Free Return to Dakistee by Thomas DePrima

gone off in search of religious freedom. Slabeca is a miserable little planet that barely supports organic life, but Obotymot is recovering well from the meteor strike that filled its atmosphere with dust. All reports indicate the efforts to scrub the atmosphere have been hugely successful and the planet is on track to a full recovery. In not too many years, it should again be a lush, agrarian paradise.
    "Obotymot? But that's a Nordakian world. They must be observing the true Almuth there."
    "They do, but Obotymot is still relatively unpopulated. Since the disaster, the population has gathered in large central locations, which could make them an easy target. The Nordakian Military Intelligence Agency suspects that if it is their true destination, the dissidents might intend to seize part of the planet so they can establish their own, isolated theocracy. The difficulty is that every square centimeter of the planet has already been apportioned to the nobility, so the dissidents would be commandeering private property. The Nordakians further believe that if the dissidents seize anyone's lands, it would be the estate of Azula Carver. Her estate on Obotymot spans an entire peninsula. I understand it's about the size of Texas. It's well known that they hate her with a passion because they blame her for all their problems, so it makes sense they would target her lands."
    "Azula Carver? But that's Admiral Carver. Are they nuts?"
    "I would have to give that an unqualified, 'Yes.' Anyone who has a desire to return to the ways of the old Almuth, other than the priesthood, certainly can't be firing on all thrusters."
    "Yeah, the priesthood would have it easy. The people in charge always have it easy in a society where they have supreme power."
    "Yes. They do the directing and the others do the work."
    * * *
    "Enter," Nordakian high priest Kledoujk Vejrezzol said in response to the door chime.
    Sebaqd Gxidescu, his top Minister, entered and walked to where Vejrezzol was reclining on an oh-gee sofa, but said nothing until given permission to speak.
    "Report," Vejrezzol said finally.
    "The ghost is still there. The captain insists we're being followed, but the ship is remaining at maximum Detect range. The electronics on this old scow aren't the best and we only get a glimpse every few hours. When we do, the signal only lasts for a second or two."
    "But he's absolutely sure there's a ship there?"
    "He says he's certain."
    "It can't be just a ghost image, reflection, or some other anomaly?"
    "He says no."
    "Then it must either be a Nordakian military vessel or Space Command."
    "Or perhaps a Raider vessel."
    "The Raiders don't operate in this part of space anymore," Vejrezzol said. "We don't need to fear them ."
    "They don't openly attack ships anymore, but everyone knows they're still around. A few ships go missing every year and some people think Raiders are responsible. They believe the Raiders are being very selective by only targeting old vessels no one will miss, rather than high profile passenger liners and cargo ships with valuable loads."
    "Bah! Those missing ships are all old tramps. The owners probably just scuttled them for the insurance money."
    "I don't know. Most insurers won't pay off these days without some proof of what happened in case the owners are doing exactly what you say, or in case they've simply sold the vessel to someone operating in another area of space. But if the Raiders are targeting tramps, we'd be a likely candidate. This old wreck can barely make Light-75."
    I'm well aware of that. You should have found us something faster."
    "This was the only ship I could find where the Captain would allow us to provide most of the crew," Gxidescu said. "Having our people on the bridge will make the takeover easy when it's time to change course."
    "If that ship is military, and we have to assume it is, and they continue to follow us, we might have to go all the way to Slabeca. I thought we'd be able to alter course a few