RAEFF (Jim Able: Offworld Book 6)

some of our others!”
“I see you’re a community of many species.”
“Yes, our membership is from many worlds. That we are all primates on this team is something of a coincidence. Brother Tamric’s grandparents were from Earth, so he counts as a human. I am a native of this world.”
Jim stopped in mid-mouthful.
“Does that surprise you? That we should be so similar?”
“I guess it shouldn’t, but yes.”
“The galaxy is large and life is abundant. We are blessed here with conditions similar to your world. Our seas are home to two sentient species, as is the land.”
“Two? That is rare. Usually, one land-based species wipes out all the competition.”
“There is much about our cluster of stars that is unique. And we cherish and protect them with a vigor that I know surprises many.”
“I thought that was just business.”
Daum Robertus smiled and said, “No, the business is a byproduct of our other concerns.”
Before Jim could ask more, Tella approached and gestured for some time with him.
“What’s up?” Jim asked.
“Show more confidence in our ability to complete this mission. I suspect they view your humility as a sign of inadequacy.”
“Whoa there! Do you think we can just nip down to Jorr and take on a battle fleet?”
“It is possible. Timing is everything in a case like this. Think back to your history. A naval fleet was always at its most vulnerable in its home port. The same is true of a space fleet. If we can catch it on the ground, a single well-armed ship could destroy it all.”
“Hmm, maybe you’re right—if it gets the chance. But what about this Tamric kid? I don’t want him along.”
“Unfortunately, that decision seems to have been made long before we arrived. When we get there, it should be okay; he will deal with the plans while we deal with the fleet. But it will complicate things greatly while we travel. We must be very careful what we say in front of him.”
***
Gathering again around the conference table, Daum Robertus began. “This is how we would like you to proceed. Travel with Tamric to Tanna Gul. Locate the Marlolori area of Muthlec. We understand from the informant, Marhan, that the construction facilities are concealed beneath a lake. That will mean gaining access to whatever caverns or tunnels they have dug and negotiating your passage through them. Tamric’s prime target must be the administrative area where the plans are kept. He will assist you with your objective only if it does not interfere with his own. You must first verify the existence of, and placement of, the fleet—then you must destroy it.”
He adjusted the display to show more details of the area.
“We believe this lake is the one in question. As you see, it is of a different color and different characteristics from its neighbors. This may be due to its chemical composition or pollution from the construction or mining activities below it. This, you must verify for yourselves.”
All were quiet as they watched the display and considered the difficulty of the task ahead. Tella’s voice interrupted the silence. “If the fleet, or a significant part of it, survives or, indeed, has already moved to an operational staging area, who will warn the Jorrs?”
“First, we have detected no such movements. We believe, if it exists, the fleet is still in Marlolori. As for giving a warning, they have their own means of defense.”
“Wait a minute,” said Jim, “I thought your ‘preference’ was to avoid that?”
Daum Robertus smiled. “Let me be clear. We intend to send no warning to Tanna Jorr. Our activities will be limited to Brother Tamric’s tasks on Tanna Gul.”
Tella said, “Covert action only. You will not reveal yourselves.”
“That is correct. If any of you are discovered, we shall, of course, deny any knowledge of your actions.”
Tella and Jim glanced at each other but said nothing.
***
Tamric met with Jim and Tella in a library room. To Jim’s relief, it was too small for five to sit comfortably, and the silent chaperones had to stand guard outside. The desk was of similar design to the conference table, having a small control panel and using the entire surface as a display.
As soon as Tamric sat down with them, he blushed and frowned.
“May I ask you something?”
“Sure,” said Jim reassuringly.
“Do you object to my accompanying you?”
Jim was taken aback both by the question and by the earnestness in the young monk’s eyes.
“I...wasn’t expecting it. I have to admit we usually like to work by ourselves.”
“I see.” Tamric looked away. “Daum Robertus felt that it would be a good thing to have me involved since I am a human like yourself. He thought that communication would be easier with me...than with one of the others.”
“Tamric,” said Tella, “we are surprised that Daum Robertus is sending any of your community along on this mission. That it is you he will send does not trouble us.”
“Okay, thanks. I think he’s right that one of us should come, though, don’t you?”
“As Jim has said, it is not how we usually work. But perhaps we can assist each other in our different tasks.”
Tamric nodded. “Yes, that was his intention.”
“How were you to travel to Tanna Gul if we had gone straight there?” asked Jim to change the subject.
“In one of our fliers,” Tamric said with enthusiasm. “Let me show you.”
He displayed an image of a small stealth flier.
“We are familiar with this design,” Tella said to him. “How heavily armed would you have been?”
“Oh, hardly at all.” The monk smiled.
Jim felt old in the presence of such fresh-faced naïveté.
“Didn’t it occur to you that you might need to be?” he asked.
“As Daum Robertus has said, this is not a matter of force, but of secrecy. I have much less to retrieve or destroy than you. My goal can be achieved in several different ways. It is you who must find the means of destruction on a grander scale.”
“Good point, I guess.” Jim sighed.
Tella placed its metaled hand on Jim’s arm. “I am concerned about the