by Calista Skye
Adaar appreciated Ja’al’s candor. In spite of such formalities as rank and station, he always spoke his mind. And Adaar trusted his judgment almost as much as he trusted his own. Ever since they were children growing up together on Kamara, he had leaned on Ja’al’s unique perspective for insight.
The pirate captain set his glass down on the table and poured another round. “She doesn’t need to be trained. This isn’t a combat mission. No one will realize that it was us until we’re already long gone.”
“Unless she goes off script again. She put us all at risk today, and there’s no guarantee she won’t do it again. You don’t know her motives.”
Adaar took a mouthful of the glowing red liquid, swirling it around and letting its fiery body coat the inside of his mouth. His eyes widened as he swallowed it down.
“She won’t,” said Adaar. “I’m not going to let her out of my sight. Besides, I understand her better than you think.”
Ja’al spun his chair to face the captain. “I know that look. I’ve seen it before. You’re falling for her.”
“Hardly. She’s a means to an end.”
“No, Adaar. It’s more than that. Though I’m not surprised you don’t see it. You’ve never been wise to love. Even when it’s staring you in the face.”
“Love?” Adaar spat a mist of the glowing red liquor. “She’s a woman taking advantage of an opportunity. She believes that playing pirate will get her what she wants. She’s cooperating with us because it benefits her. She thinks we can either help her find what she’s looking for or get her enough money to get it herself. She’s no different than the gold-diggers back on Kamara.”
“Except that she has no idea who you are.”
“No. And I intend to keep it that way.” He slammed his glass to the table. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I left that life behind.”
Ja’al shook his head. “You can’t escape it, Adaar. Your royal blood will always be a part of you.”
“I gave up my claim to the throne.”
“And you made the right decision. But you never stopped trying to change things. And you recognize that same strength in her. You’re drawn to it. I don’t blame you.”
“Lana is no different than the rest of them. She may not know about my past, but she knows that I’m the captain of the Vendetta. The leader of the Raiders. She’s using me for my position. And she thinks she can use that to…”
“To help her dying brother. That’s hardly gold-digging. She’s doing everything in her power to make a difference for the people she cares about. It’s brave. And I don’t blame you for admiring it. For wanting to help her. Even for loving her.”
Adaar shot the XO a stern look.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Ja’al. “My point is the same. She doesn’t have all the information, and she doesn’t realize what we’re doing. She might get some funny idea in her head to sabotage this plan, thinking that she’s doing good.”
“I don’t think so. As long as she’s focused on her brother, she’ll cooperate.”
Ja’al leaned back in his chair and slid his empty glass out of the way. “You think she’s going to be up for this? She’s not a noble. She’s a common Tarksian cargo pilot. She’s never attended a high-class social function like this. If anyone figures out that we’re not supposed to be there, this whole thing goes to shit. This mission is too important.”
“Exactly, Ja’al. See, you’ve convinced me. If I went in without her, it’d be suspicious. We need her to make this work.”
“And you think you can teach her to pass for a noble in two days?”
“She won’t be in the spotlight. She doesn’t need extensive knowledge of the customs or trade agreements. She just has to look like she belongs there on the ballroom floor. And that I can help her with.”
“With all due respect, Captain…I think you’re crazy. And I think you’re actually looking forward to this.”
Adaar shrugged. “Everybody loves a party.”
“Except for you.”
“I’m a fun-loving guy.”
Ja’al shook his head. “It’s reckless.”
Adaar slapped his friend on the back. “You worry too much, my friend.” He threw a shot of the burning red liquor into his mouth and swallowed. “This is going to be a blast.”
Chapter 10
“Lana, you’re alive!” Kira teased. She threw her arms wide as she rose to meet her friend at the door. “I was sure that dreadful pirate captain was going to kill you.”
“Cute. Real cute. No need to be a smartass.”
Kira shrugged. “Come on, Lana. I was just having fun. You should try it sometime.”
