realized that, due to the rioting and numerous public demonstrations, the operator was planning on getting the car back to the station and then finding her way to the safety of her own home. Jalea soon learned, however, that she was only partially correct. The car operator was not planning on continuing her duties, but neither was she planning on taking the car all the way to the end station first. At the next platform, she too disembarked with a few of the others, moving away from the platform and stripping off her uniform jacket as she ran away, headed toward a residential area that must have been where she lived.

Jalea immediately moved forward, pushing her way past the confused passengers still on the car and stepping into the open operator’s compartment. Tug followed her, already surmising her intent.

“We’re taking this car all the way to the spaceport!” Tug announced to the remaining passengers. “If you do not wish to go to the spaceport, you have ten seconds to get off this car.”

“Who the hell are you to-” a male passenger began as he moved toward Tug.

“I’m the crazy old man with a gun,” Tug said as he pulled out his weapon, “that is currently pointed at your head.” Tug smiled. “Eight seconds.”

The man that had spoken up now backed away, immediately disembarking along with a few others. Several people remained seated, however, and Tug wasn’t sure why.

“Are you going to shoot us?” an elderly woman asked.

“Do you plan on trying to stop us?” Tug asked, only half serious. The old woman shook her head. “Then of course not, ma’am. Sit back and relax, everyone. We’ll arrive at the spaceport in a few minutes.” Tug put away his gun as he turned back toward Jalea in the operator’s compartment. “Best speed to the spaceport, if you please.”

Jalea activated the controls, and the monorail car began moving slowly away from the platform, picking up speed with each passing second until it reached its maximum safe cruising speed.

“You weren’t planning to stop at any of the platforms along the way, were you?” Tug asked. Jalea just shot him a dubious glance. “Just checking.”

The comm-panel beeped twice, announcing an incoming call. Nathan quickly activated the comm, mentally admonishing himself for not muting the system to avoid waking Jessica from her catnap on his couch. But the damage was already done, and Jessica was beginning to stir.

“Go ahead,” Nathan said into the comm, trying to keep his volume down.

“Captain, Mendez. I’m down in Sig-Int, and we’re picking up a lot of strange broadcasts from Corinair.”

“What kind of broadcasts?”

“News broadcasts, sir. There’s riots going on-something to do with the Legend of Origins. They’re saying there was some kind of sign. They’re talking like it’s the end of the world or something.”

“Can you send it to the viewer in my ready room?”

“Yes, sir. But it won’t be translated. I’ve got Nara working on the translation now.”

“That’s fine, just send me the video for now. I’ll check out the translation later, after you finish it.”

“Yes, sir. I’m sending you the live feed now.”

The main view screen in the ready room came to life and began displaying a broadcast feed from one of the local news stations in the capital city of the planet Corinair. The broadcast was split into four views, each showing different events happening simultaneously. The image in the upper left corner showed a map of the city, with dozen of icons on it, each representing the location of an event. At random intervals, one of the icons would expand to fill one of the other three views, replacing what had been showing previously.

“What’s going on?” Jessica asked, opening her eyes slightly but not yet sitting up.

“Something is happening on Corinair. There are riots and stuff. Sig-Int says the people on Corinair are talking about the end of the world.”

“Oh, is that all?” Jessica said, stretching.

The comm beeped again. “Captain, Communications. Urgent inbound message sir.”

“From who?”

“From a Ta’Akar warship, sir. Their captain is asking to speak with the captain of the disappearing ship.”

Jessica immediately sat up right, her eyes wide. Nathan’s eyes were also wide. “I think he’s talking about us.”

“Uh, put him through, I guess.”

“The signal includes video, sir. Shall we match it?”

Nathan looked to Jessica.

“Why not? Let’s see what the asshole looks like.”

“All right. Pipe the video in here as well.”

The images from the Corinairan news broadcasts were instantly replaced by a stately looking man, probably in his mid-fifties, with graying temples and a perfectly groomed mustache. His uniform was clean and well pressed, and boasted numerous ribbons and commendations. Nathan couldn’t help but wonder if the man expected to appear in a parade later in the day. He also wondered how this man would consider Nathan’s own appearance. No doubt, his scruffy whiskers, unkempt hair, and simple duty uniform carried nowhere near the same impact.

“Hello Captain,” the man on the screen said. His tone was cheerful, although not overtly so. His manner was well rehearsed, no doubt through years of service in his position. Nathan couldn’t help but notice that the man seemed somewhat surprised by not only Nathan’s disheveled appearance, but also the obvious difference in their ages. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Augustine de Winter, captain of the warship Yamaro. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”

“My name is Nathan Scott, captain of the Aurora.”

“A pleasure, sir.”

Nathan was about to introduce Jessica as well, if only out of instinct. Her emphatic gestures indicating that he should not know that she was there stopped him from doing so.

“To what do I owe the honor, Captain de Winter?”

“I have been authorized by my government to offer you amnesty and safe passage out of Ta’Akar space.”

Nathan could tell that the task did not sit well with the officer. It was obvious that he held himself in high esteem, and Nathan got the distinct impression that he did not feel he had been accorded the same level of respect from his peers that he felt he deserved. Being forced to serve as a messenger foremost obviously bruised this man’s ego.

“Interesting. However, I wasn’t aware that our flight plans required your government’s approval.”

Jessica smiled. She already liked the position Nathan was taking with this guy. She was able to lean forward just enough to be able to turn her head and see the man’s image on the viewer without her image being picked up by the viewer’s camera and transmitted back to the Yamaro. As best they could tell, the pompous captain wasn’t even aware that she was in the room.

“Yes. Well, your recent activities have earned you some degree of notoriety among those of us tasked with maintaining order out here amongst the stars. To put it bluntly, sir, there is a price on your head, as well as the heads of the Karuzari you harbor. Command would prefer that your ship be taken intact.” The man thought for a moment. “However, they made no such specification regarding you or your crew.”

Nathan didn’t care much for threats, veiled or otherwise. His father had always said that threats were the sign of weakness or fear. This man, however, did not appear to be displaying either emotion.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” Nathan told him. His use of the phrase was met with a puzzled look. “What is it you require from me in return for safe passage?”

“Nothing much. Simply turn over all members of the Karuzari currently on board your vessel, as well as any information you have about the whereabouts of any other members you might possess.”

“And that’s it?”

“We also require all information regarding the technology you use to so effortlessly jump between the stars. It’s really quite an impressive feat, I must say.”

“And if we refuse?”

“Then you will be captured and executed. Either way, we shall have the secret of your miraculous method of interstellar travel.”

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