Free Hex by Allen Steele Page A

up.”
    Sean and Mark chuckled, and Kyra bit her lower lip to keep from laughing out loud. Janus Ltd. was the Federation’s largest private import company, and also the merchant marine’s leading partner. Originally established on Earth, it had relocated to Coyote shortly after the new world’s independence was recognized by the United Nations. After contact was made with the hjadd , Janus had become responsible for opening trade with both them and the other Talus races. As a result, the company continued to grow in prosperity and power even after the death of its founder, Morgan Goldstein.
    Janus and the merchant marine—and by extension the Coyote government—had very close ties, and sometimes it was difficult to see where the dividing line lay. No wonder, then, that a senior VP would be accompanying the first expedition to the danui system. Sean just hoped that they weren’t getting someone who’d try to micromanage the team as well.
    So it came as a surprise that, when the wardroom door opened again, the person escorted in by Chief Petty Officer Brandt was a tall and rather thin gentleman in his middle years who looked more like a university professor than a business magnate. His closecropped black hair thinned to a small bald spot at the crown of his head, and his gaunt face was framed by a pair of antique gold-wire spectacles; for some reason, he’d apparently decided not to undergo optical surgery. He wore a frock coat over a black turtleneck sweater and khaki trousers, and the quick, easygoing smile he gave everyone as he entered the room was relaxed and unpretentious.
    Kyra uttered a small gasp. Glancing at her, Sean saw recognition in her eyes. “I know him,” she whispered to him. “He’s...”
    â€œShh!” Cayce gave her a stern look, and Kyra went silent again.
    â€œGood afternoon, or whatever it is,” the newcomer said, then glanced at the old-fashioned watch on his left wrist. “Whoops... By ship’s time, it’s already evening.” A mildly embarrassed grin. “I must be off by a few hours. I could’ve sworn it was just after lunch.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter,” Mark said. “In space, it’s always the middle of the night.”
    An old joke, but the exec laughed as if this were the first time he’d ever heard it. “So it is, so it is.” He glanced at Zeus. “Thanks, Chief, I appreciate it. I think I can take over from here.”
    â€œVery good.” Zeus started to back toward the door, then paused to raise a hand to his earpiece. He listened for a moment, murmured something Sean couldn’t hear, and looked at the newcomer again. “Captain Carson sends her regards and says she’ll be along shortly.”
    Sean suppressed a sigh. It couldn’t be helped; this was his mother’s ship, after all, and he couldn’t avoid her indefinitely. Kyra briefly touched his hand and gave him a sympathetic look; everyone else pretended not to notice his discomfort. “Very good,” the exec said, and once Zeus had shut the door behind him, he returned his attention to the Corps team. “Well, then... until the captain arrives, perhaps I should introduce myself. My name’s Thomas D’Anguilo, and I’m the executive vice president of trade and development for Janus, Ltd.”
    â€œSuit,” Sandy muttered. She feigned a cough into her fist to disguise the comment, but everyone in the room heard what she said, including D’Anguilo. He didn’t look directly at her; nonetheless, he responded to her unkind remark.
    â€œI’m sure some of you think I’m some kind of bureaucrat or corporate stooge,” he said, his tone remaining mild and unflustered, “but don’t let the job title fool you.” With practiced ease, he planted his feet firmly against the carpet; Sean noted that his stickshoes, while apparently custom-made, were well-worn.