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    Cold Revenge
    Cold Revenge
    Cold Revenge
    Ebook544 pages7 hours

    Cold Revenge

    By Jaleta Clegg

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    About this ebook

    Revenge is a dish best served cold. Jerimon is about to serve Dace to the Targon syndicate. On ice.
    It doesn't matter that he's doing it on Lowell's orders. Targon wants Dace's blood. They won't stop until their revenge is complete and her life is in ruins. And they won't wait for the Patrol's trap to snap shut first.
    Book 5 of the Fall of the Altairan Empire, a exciting science fiction adventure series.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJaleta Clegg
    Release dateDec 14, 2013
    ISBN9781311216977
    Cold Revenge
    Author

    Jaleta Clegg

    I love telling stories ranging from epic space opera to silly horror to anything in between. I've had numerous stories published in anthologies and magazines. Find all the details of my space opera series at http://www.altairanempire.comFor the latest updates on my stories, check out my webpage at http://www.jaletac.comMy current day job involves teaching kids to play the piano. I also love piecing quilts together, crocheting tiny animals, and watching lots of bad 80s movies.

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      Book preview

      Cold Revenge - Jaleta Clegg

      Chapter 1

      Target acquired, Touk announced. They’d been chasing the ship for the last ten hours through a pocket of the nebulae. Hide and seek in thick dust and radiation fields was a stressful game to play.

      Tayvis brought the ship into his sights. It sat at a full stop. No fancy tricks, no last minute weapons fire, nothing; not what he expected.

      On my command, Darus Venn, the Gunnery Commander, said over the com, fire to disable if possible.

      Acknowledged. Tayvis lined up the ship in his sights then waited, his finger over the firing button.

      That’s strange, Mryah said on his other side. She and Touk were his spotters, sorting through scans to locate and mark targets.

      What? Tayvis asked.

      The ship comes up as a registered trader. I'm not picking up any weapons. Shielding reads as standard navigation shields only.

      It’s supposed to be a smuggler, Lorien the runner for their team, said. Good cover, having a real ship id.

      Mryah shook her head. The beacon checks out.

      Fire when ready, Darus’ voice came from the com.

      What’s the name of the ship? Tayvis asked Mryah.

      Phoenix Rising, Mryah said, squinting at her screen.

      Tayvis hit the lock button, shutting down the weapons. Hold your fire, he said into the com to the other three gunnery teams.

      The com crackled. Are you countermanding my orders, Ensign? Despite a rough start, Darus and Tayvis got along quite well in the two months since Darus was assigned CO for the gun batteries on the Avenger.

      I don’t think you have all the pertinent information, sir, Tayvis said. I want your personal authorization to fire on that ship.

      Darus hurried down the narrow corridor to the portside gun station. He crowded past Lorien. Well?

      What’s the delay, Commander Venn? It was Captain Suweya on the com asking this time.

      Darus leaned over Tayvis to speak into the com. I’m checking on that, sir.

      It’s Dace’s ship, Tayvis said.

      You sure about that? Darus leaned close to the targeting computer, Mryah’s station, to check the readout. What in blazes is she doing mixed up in this? He straightened. Hold your fire, all gunnery teams, repeat, hold your fire!

      Did I just hear you correctly, Commander Venn? The captain did not sound pleased.

      Sir, permission to come to the bridge and explain.

      You’d better, Commander.

      Lock your station, Tayvis, Darus ordered. You’re coming with me. He looked at the merchant ship hanging in the targeting sights of the Patrol cruiser. What’s she playing at this time?

      Tayvis had his station locked in record time then followed Darus. The two of them hurried through the ship to the bridge.

      Bet you fifty credits that Lowell’s behind this, Darus said.

      That’s not a bet, Tayvis countered, that’s a certainty.

      Keep your mouth shut when we get up there, Darus instructed as they approached the bridge. Let me do the talking.

      Tayvis didn’t dignify that with any sort of answer.

      The door to the bridge slid open. Captain Suweya gave Darus a dark look then switched his attention to Tayvis. Ensign Tayvis, you refused a direct order. The customary response to that is to space the mutineer. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t toss you out an airlock right now.

      Because that ship isn’t the smuggler you think, Tayvis said. It’s a merchant ship. And I’m sure the crew’s been framed.

      Commander Venn? The captain turned to Darus. You countermanded my order. Why?

      Because Ensign Tayvis is right, sir. We’ve been led on a fool’s chase.

      The captain studied both of them for a long time. His eyes, a brown so dark it looked black, were cold and hard. I’ll give you one more chance to explain.

