Shadowplay

6

A chime sounded repeatedly, a pleasant bonging sound. with an unpleasant message; quiverwort #3 was announcing the arrival of a starship-over a week before he was expecting it. Ginbiryol swore, swung round and tapped off the alarm. It might be coincidence, a wandering trader, but he didn't think so. He set the kephalos searching for the intruder and turned to the Pilot. "Wake up the Paems and get ready to go, fast, Ajeri tiszt. Thirty minutes, no more, then we run for the Limit."

"Trouble?"

"It could be. We will continue to record as long as possible. When the time comes to leave…" He pointed to the traces of a ship racing recklessly insystem. "Head out ninety degrees that line, as fast as you can wind her up." He looked at the track of the incoming ship for a minute. "Yes, I'm sure of it, that has to be a Vryhh ship. If we are not obtrusive about it, I believe the Hunter will ignore our departure in favor of the world itself." He smiled tightly, slanted his eyes at Ajeri. "With a little Luck, she will still be there when the Banger lets loose."

"Luck."

"Oh, yes." He turned his shoulder to her and went back to watching the scene in Cell 1 unfold.