by JAX
Dahlia’s fingers flew over the control panel as if she were a concert pianist. And in many ways, the comparison was apt. Not only was Dahlia the best ship mechanic in the sector, other than herself, but the woman was a genius at flying ships and just about anything else that could break a planet’s orbit. Dani had been lucky to recognize Dahlia’s talents when she’d captured the ship the woman was being transported on to bring skilled labor onto Gavin 2. That had been five years ago, and Dani had never regretted her decision to both let Dahlia live and offer her a long-term job. They’d become fast friends … and more. After all, space travel was a lonely business, and Dani couldn’t afford to get too friendly with the male personnel on her ship and risk losing their respect. It was difficult enough being a female captain without undermining her own authority by advertising that she was putting out to one of the crew—or worse, several.
She mentally scolded herself for getting caught up in her sex life and not concentrating on the unfolding situation in front of them. She needed several amazing orgasms and soon, or she’d end up getting her entire ship captured and her crew killed.
It took only a glance down at the long-range sensor readings to bring a scowl to Dare MacFadyen’s face. “Carl, do you see what I see?”
Carl cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, I do.”
Dare hit some buttons on the console in front of him and brought the view of the incoming ship up to maximum magnification.
He let fly his favorite round of curses and swallowed hard against the bile that tried to inch its way up the back of his throat. “It appears we’re about to have an encounter with the infamous Red Death.”
“Fucking evil bastard.” Carl had a way with words.
But Carl had nailed it—Red Death had struck hundreds of ships throughout the surrounding quadrants. The bastard had been attacking ships for two decades, and was known to be extremely ruthless and very efficient in not only stalking his prey, but also in confiscating cargo, dismantling ships, and selling them off for scrap or whatever else would bring the highest price.
“Carl, I don’t think I’d be too happy losing my own flagship on its maiden voyage. What do you think our chances are?”
“They’ve already exploded one ship this morning, so maybe they’ll be lenient with a second. Who knows.”
The vision of the tiny ship exploding just ten minutes ago flashed across Dare’s mind and tightened his shoulder muscles. “This is a really bad time to only have a few seasoned crewmen on board out of our twenty. But I hadn’t counted on running into Red Death. It’s been rumored he’s been marauding in the Relion sector lately.”
Carl nodded. “I’d heard that, too, so you’re not the only one surprised. I wonder what fascination two tiny war-torn planets have for Red Death unless he’s found a way to make a profit off the situation.”
Dare’s blood chilled at the mention of making a profit. He’d recently tried expanding the business by taking on side delivery projects, so when Gavin 2 had offered a king’s ransom for a hold full of munitions, he hadn’t questioned it. He’d jumped at the chance to put his own stamp on the company he’d just inherited from his grandfather, Devil MacFadyen. He knew there was a war raging between the two planets, but he was here purely as a delivery agent—he wasn’t about to get involved in their politics.
“Red Death is a complication we just don’t need right now, Carl.”
“You can say that again. We only have a few more hours in the delivery window to get these munitions to Gavin 2 or they won’t pay us one credit for the lot.”
“Don’t remind me. If that happens, it will be the first large mistake I’ve made at the helm of the company, and I won’t be very happy about that either.”
Dare hit the ship-wide intercom button. “All hands, we are about to encounter Red Death. In the event we are boarded, your priority is to guard the cargo until you hear otherwise from me or Carl. Those munitions are worth your weight in credits if we can survive this encounter and get them delivered to Gavin 2 within the delivery window. Just remember, Gavin 2 is notorious for not paying for partial orders. We need every last pound of those munitions to collect, so do what you have to do to protect our next payday and we’ll get through this in one piece.”
He knew that lame pep talk would only work for some of the crew, and the more desperate and greedy at that, but the rest would probably be the ones to run and fall in battle first anyway, so what did he have to lose by trying to remind them why they were here and what the potential rewards were?
As the other ship closed in, Carl executed some expert flying moves that Dare would’ve bet five minutes ago couldn’t be done with such a large ship. But then, that’s why his grandfather had recruited Carl to be the main pilot for the company several years ago. Carl was one of the old-timers, and Dare knew if his grandfather had trusted the man, his own life was in good hands with Carl as well.
However, Red Death’s smaller ship easily matched their maneuvers and even stayed ahead of them, cutting off any escape route and catching them between the planet and their smaller and more maneuverable ship.
The communication console beeped urgently, alerting Dare to an incoming message.
Interesting and unexpected.
He’d heard Red Death shot and boarded first and only talked later—at least to those few who were left alive on the newly captured ship. But since there were no other ships in range to send them a communication, it had to be from the small pirate ship.
Dare glanced at Carl and shrugged. “What do we have to lose by talking a bit? Just keep trying to maneuver us out of here if they give us any opening.”
Dare took a deep breath and punched the open channel button on his com panel. “Unidentified ship, this is Captain MacFadyen. We have business on Gavin 2. Will you clear a path?” Lame, but then, how did one address an infamous pirate ship?