The jab stung. Did people really think she was too serious? Was she too serious? Life had dealt her an unfair hand with her parents’ deaths, her brother’s sickness, and being captured by the Raiders. Maybe it had hardened her more than she realized.
“In my defense, I was nearly killed a few hours ago. Maybe this isn’t the best time.”
“Yeah, about that…What the hell were you thinking, Riley?”
She knew it was stupid. She wasn’t thinking. It was an impulse. An opportunity that was too good to pass up. “I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I didn’t do everything I could. And this was the perfect chance. You know they never would have given me the serum.”
“But you didn’t find any serum. And you nearly got yourself killed.”
The scene flashed through her mind and the feelings flooded back in. It happened too fast for her to process. When that soldier got the jump on Adaar, she had to act. She had to protect him. Maybe she cared about him more than she was willing to admit.
“I saved his life,” said Lana.
“Well then, you’re a hero. Here’s your medal.” She patted Lana’s shoulder. “Whose life?”
“Adaar. I saved his life.”
Kira’s eyes went wide. “You? Saved his life? Um, someone forgot to mention that, because that’s not quite the way I heard it.”
Lana sat down on her bunk and put her head in her hands. Why was she so interested in his well-being anyway? The murderous, bloodthirsty pirate. He didn’t care about anyone. And he didn’t care about her.
“He was attacked, and I…I just reacted. It was stupid. He probably wasn’t in any real trouble.”
“Ok, Riley, I’ll ignore the fact that it was crazy to run off down that hall in first place. This is way more interesting. Spill.”
Lana paused. Had she done the right thing? Kira would probably think she was crazy. “I followed behind them when they went into the med bay, and then they split off into the operating rooms. I tried to get into the locked cabinet, but I couldn’t. And when Adaar came out, I hid underneath the operating table. I was just going wait there and follow him back, but…” She hesitated. Her face tightened as she took in a quick breath.
Kira sat down beside her on the bunk. She put her hands on Lana’s back and rubbed her gently.
“A soldier got the jump on him and I had to save him.” She expected another smartass quip. A tease from her friend. But none came. Kira listened to her quietly, trying to take it in.
“I mean you’re pretty fearless and all…you always have been…but I didn’t know you cared what happened to the captain.”
Lana heaved a sigh and shook her head. “I didn’t either. I mean, I don’t. I don’t care what happens to him.” But she knew her actions didn’t support her case. Did she care about him? Could she?
She dismissed the thought immediately. She was just reacting to the stress. It couldn’t be anything more than that. “It doesn’t matter anyway. We’ll get out of here and move on with our lives like none of this ever happened.”
A blue light flashed as the comm hissed to life. “Good evening, ladies,” said Ja’al. “Just wanted to tell you we’re about to have our celebratory dinner. Ganar made quite a feast. You’re welcome to join us in the galley.”
“Thanks, Ja’al,” said Kira. “We’ll be right t
here.” She released the comm button and looked back to Lana. “You hungry?”
Lana hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the mention of food sent a tremor through her belly. Still, she wasn’t looking forward to facing them after her impulsive dash through the freighter. She could always crawl under the covers and hide until they arrived. No one would miss her.
Kira sensed her hesitation. “I’m sure they forgive you, Lana. Something tells me that holding onto grudges isn’t their thing.”
“You sure about that? Their ship is called the Vendetta.”
“You’re right. It’s obviously named after a pre-emptive vendetta against you for saving the captain’s life. You should probably stay here and hide.”
Lana scowled. She wasn’t in the mood for Kira’s teasing.
“Come on, Riley, they’ll be fine. Besides, we’ll be here for a few more days. I’d like to make this journey as pleasant as possible.”
“You seem to have made a few friends.”
“And I still need to let Tyrus get his rematch at Traps. I might even let him win this time.”
“Really?”
