Ronan handled the shuttle as if he’d been born to it—no surprise given his skill with the shaauri darter. She didn’t interrupt him until the shuttle reached rendezvous orbit with the Pegasus. Then she joined him in the cockpit and hailed the ship, trusting that Adumbe wouldn’t question her orders.
The shuttle bay doors opened without a hitch, and Ronan guided the Thalassa smoothly into its berth. Adumbe and several crewmen were waiting when she and the others disembarked.
“Captain,” Taye said, one brow raised as he noted the number of passengers, “I did not expect your return so soon.”
“I know. I’ll have a full explanation for you in the briefing room, once we’re under way. Is the Pegasus ready to leave orbit?”
“As you ordered, Captain. I—”
“Scholar-Commander Adumbe,” Janek said, pushing his way forward, “I advise you that Captain D’Accorso has acted in defiance of the Trade Council and has abducted a guest—”
“Guest?” Kord snorted.
“—before the debriefing ordered by the Council. It is your clear duty to arrest the captain and return Ronan VelKalevi to Dharman authorities, under my jurisdiction.”
Adumbe’s eyebrows rose still higher. “Indeed. I suspected that something had gone very much awry. Nevertheless, I am sure that Captain D’Accorso had excellent motive for her actions,” He turned to Cynara. “Ser Janek—”
“I am to watch him until we reach Persephone,” Kord said. “Captain’s orders.”
“In that case—yes, Captain D’Accorso, we are ready to depart at your command.”
“Excellent.” Cynara suppressed the desire to smile wickedly at Janek. “Lizbet, to the bridge. Ronan, I am confining you to your cabin for the duration of the flight.”
Their gazes met. “Yes, Captain,” he said.
“The same applies to you, Ser Janek,” she said. “You will surrender your passcard to Ser O’Deira until we reach the Concordat.”
“You have no right—”
Kord twisted his arm a little more tightly. Janek went pale. Kord steered his two charges, Ronan cooperative and Janek surly, to the passenger lift. Cynara fell in step with Adumbe and caught the service lift to the bridge.
“All’s well?” she asked.
“Yes, Captain.” His brown eyes sparkled. “I’ll be most interested to hear the story behind this daring escapade.”
“Why, Taye—I think you like adventures more than you ever let on.” She gripped his shoulder. “I want you to know that I appreciate your loyalty, but if you have any doubts about throwing your lot in with me—”
“No doubts, Captain. And aside from Toussaint and one or two other Dharman crewmen aboard, I believe I speak for everyone.”
“With Basterra aground, the Dharmans won’t make any trouble. I’ll be sure to inform the Council that they had no choice in the matter. As for the two marines left on Dharma, I’ll deal with that when the time comes. We’ll take the strictest security measures to make up for their absence.”
“Janek may file a diplomatic protest on Persephone.”
“Let him. Once I speak to Lord Miklos, I doubt he’ll have much to say about it. As for Dharma and the Council—” She shrugged with far more nonchalance than she felt. “I think I’ll have enough influence left to recommend you for the captaincy.”
“You anticipate being relieved of command.”
“They were always looking for an excuse, and now they have it. I trust you to do the job, Taye. If necessary, I’ll offer my services to the Persephonean Navy.”
“That would be a pity, Captain.”
“And perhaps premature. The universe is full of possibilities.”
They reached the bridge. Lizbet was back at her post, still in civilian clothing. Bendik Toussaint held the weapons console. He stared at Cynara with obvious hostility.
“If you wish to resign your post, Toussaint,” Cynara said, taking the captain’s chair, “you may do so without penalty. I will advise the Council that you were an unwilling participant in this action.”
Toussaint lowered his gaze. “We will be passing through the Shaauriat, Captain. You will need all weapons personnel.”
“Yes. But you will either follow my orders without question, or I will dismiss you to quarters.”
“Aye, Captain.”
She put him from her thoughts and called the infirmary to exchange a quick greeting with Dr. Zheng, then accepted status reports from all bridge stations. Taye had everything ready, and it remained only to give the command.