The Vipers made no hostile moves, but took up station near the Constrictor. When they were stationary one of them hailed the intruder to instruct them to follow them to their base. They moved off slowly, Silsi followed them.
When they were satisfied that the Constrictor was complying with their demands they accelerated faster. They were probably uncertain about how quickly the Viper could move, and didn't feel inclined to ask.
During the journey there was no more direct communication between the Vipers and the Constrictor. When the Vipers changed velocity the did so without any warning, but waited while the Constrictor followed the manoeuvre and returned to station.
At last the listening post came into sight. Compared to a space station it was small, a cylindrical structure with a wide variety of receivers and transmitters at either end. From a spherical section in the centre of the tube two curved arms protruded, to which were attached six more Vipers and a couple of small ships of an unknown design. A larger ship was parked close by. The approach continued silently until they were a bare half a mile away. The Vipers came to a halt, followed by the Constrictor.
Once again they were hailed by the post. "
Aeyris called the rest of his crew over the intercom, suggesting that they arm themselves and take up station to guard the ship's entrance port and the bridge. Back on the view a previously unseen door opened in the central spherical section. Beyond it there was a small docking bay, just large enough for the Constrictor to fit into.
Silsi carefully nudged the ship forward. As it drifted towards the base the Vipers remained in place, so that the Constrictor moved forward between them. Inside the bay there was only the bare essentials of equipment, docking clamps on the floor and ceiling and what was probably a cargo lift tucked in one corner. Against the back there was a tightly closed door.
There was no change in movement when the Constrictor entered the confines of the bay, although a sudden hiss over the speakers suggested passage through a force field. Silsi fired a brief burst on the manoeuvring thrusters, and they came to a halt. After a few seconds a clang and a shudder echoed through the ship as the docking clamps took hold. Following that there was another shudder, and the ship dropped a little.
"Stay here," Aeyris told the bridge crew, as he and Kirrik left.
They were met near the door by half a dozen armed pirates, ready to cover them if they we greeted with a hostile response. Kirrik walked up to the entrance, then shook his head in annoyance when he saw the bare spot where the door control panel should have been.
"Forgetful," one of the pirates commented.
"Go back to the bridge and get them to open the door if conditions match," Aeyris told the nearest pirate.
When the door opened there was a brief rush of air into the ship. Kirrik looked out to see that the docking clamps were holding them a couple of feet off the ground. And looking up at him were a dozen soldiers.
"One of you come out," a soldier called out. "The rest of you remain in the ship."
"I'll go," Kirrik said, although not loudly enough for the soldiers to hear him.
"It's my place, since nearly everyone on here is my crew," Aeyris contradicted him. "That gives me the say. You're already responsible for getting us here. Let's not end up in even bigger trouble."
"Oh, that's fine. Sending a pirate captain out is going to really impress them. I've got an official position, so we may as well make use of it."
"So what?" Aeyris replied with a short sarcastic laugh. "Whatever proof you may have had of that is back on that asteroid."
Kirrik shook his head in exasperation. "I've had training in dealing with people. You haven't."
Their argument was interrupted by the soldier shouting out to them "Hurry up."
"We've got a joint leadership, which is proving awkward at this moment," Aeyris said.
There was a pause from the soldier, then "How many people do you wish to send?"
"Two."
"Very well, two will be acceptable. Leave any weapons on board."
"We want assurances for our safety, and a comm link to our ship available at all times," Kirrik shouted out.
"Very well. Now get out of there."
"Just a minute whilst I fetch the link."
"You've got thirty seconds."
Aeyris quickly rushed back to the bridge to grab a link. When he was back at the entrance he ordered one of his men "If you loose the link break out of here and blast the place."
He carefully hopped out of Constrictor, wincing when he put his weight on his still sore leg. Kirrik followed, just as uncomfortably. Five soldiers came forward, guns pointed slightly down to suggest that they were not about to be used, but held high enough to be fired instantly at the first sign of trouble.