Kira laughed. “Are you kidding? Of course not. Kid needs to learn some humility, and apparently I’m the only one who can teach him. It’ll be okay, Riley. Let’s go get some food. You’ll be able to think more clearly on a full stomach anyway.”
Kira had a point. She hated it when Kira had a point. Lana stood up and straightened her jacket as her stomach rumbled again.
***
They heard the laughter echoing through the metal hallway before they reached the galley. A rich bouquet of smells filled the air, inviting them in to join the crew. Lana found it strange that they would all gather for a celebratory dinner as a matter of ritual. But what did she know about the operations of a pirate crew? And the Gamma Raiders seemed to share a deep bond, a connection with one another that could only be forged by fires of shared peril and the pursuit of a common goal.
All twelve Raiders sat around the large steel table in the center of the room, filling their plates. The bright lights and cheerful mood were contagious, and Lana couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the sight. Feared throughout the galaxy, they looked like family, connected with an ease and comfort that she had never experienced.
“Lana,” said Adaar, standing as she entered the room. “Come, join us.” He smiled at her warmly, showing her to a heavy wooden chair next to his own. “Our artisanal chef, Mr. Ganar, has prepared the galaxy’s finest selection of…what is all this?”
Ganar cleared his throat. “Why Captain, I’m shocked that you don’t know. A dignified, refined man such as yourself should be well versed in the delicacies of the galaxy.”
“Wait,” said Lana. “The doctor is the cook?”
“Well, yeah,” said Ganar with a shrug of his lean Anaran shoulders. “Got to keep myself entertained somehow. Besides, it’s easier to keep these good-for-nothings healthy if I’m in charge of what they eat.”
“Lies. I’m beginning to suspect that your skill with the surgical knife came from your true calling in the kitchen, not the other way around,” said Adaar.
“Yes, leave it to our fearless leader to make such an astute observation. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to make enemies with the chef? I might make your next meal…special.”
“In the past twenty-four hours I’ve stared down the barrel a pulse rifle and single-handedly dispatched no less than four Kamaran soldiers. I’m not afraid of your cooking, Ganar.”
“Single-handedly?” croaked Ja’al. “Looks like the captain doesn’t need us, folks. When we get to Anara, I’m retiring on the beach.”
Kira laughed louder than she expected to and the room turned to her. Being Kira, though, she wasn’t embarrassed in the least. “Thank the gods, Ja’al. I’ve been waiting for somebody to kick you off this boat.”
An uproar of laughter from the Raiders filled the room. Lana admired her ability to jump right in and play along. She was easy to like. Her playful sense of humor had been a lifeboat for Lana through the difficult times.
“Is that right? Think you’re qualified to replace me already?”
“Yup, your job’s not that hard. Just agree with everything the captain says and eat more than your share of the food.”
Groans from around the table.
“She’s got you pegged,” said Tyrus.
“Funny,” said Ja’al. “I was going to assign her to your post, little man. She seems to be quite the mechanic.”
“I don’t doubt it,” said Tyrus, smiling at her. “But can she do this?” Tyrus pushed his chair back as he stood, contorting his shoulders and body rhythmically as he danced around the floor.
“Gods, I hope not,” said Trax, “Having one person on board this ship who thinks that’s dancing is more than enough.” He grabbed a pastry from the table and lobbed it at his son.
Tyrus snatched the doughy projectile from midair, gracefully rolling it up his shoulder, and sinking his teeth into it in one smooth motion.
Lana laughed and clapped her hands softly, impressed by his display of dexterity. The crew turned to stare at her. “Well, I couldn’t do that. I have the coordination of a drunken haropluff in a tar pit.”
Adaar and Ja’al exchanged a meaningful look.
Adaar laid his fork down and folded his hands on the table. “Lana,” he began. “I don’t mean to dampen the mood or preempt our celebration with the discussion of business. But unfortunately, it isn’t something that can wait.”
