Star Risk - 03 The Doublecross Program by Chris Bunch Read Free Book Online Page B

said. "Since the guard couldn't see through the tinted plex, he must've assumed we're some sort of prince."
    "Or else he just hates generals," Grok said.
    "There is that," Riss agreed. "So what do you have for me?"
    "You shall see."
    The three walked down the waist-high stacks of missiles. The warehouse was dimly lit, but she could make out the stenciling on the crates.
    "Ten� fifteen years old, Alliance issue," she said. "Remote Pilot Vehicles. Not the fastest around, as I recall. Nuclear option, which isn't what I'm thinking of. Yet. I remember seeing some of these back when I was a �cruit."
    "These are supposedly out-atmosphere fitted," Jasmine said.
    "I guess for this part of the world," Riss said, "they must be state of the art. Have you had a tech find out if they're still in banging order?"
    "No," Grok said. "I wanted you to see them first and decide if they further your scheme."
    "I'm not sure," Riss said. "No. I do have a bit of an idea. Assuming Chas comes through with what we need."
    ***
    It was Chas Goodnight's first trip to Boyington, a spaceflight recruitment center for that part of the First Galaxy.
    He'd always thought that he loved a party; the wilder the better. Unfortunately, the craziness on Boyington reminded him more of the way he used to carry on as a teenage recruit.
    Pilots, engineers, and navigators filled the hotel bars, and it seemed the screaming and hollering went on all day and night.
    Fortunately, Goodnight had made his connections before he lost his temper at anyone, and was negotiating with them in a drawing room of the Bishop Inn.
    He decided that two out of three contacts wasn't bad.
    Redon Spada, the super patrol ship pilot, had taken an assignment, no one quite knew where.
    Tough, Goodnight figured. The flier, who seemed about half in love with Riss, could nurse his broken heart�and depleted bank account�when he got back.
    Besides, Goodnight thought, Riss probably wasn't in the mood for anyone making calf eyes at her, as she was still recovering from her jarhead colonel's death.
    At least he'd tracked down Inchcape, who'd run the destroyers on Gentric, and Vian, with his patrol ships.
    "All right," Goodnight said briskly. "We need both of you and your ships, plus anybody you know who happens to have a spare cruiser up her sleeve, and enough armed transports to mount a smallish sort of invasion. Plus, Star Risk will want you to double the number of ships you brought last time."
    "This one sounds fat," Inchcape, who was stocky and no-nonsense, said, a touch of greed in her voice.
    "It is," Goodnight said. "We're working for a legit ing that might piss the Alliance off.
    "We'll go either ten thousand plus real expenses per day per ship, or a flat rate of a hundred g's per week. Plus combat bonus, insurance, and compensation for injuries or death. Don't bother trying to bargain. I don't have time to footle around."
    "I can round up another three or four more DDs," Inchcape said. "And I'll take the daily rate. I'm cautious."
    "The same rate for patrol ships as for destroyers?" Vian asked suspiciously.
    "Yep," Goodnight said. "We'll be putting you into stickier places, and more of them. You'll earn it."
    "Let me try one," Vian said. "I'll tentatively accept the day rate like Captain Inchcape here� But I want a clause that I can renegotiate after, say, six weeks, when I've had a chance to personally evaluate the situation."
    "I'll put it in the contract," Goodnight said. "But you'll swing by your toes before you get a raise."
    Vian looked closely at Goodnight, then reluctantly nodded.
    "And I'll be able to round up four more of the McGees," he said. "But they'll be delayed, since they've still got the Mark I power plant, and I want them refitted before I'll trust them."
    "You'd better set to, then," Goodnight said. "Now, I'll transfer, say, a million to each of your accounts as earnest money as soon as the contracts are signed. You'll be paid weekly, money deposited to your accounts