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Urle rounded as soon as the door to Brooks’s study was closed. “I’m not sure we should have left the ambassador out of this,” he said.
“I understand your concern,” Brooks said, walking over to his desk. He punched a few buttons on the console before looking back up. “But I cannot do that on the matter of Commodore Siilon.”
“With respects, Ian, why? Decinus is the diplomatic lead here, shouldn’t he have all the information?”
Brooks sat down, steepling his fingers. “Because his job is to do the negotiating. Mine is to make sure my ship and Siilon’s ship stay intact. I am not at liberty to discuss this any further, Executive Commander.”
Urle’s face was hidden, but his body language showed his surprise. “I understand, Captain.”
Sometimes, Brooks thought, Urle was too naive. He was his friend, but the flaw was there.
“Now, give me your further thoughts on the Fesha. How does this change our mission?”
“We have to be a lot more cautious. I did a basic scan of historical encounters with Fesha, both by us and with other SU member species – and most likely they’re an independent faction selling arms to one side or both.”
“And if they were, they’d never say that. What quality weaponry can we expect they might be selling?”
“Low,” Urle said. “Better than what the Maig are producing themselves, but still several generations behind our own.”
“Make a report on this, figure out every possible angle. Do you think their ship has much offensive capability?”
“Could always have covered missile ports, but we can’t tell from this range. It’s highly unlikely they have a coilgun from the design, at least not anything substantial. Point-defense cannons and navigation lasers, surely. I’m not too concerned about them attacking us, but the Bright Flower would be at their mercy. She only has a very low complement of missiles, a few PDCs and nav lasers. A sitting duck.”
“Can the Fesha make their own zerojumps?”
“From her power output, I’d say it’s possible. Can’t be sure without getting closer, though.”
“So we can’t leave the Bright Flower alone. They could jump in and take them.”
“I find it hard to believe they would make such a bold move.”
“It’s not likely, but it’s always possible-“
A beep went off on his desk.
“Decinus just sent an FTL message back home,” Brooks said, frowning.
“Is that odd?”
“No. But I wanted to know if he did.”
“You’re not going to pry into it, are you, Ian?”
Brooks’s face went from dead serious to a smile in an instant. “Even I know better than to do that. But the fact that he raced off to send one . . .”
“Well, a lot of unexpected things have happened. Do you think they’ll recall us?”
“If so, we’ll find out soon,” Brooks said. “But I doubt it. We haven’t even talked to Ks’Kull yet.”
“I’m looking forward to that . . .” Urle said without enthusiasm.
“You won’t be there. I want you on the bridge – ready to take command.”
“Of course, Captain. If I may ask – who will be there?”
“Just myself, Decinus, Logus, and Kell.”
“Kell?! Seriously, Captain? He may be an Ambassador, but he’s got no idea how to-“
“He’s just going to be there to observe. But he requested to come, and Decinus agreed. I am not glad to have this many eggs in one basket – which is why I want you here.”
“You really expect this to go badly, don’t you?” Urle asked.
“I hope not,” Brooks replied. “But I will be ready for it to all go to hell.”
Other Terrestrial 
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