Kinsmen 01 - Silver Shark

warrior family, you would submit to a thorough background check and then you would walk up to your patron, hand him a blade, and allow him to stab you. You would do so without any move to defend yourself. We're psychers. We don't stab and we don't need background checks. We enter your mind and read it like an open book."
    He would see. He would see everything .
    Claire sat still, paralyzed.
    She had to act. Kosta could be loaded on a spaceship by now. He would not betray her. He would trust her to stand by him. She was his officer. She had taken him on that mission. She had a duty to him.
    "I understand that it's a huge commitment," Venturo said.
    "I want immunity."
    "I'm sorry?" His eyes narrowed.
    "I want immunity," she repeated, her voice hoarse. "I don't want to be prosecuted for things you may see in my mind."
    He grimaced. "In light of your exemplary service, I'm sure we can overlook the occasional theft of tea and cookies from the office. Everyone steals office supplies now and then."
    "Venturo!"
    He looked at her.
    "I want immunity."
    Ven growled under his breath. "You drive me crazy, Claire. I take you to the house of my best friend, and you get upset. I offer you the highest honor a kinsman family can bestow on an outsider and you haggle with me like I'm trying to sell you apples at the market. Just what is it you're hiding in your mind?"
    "You will find out if you give me immunity."
    He stared at her. Silence stretched.
    "Fuck it. I have to know now. You have your immunity."
    She rose. "Come with me."
    He followed her. They almost collided with Lienne, as she opened the door of the office. Perfect.
    "Follow me, please," Claire said.
    Lienne arched her eyebrows. "What's going on?"
    "I have no clue," Ven said. "Just play along."
    Claire led them down the hallway to the conference room. Charles and Tonya scrambled up at their approach. Doreem struggled to rise. Claire crouched by him. "Do you want to save your grandson?"
    "Yes," the old man breathed.
    "Then you must adopt me. Write me into the building roll. Right now."
    Charles lifted Doreem to his feet. The Building Manager took his scroll-tablet from his bag and handed it to Tonya. She held it up. Claire knelt. Doreem placed his hand onto Claire's hair. "By the power invested in my by War Council, I formally adopt Claire Shannon, Rank Captain, birth date of..."
    "... Two thousand seven hundred and twenty six standard," Claire murmured.
    "... two thousand seven hundred and twenty six standard into Nagi family as witnessed by these five witnesses."
    Doreem pulled the stylus out and carefully wrote her name into the Nagi family and passed the tablet to Charles. Charles signed, gave it to Tonya, then the tablet made the rounds to Lienne, Venturo, and finally Edu.
    Doreem examined signatures. "So witnessed. Rise, my daughter."
    "Thank you." Claire rose and faced Ven. "Kosta is my nephew. Please make the call, patron."
    Lienne's eyes widened. "Patron... Patron? "
    "I will explain later." Ven took Claire by the hand. "Come on. You four go down to the security forces station to collect the boy."
    "Venturo!" Lienne yelled.
    "Later." Ven kept a firm grip on her fingers and led her to his office. They stepped inside. He touched his desk. The glass walls turned opaque, and the faint whoosh announced the activation of the sound barrier.
    Ven dialed the number on the digital projection on his desk. "Captain Alvarra."
    A long moment dripped by.
    "Kinsman Escana," a male voice said. "What may I do for you?"
    "You've apprehended a boy, Kosta Nagi. He is a nephew of my client, Claire Shannon Nagi."
    "My apologies, kinsman. The boy bears our AI mark."
    "He was playing on the bionet and stumbled into the wrong sector. I will be happy to pay the fine."
    A number ignited in the corner of the screen. Fourteen thousand credits. More than a quarter of her yearly salary.
    Venturo flicked a stylus.
    "Thank you, kinsman . Shall I deliver the boy to his home address?"
    "No need. His grandfather is coming to pick him up. Thank you for your assistance. You have been most helpful."
    "My honor, kinsman ."
    The screen went dark.
    So easy. It was so easy for him.
    Venturo looked at her. "Feel better?"
    "Yes."
    "Rank Captain," he said.
    "Everyone must have a rank of some sort." Claire desperately wanted to run away. The door was locked. She wouldn't get far in any case. Besides, she gave her word.
    "I will initiate the mind link now," he said. "I'll do all of the work. All you have to is