The doors hissed and groaned as they began to open. The gears hadn't moved in several hundred years because we had taken the other doors since landing. The ship blocked the sunlight but I still had to squint, gritting my teeth as voices instantly infiltrated my head without mercy.

   "There they are."

   "I don't remember there being that many of them!"

   "Who are they?"

   "What's going on?"

   "Oh, dear. This has got to be the worst timing..." The last came from Mayor Spencer as he stood where the doors gently landed. The army he had used to protect the ship was still there. Some of them were facing away at the crowd of reporters – at least I assumed they were reporters. What looked like odd selfie-sticks were aimed our way and people were speaking into white sticks. Likely microphones. The rest of the soldiers were facing us. I tracked the people behind me. Edwards' footsteps staggered and Peterson caught his arm as he stumbled, paling. Captain Thorn even missed a step and a crease appeared on his forehead.

    I remembered the first time I'd been exposed to the plethora of voices and grimaced. Instead of waiting, I turned toward the target. Mayor Spencer was standing beside a large man. The latter wore a grey neque and I automatically knew he was military. My fingers wanted to rest on the gun at my side and I kept them still. The thoughts of the man drifted my way. "Spencer had told me there were three. Was he lying or wrong?"

    "What is this about, Mayor Spencer?" I asked, allowing some of my annoyance to come through.

    "She's walking right into this!" The Mayor gulped. "I-I see that your crew has expanded, First Officer."

   Captain Thorn finally stepped forward. I took one step back and glanced toward the other Officers. Peterson looked pale. Edwards was at ease, looking almost relaxed. Byrne was examining the area. "No sign of an ambush, but half of these soldiers aren't Mayor Spencer's. They're probably this man's squadron. They're mixed into the others. Either for a set-up or for backup."

    "Or both," I replied. Peterson twitched slightly as he tried to keep a straight face. I found the same temptation. Having voices in my head wasn't right. I didn't necessarily like it, either. Having a previous enemy talk directly into it did not sit right.

    "I'm Captain Silk Thorn of the Patriot I," said the Captain smoothly. "I apologize for my absence but we have been experiencing technical difficulties since take-off. You are?"

    "Technical difficulties my ass." The General kept a straight face and shook hands with the Captain. "Communications General Madn Koba. I'm the Zoel Representative and General of the Planetary Court." He was a tall, somewhat-portly man with a crooked nose and a thick chin. He didn't look remarkably official, save for his stripes on his lapel.

    "And why might you be dropping us a visit?" Captain Thorn asked easily. I silently appreciated how casual he came off as.

    "You and your band have broken several planetary and intergalactic codes of conduct," General Koba replied. "You've been summoned for a hearing in front of the Planetary Court and are to appear immediately." "They'll likely be put away for twenty years for this disruption... I can't say it won't be altogether sad to watch the wind leave their sails. Their days of parading around as imposters are over."

    My jaw tightened. "Under what grounds, General Koba?" I wanted Mayor Spencer to hear it for himself.

    "Under grounds of public disruption, illegal use of a HyperZipline, false identities, trespassing of private property by a space vessel, illegal possession of an Earth artifact, and hacking the Planetary Court's database in order to arrange the illegal use of the HyperZipline," said the General. He wasn't hiding his snide smile. "I'm sure I could come up with a few more standing here, if you like." His thoughts matched. Mayor Spencer looked over, his thoughts aghast.

    Are you kidding me? I stood there, aghast, as the rest of the crew gawked. Captain Thorn looked at the General evenly. "Are you threatening my crew, General?"

    "Of course not," chuckled General Koba. "What is this guy? Stupid or skeptical?"

    "Can I see some proof of summons?" Captain Thorn requested. "Because as this goes, my rank matches yours. You don't have the authority over me – or my crew without my permission. Unless you have proof that you do truly come from the Planetary Court, I'm afraid I will be lodging a complaint to them myself about their misconceptions of my rank on this planet."

   That was another reason I grudgingly admitted Byrne was right that we needed Captain Thorn. I could have never pulled rank like that. Though Captain Thorn was correct. The only authority over us was the reigning authority over the planet. That had been decided by the IGSC long ago. The ISGC hadn't wanted us to be just another troop under control. We were our own branch of military.

   "What the hell?" General Koba stared at him darkly for a moment. Edwards coughed slightly into his hand and Peterson elbowed him. "Who does this guy think he is? I don't need no blasted proof of summons. I don't think the Court will worry if I bring them back in cuffs, if that's the only way to get them there." His hand twitched at his side. Mine landed on my hip, over the hidden gun, and the General looked my way. I arched an eyebrow. "Problem, General?"

   His jaw ticked. "I don't know who you think you are, but you have no rank but that of a future criminal. As far as I'm concerned, until I see proof of rank, you're nothing but civilians in costumes."

   "I can assist here, General Koba," jumped in Mayor Spencer. "My ancestor was the first Captain of the Pioneer. He took a picture with the crew of the Patriot. Each person here matches perfectly, save for the loss of their hair."

   "They could be wearing up-scaled portals that project images to assist in that, Mayor," General Koba replied. "Looks are nothing in these days of technology."

   Captain Thorn tilted his head. "If you use that logic, then nothing can prove my rank. You plan on taking me and my crew to the Court no matter the case."

   "No shit." The General merely smiled. "You're smarter than you act."

    "In that case," said Captain Thorn mildly. "I'll be lodging that complaint. While I wish to meet the leaders of this planet, I had hoped to do it on good terms. I'll just have to use this opportunity to clear out some of the weeds in the garden." He looked down and pressed on his communication clasp. "Fortunately for me, I've recorded this entire conversation. And I will be using it as evidence that you are no longer deserving of your job if I see a single weapon pointed our way on this trip, General Koba."

    General Koba's eyes looked down at the clasp in shock. "He's got to be kidding. That isn't even any technology, just some plastic." Edwards suddenly coughed so hard that Peterson flinched away from him. Byrne scowled at the two of them. "You're bluffing."

   "That's for you to decide. However, if my crew and I are treated kindly on this trip, then I will only be lodging a strike against you. In this case, you'll be able to keep your job until you receive another strike." Captain Thorn looked toward his men. "And you can go ahead and call out your hidden troops. I'll call mine once you do." He smiled pleasantly. "But no rush."

   It was the politest spit-in-the-face I'd ever witnessed. I somehow kept my face straight, but not everyone was as lucky. Edwards sounded like he was going to asphyxiate at this rate.