Free Ronin (The Pike Chronicles Book 3) by G. P. Hudson Page B

contacted her for.
    “Elizabeth, I want you to look at something and tell me if you recognize it.” Showing her the ship violated a string of security protocols, but he had a gut feeling that the appearance of this unidentified ship was no coincidence.
    “Sure, I’ll do my best.”
    “It’s a warship, but we have no idea where it came from. I’m sending you an image now.”
    “I don’t believe it,” said Ellerbeck, her face going pale.
    “So you recognize this vessel?”
    “Yes, I do. Do you remember the stories I told you about Earth being conquered?”
    “Yes.”
    Ellerbeck looked at him with dead serious eyes. “It’s them. Christopher, the Juttari have come.”

Chapter 15
     
    “Picking up multiple contacts on an intercept course,” said the tactician.
    The same alert flashed in front of his eye as the message simultaneously came in through his brain chip. With a thought he pulled up a visual of the contacts. Definitely military vessels, they were similar to the destroyers he’d faced back at DLC station.
    “Reading weapon signatures. Contacts look to be destroyer class military vessels.” The tactical officer knew that Bast had received the information directly, but announced it for the benefit of the Space Force officers on the bridge.
    “So much for shore leave,” said Chief St. Clair, resignation in his voice. “I knew it was too good to be true.”
    Bast glanced over at Captain Pike, who seemed to be studying him, rather than looking at the contacts on the viewscreen.
    “Any thoughts, Captain?” said Bast.
    “I think Kevin’s right,” said Pike. “Shore leave’s not going to happen.”
    Bast nodded and wondered if Captain Pike and Chief St. Clair behaved like this on the Hermes.
    “Maintain course,” ordered Bast. “Prepare for defensive action if needed.”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “You can’t really blame them,” said Pike. “You don’t have the friendliest looking ship in the galaxy.”
    “Friendly or not, we have a life pod to retrieve,” said Bast.
    “You won’t get any argument from me,” said Pike.
    “Helm, prepare to jump us into high orbit around New Byzantium.”
    “That’ll get their attention.”
    “I’d rather not use the jump system, but if they become unreasonable we will have to show them what they’re up against.”
    “Nothing like the threat of orbital bombardment to make a planet sit up and take notice.”
    The Chaanisar Heavy Cruiser continued to coast toward the planet, as the three destroyers raced to intercept.
    “We are being hailed, Sir.”
    “Route the communication to my console,” said Bast.
    A stern looking woman in a military uniform appeared on Bast’s display. “Juttari vessel, you have unlawfully entered New Byzantium territory. You are ordered to leave this system immediately.”
    “This is Colonel Bast. Who am I speaking to?”
    “My name is Captain Evans.”
    “Captain, how do you know that this is a Juttari vessel?”
    “That information is classified. What matters is that you cease your advance and leave this system. Will you comply?”
    “And if I refuse?”
    “You will be fired upon.”
    “Sir, two of the destroyers have changed vectors. They are moving to flank us,” said the tactical officer.
    “Captain, we are not what we appear to be. This ship is no longer under Juttari command. We are on a peaceful mission.”
    Bast’s screen went blank as Captain Evans disconnected the communication link.
    “It appears we are not the only unfriendly ship out here,” Bast said, looking at Captain Pike.
    “It does sound like they mean business. Are you going to jump, or wait to see if they’ll fire?”
    “They obviously want to flank us. They won’t fire until they’re in position. Any suggestions, Captain?”
    “No. I like your strategy. Firing on the destroyers will further alienate the planet, regardless of who’s right. We’re here to retrieve our people, not prove how tough we are.”
    Bast nodded. He wondered