Free The Venusian Gambit by Michael J. Martinez

to draw off the energy from whatever’s on board Tienlong . Next up, we get our team aboard. Baines handles the maneuvering and docking. And then we let Major Parrish take over. Report, Major.”
    To Diaz’ right, a wiry, androgynous looking man gave her a wolfish smile. “Boarding team is ready,” Canadian Marine Maj. Geoff Parrish said. “Point-focused microwaves to start, and if that doesn’t slow them down, we have soft rounds.”
    Diaz nodded, though she couldn’t bring herself to return the smile; she liked Stephane Durand too much for that. The point-focused microwave emitters could drop a horse for well over a minute, and the average human was stunned unconscious for a good fifteen to twenty minutes. But Diaz wasn’t taking chances; the soft rounds would definitely penetrate human flesh, but wouldn’t breach Tienlong ’s hull. “I want prisoners, Major. Target soft rounds accordingly. Lethal force only as a last resort.”
    The smile dropped under Diaz’ gaze, as did the gung-ho attitude. “Yes, General,” Parrish replied.
    “All right, places everybody, this is not a drill,” Diaz said loudly. “Alert stations in ten minutes. I’ll be in my quarters. Jimmy, you have the conn.”
    Diaz spun around and propelled herself out of the CIC. Her quarters were less than a meter into the corridor, and they were a Spartan affair if there ever was one. But she had secure comms, and privacy. On a shuttle like Hadfield , that would have to do.
    She slid into a chair, put on her lap belt, and fired up the comm on her tiny desk, aiming it at Armstrong . “Jain, this is Diaz. Come in, over.”
    A moment later, Shaila’s face came to holographic life over the desktop. In all honesty, Diaz was pleasantly surprised at how the acting captain of Armstrong looked. Sure, there were some bags under her eyes, a few new worry lines on her dusky-skinned face. But her black hair was regulation, her uniform spotless. And there was some steel in her eyes that came across even through the hologram.
    “Jain here, General. Go ahead….” Shaila’s voice drifted off. “Edinburgh?” she whispered.
    “Come again, Commander?” Diaz frowned.
    Shaila shook her head and straightened up. “Sorry, General. Stray thought there. Go ahead.”
    Diaz relented and gave her a small smile. “Trying to beat us there, kid?”
    Shaila shook her head. “No, ma’am. I simply wanted to be sure we had adequate time for docking before arrival. We’re a lot bigger than Hadfield , ma’am.”
    It was, of course, a valid point. Except for the fact that Shaila literally played chicken with Tienlong when the two ships first arrived at the Saturn system, then manually piloted the ship through the goddamn rings in order to avoid collision. Docking with a ship at the same course and speed was child’s play in comparison. And to Diaz, the response seemed a little too canned, the kind of quick reply a teenager gives when they came up with the perfect excuse for staying out late.
    “Well, sorry, but we’ll end up there first. I’ll be sure to take the ventral airlock so you can have the starboard-side lock,” Diaz said. “I’ll have two members of the boarding team greet you there. You’ll form up with them as Fire Team Two under Parrish. Clear?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Shaila said, sounding slightly disappointed.
    Diaz knew why. “Once you’re off your boat, you’re not in command anymore. Parrish is the boarding team officer, and you’ll report to him. Mess with that, and even though I love you dearly, girl, I will bust your ass down to ensign, fourth class.”
    Shaila smiled. “There’s no fourth class in the Royal Navy, General.”
    “There will be when I’m done,” Diaz replied. “Don’t worry, Shay. We’re going to get him out alive. And we’re going to figure out how to help him.”
    Shaila gave a curt nod and swallowed hard. “Thank you, ma’am. Appreciate that.”
    “Good. When we give the signal, keep your comms open.