Text Fragment - Cut from Bk 9

Text Fragment - Cut from Bk 9 - (Cutting Floor)

Once more we approached the Augria XI star system. The Xandrao battle ship was limping along as fast as they could. Our sensors picked up several Takkian ships and the battle ship escort. I said more to myself than to anyone else. “I wonder how they got here, without breaking the Freespace conditions?” The answer came from an unusual source, not Narth, not Shea but Yeoman O'Connell said. “The Takkians claimed this system on the grounds that the Conck not only is the base of their religion but also somehow related to them.” “And the others simply agree? I mean could we not simply claim every star system?” O'Connell pointed at a small scanner signal. “This is a Dioban peace keeper, I almost certain there are observers of the Big Four and a few of the independents aboard and they carefully check everything. The Freespace treaty is a 6000 page document spelling out many details and conditions” Narth had his hands shoved inside his sleeves and sat like that behind his OPS console. “This is true, but of course there is no dispute as the Conck declared that the Takkians are indeed relatives and that they are welcome to claim the system. The Conck is the native live form of that system and has by treaty the right to decide.” Har-Hi chimed in. “Of course there will be month, perhaps years of arguments between the delegats and observers of the treaty as how Union ships should be allowed to reach the system.” I sighed .”All this space, and all these stars, it seems as different all the sentient life iswe all share a certain tendency towards foolishness.” Shea turned. “This was quite the philosophical statement, Captain.” “I know, its not what you expect from a simpleton from Nilfeheim, but then I did share my mind with our spooky friend over there and perhaps it came from that direction.” Before Narth could comment as he was about to do,I added. “Whatever they decide about Auriga Xi, there is a Union Battleship and we are on the most wanted list. Shaka slow her down and Krabbel make sure we won't even acidently cross the orbit of some sort of rock that could be considered part of that System.”