3
REUNIONS AT SEA
“Where the hell do you think they’re going?”
Ves handed the lens to Mann, who swallowed and peered through it again. “It’s only one ship, smaller than ours. They probably heard about us and don’t want to take the chance. You said word would get around.”
He watched a moment longer. The Ristro ship skimmed over the waves, so low it was almost hidden by the gentle swells as it headed into the setting sun. In a few minutes the glare off the water would hide it completely, save for the streams of black tarfuel smoke wafting from the pair of low stacks.
Ves looked thoughtful. “Maybe. But they’re going due west. They’re not on any of the normal routes, and they’re not heading to one either. Anyway, that’s a reconnaissance boat, not a smuggler.”
Mann frowned, wondering what
