For a few hours we’ve opened a small hole through the space defense onto this world. As we’re flying back to Verdant we get word that a ship is coming down—Azzeed has done his part. We give it coordinates to a nearby secluded area and we get Gunther and Johann moved out to the landing zone. Johann is awake, but pretty groggy.
“Gunther, Johann, it’s been good working with both of you,” I say.
“The feeling is mutual, Commander,” says Gunther, “You’re sure you wouldn’t like to come with us? I would enjoy serving under you some more.” I consider this high praise coming from him.
“Thank you, Gunther. But it’s time for us to follow a different path. Keep safe and keep your hind side covered.”
“The same for you, Comm … Frank.”
He salutes. As they’re boarding a big, beautiful crate is being lowered onto a truck for us. It’s a Platoon Field Center. We’re back in business!
We haul that back to our mini-base in Verdant. While Al and Chin work at refurbishing our suits, Kull pays a visit to our hostages Harris and Smallet of the Danago group. They’re in a Spartan interrogation room when I walk in with a scowl, reviewing the report on them. I look up and stare at them.
“Your last choice in how to help your people was a poor one. However, you would not be here today if you had not made many good choices prior to that one. I trust you have learned from this incident and will choose wisely in the future.”
Then I switch to a very polite and businesslike tone. “I want to thank you both for taking the time to come here and consult with us on such short notice. Retainers have been transferred to your accounts, and transport will be arranged to get you back to your province.”
I’m paying them in order to taint them. They’ll have a harder time crying kidnapping when our side’s lawyers talk about the extra money in their bank accounts.
I turn and walk away. At the door I add in a slightly sinister tone, “I will be watching you two.”
The hostages have been dealt with. Now it’s time for what should be The Grand Finale.