Part 5
Lyssa spent most of the next day in command. She had come no closer to determining who the spy was. All the techs and scientists that had served with Scorpius had come up clean. None of them had a neural chip. She was then forced to comb through the crew records to find out who had served with Scorpius. This was a fairly extensive list. It would take a fair amount of time to have all of them examined. She had recently returned from a dressing down from Grayza. Lyssa was beginning to doubt that woman had ever had to do any serious work. An investigation of this magnitude could take a weeken or more. Grayza was unable to comprehend that fact.
Lyssa was rubbing the bridge of her nose trying to concentrate on the data on the screen when Doctor Essa entered the bridge. "Lieutenant, I have finished the latest round of scans. I'm afraid I have nothing to report."
She banged on the console, "Damn!" Everyone on the bridge stopped and stared for a microt until they were met with Lyssa's glare.
Essa spoke quietly, "Lieutenant, I believe it best if you get a few arns rest. You have been working non-stop for more than a solar day. If you keep this up, you're going to kill yourself."
She growled quietly, "Doctor, if I don't keep this up I might find myself dead anyway. Need I remind you what happened to Ponara?"
Braca entered the bridge, "Report, Lieutenant."
"Nothing yet, sir. No sign of the Leviathan and no new information on the investigation. I am continuing to sift through the crew records, but it is extremely time consuming. Progress is slow."
"I trust that you will keep me appraised of your progress."
"Yes, sir." Lyssa's legs gave out on her. She was able to grab the console and regain her feet.
Essa glared at her, his look saying 'I told you so.' Braca looked between Lyssa and Essa. "Captain, the Lieutenant is suffering from a mild case of exhaustion. If she would rest for a few arns, she will be fine."
Braca looked back at Lyssa, "Lieutenant Kain, I don't want to see you for the next six arns."
She tried to argue, "But."
"No arguments, Lieutenant. Six arns. You are no good to me if you work yourself to death."
Lyssa had no choice but to comply.
Braca went to make his report to Grayza. She was not pleased with the lack of progress. They were approaching an inhabited world, but it would be twelve arns before they were within range. "How does the search for the traitor go, Captain?"
"Very slowly, ma'am. So far the most likely suspects have turned up negative for a neural chip. Lieutenant Kain is continuing to sort through the crew's service records to see who has served with Scorpius. With nearly fifty thousand people to search through it is quite time consuming."
She was pacing the room, "You need to move faster. They continue to evade us. I can only assume the spy is letting them know we are near."
"Yes, ma'am, I understand. Lt. Kain has been the only one searching in order to keep the spy from knowing we are aware of his presence. She is being very discreet, but there are only so many arns in a day a person can work..."
Grayza cut him off, "I want results, not excuses. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am. If I could assign someone else to the planetary search it would free Lt. Kain to concentrate more of her energy on the spy."
She approached him seductively, "Was that another excuse, Captain?"
She was standing very close now and he found it difficult to think. "No, ma'am. I was merely stating a fact. I, too, want the spy found quickly." He drank in her scent.
She ran her fingers between her breasts and then under his nose, "Perhaps you could help speed things up."
"Yes, ma'am." Braca left to wake Lyssa. Grayza was definitely in one of her moods where she would deicide to start replacing people. When he arrived at his second's quarters he sounded the door chime. There was no answer so he sounded it again. Still no answer. He entered his command override code to access her quarters. It was dark inside. He turned the lights on and saw Lyssa passed out on her bunk. She had managed to get her jacket off, but otherwise was fully clothed. Braca stood just inside the door, "Lt. Kain." She didn't answer. He moved closer, wondering if it really was possible for someone to die from exhaustion. He knelt down next to her and was relieved to hear her breathing. "Lieutenant."
She jumped and tried to sit up, but she was lying on her stomach. She rolled over and tired to sound alert, "I'm awake." She was desperately trying to figure out where she was and what was going on. Her eyes finally focused on Braca. "Captain, my apologies. I must have overslept."
