“Change of detail,” the commander informed her without preamble.
What? Had he finally found an excuse to boot her out of his unit? She and the commander had been at odds since the day she first entered his realm, three calendars and two begrudging promotions ago.
Commander Tapp turned away to pour a cup of kinna from the brewer on the makeshift credenza. “Effective immediately, you’re temporarily assigned as the acting commander of this task force.”
Dek overrode the compulsion to jump to her feet. What the Hades? Self-discipline prevented her from vocalizing her outburst. Or even subvocalizing it. “Acting commander,” she repeated, as if it was no surprise at all.
“That’s right.” The commander lifted the brewer to her. “Kinna?”
“No, thank you, sir.” Dek scowled and cocked her head. “You’re putting me in command of the task force for what purpose?”
“I’m needed elsewhere. You’ll be in charge in the interim.”
Dek tamped down the thousand questions bubbling up in her mind with a deadpan acknowledgement. “I appreciate the opportunity, sir.”
He gave an apathetic shrug. “No one else has a detailed working knowledge of Site D operations.” He took a sip of his kinna, grimaced, and spoke again through gritted teeth. “As my second-in-command, you’re the best option I have for the job.”
Somehow, she didn’t think it was a compliment.
Their relationship had always been professional but never pleasant. She was well aware of his opinion that she was too young for second-in-command status, not to mention the wrong gender. Apparently, he discounted the many calendars she’d served the Network in a variety of capacities—dating back to her mid-teens. And the crushing sacrifice she’d made in the line of duty.
Though she was better at her job than any of her male counterparts, the decision to put her in charge must’ve been painful for him.
“Major Remm will be your second, stepping into your position for the duration,” Tapp continued.
That was logical. Under the security detail’s unorthodox ranking system, major was one grade below lieutenant commander, though in a military setting the ranks would be equivalent. Fortunately, she and the older major played well together, and he wasn’t one who would resent her for the temporary step up. “I’m assuming command as of now?”
He gave her an affirming nod. “I’ll be leaving before sunset.”
She took a minute to digest his response. “May I ask where you’re going, sir?”
He drew a long breath and answered in a quiet growl, “It’s classified.”
“Duration?”
“Unknown.”
“Will there be a sit-brief to get me up to speed on any particulars?”
He squared off and gave her a piercing look. “Unnecessary. You’re fully aware of the day-to-day functions here, and you’ve filled my shoes before.”
“For less than a day, sir.”
“No matter. There’s no time to waste on needless protocol. You know the drill.” He took a draw of his kinna. “Keep a clear head and a steady hand, Dek. Make me proud.”
Dek set her jaw at his last sentiment. “I’ll do the job proud, sir. I always have.”
He gave her a stiff-lipped nod but didn’t acknowledge her counterpoint. “There is one situation I need to make you aware of.” He paused to down the last of his kinna then placed the empty mug on a tray near the brewer. “Site D will be hosting an outside entity during my absence. A special visitor.”
She stiffened, her eyebrows arching in guarded surprise. This site was highly restricted. “Visitor” was akin to a swear word, and “special” smacked of political meddling.
Some self-important big gun wanting to sniff about in their secure environs? Who would have the clout?
She was privy to the fact that the rich borga ore mines on Purmia had built the infrastructure and funded the task force at Sarcassius Site D. Yeah, if one of their dignitaries requested a tour of the location, no one would deny them access. They signed everyone’s paycheck.
Dek voiced the answer to her own question. “A Purmian.”
“No,” the commander flatly denied. “No one from Purmia. Our benefactors have more pressing issues to deal with at present.”
“Then what’s the purpose for this visit?” Suspicion took hold in her mind. His sudden departure with no reason given? An unidentified stranger sent to Site D during his absence? Maybe this third party was coming to evaluate her effectiveness as the temporary task force leader? With Commander Tapp absent from the site, she expected her authority to be challenged by some of the more difficult personalities. Was she being set up to fail?
“I can’t say more,” he answered, biting off the words. “Any further updates will be strictly on a need-to-know basis.”
His terse reply only ramped up her suspicions. “Does this visitor know about our findings here, sir?”
The commander angled back to look her square in the eye. “That would defeat the whole purpose of sending him.”
Dek scowled, tension tightening the muscles in her shoulders. “I don’t understand.”
“It isn’t mission critical that you do. Quite the opposite, in fact. Give him free rein to carry out his task, but don’t feed him any information, even if he asks. Make sure he follows safety protocols. Don’t get in his way, and don’t let him get in your way, or the team’s. Are those instructions clear?”
“Crystal.” Somehow, she kept the snark out of her reply. “What about Lower Cave? Is it off limits to our visitor?”
Tapp wet his lips. “He doesn’t know anything about the site. It’s your job to keep it that way, though he may test you.” The commander plucked his hat from his workstation. “Time to wrap this up. I’ve several matters to attend to before I catch my transport. You can report to the briefing room. Major Remm will make introductions to our guest.” He picked up a portfolio from his desk and tucked it under one arm. “You’re dismissed.”
So. He was tossing her the reins with no situational briefing or command update. Translation: Trial by fire.
Possibly this was a set-up, but protesting a raw deal just wasn’t part of her DNA.
“Understood.” Dek rose and slung her pulse rifle over one shoulder. “Safe journey, Commander.”
She turned and was out the door before the man could see the vexed curl of her lip.
One stop and a hundred steps later, Dek entered the briefing room, feeling oddly lighter and less lethal now that she’d swapped her pulse rifle for a more discreet stunpulse at the armory. Major Remm was present with a raven-haired man about her age…who looked suspiciously like a Rathskian.
Why would they send a member of the Alliance here?
She waited until the graying major finished giving his safety and protocol rundown to the visitor, before stating crisply, “Thank you, Major. I’ll take it from here.”
Remm looked up. “He’s all yours, Acting Commander.”
She strode to the table directly across from the stranger but didn’t take a seat. The visitor gave her a frowning once-over and also got to his feet before glancing back at Major Remm.