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been here long enough for reclassification under normal circumstances.”
    Emory snorted. “If they want Surush’s sewage plant and waterworks back online anytime soon, they’d better co-operate! We’ll get right on that as soon as we leave here. Thank you very much.” He sniffed appreciatively. “I smell coffee. I’ll steal a cup from you, if I may, Lieutenant, then you can show us around and tell us what you’re up to.”
    “Aye aye, Sir.”
    As Steve handed out disposable cups, creamer and sweetener, he mentally shook his head at the sheer chutzpah displayed by the Qianjin envoy. Talk about bare-faced cheek! He’s taken a bunch of active Dragon Tong members, all convicted smugglers – about as far from ‘trusty’ material as you can get – and talked the Fleet into helping him get them reclassified and assigned to a more comfortable environment. What’s more, he did it all without telling a single lie, or paying a bribe, or doing anything illegal! I’d better watch him carefully and keep on top of what he does with his people, or he may try to manipulate me as well.
    ~ ~ ~
    Major Emory radioed Steve shortly before noon. “We’ve got the go-ahead from the Governor to use the Qianjin prisoners at Carsamba. We had to bypass the bureaucracy to get his approval, because his lower-level administrators wouldn’t co-operate, but he recognizes that in an emergency, regulations sometimes have to be bent. There’s one condition, though. We – the Fleet in general, and you in particular as acting CO at Carsamba – are directly responsible for them. If they screw up, they’re to be put back behind bars at once. If any of them escape, we’re responsible for them and for any crimes they may commit, both legally and financially. I had to sign off on that on behalf of the Fleet in order to get permission to use them. I wasn’t happy about it, but under the circumstances we don’t have much choice. Keep a close watch on them and don’t stand for any nonsense, you hear me? Over.”
    “I hear you, Sir. I’ll make sure everyone understands that. Over.”
    “Good. The Qianjin chargé is making arrangements for the transfer. He’ll contact you shortly. I can’t spare the time to come out there again, so I’m going to leave it all in your hands. You’ve done a good job so far. I’ll trust you to keep on doing it. Emory out.”
    Steve blinked at the abrupt ending to the call. The Major had sounded harassed, burdened – not surprising when he considered how much was on the Marine’s plate right now. He made a call of his own and summoned Gunnery Sergeant Kinnear to his office.
    “We’ve got a problem, Gunny,” he began as they helped themselves to coffee. He described the arrangement made with the Eskishi authorities to allow them to use the Qianjin prisoners. “We need to figure out how we’re going to handle the situation. I’m fairly sure, from what I’ve been told, that these prisoners probably aren’t guilty of the specific crimes for which they’ve been convicted. This particular case looks to have been a setup by a bunch of rival crooks with better political connections. On the other hand, I’ve no doubt at all that they’re members of a criminal organization, and a very powerful one at that. Ever heard of the Dragon Tong?”
    “A little, Sir. Scuttlebutt says they keep to themselves, but you don’t want to cross them, ’cause they can be real badasses if you do.”
    “That’s not a bad way of putting it. I’ve run into them more than once. They’re considered real professionals, not your average run-of-the-mill crook. That doesn’t mean I’m happy at the thought of working so closely with them. We’re going to have to handle their people very carefully. You see, according to the rules we’re in charge here, but if we try to push them around or do anything to insult them they’re going to take offense. They can always refuse to work and leave us in the lurch; and if they really take