by Skyler Grant
With the plan laid out it was only a matter of executing it. Taki was a good sneak and got the explosives planted without raising a fuss—that was the first point things might have gone quietly long. Fifteen minutes after she returned Quinn finally informed the estate he’d be lifting off and the Kathryn rose into the sky. He took them into orbit. Anything else would have been suspicious and the last thing they wanted right now was to be raising any more alarms.
Twelve seconds after launch he got the notification of a shuttle detaching from the Kathryn’s bay. Dela and Kara off to cause some trouble. Then it was just a waiting game.
It wasn’t easy this, it was the part Quinn hated most about being a captain. This was his plan, and because they trusted him the crew was carrying it out. It put a lot of people in harm’s way. Kara, however badass she might be, wasn’t invincible. Dela was a trained archaeologist playing at being a criminal.
“Driving yourself crazy, sir?” Taki asked, coming into the bridge.
“I don’t like this. You know why,” Quinn said.
“It’s a good plan, sir. Was a good plan then, too,” Taki said.
“Tell it to Kat.”
“You weren’t even there, sir, I was. I say again, it wasn’t your plan and it is long past time you stopped blaming yourself,” Taki said.
“If not me, who?”
“I figure you know that too.”
Quinn did, although he didn’t want to admit it. It had been a heist, the biggest one they’d pulled so far. They’d hit a drug lord’s shipment. Most of the chemicals were worth a fortune on the Rim for use in traditional medications, but not quite as much as they were for the more illicit activities.
The plan had been perfect. Ninety-eight seconds in and out with as much as they could cram in the transport, and security would never even know they were there. The shuttles had hit turbulence coming down and compensating had cost them thirty seconds. They could have gotten away with something, but only a pittance of what they’d come for. A fraction of what they were expecting. Kat had decided to push their luck. The ground team was her responsibility and her command. They obeyed her orders.
A lot of people had died because of that.
It had been the wrong call, it had always been the wrong call. That didn’t mean Quinn had it in his heart to blame her—her or anyone else except himself for putting them in that situation in the first part.
“Better plan would have given them a hedge,” Quinn said.
Taki sighed. It wasn’t their first time having this conversation. It probably wouldn’t be the last.
The console flashed. Dela was requesting pickup.
“We’re live,” Quinn said, and hit the comms. “I got my jump capability yet, Melody?”
“Ten more minutes, Captain,” Melody said.
An atmospheric entry, then an escape, Quinn could work with that.
Taki grabbed her rifle. “I’ll go stand by the detonator and wait in the docking bay in case they brought any guests.”
Quinn nodded, fingers already flying over the keys as he began an atmospheric descent. It wasn’t the quick entry that was hard—coming down fast was easy. Coming down fast on a narrow mark and stopping the ascent at just the right point ... most pilots came in slow for a reason.
The Kathryn rumbled as the atmosphere buffeted her and the green expanse of the planet below quickly swelled in the view screens. The estate went from a barely visible blot to a large expanse beneath them in an instant, the Kathryn’s thrusters howling as they brought the ship to a shuddering stop. On the ground explosions bloomed, columns of oily black smoke rising into the sky as the fuel dump went.
The local defenses had them targeted already, turrets emerging from hedges.
The ship bucked again, part incoming fire, part the Tango slamming into the docking bay too fast.
“Clear, sir” Taki shouted over the comm.
Quinn hit the engines and they rose in a pillar of fire.
20
Apart from quickly confirming that everybody had gotten back alive, for the next few hours Quinn didn’t have the opportunity to check on how things had gone. Although forces from the estate hadn’t been able to pursue them, to be safe he’d dodged other vessels in the system all the way to the Runestone. Two extended jumps later he’d put a lot of space between the Kathryn and the Duke’s zone of influence.
They were the Oolo system. The only inhabited planet was the second from the sun. A real hell world only colonized at all because of the presence of some rare elements that made a mining concern worthwhile. Quinn wasn’t even bothering to land. Fuel would be exorbitant and they weren’t that desperate quite yet. This was just a quiet place with no traffic. The sort of system where they could pass the night without concern of who might be hunting them.
Setting an alarm just in case any new ships popped into the system, Quinn went in search of the others. There was quite a gathering in the kitchen. Tamara and Jinx were there. Tamara had a purplish bruise on one cheek but otherwise looked in good health. Kara was stripped down to a sports bra, bandages wound around her midsection.
The scent of nachos was in the air and several demolished plates already on the table, a more recent one still steaming away.
“Is that the good booze?” Quinn asked.
“Surviving seemed like cause for celebration, sir,” Taki asked.
“Hope you’re buying,” Quinn said to Tamara as he took a seat and filled a plate.
“Sorry, Captain. I am officially terminated because of a violation of contract. Accounts frozen and most of my access revoked,” Tamara said glumly.
“We do the right thing getting you out of there?”
“Yeah. But I shouldn’t talk about it,” Tamara said with a look around. “Would just make trouble for all of you. You can let me and Jinx off wherever. We’ll figure it out. Where are we?”
“Crappy little mining colony in the Oolo system. The surface is mostly methane and dust, far as I can tell,” Quinn said.
