Chapter 18. After the Fight
12 Nov 2020Black Llama
November 12, 3306Gresley Dock, Nanomam system
The Hudson faction offices in Gresley Dock were in stark contrast to the rather ornate halls of Aisling Duval's agents in Cubeo. Everything in glass, polished metal and laminated synthewood, with only a few screens in the walls here and there displaying somewhat bland propaganda posters in a loop. The whole place looked as if it could be the very definition of a corporate office.
"Very well, Lieutenant", the Hudson faction official said as she scrolled through records on her terminal screen. "It was about time you contributed something significant to our efforts and to the defense of the Federation. Where are you taking the supplies?"
"To Binnie Orbital in Shoujeman" I replied. "I then have to return to Zandu to attend to my business."
She looked at me for a couple of seconds, her face a mask of corporate indifference. "Understandable", she said, turning back to her screens. "All right, you took your time joining the defense of LTT 1935. At least here it says you managed kills for a total of 2,152,341 credits in bounties - that would amount to a combat bonus of 10 million."
"I know", I interrupted her. "I've already collected my payment from the local administration at Wolf Port."
"Very well. One less problem for me. As for promotions, we'll need to review the combat records closely. You'll get a notification."
"When?" I asked. She lifted her head again, looking annoyed. "When it's done. You can go now, Lieutenant." She dismissed me with a wave of her hand.
I exited the office onto the starport's main concourse and started walking towards the hangars, where The January Dancer was being loaded with garrison supplies. I took my mobile out of my pocket, opened the secure folder and started reviewing the lists that my contact in the LTT 1935 Confederacy had provided me with: names, known aliases, and biometric data for refugees which had arrived in the system from Beatis and, most importantly for me, Nahuatl. No Belmans, no Flammarions, but I expected that - "Belman" was surely an alias, and it's likely the Flammarions, if any are still alive, are travelling using fake identities. But at least I have a picture of Aurélie Flammarion, and access to image matching software on the ship. We'll see what I can find.
The mobile chimed as a message came in, from Skinner: "Cap'n, check out the news. I think you'll find it interesting. The Alliance is moving into the Coalsack."