Read Online The Fortress in Orion by Mike Resnick - Free Book Online

fed the data into her one of her computers. “Moreno II,” she said. “It seems perfect. A former human colony world, broke away centuries ago when we were still the Republic, hasn’t had any contact with the Democracy since it was formed, and exchanged ambassadors with the Coalition.” She smiled. “It gives us an excuse for looking like Men.”
    â€œSounds good,” said Pretorius. “Okay, give us a Moreno II registry.”
    â€œWhat name would you like?”
    â€œSomething unexceptional and unmemorable.”
    â€œHow about Goodwill ?” suggested Ortega.
    Pretorius made a face. “My God, that’s awful.”
    â€œBut it is unexceptional,” noted Circe.
    â€œAnd unthreatening,” added Snake.
    Pretorius sighed deeply. “Goodwill it is.” He turned to Djibmet and Michkag. “Have you inspected the galley? Does it meet your needs?”
    â€œIt’ll be fine,” said Djibmet.
    â€œGood. I’d hate to have to go out and steal another ship.”
    â€œThe navigational computer would like your input,” announced Pandora. “Where do you wish to go?”
    â€œLet’s finish inspecting this ship first,” replied Pretorius. “Maybe it’ll tell us.”
    â€œI don’t follow you,” said Circe, frowning.
    â€œIt’s a pirate ship. They have to have some booty locked away somewhere. Let’s make sure it’s not perishable or set to explode if we don’t hit it with the right code every hour or day or whatever.”
    â€œThere are only two secured areas,” announced Snake. “One of the cabins and the panel leading to the cargo hold.”
    â€œI can batter the door down,” offered Ortega.
    â€œI don’t doubt it,” replied Pretorius. “But let’s proceed on the assumption that they knew whoever took over the ship could batter it down, and took precautions against that eventuality. Pandora, check it out.”
    â€œI already did. It’s not a computer lock.”
    â€œAll right,” said Pretorius. “Snake, do your thing.”
    â€œI’ll have to improvise,” she said heading off to the galley. “The fucking government confiscated my tool kit.”
    She spent a few minutes examining various eating and cutting implements, walked to the cabin in question with a few of them in her hand, began cursing under her breath when her first few efforts were unsuccessful, and then uttered a victory bellow that seemed like it couldn’t have come from such a small body when the door finally slid into the wall.
    â€œOkay,” said Pretorius, walking over. “Let’s have a look.”
    The treasure, such as it was, was sorted into jewelry, currency not recognized by the Coalition, art, weaponry, and a few miscellaneous items.
    â€œNot the most successful pirates I ever saw,” muttered Ortega.
    â€œWho knows?” said Circe. “Maybe they cashed in a month ago, and this is all from the last few weeks.”
    â€œAll right,” said Pretorius, standing in the doorway, hands on hips. “I hate to do this to the artwork, but we’re going to have to jettison it, as well as any weapons that might be registered and any jewelry that is so unique that it can be identified. Keep the cash until Pandora finds some worlds where we can use it, keep any unregistered weapons that seem to be in working order, and keep any jewelry that’s not unique and is small enough to be carried in a pocket or pouch until we need to use it as a bribe.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it,” said Snake.
    â€œFelix, help her with the heavy stuff,” said Pretorius. He gave Circe a look that said And you let me know if anyone pockets anything , and returned to the bridge.
    Within two hours they’d jettisoned anything that could identify them as a pirate ship, found that the galley could make edible but not very appetizing food, and