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Pirate’s Fortune

suPreme Constellations

Book Four

Praise for Gun Brooke’s Romance Novels

Fierce Overture

“Gun Brooke creates memorable characters, and Noelle and Helena

are no exception. Each woman is “more than meets the eye” as each

exhibits depth, fears, and longings. And the sexual tension between

them is real, hot, and raw.”— Just About Write

September Canvas

“In this character-driven story, trust is earned and secrets are uncovered.

Deanna and Faythe are fully fleshed out and prove to the reader each

has much depth, talent, wit and problem-solving abilities. September

Canvas is a good read with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.”— Just

About Write

Sheridan’s Fate

“Sheridan’s fire and Lark’s warm embers are enough to make this book

sizzle. Brooke, however, has gone beyond the wonderful emotional

explorations of these characters to tell the story of those who, for various

reasons, become differently-abled. Whether it is a bullet, an illness, or a

problem at birth, many women and men find themselves in Sheridan’s

situation. Her courage and Lark’s gentleness and determination send

this romance into a ‘must read.’”— Just About Write

Coffee Sonata

“In Coffee Sonata, the lives of these four women become intertwined.

In forming friendships and love, closets and disabilities are discussed,

along with differences in age and backgrounds. Love and friendship

are areas filled with complexity and nuances. Brooke takes her time to

savor the complexities while her main characters savor their excellent

cups of coffee. If you enjoy a good love story, a great setting, and

wonderful characters, look for Coffee Sonata at your favorite gay and

lesbian bookstore.”— Family & Friends magazine

Course of Action

“Brooke’s words capture the intensity of their growing relationship .

Her prose throughout the book is breathtaking and heart-stopping.

Where have you been hiding, Gun Brooke? I, for one, would like to see

more romances from this author.” —Independent Gay Writer

What Reviewers Say About

Gun Brooke’s Supreme Constellations Series

Protector of the Realm

Supreme Constellations: Book One

“Protector of the Realm has it all; sabotage, corruption, erotic

love and exhilarating space fights. Gun Brooke’s second novel

is forceful with a winning combination of solid characters

and a brilliant plot. The book exemplifies her growth as an

inventive storyteller and is sure to garner multiple awards in

the coming year.”— Just About Write

“Brooke is an amazing author, and has written in other genres.

Never have I read a book where I started at the top of the

page and don’t know what will happen two paragraphs later…

She keeps the excitement going, and the pages turning.”

— MegaScene

Visit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.com

By the Author

The Supreme Constellations Series:

Protector of the Realm

Rebel’s Quest

Warrior’s Valor

Pirate’s Fortune

Course of Action

Coffee Sonata

Sheridan’s Fate

September Canvas

Fierce Overture

Pirate’s Fortune

suPreme Constellations

Book Four

by

Gun Brooke

2011

pirate’s fortune

© 2011 By Gun Brooke. All riGhts reserved.

isBn 13: 978-1-60282-599-4

This ElEcTronic Book is PuBlishEd By

Bold sTrokEs Books, inc.

P.o. Box 249

VallEy Falls, ny 12185

FirsT EdiTion: sEPTEmBEr 2011

This is a Work oF FicTion. namEs, characTErs, PlacEs, and

incidEnTs arE ThE ProducT oF ThE auThor’s imaGinaTion or

arE usEd FicTiTiously. any rEsEmBlancE To acTual PErsons,

liVinG or dEad, BusinEss EsTaBlishmEnTs, EVEnTs, or localEs

is EnTirEly coincidEnTal.

This Book, or ParTs ThErEoF, may noT BE rEProducEd in any

Form WiThouT PErmission.

Credits

EdiTors: shEllEy ThrashEr and sTacia sEaman

ProducTion dEsiGn: sTacia sEaman

coVEr arT By Gun BrookE

coVEr dEsiGn By shEri (GraPhicarTisT2020@hoTmail.com)

Acknowledgments

First, I want to express my gratitude to my first readers, Jan and Sam,

who between them took on the job of helping me not lose face by

missing silly mistakes before submitting the manuscript to BSB. I also

want to thank Pol, who allowed me to pick her brilliant mind regarding

tactical stuff.

Dr. Shelley Thrasher, my editor—thank you so much for being the

perfect match for me. We work so well together and you make the

editing phase fun and educational every time.

Radclyffe—aka Len Barot—president of Bold Strokes Books, thank

you for providing a fantastic environment within BSB for us authors to

grow and evolve. I’m proud to be one of your first authors, and that you

still want me around.

Sheri the graphic artist, thank you for collaborating with me on the

cover, and for making my 3D art work so well.

Stacia, Cindy, Connie, Sandy, Lori, and all the proofers and copy editors,

and other people who work for and with BSB to publish our books—

you are all such “fire souls,” to translate a Swedish word directly, and I

think you deserve tons of praise.

Thank you to my faithful science-fiction-loving readers, who have been

with me from the start with this series and kept asking for the next

book. Now I end the series with this book, and even if I occasionally go

through separation anxiety, I also look forward to taking you with me

on a new sci-fi adventure with the next series I have planned.

Also…thank you to those among my friends who are always

encouraging and supportive. You know who you are.

To Elon.

To Malin and Henrik.

To Joanne.

You are like handprints on my heart.

Pirate’s Fortune

ProloGue

Madisyn, darling, can you hear me?” The male voice sounded

familiar, yet somehow alien.

“Mmm.” Madisyn’s lips and tongue wouldn’t obey. Her eyelids

felt heavy or, rather, as if they weren’t there. “Uh…”

“Calibrating the synapses now.” The metallic-sounding male voice

changed, became darker and garbled.

“Wha…?” Madisyn stiffened as pins and needles traveled through

her system, making every nerve ending burn in agony. “Ah!”

“Too much, Silestian!” A female voice blended with the male.

“Reduce the synaptic stimulant.”

“Reducing.”

The pain slowly dissipated and Madisyn struggled to open her

eyes. Everything was a blur. She blinked several times, the movement

jerky, numbness taking over as the pain subsided.

“You need to boost the synthesized synaptic fluids, Silestian,” the

female voice said, her tone sharp.

Silestian? Father? Where was she and how did she get here?

Everything was hazy, and she couldn’t pinpoint the origin of any of

the sounds.

“Just relax, child,” the female voice said. “Just your father and I

are here. Look at me. Can you see me?”

Slowly the surroundings stopped swaying and the lights stopped

searing her eyes. A woman’s face came into focus; it was indeed her

mother. “Mama.”

“Oh, thank the Seers.” Lonia Pimm smiled through tears. “She

• 11 •

Gun Brooke

recognizes me. Madisyn, darling, your father is here too. You’ll be all

right.”

“What’s wrong…with me?” Madisyn managed to say, her mouth

numb as she formed the words. Even her own voice sounded alien.

“You were in an…an accident, but the worst is over. You’ll be fine.

Won’t she, Silestian?”

A man came into view and Madisyn wanted to cry. Her father

looked so worried and worn. A dry sob broke free, and Madisyn tried

to move her head to hide her feelings. Though she expected medical

equipment and hospital staff, she saw her parents’ laboratory. Why

would she be on a gurney in their laboratory if she’d had an accident?

“Mother?” Madisyn trembled inwardly, or at least she thought she

did, as she was still completely numb.

“We will explain everything in time, darling. Just trust me—you

will be fine.” Lonia kissed her forehead. “We love you more than

anything or anyone else, Madisyn. We just couldn’t bear to lose you.

You will understand later, I promise.”

Her mother’s words, and waking up in the lab rather than a

hospital, sent a flurry of thoughts through Madisyn’s fatigued mind.

Lonia sounded both regretful and afraid.

Madisyn turned her head the other way, grateful that she wasn’t

entirely paralyzed. A drape closed off the rest of the laboratory, but a

mirror over a sink at the far end made it possible to see behind it. At first

Madisyn thought she was seeing one of her parents’ prototype androids,

but when she tried to look more closely, two things proved her wrong.

Her vision changed, and a series of numbers and mathematical signs

scrolled along her left field of vision. She blinked confusedly; her eyes

had zoomed in on the android in the mirror.

It wasn’t an android at all.

“Oh, no.” Madisyn wanted to scream, but couldn’t. She stared at

the reflection, at herself, and could only murmur two words, over and

over. “Model Eighteen-B? Model Eighteen-B? Model Eighteen-B?”

“For the love of the Seers, Silestian, close the drape.” Lonia bent

closer to Madisyn. “Listen, darling. Focus on my voice. We had to try,

your father and I. We had to. We were losing you.”

“You…made me…into…Eighteen-B?”

“You were dying, darling. We had no choice.” Lonia was crying

now, and Silestian embraced them both.

• 12 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“My daughter. We couldn’t let you go,” her father said, his voice

barely audible. “And we didn’t use Eighteen-B.”

“What? What am I? What did you do?” Madisyn tried to sit up,

needing to see for herself.

“Easy, child. Easy,” Silestian said, holding on to her and helping

her to sit propped up against his shoulder.

Madisyn looked down her body. The long, lanky limbs of her

nineteen-year-old self had disappeared. Instead, she gazed in horror at

the unfamiliar, perfect-looking body of an android. “What…what did

you do to me?” Madison asked, hating her strange voice.

“It’ll be fine. We’ll fine-tune your voice and customize your

appearance. I promise, my darling.” Lonia had stopped crying and

spoke with emphasis. “We couldn’t let you die.”

“You should’ve. You should’ve.” Panic rose inside Madisyn and

she wanted to lash out physically at them. “I hate you for this. You have

to kill me. Stop this…machine…and kill me!” She had to endure their

hugs and embraces, but for hours she wept without tears, whispering

repeatedly, “You have to kill me. Please kill me. Please. Please.”

• 13 •

• 14 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter one

Admiral Rae Jacelon stood behind the desk in her office, her

hands behind her back, gazing at the stars. They appeared as

blurry streaks as the Constellation warship moved with unimaginable

speed. The Paesina had disembarked from the Gamma VI space station

eight hours ago, and with Jacelon in command, it headed a convoy of

ships flying into intergalactic space.

They planned to engage the Onotharian Empire and liberate

Gantharat. Jacelon smiled joylessly. Excited about returning to battle,

she wasn’t naïve regarding the political intricacies behind the conflict.

Jacelon briefly allowed thoughts of when she had commanded

Gamma VI to surface. As a commodore, she had come across a

Gantharian fugitive and married her only a few days after they met.

Becoming an instant spouse and parent should have been a recipe for

failure, especially since the young boy, Armeo, was the heir to the

Gantharian throne, with a horde of threatening pursuers trailing him.

The woman accompanying Armeo was destined to care for and

protect him. Kellen O’Dal carried the title of Protector of the Realm, an

honor that Jacelon now bore through marriage. They had been married

almost eighteen months, and Jacelon had never dreamed of finding

such love. She thought of Kellen each day when she first woke and

right before she fell asleep. She couldn’t imagine life without either

Kellen or Armeo, yet they were separated again, as Kellen’s duties as

a lieutenant commander of the Supreme Constellations military forces

had sent her on a different mission.

The device indicating that someone was at her door pinged.

“Enter.” Jacelon kept her back to them. She was expecting her

• 15 •

Gun Brooke

visitor and was not about to show them any courtesy whatsoever—

yet.

“Your guest, Admiral,” a male voice rumbled.

“Thank you. Dismissed.”

“Aye, ma’am.”

Jacelon turned around slowly. The woman on the other side of the

desk wore slate-gray coveralls, like all civilians who traveled aboard

an SC military vessel. With her dark brown hair held back in a tight,

low bun, Weiss Kyakh stood ramrod straight, her deeply set frost green

eyes unwavering.

“I take it you haven’t changed your mind after boot camp?”

Jacelon spoke coolly, making sure her animosity didn’t show. Kyakh

had facilitated the kidnapping of her mother, Dahlia Jacelon, so it was

difficult to treat Kyakh as anything but a criminal.

“I can hardly refuse your offer, can I?” Kyakh spoke in a low tone,

but sounded confident.

“You need to commit. People’s lives are at stake, innocent people

who have nothing to do with any of us. The SC covert-operative training

facility should’ve taught you this, and more.”

“Oh, I learned a lot. Innocent people don’t exist. Everyone has an

agenda, and they all have a price.”

“Then what’s your price?” Jacelon noted the pride in Kyakh’s eyes

and the defiant angle of her chin.

“My freedom.”

“Ah.” Jacelon placed her hands on her desk. “You are looking at

life in an SC maximum-security prison.” Jacelon knew what that meant

and was sure Kyakh did too, but she didn’t even blink. The MAXSEC

prisons were stark buildings erected on several moons throughout SC

space. Without an atmosphere, and with a booby-trapped sensor grid

surrounding the moons, they were virtually impenetrable and close to

escape-proof.

“And if I agree to infiltrate this band of pirates?” Kyakh asked

disdainfully. “Your plan is flawed. Anyone who knows me would

realize that I wouldn’t join a band of thugs when I have access to the

best people out there.”

“Correction, had access. Past tense. We’ve made sure everybody

knows that all your people are either dead or in custody. So far, we’ve

kept the truth about your status a secret. Rumor has it you managed to

• 16 •

Pirate’s Fortune

escape when war broke out and that you’re laying low, biding your time

somewhere. As for your objectives, trust me, this is no mere band of

thugs but a highly motivated and outfitted organization, led by a man

called Podmer.”

“Podmer?” For some reason, the pirate leader’s name got

through to Kyakh, who quickly sorted her features back into a look of

indifference, but it was too late. Podmer was surely the key to coercing

Kyakh to comply.

“Ring a bell?”

“Yes.” That one syllable held a universe of emotions.

“He’s nearly royalty when it comes to piracy. I would almost think

he’s been your role model.” Jacelon was playing the devil’s advocate

now.

“Podmer is a cold-blooded murderer. A thug in designer clothes,

using designer drugs and traveling in a state-of-the-art ship, but a thug

nonetheless.” Kyakh spat his name. “I may be a thief, and I have lives

on my conscience, I don’t deny that…but I use my talents in other

ways.”

“You kidnap distinguished diplomats, fire on children, and don’t

care much about collateral damage.”

“I do not fire on children!”

“People who work for you did. It was mere coincidence that they

hit Ayahliss instead of Armeo!” Jacelon circled the desk and stood

within Kyakh’s personal space. The other woman didn’t flinch, but

lowered her gaze after a few moments.

“White turned out to be less than dependable, but she acted against

orders.”

“You are still accountable!” Jacelon raised her voice marginally.

Kyakh paled. “I’m aware of that.”

“Are you all right? My chief medical officer assured me that you

were fit for duty.”

“Dr. Meyer is very thorough. I’m fine.”

“Very well.” Jacelon rounded her desk and sat down. “Take a seat.

We need to discuss a few things.”

Kyakh remained standing for a few seconds, but then complied.

“Podmer has moved up in the world the last two years, and the

conflict between Onotharat and the SC is adding to his wealth and, thus,

his power. He is running a lucrative arms dealership, with most of the

• 17 •

Gun Brooke

weapons the property of the SC military.” Jacelon scrutinized Kyakh’s

face for an emotional response, but so far she saw none. “We need to

know who he’s doing business with and how he manages to obtain the

weapons. Our last intel suggests that he’s planning something elaborate,

something that might cause setbacks for the SC. We need someone like

you to infiltrate his senior officers’ group.”

“Why someone like me?”

“You enjoy a certain reputation. You’re also like royalty when it

comes to space pirates. You would be an asset to any such gang.”

“You flatter me,” Kyakh said ironically.

“Not even a little bit.” Jacelon wasn’t in the mood to smile. “You’ll

be working with our contact aboard Podmer’s mother ship. She’s been

undercover with his band of pirates for more than six months.”

“Why can’t this person finish the job?”

“She’s unable to get close enough to enter his inner circle of senior

crewmembers.”

“And you expect me to work with such an inept person?” Looking

arrogant, Kyakh shrugged. “I don’t hold hands during any sort of

mission.”

Jacelon bit off the exasperated curse that formed on her tongue.

“Our agent is not inept. In fact, she’s extraordinary and her success rate

is a hundred percent.”

“Then what’s her problem?”

“She’s unable to complete her mission only because of one reason.

She’s a BNSL.”

“Oh, for stars and skies, she’s an android?” Kyakh flung her hands

up.

“She’s a one-of-a-kind, highly advanced prototype of a Bio-Neural

Synthetic Lifeform.”

“And that’s supposed to reassure me?”

“Oh, I never figured you for a person who needed reassuring,

Kyakh.”

“And what if this android malfunctions during a critical phase of

the operation?” Cold, and getting colder still, Kyakh’s eyes narrowed.

“She won’t. She has more fail-safes installed than you and I

could even dream of. She was constructed at the Stagmanza University

on—”

• 18 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“On Guild Nation, in its prime capital, Toran Denza.” Kyakh

sounded reluctantly impressed.

“You seem familiar with the Guild Nation, the newest member of

the Supreme Constellations.” Jacelon noted how Kyakh immediately

schooled her features back into her former disdainful expression.

“My paternal grandmother was born on Guild Nation.”

“I see. A good way for you to connect with Madisyn Pimm.”

“The android has a name?” Kyakh snorted. “This gets better and

better.”

“I’m glad you think so, since she will be my liaison while you’re on

your assignment. Madisyn will not know your true status or your sordid

past, but she will report anything amiss…with just about anything and

everything during your mission. We will provide you with a plausible

backstory of how you became a civilian agent for the SC.”

“I wouldn’t lose any sleep over an android knowing about my

past.”

“In this case I’m more concerned that it might jeopardize the

mission.”

“Not that I want to seem dense, or suggest that you are, Admiral,

but what’s to keep me from making a run for it, once I’m out there on

my own?”

“I thought you’d get around to asking that.” Pleased, Jacelon

couldn’t stop from smiling. “You must have heard that we have obtained

cloaking ability for our vessels.”

“Yes. I even saw the blueprints but didn’t have time to outfit the

Viper with it before—”

“Before you crashed, killing and wounding hundreds of Disians

on Corma.”

“Yes.”

“Well, we can transfer the same cloaking ability to other pieces of

technology. You have the same implant under your skin that Ambassador

M’Ekar had when he was confined to house arrest, with one clever

upgrade.”

“You cloaked it?” Kyakh looked dumbfounded, to Jacelon’s

satisfaction.

“We did. Given your technical skills, you would no doubt easily

be able to bypass the poison-inducing feature, if you could find it. But

• 19 •

Gun Brooke

since you won’t be able to locate it…” Jacelon shrugged. “If Madisyn

Pimm reports anything that suggests you’ve gone AWOL or betrayed

us, I won’t hesitate to activate it. This also happens if Madisyn Pimm

is taken offline or otherwise destroyed. If something happens to her

and you don’t report in within twenty-four hours…” Jacelon snapped

her fingers. “Click. That’s it. The poison will invade your system, and

unless you receive an antidote within six hours, you will die. And, oh,

I should mention that the formula for this poison is brand new. In fact,

you’re the lucky first customer.”

“I’m thrilled.” Kyakh stood rigid at Jacelon’s desk. “Guess I was

more correct than I realized when I talked about an offer I couldn’t

refuse.”

“Yes. I suppose so.”

“All right. I’ll carry out your assignment. Then I expect to regain

my freedom.”

“All the legal documents are ready for your signature, and mine.”

Jacelon watched as Kyakh meticulously read through the digital files

before signing them with a retina scan. She hated this woman for what

she’d done to her family, but also reluctantly admitted that Weiss

Kyakh somewhat fascinated her. Much like a poisonous spider could

be simultaneously beautiful and lethal .

A lot depended on how Kyakh managed to carry out this

assignment, and Jacelon could only hope she hadn’t made a horrendous

mistake by pitting one pirate against another.

• 20 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter two

Pimm!” Captain Podmer, tall, burly, and with a bluish-red

complexion, roared from his command chair on the bridge.

“Return fire!”

“Aye, Captain. Plasma pulse fire,” Madisyn Pimm answered

calmly while punching in commands at the tactical station. “Direct hit

to the Supreme Constellations vessel. Their shields are holding.”

“Damn.” Podmer gripped the armrests. “Arm the torpedoes.”

“Torpedoes armed. Initiating aiming sequence.” Madisyn made

sure the torpedoes would disable but not destroy the SC ship. She kept

scanning the information feed on her computer console. “Torpedoes

locked.”

“Fire!”

“Targeting their weapons array.” The torpedoes hurtled through

space in a low arc before they connected with the other ship. “Direct

hit,” Madisyn said without emotion. “Their shields are failing and their

weapons array has sustained damage.”

“Hit them again.”

“Aye, sir.” Madisyn obeyed, and this time the torpedoes crumbled

what was left of the SC ship’s shields. The protrusion beneath its

belly exploded in quickly dying sparks. “The SC ship is rendered

defenseless.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” Podmer rose from his chair. “I’d

have you blast them to atoms, but I don’t want to attract too much

attention. We’ll have to settle for leaving them helpless.” Podmer

looked disgruntled. “How far until our rendezvous point, Struyen?” he

asked, turning to a young man at the ops station.

• 21 •

Gun Brooke

“Four hours and thirty minutes, Captain.” Lucco Struyen was a

transporter brat. Born on a generational transporter ship, he had grown

up in space and only rarely set foot planetside. He had joined Podmer’s

band of pirates as a teenager and quickly proved himself indispensable.

Madisyn had caught herself shuddering at the cold expression in his

eyes. Something about Struyen made Madisyn never turn her back on

him willingly.

“Pimm, you’ll be the liaison responsible for our new tactical

officer.” Podmer favored handing out military ranks to his crew, which

suggested that he might have a background in the Fleet. She would

have to relay her suspicions to her SC contact at some point, but right

now she could focus only on the new double agent she was supposed to

work with. Madisyn wasn’t sure if she was relieved not to have to carry

the entire burden alone aboard the pirate ship Salaceos or annoyed at

having to bring a new operative up to speed.

“Captain,” Struyen said, interrupting before Madisyn could

respond, “I don’t think Pimm is the best choice, considering she’s rather

new aboard the Salaceos.”

“Really?” Podmer squinted at his senior crew. The bridge held five

stations, including the captain’s command chair. “Are you volunteering

your services, taking on this newcomer yourself?”

“I’m always ready.” Struyen smiled triumphantly at Madisyn, and

she calmly kept an eye on her controls, not revealing how she despised

the callous young man. Sometimes not being allowed to show emotions

was the hardest thing of all.

“I’m sure you are,” Podmer now said slowly, “but I don’t think

you’re ready for someone like Weiss Kyakh.”

“Kyakh?” Struyen’s voice nearly cracked, which would’ve

amused Madisyn if she hadn’t been filled with such contempt for him

that she had no room for any other feelings. “But I thought she was

killed. Everyone thinks—”

“She was killed on Corma. She was badly hurt, but managed to

escape the SC prisoner transport.” Podmer grinned. “She laid low for a

while, and now she’s back and for hire again.”

“Have you met her, Captain?” Struyen asked, clearly not about to

push the idea that he’d be the liaison anymore.

“No, not personally. Very few of her peers have. Her reputation is

solid, but her elusiveness has kept her successful.”

• 22 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Until Corma.” Struyen shrugged.

“True, but the circumstances were very difficult, even for a

seasoned pirate.” Podmer retook his seat. “Not only was she transporting

a high-profile Onotharian prisoner of war, but she was involved with

kidnapping some big-shot SC diplomat.”

Madisyn had to admit she was curious regarding Weiss Kyakh.

Her masked internal sensor implant had received the intel she required

to make a positive identification, and she had filed the information in

her encrypted memory banks. The SC had outfitted Kyakh with a tailor-

made history, making her a dream associate for someone like Podmer.

Madisyn forced her facial expression to remain unreadable as she

browsed through the files. Images flickered through her mind of a tall,

wiry woman with dark hair and light green eyes, reminding Madisyn of

the vast glaciers on the Guild Nation northern pole. What would Kyakh

be like in real life? Undoubtedly, she would regard Madisyn with the

same standoffish skepticism as everyone else.

“Pimm!”

“Sir?” Chastising herself for allowing her mind to wander,

Madisyn focused on her annoyed captain.

“You’re relieved. Go prepare your quarters. You’re sharing them

with Kyakh.”

“Aye, Captain.” This last piece of information blindsided Madisyn.

Her quarters were her only refuge aboard the Salaceos. Even after so

many years, it still took a huge toll on her to play the part of true BNSL.

In her quarters, she could relax and rest. Real BNSL androids needed

sustenance to feed their biomatter, such as their artificially grown skin

and other tissues. Madisyn required that, but also regular sleep, to rest

her human brain. The special features her parents had outfitted her, their

prototype, with also entailed small, elaborate internal force fields to

hide her secret.

To bunk with Weiss Kyakh, whose backstory indicated that she

was as tough as they came, posed considerable danger to Madisyn on a

personal level. Madisyn’s mother had constantly instilled in her that she

could never tell anyone the truth. According to the world, Madisyn had

passed away, the victim of a band of space pirates. The official version

told the story of how her bereaved parents created the most advanced

Bio-Neural Synthetic Life form to date, in her honor.

After her parents were killed, only Madisyn knew the truth.

• 23 •

Gun Brooke

Madisyn sighed inwardly. She should be used to it, but it was utterly

lonely to be the only one who knew that she possessed a human brain

and spinal cord.

v

Weiss Kyakh stalked through the small, run-down space station.

Located just outside the Supreme Constellations border, it was a popular

stop for traveling scum, occasional shady SC citizens out to strike an

illegal deal, as well as deserters and adventurers. She stopped by the

window where the store owner, Madame Roja, displayed garments,

jewelry, body art, face paint, derma reconstructers, and old-fashioned

makeup. Dr. Meyer had done wonders with her scars, but she looked

too polished. Weiss needed to look the part of a rough and seasoned

fugitive before she joined Podmer and his crew. She browsed the long-

lasting body paints and purchased a set and a derma reconstructer.

Back at the tiny quarters, she recolored the part of her hair that

had turned white around a scar. She ran the reconstructer over her

face, after making sure it was set to sharpen her features, thus erasing

the lingering fatigue after her injury. The tired lines had softened

her expression, and now she needed to look her normal edgy and

unbreakable self.

Once she finished, she sat down and started her computer. Opting

to forgo the normal voice-operated feature, she punched in commands,

opening the encrypted SC document. She found the file containing

the assembled intel regarding Podmer and his band of pirates, and her

contact, Madisyn Pimm. Weiss studied the two images, one of Pimm’s

face and the other a full-body picture. If Jacelon hadn’t told her, Weiss

would never have known Pimm was artificial. Unruly blond curls

framed a soft face, and long black lashes shadowed gentle blue eyes.

She was slender but curvaceous, and obviously sculpted to look entirely

humanoid. Zooming in on the picture of Pimm’s face, Weiss had to

admire the engineering behind the artificially grown skin. Complete

with pores and small hairs, it was indistinguishable from real skin.

Weiss’s subspace communicator, located in her epaulette, beeped

softly via the internal audio sensor planted in her ear canal.

“Jacelon to Kyakh, come in.” Admiral Rae Jacelon’s voice was

unmistakable even if some static distorted the signal.

• 24 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Kyakh here, Admiral. Go ahead.” Weiss placed a hand over her

ear so she could hear better.

“Your chip places you aboard the Dasmach space station. Perfect.

You will rendezvous with Pimm on the Salaceos at approximately 2000

interstellar time tonight.”

“Affirmative.” Weiss hesitated, not wanting to sound worried or

weak while communicating with Jacelon. “I’m concerned that Podmer

might have acquired scanning technology capable of detecting the

communicator or the chip.” She hated having the chip implanted at an

unknown location in her body.

“Doubtful.” Jacelon spoke curtly. “It’s made of an undetectable

compound that isn’t available on the market yet. It’s a closely guarded

military secret.”

“If you only knew how easily I’ve obtained ‘closely guarded’

military secrets over the years, you might be more understanding,”

Weiss said disdainfully.

“I can only imagine,” Jacelon replied. “However, in this case, I

don’t think it’s an exaggeration. The Guild Nation provided the formula

only weeks after it was tested for the first time, and rather than putting it

through more extensive trials, we decided to analyze its use in the field.

The benefit should be obvious.”

“So are the downsides.”

“I understand that, but you have little choice.”

“So I’m chock full of Guild Nation technology and I’m hooking

up with a Guild Nation android. Let’s hope these people are as good at

tech stuff as rumor suggests.”

“Report back every two hours during the first twenty-four aboard

the Salaceos, starting at 2200. If you’re unable to talk, use the nonverbal

signal. Your reports will be cross-referenced with Madisyn Pimm’s.”

“Of course. Kyakh out.”

They broke the communication, and despite her dislike for the

admiral, Weiss felt a little less lonely knowing Jacelon was a mere

subspace call away.

v

Madisyn stood next to the crewman responsible for guarding the

gate, keeping her eyes locked on the crowd of people passing across the

• 25 •

Gun Brooke

concourse. She recognized Weiss Kyakh instantly when the tall woman

appeared at the end of the corridor. Striding forcefully toward the gate

where the Salaceos was docked, Kyakh wore a long, black leather-like

coat that fanned out behind her like a cape. Her face revealed nothing as

she calmly approached them, a set of high-end hover luggage following

her.

“Weiss Kyakh,” she told Madisyn, and pressed a sensor on the

remote control that halted her luggage. “Permission to come aboard.”

“Permission granted, Ms. Kyakh. My name is Madisyn Pimm.”

“Ms. Pimm.” Kyakh nodded politely.

“Call me Pimm or Madisyn, please. I’m not much for titles.”

“I’m Weiss.”

Madisyn motioned for Weiss to follow her and guided her through

the narrow corridors to their quarters. “This isn’t very spacious, I’m

afraid.” She wasn’t sure why she was apologizing, since it was hardly

her idea to share quarters.

“It’s fine.” If Weiss disapproved, she didn’t let on.

“You can take the left bed.”

“You use a bed?” Weiss sounded surprised. “You sleep?”

Madisyn was used to misconceptions and prejudice against her

kind. “Yes, of course. I need rest like everyone else, to recharge the

batteries.” She laughed heartily at Weiss’s expression of discomfort.

That joke never failed . “I’m kidding. I don’t run on batteries. Believe it

or not, I digest nutrients to sustain my systems, just like you do.”

“Really.” Weiss looked doubtful. “All right. I better report to the

captain.”

“Yes. We’re departing in less than an hour. You must meet him

before then. His orders.”

“Very well.” Weiss hoisted the hover luggage up on the bed, then

walked out of their quarters. “Lead the way.”

“It’s a big ship, but crew quarters are tight. Not a priority in our

business to be comfortable.” Madisyn motioned for Weiss to follow

her. “Podmer keeps a good game room, though, for the crew to use.”

“I see.” Weiss’s expression didn’t divulge anything as she walked

next to Madisyn through the corridors. They used the elevator to reach

the bridge.

“Captain. This is Weiss Kyakh.” Madisyn stepped aside, letting

Podmer assess their new crewmember. Weiss focused on Podmer as

• 26 •

Pirate’s Fortune

she greeted him, making it possible for Madisyn to observe her. As tall

as Podmer, Weiss looked twice as lethal as the burly captain. She stood

there, wiry and strangely elegant, gazing calmly at him.

“Kyakh! I never thought I’d have the honor.” Podmer slapped

Weiss’s shoulder hard enough to topple a physically weaker person.

“You’ve always headed your own crew.”

“Things change.”

“Why don’t we have a drink in my quarters and discuss your

duties?”

“Thank you, but I don’t drink.”

Podmer seemed taken aback, and Madisyn knew he would regard

this as a character flaw, being quite fond of old-fashioned Earth whisky

himself. “Nobody’s perfect,” the captain muttered. “All right. Guess

we can postpone our chat, since we’re about to depart.” He turned to

Madisyn. “Pimm. Show Kyakh around and introduce her to the new

propulsion system.” He didn’t wait for Madisyn to respond, but turned

back to Weiss. “You’ll see why venturing into SC space and hooking up

with that disgruntled Guild Nation shipyard technician was worth it.”

Podmer ordered his helmsman to initiate the undocking procedure.

“Come on,” Madisyn said to Weiss. “We have a lot to talk

about.”

• 27 •

• 28 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter three

I miss you.” Kellen regarded her wife, Admiral Rae Jacelon, on

the communication screen in her quarters aboard the cruiser

ship Circinus.

“Oh, Kellen.” Rae sighed and her eyes turned a stormy, dark gray.

“I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to catch up with you like I thought.”

Kellen’s heart contracted painfully. “I suspected as much.” She

tried to not let her disappointment color her voice. “You’re a senior

member of the war council.”

“Not only that. I’m responsible for some of the covert operations

that my father claims he can’t trust anyone else with.” Rae pushed a

hand through her short-cropped red hair. “I’m not sure he’s right, but a

lot is riding on this mission, and handled right, it can help shorten the

war.”

“I’m sure Ewan wouldn’t keep us apart unless it mattered.” Kellen

was fond of her spouse’s parents, and the fact that Admiral Ewan

Jacelon outranked them all made it a moot point anyway.

“How’s my mother?” Rae asked, a knowing smile forming on her

lips. “Has she recovered enough to drive you all crazy yet?”

“Dahlia is doing very well.” At first, Kellen had been against

her mother-in-law using the journey to Gantharat as convalescence

time after her ordeal of being kidnapped. She knew better than to

underestimate Dahlia Jacelon and tried to push her concerns aside.

Dahlia had surprised everybody aboard the Circinus. Captain Jeremiah

Todd, Rae’s friend and former subordinate on the Gamma VI space

station, was in command of their ship and ultimately of the entire

convoy of ships heading for Gantharat space. “She’s taking every

• 29 •

Gun Brooke

opportunity to go through her physical-therapy routine. Nobody could

guess that she went through pure hell in the Disi-Disi jungle on Corma

only a few months ago.”

“She’s a fighter.”

“As is her daughter.” Kellen touched the screen with a gentle hand,

caressing the outline of Rae’s jaw. “You look tired.”

“I do?” Rae pushed her fingers through her short, fiery red hair

again. “I have something slightly unorthodox going on, and if my plan

backfires, heads will roll. Probably mine.”

“What?” Alarmed, Kellen zoomed in Rae’s picture on the

communicator screen.

“Figure of speech, darling, but the piracy situation is setting us

back so much, something needed to be done.”

“I see.” Worried at the look of apprehension on Rae’s face, which

she surmised stemmed from fatigue rather than doubt, Kellen adopted

a matter-of-fact tone. “Don’t second-guess yourself, Rae. You worked

long and hard on this plan, and even if the approach is unusual, it’s

still by the book.” Rae was a stickler for doing things the right way.

“Remember, you always tell me that you can get away with breaking

big rules, if you make sure your poultry are aligned when it comes to

the minor things.”

“Poultry?” Rae looked dumbfounded. “Oh. You mean ducks.

Ducks in a row.”

“As I said.” Kellen knew the saying, but Rae loved the humor her

getting it wrong brought to their conversation.

“I suppose you’re right, darling.” Rae blew Kellen a kiss. “You

very often are.”

“I wish you wouldn’t sound so surprised,” Kellen said, smiling.

“Ha. I wish. It’s more a rule than an exception. Speaking of ruling,

how are Reena and Ayahliss?”

“Amereena has buried herself in the Gantharian legal texts, which

is a lot, and Ayahliss is focusing on her gan’thet training. She’s making

progress when it comes to technique, but she’s still hotheaded and hell-

bent on vengeance.”

“Not good. She needs to control herself or she’ll end up killing

innocents. Perhaps it was a mistake to bring her.”

“I don’t think so.” Kellen shook her head. “It was better for her

to be with us so I can supervise her training, rather than have her run

• 30 •

Pirate’s Fortune

away and join a pirate ship in order to return.” Ayahliss, the orphaned

young woman Kellen had come across when liberating Gantharian

prisoners, was a strange mix of street-smart resistance fighter, scholar,

and martial arts expert. Only Protectors of the Realm, assigned to guard

the Gantharian royal family, were trained in the lethal art of gan’thet,

but Ayahliss had learned from monks in a secret retreat during the

occupation. She had not, unfortunately, learned the equally important

self-restraint that having such skills required. Ayahliss was fiercely loyal

to her home world and hated the Onotharians more than anything.

“And the vibes we picked up on between her and Reena?”

“They’re doing their best to act casual around each other, but

the only ones they’re fooling are each other.” Kellen smiled. Judge

Amereena Beqq was twice as old as the twenty-four-year-old Ayahliss,

but obviously the intense young woman mesmerized her. “I don’t know

what will happen between them, if anything.”

“I don’t mean to gossip, Kellen, but their unresolved emotions

could become a security risk.”

“Yes. I’ve thought of that also.” Kellen had tried to talk to Ayahliss

about Reena Beqq, and in polite but firm terms, Ayahliss had asked

Kellen to stay out of her private life and at the same time assured her

that Amereena was not interested in her that way. When Kellen tried

to determine what Ayahliss meant by “that way,” Ayahliss ended the

conversation and stalked off. After that, Kellen had merely observed

them.

“I miss you,” Rae said. “I wish I could go with you.”

“I—I dream about you every night.” Kellen sighed. “It makes it

very painful to wake up alone, without you.”

“It sure does.” Rae smiled wistfully. “Same time tomorrow,

darling?”

“Yes, henshes.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” Kellen felt a stab of pain in her abdomen when

the fleet’s logo replaced Rae’s elegant features. She resisted the urge to

open another communication channel to keep Rae there a little longer.

They both needed whatever sleep they could manage. Kellen scowled

at the bed beneath the viewport. It looked uninviting, cold, and empty.

v

• 31 •

Gun Brooke

The Ruby Red leather suit, a present from Kellen when Ayahliss

had mastered her gan’thet skills to a degree that she deserved the

traditional Protector combat garment, fit her lean yet muscular body.

Ayahliss fought an invisible adversary as she whirled her gan’thet rods

around her in the ancient, intricate patterns that she’d practiced so many

times that she could do them any hour of the day, even if she was roused

in the middle of the night.

She slowed to a deceptively immobile stance, one leg stretched

out at a forty-five-degree angle, both arms in defensive positions,

holding the rods loosely. A faint sound from the door made her grip the

rods tight and whirl through the air while defying gravity. She halted

a mere centimeter from the person who’d had the audacity to disturb

her session. With the rods crossed before her, the ends surrounding

Supreme Court Judge Amereena Beqq’s leonine neck, ready to snap

it with a mere twist of her wrists, Ayahliss inhaled deeply and took a

step back.

“This was unwise of you, Reena,” Ayahliss said through clenched

teeth. “I was in the zone. I could’ve killed you.”

“That would’ve been unfortunate.” Reena looked calm on the

surface, but Ayahliss, who took pride in finding out what every tiny

little shift in Reena’s expression meant, knew she had more than startled

her.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve realized that nobody aboard the Circinus

is my enemy.” Ayahliss knew she spoke stiffly, but her words were

sincere. She idolized the Supreme Constellations citizens who had

accepted her and given her a home. In turn, she relied on their judgment

when it came to their faith in the SC Fleet and Military Forces. Ayahliss

was grateful that the SC had taken on the Onotharian Empire after all

the atrocities the Onotharians had committed against Gantharat and its

people.

“Apology accepted. I just came by to ask if you would be interested

in helping me with some translations. I can read most of the modern

Gantharian language, but the old dialects are frustrating. Some words

sound like a completely different language, not even related to what

your language sounds like today.”

“Like the difference between Premoni and your native tongue?”

“Yes. Were you surprised when you found out how many different

languages exist within the SC?” Reena smiled.

• 32 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“I was surprised to find that Earth alone had so many different

ones.” Ayahliss decided that she was done for tonight and stowed her

rods in their special casing. She hardly dared admit to herself that she

wanted to walk Reena to her quarters. “And yes, of course I’ll help you

with the translations.”

“Thank you.” Reena suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Well, I

should go to bed. I mean, to my quarters.”

“May I escort you, Reena?” Ayahliss expected Reena to turn down

her offer. Reena had been kind and understanding during the times

she took care of Ayahliss and Armeo when Rae and Kellen were on a

mission, but afterward, something had changed between them.

“Absolutely.” Reena smiled broadly, but still seemed ill at ease.

Ayahliss wished she could say something to elicit the tenderness

Reena had showed her before. She had spent countless hours awake

during their voyage trying to figure out exactly what had altered things

between them. Short of asking Reena, which seemed like the definitive

humiliation, one she couldn’t abide, Ayahliss felt completely lost.

Reena walked briskly through the Circinus’s corridors and didn’t

seem open to conversation. Desperate to receive at least a few personal

words, Ayahliss ventured into the private sphere. “May I talk to you

about something?”

“Oh. Certainly.” Reena’s smile turned decidedly nervous, which

puzzled and intrigued Ayahliss.

“Kellen doesn’t believe I’m ready for this assignment. She doesn’t

trust my ability to harness my feelings and use them in my combat

skills.”

“Is she right?”

“Perhaps a little. But I’ve changed. I’ve meditated every day and

practiced the techniques for entering the state of bliss that the gan’thet

masters must conquer.”

“You seemed to be in control when you didn’t snap my neck off

just now.” Reena had relaxed again and now jokingly elbowed Ayahliss.

“Once you might not have been able to stop yourself, especially if you

were upset or excited.”

“This was training, not combat. In a combat situation, I may not

have the strength to…well, I guess, pull back.”

They reached Reena’s quarters and she stopped in front of them,

scrutinizing Ayahliss. As usual, her blood-red hair hung in wild curls

• 33 •

Gun Brooke

down her back, her black judge’s cape emphasizing it. “Kellen isn’t the

one who really doubts you.”

“No?” Had Reena heard someone among the crew express concern

regarding her? Plenty of them were probably wary of her talents and

her intensity.

“No. You are your worst critic. And that’s not bad, unless it keeps

you from evolving and growing both as a person and as a martial arts

master.”

“Oh.” Warmth, unexpected and curious, filled Ayahliss’s chest and

spread through her system. “Do you ever doubt me?” she asked before

realizing what she meant to say. Groaning inwardly, she wanted to take

the pathetic words back.

“No. I have faith in your intentions and also in Kellen’s ability

to teach as well as to reel you in, if you get ahead of yourself.” Reena

studied her, but her amber eyes didn’t reveal anything. “But I worry

about you.”

“Worry?” Ayahliss was surprised. “How?”

“You’re brave, and you wouldn’t hesitate to place yourself in a

harmful situation to reach your objective. Kellen is the same way, if a

bit more polished, but you warriors…you’re far too willing to sacrifice

yourself during a conflict.”

Feeling criticized, Ayahliss clasped her hands. “And you officers

of the court believe in negotiations and diplomacy. That tactic has not

gotten the people of Gantharat anywhere in the last twenty-six years!”

Reena’s eyes changed from a warm, golden glow to a fiery stare.

“Is that how you talk to Dahlia, who could’ve ended up in the hands

of Onotharian agents? She would’ve died at their hands before she

succumbed and revealed anything.”

Pain, sharp and all too familiar by now, made Ayahliss step

back. She had struggled with this memory ever since kidnappers had

snatched Dahlia, a woman she idolized and whose poise she secretly

tried to emulate, right before her eyes. The fact that Kellen and Rae had

rescued Dahlia and that she had nearly recovered completely was of no

consequence.

“You don’t have to remind me whose fault it was,” Ayahliss

managed to say with rigid lips.

“Fault? What are you talking about?”

• 34 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“I failed Dahlia. The Jacelons have kindly forgiven me, but that

doesn’t change the facts.”

“You nearly died trying to save her!” Reena looked appalled

instead of angry now. “Ayahliss, please. Don’t.” She gripped Ayahliss’s

shoulders gently, but firmly.

The touch scorched through the gan’thet suit. Part of Ayahliss

wanted to give in to the comfort Reena was offering, but her own

conflicted emotions forbade it. She stepped back again. “You’re right.

I spoke without thinking. It’s late. I hope you have a good night’s

sleep.”

Ayahliss didn’t wait for Reena’s reply, simply because she knew

how close she had come to throwing herself into the other woman’s

arms. Reena was stunning and embodied everything Ayahliss admired,

but something else lay between them, something Ayahliss didn’t fully

understand. Her sheltered upbringing hadn’t prepared her for social

situations and normal family relationships. Dahlia Jacelon had taught

her a lot, but nothing of the contradictory emotions that threatened to

overpower her when she was around Amereena Beqq.

“Ayahliss, please?” Reena called out.

Ayahliss nearly stopped and turned around, but forced herself

to keep walking toward her quarters, located at the other end of the

corridor. She slammed her hand against the sensor next to the door,

waiting impatiently for the nanosecond it took to verify her biosignature.

Inside, she threw the casing with her gan’thet rod on a chair and sank

down on her bed.

Hugging herself, she failed to hold back her bitter blue tears, their

color indicative of her species. She hated crying, loathed the futility of

wasting tears rather than taking action, but right now she couldn’t do

anything else.

• 35 •

• 36 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter Four

Weiss had spent her life after the age of ten on one pirate

vessel or another, with one exception: When she was

thirteen, she stayed temporarily on an intergalactic space station

outside SC territory for three months while the ship she usually resided

on was being repaired in a space dock. Weiss managed to persuade her

guardian to allow her to attend school on the space station, which old

Gaskian grumpily agreed to, after making it clear that he viewed it as

a waste of time.

Weiss kept to herself the first couple of days, but on the third day,

a girl her age, Toloma, approached her, offering to show her around.

Toloma, born and raised on the station, knew every corridor and, more

useful than that, every hiding place. They bonded at every level, both

space brats, and even if Toloma lived permanently on a station, neither

of them had set foot on a planet other than very briefly.

“One day I’ll have my own ship and be in charge,” Weiss had told

Toloma when they hid in their favorite spot in the cargo area. From

their vantage point, they could see the bottom of all the moored ships

and keep track of all the vessels coming and going. Surrounded by

stars and the vastness of space, Weiss loved the impressive view. Even

the most beat-up ship looked majestic when it approached the space

station, and it wasn’t hard to picture herself as captain.

“Can I come with you then?” Toloma asked eagerly. “I’ve never

been anywhere, and we could be explorers.”

“Sure.” Weiss regarded her with affection. She had never had a

female friend her own age, and Toloma was the cutest girl she’d ever

seen. Petite, with rosy cheeks and black curls falling down her back,

• 37 •

Gun Brooke

she looked like a princess Weiss had once seen in a vid-storybook.

Toloma was seasoned yet shy, used to fending off tough pirates aboard

the station, but also with a very strict father who was the co-owner

and manager. “You and I could take turns being captain,” Weiss said

generously. “I’m strong, and you’re smart, and between us, we’d be

unbeatable.”

“Oh, Weiss, you’re the best.” Toloma hugged her. “I don’t want

you to ever leave. I’ve never had a friend like you.”

Weiss sighed, returning the fierce embrace. “I know. I hate the

thought. But listen,” she said, pushing Toloma away, “I’ll come back. I

promise. Once I’ve found my mother, I’ll tell her we must return here

so you and I can keep going to school together.”

“What if you don’t find her?”

“Don’t say that!” Weiss sat up, her heart pounding. Her one

overshadowing goal was to be reunited with her mother. Nothing in

her life would ever be right until that happened. “I will find her. She’s

looking for me, and I’m looking for her. It’s just a matter of time.”

Breathing hard and fast, she stared at Toloma.

“Oh, Weiss, you’ll find her. I know you will.” Tears clogged

Toloma’s voice and she clung to Weiss’s hands. “And I know you’ll

come back.”

“I promise. One day soon. You’ll see.”

v

Weiss jerked awake in the dark. Her erratic breathing drowning

out the low hum of the Salaceos’s propulsion system, she fought the

emotional onslaught of her dream. It had been so vivid, like a true

caption of the months she’d spent on the space station all those years

ago. She hadn’t allowed herself to think of trusting, sweet Toloma in a

long time.

“Weiss? What’s wrong?” Madisyn sat up in her bed.

“Nothing.” Annoyed that a damn robot witnessed her moment of

weakness, Weiss stood and walked toward the bathroom. “I should say

‘go back to sleep,’ but that’s redundant.”

“Not really.” Madisyn shifted in her bed. “Lights on, twenty-

percent luminosity.”

Escaping the revealing light, Weiss rinsed her face in the

• 38 •

Pirate’s Fortune

bathroom, wondering why she felt so self-conscious and defensive

around Madisyn. Granted, this android enjoyed sentience status, but

as far as she was concerned she was artificial, a glorified robot. Weiss

glowered at her own reflection in the mirror. She was pale and her eyes

a darker green than normal. Recognizing the storm clouds gathering

in her mind, she focused on her breathing and stretched her arms. She

was her own worst enemy if she let her temper rule unchallenged. She

exhaled slowly, finally, and exited the bathroom.

“Better?” Madisyn sat ramrod straight, her transparent, light blue

eyes following Weiss as she crossed the floor.

“I told you I’m fine.” Content that she sounded matter-of-fact,

Weiss glanced at the chronometer. They didn’t have to get ready for

their upcoming mission for several hours. After eight days aboard the

Salaceos, it was time for Weiss to prove herself to Podmer, as well as to

Madisyn. Perhaps that’s why she was so on edge?

“Yes, you did. It’s up to me to judge if I believe you.”

“You’re not my babysitter.” Weiss’s annoyance surfaced again.

Madisyn’s creator was obviously a genius, having created a BSLF

that mimicked human behavior with such aplomb. Weiss had read up

on the criteria for sentience status and knew that Madisyn had to pass

rigorous tests regarding ethics, morals, empathy, and different levels of

compassion.

“No, that would suggest that you’re a child, which you’re obviously

not.” Madisyn managed to sound sarcastic, as if she thought Weiss was

acting like a child anyway.

“We should go back to…hmm, sleep, or whatever you call your

resting process.”

“Why don’t we clear the air while we have time? That might be

worthwhile.” Madisyn pulled her legs up, crosswise, underneath her.

She looked like a girl rather than a no-particular-age android.

“That’s not very wise, considering where we are. Who knows who

might be listening in?”

“Ah, but I’ve taken care of that.” Madisyn gestured around the

room. “When I first started working for Podmer, I made sure I could

have my privacy here whenever I needed it.”

“Really?” Weiss gestured toward the bulkhead. “If the surveillance

in here is off, wouldn’t Podmer be suspicious when he scans the crew

quarters?”

• 39 •

Gun Brooke

“I only engage the scrambler when necessary. Random sleep

sounds replace the surveillance.”

“Very well.” Weiss couldn’t think of any other reason to refuse.

She needed to stay on Madisyn’s good side. After all, her reports to

Jacelon helped keep the admiral’s finger off the trigger to the damn

cloaked microchip somewhere in her body. “What do you want to

know?”

“Some people are very uncomfortable around synthetics. I’ve

experienced that type of prejudice firsthand since…my birth.”

