Stven took a risk. “Yes, sir. Before I go, have you, by any chance, been contacted by anyone speaking of Imperial matters?”
Mzdak’s frog-like body sat up taller, and both eyes went in different directions, as if his thoughts were in turmoil. “Explain yourself, Captain.”
“Certain individuals in high places are not, necessarily, supportive of the new regime, but they are of the old.”
Mzdak’s eyes, both of them, turned to stare hard at Stven. “I’m holding here in accordance with Admiral Korban’s orders.”
“Hmm. The word ‘hold’ carries some significance. My passenger has been considering making Orion III my next stop.”
One of Mzdak’s bulbous eyes wandered as he considered a reply. “I just received word that a major battle was fought there. You might want to reconsider.”
Stven’s mind raced. “Was Admiral Korban replaced, sir?”
“No. His power base is stronger than ever. On his orders, I will be dispatching one of my squadrons there to replace some unanticipated losses, but he prevailed.”
“Is that good news or bad?”
“Who is your passenger, Captain?”
Stven tossed one of Krys’ pins on the table. Mzdak stared at it for a time, then lifted one eye to Stven while the other continued staring at the pin. “I would imagine there are a number of those laying around the Palace right now.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been there. I will tell you that it’s active, sir. I’m not the one to open it.”
“The Chosen are gone. These things are dead.”
“Not true, sir. We have a Queen.”
Mzdak leaned back and rested his behind on a wide bar. “You’re just another spy for Struthers. You can tell him I’m cooperating in every way.”
“Since you’re working on Chessori ships, I’m sure that would please him.”
Mzdak glared at him. “My loyalty is to Korban. That has never been in question, and he would tell you so. I don’t have to like the duties I’ve been given, but these orders came directly from Struthers.”
“I’ve been Tested by our new Queen,” Stven said. “Will you submit?”
“She’s here?” Mzdak asked, not believing Stven.
“Of course not. I’ll be happy to take you to her.”
“Your ship is damaged, and I certainly cannot leave.”
“My ship is not damaged. I’m only here to talk to you. Where do you stand, Admiral? If not with Struthers, how do you justify working on Chessori ships? Those are military ships.”
“This is an important base. His spies are everywhere, and I have no choice. Give me proof that what you say is true, and I might be willing to say more.”
“Join me on my ship, and you will have your proof.”
“Now?”
“Right now. Come alone.”
“I cannot. Like I said, there are spies everywhere.”
“Then find a way. If you’re not there shortly after I reach the ship, I’ll leave. The opportunity will not come again.”
Stven turned and left. He returned to Resolve, and a short time later a human dressed in civilian clothes approached. He was met at the top of the ramp by Trist who frisked him, then led the way to the lounge.
Washburn and Stven met him there. He started talking immediately. “The admiral could not come. He is well-known at the port, and disguise was not possible. I represent him and can make decisions on his behalf.”
“Who are you?” Stven asked.
“One of his staff. He said you have proof?”
Tarn entered the lounge. He lifted a hand holding a pin and opened it. The man instantly went to one knee. “Sire, if this is a ruse, I’ve fallen for it. If you’ll come with me, he’ll speak freely.”
“There are Chessori military ships here. Why?”
“He’ll explain, Sire.”
“No. If you’re on his staff, you’re an Empire officer. I command you to explain.”
The man lifted a shaking hand to his face. “I’m Captain Vrzak. We’re modifying the shields and weapons on the Chessori ships to Empire standards, Sire.”
“I’m disappointed. How can you support those murderers?”
The man reached a decision and stopped shaking. He looked Tarn right in the eye. “Power for the stronger shields and weapons is insufficient on the Chessori ships, and our modifications don’t work. If and when the modifications take that into consideration, the shields will fail early, Sire.”
“You’ve sabotaged them?”
“Not yet, they don’t work yet, but we’re prepared to sabotage them when it becomes necessary, Sire.”
“On whose orders?”
“Admiral Mzdak’s.”
“He is in consultation with others? Is this part of a larger plan?”
“I don’t know, Sire. He hates the Rebels. There’s not much we can do here, but we’re doing what we can. Rebel ships that come in for repair leave with a host of problems that will show up later.”
“That takes a lot of cooperation from engineers and installers, Captain.”
Vrzak turned angry eyes on him. “We risk everything, even knowing it won’t matter in the long run, and now… you tell us there is a Queen, that it might matter. Hope is a very powerful motivator, Sire. Admiral Mzdak is at your command. So are many others.”
“I applaud your bravery and commitment, Captain. Rest assured that we are not a hoax. Your words are safe with us. I want a private meeting with Admiral Mzdak.”
“I’ll return with a location, Sire.”
“Captain,” Stven asked, his long neck arcing high above Vrzak, “what are you doing to the cruiser?”
“The Chessori are installing a new system in Communications.”
Stven’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Tarn handed Vrzak off to one of the Great Cats, and the man was escorted from the ship.
Stven and Tarn stared at each other, their thoughts reaching the same conclusion. “Interstellar Communicator?” they both said at the same time.
The meeting with Mzdak took place the following morning far from the port. Tarn met him at a busy restaurant that catered to many different tastes. Neither ate – both were too tense.
“I will not display my pins in this place, Admiral.”
“No, Sire, please don’t. I’m convinced, and I apologize for putting you through this. Your presence is… appreciated more than you will ever know. How may I serve?”
“It appears that you already are. Besides what was mentioned yesterday, what have you done?”
“We’ve dismantled the shields and weapons on the Chessori ships, but we ran into a nice problem. The installation cannot be supported by their power plants. To resolve the problem, we need to install new drives. Struthers is holding out until the Chessori reciprocate with the science and plans of their interstellar communications system, which they call a hypercom. They’re reluctant to supply the information, and we are at a temporary standstill. Negotiations are taking place on Triton as we speak.”
“I’m curious about the cruiser, Admiral. Is there any other information available concerning what’s taking place there?”
“No, Sire. The crew was removed. Only Chessori are allowed aboard, and a surprisingly small number of them.”
“You mean it’s vacant?” Tarn asked, surprised.
“While they’re not working on it, yes. I’m told their work is nearly complete.”
“Surely there are guards.”
“There are. Three Chessori guard the only unlocked entrance to the ship. They tell me that is more than sufficient.”
“Do you know that the Chessori are your enemies?” Tarn asked.
One of Mzdak’s eyes shifted away, then both focused back on Tarn. “I know the work we’re doing was ordered by Struthers, so that makes them suspect in my mind.”
“They’re definitely the enemy, sir.” Tarn looked away, considering what he’d heard, then he abruptly stood.
“Something’s come up. I have to leave. I’ll get back in touch with you.”
Washburn’s men fell in beside Tarn as they flagged down their skimmer. Borg and Kross were somewhere in the vicinity, but Tarn didn’t see them.
“Should we sound the alert?” one of the men asked.
“No. There’s no alert. We’re just heading back to the ship. I’m suddenly real uneasy about what’s going on here. I need some time to think before I take this any further. I definitely do not want to tell him about Buskin until I learn more about what’s going on.”