Star Risk - 01 Star Risk, Ltd by Chris Bunch Read Free Book Online

anything, although their files suggest an entire navy could be easily hidden among the asteroids."
    "So where might we come in?" Baldur asked.
    "Transkootenay has always kept its problems in-house," King went on. "But this new situation has them baffled.
    "Also, their executive in the Foley System is very much on the spot. He must either solve the problem, or else SysGov will cancel the mining agreement, forcing Transkootenay to withdraw. That, of course, would mean the end of that system exec's career.
    "So they're looking for an outside service to take over, provide security and find out where these raiders are, how many of them there are, and take appropriate measures."
    "They haven't gone to the military?" Grok asked.
    "They did. The Alliance sent a destroyer squadron through on a one-week sweep, found nothing."
    "Typical," Riss murmured.
    "So now Transkootenay is looking for a savior."
    Baldur said, rubbing his hands together and smiling a rather capitalistic smile.
    "Indeed," Jasmine said. "In fact, they've asked Cerberus Systems to put together a proposal. A study team has been established, and is evaluating the situation."
    "Shit," Riss said. "That keeps us right on out."
    "Not necessarily," Jasmine said. "At least, not if there's an appropriately bold response, made immediately."
    "What?" Riss said. "We're supposed to come up with a quicker, tricker way to go than Cerberus has come up with?"
    "Oh no," Jasmine said. "Cerberus does incredible presentations. Not to mention that if one of us went to the Foley System, and word got out why we were there, it isn't inconceivable harm could come."
    "But you have an idea," Riss persisted.
    "No," Jasmine corrected. "I have more interesting facts.
    "The head of Transkootenay Mining's division in the Foley System, in Mfir's Sheol, is a Reg Goodnight. A very well-respected, high-ranking executive. Admired for his youth and ability, if treated a bit warily for his, shall we say, tactical abilities in the field of corporate infighting. Also, as I said before, with his career very much on the line."
    "So?" Baldur asked.
    "Mr. Goodnight has an older brother, a certain Chas Goodnight," King went on. "Formerly a member of the Alliance Army, ranking Captain, assigned to a Special Operations Detachment."
    "A bester?" Baldur asked.
    "Yes." King said.
    Grok looked puzzled, and Baldur explained the nature of these surgically modified commandos.
    "Interesting," the being murmured. "A formidable operative."
    "There is, of course," Baldur said, "a limitation."
    "Is there not always?" Grok asked.
    "The bester operates not just on his natural energy, but on a tiny battery that is hidden under his coccyx� base of his spine. He has from twenty to thirty minutes before the battery runs dry. But he cannot just slide in a new battery," Baldur said, "since he will have burned up his reserves. He needs to refuel, which means consume calories like he is a raging fire. Once fed, and rested, he can replace the battery, and go again. He can maintain this cycle for no longer than three, perhaps four days, then needs an extended rest.
    "I am sorry, Jasmine, to have interrupted. Go on with your briefing."
    "The two were orphans, I've learned. Grew up in a cr�e. The older brother, Reg's idol, went into the military, used his money to pay for his brother's education, which was of the best, and hence expensive," King said.
    "Possibly making those expenses on a soldier's pay made Captain Goodnight go spectacularly bad. He used his talents to become a burglar, a jewel thief, quite a good one, in fact. He was caught, courtmartialed, thrown out of the service, and sent to prison.
    "He escaped, and set about a string of robberies, very cleverly put together, very skillfully done.
    "Goodnight has never been caught again.
    "Until three weeks ago.
    "He decided to steal some fabulous jewels on a backwater planet named Tormal. Unfortunately, he was caught.
    "Even more unfortunately, it seems that Captain Goodnight