“Birth? I didn’t know synthetics were actually born. Speaking of

that, how old are you?”

“I have been in use for nine years.”

“You look younger. I mean, your exterior looks younger.”

“I was modeled after my creators’ daughter. In her memory.”

“Who created you? I heard you’re one of a kind.”

“Aren’t we all?” Madisyn smiled faintly. “Silestian Pimm and his

wife Lonia created me and gave me their daughter’s name. A band of

space pirates killed her when she was twenty years old.”

Weiss jerked inwardly, but refused to let her reaction show.

Madisyn didn’t know how true her cover story was. The Pimms had

possibly programmed their own hatred of pirates into their synthetic

android. That would jeopardize the whole mission, thus the only way

for Weiss to escape, if Madisyn learned she was a true pirate.

“It’s not very common for synthetics to obtain sentience status.

Was it difficult?” Weiss did her best to sound polite and interested.

“It was. The lengthy tests invade your privacy and push your

body near the breaking point.” Madisyn sounded almost sad as she

spoke. “Silestian Pimm coached me and supported me through the

whole process.” Madisyn quieted, then gently cleared her throat as if

swallowing tears, though Weiss knew that was impossible. “He and his

wife lived long enough to celebrate the sentience-status certificate with

me.”

“What happened to them?”

Madisyn’s expression turned cold and Weiss marveled at how

human she seemed in every way.

“Like their daughter, they fell prey to pirates,” Madisyn said

slowly. “So, you see, I’m very motivated to carry out this mission.

• 40 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Space thugs cut short the life work of the Pimms, who were brilliant. I

owe it to them to help mitigate the risk of something like that happening

again.”

“I see. You have a personal stake in this situation.”

“Yes.” Madisyn looked evenly at Weiss. “I know you can’t tell me

everything about yourself. Jacelon made it clear that your true identity

must remain classified. It must be hard to impersonate Weiss Kyakh,

though. That woman’s record speaks for itself.”

“It’s become second nature by now.” Weiss didn’t have to act to

sound casual and emphasized her words with a shrug.

“I suppose.” Madisyn looked slightly uncomfortable. “So. Do

you have any questions regarding me that will make our collaboration

smoother?”

“So far I’ve seen you eat, sleep, and more or less act like a

humanoid. What about you is different? Do you have any mechanical

parts that might break down or something?”

Madisyn took Weiss completely by surprise. Tossing her head

back, she burst out laughing, a thoroughly delightful sound that normally

would’ve been contagious. “Oh, that’s priceless! No, Weiss, I don’t

have anything that will corrode, or cogs that might dislodge.” Madisyn

giggled, which didn’t make Weiss feel any less stupid for asking.

“All jokes aside, Weiss, my system is fully comparable to yours on a

molecular level. Unlike your brain, though, mine consists of cultivated

gray-matter cells, combined with synthesized spinal liquor. Nanochips

travel throughout my central nervous system and communicate with

a BIO-CPU, which is located between my spinal column and the

cerebellum…and I can see that this is too much information.”

“Hey, it’s amazing, groundbreaking technology, but you lost me

somewhere around synthesized spinal liquor.” Weiss regarded Madisyn

in the dim light; sitting there dressed in her sleepwear, she looked so

young and innocent. Her curly blond hair was disheveled, and her blue

eyes glittered as they reflected the light from the star streaks outside

the viewport. If the real Madisyn Pimm had lived, she wouldn’t have

been Weiss’s type. Normally, Weiss went for overtly sexy and willing

women, not cute, willowy blondes. “All right, I think I understand more

now. Thank you for taking the time to explain.”

“Some people have problems with BNLFs because they’ve had

• 41 •

Gun Brooke

bad experiences with synthetics or androids, and don’t distinguish

between them and BNLFs like me. I can’t be replaced. Only one of me

exists, with my unique experiences and memories.”

“That may be. Still, you remember only nine years of living as a

synthetic android.” Weiss winced at her own words. If Madisyn was

offended, she didn’t let it show.

“And in your book, that isn’t much of a life, is it?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Madisyn’s steady gaze made something deep inside Weiss squirm.

“Yes, I believe you did.” Abruptly she crawled back under the covers

and ordered the lights to zero percent. “You are correct. We might as

well catch a few more hours’ sleep before our mission begins.”

Weiss sat in the dark for a few moments before lying down. She

doubted she’d be able to sleep.

• 42 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter Five

We’re heading for the mines on Nemalima, the secondary

moon of the Nema home world.” Podmer leaned against

the conference table on stocky arms. “Conditions are challenging and

we need to work using pressure suits. Even you, right, Pimm?”

“Even I.” Madisyn avoided sounding overtly sarcastic, but just

barely.

“Nema has kept mines on Nemalima for decades, and they are

the sole providers of davic crystals in this sector. The davic ores on

Nemalima run deep and wide. Their level of purity is rare.”

Madisyn knew how much people coveted davic crystals. Ships

could run for years when fitted with high-quality crystals, and less

than a kilo could power the energy plants that sustained entire planets

for months. The Supreme Constellations had tried to negotiate with

the Nema home world and find a way to add the naturally volatile

Nemastians to the Unification of Planets, but the Nemastians seemed

happy as a sovereign planet system in intergalactic space, probably

because of their seemingly endless supply of these crystals. If they were

to join the SC, they would have to share their best bargaining chip.

“The entrances to the plants on Nemalima are heavily guarded,

but we’re going to hit them tomorrow and grab their stock of processed

davic crystals.”

“How are we supposed to get by these ‘heavily guarded’ gates?”

Weiss Kyakh asked disdainfully. “What intel have you gathered? How

many heads are we using?”

“Glad you asked,” Podmer said with a wolfish grin. “You, Pimm,

• 43 •

Gun Brooke

and two security officers will head up the surprise attack. Once you’ve

created a pathway in, the second team goes in to get the crates. We’ll

move them with cables hanging from the shuttles. I want twenty crates,

minimum.”

“Aye, sir,” Madisyn murmured, already calculating how to carry

out this assignment with as little collateral damage as possible. Mines

like these attracted a rough, tough workforce, but that didn’t matter. She

intended to mitigate any damage to people or property that Podmer and

his gang had in mind. She gazed over at Weiss, who was studying the

plans and charts displayed on the view-screen table. Frowning, Weiss

touched a few controls and zoomed in on a couple of details. What had

caught Weiss’s eyes?

“Be ready to go at 1100 hours. Pimm, get Kyakh equipped.”

“Yes, sir.” Madisyn motioned for Weiss to follow her. “Survival

pressure gear is stored in the starboard cargo bay.”

Weiss nodded briskly and followed her into the corridor. “We need

to talk,” she mouthed.

“Okay.” Madisyn hoped they would be alone for a moment in the

cargo bay before the rest of the team showed up to get their gear. The

look on Weiss’s face bothered her. Perhaps the plan had a serious flaw.

v

“I doubt this will go as smoothly as Podmer thinks.” Weiss

scrutinized her helmet and the rest of her jump gear. “Davic crystals

are heavy. Their density makes them the hardest crystals within the

chartered part of space. If we load as much as he wants, it might prove

dicey to return the crew on the same shuttles. Davic crystals can also

become unstable if not stored properly.”

“We have to limit the amount without it being obvious, then.”

Madisyn spoke calmly as she ran a quick diagnostic of her helmet.

“Or we risk being left behind.”

“Not a very enticing prospect.” Tapping in commands on the

right side of her helmet, Madisyn nodded as small fiber-lights began to

flicker. “I’m the one Podmer elected to lead this mission. I’ll make sure

we don’t overload the shuttle. If those miners are only half as tough as

they say they are, I sure don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“Good. Neither do I.” Weiss fastened the helmet to the snug

• 44 •

Pirate’s Fortune

pressure suit and made sure the locks snapped in place. She hadn’t

space-dived in years but hoped her body would remember how.

Madisyn’s voice crackled in her helmet headset. “Pimm to Kyakh.

You read?”

“Loud and clear. No need to shout, Pimm.” Sounding her normal

pesky self for the benefit of anyone listening in, Weiss glared over at

Madisyn.

“Check your visor readings. You should be able to see your own

vital signs as well as those of your teammates.” Madisyn snapped a

harness to her upper body and attached explosives and other contraptions

to it.

“I can see my own, Struyen’s, and six others. There are nine of us.

Who’s missing?”

“I am.” Madisyn smiled broadly, her nose crinkling. “Me? Robot,

remember?”

“Funny, Pimm.” Weiss half smiled before she remembered herself

and scowled. “So, how would I know if you…eh, malfunction?”

“Check the second listing to the left on your visor. MP. Those are

my readings. Not exactly a heartbeat, but close.”

“Ah. Got it.” Their exchange pulled at something inside Weiss, but

she couldn’t afford to be weak around anybody, least of all the woman,

no, the robot that could end her life with a single unfavorable report.

They took their seats in the first shuttle. Weiss slammed down

the safety bar over her shoulders and gripped her plasma-pulse rifle

tight. Madisyn did the same across the aisle from her, and now her gaze

was indifferent. Weiss felt the familiar tremor as the pilot engaged the

propulsion system. The vibrations escalated to a growl, making it easy

to envision the sleek craft as a feline predator as it leaped from the

shuttle bay of the Salaceos. Outside, it hurtled through space toward

the pale disc in the distance that was Nemalima, secondary moon of the

Nema home world.

v

Glancing around, Ayahliss regarded the other women at the mess

hall table. Would she ever be as composed and accomplished as they

were? Across the table from her, Kellen, and Dahlia sat Commander

Owena Grey and Commander Leanne D’Artansis. Owena had been

• 45 •

Gun Brooke

Rae’s chief of security when she commanded the Gamma VI space

station. Leanne, Owena’s wife, was one of the best pilots in the SC

fleet.Owena and Leanne relayed news from Leanne’s home world,

Corma, where several leaders had stepped down after being charged

with corruption. Ayahliss didn’t understand the exact circumstances,

but it clearly had something to do with Dahlia’s kidnapping, which

happened before the war broke out. Ayahliss worried that if she tried

to participate in the intricate political conversation, she would only

embarrass herself. Instead, she focused on the food, utilizing the social

skills Dahlia had taught her back on Earth. She had been so disrespectful

when she first went to stay with Dahlia and Ewan Jacelon. She had

disdained all of Dahlia’s attempts to show her these things.

Initially, Ayahliss had focused on protecting Armeo, the young

Gantharian prince who symbolized her home planet’s freedom. Armeo

turned out to be a loving, energetic boy who instantly stole her heart.

Still stubborn and with her mindset rooted in the rough years in the

Gantharian resistance, Ayahliss relented only when Dahlia told her that

knowing how to carry herself in the universe was a skill that, when

mastered, could serve her well.

“Nobody listens to someone who sounds like an ill-mannered,

petulant child,” Dahlia had said, “no matter how just their cause is.”

“It should be enough,” Ayahliss had replied. “What I say should

be more important than how.”

“You would think so, but that’s not how it works. Presentation is

important.”

“It seems shallow and like a waste of time.” Ayahliss cringed

while remembering how scornful she had sounded.

Dahlia had merely laughed. “Oh, my. You sound like my daughter

when she was your age. Listen. Being civil and learning how to approach

people is not about being shallow. It’s about showing respect and

talking to people in a way they can relate to—to show them that you’re

credible by doing what you do well. Do you understand, Ayahliss? You

will reach your goals so much faster if you learn how things work, and

how people work. So you see, learning about customs, traditions, and

respecting them is also quite smart. Trust me, the cleverest thing of all

is to listen before you speak.”

Thus, Ayahliss sat quietly between Dahlia and Kellen, absorbing

• 46 •

Pirate’s Fortune

every word but only talking when someone spoke to her. She would be

on her own again soon, and she needed to gather as much knowledge

as possible before then. It hurt to think about not belonging with the

Jacelons, Kellen, and Armeo—and most of all, it pained her that she’d

never know what all her confusing feelings regarding Reena might have

led to. Her duties as a resistance leader meant she had to remain on

Gantharat. Hopefully she would find some of her old comrades, even if

they couldn’t compare to her new friends. She had never lived with a

family before staying with the Jacelons, and it had been both a blessing

and a cruelty to have known what it was like. Ayahliss didn’t dare allow

herself to plunge into the vortex that was her emotional response to

Reena.

Eventually, Kellen began to send her curious glances, but Ayahliss

did her best to act as if nothing was amiss and finished her dessert.

“Ayahliss. Is everything all right?” Kellen asked when they

finally rose, walking out of earshot from the others. “You’re being very

quiet.”

“I’m fine, Kellen. Thank you.” The knot in Ayahliss’s stomach

contradicted her words, but how could she explain something to Kellen

that she couldn’t even fathom?

“You’re not being…yourself.” Kellen frowned and maneuvered

Ayahliss toward the viewport at the far end of the mess hall. “Are

you planning something that will jeopardize both your safety and our

mission?”

“I promise I’m not. I would never.” Ayahliss meant every word,

though she wasn’t being entirely truthful. “I give you my word I would

never put you, Dahlia…or anyone else on this ship in danger.”

“Does this promise include you?” Kellen’s eyes, so piercing and

cool, didn’t waver.

“Sure.”

“I want to believe you, but I also know how fiercely loyal you are

to Gantharat. Just remember that Armeo counts on seeing you again,

so you have to be careful. You have a new family now. You’re not just

responsible for yourself anymore—”

“I know that!” Anxiety mixed with anger coursed through

Ayahliss’s veins. “I know.” She struggled to sound calmer. “I have

obligations.”

“Yes, you do, but I don’t think you see what I mean.” Kellen was

• 47 •

Gun Brooke

not a very tactile person, but now she took Ayahliss’s hand. “Listen to

me. Rae’s parents regard you as something of a daughter, especially

Dahlia. Armeo has adopted you emotionally as his older sister. He

adores you.” Kellen hesitated. “And Amereena has taken you under her

wing, it seems…even on a personal level.”

“Reena is not pleased with me. I…I yelled at her.”

“You did?” Kellen’s frown deepened.

“I had to. She doesn’t understand.” Ayahliss wrapped her arms

around herself, but realized how revealing the gesture was and let them

fall to her sides instead.

“I need to discuss this subject further with you, Ayahliss, but not

now. After our training session tomorrow?”

“You shouldn’t have to worry about it, Kellen. Honestly, it was

nothing, really.” It would be much harder to avoid Kellen’s questions

than Reena’s.

“You know as well as I do that you can’t perform the gan’thet

satisfactorily if you’re not composed mentally. I know what I’m talking

about. I’ve gone into battle far too many times while under too much

emotional pressure.”

“And you’re still here, still fighting.”

“Yes, but I’m older and, no offense to the monks, I was trained by

classic masters, one of whom was my father.”

“That just proves my point.” Ayahliss drew a deep trembling

breath, unsure if fury or disappointment dominated the emotions

welling up inside her. “If you’ll excuse me, Kellen, I’ll retire to my

quarters. I have a training session tomorrow.”

“Ayahliss, what—”

“Good night.” Ayahliss turned to walk out of the mess hall, nearly

stumbling over Dahlia, who stood right behind her.

“Child, what’s wrong?” Dahlia tried to grasp Ayahliss’s arms.

“You’re upset.”

“I’m fine, Dahlia. I’m sorry. I have to go.” Panicking, Ayahliss

managed a polite smile before she hurried out of the room. She rushed

through the corridors, barely missing several crewmembers. Finally

inside her quarters, she pulled off her jacket with unsteady hands. Only

when she was dressed in nothing but a tank top and underwear could

she breathe. Slowly she cooled off and calmed down.

Punching in commands on a panel in the wall next to the door,

• 48 •

Pirate’s Fortune

she let the small quarters fill with classical Cormanian music. The

instruments sounded almost Gantharian, and she felt transported in

time and space to the monastery hidden in the mountains. Only the

sound of birds and music broke the silence there. The monks chanted

several times a day and also played instruments, a skill they passed on

to the children in their care.

Ayahliss sat down on the bed, just beneath a viewport, looking

at the silvery streaks outside. Traveling this fast made it impossible

to see individual star constellations, but they were beautiful anyway.

Ayahliss’s first deep-space journey had taken her from Gantharat, her

home world, to the Supreme Constellations, to Earth, which was like

Gantharat in so many ways and so incredibly alien to her in others.

She had tried to fit in, and after her initial anger and resentment,

she had gained the trust and the affection of one of Earth’s most

prominent people, Dahlia Jacelon. Chief Diplomat Dahlia Jacelon, she

corrected herself. Dahlia had obviously seen something in Ayahliss.

When Rae had treated her with suspicion, Dahlia had instead begun

to teach Ayahliss social skills and such superficial things as fashion

and table manners. Nothing surprised Ayahliss more than realizing that

finding your stride when it came to such mundane matters helped you

obtain respect from other people.

“So the surface is more important than what’s underneath?”

Ayahliss asked Dahlia scornfully, clasping a silly little fork with strong,

callused hands.

“Of course not. People tend to scan the surface first, before

they even give you the chance to prove yourself, though. If you are

impeccable in your exterior, as well as how you carry yourself, you’ll

find that people will take you more seriously quicker.”

“So, what you’re saying is, if I learn to use this fork and wipe my

mouth like a lady, I won’t have to kick someone’s teeth in to get them

to listen?”

“Ayahliss!” Dahlia stared at her. “Ah. A joke.”

“I do have a sense of humor.”

“You have yet to prove it.”

Ayahliss was about to glare at Dahlia for being so stuck-up when

she saw the twinkle in her eyes. “Ah. A joke. An Earth joke.” She

huffed with emphasis.

“You’ll do fine, child.”

• 49 •

Gun Brooke

Ayahliss pressed her wrists against her forehead, burying her

fingers in her short hair. She tugged at it, welcoming the prickly feeling

when she deliberately hurt her scalp.

The door chime buzzed, making her jump. Trembling in the cool

air from the ventilation unit, she padded over to the screen. “Who is

it?” she asked.

“Reena. I need to talk to you.” Amereena Beqq’s face and wild red

hair filled the screen. “Please.”

“All right.” Ayahliss didn’t bother to put her uniform back on.

Instead she donned a thin robe, tying the belt haphazardly. “Enter.”

The door opened and Reena walked in, dressed in civilian attire,

a soft blue dress with long sleeves. The fabric billowed around her and

seemed to change between pale and navy blue depending on the light.

Sandals with long, wide silk ribbons tied around her slender calves

added an inch or two to her height.

“I assume you’ve spoken to Kellen.” Ayahliss didn’t bother

making her statement into a question.

“No. Well, yes, but she came to me, not the other way around. I

had planned to talk with you tonight anyway, and seeing how worried

Kellen was only made me more determined.”

“And if I hadn’t let you in?” Ayahliss knew she sounded childish,

but she didn’t care.

“I would’ve camped on your doorstep. Do I look like someone

who gives in once I’ve made my mind up?”

“No.”

“Well, then.” Reena’s eyes softened. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Sarcastically, Ayahliss motioned toward the door.

“There.”

“Ayahliss. Please.” Evident but indistinguishable emotions made

Reena’s voice tremble faintly.

“All right.” Ayahliss cleared her throat nervously. “All right.

I’m…I’m confused.”

“Talk to me.” Reena looked around, then sat on the small couch.

She patted the pillow next to her. “Join me.”

Ayahliss sat down slowly. The couch barely seated two, which

made their knees touch. Her body suddenly tingly all over, Ayahliss

clenched her hands into fists and forced herself to breathe evenly.

“I know you think you failed Dahlia, and something tells me

• 50 •

Pirate’s Fortune

that you still beat yourself up about Armeo’s little stunt at the hotel on

Corma.”

“You saved the situation. You were there and saw how useless I

was.”

“I thought we were over that. We talked about it, Ayahliss. You did

nothing wrong. You couldn’t be expected to physically restrain him if

he had made up his mind to go exploring. Instead you stayed with him

and made sure nobody got too close.”

“But they did. And I nearly broke that woman’s arm.” Ayahliss felt

Reena’s hands on her shoulders as Reena shook her gently.

“Good for you. She should’ve known better than to crowd him.

What’s done is done. Now we’re on our way to do something really

important. You know more about this than any other civilian. You’re

one of our most important subject-matter experts. You and Kellen. And

your intel regarding the resistance movement is actually even more

accurate than hers, so if we look at it that way…” Reena gestured with

her palms up.

“I’m afraid.” This wasn’t at all what Ayahliss meant to say. Set on

keeping up appearances, she dug her nails into her palms.

“Why?” Unbelievably soft, Reena’s voice lowered nearly an

octave. She took one of Ayahliss’s fists between her hands. “Talk to

me.” “I’m afraid of what I’ll find when we reach Gantharat. I’m afraid

that I’ll screw up and get people killed. Kellen, Dahlia…you.” Ayahliss

drew another breath, but there seemed to be very little oxygen in the

room. “I’m not an expert. I was just a regular resistance fighter in a

small cell, which was ambushed and caught.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” Reena squeezed Ayahliss’s hand

firmly. “You’re a formidable fighter, and you think fast on your feet.

You’re beyond brave, and if you’re at fault for anything, it’s that you’re

a bit too impulsive and lack self-preservation. The things you believe

about yourself are not true. Your own insecurities are playing tricks on

you. I also think you really miss Armeo, and you’re afraid something

will happen to him when you’re not there to take care of him.”

“He has protection.”

“I know. Level-one protection by the best security officers the SC

can produce.” Reena gently pried Ayahliss’s hand open. “There. Relax,

Ayahliss. You’re like a taut bowstring.”

• 51 •

Gun Brooke

“Bowstring?”

“It’s an ancient weapon that launched arrows using a bent branch

and a string.”

Ayahliss tried to picture such a contraption, but her weary brain

could only process the fact that Reena was sitting so close, caressing her

hand and lower arm. Was she even aware that she was stroking Ayahliss

in this way? Ayahliss didn’t intend to draw attention to it, in case Reena

stopped. It felt so good—so soothing, comforting, and exhilarating at

the same time.

“Better.” Reena slid impossibly closer. “You’re not quite as pale.

Can I dare to hope that you’re starting to see things my way?”

“What do you mean?” Did Reena want her to reciprocate the

gentle, insistent touch?

“I mean, can you see that you’re too hard on yourself?”

“Oh.” Ayahliss wasn’t sure why her chest stung with utter

disappointment. “Perhaps.”

“‘Perhaps’ is a long way from your total conviction earlier.” Reena

smiled broadly, which made her so beautiful; she looked years younger.

She stopped caressing Ayahliss’s arm and gazed down at it. “You’re so

strong, yet so slender. How’s that even possible?”

“Gantharians’ bodies are denser and have another metabolism

than a human.”

“I’m Cormanian.”

“Same thing. I have difficulty distinguishing between Earth

humans and Cormanian humanoids. If it wasn’t for your eyes and…

eh…your freckles, I couldn’t tell.”

“Freckles? Oh, you’ve noticed them, have you? Damn. Here I

thought I’d been so clever with the skin rejuvenator and makeup.”

“Why?” Why had her observation caused Reena distress?

“Why? To Cormanian women, freckles are a sign of aging. Not

something we cherish, exactly. As for my eyes, yes, they’re different

from those of Earth humans.”

“Subtle difference. Your iris is sort of luminescent in the dark, and

your pupils are slightly oval-shaped.”

“You’ve paid attention.” Reena began to massage Ayahliss’s other

hand, even though she had already relaxed her fingers.

“I don’t think your freckles make you look older. I…I like them.

They make you seem approachable. You know. Softer.” Ayahliss

• 52 •

Pirate’s Fortune

groaned inwardly. Surely it was Reena’s touch that made her say things

she normally would suppress.

“Oh.” Reena grasped Ayahliss’s left hand tight. “Ayahliss. For

stars and skies, this is insane.” As if she only now realized how little

Ayahliss was wearing, her eyes glimmered in the muted light. Slowly

she raised her hand and ran a light fingertip along Ayahliss’s lower lip.

“Reena.” Her mouth suddenly dry, Ayahliss wanted to throw her

arms around Reena and hold her close. Instead she pressed against the

armrest behind her, trying to put as much distance between them as

possible short of standing up. Her legs wouldn’t support her right now.

“You’re gorgeous. I know you’re not for me, but I can’t help but

see…you. All that you are. Or perhaps all that you let me see. You’re

an enigma, a mystery, and it hurts that you’re not for me to figure out.”

Reena let go of Ayahliss’s hand and looked regretfully at her.

“I know I’m not for you. How could I be? You’re amazing, famous,

and acquainted with political leaders. You’re powerful.” Ayahliss tried

to demonstrate that she understood and was puzzled at how Reena’s

eyes darkened and how she suddenly scowled.

“And too old for you.”

“Old?” Ayahliss tried to understand where that comment came

from. She had taken Reena’s comments about Cormanian freckles as a

way for her to be evasive, an act. This second remark about age made

Ayahliss think it could actually be a sore spot for Reena.

“I’m twice your age.”

“What does that matter?” Ayahliss could list a thousand reasons

why she was wrong for Reena, but age?

“Normally I wouldn’t let it faze me, but—it matters.” Speaking

with sorrow in her voice, Reena raised one of Ayahliss’s hands to her

face. She rubbed it gently against her cheek, then turned her head and

grazed it with her lips. “Now, please listen to me. I need you to remain

focused on this mission. We all have our assignments, and I can’t worry

about you exploding into dangerous situations.”

“I won’t endanger anyone.” It hurt to speak.

“That’s not what I mean. If I can’t trust you to act with all the

knowledge and discipline Kellen has taught you, I won’t be able to

concentrate on my own assignment. Don’t you understand? I worry

about you.” Reena stood, letting go of Ayahliss’s hands. “So many

things about this mission are difficult. We’ll reach Gantharian space

• 53 •

Gun Brooke

in two days, and a lot of things need to be ready by then. Good night,

Ayahliss.”

“Reena?” Rushing to her feet, Ayahliss shyly touched Reena’s

arm. “I know I’m struggling with guilt. I’m not stupid. I need to work

through it to be a useful member of this crew, of this mission, but it’s

just…it’s not easy. This is not the only, I mean, the first thing I’m guilty

of. I’ve seen and done a lot in my years in the Gantharian resistance.

It took being rescued by Kellen and Rae to make me regard things

differently.”

“A lot to take in during such a short time, isn’t it?” Reena’s eyes

were warm again as she looked up at Ayahliss. “You’re doing much

better than you give yourself credit for. If I can make one more wish?”

“Of course.” Her heart suddenly pounding, Ayahliss wanted to

slide her fingers through the red masses of Reena’s hair.

“Don’t push Kellen away. Or Dahlia…or me? We all love you and

want to help you reach your potential. Just bear with us, all right?”

Oddly disappointed, but also stunned that Reena would use the

word “love” the way she had, even if she’d included Kellen and Dahlia,

Ayahliss nodded. “I promise. Can I ask a favor in return?”

“Anything.”

“Don’t—don’t give up on me?” Ayahliss held her breath and

barely dared meet Reena’s eyes.

“Oh, Ayahliss, how could I ever?” Reena flung her arms around

Ayahliss’s neck and held her close.

Ayahliss acted without thinking, mimicking Reena by wrapping

her arms around her and returning the embrace. She had hugged Kellen,

Rae, and Dahlia, but none of those times had she ever felt this way.

Every hair follicle on her body rose to attention, and the inside of her

body seemed to melt into a buttery consistency. She felt hot and cold at

the same time, and her heart thundered.

Reena smelled like the red flowers on the meadows beneath the

mountains where she grew up, and of something more, something

indefinable, yet all Reena. Her long, wild mane of red curls tickled the

back of Ayahliss’s hands, igniting shivers along her limbs.

“Ayahliss, you need to let go of me. This was unwise. I shouldn’t

have hugged you. Not like this.” Reena spoke fast. “Ayahliss? Let go

of me, darling?”

Ayahliss took in the term of endearment more fully than Reena’s

• 54 •

Pirate’s Fortune

message. Reena had called her “darling”? Rae called Kellen this all the

time. The potential significance was too much. Ayahliss let go of Reena

as if she’d burned herself.

“I apologize also. I don’t know what happened.” Ayahliss tried to

smile casually, but failed. “Good night, Reena.”

“Good night.” Reena left and the doors hissed together behind

her.

Ayahliss felt the cool air from the ventilation against her legs and

gazed down. Her belt had come undone and her robe was fully open in

the front. How long had it been like that? Had she hugged Reena half-

naked? No wonder the poor woman looked so flustered. Groaning, but

also with a faint smile about how ridiculous the situation was, Ayahliss

undressed and slipped into bed. Expecting yet another sleepless night,

she was relieved that drowsiness overtook her almost immediately.

• 55 •

• 56 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter six

Weiss never understood how some people could enjoy

weightlessness as something to do for sheer fun. She hated

it, and always had, despite being born in space. As a child aboard a

generational ship, she had learned the basics regarding space walks by

the age of four. Some of her friends loved it, but she despised not being

in control.

“Pull the handle, Weiss. Stay on course.” Madisyn’s voice

crackling in her earpiece startled Weiss back into present time. Cursing

under her breath, she tugged at the handle and the fusion pack on her

back ignited, propelling her toward the surface of the moon. The slight

tug on her body reduced the eerie feeling of nothingness that engulfed

her every time she was in weightless conditions.

“Landmark one in sight. Trying to pinpoint landmark two.” Weiss

spoke sharply as she looked for the third rock formation they needed to

triangulate their position. “I see lights two finger-widths from the first

landmark.”

“I see them too. Might be the crew quarters.” Madisyn was not

visible to Weiss’s left. “I have the third landmark in sight. Stay close.”

“On your tail, Pimm.” Pressing her hands close to her legs,

Weiss followed Madisyn in a narrow spiral toward Nemalima’s jagged

surface. The landscape appeared increasingly hostile and unforgiving

as they got closer. They needed a reasonably smooth surface to land

safely, but that hope was futile this time. Weiss didn’t like not being

the front person, the leader, but Madisyn’s superior vision made her the

best person for the job. Annoyed, Weiss corrected herself. Madisyn was

an individual, not a person.

• 57 •

Gun Brooke

“Touchdown in forty-five seconds. Brace for impact. Engage radio

silence and only acknowledge touchdown with two clicks.”

They would have to operate quickly and with as little

communication as possible, since the miners possessed an elaborate

security system. Podmer had based his plan on the theory that the grid

around the mining colony was set to detect vessels, not something as

small as a body.

The ground seemed to rush up to meet Weiss, and she engaged

the anti-G thrusters to cushion the last of the drop. She hit the ground

with her knees bent and staggered sideways, trying to remain on her

feet. Not about to do the usual body roll on the sharp rocks, she was

relieved when she found her bearings and didn’t bounce all over the

small canyon. She clicked her communicator sensor twice. Next to

her, Madisyn had performed a textbook touchdown and was already

scanning their surroundings. Weiss pulled out her own scanner and saw

they had landed a bit farther to the south than anticipated, but they

could easily make up for it. She made sure the anti-G pack was turned

off to conserve energy output.

Following Madisyn, Weiss tried to emulate her long strides, using

the moon’s low gravity to propel her forward. She hated feeling clumsy

and was relieved when she soon found the same rhythm as Madisyn.

One crewmember joined them, and to their sides, Struyen and the other

five members of their team fanned out in two groups, according to plan.

Three hundred meters farther toward the illuminated side of the moon,

Madisyn stopped and raised her hand, indicating they should halt. She

clicked the communicator twice and Weiss heard two sets of double-

clicks moments later. All were in position.

Weiss made sure her plasma-pulse rifle was set to heavy stun and

moved carefully behind Madisyn as they approached the site of the

security-grid beacon. Madisyn unhooked a small device from her belt

and placed it on the ground a few meters from the beacon. They had to

render it harmless for the rest of their mission to be successful. Being a

Guild Nation BNSL android, she possessed more knowledge regarding

technological solutions than any of them.

Madisyn backed up, using her scanner. Her broad smile told Weiss

what she needed to know.

“Pimm to team two and three. Beacon is neutralized and sensors

• 58 •

Pirate’s Fortune

are scrambled. We can now forgo radio silence. Set weapons to heavy

stun. Move into position.”

“Team two advancing.” The communicator buzzed to life.

“Team three moving in.”

“Affirmative.” Madisyn nudged the small device, which was

responsible for scrambling the mining company’s sensors and projecting

false readings, sliding it beneath a rock formation. “Team one moving

toward storage area.”

Weiss and Struyen joined Madisyn as she hurried along a man-

made path among the rocks. Moon dust whirled around their feet and

Weiss focused on not stumbling. She pressed the rifle close to her body

as she doubled over to stay out of sight of any guards.

“Any life signs?” Weiss asked as they stopped only a few meters

from the entrance to the plant.

“None on the outside.” Madisyn scanned the area. “I’m reading

faint humanoid signatures inside the structures.”

“How many?”

“Too soon to tell. When we get inside, I’ll be able to perform more

accurate readings.”

“I don’t like this.” Podmer was a skilled strategist, but this plan

had too many variables. “An army of guards could be in there, waiting

to take us out.”

“Our intel says there’s not.” Madisyn shrugged. “Team one in

position.”

The other two teams echoed her words.

“We need to break through the doors and take care of the people

there before we can signal the shuttles. Come on. Team one going in.”

They couldn’t turn back now. Weiss hoisted her weapon as

Madisyn and Struyen ran before her to the large hatch leading into an

airlock. Struyen attached yet another device to the lock and punched in

a series of commands.

“Stand back, just to be safe.” Madisyn pushed Weiss and Struyen

to the side and raised her rifle. The lock snapped open and a gush of

oxygen escaped as the hatch swung open, making Madisyn sway, but

she remained on her feet. “Clear. Let’s go. Teams two and three, what’s

your position?”

“Team two right behind you.”

• 59 •

Gun Brooke

“Team three ready to guard the perimeter.”

They rushed into the airlock, and only seconds later, team two

joined them. Weiss saw the members of team three take up position

outside. Struyen closed the hatch behind them.

Madisyn motioned toward Weiss. “Hit the decompression

sensor.”

Quickly, Weiss strode over to the opposite hatch and examined the

panel. Her heart hammered, but a familiar sense of serenity descended

upon her as she engaged the decompression unit. The indicator went

from yellow to blue. “We’re good to go.”

“All right. Remember, we need twenty crates. Weiss, Struyen

you’re with me. Team two, you get the crates ready. Everybody set?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Weiss nodded at Madisyn, who pushed a sensor to open the inside

hatch. It slid to the side and she stared into a vast room lit only by a dim

green light. With her weapon ready to fire, Weiss moved in. She made

sure the door opening was clear, as well as the walls and ceiling around

it. Except for a discreet hissing sound, it was eerily quiet in what seemed

to be a warehouse. Team two moved cautiously behind them as she and

Madisyn quickly made sure that no guards would surprise them.

Team two began pushing crates onto hover carts, stacking them

by the hatch. Weiss in turn couldn’t rid herself of the strange sense that

things were going too easy. She pulled out her own scanner and walked

along the outer wall of the warehouse, making sure nothing would take

them by surprise. She turned at the far wall and began moving along

the shelf that ran along the middle of the structure. Halfway back to the

hatch, Madisyn caught up with her.

“What are you doing? They’re nearly done. It’s time to—”

“Wait.” Weiss stared at her readings, trying to make sense of the

information. “Something’s wrong.”

“What are you talking about?” Madisyn glanced at Weiss’s

scanner. “T’shiad! What the hell is that?” She yanked the reader out

of Weiss’s hands. “Something is causing this, something that’s making

smaller and smaller cycles.”

“Counting down. It’s an explosive device, possibly a plasma

charge.”

“Damn, how long do we have?” Madisyn began to run toward

where team two was loading the crates.

• 60 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“According to this, less than two minutes.” Weiss ran along with

her. “Weiss to team three. Get the shuttles over here. We need to move

out now. Now!”

“Affirmative.”

Weiss pushed the first cart fully loaded with crates of davic crystals

through the hatch with the help of one of the others. Madisyn struggled

to mount the last of the crates on the second cart. She tore them out of

the hands of the two men, shouting at them, “I’ve got this. Get out of

here. Get out now!”

While the two men scrambled through the hatch and into the

airlock, Weiss jumped back inside, set on helping Madisyn shove the

second cart through the hatch. Halfway through, it stopped and wouldn’t

budge, and even though Weiss put all her weight behind it.

“It’s stuck on something underneath.” Madisyn’s voice came in

short gasps. “Let me see.”

“We should just leave it.”

“No. Help me.” Madisyn knelt on the floor and stuck her head and

shoulders underneath the cart. “It’s a lever that’s come off the hatch.

There. It’s gone. Come on, let’s do this.”

Weiss glanced at her scanner, which she’d attached to her wrist.

“We don’t have enough time.”

“All right. Listen. Let’s get this out of here and then follow me.”

Madisyn didn’t hesitate as they pressed hard enough against the cart

to make it slide through the inside hatch and into the airlock. Madisyn

barked her orders to team two and Struyen. “Decompress and get the

stuff out of here and hook it onto the shuttles. Weiss and I can’t fit in

the airlock with you.”

“But, Pimm—” Struyen looked shocked, but something sounding

like excitement infused his words.

“Follow orders. Go!” Madisyn shouted, and slammed her hand on

the sensor that closed the hatch.

“Great.” Weiss was furious. “You’ve just killed us.”

v

“Come on. Faster!” Madisyn ran with long steps along the wall.

She turned her head, making sure Weiss was right behind her. “Behind

the crates over in the corner.”

• 61 •

Gun Brooke

“I can’t believe this.” Weiss spoke in short gasps. “We’re dead.”

“Here. Get down.” Madisyn didn’t waste time trying to explain,

but pushed Weiss in behind the crates. She checked her internal

chronometer. Five seconds. Impulsively, she threw herself on top of

Weiss, covering her body with her own. “Hold on.”

“What—”

The explosion roared through the warehouse and sent crates flying

around them. Madisyn wrapped her arms and legs around Weiss. She

needed to keep her alive. The turbulence after the explosion lasted only

a few seconds, but felt longer. Once she realized it was over, Madisyn

tried to move, but several crates that were resting against her back

pinned her down.

“Weiss?” Madisyn managed to get a hand in between them to feel

Weiss’s side through the suit. She pulled up her bio-signature on the

visor. A rapid flutter under her fingertips indicated life, and, at the same

time, she saw encouraging readings of Weiss’s blood pressure and heart

rate.

“Madisyn? Damn the stars. My ears are still ringing.”

“You’re okay.” Relieved that her decision hadn’t killed Weiss,

Madisyn patted her.

“You have to get off me, though. I can hardly breathe.”

“Hmm, that might pose a problem. I’m not all that’s on top of you.

It’s me and several crates.”

“Struyen to Pimm. What’s your status?” His voice reached them

via the communicator.

“Pimm here. Weiss and I are alive, but buried under debris. What

about the rest of you?”

“We went flying, but the shuttles are here and we’re securing the

carts. You need to get out of here fast. We’ve got company.”

Naturally. All alarms had to be blaring at the mining headquarters.

Madisyn pushed at the crates.

“Ow.” Weiss’s moan made Madisyn stop instantly.

“Sorry. Let me try to move a little before I push on them. “Pimm

to Struyen. Don’t wait for us. Get the merchandise out of here. Then, if

it’s possible, come back for us.”

“Pimm—”

“Just do it, Struyen. It’s an order.”

“We’ll be back.”

• 62 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“We’ll be here. Pimm out.” Madisyn shifted her weight to the left

and freed her arm completely. “Hold on, Weiss. I’ll try to push the

crates off us.” She pressed her palm against the floor, next to Weiss’s

head. Nothing happened and she tried again. “You have to help me, if

you can.”

“All right.” Groaning, Weiss moved her arms up next to her.

“Damn, I damaged my left wrist.” Weiss sounded more disgusted than

in pain.

“Do what you can. You heard Struyen.”

“Yeah.”

“Come on. Push.” Madisyn dug in and used all her superior

strength to shift the crates as Weiss did the same. Something moved,

and suddenly several crates slid down and crashed to the floor next to

them. “Good. Again.” After two more attempts, Madisyn was able to

move away from Weiss and help her up. She didn’t wait to ascertain

any damage; it was enough that Weiss could stand.

“I lost my rifle,” Weiss said.

“I have mine.” Madisyn began moving along the wall, over to

a section that had crumbled in the blast. “We don’t have to use the

door. Let’s go.” Climbing through the hole, she kept her weapon ready,

but nobody had reached that part of the structure yet. In the distance,

Madisyn could see the shuttles with the crates hanging from wires. The

other teams and Struyen had fastened their harnesses to the wires and

were now clinging to the crates on their way back to the mother ship.

Mission accomplished.

Madisyn saw no obvious path among the rocks and didn’t dare

use her helmet light. She moved forward as fast as she could and heard

an occasional faint curse over her headset. Soon they had put enough

distance between themselves and the wrecked warehouse to slow

down. They were well within the dark side of the moon, and Madisyn

hoped this would make it more difficult for the mining security guards

to locate them.

“I—I need to rest.” Weiss sounded tormented and dangerously out

of breath.

“We can take a minute.” Madisyn stopped at a cave-like opening

in the black rocks to their left and turned just in time to grab hold of

Weiss, who staggered to the side, clutching her arm.

“You’re injured.”

• 63 •

Gun Brooke

“My arm. I think it’s fractured again.” Weiss slowly sat down on

a ledge. “It hurts like hell.”

Madisyn didn’t know Weiss, but she most likely didn’t allow

small injuries to stop her. If she said her arm hurt, the pain was no doubt

excruciating. “I can’t get an accurate scan through the suit. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine if I can just catch my breath.”

Madisyn scanned in the direction they had come from. “I read

multiple bio-signatures and three spacecraft.”

“It won’t take them long to pinpoint our location.” Weiss leaned

back against the rock, cradling her arm.

“We can always hope they think everyone left on the shuttles. If

we can set up a scramble field—”

“That would make us invisible for anyone coming to our rescue.”

“Only if I failed to embed a marker in the signal.” Madisyn dug

through one of her side pockets for a disperser. She hooked it up to

her scanner and coded it with a signal that would mask them to the

Nemalima miners, but not to anyone aboard the Salaceos. Madisyn

pushed the disperser into the ground, and a pink light began to glow at

its tip. “I bought us a little time.”

“How little?” Weiss asked shortly.

“Oh, maybe thirty minutes. After that, the energy will start to fade.

These small dispersers don’t last very long.”

“Fine.” Weiss sounded like her normal sarcastic self, but as she

sat slumped against the rock, protecting her arm like that, Madisyn saw

her in a new light.

“I wish I could give you a pain reliever or work you over with the

bone knitter.”

“I said I’m fine.” Weiss pushed away from the rocks. Flinching in

obvious pain, she moaned and bent over.

“What did you do?” Madisyn threw herself forward, holding

Weiss by the shoulders. “Weiss?”

“It’s…nothing. An old injury.”

“Looks like something to me.” Afraid that Weiss would fall

over and injure her arm even more, she helped her sit on the ground,

supporting her now-trembling body.

“Don’t.”

“They’ll be here soon. Just hang in there.” Madisyn ignored the

• 64 •

Pirate’s Fortune

pained attempt from Weiss to resist her. “Just pretend that I’m a MEDI-

droid.”

“MEDI-droids are impersonal. And polite.”

“Is that your way of saying that I’m too personal and rude?”

Weiss made a sound that sounded like something between a huff

and a snort.

Madisyn’s inner sensors suddenly gave her a jolt. She looked up

and saw a faint light beam farther down the path, behind them. “Shh. I

see something.” She squinted, adjusting her visor. “Damn it. We have

company.”

• 65 •

• 66 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter seven

Madisyn handed the scanner over to Weiss and took up position

behind a large rock next to the path where the security

guards now approached them. “They’re about a hundred meters from

our position,” Madisyn said, hoisting her plasma-pulse weapon. “I have

them in my sight, and the plasma-pulse is set to heavy stun. It’ll knock

them out, but not harm them.”

“Can you take them all out?”

“You questioning my marksmanship?” Madisyn didn’t turn

around, but tried to defuse the tension with humorous sarcasm.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Weiss didn’t miss a beat.

“Good. Watch our backs and leave these drontes to me.” Using

the Guild Nation word for clowns, Madisyn took aim, making sure her

sight was lined up with her internal processor. The data flickered in her

left field of vision, and she automatically adjusted her aim. She couldn’t

afford to miss. Worst-case scenario, the Nemalima guards would kill

them or take them prisoner. The consequences went far beyond blowing

their cover. Not only would Madisyn’s six months of undercover work

be wasted, but if anyone examined her more closely, everything would

be over. This fear had been the perfect incentive to keep her from getting

caught, or exposed, throughout her career as a secret agent. Nothing

like the fear of being gutted like a fish to keep you sharp.

“They’re closing in,” Madisyn whispered, blinking twice to

make the lenses in her eyes zoom in. “Anything on sensors from our

friends?”

“Nothing so far.” Weiss moved the scanner in small circles. “I get

a lot of static.”

• 67 •

Gun Brooke

“That’s the force field. I placed a filter for it, but it will still impact

readings.”

Madisyn pressed herself close to the rock, making sure she was

out of sight. The force field masked their signatures, but it wasn’t

foolproof. The Nemalima mining company had obviously upgraded

their systems, and they could have gotten their hands on the latest

scanning equipment.

“Madisyn. I read two signals. Coordinates five-five-three.” Weiss

moaned and pushed off the rock behind her. “They’re not ours.”

“Damn it.” Madisyn glanced at the handheld scanner. “You’re

right. The miners aren’t stupid. They’ve deployed a second team.”

“You still have time to take everybody out.”

“I’m not so sure.” Madisyn shuddered. “Even if I stun the first

team, they might have time to alert the others. They could be linked like

we are, able to read each other’s bio-signatures.”

“We—I mean, I can’t move. Not fast enough to reach a better

location.” Weiss cleared her throat. “You should move to higher ground.

That will make it easier for Podmer’s crew to find you.”

“We’re getting out of here. We have a mission to complete and I

can’t do it alone.”

A stunned silence, then Weiss sighed, sounding exasperated.

“What’s your plan, then?”

“Give me a second.” Thinking fast, Madisyn pulled a filament wire

from one of her belt packs. She motioned for Weiss to move farther

back among the jagged rocks. “Take cover.”

“But—”

“Go on. We don’t have much time.” Madisyn attached the filament

to a small rock and quickly pulled it across the path, back and forth

several times. It was hard to hold the filament with the gloves on, but

she managed to wind it across the path four times before she ran out

of wire. Finding a primer, she attached it and set it to a frequency they

could monitor with the scanner.

Quickly, Madisyn followed Weiss in behind the rocks, making

sure she could still see the approaching guards.

“What are you doing? A bell shock?”

“Yeah, with a twist.” Madisyn took the scanner and set it to the

right frequency. “This is going to knock them for a loop, but hopefully

• 68 •

Pirate’s Fortune

not kill anyone.” She made sure she had her weapon ready and kept her

eyes on the approaching lights. “Team two has almost caught up with

us,” she murmured. “We may get them all at once, if we’re lucky.”

Before them, the light from several search-flashes created distorted

shadows from the rocks around them. Madisyn nearly held her breath,

something she knew was not considered normal for an android of any

model.

“Here they come,” Weiss murmured, placing a hand on her

shoulder. “Not yet.”

“I know.” Madisyn waited until the first team was practically on

top of them and the second only ten or fifteen meters away. “Close your

eyes.” She punched in the command on the scanner, then shut her own

eyes. Through her eyelids, she saw the violent flashes of light, and the

ground seemed to vibrate under their feet.

After what seemed like forever, Madisyn opened her eyes and

saw two guards lying on the path. She raised her weapon and moved

forward to check on team two. It took her a few seconds, but then she

saw the outline of two other guards on the path in the other direction,

approximately seven meters from her position.

“Well, what do you know? Here come the gilded horsemen.”

Weiss stood next to Madisyn, glancing at the scanner in her left hand.

“Our crew is back for us.”

“Good.” Madisyn wanted to check on the guards, but knew she

didn’t have time. She could only pray they hadn’t suffered any serious

injuries. “I’m turning the beacon up.” She entered another set of

commands. “Let’s move a bit farther up the path.”

“All right.” Weiss was trembling visibly now. She was limping

and protecting her arm, and obviously had just about had enough.

“Lean on me,” Madisyn said, and slowed down.

“No need.” Curt and standoffish, Weiss dragged herself behind

Madisyn.

“If you’re going to be able to climb over these guys over here,”

Madisyn gestured toward the still forms on the path, “you’ll have to.”

An impatient growl erupted from the speaker in Madisyn’s helmet,

but Weiss allowed her to wrap one arm around her waist. “Here we go.”

Madisyn guided Weiss across the unconscious guards, but as they were

clearing the second one, he jerked and grabbed Madisyn’s left leg.

• 69 •

Gun Brooke

“Damn! Go on, Weiss.” Madisyn gasped at his strong hold on her

ankle. Somehow he had a good grip on her foot, perhaps because of

the pocket that held her double-bladed laser knife. The thought of the

weapon barely registered with Madisyn before it was in the guard’s

hand. The blade hummed to life, then slashed through her suit. The

inner mesh kept it from doing any real damage to her system, but her

suit was depressurizing.

Suddenly a boot-clad foot entered Madisyn’s field of vision and

kicked the laser knife out of the guard’s hand. He curled up around his

clearly injured hand, but as his communication device wasn’t set to

their frequency, Madisyn couldn’t hear him cry out. Weiss was leaning

against Madisyn again.

“Let’s get out of here. Struyen is over there.” Weiss tugged at the

straps holding Madisyn’s gear in place on her back. “Snap out of it.

Let’s go!”

Madisyn’s vision blurred and her system was already running

diagnostics to mitigate damages. She tried to move and, to her surprise,

she was able to even though her movements were jerky and unbalanced.

She and Weiss clung to each other like drunks after an extended shore

leave among the illegal bars on Carossa Prime, staggering toward the

hovering shuttle.

“Struyen to Pimm. Dropping the wire. You have to use the

same one. We broke the other three unloading the goods aboard the

Salaceos.”

“Affirmative.” Madisyn squinted toward the shuttle’s belly,

blinking repeatedly. Her entire system was trying to keep her alive,

focusing on the loss of pressure. Everything else was on hold, including

such simple configurations as her vision.

“Here it comes,” Weiss said, reaching for the wire with her good

arm. “You have to secure it around us.”

“All right.”

“And fast,” Weiss added, glancing over Madisyn’s shoulder. “Two

of the guards are closing in.”

Madisyn didn’t waste any time. She pulled the wire taut around

them, virtually strapping them together chest to chest. “Pimm to

Struyen. Wire is secured. Get us out of here.”

“Let’s leave this godforsaken rock,” Struyen growled over the

com system. “Afraid that you have to dangle for a while, ma’am.”

