Taking a few moments to compose himself, Nec dialed up the SU ship.
“Governor Nec Tede calling for Captain-Mayor Brooks,” he said.
A moment later, the Captain appeared.
“Governor. Have you any word about my missing people?”
So they hadn’t gotten back yet, just as Rem had said. “We’ve found some sign of them, Captain. They’ve wandered deep into the asteroid – we have a lot of areas that are drilled but not yet occupied.”
The Captain’s face tightened. “Even so, it’s been almost twenty-four hours, Governor. I refuse to believe that your people are this incapable.”
Anger spiked in him, but the Governor tried to keep his words soothing. “As I said, it’s a big asteroid. We believe in the individual’s rights here, Captain – if people want to mine on their own, so long as they have the permits they can do it. We haven’t even mapped it all out.” Some of his anger squeezed out. “But I have to ask – what were your people doing wandering so far? We have warnings posted all over the place about the dangers of getting lost.”
Brooks hesitated – just a moment – but Nec caught it. “I’m not sure. But yesterday, for a time we detected a second homing signal that matched that of our craft – coming from within the colony. It could have been used to lure my people away from the ship.”
“I didn’t hear anything about that,” Nec said, feeling thrown on the defensive again. “But if it did happen, then it must have been an accident. People got excited about your arrival – probably just trying to emulate the outsider.” He grimaced. “It’s one of the downsides of being isolated – people start to think everything foreign is better.”
“I’d like a full investigation into that,” Brooks said. “I should think you would, too. If it’s one of the enemies from the other colonies you’ve spoken of, this would be a chance to find them.”
“Ah, that’s a good point,” Nec replied. “You’ve got yourself a good head there, Captain-Mayor.”
Brooks didn’t seem to even take in the compliment. “Meanwhile, Governor, I’d like to continue our discussion about Apollonia Nor. I’d like to see a full report of your evidence against her.”
“Oh.” Nec took a moment to consider. He hadn’t really formalized anything about the woman into a report; it wasn’t the sort of detail he generally bothered to track.
“I’ve been considering that, Captain-Mayor. I’ve decided that, if you’re willing to take her off the colony, I’ll drop the charges.” Rem had said to get the Captain to let his guard down, hadn’t he?
“That’s very generous of you,” Brooks replied. “But you seemed convinced she had murdered your former head of security. Why just drop the charges?”
“Captain-Mayor, you wanted her. I want her gone – it’s no matter to me if it’s warm or cold. Will you take her?”
“Yes,” Brooks replied. “But I’d still like to know what evidence you have of her killing your former security chief.”
“Ah, just motive and her . . . gifts, as you like to call them. She and the old chief never got along. Violently so.”
“That’s it?” Brooks asked.
“Yes,” Nec hissed, his patience straining. “Besides, I want to show you I’m willing to work with you, Captain. Have you considered my requests?”
“Yes,” Brooks replied. But he did not elaborate. “If you do this Governor, I’ll consider it an act of good faith and it will reflect well upon you. This, and having my people returned unharmed.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Nec said, giving his best smile. “I’ll do everything in my power, you have my word.”
Brooks didn’t smile back as he ended the call.
Other Terrestrial 