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The two BackerScouts
follow at leisure as the imperiled Lauch tries to scamper accross the open
span of space.
Saffron takes quick stock of the situation, "That packet is
trying to slip into that cloud of ice-vapor," a pause, and then she
says, "Chet, put'em in the Bag."
"OhKay," Chet replies and in one fluid motion, the
trailing Backer leapfrogs the leading Scout, skims ahead of the launch, and
executes a skid which puts the Backer squarely in the path of the struggling
Launch.
The menacing BackerScout cruises easily backwards, while its
laser-cannons glow menacingly red.
Chet-Chek speaks into a com-phone, and a grotesque, distorted
voice speaks out, "Imperiled Vessel, you are now under the Juridstiction
of the Combined Association of the Pirate Confeiture. Imperiled Vessel, your
welfare and continued existance are now dependant upon your full cooperation
to directions and procedures which will be provided through the Goodwill and
Fair Conventions of the Pirate Confeiture," there is a pause, and then
the grotesque voice continues, "Uhm, Yeah, Like this: Imperiled Vessel,
You shall proceed under the heavily-armed protection of these Confeiture-flagged
starcraft to a Confeiture Installation where your imperiled vessel will be
secured, and accomodations, most generous, will be provided by the Confeiture
of Pirates," another grotesque, "Uhm," and then, "You
shall have the Right to Appeal this Interrogative Action for a period not
exceeding twenty Colonial Centars, three Charging-Cycles of the Empire, or
two dozen turns in Common usage, and furthermore.."
It is then, Saffron from her back-up position notices something,
moving slowly and steadily as a ghost through the midst of the debris-ice.
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