The Border Incident

By James Matt Cox

Illegal drug smuggling is a huge and persistent problem between the League and the Metazah Republic, especially in the Lost Angels sector which borders it. Matters reach a head when the niece of the sector chairperson and her fiancee die from it the night of her graduation. The Sector Senator, at the behest of the Chair of the Lost Angels Governance Board, demands a full investigation of why such a tragedy should occur with special attention to the failure of League Intellgence and the Patrol to prevent it.
Things turn sour when Micah and his team arrive in Lost Angels. There they find a labyrinth of forced regulations, obscene taxes and suppression of the hard-working populace to the benefit of the politicians there. Worse, the investigation is nothing more than an excuse to eviscerate League Intelligence and shut it down.
Working under the garble and with no support, the team falls afoul of the Patrol Rangers, the most elite law-enforcement officers within the League. In order to avoid prison, or worse, Micah must make allies of the Rangers who hate them, trace the crimes to their source and conquer his suddenly-resurrected personal demons, all without losing his life or the lives of his teammates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Matt Cox
• Release date: Oct 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310745744

James Matt Cox

James Matthew Cox Jr. was born in Texarkana Arkansas and he lives there today. His parents encouraged him to read and to enjoy it at a very early age. His father made certain he gained an appreciation for science fiction. His childhood heroes had names like Asimov, Bradbury and E. E. Smith. After graduating high school he earned a Bachelor's degree in computer science and a Master's degree in mathematics. He worked 25+ years as a math/CSCI instructor and recently added 'Open-Source Java Developer' to his resume. During all those years he continued to enjoy science fiction, both reading and writing, and finally decided to DO something about it.

Book preview

The Border Incident

by James Matt Cox

The story presented here is fiction.

Any similarity to any person, group or entity living, dead or virtual is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2015 by James M. Cox, Jr.

Smashwords Edition

Version Code: 201011

Cover Art by: www.viladesign.net

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Books by James Matt Cox

A Pattern of Details

The Dungeon Crawl Unlimited fantasy RPG system

Open Source Tools for Independent Authors

Vortex Portal

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The Children of Wisdom

The Dawn of Wisdom; Beyond Wisdom; Flashes of Wisdom

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Books in the Stone Blade series:

Stone Blade; Double Bait

The Radical Factor; The Burning Crown

Expedient Measures; Lethal Max

The Border Incident; The Blatant Prey

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The Moons of Epigaea

Sage's Moon; Reaper's Moon; Hallow's Moon; Planter's Moon

This book is dedicated to Larry and Monica Coke.

A blessing from God for me and my Dad.

- - - - -

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

-The First Amendment to the

Constitution of the United States of America

Chapter 1. Graduation Day

The two moons of Calphon Coast moved slowly and sedately through a brilliant field of stars as they bathed the planet below with their gentle light. Softened by the atmosphere, the rays settled gently on the beach outside Saffron City. They sparkled off the complex tidal wavelets in competition with the many firecones dotting the beach.

Had the moons risen earlier they would have seen the massive ceremonies around Saffron City's Public Academies as their seniors received their basic certificates or, uncommonly, a full diploma. Had the moons ridden the sun's last rays down they would have seen those youngsters scattering and gathering to celebrate their accomplishments.

Vennis, the smaller moon, shed its light through a small screen of brush not far from one of the firecones. A dozen young folk sat around it and some of them sang to the new sonocaster one of them played. The brush separated them from two graduates who, after partaking of the merriment at the cone, slipped away for a more private celebration.

Stop that, Joey. Wendy Ajay slapped the hand fumbling at her buttons.

C'mon, baby. Tonight's special. I got a full dip and so did you.

Joseph Michael Fardin. You behave yourself. Ajay sat up, dusted off her dignity and loosened two buttons. "We both have full diplomas now. That starts with the letter D just like dignity and decorum both of which words you should know." She thrust her nose high in the air and turned away with mock indignation.

