by JN Chaney
“Nine, already?” I asked, pulling up the galactic map. It looked like we’d gone in a crazy zigzag after leaving the station. Standard protocol when evading an enemy like the Union.
By the look of it, we appeared to be fairly close to Keasler. It wouldn’t take us long to reach it, and then I’d drop the others off and be on my way.
On my way? To where, I wondered.
First to Fratley, I supposed, but then I wasn’t sure. I couldn’t go back to Taurus, especially with the Union after me. Maybe I’d head to Ouros and lay low for a while, bury my head in the sand of some beach and forget my shit-storm of a life. “What’s our ETA to Keasler?” I asked.
“Three standard hours, sir.”
“Not long,” I said, and suddenly it felt very cold.
“Shall I wake the passengers and inform them?” asked Sigmond.
I leaned back in my chair and watched the waves and sparks along the walls of the tunnel. “No,” I said, taking a long sigh. “Let them sleep a while longer.”
* * *
We left the final tunnel and entered the outer rim of the Keasler system. Several ships appeared on the grid, most of which were docked at the station, but I noticed several others departing and arriving from the mining colony on the fourth planet from the star.
I’d only been here once before, a few years back when I was on a delivery mission. A guy named Oxam Wu asked me to drop some illegal goods off on the station for the administrator at the time. I was less experienced, so I asked fewer questions. It wasn’t until later that I realized I was actually carrying weapons. Not my finest hour, but I always made sure to understand my jobs better after that.
Maybe that was a mistake, though. Asking questions is how I got into this mess in the first place. If I’d never pressed Abigail about what she was carrying, I could’ve avoided the Union altogether. Ollie and Bron would be alive.
I shook my head. It was too late to think about alternatives. This was my life now. Better to deal with shit than look back.
I kept my distance from the station. “Let’s wait until we’re ready,” I told Siggy.
“Shall I cloak the ship, sir?”
“Park us behind this moon for now,” I said, tapping the display.
“Sir, Ms. Pryar would like to see you,” said Sigmond.
“Guess that means she’s awake,” I said.
Freddie and Octavia were both still in the lounge, although the priest was still passed out. Octavia was in the middle of replacing his bandage when I came out of the cockpit. “Good morning, Captain,” she said when she saw me.
“How’s he doing?” I asked.
“Holding together. He had a slight fever during the night, but it appears to have broken.”
“Glad to hear it. Let me know if you need anything.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Abigail’s room was down the hall opposite mine. Her door was already open. I noticed a bag on the bed, open with clothes in it. “Getting ready to go?” I asked, stepping inside.
Lex was in the corner, watching the nun fill her luggage. “She’s in a hurry,” said the girl.
“That so?” I asked.
“We have to get going as soon as we’re docked,” said Abigail. “Sigmond told me we’re in the system, so it’s almost time.”
“I don’t want to leave again,” said Lex. “This ship is nice.”
“Kid’s got good taste,” I said.
“Nevertheless, since you can’t be bothered to help us any further—”
“You know I have to take care of my own shit, Abby. It’s not about you.”
She tossed a shirt into her bag. “Okay.”
“If I brought you with me to Fratley, he’d kill me and take Lex, all so he could get that bounty. It would be a disaster.”
“I know.”
“Then, why are you upset?”
“I’m not upset,” she said. “I just think it would be easier for everyone if we didn’t have to find another ship.”
“What did you call me in here for? To yell at me?”
She sighed. “No, I’m sorry. That’s not—”
“Then what is it?”
She stopped, hesitating for a moment, then touched her pocket. “I wanted to give you something before you left.”
“You got me a present?” I asked.
“No, don’t be ridiculous. It’s something I owe you. That’s all.”
“Oh. Like money?”
She reached into her pocket and took out what appeared to be a gold locket. “Here,” she said, dropping it in my hand.
The small chain dangled off my finger. “What is this?”
“It’s your payment,” she said, turning back to her clothes.
“My payment?”
Upon closer inspection, I saw an intricately carved pattern of a planet on the top. It was the same one, I realized, that Freddie had shown me several days ago on his pad. “Is this supposed to be Earth?”
“That’s what they say,” she replied. “You can sell it if you want. Go ahead and open it.”
I pulled the two sides apart, only to find a ticking clock inside. This thing wasn’t a locket; it was a pocket-watch. “Holy shit.”
“It’s solid gold,” she said. “The church believed it was a relic from Earth. I don’t know for certain, but now it’s yours. It should cover what I owe you for helping Lex and me.”
“I already have all the money I need from those machines we sold. You paid me, fair and square.”
“That was for the second job you did, taking us to Epsilon. This watch is for helping me. Take it, Mr. Hughes. Please.”
I looked at the gold trinket in my hand. It was pristine and glistening. “You’re sure?”
“I am,” she responded, stuffing her luggage tight with clothes. “Thank you again for everything you’ve done.”
