Free The Veritian Derelict (Junkyard Dogs) by Phillip Nolte Page B

finances aren't in the best of shape. In fact this sounds almost too good to be true. What's the catch?"
    Kresge sighed, "There is always a catch, isn't there?" He took a deep breath before continuing. "We don't know how long it will be until the Navy can get a new main facility transported out here. I was originally told we should have a new facility within a month. Since that was around six weeks ago, I'm not holding my breath. The Navy is woefully short of just about everything right now. To be brutally honest, we might be needing you and your ship indefinitely."
    "I see. " Murdock made her decision without wasting any more time. "I don't really have any short term plans, Commander, and hauling freight could turn out to be a pretty dangerous occupation for the near future. The Greyhound is at your disposal."
    "Thanks, Helen. I assume that Hawkins is with you?"
    "Yes he is, Commander, but he's still sleeping. Should I wake him?"
    "Not necessary. Would you be so kind as to tell him to report to the briefing room later this morning? I'd like you to come too, I have a meeting scheduled for 0800."
    "We'll be there, Commander. Anything else you want me to do?
    "I'd get packed up and ready to spend some time aboard ship out in the Scrapyard, Helen. We've got a lot of work to do. Kresge out."
    The screen went blank.

 
    Chapter10.
     
    "...The so-called Sheik of Barsoom is known to be ruthless and violent as witnessed by the alarming number of atrocities that have been strongly connected with him and his followers. He and his group have taken credit for many more acts of terrorism and his penchant for boasting and exaggeration make him, if not a desirable figure, certainly one of the more colorful of the Muslim dissidents. His origins are not known with certainty, though credible accounts indicate that he may actually be the son of nobility as his title implies, but it is every bit as likely that he comes from more common origins. His whereabouts remain unknown, and interplanetary authorities consider him and members of his group to be armed, extremely dangerous, and very unpredictable. Recent holographs of the Sheik and a physical description are included in this pamphlet. If you have any information about the Sheik of Barsoom or his followers, please contact the United Federation Terrorism Task Force (UFTTF) at the number listed below. Your communication will remain strictly confidential...
    Urgent December Update : The UFTTF has received reports from reliable sources that an individual believed to be the Sheik of Barsoom was recently sighted on an orbital station in the border region between Federation and Meridian Space. If you see this man, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH HIM! Instead, contact Federation authorities immediately. A reward is offered for substantial information. Once again, your communication will remain strictly confidential..."
    Hartwell Wrist Comp reference note highlighted for further review by Tamara Carlisle. Excerpt is from "Known Muslim Terrorists and Dissidents: Midyear Update." Short video download and hardcopy pamphlet prepared by the UFTTF for screening and distribution to travelers headed to the Meridian planetary system. No author is listed.
     
    On board the New Tunisian Warship Mahdia , an obsolete destroyer recently stolen by the Sheik of Barsoom, somewhere in the Catskill-Soroyan Star System, November 29, 2598.
    T he Sheik of Barsoom was livid as he paced the small bridge of his stolen destroyer. He and his formidable battle group had been forced to flee in disgrace from two battered old mining ships. Mining ships? And he had a destroyer in his possession!
    " Mining ships!" he ranted. "We had to run like cowardly dogs from two mining ships! How was it that those accursed gunners were able to ruin the pulse beams?" he shouted. "What are we to do now? We are supposed to rendezvous with the others in just a few days. This ship was to be part of the attacking forces! Now I must divert forces to finish