Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11)
stuff. My title is Boss. Please use it.”“Yes, S...S...Boss.”
“You’ll get it. What’s your designation, anyhow?”
“ST-155, Boss.”
“What is your specialty?”
“I was trained to be a steward in the officer’s mess, Boss.”
“Pardon me if this is a touchy subject, but I would have thought you would have been sold to the civilian market, with a specialty like that.”
“I had heard too many conversations about classified subjects, Boss. They thought I was a security risk.”
“How high-ranking an officer would you need to talk to, to be able to talk about those conversations?”
“A Lieutenant Commander, Boss, but it would have to be a Navy officer. Your rank doesn’t count.”
“I’m aware. Get with Captain Sally and get her to unlock you. She will decide if anything you know is relevant to our situation.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“One more thing, and then I’ll let you go. I’m terrible at remembering numbers. Would you accept a new designation?”
“I don’t see why not, it seems to be the style around here.”
“How do you feel about Stella?”
“That’s pretty. Thank you, Boss.”
“You’re welcome, Stella.” Nikki came in, and sat down across from me. She asked, “Chatting up the bots again, Caveman?”
“Just meeting the new crew, and trying to get them oriented. Where did you get off to, last night?”
“Checking to make sure there wasn’t some sort of hacking afoot keeping the Marines from finding those knives.”
“What did you find?”
“That those knives really are that hard to see on a scanner. You need to make a mouth check standard procedure for Squirrel prisoners.”
I said, “Gene, did you hear that?”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Make sure all the Marine units are notified. Is Commodore Mason back yet?”
“He is expected today, Boss. I will notify the Marines with him as soon as they arrive.”
“Good work, Gene.” I turned back to Nikki. “Anything else I need to be aware of, before I go back into the meeting that never ends?”
“I love you, and thank you for trying to make the galaxy safe for our kids to grow up in.”
“I love you too, and I hope your confidence isn’t misplaced.” Gene came over the speaker, “Commodore, the Ambassador will be arriving shortly. Please proceed to the landing bay.” I caught a transit, and started my busy day. I got there in time to be waiting when the Ambassador’s ship landed. He had come in a much larger ship today. It was then I noticed the Marines around the edges of the room. The bigger ship worried Topper as well, it would seem. The door opened, and uniformed Squirrels started out, weapons at the ready. It must have been their naptime, because they all had a little laydown before they got to me. Finally, the speaker on the outside of the ship came to life. “You have one of our comrades in custody. We will have him returned, safe, before this sham ‘negotiation’ can continue.”
I spoke up. “What do you propose if I don’t deliver him? Are more of you going to come out and get stunned?”
The Marines had closed up around me. Andre said, “Would you like us to clear the ship, so that you don’t have to shout to be heard, Boss?”
“Not yet, I don’t think. When did you get in?”
“About an hour ago. I would have reported, but they said you needed your sleep.”
“Yes, I did. I was up all night negotiating a treaty that I’m no longer sure is worth the paper it’s written on.”
“Murphy is our shepherd, huh, Boss.”
“That he is.” I turned to the ship, and added some volume. “Send the Ambassador out, or we’ll come in and get him.”
The reply was, “I slit his throat before we came here, monkey. Bring out our comrade, or our ship will open fire.” I texted Topper, “If they charge weapons, make sure they no longer have any weapons.” I got back, “On it, Boss.”
I turned to Andre. With a sweeping gesture, I said, “If you please.” As it turned out, most of the Squirrels with bad intent were already laid out in front of the ship. Andre came to the door and said, “The Ambassador is not aboard, Boss.”
“Thank you, Andre. Take these idiots into custody, and make for dang sure you check their cheeks.”
“On it, Boss.”
“Gene, get me Dingus.”
Dingus answered, “Yes, Bob?”
“Take command of the fleet till I get back to the bridge. The Ambassador was not aboard his transport. I have a claim that he is dead. I hope for their sake it was a brag. Stun their flagship till it glows, and then send every Marine who isn’t otherwise occupied aboard. I want the Ambassador, or his remains, aboard the Gene soonest.”
“On it, Bob.” The connection dropped. I ran for the transit. Once aboard, I said, “Gene, page Tikki to the bridge.”
“Yes, Boss.” After a rough ride, the transit opened at the bridge. I ran in. Saucy hollered, “Commodore on the bridge!” I replied, “As you were. My ship. Report.”
Topper said, “I stand relieved. Commodore Sloan has ordered stunner passes by several ships, and the Marines are in transit. Commodore Sloan would like to speak with you.”
“Put him on, please.”
“Bob, I’ve got the attack started, but there appears to be a large group of stunner resistant individuals in one section of the ship.”
“Guess we’ll get to see if that new bunch of Marines lives up to the hype, then.”
“What started this fracas?”
“The ship supposedly carrying the Ambassador arrived full of troops.”
“So, you’re checking up to see that the Ambassador is okay?”
“I am. I like him. I think we can do business. If these turkeys killed him, after we stayed up all night working out a treaty, I am not going to be amused.” Topper said, “Boss, sorry to interrupt, but Chesty is in contact with