"This is GXP-344 Balena, requesting priority clearance, and resources to apprehend a fugitive. I am transmitting all information now, please ensure that it reaches the highest echelons of your command structure."
”Hey man what’s a fucking GXP tag?”
“A what now? Hey, you fuckin’ idiot that’s not a civil transit tag that’s a - holy fuck, ring the arbitrator … “
“What? No one’s used that line for a century -”
“Get the fucking Exogarden on the line, now!”
“A what now? Hey, you fuckin’ idiot that’s not a civil transit tag that’s a - holy fuck, ring the arbitrator … “
“What? No one’s used that line for a century -”
“Get the fucking Exogarden on the line, now!”
As ships shuttled to and fro, the system continued to bustle along. A distant, streaming train of civilization from one empty space to the next with the Andromedan cruiser in the middle of it. Was it hours, or mere minutes before a voice seemed to respond from the distant radiowaves?
”Hails from the Garden - I am VIRGIL, providing international support to your mission. Please allow me time to facilitate your travel. You should be advised, citizens of the nations have declared these territories a war zone - policing actions often require force.”
On sensors, there seemed to be an object approaching. The slipstream booster was a mere hundred meter long “rod”, and seemed rather unimpressive when compared with the monolithic gate that hung above the gas giant.