Snake was in just a pair of pants, no shirt or shoes. He had a streak of blood across his chest but the cut wasn’t deep. Ronnie sprayed it with an antibiotic sealant. I assembled a team consisting of myself, Matt, Bill, Snake and Genius. We borrowed some of the clothes off of the dead pirates as well as the armor and dressed ourselves.
I hit the button to lower the ramp and waited until it hit the ground, then ran towards the other craft. As we got closer, the guard yelled and asked how it had gone. I said “just peachy,” and at the same time I drew and shot him through the chest. Not taking any chances, I had my favorite pistol with me. We didn’t slow down, moving through the ship with a no-prisoners policy.
When we arrived at the bridge, Matt reminded us not to shoot up everything. We opted for shock treatment, running on the bridge yelling and screaming at them to put their hands up. I punched the pirate in the captain’s seat hard and he slumped over. The rest complied rather quickly.
I commed Nedra and asked her to bring Harry and any live pirates over to our location.
“Harry, I want you to walk twenty minutes out into the forest, then cut them loose,” I told him.
“Nedra check them all over for any weapons and remove them. You, Matt, and Snake go with them.”
“Genius, start checking this shuttle over and see if you can figure out the controls. Bill, search it for anyone that might be hiding. If you find anyone, contact me unless they give you a reason to kill them — then contact me after they’re dead.
Imelda, follow Harry and Nedra. You'll see why; and Imelda, they all need to die. Don’t lose track of any of them. We can't afford loose ends.
“Genius,” I added, “see how many it might take to crew the shuttle and do a quick inventory. If they had as many as we do, then they should have plenty of food for a crew of half the number.”
“Nedra,” I said, “are you qualified to pilot any space craft? I don’t think I ever asked you.”
“You haven’t asked me, Benjamin. I could pilot the Claymore if you asked me to.”
“How about a Cjittan stealth shuttle?”
“Yes, most likely,” she answered. “I can read some of the language.”
“Do you have a problem with my commandeering it?”
I heard her laugh. “I assumed as much from the conversation. I do not fear the Queen of Cjittan's wrath.”
“You and Harry go straight to the shuttle,” I told her. “Genius will be staying with you and maybe Bill. Cloak it and set a course for Trillond. When the Queen goes to meet with the King of Trillond, you can come aboard the Claymore and get your things. You'll have to go a day, maybe a little more, in what you’re wearing.”
“We will be fine, Benjamin, but I am worried about you.”
“I can handle her,” I laughed. “It’s an abandoned shuttle, and the crew just mysteriously disappeared. I’ll have the salvage paperwork filed within the hour.”
“Binda,” I said into my com, “are you alone?”
“Yes, for the moment, Benjamin.”
“The shuttle belonging to the pirates is about to disappear with a small number of our crew. Brief the captain and tell her I said to keep her damn mouth shut. Hit Nedra up and tell her if there is any problem, to talk to you and only you. Give her your com address — and Binda, thank you.”
“It’s nothing, Benjamin. You know who will be furious, though, and it worries me.”
“That’s what Nedra said. You both are priceless; I'll deal with it one way or another.”
“Matt, what's your ETA?” I asked.
“I stayed with Natalia and Imelda, and she’s magnificent. All the pirates are already wrapped up.”
I heard him chuckle at his joke. “Where is Snake?”
“He’s on the way to the shuttle with Bill and the others.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter 10
I looked up at the stars, standing in the space alone between the Claymore and the shuttle. It was quiet and hot, and my people were moving around me, killing and committing grand larceny; it was a beautiful night. This was what I missed and needed to get back to. Everybody knew where they needed to be.
I walked to the Claymore and started to go up the ramp when I saw three people walking towards it. They carried weapons and tried to seem at ease, when I could see in the dark they definitely were not. I raised my hands and walked towards them.
“Nice night,” I said to the oldest of the trio, the only human.
“Not really. You can cut the small talk, what are you doing here?” The human seemed to be in charge.
“We stopped to make a quick repair and top off, is that okay?”
“Yeah, normally it’s okay. Tonight, though, I'm not so sure. We have a report of — believe it or not — a giant spider.”
“And who are you exactly?” I asked.
“I'm the chief of security for the plant and the only peacekeeper on this rock. I don’t usually get involved outside my area unless it could potentially affect the plant,” he answered.
“Like a giant spider?” I asked.
“Yeah, well, two kids were out in the woods after dark and say they saw it.”
“Maybe it’s just a case of darkness, shadows and imagination. You know how kids are.”
“Yeah, that’s what I'm hopin.” he sighed. “What's wrong with your ship?”
“Clogged waste line backing up,” I said, keeping the lie low-tech. We were about five feet apart. His people, a male and female Trillond, had relaxed some.
“How long you plan on stayin’ planet-side?”
“They’re about done. Maybe fifteen more minutes.”
“That’s a beautiful piece of machinery, what make is it?” he asked, looking up.
“It’s of Allond manufacture,” I answered, hoping they would shut up and go. Machinery, that’s what he calls my ship.
“We don’t get anything like that in our neck of the woods, and you’re Alliance bred. How did you come across such a ship?”
