Three - Michael Jan Friedman [54]
The way he said it, it wasn’t just a goal. It was an absolute necessity, to be achieved at any cost.
“And we need to do it quickly,” he added, “before someone in the Federation realizes what we’re up to.”
“But Vigo won’t tell us what he did,” said Ferrak, Kovajo’s second-in-command, “and neither will the other weapons officers—if they even know.”
“Then we’ll have to make our interrogations a little more productive,” said Kovajo.
“They’re Starfleet,” Ferrak noted. “Sometimes they die before they crack.”
[160] Kovajo considered that. “All right,” he said. “We’ve got a number of engineers in hand, haven’t we? If the weapons officers won’t help us for their own sakes, maybe they’ll do it for the flower of Federation genius.”
Ferrak nodded. So did the others.
But Ejanix wasn’t nodding. Kovajo speared him with a glance. “You disagree?”
Ejanix saw the look in Kovajo’s eyes—a significantly more feral and dangerous look than when they first took over the installation—and shook his head.
“No,” he assured the other Pandrilite. “I was just ... thinking.”
Kovajo tilted his head. “About what?”
“A better way,” said the engineer. “One that doesn’t require us to inflict any more pain.”
“If I didn’t know better,” Kovajo replied slowly and thoughtfully, “I would think you’re putting your friend’s welfare ahead of our cause.”
Ejanix shook his head. “I’m not, believe me. I’m just—”
“Good,” said Kovajo. “Then we’re all of one mind.” He glanced at Ferrak. “Grab one of the engineers and bring him to the weapons officers’ room. I’ll meet you there.”
Ferrak nodded. “Done.” Gesturing for one of the other rebels to follow him, he left the room.
Kovajo eyed Ejanix, as if to gauge his reaction. But the engineer remained silent. He was afraid that if he protested again, he might end up under guard himself.
He recalled something Vigo had said to him, his face [161] battered and bruised. Take a good look, Ejanix. Is this justice?
It’s regrettable, the engineer told himself. Highly regrettable. But if we don’t get off this world, our cause may be forfeit.
What was the pain of a few colleagues compared with the prospect of true justice on Pandril? He could live with it if it brought them victory in the end.
Yes, he thought, I can countenance a little more blood, a little more suffering.
Or so Ejanix insisted to himself. But it took an effort for him to make himself believe it.
Vigo looked up when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. This time, he could tell from their cadence that it wasn’t Ejanix who was making them.
A moment later, he saw Kovajo and one of the other Pandrilites join the guards at the entrance. It didn’t bode well for the weapons officers.
“There’s your pal,” said Sebring, “back for another go-around.”
“Vigo!” Kovajo called out.
The Stargazer officer got up and went over to the transparent barrier. Only then did he see that someone other than the rebels was standing in the corridor.
Riyyen was there too.
He looked pale, even for a Dedderac. But he didn’t plead with his captors. He just stood there, as stoic as any Pandrilite observing the Third Virtue.
Kovajo grabbed Riyyen by the front of his tunic. [162] “You see him?” he asked Vigo. “Take a good look. The next time, he won’t be standing on his own.”
Vigo’s teeth ground together. “Why?” he asked. “He doesn’t know anything about your shuttle.”
“But you do,” said Kovajo. “And if you don’t tell me how to fix it, your friend here will have to pay the price.”
Vigo didn’t want to put the engineer in jeopardy. But he couldn’t give the rebels the information they needed—no matter what price they exacted.
“All right,” said Kovajo. “Have it your way.” He twisted the front of Riyyen’s tunic in his fist. “I just hope I don’t get carried away and do something foolish.”
Then he pushed the Dedderac down the hallway and followed him out of sight, leaving Vigo and his comrades to think about what he had said.
“I wish they would let this barrier down,” said Sebring, “just for a second or