Battle Cruiser by B. V. Larson Read Free Book Online Page A

responding.
    “Naturally…” she said at last.
    “What’s more, I’ve been assigned to investigate the attack,” I said.
    “What?” she asked in alarm. “You? There are plenty of guardsmen and private agents who—”
    “But none of them were personally involved.”
    “I see,” she said. Her hand withdrew from mine, and she looked troubled.
    I found this annoying, as I didn’t believe myself to be incompetent. “I’m proceeding to House Astra immediately. I’ll question their members.”
    Her eyes widened. “Tonight? You can’t do that. It’s too soon.”
    “Too soon? On the contrary. Any evidence might be gone by the time I get there if I delay.”
    “House Astra isn’t our enemy, William. They’re not in our party, but we have long history of cooperation. The office of a Public Servant must be respected and—”
    “Mother, if you don’t have anything specific to aid me in my investigation, I’m afraid I must go.”
    “All right,” she said, “but I insist that you take a companion.”
    “Agreed,” I said. “I was thinking of dragooning Rumbold for that job, but I left him behind at the scene of the crime.”
    “Who’s Rumbold?” she asked in puzzlement. “Never mind. I’m talking about one of our most competent agents: Miles Tannish. I insist you take him with you.”
    Wincing visibly, my face revealed my pain at her suggestion.
    “What’s wrong with Tannish?” she demanded.
    “He’s a sycophant of the lowest order.”
    Her face took on a stern expression. “He’s an expert in delicate matters, and he understands House Astra’s eccentricities of protocol.”
    “But this isn’t a matter of pomp and circumstance! Father has been attacked—apparently by a member of their House. They should be anxious to clear their names.”
    She shook her head bemusedly. “You demonstrate your ignorance of the situation with every word. They’re probably highly embarrassed, but that only means they’ll want nothing more than to forget about the incident entirely.”
    “I will not allow that.”
    “Your attitude confirms my worst fears.”
    “Don’t you want to know the truth?” I demanded.
    “Of course I do,” she said in a softer tone, “but this must be done delicately. You have doggedness, son, and wit, but you lack the appropriate sense of decorum. Take Miles with you. He’ll guide you and soften your demeanor. House Astra has already suffered a blow to their honor tonight, and we can’t afford—”
    “Surely you’re not serious,” I interrupted. “It is our House that has suffered. They should be more than willing to consult with me, if only due to their apparent guilt. Let them prove they’re innocent.”
    She sighed and tapped her neck just behind her ear. She stopped walking with me and her gaze became unfixed. I knew she was making a call, and that the interior of her retina was now displaying data.
    After taking two steps farther, I spun on my heel and looked back. “Mother, who are you contacting?”
    “I’m going to change your father’s mind. There’s no point in sending you—I can’t believe he approved of the idea in the first place. Possibly, it’s due to the drugs in his system.”
    Reversing my march, I returned to her side. My expression had transformed into one of irritation. “Please disconnect. I’ll take Tannish, if I must.”
    “Yes dear?” she said, talking to no one I could see. “How are you holding up? Sleeping…? Of course, forgive me. I’ll check on you again in the morning. I’ll see that there are no further interruptions.”
    She tapped behind her ear again. Her eyes returned to my face and refocused there. She allowed herself a tiny smile of victory.
    “Tannish will be waiting upstairs to fly you to House Astra,” she said. “Please, William, listen to him. I know you’re angry, but you must control any rudeness you may have picked up in the Guard. There’s an election coming soon, and we must have the support of every