“It was a gift,” I answered, not planning on telling them any more than that. At least it’s a ship now.
“You’re him, aren't you?” the female Trillond asked out of the blue.
“Him who? What are you talking about?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
Even here we have heard the stories of the Reaper and how he is friend to the Allond, Cjittan and Trillond. You saved our people on Hyson from the Allith. He travels through space in a black ship of death, protecting those who cannot protect themselves,” she said looking at her companions. I knew I had to act fast.
“Wow,” I chuckled, “that guy sounds like someone I would want to stay away from. The whole black ship of death thing. No, I'm just a guy with a ship and a clogged-up shitter. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”
“You are him, do not lie. My husband’s sister was one of the survivors and will never forget as long as she lives. You are exactly as she described you. She watched over you as you slept. She said our princess even bends to your will.”
“A'Ranna,” I said softly, remembering her and the boy who had lost his father to the Allith.
“You see, I told you it was him,” she said, smiling triumphant at the other two. Then they realized the situation they were in.
I saw all three of them freeze, eyes getting wide, slowly reaching for their side arms.
I drew before they could touch theirs. “Hey! Look at me now! What do you see?”
It was the female who spoke. “Spider with a rider in black and a man. The spider is pulling a large bundle of things.”
“Keep your hands away from your weapons, and she will not hurt you. My daughter is in black and my friend, a soldier, walks beside her,” I explained, switching pistols while their eyes flicked back and forth.
“So it was true?”
“Yes, but you should not tell the children. And if anyone ever comes here asking, you saw nothing, am I clear?”
“Why?” the human asked.
�
�Why? Because I told you not to. We just saved your refining plant and people from being murdered by terrorists. We had hoped to be in and out without anyone ever knowing. We help where we can and part of that is because what we do is secret.” I had made up another big fat lie.
“I will need to tell my superiors,” he said.
“Really?” I said. “Didn’t you just hear me tell you not to? Secret and all that shit, didn’t you just hear me! Are you sure you have to tell someone?”
“Yes, or I could lose my job,” the man said.
“You’ll lose a lot more than that. Where are the children? I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill them and the three of you. We are able to do what we do by staying under the radar and operating in secret. You don’t seem to grasp that, so you'll take it to your grave.”
The female spoke first. “Just kill us if you must. Nobody will believe the children and they will forget about it.”
“No, I'm sorry. I can't leave any loose ends. Are you sure you have to inform your boss?” I asked.
The female ran at me, then stopped six inches away, crying. “Are they your children?” I asked her, feeling like shit for fucking with them. I just didn’t want them to tell anyone.
“Yes,” she sobbed.
“Will you inform on us?”
“No.”
“How about the quiet one, will he say anything?”
“No, or I will kill him for you in his sleep.”
“Damn, I like you,” I said. I turned to the leader.
“Well, looks like you’re just a trouble maker.” I leveled my pistol and fired. The human fell to the ground.
I turned back to the crying one. “If you talk to A'Ranna and she is in need of work, have her contact me and this com number, then destroy it. Our next stop is Trillond, so if she is there do now waste time before messaging her, since we won’t be there long. Do not tell her about any of this. You met me while we loaded fuel, got it?”
“Yes, I understand,” she said. “Thank you, Reaper.”
“Don’t thank me yet, I only stunned him. If he wakes up and calls his boss, I’ll be back. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”
During all the theatrics I heard the shuttle lift off, and I was pretty sure they didn’t see or hear it. The two Trillond stood by their human boss, who was out cold. A second later I heard the yelling, and it soon became clear it was my name. I glanced over my shoulder to see Taz coming down the ramp.
“She looks unhappy,” the female said.
“That is the Queen of Cjittan. She loves me,” I said.
“It looks as if she is going to kill you.”
“Yeah, with her that’s the same thing. Love you, kill you, gotta go,” I said. “Don’t forget my message, and tell the kids there’s no such thing as a giant spider.”
I turned and began walking towards Taz. I saw her pull her arm back, ready to give it all to me in one punch. I stalled for a second to duck under it and ran past her for the ramp. She turned and didn’t run, but walked with meaning, or purpose maybe, I didn’t know. I slapped the close button on the ramp and kept going. I heard her yelling very unpleasant things. I saw her hands on the lip of the ramp, then her leg, and finally she pulled herself over and rolled down the ramp inside the ship. I was already running for my quarters and locking the door.
She stood at my door, yelling all the human curse words she had picked up on. She did well in the creative department, stringing some together I wasn’t sure I had ever heard done before.
When the wind finally ran out of her sails, she poured on the water. Tears had to be flooding the corridor.
I opened up my mail and found Genius had forwarded me the description of the ship. I filed the claim as sole owner. Once they checked to see if it was stolen and found it wasn’t, they would process the claim and enter it into the Alliance database.
I just had to maintain control of it until I had documents in my hands. I opened the door after about ten minutes and she was gone. I stepped out into the corridor, looking both ways, and decided to take a chance on some food.
