Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [157]
BeBob started toward the extending ramp, following Sullivan, turned around, darted back to give Rlinda a peck on the cheek, ‘“ then ran off into the bustle of the landing area.
Rlinda stayed behind, managing the details, filling out online forms, answering suspicious questions, and waiting for the trade inspectors, who came more than an hour later. It was a real pain in the butt. ‘For all his bitching that he needs goods and materials, the Chairman certainly doesn't make things easy for an honest trader.'
She ushered aboard two Hansa representatives who skimmed her cargo manifest while a team of thick-armed and helmeted guards ran over her hull and interior with scanning devices. She let them find just enough undeclared high-tariff contraband that they stopped looking for anything more suspicious. She particularly didn't want them digging into her log, where they might see a mention of BeBob.
Finally, the trade reps offered to purchase the supplies she wanted to sell. Rlinda countered with a higher price and was shocked when the men met her negotiation with a stony glare. ‘That is a set price, Captain Kett, and it's all we are allowed to offer. The Chairman has made revisions to our trading practices in this time of war. We presumed you knew the terms before you landed.'
The second representative said coldly, ‘We have authorization to impound your entire cargo if you do not agree to these terms.'
‘You don't get too many repeat customers, do you?' They faced her in silence, and she knew she had to concede. ‘All right, but for that price, don't expect me to lift a finger to help you unload.'
‘We have personnel for that, ma'am.' Uniformed crews removed the crates from the Curiosity, carefully recording the contents after scanning them again for booby-traps or smuggled items. ‘Once your cargo has been unloaded, Captain Kett, you have one hour to leave this landing facility.'
‘Understood.' She snorted in disbelief. As if after this warm welcome she wanted to stay any longer than she had to? When the hold was empty and the unexpectedly small number of Hansa credits (worthless on most Confederation worlds) had been added to her account, she transmitted the all-clear for BeBob to come back. Rlinda waited alone, squirming, wishing she would hear something from him, but he hadn't answered.
Her uneasiness increased with every minute he was gone. It shouldn't have taken him so long to come back. She hoped he hadn't been talked into staying for dinner with Sullivan's family.
Over her private channel, BeBob's breathless voice spluttered. ‘Rlinda - warm up the engines and open the hatch! I'm coming.'
‘What's your hurry? Did you seduce the farmer's daughter or something?'
‘Rlinda, I'm not kidding around! Somebody ran a check on the Curiosity. There's an arrest warrant on file for you. For us!' She heard the squawk in his voice and knew he was serious. She settled herself heavily into the wide chair behind the cockpit controls and felt the pulse of in-system engines as they built up their energy reserves. The moment the boarding ramp hummed down and locked into place, she heard BeBob scramble aboard. ‘Go! The guards are coming to impound the ship.
‘Not my ship, they aren't.' She pounded one fist down on the launch buttons and slapped the hatch controls with the other hand. The Curiosity jumped into the air, and Rlinda used manoeuvring jets to tilt the ship sideways and dodge a bulky tanker that was coming in for a landing.
A harsh voice came over the cockpit speakers. ‘Voracious Curiosity, stand down immediately. Remain on the landing field.‘
She couldn't keep the sarcasm out of her voice. ‘Gentlemen, . make up your minds! Your last message told me to leave as soon as possible.'
‘Captain Kett, this is security. You are not authorized for !“ departure. Return to the landing zone and prepare to be boarded.'
‘I'm getting fed up with everything that's not authorized these days.' As the Curiosity gained altitude, Hansa security forces scrambled out of hangars