• 70 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Negative,” Weiss interjected. “Pimm’s suit has been compromised.

Reel us in.”

“We can’t.” Struyen didn’t sound very apologetic. “We were lucky

to extend it at all. If we try to reel you in, the wire might sever it.”

“Just go.” Madisyn wrapped her arms around Weiss and held on

tight. Just as she did, plasma-pulse fire lit up the space around them.

Turning bright blue for a fraction of a second before the plasma charges

dissipated into the nothingness of space, it stung her eyes in a way

she’d never experienced. Madisyn had never been severely injured after

becoming a sentient BNSL. The fact that her humanoid brain and her

spinal cord were intact meant that the pain was as real as if the injured

body part had been humanoid as well. Her parents had done their job

almost too well, connecting her brain with the bio-neural system that

made her superior to most humanoids in strength and endurance. In

their effort to create a new, fully functional body for her, they had

given her artificially grown human skin and a synthetic peripheral

nervous system, and connected every single part of her anatomy, which

sometimes made Madisyn curse them.

v

Weiss felt Madisyn’s wiry arms around her and was grateful that

she had tucked her fractured arm in between them where it couldn’t

get tangled in the wire. To her surprise, Madisyn trembled as they were

hurled through space underneath Podmer’s shuttle. Why would a BNSL

tremble? That didn’t make sense. Why would any tech designer create

an android vulnerable enough to flinch when plasma charges erupted

around them? It was a wholly humanoid reaction. Why go for that type

of authenticity?

“Madisyn? You all right?”

“I’m fine. How’s your arm?”

“Okay. I mean, it will be.”

“I have a bone knitter in our quarters. Podmer makes sure we can

take care of minor injuries ourselves.” Madisyn spoke fast, but her

tremors seemed to become less noticeable.

“Go figure. Saves time, I suppose.”

“I wonder how we’re going to board the Salaceos hanging like

berries on a vine from this wire.” Weiss tried to picture the shuttle

• 71 •

Gun Brooke

landing in the hangar inside the belly of the Salaceos. Perhaps the crew

could hook them with something and pull them in if they modified the

ship’s force field.

Plasma singed the space around them again, and Madisyn pressed

her forehead against Weiss’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. This seems to really

screw up my sensors right now. Must be the damage to the suit.”

Weiss wasn’t comfortable with the close proximity, not only

because of her injured arm. The way Madisyn felt against her was

entirely too intimate. Weiss had existed without the touch of another

person for a very long time, unless she counted SC law-enforcement

agents and medical personnel. Out of necessity she had deliberately

changed from a pleasure-seeking player to a virtual hermit in a matter

of days, two years ago, something that had greatly bothered her crew.

Unable to explain it to herself, Weiss had made sure everybody knew

the matter was off-topic. The only time she had engaged in physical

activities was in hand-to-hand combat training or actual fighting.

She had no use for any of the fortune hunters that had willingly

kept her company and been willing to meet her every whim during the

previous years. Weiss had gone for voluptuous women back then, and

she had kept them well-fed and dressed, with plenty of credits to use

in the ports. After several years, Weiss began to realize she couldn’t

tell their faces apart. One willing body was so like the next, and their

conversation, if you could call it that, was of little interest. Weiss didn’t

miss the hollow physical pleasure; in fact, it was a relief to just be left

in peace, to have her quarters to herself and not have to share with the

latest sultry pirate groupie.

Weiss looked up and saw the shuttle approach Podmer’s ship.

Slowing down, they still closed in on the shuttle bay area very fast, and

Weiss held her breath as they were tossed against the hull. She fully

expected to be crushed, but then she spotted four crewmembers with

what looked like large magnetic hooks.

“Pimm. Weiss. We’ll get you.” A female voice crackled in Weiss’s

headset. “Hold on. This still might be a painful ride.”

“Great.” Weiss braced herself, clenching her teeth to block out the

pain in her arm.

The sudden stop sent Weiss and Madisyn into a crazy spin.

Their bodies meshed together, which sent continual, white-edged pain

through Weiss’s arm. She thought she heard herself scream, but hoped

• 72 •

Pirate’s Fortune

she was wrong. Madisyn shifted her grip, wrapping her arms and legs

tighter around her.

“I’m…sorry…”

Weiss couldn’t hear what else Madisyn yelled before they slammed

into the deck, tumbling so fast she was sure they would be crushed

against the bulkhead. Eventually they lay gasping on the shuttle bay

deck. Weiss was close to passing out from the pain but drew a few deep

breaths to regain some form of equilibrium.

“Weiss…” Madisyn’s low hiss was barely audible. “Talk to me.”

“I’ll live.”

Madisyn snorted and began laughing, only to stop just as suddenly.

“Ow.”

Pain? An android that experiences pain? That’s a first. Weiss

rolled away from Madisyn, and helpful hands yanked her to her feet.

She could see Struyen exiting the shuttle and walking toward them.

“For stars and skies, I thought you two were toast.” Struyen raised

an eyebrow at the panting Madisyn. “I see even androids get winded

when they can’t breathe.”

“I’m as reliant on oxygen as you are, and you know it.” Madisyn

spoke with a steel-enforced voice that made Struyen take half a step

back. “I will hand in my report tomorrow. I can tell that we are in mass-

distortion drive. Good.”

“Yes, Podmer is pleased with the heist even if we ran into a bit of

a hassle.”

“A bit? Yes.” Weiss made sure nothing or nobody touched her

arm. “Guess you could say that.”

“And Podmer wants me to take the bridge this evening.” Struyen

looked like he’d been awarded a medal.

“Fantastic. Don’t pick up any hitchhikers.” Madisyn pulled off her

helmet and limped toward the double door leading out into the corridor.

“Weiss. Let me help you with the helmet.” She pulled it off gently.

“This way.”

Weiss followed Madisyn to their quarters, suddenly so fatigued

she felt like sitting down right there on the deck and falling asleep. By

willpower alone, she made her way through the ship.

Once back in their quarters, Madisyn looked wearily at Weiss’s

arm. “Your arm has been mangled more than once. We really should get

you to sickbay. It’s just—” She rubbed the back of her neck.

• 73 •

Gun Brooke

“What?”

“The ship’s so-called doctor is such a brute, and not a very good

doctor. I mean, if he were a top-notch physician, what the hell would he

be doing with this crew?”

“You have a point.” Weiss was fading fast and had to sit down.

“Either way, I need to get out of this damn suit and so do you. Your leg

looks, um, weird.”

Madisyn glanced at her deformed leg where the laser knife had

made an indentation. “That’s going to take some engineering.”

“Does it, you know, hurt?”

“In a way, yes. I have nerve endings just like you, even if they’re

artificial.”

“I see.” Weiss sat still as Madisyn began to peel off her space suit.

She moaned under her breath when Madisyn resolutely used an electric

scalpel to cut off the sleeve. She pulled it aside, her hands incredibly

gentle, and reached for the bone knitter.

“The skin isn’t broken, and the fracture isn’t misaligned. You were

lucky after all, especially after that tumble we took just now.” Madisyn

ran the bone knitter several times across Weiss’s lower arm. “We need

to repeat this procedure tomorrow, but this should stabilize the fracture

and help with the pain. If you still need them, I have some pain-relief

imbulizers.”

“No pain meds.”

“You sure?” Madisyn tucked the bone knitter into a drawer. “They

would help you sleep.”

“I’ve had enough of such things the last few months.” Weiss knew

she sounded short and ungrateful. “Now, what about you?”

“I’ll tend to my injury now that we’re done with yours. I’ll be

fine.”

“Doesn’t look like that to me.” Weiss studied Madisyn’s injury

with critical eyes. “If you hadn’t worn the mesh-enforced layer in the

suit, that guard would’ve severed your leg.”

“But he didn’t.” Madisyn pushed off the space suit and had turned

to walk into the bathroom when Weiss put a hand on her shoulder.

“Let me. Consider it a perfect way to get to know one another.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Aw, come on.” Weiss motioned for Madisyn to sit and elevate her

leg. “This is just the type of thing that will build team spirit.”

• 74 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“You’re crazy. Team spirit?”

Weiss pulled the insulating sock off Madisyn’s foot. She wasn’t

sure what to expect, but the perfect toes with toenails like mother-of-

pearl weren’t it. The foot was pale and cold. Acting automatically, she

cupped her hands around Madisyn’s foot and rubbed it. “Does this help

at all?”

“Uh. Yes.” Madisyn drew a trembling breath. “I have my own

version of the humanoid blood vessels. They can use a boost, I suppose.

Thank you.”

“You saved my life back there. Least I can do.” Weiss tried to view

her actions as a way to soften Madisyn up, to make her lower her guard,

but a deep sense of truth insisted that she had other motives.

“If you put it that way.”

“Now let’s see. Oh, damn, that looks…bad.” Weiss stared at the

indentation in Madisyn’s leg. The skin was stretched thin and pale-pink

muscle tissue was bulging on the edges of the crater. “What the hell are

you going to do?”

“I have a few tools. You think you could help out?” Madisyn was

trembling again.

“Sure. Just give me instructions.” Looking up, Weiss could have

sworn Madisyn was paler, but that was impossible.

Madisyn directed Weiss to a cabinet where she found a tool kit

with the University of Guild Nation’s emblem on it. “This?”

“Yes.”

Weiss pulled out a set of sinister-looking long, narrow spanners

and a small plasma burner that would put the fear of the deities in most

humanoids. “All right. Showtime.” Weiss tried to smile reassuringly,

which only made Madisyn appear more nervous.

“Use the ten-millimeter spanner and a knife. Press down just below

my meniscus with the spanner, and make sure to have the magnetic side

toward me. Push a syringe in a ninety-degree angle just below. Halfway

in, it will start to deflate the swelling in my calf.”

Weiss felt utterly clumsy, and the numbness in her fractured arm

didn’t help her focus. She pushed the syringe in and the coarse needle

pierced the pale skin.

“Oh.” Madisyn swayed.

“You all right?” Weiss stopped what she was doing.

“Proceed.”

• 75 •

Gun Brooke

“Very well.” She kept it up for a while, furtively checking

Madisyn’s perfect features for any signs of discomfort. After what

seemed like a very long time, Madisyn’s leg looked normal again.

“There you go. Good as new, sort of.” Weiss retracted the syringe.

“You can breathe now.”

“Thanks.” Madisyn gazed up at Weiss with an enigmatic smile

that barely curved the corners of her mouth. “As you heard me tell

Struyen, I do breathe, and I breathe for the same reason as everybody

else. Exhale to rid the system of waste products, inhale to keep a steady

oxygen level.” She stretched her leg slowly. “Hey, that’s fantastic.

You’re not half-bad around the tools.”

“That will have to be our secret.”

“Oh, another one. No worries. I’m chock full of secrets these days.

One more or less.” Madisyn smiled, a thoroughly charming, toothy

grin.

And so am I. Weiss studied Madisyn as she walked to the tiny

ensuite bathroom, moving stiffly, much like Weiss herself. When the

door closed behind her, Weiss sighed deeply, completely unable to

figure out why she couldn’t take her eyes off Madisyn. The android.

Sentient, Weiss reminded herself.

Soon Madisyn returned, clean and fresh-smelling. Weiss murmured

something she couldn’t even decipher and fled to the bathroom, which

was so small she barely had room to maneuver. After she engaged

the shower chamber and pulled off her undergarments, dirt and grime

evaporated from her skin and fell into the recycling drain on the floor.

Utilizing sound waves, this method of cleansing was more thorough than

an aqua shower, but not half as pleasurable, Weiss thought, suddenly

ready to trade just about everything she owned for hot, wet water.

A glance in the mirror showed her as pale but composed, and

after pulling on newly replicated underwear, she used the smaller sonic

nozzle to clean her teeth. She moved quickly, and unable to justify

staying in the bathroom any longer, she returned to their quarters.

Madisyn was sitting on her bed, her eyes half-closed and her arms

loosely holding her knees. “Scrambler’s on. We have to send our report

tomorrow.”

“Yes.” Weiss crawled into bed and pulled the thin thermo blanket

up around her. “Not much to tell. Blew up a moon, practically. Wish

you were here.”

• 76 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Madisyn snorted. “Yes, something like that.” She closed her eyes

briefly. “Switching off scrambler.”

Weiss studied Madisyn in the dim light from the stars and their

bed lights. She was startled to feel something hot and smoldering warm

the lower part of her stomach. Desperate to focus on a single detail in

Madisyn’s demeanor or appearance that showed she wasn’t humanoid,

wasn’t real, all Weiss saw was soft, pale skin, even softer, unruly blond

hair, and she remembered the way she’d felt, how she’d trembled

during their full-body contact. What was that about? The memory of

Madisyn’s body so close, after years of abstinence, was enough to send

a quiet moan over her lips.

“You in pain, Weiss?” Madisyn asked, actually sounding sleepy.

“No. I’m fine. Just tired.” Aware that she sounded curt, she turned

her back toward Madisyn, which did little good. No matter how hard

she closed her eyes, she could still see the pain in Madisyn’s eyes as

she’d mended her artificial leg. Real pain. What the hell’s going on?

• 77 •

• 78 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter eiGht

Amereena stood on the bridge of the Circinus, scrutinizing

the image of the blue-green planet that grew larger as they

approached Gantharat. She knew more of this world’s political system

than most within the Supreme Constellations. Amereena loved the law

and believed in it unconditionally, especially the intricacies of trying

to understand an alien world and how its population operated. She still

had much to learn but was confident she had enough knowledge to help

this diplomatic mission succeed, together with Dahlia Jacelon and the

Protector of the Realm.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Kellen stood next to her, transfixed by the

sight of her home planet, so like Earth in many ways. “I can’t believe

we’re about to impact history this way.”

“You sound more uncertain than I’ve ever heard you.” Amereena

glanced at Kellen, noticing her clasped hands and how she had jutted

her chin out.

“So much has changed so fast. I’m trying to figure out how long

it has been since Armeo and I fled and ended up in Rae’s…eh, the SC’s

care.”

“And what a blessed day it was.” Amereena remembered how

she’d been called in to determine custody of the young prince, the sole

heir to the Gantharian throne. It hadn’t been that hard to realize that

Kellen, formidable Protector of the Realm, was not about to let anyone

else have any influence over her protégé. What was more, the devotion

and sense of family between Kellen and Armeo, matched only by the

overshadowing love between Kellen and her wife, Rae, was clear.

• 79 •

Gun Brooke

“If you had not been on our side or, rather, Armeo’s side, things

could have been very different.” Kellen turned and walked toward the

conference room.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to make.” Amereena followed her,

nodding to Dahlia Jacelon, who was preparing some documents on her

computer. “Last-minute preparations, Diplomat Jacelon?”

“Can’t be too careful. I don’t like leaving anything to chance.”

“Neither does your daughter, nor this daughter.” Amereena

indicated Kellen. “Kellen has provided coordinates to the resistance

headquarters, as well as a few other resistance strongholds, where our

mission should begin. I’ve spoken to Captain Todd and the commanding

marine officers. They’re ready for you to brief them on the last details

before we enter cloaked orbit.”

“Good.” Dahlia spoke shortly, but smiled in passing at Kellen.

“Ayahliss?”

“She’s cleaning up after another gan’thet session.” Kellen shook

her head. “Something is eating away at that girl. She’s throwing herself

into training as if this is the last thing she will do in life.”

Amereena flinched. “What?”

“I’ve tried to talk to her, but she won’t let me in. She knows enough

of the technique and self-restraint now to earn the right to wear the

Ruby Red suit in combat, but something else, something indefinable,

concerns me.”

“Concern regarding her determination? Or her readiness?” Dahlia

asked.

“Neither. I’m worried about how she approaches her training with

such abandon.” Kellen frowned, looking questioningly at Amereena.

“I don’t mean to be presumptuous or to pry into anyone’s private

decisions.”

Amereena knew Kellen meant every word. They had become

friends and allies, and they both wanted justice for Gantharat and,

ultimately, peace in this sector of space. Her feelings for Ayahliss

were unexpected and confusing at best, but mostly startling and guilt-

inducing.

“I wish I could help by talking to her, but she’s not exactly listening

to me.” Amereena sighed. Ayahliss was evading her. Whenever they

ended up in the same location, Ayahliss excused herself with perfect

politeness and left. She always had several plausible reasons why she

• 80 •

Pirate’s Fortune

was needed elsewhere, and Amereena tried to ignore the stab of pain

that this behavior caused.

“That’s what I fear also.” Kellen lowered her voice and placed

a gentle hand on Amereena’s shoulder. “I know it’s difficult for you.

Ayahliss isn’t cruel, only unpolished. She learned even fewer social

skills in her upbringing than I did. Rae overlooks this and sees beyond

my shortcomings, but it’s a lot to ask regarding Ayahliss.” Kellen

stopped, and a blue sheen in her eyes betrayed the presence of the

famous blue Gantharian tears. “I’ve come to regard her as a younger

sister, and I’m afraid she’ll throw herself into the fighting and willingly

risk her life. I need to convince her that she has everything to live for,

and everything to gain, by being cautious and obeying orders.” She

lifted a corner of her full lips in a half smile. “And, yes, I realize how

ironic it is that I’m saying this.”

Dahlia closed her computer and joined them. “You’ve come a long

way by being her mentor and by being married.”

“Yes. I’d like to think so.”

They had to leave the topic as marines and space fleet personnel

began to enter and take their seats. Amereena made sure her notes were

in order, but half her mind was with Ayahliss. She could easily picture

the younger woman’s lithe, wiry body, her soft, short hair, and the large

dark blue eyes.

“We’re here to review the final details before we launch the

shuttles and land on the surface.” Dahlia’s matter-of-fact voice startled

Amereena and brought her firmly into the present. “The resistance

is ready to join us in our effort to support the Gantharian interim

government. Two vessels are accompanying us, having brought back

the resistance fighters who have received a clean bill of health from the

training camp on Revos Prime.”

Dahlia continued to explain the last-minute changes to the troops.

Captain Todd took over after a while and eventually dismissed the

junior officers. Once they had left, he pulled up new maps of Ganath,

Gantharat’s capital. “We have established where we need checkpoints

once we secure the city and are able to contain the Onotharians still

located within their headquarters.” Todd looked pointedly at everyone.

“With the number of Onotharians living among the indigenous

population, we can’t relax for a moment. We don’t know which side the

majority of them will choose to pledge allegiance to.”

• 81 •

Gun Brooke

“In other words, we need to watch our backs,” one of the senior

officers said.

“Exactly.” Todd turned to Kellen. “Any other words before we

begin countdown, Protector?”

“I have nothing to add when it comes to the logistics, but I still

wish to express my gratitude that you are prepared to fight to free my

home world and my people.”

Todd closed the meeting and dismissed the other officers, his face

stern as he entered some information into his computer.

Kellen turned to Dahlia. “Are Roshan and Andreia with the

resistance fighters joining us from Revos Prime?”

“I believe so, yes.”

“Excellent. I haven’t heard from them in a long time.”

“I have to return this to my quarters, but I’ll see you in the mess

hall.” Dahlia gestured at her computer. “I also need to verify some

documents, but it won’t take long.”

“See you there soon.” Kellen nodded at Dahlia.

“Who

are

Roshan

and

Andreia?”

Amereena

asked

absentmindedly.

“Rae and I encountered them when we returned to Gantharat the

second time.”

“Oh, of course. The resistance leaders you and Rae helped

save.” Amereena had read the mission report from the daring rescue

of thousands of captured Gantharian resistance fighters. Kellen had

allowed herself to be captured and taken to an asteroid prison, where

she had met Ayahliss. Amereena took a deep breath. She couldn’t

afford to let her guard down emotionally now. She was here to offer

legal advice and gather information for the diplomatic corps to use in

future negotiations, something that would take all her time and energy.

Brooding over Ayahliss and what was going on between them was

counterproductive.

“Ayahliss should be ready now,” Kellen said, inadvertently tapping

into Amereena’s thoughts. “We’re meeting her in the mess hall.”

“I’m not hungry, Kellen.”

“Or you’re not willing to spend time with Ayahliss because of the

way she acts around you.”

“Kellen, please.” Amereena winced. “But you do have a point.”

“You care for Ayahliss.” Kellen looked unwaveringly at her.

• 82 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Of course I do.” Trying to sound casual, Amereena heard how

she failed. Instead, her voice trembled and she couldn’t meet Kellen’s

eyes any longer. “Damn.”

“I’m being intrusive. I apologize.” Kellen’s gaze softened. She

took Amereena’s hand between hers. “It just hurts me to see the two of

you in pain.”

“The two of us.” Amereena laughed and could hear how bitter the

sound was. “That would suggest there is an ‘us,’ which there isn’t. How

could there be?”

“Are you really asking me?”

“No. I guess the question was rhetorical. The answer’s obvious.”

“Is it?”

“I’m too old for her. She’s too young. I’m a high-ranking judge,

an officer of the judicial system of the SC. She’s destined to become

something amazing, maybe even a Protector one day.”

“You might have said the same thing about Rae and me not long

ago.”

Amereena’s hand jerked between Kellen’s. “Are you suggesting

that the situation compares?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t know that. You can’t possibly know—”

“I can make an educated assumption based on personal

observations.” Kellen held on to Amereena’s hand. “Something is

tormenting Ayahliss, and it’s not only the upcoming fight and all that’s

at stake for her fellow resistance fighters. Her behavior makes me

believe her issues are far more personal in nature.”

“For stars and skies, Kellen, you can be relentless when you want

to.”

“I’m sorry, Amereena. I don’t mean to be harsh, and I don’t pretend

to know what you and Ayahliss should do to solve your personal issues.

I do, however, suggest that you try, since going into battle in her current

state of mind could be the last thing Ayahliss ever does.” Kellen’s voice

was a few degrees cooler and she let go of Amereena’s hand. “I care for

you both, but when you and Dahlia are at the negotiating table, Ayahliss

will be directly in the line of fire, risking her life.”

Feeling herself go pale, Amereena drew a deep breath, ready to

swear that life support aboard the ship was failing. “All right. I see. I’ll

talk to her.”

• 83 •

Gun Brooke

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Amereena grabbed her computer. “Ayahliss

might not listen to me.” In fact, she was sure it was futile to even try.

v

Ayahliss stood outside the mess hall, loathing how cowardly she

felt. She had avoided Reena ever since their embrace in her quarters,

and now she was perspiring at the mere thought of sharing a very public

meal with her. No wonder Reena regarded her as a child, when she

acted this way. A mature, self-assured woman would stroll in like she

owned the damn ship and act like nothing was amiss. Not long ago,

Ayahliss had mistaken being cocky for being confident, but her time

with the Jacelons and Kellen had shown her the difference.

Two senior officers passed her and politely kept the doors to the

mess hall open for her. Unwilling to draw any attention to herself, she

nodded curtly and strode by them. Relieved the noise sheltered her,

Ayahliss had lined up to be served when she heard someone say her

name.

“We’ve saved you a seat over there.” Dahlia pointed over at the

senior officers’ corner where Kellen sat next to Reena.

“Thank you.” Ayahliss looked bleakly at the food the kitchen staff

placed on her tray. It was difficult to judge what kind this was, since

being at war had made regular food unavailable for anyone aboard a

military vessel. As long as they were involved in an armed conflict,

regulations stipulated emergency rations—in this case, something

green, something purple, and mostly something beige.

“I know,” Dahlia said, and made a wry face, “it actually doesn’t

taste as bad as it looks. I think this is some sort of goulash.”

“You’ve never served that to me, have you?”

“I’m pretty sure I haven’t.” Dahlia laughed, which made Kellen

and Reena look up and notice them.

“There you are,” Reena said slowly, and nudged the chair next to

her away from the table.

Ayahliss had hoped to sit next to Kellen, but changed her mind

because she would have to endure Reena’s gaze throughout the meal.

Sitting down, she tried to remain inconspicuous and not participate.

This approach seemed to work at first, and she began to relax as she

• 84 •

Pirate’s Fortune

focused on the tasteless meal. The other three talked, but she listened

more to how their voices rose and fell, the quality of their timbre and

how familiar they were to her now.

“Ayahliss? Are you all right?”

She flinched as she looked up and noticed that she was alone at

the table with Reena. How could she have missed Kellen and Dahlia

leaving? How long had she been lost in thought?

“Are you all right?” Reena repeated her question, looking truly

concerned now. “You’re so pale.”

“I’m Gantharian.” Ayahliss put down her utensils and refused to

look at Reena.

“Yes, but even so.” Reena spoke softly. “You seemed to be

completely lost in thought before. I suppose you’re eager to go home.”

“Home.” Ayahliss tried to think of the last place on Gantharat

that she’d considered a home. She had been too small when the monks

found her to remember her birth family. The monastery had been a

home, but she had always known it was temporary, no matter how

caring the monks had been. The emphasis had been on learning, on

developing the body and soul. She had sometimes wished to be hugged

or to sit on someone’s lap, but the monks made it clear that it was highly

inappropriate. Was that why she was so drawn to Reena’s touch? Was

she so starved for physical attention? This didn’t make sense, since

Dahlia, Rae, and Kellen didn’t have this effect on her. Ayahliss shook

her head. It was all so confusing.

“Please, darling. Look at me.” Reena’s frantic whisper and a

startling hand on Ayahliss’s thigh under the table made her jump. “I’m

sorry, but you’re scaring me. You seem almost out of it.”

“I’m preoccupied. I apologize.” Ayahliss could feel Reena’s touch

through her pants, and the sensation was close to scorching. “I should

go to my quarters and make sure I’ve packed everything.”

“I’m done. I was just waiting for you. May I go with you?”

Ayahliss wanted to say no, but it was a lie and she couldn’t be rude

to Reena like that, especially not in public. “Of course. Thank you.”

They returned their trays to the recycler and left the mess hall, both

sighing as they exited the noisy room. Reena chuckled and Ayahliss

had to smile at their simultaneous reaction.

“Too noisy for my taste, but I guess that’s what happens when

• 85 •

Gun Brooke

you cram so many soldiers into one room just before a mission.” Reena

casually took Ayahliss’s arm and kept walking. “I’m glad you’re talking

to me.”

“I…” Ayahliss was about to deny the gentle reproach, but changed

her mind. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“I realize that. I don’t want your apology.”

“What do you want?” Wincing, Ayahliss wished she wouldn’t

speak so often before she considered her words.

“I want you to feel free around me. To trust me.”

“I do. I mean, I do trust you.”

“But you’re guarded around me, and I suppose I can hardly blame

you for that.” Reena sounded and looked sad.

“Reena, don’t.” Ayahliss’s throat swelled into a knot that wouldn’t

go away. She hated feeling this emotional, but she didn’t know how to

handle it. “Please.”

“Oh, darling.” Reena nudged Ayahliss into a corridor and she tried

to object.

“This isn’t my—”

“No. These are my quarters.” Reena opened the door with a quick

command and tugged Ayahliss inside. “I can’t let you go down to the

planet in this state. You need to be able to focus on your assignment,

and if I’m responsible for your distress, we have to figure things out.”

Ayahliss stood inside the door and looked at the otherwise so stern

and powerful judge. Her hair billowed around her shoulders, wild curls

like a force of nature in a red cloud. Her austere black trousers and long

black shirt, buttoned in the front, couldn’t hide the fact that she was

curvaceous and utterly feminine.

“I need to know something,” Ayahliss blurted out.

“What? What, Ayahliss?” Reena took her hands and pulled her

toward the couch beneath the viewport. “Please, tell me.”

• 86 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter nine

The alarm klaxons tore through the sound of running feet in the

narrow corridors of the Salaceos as Madisyn dashed toward

the ladder leading to the bridge on deck one. Logging into her duty

station, she glanced over at Weiss, who stood ready at tactical to the

right of Podmer in his command chair.

“Target in grid four-eight-one, Captain.” Weiss delivered her

report in a clipped voice. “We are barely outside SC territory.”

“All the better.”

Madisyn wondered why the captain of the ship Podmer was

pursuing risked being on the wrong side of the border during wartime.

“Move in at full impulse.” Podmer drummed his fingers against

the armrest of the command chair, the only sign of his excitement.

“Full impulse.” At the helm, Struyen tapped in new commands.

“They’re powering their distortion drive,” Weiss said. “They’ve

detected us.”

“Take out their propulsion system,” Podmer ordered.

“Aye, sir.” Weiss focused on her console. “They’re dead in the

water, Captain.” To everyone else, Madisyn knew Weiss sounded

casual, but having glimpsed some of the authentic Weiss, Madisyn

detected a tinge of something hollow, desolate.

“Good. Open a communication channel.” Podmer glanced at

Madisyn.

“Channel open. Go ahead, Captain.” Madisyn adjusted the

volume.

“SC vessel, this is the Salaceos. Stand down weapons and prepare

• 87 •

Gun Brooke

to be boarded.” Podmer’s thundering voice echoed across the bridge. “I

repeat. Stand down and prepare to be boarded.”

“Negative, Salaceos. This is Captain Rhoridan of the Supreme

Constellations vessel Koenigin. We are prepared to match your

firepower.” A stern female voice seemed completely unimpressed, and

Weiss had to admire this captain’s guts.

“I’m sure you’re ready to fire, Rhoridan, but are you really ready

to risk your passengers’ lives?” Podmer spoke with a slight purr. “Our

scans show you harbor more than sixty passengers. I’m pretty sure

they’ve paid good money for a luxurious trip among the stars.”

“It beats the alternative. Being assaulted by common thugs is

hardly appealing.”

“Koenigin is locking plasma torpedoes, Captain.” Madisyn ran

continuous scans of the SC ship.

“Double the charge of our own torpedoes and reroute all auxiliary

power to our shields.” Podmer leaned back in his command chair,

crossing his legs. He looked more like he was enjoying a day at the

beach in his favorite sun chair. Madisyn knew he thrived on playing

this cat-and-mouse game, but also that his hot-tempered, ill-mannered

behavior lurked just beneath the surface.

“Ten seconds, Captain,” Madisyn said.

“All hands, brace for impact.”

The other ship’s torpedoes hit and rocked the Salaceos enough for

the bridge crew to cling to their seats.

“Report,” Podmer barked. He was agitated now, judging by how

his veins stood out like a pulsating pattern along his forehead and down

along his neck. He could switch moods within the fraction of a second,

which disconcerted Madisyn.

“Shields are holding and no damage to the hull.” She ran her

finger along the list of reports streaming from the different areas of the

Salaceos.

“Persistent woman,” Podmer muttered. His words were clearly

not a compliment. “Fire torpedoes.”

Weiss punched in commands, and on the large viewscreen, two

pale lines showed where the torpedoes pierced the blackness of space

between the two ships.

“Direct hits on their port nacelle. Their aft shields are weakening.”

Madisyn’s midsection contracted at the thought of the passengers on

• 88 •

Pirate’s Fortune

the SC ship. What could Podmer possibly want with a luxury cruise

vessel like the Koenigin?

“Another charge. This time full volley,” Podmer said menacingly.

“Sir,” Weiss said. “That might irreparably damage her, which

would compromise your mission.”

“I intend to shut that woman up for good, but you’re right. I need

to get into her computer system. Fire at the other nacelle. Take it out.”

“Firing.” Weiss glanced at Madisyn as she obeyed Podmer’s

orders.

As the new torpedoes hit, the impact made Madisyn’s chest

constrict as a crater appeared where the port nacelle once was.

“Excellent. Audio again, Pimm.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Podmer to Rhoridan. Ready to see things my way, perhaps? Life

support seems to be a rare commodity on your ship.”

“Damn pirate trash. You’re locusts, and your opportunistic way of

life thrives because of the war effort!” Captain Rhoridan was clearly

not ready to surrender. Her voice, filled with contempt, suggested that

Podmer would not enjoy an easy victory.

“Your propulsion system is irreparably shot to pieces. You’re

leaking plasma and oxygen.” Podmer hissed now, losing his flamboyant

cool demeanor more with every minute. “Prepare to be boarded.”

“You keep repeating yourself,” Rhoridan snarled. “Show yourself

here and our welcome might surprise you.”

“Audio off.” Podmer rose and slowly turned around. His face dark,

he pointed at Madisyn. “Pimm, you’re in charge. You and Kyakh take

the away team and remove that bitch from the bridge. I want her head.”

Podmer handed over a memory device to Madisyn. “This will compress

all the data from their main computer console, which is located on the

bridge. Load it on this.” He stopped for a moment, then grabbed Weiss’s

arm. “You’re her backup. Nothing must go wrong.”

Weiss turned pale since Podmer had squeezed her newly healed

fractured arm. She didn’t let her pain show, but Madisyn knew how

sore it still was.

“Got it.” Weiss looked coolly at Madisyn.

“Get going.” Podmer resumed his seat in the command chair.

“Aye, Captain.” Madisyn tucked the computer stick into her

uniform and hurried down the ladder with Weiss right behind her.

• 89 •

Gun Brooke

Next to the hangar deck, twenty of what Madisyn thought of as the

“mercs”—mercenaries of the worst kind who sold their allegiance to

people like Podmer—stood waiting, their hard faces revealing nothing

in the soft light. The klaxons still blared.

“Computer. Mute klaxons,” Weiss said loudly, apparently disliking

the repetitive sound as much as Madisyn did. “All right, people, we’re

going over in our Troop B shuttle.”

With Madisyn at the helm, the shuttle lunged through space

toward the Koenigin. Debris surrounded its aft section, but Madisyn

knew they shouldn’t count the people aboard the cruise ship out just

yet. Nobody traveled these sectors without being aware of the threat of

piracy. Even regular passenger transports and luxury cruise liners were

heavily armed these days.

Madisyn’s operations console lit up. “They’re firing. Shields on

maximum!”

The shuttle rolled like a ship tossed around in a typhoon. Weiss

clung to her harness where she sat next to one of the mercs. Struggling

with the helm, Madisyn managed to force the shuttle into a steep

climb.

“Where the hell is that coming from? We took out their weapons

array,” Weiss yelled from behind.

“Sneaky of them, huh?” Madisyn steered the shuttle into a roll.

“No matter how they masked this auxiliary array, they sure are making

the most of it now.” Madisyn used her internal motion sensors and let

her hands fly across the console. She rarely used her non-human abilities

in the presence of humanoids, as it only served to set her apart from

the others even more. Now their lives could depend on how fast she

countermanded Rhoridan’s attack. “Firing short-distance torpedoes.”

She tracked the deceptively small missiles as they plunged through

space, praying she had programmed them right. She wanted to take out

Rhoridan’s weapons, but not add to the hull damages.

“Good shot, Madisyn,” Weiss called.

Madisyn let the shuttle do a wide berth, then placed herself parallel

with the Koenigin, which wasn’t moving. If the artificial gravity was

down, it would be difficult to board.

“Let’s move.” Weiss motioned for the mercs to unbuckle their

harnesses. “We’re docking, people.”

Madisyn locked the helm and tugged on her combat vest. She

• 90 •

Pirate’s Fortune

hoisted her plasma-pulse rifle and made sure it was set to heavy stun.

The mercenaries were most likely not taking any chances, and if they

fired any shots, they would shoot to kill. She hated this part of battle.

Weiss followed suit and was now standing inside the hatch,

ready with a shock-grenade. The automated docking sequence aligned

their shuttle with one of the outside docking ports, which was a better

approach than trying to go via the other ship’s shuttle bay, which was

sure to be heavily guarded.

“We’re through. On my mark.” Weiss raised her hand. After a

faint, screeching sound their hatches popped open and Weiss tossed the

grenade through. The deafening bang startled Madisyn, and she was

glad she had time to close her eyes and shield her sensitive lenses. She

ran through the hatch after Weiss, directing the men and women behind

her in different directions. Pairing up, they had orders to herd anyone

they ran into toward the cargo bay.

Just inside the other ship’s hatch, three humanoids lay unconscious.

Madisyn checked their vital signs quickly, relieved that they seemed all

right. With Weiss, she took their sidearms and tucked them into the

back of her vest before she put restraints around their hands and ankles

and chained them to the bulkhead.

“Waste of time, if you ask me,” one of the mercs muttered.

“They’re going to die when the boss gets rid of them anyway.”

“I didn’t ask you.” Madisyn pushed the burly man out of her way,

secretly pleased that her bio-android strength made him bounce against

the bulkhead. “Let’s get on with it. You two clear decks three and four.

Bring everyone to the cargo bay.” Madisyn assigned decks to sixteen

of the remaining mercs. “You two stand guard here,” she said to the

last two and mentally prepared herself to climb five decks up. She and

Weiss were going to take the bridge and check the officers’ quarters.

“Let’s go, then.” Weiss nodded and hoisted her rifle, and they found

the door leading to a round shaft containing a narrow ladder. Madisyn

wasn’t thrilled about heights, but after she scanned the shaft, she pushed

her rifle onto her back and began to climb. She counted the doors while

she ascended, keeping an eye on Weiss. The other woman grunted a

few times, as if she was in pain. Worried about Weiss’s arm, Madisyn

forced herself to just keep going. Her protective attitude toward Weiss

puzzled her, but she chalked it up to their secret partnership. They had

to rely on each other.

• 91 •

Gun Brooke

Eventually they reached the fifth door and Madisyn stopped,

allowing Weiss to catch up before she reached for the hatch. “Ready?”

she asked quietly. When Weiss nodded grimly, having pulled her

sidearm while hanging on to the ladder with her uninjured arm, Madisyn

opened it slightly. Nobody fired on them, so she pushed it open enough

to slide through. The light in the corridor was dim and faintly red. In

the distance, several explosions showed where the mercenaries were

herding the passengers and crew toward the cargo bay.

Madisyn glanced at her wrist-sensor. “Four life signs closing in

from the stern.” She raised her weapon. “We better hurry, or we’ll find

crewmen willing to die for their captain around every corner all the way

to the bridge.”

“Go. We need to do this fast and get back to the shuttle.” Weiss

didn’t have to explain. If they left the mercenaries in charge down in the

cargo bay for too long, they might have a bloodbath on their hands.

Madisyn hurried through the corridor, her eyes constantly returning

to the small sensor on her sleeve. She didn’t once glance behind her;

instead she had augmented her hearing, another feature she rarely used,

since it made it virtually impossible for her to focus in a crowd. Now

she needed all her extra abilities, and for once she was grateful that she

could easily turn them on at will.

The Koenigin was a luxurious cruise ship, with everything from

plush carpeting to stylish light fixtures. Madisyn had never considered

going on a recreational space cruise, even when her parents were alive.

They weren’t the kind who went on vacations. Instead they’d been

passionate about their work and only traveled for a specific, preferably

scientific, purpose. Now she didn’t go anywhere unless she was under

orders and had a political, military, or criminal investigatory reason

for it. She shook her head at the way her mind had wandered, not sure

where these thoughts came from, and focused on her task again.

Her sensor beeped quietly, and Madisyn raised her arm, making

a fist. She performed a deeper scan, tapping into the information with

her inner sensors. She held up her hand again, this time extending four

fingers. She moved her hand, signaling that two enemies were hiding

in some storage room farther up, and two behind a bulkhead to their

right.

Moving stealthily, Madisyn slid forward along the wall. When

she glimpsed movement, she curled up and rolled forward. Raising her

• 92 •

Pirate’s Fortune

rifle, she fired twice at the two humanoids behind the bulkhead. She

barely grazed the second one and he aimed at her. She fired again, and

so did Weiss just behind her. “Damn it,” Madisyn muttered, knowing

full well they couldn’t carry out their original assignment without some

collateral damage. Still, these crewmen were only unconscious and

would survive, if all went according to her and Weiss’s plan. This was

the logical approach, and still it broke Madisyn’s heart to know that

lives could be lost, stolen by the same type of people who’d taken her

parents’. And her own .

“Move on,” Weiss said harshly. “Madisyn, seal the door ahead.”

“On it.” Madisyn pulled a small, weapon-like handle from her

harness, pressed a sensor, and a barely visible flame shimmered in

golden green. Running up to the door, she hurriedly sealed it, fusing

the crack in several places. It would take a plasma burner to open it,

but it would keep whoever was in there safe and out of the way—and

hopefully alive.

They quickly made their way to the bridge and were a few meters

from the door when Madisyn’s sensor buzzed. “Ten humanoids up

ahead, Weiss. Two doors down, to the right.”

“The bridge.” Weiss spoke darkly.

“Damn it, Weiss.” Madisyn stepped to the side, letting Weiss see

her readings. “I don’t know what the hell Podmer’s after, but I sure

don’t want to kill ten people for him to get his filthy hands on it,” she

whispered in Weiss’s ear.

“I hear you.” Weiss closed her eyes briefly. “If we can maneuver

Captain Rhiordan into a position where she can remain in control, we

can sabotage him.”

“And get slammed for it.”

“Not necessarily. Podmer was impressed with this woman’s

attitude even if he’d be hard-pressed to admit it. It wouldn’t be a stretch

to think he expects serious trouble from her.”

“All right. Your call. You take the lead. I have your back.” Madisyn

put away her sidearm and pulled her rifle forward, hefting it and making

sure it was set to heavy stun.

“I believe you do.” Weiss kept Madisyn’s gaze for a moment, then

mimicked her movements, adjusting her plasma-pulse rifle as well.

v

• 93 •

Gun Brooke

The door to the bridge was locked, but Madisyn’s plasma torch

easily took care of that. She cut through the door like a laser knife

through paper, and Weiss tossed a shock-grenade inside. The sound

nearly deafened her, and she shook her head slightly as she and Madisyn

stormed the bridge.

Ten individuals lay on the floor in different states of unconsciousness.

Quickly glancing around, Weiss saw a middle-aged woman with short

black hair slumped in the captain’s chair. She wore a captain’s insignia

on her golden lapels, and despite her vacant expression, she radiated

command.

Madisyn quickly moved around the room, gathering sidearms and

rifles from the dazed bridge crew. Some of them tried to get up, and

Weiss kept her weapon raised. “Over there. Move!” She nudged the

woman she’d identified as the captain. “Rhoridan?”

“Huh?” The woman sat up, blinking rapidly. “What the hell—”

“Get up. Go over to your crew. We’ve seized this vessel.” Weiss

and Madisyn made sure the entire bridge crew was neutralized.

“You won’t get away with this,” Captain Rhoridan said, her voice

barely audible. “This is an SC ship.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Weiss sauntered over and kept them at gunpoint.

“Madisyn, I believe that’s the console over there.”

Madisyn hurried over to the communication console, a sleek-

looking metal box attached to the wall. About two meters wide and

half a meter tall, it boasted a multitude of sensors and ports. She took

the computer stick from her pocket and inserted it into the metal box.

At first, the lights stopped flickering and died, and the low hum it

emanated quieted as well. A few moments later, though, it woke up

again, rebooting itself with a faint crackle.

“Away team, report.” Madisyn tugged at her communicator.

One after another, the mercs reported in, all of them successful.

Weiss nodded toward Madisyn. “We’re on schedule.”

Madisyn pressed a sensor on her communicator to allow for long-

range communication. “Away team leader to the Salaceos. We have

secured the bridge and the rest of the ship.”

“Good. Carry out your assignment and return. We’re picking up

two SC border-patrol cruisers. They’re an hour away, so don’t waste

time.”

• 94 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Aye, Captain.” Madisyn walked over to Weiss. “I think we have

what we need,” she murmured. “Have you tied them up?”

Weiss hadn’t wasted any time. While Madisyn collected the

required data, Weiss had used her restraints and tied everyone’s hands

behind their backs. Not only that, she’d linked them all together and

attached them to the railing behind the command chairs.

“I don’t think they’re going anywhere.” Weiss brushed off her

hands and grabbed her weapon again.

“Computer,” Madisyn said, raising her voice. “Transfer all

command codes to my voice pattern.”

“That will never work.” Rhoridan glared at her.

“Command codes encrypted and transferred.” The computer’s

impersonal voice belied the captain’s statement.

“Don’t worry. You’ll hack it eventually.” Turning to Weiss,

Madisyn motioned with her weapon toward the door. “All right. Let’s

go.”

They ran through the corridors, joined by one pair of mercs after

another. When they reached the docking port, Weiss was relieved

to see the three people they’d first stumbled upon had regained

consciousness.

“Let’s go back.” Madisyn motioned for the others to return to the

shuttle. “Madisyn to Podmer. We’re ready to leave.”

“Not until Kyakh jettisons the bridge crew.” Podmer’s slow

pronunciation made him sound even more callous and unforgiving.

“Sir?” Weiss stopped in mid-motion, one foot over the bulkhead

opening.

“You heard me. It’s nothing you haven’t done before. Get rid of

them.”

“We got what we came for. We downloaded the data.”

“And now you’re going to do as I say and delay the ones who will

come after us. They’ll know I’m not to be toyed with.”

Was he utterly insane, Weiss thought, or merely a megalomaniac?

“All right.” She shrugged.

“Weiss!” Madisyn gasped behind a bulkhead, out of sight of the

others. Her horrified expression made her feelings clear.

“I’ll deal with it,” Weiss said monotonously. “All I have to do is

open the double escape hatches and override the safety subroutines for

• 95 •

Gun Brooke

life support.” Weiss strode over to the nearest console. “Won’t take me

long.”

Madisyn shook her head, her eyes dull and expressionless. She

pushed her way past Weiss. “Fuck you.” The chill in her voice made

Weiss cringe, but she knew what she had to do. Her mission was to not

blow her cover and to report to Jacelon, and if it meant some sacrifices,

that’s what she would do.

After having entered a few commands, Weiss opened her

communicator again. “Kyakh to Podmer.” Pausing briefly, she rested

her eyes tiredly on Madisyn, reading horror and contempt in her

expression. I should be used to having people regard me like vermin.

Still, it hurt deeply. “Mission accomplished. It’s done.”

• 96 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter ten

Madisyn left the shuttle and strode past Weiss without meeting

her eyes. She simply couldn’t bear to look at her. Feeling

the weight of the computer stick in her inner pocket, like it was blood-

soaked, Madisyn wanted to deliver it to Podmer as fast as possible. As

she thought of the ten senior officers being hurled out into space, and

what that did to a humanoid body, she shivered.

Podmer wasn’t on the bridge; instead he was waiting in his ready

room. Madisyn pressed a sensor, asked for admittance, and noticed

absentmindedly that her hand was trembling. This telltale sign disturbed

her more than anything and she made a fist, not quite ready to admit to

herself just how shaken she was. She had witnessed many things, some

just as bad, while being undercover, so why had this incident affected

her so powerfully? Was it because Weiss had ruthlessly murdered the

ten people? Weiss, whom she had tended to—saved her life—and was

forced to depend on. How could she live with doing something like

that? How could she kill innocent beings to avoid blowing her cover?

“Enter.” Podmer’s cold voice broke her line of thought.

Madisyn stepped inside the ready room, this time too distraught to

marvel at Podmer’s decorating skills, or lack thereof. Normally Madisyn

was fascinated that Podmer could fit so much of his loot into such a

confined space. Gemstones, priceless fabrics, rare minerals, Cormanian

midnight pearls, and even ancient artwork from Earth fought for space

on walls and shelves, and in transparent cabinets. Right now, Madisyn

couldn’t hand over the computer stick fast enough. She wanted to go to

her quarters and get into the shower—or, on second thought, perhaps

not. Weiss was bound to be there and she couldn’t stand to look at her,

• 97 •

Gun Brooke

much less talk to her. “Here you go, Captain.” Madisyn put the hateful

stick on the desk between her and Podmer.

“I’m not pleased.” Podmer spoke between his teeth, and only now

did Madisyn see that bluish veins pulsated at his temples. A sure sign of

his volatile temper, as was the way he glared with squinting eyes.

“Our mission is accomplished.” Why would Podmer be upset?

“By you, yes. By her, no.” Podmer pointed.

She turned her head, completely taken aback at the sight of Weiss

propped against the door frame.

“I miscalculated the resourcefulness of that damn captain over

there. It happens.” Weiss shrugged.

“What the hell are you talking about? It happens?” Podmer got

up, his face now bordering on purple. “I gave a direct order, and with

your reputation for being ruthless, I didn’t think it’d pose a problem.

One flip of a switch.”

“I did flip a switch. It never occurred to me that they’d escaped

their confinement in time to countermand the command I entered.”

“When did you know?” Podmer growled, slowly sitting down.

“As soon as we were a few hundred meters from the Koenigin. No

floating bodies in space.”

“No floating bodies? And you didn’t say anything?” Madisyn

stared at Weiss, her eyes close to tearing up; only her grip of her internal

sensors saved her.

“I’m as outraged as you are,” Podmer said, misunderstanding her

emotional outburst. “Now I look like I’m running from that bitch.”

“You got what you came for.” Weiss sounded bored. “Don’t waste

time with appearances. Who gives a damn what anyone thinks?”

Madisyn had to admire Weiss’s way of making Podmer shrink,

of making him seem petty and even silly. Podmer went from looking

purple and mad as hell to seeming flustered. Madisyn had to quickly find

a way to not stare in amazement. She had never seen the domineering,

even megalomaniac, captain of the Salaceos look chastised.

Another part of Madisyn was trying to figure out how Weiss had

managed to save the Koenigin bridge crew.

“You’re dismissed,” Podmer muttered and grabbed the computer

stick.

“Aye, sir.” Madisyn brushed by Weiss, knowing it probably

looked like she ran out of the room, which wasn’t far from the truth.

• 98 •

Pirate’s Fortune

She needed time alone in their quarters to just breathe for a minute after

being tossed between emotions so fast.

She didn’t even get ten seconds before Weiss joined her.

“Are you all right?” Weiss stood inside the door.

“I am.” Closing her eyes briefly, Madisyn put the scrambler on.

“We can talk.” She preferred that they didn’t, but she thought Weiss

would want to.

“I couldn’t tell you. I knew you hated me for what I did, for what

you thought I’d done, and I couldn’t risk you not being able to keep it

together.”

“Weiss. Don’t. Don’t say another word.”

“Why not?” Weiss looked nonplussed as she sat down on her bed

and began to remove her vest. “I had to do what I did. I couldn’t tell

you.”

“I realize that.” Madisyn pressed her palms against the nauseating

feeling in her stomach. It didn’t help. Not being able to actually throw

up sure was a downside to being nauseous.

“Madisyn. You look…ill.” Weiss put the vest aside and moved

closer. “How’s that even possible?”

“I said ‘don’t talk.’ I meant it.” Trembling, Madisyn pressed her

knuckles against her lips. “Please.”

“For stars and skies, what the hell is going on with you?”

“Nothing.” To Madisyn’s dismay, tears welled up, and she cursed

her parents for not foreseeing this, her one weakness, when they saved

her life. A BNSL couldn’t cry, but placing someone with real emotions

within a synthetic body made to mimic almost all body functions of a

living person would cause emotions, which would produce the same

physical manifestations. If she was lucky, one day she might even

throw up . Madisyn’s gallows humor didn’t help. Her tears ran over and

down her cheeks. She tried to stop them with her hands but they forced

their way between her fingers.

