The Devil and Deep Space Read Online Free PDF

their brains to punish what was clearly either a transgression or intent to transgress. So he could say nothing to his people except that he was sorry, that he would miss them, that they would be sure to come with him next time.
    She was overreacting. Surely. Yet he had seen too much during his term of duty to be able to believe that there was no chance of her worst fears becoming reality.

    ###

    Stildyne could see Koscuisko in the next room, talking to 5.3. He wished Koscuisko would hurry up. The sooner they got clear of this the easier it was going to be to manage; and starting this exercise with Koscuisko already in a filthy mood was not what he had anticipated — but a man could only deal with what he had to work with. Not what he wished he had.
    Koscuisko stepped through the door into the courier bay, and Security 5.1 came to attention smartly, lined up beneath the belly of the craft and waiting only for Koscuisko’s word to be away. It was a nice courier; a Combine national, the property of the Koscuisko familial corporation in fact. One of the things that still amazed Stildyne after four years and more with Andrej Koscuisko was how inconceivably rich the man was — at least so far as disposition of material goods was concerned.
    “Thank you, gentles, and we must leave very soon, but I want a moment. Stand down. Stildyne. Kits on board?”
    Stildyne knew what urgency First Officer had concealed behind his calm demeanor and his careful drawl. If First Officer was worried Stildyne was near frantic; but Koscuisko would not be hurried.
    “Cleared and ready for departure, your Excellency, immediately. As the officer please.”
    Koscuisko frowned at him a little over that. He didn’t usually resort to formal language with Koscuisko; it was almost a form of bullying. It was the only way Stildyne could come up with to express the urgency he felt. First Officer wanted 5.1 clear of the Ragnarok . Stildyne didn’t know why — exactly — but that didn’t concern him. First Officer knew what he was about.
    “These people have just come off exercise, Chief.” There was a touch of admonition in Koscuisko’s voice, a hint of reproach. “And in particular the navigator has been worked hard. Not that the entire crew has been less fully challenged, but do we demand that Lek perform a vector transit now? This moment? Lek. Should truly we be asking such effort, from you?”
    All right, maybe Koscuisko was not simply being difficult because he was angry and frustrated. It was possible that Koscuisko was checking to be sure that Lek was centered, clear, and well within the tolerances imposed by his governor. “It’s just a vector transit, your Excellency.” Lek didn’t quite shrug, but the idea was there. “Not a problem, sir. And Godsalt has already done the calculations.”
    There was no halt or hesitation in Lek’s voice. If Lek had any apprehension, he would let them know by using more formal and submissive language — “as it please the officer.” For Lek to use “your Excellency” and “sir” in direct address meant that there were no issues with his governor for Koscuisko to confront. Koscuisko nodded, and made an effort to clear the trouble from his face. “Well, then, let us be off, there is no time like the present. Chief.”
    Stildyne didn’t need to say anything. Koscuisko went up the ramp into the courier. Stildyne nodded, and 5.1 broke out to man the stations — finalize the checks, close the ports and portals, seal the courier for launch.
    Stildyne himself followed Koscuisko up the ramp, slowly. Thinking. Wondering. Why was First Officer in such an apparent hurry to get these people away from the ship? What did Koscuisko know? And what would Koscuisko tell him?
    It was an unfortunate complication to the start of a man’s holiday. But maybe once they’d passed this rocky bit the track would be smooth and level for the duration of Koscuisko’s home leave.

Chapter Two
    Damage Control

    Admiral