44 The ship's crew found themselves surrounded by
North's vessels before they could take any evasive action. Pinpoint
fire from North's ships disabled their engines before they could
accelerate back up to a safe speed,
and the jamming from North's vessel cut off all communications.
45 "Deactivate your weapons," North transmitted, "and abandon their
controls or be vaporized. If you will cooperate I guarantee you your
lives."
46 In a few moments the vessel's primary shields went down. North and
his men, using their busses, boarded the vessel. They were greeted by
the ship's Commander who handed over his weapon. "Take me to your chief
passenger!" North demanded.
47 The Officer led them to a lavishly furnished passenger pod, then
into an even more lavish suite. There on the couch, sat the Purist
Leader. To his right sat an attractive woman, and to her right, a young
girl. When North's and the woman's eyes met, there was instant
recognition. "So, you did not mend your ways he remarked. "It has been
a long time since that evening in The Palace, but I see you still
consider others inferior."
48 "You know my wife?" asked the Purist Leader.
49 "We met," continued North, "some years ago. I shall inform you The
Lord God has ordered me to vaporize your vessel and everyone on it. But
as I have learned from those people that you consider so inferior, that
to take life without pity is wrong I have decided another fate for you.
50 I have some stations unknown to
The Empire. You will be sent there. The men will be sent to a prison
where the Guards are only Hashon females and the women will be sent to
a prison where there are only Hashon males."
51 The Purist Leader looked to his women. "No!" he snapped, "Better to kill them now, here, than that. You won't force
them to know Hashon males."
52 "The Hashons," explained North, "do not believe