Captain Vorpatril's alliance

“An officer’s dependent who some very unpleasant people have been trying to kidnap and maybe murder,” Ivan forged on.

That got the analyst’s full attention. “Ah. I see. We can’t have that, can we?”

“Right. So I’m leaving them with you for the day till I can get back downside and deal with, uh, everything. They probably ought to stay in the building. I thought you all could talk.”

“It would be my very great pleasure,” said Morozov, brightening right up. Tej and Rish did not look nearly as thrilled as he did.

“And no damned fast‑penta,” Ivan continued. “I think you’d have to ask my husbandly permission anyway, but just in case there’s a question, you don’t have it. My permission, that is.”

Morozov’s brows twitched. “Noted. Er…if I may ask a personal question…does your mother know about this marriage yet?”

“Nobody knows about this marriage yet, but that’ll change soon enough. One thing at a time. I’m due to accompany Desplains upside in, oh God, twenty minutes ago. I hope they’re holding the shuttle.”

Morozov waved an ImpSec salute at him. “Then I shall consider myself detailed to guard the new Lady Vorpatril from all harm until your return, shall I?”

“Please.” Ivan turned away, turned back. “And feed them. They’ll like that. Nobody’s had breakfast yet.” He started off and stopped again. “But not rat bars.”

“I’ll send my clerk to bring up something from the cafeteria. Ladies, will you come with me? I can offer you coffee or tea in my office.” Morozov gestured the uneasy women away down the corridor, and continued in the tone of a town Vor dame, or possibly Byerly Vorrutyer, at the most gossipy: “And I’m dying to hear all about your wedding, Lady Vorpatril! I’m sure this will come as a delightful surprise to all of Captain Vorpatril’s friends…”

Ivan pushed through the doors and ran. He made sure to make it that special bland run that said, I’m late and in a hurry, and not the wild bolt that said, This building I am fleeing is about to explode, because he didn’t want to spread panic. He had enough panic tamped into his head right now to blow up a battalion. This’ll work this’ll work, this had better work…

He found, thanks be, the admiral’s shuttle still waiting in Dock Six. Desplains and all four of the Horsemen were aboard, fuming with impatience. The shuttle was already moving as Ivan flung himself into the seat where the scowling Desplains pointed and snapped his belts closed.

“We’re off to inspect the flagship New Athens, right?” Ivan wheezed.

“So glad you remembered,” said Desplains, drawing a long breath for what promised to be a classic bolt of scouring sarcasm, but Ivan shook his head.

“Change it to the Kanzian.”

Desplains stopped dead in mid‑rant‑launch. “What?”

“The Kanzian. Tell the shuttle pilot to dock at the Kanzian.”

Desplains sat back, eyes narrowing. “Why?”

“Because hidden somewhere aboard it‑or possibly clamped outside of it‑are several cargo pods full of equipment, weapons, and supplies stolen from the Sergyar Fleet Orbital Depot. Which their conveyors are no doubt trying frantically to camouflage right now, in anticipation of our scheduled inspection tomorrow.” Ivan nodded to the inspection team chief, leaning over the aisle to hear this. “Forget the rest, that’s what the Horsemen should look for.”

“How do you know this, Vorpatril?” asked Desplains.

“I had a tip‑off from an ImpSec agent.”

“ImpSec didn’t tell me.”

“This was one of their left‑hand men, the sort the right hands don’t talk to. Frigging weasels. But he’s known to me. The reasons I’ve been late for work the past few days weren’t just personal ones, sir.”

“Are you sure of this?”

“Very.” IhopeIhopeIhope…

“ImpSec.” Desplains sat back, his scowl transmuting to his thinking‑frown, scarcely less alarming. “I suppose you would know.”

“I do in this case, sir.” Adding I’d stake my career on it seemed redundant, since he just had. “But you can’t even hint where you got the tip, sir. There are ImpSec agents still on the ground in the matter who are at high risk till they get clear.”

“Hmm…”

There ensued rumbling and grumbling, but the Horsemen were good; they had the new inspection plan roughed out before the shuttle slid into its docking clamps at the Komarr Fleet orbital station. Next to the Kanzian.

Captain Morozov proved a disappointment to Tej, considering ImpSec’s reputation. He wasn’t in the least scary.