Fardin chuckled and sat up beside her.

Slib, baby, you win. He reached off to one side, opened a thermal bag and pulled out a bottle. Would you care for a draught of delicate wine?

Ajay giggled, grabbed the bottle and took a hefty pull.

Whoof, she said. That's some mighty strong wine.

Only the best for you, my dovelet, said Fardin. I have another surprise for you.

You're full of them tonight. What is it?

It's a surprise. He reached into the pocket of the shirt hanging on the bush beside them and took out a long metal case. From that he extracted a pair of drugsticks.

Ajay smiled around the 'stick as he held the lighter for her, inhaled and began coughing hard. Feces, baby. That's rough. What the hades is it?

It's imported, said Fardin. You remember my friend Kimarr's brother Darnel? He's the one in the Patrol.

Yeah. I met him last year when his ship docked here for maintenance.

That's him, baby. They've been working the space around Bahito. He, ahh, acquired these for me. It's some kind of really new stuff from Kaniba Minor.

Nice. Ajay took a milder hit, inhaled carefully and held it this time. It's smoother the second time around.

Fardin took a draw on his own 'stick, smiled and waited.

"Ohhhhh baby. Ajay felt the liquor kick in along with a much more intense warm rush. Oh baby that's fantastic. She took another draw, inhaled, exhaled and started popping her buttons. I'm tingly all over. What is that stuff?"

It's cinkoleaf, baby. According to Darnel they spliced in some new strands. It's supposed to be the same stuff they use to make newRave. It hasn't even gone into widespread production. Yet.

It needs to, said Ajay. It's plus-plus pyronic. Heaven's flames. She finally got her shirt off, took another hit and started on her pants. What are you waiting for you doofy stape?

Ajay watched the stars blur and refract as Fardin undressed. The warm tingle grew hot as the moons and stars smeared prismatically across the sable sky. She felt herself floating up toward them as a scalding rush flooded her head and ears, pounding like the surf. When Fardin touched her it set off more stars above them and she wanted nothing more than...

***

"Wendy. Wendy. Can you hear me?"

No response, said the second medic as he hurriedly administered hypos. "Feces. She's coding. She's coding. Crash blue. Crash blue now."

Janet and Frank Ajay watched in horror as the medics struggled to save their daughter's life. Monique Fardin and her two younger children stood, equally desperate.

The crash cart arrived and the husky orderlies hustled the elder Ajays out of the bay. Janet struggled against them but to no avail. She heard words and shouts around her but all her being and soul focused on Wendy's bay. After a forty-minute eternity the doctor walked out of the bay. The set of his shoulders and his downward gaze spoke first, even before he looked at Frank and Janet and shook his head.

***

I want to know why my daughter is dead.

Janet Ajay glared at the hospital director who met her furious gaze with a cooler, calmer one.

I'm sorry, Signor and Signora Ajay. I really can't tell you any more than I already have. It's not that I don't want to, I simply do not know. We're conducting a full investigation and analysis and as soon as we know...

"No. She cut him off angrily. No, seigneur, that is not good enough. That is my baby girl and I demand - demand, do you hear me? - to know what happened to her. Since you are unwilling to cooperate I shall contact my sister. She will find out what you're trying to hide and..."

The director's comm beeped but before he could answer it a well-dressed man barged through the door. After a moment to register the fact Janet rose to hug him.

Reed.

Hello, Janet. Frankie. The newcomer shook Frank's hand before turning to the director. He proffered a datacard. "Good day, seigneur. I am M. Reed Harrison, senior counsel to Signora Deanna Shoals-Washmin, currently representing Signor and Signora Ajay. I have no doubt you cold-sevened them so far but that stops now. He turned. Janet, dear, will you and Frankie wait outside? Dee sent me as soon as she heard. I'd have been here sooner but, he held up his case. I had some documents to clear first. This won't take long."

***

... and so it was definitely drugs, said Harrison.

