Page 68 of Lhora
“This is Coltrosstian battlecruiserCleedahailing unknown Beinight ship. Identify yourself!”
Static filled the bridge.
“The ship is still advancing. On a direct heading to intercept us,” Diad informed them.
“Beinight, if you don’t identify yourself, we will consider your lack of response as an act of aggression, and we will be forced to defend ourselves! You have one minute to—”
“Cleeda,this is the Coltrosstian frigateBeccan.Sarpen Duren Sim Sov commanding. Hold your fire.”
“Duren?”
“Hold your fire, Father.”
“Diad, are there any other ships?”
“Just the Tra’Mell, Sarpi.”
“Duren, are you really at the helm, or are you being coerced—”
“I’m bringing our ship back. Call off your worfers. And send your Tra’Mellian friends home. There will be no war today.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Sov demanded. “How do I know you’re not being forced to say those things?”
“Why don’t you launch a boarding tube and have a party come through to find out?”
“Sarpi.” The weapons master waved at him from his console. “TheBeccan’scannon ports are closed. Same for their gun ports. There’s been no sign of deployment of any of their weapons.”
“Maybe he escaped from them,” Plur suggested.
“Or this could be a trap,” Sov countered.
Pra gave a derogatory snort. “Why would the Sarpen set a trap?”
“No, not Duren.” Sov stared up at the bubble. “The Esstika. She could be using him as bait, and he’s just too stupid to realize it.” A shudder went through the Sarpi as another possibility struck him. “Or he’s turned traitor and is doing this himself.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Pra argued. “How can he hope to win against an armada this size,andthe Tra’Mell? We have him outgunned and outnumbered!”
The Sarpi walked stiff-legged over to the radar to stare at the blips on the screen. “He said he’s bringing back the frigate. So who’s crewing it? Open communications.”
“Communications open.”
“Duren! Who is your crew?”
He was answered with static.
“Duren Sim Sov! Answer me, you traitor! Who’s manning your ship?”
Static.
“Diad, is the frigate still advancing toward us?”
“Yes, Sarpi.”
“What of the Tra’Mell?”
“Remaining at a distance of eighty-four thousand huares.”
“Any from the north?”
