The three salvagers conversed for a short while longer but everyone was tired enough that sleep claimed them shortly after.
Chapter 34.
Heard's World Star System, on board Onboard FNS Asimov, January 8, 2599.
Captain Shirleen Nesbitt was in the process of using the Asimov's stage II communicator to report back to the Reclamation Center.
"This is FNS Asimov calling Commander Oskar Kresge at Scrap Central,"
Within a minute Nesbitt was looking at Kresge who had remained on the Greyhound but was being patched through the Stage II communicator on the Istanbul.
"Kresge here," said the Commander. "What is your situation, Asimov? Is everything okay in that system?"
"We just destroyed two Jasmine Republican Navy gunboats, Sir," said Nesbitt.
"Two gunboats! In Heard's World space? What the hell is going on over there?"
"We didn't have much choice, Sir, they attacked us shortly after we got into the system."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "We have a problem, Commander. Those ships were waiting for us! It was a coordinated attack. I allow you to draw your own conclusions as to what that means."
Kresge sighed, "Duly noted, Captain," he replied, "Let me just say that there have been some changes in the communications personnel onboard the Istanbul."
"So you have the situation in hand?" asked Nesbitt.
"We think so," replied Kresge, "but this may not be the right time or the right venue for further discussion on the matter. Is everyone alright?"
"These Fletcher II destroyers can take care of themselves, Commander. The enemy may have taken us by surprise but they had no idea what they were dealing with. They paid the price."
"Is that planetary system secure now?"
"Secure in the sense that we destroyed those two gunboats," said Nesbitt. "There's still a freighter parked near the moon with that derelict ship on it. I can't believe they're up to anything good. We're preparing to check it out."
"What is the status of the Dingo?"
"We instructed Dingo to microjump back towards the hyperlink point and prepare to translate out if Asimov ran into trouble. The enemy never had a chance to fire at her. She's fine, Sir."
"You might consider having Dingo with you when you confront that freighter, Captain. Sergeant Kelley and his marines could turn out to be very useful if there're bad guys holed up dirtside in that wreck."
"That's an excellent suggestion, Commander. We'll stand by until we can team back up with the Dingo."
"I don't need to tell you to be careful! Keep us informed. Kresge out."
***
The Dingo microjumped back to rendezvous with the Asimov. Reunited, the two ships then boosted towards the moon that harbored the Veritian derelict. Surprisingly, there was no attempt on the part of the freighter near the moon to escape as the two Federation ships approached the scene. The foreign ship just sat calmly in space, parked near the moon.
"I have lifesigns on the moon near the freighter, Captain," said the sensor operator.
"That must be why that freighter isn't attempting to escape. Is there anyone onboard the wreck?"
"It...it sure looks like it, Sir, but I can't tell for certain. We need to get a little closer."
"That's okay, sensors, let me know when you have better intel. I have enough to go on already."
She sent a message to the freighter.
"Unidentified freighter? This is Captain Nesbitt of the Federation Destroyer Asimov. The wrecked ship on that moon is the property of the Heard's World government. Be warned that we have representatives of the Veritian Way with us. They have informed me that they are unaware that any new salvage permits have been issued. You'd better have a good reason for being here."
With the Heard's World natives Caleb and Hanna Jordan on board the Dingo, this last statement regarding legal representatives could be construed as actually being true. It took over a minute before the Asimov got a reply.
"Asimov? This is freighter Pride of Persia, We are salvaging power components to repair one of the systems on our ship. We were not aware that a permit was required."
"So you didn't come here accompanied by two Jasmine Republican Navy gunboats?"
"Jasmine gunboats?" was the incredulous reply. "I assure you, we know nothing of any gunboats. We've been here for several days trying to salvage some critical drive system parts. I might ask what you are doing in this neutral system yourselves?"
"Heard's World is a United Terran Federation colony. As such, we maintain a communications platform and we provide protection as well monitor the system for any illegal activities that might be going on."