He stood, "You haven't overslept. I need you to get back to work." Lyssa rose and began trying to smooth the wrinkles out of her uniform. "Take some time to clean yourself up. Join me in my quarters when you are ready."
"Yes, sir," she replied to his back as he left.
In a quarter of an arn she had showered and changed. Checking the chronometer she found that she had managed to get a little over five arns of rest. She felt much better now. Lyssa quickly proceeded to Braca's quarters. She was admitted immediately. "Have a seat, Lieutenant. I have decided to assist you in trying to identify the spy."
"Captain, that sort of work is menial and beneath you."
"Nonetheless, this search is more than one person can handle. The less people that know about it the better."
"Yes, sir." Lyssa had little choice but to agree. She thought that this might have been Grayza's doing. It took a little less than a quarter arn for her to explain her method to Braca. They then spent the next several arns working on identifying suspects. At some point the attendant brought by a cold platter of food. They nibbled while they worked. After about five arns they had identified several possible suspects. Lyssa checked the chronometer, "Time for me to get ready for my foray planetside."
"You still have over an arn before we are within range."
"I like to learn a little about local customs. I prefer not to get arrested for something stupid."
"Very well. I will continue work here. Be careful."
She smiled, "I always am." Braca found himself wondering what prompted him to say that.
Three arns later he was pacing the bridge waiting for a report from the planet. It did not normally take Lyssa that long to gather information. The transport was still on the planet. Grayza entered the bridge and took in Braca's pacing. "Worried about Lt. Kain, Captain?" her voice had a mocking tone.
"It normally does not take her this long to finish her information gathering."
"Are you concerned that she has been injured?" Grayza was probing Braca's feelings.
He knew he needed to proceed carefully. "I am concerned that we are losing valuable time."
"Of course. You will notify me if she brings any information of note back from the planet?"
"Yes, ma'am."
It was another arn before Lyssa's transport returned. She came back with one guard less than she left with and had some blood splattered on her clothes. Braca was waiting for her in the hangar. He looked her over and didn't see any sign of injury. He assumed it was someone else's blood. She walked straight to him, "Captain, I have some information. I believe Grayza should hear this as well."
They proceeded to Grayza's quarters. She gave the bloodied Lyssa a look of disdain. Lyssa was still feeling the affects of her adrenalin surge and gave Grayza a smug grin. "Commandant, Captain, I have gathered some rather disturbing information." Grayza motioned for her to continue. "No one from the Leviathan Moya visited the planet, but I was able to get information from several traders. It seems that they have entered Tormented Space."
Grayza circled Lyssa like a bird of prey, "You are sure of your information, Lieutenant?"
Lyssa met her stare, "Positive. I personally viewed surveillance logs from the ships in question. There is no doubt it was the Leviathan Moya. Leviathan's are quite rare in this sector of space."
"You have a course that they took?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, then give it to the bridge officer and change course." She paused a microt. "I suggest you put on some more appropriate attire. Dismissed."
Lyssa quickly departed and waited for Braca. Once they were a reasonable distance from Grayza's quarters she spoke up, "Captain, you can't seriously follow that order."
He tried to ignore the odor that Lyssa had picked up, "And why not, Lieutenant?"
"We cannot enter Tormented Space. We are already well outside our territory. It is madness to keep going. We have already received two recall messages."
He shoved her against the bulkhead and growled dangerously, "You are out of line."
She looked him in the eye and replied quietly, "No, sir, I'm not. She is."
He released her, "We will discuss this in my quarters." She fell in behind him as he stormed down the passageway.
As soon as the door closed Lyssa began, "It is suicide to enter Tormented Space. She is going to risk this ship for one person. You cannot allow that."
"You are in no position to tell me how to run my ship."
She replied smugly, "As your second in command it is my job to advise you."
"And is it also your job to undermine my authority?"
"I am not undermining your authority. I am trying to save us all. Have you ever been in Tormented Space?"
