
"I don't suppose it makes it any easier that they don't have emotions."
"They're living beings," Physic said. "They feel pain just like you and me."
"I've been thinking," Coeur said. "Maybe whoever planted this bug didn't think we'd care that much about losing the Hivers—humans, I mean."
"Coeur," Physic said, deliberately neglecting the callsign, "I'm not a violent person, but I could develop a taste for it if we ever find who did this."
"We'll do our best," Coeur said, "Hornet out."
The very last thing Coeur needed happened a day later; a starship corning out of jump at Ra and failing to identify itself.
Hustling out of her bunk and up to the adjacent bridge after Deep Six's summons, Coeur settled into the pilot's couch and received a detailed summary of the si
tuation.
"It appears to be a 200-ton yacht, right on the edge of the EMS satellite's effective range at bearing 084, azimuth 025. She's refused to answer Adrian Control's request for a transponder code."
"A yacht, huh? Where are we in relation?"
"One hundred and ninety degrees, azimuth 044,"
"Good, the planet's between us. How's her acceleration?"
"None. She's drifting on inherent momentum."
"Keeping quiet."
"It could be a vampire ship, sir." -
"I was thinking that. But Alpha will be here inside of six hours, and is on the west side of Ra right now. Do you suppose she's in range to see the yacht?"
"Possibly. The target is just at the extreme limit of the SDB's passive sensors."
"How long until we're over the horizon?"
"Fifteen minutes."
"How about this. We pull back our passive array and get a fix on the yacht with our active sensors. Then, if the yacht fails to send its code, or runs, we hand off our lock to Alpha."
"Workable," the Schalli said. "At the moment, the yacht is not accelerating toward or away from the planet. However—it is using a maser communicator." "Huh Coeur vocalized, examining the sensor data passed on from the other side of the planet. "Any chance you can read that?"
"Unlikely. As you can see, the vessel appears to be sweeping the maser around wildly."
"As if it were trying to signal somebody."
"Correct, The satellite only registered a momentary burst of noise."
"Trying to signal somebody," Coeur said again, "All right, sound battle stations. All hands in vac suits."
Moments later, all stations sent secured for battle, while Deep Six carried on the awkward work of squeezing his sleek form into a vacuum suit. Into her own vac suit first, Coeur handled communications in the extra minutes it took her navigator to suit up.
"You set?"
"Check," Deep Six said, refilling his buoyancy chamber after his suit was in place.
"Five minutes until we're over the hump," Coeur noted. "Passive array retracted; standing by evasive maneuvers"
"Active sensors enabled."
"Snapshot, Gyro, you set?"
"Roger, captain," Gyro said, "MFD locked in."
"Roger, captain," Snapshot said, "Shall I launch a preliminary salvo?"
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