“Which is as useful as attempting to obtain milk from a male of a species who does not have a male lactation.”
Regi chose to ignore the outburst. The conflict between Ter and Cota was growing more serious with every crisis. Cota normally placated Ter, but that dynamic had changed. “Vk assigned teams to search the entire ship before I even left the command meeting. They are continuing to sweep for any sign of the intruder, but I wanted to ask you where a Styl might hide.”
“Somewhere with high radiation levels. Either you already know that or you are far too inept to hold your position as head of security and the command staff should choose another.” Ter shifted his attention to his computer display. Regi hoped he was retrieving the ship schematics, but he couldn’t assume, not with tempers running hot.
“I would not object to resigning, but that would leave Vk leading security, and I like her too much to inflict command meetings on her.” Regi didn’t mention that his goddess was likely to continue making their lives too interesting until Regi understood her purpose in guiding him. Poque was unlikely to care if Regi stepped down as security chief, but without his position, he would have more difficulty solving the problems she placed in his path. He needed the freedom to choose his own tasks, now more than ever.
Gods were unconcerned with the political maneuverings of lesser creatures. Many of the early histories of Kowri home world focused on the conflicts that followed when the people chose a leader in conflict with the favor of the gods. It rarely ended well for anyone, which was why Regi's people had decided that the Empire would be ruled by a council made up of all the individuals exalted by the various gods.
Major decisions had to be made by a general election among the exalteds, and day-to-day decisions were made by representatives from each of the season temples. The general assumption was that if a representative was inept, the gods would remove them. History was full of foolish Kowri who had risen above their ability only to die from an impossible coincidence.
“Since I am not familiar with the layout of the ship, I need to know where those radioactive areas can be accessed.”
Ter ignored Regi’s request. “My staff can bring the radioactive suits over from our ship, and I can have my crew clear any areas that are accessible from the interior of the ship.”
“No, you cannot,” Regi said. Perhaps the captain hoped to avoid conflict by allowing Ter to do what he wanted, but Regi could not afford to lose this battle of wills. “Engineers are not capable of clearing an area. If there is a dangerous criminal on board, I will not put your people at risk.”
“I will not allow your people to go stumbling into dangerous areas of the ship. Even if your people don't accidentally expose the entire crew to radiation, there is a good chance they will expose themselves. My people have trained in dangerous environments.”
“My people have training on how to subdue suspects and avoid getting shot in the back.” Regi tried to imitate his mother’s most implacable mien. Ter glared at him, but Regi refused to alter his expression. To the side, Dante blew out an explosive breath, and Ter broke eye contact first. Regi tried to keep his voice gentle. Since he had won the battle, he did not need to aggravate Ter further. “I need you to identify potential access points so that we can plan our sweeps. I also need you to lend us whatever radiation suits you have available.” Typically, radiation suits were built to the specifications of the person who would wear them, so Regi had to hope that he had security personnel who were similar in size and shape as some of Ter's engineers.
Ter put his aggravation on display, but he did start typing. “The pirates did not have a schematic in the computer. At best I can give you my guesses as to where a logical creature would place engine access.”
“Your logical guess is enough for me.”
Ter might have been short-tempered and aggravating beyond reason, but no one could deny his brilliance. Ter would be able to identify all access points just based on his understanding of structural engineering in general, and ships specifically.
“Sending people into those areas could get them killed. Are you sure there's a Styl on board?” Ter sent a pointed glare in Dante's direction.
Regi's fur bristled. “Dante has been honest, and we have the evidence to support many of his claims.”
Dante put a hand on Regi's arm. “It's fine. He has every reason to doubt my honesty. I appreciate that you’re a trusting man, Regi, but sometimes logical men trust less and verify more.”
Ter curled his fingers in surprise.
Dante gave one of the breathy laughs that Regi was coming to associate with him. “I suspect the captain has me following Regi around so that Regi can guard me. There's nothing I can say that will convince you to trust me, so I will simply say I have no reason to side with these pirates. In fact, I earlier asked Regi for a weapon because I had every intention of shooting that Styl in the face as many times as it took to put him down. Unfortunately, Regi does not trust me as much as he claims. He didn't give me the weapon, and you don't have to worry too much about him being naïve.”
“I do not distrust you,” Regi protested.
Dante showed his teeth. “Which is not the same as saying you trust me, and that is well and good. I'm not asking you to, especially not when I would be very interested in little vigilante justice against these pirates.”
The word vigilante did not translate, although Regi could sympathize with the desire for justice.
“I don't question how Regi runs security,” Ter said in a blatant lie. Half the command staff questioned Regi's skills as a security officer, which was probably related to the fact that everyone questioned why the Coalition had allowed a Kowri into the security forces at all. “But I don’t want to be the one left nursing my guilt if security people get themselves irradiated.”
“If something happens,” Regi said, “the blame will fall on the pirate, not you. If necessary, I will ask the captain for his support in this.”
“And I could tell him to find the suits for himself, and we both know, he never would.”
“Ter.” Regi said the name softly, a plea for some assistance. For a moment, Ter held firm. But then his fist uncurled and his shoulders sagged. He wrinkled his nose. “Do not give radiation suits to stupid people.” He turned to his computer. “We've been mapping interior corridors, but the ship has been heavily altered. I think you’ll find most of the doors on decks four and five in this quadrant.” Ter brought a schematic up on his screen.
“Which are decks four and five?” Dante leaned closer to look at the computer. “What sort of rooms would you find on them? I've cleaned most of the ship, so I know the inside fairly well, although I'm not used to looking at it on a blueprint.”
“What is blue?” Ter asked.
“Blue is a color.”
Ter turned his chair toward Dante. “Is your species mentally deficient or are you as an individual lacking the ability to perceive color?”
