Penance (RN: Book 2) Read Online Free

betraying his diplomatic veneer. He returned his attention to the screen, “I’ve been in the Royal Navy a long time, Mr Felsroy. I’ve visited and patrolled every back-water path these sectors have to offer, and some it strictly doesn’t. I’ve apprehended and dealt with people that EDP central has no idea even exist. And, from time to time, have made some …shall we say, less than sanctioned trades for items that are hard to come by outside of the core systems.”
    Felsroy stared quietly but keenly at the screen.
    “We are often very far from home for months, or even years at a time, and I don’t see any harm in bending the rules a tad to keep the crew content. After all, a happy crew is an efficient crew.” Denz smiled broadly.
    Felsroy sat with his head cocked considering the possibility of this being entrapment.
    “We may be in possession of certain ...medicinals you may be in need of.”
    “Aye.” Felsroy said, his face still lined with uncertainty as fat fingers pursued an itch in his mop of curly black hair.
    “All I ask in return are the coordinates where we may begin our search for Governor Middlemore.”
    One of Felsroy’s fingers tapped the desktop in slow deliberation as he stared at the camera for several long seconds. “These medicines, then. What type would they b –“
    “You’ll understand if, medicines, is all I can say, Mr Felsroy.” Denz said, with something of a conspiratorial smile
    “Aye. I guess I would. And how much would there be?”
    “Enough to satisfy. That is, if we’re satisfied, first.” Denz smiled again.
    “Aye.” Felsroy repeated. He drummed his fingers on the table top as he stared at the floor. After several seconds of apparent deliberation he turned to his computer and worked the keyboard.
    A beep came from the operations station and Cummings nodded towards Denz.
    “So what now then?” asked Felsroy.
    “What now is we honour our end of the deal.”
    “So how like? Will you deliver the medi –“
    “You understand that we couldn’t possibly deliver such ‘medicines’ to you personally, Mr Felsroy. As every shuttle launch is logged with its crew and contents carefully recorded.”
    “Aye.” Felsroy said the drumming of his fingers rising with his suspicion.
    “However, if we were to send a drone to the weapons platform with a modified munitions pod. I’m sure it would be but a small inconvenience for you to retrieve it.”
    “Aye, but how would we then –“
    “Thank you Mr Felsroy.” Denz nodded to Cummings and the screen went black as the link closed.
    “Well done, sir.” Canthouse said with a wide grin.
    “Carrots, Malcolm. Really?”
    “When you can’t use the stick, sir.”
    Denz raised his eye brows and pursed his lips as he considered this simple reasoning.
    “And the ..eh, medicine, sir?”
    “Oh, I’m sure the mess can find a little something to donate to the medicine chest. See to it immediately if you would, as we need to start the rescue sweep as soon as possible. I doubt we’ll find anything, but we have to look.”
    “Immediately sir.” With that Canthouse hurried off the bridge.
    Denz moved to the front of the command deck and turned to address the crew, many of whom still wore amused grins from his dealings with Felsroy. “Right! Your all aware of the Governor Middlemore’s shuttle being reported missing, so effective immediately I’m reassigning the Bristol to search and rescue duty. Navigation, use the coordinates sent to us to establish a sweeping search pattern. Raulin, I’ll need you to monitor the communications systems and listen for anything out of the ordinary, even odd static as they may not be able to transmit. Operations, set the sensors to ... Well, Cummings, you know what to do. Set the sensors to maximum gain and triple check any anomaly. No matter how irrelevant.”
    The red haired senior petty officer’s full lipped smile reflected his own more than brotherly attentions, and she nodded her