The Argossy hid behind the freighter then popped out and unloaded on the black ship. The BG boat’s shields held but suddenly the Argossy touched the Derbinster and started to spin.
“Straighten us out,” said Jolo. But it was too late. The Argossy could take anything head on, but when she swung around the BG ship got a clear target, and took out one of her ion cannons. Koba recovered quickly though.
“Koba, give them everything we’ve got.” The Cruiser fired back, this time at the Fed boat, but it was over. Both the Fed boat and the Argossy concentrated their guns at the Cruiser and both the BG engines blew. The ship again lost power and went into a slow dead spin. This time it wasn’t coming back.
Both black ships were dead. But Jolo didn’t like being so close to a Fed Gunboat. The Fed always had too many questions that he didn’t have good answers for. He shook his head and took a deep breath. What good has come of this? he thought. And then he remembered the Fortinbras, her crew sucked out into space. The Derbinster was still in one piece.
“Hurley,” Jolo said on the comm, “status?”
“Ain’t good, Captain. We’re down a gun and the shields are low.”
The Fed Gunboat captain hailed the Argossy. “Thank you for your assistance, Captain. My name is Waylan Magnan, captain of the Federation Gunboat Arella.”
Computer, did Waylan Magnan know Jolo Vargas?
Waylan Magnan and Jolo Vargas fought together in the BG wars before the alliance was formed.
“Thank you, captain. We’ll be on our way now. We’ve got a pickup on Calamar that can’t wait,” said Jolo. The Arella moved from behind the Derbinster but Jolo eased the Argossy towards the front of the cargo hauler, putting Fed civilians between his boat and the Arella’s guns.
“I’ve never seen a Runabout like that. Especially with so much firepower,” said the captain.
“The enemy is coming. Always,” said Jolo.
“I’ve heard that said before, years ago, by a great captain.” The gunboat continued to move toward the Argossy and Koba struggled to keep the cargo hauler between them. Soon they’d be nose to nose.
“That gunboat’s still got one good railgun, Captain,” said Greeley. The Arella was down to one thruster and Jolo doubted the shields were full up, but Magnan kept coming. He feinted a downward move then rose up quickly and suddenly they were facing the Arella’s one working railgun.
“Let’s cut the crap, Captain,” said Magnan. “Who are you and why are you here? You’re no trader.”
“Like I said. Just making a run,” said Jolo.
“No, you aren’t. Captain Vargas.”
Jolo cut the comm. “Koba, keep the guns hot,” said Jolo. “Hurley, give me all shields to the front.” And the two boats faced off, no more than 100 meters between them. Jolo knew more Fed boats were coming, but if he turned tail and ran would the Arella take him out? Another minute passed, and Jolo decided to run, but then Magnan hailed him again.
“Captain Vargas, why are two BG boats hitting a cargo hauler?”
Jolo held the comm in his hand and paused, tried to think of a good line to feed the Fed captain, then finally decided on the truth: “The hauler has galaxite.”
“Why do they want that?”
“You won’t believe me.”
“Try me.”
“They’re going to use it to blow up the planet Duval, just like they did to Vellos.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe you. And I’m not going to ask what you are doing out here either. But just so you know, we’ll be busy helping the Derbinster so if you happen to find a bit of cargo floating out in space, I’m sure you’ll see its taken care of.”
“Of course,” said Jolo.
“Thanks again, Captain Vargas. You saved my crew,” said Magnan. “One more thing. A transport and a few Gunboats will be in the sector in five minutes.”
Jolo cut the comm link.
“Uh, what just happened there?” said Greeley. “How’d he know?”
“We fought together,” said Jolo. “Koba, let’s ease out aways and snag a few floaters. We gotta be gone in five.”
Barc
39 days left
Jolo and the crew grabbed three of the Derbinster’s floaters as fast as they could. There was no time to be picky so Koba got the Argossy as close as possible and Greeley snagged the boxes with the magna-hook. He suited up and then stood on the edge of the open cargo bay door staring out into space, one thin safety wire preventing him from flying out into the great black expanse.
Greeley aimed the line gun attached to the side of the bay and pulled the trigger. It had a smooth hydraulic kick that he enjoyed, the hook shooting out into space, line feeding out like the tail of a snake. The magna-hook, which wasn’t really a hook but an electro-magnet, would stick if it got anywhere near metal, and then wouldn’t let go unless he flipped the switch.
The only check they did was to make sure the box wasn’t full of HWC. They ended up with one parts box, a bio box full of medical grade tubing and small vacuum pumps, and
