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“Diligence, this is Seraph. We have an urgent matter to discuss.”
Ariana tapped her fingers on her console while she waited for a reply. She had hoped to avoid running into PUG patrols before they reached Triask. It would certainly make her life easier if she could just pass on Javi’s information and be done. But Javi had insisted that by the time it worked its way through the bureaucratic process, it would be to late. Now she might not have a choice.
“Seraph, power down your engines.”
“We are preparing to comply. Now, I need to speak to your captain.” If she did not get any kind of promise from the PUG captain before they were boarded, she knew she never would.
“This is Diligence actual. Go ahead Seraph, and make it quick.”
“Captain, I have aboard a passenger who has urgent business at PUG HQ on Triask. He has information regarding a potential attack.”
“By passenger, I assume you’re referring to the fugitive Javi Wester that you are carrying?”
Ariana blinked. Javi had not mentioned anything about being a fugitive. Though, that would explain his reluctance to tangle with any random PUG patrols. Maybe PUG weren’t as clueless about LFD’s plans after all.
“I do refer to Javi Wester. He has vital intelligence about the coming attack that must reach Triask. Before I can turn him over to you, I need assurance that he will be brought there post haste.”
“Captain, you’re in no position to make any kind of demands. We’ll assess what the fugitive has to say during interrogation and deal with it in the appropriate manner. Anything you reveal in your interrogation will be taken into consideration at your sentencing.”
“My what?”
“Sentencing, Captain. You are wanted on charges of piracy, murder and transporting a fugitive across interstellar space. Don’t make me add resisting arrest to those charges.”
“Goddamn it, Javi.” Ariana said to herself, “What did you get me into?”
Switching back to the ship’s network she said, “I’ve told the cruiser about our mission to reach PUG HQ and the pending LFD attack. They aren’t buying it. Apparently, we’re wanted for transporting a fugitive.”
”You mean Javi? Or Noah?” Olivia asked.
“Javi. I suspect they have been tracking us since the Hub. That freighter whose cargo we salvaged must have pointed them right to us. So now we’re facing piracy charges too.”
“Captain, we should turn ourselves in. Then we can straighten things out and deliver our message.” Squee suggested.
“I don’t really feel like being arrested today, do you, Squee?” Ariana sighed.
“If it will help us complete our mission, some sacrifices might be necessary.”
“You go ahead buddy. I’ll take the route that leaves me out of a prison cell.” Noah added.
“Unfortunately, they aren’t in a listening mood. We only have a short time before the planned attack. If we turn ourselves in, I suspect we’ll spend most of that time in a holding cell waiting to talk to someone.”
Another alarm sounded and Ariana glanced at the sensor display. The PUG cruiser’s shields had taken multiple impacts. “Olivia, roll the ship!”
Seraph started to roll to starboard. After a few seconds, the PUG cruiser vanished from her scopes and another ship appeared. When she recognized the profile, her heart skipped a beat. A drone warship.
Over a decade ago, she had fought ships exactly like this one. She had seen friends die in those battles. Entire colony worlds had been wiped out, their populations eradicated from orbit.
Now they were back.
“Evasive maneuvers! Full power to shields!” Ariana ordered.
She shut down the tri-cannon but kept their original cannon powered to use for point defense. They had no hope of defeating this warship in a fight. Flight would be their only hope.
“Seraph, power your FTL and prepare to jump. We’ll cover you.” The PUG ship transmitted.
Despite the circumstances, the call from the PUG ship made her shake her head. From preparing to arrest her, to trying to defend her. That perfectly encapsulated her relationship with the PUG.
Unfortunately, she didn’t put much stock in the cruisers chances. A small patrol ship, Diligence was more than a match for Seraph, but the AI warship similarly outclassed her. If they fought, they would die.
“Don’t be a fool, Diligence. That ship will tear you apart. Get out of here. They’re after us.”
“If what you say is true, and I’m beginning to believe you, then you have to reach Triask. So go!”
Ariana growled, but said, “Can we jump, Vlasa?”
“We can.”
“Then do it.”
“Jumping now,” Olivia said.
Once they were clear, Ariana said, “Stand down everyone. We’ve got a bit of a real space transit ahead of us before the next jump. Vlasa, let’s find out if that cargo crate is worth all the trouble it’s caused.”