Page 6 of Clan and Command

Before he could, Kila strode up to his streamlined metallic desk and slapped a sound-blocker on its surface. Its hum filled the room.

Piras’s eyes widened in understanding. “You’re my contact for the mission.”

“Have you accepted it?”

“Not yet. You’re supposed to give me more information first.” Piras pushed away the surge of disappointment that came with realizing this was strictly a professional meeting. But what had he thought it would be otherwise? He’d burned any personal, intimate bridges right away the last time he’d seen Kila.

If Lidon had taught him anything, it was to finish things quick, before love could suck out his soul.

It had been the right move, showing Kila the truth during their one night of passion. Piras had realized that the Nobek captain was as bad a bet as Lidon had ever been. For that reason, the Dramok had made things clear right away, making sure that nothing else would ever happen between them. He refused to wait in limbo for another man who would leave him when something better came along.

Dismissing the unwanted tug of regret that this was to be nothing more than an official visit, Piras settled back in his hover chair. He motioned for his visitor to sit in the one across the desk from him. Kila shook his head. “I’m not getting comfortable when it’s likely you’ll order me out in a few seconds.”

“Why would I do that?”

“I’m the one who recommended you for this shit storm of a mission. So, if you’re unhappy about that, I’m the man to yell at.” His enigmatic, slightly mocking smile remained.

Piras scowled to hide the fact Kila had knocked him off-balance yet again. “Why? What makes you think I’d want a mission like this? More importantly, what makes you think the Basma will buy me as a traitor?”

“You fit the profile better than the other admirals.”

“Are you saying I come off as a turncoat?” Fury at the intimation made his voice loud.

“Don’t be stupid, Piras,” Kila said, jettisoning any attempt at protocol. Before the admiral could call him on it, he continued. “With Banrid in custody, the Basma will want someone near the top of the hierarchy in his pocket. You fit the bill.”

“No clan. No Matara. I got that.” Piras stared into Kila’s eyes and discovered the man’s gaze was as intense as he remembered. He felt uncomfortable to know the Nobek was sizing him up, but looking at any other part of Kila would prove distracting. “You turned Banrid in?”

“No one knows that except the Fleet Admiral.”

“Are you actively spying now? As the captain of a destroyer?”

Kila grinned brightly, pleased rather than mysterious for a change. “It’s a good cover, isn’t it? I’m in the part of the fleet Maf recruits from rather than the one he views with so much suspicion. My entire crew is in on it too.”

“You don’t think Banrid will name you as a co-conspirator?”

Kila apparently decided Piras wasn’t going to throw him out on his ass, because he sat down. He propped his scarred arms on the desk and leaned towards him. “I happened to luck into discovering Banrid’s treachery through a purely chance overheard conversation.”

“You suck at false modesty.”

“I do, but in this case, it’s the truth. The Basma likes his secrets and tends to keep high-target operatives hidden from each other. Banrid has no idea I supposedly work for the enemy. I was fortunate to discover his dealings.”

“Not if Maf discovers how Banrid got caught.”

“Maf doesn’t know I sniffed him out. He won’t know his pet admiral is in custody until I tell him tonight, more than likely.”

Piras frowned. “You still haven’t told me how I fit the profile of a traitor.”

“Beyond having no Earther Matara and not scrambling for a clan to claim one? Oh, you’re prime material for the Basma’s cause, my dear admiral. You’re known as a man who lives for the glory of the Empire above all else. You keep your specific politics to yourself, however. Your adherence to the Imperial Clan and Royal Council is presumed, but you’ve made no declaration of such.”

As far as Piras was concerned, his loyalty should never have been questioned. It had not occurred to him that letting his actions speak for him might be construed any other way. Kila had an interesting take on his silence.

He decided to challenge him. “How do you know I’m not with the Basma already?”

Kila’s teeth flashed bright in his dark face. “Because you do like Earthers, particularly their women. Wasn’t I standing right next to you on my ship’s bridge the day we attacked Earth? I know I heard you say, ‘Save me a pretty one, Captain Tranis.’ Or words to that effect.” He offered a low laugh that made Piras’s spine tingle. “I don’t blame you for the sentiment, you know. They are delicious little creatures, those Earther girls.”

Of course Kila would remember something like that. “I’m glad to know we agree on at least one thing. So, what is the specific mission?”

Kila’s smirk vanished at last. His voice turned cold and deadly. “Give the Basma a high-profile target. Something so damaging to the Empire or helpful to him that he’ll immediately welcome you into the fold.”

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