      That ship, Phoenix Rising, Darus said, belongs to my daughter and two very good friends of mine. None of them would get mixed up in smuggling. There’s more to this than you think, Captain.

      The captain looked wordlessly at Tayvis.

      I’ve known Dace for a couple of years, sir, Tayvis said. I’ve worked with her before under unusual circumstances. She’s a sleeper agent for the Patrol. He mentally crossed his fingers and hoped the price Lowell would demand for backing up that statement wouldn’t be too high.

      An undercover agent for the Patrol. The captain wasn’t buying his explanation.

      She’s deep undercover, sir.

      Darus covered a snort, pretending it was a cough.

      The ship is hailing us, sir, the communications officer interrupted.

      Put it on the main viewscreen, Captain Suweya ordered.

      Dace’s face filled the screen. She looked cool, composed, almost arrogant, but she had stress lines around her eyes.

      Captain Suweya, of the Avenger, she said. A pleasure to speak with you.

      I very much doubt that, Captain Suweya answered. You are hereby under arrest. You will remain at full stop and allow us access to your airlock. You will be boarded and placed in confinement aboard my ship.

      I can’t allow that, Captain, she said. You will instead cease and desist from harassing us in the performance of our rightful occupation.

      You’re smuggling drugs, illegal weapons, and counterfeit currency, Captain Suweya countered. You will allow us to board your ship.

      Captain, please, it’s getting annoying listening to you. I see you have some of your crew with you. Her gaze passed over Darus and settled on Tayvis. Ensign Tayvis, what a pleasant surprise. Just like old times, isn’t it, you chasing me across the Empire. Hopefully the end game turns out better this time. She stopped suddenly, switching topics. Tayvis wasn’t sure but he thought he saw a flicker of pain on her face. Enough chatting, Captain. You will allow us to leave. Immediately.

      Or what, Captain Dace? Suweya asked. Your ship has been outmaneuvered. You have no weapons. Surrender or suffer the consequences.

      I’m afraid the consequences will be yours, Captain Suweya. You force my hand. She looked down at something unseen, as if she were reading a paper. You have exactly ten days to collect five million credits, in small denominations of course, and meet me at these coordinates. She read off the numbers. If you aren’t there or arrive without the money, something awful will happen. Think of the worst possible action I could take. It’s worse than that. Since I know you’ve recorded this, I won’t repeat myself. Good-bye, Captain Suweya. Give my regards to your brother, Tayvis, she added, then signed off.

      Commander Venn, report back to your station or be relieved of duty, Suweya ordered. I want that ship disabled or destroyed.

      I don’t think you want to do that. Darus pointed at the scanning station. Three huge shapes emerged from the dust of the nebulae. Captain Suweya’s face paled.

      They’re arming all weapons, sir, the scan tech informed him. They outgun us five to one.

      The small trading ship they’d been chasing accelerated, curving away from them, headed for open space.

      They aren’t going to shoot us, if we don’t do something stupid, Darus said. We’re their messenger.

      Captain Suweya gave Darus and the ships a considering look. Shields up, and stand down from weapons.

      The three large ships, bristling with weapons, slid past, picking up speed. The Patrol cruiser was left helpless to stop its prey from escaping.

      Play the message back again, Tayvis said to the communications officer.

      Ensign Tayvis, you overstep your authority, Suweya said sharply. Whoever that was, she’s a pirate. Her message was clear enough.

      She’s a hostage, I’m positive of that, Tayvis insisted. Play it. There’s a hint buried in there somewhere.

      The communications officer looked at the Captain for confirmation.

      Security, Captain Suweya said, arrest Ensign Tayvis for insubordination and mutiny.

      You don’t want to do that, Darus said.

      The security guards, friends of Tayvis, hesitated. Tayvis ignored them, reaching past the communications officer to access the controls. Dace’s face again filled the viewscreen. Tayvis watched the message replay, his face intent.

      Captain Suweya held up his hand, signaling to the security officers to wait. What is going on here? Suweya asked Darus.

      Tayvis used to work undercover, Darus answered. He does know Dace better than just about anyone else.

      That’s Dace? Suweya asked, nodding at the face on the viewscreen. Your daughter?

      Something else, isn’t she, Darus agreed.

      She almost became dust, Suweya said. Ensign Tayvis, my patience is gone. You will cease and desist immediately. Helmsman, lay in a course to follow those ships.

      You don’t need to. Tayvis tapped the controls. Dace’s face disappeared from the viewscreen. I know where they’re going.

