Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [146]
Hed kept the full facts about the mission, at least as he knew them, from his first mate, Arturo Stiles, a man whose pragmatism was matched only by his excitability. So far as Stiles knew, they were making an unscheduled but highly paid delivery, and that was all he needed to know for now. The unexpected windfall ought to have made the economics-minded Stiles very happy indeed.
But if Stiles were to learn that the Vulcans aboard the Kobayashi Maru were headed for a stable cometary body in the Tezel-Oroko systems Kuiper belt, where they intended to fortify and expand a small, covert listening post whose electronic ears and eyes were aimed at both the Romulans and the Klingons, he would probably go ballistic. Vance didnt much care about the galactic politics involved, though he knew he would prefer that the stodgy Vulcans have the upper hand over either the Klingons or the Romulans; from what little hed seen, both empires were far too capriciously aggressive to suit a free spirit like Captain Kojiro Vance.
But Vance felt confident that his crew would forget whatever the Vulcans were up to here within a few short days, once the Maru was engaged in another cargo run to some other, less perilously located world. Even Stiles would no doubt forgive all, should he ever discover the truth, once he received his share of the handsome profit the current Gamma Hydra run had already generated.
Vance selected a slimming, dark purple set of breeches and a full-sleeved maroon shirt. He held them up against himself and noted with pleasure how nicely they complemented his straight black hair and olive-gold skin.
“Are you even paying attention to what Im saying, Vance? Searles asked.
Vance turned, suddenly remembering the presence of the engineer in his room, and regarded her with a smile he hoped she would consider charming. “Of course, Jackie. You were chattering on again, something about not liking the technology were carrying for the Vulcans.
Searles balled her hands up into clawed fists and growled, clearly exasperated. “Essentially, yes, that is what I was saying. The Vulcans keep quote helping unquote my engineering staff with quote multiple system upgrades unquote, but it seems to me that all theyre doing is further screwing up our already overtaxed systems. Yes, were heading toward our destination faster, but the warp core is running wicked hot, Vance. And were having a lot of system glitches as well. Plus, the stuff in the Vulcans shipping crates may be the source of the strange, low-level radiation my people have been picking up on the internal scanners. Its making everyone very uncomfortable.
Vance frowned as he pulled the stitching at the waist of his pirate breeches tight, making sure not to catch anything important in the loops as he cinched them tighter. “Why would this radiation youre picking up necessarily have anything to do with the Vulcans or their matériel? I love her like I love myself, but the Maru is always springing a leak in some system or other. I mean no offense to your skills, Jackie, but the old girl is perpetually in need of some repair or other. He paused, then added with a flourish, “Unlike myself .
“I just want Searles frowned, seemingly searching very hard for the right words. “Can you just keep the Vulcans out of my engine room, please?
“All right, Vance said, pulling the shirt on over his head. The satin felt smooth against his skin, luxurious. “Ill ask them to stay away. As long as you keep things running smoothly and make sure we get there in record time.
He crossed back to the bed, where he laid a hand on the sleeping Oranas rump. “I notice that you seemed to