Chapter 42

Zeke studied the Captain of the Frigate.

The large, blonde man sitting in the command chair spoke with a slight Russian accent. Zeke had a feeling he knew who the man worked for. With him were two women.

The one of African descent was tall and well-muscled with a short, cropped afro. The other female was Asian in origin. While average in height, she was sleek and deadly-looking.

The other male was a contrast. While tall, he was wire-thin. He had a shock of tight brown curls that fell in his eyes. His pale skin looked as if he had avoided the sun. Zeke had no idea which western country his genes originated from.

“Captain Stanwell, by the orders of the SSG, you will place the two survivors of the Patrol ship on that small ship you have, with its crew, and send them to me.”

“Once they are on board, you can go about your business and leave the wreck for us to worry about. You will not file a report about what you have witnessed during this rotation. However, you will report directly to your Commanding Officer upon your return to Earth.”

“This is now a matter for Sol Security. Your crew are also to be reminded that they are ordered to keep quiet. As far as anyone is concerned, your regular patrol was uneventful.”

Harry responded calmly, “Captain, please spit me your orders and copies of your identification papers.”

“Stanwell, I have given you your orders,” the man responded crisply, expecting to be obeyed.

“No, you have demanded that I comply with unauthorised orders. I have been shown no proof of who you are. None of you are wearing the insignia of any recognised military branch that I know of.”

“Also, if you are SSG, you have no authority in this space. Do you know how that ship became a wreck? Those people tried to tell private citizens in my space that they were from some official office, too.”

“They are pirates. So, as far as I’m concerned, until you can give me proof of who you are and get a bona fide Brigadier or better from the ESC to tell me you are legit, get out of my space.”

Grimly, the Captain replied, “Stanwell, we are authorised to take down your shields and board you if you resist. We have laser drones that will surround your ship. They can and will fry the shield generators on your hull. It will not go well for you and your crew if we have to use force.”

“Who issued those orders?” Harry demanded.

The Captain barked, “This is an SSG-sanctioned operation. It would be in your best interests to comply. Once we have retrieved what we were sent here to obtain, you will be free to go about your business. Stand down, Stanwell.”

“No. If I was you, I’d piss off while I still could. My boss has called in the big guns.”

Harry’s crew looked at him in shock, wondering when his balls had dropped. None of them had ever heard him use a profanity or act with such forceful authority.

“You idiot, we are the big guns. Your commander requested our presence. We have authorisation.”

Harry smiled, “If you’re referring to Major Fuchs, you will find those orders have been redacted. She is being arrested as we speak.”

“We don’t take our orders from the toothless ESC. Until I’m told otherwise, I have my orders,” the frigate’s Captain replied firmly.

“Well, in that case, are you aware that your big boss, the Minister for Defence, Yarram Vance, is currently in lock-up on Luna?”

The frigate’s Captain laughed, “I doubt that, Stanwell. Stop stalling. You have five minutes. Then we had better see that little shuttle heading for our ship.”

Harry shook his head slightly. “No, you have two minutes to leave or answer to my boss. The...”

Harry was interrupted by a voice off-screen on the frigate saying, “Pavlov, that sneaky little shit has friends. Three ships, all light-class freighters. IDs are coming back that two of them are registered to a Martian called Walker.”

“Wow, red flags. This dude has major diplomatic immunity. What the fuck is a Chief Justice of Sol System?”

Everyone aboard the Patrol ship and the Frigate jumped when Zeke’s voice boomed out of their speakers, “Your worst nightmare if you hurt my friends or commit crimes in the Sol System.”

“At present, Captain Isaev, your only crime is harassing a lawful officer while he is on duty. I could add being on duty without displaying your correct rank, failing to display the correct ID for your ship, and operating out of your jurisdiction.”

“This space is not and has never been, under Sol Space Government authority. Nor is it directly under UNSEC control anymore unless the ESC requests support. And yes, Minister Vance is under arrest on Luna.”

“I suggest you contact whoever sent you here and tell them that. You can also tell Major General Smith that he will be sent a formal reprimand by UNSEC and me. Sol Security is not recognised by UNSEC or the ESC as having any authority further than one thousand kilometres from Luna.”

“Even that is still being debated by the combined Governments of the Sol System. As far as I’m concerned, you are mercenaries for hire and are operating illegally in Earth space.”

“Just who in hell do you think you are?” Pavlov demanded.