Page 88 of Commander’s Mate

The convoy commander came over comm immediately.

“Farseek One, maintain escort formation.”

“We have a distress call.”

“Our contract is convoy protection.”

“I know.”

“The medical cargo cannot miss the corridor.”

“I know.”

“If you divert—”

“I know.”

I muted him.

Pyrr raised an eyebrow.

“Diplomacy.”

“I am growing.”

Tivid displayed the freighter.

Two engines dead.

One life-support module failing.

Twenty-six life signs.

Not thirty-two.

Different people.

Same problem.

I opened the contract.

Civilian protection requirement.

We had written it ourselves.

“Can Three cover convoy?”

“Yes,” Tivid said. “Reduced deterrence.”

“Risk?”

“Moderate.”

“To convoy?”

“Yes.”

“To freighter if ignored?”