      Suweya signaled the security guards. You are confined to quarters until this is sorted out.

      I don’t think so, captain, Tayvis answered. You follow those ships and they will destroy you. They’ll find themselves another message boy.

      I did not ask for your advice, Ensign!

      Tayvis hoped he lived long enough to regret his decision. Lowell would be overjoyed when he heard, though. The rank is Sector Commander in the Enforcers. If you wish to remain in command of this ship, you will cooperate with me.

      You are delusional, unfit for duty.

      Tayvis held out his left wrist, showing the intricate diamond tattoo on the inside of his arm.

      I read your record, Ensign, the Captain said. Dismissed from the Enforcers for dereliction of duty, among other things. Dismissed in disgrace from Planetary Survey. I took you on my crew as a favor to an old friend. Don’t make me regret doing so.

      Tayvis flexed his wrist. The tattoo was overlaid by a glowing golden symbol.

      Suweya paled when he saw it. The ship is under your command, sir. I apologize for my behavior.

      Don’t worry about it, Tayvis said. If you’d believed me without proof, you wouldn’t be in command of the ship.

      Your orders, Sector Commander? Suweya stood stiffly at attention.

      Do you want relieved of duty, Captain? Tayvis asked.

      No, sir.

      Then as you were. Tayvis knew Lowell would hand him his rank back. As soon as he talked to him. He hoped Dace would understand. Set a course for Viya Station.

      Viya is out of the sector, Suweya said.

      Then you have two choices, Captain. You can either set the course and let me take the responsibility, or you can set course for the closest Patrol base where I will find a captain who will.

      One question, Commander, Suweya said, staring Tayvis in the eye. Whose authority are you acting under?

      Grant Lowell.

      Suweya stepped back a pace. Set course for Viya Station, he told the navigator.

      Sir, we will have to stop for refueling.

      Then do it at whatever Patrol base is along the course. Suweya turned back to Tayvis. This is highly irregular.

      Most of what I do anymore is, Tayvis said.

      Why Viya?

      The last time I was chasing her in a Patrol cruiser that’s where we ended up. I really doubt she meant Landruss.

      You do this often? Darus asked. Chase her across the Empire?

      Tayvis frowned. I don’t understand what she meant by giving her regards to my brother. I don’t know why she ignored Darus.

      Darus shifted at the mention of his name. She was being deliberate about it.

      What did she mean, Darus? Tayvis asked.

      You’re more likely to figure it out than I am, Darus said.

      Either way, sir, Suweya said to Tayvis, we don’t have any suitable accommodations available for you.

      Forget it, Captain, Tayvis said. I’ll just trade cabins with Commander Venn.

      Darus gave him a dirty look.

      Very good, sir. Suweya settled back in his chair as the ship came about and headed on a new vector, picking up speed as it headed for the jump point. I will ask you to please vacate my bridge. You’re making my crew nervous.

      Sir. Tayvis left the bridge, Darus trailing at his heels.

      Tayvis knew Suweya would ask for confirmation of his rank as soon as they reached a Patrol base. Tayvis would have to act faster in making contact with Lowell’s agent. The code to reactivate his status was simple enough. All he needed to do was send Lowell the message, Agreement accepted.

      And it would start all over again. But at least he’d have a chance of getting Dace out of whatever mess she was in this time. It looked to be a deep one.

      Chapter 2

      Three weeks earlier…

      I sniffled into a tissue and felt sorry for myself. I’d picked up a cold. The winter weather didn’t help. I checked the cargo bay doors, making sure they were still locked, before retreating into the ship.

      We’d been sitting on Muugran for five days, waiting for a delayed cargo. We’d had bad luck the last dozen jumps. The trade routes in Auriga sector were well established, run by large corporations. There wasn’t much left for a small independent, like the Phoenix Rising. We’d been taking crumbs that kept getting smaller and smaller. Our latest cargo was bound for Sudhi, a world on the margins of the Sidyatha Sector.

      I’d looked up the Sidyatha in the ship’s library. I was almost tempted to go back and work our way into the part of the Fringe that we already knew. Except last I heard, Targon Syndicate still had a price on my head. I didn’t want to tangle wtih them and avoidance was the more prudent option.

      The government of the Sidyatha was deeply religious. They kept a tight rein on who went in and out of their systems. Most of the worlds were closed to outsiders. Only males were allowed to conduct business. I blew my nose again. Clark could handle that. The shipment we’d picked up for Sudhi, crates of textiles and beads, was the only available cargo on Muugran.

