The Dead Zone
Unnamed System DZ199,181
Aboard ISS Belfast Windfall
The missiles impacted ISS Belfast Windfall nearly simultaneously. The ship did rock, but not as badly as it had in low orbit. Biggs immediately looked to the status screen. The computer was still chewing the numbers. They popped up and the shields were at sixty-seven percent. "Grix, keep the plasma bolts warm and open the release hatches, but don't fire them. I want these bastards to see the glow. Mack," Biggs stood up from behind his desk and walked to the center of the bridge, squarely in front of the view screen. It was very seldom that he did, but Commander Biggs Hilsfar had an angry look on his face. "Open a channel." The line crackled. "This is Commander Biggs Hilsfar of the Interstel Superphotonic Starship Belfast Windfall. We are heavily armed. You will respond."
The Dead Zone
Unnamed System DZ199,181
Thrynn Frigate Kryssthoggr
Yssk was the chief engineer and as such was not highly esteemed by his peers. He had never fired a weapon in anger, nor had he killed until today. His status was too low for him to have ever tasted the headfruit. But he had rank. Captain SshT'k's body lay amid those of the mutineers, his muscles still twitching. Yssk leaned on the back of the command chair, his body suddenly weak, his energy spent. A green light was blinking on one of the chair's arms. Yssk wiped the blood away and pushed it. Commander Hilsfar's hail came over the communications speakers. The viewer blinked on as the loyalists scrambled to the weapons and navigation consoles. Yssk summoned his strength and propped himself up on the chair. He lifted his eyes to level with those of this alien Human. He would tell this Human of the glorious Thrynn history and the unbroken tradition of valor. He would not yield in the face of certain destruction. Yssk opened his mouth to utter his words of defiance, and yet he did not. He opened his mouth to speak and, as though by an Ollsrl Wind, the breath was taken from his mouth. Yssk looked at the young dead and the blood that dripped from every surface. Enough. "Yess, Commander Hilsssfar," he struggled for breath, "Yssk, Kryssthoggr. Perhapsss...perhapsss enough damage hasss been done...enough dead." He wanted to say more, but his words were gone.
"Disarm, Kryssthoggr. I ought to knock you from the stars. Heave to and prepare to be boarded," said Biggs. Yssk nodded to the Thrynn at the weapons console. He hesitated, then disarmed the missiles. Yssk felt stronger. He spoke to the Human.
"We will desisst, ISS Belfast Windfall. We will withdraw from thisss system and depart thisss space. You will not board thiss vessel while any of usss still live." Yssk paused and looked at the Human. "We are Thrynn. We do not sssurrender." He terminated the communications link. For a brief moment, two ships faced each other, alone in an infinite universe. One was torn and battered on the outside; the other was gutted within. "Come about to four three ssseven mark one sssix. Lay in a coursse for New Scotland." As he walked off the bridge, Yssk pointed to a Thrynn who stood stunned by the hatch. "You have the bridge."
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Next: "A Beginning"
It's Miller Time, sports fans! Break out the Frywell Grill and pull the Voktoo steaks out of the marinade--the good guys win again. What, did you think the lizards were going to get it together? Wake up and smell the shyneum run-off, baby. Stick around for loose ends and beach parties.
"Hilsfar & Company: Because We're Sail For For Parts Unknown"