Her Commanders - M.K. Eidem Page 0,53

and most powerful positions in the Coalition and at Wik Corp knew what was in it. Because of her dad's position in Wik Corp, Cali had read it growing up. Now she searched her memory to figure out exactly what her dad was referencing. When she did, her eyes widened, and she couldn't help exclaiming.

"No!"

"What's Article 89?" Jamis asked at the same time.

"If that's what it takes…," Masala began only to trail off when High Navarch Pergram's image suddenly appeared on the wall opposite the Supreme Chairman.

"Star Base Commander Dexxirs, what's the meaning of this!?!" The High Navarch took in everyone in the room then stiffened when he noticed the Supreme Chairman on the opposite wall. "Supreme Chairman, I wasn't informed you would be involved in this meeting." He shot an accusatory gaze at Jamis.

"With everything that's happening on Star Base Twelve, someone had to be involved," the Supreme Chairman informed him.

"What do you mean?" the High Navarch demanded.

"One of your generals decided to enter a Wik Corp establishment, with armed security, and remove one of our owners." He gestured to where Cali sat.

"What?!" Pergram's gaze instantly shot to Masala. "What have you done?"

"I was enforcing Coalition law. Something the Commanders of this Star Base failed to do," Masala responded, although his voice didn't hold the same assurance it had a moment ago.

"Explain!" the High Navarch ordered.

"High Navarch Pergram, if I may?" Jamis spoke and, when the High Navarch nodded, continued. "The reason I sent you an urgent comm is that General Masala arrived on Star Base Twelve shortly before the dark shift ended. He ordered the flight controller not to register his ship or notify me of his arrival. He then entered The Brink, the Wik Corp establishment in question, with armed security, and removed Khatun Baker, its owner. When we discovered this, Sub Commander Ynn and I intercepted General Masala on his way back to his ship."

"You were abducting her?!" Pergram's disbelieving gaze shot back to Masala.

"I was bringing her to Vavis Prime to answer for her crimes!" Masala denied. "She has been harassing my datter, then attacked her without cause, and these Commanders did nothing about it!"

"I did none of those things," Cali stated in a quiet but firm voice, "and I can prove it."

The High Navarch's gaze centered on her, "What?"

"I have visual proof that I didn't attack Khatun Masala. As for harassing her," Cali just shrugged her shoulders. "I have no clue why she thinks differently. I treated her the same as anyone else on The Brink's restricted list."

"Restricted because?" the High Navarch inquired.

"One of your pilots used a worker’s chip that wasn't his in The Brink. Khatun Masala, along with several others, benefited from this. Star Base Commander Dexxirs chose to side with your pilot when I brought the matter before them, as the Coalition always does." Cali's tone told the High Navarch precisely what she thought of that. "So, I banned the pilot until he repaid the credits, and those that were with him were restricted to personally paying for their food and drink before receiving it."

"That sounds reasonable," the High Navarch said, nodding his agreement.

"Reasonable?!" Vaine shrieked at the High Navarch then gestured to her face. "Does this look reasonable? I'm a general's datter! I'm entitled to justice!"

The High Navarch looked to Vaine, silently taking in the bruise on her face, then looked back to Cali. "You said you have proof you didn't do that?" He gestured to Vaine's face.

"Yes, there's a visual recording."

"She's lying!" Vaine insisted.

"You make visual recordings within your establishments?" Masala's eyes widened with shock.

"Of course!" Cali couldn't believe he would think she didn't.

"Then show it to me," High Navarch Pergram ordered.

Cali lifted her wrists, reminding them all that she was still restrained.

"Remove those!" the High Navarch spit out. The guard that had shoved Cali instantly moved to obey the High Navarch.

Cali rubbed her wrists for a moment before she looked to Jamis and gestured to the dark surface before her. "I'll need to access your system."

Jamis leaned forward, and after touching a few spots, the area in front of Cali lit up. His eyebrows shot up when the talented fingers she'd run over his body just a few dark shifts ago began to fly over the table's smooth surface, accessing the Star Base's system without him telling her how. Soon the wall behind her became the interior of The Brink.

Together, the room watched as Vaine Masala walked into The Brink. She paused for a moment, her gaze scanning