"Sir, there is a vessel requesting to trade with Frisky Business. How shall I respond?"

"Does it match the data we have on Midas?"

"Not conclusively. It is a forty-seven percent match against the data recovered from the other vessels."

"Good enough for me. Tell him no."

"Very well, Sir."

There was a moment of silence as Ellie composed an equally automated-sounding reply to the request, then sent it to the other vessel, playing it through Six's speakers as well to keep him in the loop.

::"Automated Trading Vessel --------------, this is the [i][u]Frisky Business[/u][/i]. This vessel is currently unavailable for trade, but If you wish to conduct business with Gortex Industries, we recommend you consult one of their galactic trade stations or local trading partners. Have a nice day."::

Automated systems could be so bad at following directions sometimes... SIx leaned back in his chair again and watched his fighter's readouts, which thanks to Ellie had been wired into the systems of the freighter.

"Let him chew on that for a bit. See how he handles getting turned down."