Hunters in the Void - 3

Hunters in the Void - 3


"Capt'n!" the crewman screamed.

Jack turned just in time to see the large supporting beam come crashing down in front of him. Sparks and chips of metal flew in all directions.

"Damn!" Jack cursed, moving back from the fallen beam. "Move you space dogs! The ship's coming down around us...get these people on the "Niobe" now!"

Jack's crew pulled, prodded and bundled the passengers from the doomed ship aboard the "Niobe" as fast as they could. The buckling metal frame and screams filled the rancid air.

"We hav'em Capt'n." the crewman said.

"Good. Detach as soon as the locks are secure and swing out to starboard."

"Aye Sir."

Jack began making his way up to the bridge. The passageways were filled with hurt, scared and dying human cargo.

"Thank you sir, thank you."  Said an elderly woman. She touched his jacket as he past. Jack knew he no time to stop and grieve with these people. The grieving would have to wait for safety.

He pushed open the bulkhead, entered the bridge, and locked the bulkhead behind him.

"Heading Capt'n?"

"Swing 'round and blast that hunk of junk into the Void. Then set course to the Oort Belt, fastest possible speed. Bosun?"

"Aye Sir."

"Make the list of survivors, get them organized and fed."

"Aye Sir. Right away." Bosun Williams replied.

"Just a minute," Jack turned and looked at the Bosun, "do you think our friends might come looking?" His blue eyes sparkled.

"Aye Sir, they just might."

"Well then, don't you think the guests to our party should have a feast?"

"Aye Sir, they should indeed. I think I may have some soup they'd...enjoy." The Bosun chuckled.

"Good man, see to it." Jack turned and looked at the star charts displayed on the screen before him. Helmsman Igor Tobov, known as Big I among the crew, pointed out the quickest route to Safe Harbor.

"No, we don't want to leave any tracks." Jack told him.

"But Capt'n, we don't have enough provision to make it to Safe Harbor if we take any other route. We've got to go through the Oort Belt or they'll pick up our gravity trail. So we don't have another option."

Jack bent over and studied the charts, rubbed his hands through his long thick hair...then he smiled. He stood straight up and slapped Big I on the back.

"Boys...I think we need a party!"

"Huzzah. Huzzah. Huzzah." Came the almost coordinated response from the bridge crew.

"Capt'n?" Big I asked.

"Take a closer look."

Big I looked at the charts again...then frowned.

"Capt'n we can't go there. We'll be spotted for sure."

"Once we're through the Belt, make best speed for Petra. Party spot of the galaxy!"

"But Capt'n."

"Big I, set course and speed. They think we're pirates...so let's be pirates."

"Aye Capt'n." Big I replied as he walked back to his station.

Jack allowed a broad smile to cross his face.


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

"Alak, what do we know about this system?" Anne asked.

"The system has several gas giants, and one habitable planet...Petra. Technically the system doesn't fall within either the Confederation or the Thorian Empire. Both governments claim it, but neither has tried to enforce the claim, as the planet doesn't have any major resources or a strategic location. It's more or less a holiday world. Resorts, gambling, and ah...companionship...are available day or night." Alak blushed slightly.

"Military?"

"None Capitan. There is a small security force that handles bar brawls, apprehends pickpockets, maintains order at concerts, but they have no major capabilities. If it doesn't involve force or fraud, it's probably legal on Petra...most things are."

"So why there?"

"Ahhhh, well...there have been reports of smugglers using the planet as a base of operations, but none have ever been captured."

"I can see why. On a world where almost everything is legal why would you need to have smugglers?"

"I see your point Capitan, but things legal on Petra aren't necessarily legal in the Thorian Empire."

Capitan Boni stood and walked in front of the projection screen.

"With lots of tourists means lots of cargo traffic, space yachts, and portable wealth." She stared at Alak. "But a Military vessel, even a pirate cruiser, would look strangely out of place."

"Aye Sir, it would."

"Then let's set up a net just outside the main traffic lanes...and watch."

Alak smiled. "Aye Capitan."