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  Qadir leaned forward, a harsh look on her face. “We’ve developed a source of intelligence that leads the CBI to believe Gilead is not only a major source of Orbita, but much of it is made here. At least, what’s not made in the League of Sol.”

  “The League of Sol?” Nelson parroted, his eyes nearly popping out of his skull. “Are you joking me?”

  “Not at all, sir. We have conclusive evidence the League is behind the development and manufacture of the drug,” David stated. “We can’t get too far into sources and methods, but suffice it to say SIGINT is involved.”

  “What do you want from us? I remind you we’re independent of the Terran Coalition for a reason,” Wright said.

  David fixed his gaze on Wright. “Limited operational authority to run an op against the cartel’s leadership.”

  The two Gileadean men exchanged glances. It was Nelson who spoke. “We’d have to review any plans first, of course.”

  “Those bastards killed half of one of my best special forces teams last month. I wouldn’t mind seeing some payback,” Wright interjected. “We’ve had zero success infiltrating them.”

  “Because the cartel you’re going up against has bribed and threatened dozens across your government and military,” Qadir said, her tone one of annoyance. “This is what happens when a people lack strong moral foundations.”

  “Director,” David whispered toward her. “Enough. We need their help.” Turning toward the Gileadeans, he continued, his voice at full volume. “We have our differences. They shouldn’t stand in the way of putting some nasty people out of business.”

  “Agreed,” Nelson announced.

  Taylor poured himself a drink of water from the pitcher at his end of the table, taking a sip before he interjected a statement. “If I may, sirs… if we could get set up on your planetary comms network, I believe I can isolate the cartel’s communication traffic. Help us zero in on operations.”

  “We have our own technical experts.”

  David glanced at Wright. “General, we’re not saying your experts aren’t doing a good job, but we have additional technology. Superior technology can often aid even the best people.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I’m sure our government would be happy for any technical expertise the Coalition Defense Force can provide,” Nelson said, apparently trying to smooth things over. “Wouldn’t we, General?”

  Wright stared straight ahead. “Yes, sir.”

  Ah, the military gets tired of civilians on every planet. “Glad to help,” David said, again flashing a smile.

  “Is it just me, or is it a bit hot in here?” Taylor asked.

  David turned to see him with beads of sweat across his forehead and a pale face. “Lieutenant, are you okay?”

  “Yes, si—”

  As Taylor collapsed, face-first onto the conference table, David and Tural sprang from their seats.

  “Get a medical team in here,” David barked.

  While pandemonium broke out, Tural knelt beside the unconscious form of Taylor, running a medical scanner over his body. “Heart rate at one hundred forty beats per minute, blood pressure off the chart, and high body temperature. Extreme levels of dopamine levels in the brain. I’d say he’s reacting to something in the environment.”

  Qadir’s voice cut in. “Those are the same symptoms as exposure to Orbita.”

  As Wright opened his mouth, presumably to scoff at her, one of the aides behind him collapsed. “What in the—?”

  Tural quickly crossed the room and performed a scan. “Same results, sir.”

  “Maybe they decided to try some out…”

  “Really, Nelson?” Wright interjected. “That’s not even plausible.”

  David swept the room with his eyes, trying to determine a source. After a few moments of staring, something clicked. There’s a fallen water glass next to the aide! “The water. Doctor, scan the water pitcher.”

  A few seconds later, Tural looked up from the scanner. “There’s a high concentration of Orbita in this pitcher. It could be fatal to anyone drinking more than an ounce or two. We need to get these people to a hospital ASAP, sir.”

  “I don’t care what you do with your man, but Lieutenant Taylor is going back to the Lion of Judah,” David announced in the firm voice of command that brooked no argument.

  “Of course, Colonel,” Nelson replied. “Let me assure you we had nothing to do with this unfortunate incident.”

  It was David’s turn to get angry. “Seriously? We don’t know what happened here, except I know my officers didn’t bring the water in. Someone in your organization laced the water. I expect you to find out who, I won’t take no for an answer, and don’t you dare try to play the blame game with me. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Nelson?”