* * *
Returning to the cockpit, I felt the pocket-watch clinging noisily in my jacket. It was heavy in a good way, and it felt natural on my person. It was a fine gift, and despite the high price it might fetch on the market, I wouldn’t sell it. I had all the money I needed to pay Fratley back, plus a bit extra.
As I neared the end of the hall, I heard the com system click on. “Sir, may I have your attention?” asked Sigmond.
“What is it?” I asked.
“The slip tunnel we left on our arrival is opening. Shall we remain at our present location or would you prefer we move?”
“It better not be the Union again.” I watched the display as a ship came flying out of the tunnel, recognizing it instantly.
“I don’t believe it is,” said Sigmond.
It was the same ship I’d seen above Arcadia, the one belonging to Fratley. “Siggy, get ready to do another slip!”
“Sir, a channel is opening. It’s—”
“Well, ain’t this a surprise?” asked a familiar voice.
“Fratley?”
“That’s right, buddy. Good to see you again. Mind if I ask what you’re doing all the way out here?”
I touched the control panel, trying to bring up the com systems. Nothing happened. “Siggy, you there?”
“I took control of the com,” said Fratley. “Hope that’s all right. I wanted your full attention.”
“You hacked my ship?”
“Hacked might not be the right word,” he said. “I have the backdoor access codes. It’s just good business, you know? Makes it easier to repossess my property if the payment doesn’t come through.”
“Fratley, I was just about to come see you, once this job was done. I’ve got your money sitting in my account right now.”
“Oh? All one seventy-five thousand creds?”
“Plus some interest,” I said.
He laughed. “Ain’t that something? I guess that goes to show what a little motivation can do! You put some fire under someone’s ass and they’ll always get the job done.”
“If you want, I’ll transfer the credits to your account right now.
I just need a gal-net uplink. I can’t do that without my com, though.”
“Fair enough, Jace. I’ll let you pay me, but that’ll have to wait. The people you’re transporting, I need ‘em.”
A nervous chill ran down my arm. Had I heard him correctly? No, there was no way he knew who I had on my ship. He couldn’t. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t play stupid. I know you’ve got that Pryar woman with you. Probably got the albino freak, too. You hand them over, then pay me what you owe. We’ll call it square after that.”
Shit, I thought.
“Don’t try to run, either,” warned Fratley. “I’ve got three quads locked on your position. We’ll blast you right out of that moon’s orbit.”
I knew Fratley could see through my cloak, so he wasn’t bluffing. I could try running, but faster ships than mine had tried and now they were space dust. Besides, I’d watched him follow others for as long as it took, just to see them dead. He’d probably do the same to me. “Okay, Fratley. I’ll stay put.”
“Good man, Jace. That’s what I like to hear!”
The com clicked off. “Sir, I apologize,” said Sigmond. “I lost control of the system.”
“Is the ship okay?” I asked.
“Nothing has been damaged.”
“Activate your firewall. Don’t let him take over again.”
“Yes, sir.”
I leapt out of my seat and ran into the lounge. “Everyone, get out here!”
Octavia, Freddie, and Hitchens were already there, but Abigail and Lex came running. “What is it?” asked the nun.
“Fratley’s back,” I said, pointing out the window. “And he knows you’re with me.”
NINETEEN
“What are we going to do?” asked Hitchens.
“We have to get out of here,” insisted Abigail.
“Calm down. I’ll figure something out,” I said.
“Sir, the ravager ship is deploying a shuttle. They wish for us to let them dock,” informed Sigmond.
“Put me through to Fratley,” I ordered. “All of you, stay quiet.”
Lex was standing between Octavia’s arms, watching me. I wondered if she even knew what was going on.
Fratley’s voice came over the com. “Jace, what do you want? I’m about to head over there to pick you up.”
“There’s a problem with my airlock,” I said. “It has a wall on it.”
“Don’t I know it! Relax, Jace. I’ve got you covered. My boys will rip that shit right off so fast you’ll forget it was even there. Just get ready, because they might accidentally penetrate your ship’s atmosphere and kill everyone inside.” He let out a long chuckle.
“If I die, you won’t get your money,” I cautioned.
“You let me worry about that,” said Fratley. “All right. Stand by!”
The line clicked and he was gone. I peered out the window to see the shuttle inbound from his ship.
“We need to hide you,” I said to everyone on my ship. “All of you.”
“Are we going back in the hole?” asked Lex. “I don’t like it down there. It smells like pee.”
“It’ll be over soon,” said Abigail, stroking the girl’s hair.
“You all remember where to go, right? Sigmond will open the wall when you’re ready,” I said.
“We’ll head there now,” said Octavia, taking Hitchens by the hand.
“Oh, goodness,” said Hitchens.
I looked at Freddie, who was holding his shoulder. “You think you can go with them?” I asked him.