Some static that almost sounded like soft laughter came across the channel. “You and I both know you’re no match for our firepower, so unless you want that nice, pretty ship blown out from under you, drop your shields and prepare to be boarded.” The obviously artificial computer’s voice made Dare frown. He would’ve preferred an actual human voice so he could get some clue as to their character.
Dare took his finger off the com button so only Carl could hear him. “That’s it? They aren’t going to disable us first?”
Carl shook his head. “I keep forgetting you’ve never spent much time captaining before. Hell, your grandfather and I were being attacked by renegade space pirates when you were still a dirty thought in your daddy’s mind.” He chuckled and gestured with his chin toward the pirate ship. “They want the ship intact so they can dismantle it or sell it. You and I both know if they send one good hit to the hold, we’re nothing but a fireball thanks to all those munitions Gavin 2 wanted. We have a better shot at staying alive if we surrender. I’ve heard that over the past five years Red Death is much less likely to kill the crews if he doesn’t need to, and he’s even recruited a few captured crewmen to work on his ship. Let’s see what we can finagle, shall we?”
Dare waved a hand at the com panel, silently turning the conversation with the pirate ship over to Carl, who obviously knew more about this type of situation than Dare did. Dare had spent time in the business offices with his grandfather, but other than learning to fly, operate the ships, and run the company, he’d never actually done a lot of the piloting and traveling. Now he regretted not spending that time and learning all he could from Devil. The older man had taught Dare quite a bit, but obviously there had been a lot more to learn. Regret warred with sadness inside Dare’s chest, and he took a deep breath to hopefully hide both of those emotions from the too-perceptive Carl.
Carl pressed the com button and leaned toward Dare so he could speak more closely to the com mic. “Unidentified ship, we are carrying ordered supplies for Gavin 2. If you agree to expedite our delivery, I’m sure we could come up with a suitable split of the profits that would benefi
t us both.” Carl took his finger off the com button as he shrugged. “Can’t hurt to try. We’ll see what they come back with, but I’m thinking we’re going to have to let them board unless you’re up for setting the self-destruct and going up in a ball of flame all for the principle of not being captured.”
Dare shook his head. “No way. If they want me dead, they’re going to have to pull the trigger up close and personal. I refuse to make it easy on them.”
Carl winked at Dare. “That’s the spirit. Let’s make the old man proud! Lots of people thought he was insane when he appointed you to head the company after he was gone, but I have faith you can do it.” Carl slapped Dare on the back and grinned over at him. “You’ve always been the spitting image of Devil, regardless of what your deadbeat father thinks.”
Dare smiled over at the older man, oddly touched by his show of support. His grandfather’s opinion had always meant a lot to him, so knowing that Carl thought Devil would be proud warmed him, even in this dangerous situation.
The computer voice broke into Dare’s musings. “If Gavin 2 ordered those supplies, then I’m sure they’re a lot more explosive than food rations or building supplies, so let’s cut the clutter and be honest, gentlemen. I’m betting we could take you out with one well-placed shot to your hold. So shall we end the day explosively, or are we going to play nice and give as many people as possible a good day?”
Dare nodded at Carl. “Do it.”
Carl pressed the com button and winked over at Dare. “Unidentified ship. We would prefer not to be picking up pieces of our vessel for the next century, so we would be happy to invite a small boarding party on board.”
Dare heard what sounded like a snort in the voice of the computer and wondered if that was a good or bad sign.
After several minutes where Carl continued to try to edge away from the pirate ship and the smaller ship kept them blocked in, Dare began to think they would get no answer.
“Your offer is accepted. Send your command crew to the port air lock to greet our boarding party.”
Carl cursed, but stood from his chair. “Come on, Dare. Time to earn that captain’s title.”
Dare nodded. He as the boss should be the one to face the first danger rather than his crew. He just hadn’t thought he’d be given the choice in this instance. He slapped Carl on the back and nodded as he hit the ship-wide intercom button. “Attention all hands. We will be welcoming a boarding party in a few minutes. Please wait for me and Carl to greet them. Be ready, but don’t make any aggressive moves unless needed to defend yourselves. Captain out.”
Dare sent up a silent prayer for strength and wisdom from his grandfather and headed toward the air lock.
The walk to the air lock seemed to take forever, and Dare just hoped his lack of experience didn’t make his crew pay the ultimate price. He could stomach dying for his own mistakes, but not making others suffer for them.
When they reached the air lock, Dare stepped in front of Carl, pressing the older man behind him before he looked through the air-lock window to make sure the other ship was securely attached against their hull. The green screen across the outside of the window showed him it was, so he pulled the lever to equalize the pressure between the two ships and when the hissing sound of equalizing air stopped, he pulled open the door and stuck his hands in the air surrender style.
A group of at least ten men with laser weapons stood looking at Dare with their weapons unerringly trained on him and the few crewmen behind him.
Dare cleared his throat before speaking. “Please take me to your captain so we can finish discussing our terms.” Dare nearly smiled at the audacity of his words. If situations were reversed, he’d consider that speech damned ballsy by their captured prey.
One of the men stepped forward with a large smirk splitting his beefy face. “The captain has requested you and your first officer be taken to the ready room to be interrogated at the earliest convenience. Please follow me.”
