Deep Space
Windward Passage
Aboard ISS Belfast Windfall

“Well there’s a dark alley,” remarked one Biggs O’Rourke Hilsfar. Grx’bzzgah buzzed in agreement. The neighborhood where the Thrynn space, Gazurtoid space and the Windward Passage collided was a shady locale. “Stay awake on those sensors,” Biggs said to Arella Newark.

“Aye, sir,” came the reply. Belfast Windfall’s shields were already primed and active. Fuel be damned, Biggs generally phrased it, despite an aversion to spending money, including dimes. Arella coaxed the sensors, calibrating the net for patterns. A blip. “Stand by…transient reverberations at X2 Y45 Z02…that’s starboard inbound.” Biggs shot a look to Grix. The Veloxi navigator nodded. The lasers were warm, just like the shields.

“This might be a real killer, people,” cautioned Biggs. “Isolate and magnify.” It was a giant Gazurtoid starship. Biggs tensed instinctively and fought the urge to order an immediate withdrawal to a safer distance. Drifting in front of an oncoming Gazurtoid warship was not his standard policy. The hulk bore down on the Belfast Windfall.

Biggs looked quickly at the data then ordered Mack to open up a channel. “Kick it, sir,” said the lieutenant.

“This is Commander Biggs Hilsfar…”

Deep Space
Windward Passage

“Shaddup and repent, you lousy wind suckers,” snapped Boz Grabow, laughing over the communications link. Yssk flipped a switch and the bridge of the Belfast Windfall appeared on the view screen. “What’s with the shields, Biggs? Nervous?”

“Can it Boz,” said Biggs suppressing a grin. “We gonna make a little money today?”

“Maybe just a little bit, Boss. I’m figuring you know what I had in mind?” Biggs frowned and pointed at him.

“My baby gets banged around and I’ll take it out of your hide. Now, let’s get this stunt underway.” Nexbo held the Gazurtoid vessel steady in the emptiness of interstellar space while Grix spun the Belfast Windfall gracefully around. Through the dorsal window, Windfall’s crew could see the jury-rigged docking clamp welded to the underside of the leviathan. With a combination of skill and technology, the two Veloxi navigators brought their ships into close range before the magnetic clamp grabbed hold and buttoned the ships together with a dull thud.

Sometime later, Biggs Hilsfar popped his head through the hatch, blinked, looked around and said, “so where the hell did you Shanghai this bird from?”

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Next: “Improbable”