Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 45
“I don’t have anything. I wish Nikki was here, she might have some ideas.” She walked in while I was saying that. She asked, “Ideas about what, Caveman?”
“How to figure out which Squirrel files actually have useful information on how their government works.”
“What all does Lakki have running so far?”
Lakki said, “I’m running a search on the training history of known political figures, and I have a search like the bots used on the strategy files running as well.” Nikki sat down, and they started talking hacker. It was clear I was no longer needed, so Snitz and I wandered over to the bridge. Saucy called out, “Commodore on the bridge!”
I replied, “As you were.” Topper asked, “Need something, Boss?”
“Nothing in particular. How is our corner of the galaxy today?”
“Seems quiet, Boss.”
“Have you heard yet when we can expect the Ambassador to return?”
“No, I haven’t. Black Beauty and Midnight have been running patrols to make sure there isn’t a change of management under way, though. They haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary, yet.”
“How many ships does Snappi have back under reliable management?”
“Two, so far. He has people interviewing officers on a third, but it will be another couple of hours before they clear it.”
“Saucy, get me Captain Sally, on the Shepherd.”
Sally’s voice came over the speaker, “Yes, Boss?”
“I’d like you to jump out to where Captain Sloan was observing earlier, and keep a watch for ships headed this way from Squirrel space. If the Emperor decided to send another fleet, they should be arriving this evening, give or take.”
“On it, Boss. Any special instructions?”
“Don’t get caught, jump out if you are discovered.”
“Understood. You need info, not heroes.”
“Exactly. See you soon.”
“Later, Boss.” The Shepherd jumped out. The other carriers changed formation to compensate. Saucy said, “Call from the Ambassador, Boss.”
“Put him on.”
“Good morning, Commodore. We’ll be over shortly. Sorry for the delay.”
“No problem. Oversleep?”
“My nephew had some business to take care of this morning. Nothing major, and he has it taken care of, now.”
“See you in a few minutes, then.”
“See you then.” I turned to Saucy. “You have records of all comm activity, don’t you?”
“Yes, Boss.”
“How often does the Ambassador call to announce his intention to come over?” He messed with his console. “The only time was when he first got here, Boss.”
“That’s what I thought. Tell Andre to turn out in the landing bay.”
“On it, Boss.”
“Send to the fleet, ‘Attack possible. Be alert.’ and sign it as coming from me.”
Topper asked, “Do you want the conn, Boss?”
“More than you know, but I better get down to the landing bay, just in case I’m overreacting.”
“What are your orders?”
“If they start something, finish it, quick as you can, with as little bloodshed as possible.”
“Understood.” I headed out to the landing bay. Snitz started to follow, and I told him to stay with Topper. In the transit, Taz came over the speaker. “Boss, we’re shadowing the ship the Ambassador is supposed to be on. It reads way too many people.”
“You don’t have a stunner on that ship, do you?”
“No, Boss. All the power goes to the sensors.”
“We’ll deal with the problem when they land. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“All part of the service, Boss.” Andre was waiting when I got off the transit. He said, “Boss, you’re not going in that bay. Sorry.”
“Why not?”
“Because it isn’t safe. Taz told us that ship is full of people, when it should just be the Ambassador and his nephew. They’re attacking again, and they’re going to be gunning for you. You can order me to let you in, if you like, but remember, you’re the one who ordered us all to get nanny protocol, and your order would be against your best interest.”
“Understood. If they have any stunner resistant people left, they’ll be on that ship. Be prepared to escalate to lethal force.”
“Yes, Boss. I had that figured out.”
“You also get that there’s a good chance of them having the Ambassador aboard as a hostage?”
“Now that you mention it, that does sound like something they would pull. Thanks, Boss.”
“No problem. I have something I need to take care of, since I’m out of pocket.” I got out my comm, and called Dingus. “Morning, Commodore. What can I do for you?”
“Dingus, I’m off the bridge. Can you command the fleet until I get back there?”
“Sure, Bob. What do you expect?”
“I expect them to have sent whatever stunner resistant people they have left on the Ambassador’s ship, probably with the Ambassador as a hostage. Andre will do his best to rectify that situation, but I have to think they’ve gotten the idea that I’m one of a kind, and if they hit us while I’m down here to receive Natti, they can defeat us. Would you be so kind as to show them the error in their ways?”
“With pleasure, Commodore.”
“Wilson out.”
“Sloan out.” Andre asked, “Aren’t you going to head back to the bridge, Boss?”
“Nope. I want to be here, in case we wind up having to negotiate for Natti.”
“What do you think they will do?”
“I wouldn’t put it past them to put him in a bomb vest that will trigger if the guards go down.”
“You think nasty, Boss. I’m glad you’re on our side.” The ship supposedly carrying the Ambassador landed. Andre let me watch through a window, but he hovered close, ready to pull me out of the line of fire if things turned ugly. I knew he was watching out for