Somewhere in the long forgotten future. Kevin Colbran

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СКАЧАТЬ the party which departed the farm consisted of at least five. It wouldn’t be drawing a too long a bow to suggest that is where we may find them.”

      “There is an interesting bit of intelligence, Lord Vater in company with troopers was active a few months ago in the city then disappeared with no records of visiting Imperial Vessels.”

      “Most likely the Droman and his offsider in disguise, perhaps we will pass that on to see if Vater likes the idea,” Rham said then added, “Anonymously of course.”

      “Ah yes, well we have two weeks until we have to resume that blockade in full, may I suggest that at least one Corvette resume patrol,” Blohm advised.

      “Adjutant, Doom Giver with a wing of ties and a support ship to resume station at the Beta system. Blockade fleet to reconfigure to maintain maximum coverage,” Rham ordered.

      “In the meantime impound the shuttle that the so-called Wookys came in, you may notice that it is similar to the freighter that we intercepted.”

      A short time later the message came back that the shuttle had disappeared during the night leaving the five troopers guarding it asleep on the tarmac, two of whom had been inside. A party had searched the shuttle; they didn't detect any life, and no computers or androids had been active.

      "It seems that our Droman friend is at it again, it is a good thing that they are pacifists, or life would be difficult; perhaps one of the seats was our erstwhile friend,” Rham commented, “If wasn’t for standing orders I would just avoid him.”

      “Still, we can’t allow any opposition to be successful, or we will be looking for new jobs. That is provided we survive the debrief,” Blohm commented.

      “Indeed, maintain surveillance of area between last sighting and the coast, taking note of significant ship movements and transmissions. I suspect that we are looking for a well-hidden smuggler depot.”

      “Low-level patrols into as many inlets as possible which probably take more time than we have to spare, we could be lucky I suppose. The last Corvette and a wing of fighters can remain for an extended period though the coverage will be too small to intercept, any more would shut down commerce and bring protest.”

      “Yes, delicate balance required,” Rham nodded, “I will leave that in your capable hands.”

      “Thank you, sir,” Blohm acknowledged if a little wryly as they were old friends.

       . . .

      Back in the smuggler's cave, Hnetz had assigned the crew their rooms as Roxz activated the systems.

      “Settle yourselves in then join us in the control room where I will guide you through the facilities,” Hnetz advised.

      Algertz, Mike, and Humph joined Roxz and Hnetz in the designated room where Roxz pointed out the equipment.

      “All sensors are passive, well hidden and very extensive. We can monitor movements on the ground for about ten kilometres radius, sea about twenty and air all the way back to the city,” Roxz explained, “The personnel has been dispersed from the farm and cabin in case of reprisals with the warehouse staff are currently having an early holiday. I would be most annoyed at the disruption for anyone else but our niece. I doubt Gimpy will hang around too long on a wild goose chase,” Then added, “At least, that is what I hope, depends on just how much you annoyed them.”

      “No one was hurt until that Corvette fired on us; we had a kinetic absorption shield operating with the warning signal. Sadly the Corvette and three fighters didn’t believe it; they are now one with 'The Force'. Humph removed sundry missiles as they were navigation hazards otherwise ‘Gimpy’ was the author of their misery,” Mike explained.

      Algertz chimed in excitingly, “You should have seen the fireworks, explosions everywhere then we flashed into Hyper leaving them chasing their tails.”

      “I don’t believe they would find it quite so amusing; so I am not surprised that they have put so much effort into the chase,” Roxz said, “Still the omelette is made so we should sit down and enjoy planning the next move.”

      Hnetz added, “I think that it would take more time and resources than they have to find us in say two weeks; at which time the population will start becoming irritated. Perhaps the Bogan sector may become restless before then if someone were to hand a few toys and credits around.”

      “However, it should be minimal unrest otherwise they may feel a need to stamp their authority and hang the expense. The Imperials won’t want to disrupt the planet too much as this is where the mines source supplies and recreation for the Kessel mine.”

      Roxz viewed the readouts on a computer and commented, “This is a secure satellite feed and encrypted, it seems that your shuttle has disappeared, and several troopers are explaining being asleep at their post. Another little rumour, Gimpy has the information that Lord Vater had visited. Now I wonder who that could have been, when I said you added interest, perhaps that is getting just a little over the top.”

      “Maybe we need to be seen somewhere else shortly?” Humph suggested, “The shuttle is camped undersea off the coast for now and when needed can come up the fjord.”

      “Give it a fortnight and then see if there is a window of opportunity, our little haven here can’t be compromised.”

      “I am afraid that any hint that Vater is on the way, and I will have to make myself scarce as he can detect my presence,” Humph cautioned, “Not too precisely, though he can guess within a couple of kilometres; I can feel his presence at the same time. Last time we crossed paths, he was satisfied that I was harmless. ”

      “Latest post, one Corvette, and a freighter have departed towards anti-spin. Likely reforming the blockade that you interrupted I guess,” Roxz reported scrolling through the screens, “They will have to stretch their coverage here to allow for that.”

      “Has your ship been doing the Luna run?” Mike asked.

      “Yes, it was thoroughly examined the first time, a little less the second and the last couple only cursory. By the time you do a limpet act, perhaps the inspectors won’t bother,” Roxz confirmed, “He is timing the runs so that he has to go low, slow and down the same path on the way to the moon. As do all the ships under guild influence, the society set the practice in motion by using that Gimpy code. Our doubles using our ID have booked into a Luna hotel for an inspection tour of the moon factories. So after we exchange, Hnetz and I can then return to the city with a plausible cover.”

       . . .

      Back on the Reynar, Blohm reported, “I have noticed a strange behaviour, it seems that several ships regularly bound for the moon are not using the optimum window for travel; they have been using this route while we have been on station, so it didn’t register as unusual. When we reviewed the shipping records, this activity coincides with the availability of foreign goods that weren't customs cleared.”

      “What is the status of surveillance on these movements?” Rham asked wryly, “Slacked off I would assume.”

      “I will give them the heads up to stay focused on them,” Blohm laughed, “Make them think we have eyes in the back of our heads.”

      Blohm spent some time on the radio then reported back, “Yes I caught them out, put a rocket up them; it is СКАЧАТЬ