“Maybe not wherever,” Tamara said.
“Thank you, truly, all of you,” Jinx said.
“Where are you going to go?” Quinn asked.
Tamara gave a pained chuckle. “We’re not going to be safe anywhere. Maybe dropping us off below would be best. Only hope we’ve got is to be as much off the grid as possible and I just don’t have the resources anymore to make that happen anywhere civilized.”
Jinx rested a hand on Tamara’s shoulder. “You were very brave.”
“I gave you my word I’d get you to safety. That place wasn’t safe,” Tamara said.
“Sir,” Taki said, with a pointed look.
Quinn knew what she was getting at—she wanted him to offer them a place aboard. Taki didn’t know what she was asking. He’d never told her who Jinx really was or the trouble these two were mixed up in, although she must have gotten some sense of it.
Dela and Kara at least had skills worth keeping them around. Jinx’s healing was literally a lifesaver, but Tamara had mostly been useful for her connections and her deep pockets. Assets now worthless. Still, they had nowhere else.
Quinn said, “You can stay. We’ll put you to work and you know it’s not safe, but I figure staying on board is safer than staying on the ground. You know you’re not the first fugitive we’re sheltering,” he added with a look towards Melody, who flushed.
Tamara gave Quinn a long and thoughtful look, her fingers drumming on the table.
“Can we?” Jinx asked.
“Captain, leave us. I need to discuss matters with your crew,” Tamara said.
“You can’t kick me away from my own table,” Quinn said.
Tamara stared harder. Quinn wouldn’t have believed it possible.
“I just got a plate of food,” Quinn said.
“You can take it with you. Trust me. It is a kind offer, but I think accepting it would require certain conditions I need to discuss with the others,” Tamara said.
“My kind offer wasn’
t open to negotiation.”
“Sir, in the past when she’s said it’s important, she’s usually right. Please, for me,” Taki said.
Well, if she wanted to put it that way. Quinn took his plate and headed back to his quarters.
Quinn had settled down for a nap by the time, three hours later, the comm bleeped inviting him back. Three hours sent off to his cabin—on his own ship.
Returning to the galley Quinn found a far more somber group than he’d left. The alcohol had been put away, although a fresh plate of food was still being picked at by Kara.
“This had better be good,” Quinn said.
“It is, sir. Please, have a seat,” Taki said, gesturing to one between her and Tamara. Quinn settled down warily.
Tamara gave a tiny nod to Taki.
Taki said, “Don’t talk, sir. We’re going to go around in a circle and say a few a words each. You turn is going to come, when we’re done.” She took a deep breath. “We’re broken, you, me, this whole ship. We have been for a long time, we shattered when Kat died and we never put ourselves back together. I love you, have for a long time. You don’t have to say it back, but I know it’s not all one-way. I’m loyal and I’m bold, and I’m the second officer that holds things together. I also know you can’t let yourself have what you and Kat had with anyone else. I’m getting by, but I’m not happy, and I want more than we have.”
Taki’s voice was shaky by the end, Melody put a hand on her arm. What was this? Before Quinn could say anything Melody began to speak.
“I think everyone here knows, but I’m an android. Built in the First Imperium, just a little bit older than this ship. I was made to teach kids art, and always liked ships a bit more. I thought for awhile I was going to die alone, never sharing my secret with anyone. Then the Captain and Taki found me, and saved me, and gave me a home. Gave me a family. I want them both to be happy. I kind of want everybody to be happy,” Melody finished with a weak smile.
Kara set the nacho she was about to shove into her mouth aside. “Guess it’s my turn. I’m a killer, pure and simple. We Yek though, we aren’t usually alone. I betrayed a contract—stupid reason, did it for money—and lost my clan as a result. I’d do anything to have another.”
Dela sat up. “I’m uh … not as convinced by all this as some of the others, but going along. I’m smart, brave, and I’m sick of people telling me I should either go back to the Core or be background. I want adventure and I’m willing to do what it takes to have it.”
Jinx cleared her throat, flushing. “Right. My turn. This is going to be especially awkward for which I apologize. Everyone knows now, but to say it again, my real name is Selina Cartier and I’ve got a distant connection to a throne I have zero interest in ever claiming. However, as long as someone thinks I’m a piece in the game I’m in danger. I need a spouse, I need a baby.”
If Quinn were confused before, now he was almost dizzyingly lost.
Tamara patted Jinx on the arm. “I’m genetically engineered to perfection with a body filled with high-end cyberware, most of which is now useless as my accounts have been terminated. I’m a lawyer without a firm, and right now for the first time in my life I’m without purpose. I need something to protect, something to build. Your turn, Captain. I know you don’t understand, but please. Play along, I’ll explain afterwards. Who you are, what you bring, what you need.”
Along with being utterly perplexed, Quinn wasn’t comfortable with any of this either, but when the others had bared their souls it would have been almost disrespectful not to do the same.
“I’m an amazing pilot with a good ship and a good crew. But it’s like Taki said, I’m broken and I have been for a few years now. My wife’s death shattered me and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to put those pieces back together, not the way they were,” Quinn said.
Tamara nodded to Jinx.
