by Alan Black
McNally said, “Never mind, Franklin. I think we are done with all of them anyway. Just put in your password and send the whole mess following the Nod into the sun. Lock ‘em down and ship ‘em out. We don’t need them no way. There is no way Hunter knows enough to undo what you already set in place.”
Hearing that, Sno strained at her bonds, but she was bound too tight.
She started to shout, “You…” But she was interrupted by a hand across her mouth. She looked up into a pair of startling blue eyes peeking out of a mass of curly dark hair. The hand left her mouth and a single finger flicked upwards across the man’s full lips.
One of the blue eyes winked at her. Both of the man’s eyes slid up and down her body, and a small sigh of appreciation escaped his lips.
Franklin’s voice drifted down the hallway. “That’ll do it, Mac. They are locked down and should be headed off to crispy critterville.”
Sno whispered, “They have a shotgun.”
The man smiled back as if that was good news.
McNally shouted from the bridge. “What the…? Why ain’t they going nowhere. I can still see them right there out the window.”
Franklin said, “I don’t know. Give me a minute.”
Hunter’s laugh came over the comm. “You just found out your hijack patches aren’t working, huh? You are right, I don’t know enough to shut down what you did. But I am not alone here either. Both these guys I just let loose know more than either of you two. So, who is the moron now?”
McNally said, “Screw ‘em, let’s just go.”
Franklin said, “I am trying to. Nothing is working.”
Doc’s voice replaced Hunter’s on the comm. “Give it up. I have locked you out of your ship’s controls. You aren’t going anywhere until we get Miss Whyte back. If she has been unharmed then we will turn you two loose to go where you will.”
McNally said, “No way.”
He motioned Franklin to head to the galley. The man took off down the short corridor.
McNally continued, “You release the control of this ship or we will hurt the girl. And believe you me, I know a little something about making people hurt. Ask your new buddy Hunter if he don’t think that I do.”
“Hey, McNally,” Franklin yelled from the galley. “You better come look at this.”
“What now?” McNally said as he walked down the short hallway. “Come on, Franklin, it’s just one skinny little girl.” The man swung the shotgun in front like a blind man’s cane as he stepping through the galley hatch. “You’d think-”
A metal pry bar slammed across McNally’s hands, knocking the shotgun out of his grasp. Before he could react, the bar swung again and slammed across one knee, sending him crashing to the deck in a writhing pile.
The dark haired man with the twinkling blue eyes said, “Yes, ma’am, you were right. He had a shotgun.” He leaned down and casually swept the gun from the floor. “Yours, I presume?”
Sno strained, still tied to the table. “Well, I can’t tell since I can’t quite see it, can I?”
“Oh,” the man smiled, “quite right. Sorry, I forgot all about that. You,” He pointed a finger at Franklin, casually ignoring the shotgun in his hand. “Mr. Baldy, be so good as to untie Miss Whyte, if you please. Then back up and put your hands on that bulkhead. I am sure you know the position, don’t you?”
Blue Eyes poked McNally with the shotgun barrel. “And you, sir, shut up, would you? It’s just a broken kneecap. Goodness! Man, you are crying like a little girl.”
Sno stepped up next to Blue Eyes and tried to grab the shotgun. “Yeah, that is mine and I want it back.”
The man smiled at her, but held the gun out of her reach. Sno decided he really had an irritating smile; pretty, but definitely irritating.
He said, “All in good time. If I give this to you, do you promise not to kill them right now?”
“What?” she shouted. “Why the hell not?”
Blue Eyes said, “Well, since you asked. I know they deserve whatever you decide to do: kidnapping, assault, theft, and all. But, since I have technically taken them prisoner, I can’t really allow you to hurt them.”
McNally shouted, “Hurt us? You broke my leg-”
Before McNally could finish whatever he had planned to say, Blue Eyes swung the heavy pry bar one handed across McNally’s other knee. Sno jerked involuntarily when she heard the other kneecap snap into pieces.
