Page 46 of Infiltration

Alpha Space Station

“More nanobot spies?” Piras gazed at Kuran’s vid image, projected by his desk com.

“I believe the information I’ve uncovered on Lieutenant Governor Ken Bryant necessitates their use. I’ll also be following him, but I can’t stay on him all hours of the day and night. I realize we’re creeping into an ethically gray area by keeping such a close eye on him—”

“Ethically gray is the spy department’s signature color,” Piras sighed. “Pick them up at my office when you reach the station tonight.”

“Thank you, Admiral.”

Kuran signed off. Piras noted the latest details in their proper file and moved on to the task the operative’s latest discoveries had made a priority.

“Bryant looked like a dead end when this insurrectionist nonsense began…if you can call crude explosives and smuggled protesters an insurrection. He’s starting to stink of actual trouble, though.” Piras brought up the roster of spyships and phased marauders watching over Earth, along with a schematic of current patrol routes. He altered his protective squadrons’ deployment, adding an extra route between Earth and the station itself. The scheduling shifted, and he sighed to discover an extra day had been added to each vessel’s assignments.

“I’ll have to put in for another squadron. Assholes. Why does every act Kalquor performs on behalf of Earth have to be taken as an insult?”

“Because people love drama more than they want peace.” Hope grinned as she entered his office unannounced. “Careful, my Dramok. People will think the worst when it looks like you’re talking to yourself too much.”

“Is it time for Kila’s com already?” Piras stretched and felt the delicious release of joints crackling. He’d been sitting in his chair too damned long. “Where is the day disappearing to so fast?”

Hope grabbed the hover chair from the front of his desk and pulled it around next to his. She planted a kiss on his lips. It was passionate and stirred his cocks. “Do I get to hear the juicy details on our Nobek’s mission?”

“You’re still cleared as a technician of his crew. I’m not planning on letting you board his spyship when there’s no need though.”

“You never know,” Hope pointed out. “I do have certain skills hard to find elsewhere.”

Was he hearing innuendo? On heels of her ardent kiss, Piras coughed and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Fortunately, his com buzzed for attention, and Kila’s frequency flashed.

“Hello, Captain.”

“Reporting in, Admiral. Ah, are we off the clock? I see a certain lovely engineering specialist I’d love to be informal with.” Kila’s grin was dazzling in his beard.

“Behave, sir, or I’ll report you for harassment.” Hope snickered. “Where’s Lokmi?”

“Here, but this glorified shuttle mechanic is hogging the whole transmission.” Their Imdiko’s voice was clear, even if he was invisible. A hand showed up in the middle of the air and pushed Kila’s shoulder.

Piras didn’t miss his Nobek’s wince as Kila widened the shot to allow Lokmi’s handsome mug to join them. “Did you two get in a fight? What happened to your arm, Kila?”

“Ha! As if Lokmi could do this sort of damage.”

“Can I try?” Lokmi grinned at them. “It was a battle of the captains. You should have seen him and Nako being stretchered to Medical after pounding each other stupid. Or should I say stupider? Is stupider a word?”

“Nobeks,” Piras sighed in amusement as Hope rolled her eyes. “And half-Nobeks. So you both ended up in the infirmary?”

“It was a great fight. I’ll go toe-to-toe with Nako any day.” Kila beamed, then became businesslike. “All right, let me give you my report. I’m due on the bridge in a few minutes, so I’ll unfortunately have to make this quick.”

He shared the latest, including the news Bi’is was emitting no artificial energy readings. Piras grunted in disbelief.

“A planetwide power outage? Impossible. Something’s definitely amiss. I’m sure you’ll be cautious when you reach your destination, but I have to say it. Be careful.”

“As my Dramok, I’m sure?” Kila’s eyes narrowed in mock-aggression.

“Of course. As your commanding officer, I’d tell you to do your duty whatever it meant.” Piras’ finger tapped the desktop in a steady beat, his sole concession to worry. “I want you two home in one piece. Do your best, okay?”

“If not for him, for me,” Hope added.

“For you both,” Lokmi agreed, and Kila winked at them.

The com ended, and Piras and Hope sat in silence for a few seconds, looking where their clanmates had been projected. Piras knew his Matara was missing the other half of their clan as much as he did.

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