Dare motioned Carl forward and then for the rest of the crew to stay put until they received further instructions.
“What about my crew?” he stopped to ask before going any farther.
The beefy man nodded. “A good captain ye are to be asking. You’d be surprised how many captains aren’t concerned about the crew, only saving their own backsides. They’ll be safe and sound as long as they give us no reason to leave them in another condition.”
Dare nodded and stepped forward to follow Mr. Beefy. The path through the ship and up two levels toward the ready room was winding and long, but it gave Dare a chance to evaluate the ship. It wasn’t fancy or comfortable like his, but then this was no pleasure liner booked by rich vacationers to see the galaxy. Every inch of the ship was utilitarian and devoted to sensors, weaponry, or some other vital function, which would make sense for a pirate ship, but still surprised Dare. He supposed he expected more posh accommodations from an obviously rich space pirate who had been marauding for so long. But the stark show of function over form and flash chilled Dare’s blood as he mulled over what that could mean in other areas. He was ready to give his own life if needed, but he fervently hoped to spare Carl’s and his crew’s.
“Here we go, gentlemen.” Mr. Beefy stopped just in front of them and motioned to a doorway on their left. “There are a few of our associates inside who will ready you to await the captain’s and first officer’s pleasure.”
Dare frowned back at Carl, not sure what the speech meant, but at the sight of Carl’s stoic expression, Dare mentally shrugged and walked through the doors into the ready room. Four very large crewmen stood eyeing Dare and Carl with threatening expressions. Not that Dare blamed them. If he were in their situation, he wouldn’t trust the newcomers either.
“Sit, gentlemen,” the largest man said as he motioned to the metal chairs spaced around the wide metal table. “We’ve housekeeping to take care of before you can see the captain and first officer. If you cooperate, this will take no time at all.”
“What do you need from us? You already have our ship.” Carl’s voice was matter-of-fact and held only curiosity and not anger or any sign of fear.
Dare hoped he could be as stoic the next time he was in this situation, because he damned well intended to survive this one long enough to become the old-timer to a child of his own who would take over MacFadyen shipping from him when the time came.
Carl sat, and Dare followed his lead.
Only then did the large man reach in front of him and hold up an injector tool. It was like a twenty-first-century shot but didn’t actually break the skin. It pushed whatever was to be delivered between the molecules of the skin and left little or no sign behind depending on the size of the molecules in the substance being delivered. Dare had only ever experienced slight redness from their use, but he frowned as his mind catalogued just what Red Death’s crew wanted to inject them with.
Carl cleared his throat. “Truth serum or shock collars?” Dare started at the term “shock collars.” He’d heard that the human body could be implanted with a microchip near the base of the neck, and when an external control button was pushed could be forced to experience different levels of discomfort from a slight bump to a sensitive area all the way up to excruciating pain. He’d also heard about Gavin 2 using them on the populace of Gavin 1 that they’d captured, but he’d discounted the tale as embellished war stories. After all, why torture someone in this day and age when you could just inject them with either truth serum or compulsion serum where you could ask them to jump out of an air lock and they would happily do it?
The large guard cleared his throat before answering. “Red doesn’t need or use truth serum. So definitely shock collars, but trust me when I say they won’t be used unnecessarily. If you cooperate and remain civil, then there will be no need for their use. It’s just a precautionary measure before we put our command team in here with two unknowns.”
Carl nodded and tipped his head to the side, a silent invitation for his injection.
“Wait. I’m the captain,” Dare broke in. “You can do mine first. Give Carl a few more minutes of peace.”
Carl practically beamed over at Dare, and the approval in that one look warmed Dare down to his toes.
Since his own father had always been quite clear that he’d wanted a daughter and not Dare, who reminded him of his surly father-in-law, Dare had grown up seeking male approval from his grandfather, and more recently from Carl, who had been a boyhood friend of Devil’s. Dare chided himself that as a man of thirty-eight he should no longer seek approval from anyone, but he heard his grandfather’s amused laughter in the back of his mind and forced his thoughts back to the task at hand. He tilted his neck to the side and laid his hands in his lap so as to look more nonthreatening as the burly crewman approached.
The cold metal of the injector pressed against the tender skin of his neck, but before he could brace, purely out of reaction and habit, a hiss sounded in his ear and the device was pulled away. Whatever microchip they’d implanted him with was now in place. He rolled his neck experimentally but didn’t feel anything out of place or different.
A hiss from beside him made him turn his head in time to see Carl’s chip implanted.
Dare watched Carl for a minute to make sure all was well. When the older man leaned back in his chair and winked over at Dare, Dare relaxed.
“Good.” The beefy guard slipped the injector device into one of the holsters on his uniform and motioned for the others to follow him. “The captain and first officer will be with you momentarily. You seem like nice lads. Behave yourselves, treat them with respect, and we won’t have to provide any demonstrations of the equipment. Like I said, Red doesn’t like using pain unnecessarily.”
The guards filed out and Dare was left looking across the table at the stainless-steel wall lockers and the small view screen that showed the blackness of space just outside the hull of the ship.
