of Novorossiya III.”
“Acknowledged,
Vanguard
,” said Hawkins, his voice calm, even dry, “Starways Hauling Company does not take a position on local planetary wars. Also, system NR8965 is not claimed by any government, and whatever entity you represent has no legal authority here.”
“Murdock,” I said as I grabbed his arm. “You’ve got to call Hawkins. Now! Tell him to fire on those ships down, right now!”
Murdock frowned. “Why? They’re acting like jerks, but we can’t shoot first!”
“We have to! You know how I ended up with Starways, right?”
Murdock grunted. “Something about it.”
“That’s him! That’s Ducarti!” I shouted, pointing at the
Vanguard
on the sensor display. “He killed thousands of people on New Chicago.” My heart hammered in my ears as I jabbed at the screen. It felt as if the whole ship was collapsing in on me. “If he’s coming after us, you can bet he has a plan. You’ve got to warn Hawkins. You’ve got to warn him right now. Right now! You’ve got–”
“Simmer down, kid,” said Murdock sharply, but he was already typing. He wouldn’t interrupt Hawkins’s conversation with Ducarti, but he could send the XO a message. A moment later the screen flashed an acknowledgement from Hawkins, but I couldn’t see what it was even though I stretched my neck out trying to read it.
“
Rusalka
, I must demand the immediate surrender of your cargo and ship,” said Ducarti. “Alternatively, you may simply jettison your cargo into space and depart the system at once. Should you choose the latter, I will give you ten minutes to comply.”
“Captain Ducarti,” said Hawkins. “According to our records, just under two years ago you were involved in a serious terrorist incident on New Chicago that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Consequently you are a criminal and an outlaw. You have no authority over anyone, much less this ship.”
“On the contrary, XO Hawkins,” said Ducarti. “I represent the legitimate government of Novorossiya III.”
“I imagine, Captain Ducarti,” said Hawkins, “that the people of Novorossiya III have something of a different opinion on the matter. I also understand that the Social Party has been outlawed there.”
“The people of Novorossiya III,” said Ducarti in his smooth voice, “have fallen prey to reactionary propaganda, alas.” I could easily picture his superior expression, and I desperately wished he was here so I could punch him in his stupid smirking face. “They shall be educated in time. Meanwhile, your cargo is the grain surplus of New Sibersk, and New Sibersk was settled by criminals exiled by the legitimate government of Novorossiya III. Consequently, as a representative of the legitimate Social Party government of Novorossiya III, I declare this cargo forfeit. I urge you, Mr. Hawkins, to jettison your cargo and continue on your way. It is the safe and responsible course.”
My fists tightened at the self-satisfied purr in his voice.
“I am sure you have not failed to notice that our firepower is superior to yours, Captain. Like you, I would prefer that no lives be lost today. If you continue on your course, I am afraid we will have no choice but to defend ourselves, and lives shall indeed be lost… but most of them will be on the
Vanguard
.”
“Indeed,” said Ducarti, that self-satisfaction in his voice increasing. “In that case, Executive Officer Hawkins, I would like to speak to your captain.”
“I’m afraid that Captain Williams is indisposed at the moment,” said Hawkins.
“Are you entirely sure?” said Ducarti. “Perhaps you would like to double-check.”
For a moment no one spoke.
Then Murdock started to swear, punching at keys as he did.
“We’re idiots. Absolute idiots! I should have shot the wretch when I had the chance. Or dumped him out the airlock.” His fingers flew over the keys. “We should have done something.”
“I don’t understand,” I said.
“Acknowledged,
Vanguard
,” said Hawkins, his voice calm, even dry, “Starways Hauling Company does not take a position on local planetary wars. Also, system NR8965 is not claimed by any government, and whatever entity you represent has no legal authority here.”
“Murdock,” I said as I grabbed his arm. “You’ve got to call Hawkins. Now! Tell him to fire on those ships down, right now!”
Murdock frowned. “Why? They’re acting like jerks, but we can’t shoot first!”
“We have to! You know how I ended up with Starways, right?”
Murdock grunted. “Something about it.”
“That’s him! That’s Ducarti!” I shouted, pointing at the
Vanguard
on the sensor display. “He killed thousands of people on New Chicago.” My heart hammered in my ears as I jabbed at the screen. It felt as if the whole ship was collapsing in on me. “If he’s coming after us, you can bet he has a plan. You’ve got to warn Hawkins. You’ve got to warn him right now. Right now! You’ve got–”
“Simmer down, kid,” said Murdock sharply, but he was already typing. He wouldn’t interrupt Hawkins’s conversation with Ducarti, but he could send the XO a message. A moment later the screen flashed an acknowledgement from Hawkins, but I couldn’t see what it was even though I stretched my neck out trying to read it.
“
Rusalka
, I must demand the immediate surrender of your cargo and ship,” said Ducarti. “Alternatively, you may simply jettison your cargo into space and depart the system at once. Should you choose the latter, I will give you ten minutes to comply.”
“Captain Ducarti,” said Hawkins. “According to our records, just under two years ago you were involved in a serious terrorist incident on New Chicago that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Consequently you are a criminal and an outlaw. You have no authority over anyone, much less this ship.”
“On the contrary, XO Hawkins,” said Ducarti. “I represent the legitimate government of Novorossiya III.”
“I imagine, Captain Ducarti,” said Hawkins, “that the people of Novorossiya III have something of a different opinion on the matter. I also understand that the Social Party has been outlawed there.”
“The people of Novorossiya III,” said Ducarti in his smooth voice, “have fallen prey to reactionary propaganda, alas.” I could easily picture his superior expression, and I desperately wished he was here so I could punch him in his stupid smirking face. “They shall be educated in time. Meanwhile, your cargo is the grain surplus of New Sibersk, and New Sibersk was settled by criminals exiled by the legitimate government of Novorossiya III. Consequently, as a representative of the legitimate Social Party government of Novorossiya III, I declare this cargo forfeit. I urge you, Mr. Hawkins, to jettison your cargo and continue on your way. It is the safe and responsible course.”
My fists tightened at the self-satisfied purr in his voice.
“I am sure you have not failed to notice that our firepower is superior to yours, Captain. Like you, I would prefer that no lives be lost today. If you continue on your course, I am afraid we will have no choice but to defend ourselves, and lives shall indeed be lost… but most of them will be on the
Vanguard
.”
“Indeed,” said Ducarti, that self-satisfaction in his voice increasing. “In that case, Executive Officer Hawkins, I would like to speak to your captain.”
“I’m afraid that Captain Williams is indisposed at the moment,” said Hawkins.
“Are you entirely sure?” said Ducarti. “Perhaps you would like to double-check.”
For a moment no one spoke.
Then Murdock started to swear, punching at keys as he did.
“We’re idiots. Absolute idiots! I should have shot the wretch when I had the chance. Or dumped him out the airlock.” His fingers flew over the keys. “We should have done something.”
“I don’t understand,” I said.
Similar Books