“You’re…you’re crying!” Weiss’s consternation would have been

hilarious if Madisyn’s emotional meltdown hadn’t caused it.

“Just—shut—up.” Madisyn was about to get up and run into the

bathroom, but Weiss stopped her, pushing her back onto the bed. She

sat down next to Madisyn.

“I’ve never heard of a BNSL that can cry real tears, not even one

as advanced as you.” Weiss captured a tear with her fingertip.

• 99 •

Gun Brooke

Madisyn watched in horror as Weiss tasted the clear liquid.

“Weiss—”

“It tastes like the real thing.”

“I—I can’t talk about this. You can’t tell anybody and we won’t

discuss it.”

“We sure as hell will. You’re going to tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything!” Madisyn pushed Weiss, angry

now. Her tears dried quickly. “You put me through hell over there. You

made me think you could kill ten innocent people just to stay undercover,

thus making me your accomplice. You made me think I was as guilty as

you of murder. ” Slamming her palm against Weiss’s shoulder, Madisyn

was stunned when the other woman didn’t do anything to prevent the

blow from landing or otherwise defend herself.

“I don’t blame you for being angry.” Weiss sighed and ran a

hand over her face, as if brushing away something nasty. “I was pretty

sure I had tied Rhoridan loosely enough for her to free herself and the

others, but I couldn’t be sure. When Podmer issued his orders, I took

a calculated risk. I could’ve killed them if Rhoridan had been less of a

captain than I took her for.”

“Gods.” Madisyn still trembled.

Of course, Weiss noticed. “Tears. And now adrenaline?”

“Synthetic. All of it.” Madisyn spoke hurriedly.

“I don’t think so.” Weiss took Madisyn’s hand. “Your palms are

damp. Perspiration? I don’t believe anyone, not even a scientist hell-bent

on mimicking reality, would come up with synthetic perspiration.”

“Sure. For cooling the system. Absolutely.”

“Really.” Weiss was clearly not buying any of it. “It makes me

wonder just how realistic your responses are to other things.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re quite temperamental in many ways, especially for a

BNSL unit. I’ve wondered why I find you so damn attractive, since

I’ve never found any android to my liking that way. I wonder how your

subroutines would have you react if I kissed you.”

“Kiss—what are you talking about? You don’t want to kiss me.”

“Interesting response. It would’ve been more logical for a BNSL

unit to answer in a more detached, matter-of-fact way. I can think of

several more plausible responses. ‘I am not programmed for any such

• 100 •

Pirate’s Fortune

action.’ ‘I am unable to respond in such a manner.’ ‘Kissing is not

within the range of my abilities.’”

“I—I…” Madisyn stopped, her voice barely carrying. She

swallowed against an odd sense of dryness in her throat. “All right.

We’ll talk. I just need to get out of this damn uniform first. I can’t stand

to wear it anymore right now.”

“I second that.” Weiss looked relieved. Was it because Madisyn

had given in or because they were both getting out of their coveralls?

Or perhaps it was the temporary delay regarding what Madisyn might

say.

v

Weiss stepped into the personal cleansing unit and felt the sound

waves reverberate around her, removing all outward traces of their

mission. Noticing how tight her fists were, she willed her hands to

relax. Time and circumstance hadn’t allowed her to fill Madisyn in on

what she meant to do. Being on the receiving end of Madisyn’s outrage

and contempt had taken a greater toll on Weiss than she realized. When

Madisyn strode by her exiting the shuttle, not even looking at her,

Weiss’s stomach had twisted into painful knots and she had tried to

catch up with Madisyn before she reached the bridge. Now Madisyn

knew the truth, but she didn’t look as relieved as Weiss had hoped.

Something else was wrong, and Weiss couldn’t figure out what. She

had never been much for utilizing androids, and certainly had never

expected an artificial life form, sentient or not, to act the way Madisyn

did.

The cleansing unit closed after running its cycle, and though she

was clean, she wasn’t prepared to leave the bathroom yet. Procrastination

wasn’t usually one of her vices, but facing Madisyn right now unnerved

her, and something told her Madisyn felt the same way.

“Felt,” Weiss muttered. “How can she feel anything? Can her

circuits or whatever construct feelings out of thin air?” She stared at her

reflection. Her olive skin bore traces of scars. Too many, and more than

she cared to remember. She pushed her hair, unruly after the shower,

haphazardly behind her ears as she followed her trail of thoughts.

Feelings were really just chemical with any humanoid, weren’t they?

• 101 •

Gun Brooke

So if a BSNL had circuits or, as in Madisyn’s case, artificially grown

cells, programmed on a molecular level to perform the same way—

surely the outcome would be the same? Matter just as much?

“Oh!” Weiss slammed her palms into the sink. “Hell.”

“You all right?” Madisyn softly called out through the door.

“Yeah. Fine. I’m…fine.” Weiss had turned to open it when she

suddenly remembered being stark naked. Not usually shy or prudish,

she muttered a curse and grabbed new underwear from the recycling

unit. She programmed her size and extracted a set of comfortable

retrospun coveralls. Opening the door, she glanced quickly at Madisyn

before she walked over to the food recycler. “I thought I’d be brave and

have some artificial Vit-C drink. You want any?”

“Already had some.” Madisyn motioned toward an empty cup

sitting on a shelf above her bed.

Weiss watched with fake fascination how the recycler poured

an opaquely yellow beverage into her mug. Tasting it hesitantly, she

grimaced at the vague taste. “I can almost taste the fake oranges.”

“I could definitely taste the added chemicals that mimic the taste

of oranges.” Madisyn wrinkled her nose, then winked.

Weiss forgot about her artificial vitamin drink. A BNSL that

wrinkled her nose—and winked?

“Weiss?”

“What? Oh. Yes. Chemicals. For sure.” Weiss cringed and climbed

onto her cot.

“I know I’m repeating myself, but are you all right? I mean,

really?”

“Sure. Absolutely.” Feeling ridiculous for speaking in a staccato

manner, Weiss tried for a smile.

“Oh, for stars and skies, this is ridiculous.” Madisyn looked at the

viewport, as if searching for support from the surrounding space. “We

both know we need to talk and we’ve digressed and procrastinated long

enough.”

“Why don’t you start?” Weiss realized she was taking the coward’s

way out, but she was simply out of words.

“I took this particular assignment because I hate pirates, and

piracy, more than anything.” Madisyn’s face was expressionless, but her

eyes seemed impossibly black. “They base their existence on murder,

• 102 •

Pirate’s Fortune

theft, and destruction—all because of greed. There’s no such thing

as ‘the noble savage.’” Pulling up her knees, Madisyn curled against

her pillows. “And now I can see how your mind is whirling. You’re

wondering how a damned android can hate anything or anyone.”

“You’re sentient. Of course you can hate.”

“Ha. You know that most people still think sentient androids are

little more than glorified robots.”

“I’m not most people.”

“For sure. You’re so credible in your role as Weiss Kyakh, pirate,

even I find myself buying into it.”

Weiss recoiled at the vehemence behind Madisyn’s words. “Go

on.”

“This is where things get a little weird. I mean, this is where I need

to ask you for complete confidentiality.”

“I don’t gossip,” Weiss said tightly.

“No, you don’t understand.” Madisyn crawled over onto Weiss’s

bed, placing both hands on her shoulders. “You can’t tell anyone. Not

even Jacelon. Nobody.”

“Oh.” Mystified, Weiss felt the warmth of Madisyn’s hands against

her, through the fabric of her coveralls. Dreading what she might hear,

she spoke quickly. “I promise.”

“You’re sure? There could be a conflict of interest involved.”

“I still promise.” Against her principles, Weiss vowed not to betray

Madisyn’s confidence, though she usually tried to avoid pledging her

word.

“The real Madisyn Pimm was aboard a transport shuttle when

pirates attacked it. She was twenty and traveling toward the Guild

Nation home world from Earth when four ships appeared out of

nowhere. The pirates killed the captain and the rest of the crew, and

all the other passengers. They left Madisyn for dead. When the border

patrol ship found them, they rushed her to the Guild Nation. There, her

parents had to face the fact that Madisyn’s body was too damaged to

save. She was dying.”

Her chest constricting, Weiss couldn’t speak. She leaned back

against the bulkhead and easily imagined the horrific scenes that had

played out in the shuttle all those years ago.

“However, Madisyn’s parents simply couldn’t accept losing her.”

• 103 •

Gun Brooke

“So they made you in her image. I’ve read that in your file. Jacelon

let me see it.” Weiss raised her hand in an apologetic gesture. “I needed

to know who my associate undercover was.”

“You still don’t know,” Madisyn said quietly. “Madisyn didn’t die.

Her body did and was buried, but her mind, her soul and personality,

didn’t.”

“I can understand that you relate to her—”

“Weiss. I’m Madisyn. I’m her. I survived after my parents placed

my brain, m-my spinal cord, into their experimental model. Model

Twenty-Two Alpha.” Madisyn smiled joylessly. “They had worked on

a new model, Eighteen-B, and made her look like me in my honor.

How ironic. However, Eighteen-B was not advanced enough to host

a humanoid central nervous system. Their secret prototype, another

Madisyn look-alike, was.”

“You’re not serious.” Weiss couldn’t believe it. “All of your

system registers as fully synthetic.”

“Yes. My parents devised ways for me to mask my human brain

and central nervous system against scans.” Madisyn grasped Weiss’s

hands in hers. “They broke the law by doing that.”

“I bet they did. The Guild Nation has some of the strictest laws

when it comes to their scientific community.” Weiss let her eyes roam

across the perfect face of the woman in front of her. Could she be telling

the truth?

“I can prove it.” Madisyn spoke dispassionately. “Here. Scan me.”

She handed a small medical scanner to Weiss.

Her fingers not entirely steady, Weiss did as Madisyn asked. At

first, the only readings were those of a bio-neural synthetic android.

Artificially grown tissues were sometimes hard to distinguish from

human with the naked eye, but a scanner easily found the markers.

Then the scanner beeped and Weiss read evidence of human tissue.

Nerve endings, neural pathways, gray and white matter, and synaptic

energy. Granted, the spinal fluid was artificial, but Madisyn’s brain,

cerebellum, prolonged marrow, and spinal column were humanoid.

“Oh, hell.”

“Yes.” Madisyn was shivering now.

“You have a humanoid brain.” Weiss knew she was repeating

herself. “A wholly humanoid brain…but how can you prove that it’s

the real Madisyn’s brain?”

• 104 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Good question. I can’t. I mean, back on the Guild Nation

home world I could easily do it with a genetic scan, but here, on this

godforsaken ship, I can’t. I have no reason to lie. I am who I say I am.”

Tears formed at the corners of Madisyn’s eyes. “See? A crying robot.

What a joke, huh?”

“Madisyn.” Weiss couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be like

to wake up and find herself turned into an android. A freak show in the

making. “Many people I know have artificial spare parts. I do too.”

“An arm. A leg. Intestines that need replacing. Hearts, lungs,

glands. Sure. But I bet you don’t know anyone with more than twenty

percent spare parts.” Madisyn spat the last words.

“Touché.” Weiss shook her head. “What did you…how did you

react when you came to?”

“I begged them over and over and over to kill me.” Madisyn laughed

bitterly. “I begged them to turn me off, to end it. They refused.”

“Gods, no wonder you loathe pirates.” Weiss felt herself go pale.

“Oh, no, that’s not why.” Madisyn’s soft voice betrayed such a

profound hatred that it shook Weiss to the core.

“No?”

“No. Once my parents convinced me that life was worth preserving,

even if I had to lead a clandestine existence as a sentient android, I

concluded that they were right. Life is worth preserving.”

“At any cost?” Weiss wasn’t sure.

“In retrospect. Yes.” Madisyn shrugged, a simple, jerky twitch of

her shoulders. “I lived with my parents, learned from them, and we

worked at the university.”

“What happened? Why this hatred for pirates if it wasn’t for what

they did to you?”

“I lost the only ones in my life who knew who I really was.”

Madisyn looked at Weiss with emotionless eyes. “Five years ago

pirates jettisoned my parents, and everyone else aboard their shuttle,

into space.”

• 105 •

• 106 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter eleven

Ayahliss barely kept from rushing out of Reena’s quarters.

Perhaps unaware of what she was doing, Reena regarded

her with professional, inquisitive eyes, something that made Ayahliss

cringe. It was like being on the defender’s bench. Reena was obviously

worried about her, but Ayahliss didn’t know, or understand, why.

“Please, Ayahliss?” Reena’s gaze shifted from being judging to

soft and genuinely concerned.

“Judge Beqq,” Ayahliss began, trying to put a little distance

between them by using Reena’s title.

“Judge?” Reena scowled.

“I’m getting too close.” Ayahliss swallowed repeatedly, knowing

she was certainly out of her element. “I’m not used to this. I’m barely

used to being friends with anyone, I mean, really friends. I’ve had

comrades in arms, and the monks were my parental figures, sort of, but

this…friendship thing, this family thing Dahlia has introduced me to,

it’s confusing.”

“And I confuse you too?”

“You terrify me.”

Reena tossed her head back, making her wild red curls tumble

freely around her shoulders, and laughed, a not entirely happy sound. “I

terrify you?” Shaking her head, Reena moved swiftly and unexpectedly,

and Ayahliss found herself pinned to the corner between the couch’s

arm and backrest. “You do more than that. Don’t you see?”

Ayahliss did. She hadn’t until then, but now she did, with Reena

hovering over her, looking like a forest creature from a fairy tale with

her vivid colors and untamed expression.

• 107 •

Gun Brooke

“I just can’t stay away from you, which really is too bad, because

I’m too old for you and you are an innocent.”

“Innocent?” Ayahliss didn’t understand. Surely Reena was aware

of her past? “I’m hardly an innocent.”

“Oh, but you are. I don’t mean in a legal sense. I’m sure you’ve

broken more than one law working for the Gantharian resistance.”

Reena ran the back of her hand down Ayahliss’s neck. “I mean like this.

How many times have you been close to a lover?”

A lover? Ayahliss drew a trembling breath. “Never.” Her body felt

molten, liquid. Hot.

“As I said. Innocent.” Reena brushed her lips along Ayahliss’s

cheek. “I know you had other priorities, but I wonder why you haven’t

explored this part of yourself.”

“I’ve been busy going on missions for the resistance.” Ayahliss

didn’t know why she felt so defensive.

“That’s just it. I’ve found that being in and around danger makes

for increased sexual desire.”

“Is that what this is?”

“Oh, darling, this is so much more.” The tenderness in Reena’s

eyes seemed to emphasize the ferocity of how she pressed herself

against Ayahliss.

“Then show me.” Not sure where the courage to play this game

Reena’s way came from, Ayahliss took firm hold of her waist and held

Reena in place. “You seem determined to make your point, so make

it.”

v

“Ayahliss.” Reena inhaled the clean scent of the young woman

beneath her. “I can understand why you’d see it that way. I promise

you, I’m not trying to make a point. You make it sound like I’m trying

to win an argument. I’m not.”

“Aren’t you?” Ayahliss gasped for air. “Aren’t you trying to prove

you can win?”

“Win what?” Bewildered at the anguish she detected behind

Ayahliss’s brave words, Reena cupped her chin. “If I’m trying to win

anything, it’s only your affection. Your loving affection.”

• 108 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Ayahliss blinked, a slow dip of long blue-black lashes over eyes

nearly the same color. “Affection?”

“Yes.” Reena tried for a self-deprecating smile. “I desire you, your

physical affection as well.” She slipped one hand around Ayahliss’s neck

and felt dampness at her hairline. Caressing the smooth skin, Reena

reveled in how Ayahliss’s expression changed. She had suspected that

Ayahliss was governed by her emotions, and this confirmed it. No doubt

Ayahliss felt trapped by their mutual attraction, and now that Reena had

her physically cornered, she was beginning to give in to her impulses.

A small internal voice whispered that this wasn’t fair to Ayahliss,

that Reena was manipulating her for her own carnal pleasure. It’s

not true! I love her! Reena furiously pulled Ayahliss into her arms as

she answered her internal saboteur. Holding her breath, she stopped

moving, shocked by her revelation. The unspoken words had sneaked

up on her, and now that she’d thought them, in a sense professed to

loving Ayahliss, if only to herself, she couldn’t go back.

“Reena?” Ayahliss looked up from where Reena held her tucked

into her shoulder.

“Oh, sweet soul, I have you.” The desire was still there, red hot, but

she also felt an overshadowing tenderness. Reena caressed Ayahliss’s

hair and looked into those amazing eyes. “May…may I kiss you?”

“Yes.” Ayahliss closed her eyes slowly as Reena lowered her

head and covered Ayahliss’s lips with her own. The sweetness and the

scorching heat intoxicated her. Reena was as gentle as possible, given

that she had wanted this woman ever since she had come to her and

Armeo’s rescue on Corma months ago. Now she parted Ayahliss’s lips

and slipped her tongue inside her mouth.

Ayahliss moaned and threw her arms around Reena’s neck. She

clung to Reena, digging her fingers into the red curls. “Reena…”

“Sweet soul.” Reena ran her lips down her neck, startled when

Ayahliss whimpered and shifted next to her. Suddenly, Reena was on

her back on the couch, Ayahliss on top of her. Her clothes were being

torn and pushed to the side as Ayahliss seemed to blindly fight for

access.

“Ayahliss. Please.” Reena had herself to blame. She had disregarded

Ayahliss’s tormented state of mind and only managed to add fuel to the

flames. Ayahliss was just trying to extinguish them as best as she knew

• 109 •

Gun Brooke

how. Reena was turned on and afraid, but not for her own sake. For

Ayahliss’s. “Listen to me, darling. Listen.” Lowering her voice, Reena

tried to reach Ayahliss, who in turn was close to her goal of undressing

Reena. “Ayahliss?”

“This it?” Ayahliss growled and nibbled her way across Reena’s

chest. “This is what you wanted, right?”

“Yes. And no.” Passive now, Reena sensed her treacherous body

give in to the heated caresses, and when Ayahliss reached naked skin,

Reena knew it wouldn’t take much for her to climax. “Don’t…don’t

be angry with me, Ayahliss?” Searing, pulsating heat coursed through

Reena, and when Ayahliss touched her breasts, she cried out and

arched, shameless in her state of arousal. Still, a part of her was unable

to give in to the fire raging in her belly and her limbs. She took hold of

Ayahliss’s arms and shook her. “Ayahliss, please.”

Suddenly still, hardly breathing, Ayahliss lay on top of her, her

face buried in Reena’s hair. Reena waited a few moments, trying to

prepare for the harsh words she was sure were bubbling to the surface

within the volatile young woman in her arms.

“Reena?”

Ayahliss’s tear-drenched voice cut Reena to the core. She hugged

Ayahliss fiercely, not caring that she was almost naked after Ayahliss’s

frenzied caresses.

“Sweet soul. I have you.” Reena echoed her words of only minutes

ago. “Come here. See? Touch me. I need your hands. I need you to keep

me warm. You’re so beautiful, inside and out. I can’t bear the thought

of you getting hurt when we deploy.”

Ayahliss raised her head and looked into Reena’s eyes. “You do?

Need me? My touch?”

“Everything about you,” Reena said, her voice husky. “Everything.

Your soul. Your gorgeous body. Your brilliant mind. Your passion.”

“I hurt you.”

“Right now? No.” I hurt you . I pushed you . “I’m sorry. I went too

far.” Reena ran her thumb across Ayahliss’s lower lip. “It was wrong.”

“What if it was?” Ayahliss spoke quietly and trembled, a faint

reverberating tremor that traveled over to Reena. “What if it was

wrong? Now you have to make it right.”

“I don’t understand.”

• 110 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“You say it was wrong, and you aroused me to a point where I

nearly ended up hurting you. I still ache for you and I don’t know what

to do about it. You have to make it right again.” Ayahliss’s tone was

tinged with despair, yet she also sounded calm and accepting.

Reena tried to understand. “I aroused you?”

“Yes.” The word was little more than a whimper.

“And it scares you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Reena whispered, gently framing Ayahliss’s face with her

hands.

“Because I need to be with you. Be right for you. H’rea deasavh, I

burn, and I don’t know how to stop it, or what to do about it!”

“Gods, Ayahliss.” Horrified at the torment emanating from

Ayahliss, Reena disregarded her own nudity and wrapped her arms and

legs around her. “Come here. Listen. You don’t need to do anything.

I’ve pushed you too far, too fast. I let my own fears rule because the

thought of you going into battle, of you being in danger when you go

planetside…it ripped away my ability to think clearly. Ayahliss, sweet

soul, please, tell me what you need. I promise you, anything you need

is fine. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I tore your clothes. I was violent. Again. Kellen…she…I

obviously haven’t learned a thing.” Ayahliss tried to get up, but Reena

knew that if she let her go now, something would break between them

irreparably. She held on, thinking desperately of something to say, or

do, that might reach Ayahliss.

“Don’t go. I need you. I don’t give a damn about the clothes. I

need you to stay. Please.” Reena pulled Ayahliss closer. “I need you to

kiss me. Your lips against mine…I’ve never felt anything like it. You

steal my breath away and I’ve dreamed of you, of us, like this.”

“Of me?” Ayahliss froze, but stopped trying to get up. “How, I

mean, I don’t understand what you see in me. You’re so amazing, and

you’re powerful. Famous, even.”

“Fame and power don’t warm my heart, or my bed.” Reena cringed

at her words, but Ayahliss smiled shyly.

“So you’re saying, despite being hung up on the age difference,

you find me exciting enough to warm your bed?” Ayahliss raised an

eyebrow, but relaxed against Reena.

• 111 •

Gun Brooke

“Gods, no, I didn’t mean for it to sound like that.” Reena groaned.

“I just wanted to make you understand how lonely it can be, power and

reputation be damned.”

“I was being facetious.” Ayahliss pushed Reena’s hair to the side,

exposing her breasts in the process. “Oh.”

“I haven’t really asked you if you find women attractive.” Reena

ignored a sudden urge to cover her bare skin.

“No, you haven’t.” Ayahliss studied Reena slowly, her eyes

roaming across the abundant hair, her face, and down her torso. “I mean,

I hadn’t really thought about attraction in a sexual or a romantic sense

until I met you. When we talked aboard the court ship, when you took

care of me and Armeo, I was stunned, and confused, at how I felt.”

“And how was that?”

“I wanted to kiss you. I wanted to touch you. Like this.” Ayahliss

caressed Reena’s long, curly locks. She gently ran her fingers through

them, held them against her cheek.

“Oh, sweet soul.” Reena blinked against the burning tears. “Kiss

me?”

Not saying anything, Ayahliss lowered herself onto Reena, this

time slowly, deliberately, and pressed her lips against hers. Reena kept

her mouth closed to begin with, but after a while that wasn’t enough.

She didn’t want to rush Ayahliss, but she needed more. Slowly, she

opened her mouth, letting her tongue dart into Ayahliss’s, teasing her.

“Mmm.” Humming, Ayahliss followed Reena’s lead. She slipped

her tongue into Reena’s mouth, and when Reena softly sucked it farther

in, the tremors started again. Reena stroked Ayahliss’s back, over and

over, as the deep, probing kiss seemed to go on forever. Eventually

they parted, both panting for air. Reena, who until now had considered

herself too cynical and blasé for romance, was astounded that a mere

kiss could affect her so.

“Reena.” Ayahliss slid sideways off Reena, and the cool air in her

quarters made her skin pucker. “You are so beautiful. I apologize. I

bruised you.” She covered Reena’s right breast with her hand. “Does

it hurt?”

“What? No. Of course not. You didn’t hurt me. I bruise easily,

and it’s normal that lovers leave marks on each other in the heat of the

moment.”

• 112 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Lovers?” Ayahliss’s voice caught. “We’re lovers?”

“Not yet.”

“But we will be?”

“If you want to.” Reena couldn’t believe how weak Ayahliss made

her feel. And afraid.

“I still don’t quite understand, but I want to be your lover, Reena. I

want to be with you and…” Ayahliss pressed her body close to Reena’s,

rubbing against her with a disarmingly innocent expression of desire

and confusion. “I ache inside for you.”

“Then let me help you.” Promising herself that this was all that

would happen tonight, Reena tenderly pulled Ayahliss onto her shoulder.

She pushed her hand in between them, cupping Ayahliss’s sex gently,

on the outside of her clothes. The telltale gasp proved she had found the

origin of Ayahliss’s ache. “Tell me if you want me to stop, but I think I

know how to help you, sweet soul.” Reena rubbed Ayahliss’s hot center

and the faint undulations were encouraging. “That’s it, darling.” Soon

Ayahliss was trembling and whimpering against her.

“It burns. It’s getting worse,” Ayahliss whispered. “Oh, I can’t

stand it. I don’t know what to do.”

The mere fact that Ayahliss felt inept was probably part of her true

torment. Reena hadn’t planned to take it further, but Ayahliss needed

more. Deftly, Reena slipped her fingers through the opening in the front

of Ayahliss’s coveralls. The underwear was made of thin non-woven

cotton Reena pushed aside and out of the way. When she discovered a

sparse tuft of hair and drenched, swollen folds, Reena was shocked at

her own reaction.

She was ignited, and moisture flooded her. “You’re so wet and

ready,” she said in a strained voice. Moaning, she let one finger glide

into the wetness, careful not to penetrate Ayahliss. She wasn’t sure

about Gantharian women’s physiology, or how painful a first insertion

might be. Wanting nothing but pleasure for Ayahliss, she was relieved

to find a swollen and, as it turned out, very sensitive clitoris. Reena

felt her own respond immediately as she caressed around Ayahliss’s

sex, and the sobbing moans and whimpers, so sexy and innocent, made

Reena clench her teeth.

“Reena. I need to touch you too.” Gasping, Ayahliss ran a shaking

hand along Reena’s stomach.

• 113 •

Gun Brooke

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!” The frenzy in Ayahliss’s response made Reena think

perhaps this felt too one-sided to her.

“Give me your hand.”

Ayahliss readily complied.

“Just apply pressure here, and maybe rub a little.” For some reason,

these instructions made Reena’s cheeks burn as she placed Ayahliss’s

hand between her own legs, on the outside of her trousers. “Ah…like

so, yes.”

“Hot.” Ayahliss rubbed against Reena with her body and her hand

in unison.

Reena wondered if she might even climax before Ayahliss. Having

her arms full of an amorous, aroused Gantharian warrior, so beautiful,

so brilliant in her own way, how could she resist?

“Reena!” Startled blue-black eyes bored into Reena’s, then

closed as Ayahliss’s orgasm drenched Reena’s fingers. The slick folds

rhythmically fluttered and added pressure between her legs; Reena

climaxed too.

“Oh!” Reena wrapped her free arm around Ayahliss and held

her tight as they crashed through the unbearable sweetness together.

Wave after wave, the much-needed release took the last of her breath.

Eventually, Reena got her breathing under control and found that

Ayahliss had somehow managed to reverse their positions. As it turned

out, lying with her head on Ayahliss’s shoulder was quite wonderful

and just where she wanted to be.

“That was fantastic, and so unexpected.” Ayahliss’s formal words

would’ve been amusing if she hadn’t sounded so reverent and loving.

“I agree. ‘Unexpected’ is the word.”

“I felt your climax as much as my own.” Ayahliss yawned. “I

apologize.”

“Just close your eyes. Soon enough we have to get up, but not

yet.”

“Good.” Ayahliss settled against the pillows and the armrest. “You

rest also.”

“I will.” Reena knew she wouldn’t sleep. She intended to lie here

and watch this stunningly beautiful woman and revel in the strong

sensations that had taken hold of her. So many feelings, and so strong.

Like love. Love? Reena had to close her eyes hard for a moment to not

• 114 •

Pirate’s Fortune

flinch and disturb Ayahliss. Love was dangerous in an armed conflict.

If a person thought too much about love and matters of the heart, she

lost her focus. She would not be able to do her job if she worried about

such things. Still, as much as Reena nudged at the concept of love to

remove it from her mind, it lingered. Eventually she gave in and, with a

deep sigh, she had to surrender completely and admit it to herself. She

was deeply and irrevocably in love with Ayahliss, Gantharian Protector

in training and resistance fighter.

• 115 •

• 116 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twelve

Weiss would always remember how cold she felt when

Madisyn’s words struck her like a fist below her ribs. She

gasped and recoiled, as if putting more distance between them would

make it easier. Twice, pirates had destroyed Madisyn’s life. Weiss

didn’t dare examine why this cruelty hit her so hard, when she had

been the one delivering blows and robbing people of their possessions

for so long. Granted, she had never indulged in random or gratuitous

violence, but she had impacted people’s lives in similar ways.

Madisyn looked at her with dry, indifferent eyes, but the tremors

in her hands revealed how affected she was. Slender, with her unruly

blond hair, she was beautiful, something Weiss had credited to her

inventors. Now that she knew Madisyn was made to look like her own

organic body, the synthetic one seemed less artificial.

“I don’t know what to say,” Weiss murmured. Part of her was sick

inside, and another part wanted to slide over and hold Madisyn tight.

This uncharacteristic impulse made her feel even more ill at ease.

“Not much to say. This is my life. I’ve made it my business to fight

piracy in any way I can. Right now, it serves my purpose to work for

SC intelligence, but if I find it doesn’t, I’ll resign and do it some other

way.”

“I see.” Wetting her dry lips, Weiss tried to avert her eyes, to give

herself some respite from her ache when she met Madisyn’s gaze. It

was impossible.

“I lost my mother much the same way when I was ten.” Shocked

at her own revelation, Weiss tried to clench her teeth around her words,

take them back.

• 117 •

Gun Brooke

“What?”

“I was raised on a generational ship. We were heading toward SC

space when pirates attacked. The ship was destroyed and a few of us

captured. I was separated from my mother.” Breathing shallowly, Weiss

fought the pain beneath her ribs. “I looked for her for more than ten

years.”

“Why did you stop? Did you find her?” A faint hope shone in

Madisyn’s eyes.

“No. The pirates, who kept me, finally told me. She died along

with everybody else among the bridge crew. I don’t know why I was so

shocked at the time. Guess hope truly lingers.” Weiss blinked repeatedly.

“I don’t compare this to your trauma. You suffered so much more and I

can understand your hatred.”

“At least I had my parents well into adulthood.”

“And afterward, you were alone.” Weiss hurt even more for the

lonely, deprived Madisyn than for her own loss, which amazed her. She

had focused on her own pain, her own perpetual anger and entitlement,

for so long. Now this young woman, her heart-wrenching fate, tore at

Weiss’s armor.

“You know, one of the worst things about losing my parents is that

nobody touches me. No hugs, no embraces, even though they never

dared touch me in public. Nothing. As for sex—forget it.” Madisyn

laughed again, and the sound was strangely sorrowful.

Weiss couldn’t remember when someone had last hugged her.

The only physical contact she’d had in ages was during hand-to-hand

combat. Once she’d sought pleasure in any space port without thinking

twice about it, but that was a long time ago.

“Would you?” Madisyn startled Weiss by rising on her knees.

“Would I what?”

“Hug me? I mean, if I asked you as a friend, would you give me a

hug?” Madisyn’s eyes now burned a bright blue.

“Ah. Sure.” Though this wasn’t a good idea, Weiss shifted and sat

down next to Madisyn. She placed her hands on Madisyn’s shoulders

with dread in her heart and no air in her lungs. To her surprise, Madisyn

softly moved into her touch, curling up next to her. Weiss wrapped her

arms around Madisyn’s shivering body, and suddenly it wasn’t hard at

all. It felt strangely natural to embrace her, even rock her a little.

• 118 •

Pirate’s Fortune

v

Madisyn’s heart thundered. Artificial components primarily

governed her synthetic physiology, but her brain still overrode them.

Now, being this close to another person, and being held, threatened

to overload all her senses. Weiss’s normal aura of feline grace and

deadliness had turned into something entirely different. The comforting

embrace had started out awkward, and Madisyn regretted it for half a

second before it began to feel so damn good. She snuggled closer and

Weiss held her wonderfully tight.

“Thank you.” Madisyn knew it sounded silly, strange even, to be

so grateful. She inhaled Weiss’s clean scent, tinged with something

crisp and citric. Occasionally, strangers might seem attracted to her

because her looks deceived them initially, but not once they pegged

her as a BSNL, no matter how sentient and with legalized rights and

obligations. Cynically, Madisyn had found that some men and women

might even consider a brief sexual encounter, but they might as well

have turned to an insentient android to scratch such an itch.

Now Madisyn realized her life might be pure hell from that

moment on. Having gone without physical contact for so long, she had

learned to live without it. Weiss’s embrace brought all the memories

back, though Weiss’s touch made her feel entirely different than her

parents’.

“I’m sorry.” Weiss spoke so quietly, only Madisyn’s enhanced

hearing detected her words.

“What?” Pulling back, Madisyn looked up at the angular features

of Weiss’s face, her eyes a dark, glimmering green. Heavy eyelids kept

Madisyn from reading their convoluted expression, but the faint tremors

in Weiss’s arms worried her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just that…I’m not used to, uh, hugging either.” Weiss

actually squirmed, looking ill at ease.

“You can let go.” Madisyn tried to lighten the mood by winking.

“Ah. That’s just it. Don’t think so. It feels too good.”

“Oh, Weiss. We’re such a pair, aren’t we?” Madisyn cringed at

what she’d just said. “I don’t mean we’re a pair, exactly, but—”

“I understand what you mean.”

• 119 •

Gun Brooke

“I’m afraid.” The words were out before Madisyn could stop them.

She pressed her forehead against Weiss’s shoulder.

“Why? Of what?”

“Oh, Weiss.” Madisyn refused to meet her gaze. “I could get used

to this. Proximity. Being held.”

Weiss sat very still, her arms still locked around Madisyn. At

first, Madisyn thought her needy words might go unanswered, but

Weiss gently cleared her throat. “Nothing says we can’t repeat this, if

required. In private.”

“Of course.” A careful sense of joy spread through Madisyn, and

she tipped her head back, letting her usual smile easily form on her lips.

“What kind of rough, tough, mean-spirited pirates would we portray if

we kept snuggling in public?” She gently kissed Weiss’s cheek. “Thank

you.”Weiss nearly stole her breath by wrapping her in a fierce hug.

“Don’t thank me. You’re not the only one with needs.”

Something stirred inside Madisyn’s lower abdomen. A heavy

sort of sweetness that sent warm waves down to her thighs made her

whimper.

“Madi?” Weiss cupped Madisyn’s cheek and tipped her head

back.

“Weiss…” Nearly drunk with her unexpected surge of arousal,

Madisyn blinked slowly.

“What’s wrong?” Frowning, Weiss pushed Madisyn’s hair from

her face, and the tender gesture soothed the fire coursing through her

veins. Weiss’s callused hands felt so good, better than anything Madisyn

had ever dreamed of, and her somewhat clumsy touch was endearing.

Something told her she better not relay that thought to Weiss.

“I’m fine. I mean, I’m all right.” Madisyn stole one last lungful of

Weiss’s scent and committed the feel of her warmth to memory before

pulling back. “Guess it got the better of me. I mean, talking about my

past.”“Can’t say I blame you.” Weiss fidgeted before pushing her hands

deep into her pockets. “We need to get some sleep.”

“Yes. Absolutely.” Madisyn hesitated, not sure how to say what

was on her mind. “I’m glad we talked. I’m glad you know. It’s been

very lonely.”

• 120 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Weiss drew a deep, not entirely steady, breath. “For stars and

skies, Madisyn. Lonely doesn’t cover it, does it?”

“Guess not.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I just wish—” Weiss dragged

a hand through her hair, for once loose and not tied back in her usual

austere manner.

“Yes?”

“I wish I wasn’t so damn inept at situations such as these.”

Frustration only made Weiss seem more approachable, and Madisyn

barely resisted hinting for another embrace.

“Hey, you and me both.” Madison gave a one-shoulder shrug.

“Today was hard on both of us, but you saved the Koenigin’s bridge

crew.”

“And you gave away your secret. That took more courage.” Weiss

had a look of longing, something Madisyn tried to not read too much

into.

“Time to sleep.” Madisyn pulled back the blanket and crawled

into bed. The thermo-blanket wrapped around her in another sort of

embrace. She closed her eyes and thought of Weiss and how it felt

when she held her and brushed her hair back. She called me Madi. The

sudden memory of the unexpected nickname made Madisyn relax and

sink farther into her pillow.

v

Weiss listened to Madisyn’s breathing while she tried to fall asleep

herself. She had no idea what had just happened. Aloof and used to

being regarded as aggressive and terrifying, she knew Madisyn had

claimed a spot inside her frozen heart that had been vacant for many

years. Not since she was a very young girl could Weiss remember such

tenderness.

The sense of protection that Madisyn evoked in her could prove

to be dangerous to her plans. They weren’t far from the asteroid belt

where she had hidden her wealth over the years. The caverns on the

asteroid held enough poisonous gases and materials to warrant heavy-

duty survival gear, which kept people away if they ventured onto the

hostile surface. Consisting mostly of Dahraxian noble ores, the most

• 121 •

Gun Brooke

sought-after metal in the known part of the galaxy, it would allow her

to live in luxury for the rest of her life, once she could retrieve it and

then disappear.

A soft sigh, followed by an even softer whimper, distracted Weiss,

and she frowned at the spike of tenderness that shot through her. Certain

it actually did some damage inside, she imagined it nicking her heart,

leaving it to slowly bleed with every beat.

“Damn,” she whispered. Her plan was dangerous, but not very

complicated. Waiting until the Salaceos was close enough, disabling

the alarm system and the cloaked chip inside her, stealing a shuttle, and

leaving quietly. Now it was complicated, and that complication was

called Madisyn Pimm. How could she just go and leave her behind in

the midst of the people she hated—and feared—the most?

• 122 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter thirteen

Kellen straddled the hover bike, donned the black helmet, and

motioned for Ayahliss to sit behind her. Next to them, several

SC marines did the same, carefully hidden behind the large forest

located between them and Ganath, Gantharat’s capital.

Gazing around her, Kellen made sure her unit was ready to move

out. They would have to, in order to use the faint moonlight to their

advantage. Martial law had been part of the Gantharians’ existence

since the occupation began more than twenty-five years ago, and being

caught out past curfew meant incarceration in an asteroid prison.

Everybody had mounted their hover bikes, which the resistance

had delivered to the small forest path. It had been eerie to find the

twenty-some bikes abandoned in the woods, but Kellen’s scans had

showed no signs of an ambush and no tinkering with the bikes.

As she signaled for the others to start their bikes and follow her, she

inhaled the familiar sweetness of the Gantharian fall air. It felt magical

to be back and yet, in a strange way, also alien. She had been part of

the SC military and lived on several SC worlds since she had fled her

home world with Armeo. Caring for the young prince, marrying Rae,

and changing not only her own life, but that of her fellow Gantharians

had forever altered her existence.

The winding forest path widened as they neared the capital. The

resistance fighters had meticulously mapped the forest and regularly

updated the system of their hover bikes to be able to use stealth mode.

This was also an illegal feature, from an Onotharian point of view.

Nobody was allowed to move undetected by scanners, but this didn’t

• 123 •

Gun Brooke

stop the Gantharian scientists from coming up with new and improved

systems to beat the tyrants.

The forest became less dense and Kellen slowed down, the nearly

soundless machine barely purring faintly under her. Ayahliss shifted in

her seat and readied her double-nozzled sidearm.

“Not much farther now,” Kellen murmured in her earpiece. “Be

ready.”

“Ready.” Ayahliss’s voice was low and emotionless.

Kellen pressed the sensor that increased the bike’s speed as they

turned a sharp corner, coming upon a low, dark building. Evenly

dispersed poles created a force field around it, which shimmered faintly

in the dark. Kellen forced the bike closer, taking the curve almost lying

down, and Ayahliss held to her shoulder as she took aim with the

weapon the SC’s finest engineers had provided.

Four poles exploded in quick succession, sending a shower of

sparks several meters up, illuminating the woods. The marines careened

through the disabled force field just behind Kellen and Ayahliss. Two

Onotharian guards came running around the corner, firing plasma-pulse

weapons. Ayahliss raised her sidearm again.

“No! Shoot to stun.” Kellen yanked her own weapon free from

her harness as she slid the bike to a stop and stunned the closest guard.

“They might be Gantharians.”

“Traitors,” Ayahliss spat, but used her smaller sidearm to stun the

other guard, who had frozen at the sight of the crowd.

“Blast the doors open. We need to get to the weapons and sensor-

grid projectors.”

“On it.” Ayahliss jumped off the bike and ran toward the doors,

firing repeatedly with her double-barreled blaster.

“We have company, Protector.” The closest marine showed her his

scanner readings. “At least fifty of them.”

“And they should be ours, but let’s make sure.” Kellen pulled her

plasma-pulse rifle from her back. Switching on the monitor on top of it,

she adjusted it to night vision. “Send ten marines into the building with

Ayahliss. I’ll meet the newcomers with a few of your troops.” Kellen

didn’t like parting with Ayahliss but knew she was trained to handle

herself better than any of the marines. “Keep comm channels open.”

“Affirmative, Protector.”

Kellen cast one last glance at the now-open structure and saw

• 124 •

Pirate’s Fortune

marines disappear with Ayahliss into the building. Checking her

monitor again, she spotted the approaching crowd moving fast along

two different paths. Their speed indicated they were resistance fighters,

familiar with the paths of the deep forest.

She ran between the trees, six marines behind her, and soon she

could make out shadows and hear the approaching hover bikes. She

motioned to the marines to stay hidden and stepped into the path,

forcing the lead bike to come to a rapid halt. The rider forced the bike

to rise on its rear pad, much like a spooked maesha.

“What the hell…?” The rider jumped off the bike and reached for

a weapon. “Identify yourself.”

“Roshan.” Relief flooded Kellen when she recognized her old

comrade-in-arms. This woman had once brought Kellen’s father home

after Onotharian forces had killed him. Roshan O’Landha, resistance

leader, had fought alongside her father, and later they’d belonged to

the same resistance cell. Roshan had found out Kellen was the last

protector of the realm only recently, when Kellen and Rae had rescued

several thousand freedom fighters.

“Kellen!” Roshan hit a sensor, placing the hover bike on standby.

“Oh, Gods, I can’t believe it.”

“I see you brought backup.” Kellen nodded at the thirty-some

bikes behind Roshan. “Andreia?”

“Right here.” An agile woman approached after lowering her bike

to the ground and stepping off. “It’s good to see you, Protector.”

Kellen stepped closer, making sure nobody else was within

earshot. “Likewise, Boyoda.” Very few people knew that Andreia

M’Aldovar, Onotharian by birth and Gantharian by heart, was the

mythical resistance leader with the call sign Boyoda. When Kellen and

Rae had evacuated the resistance fighters to Revos Prime, Andreia had

assumed another identity, to keep her true one hidden. After living a

double existence as resistance leader and Onotharian poster child for

the occupation, she had a price on her head from both camps. “I wasn’t

aware that you had arrived from Revos Prime already.”

“We knew the Onotharians would be waiting, so we leaked false

information to everybody. We’ve actually been back fifteen days,

enough to get organized and coordinate with headquarters.” Roshan

glanced behind Kellen. “I see from the lights over there that you’ve

managed to get into the structure.”

• 125 •

Gun Brooke

“I brought some new technology. We managed to take out the

sensors with two shots,” Kellen explained. “Hitch a ride back there?

The sooner we get out of here, the better.”

“Sure.” They mounted the bike and hurried back after Kellen gave

a signal to the marines to return to their vehicles as well.

Ayahliss came toward them, her eyes glimmering. “Protector, we

have found—Paladin!” She used Roshan’s call sign, smiling broadly.

“O’Daybo,” she greeted Andreia, her smile fading a little. It had hit

Ayahliss hard to learn that their most revered resistance leader was an

Onotharian.

“Ayahliss.” Roshan embraced the flustered young woman. “Good

to see you.”

“And you.” The affectionate greeting seemed to take Ayahliss

aback. “Protector, we have disabled most of the surveillance grid for

the inner city of Ganath. In the core of the city, the Onotharians are

virtually blind and deaf. We’ve also located the main weapons storage

within the facility.”

“Excellent. Better than we thought. It’s time to move the interim

government inside the main structures and create a stronghold. We also

need to focus a big part of our forces on the transmitting networks,

to get the message out.” Kellen looked around. “We’re going to start

something tonight that we’ve worked a long time to achieve. As we

speak, diplomats and officers of the court are moving in, so we need to

work fast.”

“I can hardly believe it,” Andreia said softly, her voice trembling.

“It’s been so long.”

Roshan placed an arm around her shoulders. “It certainly has.”

“Protector? Ma’am? We’ve removed the weaponry and loaded

it on the hover carts.” The marine captain pointed toward four carts

behind the hover bikes closest to the door opening.

“Excellent, now we just have—” A sharp signal interrupted Kellen

and she yanked her communicator from her shoulder. Concerned, she

realized the incoming message was from the diplomatic security detail.

“Kellen O’Dal here. Go ahead.”

“Protector. We’re taking heavy fire and have been cut off from

the main part of the detail.” A young marine was obviously running,

gasping as he spoke.

• 126 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“The diplomats?” Kellen forced down the icy sensation burning

her throat.

“They’re with us. We’re trying to keep them safe while our unit is

engaging the enemy.”

“Ping your coordinates with the scramble-beacon. We’re not far

away.”

The marine transmitted his coordinates, and Roshan and Andreia

brought up a digital map of the city.

“We have your location, Corporal. Keep your head down and the

diplomats safe until we get there.” Pray he does. Kellen shoved the

weapons into her harness and jumped onto her hover bike. Turning her

head, she looked into the dark blue fire of Ayahliss’s eyes.

“Reena? Dahlia?” Ayahliss spoke without inflection.

“Under attack. Let’s go.” Kellen pulled the bike into a steep climb,

grateful for the powerful engine. As her SC unit moved out, followed

by the resistance fighters, she kept up an inner mantra: Be safe. Please,

be safe.

v

Reena wiped the dust from her eyes, squinting through the long

strands of her hair that had dislodged from its severe bun. Next to her,

Dahlia kept low behind the overturned hover car.

“You’re bleeding,” Dahlia said, pointing to Reena’s forehead.

“Oh.” Reena looked at her fingertips where bloodstains confirmed

Dahlia’s words. “It’s not bad.”

“Where the hell did they come from?” Dahlia peered over the

edge of the car. The air around them was damp and held the special

burned smell of plasma-pulse weapons fire. She quickly moved back

down onto her knees when more firing erupted. “Damn. You’d think

that a double security detail would be enough.”

To their left, a marine flew backward through the air. He ended up

on his back, his body twitching violently before it became very still.

“For stars and skies!” Dahlia threw herself forward, but Reena

managed to grab her and pin her to the ground.

“He’s in the line of fire,” she yelled. “Stay down, or he’ll have

sacrificed his life for nothing.”

• 127 •

Gun Brooke

Dahlia tried to free herself for a few moments, pushing at Reena.

She eventually relaxed, her eyes never leaving the wounded young

man. “Can’t we try to pull him over here?”

“Wait.” Reena impatiently pushed her hair back and watched the

other marines lay down cover fire as two of them ran with one other

injured soldier hanging listless between them. “All right. Hurry.” She

and Dahlia crawled over to the marine. Afraid to even raise her head,

Reena fumbled blindly for the man’s harness and grabbed it. She dared

a glance and saw that Dahlia had a steady grip on his belt. “Pull.”

Dust collected in Reena’s eyes and nose as she crawled and yanked

at the harness. The unconscious—or dead—man was so heavy, her

shoulders felt like she was ripping them from their socket. Grunting,

she dug the heels of her shoes in, and together she and Dahlia dragged

the soldier behind the vehicle.

“Is…he breathing?” Dahlia crouched on all fours, barely audible

above the noise.

“Let’s see.” Blinking at the sting in her eyes, Reena carefully

opened the visor of his helmet. He was clearly of Imidestrian origin, his

green-yellow eyes half-open and his lips white. “Oh, this isn’t good.”

Reena would have to risk removing his helmet to administer CPR. She

told herself that if his neck was injured, they had already aggravated the

injury by yanking him to safety. Unclasping the lock, she carefully slid

it off and, listening, she realized he wasn’t moving any air.

“I’ll do compressions.” Her words curt, Dahlia knelt next to the

soldier.

“All right.” Reena wiped some blood off the man’s face and

yanked the med kit off his belt. Not about to wait until she got the

portable ventilator out, she manually breathed a few times into his

lungs. Dahlia compressed his rib cage five times, then attached the

ventilator to his mouth and nose. Pressing it down, she knew it would

supply the exact amount of oxygen needed to prevent further damage

to his brain.

“Judge Beqq!” Another soldier, the major in charge of their

security detail, crawled up to them, his eyes narrow. “We have called

for backup.” He regarded their efforts. “As long as you stay behind the

armored hover car, you’re protected. I’ll see if I can send someone back

here to help with Sergeant Lisht.”

• 128 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Just keep the enemy at bay until backup gets here,” Reena said

and pressed the mask firmer around Lisht’s face. “He’s not breathing.”

“Pulse?” the major asked.

“Wait.” Dahlia pressed her fingers at Lisht’s neck. “None so far.”

“No more heroics. We’re here for your mission.” The major pushed

himself back and crawled around the vehicle. Reena looked up just in

time to see his body go rigid and almost hover, only to fall sideways

against the scorched metal. “Gods!” Reena ducked as more dirt sprayed

their way. “We’re in big trouble.”

“I’ll say.” Dahlia was out of breath, but kept working on Lisht.

“Keep going with the mask.”

“Aye, ma’am.” Reena disregarded the tightness in her chest and

pushed the ventilator back onto Lisht’s face. Suddenly the young man

coughed and moaned into the mask. Removing it, Reena saw him blink

against the dust in the air.

“Easy.” Dahlia ceased the compressions. “You’re injured. Lie

still.”Because of pain or Dahlia’s authoritative voice, Lisht remained

on his back. Reena switched to oxygen only and let the mask rest on

his face.

“The team?” Lisht asked after greedily drawing a few breaths.

“Under heavy fire. Your major is down.”

“Then I’m it.” Pushing onto his side, Lisht tried to sit up.

“I think not.” Reena eased him back down as he lost all color.

“Your team is holding our position, and backup is coming—” Alarmed

by a roaring sound, Reena glanced up. It was hard to make anything

out, but the sky seemed filled with large projectiles.

“Are those hover bikes?” Dahlia rubbed her eyes. “And are they

ours?”

“Guess we’ll find out really quick.” Several of the shadows

touched down farther away. The firing increased, and Reena saw blue-

tinted plasma charges directed toward the enemy.

“Ours.” She sighed in relief. “Hear that, Lisht? Backup’s here.”