      I blew my nose again, fetching more tissues from the galley. Clark and Jasyn still weren’t back. They’d been married for only a few months. Jasyn was like the sister I’d never had. Clark treated me a lot like his little sister, teasing me mercilessly, but he was there when it really mattered. I’d met his family once, at his wedding. His father intimidated me, a full admiral in the Patrol. He’d been a bit disappointed that his only son had chosen to retire from the Patrol to become a trader, but Jasyn had charmed him so thoroughly that he decided he was happy for Clark. Clark’s mother and two sisters had been nice enough. We had little common ground and the acquaintance was only that. They sent him letters a few times. Without a regular route, it took weeks for those to catch up with us.

      Jasyn’s family was a bit more interesting. Her younger brother Jerimon was conceited and arrogant, and much too good looking. He was currently serving a prison sentence scrubbing decks for the Patrol. Jasyn’s aunt, Lady Rina, was not actually her aunt. Jasyn was Gypsy, though her parents and, by default, her and her brother, were all disowned by the Family for some obscure reason. Lady Rina had forced the Family to reinstate Jasyn and Jerimon. I was adopted into her clan, sort of. Lady Rina lent us money and her lawyer, Leon, kept tabs on us.

      My family. I had to grin. I had a family. My father, who was missing and declared dead when I was seventeen, wasn’t missing anymore. Darus Venn was a very interesting person. I didn’t know if I would ever feel comfortable calling him dad, but so far we had a good start on a friendship.

      I printed a list of worlds within fifty light years. And promptly crossed most of them off the list. Too far towards the Inner Worlds, places we’d already been, places deeper in the Sidyatha. I had a list of maybe a dozen possibilities when Jasyn returned.

      She came in the hatch smiling. Her face was pink with cold, her long dark hair hanging loose, tossed by the wind. She was beautiful enough to rival any vid star. Feel any better, Dace? she asked as the hatch slid closed, sealing out the chilly wind that tried to blow snow into the lounge.

      I blew my nose and shrugged. A bit. Did Clark get things settled?

      Yes, the cargo finally arrived. He’s out there supervising the loading. I already talked to port authority. We have a window in four hours.

      Something in her hand, something gray and furry, made a chirruping sound. It moved and I saw two very large green eyes.

      What is that?

      Everett gave her to me, Jasyn said. Everett was the captain of the Windrigger and a Gypsy, related to Jasyn in a complicated way that I hadn’t followed. Jasyn spent time over on his ship while we waited for our cargo. New faces, new stories, she said. I hadn’t gone because of my cold.

      The gray furball stretched and jumped out of her hands. It trotted on four delicate paws to sniff my leg. The green eyes looked up.

      It’s a cat. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I’d seen pictures of the tiny relatives of Dursoi sand cats, but I’d never seen a live one before.

      They’re good at catching pests, Jasyn said. Maybe Ghost will find those mice that got in here.

      As if the mention summoned them, I heard the rodents scrabbling over my head. The cat cocked her head, her large eyes fixed on an access panel. Jasyn opened it. The cat leapt straight up, a full seven feet, and disappeared into the conduit.

      Jasyn! What if that thing destroys the wiring?

      Relax, Dace. She won’t hurt anything. Except the mice. She’s trained. Everett gave her to me because he currently has eight of them on board. She grinned. Ghost is also very friendly. Everett said she would be a good companion.

      I hate it when you feel sorry for me.

      Then stop moping around.

      I haven’t been moping, I’ve been sick. I snuffled into a tissue.

      You’ve been moping. And don’t think I haven’t noticed the pictures you’ve taped to the inside of the locker by your bed.

      My face flushed. Those are private.

      And I’m family, so it doesn’t matter. Oh, she reached into her pocket. These were waiting for you at the office. The last Patrol courier brought them in. And complained very loudly about being a personal messenger service. She handed me two squares of paper, folded and sealed.

      I took them eagerly. One was from Darus, a short note telling me he’d been assigned to the Patrol cruiser Avenger. I grinned at that. The Avenger happened to be the ship where Tayvis was assigned. Darus had some interesting questions about Tayvis that I wasn’t going to answer.

      The other note was from Tayvis. I stuck that note in my pocket for later, when I had complete privacy.

      You aren’t going to share? Jasyn slid her coat off and shook the snow out.

      Darus says hi.

      And?

      He’s been assigned to the Avenger.

      I bet Tayvis wasn’t too happy about that. I heard about his encounter with Darus.

      There’d been a few sparks. But how do you introduce your father, who’s been missing for twelve years and that you’ve only just met yourself, to the man you’re in love with?

