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Morgan focused on showing them the specifics as he cast the schematics onto the main HUD, giving them a run down that even Quinn might have been impressed by. His enthusiasm was infectious, making her smile. Still, Kira did not have to feign irritation when West cropped back up over half an hour since he went to ‘check’ on their clearance.
“I was able to locate it.” His smugness translated well in his voice. “I’m afraid that you’ve missed a few lines concerning the intended destination.”
Kira stepped back to the table, hissing back. “You’re not an official port of call, West. It’s unnecessary.”
“See, you say unnecessary, and I say it is. Our records need to be thorough if we come under inspection.”
I’ll show you thorough, she thought. Deep breath in, deep breath out. “Whether or not you approve it, the Callistar will depart as scheduled, Commander.”
“Unscheduled departures are reported, Captain Starling. It’s in the new bylaws.”
Rubbing her temples, a quick tap behind her ear had her muted to West. “Watson, run through the new bylaws, see if there is anything in station protocols about departures.”
Watson did not give an outright answer. He turned his mind to the task, making a quick search. “What am I looking for in particular, Captain?”
“If unscheduled departures are reported under the guidelines.”
“They are,” Watson confirmed West’s pandering. “Looks like it was added yesterday, the addition, that is.”
Reentering the call, she asked sweetly, “What’s it going to take West?”
“An apology.”
“Fine, I apologize.”
“Now, now, Captain Starling. You can do much better than that. Put some feeling into it, some emotion. Let me hear how sorry you are.”
How much the translator understood and put across was anyone’s guess, but the other two Praetorians in the room got the gist just fine, and even Morgan flinched at the words that came out of the Captain’s mouth.
“Captain,” Ann came across her ear. “Did you mean for that to go through? I see that you’ve muted your side.”
“No, but thank you, Ann.”
Reentering the line, she said smoothly, “This vessel will be underway, approval or not, and your lack of cooperation will be noted, Commander West. Thank you.”
Hanging up did not have the satisfaction of closing a phone, or slamming one down, but she could end the call immediately without regard for the consequences. Which she did.
Morgan let out a low whistle. “Trouble in paradise, Captain?”
“Just get ready for departure.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Chapter Seventeen
QUINN
Quinn always knew where Watson was. Just like how he knew where Gary and Gabby were. The man who built them tracked anything that had a Q-Cell inside of it. If one of them went missing, it could be ruptured purposefully, and that was unacceptable. Never again.
The drone he’d sent for dinner came back empty-handed. What approached instead was one of his Q-cell’s.
The door had a small screen next to it and words flashed up on the screen. ‘Leave the tray.’
Quinn had no desire to talk to Watson at this time or any time, ever.
“I know perhaps you don’t wish to speak to me and while I have no right to ask anything of you, I would ask that you be careful. You are on a different path, Mr. Quinn.”
Like lightning, Quinn was there glaring at Watson, rage obvious on his face. “Are you threatening me, machine?” He inquired with a voice dripping in anger.