Janet's lower lip trembled and Frank shook his head. Monique Fardin absolutely refused to accept it. They all sat in the Ajays' dining room.

What about my Joey? asked Monique.

All the doctors agree he'll live, said Harrison, looking at his reports, but also that all his cognitive and other higher brain functions are gone.

You know we'll be here for you, Monique, said Janet. We'll see to it he has the best care.

Fardin's eyes filled with tears but she still fought the truth.

Harrison checked his chrono. Janet, I hate to leave but I have a meeting with Dee in thirty. She's starting a full probe and investigation and she wants me to coordinate it. Wendy was her favorite niece. She had full internships waiting for her and Joseph too. I know this doesn't help but... we will have justice done.

Janet nodded and Frank rose to escort Harrison out.

***

The red sun of the String-of-Pearls system blazed in all its glory as it showered its light on all the planets over which it held sway. Some of its light fell on its fourth planet Azure, illuminating both surface and cloud. No few of its rays missed the planet only to impact on its small moon and bounce down to the side of Azure facing away from its sun. The gentle moonlight sparkled and frolicked among the wispy ribbons of cloud before falling to the surface and illuminating the many pairs of young lovers who stared upward, convinced that the moon shone only for them.

Love you pumpkin.

I love you too, baby. Micah Stone held his wife Jenn close, admired what the moonlight did to her face and marveled again at the unlikely chain of events that brought them together.

I'm glad we went to Iarru. I'm also glad I know what you really do.

Me too, baby. It was hard keeping it hidden. More ways than one. I'm just glad you're still with me in spite of it.

That earned him a sharp elbow to the ribs.

As if. You know I'm with you forever.

Me too you, darling.

Jenn snuggled in, silent for a while. Oh, sweetie, did I tell you we got a letter from Silus today?

How's he doing?

Fantastic, she said. He said Arn Ironhand, Mel Willis and Danny Charles sent him a hello. He also said the last thing he tried didn't work either but he still has half a dozen untested theories left.

Micah chuckled. So the Royal Academy is going to wait a little longer for its new instructor.

Full truth there. You got a message from your mother and father, too.

I saw it. Deke's paying them a visit. You should probably write Piotr and Laird Gladius to gird their nets and brace for impact.

This time Jenn chuckled. Truth again.

Silence fell again as the moon continued its slow journey across the sky. Then Micah's comm beeped.

Rut, exclaimed Micah, earning another elbow from Jenn.

What is it, sweetheart?

Urgent from Ted. No details but he wants to meet now.

Jenn let Micah stand then pulled him back for a long, slow kiss.

Love you, punkin'. Tell them hello from me.

Love you too, baby.

***

Micah approached his destination with considerable puzzlement. Ted Ionoski, his friend and team leader, never scheduled an official meeting in his apartment and if unofficial this one would have included Jenn.

Come in, Micah. Ionoski opened the door and stood aside.

Greetings, my brother. Gunter Rene du'Charle 'Charlie, burnit' Ferrel, blood of royalty, techno-genius, burner without peer, lover of decadent desserts and Micah's best friend smiled from his seat at Ionoski's table.

Hi lover, said Vera Kidwell, master of disguise and subtle persuasion. She sat beside Ferrel and her hair color for the week was light green with hints of ochre.

Micah sat beside Ferrel, noticing the garble on the table. That only added to his curiosity. He'd visited Ted's apartment before. It was decorated tastefully yet revealed nothing of its occupant. Holos and flat pictures from across the League covered his walls and the shelves held an equally eclectic selection of books and datacubes. Only someone who knew Ionoski knew he'd taken every image himself. He even had a few odd carvings and paintings, personally commissioned and purchased from the original artists. Or received as gifts.

I know you're curious, Micah, said Ionoski, but you'll have to wait. I only know part of the data and I don't want to guess about the rest. How is Jennifer?

She's polar, said Micah. She loves her new job, likes the people she's working with and hates her new bodyguards. That's League and Elder Guard.