      What else do they say? Jasyn asked.

      I was saved from answering by a sudden loud squealing and a series of rattling thumps from overhead. Ghost appeared at the open access panel with a blue-furred rodent in her jaws. She dropped the body and disappeared back into the conduit. Jasyn and I stared at the limp body on the floor. I nudged it with my toe.

      She’s certainly efficient, I said, still unsure whether having a cat was such a good idea.

      That doesn’t look like any mouse I’ve ever seen. Blue?

      I shrugged. The thing had six legs and antennae. But a pest was still a pest. I used a tissue to pick the tiny thing up and drop it into the recycler.

      You still haven’t told me what’s in the letters, Jasyn said.

      I haven’t read them yet. I didn’t want to share, even with her.

      She hung her coat in a locker. You read the one from Darus. What did he have to say about Tayvis?

      Maybe if I let her read Darus’ note she’d let me keep Tayvis’ private. And maybe I’d grow wings and learn to fly. Jasyn got what she wanted. I pulled the paper from my pocket and handed it to her. She unfolded it and began to read.

      Just what did you and Tayvis get up to when he came to visit on Parrus? She had been off on an exotic island with Clark at the time.

      None of your business. He’d kissed me and told me about his parents and family. And kissed me again.

      Mmm hmm.

      I don’t ask about the details of your love life.

      And I wouldn’t tell you if you did. At least you and Tayvis seemed to have worked things out.

      It would be a lot easier if we actually got to see each other more than a few minutes every couple of months. I blew my nose again. It was weird, talking to him without someone chasing us or trying to shoot us.

      She laughed and settled herself at the table. Darus is his commanding officer? That would be entertaining to watch.

      We were interrupted by a knock at the hatch.

      Probably port authority, Jasyn said. Final account settlement.

      I opened the hatch. When I saw who was standing outside I almost shut it again. Jerimon grinned. His mischievous look combined with his deep blue eyes made me almost forget I didn’t like him. I stepped back and let him in. He shivered as he brushed snow from his hair.

      Jerimon! Jasyn jumped up to hug her brother. He hugged her back and winked at me over her shoulder.

      He wore a plain gray shipsuit, stained and faded. His duffel slumped when he dropped it. I shut the hatch on the snowstorm outside.

      What are you doing here? Jasyn asked him.

      Time off for good behavior. They let me go a few weeks ago.

      So what are you doing on my ship? I asked.

      I saw your face all over the newsvids and just couldn’t keep myself away. He draped one arm over my shoulder. I pushed it off and stalked away. I had to grab another tissue to blow my nose again.

      You’re out? Jasyn asked. Sit down. Let me get you something to drink. Dinner’s going to be another hour or so.

      He sat at the table, making himself at home. I plopped on the cushioned bench between the cockpit door and the hatch and pretended to read files on my hand comp.

      I’ve scrubbed thousands of toilets, he said. I think they finally took pity on me and let me go. Do you have any idea how many toilets are on a troop transport? One hundred and eighty six. And each one has to be scrubbed every day. Jasyn put a steaming cup in front of him. I’ve been working temp jobs trying to catch up with you.

      You shouldn’t have had too much trouble getting a job, I said. There’s a shortage of pilots in this sector.

      He made a face. They stripped me of my pilot rating, part of the sentence. A convicted criminal isn’t allowed to fly, not for ten years after release. His grin faded. He looked older with lines in his face that hadn’t been there a year ago. That’s one reason I came to you. I need a job.

      What have you been doing since you got out? Jasyn asked.

      I didn’t ask because I had a pretty good idea. Unskilled labor on a ship meant one type of job. His answer confirmed my guess.

      Cargo handler for big freighters. And janitorial on a passenger liner once. The jobs that were dirty and hard and usually very underpaid.

      Of course we’ll give you a job, Jasyn said. Considering we’re short handed.

      What can he do? I protested. Not very hard, though. Jerimon really did look like he’d had a rough time.

      Load cargo, scrub the toilets, he said. Wash dishes. Mop the floor. And fly if you don’t tell anyone.

      As long as you leave Lady Rina and her cards out of things, you can stay, I said. Lady Rina and her fortune telling cards had caused me no end of problems with Jerimon. She’d convinced him he was my soulmate.

      Deal, he said. I’ll just have to win you over with my charm and good looks.

      I snorted and turned away, pretending to read.

      The hatch opened again. Clark brushed snow from his hair as he entered. Cold out there. He stopped when he saw Jerimon. He grinned and slapped Jerimon on the shoulder. How are you doing, jailbait?

