Read The Unscheduled Mission for Free Online

represent a scam or not,” Sartena told her. “His job is to get the Mers back under the Covenant or something like it.”
    “That’s what Dannet told us too,” Iris noted.
    “Really?” Sartenna asked. “Good. I wasn’t sure Captain Nrenth realized that. He’s a bit young, but then nobles get fast-tracked for command.”
    “Wasn’t he your captain?” Iris asked.
    “No, Dannet was captain of Dilligent ,” Sartena replied. “I was on Watcher , the one you hit with your phaser.” She shivered at the memory. “I still don’t know how I survived. I guess three years of pressure suit drills must have worked better than I gave them credit for, especially since I couldn’t really see what I was doing at the time. Did you really have to use visible light on that thing?”
    “It’s all we had to work with,” Iris admitted. “Would you like some tea?”
    When Jance finally got around to agreeing to discuss a new Treaty, it was as though none of their previous meetings had taken place. “First of all we must come to an agreement as to who will be present at these negotiations,” Jance told them in his characteristic sneer.
    “We are satisfied with the current arrangement,” Terius told him politely.
    “No,” Jance disagreed. “These supposed ancient Humans of yours have not proven their bona fides. They can observe but not participate.”
    “Have you been listening to anything we’ve said here?” Arn erupted. “We ‘supposed ancients’ here are the ones claiming the Earth and all of Sol System. We have agreed with the Mer that they have an equal claim and by extension so do the Atackack, although they are not represented yet. You are dealing with us whether you like it or not.”
    “My people are investigating your origin,” Jance told him coldly. “And as soon as we trace you back to your real world I plan to have you expelled from these talks and your people arrested and transported.”
    “You and whose army, Harry?” Arn tossed back challengingly.
    “The armed forces of the Alliance of Confederated Worlds should do nicely,” Jance smiled frostily.
    “Yeah, we’ve already seen how well they fight,” Arn grinned back. “That’s why you’re here.”
    “Gentlemen,” Park cut in quickly, “why don’t we return to business? Mister Jance, our bona fides can be determined more readily by an archaeologist or a biologist, I imagine, than a bunch of politicians. Why don’t you send a few down to Earth to have a look for themselves? But in the meantime let’s proceed with the negotiations.”
    “All right,” Jance conceded with the air of an adult placating an unruly child, “for now I will accept you, conditionally, but this is not to be considered official recognition.”
    “Fine,” Park replied. “Next meeting we’ll all wear masks.”
    Jance ignored him. “Next we must determine the scope of these talks.”
    “The scope?” Arn asked incredulously. “The scope is the same as we’ve been discussing since we got here. Earth owns Sol System. The scope of these talks is to establish that in writing.”
    “So we are in negotiation for the entirety of this system?” Jance asked.
    “Well, I’m not sure what you, personally, are in negotiation for,” Arn shot back while Park kicked his foot, “but that’s why the rest of us are here.”
    “Very well,” Jance nodded. “The Alliance is not likely to make any such concessions, but I suppose we can talk about that and meet somewhere in the middle.”
    Arn looked like he was about to say something in retort, but Park kicked him again and drew Arn’s glare instead. On Arn’s other side, Patty Zinco scribbled a note and passed it to him. Park glanced over and caught the words, “Calm down,” on it.
    “Well, most important,” Jance went on, “is the location and timing of these proposed talks.”
    “What?” Arn jumped to his feet.
    “How about here and now,” Park asked and he and Patty, guided Arn back down. “We’re