Delphi Mediation (Delphi in Space Book 17) by Bob Blanton

Author:Bob Blanton [Blanton, Bob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

***

Chapter 12

Pirates, Marauders, and Looters, Oh My

"Cer Catie!”

“What?”

“We have an issue. This was just sent to Terramata,” ADI said, and then she played a recording on the display in Catie’s room.

“This is Captain Mokolov of the pirate ship Xenon. We have just entered your system and will reach your planet within the week. We demand that you collect all your gold, silver, and platinum for us. If you have not done so when we reach your planet, we will destroy one of your cities. We will then destroy one city every twenty-four hours until you meet our demands. We will make sure to choose a city in a different country each time, so do not think you can hide behind your neighbors. Remember, you have one week.”

The display showed a man in a basic uniform. Not exactly military-level neatness, but clearly the guy in charge.

“Did you send this to Daddy and Uncle Blake?”

“Of course.”

“Jodi?” Catie messaged.

“I just finished watching it. I think we should have the Foxes form up and tell these pirates to go away.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“ADI, contact our team on Terramata.”

“Done.”

“Commodore, given the threat, what do you want us to do?” the lead pilot asked.

“I want all four Foxes to leave orbit. You should fly them as close together as possible so you’ll look like a single ship to the pirates. Then send the pirates a message telling them that Terramata is under the protection of the Delphi League. I’ll contact Terramata.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Catie,” Blake broke in. “I’ve dispatched a squadron with two cruisers and four frigates to the system. Commodore Clements is in command. They have to make two jumps, but they should be there within four hours.”

“Good. I assume you heard our plan.”

“Yes, proceed. They’re making the first jump now, so Clements isn’t available yet.”

“Okay.”

◆ ◆ ◆

“ADI, can you encrypt the transmission so that only a competent government agency can decode it?”

“They won’t be able to handle encryption yet. I can send it on one of their security channels, but I can make no promises about a competent government agency.”

“Haha; you’re starting to sound like Uncle Blake.”

“He is an excellent source of how to be humorous.”

“As long as your tastes aren’t too refined. Let’s go for the languages of the five biggest countries.”

“I’m ready.”

“Hello. This is Princess Catherine of the Delphi League. We have been in your star system for a few days. We just heard the threat from the pirates. We would like you to know that we can and will protect you. The pirates are at fifty-eight AUs from your planet, so it will take them at least a week to reach you. We should be able to intercept them well before they are close enough to do any damage.”

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