"No, have you?"
"One of my classmates went on an assignment that took him into Tormented Space. When he returned he was not the same person he was when he left. He was barely holding onto his sanity. None of us could get him to tell us about Tormented Space. To this day I still do not have the clearance to read those reports."
"Are you afraid?" he asked mockingly.
"Of Tormented Space? Yes, I am. If you had met Gadin you would be too. She will destroy us all," Lyssa had gone into a full tirade.
"That will be quite enough."
"As you wish. I think it best if I change and continue going about my duties." She turned to leave and paused before opening the door, "I have warned you."
Once Lyssa had left Braca searched the ship's databanks for any information on Tormented Space. There was little to be found. Most of what he did find strongly recommended not getting involved in anything to do with it. From what he could determine it was a wormhole nexus of sorts, but there were other cosmic disturbances. Peacekeepers had investigated trading ships where the whole crew was dead. The only clues were that the ship had recently been in Tormented Space. Peacekeeper scientists had no explanations. He wondered if it was possible that Grayza was leading them to their doom. He decided to ask.
When Braca arrived at Grayza's quarters he found her getting a massage. The woman had no sense of modesty or decorum, but Braca did admire her smooth skin. "What is it, Captain?"
"Commandant, I have done some investigation on Tormented Space. It is an exceptionally dangerous area of space. Many ships have been lost there."
"And?"
"I think it might be best if we end our search for Crichton. He is one man. I don't believe he is worth losing part of the fleet."
"Come closer, Captain." Braca stepped forward. "Do you believe you are in a position to make that determination?"
"Ma'am, I have attempted to research Tormented Space. What little information we have in the databanks strongly recommends remaining clear."
She reached between her breasts and signaled for Braca to come closer, "You do not have all the information necessary to make that decision. I am in charge of this mission. Is that clear?"
He inhaled deeply, kneeling on one knee to be at eye level with her. "Yes, ma'am."
"We will continue our search. Crichton possesses information that may be vital to the security of the Peacekeepers. We cannot allow him to fall into the wrong hands. Have we come any closer to identifying the spy?"
He moved around to rub her soft and smooth shoulders. "No, ma'am we are continuing our search. A large portion of the crew has come in contact with Scorpius." He drank deeply of her scent, letting her stimulate him.
"I trust that you will have results soon?"
"We are working as fast as we can. The medical scans take time and we are scanning only the most likely candidates first."
"Very well. You may go now." Braca forced himself to step aside and leave her quarters. One day he would reap the benefits of his loyalty.
When Lyssa returned to her quarters she pulled off her boots and threw them across her quarters. There was a resounding thud as they hit the far bulkhead. She didn't know why she continued to try to reason with Braca. Even though she might convince him to do the right thing, he would continue to be swayed by Grayza. The only thing she was doing was risking her well- being. As she stepped into the refresher unit to shower, she vowed she would not argue with Braca anymore. It served no purpose. The only thing she could do was keep the search moving and finish this insanity as soon as possible. She had been keeping logs on everything that had transpired. If High Command wanted proof of Grayza's treason, they would have it.
Over the next few weekens Lyssa and Braca continued searching for the spy to no avail. They did manage to eliminate another couple hundred suspects. One fortunate side effect of Tormented Space was that it interfered with long-range communications making it highly unlikely the spy could provide any information to Scorpius. There had been little sign of Moya or her passengers. Lyssa had noticed a change of mood onboard the command carrier. She decided to bring it up with Braca. "Have you discovered something, Lieutenant?"
"Not with respect to Moya or the spy, sir. I have noticed something odd with the crew, though. They are discussing Tormented Space. I dare say there is a growing level of fear."
"Fear?"
"Yes, sir. I am starting to hear grumbling that we should not be this far from our territory."
Braca stood and began pacing, "Stop it."
"It is very hard to stop something like this once it has started. We will need to be careful, because I believe the first bad thing that happens will be a catalyst for an uprising."