“Please behave yourself, sir,” Blue Eyes said. “That’s right, Miss Whyte, we do not hurt prisoners. Ever. It’s just not done.”
“Okay,” Sno said. “I promise I won’t kill them until you say it is okay. Okay?”
“Okay,” he laughed.
Sno said, “Besides, you don’t need the shotgun or that bar.” She pointed at the pistol on the man’s hip. “Why didn’t you use that? Don’t you have hull safe ammo?”
“This? Well, of course I have hull safe ammo. What kind of spacer would I be if I used ammo that would put holes in my spaceship? This is loaded with glass beads that shatter on metal, but slide through people like ice cream across a fat man’s tongue. I just didn’t use the old girl because, well, it just isn’t as much fun.”
“So, where do we put these two, for now? And who are you anyway?” She blurted out, looking into those really amazing blue eyes.
“Well, Miss Whyte, I am not sure about the etiquette of introductions in situations like this.”
“Like what? Pirates, kidnapping, saving damsels in distress?”
“Actually, Miss Whyte, I have never had to introduce myself to a naked woman holding a shotgun.”
Sno looked down at herself. “Damn,” she thought.
“Damn,” she said out loud.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Blue Eyes agreed.
She pointed at McNally. “If you would drag his sorry carcass out of the hatchway I will go get some clothes. I left what I had in the EVA suit locker.”
“Before I do that, I just have one request,” Blue Eyes laughed. “We can drag his sorry butt out of the way soon enough.”
“Request? What? You need to negotiate your reward for saving us?”
The mass of dark curly hair nodded. “Quite right, I should think. It certainly seems like the right time to me.”
“Crap on a crutch. What is it with people these days! I already owe Lee and Jackson from the Blinkin double the standard rescue fee, how much do you want?”
“Just dinner, Princess, and I am buying. I am certainly not looking to take half your kingdom or any such fairytale nonsense.”
At her startled look he continued, “No, Princess, I am not looking for anything more. Not now, certainly not. To demand such a thing at a time like this,” his eyes casually wandered across her body, “that would be most rude. But soon: say…the next time we are both in port at Arizona City? You can pick the place and the time. You just need to but speak the word.”
“Yes. Dinner. Okay. Just who the hell are you anyway? Clothes or not.” She spat out through clenched teeth.”
“Well, if you insist. I am Captain Prentiss Chalmers of the good ship Rebecca, the GD Mining Vessel number 1492.”
“Captain Chalmers,” Sno said. “I know that name from somewhere.”
“Well, I am famous in my own little way, I am sure. But you needn’t call me Captain. My mother calls me Prentiss; my friends call me Prints. I do hope that we can be friends.”
“Prince as in royalty?” Before he could respond she continued, “Prints, like in writing. I got it. A girl I know…no…a friend of mine mentioned you.” Sno surprised herself by deciding she wanted to recognize people as friends. “Spanky, I mean, Deb Feich, said she met you at Mario’s. She said you used to be a Deep Space Ranger and you went by the name of Prints.”
“Oh yes,” Prints laughed. “Spanky is a lovely girl. I must admit quite frankly she is just too well gifted below the neck for my tastes.”
“Hey! Spanky…dammit, Deb is my friend. I don’t care who you think you
are, you just don’t go around insulting my friends.”
“Whoa there, Princess Whyte,” Prints laughed. “I meant that as a compliment to her. She has what most men are now days calling ‘voluptuousity’. In fact, both of my crewmen are arguing over who gets to ask her out when we get back to Arizona City. Maybe they can share, she certainly has enough to go around, unlike others I could name.” He laughed as he blatantly stared at her continued nudity.
Sno looked down at herself, “Damn.” she thought.
“Damn,” she said out loud.
“I still agree.” Prints laughed so hard he had to wipe the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Damn. It is bad enough you keep me standing here naked, but now your laughing at me.”
Prints laughed, “Oh, yes I am. You are more fun than I have had in ever so long. I wasn’t sure I could stand being the captain of a mining vessel after spending time exploring deep space, but you know, I think I am going to love it here.”
