Have to move quickly and take the ship before they realize
what's going on. She has a small army of well trained women on board,
with the finest military equipment. If it comes to a fight we'd never
hold out with those daggers alone. We've got to take the command deck
where I can call your ship and summon help."
23 The Second Morn came over. "Listen to him, General. His battle skill
is almost as good as yours. There's no time to argue."
24 North turned to his companions. "Follow their lead, gentlemen! They
know the vessel, we don't!"
25 As they started off, North asked his counterpart, "What about my
implant?"
26 "It was deactivated," the Second North replied, "while you were
unconscious."
27 "How long was I out?" North asked.
28 "About a half an hour," his counterpart replied. They made swift
passage through the corridors. There were guard outside the command
deck, but North 2 and his companions took care of them without raising
alarm. They walked casually into the command deck then suddenly drew
their daggers.
29 "Hands on your heads!" North 2 cried. "Don't touch any weapons or
controls!"
30 North entered the command deck with his own people, weapons ready.
"Somebody get on that Communications console," ordered North, corning
up beside his counterpart. "Call The Morning Star. Tell them we need
assault parties on the double! Get on that weapon's console! Shut down
all systems and drop the battle shields!"
31 Suddenly one of the guards on the command deck made a dive for
cover, drawing her sword as she did so. North 2 was wearing body shields, but they, alone, would not
stop the deadly beam. But just as the woman