engineer's shoulder as he began, once again, to dry-run the check

procedure. Jesek walked back and forth beside the bulkhead,

scanning. At last, finally, for the first time in seven trials, all the lights on his probe remained green.

A smile lit his tired face. "I think we've done it. According to this, there's nothing behind that wall but the next wall."

Miles grinned at Daum. "I gave you my word I'd get it together in time, did I not?"

Daum grinned back, relieved. "You're lucky you don't own a faster ship."

The intercom buzzed in the cargo hold. "Uh, my lord?" came Mayhew's voice. It had an edge that popped Miles instantly to his feet.

"Trouble, Arde?"

"We're coming up on the jump to Tau Verde in about two hours.

There's something out here I think you and the Major ought to have a look at."

"Blockaders? This side of the exit? They'd have no legal authority-"

"No, it's a buoy, of a sort." Mayhew sounded distinctly unhappy. "If you were expecting this, I think you might have told me. . . ."

"Back in a few minutes, Baz," Miles promised, "and we'll help you rearrange the cargo in here more artistically. Maybe we could pile up a bunch against that first seam I welded."

"It's not that bad," Jesek reassured him. "I've seen professional

PDF Transform

PDF Transform

Y

Y

Y

er

Y

er

B

2

B

2

B

.0

B

.0

A

A

Click here to buy

Click here to buy

w

w

w

w

w .

w

A B B YY.com

.A B BYY.com

work with more slop."

* * *

In Nav and Com Miles and Daum found Mayhew staring,

aggrieved, at a screen readout.

"What is it, Arde?" asked Miles.

"Oseran warning buoy. They have to have it, for the regular

merchant shipping lanes. It's supposed to prevent accidents, and

misunderstandings, in case anybody doesn't know what's going on on

the other side—but this time there's a twist. Listen to this." He nipped on the audio.

"Attention. Attention. To all commercial, military, or diplomatic shipping planning to enter Tau Verde local space, warning. You are

entering a restricted military area. All entering traffic, without

exception, is subject to search and seizure for contraband. Any non-cooperation will be construed as hostile, and the vessel subjected to confiscation or destruction without further warning. Proceed at your own risk.

"Upon emergence into Tau Verde local space, all vessels will be approached and boarded for inspection. All wormhole jump Pilot

Officers will be detained at this time, until their vessel completes its contact with Tau Verde IV and returns to the jump point. Pilot

Officers will be permitted to rejoin their vessels upon completion of the outbound inspection. . . ."

"Hostages, damn it," groaned Daum. "They're taking hostages now."