Chapter 76

“Freya, where are Carly and Lindsay?”

“They are talking to Giorgio in the workshop. His team left with the canisters of radioactive elements. Is your mother alright? She was sobbing in the shower.”

As Zeke headed to the lift he replied, “She will be in time, Freya. My mission didn’t go as I expected. I’ll explain after Giorgio leaves.”

“Certainly, Captain. Just so you are aware, the six people in the small shuttle have finally given up trying to board our ship from space. You may wish to alert Giorgio, so his people are aware that these people may try to enter from the Station.”

“Thank you, Freya. I forgot that General Shatner mentioned sending her people to capture my ship and crew.”

Zeke stepped out of the lift just as Carly, Lindsay and Giorgio were walking towards it.

“Ah, Captain, just the man I wish to see,” Giorgio greeted Zeke and took his hand in a hearty shake. “Everything went smoothly. My men will be glad to get home to their families.”

“That’s great Giorgio. Unfortunately, Freya has detected a suspicious shuttle. It was trying to gain entrance to my holds on the other side of my ship. They must not have realised my shield was still active.”

“She is worried that they may try to gain access from inside. I’m sorry to be such a problem. If you prefer, we can undock and leave. I’ve dropped off all my cargo. I was planning to visit my other business partners, but it can wait until I return.”

Giorgio laughed, “Captain Walker, the Red Zone has the highest security on this Station. Even the SS can’t penetrate it. We have been watching that shuttle for some forty minutes.”

“Well, for your men’s sake, I hope that is true, as it is the SS trying to break in. I upset General Shatner. She wasn’t happy when I refused her unlawful orders and reported her to the UNSEC Council. I suspect she plans to kidnap me and convince me to repudiate my statements.”

Giorgio frowned, “If you leave, they will follow. They have a ship standing off the Station. You will be at their mercy in space.”

Zeke smiled, “No, they will be at mine. They aren’t allowed to operate this far from Luna. It will be bad enough if they get caught here.”

“Captain, you are being hailed. Colonel Rodriguez is being most insistent.”

Zeke sighed, “Coming Freya. Sorry, Giorgio, but duty calls.”

Giorgio frowned, “I think I should come with you.”

Zeke shrugged and pushed the button to open the lift doors.

Giorgio stood beside Zeke’s chair as the call connected.

“Good morning, Captain Walker. I’m Colonel Paulo Rodriguez, Head of Police on Luna. Can you tell us where you are at present?”

“Yes, I’m aboard my ship. Freya is parked in the Red Zone on Armstrong Station.”

“How long have you been parked there?”

Giorgio answered, “Since I made him shift his ship here four hours ago. It has been under constant surveillance since. Captain Walker had restricted cargo on his ship.”

“Colonel, why is his ship being buzzed by Sol Security? They are restricted from operating on this Station, and it makes me very nervous having them in my zone.”

The Colonel frowned, “How long have they been there?”

Giorgio answered again. “Their ship parked up ten klicks from the Station about fifty minutes ago. They then sent a shuttle to investigate Captain Walker’s ship. We nearly warned them off several times, but they didn’t get close enough to dock. We believe Zeke’s shields stopped them.”

“Did you detect Captain Walker’s small ship, the Runner, I believe it is called, leave or arrive at his ship?”

“No. I have been on this ship for over an hour. His two assistants were with me the whole time,” Giorgio replied promptly.

“Where were you, Captain?”

“With me. Freya kindly let me aboard so I could surprise my son, but he was at supper with his attorney, Travis Marsh. That was several hours ago,” Patricia said as she walked in to stand on the other side of Zeke’s chair.

“Ah, Mrs Stone, we have been looking for you. Do you know where your husband is at present?”

“No. We had an argument this morning. He and my oldest son don’t get along. We planned to go to Morpheus to meet with our youngest son, Dallas. When I saw on the news that Zeke was coming here, I refused to leave.”

“I contacted Dallas and told him where we were. He just laughed and said he was sure his boss wouldn’t mind if he took a side trip. My job was to keep Zeke here. What is this about, Colonel? Has my husband gotten into some trouble?”

“Um, yes, Mrs Stone. Do you know what business your husband had on Luna?”

Patricia shrugged as she took Zeke’s hand. “Probably chasing a contract. We recently started smelting our own Iron ore. Several businesses on Luna have expressed interest. As I said, he refused to visit Zeke. I can only assume he went to talk to some people.”

“Do you know if he knew General Shatner or Minister Yarram Vance?”

Patricia shook her head, “No. But then my husband doesn’t tell me everything. It’s my job to find the rocks and his to dig them up. I’ve not had much to do with the business side of things for years. I was surprised he agreed to come on this holiday with me. I should have realised he had business in mind.”

“Thank you, Mrs Stone. I’m sorry to have to inform you that your husband is on Luna. We believe he went to visit General Shatner. Unfortunately, Yarram Vance had escaped custody.”

“We are still unsure what happened or why he went to the General’s office, but all three were found deceased in a room beside General Shatner’s office. We are sorry for your loss. We will do everything to find out what happened.”