Grubb grabbed me just ten steps from my quarters and asked for a hand putting a console back together in engineering. I looked at him, wondering why a console on my ship would be disassembled, and by him. One of our shortcomings was the lack of a real engineer who could work on the systems. We would have to make the trip back to Allond to get her checked out sometime in the future. It was like tempting fate being out here with no engineer.
E'Aria was our ace when it came to engineering, since her brain like a super computer. Grubb not so much; his was more like a soggy old sock. I began to plot the ways I would kill him if he screwed something up. I hope it wasn’t life support or propulsion. Even so, he was as solid as they get.
“Why couldn’t you have taken this apart when we were docked with the Warhammer? We could have possibly got some help before I got everyone pissed at me,” I told him.
“Nothing is broken,” he said. “I was cleaning and unscrewed the cover and dropped the fastener.”
“So why do you need me?”
“What do you think about Binda,” he asked, dropping his voice. “Do you think she would go for a guy like me?”
“Really?” I said. “That’s what was so important?”
“Yes, and what else do you have to do anyways, except irritate people?” he retorted.
“What about that governor you were with back on Allond? She seemed to like you, and we could get you back there soon if you wanted to. She’s attractive, has money and a whole planet she is responsible for. You would be set for the rest of your life if you didn’t screw it up.”
“True, true, and that is still an option, but I'm talking about the here and now. The governor reminded me of how much fun it was being with a woman.”
“It sure can be, but if you’re just wanting to have a good time you make damn sure Binda is aware of that. I like her and want to keep her on this crew. In fact, I’ll throw your ass off if you upset her. Is that clear?”
“Um . . . yep,” Grubb said.
“Good. Now put my ship back together right. I'm going to see how much longer it will be before we arrive,” I told him.
Chapter 11
“What's our ETA for Trillond Prime?” I asked my captain.
“Damn, you’re like a child asking for something over and over, never satisfied with the answer.”
“Did you get ahold of Alona and get us permission to land and visit?” I asked, ignoring her.
“Yes I did, and she said to watch out. She doesn’t know what's wrong with E'Aria or why she is acting this way, but she is the princess, heir to the throne and a real handful right now, thanks to you, so be on our guard.”
“Is our passenger going to be able to visit the king?” I was continuing to ignore being blamed for something else.
“Oh yes, that is most certainly settled and being set up. He wants to meet you, Benjamin. I think you have that cult hero status thing going on.”
“Are we sure that’s all it is?” I asked her. “Because I made a vow not to ever get locked up in a cell again. I'm sure he knows what happened to his officers, and that is a locking-me-up-in-a-cell-worthy offence if you ask me, and I did it.”
Lorelei looked at me like I had a third eye. “How am I supposed to know what the king of the Trillond Empire's motives are? If he wants you locked up, we will know soon enough. He says he wants to meet you. Oh, and we are about two hours out, to answer your first stupid question.”
“If being the captain stresses you out so much,” I told her, “we can change that. I'm sure Binda would be excellent at the job. I put up with a lot from you, blondie, and you're free to get off my ship anytime you want.” I didn’t want to replace her, she had great instincts. But if she was unhappy I didn’t want her quitting right in the middle of something.
“Let’s not be hasty, Benjamin.” Taz's voice broke in. “I believe I have some say in the matter.” She was calm. I hadn’t seen her si
nce she lost it yesterday.
“Sorry, Princess, but you don’t.” Ah, yes, a little demotion to start the conversation off right. “Oh, you’re smart enough, and you got my share of the company, which still burns me up, but you have no stake in this ship. Nothing, nada. I own it one hundred percent. Before you start arguing, let me explain how things were set up.” I paused, watching her and everyone else on the bridge watching us.
“Enlighten me,” she asked, a little heated tone breaking through. I did.
“You own twenty percent of Reaper Inc. which is a brokerage company. Nick and Val bid on hauling and transport jobs, and there is a markup in the bid for fuel, food, payroll — it’s all broken down, he can show you. After everything, there is a profit. The ships, on the other hand, don’t belong to Reaper Inc. I own all of the Claymore and half of everything else. The other halves are owned by E'Aria and Nick. These faces you see are just numbers. Nick doesn’t care who the captain is, or any of the rest; he just needs a name to put on the credit voucher. So, you and the rest can think I'm stupid, immature, or whatever, but this is my ship and I'm not turning it over to anyone. It stays with me.”
“I will talk to Nick after we arrive at Trillond and verify your story,” she said shortly.
“You go ahead, Princess, ask him for the contracts between myself and Reaper Inc. Ask him to highlight all that party of the first part bullshit, and then the section where the parties involved can at any time with respects to all parties, dissolve, cancel, rip up and shred the fucking thing and go our separate ways.”
“If . . . you call me princess one more time you will be sorry,” Taz said, doing her best threatening voice.
“Princess, I'm already sorry, so you'll have to come up with something better than that.”
She lunged at me and I stepped forward to meet her. She was pulling her arm back to punch me, but I was too close for it to be effective. I also had learned she had never been straight-armed before. I supposed touching her probably carried a death sentence back on Cjittan. The surprise was clear on her face when she swung and my palm connected with her forehead, elbow locked.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: No More Lies (Book 3) Page 8