Chapter SEVENTEEN
Drummer reached for the mike.
"Colonel Hanno, this is Admiral Drummer." He winkedat Brad.
"Colonel, my Government requires an inventoryof Slingshot properties, materials and suppliesin your depot and on the transports nearby. Theinformation we develop from this one-time inventorywill be used to compute UIPS taxes while thedepot and transports are in Plutonian jurisdiction.My fleet is escorting the inventory specialists.Please arrange for them to board your Depot andthe transports on both sides of your force field,so that they can get to their work."
"I have not received instructions from myGovernment concerning the inventory or the taxesto which you refer."
"That is between you and your Government. I amhere at the express order of President Narval tosee that the inventory is conducted. May I counton your cooperation?"
"If I decline, what then?"
"Blockade, for starters."
"The UIPS will not permit your interference withour operations."
"Is that the formal response of your Governmentto my request?"
A short pause. "No."
"Then I suggest you dispense with posturing andarrange to receive the inventory crews. Pleaseinstruct all Masters of transports and other shipsdoing business with your depot to cooperate withour agents."
Another voice cut in, heavy with anger.
"No goddamned shakedown artists are comingaboard my ship."
Brad motioned Drummer to give him the mike,indicating by his facial expression that theintruder did not deserve a direct responsefrom Drummer's level.
"This is Commander Curtin," Brad said withlow-toned authority, "Executive to AdmiralDrummer. Who speaks?"
He winked at Drummer, who leaned back in hischair, grinning.
"Lieutenant Bura, commanding the transportSandbox. I repeat: keep your damn squeeze clerksaway from my ship, regardless how legitimateyou claim your purpose to be."
"You're in no position to refuse," Brad shot back."You're in Plutonian territory, and we have everyright to employ police or military powers toenforce our jurisdiction. You will cooperate inthis inventory, peacefully, if possible; underforce, if necessary."
"You'll have to fight your way on to my ship."Bura's voice was harsh, angry. "Be advised we arearmed and prepared to repel unauthorized boarders.I take your demands to be attempted extortion, anda clear threat to the safety of my ship, crew andcargo. That, at the least, is piracy in my book,and I am within my authority to use force to keeppirates off my ship. Now, chew on that."
"Lieutenant Bura." Brad's voice was space-cold."You now insult the Plutonian Government byaccusing it of piracy. Your attitude gives us goodreason to question the purpose of your presencein our territory. By your words, you command anarmed vessel. Now you dare to threaten legitimaterepresentatives of a sovereign nation with yourguns. We have no choice but to conclude you area danger to our ships and to our people."
"Ridiculous. I am merely protecting the safetyand integrity of my ship."
"So you say. Nevertheless, you have threatenedto use force against our exercise of legitimaterights. Tell me, Bura, is your ship really acommercial cargo transporter or is it a UIPSwarship with a military mission inside our legaljurisdiction?"
"What in hell are you trying to do, whoever youare? My ship is a transporter of cargo, and youknow that damned well."
"I know no such thing. All I know is that you claimto be armed and say you will use your weaponsagainst us. I repeat: are you on a militarymission?"
"No, damn it, I am not."
"I don't believe you."
"That's your problem."
"Not at all, my man, it's yours. You insult andthen threaten harm to us." Brad grinned at Drummer,who was watching him with an appraising expression."Our fire control system has you marked and ourguns are trained on your ship. How does that strikeyou?"
Silence.
"I say," Brad roared, "Bura of the Sandbox, howdoes that strike you? You have ten seconds toreply."
Lieutenant Bura's voice came in, low and tightwith suppressed rage.
"I read you, loud and clear. My gun crews arestanding down."
"Unacceptable, Bura," Brad said flatly, "you remaina serious obstacle to the success of our mission.Stand by and do not interrupt again. AdmiralDrummer wishes to complete this transaction withthe Depot Commander. Colonel Hanno, we are waitingfor your answer to Admiral Drummer's request,which, I repeat, is to arrange for our inventoryspecialists to perform their duties aboard yourDepot and the transports within your control area."
"I take note of your fleet's deployment, AdmiralDrummer," the voice of Colonel Hanno wassubdued but intense, "and the manner in which yourExecutive responded to Lieutenant Bura's protest.My responsibility for the safety of UIPS supplies,properties and personnel under my commandand for UIPS vessels in the Planet Pluto SpecialZone leaves me no choice but to accede to youroutrageous demands. I do so under most solemn andvigorous protest, and only because your guns aretrained at our heads. Be aware these conversationsare being recorded and spunnel-transmitted to myGovernment as we speak."
"Your protests are noted, Colonel Hanno," Drummersaid, taking over. "Please convey our respectsto your Government. Now, as to procedure forthe audit, I suggest we set up a small group ofadministrators and specialists to prepare schedulesand other details. This must be done immediately,as we have no wish to delay your support operationsunnecessarily. Do you agree?"
"Yes."
"Good. One of my ships is now approaching theGateway. I realize you may have reservationsconcerning one of my military craft entering yourrestricted zone, and I respect your reservations.Please have your representatives board thePlutonian craft outside the Gateway. My specialistsare aboard, and the two groups can work out thedetails. Is this satisfactory?"
"I reject your term 'satisfactory', and accedeunder the same protest."
"I understand, Colonel Hanno. By the way, oneother matter, concerning the Sandbox. I cannotaccept Bura's assurance that his gun crews areon 'stand down'."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Colonel Hanno, that I insist on aninspection of the Sandbox by members of my militarystaff so that I am certain the Sandbox's guns arenot a threat to the safety of my fleet. I cannotcontinue to dissipate my capabilities by the needto keep the Sandbox under special surveillancethroughout this operation. The Sandbox guns mustbe rendered inoperative and, frankly, I don't trustBura to perform that service for me."
"Lieutenant Bura," said Colonel Hanno, "I assumethat you and other ships' Commanders have beenlistening in on this delightful exchange."
"I have."
"What do you say?"
"You're the Zone Commander."
"For the safety of your ship and the rest of us,I recommend you comply with their demand."
"Yes, sir."
"Admiral Drummer?"
"Very good. Have the Sandbox stand by to receiveboarders. This completes our discussion, ColonelHanno. I'll get back to you if the situation callsfor it."