“You’re not leaving this ship,” Belor said, and Miran could tell that was his final decision. Nova must’ve realized it as well.
“Fine,” she snapped. “Who’s going to meet with the Diniki?”
Belor looked at two nearby warriors Miran recognized. Hisum and Cifon stepped forward.
Hisum spoke first. “Can you tell us what to say and do?”
Nova let out a frustrated breath. “I can try. Because things have gotten so tense, it’s really important that you present yourselves correctly even before you start talking. If there are three of them standing shoulder to shoulder, you need to stand the same way. But if there are four of them standing shoulder toshoulder, then one of you should kneel and one of you should keep standing.”
She kept going, explaining detail after detail of how to meet and greet the Diniki. There was so much that Cifon gave up trying to take notes and simply set his data pad to record her. By the time she was done talking about the greeting, Hisum looked at Belor.
“Perhaps bringing Nova along is a good idea,” he suggested.
Belor looked torn but then shook his head. “No, the risk is too great.”
Nova grumbled something about making the risk worse by being stubborn, but Miran was the only one who heard her. “There’s so much more they need to know. I can’t possibly explain it all before they need to leave.”
Belor’s expression didn’t change. “You’re not leaving this ship. You can monitor them and help remotely."
“The Diniki won’t allow that,” she said, throwing up her hands and stalking out of the room.
Miran went to follow her, but Belor stopped him. “Miran, stay a moment, please.”
“Section Commander?”
Another crew member moved close. “Hisum and Cifon need to leave. The messages from the Diniki are becoming more aggressive."
Belor let out a frustrated breath and looked at the two men. “I know I'm putting you in an untenable position but do your best.”
The men nodded and left command, looking deeply apprehensive. Miran couldn’t blame them. Nova hadn't even gotten past how to greet the Diniki, and it had been a lot of information. How were they going to navigate something more complex?
When the section commander turned to him, he looked apologetic. “I want you and Nova to stay on the Assist until thisis all over,” he said. Then he looked over to where Warik and Nisha were still standing. “And you two also. I don’t think this is going to resolve peacefully. I’ve already begun the procedures to have the Assist disconnected and towed away as fast as possible.”
“Section Commander Belor, this is a powerful ship but no match for so many other ships,” Warik protested, saying exactly what Miran was thinking.
Belor’s face hardened. “I know, but everyone on this ship is ready to sacrifice their lives for those children.”
Miran hated this. He understood, but he still hated it.
“I’ll find Nova, pack our things, and move to the Assist,” he agreed, then left. Warik and Nisha stayed behind, probably trying to convince the section commander to let Nova join the envoy. If anyone could change Belor’s mind, it would be those two.
He half hoped they were successful, but he felt horribly conflicted. There was no question that she could help, but putting her in a meeting room on a Diniki station was asking for her to be kidnapped.
First he went to theAssist. He wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t returned there. She wouldn’t want the children to see her upset. But then he couldn’t find her in their room, exercise room, or galley.
He couldn't find her anywhere on the ship. He pinged the data pad she’d slipped into the bag she carried everywhere, but it came backout of range.
The only reason that could happen was if she wasn’t on the ship.
A horrible feeling swept over Miran, and he simply knew.
He opened a comms link to command. “Contact the envoy, Nova’s on their ship.”
Chapter 20
Miran
Working without help made it hard to get the gunship ready, but fear gave Miran extra strength.