Ionoski and Ferrel both grinned at this.

She'll just need to learn, then, said Ferrel. She's more valuable to League and Crown than she credits herself. At least she does like Zoe.

All truth there, said Micah. Thankfully.

Upon Micah's and Jenn's return to Azure after their belated and unintentionally disrupted honeymoon, Gaius Octavius Atellus Dulucius, Laird of the Great and Noble House of Gladius and the man who gave Jenn away at the wedding, assigned Zoe Celeris and her xiphos team to protect Jenn during her armed and unarmed combat training. Micah knew they'd not leave afterward but none of them had yet informed Jenn of that fact.

What about the Luvarzians? asked Ferrel. Anything there?

Micah grimaced. During their honeymoon a deranged criminal hijacked their starship and they ended up thwarting a crisis in the Luvarzian Empire.

Quite a bit, for truth. Ionoski nodded at Kidwell. Using Vera's suggestion of painting the League as Ponzu to the Gazini citizenry seems to be working. The Gazini and Ponzu know it isn't exactly accurate but they're adapting nicely. Trade there is already up two percent and it's only increasing. The merchants are dealing quite nicely with the Ponzu. That is to say the XO's and seconds are dealing with the Ponzu while the captains and owners drink tea with the Gazini.

So we're still unsplashed, said Micah.

For the moment, said Ionoski cryptically. We also managed to trace the Mekhajan trader who sold those nukes. Alderson recorded more than enough data for that.

And?

We've made contact. He was quite amenable to our initial offers.

Micah nodded. Ionoski meant the League agents assigned to the task blackmailed the man into helping them establish a League Intel presence within the Mekhajan worlds.

The Unity of Triumph is also trading there, continued Ionoski, and they're sending out even more missions. Joshua Orris also reported that their SPEW ministry is working quite well. Even Frond mentioned it. Apparently they're exporting a lot of copies of the Writ.

Micah and Kidwell both shook their heads.

What about Grakis Major? asked Ferrel.

It's still a mess. They've...

The door beeped interrupting Ionoski. As soon as he opened it and a man walked in Micah and Ferrel snapped to instant attention. Kidwell, at a rare loss, stood quickly.

The man walking in wore a Patrol Captain's uniform with more than a few medals and ribbons. His light blue sash bore a gold-edged red stripe down the middle and that impressed Micah. This man had attained at least Marine Captain before he transferred to the Patrol. He also sported both Command and Legal Enforcement tabs.

Good evening to you all, gentlemen and lady. Please stand at ease. I do appreciate your courtesy but it will soon be unwarranted.

Micah sat when the other man did and waited until Ionoski brought them wine.

Vera, Micah, Charlie, started Ionoski, allow me to introduce Captain Allan East. He is both a command and legal officer and he serves in the Lost Angels sector. Yes, Micah, he enlisted in the Marines as you no doubt noticed. Allan?

"Thank you, Ted. I shall start with my service since that is where my current situation started and will soon end.

"My brother Alexander and I both enlisted at an early age. Our parents lived on Saikunda in the Lost Angels sector. It is not a rich world which means most of the citizens there live off entitlements from the local and sector governments. Our parents did not. They believed in hard work and they did their best to provide us a life without government control or supervision. Just before Alexander and I graduated the Saikunda government readjusted its tax structure and nearly wiped our parents out. Enlistment offered both a career and an escape so Alexander joined the Marines as soon as he graduated. As did I.

I'll not detail our time in the service. East nodded to Micah. "Suffice it to say that Alexander and I chose different paths. After learning the truth about the League and the way its military operates I elected, upon my promotion to Marine Captain, to transfer to the Patrol and pursue a career in law enforcement. I attended Patrol OTS and law school there and soon attained my former rank. After another few years I managed a transfer to my home sector. That is far less difficult in the Patrol than in the Navy or the Marines.

