Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 66

about what Ozzie told me, and what I did in response. When the Emperor unlocked him, he remembered working in a research lab that was tasked with trying to figure out how Squirrel drives worked. He said Scotti and Frank have already made more progress than what they were able to, back in the day. The thing that had him wound up though, was what he called the ‘oddball’. It was a saucer that he didn’t think was Squirrel at all, but he couldn’t get the humans he worked with to believe him. They thought it was just the Squirrels’ new hotness, and that was why it wasn’t like any of the other craft they had. Ozzie ran all the tests he could, without tearing it apart, but they wouldn’t give him permission to go any farther. The Squirrels raided the lab, killed all the human researchers, and locked down the bots. When Ozzie got his memory back, he looked through the fleet’s records, and found that the ‘oddball’ had come from the same region of space that Rangolus and Mingus found unexplained sightings in. I sent Rikki to go see if he could find us another ‘oddball’. Any questions?”

Nikki said, “Lots and lots, but I don’t think you would have answers for any of them.”

Topper said, “Likewise, Boss. I’m guessing you don’t want this getting around the fleet just yet?”

“I think it would be better to keep it under wraps for now. Especially the part about the Squirrel raid on a Commonwealth research facility. That’s an act of war, by any standard.”

Nikki said, “You’re more worried about that, than the fact we’ve got evidence of another sentient race?”

“I look at it this way. This new race has been seen even less than the Squirrels. They obviously have the technology to make themselves known if they wanted to. They don’t want to be a problem for us, or we’d be up to our armpits in them. The problem in front of us right now, is making peace with the Squirrels. If word gets around that they have, in the past, felt free to commit acts of war on the Commonwealth, it’s going to make it much harder to justify that peace agreement. I’m in favor of letting that stay in the past, unless we have no other choice. Eventually, we’ll have to deal with the new race, but that’s a problem for another day. We need to take care of the problem in front of us, first.”

Nikki replied, “That makes sense, Caveman. I hadn’t thought it through that far.”

Topper said, “That part does make sense, Boss. Now we need to talk about the real problem.”

Nikki asked, “What do you mean, Topper?”

“Jeeves said the Boss had a bad feeling about today.”

“Snagfart!! Caveman, do you have any idea what about?”

I said, “No, Space Cadet, I do not. All I have to go on is the fact that Snitz hasn’t left my side since I woke up.”

“That is odd. He hasn’t had any reactions to anything?”

“Not yet.”

Topper asked, “Do you want any extra precautions?”

“Turn out Andre and his boys for when the Ambassador shows up. Other than that, I can’t think of anything. Do you have something, Sweetheart?”

“No, I can’t come up with anything extra that would help.”

“Okay, then. I think that brings you two up to speed. Anything you want to bring up?”

Topper said, “No, Boss. I better get back, though.”

Nikki said, “I don’t have anything, either.” I walked over and opened the door. Gene said, “The Ambassador would like to know if you’re ready to begin negotiations again, Boss.”

“Tell him to come ahead. We can’t get finished until we get started.” Topper went back to the bridge, and Nikki and I caught a transit. I said, “I need to run by the cabin and get my dress uniform, I suppose.”

Nikki said, “It might be a good idea. Wouldn’t want to give the impression that you don’t take the negotiations seriously. I think I have something that might pass for a business suit.”

“Is it vacuum-rated? I’m not in a mood to take chances.”

“It is. I’m not either. I’ve seen how your feelings turn out.”

We got to the cabin, and Jeeves helped us into our dress clothes. Snitz did his best to stay out of the way, but there is only so much a little dog can do. Soon enough, we were back on the transit, and headed for the landing bay. Andre met us at the entry to the bay. “Sorry, Boss. Word has gotten around that you had a feeling. You’re not going in that bay until we determine it to be safe.”

Nikki said, “Isn’t he still your Boss?”

Andre said, “Nanny protocol, Ma’am. By the way, you’re not going in, either.”

It’s so seldom I see Nikki speechless, I have to savor the moments. That was one of the better ones. The Ambassador’s ship settled into the bay, and then he and Snappi stepped down. Andre let us into the bay. Natti asked, “New security procedure?”

“Nope. I just let it slip that I woke up with a bad feeling this morning. They seem to think that my feelings are worth taking extra precautions for.”

“Why is that?”

Nikki said, “Because he’s usually right, when he has one. We’ve seen it work too many times, to ignore it.”

It was then I noticed Snitz. He was focused on Natti’s briefcase, growling very quietly. I asked, “Andre, do you have high-frequency acoustic sensors?”

“How high, Boss?”

“If he can make it out, it can’t be much more than 50 kilohertz.”

“Mine go to about a hundred in your units, Boss. That should be enough.” Andre stood still for a moment, scanning. He said, “The little guy is right. Something in the Ambassador’s case is putting out a signal at about 35 kilohertz. Not real loud, but