Chapter 5

As the destination planet came into range, Viki alerted Talak, who was busy with his physical exercises in one of the empty holds. He had made remarkable progress and was now almost fully recovered from his previous state. The sudden alarm broke through his thoughts, and he replied, “Yes, Viki, what’s going on?”

“Sir, we have reached Glimansh, and they are requesting communication. They specifically asked to speak to the captain or owner of the ship.”

Talak’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Why would they want to talk to us?”

“I am not sure, sir. They did not provide any further information.”

This was highly unusual. “Keep yourself connected covertly, Viki. I’ll take this call in my quarters. Thank you. Talak out.” Talak quickly made his way to his quarters, and a sense of unease settled in his stomach. Unexpected hails were usually not a good sign, especially when they wanted to speak directly to the captain. He activated the communication system and composed himself with a neutral expression.

“This is Captain Talak of the Star Shadow. To whom am I speaking?”

The screen flickered on, showing a stern-faced official in a crisp uniform. “Captain, this is Port Authority Commander Vex. We have some questions regarding your cargo and passengers before granting clearance for docking.”

Talak’s heart began to race, but he maintained a calm demeanor. “Of course, Commander. What do you need to know?”

“We have received intelligence that there may be a fugitive on board your vessel - a young woman from a prominent family who is wanted for questioning. We will need to conduct a thorough search upon arrival.”

Talak’s mind raced as he tried to think of a solution. He kept his expression neutral and said, “A fugitive? That must be a mistake, Commander. We are just a simple trading vessel.”

“Nevertheless, Captain, the inspection will proceed. Any attempt to evade or resist will result in severe consequences, including firing upon your ship.”

“Understood, Commander,” Talak replied with a strained smile. “We will cooperate fully with the inspection. When can we expect clearance for docking?”

“Standby for further instructions. And Captain? I suggest you ensure that your ship and crew are in compliance before we arrive.” The screen went black.

Talak sank into his chair and buried his face in his hands. “How do we get out of this one?” he thought to himself.

He informed Alliyanna and Kalen about the call from Port Command and instructed them to prepare for a potential boarding and inspection. Alliyanna quickly disguised herself and began cleaning the ship as usual while Kalen made sure everything was in order.

A dreadful idea crossed his mind. The DNA scans would reveal her true identity no matter what disguise she was in. “Let’s hope they don’t go that far,” he muttered under his breath. “Viki, gather all the information you can on the planet Glimansh - their political climate, technological advancements, recent public safety concerns such as plagues and riots, military presence and capabilities, and any potential trade goods we have aboard that they may desperately need.”

Viki’s voice chimed in obediently, “Of course, Captain. Glimansh is classified as a mid-tier industrial world with a technology level of 7 on the Imperial scale. Recent records indicate they have been struggling with crop failures caused by an invasive fungal species, leading to food shortages and civil unrest over the past six months.

The planet maintains a moderate military presence consisting of a planetary defense force and a small fleet of system patrol ships. Current estimates suggest there are approximately 50,000 active military personnel.

Our cargo still includes a significant quantity of genetically modified seeds resistant to various blights and fungi. Given the recent outbreak, our medical supplies could be highly valuable.

Considering their current agricultural crisis, these resources could be extremely valuable for Glimansh.

The population of Glimansh is estimated at 3 billion, making it a mid-sized industrial planet. It boasts a B-class spaceport and is well known for its manufacturing industry and exports. Here is some key information: Political: It is nominally democratic but has strong corporate influence. The current government has remained stable for the past decade.

Technology: Moderately advanced in areas like manufacturing but lacking in AI and space technology.

Recent issues: - A viral outbreak occurred in the southern hemisphere last year but has since been contained - Ongoing labor disputes within the manufacturing sector - Increased piracy in nearby sectors has prompted stricter port security measures.”

Talak’s mind raced. This information could be helpful, but how to leverage it? He turned to Alliyanna and Kalen. “We need a plan, fast. Any ideas?”

Alliyanna spoke up, her voice steady despite the tension. “Talak, with our genetically modified seeds and our medical supplies, we should be able to make a great profit even if they try to bring down the prices. Do we still have the foodstuffs? They would be welcome additions to the daily food supply. I’m sure by now that they need just about all types of various foods. We should offer a slight discount for that.”

Talak looked at her with amazement. Not only did she remember everything in the manifest, but she also knew just what to use as an inducement to get the conversation on trade. “We still need to get you out of sight. But where can we hide you? This is not a large vessel, and there are few, if any, places to hide.”

Talak finally came up with a solution; inside the engine room was a small, unmarked closet. It was narrow and not too deep, but if she remained still and quiet, it might just work. To anyone who didn’t know where to look, it would blend in with the bulkhead. And it would just be another panel of steel. He quickly led her down into the engine room, opened the door, and stuffed her inside the closet, telling her not to move or make any sound until he came back and opened it back up for her.

The port Shuttle arrived with Commander Vez. Star Shadow, “Prepare to be boarded.” He announced.

The port shuttle attached itself to the starboard airlock. Then Talak opened his side, and there, along with the Port commander, was a squad of five men in dark black and red uniforms. These were not local; they were Imperials and elite members of the Guardian Squadron. Both Talak and Kalen looked at each other with a glance, each shocked and confused. The chief noncom asked for their IDs and the ship’s registration and asked them to press a thumb on an ident pad.

This took a painless DNA sample via a needle prick. The commander took all of the documentation and the DNA printout results and scrutinized them. I see you are both Veterans of the Spinward March Wars. It also appears you are highly regarded and decorated, so why are you two tangled up in this mess between the House KarJan and duke Birsha? It’s an internal problem and not one you should concern yourselves with. It could lead to some messy consequences ... he left the threat unsaid but still very much implied.

The Commander’s words hung heavily in the air as Talak and Kalen exchanged uneasy glances. Talak knew they had to tread carefully.

“Commander,” Talak began, keeping his voice steady, “I assure you we’re not involved in any internal disputes. We’re simply traders looking to do business on Glimansh. Our cargo manifest shows we have supplies that could greatly benefit your planet given the recent crop failures.”

The Commander’s eyes narrowed. “And yet intelligence reports place you in the company of the missing Baroness Alliyanna. Care to explain that?”

Kalen stepped forward. “Sir, if I may. We did encounter the Baroness briefly on Farmworld III. She was seeking passage, but we declined, given the ... delicate nature of her situation. We haven’t seen her since.”

The commander’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so? Then you won’t mind if we conduct a thorough search of your vessel?”

“Not at all,” Talak said, gesturing toward the ship’s interior. “We have nothing to hide.”

As the Imperial squad began their methodical search, Talak and Kalen exchanged worried glances. They both knew that if Alliyanna were discovered, it would mean imprisonment at the least and the death penalty for treason if the duke wanted to push things.

The Imperial squad began their methodical search of the Star Shadow, their eyes scanning every nook and cranny. Talak’s heart raced, but he maintained a calm exterior as he followed behind them, answering questions about various parts of the ship. As the minutes ticked by, the tension grew. The squad checked the cargo holds, living quarters, and even crawl spaces.