The Word Unleashed by Steve Rzasa

Author:Steve Rzasa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Enclave Publishing

Chapter 13

October 2602

Southcrown Star System

Nikolaas Ryke wanted blood.

Unfortunately, his mission dictated otherwise. At least, for now.

He stood on the bridge of HMS Interrogator with his hands wrapped around the command deck railing and did his best to leave indentations. Anger surged through his mind. “Blast it all, Cotes, I want to shoot them all through the head. Messy but satisfying.”

Detective Inspector George Cotes stood silently at his side.

“You’re no fun.” Ryke slapped the railing. “Captain! Captain, we are not matching their speed! This is intolerable!”

The seven bridge crewmen were busy scurrying from console to console as the screens flickered and sparked. Some of the instrument panels reminded Ryke of laser optic shows as their monitors flashed a rainbow of colors under the dim lights of the hemispherical bridge. The pirate ship’s flutter mines were a dirty trick and had interrupted most vital systems save for life-support. Things seemed to be calming down a bit; at least the helmsman seemed to be seated and in control once more.

Captain Goro Sasaki turned slowly in his command chair. The bridge lights gleamed off his balding pate and the sweat beading across his brow. “We will match their speed, Detective Chief Inspector. Seeing as how they have a head start on us, you may have to be patient.”

Ryke was irritated to see that his irate display had no affect on the captain. Perhaps it was further needling for catching Ryke drunk a few days ago. No matter. “Keep in mind, Captain, whose mission this is and whom you serve.”

“I serve the king,” Sasaki said stiffly.

Ryke waggled a finger. “Ah, now, the king is indisposed. Commissioner Gironde is ruling in his stead. You know where that puts Kesek in the chain of command, now don’t you?”

Sasaki paled. He turned his chair back toward the rest of the crew consoles. “Helm, increase acceleration.”

“Sir, we’re already at maximum.”

“Then give me more than maximum!” Sasaki snapped.

Much better, Ryke mused.

“Sir.” Cotes sounded quizzical. “Are you certain the pirates already have the Haczyk boy?”

Ryke waved a hand at the large main monitor. It showed a bright glare of a starship’s main drive against a starry background. “Why else would she drop those mines and bolt?”

Cotes shifted. “Perhaps she did not want to face your not-inconsiderable wrath.”

“My wrath? Cotes, you are wicked. All right, you make a fair point. Perhaps she did not want to face certain atomization under Interrogator’s guns. But to be honest, I would not have incinerated her ship.”

“No?”

Ryke looked hungrily at the monitor again. “No. I want them alive. For a while.”

“How’re we doing?” Bell paced the bridge. She weaved a path between the consoles.

“Not good, Skipper. She’s definitely gaining.”

“No surprise there. Military compensators are way better than ours. What acceleration’s she pulling?”

“Fifty-two gees.”

“Blast.” Bell picked at something caught between her teeth. “Well, we ain’t gonna out-accelerate ’em. What’s our speed?”

“Five forty five kilometers per second and rising.”

“Thanks, Dennis.” Bell looked across the bridge at Baden. “You got any suggestions?”

“Gee, lemme think.” Baden made a show of rubbing his chin.

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