"Your friend's dead!" snapped Hal. "They were listening."
"Who?" asked Erion.
"Repeaters," explained Hal. "Hi-res laser repeating rifles, standard Galactic Police issue. Only they can afford to waste ammo like that."
"Poor Cully," muttered Starfire. "I can't understand why the Police would be bothered about him; he was small fry."
"They must have traced the credit transfer," began Hal. "They'll know where we are now."
"Great!" muttered Raan, passing his hands over the co-pilot controls.
"And you just threw away a hundred creds," said Hal, softly.
"Start up sequence initiated," put in Starfire.
"Plus Tax," added Hal with sardonic glee.
"Stop it, Hal," Erion admonished him as if he was a naughty child. "He is right, though," she sighed, pulling herself together. "We have to get off this planet before they send up their fighters. Starfire, fire her up and let's go!"
Chapter 11
Starfire looked up dubiously from her controls. "This thing is space worthy, but I wouldn't like to take it into combat."
"It's that or fight from here," pointed out Hal.
"He's right," said Erion. "We have to get off the ground. We're sitting ducks here."
"All right," answered Starfire, making her pre-flight checks. "Raan, give me a hand here."
"You got it," he said, settling himself down into the co pilot seat. Erion and Hal made ready at their stations and Delta Ten returned from the rear of the ship where he had been checking the damaged hatch.
"Everything is in order," he said calmly. "We are space worthy."
"Just as well," put in Raan, "we were going anyway." Delta Ten ignored him and turned to face Erion.
"I heard your communication with Terrell," he began. "Your father gave me certain instructions before we left for this planet. In the event of his death, should you and Mr Hal survive, I was to ask him to take you to Thirty-Seven's Place."
"Thirty Seven's Place?" asked Erion. "What's that?"
"I know it," admitted the gunman with a rare grin. "I didn't think the General knew about it though. It's in the Keloran sector." He leaned over Erion's shoulder and punched the co-ordinates into her computer. "Okay Pilot Five," he said to Starfire, "your course is plotted."
"And laid in," added Erion, making minute adjustments.
"I have a green light on the course," stated Raan, locking it into his own computer."
"Start up sequence is running." called Starfire. A low whine started and Raan stated,
"Start up complete. No malfunctions."
"So far so good," muttered Starfire. "Let's try for ignition."
"A one for ignition," confirmed Raan. Although the sound proof cladding had been restored, they could feel the throbbing power of the two massive lift engines as they thundered into life. Starfire hovered both hands over the sparkling crystals on her console, slowly lifted her hands and the ship began to rise out of the desert. Their vision was obscured by clouds of sand but as the ship rose higher, it thinned out and finally the blowers on the vision port cleared it away. As soon as they had enough lift, Starfire brought the main rear engines into play and gently raised the nose of the gigantic machine. It rose high into the air and flew through the wispy clouds in a shallow upwards trajectory.
"Scan for fighters, Del," ordered Erion.
"None at present," answered the android. The pale blue of the Serrellian sky gave way to the inky blackness of space and Starfire slowly turned the ship onto its new heading.
"Can't say I'm sorry to leave that place," she confided to Raan.
"How's the ship?" he asked, conscious of the creaking and groaning sounds of metal somewhere far beneath them in the empty hold.
"Sluggish," she answered, not taking her eyes off the controls. "How's our power?"
"Eighty per cent."
"That's just great!" she said dryly. "We can't make the jump. It'll have to be the long way round, folks."
"And how long is that?" asked Hal, checking out the combat computers.
"At this speed, thirteen months and four days," answered Erion. No one spoke but they glared at each other.
"We really need to make some repairs," said Raan.
"You can drop me off at the nearest class M planet," stated Hal, flatly.
"Fighters at extreme range, in battle configuration," called Delta Ten from his scanning post. Raan left his seat at Starfire's side.
"Take over Del," he shouldered his way past the robot, muttering, "thirteen months and four days: I'll go mad."
