Battlecruiser Alamo_Cries in the Dark Read online

   “Wait a minute,” Moore said. “We just wiped out more than a dozen of your people, and you helped us do it!”

   With a chuckle, Logan replied, “United Nations Intelligence has more factions than there are people on this planet. I'm guessing we wiped out the 'win at any cost' gang, and you represent the 'let's make a deal' brigade. And that you were driving that rubbish truck in the hospital with the same basic goal as me. How am I doing?”

   “That's about right,” she said. “So, shall I make my pitch? I will point out that I saved your life every bit as much as Logan did.”

   “But you've been here for years...” Moore replied.

   “I was born here, that's true enough. Ten years ago I jumped out on a free trader. The path that took me to working for United Nations Intelligence is long and convoluted, and I don't think we need to worry about specific details at the moment, do you? Suffice to say that I'm able to offer not fifty, but sixty million credits for your shares in the Co-Operative. As well as the same guarantees that Logan could provide.”

   Sitting back in her chair, Rachel shook her head, and said, “I want to deal.”

   “I'm listening,” Logan said. “And for the record, I'm the only one here that's been honest the whole time. You've known about your legacy for years, and your boyfriend there is in on the deal as well.” Looking at Moore, he added, “Though I'm not sure when you told him, I do get the idea there's more to him than meets the eye. You had to be a pretty decent hacker to know when I was rummaging for her file, and there had to be a reason you were expecting me to do it.”

   “If you suspected...”

   “I thought you were probably a rival intelligence agent. I'll admit to being slightly surprised at the welcome your fiancée gave you when we arrived here.”

   Nodding, Moore said, “The job at the hospital's real, though. And I am trying to qualify as a field medic. The settlement desperately needs one.”

   “Now that we've all established our bona fides,” Logan said, “let's get right to the point. Bluntly, what do you want?”

   “A new hospital,” she said.

   “What?”

   “And a satellite constellation. Communications and meteorological, with the associated equipment on the ground. The expansion of our orbital space station, and some sort of deal with a mining company to work our outer moons. There are minerals up there that are borderline profitable, and with a little government nudging, I'm sure someone will take one of you up on it.”

   Frank sat back in her chair, dazed, and said, “That's a little beyond what we expected.”

   “You said I was an orphan,” Rachel replied. “I never thought of myself as one. My parents died when I was young, but Steve's took me in and essentially raised me as their own. I still think of them that way. Adapting to having them as my in-laws won't be difficult.” She flashed a smile at Moore, who blushed in response. “I'm not the orphan. This planet is. The colony. It lost its patron, its supporter, and everything's slowly falling apart. We need to be adopted, and right now I don't care whether it is the United Nations or the Triplanetary Confederation. Someone needs to take us on and make this a going concern.” She pulled a datapad out of her pocket, and slid it across the table. “Here. Everything's all prepared. You've just got to sign it. You're committing to investing in the Long Shot Development Corporation, and the papers outline essentially what I've outlined. And a nominal one-credit payment for me, to make it official.”

   “I'll be damned,” Logan said, looking over the professionally prepared document.

   “You did say you thought you were being played, Logan,” Frank replied. “I'll tell you now that I'd never get this high enough to make it happen.”

   “I can,” Logan replied, nodding. “It won't be easy, but a few Senators owe me a favor or two. I think it might be about time to call them in.” Looking up at Rachel, he asked, “You really want this?”

   “I do.”

   “Fine,” Logan replied, stabbing his thumbprint into position. “The satellites, the hospital, those I can handle within the next couple of months. The rest will take a little longer. As will your ultimate petition for Trust Territory status.” Rising to his feet, he said, “The sooner I leave...”

   “Of course,” Rachel replied. “And thank you, Logan. For saving my life.”

   “My pleasure. I'm happy to find out it was actually worth saving. Good luck to you both.” He paused at the door, turned, and said, “Name the first one after me.” Before they could reply, he walked out into the compound, the local population already starting to clear up the aftermath of the firefight. Frank walked after him, jogging to catch up.

   “What a lift?” Logan asked. “Turns out I've got a spare cabin on the Thomas O' Dell.”

   “You don't think your superiors would object?”

   “No,” he replied, shaking his head. “We're on the same side, after all.”

   “What do you mean?”

   “I mean that someone sent you in as my backup. If you were a United Nations agent, you'd have killed me as soon as I arrived, whether or not you wanted to make a deal.”

   “Damn,” she replied. “I thought...”

   “Hell, it nearly worked,” Logan said. “Took me a few minutes to put the pieces together. I presume nobody decided to tell me to give you decent cover in case I got spotted?”

   Nodding, she replied, “When it looked as though Rachel was going to give you a hard time, I improvised.” She frowned for a second, then said, “Wait a minute. Moore was using the pistol you gave him. He couldn't have shot you.”

   With a shrug, Logan said, “It's always easier to get someone to go somewhere if they think it's their idea.” Looking at her again, he continued, “Recent circumstances have meant that I'm going to be finding myself doing a little more field work than I have in the past. If my boss thinks that I need a partner, I'd like to know who it is before going in. So, want a job?”

   A smile spreading across her face, Frank said, “Logan, I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”