The Galbadian fast cruiser NR-447 was speeding south along the Timber coast; according to their projected course, they should be passing under the Horizon Bridge about now. Not that Keri or the other SeeDs could tell; they had been given a work center located belowdecks and far removed from any means of monitoring the space outside the ship, save for the wholly unsatisfying image provided by the radar display. With banks of computer terminals lining the walls and a long table in the center, the room was painfully claustrophobic as well, barely offering enough room for the four to move around.

"...Looks like the pirates were hiding off the Winhill coast," Mara said, scanning over the reports on the previous attempts to eliminate the pirates. "A patrol skimmer from the Southern Fleet stumbled across them, but they made a run South, and the Galbadians lost them in Centra Crater."

"Wait a minute," Sean said. "That means they'd have had to run all the way across the Meridian Sea! How could they do that?"

"Whatever ship they're in must be able to outrun the Galbadian pursuit craft," said Keri.

"The report says the Galbadians tried to set up an ambush," read Mara, "but the pirates managed to slip away. Scouts and airships have been searching all through the crater, but they haven't found anything."

Keri scanned over a map of the crater. "The terrain there is very rough; I can see how they'd be able to avoid the patrols. Airships, though; that's hard."

"Well, Galbadia doesn't have many long-range airships," Mara said. "And most of the ones they do use are transports, not scouts. The coverage probably wasn't that complete."

"Do you have the specific search patterns for the Galbadian forces?" Keri asked.

"Sure. It's in the computer."

Keri began to scan through the computer files, and for a few moments there was no sound but the humming tone of the machinery. Then, Sean spoke up. "There's something messed up about this," he said. "I mean, what the hell would these pirates be hanging around Winhill for in the first place? All the major shipping goes on up north, by Dollet."

Keri shrugged. "Maybe they were already on the run from Galbadia, and they got chased down that way."

"If that's what happened, the report doesn't say anything about it," Mara replied. "As a matter of fact, it doesn't mention anything prior to the scout finding them off Winhill."

"Maybe that report only has data from the Southern Fleet," suggested Keri. "So that information is somewhere else, because another part of the Navy was handling it."

"Could be," Mara admitted. "I think I'm gonna check for that."

"And another thing," Sean pressed. "What makes these pirates so special, anyway? I mean, that report's talking about how the Galbadians are sending whole task groups after these guys; that seems a bit much for a few sea bandits."

Tavin, who had previously been flipping through another copy of the Galbadians' report, now snapped it shut with a fair measure of annoyance. "Are you ever gonna say something useful?" he demanded. "What does it matter who these pirates are, or what they were doing down south? All we need to know is where they are and how to take them out."

Sean looked rather irritated himself. "Hey, why do you have so much of a problem with me? I don't see you contributing any great thoughts to this discussion!"

Keri groaned. "Both of you, shut up. This isn't helping anything."

"Don't talk to your commander like that," Tavin snapped. "Anyway, it's not our job to waste time asking stupid questions. Keep your focus where it belongs."

As he said the last sentence, the door slid open, and a man in a Galbadian naval uniform walked in. Keri recalled that he had been the Intelligence officer who had shown them to the room and provided the reports on the pirates. "Excellent advice," he said. "Well, how have things been going so far?"

"You don't expect results already, do you?" Keri asked. "We've barely been here for half an hour."

"Oh, of course not," he said. "I simply wanted to make sure you have everything you need from us, and if not, see if there was anything else I could do." He looked around expectantly.

"We were just wondering if you have any information on your pursuit of the pirates before you found them south of Winhill," Mara said. "If we knew more about what tactics they use, it could help us predict their next move."

The Intelligence officer nodded. "Of course. But I'm afraid all the information we haven't already given you has been classified; no non-military personnel are allowed to view it. But, I'd be happy to offer my own interpretations, if you're having trouble with anything."

"Wait a second," said Tavin. "You guys hired us to find these pirates. You don't think it might be a bit easier if you weren't withholding information from us?"

"I'm sorry, but it's official policy," the officer said. "No nonmilitary personnel. Again, I have clearance, and I'll gladly share with you anything I deem pertinent."

"If that's the way you want to play it, why don't you do all this yourself?" Tavin demanded. "You don't keep your bloodhounds on a leash, okay?"

The officer held up his hands. "I completely agree. But those are the rules, and we're not allowed to make exceptions. I'll help you out in any way I can, but there are certain procedural restrictions that we can't just ignore." He shrugged. "Besides, how much difference does it make where the pirates were before? Your job is to find where they are now."

Tavin narrowed his eyes at the man, but gave a curt nod. "Fine," he said. "So we'll just get back to work, then."

"Is there any way I can help you?" asked the officer.

"Doesn't look like it." Tavin picked up another folder and began flipping through it, paying no more attention to the Galbadian.

Apparently taking the hint, the officer nodded. "Well, I'll stop by again later to see about your progress." With a pleasant smile, he turned and left.

"Beauraucratic rockheads," Tavin grumbled.

"Hey," said Sean, "What difference does it make, right? We don't question the rules, we just do our job and follow orders. Right?" His mocking tone was enough to make Keri wince.

Tavin glared at him angrily. "You think you're really smart, don't you? Well, listen to this, you little —"

"Guys," Keri said exasperatedly. "We do have a job to do. If the Galbadians aren't going to help us, we could at least help each other."

The two boys glared at each other a moment longer. "You respect my authority," Tavin instructed, then turned away to busy himself with work.

"Yes, sir." Sean made an exaggerated salute. Mercifully, Tavin ignored him.

Keri sighed. Were all her missions going to turn out like this?