"You're telling me the crew will mutiny?"
"I believe the possibility exists and is growing stronger by the day. I have planned a meeting with the senior officers for later today. It would help if you could reassure them that what we are doing is the right thing."
He sighed, "Very well. I will address them. Notify me when you are ready."
"Yes, sir. The scout vessel believes they have located and inhabited planet. Once it is confirmed I will make preparations to gather intelligence. It is highly likely the fugitives would have visited this planet since they would need to resupply."
Braca knew how scarce life supporting planets were in this sector of space. The only sign they had of the Leviathan had been on the first inhabited planet they had encountered. The residents of that planet had been somewhat weary of outsiders. It seems a new leader had taken over and that the old had hired an outsider as an assassin in an attempt to solidify his control. It hadn't taken Lyssa long to determine that the Moya crew had been there not long before. At least they were on the right track. "Keep me informed."
When Braca met with his senior officers he was able to instill them with a sense of confidence. He hoped that this would translate to the rest of the crew. He made a mental note to spend more time out among the crew. He once again wondered how Lyssa found the time for that along with all her other duties. He hoped she wasn't working herself to the point of collapse again. He kept the command carrier out of range of the planet's sensor systems. Braca went to the bridge to watch the Marauder deploy. He never tired of watching the smaller ships flying around the command carrier.
The Marauder returned in less than an arn. Braca found this highly unusual. He decided to wait on the bridge for Lyssa's report. When she entered the bridge she had changed back into her uniform. "Captain, the Leviathan was here two solar days ago. It appears that they were having modifications done to allow it to exist more peacefully in Tormented Space. I was able to convince them to give me some information on the other planets in the area. I would like to send several Marauder details out to investigate these other worlds."
"Make preparations. Choose what you believe to be the most likely vectors."
"Yes, sir." Lyssa turned and left.
Braca smiled to himself. Their search was nearly over. They would have Crichton soon and then they could return to the safety of Peacekeeper space.
Lyssa spent most of the next day in command. She had come no closer to determining who the spy was. All the techs and scientists that had served with Scorpius had come up clean. None of them had a neural chip. She was then forced to comb through the crew records to find out who had served with Scorpius. This was a fairly extensive list. It would take a fair amount of time to have all of them examined. She had recently returned from a dressing down from Grayza. Lyssa was beginning to doubt that woman had ever had to do any serious work. An investigation of this magnitude could take a weeken or more. Grayza was unable to comprehend that fact.
Lyssa was rubbing the bridge of her nose trying to concentrate on the data on the screen when Doctor Essa entered the bridge. "Lieutenant, I have finished the latest round of scans. I'm afraid I have nothing to report."
She banged on the console, "Damn!" Everyone on the bridge stopped and stared for a microt until they were met with Lyssa's glare.
Essa spoke quietly, "Lieutenant, I believe it best if you get a few arns rest. You have been working non-stop for more than a solar day. If you keep this up, you're going to kill yourself."
She growled quietly, "Doctor, if I don't keep this up I might find myself dead anyway. Need I remind you what happened to Ponara?"
Braca entered the bridge, "Report, Lieutenant."
"Nothing yet, sir. No sign of the Leviathan and no new information on the investigation. I am continuing to sift through the crew records, but it is extremely time consuming. Progress is slow."
"I trust that you will keep me appraised of your progress."
"Yes, sir." Lyssa's legs gave out on her. She was able to grab the console and regain her feet.
Essa glared at her, his look saying 'I told you so.' Braca looked between Lyssa and Essa. "Captain, the Lieutenant is suffering from a mild case of exhaustion. If she would rest for a few arns, she will be fine."
Braca looked back at Lyssa, "Lieutenant Kain, I don't want to see you for the next six arns."
She tried to argue, "But."
"No arguments, Lieutenant. Six arns. You are no good to me if you work yourself to death."
Lyssa had no choice but to comply.
