Confluence Point Read Online Free Page A

fixated on revenge. You know she will not go away."
    "Yes, this we do know Commander, but I sense you have something else to report."
    "Yes Mistress, I reviewed the actions of my superiors prior to their . . . demise. Commander Merryl's orders were abhorrent and you must believe the crew would never have supported them had they known. But my review also found an issue of great concern. Soon after arrival Tech Officer Terrin sent back a drone to Cora with the Commander’s report as is normal practice. At home they would have expected three more drones to arrive in the time since the first one, one for every three of your months at most."
    She nodded. "So you expect they'll be concerned nothing has arrived since that first one. . ." she nodded for him to continue.
    "What do I think?" He concentrated for a moment. "It has been nine months since they would have received that first report. They would wait for a while, allowing for delay on the second, after all anything could have happened to the ship. They would then consider whether the Behemoth was already on the way back, or whether a drone was damaged in transit, all the reasons why there might be delay. But eventually they will face the inevitable, that something has happened to the ship. Then they will consider all the possibilities, and their next action. If the ship has not returned then is it damaged, or destroyed? If it is damaged, do we go in rescue?" He looked up, embarrassed. "In that case under normal circumstances I would say probably not, they wouldn't come to rescue as they do not value the lives, merely the task." He paused, uncomfortable with what he was saying.
    "But in this case you think they will act differently?" She probed further.
    "Mistress, I have seen the original orders; my uncle is expansionist . . . he wants to build an empire. And, of course there is the matter of Beria's bitterness, they may well come regardless of what might have happened and if they assume the vessel has been destroyed they will come in strength." He didn't look happy.
    "Thank you Commander Cora, of course we have known questions would be raised and at some point they would respond. The question was whether we would return to Gliese before they came here; it's a conundrum. We needed to make sure we were prepared for defense here in case we passed them in transit, particularly with what I have in mind." She looked pensive until Ham interrupted.
    "Regan, I've been reviewing the report Commander Merryl sent back. You should probably see at least part of it."
    She turned automatically to the still picture on the wall screen. She could see Commander Merryl of the Behemoth, another familiar looking Coran she didn't know and two Russians looking comically small compared to their hosts. It was clear from the surroundings they were meeting in space, in a meeting room of the warship.
    "Merryl you know," Ham continued. "The other Coran you can see is Rymer, he was the Behemoth number two, and you may remember him from the Russian trial. The General is Lebedev and his offsider there is the shuttle pilot. I'm going to pick up the recording from mid way through the meeting."
     
    The visual resumed.
    "Commander," General Lebedev spoke, "the Russian Federation, as senior member of the Earth Security Council and as leaders in the Earth space program welcomes you to our planet. We have looked forward to such a visit since the knowledge of your worlds became known to us. Sir, we wonder at the purpose of your welcome visit, if any, and how we may work together to mutual advantage."
    Regan watched Merryl closely and he seemed arrogant, giving nothing away. After a long pause he glanced sideways at his First Officer, and then turned his eyes back to the General slowly. "Major General, we are here for the murderess - one Regan, and for the rebel Merali from our system. Do you know of them?"
    The General, staying admirably neutral glanced first at his assistant and then back at the Coran. "Commander,