Coalescence (Dragonfire Station Book 3)

and his guilt is clear. His attempt to extort Brak only adds more evidence of his corruption.” His voice sharpened. “But it doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve known John for two decades, and I’d have staked my life on him being devoted to peace and promoting solidarity among the PAC allies.” His fingers slowly curled into a tense fist.
She didn’t know Ross well enough to understand his inner workings. “So what do you make of it?”
His hand uncurled and he smoothed it over his pant leg. “I don’t know. That’s the problem. I can’t argue with the evidence, but it doesn’t add up against what I know of the man. That bothers me.”
Silence stretched between them. Finally, she said, “I wish I had answers for you, but I don’t understand his motivations either. I can’t imagine what would be worth violating multiple treaties and potentially throwing this sector of the universe into chaos. But we’re going to take care of it, regardless of his reasons.”
“It’s what you do, right?” His voice was flat as he stared into space.
“No,” she answered honestly. “I’ve always been the tip of the arrow, not the bow.” His eyes shifted to her and she decided to be brutally honest. They needed to understand each other the way she and her team did. “Look, I’m an adrenaline junkie with a hero complex and a certain amount of moral flexibility. I’ve always been perfectly happy to throw myself at whatever target I was pointed toward, because I had faith in the people doing the pointing.” She could see she had his full attention, so she continued, “But the person who’s been directing me has become corrupt, and now I’m pointed right at him. My team never wanted to become administrators, but if that’s the job that needs doing, we’ll do it.”
“Yeah.” Ross didn’t look less troubled.
She leaned forward and rested a hand on his propped knee. “We’ll figure out what happened to Krazinski. That is what my team and I do.”
He sighed and patted her hand. “I know. And there’s no one else I’d want on the job. That’s why I came looking for you. I guess I’m just weary. I thought the universe would be a better, more solid place when I was middle-aged. That my colleagues and I would have spent our lives on the betterment of the PAC. Instead, I’m finding that my cohorts are destabilizing everything we, and previous generations, have created.”
He smiled at her, with a touch of sadness. “It’s disheartening to look toward my advancing years and feel less hopeful about the future than I did when I was a fresh young officer.”
“Would it make you feel better if I promised you could smack Krazinski once we have him? A really good one, right across the face.” She demonstrated by smacking one palm against the other.
He laughed. “Maybe.”
“Don’t lose your sense of humor,” she advised. “I found out a long time ago that sometimes it’s all we have.”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right. I’ll try harder at not letting myself get dragged down.”
She nodded. “It’s a requirement of the job. Focus on what’s ahead of you. Don’t get bogged down in dwelling on the rest.”
“I’ll stay on track. Thanks.”
She understood where he was coming from. He’d lost his sense of community, and he needed a new one.
“How about you come down to the boardwalk with me? We can get some dinner and I’ll introduce you around.” Thus far, he’d spent most of his time alone. Brooding. It wasn’t good for him.
“Is it smart to be so open about my presence here?” he asked.
“There’s no hiding the fact that I’m here, and the assumption will be that my team is too. Blackout will have already concluded that you’re on our side.”
“All right,” he agreed. “Show me the boardwalk.”
She’d been mildly hungry, but now that she’d entered the haven of delicious aromas, her stomach started growling. Fallon and Ross had only just sat down at the Bennite restaurant and picked up their menuboards when Captain Nevitt appeared.
Fallon was so surprised that she forgot her stomach and simply stared at her captain. She’d only ever seen Nevitt on the boardwalk when she needed to greet an important guest to the station upon arrival. Fallon couldn’t recall ever having seen Nevitt eat.
“May I join you?” the captain asked.
Fallon found her voice. “Of course.”
“I had a craving for some stew,” Nevitt said, quickly keying her order into a menuboard. She glanced up and noted Fallon’s expression. “Fine. I’ve decided that if things around here are changing, then I need to change with them. Assuming things go the way we think they will, a closer relationship with the people on my station will be necessary for everyone’s well-being.”
“That’s very forward-thinking.” Fallon keyed in her order for stew, bread, and cold tea.
“Not at all. Just pragmatic.” She focused her attention on Ross. “So what’s your story? You’ve been on my station for weeks and I know almost nothing about you.”
He smiled amiably. “Oh, you know. Former academy instructor, recently retired. Bumming around the PAC zone while I decide what to do next.”
Nevitt smirked. “Right.” In such a public place, Ross could hardly be more forthcoming, but Nevitt didn’t seem put out. “I hope your stay on my station proves to be productive.”
That earned her a grin from Ross. “So do I, Captain.”
“Call me Hesta. I’m not on duty.”
Fallon somehow managed to keep her jaw from dropping. She’d never heard Nevitt suggest anyone call her by her first name.
The captain eyed Fallon. “You too, when we aren’t discussing official business.”
“Is a captain ever not on duty?” Ross asked.
“I’m going to start. Just did, in fact, a minute ago. It looks like this.” She sat watching them.
Prelin’s ass. The captain could be funny. Fallon didn’t know what to make of this unexpected turn of events. “I might have to work my way up to calling you by your first name.”
Nevitt lifted a challenging eyebrow, which somehow ignited all