Chapter Seventeen
“All right, cut them loose,” said Captain West.
The Kilkka released its hold on the Bloodbath and the two ships drifted apart. They were deep in uncharted space, without any other ships, stations or planets within several light years.
“What’s going on?” demanded Lother.
“We’ve spoken to Miss Opatz and she has informed us that, contrary to popular expectation, you did not harm her in any way while she was in your clutches. As such, we are giving you a chance to surrender.”
“Surrender? What about our deal!”
“That was just for the benefit of the other two ships. You didn’t really expect that we would set you free to continue your murderous ways, did you?”
Raktu and Lother looked at each other. They had no weapons, no missiles and their ship was severely crippled. They were powerless.
“We need to get our guest back to her family pretty soon, so if anyone feels like being taken into custody, they should mention it about now.”
Lother held out his fist to Raktu, who gently punched it on the knuckles.
West pushed a button and the hundred and ten kilos of NiPox in the shuttle attached to the side of the Bloodbath detonated. There was an intense cascade of photons and the Bloodbath ceased to be.
“What do you think?” asked Doris. “Nice view?”
She and Paxton where on the balcony of their tenth floor apartment. They had ended up on Moret, and settled in a small town. There were green trees as far as they eye could see and birds sung a strange tune. Paxton had his arm slung casually around Doris’ waist and held her close.
“It’s a very nice view,” said Paxton as he kissed her.
The rain fell heavily on the distant rooftops. The streets of Zakharina were slick with water, but it was normally that way this time of year on Belousov. In one of the quiet little side streets, two friends were sitting at a bar sipping some drinks.
“So,” said Westby. “What do we do now?”
“Well,” said Waldemar. “Since the New Dawn has gone back to carrying basic cargo and the University has deemed that our services are no longer needed, we are pretty much free to do what we will.”
“Yeah. Pity that whole trip didn’t pay out.”
“True, true. On the plus side, I did manage to save a very detailed survey of that area and have a good map on how to get there.”
Westby snorted in derision. “That’s all fine and good, but what does that do for us? You going to arrange history tours?”
“You remember that whole speech I gave about how the sample was supposed to be Gronon and being practically worthless?”
“Supposed to be?” exclaimed Westby.
“Well, I may have made a teensy little misdiagnosis when I said it was Gronon. It’s actually worth a bit more. A whole lot more. And I know a place where we can hire a ship to do a spot of salvage work.”
The End
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