Braca went to make his report to Grayza. She was not pleased with the lack of progress. They were approaching an inhabited world, but it would be twelve arns before they were within range. "How does the search for the traitor go, Captain?"
"Very slowly, ma'am. So far the most likely suspects have turned up negative for a neural chip. Lieutenant Kain is continuing to sort through the crew's service records to see who has served with Scorpius. With nearly fifty thousand people to search through it is quite time consuming."
She was pacing the room, "You need to move faster. They continue to evade us. I can only assume the spy is letting them know we are near."
"Yes, ma'am, I understand. Lt. Kain has been the only one searching in order to keep the spy from knowing we are aware of his presence. She is being very discreet, but there are only so many arns in a day a person can work..."
Grayza cut him off, "I want results, not excuses. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am. If I could assign someone else to the planetary search it would free Lt. Kain to concentrate more of her energy on the spy."
She approached him seductively, "Was that another excuse, Captain?"
She was standing very close now and he found it difficult to think. "No, ma'am. I was merely stating a fact. I, too, want the spy found quickly." He drank in her scent.
She ran her fingers between her breasts and then under his nose, "Perhaps you could help speed things up."
"Yes, ma'am." Braca left to wake Lyssa. Grayza was definitely in one of her moods where she would deicide to start replacing people. When he arrived at his second's quarters he sounded the door chime. There was no answer so he sounded it again. Still no answer. He entered his command override code to access her quarters. It was dark inside. He turned the lights on and saw Lyssa passed out on her bunk. She had managed to get her jacket off, but otherwise was fully clothed. Braca stood just inside the door, "Lt. Kain." She didn't answer. He moved closer, wondering if it really was possible for someone to die from exhaustion. He knelt down next to her and was relieved to hear her breathing. "Lieutenant."
She jumped and tried to sit up, but she was lying on her stomach. She rolled over and tired to sound alert, "I'm awake." She was desperately trying to figure out where she was and what was going on. Her eyes finally focused on Braca. "Captain, my apologies. I must have overslept."
He stood, "You haven't overslept. I need you to get back to work." Lyssa rose and began trying to smooth the wrinkles out of her uniform. "Take some time to clean yourself up. Join me in my quarters when you are ready."
"Yes, sir," she replied to his back as he left.
In a quarter of an arn she had showered and changed. Checking the chronometer she found that she had managed to get a little over five arns of rest. She felt much better now. Lyssa quickly proceeded to Braca's quarters. She was admitted immediately. "Have a seat, Lieutenant. I have decided to assist you in trying to identify the spy."
"Captain, that sort of work is menial and beneath you."
"Nonetheless, this search is more than one person can handle. The less people that know about it the better."
"Yes, sir." Lyssa had little choice but to agree. She thought that this might have been Grayza's doing. It took a little less than a quarter arn for her to explain her method to Braca. They then spent the next several arns working on identifying suspects. At some point the attendant brought by a cold platter of food. They nibbled while they worked. After about five arns they had identified several possible suspects. Lyssa checked the chronometer, "Time for me to get ready for my foray planetside."
"You still have over an arn before we are within range."
"I like to learn a little about local customs. I prefer not to get arrested for something stupid."
"Very well. I will continue work here. Be careful."
She smiled, "I always am." Braca found himself wondering what prompted him to say that.
Three arns later he was pacing the bridge waiting for a report from the planet. It did not normally take Lyssa that long to gather information. The transport was still on the planet. Grayza entered the bridge and took in Braca's pacing. "Worried about Lt. Kain, Captain?" her voice had a mocking tone.
"It normally does not take her this long to finish her information gathering."
"Are you concerned that she has been injured?" Grayza was probing Braca's feelings.
He knew he needed to proceed carefully. "I am concerned that we are losing valuable time."
"Of course. You will notify me if she brings any information of note back from the planet?"
"Yes, ma'am."
