Such help was always given, because no commander could be
sure when he might need help himself.
"I agree," the Connie commander said with obvious reluctance. "You may
send a boat."
MacFife's Scotch burr broke in. "Federation SCN _Aquila_ to Consolidation
Sixteen. Mister, my instruments are off scale, too. I'll just send them
along to ye, and ye can check them while ye're doing the _Sagittarius_!"
"I object!" the Connie bellowed.
"Come, now," MacFife burred soothingly. "Checking a few instruments won't
hurt ye."
A small rocket exhaust appeared, leaving the _Aquila_. The exhaust grew
rapidly, more rapidly than that of any snapper-boat. Rip watched it,
while keeping his ears tuned to the space conversation.
"Surely sending boats is too much of a nuisance," the French commander
said winningly. "We will come alongside."
"It's a trick," the Connie growled. "You want me to open my valves, and
then your men will board us and try to take over my ship!"
"My friend, you have a suspicious mind," Galliene replied smoothly. "If
you wish, arm your men. Ours will have no weapons. Train launchers on the
valves, so our men will be annihilated before they can board if you see a
single weapon."
This was going a little far, Rip thought, but it was not his affair, and
he didn't know exactly what MacFife and Galliene had in mind.
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