Jinx cleared her throat again. “Captain, what we’re proposing is called a Centauri, a ship family. A tradition from before the First Imperium when the first colony ships were going out and the dozen people you were with might be the only ones you’d ever see again.”
Tamara said, “Ancient, but still recognized in Imperium law. A captain to the command a ship, and a separate leader of the family for familial affairs.”
“You’ve all lost your minds,” Quinn said.
“Jinx needs a spouse and a child. Taki needs a lover. Kara needs a clan. Melody a family. Dela people she can depend on. I need a purpose, and you need to move on in a way that isn’t like what you had before. There are some deals where everybody wins,” Tamara said.
Taki said, “You don’t have to say yes. I won’t blame you if you say no, but if you do ... I’m gone. Everyone but Dela is gone at the next port.”
Quinn stared hard at Tamara. “This is your doing.”
“Of course it is, Captain. I take full responsibility for this. I could call in my marker but I won’t, not for this. Your call, your choice. You’re the captain of a ship in space and we all agree. You can formally declare us a Centauri. I’ve enough left in my personal accounts to register it formally.”
“I’m a bit lacking in details how this works exactly,” Quinn said dryly.
“Do they matter? Some you won’t like, some you’ll love. We’d appreciate an answer,” Tamara said.
Quinn looked over the faces. Tamara’s determined, Taki’s hopeful, Jinx’s nervous, Kara’s lascivious, Dela’s wryly amused, Melody’s worried.
Quinn couldn’t give any woman what he’d given to Kat, he just wasn’t ready. Six? Was it even possible? He didn’t know, but he wasn’t ready to lose everyone. Better an uncertain future together than one all but alone again.
“If you want formality I don’t know it. But as all participants seem willing I declare us a Centauri,” Quinn said.
21
After the pronouncement looks were exchanged around the table and an underlying current of tension evaporated.
Tamara tapped below her ear and closed her eyes for a few seconds. “Registered and in the system as of now.”
“I’ll get drinks. They put them away when things got serious,” Melody said, bouncing to her feet and rushing off.
“So about those specifics?” Quinn asked.
“Bit late to ask now, isn’t it? The basics are we’re a family now, all of us. Especially in a situation like this, one man and multiple women, it is easy for the power dynamics to shift too far out of control, so we aren’t letting that happen. You command this ship, as you always have, and I assume you’re keeping Taki as your second,” Tamara said, accepting a glass from Melody who had rushed back with a tray of them.
“That isn’t the part I’m wondering about,” Quinn said.
“I’m in control of the family and set our rules. I’ll have a second for when I’m not around. Do you want the job, Dela? First rule, no sleeping around outside the family without permission. No more drunken threesomes with pirates,” Tamara said firmly.
“Well, that is one I can get behind,” Taki said.
“Why me? I don’t even know if I buy into all this crap,” Dela said.
“Because Melody is too nice and Kara is too fond of shooting people she disagrees with. You’re smart and you’re skeptical,” Tamara said, taking a sip from her glass.
The others grabbed their glasses—everybody except for Melody, who didn’t drink any more than she ate.
“I accept, then,” Dela said.
“Who sleeps with who?” Kara asked.
“Kara is also too blunt. I was going to get preferences over the next few days, but we may as well do it up front. If you like guys, raise your hand,”
Every hand went up but Quinn’s.
“I didn’t know that,” Taki said to Melody.
“I don’t have the nerves, but I like to feel close. Just, never came up,” Melody said.
“Now, if you’re into girls, raise your hand,” Tamara said.
This time all raised their hands except for Dela
and Jinx.
“Now it’s my turn to be surprised,” Quinn said to Taki.
Taki shrugged awkwardly, “Never came up, sir.”
“Eventually we might try some more exotic configurations, but right now we’ll stick to one-on-one. If you and someone are looking to hook up in the daytime, comm me for permission. I know it’s awkward, but few things make a situation like this a mess faster than jealousy. Nights we go by schedule,” Tamara said.
“Romantic,” Taki said dryly.
“We’ll work on that, but first we need to get the awkward bits out of the way. Anyone here vigorously object to anyone?” Tamara said.
“I really don’t like you. But, even there I’m willing to give it a go,” Taki said.
“I barely know Jinx and I’m not at all comfortable with the whole baby thing,” Quinn said.
Jinx frowned at that and looked an uncomfortable combination of embarrassed and hurt.
“She was honest going in about what she needed and you agreed. Nobody is going to force you. If we have to we can find another guy to bring in. The ‘baby thing’ isn’t open to negotiate. Is that a hard no on Jinx?” Tamara asked.
The ground felt like it was falling out from under Quinn. How could one’s worldview shift so much in a few hours? Quinn had agreed, they were family, and Jinx needed this to help keep her safe.
“I apologize, nerves made me speak when I shouldn’t have. Jinx, you’re beautiful and you are kind, and we’ll figure the whole thing out,” Quinn said.
“Good,” Tamara said crisply. “The Captain looks like he just got kicked in the stomach. You forward enough to carry things through with him on night one, Taki? You want that more than anyone.”
Taki gulped and looked around at the others, “I ... Uh ... Not the first night, no.”