This statement was met with silence. Nesbitt continued, "The Sheik of Barsoom's forces are everywhere it seems. Are you sure you aren't salvaging weapons from that wreck to arm more renegade ships?"
"You are misinformed, Captain Nesbitt, we are salvaging drive components."
"Then you won't mind if we have a look in your holds, will you? I order you to prepare to be boarded!"
There was a short silence. The captain of the Pride of Persia consulted with someone off screen before he finally replied, "Of course, Captain Nesbitt. Send your cutter over, we have nothing to hide."
"Expect our cutter within ten minutes. I would advise you that we will be targeting you with our main battery. Any suspicious behavior will result in us discharging our weapons. You have been warned!"
She keyed off her radio transmission microphone and consulted with her tactical officer. "Sukamoto? I don't like this situation at all. They're way too nonchalant about this whole affair. My guess is that they intend to microjump while we're deploying our cutter. What's the best method of disabling that freighter without doing too much damage?"
Sukamoto ran down a short list of options in his head, his forehead furrowed in thought. "Disable? You mean to keep her from escaping?"
"Yes, with minimum damage. How would you go about doing that?"
Sukamoto thought just a bit longer before replying, "I would target the front hold area with our main battery adjusted to the lowest power setting. One or two hits should overwhelm their shields without doing too much damage. The next part is where it gets tricky. When the shields go down, I'd fire a pulse or two from one of the secondaries aimed at a spot high up on the bridge. We wouldn't want to do too much damage, just punch some small holes so the ship starts venting atmosphere. I guarantee you that will get their attention! Oh, then we tell them that our next shot will be from our main battery and aimed at their reactor."
"Weapons?" said Nesbitt into her com unit, "We need to be prepared in case that ship tries to run. Front main battery? Target the forward hold of that freighter. I want one pulse from each projector. Starboard first and then port. Lowest possible beam strength, if you please."
"Roger that, Captain," came the reply from the front battery, "Target the front hold at the lowest power setting, consecutive pulses from starboard and then port."
"Just so you know, I intend to overwhelm their shields but I do not wish to inflict major damage if we can avoid it. Forward starboard secondaries? When his shields go down, I want two five point five-gigajoule pulses fired into the upper level of that freighter's bridge. Our intent here is to inflict minor damage and frighten them into surrendering."
"Roger, Captain," replied the CPO in charge of the secondaries, "Starboard secondaries are targeting the upper portion of the freighter's bridge. Awaiting further orders, Sir."
"If this plan doesn't stop them and they still try to jump, I will want full power pulses from the main battery. They are not getting away to report back to the Sheik!"
"Preparing to deploy the cutter, Captain," said Sukamoto. "Bay doors are open and she is away. What the...?"
"What's the matter, Sukamoto?"
"The freighter is charging up her jump module! She's getting ready to jump!"
"Pride of Persia? Cease charging your jump module and stand down. This will be your only wa
rning!"
The face of the freighter's captain appeared on Nesbitt's viewscreen. "What was that last transmission? We are having some difficulty with your audio." The screen went blank.
Nesbitt wasted no time in coming to a decision. They could not afford to let this ship return to the Sheik of Barsoom with information or with whatever else they had salvaged from the wreck. If the freighter jumped, the Asimov could probably catch her but they could end up chasing her all over the system to do it. The Scrapyard resupply mission forces simply didn't have the time for such foolishness!
"Front main battery? Fire!"
An attenuated pulse bolt lashed out from the starboard front projector of the Asimov. The freighter's shield flared immediately to an incandescent violent hue. This impact was followed immediately by another weak bolt from the port projector. The freighter's shield flashed white before going down. Immediately after the shield went down, two pulses, one from each of the secondary weapons in the forward twin mount emplacement on the starboard side of the destroyer, slashed into the ceiling area of the Pride of Persia's bridge. Atmosphere and debris blew outward from two neat, clean holes that suddenly appeared in the hull of the recalcitrant freighter.
