Free Star Carrier (Lost Colonies Trilogy Book 3) by B. V. Larson Page B

equipment reside, and who operated it? The location must be a deep secret. Whoever had control of such a device effectively controlled Earth.
    “Captain?” Yamada greeted me as I stepped onto the command deck. “I got an alert that said you were coming up the sky lift, but I disregarded it. We weren’t expecting you until this evening.”
    “Just as you keep tabs on me, I like to keep an eye on all of you,” I said, giving her a smile. “Is Zye back yet?”
    “No. Haven’t you checked her location with your implant?”
    The truth was I’d made a point of not using it. Implants traced the wearer with every use. After being kidnapped and beaten, I was reluctant to make things easier for any possible future assailants.
    “I haven’t been using it,” I admitted.
    She gave me an odd look then assumed my unit must be operating incorrectly. “Well, report to me later in the labs. We’ll have it serviced in the science module.”
    “All right,” I said. “What about Zye then? No word?”
    “None, sir. Should I alert her and call her back to duty?”
    “No need. She’ll be here tonight, I’m sure.”
    Despite my easy-going attitude, before I left the deck I saw Yamada tapping at her screen and whispering to unseen people. Doubtlessly, she was warning my staff of my early return.
    I paused and looked at her thoughtfully. “Yamada, how are your hacking skills?”
    “They’re better than Zye’s—but don’t tell her that.”
    “She wouldn’t believe me if I did. Hmm, maybe you can help me with something. Can you accompany me to the science module right now?”
    She called an ensign to sit at her post, and we left the deck together. We reached the labs, and when I told her what I wanted, she was surprised.
    “I guess it’s possible,” she said. “But why would you want to shield your implant?”
    “I’m afraid I’m too easy to track,” I said. I told her then about the abduction on Earth and the misdirection of my air car into a secluded forest.
    She was stunned. I’d left all the details out, naturally, concerning who the actual perpetrators were. She spent a few fruitless minutes trying to pry these elements from me, but she soon gave up.
    “You always lead an interesting life,” she said. “I’m glad I’m not a member of a Great House. The wealth doesn’t seem worth it if you have to look over your shoulder all the time.”
    “Well said. Do you think you can do it? Hack it, I mean? Without making the alteration obvious or setting off any tampering alarms?”
    She thought about it for a moment.
    “Normally, I’d use my implant right now to search for a how-to on the process,” she admitted. “But that would leave a fingerprint I don’t want on my record. I’m going to have to invent this hack all on my own. Can you give me a few days?”
    I smiled. “You’re officially assigned to weapons research until further notice. I’ll inform your replacement crewmembers you’re off the duty roster.”
    She thought that over then smiled. “Good. I can use a few days off my station. I’ll let you know if I think I’ve got something. In the meantime, weren’t you here to get your implant operating again?”
    I considered her suggestion and passed on it. “Not today. Let’s see what you come up with first.”
    “That bad, huh?”
    “You don’t want to know, trust me.”
    Walking out, I knew she was staring after me, but I didn’t look back. I couldn’t afford to involve Yamada deeper in this matter than I already had. It would be unforgivable if, as her friend and commander, I endangered her without letting her know what she was getting into. I couldn’t do that.
    In the morning, I asked if everyone had made it aboard. Yamada assured me that they had. My crew had gathered aboard and settled back into their duties. The rotation of essential people on and off the ship had ended. We were officially on patrol.
    On the command deck, most of the primary crewmembers were there except for