9
Jack launched first, keeping the Dead Reckoning on the Malthus II’s blindside as Lucy guided her in on an oblique approach, Mina relaying a stream of bullshit to the increasingly nervous Fed Sec Command and Control Centre.
“Malfunctions in the port thrusters and the ore processors,” the C&C duty officer said. Female voice, American this time with a faint Texas drawl. “Been a pretty unlucky voyage all round, huh?”
“We’re made,” I said, sitting in the Pendragon, waiting for the airlock to open and watching the Fed Sec net form itself into an imminent threat configuration. The Scarab flotilla was already forming up on an intercept vector. “I could offer them the chance to surrender. Few more seconds confusion won’t hurt.”
“Forget it,” Jack said. “Surprised they let us get this close. Co