"His jump module is no longer powered, Captain," said the sensor operator. "The power surge when the shield failed must have kicked it off."
"Pride of Persia?" sent Nesbitt. "You will stand down and prepare to be boarded! My front battery is targeting your reactor. Be warned that the next pulse we fire will be at full power. You have thirty seconds to comply..."
The Captain of the freighter, his face pale and his voice shaking, called over to surrender within the next ten seconds. In the meantime, the atmospheric venting from the bridge had ceased, indicating that the men on board had been able to temporarily patch the damage and restore the integrity of their bridge.
"Get me the Dingo," said Nesbitt.
"This is Clancy Davis-Moore, Captain, what can we do for you?"
"Is Sergeant Kelly there with you?"
"He's right here, Captain."
Kelly came into view on Nesbitt's screen.
"Kelly, I need for you and several of your men to go over and secure that freighter."
"Right away, Captain."
The Asimov sent their cutter over to the Dingo to transport the marine contingent to the now subdued freighter. Faced by seven marines, five of them in full battle armor, the crew of the freighter gave up without further resistance. Kelly and his men quickly secured the ship. After about ten minutes for them to inspect the holds, Kelly called the Captain of the Asimov.
"Captain Nesbitt? This is Kelly."
"Go ahead, Kelly."
"We have the ship's captain and eight crewmen in custody. We don't think there's anybody else. We've got them all locked up in a small compartment that has only one entry. Could you have sensors check the ship for life signs to see if we've missed anyone?"
"Right away, Sergeant," replied Kelly. Seeing the sensor operator shake his head in response to the marine's query, she quickly added, "There are no additional life signs, Sergeant. It looks like you got them all. What did you find?"
"It looks like a pretty good haul, Captain. She's full of dehydrated food and there's also some medical supplies. Oh, and several crates of brand-new Federation-issue pulse rifles. Whoever these guys are, they were up to no good."
"Good work, Kelly. Leave those people in that locked compartment for now. We'll send a prize crew over to take the ship back to New Ceylon. Meantime, we also came to this system to check out some things on the wreck down there on the moon. We were going to try to do that later in our mission but we might as well get it done now while we're already here."
"Aye, aye, Sir," came the reply from the Dingo. "I'll leave two of my men here to make sure nobody tries any funny business. Are you detecting any more life signs on or near the wreck?"
"We're checking now. Sensors?"
"We have life signs in both locations, Captain," said the sensor operator, "I make it at least five people on the wreck and the original three outside of it. I presume the ones outside are standing guard as they appear to be armed with pulse rifles. I can't tell if any of the personnel inside the ship are armed or not. I certainly wouldn't bet against it!"
"Where are they located on the ship?"
The sensor operator checked his readouts again. "Captain, none of these life signs are anywhere near the drive systems, it looks like they're clustered in one of the main battery turrets."
"Just as we thought," said the Captain, "they're salvaging weapons."
She informed the Marines.
"Sergeant Kelly? We are detecting at least five lifesigns onboard the wreck. Three more of them are outside the ship. The five onboard the ship appear to be clustered near the aft main battery. Can you and some of your men in their battle armor perhaps go down there and have a little talk with them?"
"Aye, Cap'n Nesbitt," replied Kelly, "We've been itchin' to have a conversation with someone."
"Be as persuasive as you need to be, Sergeant."
"Aye, aye, Captain."
The Asimov's already deployed cutter transported a small prize crew over to the captured freighter and dropped them off. The cutter then picked up Kelly and four more marines, all of them outfitted with the Federation's most up to date battle armor and each of them carrying a combination pulse rifle/grenade launcher. The marines elected to leave their five point five gigajoule assault cannon behind on the Dingo, reasoning that with the Asimov directly overhead providing cover with a dozen similarly powerful projectors and the four far more powerful weapons of her main battery, the portable gun was probably unnecessarily redundant for this particular duty.