“I…hear…” His voice was weak, and Reena looked down only to

discover a substance darkening the ground around him. “Damn it, he’s

hemorrhaging.” Desperate to find the source of his wound, she slid her

hands underneath his jacket. “Where’s it coming from?”

• 129 •

Gun Brooke

“I don’t know.” Dahlia pushed her hands underneath him. “I

can’t…oh…damn.” She sank down on her knees, her hands hanging

bloody at her side. “It’s his entire back. It’s one big wound and he’s

bleeding out.”

“No. Oh, Gods.” Reena blinked as futile tears burned behind her

eyes.

“Reena!” The sound of fast feet hammered against the ground and

Ayahliss threw herself down next to them. “There’s so much blood.”

“Not mine. His.” Numb, Reena motioned toward Lisht. “We tried

to save him.” Reena found herself engulfed by Ayahliss’s strong arms,

and for a moment she allowed herself to gain strength from the embrace.

“I’m all right. Really.” She looked up and saw Kellen kneeling next to a

somber Dahlia. “Glad you’re here.”

“We need to get you to safety. We have a new hovercraft waiting

for you. The Onotharians are already pulling back.” Kellen peered

around the wreckage.

Reena squeezed Ayahliss’s hand quickly and stood on wobbly

legs. Her clothes were torn, and only now did she feel the pain from the

cuts and bruises that covered her legs and arms.

“You’re bleeding.” Ayahliss trembled as she carefully separated

the torn fabric of Reena’s coverall. Her body armor had protected her

from the worst of the attack, but it didn’t extend to her legs.

“It’s not so bad.” Annoyingly dizzy, Reena tried to focus as the

sky darkened even more. The last thing she heard was Ayahliss’s frantic

voice.

• 130 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter Fourteen

Madisyn moved and snapped open her eyes when a warm

weight hindered her movement. Their quarters were still

dark; the automatic light had yet to go to twenty percent illumination.

Cautiously, Madisyn turned her head and felt a soft puff of air as

someone exhaled right next to her cheek. What the…? Weiss?

Afraid to move, Madisyn tried to get her bearings. She was in her

bed, and Weiss was in her bed. She let her eidetic memory scan what

had transpired last night. She had told Weiss everything. Her secret

was no longer that, a secret. One other living being knew that she was

humanoid in all the ways that really mattered. Someone knew, and not

just anyone. Weiss knew.

Weiss shifted next to her and wrapped a strong arm around

Madisyn’s waist. Unable to completely mute a soft gasp, Madisyn

raised a hand to clasp her mouth. Instantly, Weiss took hold of her wrist

and held her firmly.

“Who—?” Weiss pushed herself up on her elbow and Madisyn

could see her eyes glimmer in the faint light from the surrounding

stars.

“Weiss. It’s me. Madisyn.”

“Madisyn. Oh. Of course.” Weiss held her for a moment longer

before she suddenly seemed to realize it. “Oh, sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No, but what are you doing here?”

“What do you mean?” Weiss rubbed her face.

“In my bed.”

Madisyn could feel how rigid Weiss became at the question.

“You were dreaming. Last night, as we were falling asleep, you

• 131 •

Gun Brooke

kept moaning and whimpering.” Weiss, sounding calmer and more

assured, propped her head up against one hand and placed the other one

just above Madisyn’s midsection.

Could Weiss feel the fluttering sensation inside her? Despite her

ability to control her body’s reactions, Madisyn was unable to stop her

heart from pounding and her skin from creating goose bumps as her

hair follicles rose in unison. “I never whimper,” she said. I hope.

“Well, you did last night, and I figured since I more or less forced

your secret out of you, I should be the one who provided some, well, I

guess, comfort.”

Madisyn couldn’t help but smile. Weiss was hardly the touchy-

feely type, at least not while in character as rough and mean pirate.

Obviously she had a softer side that could manifest itself when least

expected. Slowly relaxing, Madisyn exhaled and turned on her side to

face Weiss. “Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For caring enough to not let me ride out the nightmares by myself.

I do get them sometimes, and since my parents were killed, I’ve always

had to face them alone. If I had nightmares last night, I don’t even

remember them. Perhaps you prevented the worst of the images. You

have no idea what a relief that is.”

“Ah. That’s all right. You kept me awake anyway.” Weiss gave a

wry smile. “Then again, you kept me awake just as much when I moved

over here.”

“I did? How is that?” Madisyn tried to gauge Weiss’s expression,

barely visible. “Lights, ten percent.”

A dim light lit up their quarters. Madisyn blinked as she saw a

faint pink hue on Weiss’s cheekbones.

“You really have to ask?” Her voice sardonic, Weiss raised one

eyebrow.

“Sure. If I stopped having a nightmare, why would I keep you

awake, unless I had cold feet or something?” Madisyn wiggled her toes.

They felt warm as usual, nothing wrong with her inner thermostat.

“Stars and skies, woman, are you really that dense?” Weiss shook

her head. “I haven’t shared anyone’s bed in a long time, and here you

are—soft, beautiful, warm, and squirming against me.”

“I do not squirm!” The ridiculous objection left Madisyn’s lips

• 132 •

Pirate’s Fortune

before she could stop it. “I mean, even if I did, why would you have

any problems with that? I know very well that someone like you would

never find me even remotely attractive.”

“What do you mean, someone like me?” Her eyes frosty slits of

green, Weiss still kept her arm across Madisyn.

“You’ve been all over the known universe and then some,

according to our boss. You’re experienced and, even if I’m not, I can

tell that you’re used to the finer things in life. I’m sure that translates

to…to companions.”

“True. I used to enjoy the company of temporary lovers, preferably

young women who knew and abided by the rules.” Weiss spoke darkly,

and her grip around Madisyn’s waist tightened. “And, trust me, none

of them had soft curly blond hair, pale unpainted skin, and baby blue

eyes.”

“No? What were they like?” Madison asked hurriedly. Perhaps

it wasn’t polite to ask, but she needed to deflect the attention from

herself.

“What were they like?” Weiss guffawed. “Often curvaceous,

experienced, elegant, sometimes bordering on sleazy. Knew what they

wanted. Knew what I wanted.”

“What did you want?”

“Sex. Release tension. Some distraction. Some fun.” Shrugging,

Weiss slid her hand slowly up Madisyn’s abdomen. “And you, who lost

so much so young. Where do you find release? Or some fun?”

“I don’t. I’m a robot, remember?” Madisyn knew she sounded

bitter, but if she gave in to the multitude of emotions Weiss’s hand

created, she didn’t know where she would end.

“You’re not. You’re a humanoid girl from Guild Nation, a brilliant

scientist, a family girl who suffered trauma that would’ve left pretty

much everyone else out of her mind.”

“I was out of my mind for a while.” Madisyn sobbed, only once

and very quietly, but Weiss bent down immediately and brushed her

lips against her forehead.

“You’re brave, dedicated, and passionate. You risk everything for

your cause. So you see, these women in my past, a long time ago by

now, were nothing like you. They can’t compare even for a second. You

shame them all in every way.”

• 133 •

Gun Brooke

“Except in the way you wanted them.” Madisyn cursed her tongue

for speaking before she engaged her logic.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re trying to be nice. I appreciate it, but I don’t need your

pity. I’ve found my way of life, my purpose, and it’s enough.”

“So, let me see if I understand you correctly,” Weiss said slowly,

not removing her maddening hand from the side of Madisyn’s chest.

“You are content to be an undercover agent, fighting piracy, and you

aren’t missing the touch between friends or lovers, because you never

experienced it. You also feel inferior toward women who are well

versed in the art of making love. That about it?”

“I don’t feel inferior to anybody!” Madisyn knew it was a lie, but

she would never admit it, especially not to Weiss.

“Don’t you?” Weiss moved her hand and lightly cupped Madisyn’s

right breast. “I’m fairly sure I’m the first who has touched you this way.

I might be wrong, but the way you feel under my hand, I don’t think I

am.”

“Even so, there’s more to life than sex. There are far more

important things. Like…like…” Tears of fury rose behind her eyelids

as the words became trapped inside her.

“Don’t cry.” Weiss slid her hand up to frame Madisyn’s face. “You

don’t have to worry.”

“Why would I worry? You said it yourself. I’m not your type.”

“That’s not what I said, exactly.” Weiss rubbed her thumb across

Madisyn’s eyebrows. “What I said was, you’re not like any of those

women in my past. You’re so much more. You outshine them, and your

courage and compassion make you someone I’ve never come across

before. You’re a real person. A whole person.” She dipped her head and

brushed her lips against Madisyn’s.

Forgetting to breathe, Madisyn could hardly believe that

somebody, Weiss of all people, was kissing her. She was torn between

wanting to pull away and craving to throw her arms around Weiss.

Madisyn was certain her body wasn’t built to handle such conflicting

emotion.

“Kiss me back.” It wasn’t an order, nor was it a request. It sounded

like the most natural statement in the world, like Weiss had longed to

kiss her and now simply had to.

“What if I—I make a mistake?”

• 134 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“You won’t. I promise you. You won’t.” Weiss pulled Madisyn

half on top of her.

Unable to resist, Madisyn lowered her head toward Weiss.

“Computer, lights out.” The sudden darkness was a blessing until

Madisyn realized that she had to feel her way as her optical nerve

adjusted.

“Yes. Just like that.” Weiss’s voice deepened. “Just relax.”

Madisyn trembled uncontrollably as she pressed her lips against

Weiss’s. They were so warm, soft, and alluring; she couldn’t repress a

moan as she sank into a full-body embrace. She parted her lips because

she had a deep need to taste Weiss. She might never get another chance

to do this.

“Mmm, Madi…” Weiss rolled them over, ending up on top. She

rested on her elbows and nibbled Madisyn’s lips, intermittently soothing

the teasing nips with soft, gentle kisses. Madisyn arched her back, her

body reacting as if someone had poured burning plasma on it. She had

never explored her BNSL body’s preparedness for sexual encounters.

Her natural shyness had kept her from discussing the matter with her

parents, but now she realized what her mother had meant when she

said, “The Twenty-Two Alpha is fully functional; it will serve you

well.” What an understatement . Cringing slightly, Madisyn accepted

Weiss’s tongue into her mouth and felt for the first time the physical

manifestations of arousal. She assumed the wetness between her legs

was normal, as was the way her nipples pebbled into sharp points,

chafing against her sleep shirt.

Weiss had her arms around Madisyn and pushed her hands up

underneath the shirt, stroking her back slowly. Madisyn whimpered

and pushed her hands into Weiss’s hair, which hung loose against her

cheeks. Reveling in how it wound itself around her fingers, as if to keep

her close, Madisyn returned Weiss’s kisses with trust and passion.

“Madisyn?” Weiss murmured against her lips. “This is…getting

out of hand.”

Madisyn didn’t want to listen. She needed more of these feelings,

more of the amazing sensation of being held like she was the only

woman in the universe—Madisyn flinched and pushed back. “All right!

Let go. Let go of me.” She shivered now as panic began to set in. It was

ridiculous to fantasize like this, to pretend even for a second that she

would ever be important to anyone.

• 135 •

Gun Brooke

“There, you’re fine. See. No hands.” Weiss moved back. “Lights

on ten—”

“No. No lights.” Madisyn hardly recognized her own voice, raw

and intense. “I need a moment. Please.”

“Hey, Madi, don’t.” Weiss gently gripped Madisyn’s hands.

“You’re fine. It was a kiss, that’s all. A kiss.”

“Sure. Absolutely.” Why was she so damn short of breath? “You’re

right.” Just a kiss, true, but it was her first.

They sat in silence as Madisyn struggled to find her bearings.

She used every technique her enhanced system possessed to stymie

the raging synthetic hormones, mildly cursing her brilliant parents for

creating a body such as this, even equipped to indulge in sex if the need

arose. For stars and skies, it certainly had. How was she supposed to

work side by side with Weiss now that she knew what it felt like to be

held by her, kissed by her?

The automatic illumination switched the light on at twenty percent

and a computerized voice stated the stellar time. Madisyn pushed her

shoulders back and for the first time met Weiss’s steady gaze. Was

there something new there, something different? Quite sure it was

wishful thinking, Madisyn couldn’t disregard the fullness of Weiss’s

usually narrow lips. She had done that. Her kisses had made them look

like that. Somehow this realization alleviated the lingering feeling of

awkwardness. Madisyn swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

Perhaps she should merely regard this experience as nothing but

an extraordinary start of an ordinary day among the worst scum of outer

space. If nothing else, it took her mind off any potential regrets about

letting Weiss in on her most guarded secret.

v

Ayahliss studied Reena as they sat down to have breakfast. Soon

she would join the team that guarded the diplomats, but for now it was

only the two of them. Ayahliss scrutinized Reena’s forehead, which

didn’t even show a scar.

Shuddering at the memory of the deep gash that had bled all over

Reena’s face, Ayahliss gripped the mug of coffee tighter. She had thought

for several tormenting seconds that Reena was mortally wounded. Not

sure where her strength had come from, she had carried Reena aboard

• 136 •

Pirate’s Fortune

the MEDEVAC shuttle. The medics pushed her out of the way, which

put her self-control to the test. Only the fact that they acted in Reena’s

best interest made her step back and observe as they treated her.

“We have half an hour before we’re due in the shuttle bay.” Reena

looked up, her eyes warming as she regarded Ayahliss. “Don’t,” she

said softly.

“Don’t what?” Ayahliss said, stalling.

“Don’t look at me like you don’t expect to see me ever again.

Kellen and Captain Todd have made sure that we’ll have twice as many

security officers with us when the negotiations take place.”

“I want to go with you.”

“You have your own assignment with the resistance fighters. If

anyone should be concerned, it’s me. You’re doing far more dangerous

things than I.” Reena clearly meant to keep the mood light, but she had

a haunted expression as she took Ayahliss’s hand.

“I will use caution,” Ayahliss vowed quietly.

“I will hold you to it.” Reena sounded just as serious. “You are

important to me, Ayahliss. I…I cannot lose you.”

Ayahliss felt like tiny icicles she never knew about melted inside,

creating a flood of tears that she simply couldn’t allow herself to

shed. She held on tight to Reena’s hand. “I fear for you. I fear losing

you. I can’t even imagine never knowing what caring for you would

be like.” Ayahliss held her breath, knowing full well she was being

presumptuous.

“That’s just it. We both need to be careful. We have to make sure

we’re alive and well, and ready to come back to each other. I know it’s

early yet, but war leaves you with a huge magnifying lens when looking

at your life and what matters.” Reena caressed the back of Ayahliss’s

hand with her thumb. “You know you matter to me—more than I can

say.”

Ayahliss gasped, and even if she somewhere was aware of the

other people in the mess hall, she saw only Reena. The cascading,

wild red hair, her long lashes shadowing the brilliance of her eyes, and

most of all, the untamed exuberance that seemed to endlessly call to

Ayahliss.

“I never expected this. I mean, to feel this way.” Ayahliss clung to

Reena’s hand. “You understand?”

“I do. When we have the opportunity to be alone again, I will share

• 137 •

Gun Brooke

in great detail just how well I understand.” Her eyes twinkling, Reena

smiled, a thoroughly naughty and infectious smile. “I look forward to

it.”

“So do I.”

They finished their meal, and outside in the corridor they walked

their separate ways: Reena to her quarters to gather her documents,

Ayahliss to hers to assemble her gear. This could be the last time they

saw each other, but Ayahliss deliberately shook off the feeling. Instead,

she promised herself that next time she and Reena were alone together,

she would confess her love.

• 138 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter FiFteen

We are ready to dock with the Ondamann in five minutes,

Captain,” said the Salaceos’s helmsman.

“Cloak still operative.” Madisyn kept her eyes on the readings.

“Unless we want them to start firing from sheer embarrassment

that we sneaked up on them like this, I suggest we decloak now,” Weiss

said, her voice dry. “Onotharians spook easily.”

Podmer frowned in Weiss’s direction. “I never said this was an

Onotharian ship.”

“Please.” Weiss gestured dismissively. “The name? The

configuration? Pretty obvious.”

“Ha.” Podmer cleared his throat. “Pimm, you heard your buddy.

Decloak.”

“Aye, Captain.” Madisyn punched in the command that switched

off the cloaking feature. Buddy? She had a flashback of how she had

awoken that morning with Weiss tucked in close behind her. The

sensation had been more alien to Madisyn than any new-world life

form, and she remembered how she had pressed against Weiss, reveling

in the sensation of her slender body.

“The Ondamann is hailing us, Captain.” Struyen manned the ops

station, his eyes narrow and contemptuous as he glanced up. He had

always kept his distance from Madisyn, and the way he looked at Weiss

suggested he was more than wary of her. Perhaps since she could take

him down with one hand tied behind her back.

“On screen.” Podmer stood, adjusting his jacket. “This is Podmer

of the space vessel Salaceos.”

• 139 •

Gun Brooke

“Lix M’Ossar. Welcome to the Volice asteroid belt. You are,

however, quite late, and we need to put our plans in motion instantly.”

A diminutive man, his voice as crisp as his exterior, came into view, all

decked out in white.

“Our apologies. We had to calibrate our system to allow for the

magnetic disturbance within the belt.”

“Most successfully. We didn’t expect you to be able to use your

cloaking device.” His voice dry, M’Ossar seemed reluctantly impressed.

“Elect your most trusted associates and report to our conference

room.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Madisyn could see that Podmer didn’t appreciate the obvious

order. Admiral Jacelon wanted the specs for each Onotharian ship they

ran into so, scanning the ship, she used the algorithm she had written for

moments like this. If the other ship had sensed her scan, it would have

been a very unfortunate situation. Now Madisyn piggybacked on the

cloaking device she had just shut down, though not entirely. This way

the beam was virtually undetectable and could easily be mistaken for

normal background space noise, especially this close to a magnetized

asteroid belt.

“Weiss, Struyen, you’re with me. Pimm, you have the bridge. Keep

an eye on these fools. They possess great wealth, but also the habit

of wanting a lot for a little. Be prepared to lock on to their weapons

array.”

“Yes, sir.” Madisyn took the command chair as the other three

left the bridge. Junior bridge officers took Weiss’s and her stations.

Madisyn knew better than to turn her head and look at Weiss, but she

augmented her hearing temporarily, which was enough to hear a few

fading words in the elevator.

“Onotharians are famous for playing it safe, and in this situation it’s

a matter of stunning first and asking questions later.” Podmer laughed, a

joyless sound. “Keep your weapons on stun, but your backup piece on

a lethal pulse setting.”

Affirming murmurs suggested Weiss and Struyen followed

orders.

“Any last-minute ideas, Weiss?”

“We won’t be able to sneak any weapons by them.” Weiss sounded

calm. “How’s your combat hand-to-hand training, Struyen?”

• 140 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“As good as anything you throw at me.” Struyen’s voice was thin,

but abrasive.

“It’s not me you have to worry about.” Smooth and patient,

Weiss’s voice began to fade, getting out of reach. “I need to know you

can fight.”

“I can…”

It was impossible for Madisyn to strain her hearing any more. She

knew firsthand that Weiss’s close-combat skills were impeccable. As

for Struyen, like so many other pirates, he relied on his weapons. Any

potential fighting would most likely rest on Weiss’s shoulders.

v

Weiss walked behind Podmer through the vast corridors of the

Ondamann. The Onotharians’ preference for gilded ornaments and their

affinity for decorating even their warships were evident throughout the

craft. Even the bulkheads shimmered in iridescent blue. Huffing under

her breath, Weiss lengthened her stride, secretly pleased that Struyen

had problems keeping an even pace with her and the much-taller

Podmer.

The Onotharian guards, dressed in battle gear as if they expected

to be placed on a hostile planet at any moment, stomped evenly in

front of them as they escorted them to the conference room. Weiss had

counted twelve guards, six in the front and six behind them, which she

found still more proof of Onotharian overkill.

Eventually, they reached a conference room big enough to host a

hundred people. Podmer stepped inside, and Weiss let Struyen elbow

his way in ahead of her. Two other guards moved up and scanned them.

The procedure took long enough to make Podmer growl impatiently,

but eventually one of the guards asked them to sit down.

Weiss took in her surroundings, reluctantly impressed by the size

of the large screens along the left wall. A multitude of small viewports

ran along the opposite side, where Weiss could barely spot the Salaceos

if she leaned forward.

“Attention! General M’Aldovar present.” The Onotharian guards

stood straight as rods, their eyes rigidly directed forward.

M’Aldovar? The familiar name puzzled Weiss. Where had she

heard it before?

• 141 •

Gun Brooke

A dark-haired man, handsome and young-looking for his

impressive rank, entered. He rode in a hover chair, a hissing sound

revealing that he was hooked up to an oxygenizer, and placed himself

at the head of the long table.

“I’m General Trax M’Aldovar,” the man said, his voice low

and clearly strained. Faint traces of scarring just above his tall collar

suggested that his neck had once been injured.

“I’m Podmer. This is Weiss Kyakh and Lucco Struyen, two of my

senior crewmembers.”

“Weiss Kyakh. I see.” M’Aldovar nodded slowly. “Your reputation

precedes you.”

“General.” Weiss didn’t let on whether the general’s recognition

pleased her or not, but merely nodded politely.

Podmer and M’Aldovar began to discuss what they had stolen

on the Nemalima moon and the data Podmer had confiscated aboard

the Koenigin. Weiss listened to the two men with a meticulously bored

facial expression, knowing this was something Madisyn would need to

report back to Jacelon.

“And you let the ship resume course toward SC space?” The

general raised his voice for the first time, giving it a raspy, startling

sound. “Are you insane?”

“We meant to jettison her bridge crew—” Podmer tried to

explain.

“Meant to?” M’Aldovar’s strained outrage sounded more

menacing than if he had actually been able to yell at them.

“General, even if they got word back to the SC, they haven’t had

enough time for a new vessel to deliver the altered command codes.”

Podmer pushed his hand forward in an apologetic manner.

“That is the only thing that redeems you, Podmer.” M’Aldovar

glanced over at Weiss. “And why has someone of your reputation

hooked up with someone like him?”

“A free ride well out of SC territory.”

M’Aldovar laughed, a horrifying hissing sound that reminded

Weiss of a Torrvordian lizard that had bitten her as a child. It had

made that exact sound just before it sank its fangs into her arm. She’d

been five, but the memory was vivid enough for her to recognize

the lizard’s look in M’Aldovar’s eyes. Wait. Wait a damn minute.

• 142 •

Pirate’s Fortune

M’Aldovar? Weiss recalled the extensive background material from

her SC operative training. Trax M’Aldovar was the name of the man

who had nearly killed Jacelon the first time she’d gone with her spouse

to Gantharat. Instead, Kellen O’Dal had killed him. Or so everybody

assumed. Unless this was an imposter, Trax M’Aldovar, formerly of the

Onotharian Clandestine Service, was now a general of the very same.

And with a strong motive for revenge.

“Good point.” M’Aldovar returned his attention to Podmer. “I

need the davic crystals and the intel. Deliver them and—”

“Half now. Half when we get paid.” Podmer inflated his chest.

Lowering his chin, he looked at M’Aldovar as if he was measuring his

true power.

“What?” M’Aldovar looked more puzzled than angry.

“Half now, half later. Standard procedure.”

“All right.” The general dragged out the words as if really

contemplating them. “All of the data, half the crystals.” He spoke

gently, gasping against the oxygenizer in an increasing speed.

“Sir, please.” One of the guards, who Weiss now saw boasted a

senior physician’s badge, stepped up next to M’Aldovar. “Remember

how we practiced this. Nice and slow.”

“Damn it.” M’Aldovar bit down around the last word fast enough

to make the other man jump. “Leave me alone.” He clasped his right

hand around the armrest, the other lying rigid around a contraption that

probably kept the hand from shriveling up completely.

“You listen to me, Podmer. I don’t intend to waste what little

oxygen I have on you. You will deliver the crystals and hand over the

data according to our initial terms.” M’Aldovar glared at Podmer, and

Weiss thought that the way his amber eyes sparkled, they should burn

a hole in him.

“That’s not—”

“That’s how it will be.” M’Aldovar could obviously use his voice

well despite being short of breath. His low growl impressed even Weiss,

who had stared down more men than she cared to remember. “It’s either

that, or you will sit there with useless intel and crystals you won’t be

able to move.”

“Fine,” Podmer said. “This is not how I conduct business, but

very well.” He managed to make it sound like he was doing a friend a

• 143 •

Gun Brooke

favor, but Weiss could see from the small drops of perspiration around

his temples that he was shaken. She assumed this was a first for the

pompous pirate.

“Excellent,” M’Aldovar said smoothly. “My associate—M’Ossar,

here—will tend to the details. Once he has verified that you’ve fulfilled

your end of the arrangement, you will receive payment in full.”

M’Aldovar gestured toward a sparsely built man standing just behind

him.

“All right.” Podmer rose, his complexion blotchy. “Weiss can

handle it. I have other things that need my attention.” If he intended to

insult M’Aldovar, he failed. The Onotharian seemed indifferent.

“Very well. Good-bye.” M’Aldovar turned the hover chair and left

the conference room.

Weiss sighed. Podmer had been humiliated, and he would take it

out on the crew or anyone within his field of vision.

“Shall we, Ms. Kyakh?” M’Ossar asked, interrupting Weiss’s

thoughts.

“By all means.” Weiss opened the small case on her belt and pulled

out the chip holding the data they’d stolen from the Koenigin. Madisyn

had sent word to Jacelon regarding the attack on the cruise ship, but

they hadn’t heard back. They had to go through with Podmer’s deal,

hoping that Jacelon would have enough time to get new intel to the

troops heading for Gantharat. If not, the convoys could find themselves

in the hands of the Onotharians, who would anticipate and countermand

every one of their moves.

M’Ossar scanned the chip carefully, handling it with long, wiry

fingers as if it were an explosive device ready to go off if not treated

like Volocuvian crystalline droplets. “It seems accurate,” M’Ossar said

in his low, dry tone. “Now, the crystals.”

“Well, what do you know, I didn’t bring them with me.” Weiss

found the man annoying enough to warrant tossing him out an airlock.

“We must arrange for you to deliver them instantly. General

M’Aldovar does not appreciate any delays.”

“The general will have to accept the fact that moving them will

take at least as long as a shuttle trip back and forth.”

“I suggest I take a shuttle from our ship to yours. I need to verify

the crystals’ purity and oversee the transport myself.”

“Very well. See you later, then.”

• 144 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Good-bye.” The thin man nodded curtly and left the room.

Escorted by two guards, Weiss returned to the shuttle bay. Once

there, she realized Podmer had left without her. She cursed loudly

enough for the guards to grip their weapons tighter. “Kyakh to the

Salaceos. Come in.” She yanked at her communicator.

“Salaceos here,” Madisyn replied. “I have already sent a shuttle

for you. It should be there in a few minutes.”

“Thank you. I don’t exactly feel like hanging around any longer

than necessary.”

“I hear you.” Madisyn’s voice calmed Weiss enough for her to

stop pacing.

“Prepare the crystals to be moved at once to the Ondamann’s

shuttle docks. A crewmember from this ship will oversee the procedure.

No mistakes.”

“Got it.” Madisyn gently cleared her throat. “See you when you

get back.”

“Yes. Weiss out.”

Madisyn signed off and Weiss gazed around the shuttle bay. It

held an impressive array of shuttles, ranging from small two-seat

fighter vessels to large cargo/troop transporters. She might as well send

Jacelon this new intel, together with the fact the man everyone thought

the Protector of the Realm had killed was very much alive and holding

even more power than before.

“Your shuttle is cleared to dock. This way.” One of the guards

motioned for Weiss to follow them to an airlock. For a second, Weiss

wondered if this was a trick, but then chastised herself. If they wanted

to eliminate her, they could just shoot her. Who would stop them? She

stepped into the airlock and saw it connected to a Salaceos shuttle.

Entering the small ship, she strapped herself in behind the pilot.

“Get us back to the Salaceos fast.” Weiss couldn’t explain her

sense of urgency.

“Aye, ma’am.” The shuttle made a wide pass around the Ondamann

before approaching Podmer’s ship. The asteroid belt shimmered like a

precious stone necklace in the light of the distant sun. Her loot, her

whole future, was hidden on one of those asteroids. It had always been

her prime goal to one day be free and start a new life far away from the

SC and its surrounding sectors. Now she wasn’t so sure. In fact, she

wasn’t sure at all.

• 145 •

Gun Brooke

v

“We won’t get another chance like this.”

Madisyn stopped halfway to the shuttle bay. Podmer was on his

way back and had requested she meet him when he returned. Already

from a distance she heard Struyen from behind a door leading into a

storage room. The vehemence in his voice made her stop just inside,

automatically using her augmented hearing as she made sure she was

out of sight if anyone stepped out.

“How do we do it?”

Madisyn recognized the voice of another male senior crewmember.

He was one of Struyen’s buddies; she had seen them work out together

many times in the gym.

“We’re going to start shipping those goods over to the other ship

soon. A lot can go wrong during such operations.” The ugly snicker in

Struyen’s voice made Madisyn want to hit the door sensor and throttle

him. She forced herself to remain still, determined to hear the rest.

“Ah. You mean, like an airlock accident?” a third voice said,

sounding considerably younger than the other two. Madisyn guessed

it belonged to Lemo, a rather new recruit to the Salaceos, a young man

who seemed to hero-worship Struyen and his followers. With increasing

dread Madisyn realized that Struyen had quite a large entourage, judging

by how many flocked around him in the mess hall and the gym.

“An airlock accident is too mundane,” Struyen said. “We need

to be more creative than that. She’s no fool, you know, and neither is

Pimm. If Podmer gets word that we intentionally got rid of his new star,

we can expect the same treatment. It has to be completely random and

believable.”

Madisyn gripped a ledge in the bulkhead. She knew who they

were talking about. It was clear that Struyen disliked Weiss, but this

was totally unexpected. Madisyn’s first thought was to alert Podmer,

but without proof, all she would accomplish was to reveal to Struyen

that she knew about their plans.

“Either way, it has to happen quickly.” Struyen sounded impatient.

“Podmer is handing over the goods once he’s back aboard.”

“What about an accident with the loading droid? Wouldn’t that

be poetic justice?” another voice said. “I mean, after she and Pimm are

• 146 •

Pirate’s Fortune

all cozy in their quarters, what if she became a little personal with yet

another machine?”

Madisyn heard the shuffle of feet and ran down the corridor. She

had barely entered the stairwell before the door opened behind her. She

hurried down the two decks to the shuttle bay area. No, she couldn’t tell

Podmer, not yet. She needed to talk with Weiss and figure out a way to

keep her safe. As if their mission wasn’t difficult enough.

• 147 •

• 148 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter sixteen

Reena gazed up at the ceiling of the ancient Gantharian

structure. Long, wide stairs made of something resembling

white marble, worn down by the centuries, led up to vast columns.

Inside, the ceiling walls were at least ten meters tall, and the ceiling

was made of something blue and softly glimmering. Reena had been to

the most beautiful and impressive courthouses within the SC, but she

had to admit, this example of early Gantharian architecture was right up

there with any of them. She saw four tall wooden doors, adorned with

brass-like rivets and boasting massive square handles, at the far wall.

The structure was abandoned and its imposing entrance had been nailed

shut. Instead, the resistance showed the SC representatives in through

a small hidden door.

“Judge Beqq,” a female voice said, interrupting Reena’s admiration.

“Welcome to Gantharat. This is a big day. My name is Vimra O’Sianto.”

A woman with long, chalk-white hair bowed politely, her arms crossed

over her chest. She wore a long, blue robe, and her blue-tinted skin tone

and crystal-clear, nearly translucent blue eyes indicated her Gantharian

descent.

“Judge O’Sianto, the honor is mine.” Reena returned the greeting,

bowing with her arms crossed. “This is indeed a great day. For us to

be able to meet like this is a miracle. We could hardly see any signs of

Onotharian presence in Ganath, once we managed to press through the

ambush.”

“I was not surprised, but still very afraid for you and your

delegation, when I heard of the attack.” Judge O’Sianto shook her head.

“I hope no lives were lost.”

• 149 •

Gun Brooke

“On both sides, I’m afraid.” Reena thought of the young man

who’d died while protecting them. They had worked tirelessly on him

and the other wounded for over an hour, medics, diplomats, and soldiers

alike, until a rescue team could reach them from the Circinus.

“I am sorry to learn of this. I have long waited for this moment, for

the beginning of Gantharat’s liberation, but that does not mean I wish

for any Onotharian lives to be lost either. Those young men and women

are following the direct orders of the Onotharian authorities.”

“Perhaps. But they are still the enemy, let’s not forget that.” Dahlia

joined them together with Kellen and Owena.

“Judge O’Sianto, this is Diplomat Dahlia Jacelon, of the Supreme

Constellations, and Kellen O’Dal—”

“Protector. I am honored.” Judge O’Sianto bowed deeply. “Our

prince’s survival, and yours, was the miracle we needed to find the

strength to fight.” She bowed also toward Dahlia. “Welcome, Diplomat.”

She politely acknowledged Owena with a nod.

“Thank you.” Dahlia looked around the large hallway. “Where is

Ayahliss? Oh, here she comes with Andreia and Roshan.” She returned

her focus to O’Sianto. “Where do we hold the meeting? Time is of the

essence. My daughter, Admiral Jacelon, your other Protector, has sent

intel that we need to work out the agreement right now, or we might

lose our window of opportunity. She is in combat as we speak.”

Reena thought she saw a faint twitch at the corners of Kellen’s

mouth. Kellen would sacrifice anything to keep her protégé safe, but

the thought of Rae being in danger was distressing even for someone

as stoic as Kellen.

“I have the interim government assembled behind the second door

from the left.” Judge O’Sianto motioned for them to join her. “Your

guards will remain here, yes?”

“Yes.” Kellen turned to the twelve marines and Ayahliss. “My

tactical chief will make sure they don’t let anyone else through. Owena,

at the first sign of trouble, don’t hesitate to alert the Circinus and initiate

immediate evacuation of the dignitaries.”

“Aye, Protector.” Owena hoisted her rifle. “We’ve got it

covered.”

“I know.” Kellen merely quirked an eyebrow, turning her head.

“Ayahliss?”

• 150 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“By the book, Protector,” Ayahliss answered smartly.

Reena wanted to say something, anything, to Ayahliss before they

entered, but this was the worst of times to get personal. Still, the proud

stance of the tall, stunning young woman who held her heart induced

a multitude of emotions in Reena, and she wished she had time to

exchange a few words. Ayahliss chose that moment to gaze directly at

her, and the barely noticeable look of recognition showed that she had

read some of Reena’s emotions in her eyes.

“Please, follow me,” Judge O’Sianto said, and began to walk

toward the wooden doors. The other women, except Ayahliss, followed

her. Just as she stepped through the doorway to the vast chambers

inside, Reena turned and looked again at Ayahliss. We’ve come this far.

We’re so close. Please, be safe.

v

“Evasive pattern, Delta-blue.” Jacelon gripped the armrests of the

captain’s chair hard, grateful for the harness holding her in place as the

Paesina momentarily lost inertial dampeners. The space ship spiraled

through the oncoming fire from the Onotharian cruisers and assault

craft.Jacelon had carefully placed the ships belonging to her strike

force in a semicircle around the Onotharian force’s base on a small,

uninhabited planet halfway between SC space and Gantharat. If she took

them out, the negotiations would become something entirely different,

as this was the spearhead of the Onotharian force. Her intelligence

reports proved that the Onotharians had impressive spacecraft, but

their space force was small and could not match the SC unification of

nations’ combined strength.

Choosing to captain the lead vessel herself, she was confident

that her good friend Alex de Vies would monitor their effort from the

command central. Jacelon could have chosen to do this, but sitting back

was too much for her to handle, knowing that Kellen was deployed,

doing her part.

“Admiral, we have three new contacts on our port bow.” Her

lieutenant at ops spoke fast. “Two cruisers and a freighter.”

“Fire on their weapons array. Make them count.”

• 151 •

Gun Brooke

“Aye, ma’am.” The tactical officer’s hands flew across the controls

in intricate patterns. “Their shields are down at forty percent. The

freighter’s weapons are down.”

“Take us in underneath the Darga. We need to neutralize the two

cruisers hammering at her. She can’t take much more.” Jacelon kept

her eyes on the Cormanian freighter, surrounded by a swarm of assault

craft and two Onotharian ships that laid down fire continuously. If they

penetrated the shields around the Darga’s propulsion system, the vessel

would explode and the two hundred crewmembers would be lost.

The Paesina’s helmsman pushed her through the small gap

underneath the Darga. In a daring maneuver, while belly up against the

Darga, Jacelon gave the order to fire. “Plasma fire, full volley.”

This neutralized most of the assault craft. Jacelon saw them tumble

through space, two colliding with each other in a cloud of scattering

debris. Suddenly, the Paesina rolled under her feet again, this time even

more violently than before. Behind Jacelon a console burst into flames,

quickly extinguished by the automatic system.

“Report,” she barked, pushing her hair out of her face.

“Direct hit to the port engine. Not sure how, but they penetrated

the shields. Must be a multiple hit, ma’am.”

“Casualties?”

To her left, Lt. Gosch, her next in command on the Paesina,

quickly checked. “Two bad plasma burns in engineering. Minor injuries

on decks four, six, and seven.” He looked up, behind them. “You all

right there, Ensign?”

“Yes…no, not really.” A faint thud made Jacelon turn around too,

and she saw that the young woman behind them had fallen, the left side

of her face red and swollen.

“Damn it.” Reacting fast, Jacelon disengaged the clasp to the

harness and hurried to the ensign’s side. Kneeling, she felt for a pulse.

Faint and thready, it fluttered under her fingertips. “We need a med

team.”

“On it, ma’am,” the ops officer replied quickly. “They’re on their

way.”

“I need someone to monitor her until they get her. She’s in bad

shape.”

“Allow me, Admiral.” The lieutenant commander from engineering,

a Guild Nation woman in her forties, quickly kneeled next to the ensign.

• 152 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Sia, please. Can you hear me?” The pain and barely contained panic

in her voice told Jacelon that these two shared a personal relationship.

This wasn’t her business, but it brought back memories. Once, she had

been the one critically injured, and Kellen had prayed at her side for

days. “Help will be here soon.” She squeezed the engineer’s shoulder

before returning to her chair. Pressing her lips together, she strapped

herself back in.

“What’s our situation?”

“The Los’Hesos and the Untasta are making great progress and

have almost immobilized or taken out their part of the grid.” The tactical

officer hesitated. “We lost the Weoman.”

“Damn.” Jacelon checked her console, studying the pattern of ships

around her. She saw several Onotharian cruisers move in one direction

and followed their trajectory on her computer. Something cold coursed

through her heart, oozing into her bloodstream, when she realized they

were going for her father’s and Alex’s freighter. They must’ve figured

out where the orders originated.

“Set a course to grid sixteen, one-six-five-five,” she said, her voice

emotionless. “Ready plasma-pulse torpedoes, antimatter capped.”

“Ma’am?” the tactical officer said. “Antimatter capped?”

“I know, Lieutenant. You heard me. We have no time to waste.”

The antimatter caps were rarely used, due to the risk of radiation. In

combat, when ships were operating with failing shields, using such

caps risked contamination. They were still legal only in situations like

these.

The Paesina’s helmsman pushed her through space, skillfully

avoiding the direct fire from more distant ships and the constant smaller

shots fired from assault craft. Rolling her, he managed to put them just

within range of the ships heading toward the command central vessel.

“Fire full-spread torpedoes on my mark.” Jacelon watched the fast

ships plunge against her father’s ship, swallowing the bile that rose in

her throat. No time for any weakness, physical or otherwise. “Ready…

mark.”

Green-tinted, the missiles pierced the space around them, and

within a few seconds they reached the cluster of ships. Impressive

explosions tore through them and ripped them to pieces, and even

though the Paesina kept a safe distance, her front still rose like a

nervous thoroughbred horse from the shockwave.

• 153 •

Gun Brooke

“What about the command vessel?” Jacelon squinted, trying to

make out ships through the debris and dust spreading throughout the

area around them.

“Took a tumble, but no casualties,” the ops officer replied.

“Good.” Thank the stars.

A high-pitched tone seared Jacelon’s eardrums. She pressed her

hands over them, knowing full well what it meant. “All hands brace for

impact. Incoming cloaked missile.” Damn Onotharians and their love

for everything cloaked.

The tone turned into a low growl, which seemed to reverberate

through the ship like a large predator was swallowing it.

“Reroute all auxiliary power to shields!” Jacelon yelled.

“Shields not holding, Admiral.”

Closing her eyes as the thunderous sound grew, Jacelon drew a

deep breath and held it. Kellen. I’m so sorry, Kellen.

v

Kellen sat mostly quiet, listening to the men and women of her

home world and the distinguished diplomats and legal experts of the SC

discuss the interim government and what was needed to set Gantharat

up for success. Eventually, when the parties had managed to reach some

agreements and draft an initial document, she spoke up.

“Let us not forget the reinstatement of the prince,” she said calmly.

“I have yet to hear you plan how that will take place.”

“We will of course welcome Prince Armeo back as he is entitled

to be. A parade. Yes, of course, but not until we have rebuilt his home,

the castle.” A man at the far end of the rectangular table smiled. “He is

but a boy still, there is yet time.”

“I disagree,” Kellen said. “Prince Armeo is the rightful heir to

the throne. The O’Saral Royales have always governed Gantharat as a

democracy . ”

“We haven’t had a monarch in more than twenty-five years—”

“Because the Onotharians murdered everybody except their

youngest daughter’s son.” Kellen stood slowly. “Is it my imagination,

or are you reluctant to reinstate the royal family? You bow before me

like I am something special, yet you seem indifferent to welcome back

• 154 •

Pirate’s Fortune

the young boy whom the people love and worship. Not just because of

his heritage, but because of his courage and warm heart.”

“You misunderstand, Protector.” Another man rose. “Gantharat is

heading for a new future after years of oppression. We are not sure

if going back to the old ways of a monarchy is in Gantharat’s best

interest.”

“You may have been oppressed, but that doesn’t mean you can

disregard the law, once the oppression is eliminated.” Kellen towered

over the sitting men and women, daring them to contradict her. “The

law clearly states that any surviving member of the O’Sarals is the

rightful heir to the throne. In case they are too young to govern, his

Protectors will do so for him until he is of age.”

“Ah. You are aspiring to gain some political power yourself,

Protector?” the first man burst out, his tone still polite, yet offensive.

“I only aspire to serve my home world. If it means assisting Prince

Armeo in performing his duties, so be it. If it means guarding these

negotiations with his and Gantharat’s best interest at heart, I will do

that. Until a Gantharian government votes to abolish the monarchy and

repeats this vote after yet another public election, the law is in effect.”

“The Protector is correct,” Vimra O’Sianto said calmly. “Prince

Armeo is our legal leader, and his Protectors make it possible for him

to rule by proxy.”

“I concur,” Amereena Beqq said.

“From a diplomatic point of view, I advise not to cause any

upheaval by provoking monarchy-loyal Gantharians, which I judge is

the majority.” Dahlia spoke with a firm, convincing tone. “They have

waited long for their freedom, and just as long for their beloved royal

family and its protectors. One has become the symbol for the others, and

vice versa. If you pull the O’Sarals from the equation, you’re making it

virtually impossible for this process to succeed.”

Kellen looked gratefully at her mother-in-law. Dahlia’s strong

voice, her innate authority, spoke of the matter at hand and made it all

clear and reasonable.

“Very well.” The first man who’d spoken up sat down, a huff in

his voice.

“I think we have reached as far as we ever could have hoped

for today. I do not think we should risk being out after curfew. The

• 155 •

Gun Brooke

Onotharians are fewer in numbers and focus on skirmishes with the

resistance, but if they knew of our meeting, or found us gathered like

this, especially after dark…” Vimra O’Sianto spread her hands in a

gesture both familiar and alien to Kellen. She hadn’t prayed in a long

time, but the gestures and murmured words came naturally to her after

all.

After the prayer the participants began to leave one by one. Some

had their own guards; others merely disappeared into the night. When

it was time for them all to leave, she received a comm signal from the

Circinus.

“Todd to O’Dal. Come in.”

“O’Dal here.” Kellen answered quickly, stepping away from the

others.

“Kellen, please report back to the ship immediately.”

Jeremiah Todd never used her given name when they were on

duty. Something was wrong.

“What is this about, Captain?”

“Kellen, please.”

“Tell me.” Kellen was not about to give in. Cold shivers were

already tumbling down her spine.

“Kellen, it’s Rae. Cloaked missiles attacked the Paesina.”

“And the ship?” Kellen found it nearly impossible to breathe. She

drew in air, but it seemed empty of oxygen.

“Destroyed.”

“Jeremiah…” Her voice was unrecognizable, and suddenly Kellen

felt strong arms around her. Owena stood next to her, one arm around

her waist, the other around Dahlia.

“Is it Rae? What about Ewan?” Dahlia spoke tersely and her eyes

betrayed nothing yet.

“Diplo—Dahlia? Jeremiah here. We don’t know your daughter’s

status. They’ve lost contact with her and the others aboard the Paesina.

Admiral Ewan Jacelon is safe. He is heading the search for the

crewmembers. Several escape pods have been sighted drifting in the

debris field.”

“I have to go back.” Kellen was ready to return to the ship instantly

and turn it around. If not the whole ship, she was not beyond stealing a

shuttle and heading back.

“Kellen. Kellen!” Amereena Beqq shook her arm gently. “Let them

• 156 •

Pirate’s Fortune

do their job searching. We need to do this. It’s what every single person

who is part of this war effort subscribes to and is ready to risk their lives

for. Come on, Kellen. Let’s get you back to the ship so you can find out

all the details as soon as we get more word. You too, Dahlia.”

“Very well.” Kellen straightened up, unable to face anyone.

She would break down if she glimpsed any of the sympathy she felt

surrounding her. “Let’s go.”

Kellen strode to where they had left their hover cars and jumped

inside the nearest one. She waited impatiently as Owena supervised

two marines who were scanning the vehicle for signs of sabotage.

“Please be all right,” Kellen murmured. Glancing at Dahlia sitting

slumped, looking nearly broken, in a chair behind her, Kellen took her

hand. “They’re going to find her and she’s going to be all right.”

“Kellen. I can’t lose her.”

Oh, stars and skies, neither can I. I can’t live without her. How

could I?

• 157 •

• 158 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter seventeen

Weiss, listen to me. He’s up to something. It has nothing to

do with any of us blowing our cover. It has everything to do

with the fact that he’s jealous of you and fears that Podmer relies more

and more on you for the important assignments.” Madisyn gestured

emphatically where she stood in their quarters. Distraught, almost

panicky, she looked expectantly at Weiss.

“I really don’t think you need to worry. I’m not afraid of Struyen.”

Weiss tried to reassure Madisyn without sounding condescending.

“It’s not just him!” Now frustration and anger had entered

Madisyn’s tone, and she had begun to tap her foot. “Didn’t you hear

me? Struyen was talking about you with at least three other people. You

can bet that these four in turn have loyal buddies among the crew.”

“They all fear Podmer.”

“Maybe not enough.” Suddenly subdued, Madisyn sat down on

her bed. “I just don’t understand why you can’t see the danger. Not only

are we on a dangerous mission, but now it’s become personal.”

Weiss flinched. Stars and skies, it already was, and not because of

Struyen.

“Madisyn, please, trust me when I say that I’m used to taking care

of myself. I’ve done that all my life.”

“I’m sure you have, but that was before…before…” Madisyn

looked down at her fists.

“Before what?”

“Before there was a war.” It was obvious Madisyn had meant to

say something else. “This is such an intense situation, us constantly

• 159 •

Gun Brooke

having to keep our guard up. Having someone with a personal agenda

breathing down your neck might distract you.”

“I don’t distract easily.” And I lie so well.

“You’re pretty confident in your super-humanoid strengths and

abilities, aren’t you?” Madisyn was starting to look angry.

“Hey, I appreciate that you worry about me. I really do. I just want

you to realize that it’s not necessary.”

“And if it was me? Let’s say Struyen had found out the truth about

me and was getting ready to either expose me or disable me.” Madisyn

glowered at Weiss.

The thought made the knots in Weiss’s stomach turn to ice. “I’d

kill him before he even got that far,” she said, her voice flat.

“But you’d be concerned.”

“Of course I would. You—” Not seeing the trap until she stepped

right into it, Weiss sighed deeply. “All right. All right. I understand why

you worry. What do you want me to do?”

“You have to leave the Salaceos. Have Jacelon pull you out.”

Madisyn pressed her lips together, but it was obvious they were

trembling.

“Leave? I can’t do that.” Not until the words were out did Weiss

realize how true they were.

“Sure you can. You can tell Jacelon you’ve been compromised. I

can carry on the last part if you give me a detailed description of what

was said during the meeting with the Onotharians.”

“I can’t leave. I won’t leave you.” Weiss moved closer and sat

down opposite Madisyn, taking her clenched hands in hers. “That’s not

negotiable.”

“Why not?”

“I had planned to leave, but now I realize how impossible it would

be for me to abandon you among these thugs. You hate them, and you

have good reason to. In fact, you have good reason to hate me.”

“What are you talking about?” Madisyn frowned, relaxing her

hands and turning them inside Weiss’s grip, palm against palm, “Why

would I hate you?”

Her heart hammering, Weiss tried to figure out a way to explain that

wouldn’t turn Madisyn against her forever. “You know how everybody

has heard of Weiss Kyakh aboard this ship.”

“Yes, that was a brilliant stunt on Jacelon’s part.”

• 160 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“No stunt.” The words made Weiss’s throat hurt. “I am Weiss

Kyakh.”

“What? Well, of course, but—”

“Listen to me. Jacelon drafted me into doing this mission after she

captured me.”

“What are you talking about? I know your fake backstory says

you’re this big-shot mercenary. It’s part of the plan, the ruse to make

you part of Podmer’s inner circle.” Madisyn had begun to shiver, and

Weiss knew she was beginning to backtrack every conversation they’d

had, everything Jacelon had told her.

“We didn’t fabricate a background,” Weiss said hollowly. “I’m

Weiss Kyakh. Until a while back, I ran my own operation, offering

my talents for anyone with enough wealth to pay me.” Simultaneously

filled with dread and relief, she tried to hold on to Madisyn’s hands. “I

actually was part of a mission to help an Onotharian dignitary escape

and helped him kidnap Jacelon’s mother.”

“You’re crazy. Why would you say something like this? Why

would Jacelon place her mother’s kidnapper in a situation where she

could easily escape and—” Madisyn stopped talking for a moment.

She seemed to be holding her breath before she finally spoke. “You

couldn’t, could you? They had to have something, a chip perhaps,

inserted in you. And that’s why I received an order to keep a close eye

on you. I figured they needed me to keep you safe.” A joyless laughter

erupted from Madisyn and only stopped as she pressed her hand over

her mouth.