      I’m a free man, Jerimon said. Which means no more free lunch. No guaranteed bunk to sleep in. And few jobs.

      So he came here begging, I said. Jasyn said he could stay.

      And how do you feel about it? Clark asked me.

      Fine with me, we already discussed that. I sneezed, then grabbed a tissue.

      So I assume you want me to go to the port office and register him, Clark said. Good thing I haven’t taken my coat off yet.

      The rest of the fees still need paid, Jasyn said. I’ll come with you. I think I need to sign the hiring papers anyway. She grabbed her coat out of the locker.

      The cargo is loaded, Dace, Clark said. We’re ready to leave.

      Good. I’ll see how much Jerimon remembers about preflight. It wasn’t strictly necessary, but I still couldn’t quite believe the ship wasn’t about to disintegrate around me. It had happened before, but not with my Phoenix.

      Clark and Jasyn headed out into a day that was rapidly turning into a very dark night. I caught sight of snow swirling in the outside lights before the hatch slid shut.

      Jerimon studied me, sipping his drink. Alone at last.

      Don’t get your hopes up. I stood and put the reader back into its cubby.

      So, you patched things up with Tayvis? You know, Dace, if you ever break up with him, I’ll be waiting.

      Don’t hold your breath.

      You’re just scared of my good looks and excessive charm. He stood to pose and spilled his drink over his shipsuit.

      I pulled a cloth out of the galley cupboard and tossed it to him. When you’re done with that, get a headset. You’re taking the controls. I blew my nose again on my way to the engine room.

      Chapter 3

      The flight was uneventful. My cold gradually got better. Jerimon spent a lot of the first two days sleeping and eating Jasyn’s cooking. Then he made good on his promise to clean. He scrubbed everything in the ship, including the overhead bins. He cleaned my cabin while I was busy doing inventory on our small cargo hold.

      Ghost made herself very useful. I found three of the blue mice on my pillow the second day out. The gray cat washed herself on the other end of my bunk. She gave me a self-satisfied look when I disposed of her trophies. Anytime I was in my bunk, she’d find a way into the cabin and curl up on my feet. It didn’t matter how well sealed I thought my cabin was, I’d wake up to find a warm furry lump on my bunk.

      She followed me around the ship. I’d turn around to see her wide green eyes watching me. It was unnerving. Then she started slipping into my lap whenever I sat down. She’d rub her head against me and start vibrating. I scratched her head gingerly, unsure what she wanted.

      She likes you, Jasyn said, looking up from her game of Crystals. She, Jerimon, and Clark had a three-way tournament going. I’d declined. I wouldn’t have lasted four turns against any of them.

      But why? I asked. I don’t feed her. I don’t know what to do with her.

      Didn’t you ever have a pet? Jerimon asked.

      Not hardly. It would have ended up in the orphanage stew pot.

      Jerimon turned around to give me a shocked stare.

      Seven points up, Jasyn announced. You just lost your scout. She pulled the piece off the board. Try stroking her, Dace. She likes to be rubbed under her chin.

      How much food do we have for her? Clark asked, watching me run one finger down the cat’s back.

      A month, the way she’s been eating, Jasyn said.

      Hah, ten points left, Jerimon said. Pieces clicked on the stacked boards.

      She’s been eating the blue things, I said. The one I found this morning was missing its head and tail.

      Appetizing, Clark said.

      I tapped the reader screen. The cat purred in my lap. Prospects from Sudhi don’t look very good. We could swing out by Onipas and then into Heradan Sector. Or we could try going deeper into the Sidyatha.

      You don’t want to go into the Sidyatha, Jerimon said. I saw a few reports while I was cleaning. Even the Patrol doesn’t go very deep into the Sidyatha.

      Why not? This was news to me. I thought the Patrol permeated all of the Empire. Only the frontier worlds and beyond were safe from their ships.

      Thirty years ago the Sidyatha elected a new leader, Jerimon said. He instituted a reform movement that has been gaining momentum. Back to the strict interpretations of divine law. It doesn’t acknowledge any authority outside of the religion. So the Patrol got booted out. It was driving the Commander nuts trying to find out what they were up to.

      What were you doing reading reports that were probably classified? I asked. Good behavior, hah. I bet they threw you out because you were too much trouble to keep locked up.

      Janitors are invisible, Jerimon said. I was dumping the trash and cleaning the head during his conference call. I just happened to overhear his complaining about the Sidyatha. One of his battlegroup was chased out of their sector and he wasn’t happy.

      So we avoid the Sidyatha as much as we can, Clark said.

