Aaron glanced down at Jessica’s legs again and said, “I imagine so.”
Jessica swelled as she sucked in air. “You two,” she said, talking to Aaron and Susan, “get out. We’ll get dressed and be out in a minute.”
“Why don’t you meet us in the galley?” Aaron asked. “We’ll go ahead and get the food to cooking while you two do,” once again he looked down at her legs, “whatever it is you need to do.”
After a quick lunch Russell and Jessica headed back to the Captain’s quarters, and Aaron and Susan returned to the interviews. It was not something that Aaron looked forward to, and, all-in-all, he rather envied Russell. On second thought, the man was in bed with Jessica—maybe these interviews weren’t so bad after all.
They stepped into the next cell and came face to face with a nightmare. The being was one of the two non-humans they had set free, but Aaron wasn’t sure what type of creature this was; even the computer in his head didn’t supply much information.
The being was humanoid; two arms, two legs, etc. That was where the similarities to humans ended. The creature was reptilian, with dark green scales. His hands had a thumb and three fingers, which all ended in claws. He was tall, nearly seven feet and heavily muscled. He didn’t have hair, or course, but something like it hung down nearly to his shoulders. The ‘hair’ was some sort of scales but they resembled dreadlocks. The creature had two small beady eyes and a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth.
He stood as Aaron and Susan entered his small cell.
The alien towered over them and Aaron found his grip tightening on the small plasmic in his pocket.
“Uh, hello,” Susan said. “Do you speak basic?”
“Yes,” the creature said, but it sounded funny, like he was communicating in a way that was totally foreign to it’s anatomy. “What is to become of me?” His voice was gravelly and he talked slowly.
“We’re going to turn you loose,” Aaron replied. “Give you a new identity. Where would you like to go?”
The creature looked from one to the other, “I do not know. I know very little about other worlds besides my own.”
“And where is your world?”
“Berakis II.”
Once again this was not a planet that Aaron had ever heard of, but the computer part of his brain supplied the missing info. Berakis II was a small planet on the edge of Miram Union space; it was a hot jungle world. The Miram Union scientists called this creature a Ceranick; he didn’t know what the creature called itself.
“That world is in Miram Union space,” Aaron said. Susan looked at him in surprise. “It would not be safe for you to go back there.”
“There is no need,” the alien replied slowly. “The Mirams destroyed my planet and killed my people. They came in great ships, leveled the mountains, and took away small black rocks. We resisted them and they slaughtered us. The air now hurts to breathe, and the water gives one the garouk.”
Aaron didn’t know what garouk meant, but it didn’t sound good. He was beginning to understand what had happened. The Unionists had mined the planet and hadn’t bothered being careful about it. The world was ruined and poisoned.
“Have your people gathered anywhere else?” Susan asked.
“I do not know,” was the quiet reply. He was silent for a moment and then asked, “Why did you free me?”
“We didn’t,” Aaron said honestly. “We freed someone else and you sort of got caught up with us.”
“Still,” the alien said slowly, “you have saved my life. My people believe that makes me your,” he paused, searching for the right word, “slave.”
“Whoa,” Aaron said quickly. “I don’t need or want any slaves. We saved your life, but you’re free to do as you please.”
The alien shook its head. “Not so, I owe you my life.”
Susan leaned forward and asked, “What is your name?”
The alien’s answer was unintelligible and nearly painful on the ears.
Susan glanced at Aaron and then back to the alien. The first several syllables of his name sounded vaguely like Grating and that gave her an idea. “We cannot pronounce that,” she said, “but would you mind if we called you Grady?”
“Gray-dee?” the alien asked hesitantly.
“Yes, that’s what your name sounds like to us.”
After a moment Grady nodded.
Susan smiled and asked, “Grady, how would you like to join us on our new ship?”
Aaron waited until they were outside of Grady’s cell before he asked, “Why?”
Susan smiled, “It makes good sense. He thinks he owes you his life, which means he’ll do anything for you, and I doubt there are too many who’ll want to cross him.” Her grin got even larger. “Hell, he might even keep Eric and Thomas in line.”
The rest of that day and the first half of the next were a continuation of the interviews. They hadn’t asked anyone else to join their little crew and that was both a good and bad thing. On the one hand, they hadn’t found any more stable, talented spacers to join them, but they also hadn’t taken in any more sad stories.
Aaron also had not been forced to space anyone else, but he had been tempted on several occasions.
Walking into the last cell, it was all but assured that their crew, such as it was, was finished. The young girl Molly, the two thugs, Eric and Thomas, the alien Grady, and Terry the engineer. It wasn’t a bad group, but Terry was the only one that really appeared worth keeping. As far as the ship went, now that they had an engineer they were ready to go. Adam would do the piloting, Susan could handle the Astrogation and sensor station, Russell would man the weapons station, and Jessica would be their doctor. Aaron was the Captain, but would also backup wherever he was needed.