"That is if we survive this," pointed out Starfire.
"That's what we need, Lieutenant, a positive attitude," said Erion.
"Combat computers are on line and we have telemetry," called Raan as he brought up his heads up display.
"That's something anyway," said Starfire. She caught Hal's eye. "You're going to have to take out all the opposition. We can't outrun them."
"Forget the rules, Lieutenant," he said grimly, "we'll play this Terrellian style."
"What's that?" asked Erion.
"Every dirty trick in the book," snarled Raan.
"You got it!" muttered Starfire.
"Fighters in range," stated Delta Ten. "Class Five Wasps."
"Galactic Police ships," stated Erion, peering into her monitor. "Well at least they're not Marines."
"You mean I can shoot to kill?" gasped Hal in astonishment.
"Very funny, killer," she snapped at him. "Just do what you're best at." The communications alarm sounded and Raan put it through the ship's systems so they could all hear.
"Space freighter Madillion, this is Commander Fee of the New Federation Galactic Police, Gamma Squadron. You will lower your shields and prepare to be boarded."
"Go to hell!" snarled Raan.
"Then we will blow you out of the sky." The commander cut the link and Raan shrugged.
"Here they come," called Erion. "Fire when ready." Seven small, one seater ships converged on them, splitting up as they passed Madillion and firing on it as they went by in a classic attack plan. Hal and Starfire were ready for them and she swung the ship around as he fired, giving him a wider arc of fire. Erion and Raan exchanged looks. They were both used to flying in combat and although this looked unorthodox, it seemed to be working. Hal took out two fighters in the first pass, Raan missed one fighter, but scored a glancing blow on another, forcing it to withdraw.
"Too easy," muttered Hal under his breath. He couldn't have known it, but Fee's troop was newly formed with the recruits the freighter had brought in. They fought in a classic, text book way which the experienced crew on Madillion unconsciously predicted and countered with ruthless efficiency. The remaining four ships split up and dived at Madillion, scoring several hits on the already damaged shields. Starfire forced the huge ship across the heavens like a demented insect while Hal and Raan took shots at every fighter that crossed their path. They were slowly winning, but the already damaged freighter was beginning to show the strain.
"We're losing shields," said Erion, worriedly. The ship rocked violently as it took another hit.
"Damn it, Star," snapped Hal as the freighter dipped suddenly and he missed his shot.
"I must protect that port shield. It's failing. Erion, can you give me more speed?"
"The power pack's draining," she answered. "Del, see what you can do with it."
"The fault does not lie within the ship's controls," said Delta Ten, calmly. "The power converter has polarised."
"What the hell does that mean?" yelled Starfire. "Can you fix it or not?"
"Not in flight," answered the robot, calmly. "We must land or dock."
"Well somebody had better do something," muttered Starfire as the ship took another hit. There was only one working fighter left now and it was evading all their attempts to destroy it.
"This guy is good," murmured Hal, more to himself than anyone else. "Star, he's coming in close. Keep her steady." His grey eyes squint
ed into the firing grid and his long fingers almost caressed the firing controls. Hal scored a glancing blow, but the fighter passed them, executed a perfect rolling dive and fired on the already weakened port shield. It buckled and collapsed, forcing Madillion to roll with the impact. The gyros screamed against the strain but Starfire and Erion managed to turn the ship around so that the unshielded quarter was away from the little fighter. Delta Ten was busy with a fire extinguisher, fighting a losing battle against many short circuit flare ups. The pilot section took on an eerie hue as the lighting failed completely and the multi coloured reflections from the controls and screens seemed to drift with the acrid smoke oozing from some of the panels.
"He's coming in for another pass," said Raan, wiping tears from his smoke filled eyes.
"The port engine's gone," began Starfire quietly. "I can't turn in time."
"Hal?" asked Erion.
"The firing controls have shut down." She looked into the flat hopelessness of Hal's face for her answer.
"He knows we're a sitting duck," growled Raan. "He's taking his time."