      Prospects aren’t as good, I said. Onipas and beyond take us out to the frontier. Not much that we can haul that will pay off. The worlds are a bit rough for luxury goods and we don’t have the capacity to haul machinery.

      So we take some lower luxury items that we know will sell, Jasyn put in. As long as we make docking and fuel costs, we’ll be all right. Six points down, she added to Jerimon.

      But if we follow that route, we end up near Viya Station and Tebros. Ghost made a warm spot in my lap. She’d stopped purring and was sound asleep. Trade that direction is not going to work for us.

      Jerimon shifted a piece on the board. Why not? From what I read, there are plenty of cargoes to pick up.

      Because Dace is banned from setting foot on Viya Station, Clark said.

      And that’s Targon Syndicate territory, Jasyn added. What was the price on your head, Dace?

      I ignored her. And the look Jerimon gave me.

      So we pass them by and keep going the other way, Clark said.

      Whatever. I flipped the reader shut. Let’s just get this load to Sudhi and we’ll see what we can find.

      Dinner, which was delicious, was interrupted by the reentry alarm. Ghost jumped at the noise, and made like her namesake. She disappeared into thin air. I took a last bite and stood. Clark was right behind me, Jasyn on his heels.

      I’ll clean up, shall I? Jerimon said behind us.

      We took our seats in the cockpit. I hit the button that cut off the reentry alarm. I set switches and checked engine levels. Everything was running in the green. The ship hesitated, held on a cusp of reality, before it slid into normal space. There was a moment of twisting nausea and we were through. Normal. Everything green. The sublight engines cut in smoothly. Clark slowed us while Jasyn scanned for our position. We’d come out right where we should. Sudhi was an hour away. She called their port authority while I powered down the hyperdrive. Jerimon clattered dishes in the galley.

      They won’t talk to me, Jasyn complained.

      Only males can conduct business, I said, remembering that from my reading.

      Clark held his hand out for the headset. She passed it over.

      That is the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard, Jasyn said.

      I’ve heard dumber things, I said.

      She laughed and ran another set of scans.

      The planet hung in the viewscreen, an orange ball with a few stripes of bright turquoise ocean and thin fringes of green near one of the oceans. We passed its one moon, a tiny fractured bit of rock, and entered atmosphere. The ship bucked in a crosswind, I adjusted the stabilizers and it settled down. We landed on a bare strip of rock near half a dozen other ships. They were small freighters similar to the Phoenix. We shut the ship down.

      Clark stood and stretched. If only males can conduct business, I’ll take Jerimon and get our cargo unloaded. It shouldn’t take long.

      Check to see if there are other cargoes. I usually handled that detail, mostly because I was the one with the membership in the Independent Traders Guild. But Sudhi did not have Guild offices. Sudhi and the entire Sidyatha didn’t recognize the Guild, so the Guild didn’t recognize them.

      Yes, ma’am, Clark said and flipped me a salute. I stuck my tongue out.

      Jasyn and I finished shutting the ship down while the men gathered the appropriate papers and left.

      Jasyn put her station on standby and swiveled her chair towards me. Want dessert? I believe Trevyn made his chocolate cream again. Only Jasyn called Clark by his first name. Whatever name he went by, his chocolate cream would make the Emperor himself drool.

      You need to ask?

      We left some for Clark and Jerimon, maybe a spoonful each. We washed the dishes and waited. Jasyn found her nail file and started buffing her perfect nails. She’d explained to me once that they were perfect because she took care of them. Mine tended to be ragged and short and lined with grease.

      I fetched my lute. I had no idea how to play. I figured I could learn. It proved to be a lot harder than I’d thought. I settled on the cushioned bench and started plucking. It made a mellow sound.

      Ghost appeared with another blue thing. She laid it down in front of me and gave me her green stare.

      I stopped plucking. Good cat. How many of these things are there?

      Jasyn stood then picked up the offering. Not near as many.

      We’re going to have to be fumigated if they aren’t gone soon. I plucked another string.

      What do you think? Jasyn said, standing near the galley. Another forest panel? Or how about an ocean scene? She had an ongoing project of painting scenery on the walls. The cubby doors above me held a wide forest meadow complete with animals. They resembled half a dozen different species from as many worlds without being an exact copy of any of them. It didn’t matter. They were good, in my opinion. She’d extended her art to the other side of the hatch, with a narrow ribbon of flowers above the door. Near the galley was a thick jungle and a river with a waterfall. Her next panel was a vague blob of tan and blue, unfinished and still in the process of being decided.

