“What?!” burst out Captain Weir, incredulous.
“You heard me.”
“Unidentified vessel, I have the safety of my crew and passengers to consider. Your demand is impossible to meet!” barked the captain.
There was an audible sigh on the comms channel. “Oh, Captain. We both know that you are currently carrying no passengers and only minimal crew. You have been hiding from the authorities because of some naughtiness on the part of your owners. But now you’re caught.”
The captain stared dumbfounded at the blank main screen.
“Your crew evacuation plan takes eight minutes. I’m a generous man, so you have ten. Once the lifeboats have been launched, after a brief period of time of course, I will unjam your broadcasts so that you can be found and rescued. Anyone left on theStella Mariswill be so much space dust. Your ten minutes starts now.”
“Comm channel closed, Captain,” said the comms officer.
“Weapons on the unidentified ship have gone live, sir,” warned a flight officer.
“Reopen the comms channel!” ordered Captain Weir.
“Negative, sir. They are refusing to respond.”
There was a moment of tense silence on the command deck.
Captain Weir stood up. “Immediate evacuation,” he ordered.
An alarm klaxon rang out as the officers and crew scrambled for their lifeboats.
***
Aria, Quinn, Giles, and Felipesegundo stood clustered around Jack, who was seated in his command chair. Little pinpricks of light shot away from the massive space liner.
“Lifeboats away,” observed Jack. “I thought that went rather well, actually.” He turned to Felipesegundo. “We have no idea if the crew or the ship’s owners have left any nasty surprises on board that ship; you and your people will have to sweep it thoroughly. The captain seemed like a pretty straight shooter, but his employers most definitely were not.”
“This one’s people will be most thorough,” assured Felipesegundo.
Jack tousled the Treb’s hair. “I’m going to miss you, you tricksy little fellow.”
“The feeling is mutual, tricksy Captain.”
“Starship coming out of warp,” announced the signals officer.
A rather decrepit ship, looking like something straight from the salvage yard, appeared on screen and began a course for theStella Maris.
“Don’t tell me your people have been flying around the galaxy inthat,” said Quinn, looking appalled.
“It has served to get this one’s people from point A to point B,” said Felipesegundo. “But this one thinks that we will be improving our conditions very, very soon.”
“No kidding,” observed Giles. “Well, theStella Mariswill definitely be a step up, my friend.”
The rickety ship heaved to alongside the space liner and extended docking ports.
“This one will need to join them soon,” announced Felipesegundo, moisture lining the alien’s eyes.
“I thought we were giving you a big send-off party!” protested Jack.
“Alas, this one has difficulty with long goodbyes.” The Treb gave a little sniffle. “It has been the adventure of a lifetime with you, Captain Mad Jack. And all of you. This one will miss you terribly.”
“I—”Aria was overcome with a sudden rush of tears. “It was an honor and a privilege to meet you, Felipesegundo.”
The alien gave a bow. “The honor belonged to this one, Lady Aria.”
