The raiders respected Robert’s show of humility, though they wouldn’t admit it, but Robert knew. He could read people. It was something that had made him a successful actor and now it would make him a successful, if unwilling, pirate.
Nigel turned to Deke. “When was the last time we cleared a prize of cargo without having the ship on fire, or shot to shite, or having to maneuver our exo-loaders around dead bodies?”
Deke shrugged. “All right, all right.” He gestured towards Robert. “He came through, just as he said he would.”
Nigel smiled. “I can’t wait to see what our share is. I’m willing to wager it will be the biggest payday we’ve seen yet.” Nigel looked around the bar. “No takers?” He smiled again.
The galley doors hissed open and Boomer strode in. She made straight for the bar.
“A little birdie told me that someone was serving tequila down here,” she said.
“A little birdie, eh?” Nigel grinned and grabbed another shot glass and set it next to Robert’s. He filled it then filled everyone else’s.
Boomer sat on to the bar stool next to Robert and smiled at him. “You’re looking much better.”
Robert returned the smile. “I’m feeling much better. I feel like I’m getting back to my old self,” he said quietly.
She raised the shot glass to her lips and inhaled the aroma of tequila. Her eyes closed as she took the shot. Her cheeks went rosy and she gasped involuntarily. She set the glass down on the bar looking satisfied. “I love this stuff.”
Robert chuckled. “Yes, I can see that.”
Nigel looked at his bottle. It was down to four fingers. “All right everyone, one last shot. I might need a drop or two of this before we get to Free Port.” He filled everyone’s glasses again.
“Thank you for your generosity, Nigel. Do they sell this on Free Port?” Robert asked.
Nigel laughed. “They sell almost everything on Free Port.”
Robert stood and raised his glass. “I would like to thank you all for opening my eyes. It seems I have been misled about the nature of Free Port. Apparently, to use a very old phrase, it is not the hive of scum and villainy I thought it was.”
Robert lifted his glass higher. “I propose a toast.” Everyone lifted their glasses, including Deke. “To Free Port. May all our dreams come true there.”
Everyone cheered and threw back the shots.
Robert was aware that Boomer was watching at him. She had the hint of a smile growing on her lips. He sat down and looked into her eyes. May our dreams come true, indeed.
THE END
Thank you.
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Acknowledgements
I could not have done this without my fantastic editors.
Developmental Editor – Kathy Yardley
Line Editor – Ellen Campbell
Line Edit/Proofreader – Damien Richard
I must send out a special thanks to the following authors:
Jason Ansbach
Nick Cole
Chris Fox
Richard Fox
Thanks for your help, motivation, and inspiration.
A shout out to my Beta Readers:
Greg Starnes
Kyle Carter
We Happy Few: The Leviathan Universe 2138 Page 20