It was another arn before Lyssa's transport returned. She came back with one guard less than she left with and had some blood splattered on her clothes. Braca was waiting for her in the hangar. He looked her over and didn't see any sign of injury. He assumed it was someone else's blood. She walked straight to him, "Captain, I have some information. I believe Grayza should hear this as well."
They proceeded to Grayza's quarters. She gave the bloodied Lyssa a look of disdain. Lyssa was still feeling the affects of her adrenalin surge and gave Grayza a smug grin. "Commandant, Captain, I have gathered some rather disturbing information." Grayza motioned for her to continue. "No one from the Leviathan Moya visited the planet, but I was able to get information from several traders. It seems that they have entered Tormented Space."
Grayza circled Lyssa like a bird of prey, "You are sure of your information, Lieutenant?"
Lyssa met her stare, "Positive. I personally viewed surveillance logs from the ships in question. There is no doubt it was the Leviathan Moya. Leviathan's are quite rare in this sector of space."
"You have a course that they took?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, then give it to the bridge officer and change course." She paused a microt. "I suggest you put on some more appropriate attire. Dismissed."
Lyssa quickly departed and waited for Braca. Once they were a reasonable distance from Grayza's quarters she spoke up, "Captain, you can't seriously follow that order."
He tried to ignore the odor that Lyssa had picked up, "And why not, Lieutenant?"
"We cannot enter Tormented Space. We are already well outside our territory. It is madness to keep going. We have already received two recall messages."
He shoved her against the bulkhead and growled dangerously, "You are out of line."
She looked him in the eye and replied quietly, "No, sir, I'm not. She is."
He released her, "We will discuss this in my quarters." She fell in behind him as he stormed down the passageway.
As soon as the door closed Lyssa began, "It is suicide to enter Tormented Space. She is going to risk this ship for one person. You cannot allow that."
"You are in no position to tell me how to run my ship."
She replied smugly, "As your second in command it is my job to advise you."
"And is it also your job to undermine my authority?"
"I am not undermining your authority. I am trying to save us all. Have you ever been in Tormented Space?"
"No, have you?"
"One of my classmates went on an assignment that took him into Tormented Space. When he returned he was not the same person he was when he left. He was barely holding onto his sanity. None of us could get him to tell us about Tormented Space. To this day I still do not have the clearance to read those reports."
"Are you afraid?" he asked mockingly.
"Of Tormented Space? Yes, I am. If you had met Gadin you would be too. She will destroy us all," Lyssa had gone into a full tirade.
"That will be quite enough."
"As you wish. I think it best if I change and continue going about my duties." She turned to leave and paused before opening the door, "I have warned you."
Once Lyssa had left Braca searched the ship's databanks for any information on Tormented Space. There was little to be found. Most of what he did find strongly recommended not getting involved in anything to do with it. From what he could determine it was a wormhole nexus of sorts, but there were other cosmic disturbances. Peacekeepers had investigated trading ships where the whole crew was dead. The only clues were that the ship had recently been in Tormented Space. Peacekeeper scientists had no explanations. He wondered if it was possible that Grayza was leading them to their doom. He decided to ask.
When Braca arrived at Grayza's quarters he found her getting a massage. The woman had no sense of modesty or decorum, but Braca did admire her smooth skin. "What is it, Captain?"
"Commandant, I have done some investigation on Tormented Space. It is an exceptionally dangerous area of space. Many ships have been lost there."
"And?"
"I think it might be best if we end our search for Crichton. He is one man. I don't believe he is worth losing part of the fleet."
"Come closer, Captain." Braca stepped forward. "Do you believe you are in a position to make that determination?"
"Ma'am, I have attempted to research Tormented Space. What little information we have in the databanks strongly recommends remaining clear."
She reached between her breasts and signaled for Braca to come closer, "You do not have all the information necessary to make that decision. I am in charge of this mission. Is that clear?"
He inhaled deeply, kneeling on one knee to be at eye level with her. "Yes, ma'am."
