Inadvertent Adventures by Loren K. Jones

Author:Loren K. Jones [Jones, Loren K.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Adventure, starship, interstellar
ISBN: 9781606190944
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Published: 2016-02-04T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

DUE TO THE GLOBULAR NATURE OF the Confederacy and hyperspace, it only took three days to reach the Georgia System from Trondheim. Their arrival was noted without interest until they reached the one hour from orbit mark and Ann broadcast their desire to meet with the Commissioner of Planetary Claims and their reason for doing so. Then things got interesting.

"Admiral Ann's Revenge, this is Commissioner Terras of Planetary Claims. Your message indicated the discovery of a new planet that shows a potential to be habitable by humans. Is this correct?"

Ann answered on behalf of her crew. "Yes, Commissioner Terras, that is correct."

"Admiral Ann's Revenge, please dock at Savannah Space Harbor, Dock Stewart," the commissioner said, and Ann acknowledged the transmission. Seven hours later the Admiral Ann's Revenge nestled into the Savannah Space Harbor at the indicated dock.

Two women and a man were waiting when Station Health cleared the Revenge to open her hatches. One of the women was familiar. "Mizz Steinman, how unsurprising to see you," Ann said as she stepped off the ship.

"You may as well turn around, Captain Stevenson. Planet Mubutan in orbit around the star Pelava has already been properly claimed and certified," Mizz Steinman said with a smug expression on her face.

"That's just lovely," Ann said as Sterling chortled behind her. "I do hope you didn't use the coordinates that we gave you on Beloofte."

"You gave me no--"

"Of course we did. Of course, they were for a piece of empty space some seventy light-years from Farflung and Frisland. Why do you think we didn't file the official paperwork on Beloofte? We wanted to make sure of our claim when we got here."

"You evil little bitch," Mizz Steinman snarled, but Ann just laughed.

"Experienced diplomat, not bitch, though I can understand how you might find the distinction a little hazy," Ann said as her eyes danced merrily. "Now, Commissioner Terras, we would like to file a stellar and planetary claim, in accordance with Article VII, Section D, Subsection XVI, Paragraph IX of the Articles of Confederation. Said star is a G7 main sequence yellow star, and said planet is the forth planet in the system, as counted from the star."

"You cannot--" Mizz Steinman snarled, but Commissioner Terras stopped her with a raised hand.

"I will deal with you and your--claim--later, Arian. It is very disappointing to learn that you would do something like this. Leave now, but don't leave the system. I'm sure the Confederate Justice people will be contacting you soon."

* * *

Ann and Sterling were taken to the government center down on the planet Atlanta immediately. The Planetary Claims commission had convened as soon as they had received Ann's message and had already analyzed the attached data. In addition to Commissioner Terras were Commissioners Adamo Rivas, Lorgnette Sheffield, and Mitrian Kottan.

"Captain Stevenson," Commissioner Kottan began, her deep brown forehead creased in puzzlement, "how is it that you were able to reach such a distant system?"

"We had a hyper drive malfunction, Ma'am. So far, no one has

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