Impulse (Lightship Chronicles) by Dave Bara

Author:Dave Bara [Bara, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: DAW
Published: 2015-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

“You are ordered to stand down and heave to,” said the voice on the com in heavily accented Imperial Standard. The message repeated in several other languages as well, none of which I, or apparently anyone else onboard, was familiar with.

“What’s their position?” demanded the captain.

“Thirty clicks and closing, sir,” said Marker from his station.

“Full stop, Mr. Layton,” she ordered, then came and stood over my tactical station. “Can you scan them, Cochrane? What kind of weapons have they got?”

“Judging from their design and energy signatures, I would say at least six coil cannon batteries each and multiple torpedo launchers, perhaps four each,” I said, delivering the bad news. “Cruiser displacement, I estimate.”

“Analysis, Mr. Serosian?” she asked of our host, firmly ensconced at his central station, his hands flying smoothly over the liquid-like console.

“They have nearly equivalent weapons to our own, less sophisticated perhaps, but still formidable. We can withstand a lengthy attack and give as good as we get, but even an HD crystal can run low on power,” he said.

“So ultimately, we’re vulnerable,” the captain said.

“Ultimately, after taking the blows we already have, it would be wise to avoid a fight,” said Serosian. The message demanding our acquiescence continued unabated through the com, obviously a recording. The captain paced for a second, then made her decision.

“Mr. Cochrane, stand down on all our weapons and defensive systems. Let them know we don’t want a fight. If they wanted one they’d have likely fired on us by now,” she said.

“Aye, sir,” I replied, and carried out my orders.

“Mr. Serosian,” she said, “Reply on their com frequency, please.” He opened the channel silently, then nodded to the captain.

“This is Captain Dobrina Kierkopf of the Unified Navy ship Impulse, We are on a rescue mission and request your assistance. Please identify yourselves and reply,” she stated. The line stayed quiet for a few seconds. The reply came again in a heavy accent, but we could still make it out.

“Captain Kierkopf, this is the Royal Levant Naval Command, Captain Salibi speaking. Your vessel will be boarded and impounded. If you resist, we will destroy you. Do you understand?” said the voice. The captain left the line open for a second before replying.

“As I stated, Captain Salibi, we are on a rescue mission and request your—”

“You will stand down, Commander,” the voice shouted. “Open your airlock and prepare to receive Royal Navy personnel. Any other action will result in your destruction!”

The captain signaled for Serosian to cut the line. “Still think this is a good idea?” she asked him. He shrugged.

“As opposed to fighting, yes,” he replied.

“I’d sure like to show him what an HD-powered ship can do,” she said, then signaled for the com line again.

“Understood, Captain Salibi. And welcome aboard. We come as friends,” she said.

“That will be determined,” came the quick reply, then the line was severed from the other side. The captain looked at me and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Mr. Cochrane, open the outer airlock. Everyone into EVA suits, full helmets.

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