“I had a chip. I disabled it.” Weiss’s tongue felt like a wad of

cotton in her mouth. “So I could leave. I’d planned to.”

“What’s keeping you?” Madisyn pushed Weiss’s hands away,

scooting backward on her bed, out of reach.

“You. You’re keeping me. I could never leave you.”

“That’s just perfect. A thug offering to keep me safe from other

thugs.” A single, deep sob shook her body.

“I know. I’m all you hate, all you despise.” Weiss felt as if her

heart was ripped out and shredded between her ribs. “The facts remain.

Even if you probably think Struyen wants to get rid of me, I’m not

going anywhere.”

“You disabled your chip, I’m not sure how, but I suspect it has to

do with that time when I found you passed out on the floor. And, oh,

• 161 •

Gun Brooke

stars, I was an idiot. How I worried.” Madisyn pushed her fingers into

her blond curls and tugged at them. “I just can’t believe I didn’t see

this. I just don’t understand. You said pirates killed your mother. Was

that a lie too?”

“No. That was all true.”

“How the hell can you become as despicable, as hateful, as

the people that killed your own mother? How can you be so cold?”

Madisyn’s voice escalated until it broke.

“It was all I knew. I lived with pirates from age ten until I was old

enough to create my own future. By the time I learned what happened

to my mother, I didn’t care. I was angry, I was cynical, and I had

nothing to live for. I knew only one route to being safe—creating my

own wealth. I started small and planned big. Nobody would ever be in

a position to hurt me again, to use me again. Nobody.”

“So you became the user. The abuser.”

“Better than to have it done to you.”

“And then Jacelon captured you, and now she’s using you.”

Madisyn laughed joylessly.

“Yes.”

“You must hate that. And everything, and everybody here. Damn,

I’m more naïve than I thought. That’ll teach me to be so trusting.”

“Jacelon needed the job done.”

“And when we’re done?”

“You won’t have to see me again. I’ll be very far away.”

Madisyn’s face was all angles and her lips a fine line. “I don’t care

where. Just keep your distance from now on.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about not knowing who I am. How could

you know? We fed you a story.”

“You’re forgetting something. I do know about pirates,” Madisyn

spat. “First I knew the ones who killed the girl I was and forced my

grief-stricken parents to turn me into a freak. Then I knew what the

pirates did to my parents years later. So I would say I know plenty.”

“You’re right. You do know far too much about piracy from the

victim’s angle.” Weiss could have tried to justify herself, saying she

had never deliberately or directly gone after civilians, which was true in

a sense. Her past actions had resulted in major collateral damage, so she

was responsible for the loss of life among innocent civilians. Suddenly

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Pirate’s Fortune

she was back in the Disian village on Corma, where her spacecraft had

crashed in a residential area, killing and injuring countless people. The

stench of burning wood and melted metal, and the sound of panicked

voices screaming for help made her gasp and slump back on her bed

against the pillow.

“I wish you would leave.” The words came slowly, but with

emphasis, as Madisyn pushed at her covers. She slid in between her

sheets and pulled them up to her chin. “I wish you would just follow

through with your plans to double-cross Jacelon and disappear. ”

“I can’t. I will see this mission through, because I refuse to abandon

you to fend for yourself among these people. Once we’re done, when

we have enough intel to send back to the admiral, we’ll both leave. I’ll

personally escort you back to Guild Nation, and if you still don’t want

me around…then I’ll leave.”

“I don’t understand why you’re suddenly so adamant about

staying. You were obviously dead set on stealing away just a day or

two ago. I won’t tell you again. I don’t need you.”

Sheer raw pain made Weiss feel like her head would implode. “I

know. And I won’t tell you again. I’m not budging no matter how many

times you tell me to. Lights out.” She couldn’t bear to see the hatred

and hurt on Madisyn’s face a moment longer. “I wish…” Weiss stopped

herself, mortified at how close she was to making a complete and utter

fool of herself. Madisyn loathed her and everything she stood for. Had

stood for. So much had changed, and the Weiss that would have easily

thrown someone like Madisyn to the wolves seemed to have vanished.

“What do you wish?” Madisyn sounded gruff in a way Weiss

wouldn’t have thought possible only moments ago.

“Nothing.” Weiss pulled her own covers close around her. She was

suddenly cold all the way through. “Just that things were…different.”

v

Madisyn lay awake for a long time. She could hear the rustling

of bed linen as Weiss tossed and turned. Trying to understand the

implications of what Weiss had told her, she knew sleep would be

a rare commodity that night. Weiss Kyakh was really the pirate and

mercenary that the doctored file Jacelon had sent her implied. Madisyn

• 163 •

Gun Brooke

remembered being quite impressed with such a well-constructed

background. What a fool she’d been, and how gullible. No doubt, Weiss

had laughed at her naiveté.

Weiss was someone Madisyn had come to rely on, to trust, and—

yes, care about. Knowing that love would never be for her, Madisyn

had come close to nourishing hope for at least some physical closeness.

Weiss never acted like Madisyn’s biosynthetic makeup was an issue.

Given that Weiss was obviously skilled at deception on a large scale,

of course she must have wanted to lull Madisyn into believing that she

cared for her. Now Weiss was trying to sell her the idea that she had lost

her mother, in the same way Madisyn had lost her parents. This only

served to twist the laser knife and cut off any chance of acceptance and

sympathy on Madisyn’s part. Clearly, Weiss saw this mission as a way

to escape from a life sentence in an SC prison. Stars and skies, she’d

kidnapped the mother of an admiral. Madisyn remembered something

about Jacelon’s mother being a diplomat and her father a high-ranking

senior officer. That would give anyone a free pass to an off-world,

MAXSEC prison even in a humane society like the SC.

Madisyn buried her face in her pillow, desperate not to cry. One

thing her biosynthetic body didn’t do well was tears. Every teardrop

caused physical discomfort, and if she gave in to her sorrow now,

she would cry half the night. Weiss wasn’t worth it. She was a lying,

murdering, backstabbing pirate. She was right too. Madisyn did hate

pirates, and her, more than anything.

Suddenly raising her head off her pillow, Madisyn sharpened her

hearing further. Had that been a sob or a moan coming from Weiss?

Hardly. If it had been, it was only meant to manipulate her.

An annoying inner voice tried to ask what motive Weiss would

have to stay with her and finish the assignment. In doing so, she risked

being exposed. Struyen and his cohorts could go after her, and if they

were compromised, she would be killed. It didn’t make sense unless she

really did care, despite her sordid past. Recoiling, Madisyn shied away

from such a thought. Pirates didn’t care about anything but getting their

grubby hands on other people’s wealth and power. Weiss most likely

saw an advantage in this mission, a way of turning the tables on the SC

and Podmer so she’d gain all the profits.

Another deep sigh from Weiss’s bed made Madisyn turn her back

and pull one pillow on top of her head. She turned her hearing down to

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Pirate’s Fortune

its lowest setting and pressed the pillow tight to her ear. Perhaps if she

cut out any sound from a clearly distraught Weiss, she might be able to

catch some sleep. Something inside her, something weak, or perhaps

merely far too soft, suggested that she reach out to Weiss.

Madisyn immediately slammed this embryo of a notion. She

had to find her way back to the way things were before Weiss Kyakh

stepped aboard the Salaceos. Until then, Madisyn had done well and

lived a fulfilling life as a successful operative for the Guild Nation and

the SC. She ignored the little voice that said it might have been easier

in many ways, but it was also far, far lonelier.

• 165 •

• 166 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter eiGhteen

Kellen strode through the corridors of the Circinus, the heels

of her tall black boots hammering against the plating. She

forced her fear, all-encompassing and overwhelming, into a small

corner of her mind, where she had constructed a mental door, and

locked it. The news from the battle that had cost Rae her ship, and,

stars forbid, her life, were still sketchy. After Kellen spent most of her

night on the bridge with Jeremiah Todd and Dahlia, waiting to hear one

way or the other, the ship’s physician had finally forced her to try for

an hour’s sleep.

At first, Kellen reacted with anger and resentment, but when

Ayahliss and Dahlia promised to go with her, said that all she had to

do was rest on the couch in Dahlia’s quarters, she relented. Dahlia was

obviously nearing complete exhaustion and wouldn’t rest unless she

did.

Ayahliss and Reena ended up joining them, and all four of them

took turns sleeping for about an hour each. Curled up in two armchairs

and on the couch, covered in SC-issued blankets, they had murmured

among themselves and rested as best they could.

Jeremiah paged them just as Kellen was ready to return to the

bridge. He had news from Ewan Jacelon. Quickly rousing Dahlia, Kellen

asked Ayahliss and Reena to escort Dahlia to the bridge. Kellen had to

go right away or she might lose what little calm she still possessed.

Entering the conference room right next to the bridge, she saw her

father-in-law’s bruised and battered face on the viewscreen.

“Kellen,” he said, his bloodshot eyes brightening marginally as he

saw her. “Dahlia?”

• 167 •

Gun Brooke

“She’ll be right here.” Kellen swallowed something bitter and

swollen in her throat. “Rae?”

“Still no word.” Ewan stroked a hand across his face. “There’s so

much debris, and the released antimatter—”

“Antimatter?” Kellen’s blood chilled until her fingers seemed

numb. “Someone used antimatter in the battle?”

“Yes. Rae fired antimatter-capped missiles in order to keep the

command central vessel safe.” Ewan’s expression changed, his eyes

fastening on something behind Kellen. “Dahlia. I…” His voice failed

him.

“I heard. Antimatter.” Dahlia stopped next to Kellen, placing an

arm around her waist for support, or perhaps to offer support. Behind

them, Ayahliss and Reena stood quietly waiting. “Are you all right,

Ewan?”

“Yes. A few bruises.”

“Have you been seen?”

“Not yet. No time.” Ewan’s short-cropped words told Kellen not

to debate his decision to not see a physician yet. “Fortunately we have

recovered sixty-five percent of the crew and have monitored more life

signs in escape pods.”

“What about the Paesina?”

“Debris. Some larger parts, but nothing that sustains life

support.”

“Oh, Gods.” Dahlia’s fingers pinched Kellen’s side.

“One larger escape pod from the Paesina’s infirmary is intact.

We heard from Dr. Gemma Meyer. She’s unharmed and they are being

towed to a rescue vessel as we speak.”

“Gemma. That’s great news.” Kellen liked the CMO she’d known

since the day Rae took her into custody at the Gamma VI space station.

“Sensors?” Kellen struggled to keep the door to her fear firmly locked.

“Another promising thing. We are reading scattered life signs

pretty much everywhere around the blast site.”

“Rae can be one of them.” Dahlia sounded like she was praying.

“She’s resourceful. Fast.”

Kellen drew a trembling breath. She also knew that Rae would

give her own life to save another’s. She would surrender her deep-

space survival suit to a junior crewmember, just because she’d consider

it the right thing to do.

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Pirate’s Fortune

“That’s right, Dahlia,” Ewan said, his eyes kind and sorrowful.

“I’ll get back to the bridge and see what’s happened. I’ll relay news to

you as soon as I know anything.”

“Thank you. The moment you hear something.” Dahlia shuddered.

“Please.”

“The moment.”

The image of Ewan flickered and turned into the SC Unification

of Planets crest.

“Kellen. Kellen?” Dahlia shook Kellen’s arm gently. “We have to

keep working as well, or we’ll drive ourselves crazy.”

“I concur. I need to work off some…energy, before the next

meeting. I’ll be in the gym and then I’ll meet you planetside. This time,

I’ve arranged for the security detail to be twice as large as the other

day.”

“Yes, Protector,” Dahlia said with a wan smile. “I don’t blame you

for using extra caution. We do seem to have a knack for getting into

slimy circumstances, don’t we?”

“We do.” The understatement made Kellen smile, very faintly and

only because she knew this was what Dahlia hoped for and needed.

“Ayahliss, will you spar with me?”

“Of course.” Ayahliss bowed politely, as custom dictated.

“I’ll meet you at the gym.”

Going by her now-empty quarters, Kellen changed into her

Ruby Red gan’thet leather suit. She pulled her hair down, the familiar

movements somehow calming as she arranged her long, blond hair in

a tight whip of a braid. She tied the leather ribbon so tight it pulled at

her hairline, but the small discomfort only seemed to add a tiny sense

of normalcy.

Kellen tucked the gan’thet rods under her arm and left her

quarters. Halfway to the lift, she wondered if it was her outfit or her

expression that made ensigns and crewmen practically become one

with the bulkhead as she passed. She rode the lift down to deck four

where the gyms were located. She was just warming up when Ayahliss

walked inside. Also dressed in a Ruby Red suit, she looked confident

and expectant.

“Warm up,” Kellen said, and began a series of solo exercises.

She whirled through the air, one leg stretched out in front of her, the

other bent. She landed, agile as a feline, and twirled on her toes while

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Gun Brooke

crouching. Using the muscles in her calves, she pushed from the floor

and rolled to her left, producing her rods in a lethal cross. She repeated

the two exercises until she could execute them perfectly.

“I’m ready, Protector.” Ayahliss stood in a respectful position,

baring the inside of her wrists as she held out her rods.

Kellen approached her, inspecting the suit and the rods, and

eventually Ayahliss’s expression. “Good. Let’s start with the veya

mo’desh pattern.”

“Veya mo’desh pattern? That is for beginners.” Ayahliss looked

disdainful.

“Beginners or not, let’s go.”

Kellen assumed the position that characterized veya mo’desh: the

left rod in an offensive pose just above her head, the right diagonally

in front of her chest. Planting her feet with one leg bent and the other

extended behind her, she shifted her weight until she was ready. Ayahliss

mimicked her pose, her eyes shimmering.

“Gajesta!” Kellen called out, her voice dark. Fight! The ancient

battle cry echoed in the gym as well as in Kellen’s head. She moved

fast, with Ayahliss following lithely as she pressed forward. She jumped

and gained momentum as she quickly sidestepped Ayahliss and hooked

one rod behind her knee. She went down in a roll, avoided Ayahliss’s

rods by a hair, and came up behind her to her left. Ayahliss pivoted, her

leg sweeping just above Kellen’s knees, which gave Kellen the chance

to use her rods to trap her left leg.

The furious growl from Ayahliss when she hit the mat made Kellen

release a feral smile. She pounced onto Ayahliss, straddling her chest

and locking her arms with her knees and crossing the rods over her

neck. “Syuve!” Surrender!

“No.” Ayahliss tried several gan’thet patterns to throw Kellen off,

but when Kellen merely tightened the hold with her rods and frowned

warningly, she relented, lowering her rods at her side. “Syuve.”

“Good. Again.” Kellen jumped up, and for the next thirty minutes,

she relentlessly pushed through a rigorous training session that had them

both drenched in sweat and gasping for air. Heading for the showers

and recyclers, Ayahliss looked cautious rather than furious at having

been defeated nine times out of ten.

“Yes?” Kellen said when Ayahliss looked hesitantly at her.

“Vanquished them all, Kellen?” Her eyes glazing over, Ayahliss

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Pirate’s Fortune

resiliently did not acknowledge the tears that formed at the corners of

her eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“Your demons. Your fear. Your anger.” Ayahliss raised her chin.

“Any or all.”

“You’re not making sense—”

“Yes, I am. Rae is missing and you plow a new ditch in the gym

mat with me. I haven’t seen that look in your eyes since Dahlia was

missing. This is even worse. Don’t shut us out, Kellen.”

“I’m not shutting anyone out.” Kellen felt her back go rigid enough

to crack at the slightest touch.

“Perhaps you don’t see it that way, but you are.”

“And if I am?” Kellen snapped. “I have to function. I have to carry

on with the program that will fortify the Gantharian interim government

and keep Gantharat free in the future. There are treaties, contracts, laws,

rules, regulations—”

“And Rae.”

Kellen felt like a plasma-pulse burst had hit her. “H’rea deasavh!

Yes. Of course there is Rae. And Armeo. I haven’t even told him yet.

I…can’t.”

Ayahliss pushed off her Ruby Red suit in one flowing movement

and entered a cleansing tube. “You shouldn’t tell him anything until we

know. You’re doing the right thing.”

Kellen followed Ayahliss’s example and stood in the cleansing

tube until the humming sound began to claw at her taut nerve strings.

She turned the setting to anti-static, relieved when her hair settled in

soft tresses along her back. Outside, Ayahliss waited, half-dressed

already. During the silence, Kellen programmed a new SC uniform at

the recycler and ran her precious Ruby Red through for cleansing only.

She fastened the harness and belt harder than usual, as if she needed

the tightness to hold her body and soul together. If only she could do

something about her shattering heart.

• 171 •

• 172 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter nineteen

The debris field was dense with what was left of fifteen

disintegrated spaceships. The light from the distant sun

glimmered in jagged metal parts, making it difficult to focus. Even

short-range sensor readings came back inconclusive as the antimatter

corrupted the data.

Jacelon moaned and shifted in the pilot’s seat. She was still

partially in her survival space suit, its lime green sleeves tied around

her waist. The makeshift bandage underneath them had begun to seep,

and she cursed the fact that the wound was too deep for a layman to try

a derma fuser.

Jacelon glanced behind her on the floor, concerned if she had

restrained the enemy enough. Facing the instruments again, she tried

getting the sensors online, worried for her crew, especially the two

young ensigns she’d pulled with her as she’d been the last to leave the

bridge. She had more or less dragged them by the collar, as they seemed

overcome with debilitating fear, and ordered them into their survival

gear. Pushing them to the airlock, she didn’t have time to decompress

properly; she simply opened the hatch and hurled them into space.

Behind them, the Paesina rolled and shook when secondary

explosions tore through her. The cloaked missile had hit her belly,

which made it possible to evacuate the upper decks, but now the

consequence of the weapon was obvious. Paesina was in her death

throes and Jacelon could do nothing to save her. She floated in space,

among debris and fighting aircraft. Her communicator only produced

white noise, no matter which frequency she tried. An emergency beacon

was automatically set to go off on her survival suit, transmitting her

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Gun Brooke

coordinates, but it would take a while before anyone found them. A

human body was very small in the vastness of space.

Jacelon gasped as a large object, part of the hull of a ship, hurtled

toward her. It hit her midsection despite her effort to curl up, separating

her from the others. A searing pain spread all over her abdomen, and she

moaned as she hugged herself. Afraid that it had torn her suit, Jacelon

checked the readings on the small computer on her left sleeve; to her

relief, the suit was intact. Still moving away from her former position

because of the momentum from the collision, she tried to locate the

others.

Jacelon kept checking her computer as she floated through space.

She couldn’t do anything to stop or slow down. The pain in her side

became a slow throb, but she was bleeding. She could feel blood seep

around the wound in her suit.

Suddenly she stopped, her entire body flattened against the hull

of a small vessel, also drifting. She fumbled for something to hold on

to. Small ridges along the hull allowed her to do so, and she dragged

herself along it. She searched for an airlock, and only when she had

slid all along the side of the ship did she realize it was an Onotharian

shuttle.

Not about to panic, Jacelon knew this was her chance. If the ship

was drifting, that meant the crew was injured or dead, or the ship was

irreparably damaged, and she was about to find out.

The airlock was half-open, and Jacelon squeezed inside, mindful

to not tear her suit. She pushed the sensor that would normally close the

hatch, but nothing happened. Groaning, she pushed the manual lever.

The pain in her abdomen increased exponentially when she tugged at

the handle, but the hatch closed and a rewarding thud meant it was

locked into place. Fortunately the subroutines for repressurizing the

airlock were not compromised. Jacelon still kept her survival suit on

as she checked her computer. Cautiously she opened the hatch leading

into the shuttle. Relieved that the shuttle’s life-support system was

operating normally, she peered inside. She was unarmed and had no

idea what to expect.

Two Onotharians lay on the floor, seemingly unconscious, and

one other was slumped at the helm in the front. Removing her helmet,

Jacelon looked for something to restrain the Onotharians with, in case

they woke up.

• 174 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Eventually she cut through their own belts with their laser knives,

fastening each one around their hands and ankles behind their backs. It

was impossible to move the large man from the helm. Jacelon merely

pushed him onto the ops station and rolled him onto the floor between it

and the chair. She had disarmed all of them and kept their sidearms on

her lap as she sat in the pilot’s seat. She figured she could keep an eye

on the unconscious man on the floor and control him.

Jacelon pushed the survival suit down, quickly examining her

injury. Now when she was in a place with gravity, blood was slowly

seeping down her legs, saturating her uniform. Not about to waste

time, she rolled the sleeves tight and tied them around her. She winced

as the pain spiked and took deep trembling breaths. Turning toward

the console, she ran a short diagnostic, grateful she knew enough

Onotharian to operate the computer. She was surprised to find the

shuttle fully functional and initiated the startup sequence. Moving very

slowly, she steered the shuttle back to where she had become separated

from the two ensigns just after the blast.

Sensors were hard to read, but eventually she picked up two life

signs twelve hundred meters ahead. She maximized the magnification

on the small screen embedded in the viewport and saw the two figures

clasped together, drifting.

“Admiral Jacelon to any SC officers and personnel, come in.” She

tried her communicator again. “Admiral Jacelon here. Respond.”

“Ensign…berg here. Drifting in grid…three-three-” The young

voice was husky and the connection kept breaking up.

“I have you in my vision, Ensign. Is that you, Hallberg?”

“Aye, ma’am.” The relief in his voice was evident.

“I’m coming in with an Onotharian shuttle. I’ll try to come to a

full stop close to you. What’s your status?”

“I’m here with Dgobdo, Admiral…unconscious…ding onto…”

“You’re breaking up, Hallberg. Perhaps I’ll hear you better as I

approach. Hang on. Keep an open comm channel.” Jacelon steered

the shuttle cautiously and as slowly as possible, between debris and

wreckage. She saw bodies, in SC uniforms and Onotharian, floating

dead without their survival gear. Her jaws worked and she willed herself

to relax her facial muscles. A few minutes later, she tried talking with

Ensign Hallberg again. “Jacelon to Hallberg. Do you see the shuttle

yet?”

• 175 •

Gun Brooke

“Yes, ma’am, I think so. A sleek Onotharian shuttle is approaching

on a trajectory five degrees to my right.”

“Good. That’s me, Hallberg.” Relieved that the sound was better,

Jacelon debated sending out a distress call, but hesitated, since long-

distance communication could still be compromised. She might attract

help from Onotharians rather than her own people. The SC had won

this fight, and they were performing a grid search for survivors. Jacelon

knew the SC vessels might fire on this Onotharian ship rather than

render assistance, as they might suspect an ambush. Nobody would

put it past the Onotharians to fake a distress call. “I see your beacon on

short-range sensors now.”

Jacelon began to slow the shuttle, squinting through the debris

for the lime green suits. The scattered parts of what had been hulls and

decks slammed against the Onotharian shuttle, and she realized she was

still going too fast. She set the controls to reverse the engines. Outside,

two small green dots appeared and grew quickly.

“I see you, Hallberg.”

“Good. I’m not doing too well, Admiral. Dgobdo is…I think he’s

dying, ma’am.”

“I’m almost there, Hallberg. Stay focused. Listen to me. Have you

attached Dgobdo’s harness to yours?”

“Affirmative.”

“This shuttle seems to have a rescue arm. I’ll deploy it once

I’m close enough.” Jacelon maneuvered the shuttle into position and

punched in the command for the arm to move out. Deceptively thin, it

emerged from underneath the airlock she’d entered through. She had

a good view of where to steer the arm from a visual sensor at its end.

She extended it toward Hallberg and Dgobdo, gradually, to not knock

them farther away. When she was almost there, one of the green figures

reached out and grabbed it.

“Good, Hallberg. Now attach your harness to the arm, if you

can.”“Just pull us in, Admiral. I have a good grip. I don’t dare let go.”

“All right. Let me know if you start to slip.”

“Aye, ma’am.”

Painstakingly slow, when she wanted only to hurry up, Jacelon

pulled the two men toward the Onotharian shuttle. Beads of sweat broke

out on her forehead and upper lip. She also experienced shivers, which

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Pirate’s Fortune

wasn’t a good sign. If she was already running a fever, her injuries

were worse than she initially thought. She didn’t dare take her eyes

away from the monitor and the controls. In a moment she would have

Hallberg and Dgobdo safely aboard, and then she would attend better

to her wounds.

“Nearly there, Admiral.” Hallberg’s voice sounded clearer.

“Another three meters to go.”

“Good.” Jacelon pulled them in to the hull and heard the faint

thud as the arm folded into its slot. The hissing sound of the airlock

recompressing meant she could finally relax. She stood, suddenly light-

headed and unsteady, and held on to the bulkhead as she walked over to

the hatch. When the readings stated it was safe, she pulled the lever and

opened it. Inside, one man, Dgobdo, was lying on his back, his helmet

still on. Next to him, Hallberg sat and removed his helmet. “Good to

see you again, Ensign.”

“Admiral. Thank you for coming back for us.”

“Anytime. How’s he doing?” She motioned at Dgobdo.

“Not sure, ma’am.”

“We need to get him inside. Can you help me move him over the

threshold?” Jacelon had no way of knowing what lifting Dgobdo would

do to her injuries, but they had to try.

Together, they hauled the listless ensign into the shuttle.

“Admiral? These are Onotharians.” Hallberg looked shocked,

pointing at the three unconscious men.

“Yes. I found them this way. Not sure what knocked them out.

They haven’t moved since I got aboard.”

“We need to secure the third one over by the helm.” Hallberg pulled

off his harness with a grimace of pain. “Here, you can use this…” He

slumped back, losing consciousness.

“Hallberg? Hallberg? Oh, damn!” Jacelon took the harness and

made sure Hallberg was comfortable next to Dgobdo before she tied the

third Onotharian’s arms and legs together behind his back. “There.”

Her vision fading, Jacelon barely made it back to the pilot’s seat.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She couldn’t allow herself

to pass out now. She had to keep searching for her crewmembers, unless

the rescue ships took one look at her and blew her out of the water. This

thought made her pull herself together.

She was going to have to reconfigure the shuttle’s identity, make

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Gun Brooke

it look obvious that it was under SC control. Pushing her hair behind

her ears, Jacelon began to enter commands, hoping it wouldn’t take the

search-and-rescue units long to find them. Her time was running out,

and if she loosened the makeshift bandage, she might lose what little

blood pressure she had. I’m trying, Kellen. I’m really trying.

• 178 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty

Weiss supervised the transportation of the ore from the

mezzanine, careful not to attract attention by staring openly

at Madisyn. They had barely talked the last two days, and Weiss didn’t

like how torn up she was about the entire situation. She, who had turned

cutting her losses into a fine art, was now lovesick like a youngster,

devastated after Madisyn’s rejection. What was she thinking? She

wasn’t exactly a good catch.

Madisyn had begun to blossom under her attention. Madisyn, who

never thought anyone would ever find her desirable if they knew the

whole truth about her, had to feel so betrayed. Well, it wasn’t Weiss’s

idea to keep her true identity from her. She stalked along the mezzanine,

cursing Jacelon for putting her in this position. Why couldn’t that damn

woman just have sent her to a maximum-security prison?

“Kyakh! Over here!” Struyen broke her miserable train of thought.

“We could use an additional pair of hands.”

“You can manage,” Weiss shouted back. “Podmer made me

supervisor.”

“Ah, come on. You’re just too fancy, too good to do honest work,

aren’t you?”

Weiss couldn’t believe her ears. She started laughing, which made

Struyen turn dark red with rage.

“What the hell’s so damn funny?” he hissed.

“A pirate claiming he’s doing honest work.” More laughter erupted

and Weiss had to wipe at the corners of her eyes. “That’s rich.” She

could see several other crewmen who found it amusing, but who also

knew better than to laugh out loud at Struyen.

• 179 •

Gun Brooke

“You won’t be laughing much longer,” Struyen said in a dark

voice. “And once Podmer sees who he really can rely on—”

“Yeah, yeah, get back to what you were doing, Struyen, and quit

wasting time.” Weiss knew she was antagonizing the man even more,

but it felt good. Right now, she didn’t care very much what happened

to her, and the only reason she hadn’t stolen the shuttle and taken off to

lick her wounds was her feelings for Madisyn. She was still determined

not to leave Madisyn alone with these idiots. Whether she liked it or

not, Madisyn would have to put up with Weiss keeping her safe.

“Everything going well?” Podmer said from behind, startling her.

“Yes, Captain.” Weiss nodded down at the crewmembers hauling

the ore onto small sledges. “Are we going to use shuttles, or…?”

“No, we’re going to dock the ships, well into the asteroid ring.”

“Ah, that will make it virtually impossible for any patrols to spot

us on sensors.”

“Exactly.” Podmer smiled, looking pleased. “I admit that

M’Aldovar character unsettled me, but he’s paying twice the going rate

for davic crystals, so I’m not really complaining.”

“Twice, eh? Good. Will that mean any bonus for us, sir?” It would

be in her character to be greedy, she thought.

“At least for some of the senior crew.” Podmer shrugged and

adjusted his immaculately tailored jacket. “Looking to set some aside

so you can get back to being your own boss again, Kyakh?”

“Something like that, sir.”

“Can’t blame you. Once you’ve captained your own ship, it’s not

easy to take orders from someone else. You’ve been quite good about

it. I appreciate how you’ve cooperated.”

“Thank you. I’m all for making some extra credits.”

“And so you will if this goes smoothly.” Podmer placed a fat hand

on her shoulder and Weiss had to use all her willpower not to break his

wrist. “Let me know once you have it all ready to go.”

“Aye, Captain.”

He strode down the mezzanine and out through the door leading to

the corridor. Weiss followed his figure with narrowing eyes. She loathed

the man and the way he treated his crew. She was just as ruthless as he

was, but she had kept a tight ship, with clear and just treatment of her

crew. They had, with few exceptions, respected her, even liked her.

Weiss glanced down and saw that the men would be ready in a few

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Pirate’s Fortune

hours. She didn’t have much time. She had to contact Jacelon about this

transaction. If an Onotharian general was so adamant about this ore, it

wasn’t hard to figure out that the SC needed to know. Madisyn might

have contacted Jacelon already, but Weiss was sure Madisyn hadn’t

told Jacelon that she was aware of Weiss’s true background. Sighing

deeply, Weiss knew she might as well be up front about that too. But

she wouldn’t tell Jacelon that she had disabled the chip. If Jacelon

found out about that, she might extract Weiss immediately, and who

would look out for Madisyn?

Weiss pulled out a small device from her inner pocket. Having

taken all night to construct it from parts she’d come across over the

weeks aboard the Salaceos, she had managed to mirror the settings from

Madisyn’s computer, including the encrypted transmission software. It

would need something to boost it with, and fortunately she was standing

next to a vast piece of bulkhead that would serve well as an amplifier.

Placing the device on the wall, Weiss pulled an adhesive from

another pocket and attached it. She put in Madisyn’s password,

something it hadn’t taken her very long to memorize, and hoped for a

signal. She kept a wary eye on the men and women working six meters

below her. No one was paying any attention to her, but she needed to

make sure and be quick.

“Weiss Kyakh for Admiral Jacelon, emergency-emergency-

emergency, over.”

Static hummed and she tried again. “Weiss Kyakh here for Admiral

Jacelon, emergency, over.”

Static mixed with waves of whistling made Weiss worry that

someone might overhear. Still below, crewmembers hollered to each

other and made even more noise. So far, nobody looked up at her.

“Weiss Kyakh for Admiral Jace—”

“Admiral Jacelon here. Who is this?” a gruff male voice responded,

making Weiss flinch.

“I need to talk to Admiral Rae Jacelon.” Weiss’s head reeled. A

male admiral Jacelon. That had to be Jacelon’s father. Dahlia Jacelon’s

husband. Oh, stars and skies, the husband of her latest kidnap victim.

Wonderful.

“Who is this?” The man offered no explanations.

“Admiral Jacelon, my name is Weiss Kyakh, and your daughter

sent me on a mission.”

• 181 •

Gun Brooke

“Kyakh.” The contempt was obvious, but he didn’t cut the

connection. “Go on.”

“I have important information. It’s vital that you put her

through.”

“It’s impossible. You have to give your information to me.”

Weiss hesitated. Surely Jacelon’s father, an SC officer with even

higher rank than his daughter, would be able to do something about

Podmer’s plans.

“All right, sir. I’m currently aboard the Salaceos, a ship belonging

to—”

“Podmer. Yes, I know the background. Go on.”

“All right. He is about to trade davic crystal and intel obtained by

attacking the SC cruise ship Koenigin to the Onotharians. To a General

Trax M’Aldovar.”

“Did—did you say Trax M’Aldovar?” Ewan Jacelon sounded

incredulous. “Impossible. My daughter-in-law killed him.”

“Severely disabled him, yes, Admiral, and he relies on a ventilator

to breathe, as well as a hover chair for moving around, but I guarantee,

Trax M’Aldovar survived.”

“This is bad news.” Ewan Jacelon’s voice was cold and flat.

“Where is your position?”

“Transmitting that as we speak, Admiral.” Weiss sent the grid

readings. “Just inside the Gantharat system, as you can tell. A dense

asteroid belt around an uninhabited planet.”

“All right. I will relay your information to the team we have

deployed closest to you.”

“I need further orders on how to proceed, since this transaction

is going down now, and for all I know, M’Aldovar might disappear as

soon as the crystals are in his possession.”

“He must be stopped at all cost, Kyakh. I repeat. Stop him by any

means necessary.”

“Aye, sir.” Weiss flinched as a sound over by the door startled

her. “Got to go, Admiral. Kyakh out.” She snatched the device from

the bulkhead and tucked it inside her jacket. Two of Struyen’s buddies

entered, sauntering toward her with sly grins on their faces.

“Hey, Kyakh.” The taller of the two, clearly of Onotharian descent,

his eyes narrowly placed and with an unpleasant yellow tone to them,

raised his hand.

• 182 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“What are you doing up here?” Kyakh spoke quietly, something

any member of her own crew would have recognized as a warning

sign. “Just enjoying the view,” the other pirate replied, eyeing her with

blatant desire.

“Get back to your duty stations. You are both needed in the cargo

bay.” Even and cool, Weiss’s obvious lack of dismay or fear seemed to

get through to the taller man.

“Why don’t we enjoy the view—together?” the second pirate said,

and pulled out something resembling a martial arts baton. “My friend

Shafas here and I have something to discuss with you.”

“Struyen isn’t going to take the fall for you when I report you

to the captain.” Weiss leaned against the bulkhead and crossed one

leg over the other, scrutinizing her nails with deliberate indifference.

“You’ll only make total fools of yourself.” She made sure she kept an

eye on the baton. “Shafas, I know these morons have you convinced,

but think about it. Who is Struyen’s best friend among the two of you?

Who will most likely be the one left to our captain’s less-than-amiable

nature?”

“Holta?” Shafas turned to his friend. “Perhaps—”

“Shut up,” Holta replied, clearly angry now. He shifted his grip

around the baton, back and forth. “That goes for you too, Kyakh.”

“Really.” Weiss kept her casual position, but every muscle in her

body was ready to launch. “Use your head, Shafas.”

“Holta?”

“I said, shut up!” Holta leaped toward Weiss, his baton raised.

Weiss quickly moved her bent leg in behind her, to brace for impact

as she rolled with the onslaught. Holta was shorter but had more bulk,

and the only thing she believed would work was to absorb the energy of

his assault. She threw herself backward, gripping his lapels. His body

flew across hers, slamming into the railing. Weiss felt Holta grab her

harness and pull her toward him. Slamming her hand up from underneath

his, she broke his hold and rolled to a crouching position. Shafas, panic

in his eyes, ran toward her. Not having any time to think, Weiss grabbed

the railing with both hands and pulled hard. Both her feet left the floor

and plunged into Shafas’s abdomen. He staggered backward and fell,

hitting his head against the bulkhead with a resounding thud.

“You bitch!” Holta was back on his feet, and before Weiss had

• 183 •

Gun Brooke

time to regain her balance, he slammed into her, one arm around her

waist, one with a painful grip of her hair. He smelled of sweat and some

vile tobacco, and the grunting he made closer to her ear sickened her

even more. Driving her knee up, she made contact with his testicles.

The air left his lungs rapidly, and Weiss didn’t give him time to even

think of recuperating. She repeated the maneuver, and when she felt his

grip of her hair loosen, she drove her fist sideways into his windpipe.

Squeaking now rather than roaring, Holta clawed at her face, and

she wasn’t fast enough to pull away in time. The burning sensation of

his nails breaking her skin made her furious. Until now she had fought

like she always did, cold and detached, but that all changed. Weiss

pushed Holta away from her, able to gain momentum in her blows.

With quick jabs at his temples and his gut, she finished him off with

a well-aimed uppercut. He followed Shafas as he stumbled over his

unconscious friend’s legs. Cross-eyed, he lay there, blood oozing from

his mouth.

“Kyakh to Podmer.” Kyakh spoke into her communicator.

“Podmer here. All done?”

“Negative, sir.” Kyakh leaned against the railing, looking down

at the men and women hauling the davic crystals. “Struyen’s cronies,

Holta and Shafas, just attacked me. Apparently Struyen sees me as a

contender for the throne and sent his friends to do his dirty work. Wish

someone had told him I’m not interested in either your position or your

ship. All I want is what credits I have coming.”

“What the hell’s that idiot up to now? I’ll deal with it.”

“You better send someone to take these fools to sickbay. I’m on

my lunch break. Kyakh out.” Weiss carefully touched her cheek as she

stepped over the two semiconscious men. Blood soaked her fingers and

she grimaced at the pain. “Nothing that Madisyn’s derma fuser can’t

fix.”

People that she met stared at her face, but Weiss didn’t allow

any questions. She strode to her quarters and headed directly for the

bathroom. Tugging at the med kit, she was about to start the derma

fuser when a voice from the doorway interrupted her.

“If you use that without the cleanser first, especially since

someone’s dirty nails did that, you’ll get an infection.” Madisyn stood

just inside the door, her arms folded across her chest.

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Pirate’s Fortune

“Oh. All right.” Suddenly feeling weak, Weiss looked at her

reflection in the mirror. “How did you know?”

“I was in Podmer’s office when you paged him.”

“I see.” Weiss looked in the med kit for a cleanser rod, but couldn’t

find any.

“Oh, for stars and skies, let me do it.” Madisyn pushed Weiss away

from the sink and made her sit on a small stool. “Let’s clean you up.”

Weiss closed her eyes as Madisyn gently washed her face. After

that, the hum of a cleanser rod made her skin tingle. The darker, louder

buzz of the derma fuser made her flinch. She had a sudden flashback to

when she had been confined to sickbay in a strange spaceship, missing

her mother more than anything. The constant treatments of the burns on

her legs had hurt, but not half as bad as futilely asking for her mother

every day.

“Weiss? Weiss?” Madisyn frowned, cupping Weiss’s cheek as she

performed the fusing. “Why are you crying? Am I hurting you?”

“No, no. Got something in my eyes.” Furious at herself, Weiss

blinked away the treacherous tears. She focused on her breathing,

inhaling and exhaling in exact seconds, a technique that had proved

useful and efficient many times. Madisyn’s hands were warm, and the

concern in her eyes was evident even if Madisyn clearly still hated

everything about her.

“At least the Struyen situation should work out one way or the

other now that you’ve beat the hell out of his cohorts.” Madisyn placed

the instruments back in the kit. “It’ll be interesting to see what Podmer

decides to do.”

“Yes.” Rising on surprisingly wobbly legs, Weiss headed for

her bed. She had to lie down for just a few minutes. Judging from the

throbbing pain around her chest, her ribs were bruised, perhaps even

cracked. She refused to tell Madisyn. It was torture to be physically

near her, and to undress and have her touch her naked skin would be

unbearable. Weiss also knew she would have to figure out a way to get

in touch with Ewan Jacelon. There had been something more in his

voice, something beyond the shock of finding out the man who nearly

killed his daughter was still alive. Yawning, Weiss couldn’t resist the

urge to close her eyes. Just for a moment.

• 185 •

• 186 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-one

The diplomatic team had made great progress after the eight-

hour marathon negotiation. Amereena and Dahlia had

between them managed to unite old political adversaries among the

Gantharian resistance. No group or sub-group had a flawless past, and

even though all of them fought to regain their freedom, they went about

it in different ways. Kellen had never doubted what her duty was, or

which path to choose.

First it was all about Tereya, and then Tereya’s son, Armeo. Now

she was more fragmented when it came to her duty and her future.

Armeo was still her first priority, but after him came Rae, their family

and friends, the SC and her commission in its military force. Kellen

had not contributed to her full potential during the meeting. Her

thoughts returned constantly to Rae, trying to transmit her love by sheer

willpower. Kellen tried to convince herself that if anybody could beat

impossible odds, it was her wife. Rae loved her and Armeo, who she

regarded as the son of her heart, and she would do anything humanly

possible—and impossible—to return to them.

Still, war was war, and brutality and death did not discriminate.

Kellen had received word that the Paesina was only charred space

debris, and even if a lot of her crew had been rescued from escape pods,

some even from floating freely in space, there was still no sign of any

of its bridge crew, including Rae.

Relieved that the meeting was over, Kellen walked ahead of the

others to the shuttle that would take them back to the Circinus. She

strode across the landing pad and waited impatiently while she made

• 187 •

Gun Brooke

sure Dahlia and Amereena walked aboard together with Owena and

Leanne.

“Protector, ma’am, there’s an incoming subspace message for

you.” A nervous ensign stood in the opening to the navigational niche.

“You can use my console. It is a secure transmission.”

“Thank you, Ensign.” Kellen exchanged a glance with Dahlia.

“I’ll let you know if it’s about Rae. Instantly.”

“Yes, please.” Dahlia slumped into her seat, looking pale.

Leanne sat down next to her, offering a bottle of water. “Here.

You’ve been without fluids and food far too long, Diplomat Jacelon.”

“Thank you, Leanne.” Dahlia gripped the bottle with trembling

fingers.

Knowing Dahlia was in good hands, Kellen slipped into the

navigational niche and closed the door behind her. She punched in her

ID code and responded to the transmission.

“Commander Kellen O’Dal here on a secure channel. Go ahead.”

“Kellen, it’s Ewan.” Her father-in-law sounded gruff, and his use

of their first names turned her midsection into a river of ice water.

“Ewan, I hear you loud and clear.” That was all she could do:

answer correctly by the book.

“Good. Good. I still have no news of Rae,” he said quickly, as if to

get that part out of the way. “This is not about her at all, I’m afraid.”

Confused, Kellen rubbed her stinging eyes. “Go on.”

“I don’t know how much Rae told you about the undercover

operation she ran in the sectors between the SC border and the Gantharat

system?”

“She sent Weiss Kyakh as a double agent to some pirate gang.

That’s all I know.”

“Yes. I heard from Kyakh six hours ago.” Ewan sighed. “She’s

aboard a ship, the Salaceos, run by a thug named Podmer. Her contact

onboard is a sentient BNSL, Madisyn Pimm. Normally, Pimm’s the

one that reports in, but as things are, Kyakh broke protocol and tried to

reach Rae. Her page was automatically forwarded to me when…when

Rae wasn’t available.”

“What did she want?” Kellen did not trust Weiss Kyakh for

a second, but something in Ewan’s voice made her think that worse

people than the woman who had kidnapped Dahlia were out there.

“Trax M’Aldovar is alive.”

• 188 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Ewan…” Kellen’s heartbeat became louder as it seemed to

thunder somewhere just below her throat.

“I know. I didn’t believe her at first. She claims he is about to

purchase davic crystals from Podmer, who in turn stole them from the

Nemalima moon.”

“I killed him.” Emotionless, Kellen stared out through the viewport

as the shuttle took off.

“You apparently injured him severely. He is completely paralyzed

and depending on a ventilator to breathe. Sounds to me like you snapped

his neck, but somehow they managed to save him. Something tells me

he’s kept this a secret even from his own family, or we would’ve heard

about it via his sister.”

Kellen knew that Andreia M’Aldovar, also known as Boyoda,

the leader of the resistance movement on Gantharat, would never keep

such a thing from them. This would not be easy for her to hear.

“What are my orders, sir?” Kellen was trembling, and the only

way to keep from shattering was to remain formal.

“I am transmitting their coordinates. They are not far from your

location and I need you to assemble a strike force and take M’Aldovar

out. We can’t allow him to take these crystals to Onotharat. The

Onotharians are weakened due to an energy crisis, and if they get their

hands on such an enormous shipment of crystals, they’ll be able to

keep this war going for decades. Not to mention power their weapons

factories and research facilities. I’m sending units from the SC as well,

but you have a better chance.” Ewan lowered his voice and sounded

even closer. “Kellen. You report only to me when it comes to this

mission. You have my authority to use what resources you require,

including manpower. Assemble your best crew and take him out. Kill

him again, as it were.”

The gallows humor wasn’t lost on Kellen. “It will be my pleasure,

Ewan,” she said darkly and knew just how feral her smile was.

“All right. Move out ASAP, Protector.”

“Aye, sir. Kellen out.” She sat motionless for the few minutes it

took for Ewan’s documents to load onto her computer. Flashbacks from

the fight she had engaged in with Trax M’Aldovar mixed with images

of Rae, bleeding profusely from a wound in her neck.

Desperate to shake them, Kellen stood and returned to the others.

Dahlia’s head snapped up, her eyes dark with worry.

• 189 •

Gun Brooke

“It wasn’t about Rae. There’s still no news. It was Ewan. I have a

new mission.”

“What is it?”

“It involves going back into space.” Kellen made sure the doors

were closed to the junior officers’ section of the shuttle. “I’m glad

we got so much done today. I need to use Ayahliss, Leanne, Owena,

Roshan, and Andreia. Additionally, I’ll require a strike-force unit.”

“This sounds bad.” Dahlia stood, pressing her palms together.

“What can Amereena and I do?”

“Keep up the negotiations. Stay safe with the reinforced security

detail. Pave the way for peace.” Kellen walked up to Dahlia, carefully

taking her hands. “We will find Rae, and I will return with Ayahliss

and the others after this mission. I know the thought of losing everyone

plagues you right now, but I won’t let that happen.”

“Do you promise, Kellen? I love you like a daughter and…if

Rae…you, Armeo, and Ayahliss—”

“Hush. Don’t. Rae is resourceful. She’s strong. She’s every bit as

stubborn and determined to survive as you were in the Disi-Disi jungle.

She will return, and so will Ayahliss and I. Have faith in that.”

“All right. Yes, of course.” Dahlia hugged Kellen tight. “Will you

be able to remain in contact?”

“Yes. I will report continuously to Ewan.”

Dahlia looked relieved as she kissed Kellen’s cheek and let her go.

“Good.” She visibly pulled herself together and took her seat.

Turning to Owen, Kellen said, “Gear up and I will see you, Leanne,

Roshan, and Andreia at the shuttle bay at 2000 hours. Ayahliss will also

accompany us. I will brief you once we are en route.”

“Aye, Protector,” Owena said solemnly. Her dark eyes did not

waver, and Kellen knew she and Leanne would go into battle with her

with the same abandon as always.

Swallowing against a burning sensation in the back of her throat,

Kellen tried to wrap her mind around what awaited them as she sat down

and attached her seat harness. She would have to reach the resistance

headquarters planetside where Ayahliss, Roshan, and Andreia were part

of the planning. They had so much to do and simply no time to do it

all. Staring out into space through the small viewport by her seat, she

allowed thoughts of Rae to surface. How would she be able to focus on

her mission when all she wanted was to turn the Circinus to her wife’s

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Pirate’s Fortune

last known coordinates? It infuriated and pained her not to be part of

the search-and-rescue detail. Kellen wanted to be there and search, grid

by grid, herself.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes briefly. She could

make it through this only by focusing on what Rae would want her to

do. Rae most certainly wanted Trax M’Aldovar incarcerated or dead.

This man had hurt them both, several times, and knowing he was alive,

though severely incapacitated, infuriated her. Pouring all her fears for

Rae’s situation into her hatred for the man who had nearly killed Rae,

Kellen tightened her fists. She intended to kill him once and for all. He

would live only long enough to know who his perpetual nemesis was,

and she would show him no pardon, no mercy.

A small voice inside asked her how she could wear her Ruby Red

gan’thet suit with honors if she killed a defenseless man, a quadriplegic,

according to Kyakh. Pushing the disturbing thoughts away, she willed

herself to think of Armeo, Rae, and their family and friends, trying

to calm down. As the shuttle docked with the Circinus, she knew her

efforts to think of loved ones only upset her even more.

v

Jacelon moved slowly through the shuttle, glancing only briefly

at the Onotharians. They were secured, tied up twice, just to be sure.

One was conscious, but clearly affected by his head wound; he hardly

stirred.

Her midsection burned and a worrisome internal throbbing ache

weakened her with each passing hour. She surmised she was bleeding,

and only a specialized tissue fuser wielded by a physician could help

her. Jacelon reached the two men lying on the floor at the far back of

the Onotharian shuttle.

“How are you doing, Ensign?”

“I’m all right, Admiral,” the young man said between clenched

teeth, clearly trying to be brave when facing his commanding officer.

“Dgobdo is worse off. He hasn’t moved since I pulled him inside.”

“Have you managed to examine him?”

“I have. His left eye isn’t responding as it should when I shine a

light on it.”

“Damn.” Jacelon wanted to growl. Dgobdo probably had a subdural

• 191 •

Gun Brooke

hematoma, a bleeding between the brain and the skull. She looked at

the unconscious man. His complexion was gray and his carotid pulse

was slow and barely noticeable.

“What can we do for him, ma’am?” Ensign Hallberg placed an

unsteady hand on Dgobdo’s forehead, as if trying to heal him through

a physical connection.

“Other than keeping him comfortable, which you’re already doing,

his only hope is that we run into the search-and-rescue vessels.”

“They’ll assume we’re Onotharian.”

“Not if I can help it.” Pushing herself back on her feet, Jacelon

groaned at the pain in her belly, now more piercing than throbbing.

“Admiral?” Hallberg looked at her with increasing concern.

“You’re injured.”

“I’ll be fine. Take care of Dgobdo, Hallberg.” She saw him hesitate

and struggled to not sway. “Do I have to make that an order, Ensign?”

“No, ma’am.” Hallberg didn’t look convinced. “Just let me know

if I can do anything. Anything at all.”

Jacelon sighed. “Thank you.” She limped up to the helm and

continued her scans. Her thoughts went to Kellen, with reluctance, since

she knew well of the excruciating pain that would pierce her when she

did. Kellen’s mission was dangerous enough as it was. Worrying about

her meant Kellen could lose focus, which could be disastrous.

