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the
Behemoth
. You were lucky the computer called it the way it did, but you're going to
have to tighten up next time, okay? The defensive specs are in the tactical
database. Study them. We can't afford to leave those weak spots uncovered."
"You want us to run through it again?" Vagabond asked.
"Not now," Blair told him. "We'll run another set tomorrow morning, after the
new point-defense squadron is on board. For now, get some rest.
And study that database. Now& dismissed."
"You're starting to sound like my uncle," Tolwyn said with a grin.
"Don't tell me you've become a convert."
"Hardly. Matter of fact, I have a feeling you've been holding out on me,
Kevin. The admiral as much as admitted he's planning to take that monstrosity
to Kilrah, one way or another. I don't think he'd stop if the
Emperor himself offered to sign peace terms& with Thrakhath's blood for
the ink!"
Tolwyn shrugged. "I told you everything I know, Maverick. But you know the
admiral. He wouldn't tell his left hand what his right hand was doing if he
thought it would get him a tactical advantage."
"Yeah& " Blair trailed off. He looked hard into Tolwyn's eyes. "What do you
think, Kevin? Really? Should we blow Kilrah while we have the chance?"
"I don't know, Maverick, and that's a fact." Tolwyn looked down. "After what
you said the last time, I started doubting the whole project. At the
Academy they taught us we were serving a higher purpose, and a weapon this
devastating& But what if the Intell reports are right? What if we're on the
verge of losing everything? If it's us or them& " He met Blair's eyes again.
"Don't tell me you've changed your mind."
Blair shook his head. "Not& changed. But nothing's as clear as it was before.
Angel died out there, and Thrakhath's the one who killed her. In front of a
damned screaming audience of& barbarians. Part of me would like to wipe them
all out, Kevin. But another part of me says it's wrong."
He paused. "I'm glad it's the admiral who has to pull the trigger on that
thing. I'm not sure I could do that. And if I did, I would never know if I did
it to save the Confederation, or to even the score over Angel."
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Tolwyn nodded slowly. "Yeah. And could you live with yourself afterward,
whichever course you took?"
CHAPTER XXIV
Communication Center, TCS Victory
Torgo System
The intruder entered the compartment silently, moving with complete confidence
among the consoles and computer banks in the darkened room. Seen through a
bulky night vision device, the room glowed with an eerie greenish light.
Normally, no one stood a watch in the
Communications Center except when the ship was at General Quarters, and the
intruder was confident that no one would notice this stealthy foray.
Gauntleted hands fumbled for a moment with the controls on one of the
consoles. The panel came to life. On a monitor screen, bright letters glowed
as the computer responded to the intruders commands.
ENTER IDENTIFICATION AND SECURITY CODES.
The intruder tapped the keypad awkwardly. Voice command would have been easier
under the circumstances, but it was more difficult to cover one's tracks
afterward with a voice record&
IDENTITY AND SECURITY CODE ACCEPTED. PLEASE
INDICATE DESIRED FUNCTION.
It took a moment to identify the proper selection and key it in. Another
console came to life across the room.
TICHT-BEAM LASER LINK ON-LINE. INPUT LINK
COORDINATES.
Consulting a personal data pad for the required information, the intruder
entered a short alphanumeric string through the keyboard. A
green light glowed beside the monitor as the computer's reply appeared.
COORDINATES ACCEPTED. READY TO TRANSMIT.
The intruder slid a tiny cartridge into the chip receptacle below the monitor,
then keyed in another command. The computer responded.
DATA ON-LINE. TRANSMITTING AT 100:1.
The monitor showed a dizzying succession of images, external views and
schematics of the
Behemoth platform. Seconds later, a new message flashed on the screen.
TRANSMISSION COMPLETED. FURTHER
INSTRUCTIONS?
The intruder paused a moment, then entered another command. Once again the
computer was quick to flash an answering message on the monitor.
WIPING& TRANSMISSION RECORDS PURGED.
The screen went blank, and the intruder powered down the console and collected
the PDP and the data cartridge, tucking them into a pocket. One last quick
sweep using the light intensification headset, and the job was
done.
Within moments there was nothing in the compartment to suggest that the
intruder had ever been present.
Bridge, KIS Sar'hrai
Torgo System
"Message coming in, my Lord. From the Watcher." Khantahr Tarros nar
Poghath turned in his chair to face the communications officer. "On my
screen," he ordered.
His monitor lit up with a series of images, transmitted at high speed from the
stealth fighter that had penetrated the Terran defenses around
Torgo. Tarros watched the fast-changing views thoughtfully. It seemed that
Prince Thrakhath's plan was unfolding perfecdy. The Kilrathi spy in the Terran
fleet had completed the mission and was transmitting the information the
Prince required to the waiting fighter, and now the data was being relayed to
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Sar'hrai
. Soon the carrier would be on its way to rejoin Thrakhath, and the next phase
of the operation could begin.
The transmission ended with charts detailing a star system and the operational
plans for a Confederation incursion. Tarros leaned forward in his seat.
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