Imperial Command (Royce Ree #5)

This is Part 5 of "The Emperor's New Clothes", a Royce Ree interstellar heist. This installment is approximately 12,000 words long (Part 1 and 2 are free, Part 3 and 4 are available for 99 cents. An omnibus (#1 - #5) edition is available as well for users that would prefer to get their reading done in one go).

MEANWHILE...

It's all over but the screaming. And the stealing. And the killing. Okay, so it's not over at all....

“I’m sorry, sir, your payment didn't go through.”
“What! Why?”
“There is a hold on your accounts, pending a Deadbeat Investigation by Novawings.”
“I’m the Procurement Officer for the entire Kovan Fleet, woman!”
“Yes, sir, I recognized your uniform. But I’m afraid your job description has nothing to do with this conversation.”
“The hell it doesn't! What are my soldiers going to do if you don’t sell to us?”
“Respectfully, sir, that’s not my problem.”
“We’re in the middle of an invasion!”
“I’m very sorry to hear that. Perhaps your soldiers could target a facility that manufactures the toilet paper you need?”
--Transcript, Kovan Flagship: “Comms exchange between Fleet Procurement and Gaste Cartel Customer Service.”