“Glad I can be amusing.”
“Oh, Princess, you are far more than amusing, trust me.” Prints gave himself a shake. “I do apologize for leaving you here in this condition.”
“Oh, quite alright. I am getting used to standing nude in a room full of strange men.”
“Well, we might have to break you of that habit. None-the-less, you there, Baldy, what’s your name?”
“Franklin, Ches-“
Prints interrupted, “Franklin is enough. I don’t need to know any more and frankly, Franklin, I don’t want to know anymore. Get your useless self over here and drag this piece of filth out of the lady’s way. Tell you what, since you like putting people in the rock chamber just go ahead and drag him there.”
Franklin grabbed McNally under the arms and began dragging the crying man down the corridor. “But, Captain, he is really hurt. Mac needs a medbox or at least something for the pain.”
“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t,” Prints said with a smile. This time it was a cold smile crossing his face. “Drag faster. The Mistress Iron Bar is getting restless.” He hefted the pry bar menacingly.
Chapter 18.0
Sno stepped through the hatch unto the bridge of the Queene Mining ship. She had pulled on what clothes she had available. Lacking a brush, she had run her fingers through her hair and tried to get it into some semblance of order. She had quickly run a damp cloth over her face and arms. Prints was alone on the bridge.
“Oh, my,” he said, staring openly at Sno. All she was wearing was a half length t-shirt and a pair of panties.
“Sorry. This was all I had in my EVA suit pocket when they brought me on board. I tried to find something more to wear, but nothing these cretins own is worth putting on.”
“Well, Princess. I am not sure which is more distracting, seeing you this way or seeing you naked.”
“Thanks a lot,” Sno said sarcastically.
“No. That is a good thing,” Prints smiled.
“Okay, I have two questions.”
“Shoot,” Prints laughed. “And that is not something I often say to half naked women carrying shotguns.”
“Yeah sure. I bet things like this happen in deep space all of the time.”
Prints chuckled. “If they did, then I wouldn’t have let them lay me off from the Space Force when the new government started cutting the budgets. I would have worked for free. As it is, I am going to have to refund part of my paycheck to GD. Princess, this is just too much fun to be getting paid for it.”
“Question: why the hell do you keep calling me Princess? My real name is Chastity Whyte.”
Prints looked surprised. “Really? I am sure that everyone on the docks in Arizona City was calling you Princess.”
“Sarcasm, I guess. It was just something Dad said the day I left. Most people call me Sno.”
“Sno? That is a weather condition. Not a name.”
“Ha,” she said dryly. “That’s the first time I ever heard that.”
Prints laughed, “I can imagine. Not to worry, I love snow.”
“You what?” Sno snapped.
“Snow. I love snow, you know the weather condition? Boarding, skiing, sledding? That kind of stuff?” Prints said. “Why, what did you think I meant?”
“Nothing, I’ve just never seen the weather condition, that’s all,” Sno said. “Question two: how did you get on this ship…whatever her name is?”
“It was almost too easy. I am sure you remember how they were bragging about sneaking onto your ships because you were too busy to see them coming. Well, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. I did the same thing to them that they did to you.”
“Except you didn’t tie them naked to the kitchen table.”
“Not yet at any rate. But you must admit that I did give that one with the shotgun…?” He raised an eyebrow.
“McNally,” Sno supplied.
“Quite so, McNally. I did give him a pretty good whack with my trusty, rusty iron pry bar. Whacked him good, I think.”
“So, what are you going to do with them?” Sno asked.
Prints looked surprised. “Me? Why should I do anything with them?” He waived a hand around the bridge. “This isn’t my ship. They didn’t send one of my ships streaking off into the never-return. I wasn’t the one tied naked to a kitchen table, bound for what? Rape and eventual murder?”
“Can you take them back to Ceres?”
