17
A police patrol ship eased across space near Reader IV.
The gas giant’s atmosphere swirled furiously.
There were no other ships in sight, not from what Sergeant Clarissa Yuma could tell.
“See anything?” she asked, slowing the ship’s speed.
Sergeant Billy Thomas shook his head.
“I don’t see anything.”
“He was just here,” Clarissa said. “Can’t have gone too far.”
She spoke into her radio. “We’re up here in orbit and we don’t see the suspect.”
The dispatcher spoke. “We’re not picking up any hyperspace signatures in the area. He must be around there somewhere.”
“Copy,” Clarissa said. “We’ll search the perimeter of Reader IV and see if he’s hiding behind the planet.”
“Keep us posted,” the dispatcher said.
Billy switched a few buttons on his instrument panel, activating two spotli