"Ram him, Major," stated Hal. "It's the only way we can take him out."
"He's right," snapped Erion. "Give it all you have, Lieutenant; straight at him!" Starfire raised both palms and pushed them towards a green crystal. It glowed brighter as her hands neared it and the mighty freighter wobbled its way towards the galactic fighter.
"All power to the front shields," she ordered, sounding a lot braver than she felt. The fighter was firing short busts at the ship, each one weakening the shield a little more.
"He's low on power himself," explained Hal. "He has to come in closer to finish us off."
"This is it!" called Raan as the little ship hurtled straight towards them. Time seemed to slow and all eyes were fixed on the fighter headed straight for them. There was a slight jolt, then nothing. Starfire peered through her fingers.
"We're still here! What happened?"
"Don't ask me. One second it was there, the next it was gone," answered Erion. Raan was on the scanner, looking for the fighter.
"It's gone!" he shouted. "There's nothing here. Wait a minute, floating debris, frozen water particles; it must have blown up. Hey, I have another ion trail."
"Another ship?" asked Erion. "Where is it then?"
"There was another ship," said Delta Ten. He shouldered his way to the front and pressed the forward scanner recap. He re-started it at a quarter speed then slowed it frame by frame, stopping it at the vital moment. A grey blur had forced its way in between the two converging ships. At the same time, the attacking fighter seemed to be expanding at the seams. Delta Ten advanced another frame and the grey blur had gone. The fighter seemed to be moving away from them still in the process of blowing up.
"You saw that?" asked Raan. "What was it?"
"A long range planet hopper, I believe," answered the android. "It was of alien design and travelling at speed point nine five."
"That's impossible," snapped Starfire.
"It returns," stated Delta Ten quietly. "See for yourself." Madillion lurched again and any instrumentation that was working, glowed red for an instant before settling down again. Then it was there. One second space was empty, the next, a sleek black planet hopper was in front of them, matching their drift and appearing motionless to them. It was dangerously close. So close that they could see the outline of the pilot in his brightly lit cockpit.
"Incredible!" gasped Starfire. "How could he sustain point nine five without the space distortion blowing him to bits?"
"Because he's flying an alien ship….. and he's crazy," answered Hal. "His name is Con Tranter."
"You know this man?" asked Erion. The names were star fields visible from Terrell. "Is he Terrellian?"
"Sort of," muttered Hal.
"Hey in there!" called a voice, showing no regard for standard space ship recognition courtesies. Erion leaned forward slightly and aimed her voice at the console.
"This is commercial space freighter Madillion," she said, trying to salvage a little decorum.
"You guys in trouble?" the voice cut in.
"Since we are hanging here in space with smoke dribbling out of our engines, I suppose you could say that we are," she retorted.
"Well you better sort yourselves out in there, cos you got more company coming." The voice seemed to take savage delight in their predicament.
"The scanner is out," snapped Raan. "We're blind." Hal stepped forward and took the link from Erion.
"Tranter, this is Hal. Can you get us out of here?"
"Hal old buddy! We meet in the strangest places. Are you having difficulties with our esteemed Galactic police?"
"You could say that," answered Hal dryly.
"There's another fighter squadron heading this way. Too many to take out, we'll have to run." He sounded miserable at the prospect of missing a fight. "I'll tow you. Stand by for a tractor beam."
"Is he mad?" gasped Starfire, ignoring Hal's warning glare. "Tow the Madillion with that little thing?"
"Who said that?" demanded the voice. "Well whoever you are lady, you better strap yourself in cos I'm gonna show you what my baby can do."
"I hope you haven't upset him," hissed Hal. There was a jolt and Delta Ten said,
"That was a tractor beam. We are moving."
"He's towing us!" gasped Starfire. "I don't believe it."
"Believe it sweetheart," called Tranter. "Here we go."
"Speed point one… two… three…" began Delta Ten.
"Better get strapped in; he's a maniac," snarled Hal, glaring at Starfire, who pulled a 'sorry' face.