      Parrus had the most colorful fish, she said. You should have come with us.

      Three would have been an awkward number. Besides, if I had gone with them, I would have missed Tayvis. You showed me the pictures.

      It was incredible, swimming under the water with them flashing on all sides. She started sketching on the wall.

      Clark and Jerimon finally came back. They both looked hot and tired.

      The cargo is delivered, Clark announced. The only available cargo is a load of minerals for Brugundhi.

      Deeper in the Sidyatha, Jerimon added. Not a good idea.

      I traded the lute for a reader. Brugundhi might have something we could take to Onipas. Brugundhi manufactures some basic agricultural tools and they have a four star rating for seeds and plants. Ones cleared for expor, and accepted at Onipas.

      Then we sign the cargo for Brugundhi? Clark asked.

      If Dace says it will work, Jasyn said, still sketching fish on the wall, fine with me.

      Clark looked at Jerimon.

      I get a vote? Jerimon said, pretending to be surprised. He shrugged.

      Then let’s go get it, Clark said to Jerimon. I just wish the Sidyatha code allowed automated transport. He kissed Jasyn on his way out.

      The hatch slid shut behind them, cutting off the hot dry air outside.

      The only problem with this is that I’m going to die of boredom, I complained. I’m going out to check on the ship. I put the reader away.

      Jasyn was too absorbed in her latest picture to notice when I opened the hatch and stepped out.

      The air was chokingly hot. It was midday, planet time, although ship time it was late night. I palmed the door controls and the hatch slid shut. I stepped away from the ship into the baking sun. Nothing really needed checked, it was an excuse to get out. I’d always enjoyed new worlds, the smells and sounds and the feel of wind on my face. Most spacers didn’t like it, but I did. The only weather I didn’t like was snow.

      I walked around the ship. The landing field was surrounded by a low wall of what looked like dried mud. The tops of buildings rose above, the same color as the ground underfoot. I saw a few people, men mostly, at a distance. They wore brightly striped baggy tunics with dark colored pants showing underneath. The women were shrouded in thick folds of cloth that covered them head to toe.

      I wandered to the back of the ship and opened the cargo bays. They were both empty. I shut the doors again.

      I was getting a lot of attention by this time. The men near the one gate in the thick wall were staring my way and not looking very happy. I decided it would be smart to go inside.

      I opened the hatch and went back in. It slid closed behind me. Ghost sat in the center of the floor, tail wrapped neatly around her paws. She stared at me.

      Don’t you have pests to hunt? I asked the cat. She didn’t even blink her huge green eyes.

      So, how is it outside? Jasyn asked.

      Hot. I sat on the cushioned bench and tried to read. I fell asleep instead.

      Chapter 4

      Clark woke me up when he got back. Jerimon wasn’t with him. Clark nudged me, standing over me and not looking happy.

      What? I said groggily. I’m not at my best when woken up.

      Don’t go out, he said. Unless you want to pay fines.

      What? That got my attention.

      I had to argue with the Director for Moral Decency for half an hour before he agreed to just give me a warning. So don’t go out unless you’re covered with one of these. He dropped a wad of dirty beige fabric on me.

      Did you get the cargo? Jasyn had a smear of yellow paint on her cheek.

      Barely, Clark said. Everything shuts down at sunset so we can’t load until morning. I’ll be glad to get off this planet.

      You aren’t the only one, I said, holding the wad of fabric. It smelled funny, a musty dry smell that reminded me of insects, unpleasant ones.

      They take their religion seriously, Dace, Clark said. It offends them to see women practically naked. Which, in their codes, you are. Either wear that or stay inside or be prepared to pay large fines and end up in jail.

      Given those choices, I’ll stay inside. But we’re leaving here as soon as we can.

      Bound for Brugundhi, Clark said, where the laws are even more strictly interpreted.

      Great, I muttered. I stuffed the fabric into the cleaner.

      Ghost appeared on the narrow ledge above. She hung her head over, watching me and sniffing the cloth. She didn’t like the smell to judge by her sneeze.

      Where’s Jerimon? Jasyn asked Clark.

      Making final arrangements for the cargo, Clark said. We had to buy crates for it. I didn’t think you wanted it just dumped back there.

      I’ve been demoted to an ore freighter, I muttered to the cat. She mrowed and jumped down from the ledge.

      Clark sat at the table. I never thought trade would be more work than being in the Patrol. Isn’t it illegal to make someone work more than twelve hours straight?

      When you’re the owner, hours don’t matter. Jasyn finished cleaning up her paints

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