The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley [31]
‘Unidentified vessel, this is First Commodore Cameron of the Darien Navy. You have crossed into our security shell without authorisation. Stand down your weapon systems and defences and prepare to be boarded.’
Fury flared in the Tygran’s eyes.
‘I am Ethan Wade, commander of the Ironfist, banner-ship of the Iron Ravens, and I will not be spoken to in that manner by a dog of a pirate!’
Greg frowned. ‘Did ye not hear me, Commander? You have violated the sovereign space of our world, therefore we are entirely within our rights to question your motives and even inspect yer ship … ’
‘You are sitting on the bridge of a Tygran vessel!’ Wade snarled. ‘I don’t know how you got your hands on it, or where the traitors who seized it are, but you will cease your prattling and surrender to me immediately.’
‘Is this how you conduct yourselves every time you meet strangers, Commander Wade?’ Greg said. ‘With insults and arrogance? I mean, isn’t that a wee bit risky when you don’t know what these strangers are capable of?’
Wade gave a contemptuous smile.
‘I’ve been aboard that ship, Commodore, and I am thoroughly acquainted with its capabilities.’
‘Aye, but are ye sure, Commander? I’m guessing that you’ve got some long-range sensors on that scary warwagon of yours so why don’t you scan this vessel and its vicinity … okay? Found any clues?’
Out of the corner of his eye, Greg saw Ash shake his head as a line of text appeared on the couch holopanel – That shielded weapon bluff won’t work on Wade.
Quickly Greg keyed back – New intruders, new bluff – then resumed talking to the Tygran, who had been conferring with one of his officers.
‘I’ll clear up the mystery for you, Commander Wade,’ he said. ‘What you’re detecting are ionised particles from a ship drive. Not ours, although it is a vessel under my command.’
‘There are no other ships in this system, apart from mine and yours,’ said Wade. ‘And in less than six minutes, when you come within range of my main batteries, there shall be only mine.’
‘Okay, Commander, since we’re getting along so well, I feel I should warn you that you are being tracked by another two ships of the Darien Navy, concealed by cloaking technology … ’
‘Spare me your pathetic, desperate lies. Surrender or face destruction!’
‘ … specifically two Karlsson-class jump-destroyers with much greater firepower than this ship carries.’ Driven by the adrenalin of the crazed corner that he’d got himself into, Greg put on a wide, unbalanced grin. ‘I mean, ye didn’t think I was gonnae sit here on the firing line without some serious reinforcements, did ye?’
For the first time, hesitation showed in the Tygran’s expression. Greg pushed on.
‘There’s no need for this to get messy,’ he said. ‘If you stand down your weapons, I’ll send my jump-destroyers out of range.’
‘I acknowledge your warnings, Commander,’ Wade said with a kind of stiff contempt. ‘I have my orders.’
And the image vanished from all screens.
‘Ironfist’s increasing velocity,’ said the helm officer.
‘They’ve targeted our drive,’ said the tac officer.
‘Full power to the thrusters,’ Ash said. ‘Take us out of here on a spiral swerve.’
Despite the inertial dampening, Greg felt the swinging impetus as the ship surged forward and spun savagely to port. Beyond the viewport the stars swirled and streamed past, and Greg grimly held on to his couch.
‘The Ironfist is just coming into their maximum range,’ said the tac officer. ‘Opening fire with pulse cannon rounds, broad zigzag sweep, nine passes … navigationals compensating … ’
There was a sharp thud from elsewhere in the ship and Greg felt a passing tremor underfoot.
‘Damage report,’ said Ash.
‘Midsection, upper starboard,’ said the tac officer. ‘Outer hull plate damage, no inner hull breach.’
‘Sorry about that, Commander,’ Greg said. ‘But the Imisil are out there, watching – I thought it might tempt ’em to weigh in on our side.’
‘I can’t see that happening,’ Ash said. ‘Target their weapon points with our missile launcher,’ he told the tac officer. ‘Four eluders with shimmer payloads