Jacelon blinked against the dryness of her eyes. The information

on the screen before her became garbled, and she gently rubbed her

eyes, afraid of missing something. Trying a technique that had sustained

her before when she and Kellen had been forced apart by their different

missions, she inhaled deeply and held her breath. Trying to recall

Kellen’s own scent, something clean, like citrus and leather, Jacelon

remembered how Kellen’s embrace made her feel. Kellen’s strong,

loving arms, her full breasts and wiry frame, and the plump, pink lips

and the way Kellen’s kisses tasted… Jacelon released the air from her

lungs. There it was, that magical feeling that only Kellen could instill

in her.With renewed effort, Jacelon returned to her scans. Nothing would

stand between her and Kellen. She would find a way to signal for help,

and fast, because the agonizing pain in her stomach and the increasing

weakness that made her cling to the controls told her time was running

out.

• 192 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-two

Madisyn regarded the sleeping woman on the other bed.

She had to wake her up, but she wished she could just

remain here, exploring every feature of Weiss’s face, every curve of

her lithe body. Madisyn couldn’t remember ever being so emotionally

conflicted. It was easier when everybody perceived her to be an

impersonal android, little more than a glorified machine. With Weiss,

that was impossible. Weiss had proved to her that she was indeed a

real person, completely functional when it came to emotions as well as

sexual desire and arousal.

Before Weiss confessed to a long career in piracy and being a

mercenary, Madisyn had felt they were becoming closer, like friends,

but also something more. It had shocked her to her depths but also

became an unexpected beacon in the darkness that was her personal

life. Madisyn had never expected to find true friendship or, the Seers

forgive her, romantic love.

The night Weiss held her and they kissed, Madisyn began to

glimpse the possibility of experiencing what had so far only been

part of very secretive dreams at night. When Weiss confessed to her

background, to really being who everybody aboard the Salaceos thought

she was—Weiss Kyakh, pirate and mercenary, really nothing more than

a common thief—something within Madisyn died. She had built her

hopes up, despite vowing to herself a long time ago never to do that.

Madisyn hugged herself, a faint moan escaping her lips. Looking

at Weiss like this, when she appeared relaxed with softened features

and an innocent expression, was almost surreal. Her lips slightly parted

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Gun Brooke

and one hand turned palm up against her cheek, Weiss appeared ten or

fifteen years younger.

Madisyn glanced at the chronometer on her arm. She couldn’t put

if off any longer.

“Weiss? Weiss. You’ve got to wake up. We’ve got to go.”

Weiss stirred, but only rolled on her side and muttered something

inaudible.

“Weiss!” Madisyn steeled herself and shook Weiss’s shoulder.

“It’s time.”

Weiss was awake and clearly in battle mode before Madisyn had

finished the last word. Moving with a feline grace, Weiss flung one arm

up defensively and grasped Madisyn’s neck with her free hand.

“Stop it. It’s me!” Madisyn used her own training instinctively.

She shoved her arms up, crosswise, knocking herself free.

“For the love of—” Weiss eyes were narrow slits as she glowered

at Madisyn. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Waking you up.” Madisyn pushed herself away from Weiss,

resisting an overwhelming urge to smooth the tousled hair from the

stunningly chiseled face. “We’re due on the bridge. We’re having

company.”

“Oh, yeah? Don’t tell me. M’Aldovar.”

“The very same.”

“Damn it, what changed his plan? He never meant to come

aboard.”

“I don’t know.” Madisyn rose and put on a black vest over her

coverall, tightening the clasps with jerky movements. “I sent a subspace

alert to the admiral, but it might be too late for them to move back into

position.”

“If it is, we’ll just have to figure things out ourselves. Bad enough

I couldn’t get out of handing over the computer chip to them. We need

to figure out a way to keep them from getting their hands on the crystals.

Having them would enable them to replenish their fleet. It would be

disastrous.”

“I agree. I will report.”

“Why don’t you remain behind here in our quarters and do that.

I’ll go to the bridge.”

“And if anyone asks for me?”

“You’re performing a security scan of your systems.” Weiss

• 194 •

Pirate’s Fortune

shrugged. “You took quite a hit, just like I did, when we crashed onto

the shuttle bay deck after our Nemalima adventure.”

“True. A robot can only take so much.” Madisyn had to smile at

her own irony.

“Yes.” Weiss stunned her by briefly touching her jaw with her

fingertips. “A screw coming loose and that’s pretty much it.”

“Oh, you!” Madisyn snorted. “I’ll repay you for ‘screw,’ just you

wait.”

“I look forward to it.”

Suddenly, Madisyn realized that they’d slipped into flirtatious

mode again, like before she knew who Weiss really was. Taken aback,

she recoiled, uncertain how she could have forgotten, even for a second,

that to her, Weiss was just as much the enemy as Podmer and his crew.

Weiss’s eyes lost their sparkle and she swiftly tied her hair back

in its usual austere fashion. She donned a similar vest as Madisyn’s.

“All right. I’m out of here. See you later. Let me know if Rae Jacelon

is back.”

“I will.” Madisyn watched Weiss stride out of their quarters and

heard her steps fade down the corridor. “Oh, damn. I just don’t know

what to do.” She sat down with her head in her hands for a few moments,

trying to regain her composure. Pull yourself together, Pimm. Don’t let

anyone see you with your guard down.

Adjusting her inner sensors, she began paging Jacelon. When a

male voice responded, Madisyn began to worry. What was going on?

After Admiral Ewan Jacelon provided her with information regarding

the latest turn of events, Madisyn fought to not be overcome. No matter

how impersonal Jacelon senior sounded, this was his child missing in

action.

“Sir, I have something important to report as well.” Madisyn

spoke quickly. “Trax M’Aldovar is going to be aboard the Salaceos

shortly. I don’t know the exact time frame, but within a few hours,

approximately.”

“Good job, Ms. Pimm.” Jacelon senior spoke curtly. “We have a

task force on a direct trajectory for your sector. You’re only hours away

from the Gantharian system. Using your internal beacon, I can pinpoint

your exact position.”

“Who is in command of the task force, sir? I will need a call

name.”

• 195 •

Gun Brooke

“Kellen O’Dal is in command. She’s also known as the Protector

of the Realm.”

It all made sense, Madisyn thought when her whirling mind began

to calm down. The protector was famous, and the news of her marrying

a human woman from Earth—and a high-ranking military person—had

reached Guild Nation even before it was a member of the Supreme

Constellations. “Your daughter-in-law, I believe, sir.”

“Correct. She is heading a formidable team and has a unit of

twenty-four marines at her disposal, as well as twenty assault craft.

You will be able to identify her cruiser by these markings and this

configuration.”

More data streamed to Madisyn’s internal sensor, and she blinked

at the faint pain. She had never disclosed to anyone that using her

artificial senses this way hurt physically, and she would not do so now.

Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes, she breathed evenly. It was

just a matter of letting the data stream run its course for only seconds.

“Affirmative, sir,” Madisyn said when she had all the required

data. “I will report back as soon as we have a new development.” She

hesitated, straightening her vest to occupy her hands. “And sir…I pray

your daughter is found in good health, Admiral. I respect and admire

her greatly.”

“Thank you. She is quite impressed with you, Ms. Pimm.”

“I will do my best to live up to her expectations. The Seers are

with her.”

“Jacelon out.”

Madisyn left the quarters, knowing that the upcoming hours would

have great impact on the conflict, and she and Weiss, despite their

differences and the private hurt, were in the middle of it all. There was

no margin for error. If M’Aldovar left with the crystals, he would make

sure the Onotharian ships kept running for years. Without the crystals,

the SC had a chance to wear them out. Onotharat was a depleted society

resource-wise, and with a corrupt and despotic ruler that the average

Onotharian must loathe. Madisyn was not a political expert, but even

she knew that such a society toppled easily because it had no foundation

among the people.

Hurrying toward the bridge, she caught herself smiling faintly

at Weiss’s comment about the screw. When her assignment was over

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Pirate’s Fortune

she would actually miss having someone who knew, who even had the

audacity to joke with her about it. And not just someone. Weiss.

v

Jacelon slumped sideways at the helm of the Onotharian shuttle.

Inside her survival suit, her clothes were rigid from her slow-trickling,

coagulating blood. She kept tightening the makeshift pressure bandage,

but she wasn’t kidding herself. She didn’t have very long. The

darkening edges at her outer field of vision proved that she would soon

lose consciousness, and when that happened, the game was over for her

and the young ensigns behind her.

The thought of the young men, her crew, her responsibility, made

her force herself upright. A new gush of blood, this time more than a

mere trickle, warmed her side. “For stars and skies, where are the damn

search-and-rescue ships?” Jacelon scanned the debris, but found no new

life signs and certainly no SC ships. “How can that be?” she muttered.

“Don’t they know what happened here? Surely they must know.”

At first the small light at the left lower corner of the viewport

looked like debris gleaming in the light of a distant star. As it grew in

size, Jacelon clutched the helm computer console tightly. Soon the light

became two, then three and four. Eventually, she counted ten small

flickering lights. A grid search. They were performing a grid search .

Relief turned to concern. She was inside an Onotharian shuttle,

and if anybody hated the Onotharians, the medics and search-and-

rescue personnel, who had to clean up the mess after the battle, were

at the top of the list. No SC soldier was ever expected to shoot first

and ask questions later, but it did happen when tempers ran high, and

she was sure—having once, as a junior lieutenant, been part of such

a team—every crewmember on the approaching ships was ready to

throttle, shoot, and laser-blade the first Onotharian they came across.

Jacelon had to figure out a way to confirm her identity before they

turned the shuttle into space dust. Every SC citizen possessed an ID

code, worn in a chip under their skin. So did Jacelon, but hers was

outfitted with a military prefix, which, when scanned, allowed SC

authorities to identify her and the enemy to come up blank.

She formed a bold idea. If it worked, she would think it was worth

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Gun Brooke

the pain. If it didn’t—at least she’d tried. The young men behind her

were worth any pain she would experience. Pain was only a vague

description. Agony would be a better word for what she meant to do.

Excruciating agony.

Jacelon pulled out a small laser-bladed knife and rolled up the

sleeve of her uniform jacket. Aiming dead center between her wrist

and elbow on the inside of her arm, she bit hard into her lip as she

pressed the sensor, engaging the cauterizing feature. She glanced up

at the viewport and saw the lights coming closer with each passing

heartbeat.

It was time. She couldn’t hold back a whimper as she began to

cut.

v

Kellen stood on the bridge of the cruiser Noma III, unable to sit

down because her nerves were wound so taut. Fueled by the hatred of

a man who had wronged and wounded her loved ones, whom she hated

with every fiber of her being, she kept her eyes on the viewscreen.

“Kellen?” A soft voice next to her made her flinch and she whipped

her head sideways, glaring at the person daring to disturb her thoughts.

“Hey, it’s just me.” Roshan O’Landha raised her hands, palms forward.

“Stand down, Protector.”

“I apologize. I was lost in thought.”

“I could tell, and I’m sorry I startled you. You have a lot on your

mind, yet you need to brief us as we’re approaching our coordinates.”

“I will, I—”

“We have an incoming SC official subspace message, Commander

O’Dal.” Owena, manning tactical and ops, said.

“Audio.” Kellen waited impatiently until Owena nodded for her to

go ahead. “This is Commander Kellen O’Dal, on the cruiser Noma.”

“Commander, Admiral Ewan Jacelon. I have new information for

you and your team. I was just briefed by our agent aboard the Salaceos

that they are expecting Trax M’Aldovar as Podmer’s guest within

the next two hours. This band of space pirates has a cargo of davic

crystals for him. Our agent estimated in an earlier report that they stole

approximately seven thousand two hundred crystals.”

• 198 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“That won’t happen.” Kellen knew she sounded harsh. “If the

Onotharians get their hands on them—”

“I know, Kellen.” Ewan sounded stern. “I trust you to deal with the

situation. Take him out. Stop the deal from taking place. If necessary,

eliminate the Salaceos.”

“We have operatives on that ship, sir.”

“One is the mercenary that kidnapped Dahlia, the other one is a

BNSL android.” The dismissive tone in Ewan’s voice made certain that

he thought of them as expendable.

“That may be,” Kellen insisted, although she harbored as much

disdain for Weiss Kyakh as Ewan and Rae did. “We must still take

appropriate measures to ensure their rescue if possible. It is what Rae

would do.” She held her breath while waiting for her father-in-law to

explode.

“Of course, you’re right.” Ewan sounded pressured, but calmer.

“The BNSL android is sentient. Kyakh may be there because of

coercion, but she does work for the SC at present.”

“Yes, yes.” Ewan cleared his throat. “We don’t have any news

of Rae yet. I know this is as torturous for you as it is for her mother

and me, perhaps even more since you are in the field and need to stay

focused. You don’t have the luxury of dwelling on it.”

“That is actually a blessing. I…” Kellen gazed around her and saw

nothing but sympathy from the people who were her comrades in arms

and her friends. “I am all right. I will complete the mission. You have to

promise me to page me as soon as you know. No matter what.”

“Very well, Kellen. I have transmitted the Salaceos’s coordinates.

The asteroid belt near them is emitting some interesting signals, so be

on your guard, Kellen.”

“Affirmative, Admiral.”

“Be safe. Jacelon out.”

“Commander D’Artansis.” Kellen took a second to collect

herself. “Change our course to the coordinates transmitted from SC

headquarters.”

“Aye, ma’am.” Leanne punched in the command, and the Noma

rumbled beneath Kellen’s feet. She was one of the new powerful

models, outfitted with the latest modified propulsion system, capable of

traveling three times as fast as a tachyon mass drive, which was illegal

• 199 •

Gun Brooke

due to pollution issues. This cruiser also had a cloaking system, which

made them invisible to sensors and the naked eye. Now the Noma

pierced space like a projectile, black and sleek, with twenty assault

craft in her belly.

Kellen sat down in the captain’s chair, gripping the armrests.

She would make sure Trax M’Aldovar never saw the light of day

and Onotharat wouldn’t obtain the crystals. Once that was done, she

intended to find Rae.

Nothing and nobody could stop her.

• 200 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-three

Weiss stood rigid next to Podmer, about to greet the Onotharian

general as his hover chair exited the airlock. His shuttle had

docked with the Salaceos only moments ago, and Weiss wondered why

he found it necessary to meet again so soon. He had coerced Podmer

into going along with his terms, and the crystals were ready for transfer.

He obviously wanted something else enough to risk another meeting

with Podmer, whom he clearly despised.

Trax M’Aldovar managed to look intimidating and powerful

despite the fact he could move only his head. He hovered high

enough off the deck to not have to gaze up at anyone. Weiss knew the

psychological impact of such tactics and that this man left nothing

to chance. His amber gaze, almost a sulfur yellow, rested on each

one of the greeting party before he spoke in the raspy voice Weiss

remembered.

“No need for all this commotion. I want this done quickly. Podmer,

where can I examine the item?”

“I have yet to concede to—”

“Podmer, if you expect to get paid for the crystals, you will follow

my directions. I’ve got a war to win, and I can’t be bothered with

squabbling with pirates.”

“You still find us useful to supply you with merchandise,” Weiss

heard herself say, unable to prevent her words. This pompous man

personified everything she disliked in another humanoid. She had come

across many like him in her life, and she had to date put every single

one in their place.

• 201 •

Gun Brooke

“Kyakh, I would find your insolence amusing if I wasn’t pressed

for time and in no spirit to banter. Not even with a beautiful diate’sh

like you.”

Weiss recognized an Onotharian insult when she heard one. She

forced herself to remain calm and disdainful. “I have never made my

living by selling my body to anyone, M’Aldovar, but I can imagine why

someone like you would be limited to knowing only such unfortunate

women.”

A vein began to throb visibly at M’Aldovar’s left temple.

“Hold your tongue, Kyakh, or I might just give the order to have it

removed.”

“Why don’t we head over to the mess hall?” Podmer interrupted,

clearly eager to forestall any more insults or threats from either of

them.

“Will you present the piece of technology there?”

“Absolutely. For the right price, anything is negotiable.” Podmer

smiled jovially. “I’m sure we’ll see eye to eye.”

“Oh, yes, I’m certain we will.” M’Aldovar’s irony was obviously

lost on Podmer, who strode through the corridor. Weiss wanted to grab

him by the arm and demand an explanation, and also point out the fact

that the Onotharian general was a lying, murderous bastard, which of

course would have been a moot point, as Podmer was exactly that too.

The mess hall had been rearranged to impress a dignitary. Smaller

tables had been folded into the deck; only the large captain’s table in

the center remained, set with gilded obsidian plates and glasses. Weiss

raised her eyebrows when she saw the bright white retrospun linen

tablecloth. How domestic, Podmer.

“Take a seat—” Podmer stopped himself, but too late. “My

apologies.” He turned furious eyes on the mess hall boy waiting next

to the door leading to the galley. “Remove a chair immediately. No,

not that one, you fool. The one over by the viewport, for our guest.”

Podmer, now with a volatile red creeping up his large cheeks, tossed the

thin young man aside and dragged the chair out of M’Aldovar’s way

himself. “Get back into the kitchen and then bring us drinks.”

Weiss had to cough to mask her laughter when she could actually

see on Podmer’s face how it dawned on him that he had no clue how

M’Aldovar was supposed to handle drinking. Podmer’s eyes fluttered

back and forth between M’Aldovar and his security detail. Weiss would

• 202 •

Pirate’s Fortune

have given most of her stashed loot to see one of those hard-nosed,

rough men try to feed their general.

“Do not panic, Podmer,” M’Aldovar said with a sigh. “My hover

chair takes care of everything. By all means, bring us drinks. Make

mine a double, no matter what it is.” He looked like he needed it, from

sheer exasperation.

“Oh, good. I mean, yes. Of course.” Podmer reissued the order to

the mess hall boy, who scurried off, probably grateful to be out of reach

of his captain.

“So,” M’Aldovar said, and maneuvered his chair into the vacated

space, “is the BNSL going to join us?”

Weiss snapped her head up, staring at first M’Aldovar, then

Podmer. The fact that the Onotharian general spoke of Madisyn in

that manner set her inner alarm klaxons blaring. Why would he call a

member of Podmer’s crew “the BNSL,” and why would he be interested

in whether Madisyn joined them?

“I thought we’d negotiate first,” Podmer said merrily, pouring the

drinks as the boy returned from the galley. He formed his lips into a

broad smile, but his eyes were guarded as they skimmed by Weiss.

“What, exactly, are we negotiating about?” Weiss asked, making

sure she sounded bored and not overly interested.

“That which turned out to be your main attraction.” M’Aldovar

laughed, a chilling, hissing sound. “I understand this android is one of

a kind.”

“And you know this how?” Weiss pressed on.

“Kyakh!” Podmer slammed his hand, palm down, into the table,

making the obsidian glasses jump.

“Now, now, it’s no secret that your other crewmember, Lucco

Struyen has been most informative. Very helpful.” M’Aldovar laughed

again. “Pour my drink, Ensign. This calls for a toast.”

One of his security detail officers stepped up and lifted the glass

in front of M’Aldovar. He pressed a sensor on the hover chair and an

opening on the top of the backrest emerged. Reluctantly fascinated,

Weiss watched as the ensign simply poured the drink into the opening

and closed the lid. Another opening to M’Aldovar’s left produced a

narrow transparent tube, which wiggled through the air close to his

lips. Bending his neck slightly, M’Aldovar let his gaze travel between

them. “Here’s to Onotharian supremacy.” He didn’t wait for them to

• 203 •

Gun Brooke

respond, but drank from the tube. His broad, stiff grin was one of the

ugliest expressions Weiss had seen. Even she, who took pride in never

being jaded, could feel the stirring of nausea at the apparent madness

in his eyes.

“Supremacy,” Podmer finally echoed, and drank. Weiss couldn’t

make herself sip the strong valasai wine. Normally, she had no problem

handling alcohol, but if she took a sip now, she would end up spitting

it across the table.

“So, back to business. The cute little BNSL. Unlike our previous

negotiation, you can pretty much name your price. She’s unique.”

Only the fact Weiss was holding on to the seat of her chair made it

possible for her to remain sitting.

“You want to buy Madisyn Pimm?” Podmer blinked. “She’s a

sentient being and member of my crew. A valued member.”

“She is a robot. State of the art and one of a kind, as I understand

it, but still—just another piece of technology.” M’Aldovar pursed his

full lips, which created an extraordinarily lascivious expression.

“You heard Podmer. Pimm is sentient. She is part of his senior

staff.” Kyakh was so furious, and at the same time so deeply afraid that

she was halfway out of her chair.

“A sensitive topic, Kyakh? Have a special liking for androids and

robots?” M’Aldovar’s hissing laughter made him turn dark red. He

shook his head at the ensign who took a step toward him.

“I have no interest in Pimm, but any good crew has to remain loyal

to each other, or its operations are doomed.” Weiss turned her attention

to Podmer. “Like you should point out to that loose-lipped Struyen.

He’s been nothing but trouble. If you don’t—”

“You don’t lecture me.” It was Podmer’s turn to change color. “I

decide what goes on aboard the Salaceos.”

“That’s right, Podmer. You tell her.” M’Aldovar seemed genuinely

amused. “Tell her who’s in charge.”

“And you will sit idly by and sell a member of your crew into

slavery.”

“What do you care?” Podmer drank the rest of his valasai wine.

“Can you tell me that?”

“I’m just looking out for myself. If you can do that to Pimm, who’s

been with you much longer, how do I know you won’t do something

similar to me?” Her heart beating so fast that it actually hurt her ribs,

• 204 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Weiss thought fast. “What if you decide to hand me back to the SC

if they give you enough reimbursement? Both Pimm and I risked our

damn necks for you, and though I know you’re nothing but a murdering

thief, when I had my own ship, I would never have sacrificed one of my

own.” She spat the last words with all the contempt she could muster.

“This isn’t your ship, is it?” Podmer wasn’t red anymore. He was

pale. “I know your reputation, so that is why you’re still sitting there

and not bleeding all over sickbay. You should be able to fathom that

there is a difference between you and Pimm. You’re royalty when it

comes to our business. Pimm is really not much more than what the

general says—an android, though advanced.”

“So you’re saying you’re going to side with me against Struyen?”

Weiss scowled.

“Struyen has overstepped his authority. I realize that.” His voice

calmer now, Podmer pushed against the table with both hands and

stood. “He will be reprimanded.”

“Will he pay restitution?” It was important that Podmer and

M’Aldovar only saw her concern as personal greed, or they might start

wondering just why she cared about Madisyn.

“He will forfeit half his part to you. You will outrank him.”

“Fine. As long as you’re not going against your word,” Weiss said,

her voice low, with a warning growl.

“No, no. Why would I do that? I’m here,” Podmer gestured at the

table, “ready to make a profitable deal. Since you’re here, you must

realize I trust you, and I need you to help me. I don’t want Pimm to find

a way to self-destruct if she catches wind of this.”

Oh, stars and skies, he was planning to do it. He was going to

sell Madisyn to this megalomaniac. Weiss sat down again, assuming a

mildly interested expression. “I can perhaps be of help. For a price.”

“Of course,” M’Aldovar hissed. “For a price.”

Podmer laughed and had the boy pour more valasai wine. “Now

we’re on the right track. We just have to plan this carefully so Pimm

doesn’t become suspicious.”

“Leave that to me,” Weiss said, nothing but dread and cold winter

in her heart. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

• 205 •

• 206 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-Four

Madisyn shifted restlessly in the captain’s chair. She kept

an eye on all sensor readings, fully aware of the newly

appointed ensign’s limitations as the young woman nervously punched

in commands for diagnostics over at the ops station. Struyen was

confined to quarters, pending Podmer’s ruling of his fate. This ought

to be reassuring, but Madisyn couldn’t shake the feeling that she was

missing something. Struyen and his cohorts were dealt with, so far, but

M’Aldovar’s presence aboard the Salaceos had made the ship hum in a

way that seemed foreboding.

She flinched as her internal sensors received a muted signal,

manifesting itself as a tone only audible to her through her inner ear.

Knowing this meant the SC was trying to reach her, Madisyn locked her

gaze on the viewscreen on the far wall and accessed her biosynthetic

transmission array. She rarely used this feature, since the transparent

images projected on her retina gave her motion sickness. But this was

clearly an emergency, and she couldn’t shake her feeling of impending

disaster.

Cursing the fact that she couldn’t leave the bridge, Madisyn let the

information from the SC scroll past her eyes. To her surprise, it wasn’t

the dense intel she had expected, but a mere text message in real time.

From the SC cruiser Noma:

Commander Kellen O’Dal – Protector of the Realm

En route to your last known coordinates. Objective is to

apprehend/eliminate individual known as Trax M’Aldovar. Do not

• 207 •

Gun Brooke

permit said individual to escape. Use deadly force if no other

option.

Update required regarding current coordinates, crew manifest,

weapons array, shields configuration.

Madisyn made her exterior remain indifferent. The protector

and her unit were closing in. They were going to get here and seize

M’Aldovar, Podmer, and the rest of these murdering bastards. As she

thought of how satisfying that would feel, she slid her gaze over to the

young ensign. This girl, skinny, with big dark eyes, was not exactly

what came to mind when thinking of Podmer’s usual menagerie of

thugs. She looked like she was trying to be part of this crew rather than

actually be a member. Madisyn vowed to make sure this kid was not

bundled up with the rest of the gang.

Focusing on the message, Madisyn took a deep breath and

transmitted as much tactical information as she could. Once she was

done, she could feel the chill of perspiration on her back, which startled

her, as that had never happened. Madisyn had never heard of any BNSL

that produced sweat. What would be the point? Was something going

on with her bioneural physique? Was she evolving or self-destructing?

“Podmer to Pimm. Report.”

“Pimm here.” Madisyn pushed her shoulder back and gripped

the armrests. “We are holding our position just inside the asteroid belt.

Nothing on long-range sensors, no anomalies. All is well, sir.”

“Good. Let the helmsman have the bridge. We need you in the

cargo bay.”

“Cargo bay, sir?” Madisyn stalled. She didn’t like the sound of

this. What was going on?

“You heard me, Pimm. Our guest requires some additional

information, and you’re the one person around here who can retain all

of it without a hassle. Kyakh will meet you there.”

Relieved to hear this, and also that she’d had time to send the

protector all the information, Madisyn stood. “Very well. I’ll be there

in a few minutes. Pimm out.”

After turning the bridge over to the helmsman, Madisyn headed

toward the cargo bay. Something was probably amiss with the crystals.

Frowning, she turned a corner and stopped just before running into

Weiss.

• 208 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“What…? I was going to meet you and the others in—what are

you doing?” Madisyn tried to regain her balance as Weiss pulled her in

the opposite direction. “Weiss, what the hell’s going on?”

“We don’t have much time. We have to get to the shuttle I prepared.

Don’t argue. Just trust me.” Dragging Madisyn behind her, she headed

toward the aft sections. “Come on. Hurry!”

“All right.” Finally realizing the panic paired with anger she saw

in Weiss was for her, Madisyn ran faster. They rounded the corner just

as voices revealed that someone was approaching from the opposite

direction, Weiss slammed the sensor and opened the door to the shuttle

bay, then repeated the maneuver on the inside.

“Over there. Shuttle six.” Weiss pushed Madisyn ahead of her.

“So this is how you planned your getaway.”

“Yes. Lucky I did.”

“Why? Why is it lucky? What’s going on?”

“Not now. Later.” Weiss pulled the lever and opened the hatch at

the back of the shuttle. Inside, stale air rushed toward them.

“Good, nobody’s been here.” Weiss removed a filament wire from

inside the hatch. I’m going to have to shoot our way out of here if

there’s a code on the door.”

“But we can’t just leave. I had a text-only message from the SC,

from Commander O’Dal. They’re on an intercept course heading here

to apprehend M’Aldovar. They are using my signal as their beacon. I

just sent them the latest information.” If she left the ship, the absence

of her readings might confuse matters. “I don’t know why you’re

panicking. Talk to me.”

“There’s no time. Trust me, we have to get out of here now.”

“I wish you’d tell me—”

“Hush.” Suddenly pale, Weiss held up her hand. “Quick, adjust

your sensors. Is someone heading here, toward the shuttle bay?”

Madisyn squinted and recalibrated her sensors. “Yes. Several

individuals are on the move in the corridors, plus some sort of

vehicle.”

“Damn!” Weiss hands trembled as she pressed them against her

forehead. “Think, think!”

“Y-you’re frightening me.” Madisyn wasn’t concerned about her

own safety as much as Weiss’s obvious distress. “Please.”

“We won’t make it. We don’t have time to blast out of here. I’m

• 209 •

Gun Brooke

going to have to think of something else.” Weiss lowered her hands,

suddenly looking older, her eyes nearly black in her pale face. “Madi,

listen. Do you trust me?”

Madisyn meant to say “No, why would I trust a pirate,” but

something in Weiss’s demeanor, in her eyes, snuffed out any such

contempt. Sensing that her life depended on her answer, she nodded

slowly. “Yes. I trust you.”

“We don’t have much time. I need you to act shocked and kick and

scream when I give you the sign, all right? I can’t save you if you don’t

do as I say. Please, Madi.”

“Kick and scream?” Madisyn shivered. “I can do that.” Everything

seemed as nightmarish as her worst dreams, and still here she was,

awake in the cold shuttle bay with the woman she should hate, but

didn’t.

“Good. It’s going to get scary before it gets better.”

“Hey, Weiss, I’m an operative like you—” Madisyn scowled at

Weiss, at a total loss what Weiss was going on about. Only the fact

Weiss looked so incredibly distraught kept her listening to the woman

she’d sworn to hate and despise.

“I know you are. You’re better at all of that than I am, but trust me,

in this, I’m better than you. I won’t let him take you.”

“Weiss?”

“I—I really care about you, Madi. I didn’t plan to, and I didn’t

want to, but I do. I have no friends, no family, but if I did, I’d swear

on their life that I’ll keep you safe.” She stiffened. “They’re here. I’m

so sorry, Madisyn. So very sorry.” Her hands moved swiftly, pivoting

Madisyn into her. She bent and kissed Madisyn hard for long seconds.

Madisyn’s heart beat uncontrollably, only to plummet when Weiss

pushed her away and spun her around. Madisyn sensed quick, hard

hands sliding restraints over her hands and onto her wrists.

“Sir? Captain? Here she is!” Weiss bellowed while dragging the

stunned Madisyn with her. “I caught the little android trying to sneak

away.”

“Weiss, what the hell are you doing? Let me go!” Madisyn stumbled

out of the shuttle as Weiss unceremoniously shoved her. “Weiss, what is

going on? Oh!” She stumbled and fell onto her knees.

“So she did suspect something,” Podmer’s voice boomed above

• 210 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Madisyn. “Well, good thing you caught her. M’Aldovar is in the

corridor, eager to lay eyes on his latest purchase.”

Purchase? Madisyn’s head spun. “What the hell are you doing?

Weiss, you’re supposed to be my friend.”

“Friend? Me being friends with a glorified robot? I think not.”

Weiss spoke with cold contempt and dragged Madisyn to her feet. “Let’s

go say hello to your new master.” She looked intently at Madisyn, and at

the same time, she made soft little soothing circles on Madisyn’s arms.

Remembering Weiss’s words about kicking and screaming, Madisyn

did just that.

“Let go of me, you treacherous bitch!” She threw herself against

Weiss, who caught her and pressed her close.

“What a wildcat, eh, Podmer?” Weiss grinned. “Let’s go. You’re

going to really like your new owner. He may be immobilized, but he’s

all charm and personality.”

v

Ayahliss sat by the viewport in the small mess hall aboard the

Noma. Unlike the Circinus, this cruiser was only sparsely equipped for

comfort. The Circinus had several decks meant to host civilians, with

all the amenities that went along with it. The Noma looked barren in

comparison, but Ayahliss couldn’t care less where she kept her eyes on

the stars streaking by as they traveled toward the pirates’ last known

position.

“May I join you?” A soft voice interrupted Ayahliss’s thoughts.

Ayahliss looked up and saw the woman she had sworn allegiance

to when she knew her only as the resistance leader Boyoda. Ayahliss

didn’t even know she was a woman back then. “Ma’am. Of course.”

Ayahliss had fought long to fathom that the legendary Boyoda was

Andreia M’Aldovar, an Onotharian politician, born and raised on

Gantharat. She was also the sister of the feared Trax M’Aldovar, whom

everybody on Gantharat had a legitimate reason to hate.

“Are you all right, Ayahliss?” Andreia sipped the warm beverage

she’d brought. “Can I bring you a mug of Cormanian coffee? This stuff

is truly addictive.”

“Oh. Thank you, but I already had some.” Quite awestruck that

• 211 •

Gun Brooke

Boyoda would offer, Ayahliss shifted to face her. “And thank you for

asking. I’m fine.”

“Good. I saw you sitting here, looking a bit lonely. You worry

about Judge Beqq and Diplomat Jacelon. And the admiral.”

“Yes.” Ayahliss blinked away a sudden burning sensation behind

her eyelids, refusing to cry in front of her. “I do. I owe them my life.”

“So do I.” A shadow in Andreia’s eyes reminded Ayahliss that this

woman had her own sorrows to deal with.

“Are you all right, ma’am?” Ayahliss asked carefully.

“Please, none of that ‘ma’am’ stuff. I’m a civilian, like you. In

fact, I imagine it won’t be long until you join the protectors as a full

member. Call me Andreia.”

“Thank you.” Ayahliss wasn’t so sure about qualifying for the full

title as protector, but didn’t argue. “I’m sorry that our mission involves

your brother.”

“Oh, Ayahliss.” Andreia surprised her by reaching for her hand. “I

said good-bye to my brother many years ago, long before we believed

he was killed. This man the Onotharians apparently promoted to general

is a stranger to me.”

“Still, if you’re faced with having to fire upon him or his ship?”

Ayahliss squeezed Andreia’s hand.

“Yes, darling, that’s something I’ve thought of as well,” Roshan

O’Landha’s alto voice interjected. She sat down next to Andreia and

put her arm around her shoulders.

“I’m glad you asked so we get this out of the way, once and for

all.” Andreia softly kissed Roshan’s cheek. “If I’m face-to-face with my

brother and I have no other option than to fire, there’s really only one

thing I can see myself doing.” She turned her eyes, flat and emotionless,

on Ayahliss. “Pull the trigger.”

• 212 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-Five

We can’t tell you much more, Admiral, at this point, other

than her resilience could make all the difference. Your

daughter’s previous injuries, the ones she sustained on Gantharat in

particular, have compromised her ability to bounce back from this

one.”Was that Gemma Meyer? Jacelon tried to open her eyes, but found

it impossible. Voices had come and gone around her for a while now,

and she wondered dazedly how they could fit all those people inside the

Onotharian shuttlecraft.

“So, you’re telling me nothing more can be done?” Ewan

Jacelon sounded as brusque and abrupt as Jacelon had ever heard him.

Father?

“By no means am I saying that,” Dr. Meyer stated. “While we’re

doing our job keeping her alive, she has to do hers. A blood loss into

her abdomen that continued for several days has weakened her. This,

combined with a nasty infection that turned septic, exacerbated her old

injury to her carotid artery.”

“Why isn’t she conscious yet?”

“We’re not keeping her sedated, sir. That said, we’re not happy

with giving her any drugs to wake her up either. I think she will stay

unconscious, or in a deep sleep, for as long as her body needs it.”

“This sounds all very non-scientific to me,” Ewan muttered.

“Far from it. We have cleared her infection. She’s no longer in

sepsis. We used the derma fusers and deep-tissue fusers to heal the

perforation to her bowels and skin. Please, sir, just give her some

time.”

• 213 •

Gun Brooke

“All right, all right.” A deep sigh followed, and Jacelon felt a large

male hand take hers. The familiar touch was so gratifying, she was sure

she’d be able to open her eyes and look up at her father, but her eyelids

seemed glued together.

“I can’t imagine what you went through, daughter,” Ewan said,

squeezing her hand. “You saved those young men and the damn

Onotharians too. If you hadn’t infused the bioneural circuitry with your

own DNA, the rescue ship might’ve blown you out of the sky.” He

cleared his throat. “I’m so glad they didn’t. So very grateful.”

Jacelon felt a single tear dislodge from the corner of her right eye

and run along her temple and into her hair. She needed to move, to

wake up properly and tell her father she was all right. More than that,

she needed to hear about Kellen—where she was, if she was all right

too. “Dr. Meyer! She moved. She moved her fingers,” Ewan

bellowed.

“It could be a reflex, sir—”

“No, it’s not. Look, she’s opening her eyes.”

Jacelon blinked at the blinding light above her. “Father? Where

are we?”

“Oh, Gods, Rae.” Ewan leaned over her and blocked out the

painful brightness. “Child. You scared us.”

“I’m okay.” Rae tried to sit up, but strong hands pushed her back

against the pillows. “Where are we?”

“Not so fast, Admiral.” Dr. Meyer ran a scanner across her face,

the sides of her head, and down her body. “You’re not out of the

woods yet, even if being awake and alert is better than unconscious.

To answer your question, you’re aboard the new flagship, the Supreme

Constellations Brilliance. ”

“Brilliance?” Jacelon groaned as Dr. Meyer prodded her sore side.

“Hey, no need to be a brute about it.”

“I’m barely touching you.” Dr. Meyer smiled at Jacelon, who only

now realized how haggard her chief medical officer looked.

“Thank you, Gemma.” Jacelon turned her head to look at her

father. “Kellen? Mother? Armeo?”

“Your mother is being very successful, paving the way for an

interim government on Gantharat. Armeo is thriving at his boarding

school with Dorinda. Kellen is on assignment.”

• 214 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“On Gantharat?”

“No. She’s heading an operation rendezvousing with Pimm and

Kyakh to apprehend Trax M’Aldovar.” Ewan looked carefully down

at her.“Trax—what?” Surely this was all the damn drugs talking? Jacelon

squinted at her father, trying to judge if he was being facetious. “Trax

M’Aldovar?”

“Seems the news of his death was slightly exaggerated. Not even

his sister knew, for heaven’s sake. He’s some sort of clandestine service

general, and he’s meeting with these pirates you have undercover.”

“So he’s the one after the davic crystals?” It all started to make

sense now. “Have you briefed Pimm?”

“I’ve talked to both Pimm and Kyakh.”

“When is it all going down?” Jacelon shifted in bed, wincing at

the soreness in every joint of her body.

“I have been monitoring the subspace channels. Pimm and Kyakh

are running a little late reporting in. Kellen’s cruiser is approximately

an hour away.”

“All right.” Jacelon had to do something. “Now, listen to me, Dad,

and don’t argue. You have to get me over to your ready room. If you

have to roll me in on a gurney, I don’t care. I have to know what’s going

on. I know Pimm, I know Kyakh, God help me, and if I can’t fight the

good fight in space, I can certainly do so in your office.”

“Oh, Rae, I can’t—”

“Sir. I will send my best specialist with your daughter to your

ready room, if that’s all right with you.” Gemma stood next to the bed.

“You sure, Doctor?” Ewan frowned.

“She’s going to be a major pain here, nagging us until we give in

out of sheer exhaustion.” Gemma winked at Jacelon. “I know her well,

unfortunately.”

“Thanks.” Jacelon slumped back again. “I confess, I’m too weak

to hold a mug of Cormanian coffee, but I have to be there. This is my

family we’re talking about. Like it or not, it’s also about the man who

nearly killed me, and the people of Gantharat. I’m a protector, and I

need to do my job every way possible.”

“I’ll arrange for a hover recliner, Admiral.” Gemma stepped away,

leaving them alone.

“Rae, you make a father so proud and so fearful sometimes.”

• 215 •

Gun Brooke

“Have you told her I’m alive?”

“I haven’t had the chance. The Noma wasn’t reachable when I

received news of your recovery. I will notify Kellen as soon as—”

“No. Let me do it. If she hears my voice, it won’t be so bad.”

“All right.” Ewan kissed her forehead before straightening,

every bit the senior admiral now. “I will return to the bridge and get a

subspace command post set up for you in my ready room. Report to me

there ASAP.”

“Aye, sir.” Jacelon watched him stride out of the room and closed

her eyes briefly as she took the opportunity to rest before going back to

work. She had no idea which day it was or what time, or exactly where

she was. She turned her head and saw only stars through the viewport.

“Kellen.” Just whispering her name helped gather her strength.

When Gemma returned with more medication, she didn’t even

object. An orderly lifted her over to the hover recliner and strapped her

in. Normally, this would have infuriated and shocked Jacelon, but if

he hadn’t done so, she would’ve slumped to the side and ended up in a

most undignified heap.

“I know you would rather pilot this yourself, Admiral, but the

corridors are crammed with soldiers and different dignitaries and I

don’t want any more casualties, so let Dr. Vephes handle the control,

all right?”

“No problem. I can’t exactly see where I’m going from this

position. As this is the new flagship, and I’m not familiar with the specs,

I don’t even know where I’m going.”

“Good.” Gemma raised her eyebrows, clearly suspicious of

Jacelon’s cooperativeness. “Dr. Vephes is in charge of your health while

you’re in your father’s ready room. When it comes to your physical

well-being, what he says, goes. I don’t want to hear anything else, or

I’ll come up there and hover you back here myself.”

“I hear you. I do.” Jacelon fought the urge to pout at the strict

orders. “Good thing we go back a long time, Gemma, or I could’ve

misconstrued that.”

“Ha.” Gemma’s eyes softened. “Just don’t exert yourself too

much, Rae. We didn’t save you from the debris field to have you kill

yourself on the bridge. Kellen would never forgive either of us.”

“I know.” And I can think of little else.

• 216 •

Pirate’s Fortune

v

“We are less than an hour away from the coordinates in Pimm’s

latest transmission. I am trying to find her inner beacon on sensors.

No luck so far.” Commander Owena Grey looked up from her work

console. “I suggest we enter from these coordinates,” she said, pointing

at the viewscreen. “The sun will be behind us, which will make it easier

to mask our trail while still cloaked.”

“Sounds good.” Kellen spoke shortly. “I agree. Helm? Current

speed?”

Leanne rattled off the information. “Adjusting the course to the

new coordinates.”

The doors behind them hissed open and Roshan and Andreia

entered with Ayahliss. Kellen had expected Andreia to perhaps opt out

of this mission, as they intended to apprehend—or kill—her brother.

However, Andreia had always defined herself as a Gantharian citizen

first and regarded herself as an Onotharian only from a DNA point of

view. She had fought alongside the Gantharian people she loved and

identified with for so many years now. Kellen had no doubts about

Andreia’s allegiance, even if she hadn’t hated Trax with a passion. You

certainly didn’t choose the family you were born into.

“We are receiving a subspace message from the SC,” Owena said.

“Audio and video.”

“On screen.” The big viewscreen flickered, and when Rae’s face

appeared, Kellen gasped out loud.

“Kellen. I’m safe.” It was Rae—her face and her voice. Kellen

stood on shaky legs.

“Rae.”

“I know I look like hell, and it was a close call. I am safe, though.

I promise. I’m in my father’s ready room, working from my bedside.

I’m here to render any assistance I can in your effort to take Trax

M’Aldovar out.”

“Rae…” Kellen felt as if her brain had short-circuited. All she

could do was stare at her wife—the dark gray stormy eyes, the tired

lines around them and on her forehead, the slight dryness of her lips.

“You are alive.”

• 217 •

Gun Brooke

“Yes, Kellen.”

“They found you.”

“They did.” Rae’s eyes welled up, and she blinked several times.

“I see you have all of our closest friends there.” She raised a limp hand

and waved. “Here’s my father now.”

“Kellen? She really is all right. Not very strong yet, but they have

dealt with the issues—”

“What issues?” Kellen asked, her fears reappearing.

“Dad! I told you—”

“What issues?” Kellen walked closer to the screen.

Ewan listed Rae’s injuries and what had been done, apparently not

caring that everybody on the bridge heard. “And as she was stuck aboard

an Onotharian shuttle, she cut her arm, drew blood, and infused human

DNA into the shuttle’s bioneural circuitry. How’s that for ingenuity?”

Kellen was impressed. She had never heard of such a tactic. “And

that made the SC stop long enough to ask questions before firing.”

“Yes. The rescue ship had already raised shields when the readings

came in,” Ewan said. “When they saw human DNA on their readings,

they deepened their scans and found more human bio-signatures inside.

Rae saved two ensigns and ultimately also three Onotharians, who are

now POWs in a much nicer prison than would have been the case if the

opposite had occurred.”

Kellen had not taken her eyes off Rae while Ewan spoke. “Does

Dahlia know? Armeo?”

“I have sent a message via one of our courier ships, and I expect

to hear from Dahlia any moment. She’s been in lockdown several times

due to minor attacks by the Onotharians, but neither she nor Judge Beqq

is that easily intimidated. They are doing fine.”

“Armeo?” Kellen reminded Ewan.

“He never knew Rae was missing. Didn’t see the point.”

“Good.” Relieved, Kellen closed her eyes briefly. “Rae, we’re

going after Trax M’Aldovar.”

“So I heard.”

“Kyakh and Pimm have him aboard the Salaceos as we speak.”

“I have to tell you, Kellen, I don’t have a good feeling about

that.”

“You think there is a risk Kyakh would use this as a way to escape

the hold the SC has on her?”

• 218 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“I don’t think she would,” Ewan said slowly. “When she called in

her report to Rae and found me instead, she didn’t strike me as someone

about to bail. Admittedly, I don’t know the woman, but she took a

big leap of faith when she reached out to me. She seemed genuinely

concerned.”

“I’m not gullible when it comes to someone like Kyakh,” Rae said

huskily, “but I wouldn’t sell her short either. I could be way off there,

but I think she’s developed a reluctant friendship with Pimm.”

“The sentient BNSL. Interesting.” Kellen made a mental note of

this, sensing it might become important. “We will be within range in

less than twenty minutes. I will request radio silence until we are in

position within the asteroid belt. Until I contact you, please use text-

only messaging, please.”

“Understood.” Rae lifted her hand briefly. “Be safe, Kellen. All

of you.”

“We will. Stay strong, Rae. Kellen out.”

Kellen sat down in the captain’s chair, her knees impossibly weak

all of a sudden.

“Fantastic news, Kellen,” Leanne said, beaming, from the helm.

“Thank you. Yes.” Kellen took another deep breath. “As you

heard, we are now operating under radio silence. Adjust cloak to highest

setting. We cannot have even the slightest blip on their sensors, or we

lose the advantage of a surprise attack.”

“Cloak harmonics set to heavy.” Owena pushed at the sensors

before her. “We are invisible.”

Good. Trax had better have enjoyed the last few days, because he

was not going to have many more. Kellen drew her upper lip back in a

feral grin. “Good hunting, everybody.”

• 219 •

• 220 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-six

Weiss had never felt more enraged or nauseous. She regarded

the spectacle in the cargo bay with a careful look of

indifference when all she really wanted was to yank Madisyn out of

their claws and run.

Podmer had paraded Madisyn in front of M’Aldovar like she was

a prize-winning Gantharian maesha. He had not been able to make her

display any of her “features,” but listed them proudly to the immobilized

man.

“She’s not bad-looking either, if you’re going for the wholesome,

slender type.” Podmer leered. “Still, I have to warn you, some of my

guys tried to have her concede to servicing them when she first came

aboard, and though she is an android, she is also sentient with a strong

will of her own. Nobody could get her to comply.”

“Some would say that’s getting the best of both worlds. I’m

sure our scientists can reconfigure her, if need be,” M’Aldovar said

absentmindedly. He looked Madisyn over again. “I don’t suppose I

should ask her to strip so I can make sure she’s as stunning as her

exterior suggests.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t try that before you have her, what did

you say, reconfigured?” Podmer gave another belly laugh. “She’s a

handful.”

“Sounds good to me.” M’Aldovar signaled with his eyes to his

officers. “Pay the man.”

Podmer rubbed his hands as the Onotharians arranged the

payment. As they focused on this important task, Weiss dared to look at

Madisyn. She stood straight, her hands cuffed and her feet in restraints

• 221 •

Gun Brooke

that allowed only for very short steps. Lifting her gaze to Madisyn’s

face, she saw no emotion in her features, but her eyes burned with

clear hatred. Weiss’s heart constricted painfully. Had Madisyn not

understood? When she followed Weiss’s orders to kick and scream

while being captured, Weiss had thought Madi knew they had to stall

until a moment presented itself to act upon.

Madisyn now met her eyes dead-on, and the chill they induced

traveled throughout Weiss’s body. She tried to convey her feelings, but

nothing changed in Madisyn’s demeanor to suggest she understood.

“I need someone familiar with her physique to accompany us

back to my ship,” M’Aldovar demanded. “I need to know the specifics

regarding her sustenance and so on. If I don’t familiarize myself with

these facts, she might try to self-destruct without me realizing it.”

“Good idea.” Podmer agreed willingly. “Kyakh here has shared

quarters with Pimm ever since she joined our crew. Have you observed

enough to assist General M’Aldovar, Kyakh?” Podmer looked at her as

if to dare her to contradict him.

Seeing this as a godsend opportunity to work out an escape, Weiss

smiled lopsidedly. “As boring as this droid is, on a personal level, I can

safely say that I know what she eats, when she needs sleep, and what

diagnostics she runs on a regular basis.”

“Excellent. You heard the man, go with them to their ship and

install Pimm.” Podmer walked up to Madisyn and looked down at her

with something mimicking remorse. “Sorry. No hard feelings. Just

good business. For you, it should make little difference, really. It will

be interesting for you to see another part of space.”

Weiss was shocked to hear Podmer talk to Madisyn as if selling

her like a slave was a mere career change with new prospects for her.

Weiss held her breath as Madisyn’s eyes narrowed.

“You unimaginable fool.” Madisyn’s voice was low but carried

clearly throughout the cargo bay. “I never did give you much credit.

I saw you as a vain, not so very intelligent thug, and I think that was

overstating things. Clearly, you’re just as dumb as you look. I pity

you.” Madisyn turned to M’Aldovar. “Shall we go, then? What are we

waiting for?”

Podmer’s face was now dark, a sure sign that he was like a high-

yield explosive ready to go. “Ungrateful damn droid,” he growled. “Get

her out of my sight!”

• 222 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“I’ll take care of her.” Before anyone else had a chance to react,

Weiss lifted Madisyn and hoisted her over her shoulder. “Come on then.”

She led the way to the airlock. Not daring to show with the slightest

caress that she was on Madisyn’s side, Weiss let her dangle in such an

undignified position, even M’Aldovar’s officers smiled faintly.

Aboard M’Aldovar’s shuttle, Weiss strapped Madisyn into the

seat farthest back and sat down next to her, attaching another harness to

herself. M’Aldovar required a lot of assistance as the officers adjusted

his hover chair and made sure it was safely locked into place.

“Madi. Please,” Weiss whispered. “I’m going to get you out of

this.” She tried not to move her lips in case they were under video

surveillance unawares.

