Blackcollar: The Judas Solution Read Online Free PDF Page A

the whole universe," Lepkowski said dryly. "How've you been, Comsquare?"
    "Bored out of my skull," Lathe said. Very favorite spot/universe —kicker given; out of my skull
    —kicker acknowledged. The Ryqril were indeed tapping into the conversation, but Lepkowski didn't know whether or not they'd broken the current encryption. It was more or less what Lathe had expected.
    "Any interesting passengers to drop off?"
    "No interesting passengers, but some very interesting information," Lepkowski said. "I'm told the Ryqril are in the process of setting up a tactical coordination center on Khala." Lathe exchanged looks with Jensen. "How complete a center?"
    "Very complete," Lepkowski said. "Full comm feeds and couriers from every unit in the sector, including a large chunk of the local battlefront. Full data analysis and assessment section. Full decision-making capabilities, including a permanent half circle of command-rank Ryqril there to make them."
    "Interesting, indeed," Lathe murmured. "Why Khala? Wouldn't one of their own worlds do better?"
    "Not necessarily," Lepkowski said. "For one thing, Khala's actually closer to that part of the battlefront than any of their own worlds. More importantly, I think they've finally tumbled to the fact that we and the Chryselli are genuine allies, and that it's not just a marriage of convenience."
    "Even if it's mostly one-sided at the moment?"
    "Even so. And since allies try very hard not to slaughter each other's civilians, putting the center on a captured TDE world actually makes it safer than it would be on one of theirs."
    "Safer from the Chryselli, anyway," Jensen murmured.
    "But only from the Chryselli," Lathe agreed. "How close is it to a sizeable human populace?"
    "It's right on the edge of one," Lepkowski said. "It's at the western edge of the capital of Inkosi City, with the city on one side and scattered forest and farmland around the rest of it. You interested in taking a look?"
    "Very much so," Lathe said. "What's our timeline look like?"
    "I'll be heading to Shiloh as soon as I drop my passengers. After that, I'm swinging past Magna Graecia and Bullhead. That puts me back here in about six weeks."
    "Good enough," Lathe said. "Any idea how far along the center is?"
    "According to my source, the overall construction is complete and they've almost finished with the equipment setup," Lepkowski said. "If their ramp-up schedule parallels human patterns, I'm guessing they'll be fully operational in three to four weeks."
    "Which means that in six weeks they'll still be settling in and working out the last kinks in their security system," Lathe concluded. "Perfect."
    "If you think that's perfect, wait'll you hear this," Lepkowski said, some grim satisfaction creeping into his voice. "My source for all this is a fine upstanding Khalan citizen named Kieran Shaw." He paused dramatically. " Tactor Kieran Shaw."
    Jensen muttered something startled-sounding under his breath. "A tactor ?" Lathe echoed, feeling a little stunned himself. "I didn't know any senior officers had survived the war."
    "He was wearing a blue-eyed dragonhead ring," Lepkowski said. "Unless you think he's just a comsquare who gave himself a promotion."
    "Unlikely," Lathe said, looking down at the silvery dragonhead ring on his own right hand and the red stones of its eyes. "Has he got anyone with him?"
    "He was a bit vague about that," Lepkowski said. "But that may have been because he didn't trust our comm connection. I'm guessing he's got at least a few other blackcollars hanging around you might be able to borrow for the occasion. Anyway, he said he'll have a contact on permanent duty at the Guardrail Tavern on Teardrop Road at the south end of Inkosi City whenever you want to make contact."
    "Sounds good," Lathe said. "One more question. After you swing back by here is there any chance we could rendezvous with any of the other ships?"
    "Let me check," Lepkowski said. "Yes, I could arrange to meet up with the Defiant