We are sadly bereft of a dearth of fine inspectors these days—men and women like Sephora Damerian and Frederick Rose are a dying breed—or an extinct one.
— Prime Minister Ariel Monsato, c. 5240
We are sadly bereft of a dearth of fine inspectors these days—men and women like Sephora Damerian and Frederick Rose are a dying breed—or an extinct one.
— Prime Minister Ariel Monsato, c. 5240
14 Decem, 5249 PD
“Halo Ridge is the estate of the Grace family,” Rachel said as she opened the skimmer door for the inspector. He slid into the front seat next to Brendan. She noted the quiet, measuring look that her nephew gave the other man. There was no judgment in Brendan’s gaze, as if he was still deciding what to make of the man that the Commonwealth had sent to investigate what happened at the Whispers. “They’ve been here since the founding of the Colony, built everything they’ve had here. The family, as I understand it, was originally from New Earth.”
“I wouldn’t know,” the inspector said honestly as he settled into his seat. Rachel climbed into the back, allowing herself a brief smile before the inspector turned to face her.
“I suppose you wouldn’t,” Rachel agreed, then reached forward and patted Brendan’s shoulder. “Let’s get going. I’d rather not keep the Marshals waiting.”
Brendan glanced sidelong at the inspector and gave him a bare, almost feral smile. “Hang on to your hat.”
Then the pilot gunned the engine and they took off, all three pressed back in their seats by the force of the acceleration. The inspector threw a look back toward Rachel, who smiled.
“Commander Cho is one of our top pilots,” Rachel told him. “He’s heavily involved in the training of all of our new pilots coming into our flight program.”
“I’m also the materiel that Chinasia Corp is demanding back—me and America Farragut,” Brendan said, eyes never deviating from the road ahead, though his shoulders stiffened.
“You’re a refugee?” the inspector asked, tearing his gaze from Rachel and turning it on Brendan.
The pilot nodded slightly. “I landed here as part of a failed invasion. I was the only survivor and they allowed me to stay.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I married Speaker Farragut’s niece a few years ago.”
“I—I see.” The inspector sat back in his seat, glancing back over his shoulder at Rachel again before he looked toward Brendan. “Are you worried that I’ll throw you into my duffle and cart you back to New Earth space?”
“You’d be doing it with my corpse,” Brendan said. “I’m not going back there again.”
“No one’s going to make you go back there,” Rachel said firmly. And if someone tries, they’re going to find out how unpleasant attempting something like that can be. “Are they, Inspector Winston?”
“I haven’t seen anything yet that would make me believe that you’re here by anything other than your own free will,” the inspector said carefully. “And last time I checked, Commonwealth law didn’t count people as materiel anyway.”
“That’s good to know,” Brendan said quietly.
The inspector swallowed visibly and turned toward Rachel again. “You were going to explain what you being Speaker meant—why that was important, beyond the fact that you’re now in charge of the day-to-day leadership of the Rose Foundation.”
Rachel smiled, pleasantly surprised that the young man seemed to gather at least that much. “It means that the Foundation is finally coming full-circle.”
The inspector’s brows knit and he frowned. “I don’t—wait. Farragut. Like—”
“Exactly like,” Rachel said softly.
“Sarah Farragut and Ryland LeSarte,” the inspector said softly, eyes widening slightly. “You’re from—”
“Yes,” Rachel said. “Though that wasn’t entirely a secret back in the days when my parents were working for the Psychean Guard.”
“So Guard expatriates are now running the Foundation,” the inspector said quietly, leaning back in his seat and watching the trees as they whipped past them on the road. “That is an…interesting development.”
Rachel was quiet for a moment, then she said softly, “I know what you’re thinking. The Guard aren’t a bunch of pacifists like the Foundation is.”
“I am thinking as much,” the young inspector admitted, “but not for the reasons you may assume. I know what you’re being accused of and I don’t lend it a lot of weight. However, knowing that a former member of the Guard is running the show here now does mean that when the time comes, this star system will be more than capable of defending itself against all comers.”
We can only hope to be so lucky. Rachel smothered a frown. Halo Ridge would be coming up soon.
“We had nothing to do with the Whispers,” she said slowly, “but we do have footage of what happened there.”
The inspector twisted toward her, eyes wide. “You do?” He tamped down his excited curiosity a moment later as suspicion seemed to set in. “How did you get it?”
“Accident,” Rachel said. “Chinasia and the Compact are both screaming about things being stolen, correct?”
He nodded. “Absolutely. They’re trying for sanctions and worse against you.”
“If they try it, they’re in for quite the surprise. We stole Grant Channing and America Farragut back from them—they’ve been prisoners of war since the pacification of Mimir.” Rachel’s jaw tightened. “Commander Cho and another one of our assets, Colonel Chase, were on their way back here when the Whispers was hit. They caught the tail end of whatever happened in the system and have the video logs to prove it.”
The inspector as silent for a few long moments before he said, “And you’re offering to share them with me. For what price?”
“Just objectivity,” Rachel said quietly. “Nothing less and nothing more.”
“Objectivity,” the man echoed. “Yes. I think I can give you that.”
• • •
“This,” Daci said for at least the tenth time, “is a terrible idea.”
“Oh, settle down,” Frederick said, squeezing her shoulder for at least the thirtieth time since they’d arrived at Halo Ridge. “It’s my life at stake, not yours.”
“You think that you dying wouldn’t have an effect on me?”
Federick sighed softly and rested his forehead against hers, sliding both arms around her waist as they stood face-to-face, his face tilted down and hers tilted up. “My survival can’t stay a secret forever.”
“Who says?” Daci whispered.
“I do, for one,” he said. “If I can make a difference right now, Daci, I’m going to do it.”
The colony needs me—the Foundation needs me. It’s time I get back to doing the job that I should have been doing when I came here.
It was only a matter of time before Rachel asked him. He needed to be ready for that day to come, because it was coming soon. Daci needed to be ready for that day to come.
Start with the baby steps and we’ll go from there.
“It’s too big of a risk,” Daci whispered, reaching up to hold his face between her palms. “I can’t lose you, Freder. I can’t do it. Almost losing you was bad enough.”
“Well, you’re not going to lose him today, tomorrow, or any other day I’m on watch,” Adam said, his entry breaking in on the tender moment. “They’re coming up the last stretch. Are you two done arguing about this?”
Daci glared at him. “There’s no arguing about this. All of you made up your minds without consulting me.”
Frederick kissed her forehead. “It wasn’t your decision to make,” he murmured softly.
Then he took her by the hand and led her toward the front door.
“Come on,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s see who Sephora found to replace me in the ranks.”
She couldn’t stop the smile. “There’s no replacing you.”
“I know. But she’d have to try. Part of why they gave her the job.” I almost wish they hadn’t. I wish she was here with us, where she’d be safe.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. If things get too hot, she’ll run, won’t she?
No. It’s not in her.
He closed his eyes briefly. Daci squeezed his hand.
“You can’t make other people’s choices for them,” she whispered.
“I know. I just wish I could sometimes.”
Her smile turned wry. “Don’t I know that feeling?”
She elbowed him gently, then leaned against his side. Together, they waited for the latest of the best and brightest of the Inspector General’s office to arrive.