Free Battle Cruiser by B. V. Larson Page B

think, Sparhawk? I think you and your father set this up. I’m not sure why—but it’s the only explanation that makes sense.”
    “I’m not following you, sir,” I said, feeling a certain heat around my neck. I fought that sensation down. An outburst of prideful anger wouldn’t help me now.
    “An assassin in the guise of an Astra female stalked your father. Everyone knows that House Astra is a rival, but they’re a rich rival, very much a focus of your father’s political machine. The assassin fails, miraculously leaving him unharmed by her attack. Meanwhile you’re on hand as the hero to save the day. The whole thing smells like a setup to me.”
    “Your theories have merit,” I said, “but I would point out a critical flaw: my father’s party doesn’t want any guardsman to look like a hero. That doesn’t play into their narrative about budgetary waste.”
    Singh nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, that’s the part I haven’t figured out yet. But then, I still haven’t figured out why you joined Star Guard in the first place.”
    “What must I do to prove my true loyalties?”
    Singh gave me a predatory smile. “Resign your commission. Take your father’s place, urging him into early retirement. Then, with ruthless speed, increase our budget exponentially. At that point, I will happily concede you are a loyal supporter of the Guard.”
    My lips twisted in disgust. It was one thing for my family to complain about my life choices, but I found it even more disappointing when my fellow guardsmen suggested I should throw away my commission.
    “I think I can do more for the Guard on the inside than I can on the outside,” I said. “Not everything hinges on a budget, sir.”
    “I guess we’ll have to part ways on that note without finding common ground. A pity—oh, and there’s one more thing.”
    “Yes, Captain?”
    “I’m putting you on deep patrol. I think it’s best no one sees your face around the station for a time after your recent stunts.”
    “Stunts? Plural?”
    “Yes. First you chased down a harmless merchant accusing him of being a smuggler. He’s initiating legal action over that, you know. Then you presided over a very fishy, possibly staged, assassination. You’re attracting attention from the admiralty—the kind I don’t need.”
    I wasn’t sure what to say. “Did someone draw up charges in either of these cases, sir?”
    “Yes, the merchant did. But they were dismissed almost the moment they were filed. Isn’t that strange?”
    I knew he was insinuating that I’d used my father’s influence to defend myself. I had to admit, my father might well have done so reflexively. I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that he’d found out about the charges before I had. When someone accused a Sparhawk of a misdeed, they checked with my father immediately.
    “That is strange,” I agreed. “A deep patrol, you say? Mars again?”
    Smiling still, Singh made a pushing gesture with his hands, suggesting I should think of a place farther out.
    “The rocks?” I asked in dismay.
    “Now you’re catching on. The rock rats out there near Ceres have been requesting a survey be done on various bodies beyond their prospecting zones. They’ve apparently discovered several high-metal masses near the orbit of Jupiter. They’re asking for permission to mine them. As you know, the Guard must inspect all new discoveries before permits are formally drawn up. That’s where you come in.”
    Inwardly, I was appalled, but I kept a straight face.
    “ Cutlass can be refitted and underway within seventy-two hours, sir,” I said.
    “Step that up. I want you off this station by tomorrow morning. Take supplies with you and perform your maintenance en route. There’s one more thing, as this is an exploratory mission, I have to assign you a technical officer. You’ll be taking Ensign Yamada with you.”
    “She’ll do find, sir,” I said.
    Yamada was a good officer and very competent. I had to