Rookie Privateer
Page 28
The hug I received for my 'trade' was a bit uncomfortable, mostly due to the excessive overeating I'd just done.
Commander Sterra continued, "I believe you have business to discuss with Lieutenant Belcose and I have a trial to prepare for. On behalf of Mars Protectorate, I can't thank you enough for putting your ship and crew at risk. The intelligence we gather from the prisoners should put quite a dent in the Red Houzi's operation for some time, and our experts have already extracted a considerable amount of information from that storage device. You should rest easy knowing you have brought to justice the pirates responsible for the attack on Colony 40."
We all stood as Commander Sterra exited.
Belcose started the conversation, "Have you given any further thought to payment?"
"I have. The Protectorate stood behind us when we needed it the most. Without that open account and intelligence, we wouldn't have been able to escape Baru Manush. Would you consider providing repairs of the combat damage to our ship, removal of the temporary brig and a load of fuel and oxy?"
"We could probably do better than that."
As much as I wanted a big payday, I needed Commander Sterra and Lieutenant Belcose to know they had made a good decision in granting us the Letter of Marque. I wanted to send the message that we were not only mercenaries, but that we were also team players.
"Okay. How about you throw in a combat bonus to Ms. Bertrand. Without her, we most certainly wouldn't have made it." I looked at her and winked, she looked back slack-jawed.
"Do you have a number in mind?"
"Thirty thousand," I shot back.
"Done. I will have an engineering crew contact you in the morning to see about repairs. It has been a pleasure, Mr. Hoffen."
You couldn't have found a giddier threesome as we made our way back to Sterra's Gift.
Just before we entered the airlock I turned to Nick and Marny, who were holding hands. Nick looked a little uncomfortable. We hadn't talked about it yet.
"I was just thinking," I said. "Maybe we should convert BR-2 into the captain’s quarters. I'm really not comfortable on that couch anymore.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Diane Greenwood Muir, for enduring patience, encouragement, and expert editing. My wife, Janet, for heroic continuity checks. Jeff Rothermel, for amazing insight related to technical details and preventing the flying guillotine. Sheri Harper Gann, for the generous gift of her time. Carol Greenwood, for excellent help with phrasing. Finally, my youngest son, Jacob, for converting my pencil scratches into a rendering of the interior layout of Sterra’s Gift.
To Kristina Del Valle, for a wonderful illustration that is presented on the book cover and to Rebecca Bauman, for last minute artistic guidance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jamie McFarlane has been writing short stories and telling tall tales for several decades. With a focus that only a bill collector could inspire, Jamie has finally relented to recording some of his most of requested stories.
During the day Jamie can be found at his home, writing in front of a neglected fire, with his two cats both conveniently named Dragon. When not writing, Jamie can be found at the local pub sharing his stories with any who will listen.
Thank you for reading Rookie Privateer, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Please consider using one or more of the following links to learn about additional books in the Privateer Tales series or just to stay in contact with Jamie.
Blog and Website: fickledragon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jamiemcfarlaneauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/privateertales