Kracori ship, just in case.
There were ample weapons within the KFV, all of the energy-bolt variety, which should suffice against aliens. The SEAL’s were ready – in fact anxious – for some action. Adam’s ribs still hurt terribly, but he toughed it out. Hopefully the gravity aboard the freighter would be light. That would certainly help.
As the two large contacts came within extreme visual range, the furthest one out from the KFV veered off and bolted away. The other one hesitated and Kaylor was able to move within weapon’s range. The Class-5 was fast, but it was still within a planetary system and therefore could not engage its deep wells. This allowed the KFV to move even closer.
Riyad fingered the comm button. “This is Kracori vessel double-oh-seven calling the Class-5 freighter on my screens. Please respond.”
Jym looked at Riyad with a quizzical look, and then he whispered, “I do not see such a designation for this ship?
“It’s a top secret designation, my friend,” Riyad answered. He looked over to see Sherri grinning from ear to ear.
After few moments of silence, the comm speaker crackled just before a voice could be heard. “This is the Leerin Vessel 7786. What is your message, Kra … Kracori vessel zero-zero-seven?”
“Greetings,” Riyad said joyfully, following Jym’s advice about being more congenial. “As you are obviously aware, the Kracori race now controls the region, so I am here inquiring about your cargo and destination?”
There was another long pause before those aboard the freighter responded. “We currently carry no cargo, and we were in the process of evacuating the area so as to avoid any conflict.”
“That is understandable,” Riyad said reassuringly. “With your permission, we would like to send a shuttle over to discuss the terms of possibly hiring your vessel for the shipment of some supplies to our forces off Juir. Would you consider receiving a hefty sum in return for your services?”
“In what form of currency would this fee be made?”
Riyad was taken aback. This alien had cut right to the chase, and he was aware that with the fall of Juir, all Juirean credits were useless. He also figured that any currency the Kracori might use would be equally worthless at this time. Riyad smiled and responded. “We are prepared to pay in gold certificates, a precious metal currently traded in many systems throughout the Expansion.”
“We are aware of gold. That will suffice. Send over your shuttle.”
Jym cut the line and Riyad turned to Sherri with a wide grin. “That was easier than I thought.”
Fifteen minutes later the tiny shuttle skidded to a stop in the cavernous cargo bay of the freighter. Adam was at the pilot controls and he gasped, having never seen a room as large as this one aboard a starship.
Once the atmosphere was replaced in the huge chamber, Lt. Tobias cracked the hatch and they all stepped out into the room. The gravity here was very light, either because that’s the way the crew liked it, or because it made maneuvering cargo easier. Either way it made the bulky spacesuits the SEALs wore easier to operate.
There was no crew visible so they moved quickly to one of the airlocks doors off the landing bay and entered another, smaller room.
Still no crew.
“Adam to Riyad, come in.”
“Riyad here.”
“I thought you said they’d be glad to see us? We’re supposed to give them a shit-load of money after all. You’d think they’d send someone down here to get it, wouldn’t you?”
“One would think. I will call the ship again and check.”
Adam and the other SEALs were in one of the control rooms for the landing bay; Tindal tried one of the side doors and found it to be unlocked.
“There’s a really wide passageway out here; must be for hauling forklifts full of cargo around. I think I see someone at the other end.”
“Be careful, John,” Adam said. “Remember, these things think we’re Kracori.”
The four of them moved out into the passageway, which was indeed huge in its own right, easily fifteen meters wide. “There’s someone,” Chief Rutledge called out. There was a tall, slender creature about fifty meters away waving at them.
The SEALs formed up with their flash rifles ready. Adam knew it would be hard to appear non-threatening while cradling the weapons in ready-position. But they were aboard the ship now, so whatever happens from now on should be—
Suddenly a dozen or more flash bolts lashed out at them from various points at the other end of the passageway. Both Lt. Tobias