“We have no authority to provide asylum for you,” answered Paul calmly, using his personal speech synthesizer. “We can’t interfere…” Suddenly the connection was lost.
“This ship has just been destroyed,” quietly reported Chris.
Paul shook his head, signs of sincere regret could be read on his face.
“Another one is coming too close. The fighters shooting at it could hit us by accident.”
“Get me their captain.”
“Ready! The connection is established!”
“I am Paul Stones, the captain of ‘Solar Flotilla’s’ shuttle. Your actions threaten the safety of our spacecraft. I am asking you to stop fire!”
“Your ship’s well protected and will not be damaged even if the passenger transport explodes!” answered the Tarian through interference.
Derek approached the porthole – now he could clearly see what was happening outside with his own eyes. The transport with the refugees was awkwardly manoeuvring and trying to stay close to the shuttle in an attempt to prevent the fighters from shooting at them.
“What does our protective field have to do with anything?” said the captain indignantly. “You have no right to put my crew’s life at risk!”
“In this case, go faster so that the ship of the delinquents can’t use you as a shield!”
“We have some cargo onboard that’s slowing us down” confidently lied the captain, which came as a total surprise to the earthling.
Stan hemmed and, looking at the earthling sullenly, put his finger to the lips symbolizing silence. The Tarian was obviously dissatisfied.
“Alright! We’ll stop the fire, but only until your shuttle enters the Titanium protective field!”
The connection was lost.
“But the refugees’ ship won’t be able to pass through the protective field of the artificial planet…” noted Derek, watching the captain closely.
“No, it won’t,” like an echo answered the captain.
“What if we teleport them?”
“Such actions can be viewed as interference into the domestic conflict…”
The earthling swore.
“This is not our war, Derek,” added the captain quietly.
The lighting in the medical compartment seemed too bright for Lora after a long time spent in the darkness of the broken ship. She squinted and covered her eyes with her palm while lying in the regenerative capsule that allowed a quick recovery of the damaged tissues. Her loneliness was disturbed by Derek walking in silently.