The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley [29]
‘Just the thing for indoors,’ Greg said drily.
‘It’s storm-weather gear,’ Ash said. ‘All that matters is that our buzzcut scalps are not on show.’
‘They’re repeating their demand, sir,’ said the tactical officer. ‘They don’t sound very patient any more.’
Ash nodded. ‘Mr Cameron, you know what to do.’
‘Aye, you type it, I say it.’
‘Correct. Right, open a direct channel.’
The vidframe reappeared on the viewport and the white-garbed humanoid was there, eyes widening slightly, its facial spot-clusters pulsing red to orange. According to Ash, he was of a species called the Vikanta.
‘Presignifier Remosca,’ Greg began, reading from the monitor before him, ‘I am Captain Cameron, commander of the Falcon, flagship of the Darien Navy. I have not been made aware of any exclusion zone. I would appreciate it if you would clarify this and explain your presence in our system.’
Remosca’s face was expressionless but the facial spots rippled with contrasting colours, blue, amber, green, silver.
‘Captain Cameron, our resources say that your planet possesses no vessels this advanced. And as we have declared, your craft is of a make deployed by Hegemony mercenaries … ’
‘We purchased this ship in good faith from a passing trader less than two months ago,’ Greg recited, wishing that Ash had more of a flair for wordcraft. ‘We were offered a price that we were happy to accept. Now, would you please explain your presence?’
‘Captain, your claims do not correspond with our resource information.’ Resolute dark blue showed in the humanoid’s spot-clusters. ‘As stated, we are here to enforce an interdict lawfully placed by the Imisil Mergence. You have violated the exclusion zone, therefore you will be boarded.’
On the monitor Ash was typing: If you attempt to board this vessel you will have to fight for every corridor and your losses will be heavy …
Greg stared, appalled. Right, so in other words get your big boots on and come in swinging – do these Tygrans know the meaning of the word diplomacy?
He leaned back in the chair with a relaxed smile.
‘I’m sorry, Presignifier, but I can’t let you do that.’
He could feel Ash’s sharp stare even as Remosca tilted his head slightly to one side.
‘Captain, do you realise how outgunned you are? My vessel possesses multiple batteries, both missile and beam. All you have is … ’
‘Is what, Presignifier? Please, spare me no details. This is of great interest to me.’
‘ … two mid-range beam projectors and a single launcher battery.’
Greg could sense Ash’s anger from the misspelt orders appearing on the couch monitor but he just couldn’t resist carrying on the bluff.
‘I see, fascinating. And no anomalous energy readings? You’re not picking up any odd particles? Anything like that?’
Blank-faced, the Imisil commander glanced to either side of the frame, as if consulting readouts of some kind.
‘We are detecting nothing out of the ordinary. Are you implying … ’
‘No need for implications, Presignifier,’ Greg said. ‘But it’s only fair tae warn ye that this ship has been fitted with hullbreaker technology. Naturally, such equipment has to be masked from detection.’ He turned to Ash. ‘Lieutenant Ash … Ashwell, status report on the void shields.’
Ash’s gaze was an intense mixture of aggravation and puzzlement and for a moment Greg thought that he was going to say something to knock over this demented house of cards. Then, frowning stonily, he looked round at his monitor.
‘Maintaining void shield integrity within operational parameters. Sir.’
Greg smiled. Remosca shifted in his seat.
‘But … we cannot detect this weapon … ’
‘Yes, Presignifier, precisely! Which is how it should be.’
‘But a weapon cannot deter an enemy if it is invisible.’
Greg shook his head. ‘The hullbreaker is not meant to be a deterrent, Presignifier, more like a weapon to be unleashed against the most vicious and unreasonable of adversaries. Now, you seem to be a reasonable person so why don’t we negotiate