"During that time Alexander rose to true prominence. He never flinched in the face of adversity and he always strove to serve the League to the best of his ability. More than a few senior officers marked him as a rising star and potential Force Marshal. They began grooming him for that as soon as he transferred to and graduated Naval OTS.

During his last tour he served with Theodore's commander. At the time Caleb was still a rookie agent. Sadly his team leader lacked the degree of experience necessary to handle the mission assigned them.

East looked at Ionoski who shook his head microscopically.

"Things went badly awry. A politically fragile situation turned thermal and could have caused an incident of... grave proportion. Between them my brother and Caleb's team handled things but only by the expedient of shattering too many laws. My brother then sacrificed his career and elected to resign. He considered it a fair trade and the details will be obscenely classified for a long time to come but he did not waver in his dedication to the League.

Discharged with full honors, Alexander returned to Lost Angels and entered the political arena. He held and still holds the belief that he can make a difference. As a decorated veteran, an officer of high standing and a local boy he met with great success. He advocated hard work and dedication, the virtues he himself exemplified, and opposed the notion that the government should control every aspect of its citizens' lives. He cut quite a swath across the prevailing culture and soon became Saikunda's representative to the sector council.

East paused for a sip of wine and his expression hardened.

"That is where his misfortune began. The Lost Angels Governance Board is a tight clique of the richest and most prominent families in the sector. They work incessantly to keep the populace ignorant, entertained and happy with the vast majority of them sustained on the entitlements and doles the Board gives them. Entitlements and doles paid for by those unfortunate enough to be employed but not related. People like our parents. Hard-working and innovative people with the drive to succeed on their own.

But I digress. To Alexander the onslaught of character attacks, distortions, misrepresentation, bias and contrived scandal from the local media and outright falsehood was nothing different than what he faced in the service.

Standard PELSI treatment, said Kidwell softly, when East paused for another sip.

"It means pushing exaggerated lies over small issues, supplied Ionoski. It's a tactic we find useful at times."

Ahh. East nodded. I understand. My brother's weapons were different but his tactics were not. He fought and won consistently despite everything the Board did to bring him down. He was a thorn in their sides and poised to become more as other planets like Saikunda heard his message.

Now East fell silent.

Something else happened, said Kidwell finally. Something really bad.

East nodded. "Indeed. That is the reason I am here although my brother does not know of it.

Graduation on Calphon Coast was just over seven weeks ago. Most of the graduates spent the night in celebration as they usually do. Some of those celebrations included strong drink and other substances not legal even in Lost Angels.

East produced a datacube and Ionoski handed him a datapad. Then he switched on the garble. The 'cube showed a holo of a young man and woman posing for the 'caster and obviously happy.

These are Wendy Ajay and Joseph Fardin, both proud graduates of the Saffron City branch of the Lost Angels Public Academy. They were long-time sweethearts with high hopes, great expectations and a bright future ahead of them.

East steeled himself. He still spoke gently but now with considerable pain.

She died the night of her graduation. From a drug overdose. The same substance caused him massive cerebral deterioration and loss of all higher cognitive function.

Kidwell gasped in shock.

Go on, Allan, said Ionoski.

"The source of the drug was traced to a deckhand on one of my ships. He liked to work the Metazan border and his younger brother was Fardin's best friend. Apparently he supplied them from what we confiscated from smugglers a few months before.

Ajay was related to the Governance Board Chair, Deanna Shoals-Washmin. She was outraged and demanded a full investigation. As soon as she collected some details she realized she had yet another weapon to use against my brother. Me.

The horrified and disgusted look on Kidwell's face almost matched what Micah felt.

"During all of Alexander's rise to position I continued my career in the Patrol. The League Code of Conduct and the Patrol Articles kept most of the local splash away from me and me isolated from most of Shoals-Washmin's coterie.