The last cell was occupied by a woman. It was hard to guess her age, but judging by the lines around her eyes and her neck, Aaron guessed she was in her late fifties. She had worked hard to fight off the advance of age and it showed. Her face was smooth and full; she was an attractive woman. Her hair was brown, streaked with gray and hung down just past her shoulders. The gray did not detract from her good looks but rather gave her a sense of maturity.
As they entered the small cell, she stood from the bed and faced them. There wasn’t any fear in her eyes, just a determination to survive whatever was coming.
Aaron and Susan moved their chairs inside the door and sat down. Aaron motioned towards the bed. “Please take a seat. We have some questions for you.” It took him a moment, but he finally recognized her as the last prisoner he had set free. Her door had been opening when the computers had shut off.
The woman paused, looking from one to the other, but then she moved over and sat on the edge of the bed. She watched them carefully, without speaking.
“As we told you earlier,” Aaron began, “we’re going to set you free. We need to get some information on where you might like to go. Please keep in mind that I would not recommend going back to the Miram Union.”
Still the woman said nothing. She just sat there watching them.
“You are going to have to talk to us,” Aaron said, “or you’ll wind up on some stinking planet that you’ve never heard of.”
“I,” she began and then paused. “I don’t know where I would like to go.”
“Do you have any family?” Susan asked.
“No,” the woman answered quickly, “they’re all dead.”
“I’m sorry,” Susan began and she paused briefly, “Maybe some friends?”
“No, they’re all dead too.”
“What’s your name and what did you do to get arrested?” Aaron asked.
“My name is Yvette Smythe and I guess you can say I was arrested for giving birth.”
Aaron looked confused. He wasn’t an expert on the law of the Miram Union, but he felt pretty sure that they did not arrest women for having children. He was saved from having to ask the woman to clarify as she continued speaking.
“My eldest son was born when I was eighteen. His father n
amed him Patrick.”
“Patrick Smythe?” Aaron asked, some of the pieces falling into place. “Your son is Patrick Smythe?”
“Was,” Yvette corrected, “he was killed nearly a month ago. He was killed and I was arrested.”
Susan looked from one to the other, clearly confused. “Who’s Patrick Smythe?”
Aaron opened his mouth to respond but hesitated. He did not want to insult the woman’s recently deceased son. “He, uh, is allegedly one of the biggest crime lords in the Union,” he said, making it as tactful as he could.
“Nothing allegedly about it,” Yvette said. “The boy was a cold hearted killer. He was the criminal mastermind on nearly a quarter of the Union’s planets. Murder for hire, prostitution, gambling, drugs, whatever; he led the whole thing.”
“And the Union finally caught him?” Aaron asked.
“Not exactly. It would have been impossible for Patrick to keep his activities a secret, so instead he just paid off the right people and they turned a blind eye.” She paused briefly, as if the memories hurt. “I believe one of his assistants decided to pay more.”
“So one of his own turned on him?” Aaron asked. He really wasn’t surprised. That seemed to be the way of things.
Yvette shrugged. “It’s only a guess, but as fast as the authorities moved in on us, someone had to have given them inside information.”
“Are you sure they killed your son?” Aaron asked. It was possible that the guards had simply told her that he was dead as a way of tormenting her.
Yvette nodded slowly. “They shot him down while he stood in front of me.” Her eyes refocused and she fixed her gaze on Aaron. “If you’re thinking of ransoming me, the only people who would probably pay would be the very authorities you just freed me from.”
Aaron smiled, “I, uh, we have no intention of doing any such thing. We’ll still turn you loose wherever you want,” he said and then he hastily added, “within reason, of course.”
Looking surprised, Yvette studied their faces intently. “Then why did you break me out?”
“We didn’t,” Aaron replied. “You just came along for the ride.”
Yvette considered this new piece of information and once again her coolness was impressive. “What did you get paid to destroy that prison ship?”
“Our own freighter,” Susan answered.
This time it was Aaron that was caught by surprise. He turned and stared at Susan. “Uh, we really don’t need to go into details,” he said with a scowl. He didn’t want these prisoners to know too much of their business.
“Really?” Yvette asked. She looked from Susan to Aaron and then she smiled. “Have either of you ever been on a merchant ship before?”
“Why do you ask?” Aaron demanded, liking this less and less every moment.
“Because you have the look of military people, and running a merchant ship is totally different than being in the military.”
“Oh,” Aaron asked in irritation, “and what do you know about running a merchant ship?” He assumed that the closest she ever got to a freighter was inspecting one of her son’s new ships.
“I grew up on one,” Yvette replied coolly. “My father owned a small freighter and we scratched out a tough life transporting goods.”
“I’m sure we’ll do fine,” Aaron said slowly. He didn’t like being reminded of how much there was to learn about their new profession.
“Really?” Yvette asked and she smiled then. “Do you have any idea how much you can haggle over landing fees? Do you know where to get the best prices on food or other supplies?” She chuckled, “You have no idea what you just got yourself into, do you? I bet you even think you’ll get rich smuggling.” She shook her head, “A freighter is not an easy life.”
Haggle? Aaron thought. He didn’t even know they could haggle. “We’re not looking for an easy life,” he said. “We’re looking for a home.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and a tough free life is better than no life at all.”
