Priority Signal

“Attention unidentified vessel at two one mark fifteen. This is Alliance patrol Cavalier Three on your port edge. Acknowledge this transmission immediately on civilian frequency three one zero.” By now the two Jack fighters were banking in a slow orbit of their contact, maneuvering in perfect one-two follow formation.

The patch thumped as the transmitter engaged. “Yes yes, what is it?” Lieutenant Walsh resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Transmitting without identification was almost conclusive proof there was nobody aboard who had any clue about civilian navigation.

“This is Lieutenant JG Alfred Mors leading patrol Cavalier Three. You have entered the command zone of a Skywatch warship in civilian spacelanes with no active transponder. You are ordered to alter course to the following coordinates. We will escort you to your next waypoint. Acknowledge.”

There was a long pause, during which it was likely an argument was taking place on the vessel’s intraship.

“Thanks for your concern, but we are headed for the outpost port on RT4. This is a passenger ship. We’re not in the military.”

“Acknowledged. We have orders to escort you to the waypoint displayed on your navigational board. An automatic sequence has been transmitted to your vessel’s autosystems. Please engage as instructed.”

“What gives you the right to tell us where to go?!” The voice on the commlink grew rather tense in short order.

“You are in a military command zone. Please engage the automatic navigational system.”

“You didn’t answer my question. Who are you and where do you get–”

“The captain of the Skywatch warship that located you at system’s edge navigating without an active transponder has the authority to interdict your vessel and seize it if necessary.”

“And what happens if we refuse to enagage this navigational directive?”

“We’re offering you a friendly escort to a safe port. If you refuse, a heavier vessel will tractor you to your waypoint. Please do as we have instructed.”

Almost a full minute later, Aquarian Ten’s navigational systems reduced their security posture. The autosystems course was laid in and activated and the small passenger boat altered course to rendezvous with Argent at the designated coordinates.

Almost exactly one hour later, Commander Cochrane O’Malley stepped off the magneto-lifts on to Flight Deck One. One of the second watch crew supervisors met him at the gate.

“What’s the story?”

“We performed a standard inspection, sir. Nice ship. Their transponder has a setting that deactivates it out-system once they reach their point of origin’s jump gate or navigational perimeter. Unfortunately they never turned it back on. We showed the boat’s owner where the setting was and how to keep it from staying dark after the automatic configuration interval.”

“Very well.”

“Medical staff are completing examinations. They’ll be ready to depart in about ten minutes.”

“Understood, chief. Thanks for your help,” O’Malley replied. Aquarian Ten was a nice ship. It looked rather out of place parked at an odd angle on Argent’s port-side flight deck, but it wasn’t damaged or poorly maintained.

“Are you the captain!?” The tone of the voice made it clear O’Malley would have to employ his most diplomatic personality.

“No sir. I’m the executive officer. Cochrane O’Malley.” The commander extended his hand, which was shaken in a reluctantly friendly greeting. The man speaking for the five-member crew of Aquarian Ten looked to be middle-age and somewhat disheveled. It was apparent they had planned to sleep their way to their arrival on Rho Theta Four.

“I want to speak to the captain.”

“He is unavailable at the moment. I am in command of this vessel. You’ll have to settle for me.”

“Do you really have to send armed fighters to roust a five-man boat? We already had a long exhausting trip.” The other four had alternately unfriendly and annoyed expressions. Two were cradling cups of coffee provided by Argent’s quartermaster’s mate.

“We have standard procedures we have to follow. A boat flying with no transponder trips our security systems. We send out an intercept patrol to make sure you aren’t experiencing an emergency of some kind.”

“I’d like to say a few words about that procedure!”

“Feel free to take it up with your representative, sir. My job is to make sure unfriendly ships don’t suddenly appear over a population center with charged weapons. I’m sure you understand.”

O’Malley’s commlink sounded.

The man grumbled in response. He had rapidly tired of the exchange, and the commander was pretty sure he didn’t want to continue arguing either. “We’ll have you underway in a few minutes. Excuse me.” O’Malley stepped away.

“XO here.”

“Sir, we’re receiving a priority signal. Vessel engaged. Location Hammer’s Tomb.”

“Identity?”

“It’s the Spruance, sir.”

“That’s Commander Teller’s ship!”

“Affirmative.”

“Let me get our guests back on their itinerary. Lay in a course for the Atlantis frontier and stand by to maneuver. Set A-Con Two throughout the ship. I’m on my way to the bridge.”

TO BE CONTINUED