Mind you she tried to inveigle me into some of the scandals she aimed at Alexander. Until now her attempts always failed and usually embarrassed her. The few times things went as far as an adjudicator or Guild Arbiter she always lost. At least twice she received a heavy fine. Now, though... East sighed. "She demanded a full military probe with civilian monitors. She plans to have me court-martialed publicly and at length.

"I would gladly sacrifice my career and my life if it would bring justice to the Ajay and Fardin families. It will not. The only thing it will do is provide the sling to fell my brother and undo all the advances he worked so hard to make. Alexander is willing to make the same sacrifices, Theodore, but it will cost him and the people of our sector more than I am willing to pay.

That is why I am here. To ask for your help. I do not particularly care about my fate but my brother and our people do not deserve to share it.

East took a final sip of wine and set the glass down with a seeming of finality.

Thank you, Allan, said Ionoski. I can't promise anything but whatever I can do I will.

We will, said Micah. Kidwell and Ferrel nodded in agreement.

Thank you, then, said East with undisguised sincerity. That is all I can ask.

East rose, offered each of them his hand and left.

***

Ionoski sat and looked at the others.

Heaven's flames, said Kidwell explosively.

I agree, said Ionoski. It's a barrel of snakes in a needleworm bog surrounded by firewasp nests.

Micah thought a moment. Phase down, Ted. Notwithstanding breaking a cargo ton of Intel regs isn't Lost Angels way outside our area?

It is, said Ionoski, "and that's not even the chocolate sauce. Let me tell you what my boss overheard in the fresher.

It mostly concerns the political structure, both ostensible and actual, of the sector itself. The Chair of its Governance Board is one Deanna Shoals-Washmin. She's everything Allan said plus tariff. She happens to be in tight orbits with Senator Eldrick Gripper. He's the senior Sector Senator from Lost Angels and he has a frothing slaver against Intelligence and everything we do. He believes Protocol, that's the real Protocol, should handle all foreign policy, matters and interaction.

Micah and Ferrel both cringed at this. Everyone in the League knew Protocol as a dumping ground for the military's most incompetent. Only Intelligence agents knew it as the cover for their service.

Truth, said Ionoski. He doesn't believe we should execute operations outside League borders. Of course we're forbidden from operating within them. Some of our most senior operatives and planners suspect him of leaking information of a particularly embarrassing and delicate nature to LNN. Nothing critical or relevant to League security, fortunately. No one has proven anything yet but the suspicion is definitely there.

Wait a milli, said Ferrel, concentrating. Eldrick Gripper. Isn't he... His eyes widened.

Six sigmas, said Ionoski. The same Senator Gripper on the Intelligence Oversight committee on Metropole.

Now Kidwell grimaced. "This is a mess, Ted. Why, exactly, is it our mess?"

First and foremost, said Ionoski, it's our mess because it's our duty. The probe Allan mentioned is already in the works and it specifically includes Intelligence. That's Gripper's work. He demanded full cooperation, which means no internal ops there, along with full disclosure. Full public disclosure with ruddy few restrictions on the information.

Public, echoed Micah, aghast.

Public and full, confirmed Ionoski. "Yes, Micah. That means any Intelligence assets or resources might come to light at any time. Any personnel might lose their cover. Per Gripper's orders we can't even transfer any deep operatives. He expressed concern that they might be part of some cover-up regarding Ajay's death.

Field Ops and DOSTRAP went suborbital and haven't come down yet but they don't have a lot of traction on this. Everyone in the shadows there knows its a sector-wide puppy-rut but Gripper has already gone public with it. We're doing what we can to minimize and contain the damage but that doesn't leave a lot of fuel in the chamber for investigation.

Hell's frost, said Kidwell. That means our people there either obey the orders and lose everything or duff the job, preserve personnel and give Gripper an arsenal to use against us. How did that bottomfeeder manage a spot on Oversight?

Ionoski shrugged eloquently. "That I do not know. What I do know is our part of the puzzle. Lost Angels is outside our operational area, very outside, and that means we're not even close to their direct chain of command. In theory that gives us sufficient anonymity to do our jobs while allowing the ones there to do theirs."