Yvette didn’t reply right away but just watched them. “Perhaps you’ll do better than I thought.” She was silent for several more moments and then seemed to reach a decision. She swallowed hard and then spoke, “I can help you. It’s been a long time since I haggled at a spaceport, but I can still do it.” She looked from one to the other. “Let me come along.”
“What? With us?” Aaron demanded.
Susan waved him to silence. “In what capacity?” she asked of Yvette
“I can do multiple things,” Yvette said. She held up her hand and began ticking things off. “I’ll keep the ship stocked with necessary supplies. I’ll cook the meals and be generally responsible for the mess area.” She paused, but just for a second. “I’ll do the ship’s laundry.” She paused again, but this time she didn’t seem to be able to think of anything else. “You know, all the things that have to get done, but no one wants to do.”
Aaron remained silent. Susan wanted to handle this and he felt like letting her. He was waiting for her to say, “Sorry, but no.” She never said it.
After a moment Susan offered, “Half share.”
Yvette looked offended. “To do all the things that I just said? I want a full share.”
Aaron snorted and both women looked at him. He held his hands up in surrender and went back to looking at the floor.
“Tell you what,” Susan began and Aaron looked up sharply. He got the feeling he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say. “We’ll start you at a half share. If you prove yourself, then we’ll renegotiate the deal.”
“Done!” Yvette called out loudly, “and when you give me that full share, I’ll expect an apology.”
Aaron took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Chapter 30
The trip lasted another nine days but they quickly settled into a routine, a routine that actually became a little boring. None of them complained, though. After the last few weeks, boring was more than welcome.
The prisoners didn’t cause any problems after Susan and Aaron spoke with them, except to complain about the food. They complained about the meals endlessly and Aaron and his group ignored them.
Adam didn’t know the location where they were to rendezvous with Morgan—the industrialist wasn’t fool enough to give out that information. Instead, Adam had been given an intermediary step. Morgan provided him with the name of a small moon which once had been the home of a thriving gas mine. The mine had been shut down decades ago and the moon’s outpost was abandoned and unfit to support human life. Still, there was someone there to welcome them.
A small, but very fast transport was waiting for them there. The transport scanned the Sharon continuously until they made orbit near the moon. The moon, and the gas giant it orbited, were both outside the Hasan point, which meant they would only need to move out a little ways from the planet to create a wormhole.
The Sharon really didn’t have a bridge per se, but it did have an oversized cockpit. There were only four chairs and Aaron ordered Russell and Jessica out; there simply wasn’t room and the Sharon was a lightly armored freighter so Russell’s skills wouldn’t be needed.
Adam was piloting and Susan was doing dual-duty, both at the sensors station and communications. Aaron sat patiently in one of the other seats while Kyle was busy pacing in the cramped space. After a few moments, a beeping began to sound.
“We have an incoming transmission,” Susan called out, “audio only.”
“Let’s hear it,” Aaron said, but Susan had already begun punching the keys.
“Unidentified freighter, state your business here,” an older man’s voice called from the speakers.
“Unidentified transport, our business is none of yours,” Adam returned with a smile.
Aaron’s eyes widened at that and he opened his mouth to say something but Adam waved him to silence.
“Unidentified freighter, do you have the forbidden cargo aboard?”
“Unidentified transport, if we di
dn’t then we wouldn’t be here.”
There was a brief pause and the voice said, “Unidentified freighter, sending you the coordinates for your next stop. Unidentified transport out.” The ship’s engines kicked in and it began pulling away from the moon.
There was another computer beep and Susan’s hands began flying over the keyboard. “Got it,” she said.
“What the hell was all that?” Kyle asked, beating Aaron to the punch.
Adam grinned over his shoulder. “Your father’s people think they’re spies or something. They told me how to respond when I got here. I had six different ways to answer, depending how things had gone with the prison break.”
“That’s actually a bit impressive,” Aaron said, and then he grinned at Kyle, “I’m surprised your father thought of it.”
Kyle returned the good-natured grin. “Ole Dad has surprised quite a few people. I don’t recommend underestimating him.”
Aaron caught sight of Susan—she looked worried. “What is it?” he asked.
“These coordinates the other ship gave us—they’re in the middle of nowhere,” she replied, looking back over her shoulder.
“So?” Adam asked confused. He waved his hand out the viewport. “In case you didn’t notice, this place is pretty much the middle of nowhere.”
“I got that,” Susan said, her eyebrow was twitching and that was never a good sign. “What I mean is that these coordinates are in deep space, literally there isn’t a star or planet in the vicinity.”
The silence lasted only a moment before Adam shrugged and said, “Well, key them into the computer and let’s see where they take us.”
It took another day and a half to reach the second stop. It truly was in the middle of nowhere. The nearest star was nearly seven light-years away. That might sound close, but seven light-years is an eternity.
The Sharon rematerialized into normal space and Susan began scanning the vicinity. There was someone waiting for them, but this time it wasn’t a small transport.
Susan’s scans quickly returned a blip. “Got something!” she called out.
Long Shot Page 27
