[Black Fleet Crisis(28)

“Well done, sir, ” Threepio gushed. “That seems like an excellent compromise. “

“Compromise, nothing. I got what I really wanted, ” Lando said, starting the autodocking sequence and climbing out of the pilot’s seat. “I wasn’t about to give up my ship, and I didn’t want it locked up inside where I’d need their permission to use it. “

“Then you achieved all your objectives, ” Lobot said.

“Oh, no. We’re just beginning. Now we have to reeducate them about our role on this mission, ” Lando said. “Get ready to disembark. I’m going to need all of you on this. “

“Colonel Pakkpekatt, sir, General Calrissian to see you. ” The ensign’s voice was a bit shrill with nervousness.

Lando guessed that he had never been on the combat bridge before, or had reason to speak to the mission commander-if he had seen him at all.

The ensign had been the first member of the crew Lando saw after ducking through the inner airlock of Number 5 Dock, and he had commandeered the young technician to escort them to Colonel Pakkpekatt.

Lando was familiar with the layout of the Belarus-class star cruiser, and could have hazarded a guess as to where Pakkpekatt could be found. But being escorted, with his entourage following at his heels, allowed him to make an entrance.

Several heads swiveled at the ensign’s announcement, but most turned immediately back to their duties after taking in the new arrivals with a glance.

The exception was a two-meter-tall Hortek, whose bony armor plates were a ruddy brown in the bridge’s combat lighting. His long neck twisted toward the group standing by the bridge’s aft blast door, and the intense gaze from his unblinking eyes was nearly hypnotizing.

Curse you, Drayson-you could have told me he was a Hortek, Lando thought reflexively. But after that he guarded his thoughts as best he could. Besides being one of the few predator species in the New Republic, the Hortek had the reputation of being telepathic not only with their own kind, but, to an unknown degree, with a number of other species as well. It was an intimidating combination.

“General, ” Pakkpekatt said, curtly acknowledging Lando. His gaze flicked to Lobot and the droids. “Who are these-people? “

C-3PO stepped forward smartly. “Sir, I am SeeThreepio, human-cyborg relations. I am fluent in over six million-“

“Shut up, ” Pakkpekatt said sharply.

“Yes, sir, ” Threepio said, retreating behind Lobot.

Lando stepped forward. “Colonel Pakkpekatt, this is my staff. I’d be happy to make introductions, but I have some late updates for you which perhaps ought to have our attention first. Is your ready room available? “

Pakkpekatt held his head high, studying Lando.

Reaching into my mind? You and I need to talk, and no one else here needs to hear what we say.

Pakkpekatt lifted a hand in the direction of the ready room door.

“Captain, continue with preparations for departure, ” he said.

The moment the door wrapped privacy around them, Pakkpekatt drew threateningly close to Lando.

“So, ” he said, “you’re the man who browbeat my officer of the day. Don’t expect to do the same to me. “

Lando smiled and opened up the distance between them again by slipping into a chair. “I wouldn’t even try, Colonel, ” he said, adopting a relaxed posture. “Nor would I expect to need to. We’re here with the same goal, working for the same people-Princess Leia, the Senate, the Republic. “

Pakkpekatt made a sharp barking sound, the Hortek equivalent of a grunt. “I was told to wait for an observer from Fleet Command. Nothing was said about staff. “

“Why should anything need to be said? Do you go anywhere without your aides? ” asked Lando, gesturing with both hands. “My staff has technical expertise which very well may be the difference between success and failure for this mission. “

“We have five protocol droids on board, all E series or newer, ” Pakkpekatt said. “Yours are superfluous. “

“On the contrary, I consider my staff indispensable, ” Lando said. “And I expect them to be extended every consideration due me as the Fleet Office’s field operative for this mission. “

Pakkpekatt moved closer, looming over Lando. “Operative-now, that’s a curious word, General. Were you led to believe that you’d have an active part in the conduct of the mission? “

“Were you led to believe otherwise? “

“I have been assigned to recover the Teljkon vagabond, ” Pakkpekatt said. “I have no

instructions about sharing

my command or

that responsibility with you. “