Page 11 of Black Star

Are you ever going to let go and let me have control?

The voice was male, deep, and very soft. It was almost buried underneath the torrent of information flowing inside her brain and seemed almost to be an afterthought. As if the voice didn’t expect her to hear it, anyway.

So. You’ve finally decided to pay attention. Took you long enough. The voice was stronger now, but still very non-obtrusive.Are you ready to do this?

Nadira was stunned. TheSword Breakerhad made first contact with her, not the other way around. She didn’t know what the ship meant, but the only answer that popped into her head was,I’m not taking advantage of the vulnerability of theBlack Starto catch Mikiel an interstellar prize.

Do you really think that’s what he wants?

Do you really think he doesn’t? I haven’t learned much, but Idoknow the Asalians don’t have any more of a clue about cyborg intelligent ships than the Vok’nair do. He knows I couldn’t link up with theBlack Star, but his government doesn’t believe him and wasn’t happy he let her go in the first place. They still want theBlack Starand if he can take advantage of this situation, he might still get back in their good graces.

Do you think the opinion of anyone matters so much to him that he would endanger the lives of so many people?

If not for that, then what? Why engage theBlack Starat all?

Have you not been listening to anything going on around you?The ship was annoyed now and Nadira could tell he thought her daft.

They haven’t said a word.

Have you not used your psycom?

My what?

Psycom. Everyone aboard this ship is fitted with one to avoid confusion during battle.

Well, not me. I guess that’s something my benevolentmasterforgot to see to. I get all the data entered into your data banks at once, and what little I can glean from your master comm, but nothing else. And the information coming to you is simply too much for me to catch more than bits and pieces.

There was a sigh and a very long pause.

No wonder you’re confused and frightened. The last thing Mikiel wants right now is a confrontation with theBlack Star.

If that’s true, then why did we come out of hyperspace?

Did they teach you nothing when they trained you to fly space ships?The voice was more than just impatient now, it was condescending.You came out of hyperspace because there was another ship directly in your path. Had I not pulled us out, we would have hit theBlack Starat a speed faster than light. What do you suppose would have happened then?

I know that. But one order from him and a minor course correction, and our flight is not disturbed at all.

Not if theBlack Starwas also in hyperspace.

Nadira blinked, startled.Oh. I didn’t think of that.

You weren’t thinking about anything. And I’d appreciate having your full attention when youattemptto fly me. You might have a grand reputation in the Vok’nair Empire --the tone in his voice said he believed otherwise-- but I’ve yet to see any of it here.

Goddess! Are all the male members of this society so exasperating?

Only with females who are acting stupid. You are far too intelligent and far too adept at flying ships to be so careless.

I can’t concentrate! That infernal beast behind me keeps me in a state of constant arousal and I can’t think when he’s around! Make him stop and I’ll be more careful!

I see.In a flash, all the annoyance and condescension was gone, replaced by understanding. Nadira could almost believe the ship had experienced it first hand.

I could be off the mark as I can’t connect with the good captain’s thoughts and feelings as I can yours, but I think he is experiencing much the same thing. His actions indicate he wants you near, yet is unwilling or unable to satisfy himself. His argument with you shortly after you arrived seems to have prevented him from, shall I say, making the first move.

We’re wasting time with useless nonsense. How am I supposed to communicate? He’s either unaware I haven’t been fitted with their communication devices or doesn’t want me to know what’s going on now with theBlack Star.

Just be ready. When I tell you, push the sublight engines to maximum to a point one thousand meters off the starboard side of theBlack Star.They haven’t detected us and you should be able to engage a tractor beam and capture her without firing a shot.

I don’t understand. Any second in command worth his pay will see us coming.

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