Which was when the PA frequency came alive and Two Spot happily announced, “Supervisor? Got good news. Kylee Simonov reports that she’s found the missing A-7. Says it’s located on the mountain slope north of Tyson Station. Says we’ve got survivors. You’ll have to meet them at Tyson. She says the shuttle can’t put down at the crash site.”

“Roger that, Two Spot,” Talina said into her com. “We’re on the way.”

On his own initiative, Ensign Schulyer changed his heading, banking to the north-northwest.

Kalico leaned back in her conforming seat. What would it be? A couple of hours? A half day, to pluck the survivors from the downed shuttle?

And all the while, Private Aberash would be what? Dying? Suffering?

If Kalico ordered Turalon to send a shuttle, Abibi would have to pull it out of the schedule, change orbital navigation. Might be after nightfall before she could have one on the ground at Southern Diggings. Aberash might be dead.

To com, Kalico said, “Two Spot? Hospital frequency.”

“You’re on, Supervisor.”

“Raya, you there?”

Kalico waited, seeing Dek and Talina’s questioning stares.

Finally. “Kalico? That you?”

She checked her chronometer, did some figuring. “Raya, can you be at the shuttle field gate in twenty minutes? I’ve got a badly hurt marine at Southern Diggings. There’s a med unit down there, fully stocked. I just need a doctor.”

“All I’ve got here is a freshly sutured knife wound, a slight concussion a soft meat got when his buddy broke a bottle over his head, and Vik’s taking a slug out of another soft meat’s calf. Meet you at the gate in twenty. Out.”

“What are you doing?” Dek cried.

Kalico gave him an evaluative glance. “Those are my people down there.”

“And this is Board Appointed Inspector General Soukup who’s in a crashed shuttle,” Talina reminded. “And you’re skating on micron-thin ice as it is. You do anything to piss on his shoes, and he can order you dismissed on the spot.”

Kalico arched her scarred eyebrow. “So, tell me, Tal, given the score, what would you do? Attend the VIP who’s already got Kylee headed to the rescue? Or bust your balls trying to save one of your people’s lives? Especially when whatever Aberash knows might save the lives of even more of our people?”

To Schulyer, she called, “Get us to PA, Ensign. And as soon as Dr. Turnienko is aboard, see just how fast this thing can get us to Southern Diggings.”

She could see Schulyer give Venus Abena a sidelong glance before answering, “Yes, ma’am.”

Chapter 54

  54