The green LED of my communication module flashed. I flipped the switch to accept the incoming message. Silas’ face appeared. He was seated in the co-pilot’s chair. I could tell by the surrounding instruments that he was in one of the interceptors.
“This is very unfortunate business, Gilles.” His tone was calm and unhurried. “I was expecting – hoping for better from you.”
Stay cool I told myself. Stall for time to think. “Sorry to disappoint - nothing personal.”
“Stealing from me is personal,” he retorted.
“Freeing” I said emphasizing the word, “isn’t the same as stealing.”
Silas smiled. “I’m willing to concede that is perhaps what you believed, however misinformed.” He paused and leaned forward into the console, his face filling the screen on my end. “If you return her to me right now we can end this without violence.” He leaned back and crossed his legs. “The scanner identified an active passenger pod. Spit her out. We’ll scoop her up and be on our way.”
I had to laugh, I wasn’t that stupid. “Just like that?” I asked.
“There is the small price of being banned from Prime and regions under my control or jurisdiction. You should probably avoid Jita too. I have friends there. But yes, that’s it.” He became speculative. “I had plans for someone with your background. You could have been a valuable asset.”
“My loss I’m sure.” I surreptitiously checked my gauges. The ship was still snared . The capacitor was holding at fifteen percent. I sounded calm but my mind was running all the angles, looking for an escape.
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