The shuttle touched down a hundred meters in front of the Veritian wreck and Kelly's men immediately deployed, two of them heading to port and three of them, counting Kelly, heading to starboard.
Captain Nesbitt made an attempt to contact the unknown forces on the moon. She reasoned that everyone on or near the wreck had to be wearing a space suit and therefore had to be equipped with short range radio communications.
"Attention workers on the Veritian wreck. This is the FNS Asimov. Put down your weapons and come out into the open with your hands up. You will not be harmed if you comply. We have armored marines advancing on the wreck and this destroyer will be covering the entire area. Anyone who elects to remain inside the ship be advised that we will open fire with our main battery if you aren't out here in the next five minutes. Since the wreck is unshielded, I think you know what that means. If you don't, we'll be more than happy to provide a demonstration!"
Two of three figures outside immediately scattered for the wreck. The other held his hands over his head and began walking slowly towards the Marines. He had not discarded his weapon, however.
"One of them looks like he wants to surrender, the others have gone into the wreck," radioed Kelly.
At that moment, the man who was approaching them dropped to one knee and began spraying the three marines approaching him with pulse rifle bolts. The man to Kelly's left staggered for a moment and stepped backward as a pulse bolt caught his battle armor in the center of the chest. The pulse bolt was no match for the armor, however, and the man inside remained unharmed. The attacker was immediately cut down by multiple pulse rifle bolts from Kelly and his other companion.
"The one who stayed outside just fired on us," radioed Kelly. "We had to take him down. Damned suicide soldiers!"
"I have an idea, Kelly," said Nesbitt, "You and your men back away from the ship. Let's give them the demonstration we promised. Weapons? I want two main battery pulse bolts targeted near the area where those life signs are clustered. Try not to hit them directly. Let's see how much fight they have left in them when they see that we mean business!"
"Aye, Sir! Targeting the compartment just aft of the area where the life signs are coming from." After a moment to train the projectors, the weapons tech contacted the Captain. "Ready to fire on y
our order, Sir!"
"Fire!" said Nesbitt.
Two bolts of pure destruction slammed into the aft region of the old wreck. With no shielding to deflect or reduce the impact of the pulses, the bolts penetrated deeply into the wreck, causing it to shudder violently.
Captain Nesbitt briefly reflected that the poor old wreck had already suffered so much damage that the additional pulse strikes from the Asimov were adding insult to injury, but she had deemed the tactic necessary. She was taking no chances with any of her precious personnel.
The Marines and the crew of the Asimov received a radio message five seconds later.
"Stop! No more! We're coming out!"
"I want to see your weapons before you place them on the ground," said Kelly. "Come out one at a time and lay down your weapons. Anyone who doesn't comply will be shot. This will be your only warning! Are we clear?"
"Yes, yes, we understand," came the response.
Within a minute, the first man came out of the wreck with his pulse rifle held high above his head. He came slowly out into the open and carefully placed his rifle on the surface of the moon. His sidearm followed shortly after. The process was repeated until there were seven men in spacesuits lined up on the surface of the moon next to the wreck. Off to one side off them was a loose, haphazard stack of weapons.
"As soon as we get these men secured I'm sending three of my men to the auxiliary control room in the center of the ship" radioed Kelly, "Commander Kresge requested that we collect all of the computers or drives and whatever else looks important from that control room and bring them back to the Scrapyard."
"I hear and understand," replied Nesbitt.
As soon as the prisoners were secured, three of Kelly's men went into the wreck in search of the control room. They were led by Corporal Donahue, the same Donahue that had accompanied Carlisle on her foray up to the bridge on a recent trip to this very wreck. Using schematics programmed into his battle armor computer, provided by Carlisle, Donahue and his fellow marines were able to go directly to the auxiliary control room.
The Santana Nexus (Junkyard Dogs Book 3) Page 22