Prints shook his head. “Seriously, Princess, I can’t. As much as I have enjoyed this diversion, and believe me, I have enjoyed meeting you more than you know; I do have responsibilities of my own.” Before she could interrupt he continued. “I am on the clock with General Division Mining. I owe them for my employment. I have two crewmen over on the Rebecca. They are not good for this type of action, but they are good hard working miners. They have creditors to support and I am sure all kinds of vices that need to be kept up. I do have to turn a profit for GD and my crew.”
Sno nodded. “I guess I understand. Look, the least I can do is to give you a good rock.”
Prints looked confused. “You want to give me a rock?”
“Yeah, mister all-new-at-mining. You should have seen Sedona parked around an asteroid on your backtrack.” At his nod she continued. “It is a good rock. Should yield enough profit for the Rebecca for the year, and a good bonus for each of her crew. Believe me, it is a good rock.”
“Princess, I can’t poach your asteroid. You have it tagged.”
“Poach? You can’t steal what is being given. Take it. Besides, that way you can take me back with you and I can pick up Sedona and head home. You did bring the new application and core software from Whyte Mining for me, didn’t you?”
Chapter 18.1
After weeks of slow transit back to Ceres, Sno finally did something she had been daydreaming about for the whole trip. She pointed the shotgun into Sheriff Bob’s face just inches from his nose. She watched the blood drain from his face and his look of confidence mutated into one of having a bad case of trapped gas.
Bob started to raise his hands, but Sno gave a very slight shake of her head. The man froze. Sno could see dozens of people clustered around the docks, including a large number of people wearing deputy sheriff’s t-shirts, including Bob’s two nephews Randy and Jim. The deputies were scattered around, each trying to contain various clusters of people.”
Sno saw her father start to step towards her, but she waived him back, “Not now, Dad.”
She eyed Sheriff Bob, “Okay, Bob. I am sure you know I am loaded and ready. I am willing to bet I can get three shots off before your body hits the deck. Wanna bet?”
A few weeks earlier Sno had pushed the Sedona away from the GD ship Rebecca and what used to be her asteroid. She steered straight north away from the solar system’s ecliptic, driving the engines as hard as they could go. She burned through fuel at a rate much faster than she normally would, but she had crammed all four engine hoppers full, and she wasn’t heading anywhere except Ceres.<
br />
She hadn’t felt like she was going home, because she was already home. Even with someone else on board it had felt right to be on the Sedona. It had felt like home.
She remembered stretching and looking around the bridge with a smile. The Sedona operated at near perfect form. There were no glitches, hiccups, or viruses Sno could find. The new apps ‘n core Prints had helped her download was working perfectly.
The Winkin, the Blinkin and Queene Mining ship number 10123 had departed a few days before she was able to get the Sedona operational. Oritz and Steadman had protested they were not sure they could handle a ship as large as the Queene Mining ship. It was much bigger than the lost Nod. It was actually large enough a good pilot could have parked the Nod in its rock chamber. So Doc Savage and Lee piloted the Queene Mining ship and departed for Ceres in the company of the other two ships.
It was a close vote as to whether the miners went back to mining or back to Ceres. They finally decided they had lost enough consumables and supplies that going back and starting over was the prudent course of action. It was easy to calculate that with the loss of the Nod, they were not going to make a profit this time out or anytime in the near future. The loss of a third of their fleet would be a devastating financial loss.
Sno had insisted they park all three vessels at the docks owned by Whyte Mining. She told them to ignore anyone else, no matter who else was yelling at them to park elsewhere. She also told them not to leave the pirate’s ship unattended. She explained the least favorable outcome was that if it had been reported that the four pirates stole the ship from Queene Mines, then the miners were due a finders reward for bringing the ship back to its rightful owners.
She was sure salvage rules wouldn’t apply since it hadn’t been abandoned. She and Prints had forced McNally and Franklin off the ship at gunpoint and onto the Sedona. She was also sure the pirates hadn’t stolen their ship from Queene Mines. She talked to Hunter after they transferred him and Cooper off the Winkin. She knew Queene had given the four men the ship. She knew Queene, if not herself then at least her assistant Wallace had given the four men her location, otherwise they would never have found her.
