Deke nodded, his expression somber. “The Yanuran delegation departed at the same time as two other ships following Jallyn’s abduction. Defense League patrols have been sent after those vessels. We’re responsible for the Yanurans. The Admissions Committee planned to send a science team there anyway, which worked in our favor.”
Ebo elongated his neck to peer closely at Deke. “So while we’re pretending to evaluate their admission status, in actuality we’ll be searching for clues to the missing child’s location?”
Deke’s brows drew together. “We are the science team, Lieutenant. Part of our job is to check into the Yanuran claims about a miracle age-preserving drug.”
“Commander Sage is a diving specialist,” Wren contributed, hunching his broad shoulders. “Since the Yanuran drug is derived from seaweed, the Yanurans have agreed to let us inspect their underwater farms as proof of their claims. The commander was selected to lead the mission because of his expertise in this field.”
Deke squinted his eyes in thought. Wren had made an important point about Deke’s background, and he should approach this assignment as though it were a SEARCH operation. Then they’d be prepared for any contingencies that might arise.
“We’ll break for evening nourishment and then adjourn to the ordnance room,” he said. “I’ll need to do a weapons assessment on each one of you.”
“Weapons assessment?” Mara asked. “What for?”
Deke turned his full attention on her, watching her moisten her lips with the tip of her tongue. It was an unconscious gesture on her part, but it mesmerized him. Angry at himself for being distracted, he made his tone of voice harsher than intended.
“You need to be proficient in the use of tactical armaments,” he told her, knowing she’d be riled. “Each one of us must be prepared.”
“Prepared for what? Are you expecting the Yanurans to fire upon us?”
“You never know. I wouldn’t put it past them to lure us to the surface and cause an unexpected accident.”
“Don’t be absurd. Fromoth Trun and his people will be trying to impress us so we’ll recommend their acceptance to the Admissions Committee.”
“The Yanurans are deceitful liars. You can’t trust anything they say.”
Mara knocked her chair back as she rose. “If you approach them with that attitude, you’ll destroy the rapport I’ve established with Fromoth Trun. You’ll ruin everything we’re trying to accomplish.”
“Perhaps I should share what I know about them,” Deke said. “Sit down and I’ll explain. I’ve had dealings with their people before.”
Mara sank to her seat with an expectant look on her face.
“Computer,” Deke called, “access records for Larikk, star dates 352.7 through 352.9. Display the first visual recording.” He tilted his head to regard the women in the room. “Larikk was my friend and colleague. We grew up together on Eranus. His father was Dr. Ventry Muir, who discovered the relationship between hydrogen uptake and blue silico amoeba.”
A holographic image sprouted from the center of the white marbelite table. Larikk, bearded and slim, wore a loose tunic and trousers. A wide grin split his face as he spoke into the camera.
“Hey Deke, how ya doing? I just got my first samples and they look good. I couldn’t wait to share this with you. The region is tropical, with trees so tall you wouldn’t believe it. The vegetation is thick and abundant with wildlife. I don’t think the Yanurans have touched the surface of what’s possible here. My initial analysis of the algae confirms what they’ve said. I’ve sent a specimen home to the lab but I wanted you to know how well it’s going since you’d encouraged me to come. I’ll keep you posted.”
His image flickered and dissolved.
Deke’s audience stared at him with blank expressions. “Larikk was researching a vaccine against Turtle Ravage,” he said. “It’s a disease that afflicts a species of marine turtles on our world. Preliminary studies showed that an algae from Yanura might prevent the contagion. Larikk applied for permission to travel to the planet to collect samples.”
Wren raised his layered eyebrows. “And the Yanurans agreed? I thought they were closed to offworlders before this annum.”
“That’s not true,” Mara said, the annoyance in her voice obvious. “You need to understand something before we arrive at their planet. The Yanurans consist of several different races. Fromoth Trun represents the Croags, the largest populace. They’ve always favored increased contact with other worlds, but until now they hadn’t applied for admission to the Coalition. They’re using the drug Vyclor as a bargaining chip to obtain special trade status. I think they waited until they’d refined the drug for broad-species application.”
Wren nodded. “That makes sense.”
“The Worts make up the other major faction on Yanura,” she continued. “They’re tree-dwelling cousins of the Croags who like to maintain close ties to home and are suspicious of strangers. I don’t know much about them, so most of my information about the populace is based on knowledge of the Croags.”
“You mean the Worts may not favor membership in the Coalition?” Deke asked, incredulous. “How can the Admissions Committee even consider their application if it only represents half the planet’s population?”
“The Croags make up nearly three-quarters of the inhabitants.”
“So what?” Deke ran his fingers through his hair. “Every world that has joined the Coalition has been united. Their unity indicates that they’ve resolved certain political and social issues and are ready to become part of a larger community. Now you’re saying these differing factions on Yanura have opposing views?”
“I didn’t exactly say that,” Mara countered, but a trace of uncertainty hung in her voice.
He glared at her. “Glotaj told me there were hints of political unrest on Yanura, but now I’m thinking it may be more serious than he thought. We’ll have to talk to a representative of the Worts when we’re there. If major political differences exist between the various factions, it could be cause to reject Fromoth Trun’s application. In the meantime, we’re getting off track. I want you to hear this last communique from Larikk.”
Deke called up another entry from the computer and Larikk’s image reappeared. The bearded man kept casting furtive glances over his shoulder as he spoke.
“You wouldn’t believe what I’ve discovered, Deke. I don’t want to say anything yet because I need to gather more data, but it could prove to be a windfall. The Yanurans want to keep it all for themselves, but I think they’ll be interested if I suggest the broader possibilities. We could make a fortune. The only deterrent is—” His voice garbled for a moment then cleared. “Listen, if I don’t return, you’ll know it wasn’t an accident. Larikk out.”
Deke surveyed his crewmates. “Larikk never did come home. His death was ruled an accidental drowning, but his body was never recovered. I applied for a travel visa to Yanura and it was denied. Even when I showed his message to the Department of Justice authorities, they said it was circumstantial and didn’t prove anything.”