General Toka was closely examining the region of space surrounding Earth on an electronic map when Ted entered the general’s office.
“Sir, I have a proposition for you.”
“Oh? What kind of proposition?” Toka asked, waving a hand and shutting off the screen in front of him.
“I apologize for not having a report ready for you. I’ve been... recovering, from what happened on the Drevi ship.” General Toka nodded his sympathy, and Ted continued. “But what needs to happen is the recovery of the November.”
“Why the November in particular?”
“I believe we will gain Kenneth’s trust if we can get the ship back, and therefore he will support us when the battle begins. In theory, this will give humans a reason to trust you so that our two peoples can develop of mutually beneficial alliance once the war is over.”
“How are you so sure?”
“He told me himself, sir.”
Toka thought it over. “Is there any risk of the Drevi knowing this is what he asked of you? Was Teinn forced to say anything under interrogation?”
“I talked to her myself. She says she did not break, and I believe her.”
“And you didn’t either?” Toka asked, shooting a glance at Ted. It wasn’t a judging glance, just a questioning one.
“No, I did not.” He left out the fact that Gavton had barely begun with him. If the interrogation had gone on much longer, Ted was almost certain he would have confessed to just about anything.
“I’ll hold a briefing later to discuss the matter further but this seems promising. One ship and we gain the trust of a major resistance cell.”
“That’s the idea,” Ted said.
Toka emitted a low humming sound, signifying his pleasure. “Well done. I’ll see you again at the briefing. I’ll send a message when a time is decided upon.”