บท 17: Chapter 17: Hostages
Daniel stared, dumbfounded, at what looked to be over 50 people.
There'd been nothing in the bounty information about hostages, which means the Grackles were not only shaking down the Jal System with ice, but also taking people and ransoming them to their families.
The image switched back to the young man.
"You have one hour to leave the system."
"I can't do that."
A 3D grin appeared on Daniels face.
"I don't care about those people. Worst comes to worst, I blow the Hauler apart and pry the Ice out of it's bay."
The young man's eyes widened for a moment, before they narrowed and he sneered.
"You're bluffing."
"Listen, boy."
Daniel injected contempt into his voice.
"I've been floating through the void for damn near half a century. I've seen and done things far worse than let some snot-nosed, uppity, wannabe pirate king space a bunch of people.
The only thing you believe is keeping me from destroying your ship is those people. But you've overlooked something.
I have all the time in the world. You don't.
I can sit here with my Missiles trained on you for a long time.
So here's my counteroffer.
You either eject the Ice and and put those people on life boats, then surrender your ship to me. Or you starve here in space.
Because I guarantee I can wait longer than you."
Daniels 3D image sat back in his chair, staring into the view screen with the contempt and arrogance an Emperor would envy.
It was silent for a long while, before the young man gave a choppy nod.
"Fine. We'll release the Ice and Hostages, but I want you word that you'll let us go."
Daniel stared at the young man for a long while, watching the sweat drip down the mans face.
Obviously, the man was unaccustomed to being bested.
"All I can assure you of is a safe ride back to the Jal System."
"... Okay."
Unwilling to die, the boy conceded his demands, clearly defeated.
He had been hoping to bluff his way out, but this brash Commander Venata had called him on it.
He was never going to kill these people. They were the sons, daughters, and cousins of some relatively heavy hitters.
If all of them died, their relatives would make such a ruckus that the Navy would intervene, a fight he would not win.
The best chance was to be taken away, then bribe or threaten or even plead his way to lighter sentence.
Daniel nodded.
Over the next hour, his Drones, which had been sitting inert behind the Asteroid, ready to destroy the bridge if the young man had followed through on his threat, escorted shuttles of hostages to his cargo bay, which the System had pressurized.
Finally, the last Shuttle carrying the leadership of the Grackles landed in the Bay.
Before the first Shuttle had landed, Daniel had spoken to the System about the other functions of the Venator, beyond war-fighting.
"System, are we able to accommodate all of these people?"
[Commander, the Star Ship Avatar can function beyond the capabilities of a standard warship, capable of housing up to 2000 people. It is equipped with a mess halls, bunk beds, shower rooms, infirmaries, lockers, and common rooms. The User was never expected to always be on their own.]
"Is everything automated or do I have to play maid?
[Facilities can be operated solely by drones manufactured by the fabrication unit in the cargo bay. The drones will be recycled after they've served their purpose.]
With that out of the way, Daniel projected a three meter tall version of his 3D image into the cargo bay.
The System then spoke using his mouth.
"Attention. I am Commander Venata. You are guests of the Destroyer Venator. In a moment, medical drones will arrives through the north corridor. Please line up to be scanned. If any of you have diseases, cybernetics, or genetic modification, do not attempt to conceal it. Once you have been cleared, please make your way to your assigned rooms. You will be able to partake in all of the Ships facilites on our journey, but please refrain from trying to enter restricted sections.
Prisoners, you are being watched by security drones. If you attempt to hurt anyone, you will killed. If you attempt to take something, you will be killed. If you attempt to sabotage something, you will be killed.
This is your only warning."
Daniel turned away as the System continued it's speech.
He wasn't sure why he was practically becoming a cruise liner for these people, but honestly, it wouldn't cost him anything.
He watched as the Mk ll Min Harvest Drones tore apart the Hauler, the Destroyer, the Corvettes, and the base itself.
Since the humans apparently didn't take Storage space, he was able to put all of the Ice and Components into his expanded Storage.
All in all, he was confident in upgrading his Armor, Shield Generator, and Sensor.
The other Modules would take longer, since their components were less common and harder to get intact from damaged ships.
He was glad everything had worked out, but a bit disappointed he wasn't able to use his assault drones.
Then he thought of something.
"System, can you take us on a longer route to the Jal System. I want to observe the people as they move throughout the ship. I also want to take the chance to talk to some of them, because I'm pretty sure they'll hire me to take them home."
[Yes, Commander]
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