"Point seven...eight…nine…" continued Delta Ten. There was a brief flash and the stars seemed to melt into a long grey blur. The crew on Madillion sat straight in their seats waiting for their ship to break up. "We have made the jump," stated the robot calmly. "Light one point two; we are now in hyperspace." Starfire gazed at the controls worriedly. They might well have evaded capture by the galactic police but it would do them no good if the ship buckled under the strain. Metal creaked and groaned around them. She cast a look at the worried faces of Erion and Raan.
"It'll hold out," she informed them. "Just for once, why can't we get from A to B without someone trying to blow us up?"
"We're in one piece," said Erion, "that's the main thing. Del, how about some coffee?"
"Hey Hal!" called Tranter, "I'd better take you to my base. You can tell me all the news and then we'll have a look at this lemon of yours, see what we can do with it."
"He has a base?" asked Starfire.
"The best equipped in the galaxy," stated Hal.
"Then how come I've never heard of it?" asked Erion.
"Because you've never been on the wrong side of the law before," answered Raan.
"Something we'll have to get used to from now on," said Starfire sadly.
"Welcome to my world," put in Hal.
"We'll clear ourselves," declared Erion, glaring at Hal, "have no fears on that score." She sounded quite definite but Raan and Starfire exchanged glances. They were not so sure.
"What have you done to upset our esteemed Galactic Police Force, Hal?" asked Tranter. "It isn't like you to go round attracting attention to yourself."
"It's a long story, Tran. How come you were so close to home?"
"Didn't you know?" began Tranter. "There's been a military coup. The Galactic Police have taken control of all Council Planets in the name of the New Aurian Federation."
"What?" snapped four voices in unison.
"Where the hell have you guys been for the last three days?" muttered Tranter. "There was some sort of war between Terrell and Serrell. That's what I was doing hanging around there; you know, maybe pick up a few good wrecks to tow home. Well, in the meantime, some tin pot general called Roland used the diversion to take control. The guy must have been planning this for months, just waiting for the right moment."
"What about the Marines?" asked Erion.
; "Search me; how should I know?" said Tranter. "As long as they leave me alone I couldn't give a shit who's in charge. Well, we have another nine hours before we come out of this. I'm going to use the time to get some shut eye. See you one the other side." He cut the link.
"A coup," sighed Erion. "My father played right into their hands."
"I don't know Erion," put in Starfire. "I think he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Your father would have been killed anyway," said Hal flatly. "He would never have agreed to this."
"You're right," began Erion, "he was murdered, wasn't he?" It was more of a statement than a question and there was a short, uncomfortable silence until Delta Ten entered with four cups of coffee on a tray.
"I have been checking out the rest of this vessel," he said, "There are facilities to cater for six crew. Apart from the crew lounge there is a large cabin for the captain, and two smaller berths with three bunks each."
"You think we ought to keep this wreck?" asked Raan.
"If it was fixed up, it could be okay," answered Starfire. "It handles well for its size. We're not in the Marines now, Captain. How else are we going to get around?"
"She's right, Raan," said Erion. "We need a ship and this one will have to do till we can trade it in for something smaller. Starfire and I will share the captain's cabin. Del, can you ready it for us, and then fix up something for Hal and Raan?" ordered Erion.
"Of course, Major." He bowed stiffly and left.
"We might as well try and get some rest," she added, stretching and yawning. "I don't know when I last had a good sleep. We have nine hours to kill and we might as well make the best of it. Who's for first watch? Hal? Raan?"
"Well, you can forget Hal," grinned Starfire. She motioned with her head at the gunman. He still sat at the gunnery post, his head resting on folded arms, leaning on his combat computer, asleep.
Chapter 12
"We're slowing," called Starfire from the pilot section. "We are in normal space."
"And we're still alive," said Erion, shaking her head in wonder.
"Where are we?" asked Starfire, leaning over to thump the navi-com. "This thing isn't working."
Starfire at Traitors Gate Page 13