Kaylee’s Lament

Part Twenty-Two

“This is really highly irregular,” Wendell said, looking around his loading bay in a daze. There were bodies, and smoke, and bullet holes, and blood . . .

He hadn’t realized there would be blood. And bodies. He felt a little ill.

“Sorry, Wendell, didn’t mean t’trouble you.” Kuan looked sympathetic, but happy. “Just concluded up our negotiations. Pretty successful by my estimation. So we’ll tidy up a might and be on our way.”

“You wha—?”

“Uh, Darryl gone t’get our last crewman, then we’ll be headed back to th’Rim, hot jets. Outa your hair for-ever.”

Wendell was about to reply when he caught sight of a well-dressed man in mirrored sunglasses – and full combat gear. The suit was impeccably tailored. There was a really big knife on his belt. There was a little splash of blood on his face that ran from his lower right cheek to his left temple. Kuan noticed his reaction.

“This is the company business manager. Brought him in to finish up the acquisition discussions.

“Pleasure,” the man said, nodding and smiling politely. That was really a very impressive gun he was carrying. One of many. That didn’t make what he had to say any easier.

“You – you have to wait,” he said, finally, when he recovered at least a bit of his senses. “You have to wait for the Alliance investigation.”

“The what?” Kuan didn’t look at all pleased. Either did the business manager – clearly some corporate hot-shot with a wall full of business degrees they hired for this job.

“Alliance. The Alliance has to investigate. I checked the manual. It’s very clear, after an incident like this there has to be an inquiry. Not just the usual law-enforcement investigation, but the Alliance Transport Safety Agency has to be informed, and the regional coroner of course – he’s on Agni – and the local Magistrate, have to get his office involved. And the Alliance Colonial Shipping Board, and the Alliance Interstellar—”

“Wendell,” Kuan said in a low, soft, and thoroughly intimidati