“Launching surveillance drones,” Maeve said on the senior officer loop.
Trevor stared aghast at the screen, heart pounding and a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. What the seven hells?
Jake gave him a sharp glance as if to say pull yourself together or you’ll get tossed off the bridge and he took several deep breaths in response to the warning.
“Shemdylann pirate ship just broke out of hyperspace,” the Third Officer said. A new vidscreen flashed showing the unmistakable profile of a medium size war vessel. “Weapons locked on us, sir.”
“Maeve, counter measures.” Fleming stayed cool. “Whatever we have ready.”
Trevor couldn’t imagine what defenses a cruise liner could possibly have against the armament the alien ship carried. He clenched his fists, working hard to focus and not slip into a flashback. This was his worst nightmare coming true, in addition to losing Gianna.
“Shield deployed,” the AI said.
The officers on the bridge exchanged incredulous glances. Nonmilitary ships didn’t possess shield capabilities in the normal course of things but Maeve was well known to have enhanced her basic configuration over time since she and Captain Fleming had come aboard from the last battleship he’d commanded and she’d embodied.
“There’s our ride,” Dant said cheerily, as if completely unconcerned about anything Fleming might try to do. “Thanks for bringing us such a big payday, captain. Best be on your way now. My many legged friend in the big nasty ship with all the guns has a short temper.”
“Emergency signal sent to Sectors naval command,” the com tech said. “Response time estimated to be several hours.”
“The military can’t get here for a while,” Dant said, as if he was listening in to the conversation on the bridge but Trevor knew eavesdropping was impossible. This criminal played three dimensional chess, covered all the angles and eventualities, as O’Meara had said the Provimters did. The kidnapper continued in his faux jocular tone. “This deep in the Sectors no one expects a Shemdylann incursion, do they, captain? Which is why I say again, let us go on our way and you have clearance to leave intact. You can’t help this woman now and you know it.”
Studying the tactical trideo showing the space immediately around them, Trevor saw the lifeboat would intersect the Shemdylann vessel in three minutes and Gianna would be gone forever, beyond his ability to help her, although he made a vow not to ever give up.
“Pilot, are we hyperdrive capable yet?” Fleming asked.
Trevor bit back an angry exclamation. Surely the captain wasn’t going to sail away as if nothing had happened and abandon Gianna?
“Nothing else we can do,” Jake said, moving closer and speaking only to Trevor. “Too many lives at risk. We’re sitting ducks for that pirate, mysterious shields or not. And if they have any companions, things could get uglier fast.”
Steve Aureli’s calm voice interrupted the tense discussion. “Engines online, sir. Ready to accelerate on your command.”
“Sir, let me take the shuttle and go after her.” Trevor couldn’t contain himself any longer. “I was trained in assault techniques, I can get on board the enemy ship, I can—”
“Stand down, Mr. Hanson. Gentlemen, wait for me in the wardroom,” Fleming said to Jake and Trevor.
Jake took Trevor by the arm and led him off the bridge. “You have a plan?” he asked as soon as they were alone in the wardroom.
“Maybe. Harebrained and half assed but yeah. I can’t let her go like this. Her biggest fear came true right in front of my eyes. Either I find her and rescue her or I die in the attempt.” Trevor hated how melodramatic he sounded, like a stuffed up actor in a drama trideo but he meant every word. He wouldn’t abandon her.
The ship lurched ever so slightly and he knew they were back in hyperspace. He sank into the nearest chair, making wild plans to head for the landing bay and steal a ship. If Maeve’s drones were out there tracking the Shemdylann, he could find the enemy. She’d help him, wouldn’t she?
Captain Fleming came in, shut the door and sat. “I’m not prepared to abandon Gianna Nadenoft but I can’t risk the thousands of people aboard this ship either. “
Trevor drew breath to speak and Fleming cut him off. “I accept your offer to volunteer. But this has to be done fast and it has to be done with utmost care. Jake, could you assemble a small force to insert aboard that ship, as Lt. Hanson swears he can accomplish, and rescue her if at all possible?”
“Of course, sir. Trev and I have been discussing options. I’d ask for a few more volunteers from the veterans in the crew on board. There’s the issue of a ship, sir. I assume the pirates are traveling in the opposite direction at a great rate of speed as well so we’d have to catch up. Not sure our shuttles are up to the challenge. We’d need a military grade sortie ship.”
“Maeve.” The captain’s voice was flat.
The AI spoke as cheerfully as she did when granting any request from room service to changing the display at the Observatory. “I can provide a more than adequate vessel, armed, with shields. I can also supply ordnance suitable for destroying the enemy ship if planted at strategic points inside the hull.”
Trevor and Jake exchanged astonished looks.
“Maeve and I have been working on a few things,” Fleming said in the understatement of all times. “We have more planned but for this emergency we have to work with what we have. All right, gather your team, develop a plan, present it to me for approval in thirty minutes and I’m assuming we’ll be a go. Pray to the Lords of Space Gianna has enough time for a team to go in and rescue her.”
“The Shemdylann exerted so much effort to kidnap her, I can’t imagine the pirates won’t keep her alive for at least some time,” Jake said, studiously not meeting Trevor’s eyes.
“All right, dismissed until we reconvene to examine your plan of attack.”
Dodging passengers and other crew members, Jake and Trevor ran to the security office where they found the conference room full of eager volunteers. Word had spread fast on the security team.
“Any status on Gayla?” Jake asked his second in command, Red Thomsill, also an ex-Special Forces operator.
“She’s in sick bay with a head wound. She was drugged and got a concussion when she fell. Doc says she’ll be okay in a few days.” Red moved aside and Verlaine pushed his way from under a desk and launched himself at Trevor, whining.
Trevor knelt on one knee to pat the hound, murmuring reassurances. “We’ll get her back, don’t worry. And you’re going to help.” Glancing up at Red, he asked, “Was Verlaine injured?”
“He was hit with a tranquilizer dart. He recovered pretty quick. Dr. Shane gave him what she called a reversal medicine.” Red shrugged. “Figured we might have a use for him on this wild trip we’re about to take.”
“For sure. Thanks for bringing him.” Trevor rose, keeping a firm grip on the hound’s leash.
At the last minute the cargo master squeezed into the room, carrying Midorri. “I’m volunteering,” he said, brooking no argument. “I did a few ship to ship fights in my day. And this creature I’ve got here is damn smart. She can help us plant the ordnance in vulnerable spots we might not be able to reach.” Midorri chittered from her perch on his broad shoulder, her tail wrapped around Owen’s thick neck.