"I'm beginning to see your point," the reporter admitted hesitantly. "But what happened next? What happened once you gained the upper hand over the pirates?"
"Then," Tambu reminisced, "we began to encounter the same problem which has confronted peacetime armies since the dawn of time."
CHAPTER FIVE
"There's no sign of them at the other two inhabited planets in this system either. We've checked with instruments and confirmed with firsthand investigation. They aren't here."
Tambu slouched in his chair studying the angry face of the Candy Cane's captain on the viewscreen before him. He was as concerned over the mental state of the captain as he was about the unfortunate turn of events being reported.
"Have you checked planetside?"
"On all three planets," the captain confirmed. "There hasn't been a ship in this system in weeks. With your permission, I'd like to find the lying bastard who sold us this information and get our money back-with interest!"
Tambu grimaced at the suggestion, confident the captain could not see his expression. He had several unconfirmed reports on the captain of the Candy Cane, all regarding unnecessary brutality. The last thing he wanted to do was to give the man carte blanche to lean on one of their informants.
"Have you checked the uninhabited planets?" he asked, stalling for time.
The expression of anger on the captain's face gave way to one of uneasiness.
"We've run an instrument check, but not a firsthand confirmation," he admitted. "I figured if the Chameleon was putting in for R and R and supplies they'd be at one of the inhabited planets. I mean, there's no point in giving your crew shore leave on a hunk of barren rock. Shall I go ahead and check out the other planets?"
Tambu had reached his decision as the captain spoke.
"No, that won't be necessary. I want you to hold firm at that system for a while, though. Wait at least a week and see if our target pops up. He might just be running late."
The captain grimaced, then remembered that Tambu could still see him and rearranged his features into a forced smile.
"Hold position for a week," he repeated. "Affirmative."
"For the record," Tambu said casually, "What are you figuring as your modus operandi for that week?"
It was an unfair question. The captain had just gotten his orders, and it was obvious he couldn't have a set plan of action in mind yet. Still, Tambu expected his captains to be able to be able to think on their feet. Besides, he hadn't liked the way the captain reacted when receiving his orders.
"Urn..." the captain began, licking his lips nervously, "we'll leave a crewman at each spaceport on the three inhabited planets, then take up position close enough to the furthest uninhabited planet that it will screen our position. If the target ship shows up, our watchers can contact us by closed communicator and we'll move in."
Tambu let the captain suffer in silence for a full minute before he answered.
"That plan seems adequate. How do you intend to select which crewmen are to serve as watchers?"
"On the merit system," the captain replied promptly, his confidence apparently bolstered by the acceptance of his plan. "An all-expense-paid week planetside is a pretty nice plum. I figure it should go to my pest performers."
"That also means your best performers will be off-ship when you take on the target vessel," Tambu commented pointedly.
The captain's face fell at the admonishment, but Tambu continued.
"It's good to hear that. I wish more of my captains had that kind of faith in their crews instead of letting a few key crewmembers handle all the dirty work."
"I-Thank you, sir," the captain gulped.
"One suggestion, though," Tambu drawled, smiling at the captain's discomfort. "You might choose one of the watchers by random draw, then rig it so one of your newer crewmembers wins. Send someone with a bit of experience along to be sure he stays out of trouble, but make it clear it's the new man's assignment. Also, I think you should put all the watchers on a budget just to make sure they don't get carried away with their spending. They're there to do a job, not to go on a binge."
"Yes, sir."
"And announce to the crew that if you nail the target, there will be a week's shore leave at a planet of your choice."
"Yes, sir. Thank you." The captain was smiling now.
"Tambu out."
Tambu didn't smile as he clicked off the viewscreen. He took no pleasure or pride in dealing with situations such as this. They were all too commonplace now, more the rule than the exception.
Swiveling his chair away from the communications console, he faced his desk once again. The jumble of papers and notepads stared back at him in unswerving accusation. He realized that he viewed the work before him with neither enthusiasm nor distaste. He was too tired to muster any reaction.
He briefly considered the possibility of a short nap, but rejected the thought. He would double-check these figures once more, then take a break. With an involuntary sigh, he reached for a pencil.
Behind him, the communications console chimed softly, signaling an incoming call.
Tambu turned from his desk and reached "for the switch to activate the mechanism. His eye fell on the call board, and he hesitated.
The incoming call was being relayed through several ships. This was the normal precaution taken to hide his exact location. The ship originating the call was the Scorpion. Egor!
Tambu scowled at the board, his hand poised over the activator switch. For a moment, he was tempted to ignore the call. Then the console chimed again, and he threw the switch. As long as Egor was one of his captains, he would be afforded the same prompt attention as any other captain, no matter how annoying it was.
"Yes, Egor?" Tambu asked, forcing his voice into a neutral tone.
"Saladin says you approved the transfer of Jocko from the Scorpion to the Ramses." Egor's snarl exploded over the speaker even before his face blinked into focus.
"That is correct," Tambu replied levelly.
"Did you know Jocko is the second-best navigator in my crew?" Egor's face was on the screen now, and his expression matched his voice.
"I knew it," Tambu admitted without apology.
"Why wasn't I consulted?" Egor demanded. "Doesn't my say matter for anything anymore?"
As Egor spoke, the door of Tambu's office opened a crack, and Ramona's head appeared. She cocked an eyebrow in silent question, and he waved her inside.
"In this case, Egor, your opinion was already known," Tambu explained patiently. "You had already turned down Jocko's transfer request. That's why he came to me directly."
"So you just countermanded my authority," Egor scowled. "Without even bothering to ask my reasons."
"As Jocko explained it to me, he was either going to transfer or leave the force." Tambu's voice had an edge to it now. "Either way, the Scorpion was going to lose him. At least this way he's still in the force. As you pointed out, he's a good navigator."
"I still don't think you should have let him blackmail you." Egor was sullen now.
"What are we supposed to do? Chain him to his bunk?" Tambu's annoyance was beginning to show. "We can't hold people against their will. Even if we could, I wouldn't. I want ships crewed by free men, not slaves."
"Well, I still think you should have talked to me," Egor grumbled.
"I was going to, Egor," Tambu apologized. "But things have been so hectic at this end I haven't had time."
"That's been happening a lot lately," Egor complained bitterly. "I always seem to be at the end of your priority list. You can find time for everybody but your old friends."
"Damn it, Egor," Tambu snapped. "I spend more time talking to you than with any three of my other captains."
"Which is less than a tenth of the time you used to have for me! Of course, now that you're a big shot, I can't expect you to waste your precious time on my problems."