Hunt the Heavens: Book Two of the Shadow Warrior Trilogy by Chris Bunch

Author:Chris Bunch [Bunch, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781440553479
Publisher: F+W Media, Inc.
Published: 2012-09-01T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

The Grayle banked into the street and hovered as her port slid open. Taen and Wolfe doubled from the shelter of the subway entrance to the ramp and went up it, and the ship climbed away.

“I was observed entering atmosphere,” the ship reported. “A robot craft was launched to investigate, according to my sensors.”

“Well, shame on you for getting sloppy. Will the bird, sorry, the craft come within observation range?”

“Negative.”

“Then don’t worry about it. Ship, when clear of atmosphere, assume the electronic characteristics of a Sorge-type vessel. I remember that as being in your repertoire. Let’s give the Federation patrollers some confusion if they pick us up.”

“Understood. Request name.”

“I guess it’d be subverting the purpose of a spyship to call yourself the Philby. Umm, you’re now the Harnack. I don’t think anyone will catch that.”

“Understood.”

“As soon as we’re able, blindjump us away from Sauros. You will be given the coordinates.”

“Understood.”

Wolfe stretched hugely. “Taen, I want a shower, about two pounds of near-raw animal tissue, a decent glass of fermented grape juice, and ten straight hours of sleep. And I’ll kill anyone who gets between me and them.”

The ship answered: “My sensors report a ship within range. It has not yet detected us but will within seconds. I shall not be able to evade detection.”

“I made a promise,” Wolfe said. “I’ll keep it. Open all frequencies. Let’s see who I’m going to murder.”

Five minutes later the call came: “Unknown ship, unknown ship. Please cut your drive, and stand by for boarding and inspection.”

“Son of a bitch,” Wolfe swore. “The singer’s a little more polite, but I still don’t like the song.”

“The Chitet,” Taen said.

“Yeah. I guess they’re running their own interdiction out here, as well as the Federation Navy. How many goddamned ships do they have, anyway? Ship, what are the characteristics of the craft?”

“I would identify the ship in question as being a light corvette, Federation-built, Hamilton class. It has superior armament, but its performance capabilities when new were inferior to mine.”

“Finally,” Wolfe said. “Something we can just run away from.”

“Perhaps,” Taen said, “that may not be the best idea?”

Wolfe looked skeptically at the Al’ar. “You will have to do some serious convincement to make me believe we should stand and fight a Hamilton-class corvette.”

“I think we can devise a strategy for that.”

“So what’s the purpose, besides general piss-off at being chased around so much?”

“In battle,” Taen said carefully, “sometimes a war leader can be distracted by the unexpected. Especially when it is aimed at himself and comes from nowhere.”

“Hmm.” Wolfe considered.

“The corvette is broadcasting once more, with the same message,” the Grayle said. “What should my reply be?”

“Stand by,” Wolfe said. “All right. Let’s start the ball rolling with your scheme. You can explain as we go.”

• • •

“Unknown ship, unknown ship, cut your drive immediately. We are armed, and will launch missiles unless you obey our command instantly. This is your last warning.”

“Now, this one I’m particularly proud of,” Wolfe said. “Built her all by myself. Watch the third screen.

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