"We will continue our search. Crichton possesses information that may be vital to the security of the Peacekeepers. We cannot allow him to fall into the wrong hands. Have we come any closer to identifying the spy?"
He moved around to rub her soft and smooth shoulders. "No, ma'am we are continuing our search. A large portion of the crew has come in contact with Scorpius." He drank deeply of her scent, letting her stimulate him.
"I trust that you will have results soon?"
"We are working as fast as we can. The medical scans take time and we are scanning only the most likely candidates first."
"Very well. You may go now." Braca forced himself to step aside and leave her quarters. One day he would reap the benefits of his loyalty.
When Lyssa returned to her quarters she pulled off her boots and threw them across her quarters. There was a resounding thud as they hit the far bulkhead. She didn't know why she continued to try to reason with Braca. Even though she might convince him to do the right thing, he would continue to be swayed by Grayza. The only thing she was doing was risking her well- being. As she stepped into the refresher unit to shower, she vowed she would not argue with Braca anymore. It served no purpose. The only thing she could do was keep the search moving and finish this insanity as soon as possible. She had been keeping logs on everything that had transpired. If High Command wanted proof of Grayza's treason, they would have it.
Over the next few weekens Lyssa and Braca continued searching for the spy to no avail. They did manage to eliminate another couple hundred suspects. One fortunate side effect of Tormented Space was that it interfered with long-range communications making it highly unlikely the spy could provide any information to Scorpius. There had been little sign of Moya or her passengers. Lyssa had noticed a change of mood onboard the command carrier. She decided to bring it up with Braca. "Have you discovered something, Lieutenant?"
"Not with respect to Moya or the spy, sir. I have noticed something odd with the crew, though. They are discussing Tormented Space. I dare say there is a growing level of fear."
"Fear?"
"Yes, sir. I am starting to hear grumbling that we should not be this far from our territory."
Braca stood and began pacing, "Stop it."
"It is very hard to stop something like this once it has started. We will need to be careful, because I believe the first bad thing that happens will be a catalyst for an uprising."
"You're telling me the crew will mutiny?"
"I believe the possibility exists and is growing stronger by the day. I have planned a meeting with the senior officers for later today. It would help if you could reassure them that what we are doing is the right thing."
He sighed, "Very well. I will address them. Notify me when you are ready."
"Yes, sir. The scout vessel believes they have located and inhabited planet. Once it is confirmed I will make preparations to gather intelligence. It is highly likely the fugitives would have visited this planet since they would need to resupply."
Braca knew how scarce life supporting planets were in this sector of space. The only sign they had of the Leviathan had been on the first inhabited planet they had encountered. The residents of that planet had been somewhat weary of outsiders. It seems a new leader had taken over and that the old had hired an outsider as an assassin in an attempt to solidify his control. It hadn't taken Lyssa long to determine that the Moya crew had been there not long before. At least they were on the right track. "Keep me informed."
When Braca met with his senior officers he was able to instill them with a sense of confidence. He hoped that this would translate to the rest of the crew. He made a mental note to spend more time out among the crew. He once again wondered how Lyssa found the time for that along with all her other duties. He hoped she wasn't working herself to the point of collapse again. He kept the command carrier out of range of the planet's sensor systems. Braca went to the bridge to watch the Marauder deploy. He never tired of watching the smaller ships flying around the command carrier.
The Marauder returned in less than an arn. Braca found this highly unusual. He decided to wait on the bridge for Lyssa's report. When she entered the bridge she had changed back into her uniform. "Captain, the Leviathan was here two solar days ago. It appears that they were having modifications done to allow it to exist more peacefully in Tormented Space. I was able to convince them to give me some information on the other planets in the area. I would like to send several Marauder details out to investigate these other worlds."
"Make preparations. Choose what you believe to be the most likely vectors."
"Yes, sir." Lyssa turned and left.
Braca smiled to himself. Their search was nearly over. They would have Crichton soon and then they could return to the safety of Peacekeeper space.
