Retribution snippet 3

Hi,
  FYI: I made some retcons in Pirate Rage. So, you might notice them... once they get uploaded I mean. Minor bits here and there, and 1 thing probably everyone tripped over.
Also, as I mentioned in the comments, I just uploaded Retribution to Goodlifeguide.com. However they are backlogged, so I am not certain when I'll get it back.

On to the snippet! This is taking up in chapter 2 where the last snippet left off.

"Are they serious?" D'angelo demanded, eyes wide. "Who the hell do they think they are?"

"Are they ours?" Captain Bellerose demanded as she came onto the bridge. "You didn't respond, did you?"

The pilot shook his head vehemently no. He knew better; she'd have his balls if he'd had. "No, ma'am. We've had an automated IFF challenge, but we ignored it per your orders. This is from another ship though. It's too far out for our sensors to see it though," he reported with a grimace.

"A trader?" the captain asked as she took her seat. She grimaced as she took a look at her side monitor and then the plot. D'angelo was right; they had crappy civilian grade sensors so damn myopic they were nearly useless in a situation like the one they were finding themselves in.

She was a Horathian. Sure they were in a freighter, but her people were the hunters not the prey. Being interrogated set her on edge and her excess arrogance made her fume.

"No, ma'am," the rating replied carefully. He glanced at the others and then replayed the message.

The captain frowned as she listened. The inflection meant it wasn't human. There was a slight buzz that meant it was Veraxin or T'clock. That didn't make sense. Nor did what they said. federation? As if! The ship though … "Descartes," she murmured thoughtfully. She wracked her brain but nothing came up. "I don't recognize the name. You ran the war book?" She turned to the pilot turned bridge rating.

"Yes, ma’am, but its fifteen years out of date." He shook his head.

"Size?"

"Based on what comm picked up, they are talking to someone else. That means two ships, ma'am. They are still on the outer edge of our sensor envelope. Based on their speed, they appear to be too small to be tramp freighters. And well, the order to heave to …," the rating shrugged and pointed helplessly to the plot. "I think they've plotted an intercept course, ma'am. They'll link up with us short of the planetary orbit," he said.

"Damn it," she muttered, shaking her head. "Horath …"

"Fresh challenge coming in, ma'am. They are … transmitting their authority? It says they are a pair of warships of the federation, ma'am," Oswald said, turning and looking at the captain with wide frightened eyes. "What the hell, ma'am?"

"Did we just fly into some sort of other dimension?" the captain muttered. "Someone figure out what the hell is going on. Is this a prank?"

"I've been monitoring transmissions from the planet, ma'am. There is chatter about the federation. I can filter for it," Oswald said. He nervously licked his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing in fear.

"Do so. Meanwhile, Angel, plot a course away from the planet and to the ET jump point."

"Ma'am?"

"You heard me. No way in hell am I going to allow us to be tamely boarded, if they are ours or anyone else's. No, this is fishy."

"Yes, ma'am." He frowned and pecked at his station for a few moments. When she cleared her throat, he realized he'd stalled long enough and looked up. "Course plotted."

"Then execute it. Minimum burn, let's see if they react. How they react I mean," she said. He nodded and fed the course change to the helm.

:::{)(}:::

"They changed course. They are running to the ET jump point," R'll reported an hour later.

"You can run but you can't hide. No response?" Captain Levinson demanded.

"No, sir."

"I know; I know you would have reported if there was one. Did they contact the planet?"

"No, sir. Not that we are aware. The geometry is off for us to pick up any signal traffic though."

"Query the planet. Maybe they think we're pirates or something."

"Aye aye, sir."

"Meanwhile," the captain said as he tapped at the computer. The plot shifted. "Helm, come to course 331 mark 31 and increase speed to one-half impulse. Comm, signal Loch to follow suit and stay on our flank."

"Issuing the order before the comm signal?" his XO and chief engineer asked from his repeater panel. "Something up, Skip?"

"I want to see if Troy's people are paying attention," the captain replied with a mild shrug. The XO snorted. "I'm headed to dinner. Keep me posted of any changes," the captain said as he exited the hot seat.

"Aye, sir. R'll has the bridge," the Veraxin said. By now the rating was used to being dumped in the watch. She was watch qualified as was everyone else on the ship. She was even considering mustanging to officer when they got back to civilization—if they got back. From the look of it, it wouldn't be anytime soon apparently.

:::{)(}:::