“No way would I let one of my people send a suspect vehicle into town, much less out into the Viisiiviisii. Nothing leaves here unless it’s had all its systems, even the noncritical ones, double–checked out. Whoever altered those service records knew they were sending people in harm’s way. I don’t know exactly what was done to those two missing skimmers, but the consequences speak for themselves.” Holding up a fist, he slowly clenched and released his powerful fingers. “When we find out who it was, I’d like to request the pleasure of a face-to-face conversation with them.”
She ignored the appeal. “Any idea who might be responsible?”
He shook his head sharply. “I’d hate to think it was any of my people. But only qualified users and technicians have access to hangared craft.”
“Authorized access,” she corrected him.
He nodded. “I always thought we had adequate security here. But this isn’t Brisbane, or Chitteranx. Of course, port security’s been stepped up since this crisis with the Deyzara and the Sakuntala, but both of the skimmers in question set out and went down before all this got really cranked up.”
He went silent then. In lieu of further questions, she waited for additional comments. When he looked up at her again, he appeared uncertain.
“Come on, Tarik,” she encouraged him. “Whatever it is you’re thinking, even if it’s no more than pure speculation, I need to know. I’m working in the dark here.”
“It’s nothing conclusive,” he muttered. “Just a possibility. There’s no proof of anything.”