Lana’s pulse quickened as the room fell silent and the Raiders turned their eyes to her. “Um, okay.” She looked around uneasily, the bite of pastry growing stale as her mouth dried. She swallowed and looked around. “What are you discussing it with me for?”
Adaar stood, looking around at the group. “As you all know, we’re only two days out from Anara, and we still haven’t firmed up our plans. The wedding of the Anaran princess Ellistra to the…” He shut his eyes and cleared his throat. “To the Emperor…” he spat the word as though he’d swallowed a fistful of ashes. “Cannot be allowed to proceed. And the responsibility falls on us to stop it.”
“And we will, Captain,” said the doctor.
Jelai nodded in assent, as did the rest of the crew.
“It’s not the safest place for any of us. Security is going to be far tighter than we’ve seen before. Subsuming Anara would be highly advantageous to the Empire. Financially and tactically. We can’t allow it.”
They crew nodded. They’d heard this speech before.
“A frontal assault won’t work. They’ll be too heavily guarded to pull any kind of standard raid. This little act of subterfuge will have to take place from the inside.”
Rymar smiled. “We’ve got that handled, Captain. We’ve manufactured the perfect cover for you. And with the lightcycles, we’ll be able to mask your genetic fingerprint from the scanners. You should be able to get in undetected.”
Adaar nodded to him. “Excellent work, my friend. Not that I would have expected anything less.”
“Of course,” said Rymar. “I live for this shit.”
“Which brings me to you, Lana Riley.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. What could the captain possibly want with her?
“I promised you that I would allow you safe exit from this ship when we made port. And true to my word, when the Vendetta docks at Anara, you will have that option.”
“Okay,” said Lana. “So, what’s the problem?”
“The problem is this: I need your help.”
“I don’t…what?”
“Princess Ellistra’s wedding to…” he gritted his teeth. “It will look suspicious if I’m there on my own. It’s a celebration. A ball. A…dance.”
“I don’t understand.”
Kira kicked her underneath the table. “He’s asking you to be his date!”
Lana’s felt her skin flush bright red. Her head spun. “What? I can’t…why?”
“Because this is going to be a delicate operation, and every single member of my crew already has a task assigned. If I were to infiltrate the wedding on my own, it becomes a significantly more complicated operation. I’d have to sneak in undetected. If you would accompany me, we can waltz right in the front door. So to speak.”
“Okay, but why? Why would I help?”
“You have no love for the Empire. Wouldn’t you love the chance to keep them from increasing their stranglehold on the Galaxy?”
“Sure. Of course I would. But what are you trying to accomplish, Adaar? What difference will it make in the grand scheme of things? And what’s in it for you?”
They always have an agenda, she reminded herself. Never trust a Kamaran.
Adaar met her gaze, his voice firm. “I have my reasons. But the fact remains that I need your help. And as for your other predicament…I can help you with that, too.”
“You’ll get me the serum?” she said, realizing immediately that she shouldn’t have said it out loud in front of the crew. But then, they probably already knew everything there was to know about her. There were no secrets among them. She realized that her personal business was all of their business the minute she stepped on board the Vendetta.
Adaar nodded. “Yes, Lana. If you help me sabotage the wedding, we will make sure you leave with the serum.”
“Why should I trust you?” said Lana. “What guarantee do I have that you’ll honor that promise?”
“You may not believe this, Lana, but I’m committed to protecting your wellbeing. You’re just going to have to trust me.”
Great. That should be easy, she thought.
“But if my word is not enough,” said Adaar, “then think about it this way: You’ll be doing something important for the common people of Anara. If they merge with the Empire, it won’t be long before that paradise becomes the same oppressive, totalitarian nightmare that Tarksis has become. Wouldn’t you save them the heartache, if you could?”
Lana swallowed hard. What kind of question was that? He was manipulating her. She was sure of it. She’d do anything she could to save the people from the scourge of Kamaran rule, and he knew it. She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t see any other options.