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the
communicator from Sayaka's hand. "Close that channel," Sayaka Ando hissed.
"But they're . . ."
"Do it! Whatever's happening, we can't give ourselves away no matter how
worried you are about your lover. Now close that channel"!
Wendy complied, stunned. The chatter on the communicator continued.
"Kirellian Federation Free Trader 'Morning on Loriar', Registration Number
AT-4917912346H, this is Imperial Battle Carrier 'Deaths Head'. Stand to be
boarded".
"'Deaths Head', this is the First Officer of the 'Morning on Loriar', we copy
your message, but question the authority on which you base your demand. We
are a vessel of the Kirellan Federation, and protected by the Writ of the
Free Planets. We will allow no boarding attempt by your vessel".
"'Morning', this is 'Deaths Head'. Please put your captain on".
"The captain is not on board".
"Then you, as first officer, are acting captain in his absence and I advise
you to stand down from battle stations and prepare to be boarded. If you do
not comply, then you will be blown from the sky like all pirates".
"But you have no . . ."
"I have the authority of the Emperor and the authority of my guns, and that
is all the authority I need. If your shields are not deactivated and your
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