. . .
Back on the Reynar, Blohm reported, “I have noticed a strange behaviour, it seems that several ships regularly bound for the moon are not using the optimum window for travel; they have been using this route while we have been on station, so it didn’t register as unusual. When we reviewed the shipping records, this activity coincides with the availability of foreign goods that weren't customs cleared.”
“What is the status of surveillance on these movements?” Rham asked wryly, “Slacked off I would assume.”
“I will give them the heads up to stay focused on them,” Blohm laughed, “Make them think we have eyes in the back of our heads.”
Blohm spent some time on the radio then reported back, “Yes I caught them out, put a rocket up them; it is awkward to intercept and so far nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Set piece behaviour of smugglers to confuse customs surveillance.”
“Having a devious mind the next strategy would be to distract our focus by staging a little civil unrest.”
“Point taken; our subject unlikely to be in the city so order a quiet withdrawal of ground troops then focus on the route past likely inlets that could mask a shuttle,” Rham considered then asked, “Any clue on the missing shuttle?”
“Only that it entered the sea close to the city, and no transmissions or energy signatures observed.”
“With apparent telepathy and Dromans not requiring air; it can hibernate until an undetectable signal tells it is all clear.”
“Perhaps we can use fishing boats with their sonar to search.”
“It would take too long; the fact that Dromans don’t like to lose parts will work in our favour. I expect when ready to go, the shuttle will move underwater to the hidey hole, load up then rendezvous with a Luna bound ship.”
. . .
“The latest data, storm troopers are disappearing off the streets, and air surveillance is picking up on the coast,” Roxz noted, “I am afraid the Bogans will have to miss out on their party, and Gimpy noticed the ship routine.”
“It would seem that our Gimpy isn't a hidebound rule follower. From what I have been able to learn about this Commodore Rham. He is chess Imperial Grand Master and the only thing preventing future promotion is paranoia and jealousy among the hierarchy,” Hnetz said, “He is walking a knife edge because he is popular with his crew. He gets the job done though this would be a blot on his record. These politics means he would be very keen to ensure he captures Algertz.”
“As chess master, he should be aware that being too heavy with the pursuit could provoke Oxzen sector then Oxzen ships would join the rebels and with their extensive merchant fleet could be a problem,” Humph commented.
“Are you familiar with chess? I have never seen you play,” Killa asked.
“Years ago I did, but when I admitted that I was a multi-brain they wouldn’t play me, I played the Chess AI, which had been undefeated by Galactic Grand Masters till then. Modestly I had one close win, and then eight draws as we learnt each other’s tactics,” Humph said.
“Hnetz and I are grandmasters, I have heard that the Chess AI had only lost one match 50 years ago, you say that was you,” Roxz said, “Perhaps we could have a game, might sharpen us up.”
“Perhaps later when we aren’t quite so involved, it is a waiting game until Rham has to return to the blockade. I expect that he would leave at least one Corvette and a wing of ties for surveillance. As long as Vater doesn't get curious we should be able to sneak past a sparse screen; the only handicap is that the ship is low on fuel,” Humph considered.
“If you can get to Henoghr; I can have a tanker waiting to top you up,” Roxz offered, “I expect to be paid of course.”
“Well if you have a freighter that can handle containers, we can offload the cargo, and that should square it,” Killa snorted.
“We will see, now we wait for the right opportunity, if they have decided that we are running a scam I should throw a red herring into the mix to see what happens,” Roxz considered then suggested, “Perhaps your shuttle can make an appearance on the other side of the Gulf?”
“That may work; I only need to pop up in sight of a fishing boat to get tongues wagging,” Humph offered, “And if the ships pass over that area for a while it may confuse them. Since they can’t track the shuttle underwater, so I will have it pick us up then rendezvous with your ship at another point.”
. . .
Sometime later on the Reynar, the two officers commented on the latest intelligence.
“Ah, it seems we stirred the pigeons. There has been a sighting of the shuttle on the opposite side of the Gulf, and the Luna ships are now tracking over that area,” Rham said, “So what we will do is shift some surveillance and go a little covert back at the original area.”
“I am sure the ship is sitting on the moon probably far side; I will send a team to see if anything is visible. In his place, I would first disguise than move it to the spaceport,” Blohm agreed, “We have observers in place. These agents have reported that Roxz and Hnetz have booked into a hotel for an inspection tour.”
“Likely doubles to confuse us, to me that confirms the composition of the group we are looking for.”
. . .
Back at the smuggler's depot, Roxz announced the latest developments.
“Ah they have shifted some surveillance, but our detectors still indicate most didn’t move, so they double guessed us and covered the possibility that we haven’t moved. Imperial agents are active on the moon, so don’t move the ship to the port. There have been low orbits around the moon.”
“Good luck to them, if I didn’t know where it was I couldn’t find it myself,” Humph laughed.
. . .
Rham paced the bridge getting frustrated with the delay fully aware that the window of opportunity was closing and that the bulk of his task force would have to return to the station at the blockade site.
“I have a signal from headquarters, to stand by and assist Lord Vater as he due to arrive shortly in the Executor,” Blohm reported.
“How wonderful, he is renowned for being so patient with Navy personnel,” Rham commented, “Still he has special talents which should assist in this task, pity the rumour arrived before we returned to station.”
“Hyper pulse, inbound Sun destroyer class, confirmed Imperial ship Executor,” The communication officer announced.
“We don’t have to hold our breaths wondering how long the wait would be,” Rham sighed, then ordered, “Stand by for escape attempt by the target.”
“Why would Vater flush them?” Blohm asked.
“Dromans can feel Vater’s presence and vice versa,” Rham advised then ordered, “Captain, position ship between moon and planet, standby to energise tractor.”
. . .
“Ah problem, my ship has detected a vast hyper pulse, possibly sun destroyer, worst case it’s Vater,” Humph announced, “I am afraid I have to assume it is Vater, and we have to scarper before he gets too close and detects me. To that end, I am bringing the shuttle to here under water. Then load us three and play submarine until we get to the other side of the planet, then see if we can make a run for it.”
“Latest data Reynar and Corvette moving, suspect it will be between us and moon, fighters joining them, shuttles maintaining surveillance,” Roxz advised, “I wish this Rham were on our side.”
“The shuttle