Free The Ramal Extraction by Steve Perry

strategy-and-tactics meeting.
    Cutter stood near the doorway in the temp HQ, leaning against the wall. There was a story to that, Jo was sure, why he liked to stand, and by the door, but he’d never told it. Just like there was one about why he was called Rags. Gramps knew that one, supposedly, but he wouldn’t tell it, he’d just laugh and shake his head.
    The place still had a faint chemical odor the air coolers hadn’t filtered out, and the air was too dry, but it was comfortable enough.
    It was her show, and she nodded at the core group. “Okay. What you found out, what you think it means. Gramps?”
    Gramps said, “There are people whose pockets fill with NDs if the Rajah is occupied. I got a list and ran checks on them, but I don’t see anybody who leaps out. The Rajah isapparently an easygoing sort, but not when it comes to his family. If he finds who is responsible for his daughter’s being grabbed, they are dead, their families are going to forfeit any property they own in his kingdom, and their asses will be kicked across the continent. You’d need to make a shitload of money to make that risk worthwhile.
    “Meanwhile, I got some stuff on the Thakore Ilmay Luzor. While Rama might consider him vile and despicable, he doesn’t seem to be much worse or better than any of the rulers on this world. Prince of a fellow or scum of the galaxy, depends on who’s telling the story and their connection to it.
    “Luzor has several palaces in his country, and a couple of them are far enough out of the way that he could stash somebody there without the locals catching it. Pretty much it.”
    Jo nodded. “Formentara?”
    “The state of augmentation on this world is primitive. Most of the locals don’t hold with it—manly men and womanly women consider it a crutch they’d rather not use. If Brahma had wanted them to see into the infrared, then he would have given them different eyes, blatha-blatha, that kind of crap.”
    Zhe smiled. “What this means is that Luzor’s Army is basic stock, and save for a few bodyguards, whose identities are kept secret, the chance of running into somebody faster or stronger than we are is small.
    “However, Luzor, it is rumored, has had some modification of his sexual gear, so that he is somewhat larger and more potent than once he was.”
    “Still hope for you, Gramps.”
    Gramps looked at Gunny and shook his head. “I can give you testimonials, kid.”
    “From your
paid
companions?” Her smile was sweet as it could be.
    Gramps laughed.
    Point to Gunny.
    Jo said, “Gunny. You’re talking. Keep going.”
    Gunny nodded. “My contact allows as how the marriage between Rama and Indira is political. If it follows custom, they will smile and hold hands in public, wave at parade-goers and festival attendees, produce a couple of heirs, but have private lives behind closed doors if they want. She seems to like him more than she needs to, though Ah can’t tell how he feels. Word is, he’s a bad boy, and the fems line up to fall under him.”
    “Yep, us bad boys, we get the women,” Gramps said.
    It was Gunny’s turn to laugh.
    “Makes you wonder if Rama’s rage against her kidnappers is anything other than his ego being stepped on.” That from Wink. “How dare somebody insult me thus!”
    “Something to consider,” Jo said.
    Gunny continued: “Rama is apparently a bully, hides behind his rank.
    “Luzor has a couple of favorite watering holes, one of which is next to his summer palace in the highlands. Somebody spotted him there day before yesterday.”
    “Could mean Indira is nearby if he has her,” Gramps ventured.
    “Or that she’s across the country, and he’s giving us something to look at,” Jo said. “Table that, we’ll get back to it.
    “Doc?”
    “Luzor seems to be in good health. His vices are mostly those of heteromale adults. Has three wives and four mistresses, ten kids. No animals, aliens, nor children in his bed. He drinks a little, tokes some,