“Changing the story seemed convenient at the time,” he said. “The androids were in a basement kitchen.”

She spoke into a microphone, using Spacer cant so he didn’t understand her. Looking up, she asked, “Could you be more specific regarding which kitchen?”

“It was off of a long slanting corridor.” The captain described the entrance as best as he could remember, including the giggling women and clinking glasses just before that.

“You must have come through the service entrance,” she said. “Yes, I think I know.” Once more, she spoke into her microphone.

She waited expectantly, asking a question now and again into her microphone. Maddox kept watching the sky, wondering if he’d made a mistake regarding the androids.

Finally, a flitter appeared, flashing over Woo Tower. It was a small air-car with a bubble canopy, a two-seater with extra space in back for baggage. With only a little sound, the flitter floated onto the landing pad.

“Thank you for your help, Provost Officer,” Maddox said, extending his hand.

She shook hands. Hers was narrow and fine-boned. “Just a moment, Captain,” she said, keeping hold of his fingers. “The sentries are reporting in. There are no bodies in any of the sub-kitchens. Why do you think that is?”

“There must have been a third android,” Maddox said.

She thought about that. “Yes. I suppose that’s it.”

Her grip tightened. “You are a great man, Captain Maddox. Your deed inside the World Destroyer has become legendary. I think it’s a shame Star Watch hasn’t released more information regarding your exploit.”

“I didn’t do it alone,” he said. “Without my crew, I never could have achieved the miracle.”

“We all need our crews,” she said, releasing his hand.

Maddox agreed before heading for the flitter. Soon, he climbed in. Sergeant Riker sat in the driver’s seat.

“Captain,” Riker said, nodding.

The sergeant was an older man with leathery skin, a bionic eye and a fully bionic arm. The sergeant had lost the eye and arm in a blast many years ago on a desperate mission on Altair III. Some time ago in the Destroyer, Riker had lost the bionic arm. His latest model had a few advanced features compared to the previous arm. Riker was a salty operative, fiercely loyal but cranky at times. The Old Guard in Intelligence believed he acted as a foil for Maddox.

“Here you go, sir,” Riker said, handing over several loaded magazines.

Maddox slid one into his service pistol.

Riker adjusted the controls, taking the flitter up.

“Head to Woo Tower,” Maddox said, shoving the pistol into its holster.

“Begging your pardon, sir, but the Iron Lady would like a few words with you first.”

“In time,” Maddox said, “in time.”

“Sir—” Riker said.

“You can tell the brigadier that I was in such a hurry that you forgot to relay the message.”

“Sir—”

“Take us down, Sergeant. I want—”

“It’s time you learned to take orders better, Captain,” the brigadier said from the comm-unit in the dash.