That's low-sigma, Ted, said Micah. We'll be taking hades' own splash even if we succeed. More of it if something goes wrong.

Truth, said Ionoski, so if any of you want out I'll make the arrangements.

I'm in, Ted. Ferrel's grin popped out instantly. I do have a back-up option.

I'm with you, said Kidwell. Someone's got to keep Charlie out of trouble.

Micah? Ionoski quickly raised his hands at Micah's scowl. Sorry. I had to ask.

So what's the op? asked Ferrel.

For now low-slow with scanners full out and hair-triggered. Ionoski considered his words carefully. I have a tenuous comm and supply chain but I don't want to overuse it. By the time we arrive on Calphon Coast we should also have word passed to our agents there. They can't officially help us but they'll do what they can under the garble.

When do we leave? asked Kidwell.

Tomorrow late. We have friendly arrangements for that too.

The others nodded. They finished their wine quickly and left Ionoski to his planning. No one spoke until just before they left the building.

For truth, said Kidwell finally, this almost makes me homesick for Grakis Major.

Micah half-chuckled at that but only half. Grakis Major started out a lot less grim and a long way farther from home.

Chapter 2. A Strange Arrival

The jaunty ship LFS Three Seas grounded on Calypso with due pomp and protocol. After the appropriate cool-down time her skipper berthed her and watched the boarding tubes attach. Most of her passengers debarked with boisterous gaiety and as soon as the last one left her crew heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Spike me, cap'n, said the first mate. I'm glad to have those brats away.

No blather there. You and the rest of the crew too. How long before we can board?

They left a mess, skipper. As usual.

The captain sighed. Encourage the rest of the passengers to avail themselves of our layover and let's get our baby clean.

Aye, sir.

While his crew began their work the captain gathered his official documentation and walked toward the port administration complex. He could have done the paperwork from his office more easily but, like so many of his crew, he wanted a break. As he walked by it he spat dryly at a marquee advertising the University of Calypso with holographic and overly-bright colors.

Students bound there made up the majority of his just-departed passengers and good riddance on his part. Transporting them to Calypso for the start of term gilded his profit and made most of his year. Still, every time he swore never again. Then, when the semester and the memory faded, he again loaded up on students.

The captain nodded a curt greeting to a couple sitting in the boarding lounge and waved to a few others there absently. Mostly he focused his mind on completing his landing protocols and preparing the Three Seas for her next voyage.

Pleasant pucko, said Kidwell, taking Ionoski's arm and resting her head on his shoulder.

Five credits says he just dumped a load of students, said Ionoski softly.

Sucker bet. I've seen that look before. Any word from Micah and Charlie?

"My last message had them on schedule. They should be here well before the Three Seas departs."

Modulo re-routes or hijackers.

Truth, replied Ionoski with a bare touch of humor, "but I could almost pity the criminals. Micah swore he'd travel prepared from now on and he has Charles with him."

Kidwell chuckled and Ionoski's comm vibrated.

Speaking of, he said as he checked it, their ship just microjumped in. They're insystem and positive jitter.

So have you worked up a plan?

A good start on one. I'll share when we're all together.

***

Much to her captain's delight the Three Seas departed on time and immaculately clean. If she didn't quite have a full passenger manifest, he mused, at least she also didn't have groups of noisy students partying down one last time before school started. Since they now headed away from Calypso, and would for the next few stops, that blissful state would not change soon.

Throughout the corridors, lounges and common rooms of the ship her long-term passengers also showed a more relaxed attitude. They enjoyed the feeling of more space, less hurry and almost no noise. They appreciated the spotless floors and tidy freshers and thanked the crew profusely. Their languor spread to the new passengers who only amplified it back to the crew.

Such a blissful life, said Ferrel as he picked at his sonocaster. I could do this.

For a week or two, said