  “Yes, Colonel.”

  It wasn’t lost on David that Wright remained silent. I wonder if it’s because he tacitly supports us, or if something else is at work here? His momentary contemplation was broken by the arrival of several EMT teams, who immediately went to work, moving both casualties onto anti-grav stretchers.

  “Doctor, please accompany Taylor back to the ship. The rest of us will remain here,” David began, with a glance toward the Gileadeans. “And sort this mess out.”

  “He will receive the finest care that can be provided between my hands and Allah.”

  David cracked a small smile. “Thanks, Doctor. Godspeed.”

  As Tural and one set of EMTs marched out, the aide was placed on the other stretcher, and he too was removed from the room. Most of the junior and mid-level personnel had left, leaving the principals.

  “Unless there’s an objection, I’ll leave my XO here to assist with the investigation as a representative of the Terran Coalition. Director Qadir and I are going to check in with our embassy,” David announced.

  “No objection here, Colonel,” Nelson quickly replied. “We’ll give Colonel Aibek full access to our investigation.”

  “Excellent. I look forward to us working together.”

  10

  While the senior officers were meeting with Gilead security, many others of the Lion’s crew ended up leaving the shuttle port and entering downtown of the capital city of Pratu. To Ruth’s surprise, Hayworth tagged along with her and Merriweather. The three made an odd grouping as they walked down busy streets converted solely to pedestrian use, in civilian clothes.

  “It’s so modern,” Merriweather said, staring in wonder at the skyscraping towers that rose for over a hundred stories all around them.

  “Supposedly the highest concentration of five-star hotels anywhere in our local galactic arm,” Ruth replied.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Shocked me too.”

  Hayworth harrumphed. “I’d like to go to a planet where there were buildings like this dedicated to science.”

  Both women laughed at the same time.

  “Let me know when you find it, Doctor, so I can put it on my ‘Do Not Visit’ planet list,” Ruth said.

  “Anyone else hungry?” Merriweather asked.

  “Famished, my dear. Why don’t we duck into the lobby of one of these hotels and grab something?”

  “Let’s do it,” Ruth said as she flashed a grin at Hayworth.

  The trio made their way through the lobby of a massive hotel, taking in the sight of an indoor arboretum that stretched twenty floors high. I can’t believe how many credits it must have cost to put this together, and for what? The ostentatiousness of the display offended Ruth on a base level. I saw people begging in the streets. How could they not take care of them first? The restaurant on the first level was beyond packed. They went to a bar next door instead, which advertised it had the best hamburgers on Gilead.

  “What exactly is a gastropub?” Merriweather asked.

  Ruth shrugged. “Fancy word for a bar? Beats me.”

  They settled into a high-top table, and a waiter came over.

  “What can I get for you?” he asked.

  “Wat
er for me,” Ruth answered.

  Merriweather smiled at him. “Iced tea, if you have it.”

  “Of course, miss. And for the gentleman?”

  “Earl Gray tea, served hot, of course,” Hayworth replied, his voice curt.

  “How English of you, Doctor,” Ruth commented, her eyes darting around the room, taking in the sights. It didn’t take long for her to realize that compared to everyone else, they were different. Very different. Most of the people appeared half-drunk or worse, and many couples were making out.

  “We’re known for our alcohol,” the waiter said archly.

  “I don’t think any of us drink alcohol, actually,” Merriweather said with her dazzling smile.

  “Zealots?”

  Hayworth erupted. “I’m an atheist, you blithering idiot. Now go get my tea.”

  The waiter turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Ruth to laugh out loud.

  “What’s so funny, Lieutenant?”

  “Oh, nothing, Doctor… you do realize he’s going to spit in our drinks, right?”

  Hayworth’s entire face twitched. “No one would dare spit in my drink.”

  “Because you’re the great Doctor Hayworth who invented anti-matter reactors? They don’t know you here. This is the pleasure planet,” Ruth replied.

