The emergency frequency on the bridge of the Taichu Defender began to shriek like a dying banshee.
On the central holographic projector, the panic-stricken face of Envoy Kraal materialized alongside Pirate Warlord Vex.
They were broadcasting from the command cabin of Vex’s personal heavy cruiser, the Black Skull, flanked by Kraal’s private diplomatic corvette.
Both ships were burning their sub-light thrusters at emergency overdrive, streaking toward the jagged silhouette of Asteroid Settlement #55, thirty thousand kilometers ahead.
Kraal held a black crystalline remote in his hand, his thumb resting against a glowing crimson toggle.
“Admiral Kui!” Kraal screeched, his greasy face twisted in feral desperation. “Tell Lin Mo to power down his weapons and surrender the Sovereign Aurora right now! If you take one step closer, I will flip this switch!”
Admiral Black-Beard Kui gripped the walnut railing of his bridge so hard the wood splintered. “Kraal! What switch is that?”
“Sovereign Harkon’s insurance policy!” Kraal sneered with a shrill cackle. “Three years ago, our maintenance division installed neural-shock collars into the main life-support domes of Settlement Fifty-Five! One press of this button, and the neuro-toxin vents directly into the air ducts! Five million orphans, widows, and elderly folk will choke on nerve gas in twenty seconds!”
