“If you choose anyone from Larga Ways to protect you, chances are, the news that you’re going to Balco will leak.” Hal leaned back and rubbed at his head, this time. “And I can’t go with you, or lend you any of my crew, because we picked up some seriously large scale maneuvers by the Garmman yesterday, and Admiral Hoke doesn’t want my eyes off the airspace border for a second.
“So you can’t pick me up, either.” She didn’t realize how disappointed she would feel that she wouldn’t be able to see him.
“No.” He looked like he wanted to jump up from his seat and pace.
“Well, we can still pretend that you are picking me up,” she said slowly. “So no one realizes that you’re laser-focused on the border. I can take a runner up, as if I’m going to meet you somewhere, and Eazi can drop me down below.”
“That might be harder to pull off without anyone noticing you than you think,” Hal warned.
“What about the Grihan spies down on Balco?” Eazi asked. “Can’t they watch over Fiona? I know there’re numerous undercover Grihan soldiers in Distani.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Hal looked thoughtful. “It’s not my area, but I’m sure Battle Center does like to keep a handle on what’s happening on Balco. It’s a Grihan protectorate, after all.”
“Wouldn’t they be worried about blowing their cover if they’re looking after me?” Fee asked.
“I’ll ask Admiral Hoke,” Hal said. “I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.”
He cut off the comms, and Fee leaned back in surprise at the abruptness of the sign-off.
That was one stressed and worried man.
She stood and walked to the balcony doors, swung one open and stepped out into the cool night air. She walked over to the waist-high wall and leaned against it as she looked out over the city.
This was a magical place, and she loved it.
She loved that she had some hand in keeping it the wonderful city that it was, and she loved her apartment, her freedom to do as she pleased, and her relationship with Hal Vakeri.
Someone was trying to mess with that. To kill her, to delay or stop Paxe building his Class 5, and now, whether it was connected or not, the Garmman were playing games just over the border.
The sun of this solar system was hidden behind Balco, allowing Larga Ways to fall into darkness, and it edged the right hand curve of Balco in gold.
She had a feeling that was where she would find some of her answers, and she wouldn’t allow fear to stop her.
Her comms unit chimed, and she turned away from the view and walked back into her lounge.
Hal’s mouth was set in a grim line.
“Bad news?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No. The admiral doesn’t like the idea of you going down to Balco, but she likes the idea of you as a targetof assassination even less. She says there are two spies on Balco that haven’t been able to access the targets they were supposed to infiltrate for some reason or another. They can be freed up to help you, and as they’ve been down there for at least a month each, they should be able to guide you once you’re there.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” She wouldn’t mind having people that knew their way around.
“Not to me, it doesn’t.” Hal sighed, and leaned back in his chair. “But it’s the best I could come up with.”
Fiona leaned closer to the screen, and touched his face with a fingertip. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll be as careful as possible, if you’ll do the same.”
His face softened, and he leaned closer, too. “I’m in a Grihan battleship. You’ll be wandering around the streets of a strange city, on a strange planet.”
“I’ll have protection,” she reminded him. “Not just the spies, but everything Eazi gave me before, plus a few new things he’s managed to acquire since he took over Larga Ways.”
“Good.” Hal turned his head, as if someone was trying to get his attention. “I have to go. I’ll send through the meet-up instructions for Balco when Admiral Hoke has them.”
“Thanks.” She touched the screen again. “Keep safe, and I’ll let you know when I leave Larga Ways.”
He stopped, touched his fingertip to her own. “I love you.”
Before she could respond, the screen went black.