  “Well, they should.”

  Merriweather spread her hands out in front of her and attempted to change the subject. “So, got any big plans for liberty? I was hoping to do a hover-ATV tour. There’s a volcano on the southern continent that’s something like twenty-three miles high. I’d like to see it before we leave.”

  “I’m just enjoying not being in uniform or workout clothes,” Ruth deadpanned.

  The loud voice of a drunk newcomer interrupted the conversation. “Why aren’t you drinking, friends? I’ll get a round for you ladies.” It belonged to a young human male, his appearance generally unkempt with a tuft of hair jutting out of his forehead.

  “We’re fine, thanks,” Ruth said in her trademark no-nonsense tone.

  “I agree you’re fine, but you look incomplete without a drink.”

  Ruth smiled broadly. “If that’s your idea of a pickup line, I’d recommend you go back to your table, because it sucks.”

  “Watch your mouth. My father owns half the strip.”

  “I know how to kill a man in several dozen ways. Go away.”

  “Okay, hey, let’s just all calm down here,” Merriweather said. “We’re good. Have a nice night.”

  As the youngster moved off, the two women exchanged glances. “Major, I had everything under control,” Ruth announced.

  “We don’t need to get into a bar brawl on our first night at liberty.”

  “I’m not so sure we’ll have a choice in the matter,” Hayworth interjected.

  Ruth glanced behind her to see a group of now three young men approaching.

  “I brought some friends back to entertain you ladies,” the same one said. “I thought you could use a lesson in Gilead hospitality.”

  Ruth slid off her chair and faced him. She was several centimeters shorter than him. “Got something to say?”

  Hayworth was suddenly at her side. “Young man, leave them alone before I am forced to box your ears.”

  Ruth couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Hayworth, speaking up for her? Something’s gone screwy here.

  “What are you, old man, her father?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Get out of my way, or I’ll leave you limping with a cane.”

  Ruth’s face took on a bored expression. “You want to fight? Fight. Otherwise, get out of my face.”

  “What are you doing?” Merriweather whispered from behind her; she, too, had stood.

  “Fine, stupid b—”

  Ruth lashed out with the portion of her hand that ran from the wrist to the end of her little finger; a classic karate chop. Catching him dead in his throat, he collapsed backward, unable to breathe and gasping for air.

  The two men with him, who also appeared to be either teenagers or in their early twenties, rushed forward and attempted to attack her, throwing classic roundhouse punches.

  Ruth ducked, and one of the punches landed on Hayworth’s face, leading to a loud yelp from the scientist. She raised her hands in a traditional fighting position and extended her right arm out, motioning the men forward. “If you’ve got the balls, take me on.”

  The one nearest to her took the bait and stepped closer, trying to throw a punch.

  Stepping to the side, Ruth delivered a series of blows that culminated with a vicious elbow hit to his chest, followed by a stunning blow to the back of the head.

  The third took one look at the collapsed body of his friend on the ground, turned, and ran.

  Merriweather and Hayworth stared at Ruth, their mouths agape.

  “What?” Ruth asked, smirking. “They had it coming.”

  “We have a bigger problem,” Hayworth announced, pointing.

  Ruth whirled around to see a phalanx of police officers approaching. “Great. We’re going to get sent back to the ship and end up on bread and water diet for three days.”

  “Speak for yourself. Military rules don’t apply to me.”

  “For what it’s worth, Doctor, thanks for standing up for me.”

  Hayworth inclined his head. “You’re welcome.”

  “We’re going quietly, right?” Merriweather asked.

  “For now,” Ruth replied, showing her hands to the onrushing cops and forcing herself not to dispatch them as efficiently as she’d taken care of the last group.

  It had taken seemingly forever for the automated helicar to arrive, but now David and Qadir were sitting in silence in its rear compartment, zooming over the streets of Pratu. The signature downtown hotel district lay off in the distance, its gleaming skyscrapers clawing for the heavens.

