He dropped the object and raised his hands. Lizbet left her seat and picked it up.
“A remote, Captain,” she said. “With an override for the hatch lock.”
“Well, Ser Janek,” Cynara said. “So glad you could join us. Ronan, take her up.”
* * *
Chapter 15
« ^ »
Janek had a few seconds to grab at the bulkhead before the shuttle lifted. He stumbled his way to a seat and strapped in, staring through the open cockpit door.
“Our refugee is certainly a man of many talents,” he said. “Do you know what you’ve done, Captain?”
Cynara relaxed in her seat and smiled. “I’m taking him to Persephone. I’m making sure he gets to the right people who will protect as well as question him.”
“You’ve committed treason, both to your government and mine.”
“I understand it was your idea to have Ronan deep-probed, Ser Janek.”
“You knew it was necessary from the moment he revealed telepathic abilities, particularly after he disabled Bhruic.”
“I knew it was necessary, but not your way.” She closed her eyes as the shuttle shot skyward. “If you disapprove so heartily, why did you come? You can’t expect to change my mind.”
“Nor do I intend to abandon my duty as you have done. I’ll present my position to Naval Headquarters on Persephone—unless you plan to silence me.”
“As much as I’d like to strangle you, Janek, I’m no assassin. You’ll have your say, and so will I.” She leaned toward him in a confidential attitude. “Did I ever mention that Lord Miklos Challinor was my uncle’s good friend years ago, when they both served in the Royal Navy? Magnus Jesper encouraged me to go to Miklos if I had certain… problems.”
“The Archon’s brother is much too busy to deal with the likes of—”
“A source of potentially vital intelligence such as Ronan might turn out to be? Or by the same token, a man who could become the downfall of Allied civilization, as you seem to believe? I think Lord Miklos will be most interested.”
Janek subsided into his seat with an expression like an overripe gelfruit, but Cynara knew she hadn’t heard the last from him. He would bear even more careful watching.
“Lizbet, has Kord briefed you on our situation? You understand that we’re making an unauthorized departure?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Cynara nodded and glanced at Kord. “As much as I hate to burden you, Kord, I’m assigning Ser Janek to your custody until we reach the Concordat.”
“Two of my marines are still on Dharma,” Janek protested, rising. “There are only two still on board the Pegasus, another breach of—he glanced at Kord—”protocol.”
“That is unfortunate, but I’ in sure your marines will find no lack of hospitality on Dharma until we return.”
“Do you intend to return to face charges, Captain? I can bring them just as easily on Persephone.”
Kord moved up beside Janek and took his arm. “Courtesy,” he said softly. “I would not wish to have to silence you.”
Janek folded his arms across his chest, choosing to preserve his dignity. “What of Ronan, Little Mother?” Kord asked.
What of Ronan indeed. “Our aim is to reach Concordat space as efficiently as possible and deliver him intact to Lord Miklos or his people while preserving the ship’s integrity. We’ll do whatever is necessary to achieve that end.”
Janek jerked his arm from Kord’s grip. “I see,” he said. “You have ‘rescued’ Ronan from what you perceive as a threat to his welfare, and yet you clearly do not trust him. What has happened between you, Captain? What has created such a contradictory perspective?” He took a step toward her. “You have learned something, haven’t you? You know how dangerous he is—”
Kord twisted Janek’s arm behind his back. “I warned you,” he said. “The captain owes you no explanation.”
“But you’ll have to explain sooner or later,” Janek said, hissing in pain. “If Ronan has penetrated your shields, everything is at risk.”
Cynara refused to let him see how close he had come to the truth. “On Persephone,” she said, “and no sooner. I suggest that you order your marines to maintain their duties and cooperate, or it may be necessary to throw you in the brig.” She turned her back and listened for communications from the comlink, but Ronan either had the volume turned very low or he’d shut it off. Dharma had a few in-system ships it could send after the Pegasus, but they would be occupied with the mining operation in the cometary halo and wouldn’t be able to reach the wormhole in time.