Page 29 of Clan and Command

Lokmi stared at him. “I – I just get tired of everyone thinking they can run over me because of my official Imdiko status.” He scowled at Piras. “You have a reputation of your own, Admiral. With respect.”

Piras arched a brow at him. “Somehow, I don’t think you’ve learned to respect anyone. You’re too busy fighting for it yourself. Or what you think equates as respect, which seems to be the idea that everyone should do what you say, no questions asked.”

“That’s not true.” Lokmi’s expression was hectic with anger and confusion. “People make assumptions. They don’t give me a chance. I have to be aggressive so they’ll listen.”

“You’re not being just aggressive. You’re being an asshole. But seeing who your current captain is, I can’t entirely blame you in this instance.”

Kila clenched his fists. “He had orders to consult with me before making any further alterations to the engines. I’m far from being in the wrong here.”

“Like hell you are,” Lokmi yelled. “The moment you knew I was on board, you came charging into engineering, demanding I touch nothing. That I don’t do my job as chief engineer, which is all I’m trying to do.”

Kila snarled, but he recognized there was some truth to the Imdiko’s assertions. Damn it, this was his ship, however. His engines. “You have still been insubordinate. I will have your hide for that.”

Piras looked from Lokmi to Kila and back. He barked a harsh laugh. “Wonderful. Just wonderful. I’m pissed off at the captain, and you two are pissed off at each other. Everyone wants to tear everyone else’s head off before the mission is even started. This is the crew that is to beat the Basma? Mother of All, we haven’t got a chance.”

Relief that Piras was again considering taking on the assignment to join up with Maf blunted the worst of Kila’s rage against Lokmi. It also made Kila realize why Piras had shown up unannounced.

A sense of eagerness filled the captain. Putting his issues with both Piras and Lokmi to the side for the moment, he said, “You have a target, Pir – ah, Admiral?”

He didn’t miss Lokmi’s glance in his direction. The eternal pain in Kila’s ass had caught the slip of familiarity.

Fuck it. I’ll deal with him and his many sins later. We still have our own issues to take care of.How Kila would do that filled him with violent delight.

Meanwhile, Piras was answering Kila’s question. “I’m not quite settled on a target, but I’ve narrowed my focus.”

Lokmi drew himself up. “Should I excuse myself, sirs?”

“Considering where we’re going, it might be best if the chief engineer is brought into our conversations. He knows the abilities of the various ships that have gone to the Basma’s side. He may be able to point out problems we haven’t thought of.” Piras looked to Kila, acknowledging it was his ship to run and therefore his decision as to whether Lokmi would be privy to their counsels.

Kila nodded his agreement that the chief could stay before guessing, “You’re aiming for the route between Kalquor and Galactic Council Space, aren’t you?”

“Wrong. And not the colonies either. No, I’m going to give the Basma information that will allow him to punch a big hole in our defenses between the Empire and the kingdom of Bi’is.”

Lokmi’s gasp rang loud in the room. Kila stared in shock at Piras. Of all the targets Piras could have chosen, the boundaries between Kalquorian and Bi’is space had never crossed his mind.

He recovered. “If I may ask, Admiral…why there?”

Piras paced back and forth. Kila had noted this was as much a habit when the admiral was thinking as grinding his teeth when he was angry. “Several reasons. The most important one being the allegations that the Basma and the Holy Leader have been trafficking our people to the Bi’is slave trade.”

“Which the little gray bastards constantly refute. No hard evidence was found of such trade despite the Galactic Council’s investigation.”

“You don’t believe it’s happening?”

“No, I’m positive it was. But the trade seems to have stopped since we found out about the matter.”

Piras offered him a twisted smile. “It’s about to pick back up. Maf and Copeland will want better access to their Bi’isil partners in the weeks to come.”

Kila gave him a narrow stare. “How do you know that?”

“A number of Maf’s secret accounts have come to light in the last few hours. Found and confiscated.”

“He’s broke?”

“We’re sure we haven’t appropriated all his money, but we’ve seized a lot. He’s going to be hurting for more funds at a time when he needs it most. A fleet and fighting military are expensive to maintain, after all.”

Kila felt his grin returning. “Dantovon, Adraf, and the other suppliers he’s turned to operate on a strict cash basis.”

Lokmi’s voice was choked, his stricken expression saying he found no pleasure in this turn of events. “The Basma’s side has taken hundreds of prisoners. He’ll send them over to Bi’is for scientific experimentation if he gains a piece of the border.”

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