  David was lost in his thoughts, mostly worry over Taylor. He forced himself back on mission. “What’d you make of our incident, Director?” Someone has to break the ice because we need to be on the same page to get results.

  “Another example of Gilead’s corrupt government.”

  David turned, taking in the scowl on her face. “You think the government ordered the water spiked with Orbita?”

  “I think it’s just as likely as any scenario.”

  “You don’t seem to care for these folks.”

  Qadir smirked. “What gave it away, Colonel?”

  David, in turn, laughed. “Well, you nearly bit Nelson’s head off, body language… need I go on?”

  “I suppose I wear my emotions on my sleeve at times,” Qadir said, a small smile gracing her lips. “My boss tells me every year I need to work on it to move further up in the CBI.”

  “Funny, General MacIntosh says the same to me at times.”

  “What do you think of the situation, then, Colonel?”

  “Most likely? Someone, somewhere in the building is the payroll of a cartel. The cartel wanted to send a message. That’s it feels like to me. Message received… which will make taking them down all the more satisfying.”

  “I like how you think.”

  David laid his head back on the seat, glancing out the window of the helicar again, to see the buildings whiz by, along with thousands of other vehicles in the main Pratu traffic pattern. “Nothing wrong with the way you’re looking at it, Director. Just, you may find you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

  “I have a name—Rajiya.”

  “CDF for twenty years… last name or rank has been drilled into me, Qa—Rajiya,” David said with a sheepish grin after he almost said her last name. “David Cohen.”

  “That wasn’t too hard, was it?” she asked.

  He smirked. “I suppose not.”

  “When we arrive at the embassy, we need to synch up with the CBI liaison officer and see if he’s gained any intel.”

  “Makes sense to me. What about CIS?”

  Qadir quirked her nose. “I av
oid CIS like the plague. They skirt the law in too many ways for my tastes.”

  David thought back to his friend, Colonel Robert Sinclair, who ran the CDF intelligence analysis unit on the CSV Oxford. “We mostly deal with the military intelligence side, not the civilians.”

  “I see. The guys with the motto of ‘In God We Trust, All Others We Monitor’?”

  “Yup,” David replied as he laughed. “Sinclair has it on a banner hanging above the operations center floor on the Oxford. I love it.”

  “I don’t understand how any civilized society could allow the use of mind-altering chemicals openly, as this planet does.”

  “Gilead wasn’t always like this. It was originally founded as a resort, which catered to families. At least according to the databank entry I read on the way here.” Out of the corner of his eye, David saw Qadir rolling her eyes.

  “I was handed cards with pictures of half-naked men on them as we walked out of the spaceport.”

  David couldn’t stop himself from snorting. “Yeah… they tried the ones with half-naked women on me. Just keep walking and refuse to make eye contact.”

  “You are not offended, as a devout Jew?”

  Ah, the filter through which we see morality. Our respective religions. David was silent momentarily, glancing back out the window to see the hotels fading into the background as they headed out of the city. “Am I personally offended? Yes. It’s not my planet, though. It’s theirs. I’d never live here, but I must respect their laws and customs.”

  “Even if they’re an affront to Allah?”

  “Trust me, I know where you’re coming from, Rajiya. I studied to be an Orthodox rabbi. I probably would’ve ended up as a Haredi rabbi, in the middle of nowhere on New Israel.”

  “But you’re not. You command the mightiest warship in the Terran Coalition.”

  “I fight on the sabbath too.”

  Qadir turned her head and stared at him. “From the sound of your voice, I would say it doesn’t please you.”

  David shrugged. “There’s a few men and women I know who can kill the enemy and never have it catch up. I envy them at times. Me? I’m haunted by the actions I must take. Most who know me, understand this aspect of my personality. I guess you could say I’ve mellowed out a bit. There was a time in my life when I felt I was superior, that I understood the law, obeyed it, and it in effect, justified my existence. I’m sure the rabbi I used to study under would say I’ve grown up, just a little.”