“Worm drive still reliable?”
“I have to reset the primary catalyzer before every jump. There’s no replacement parts for this off-market crap.”
“It can be hard these days. The UNF’s tracking system is more refined than ever. You might consider buying something smaller and more efficient – and legal. Then go legitimate.”
Alexi jabbed his former Lieutenant in the side.
“My wife wants me home with the kids. Says I should open an imports business.”
“Ah. And what do you tell her?”
“The truth. I’m happiest when I feel space beneath my feet.”
They watched the loaders collect the first of thirty cases.
“Someday, Alexi, I’d like to meet your family. Three kids. Yes?”
“Nine, twelve, and seventeen. All boys. No cotton legs among them. And your clan?”
Shad preferred to save those tales for a more leisurely occasion.
“All fine. All healthy.”
Alexi responded with a solemn tone.
“Do you think about the war much?”
“Of course. It’s my origin story.”
He winced. “Your what?”
“You know, Alexi. You were there.”
“Ah. Yes. The Wave. Look, Shad, I’ve never asked anything of you in all these years. You went out on your own, and I never questioned it. I’ve heard the wildest stories about you. Never tried to exploit our friendship.”
Shad put away his pom and faced Alexi.
“Out with it. You have a question of great importance.”
Alexi shaded his eyes.
“Everyone loves the caped man because you know all the secrets. All the classified bits. Am I right?”
“If you say so.”
“That’s what I’m getting to. Have you heard about what’s happened at the Silent Dock?”
Oh, dear. You shouldn’t be talking about this.
Alexi referenced the classified location in the Cyrillax system where the UNF parked its decommissioned warships.
“I’m not sure what you mean. Explain.”
“When we liberated these Force Drums, I did a long-range scan of the Silent Dock. Can’t get close without drawing the attention of a singularity bomb. The UNF decommissioned forty warships. I was part of a shutdown crew. Nothing changed until last year, when Congress gave funds to reactivate three and grow UNF personnel.”
“OK. And?”
“My scan shows thirty ships in dock. Where are the other seven?”
Oh, Alexi. What have you done?
“To that mystery, I am not privy, old friend.”
“My contacts say it may have been Black Star, but that makes no sense. A single warship would require five days of upfits before it’s flight-ready and worm-capable. Black Star wouldn’t last six hours before the UNF would be on top of them. I’ve also heard reports of sightings. Warships where they’re not supposed to be. I don’t know, Shad. Thought your birds inside the UNF might know something.”
Why did it have to go this way? And the day seemed so bright.
“Sorry, old friend. On this matter, I’m at a loss. What do you say we reminisce about uncomplicated things? The cargo will be transferred soon, and I may not see you again for some time.”
Shad lied. He had no choice. Alexi knew too much. Why did he have to conduct a long-range scan?
After the transfer completed, the old friends hugged it out. Shad nodded farewell to Alexi’s three crewmen. What a tight-knit group they must be, he thought. Halfway across the transfer bridge, Shad whispered into his son’s ear:
“They know about the Silent Dock.” Malik took a moment, stared at his father, and nodded. “Wrong place, wrong time,” Shad said.
Malik and two others marched into the Heartstopper. Shad listened to the exchange of laser bolts and retreated to his office on the Dalliance. He had important calls to make as Nexus.
Shad made a vow: Alexi’s family would never want for anything.
