building. Leaving the bridge he made his way down to the cargo bay, where he opened the airlock’s inner doors, and then peered out through the window he uncovered in the outer doors.
He waited until the ground-car came to a stop a short distance from his ship to open the outer doors and lower the ramp. With the weather the way it was he didn’t want the doors open any longer than was necessary.
“Captain Velkin?”
“That’s me, Step Velkin.” He held out his hand to the man who had spoken, whom he guessed was in charge, based on his uniform and his position at the front of group. “May I ask what this is all about?”
“A routine security search, Captain, if you attempt to interfere, or prevent us carrying out our duties in any way, you will be detained and your ship impounded until the search has been completed and you have paid any and all fines resulting from your interference.”
“Don’t worry...” Step paused to allow the man before him to supply his name, or at least his rank, he did neither. “I have no intention of interfering, or preventing you carrying out your duties. I know all about having duties to fulfil, regardless of whether we like them or not. I will co-operate in any way I can.
“I would prefer to get this over with as soon as possible, as I am sure you would. I have no doubt you have other things to do, the same as me.” He saw an appreciative look cross the faces of two of the three security officers standing behind their leader.
“Good, you can start by supplying me with your cargo manifest and record of ownership. While you are doing that my officers will begin their search of your ship; in the engine room I think. It’s surprising how many people think the engine room is a good place to hide contraband.”
Step nodded, but didn’t immediately move out of the way. “I will be more than happy to get that information for you, as soon as you provide some identification. I realise I am new to being the captain of my own cargo ship, and to this system, but I do have extensive experience dealing with officers from all walks of military life.
“In all other places I have been it is the practice for officers to introduce themselves, and provide proof of their authority before demanding such information. Surely it is the same here.”
The officer flushed at the thinly veiled rebuke and stiffened, an array of emotions rippling across his face. With an effort he got himself under control, noisily exhaling the breath he had been holding. “Phard Feo Dol Bruin, Barth Security Services,” he said handing over his identification. “Are you satisfied now?” he asked, snapping the question as he took back the card.
“Yes, thank you.” Hearing the officer’s rank, which was a rank also obtainable in the Mulnoy Navy, though the insignia was different, Step realised the search of his ship really was routine. A Phard was only one small step up from the lowest rank it was possible for an officer to possess, and several steps below the rank he had achieved. If the Barth Security Services believed he was smuggling something they would have sent someone more senior to take charge of the search.
He supposed it was possible the BSS had a different hierarchy to the Mulnoy Navy, just as they used different insignia. One look at the officer before him told Step that wasn’t the case however. Phard Bruin exuded an air of importance that failed to match either his appearance, or the looks on the faces of the three men behind him.
“If you will follow me I’ll take you to the bridge so we can sort out the manifest and other documentation while your men make a start on their search.” Before he guided the Phard up to the bridge he closed the outer airlock doors, not wanting anymore rain to get in than had already. “I should warn you, some parts of the ship are not very clean or tidy at the moment,” he said over his shoulder as he led the way across the cargo bay and up the stairs to the
He waited until the ground-car came to a stop a short distance from his ship to open the outer doors and lower the ramp. With the weather the way it was he didn’t want the doors open any longer than was necessary.
“Captain Velkin?”
“That’s me, Step Velkin.” He held out his hand to the man who had spoken, whom he guessed was in charge, based on his uniform and his position at the front of group. “May I ask what this is all about?”
“A routine security search, Captain, if you attempt to interfere, or prevent us carrying out our duties in any way, you will be detained and your ship impounded until the search has been completed and you have paid any and all fines resulting from your interference.”
“Don’t worry...” Step paused to allow the man before him to supply his name, or at least his rank, he did neither. “I have no intention of interfering, or preventing you carrying out your duties. I know all about having duties to fulfil, regardless of whether we like them or not. I will co-operate in any way I can.
“I would prefer to get this over with as soon as possible, as I am sure you would. I have no doubt you have other things to do, the same as me.” He saw an appreciative look cross the faces of two of the three security officers standing behind their leader.
“Good, you can start by supplying me with your cargo manifest and record of ownership. While you are doing that my officers will begin their search of your ship; in the engine room I think. It’s surprising how many people think the engine room is a good place to hide contraband.”
Step nodded, but didn’t immediately move out of the way. “I will be more than happy to get that information for you, as soon as you provide some identification. I realise I am new to being the captain of my own cargo ship, and to this system, but I do have extensive experience dealing with officers from all walks of military life.
“In all other places I have been it is the practice for officers to introduce themselves, and provide proof of their authority before demanding such information. Surely it is the same here.”
The officer flushed at the thinly veiled rebuke and stiffened, an array of emotions rippling across his face. With an effort he got himself under control, noisily exhaling the breath he had been holding. “Phard Feo Dol Bruin, Barth Security Services,” he said handing over his identification. “Are you satisfied now?” he asked, snapping the question as he took back the card.
“Yes, thank you.” Hearing the officer’s rank, which was a rank also obtainable in the Mulnoy Navy, though the insignia was different, Step realised the search of his ship really was routine. A Phard was only one small step up from the lowest rank it was possible for an officer to possess, and several steps below the rank he had achieved. If the Barth Security Services believed he was smuggling something they would have sent someone more senior to take charge of the search.
He supposed it was possible the BSS had a different hierarchy to the Mulnoy Navy, just as they used different insignia. One look at the officer before him told Step that wasn’t the case however. Phard Bruin exuded an air of importance that failed to match either his appearance, or the looks on the faces of the three men behind him.
“If you will follow me I’ll take you to the bridge so we can sort out the manifest and other documentation while your men make a start on their search.” Before he guided the Phard up to the bridge he closed the outer airlock doors, not wanting anymore rain to get in than had already. “I should warn you, some parts of the ship are not very clean or tidy at the moment,” he said over his shoulder as he led the way across the cargo bay and up the stairs to the
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