Page 25 of Neverwylde 6
“Jules, distance,” Kyber whispered.
“Twenty-nine thousand kilometers and closing fast.”
They could see the distinctive outline of the outpost gradually becoming clearer as they drew nearer.
“Kelen, dial down the speed. We do not want them to think we plan to ram them or do a fly-by.”
“Affirmative.” She gradually slowed the craft in anticipation.
“Lieutenant Fullgrath.” The comm spoke again, and this time it was a different voice.
Fullgrath opened the line. “Yes, sir.”
“Our scanners are recognizing eleven lifeforms, maybe a twelfth. Four of which are confirmed Seneecian. Are all of you survivors of theManta?”
“No, sir. We do have four Seneecians on board with us. Now, listen, before you go off and start shooting at us anyway, there’s something you have to know.”
“Are the Seneecians your prisoners?” the voice interrupted.
Fullgrath glanced at Kyber, who nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Where is your commanding officer?”
The weapons master glanced around. In all practicality, they were equal in rank. “Guess you’re talking to him, sir,” he said. “Captain Arvey died at the crash site. Commander Dayall died a few weeks later from injuries he sustained on the planet.”
“Give me the names of those with you.”
“Eighteen thousand kilometers,” Jules murmured loud enough to be heard. They were now able to appreciate the size of the outpost. The stationary stronghold was the size of a small city.
“Uhh, Lieutenant Derric Jules, navigator, Lieutenant Kelen Chambliss, pilot, Dr. Finn Sandow, medical, Lieutenant Paul Mellori, engineering, Lieutenant Jamse Cooter, security, Dox, our isotope engineer, and yours truly. That’s the Terran crew.”
“And you are in full control of that shuttle?”
“As we’d say back home, does an autobot shit bolts? Yes, sir. We Terrans are in control. Listen, sir. We crashed several months ago. A Seneecian warship found us, and the D’har was about to kill us outright until we managed to escape in this shuttle. We don’t care if you have fifty armed guards waiting for us on the landing pad. Just allow us to land, and you can take it from there.”
They waited for an answer. In the meantime, Jules kept them abreast of their distance from the outpost. “Twelve thousand kilometers.”
“That’s it,” Fullgrath suddenly informed them. “We’re now in range of their weapons. If they’re gonna fire on us, they’ll do it now, before we get any closer.”
“Maybe they want us to get closer to make sure they don’t miss,” Sandow commented.
Fullgrath shook his head. “No way. There’s always the chance an approaching ship could try to use itself as a weapon to take out a strategic part of the station. No. If they fire, they’re not gonna miss. Not as long as we’re within ra—”
“Lieutenant Fullgrath.”
“Yes. Still here.”
“Proceed to docking bay nine. Be prepared to be boarded immediately upon landing. Any overt or perceived aggression will be met with deadly force. And if we perceive that you intend on using your ship as a weapon, know that there are three protonic cannons aimed at you.”
“Gotcha, sir. See you on the flip side.” Closing the link, the weapons master gave Kyber a crooked grin. “Well, it’s not the welcome mat, but it’s better than being space dust.”
“I agree,” Kyber said. “Kelen, it’s all in your hands now.”
She flashed him a wide smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll settle this baby down so gently, the landing struts won’t even squeak.”
“I cannot wait to experience it.” Kyber glanced at everyone. “All right. Everyone double-check your harnesses in case she takes us vertical again.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” Kelen retorted, then concentrated on taking them in.
