Galaxy's End: Book One by LeRoy Clary (popular ebook readers txt) 📗

the handsome, young lieutenant to lull them and guide the conversation was a good one. It had probably worked many times.

Kat scowled when the lieutenant offered more refreshments. Captain Stone gave a mental nod of approval. The girl realized how she had been manipulated by the handsome lieutenant—and done so as much as any empath might do. Stone had allowed it to continue as she learned from the lieutenant, and to teach Kat a hard lesson.

The shuttle arrived at the center of activity, which was a potato-shaped asteroid or larger body, lumpy and rocky on the surface. Pimples of lighted domes reflected starlight. It was large enough to have perceptible gravity, a benefit when working. At least, tools and supplies didn’t float off.

The lieutenant offered slippers to them after placing a pair over his shiny boots. Small Velcro-like patches kept feet in contact with the universal maroon carpeting with the hatch opened. The marines remained out of sight, probably at the admiral’s orders.

The pretense that they were guests would continue, however, the marines would follow a turn or two behind, ready to rush in if required.

The hallway was a long tube with 3D images of military leaders on either side. Before opening a door, the lieutenant paused with his hand on the knob. He said, “Beyond is the quarters of Admiral Swain. I will not accompany you.”

Captain Stone smiled. “We can take it from here if your personnel scanner has finished searching us for weapons.”

Kat glanced at the ceiling and walls, at the slight bulge that wrapped around them. She understood the captain’s comment. So did the officer if his red face revealed his inner feelings.

The door opened from the inside and the lieutenant stepped aside so they could pass. A small woman stood stiffly beyond, a few steps away. Her hair was no longer tousled from sleep. She wore a long robe tied at the waist.

That surprised Captain Stone. She had expected another military display of awards, medals, a dress uniform, and anything else to impress visitors. A room filled with awards, images of ships she had commanded, and mementos from battles were expected. Instead, the room was a simple sitting-room, two facing sofas with a small table between. On the table was a tray with a teapot.

“Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable. There is a refresher to your left.” The voice was soft, pleasant, and faintly amused.

Kat took a seat beside her, both of them facing the admiral. Captain Stone knew the admiral’s name, as she knew hers. There was no sense in performing introductions.

The admiral said, “Both of the ships that followed you have been captured without incident. The crews are in detention aboard my ships.”

Captain Stone said, “They followed us inside wormholes, and we attempted to evade them, to no avail. They were well beyond detection range.”

“Yet, you detected them?”

“They closed the distance when we neared any junction. Our computer and equipment were able to ascertain they were there, not much else.”

The admiral lifted the pot and poured three cups of steaming water. When she set the pot down, she asked, “Why would they do that? Why not just stay out of the detection range?”

“Two things,” Captain Stone said easily. “On our ship, we have a Digger, a member of a technical race who is adept in everything computer, it seems. He claims that the detection units on ships are set to minimal standards because there is less chance of false signals and echoes. He increased our scanning abilities by nearly ten percent.”

The admiral pointed to a wooden box with the names of familiar and unfamiliar teas on the top. As they thought about selections, she continued, “Interesting. Our ships use the same equipment. We would like to discuss that with him, if possible. I assume they always remained out of standard detection range, but you said they closed the distance when you were nearing any nexus? Why would they do that?”

 Captain Stone said, “We believe it was so that if we exited, they would be close enough to intercept us before we could reach a base or planet and request help.”

The admiral waved her hand over the long wooden box and said, “Any preference?”

Kat shook her head.

Captain Stone shrugged. “We’ll drink whatever you do.”

The admiral smiled. “A wise choice. Be assured, I will not drug you. As you’ve no doubt reasoned already, there is a platoon of marines behind a false wall behind me, a dozen remote-operated weapons already pointed at you, as well as passive restraints.”

Captain Stone said, “Still, we will defer to your judgment.”

The top of the plain container was removed, and leaves were spooned into a filter. Water slowly seeped through into the cups as each watched silently as if there was a magical property in the making of tea. Because of the low gravity, the water moved like molten metal. That provided a space of time for each to think and prepare for what was to come.

Admiral Swain sipped and looked at Captain Stone over the rim of her cup. “I wouldn’t normally allow you in here, you know. But you said something that convinced me. Know what that was?”

Captain Stone shook her head.

“I agree with you. I should be leading a fleet in combat. Any administrator could do what I do here. I belong out there where I won battles and protected my worlds.”

“Then why?” Kat blurted.

“Politics,” she sighed. “I was too successful. My image dominated media. The public adored me. If the war ended, I could choose whatever leadership role I wanted. Queen-for-life was not beyond the scope, but I did not and do not wish to be a ruler. Those who are our rulers placed me here to get me out of the media storm and to protect their positions.”

“And then, we appear out of nowhere