Alien Freak - Calista Skye Page 0,88
Star Marshals may be the same as being taken directly by the Bululg or the Gurandu.”
“I don’t think so,” I ponder. “Looks like they’re moving into attack position.”
“Stay out of this, Star Marshals!” the radio screeches. “We are on a legal hunt! If our prey gets away, that’s your responsibility!”
“Gurandu ship, stand down immediately, or you will be fired upon,” the Star Marshals say, calm and chilly.
The ship doesn’t slow down. It’s now very close, and its tractor beam is jerking at our little ship.
“This is your last warning. Stand down, or you will be destroyed.” A brilliantly green beam shoots from the Star Marshal cruiser to right in front of the Gurandu ship.
“Stay away!” the Gurandu screams. “Don’t get between a hunter and his prey!”
Three more seconds go by. Then a white beam shoots from the Gurandu ship and connects with the Star Marshal cruiser.
“They’re shooting at the police,” Zaroc says. “Not a great idea.”
The green beam shoots from the Star Marshal ship to the Gurandu craft, and the hunter’s ship starts spewing dust and smoke. There is crazy screeching on the radio, none of it intelligible.
The Gurandu fire at the Star Marshals again with their white beam, and then the Star Marshals end it all with eight green beams that rip through the enemy’s ship and tear it to shreds, leaving only debris.
“Come here,” Zaroc says and quickly pulls my face into his chest.
“Hey, what—” I begin, then understand it when there’s a white flash so bright it makes dots dance in front of my eyes, despite being pretty much buried in my fiance’s red chest.
“Hyperdrive explosions can be violent,” he says and lets me back up. “This one wasn’t so bad.”
I look out. “Hey, where is the Gurandu ship?”
“The explosion turned every part of it to a cloud of dust,” Zaroc says with satisfaction.
“Unidentified ship, stand by to be taken aboard. If you so choose,” the Star Marshals are saying. “You are not under arrest and may continue on your way if you so please. This is only an invitation.”
“I think that solves our problem,” Zaroc says and pilots the ship towards the police cruiser. “I haven’t known the Star Marshals to lie.”
“Uh-huh,” I reply, not convinced. “There are still a lot of Bululg ships right over there.”
“It looks like they’re breaking off their attack,” Zaroc says. “I would say they’re running for their lives. I think you’re safe, my love. But if anything at all happens that you don’t like, I have my venom and you have your bracelet. Now you know how to use it.”
I grab his hand again. “I hope I won’t have to.”
Aboard the Star Marshal cruiser, our old frenemies are waiting.
“Superintendent,” Zaroc greets them. “Senior Justice.”
“Ahem,” the superintendent says. “It’s in fact Chief Superintendent and Chief Justice now.”
I stay on my guard. “You were promoted? Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Lady Averie. Thank you, Your Highness,” the justice beams. “Our superiors were most impressed that our encounter with Elder representatives – that is, you two – was so well handled and judged. We had some trouble finding you, and only our sporadic contacts with the monks of Xrarar provided clues. Well, I say clues. In fact, they told us very clearly that you were there. Just a couple of days ago. They are the worst gossips, I fear. But we were far away and had to speed here. Only to discover that you had been ambushed! Thankfully, we were able to resolve that, too.”
Zaroc gives me a brief glance. “I see. We’re very grateful, of course. And why did you want to find us?”
“Oh, because we’ve settled the case.”
“Which case?” I ask, worried.
“The case of the Gurandu hunters,” the Chief Justice says. “Remember? We wanted to know why, in their Wanted notice for Prince Zaroc, they had not provided a crime for which His Highness was wanted. A breach of regulations! We can’t work under those circumstances! Now, it turns out that they have no case. But we have a case against them. You see, our investigation shows that the hunting license of which they speak has been active for ten years. While Galaxy Court states that no such license may be valid for more than a single year!”
“Yes, but they have extended and renewed the license every year,” Zaroc tiredly explains. “The documents are filed and legal.”
“With respect, Your Highness, they are not. One year is the maximum! There’s no provision in any law for an extension or renewal. To say it like a