The Cairo Saga, Book 2: The Solaris Irregulars
Part 20: Of all the jump point in all the systems...
Zenith Jump point
Altenmarkt system
Ghost Bear Dominion
The Time/Space Continuum ripped apart, and the Spirit Sight jumped-in from the Eguilles system. Cairo was able to suppress the urge to be sick, and slowly the bridge came back into focus. He had almost regained his sense of equilibrium when the alarms started going off. He focused on the main view screen, and gasped.
A second WarShip, a Lola III class Destroyer baring the mark of Clan Wolf hung in space 200-km off the port bow. He turned to Star-Commodore Leroux "How long until the White Fang jumps-in?"
The WarShip captain punched a few commands into the computer "About 10-muinets, but in ten minuets, we will be dead or bondsman: There isn't any way that we can defeat her."
"Then we will have to keep her talking until our escort arrives."
Cairo adjusted his uniform while the ComTech's finished making the connection. The star-field despaired from the view screen, and the image of a red-haired woman in a Clan naval uniform appeared "This is Star Captain Jo Carns of the Clan Wolf WarShip Nature's Wrath. Surrender your vessel and prepare to be boarded."
Cairo smiled slightly "This is Captain Steven Cairo of the Solaris Irregulars. The Spirit Sight is operating under my command, and I was pledged the right of safecon by Khan Bjorn Jorgensson of the Ghost Bears himself. This is Ghost Bear territory, is it not?"
"The Ghost Bear's do not scare me." StarCaptain Carns face changed to a vicious scow, "I am operating under the direct command of Khan Vladimir Ward: he has ordered me to capture your ship if possible, and if not, to destroy it."
Cairo's smile widened "If you wish to fight me, I must tell you that three times I have fought Clan Wolf, and three times I have won. I have even captured eight bondsmen, plus a Goshawk, two Sulla OmniFighters and five sets of elemental armour, not to mention a small mountain of Clan weaponry."
"I have been made aware of your 'exploits', Captain Cairo, and I think you will find there is a difference between a BattleMech and a WarShip. Surrender."
Cairo looked at Leroux, who smiled. "You should now be picking up the IR signature of an incoming WarShip. That ship is the CGB White Fang, our escort. Unless you wish to start a war between the Wolfs and the Ghost Bears, I suggest YOU surrender YOUR vessel to me. Take your time Star Captain, you have," Cairo checked the timer on the screen "two minuets until she jumps-in."
StarCaptain Carns was shocked, but she slowly pulled herself together "Very well, Captain Cairo, I surrender my vessel."
Cairo grinned, "Consider yourself and your entire crew bondsmen of the Solaris Irregulars, and I claim your ship as Isorla. You will remain in command, and will travel with the Spirit Sight to Tukayyid. I call upon your honour to do as your bondsmaster tells you."
Carns just nodded.
To Be Continued...