Freddie got to his feet. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.”
I nodded. “Octavia, look after him. Take the med kit.”
Fratley’s shuttle was arriving outside, quickly releasing two extendable arms. They gripped the massive block of metal that was still attached to my airlock. For a second, I thought it might end with a breach in my ship, but I was relieved to see that this wasn’t the case. Instead, the wreckage detached, and Fratley’s shuttle released it into empty space, letting it float away.
I turned to look at Octavia. “Quick, I’ll help you to your spot. There’s not much time, so we’ll have to hurry.”
* * *
The airlock opened, and Fratley Oxanos walked into my ship. “Jace!” he exclaimed. “You old rat.”
“Fratley,” I said, no enthusiasm in my voice.
He beamed a wicked smile. “Thanks for having me.”
Eight of his men unloaded behind him, each of them carrying a rifle and a sidearm.
Fratley looked at the nearest one, the squad leader. “Start the search.”
“Yes, Boss,” replied the man. He motioned for the others to follow, and together they ran by me and into the lounge.
Fratley and I both looked at each other. “It feels like I was just here,” he said.
“I guess you must really like the coffee,” I answered.
He laughed. “You know, back when I was a Renegade, I had a ship just like yours. It was nicer, of course, but still pretty similar.”
“Is that right?”
He nodded. “I’m telling you, I was on top of my game back then. Jobs were easy to get, you know. Not like today. I had enough cash to pay my debts and fix my ship, which is more than I can say for you.”
“It’s been a slow season. We have the Union to thank for that.”
“Right, that’s true. The Union’s been down everyone’s neck to play nice and do as we’re told. They’re inside the Deadlands now, too, expanding the border. You saw a few on Taurus, except that ain’t all of ‘em. They’ve got big plans, Jace.”
I was surprised he knew about Taurus. I never saw his ship in the area. “You heard about that, did you?”
“You’re a naughty one, Jace. You know, they don’t even know it was you, but I was watching.”
“Watching?” I repeated.
“Always, when it comes to you, Jace.”
I leaned against the wall. “I’m not sure if I should be flattered or concerned.”
“It’s for your own good. You owe me a small fortune, so I can’t let you go and get yourself killed. Not until I get paid, anyway.”
“I get it,” I said, crossing my arms. “You have a business to look after.”
“A very successful one,” he corrected.
The head grunt came jogging down the corridor. “Sir, there’s no sign of anyone else on the ship.”
“Oh?” asked Fratley. He raised his brow at me. “Where’s the girl, Jace? You got her stowed away somewhere?”
“Not sure what you mean,” I said, looking him right in the eye.
He snickered. “Now, Jace. We both know you’ve got her hidden somewhere. I saw the security footage from Taurus. She boarded this ship.”
“I don’t remember that. Must have been a different ship.”
He looked at the nearby thug. “One of the crates was moved out the last time we were here, wasn’t it? Let’s have a look at the cargo hold.”
“Aye, sir.”
Fratley made sure I followed him. His thugs pushed me along until we were inside the bay.
The crates were all nestled tight against the wall, having been moved to their original spots. Fratley walked to the nearest one, the same crate that had been pulled out, and examined it. “Let’s get this moved, shall we?”
Two broad-chested individuals grabbed the side of the box and pulled it back, sliding it against the metal floor, filling the bay with a loud screech. When they had it cleared, Fratley went to the back wall and leaned in close to look at it.
“Looking for something?” I asked.
He tapped his cane on the wall, and there was a deep thud. “Got yourself a hidden compartment, do you?” He waved one of his men over to him. The lackey handed a small device to him, which Fratley took. “Can’t say I blame you. I had a few of my own, back when I was in your shoes.”
He pressed a small button on the device, then scanned the wall. Not two seconds later, the compartment raised, revealing it
self.
Fratley stared into the empty section of my cargo bay, leaning in, and finding nothing. No signs of any intruders. Not a single trace of any fugitive passengers.
“Satisfied?” I asked.
He peered back at me and smiled. “Not quite yet, I’m afraid.”
Fratley tapped the side of his ear, opening a com channel. “Find them yet?” he asked. “Uh huh. Oh, well, that was fast work. Good work.”
The ravager boss twirled his cane in the air and began walking back toward me.
“Something going on?” I asked.
“Why don’t you follow me, Jace? You’ll want to see this.”
We left the bay and proceeded down the hall. I could already hear something up ahead, coming from the lounge. There was movement, the sound of someone shuffling their feet, followed by a grunt. “Sit down and don’t move,” a man snapped.
As we rounded the corner, I already knew what to expect. Abigail came into view right away, her long, brown hair flowing down the side of her neck, followed by a stern look as she stared with those fierce hazel eyes at the three goons standing before her.
Then, as I finally stepped into the lounge, I saw one of the men holding Lex, gripping her shoulder with one hand as well as her white hair with the other.
