Koban by Stephen W Bennett Read Free Book Online Page A

trying to sink into her chair. She'd had
no idea Fisher's influence ran so high. It surely explained how this little
colonial witch had unfairly managed to steal the Chairfem seat from her. Politics
instead of academic achievement, she grumbled to herself, wondering how her own
political contacts had let her down. The irony of that thought was lost on her.
    Seeing her main opponent thoroughly cowed, Fisher politely
invited the other members to put any other questions they had to Captain
Mirikami.
    In response to concern of lurking ambushers, the Captain
proposed to use one of the ship's two shuttles to investigate Midwife at close
range once they closed with Newborn. Alternatively, they could make the long
Jump directly back to Ramah if they would accept minimal water rationing.
    Wrapping the discussion up quickly, the Chairfem sidestepped
parliamentary procedure and made a motion herself. She moved to approve
Mirikami's plan to approach Newborn slowly, and standoff at a distance while
sending a shuttle to investigate. The vote was unanimous, since Cahill had
decided to lick her wounds for now.
    Mirikami's next recommendation, to keep the full situation
secret from the rest of the passenger contingent sparked another hot debate. In
a compromise, they voted seven to two to keep the matter confidential until the
Board of Directors met again in an open session in twelve hours. Perhaps they
would have more information by then.
    Mirikami conceded that their slower progress should become
obvious in a half day to many passengers anyway. If they had not established
communications by then, a genuinely grave cause would have to be assumed. The
meeting adjourned, to reconvene in open session in twelve hours.
    As the other Board members left, Dillon remained, intending
to accompany Mirikami back to the Bridge. However, Fisher, lagging behind the
others, abruptly turned and approached Mirikami.
    “Captain, I understand your reasons for asking us to keep
all this confidential for now, but I want you to appreciate how difficult it
was for us to grant even that twelve hour delay.”
    Mirikami bowed politely. “My duty is to preserve order and
avoid a possible panic aboard my ship Good Lady. You witnessed the initial
reaction of some of the other Ladies. I feel there is no need to risk an
overreaction among the full passenger complement at this time.”
    Fisher gave him a motherly pat on the arm. “Oh, I'm not
questioning your motives Gentle Sir. In fact, I completely agree with you in
this instance. I was referring rather to the distaste we felt at withholding
facts from our associates.”
    She explained. “Free access to information is an issue that
deeply concerns any scientist, but more so to those involved in biological
research. From the time the government legalized biological research again,
subject to massive restrictions and controls of course, we have experienced
over eighty years of censorship, not to mention outright suppression of some
work. I'm afraid we will have our ears soundly boxed at the public meeting for
giving in to you.”
    Mirikami bowed again. “I hadn't viewed my request from that
standpoint Doctor. I apologize if it causes you any difficulty. Believe me,
though, I have considerably more sympathy for your position than you might
think.”
    “Yes,” she nodded, “I thought that you might. I naturally
conducted an extensive background check of Interworld before the contract was
awarded, and of its active flight officers. You were my personal recommendation
to be our Captain. I'm delighted you accepted.”
    His bow was deeper this time. “Thank you for your
confidence, kind Lady. I'm pleased I was granted the option. Now if you will
excuse me My Lady, I should return to the Bridge. Doctor Martin, it was a
pleasure to have you with us on the Bridge. Feel free to return as the official
observer or my personal guest at any time.”
    Dillon agreed that he would return to the Bridge, but then
quickly added that it