“Don’t talk to me.” Madisyn spoke quietly, but not as low as Weiss

deemed necessary.

“Madi. I’m trying to figure out a way to escape with you. Please

trust me.”

“Why?”

“Gods, woman, surely you’ve figured it out by now.” Blinking

at the stinging sensation behind her burning eyes, Weiss had to use all

her motivation and strength not to shout. “I’m doing this, despite my

reputation and my past, because I love you, damn it!” Startled at her own

confession, Weiss kept her eyes forward, scrutinizing the Onotharians

as they worked around M’Aldovar and began the launch process.

“What?” Madisyn said, her voice small.

“You heard me.” Weiss’s lips felt stiff and dry.

“But—”

“Shh. Here they come.”

The officers made sure they were strapped in, and one of them

checked Madisyn’s shackles. When he was done, he let his fingers run

through her hair, only to yank his hand back when she growled at him

and bared her even, small teeth.

“She always this feral?” the officer asked Weiss. “She’ll need

some serious modification to be of use to the general.”

“Yeah, he might regret ever buying this wildcat,” Weiss said.

“There’s more than one way to break someone in. A damn droid

shouldn’t be too hard,” the young officer said with contempt.

“Exactly.” Weiss smiled, knowing full well just how feral she

could look. “In the meantime, my best tip is to keep your distance.

• 223 •

Gun Brooke

She can sever a finger just as easily as a laser knife. I’ve seen her in

action.”

“Really?” The Onotharian ensign took a step back, which delighted

Weiss. “All right. We’re about to take off. Remain seated. This close to

the asteroid belt, it can be a bit bumpy.”

“Understood.”

The young man left and Weiss heard Madisyn exhale. “Thank

you.”

“Try not to move your lips when talking. Something tells me that

a paranoid man like M’Aldovar has surveillance everywhere. Whisper

and keep your lips still if you can.”

“All right.” Madisyn shifted in her seat. “Did you really mean

it?”

“You can laugh or ridicule me later. Yes.”

“Why would I ridicule you?”

“Just my luck, huh, to fall for someone who hates me.”

“I—I don’t hate you, Weiss.”

Weiss began to tremble. “What? But you do. You hate anything to

do with pirates and mercenaries.” It was so tempting to turn her head to

try to read the truth in Madisyn’s eyes. This might be their undoing, so

Weiss closed her eyes almost completely, leaving only a slit big enough

to keep an eye on the Onotharians.

“I do. I do hate them. Just…not you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ve changed.”

“Not that much. I’m still the person who kidnapped Dahlia Jacelon

and helped M’Ekar to escape. Several people were killed on Corma

because of that.”

“I didn’t say you don’t have a lot to atone for. You do. And you

are. You’re here, obviously trying to save me, risking your own life

in the process. You could’ve left a long time ago, obviously. You’re

here.” Madisyn sounded like she was trying to convince Weiss as well

as comfort and encourage herself at the same time.

“Yes, I am, and I’m not going anywhere without you. We’re going

to get out of this, Madi.”

“I like for you to call me that. You’re the only one that ever has.”

Madisyn’s voice caught. “If you can’t get me away from him, I will

remember it.”

• 224 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Stop it. Stop.” Furious at the thought of failure, Weiss curled her

toes inside her boots and dug her nails into her palms to regain self-

control. “You’re returning to SC space with me. You said it yourself.

The protector is hunting M’Aldovar, and from what I know of her,

failure is not an option. We just have to make sure we’re ready when it

happens.”

“All right. Guess I’m just afraid.”

“Nothing wrong with that. This is a dangerous situation on a

far more personal level.” Weiss would have given anything to wrap

Madisyn up in her arms and hold her tight, protect her from everything

that frightened her. Being brutally honest with herself, Weiss was just

as much in need of such an embrace. She feared she might screw up

and lose what window of opportunity the protector’s imminent attack

might provide.

“Are you afraid?” Madisyn could clearly read minds.

“Not of them, but for you, yes. Of you, in a way, yes.”

“What do you mean, of me?”

“I’ve never loved anyone since I lost my mother. This was very

inconvenient.”

A soundless laugh from Madisyn startled Weiss, who opened her

eyes fully to make sure nobody heard. “Stop laughing!”

“Sorry, but it sounded kind of funny.” Madisyn raised her hands

and wiped at her eyes.

“How amusing that I can provide some comic relief.” Rigid, Weiss

retook her position with her arms folded and her eyes half-closed.

“It’s not funny. It’s sad, really.” Suddenly filled with sympathy,

Madisyn’s whispers soothed Weiss like nothing else ever had. “I think

you are on your path of atonement. As am I.”

“You? You have nothing to atone for. You’re the victim in all

this.”

“Yes, and I’ve lived and breathed like an avenging victim ever

since my parents died. That’s not what they wanted for me. Instead of

continuing their work, our work, at the university, I joined the Guild

Nation Intelligence Forces as a way to cope, to fight back.”

“And I joined the enemy, the pirates, for the very same reason.”

They sat in silence for several minutes. Weiss saw images from

her childhood flicker through her mind. She hadn’t allowed those

memories to surface for a long time. When the vision of her mother

• 225 •

Gun Brooke

remained, she wanted to press her wrists against her eyelids and pry the

memory of the soft-spoken woman out of her brain. Quicinda Kyakh-

sehn had done nothing but love and care for her daughter as she worked

as a chef aboard a generational ship heading for the SC.

When pirates attacked, it had seemed that the seasoned leaders

aboard had everything under control. Herding the children to a shelter

deep inside the belly of the vast ship, every one among the four thousand

crewmembers knew exactly what to do. But they had no way of knowing

that they had come across a new breed of ruthless pirates. This well-

organized band dealt just as much in the trafficking of humanoids as

illegal drugs, and even humanoid organs.

“Weiss?” Madisyn nudged her carefully. “Weiss. Wipe your

cheeks.”

“What?” Hastily Weiss felt her cheeks, mortified at the wet traces

of tears. For stars and skies…

“Are we slowing down?” Madisyn’s voice trembled.

“Seems so.”

“Weiss?” Madisyn pressed harder into the seat and began to

breathe faster. Her eyes darted back and forth between M’Aldovar and

Weiss.

“I won’t leave you. I promise. No matter what happens, I won’t

leave you, Madi.”

“You really do love me?”

“Desperately.” Weiss never thought she’d profess to love, certainly

not to a complex, unique woman in mortal danger.

“I trust you. If you say you’ll get me out of this, I know you

will, or die trying.” Sounding surer than Weiss felt, Madisyn’s words

drilled into Weiss’s soul. Could it be true that Madisyn didn’t hate

her as much as before? Weiss gripped the armrests as M’Aldovar’s

shuttle momentarily lost inertial dampeners. A whining sound showed

that the helmsman had engaged the brakes and was about to enter the

Onotharians’ shuttle bay. Sick at the thought of what might happen to

Madisyn now, Weiss steeled herself. Without finesse, the shuttle came

to a sudden halt, tossing them against the harness and bouncing them

off the backrest.

“Weiss?”

“Yes?”

• 226 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Madisyn drew a deep, trembling breath. “Whatever happens, don’t

blow our cover. The mission—”

“Comes first. Sure.” Weiss wasn’t sure at all. Her rebellious side

insisted on making Madisyn her first priority, but her feelings for

Madisyn caused an irrational urge to make her proud.

The Onotharian officers came toward them. Yanking Madisyn free

from the harness with hard hands, they motioned for Weiss to follow

them.

“She can’t walk like that,” Weiss reminded them, gesturing toward

Madisyn’s shackles. “Either you have to free her feet, or I will carry

her.”

The men looked indecisively at each other.

“All right. I don’t think M’Aldovar wants his new prize possession

to be bruised or dented, so I’ll just carry her, all right?” Weiss scooped

up Madisyn, one arm under her knees, one around her back. “Hold on

to me,” she whispered.

Madisyn clung to Weiss and hid her face against her neck. Weiss

was about to remind Madisyn that this was perhaps not the ideal way

to convince the Onotharians they were indifferent to each other, but she

didn’t have the heart to push Madisyn away.

“This way,” one of the officers said darkly. “The general wants her

stored in cargo bay seven.”

Stored? What the hell… Weiss followed the officers out of the

shuttle bay and into a corridor. Holding Madisyn close, she memorized

the layout of the ship as they made their way to the cargo bay.

Bay seven turned out to be a sparsely lit, barren storage facility

that held what looked like advanced technical equipment. A medical

bed, surrounded by large pieces of technology, took up half of the space.

On the other side stood a huge cylindrical container, filled up to fifty

centimeters with a green substance. Weiss grew increasingly concerned

when one of the Onotharian officers began to punch commands into

its computer console. She carefully lowered Madisyn to the floor and

supported her as she stood.

A small hatch swung open on the glass cylinder.

“Tuck her right in.”

“What the hell is that thing?” Weiss held on to Madisyn.

“Just storage. This way, the oxygenized plasma fluid will maintain

• 227 •

Gun Brooke

her in pristine condition until the general has use for her. It will

recalibrate her to extract anything that makes her a security risk.”

“Plasma fluid? Are you insane?” Weiss backed up, pulling Madisyn

with her. “She’ll drown in there!”

“Drown? No, no. She’s got synthetic lungs, right? This will infuse

the oxygen through her skin and into her system. It’ll be unpleasant at

first, but she’ll live.”

“This was not part of the deal. You don’t know anything about

this type of BNSL,” Weiss said, frantic now. “Your general may have

bought her, but that doesn’t mean he can kill her. She’s sentient, you

idiots.”

“She’s an android. Onotharat doesn’t legally recognize sentience

in machines. Get her over here.”

The men approached them, and Weiss backed up farther.

“Please,” Madisyn said. “She’s right. I might not survive in the

damn thing, and if I don’t, you will have to explain to your boss how

you killed something he paid a lot for.”

This stopped them for a moment, but then the highest-ranking

continued toward them. “It’s the general’s explicit order to use the

plasma chamber. If there’s a mishap, I’m sure our best scientists can

do something about it. General M’Aldovar moves in the highest circles

among the Onotharian chairmen, politicians, and scientists. You see

how he is? Well, he was actually dead for several hours. His survival is

a testament to Onotharian superiority.”

“Or bad taste,” Madisyn hissed.

“An android with a sense of humor,” the Onotharian officer said,

smiling mockingly. “Priceless.” He motioned with his fingers in the air.

“Get her over here.”

“Never.” Weiss produced a small sidearm with a flick of her wrist.

“I’m taking her back.”

“You and who else, and how?” The ensign laughed.

“I can start by firing on either of you.” Perspiration broke out on

Weiss’s back. She knew they were trapped and she needed to stall for as

long as she could. Kellen O’Dal was on her way, and if she could keep

the men occupied until she was ready to strike—

“I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“That wouldn’t stop me. This might look insignificant, but as you

• 228 •

Pirate’s Fortune

know, the Guild Nation has a few tricks up their sleeves as well, from

a scientific point of view.”

“So you’re going to fire on three of us with one weapon before we

manage to return fire?” The ensign laughed again.

His eyes shifted, and something in them as he looked behind Weiss

alerted her. She began to turn her head, holding on tight to Madisyn,

when pain suddenly exploded behind her eyes. The last thing she heard

was Madisyn screaming her name.

• 229 •

• 230 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-seven

Kellen stood over the vast sensor grid table in the cartography

room, her eyes locked on the small illuminated outline of

the Salaceos and the Onotharian g’shedo-category vessel. The Salaceos

was located just inside the asteroid belt, and the Onotharian ship was

barely visible where it hid well within the belt. Only the Guild Nation’s

enhanced sensors made it possible to distinguish between the midsize

ship and the mineral-based rocks.

Scanning again for Madisyn Pimm’s internal beacon, as well as

Kyakh’s cloaked implant, she found only a faint trace of Pimm’s signal.

Concerned, Kellen double-checked the coordinates. Pimm was clearly

aboard the Onotharian ship. Where was Kyakh? Had she escaped, was

she dead, or had she disabled the chip? Logic suggested that Kyakh had

done the latter and escaped, but for some reason, Ewan Jacelon had

faith in her.

What was it about this woman that made first Rae and then her

father give her the benefit of the doubt? Rae had defended her decision

by pointing out that Kyakh had the cloaked chip in place. Kellen knew

that, given enough time and offering enough credits, Kyakh could

possibly disable it, or find someone who could. She had disabled

M’Ekar’s chip once, after all. If she was able to locate the damn thing,

it wouldn’t take her long to destroy it.

So, if Rae’s and Ewan’s hunches were correct and if Kyakh was

still there, which ship would she be on? Kellen figured Kyakh would

probably find a way to join her fellow undercover agent. Nobody had

ever questioned Kyakh’s sense of loyalty. The survivors from her ship

that went down in the Disi-Disi forest on Corma had all testified to her

• 231 •

Gun Brooke

qualities as a captain. She had never left a crewmember behind, and she

treated everybody with fairness, though she terrified most of them.

Kellen rapped her fingertips against the grid table. She was

beginning to form a plan, and she needed to run it by her team. Pimm

could be aboard the Onotharian ship for several reasons, but the fact that

she had not responded to the subspace signal they’d sent to her internal

sensor concerned her. So far, Pimm had stayed in touch regularly and

always responded to hails. The possibility that Pimm might be disabled

or fatally damaged chilled Kellen. Many people regarded sentient

androids as nothing more than a political ploy, but in her mind, a life

was a life, regardless of the origin.

“We’re ready, Kellen,” Owena said from the door leading to the

bridge. “Leanne reported reaching our position a minute ago and our

cloak is firmly in place. Shields are at a hundred percent and all systems

are at peak performance.”

“Good.” Kellen pointed at the grid table. “This is the Onotharian

ship. We need to move in closer so we can surprise them. I want

the assault craft ready to launch and the cloaking-capable shuttle to

spearhead the operation.”

“The marines are ready, as are the fighter pilots.”

“Thank you. We need to locate Kyakh. Her internal chip isn’t

registering, which leads me to think she might have disabled it.”

“Ah, she could be long gone if that’s the case.”

“I don’t know why I feel so sure she isn’t. Perhaps Ewan’s and

Rae’s view of her has rubbed off on me.”

“I thought Rae hated her for what she did to Ayahliss and Dahlia?”

Owena followed Kellen’s fingers as she traced a trajectory on the grid

table.“She did, at first. But even she reluctantly admired Kyakh. Rae

can appreciate proficiency in anyone, even an enemy.”

“Guess that’s hereditary. Dahlia tended to and protected

Ambassador M’Ekar, whom she loathed, in the Disi-Disi jungle and

ended up saving his life.”

“Thus sending him back to ‘that mosquito-infested hell of a planet,’

to quote M’Ekar.” Owena pursed her lips. “So justice was served, and

as far as I know, he’s still there.”

“She saw something in him there, when circumstances changed,”

Kellen maintained. “Something more humane that turned him into a

• 232 •

Pirate’s Fortune

person, not merely a force out to hurt her or someone in her family. I

think that’s the same reason she convinced Rae that Kyakh was more

than a ruthless mercenary.”

“And that’s why you think Kyakh has suddenly become loyal to

the SC?” Owena looked doubtful.

“Or to Madisyn Pimm.” Kellen pulled on the harness that came

with the Ruby Red suit and attached her rods to her left hip. She double-

checked her sidearm before attaching it to her right hip. “Either way,

we need to consider the possibility that either Pimm or Kyakh or both

is on M’Aldovar’s ship.”

“Assuming it is him and that he is aboard this ship,” Owena said

kindly.

“He is. I can sense it.”

Owena didn’t comment on Kellen’s uncharacteristic statement.

Normally not prone to relying on what humans called a sixth sense,

Kellen couldn’t explain why she was certain Trax M’Aldovar was

aboard. And soon he would be hers. Hers to put in a cage…or to end

his life, again.

“Let’s go,” Kellen said, grabbing a handheld computer. She

downloaded the information from the table to it and snapped it onto her

belt. “We have a score to settle.”

v

“So you care for that abomination.”

Weiss jerked at the raspy, harsh voice. Something wheezed, and

the piercing light on the other side of her closed eyelids was painful

enough for her to hesitate to open them.

“Admittedly, she is rather attractive, but lowering yourself to

copulating with a machine is nothing short of a disgrace. If we were on

Onotharat, I’d have you arrested.”

“Who’s there?” Weiss tried to sit up, but winced at the pain in her

head and the back of her neck. She blinked at the light, trying to focus

on the outline of a man. Her head hurt with each resurfacing memory

as she stared at Trax M’Aldovar where he sat strapped into his hover

chair. “Where is Madisyn?”

“The android is kept where she is rendered harmless. She’s quite

safe.”

• 233 •

Gun Brooke

“Oh, Gods, you’ve put her in that damn container. That cylinder!

She’ll drown!” Aghast, Weiss disregarded her own physical comfort and

sat up. Someone had put her on a cot in what looked like a holding cell.

Blinking diodes outlined the opening and M’Aldovar sat in his chair on

the other side. Weiss hesitantly pushed her hand through the opening,

but wasn’t surprised when a shock traveled up her arm, followed her

neck, and hurt her earlobe. A damn force field. This technology, under

development mainly on Guild Nation, was in its infant stages as far as

Weiss knew. The Onotharians seemed to have figured it out, or obtained

it—likely stolen it—from someone.

“Very brave of you, hiding behind a tech solution like that,” she

taunted M’Aldovar. “You’re afraid of Madisyn, so you stick her in a

cylinder filled with goo. You’re afraid of me, so you erect a force field

between us. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were afraid of strong

women, period.”

“Shut up! If you value your life, don’t speak another word,”

M’Aldovar croaked, and began to cough. “I’ll dismantle that mockery

of a woman before I ever let the two of you see each other. I can tell

you’re fond of her, and it’s downright sick. Unnatural.”

“She’s more real than you ever were or ever will be,” Weiss said

slowly, backing up to sit down on the cot. “She’s kind and sweet, and

she cares about people and ideals. You’re nothing but a sociopath with

political power and connections. You’ve been defeated before, and you

will be again.”

“By whom?” M’Aldovar sneered.

“By—”

Emergency klaxons began to blare and the light switched to a red

hue. Weiss heard voices shout in Onotharian over the comm system.

“What the hell…?” M’Aldovar pivoted his chair and drove up to

the two men guarding the door. “Find out.”

“Yes, General.” The men grabbed their communicators and

followed orders.

“As I said,” Weiss stated calmly, “this is just the beginning—of

the end.”

“You!” Twirling with his chair, M’Aldovar glared at her, his stare

as acidic as if it truly could burn her skin. “You don’t speak.”

“Try to stop me.” Weiss was taking a calculated risk that the force

• 234 •

Pirate’s Fortune

field could withstand plasma-pulse weapons and such. “Why don’t you

wheel that chair of yours in here and stop me. Must be really annoying,

not to mention frustrating, to have a mere woman talk back like this. A

woman has defeated you before, so the rumors have it. Didn’t a woman

put you in that chair? Robbed you of your future, in a sense?”

“A woman made the mistake of thinking she killed me,” M’Aldovar

hissed. “She left me for dead, but I fooled her. I fooled them all. I rose

in the ranks faster than anyone my age and outsmarted any of the others

who had intact bodies. What use is a perfect body if you don’t have the

brains to go with it?”

“True, true,” Weiss said, making sure she sounded sickly sweet.

“And what does it matter that you have to rely on the assistance of

others for every single thing in life? That’s no big deal, is it?” Weiss

would’ve loathed mocking any other person’s misfortune, or their pain

or injuries. This man, however, had taken Madisyn and tucked her in

a damn glass tube. As if she hadn’t suffered enough at the hands of

callous, greedy, power-hungry individuals.

A whistling sound, all too familiar, drowned out the roar Weiss’s

words forced out of M’Aldovar. An explosion rocked the ship, nearly

tossing Weiss onto the floor. M’Aldovar’s chair rolled forward despite

his attempts to stop it with voice commands, and its front hit the force

field. A cascade of sparks showered him and he cursed out loud. Clearly,

he had some sensation left in his skin, Weiss thought maliciously.

Another explosion sent the ship hurtling, and the inertial dampeners

went offline momentarily. Weiss didn’t wait. She kicked the wall and

let the weightlessness carry her toward the opening. Hoping M’Aldovar

had done serious damage to the field, she made sure her boots would

take the brunt of the force.

The air around her crackled as she floated through the opening,

and when she was clear of it, the inertial dampeners came online and

she landed with a thud on her bottom on the floor. M’Aldovar’s chair

had risen a few centimeters off the floor level and now bounced down

as well.

Glancing over by the door, Weiss saw that the guards were still

carrying out their orders of finding out what was going on. It wasn’t

hard to guess. Kellen O’Dal and her unit had arrived. For the first time

since she’d disabled the chip in her abdomen, Weiss cursed herself for

• 235 •

Gun Brooke

doing so. Kellen couldn’t know that she was aboard this ship. Madisyn!

Perhaps the protector had scanned for Madisyn’s internal sensor and

found her?

Weiss headed for the door, not sure which deck she was on.

Outside, she saw markings in the darkened corridor, but they were

Onotharian and she understood only enough of the language to curse

at someone.

Madisyn was in one of the cargo bays on the lower decks, and that’s

what mattered. Weiss yanked open one door after another, trying to find

a staircase or a lift. If Kellen intended to blow this ship into space dust,

Weiss needed to find Madisyn, get her out of the cylinder, and somehow

make contact. Weiss moaned as her headache escalated almost beyond

control when she began to run toward the end of the corridor. The ship

rocked from more explosions, and the inertial dampeners went offline

again, causing her to slam into the bulkhead. She didn’t care about the

pain. Clawing her way along the wall, Weiss only cared about finding

Madisyn, and she was running out of time.

• 236 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-eiGht

So good to see you, Reena.” Ayahliss looked hungrily at the

computer screen on the wall of her small unit. Reena in fact

looked fatigued, with dark circles beneath her eyes. She revealed a new

vulnerability, something Ayahliss wondered if she normally let anyone

see.

“Sweet soul, I miss you.” Reena pushed her thick hair out of her

face. “I know you haven’t been gone long, but the fact that you are on

yet another dangerous mission…”

“I will be very careful.” Ayahliss wanted to touch Reena’s pale

cheeks on the screen and tightened her fists under the desk. “Kellen’s

plan is sound.”

“I know you will, and I know it is.” Looking frustrated, Reena

rested her head in her hand, slumping sideways. “Stars and skies, I’m

not helping at all, am I? I’m sorry.”

Ayahliss was ready to jump through the screen and hold Reena

close. She had never felt protective in her life until she met Armeo,

and now her urge extended past the Jacelons and Kellen to Reena. This

feeling held so many dimensions and was so new; she could only let

it unravel on its own since she had no idea how else to handle it. She

did, however, have to prevent this weary sense of guilt written across

Reena’s beautiful face.

“You don’t have to be sorry, Reena,” Ayahliss said, now actually

touching the base of the screen. “This is exactly what I need to hear.

Don’t you see?”

“What?”

“I need to know that you are with me in your heart.” Reena sat up

• 237 •

Gun Brooke

and leaned closer to the screen. “This will be dangerous, and it hurts

me to worry you, but I’ve never had such a strong motivation to return

in one piece. I used to think it was important to return so I could fight

another day. This is different.”

“Tell me how, Ayahliss.” Reena cleared her voice.

“I will go into battle focusing on returning in one piece.” Ayahliss

lowered her eyes for a moment, her stomach fluttering madly. “To

you.”

“Ayahliss.” Reena’s face softened and her eyes suddenly glowed

with such emotion they calmed the tremors in Ayahliss’s belly.

“Nothing, nothing is more important to me than your safe return. You

have to come back.”

“When you return to the Circinus, I wish you’d consider staying

with me in my quarters. I don’t want to miss another moment with

you.”

Ayahliss was certain she must’ve misunderstood. “Stay with you?

Like moving in?” Her throat constricted.

“Yes. Just think about it, Ayahliss. I care so deeply for you. For

so long, I have devoted my life to my work—it’s been my passion.

This is such a fantastic change. I think of you all the time, and though

I’ll probably always be career-oriented, my center of gravity has

changed.”

“Because of me?” Ayahliss didn’t know where she found the

courage to ask.

“Certainly because of you. I tried to tell you I’m too old for you,

but you ignored that. I thought perhaps I could be your mentor, a guide

to the Supreme Constellations society, and yes, I have dipped into both

of these roles, but I’ve just scratched the surface.”

“It took me a long time to understand why I was so nervous and

unsure around you.” Ayahliss wanted her to understand that she wasn’t

the only one harboring doubts and fears. “You seemed unattainable,

out of my league, but I’ve tried to change my point of view. We are

humanoids, age be damned, and status too, right?”

Reena laughed, a breathless sound, and Ayahliss thought she could

find a trace of surprise beneath it.

“You’re so right, sweet soul,” Reena said, her eyes glittering now.

They seemed to have lost most of their tired, forlorn expression, and

• 238 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Ayahliss mapped every feature despite already knowing every square

millimeter of her. “Promise me again that you’ll be safe.”

“I do. I promise. I won’t take foolhardy risks. You and I have a lot

to talk about, and I can’t wait to—to hold you again.” Ayahliss fiddled

with the computer console, restless and desperately needing to latch

onto something since Reena was so far away. “You must promise the

same thing,” she added, suddenly acutely aware that no part of space in

this sector was especially safe.

“I give you my word. Dahlia and I have to go planetside to

Gantharat before you return. I think Kellen made Dahlia give her word

on that one, since this wasn’t our original plan.”

“Good idea. She needs to stay focused on the mission as well. If

Kellen had to worry about Dahlia—again—she might be less able to

concentrate.”

“Yes.” Reena sat silent for a moment, gazing at Ayahliss’s face. “I

can’t look at you enough. I know how you taste and smell, which drives

me crazy when I can’t reach out and hold you.”

“I feel just like that!”

“Isn’t that fortunate?” Tenderly, Reena slid her fingertips along

the screen. Since every pixel of the screen contained the imagizer,

Reena’s gentle movement seemed to be a reflection in a mirror. Instead

she was the amazing, stunning woman who insisted Ayahliss resided in

her heart.

Ayahliss had to let Reena know just how important she was. She

swallowed repeatedly, thinking about the words that would convey the

truth without actually going too far. To speak of love like this, via an

impersonal computer screen, felt wrong. Reena spoke of affection and

attraction, but neither of them had openly voiced the words of love.

Still, this had to be what scorched her heart and singed her soul. Reena

called her “sweet soul,” a term of endearment Ayahliss had never heard

her use toward anyone else.

“I’ll talk with you soon, Reena,” Ayahliss finally managed to

say. “In the meantime, remember that you’re so very important to me.

Without you, my heart will be like a desert.”

“I understand. I really do.” Reena caressed the screen again.

“When you get back and we’re together again, I’ll show you just how

much.”

• 239 •

Gun Brooke

Ayahliss loved how Reena’s voice deepened and her eyes darkened.

“I look forward to it.”

v

“Ayahliss, you’re with me in shuttle one with the first team.

Owena, you’re heading up the second team in shuttle two. Roshan,

Andreia, you’re in charge of team three. Leanne, you have the bridge

here on the Noma.” Kellen relayed orders in a short, clipped voice. “We

will take up the rear of the squadron of assault craft. When I give the

order, we will board the Onotharian ship. Any questions?”

A chorus of “no, ma’am” echoed through the shuttle bay.

“Excellent.” Kellen looked at her senior crew. “I expect you all to

use caution and, also, to leave M’Aldovar to me.”

Again, the response was affirmative.

“All right.” Kellen relaxed marginally. “Remember, we might

have two agents in there. You know what they look like. May the stars

bless us with success.”

She entered the shuttle, her senses heightened. She was able to

reach this level through meditation, but when facing battle, it seemed to

happen by itself. Her skin tingled, her vision sharpened, and she heard

things a normal humanoid couldn’t possibly hear.

Ayahliss took her seat next to Kellen, her young face stark and

with the same focus. Kellen knew that Ayahliss had talked at great

length with Judge Beqq and then meditated. She now stared straight

ahead, her eyes a pale blue.

As the shuttle departed, Kellen rose and pulled up the blueprint

of the stealth-scans she’d performed of the Onotharian ship. It wasn’t

as accurate as an open scan, but enough to give them an idea of the

vessel’s layout. Connecting to the other shuttles, Kellen used a secure

subspace signal to communicate her voice and the blueprint.

“Kellen O’Dal to shuttles two and three. These are the latest scans

of the Onotharian ship. Familiarize yourself with the closest route to

your objective. We have the element of surprise, but that won’t last.

Once they know we’re aboard, we cannot waver. All plasma-pulse

weapons set to heavy stun. If you find yourself in a perilous situation,

use deadly force. I repeat what I stressed earlier: Trax M’Aldovar is

mine. Do not engage him. Any questions?”

• 240 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Everything crystal clear, Protector,” Roshan O’Landha said over

the comm link.

“No questions, ma’am,” Owena said smartly.

“Very well. We have three minutes before we reach their position.

So far, they are busy defending themselves against our assault craft,

which will continue to attack when we go inside to keep as many of

them as possible busy. Do not decloak until you are inside their shuttle

bay. Once I learn their shields are failing, I will give the order.”

Another set of “yes, ma’am” came through the speaker system.

“Good hunting, everybody. Be safe. Kellen O’Dal out.”

Kellen moved back to her seat and pulled her helmet on. She

strapped back in and gripped her weapon. The Ruby Red suit protected

her against any piercing objects, but not plasma-pulse discharges. She

had relented, thinking of Rae, and wore a protective vest on top of it.

Not how her revered ancestors carried out their assignment, but things

had changed.

Looking up, she saw the Onotharian ship through the viewport in

the front of the shuttle. It wasn’t the biggest in the Onotharian armada,

but it was big enough. According to scans, approximately a hundred

and twenty-some crewmembers were aboard. It could have been worse.

Some Onotharian ships carried more than five thousand.

“Thirty seconds to touchdown, ma’am,” the pilot said.

“Affirmative.” Not about to waste time, Kellen stood, holding on

to one of the straps dangling from the ceiling, meant for that purpose.

“Kellen O’Dal to shuttles two and three. Fifteen seconds to go.

Onotharian shields are failing. Ten seconds. Five.”

Shuttle one skidded in through the opening that led to the shuttle

bay. Kellen watched the monitors and saw the other two shuttles

follow. As they halted at the far end of the shuttle bay, Kellen pressed

the sensor to open the back hatch. The marines accompanying her team

moved out, securing the area outside. Kellen followed with Ayahliss

next to her.

To her left, marines fired and she swung, her rifle tucked hard

against her shoulder. Three Onotharians ran toward them, moving fast

and zigzagging. She fired on the first one, sending him flying. Her rifle,

set on heavy stun, then found the second one, and before she could fire

again, Ayahliss’s weapon found the third.

“We need to start a floor-to-floor sweep,” Kellen called out when

• 241 •

Gun Brooke

it seemed they had cleared the shuttle bay. “Remember, look for our

agents, Kyakh and Pimm, as well as M’Aldovar.”

The marines divided themselves up into teams of three, heading

for the door leading to the main corridor. They were at the very bottom

of the ship and needed to move up deck by deck very quickly or they

might be cut off from the rest of it.

“Ayahliss, as they perform the sweep, you and I need to advance

faster. We can’t risk the Onotharians barricading themselves and

jumping to distortion drive.”

“I’m right with you.” Ayahliss hefted her rifle, her eyes feral. She

glanced at her scanner, which was attached to her sleeve. “No life signs

from the corridor other than our marines.”

“Good. Let’s go.” Kellen signaled to the other team leaders that

she and Ayahliss were heading out. Roshan returned the wave and

motioned for Andreia to follow her toward the aft of the ship. The cargo

bays were of special interest for the Gantharians, since they often held

medical technology as well as weapons.

The corridor was dimly lit, the bulkhead and deck plating made

of a dark gray alloy that seemed to swallow much of the light. Kellen

moved past the marines who were conscientiously doing their door-to-

door search.

At the end of the corridor, a narrow ladder led up through a tube.

Kellen wasn’t about to get stuck in a lift, so the ladder seemed the smart

way to go. She peered up, weapon raised, but the tube looked empty as

far as she could see.

“Let’s go. This is our best bet,” she said to Ayahliss. “Make sure

nobody sneaks up behind us.”

“Will do.”

Kellen placed her rifle in the holder on her back and pulled out her

wristband sidearm instead. Attaching it to her right wrist, she merely

had to flex her muscles in a certain pattern to fire a round of heavy stun

plasma-pulse charges. She climbed the ladder, her strong legs moving

like pistons as she counted each deck she passed.

The Onotharian ship consisted of twenty-four decks, with the

shuttle bay located on deck six. The bridge, as customary on most

spaceships, took up most of deck one, together with ready rooms,

conference rooms, and something that looked like a private mess hall on

the blueprints. Probably for the captain and distinguished passengers.

• 242 •

Pirate’s Fortune

At deck twelve, Kellen stopped again to scan, as did Ayahliss. She

saw movement by approximately twenty-five crewmembers, but no

indication that any one of them used a hover chair. Instead, they seemed

to be scurrying in all directions. The marines’ sporadic, unsynchronized

attacks clearly had them panicking. Caught with your trousers around

your ankles, aren’t you? Kellen felt a joyless smile curve her lips.

“Let’s keep going. So far, no sign of M’Aldovar.”

One good thing about climbing the agonizing ladder was that they

were out of the worst of the alarm klaxons. Blaring alarms drove Kellen

insane within seconds.

Three more decks up, she stared at her scanner. “Ayahliss, please

tell me you see the same thing I do.”

Ayahliss moved her scanner in small circles. “One male Onotharian,

in a hover chair of some sort.” Ayahliss smiled broadly, her white teeth

glimmering in the muted light. “And what do you know, Protector,

doesn’t it look like he’s all alone, the poor thing.”

“It sure does.” Kellen had to smile at Ayahliss’s gleeful tone. “The

corridor isn’t as crowded as some of the ones we’ve passed, which

might explain why they’re panicking. They haven’t found him yet.”

She squinted at the scanner. “What is that room? So many force fields…

Ayahliss, it has to be the brig.”

“And what would someone like him be doing in the brig?”

Ayahliss sucked her lower lip in. “My first guess would be—to gloat.

My second—to interrogate.”

“I imagine both.” Kellen let her sidearm stay on her wrist as

she pulled her rifle from the harness. She raised it as she opened the

door to the corridor. At first it seemed abandoned, but then she heard

rapid footfalls. She aimed and sent the first two crewmen flying with

her heavy stun charge. Soon, she and Ayahliss had a pile of downed

Onotharians.

“Come on, I think that’s it for now,” Kellen called, and ran toward

the other end of the corridor. “Brig is this way.”

In only seconds they reached the big double door leading into the

brig. Just as Kellen was about to hit the sensor that opened it, Ayahliss

yanked at her arm.

“What’s up?” Kellen snapped her head toward Ayahliss.

“Something’s weird.”

“Weird?”

• 243 •

Gun Brooke

“In there. Something’s not right, and I can’t make out what it is…

oh. Oh, Gods.”

“What’s wrong?” Alarmed, Kellen stepped closer to Ayahliss and

gazed down at her scanner. “What the hell?” Kellen rarely cursed, but

being around Rae had shown her when it was appropriate to use colorful

words, and this was one of them. “Is he weightless?”

“I believe he is.” The glee was back in Ayahliss’s expression. “For

some reason, they’ve managed to contain the loss of inertial dampeners

to the brig, and somehow I don’t think they realize that he’s in there.

My scanner is suggesting two unconscious individuals floating at the

far wall. I don’t understand what happened in there, but if we open the

door without erecting a force field or reinstalling artificial gravity, we’ll

have a problem.”

“Yes, I agree.” Kellen wasn’t sure of the exact nature of such

a problem, but she’d heard stories about small, but deadly vortices

forming, as well as bulkheads being ripped to shreds. She wasn’t about

to risk any possible danger when so many of her crew were aboard this

ship. “Let’s find out where the controls are. We need to fix this and get

him out and back to the shuttle.”

“So far we don’t have any unwelcome company heading our way.

This must be an unpopular deck, with the brig and everything.”

“Good.” Kellen began to remove plating from the bulkhead,

exposing wiring, pipes, and hidden technology. “This reminds me of

one more reason why I hate Onotharian ships. So many components,

it’s ridiculous.” She plucked her technical scanner from her belt and ran

it along the vast circuit board. “Here. This should be it. Short-circuited.

I think we’re responsible.”

“Breaks my heart.” Ayahliss grinned. “Can you bypass it?”

“I believe so. Isn’t it useful to be a former resistance fighter?”

“Yes. All the little habits and skills you pick up.” Ayahliss passed

tools to Kellen and frequently scanned the corridor.

“Perhaps I managed—”

A large thud from the brig interrupted Kellen. She turned to

Ayahliss, surprised. “Guess that takes the guessing out of the game.”

“I’d say.” Ayahliss raised her rifle.

“Careful.” Kellen mimicked Ayahliss’s movements and directed

her aim at the door. She pressed the sensor to open it but nothing

happened.

• 244 •

Pirate’s Fortune

Kellen tried again, this time holding the sensor down longer.

Slowly, agonizingly so, the door slid open. A tremor under their

feet proved the assault craft was still doing its job creating diversions.

Kellen peered inside. Everything not attached to the bulkhead or deck

was scattered all over the large space. Obviously this was the brig, with

six holding cells within sight, and, Kellen estimated, another six behind

those. In the center of the brig lay a bulky item. A hover chair. Gripping

her weapon tighter, Kellen squinted through the dusty debris. Where

was M’Aldovar?

• 245 •

• 246 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter twenty-nine

The cargo bay was dark, with only a greenish light coming from

the far end. Life support must have failed at some point; the

bulkhead was damp with condensation and the temperature low.

Weiss disregarded the stabbing pain in her joints and midsection.

She had been tossed around several times on her way back here, when

the Protector’s ships were firing against M’Aldovar. Limping, she made

her way over to the area where she had left Madisyn.

The glass cylinder was half full with the green oxygenized plasma

fluid. Inside, hovering due to some insidious Onotharian technology,

Madisyn hung suspended, unconscious. Her head bent back at nearly

an impossible angle, she seemed already dead, as the greenish light

illuminated her from underneath.

“Madi.” Weiss looked at all the controls. She had no idea which

one opened the cylinder. What if Madisyn died because she did it the

wrong way? Her heart beating so fast she feared it might dislodge,

Weiss climbed up on the dais of the cylinder, grabbing the bar casing

with one hand and touching the glass with the other. It was oddly warm,

probably because of the disgusting green goo. It rose around Madisyn’s

hovering body, and Weiss didn’t have long to think of a way to open

the cylinder. She hit the glass with her palm, over and over. “Madi!

Madisyn! Can you hear me?”

Weiss saw no indication that Madisyn was conscious, only a faint

sheen on her biosynthetic skin, which had to be condensation. Surely

Madi wasn’t able to perspire? Weiss tried not to think about what kind

of pain or agony it would take to make an android sweat.

Jumping off the dais, Weiss headed over to the massive computer

• 247 •

Gun Brooke

console. Next to it stood a sinister-looking examination table, white

non-woven sheets haphazardly thrown across it. Gods, she hoped they

hadn’t strapped her to that thing. Madi!

The Onotharian computer was fortunately not as hard to decipher

as she had assumed. The symbols were close enough to Gantharian and

Revosian for Weiss to interpret them. This was, however, not the same

as knowing which cycle or command to use. She let her finger travel

down the scrolling list of features, frowning at some, her anger rising at

Onotharians in general and M’Aldovar in particular.

A ping from the cylinder startled her. Looking up, she saw the

oxygenized plasma fluid begin to bubble, and in a moment of terror,

Weiss imagined it actually boiling Madisyn. The green fluid now reached

Madi’s lower chest. Turning back to the console, Weiss punched in a few

diagnostic commands. The computer obediently ran them and promptly

told her everything was running at peak performance. Relieved, Weiss

dared to use a few of the simpler commands. At first nothing happened,

and she added a generic command for empty or vacate. She glanced

over at Madisyn. The green fluid had stopped bubbling, which was a

promising sign.

Another set of commands initiated a gurgling sound from the

glass cylinder. Weiss clenched her hands and kept them ready to use

the abort code if this didn’t go well. The green fluid wasn’t bubbling

anymore, but instead seemed to shift a little, back and forth. Suddenly

a low rumble quickly turned into a veritable roar.

“No!” Weiss winced at the sight of the green fluid levels rising

at an alarming rate. If she wasn’t able to stop it, it would be above

Madisyn’s head within half a minute. Looking around, about to panic,

Weiss saw a half-closed cabinet behind the cylinder. She flung the door

open. Inside it were Onotharian plasma blasters. Thank the stars!

Grabbing a rifle, Weiss unhooked the safety and placed it against

her shoulder as she turned back to the glass cylinder. The green fluid

now covered Madisyn to her chin. Weiss couldn’t lose any more time.

Aiming twenty centimeters above Madisyn’s head, she fired.

The glass shattered and flew in all directions around the dais.

Oxygenized plasma fluid cascaded in a green tidal wave. At the last

moment, Weiss clung to the console in order to remain on her feet.

Horrible images of the broken glass cutting Madisyn made Weiss cry

out in despair.

• 248 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Madisyn!” She drew new air. “Madisyn!”

The floor was slippery from the green fluid, and nearly impossible

to navigate. Cursing her slipping feet, Weiss gave up and fell onto all

fours, crawling through the goo. She cut herself on the sharp edges of

the shattered glass, but now she could see a still form at the base of the

dais. Sobbing from anger and frustration, she crawled over to Madisyn

and gently lifted her over the broken sides of the cylinder. It didn’t look

like she had been seriously cut, although it was hard to see as she was

covered in the fluid.

Weiss tore her collar from her jacket in one violent tug and used it

to wipe Madisyn’s face. It didn’t look like she was breathing. Perhaps

Madisyn didn’t always have to? Cursing at how little she knew about

Madisyn’s configuration, she tried to move toward the door with her

precious burden. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t stay upright and

carry Madisyn simultaneously.

“I’m sorry, Madi, I’m sorry. I’m really trying.” Weiss’s voice

shocked her. She couldn’t remember sounding so raw or feeling so

distraught, not since her mother was killed. The woman in her arms

had sacrificed everything for this cause of hers against piracy, against

people like Weiss. Now all Weiss wanted was for Madisyn to have a

real life with friends, work, and family. To never be alone again. She

hugged Madisyn tight to her chest, willing life back into her cold, limp

body, but it didn’t help.

“That’s Kyakh,” someone said in Gantharian. Two women stood

inside the door, plasma-pulse weapons raised but not directed at her.

“Help me. She’s not breathing.” Weiss eased toward them, making

sure she kept Madisyn away from the sharp glass. Her knees and shins

burned, but she didn’t care.

“Let me take her. This is Pimm, right?” The tall blond woman bent

down and lifted Madisyn from Weiss’s arms as if she were a child. “I’m

Roshan O’Landha, Gantharian resistance, deputized SC officer.”

“Weiss Kyakh. Mercenary.”

The other woman, smaller and with dark hair, bent down and

extended her hand. “Not today, Weiss. I’m Andreia M’Aldovar,

resistance leader, and I say today you’re as much a freedom fighter as

we are.” She tugged Weiss to her feet and winced as she glanced down

at her legs. “You need medical assistance. We have to get them back to

the shuttle, Ro.”

• 249 •

Gun Brooke

Weiss looked down and saw that her coverall was torn into shreds

and blood was oozing down her legs. Oddly enough it didn’t hurt. Yet.

“I’m not the one who needs it the most. We need to get Madisyn

to a doctor, or an engineer, damn it, I don’t know.” Weiss limped over

to Roshan. “She—she’s breathing.”

“She is. I’m not saying she doesn’t need care, but I think you had

her breathing sooner than you thought. Can you walk?” Roshan nodded

at Weiss’s legs.

“Yes.” Weiss hoisted the weapon she’d found in the cabinet. “I’ll

have to make do with this. Are we far from the shuttle bay?”

“Two decks down, but we’ll get there.” Andreia tugged her arm.

“Lean on me. If we run into the enemy, you can hold your own, I know,

but for now, conserve your energy and use my strength.”

“I—yes, ma’am.” Weiss hated how submissive she sounded all of

a sudden, but something about Andreia M’Aldovar didn’t allow for any

smart-ass responses or refusals. She placed her arm around Andreia’s

shoulders and was actually grateful for the support as the pain in her

shins returned. To keep her mind off it, she asked the question that

had been on her mind since their makeshift introductions. “You said

‘M’Aldovar.’ Are you related to the bastard who did this to Madisyn?”

“My brother,” Andreia said. “And no, we’re not related where our

values and ideals are concerned. I’m Gantharian, heart and soul. He’s

Onotharian leadership at its worst. And just so you know, I had no idea

he was alive. I don’t even think our parents realize it.”

“There’s one in every family.” Weiss focused on their conversation

so she could keep walking and disregard the increasing pain. “Guess

I’m the one in mine.”

“Looks like you’re trying to do the right thing now. There is such a

thing as redemption.” Andreia took a firmer grip around Weiss’s waist,

grabbing her belt.

“Some things can never fall into that category. I haven’t led what

you’d call an honorable life. These last months, even while working

against the Onotharian oppressors, all I did was plot how to escape and

get to my stash.” The self-loathing was like bile in Weiss’s throat as she

glanced over at Madisyn, who lay limp in Roshan’s arms. “Madi trusted

me. She didn’t know the truth. She thought I was an undercover agent

with a fake background. Now she hates me.”

• 250 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“But you don’t share her animosity?” Her voice soft, Andreia

didn’t sound judgmental.

“No. Madisyn Pimm is a fantastic, brave individual, who was

prepared to sacrifice herself for the sake of this mission. She was

ready to die aboard this damn ship, at the hands of a deeply disturbed

megalomaniac.” Weiss felt no remorse for her words about Andreia’s

brother.

“Once she comes to, she’ll know that you saved her. That you

risked your life in order to save hers. I know she’s a sentient android,

but not a lot of people would do what you did. It says a lot about her,

and even more about you.” Roshan spoke matter-of-factly, but kindly.

Suddenly she stopped, pressing her back against the wall. She held on

tighter to Madisyn. “We’ve got company.”

Weiss and Andreia took aim with their weapons, ready to fire. Not

sure she would be able to remain on her feet much longer, Weiss swore

to herself she would go down fighting.

“It’s Kellen and Ayahliss!” Andreia sounded relieved. “And—oh,

Gods. It’s him.”

Trax M’Aldovar’s hover chair traveled along the corridor, flanked

by two striking blond women. She recognized both of them, although

the younger of them, Ayahliss, had clearly grown up some in the months

since one of Weiss’s crewmembers had fired upon her at a space station.

That, together with the fact that Weiss had kidnapped Dahlia Jacelon,

made Weiss wary. The other one was Kellen O’Dal, the protector of

the realm. Tall, blond, and wearing her red suit, she had an imposing

charisma. She wouldn’t cut Weiss any slack, and Weiss didn’t expect

her to.

“Good to see you, Kellen,” Roshan said. “Where did you find

him?” Her eyes turned bitter cold when she shifted her gaze to Trax.

“Believe it or not, in the brig, in weightless condition. He’s

unconscious.” Kellen smiled joylessly as she motioned toward the

slumped figure. “His vital signs are acceptable.” She looked from

Weiss over to Madisyn. “I see you found Kyakh and Pimm. Is Pimm

all right?”

“No, she’s been exposed to an unknown substance in some sort

of chamber. Kyakh is badly hurt. We have to get them to the shuttles.”

Andreia pulled at Weiss. “You’re pale.”

• 251 •

Gun Brooke

“I’m all right.” The corridor was flickering and spinning around

Weiss. She tried to focus on putting one foot in front of another, counting

the steps as they all made their way to the shuttle bay.

“How did you get him out of a weightless environment?” Roshan

asked Kellen.

“I used old-fashioned techniques that we learned in the movement,”

Kellen said, her full lips curving into a smile. “Like fusing wires and

adjusting manifolds with a well-aimed sidearm.”

“I see.” Roshan chuckled. “You know my advice. ‘When all else

fails, go low-tech.’”

“Indeed I do.”

Kyakh knew she was in trouble when she began to experience

tunnel vision. A humming tone sung in her ears and her legs slowly

seemed to turn to jelly. She tried to warn Andreia, but her tongue

wouldn’t work. She heard, rather than felt, the pain in her kneecap

when her right leg gave way. Andreia held on to her, but she hit her

temple against the bulkhead as she went down. The last thing she knew

before everything became blissfully black was how incredibly tired she

was. The last word from her lips was “Madisyn.”

• 252 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter thirty

This is unbelievable. A complete shock, if you ask me. I’ve

never come across anything like this in my career.”

Madisyn wanted to identify the woman speaking close to her,

but she was simply too fatigued. In fact, she couldn’t move anything.

Slowly, panic started to build and flashbacks from how she’d woken up

and found herself transplanted into an android washed over her.

“I’m so glad the Brilliance made it to this part of space. This is

where the nucleus of the war is fought, and both Rae and I felt we

needed to be here,” a dark male voice said. “This young woman has

certainly sacrificed above and beyond.”

“Examining her, I’d say she’s sacrificed even more than that,” the

female voice said compassionately. “At first I had engineers work on her,

then my best physician, while I worked on Kyakh and M’Aldovar.”

M’Aldovar? That scum was here? And where was he? Madisyn

tried to remember a ship named the Brilliance, but her tired brain

wouldn’t focus. Suddenly the image of Weiss floated to the surface. The

last she remembered was how frantic Weiss had been when M’Aldovar

had ordered Madisyn into the glass cylinder. They had hit her and

dragged her off somewhere. What if they tortured her? Killed her?

A movement close by helped stymie the panic. Someone tucked in

a blanket or a sheet around her with gentle hands.

“It didn’t take them long to find discrepancies. Lieutenant

Commander Dakke quickly informed me that this girl needed a

physician more than an engineer, since her brain and spinal column are

entirely humanoid.”

• 253 •

Gun Brooke

“What the hell are you talking about?” the male voice asked.

Madisyn gasped. They had scanned her when she was unconscious

and unable to suppress any of the markers in her system. Slowly she

managed to open her eyes, blinking at the two uniform-clad people. The

man was an SC admiral, and the woman held the rank of commander.

“Admiral Jacelon?” Madisyn whispered hoarsely.

“That’s right, Ms. Pimm. Welcome back.” Admiral Ewan Jacelon

smiled down at her. “You gave us first a scare and then a shock. We

now know the full magnitude of your sacrifice. You’re not a sentient

android, you’re humanoid.”

“Some would call me a freak.” Madisyn didn’t mean to sound

bitter. She meant it as a factual statement.

“I would call it an amazing recovery from a brave and lonely

soul.”

“Weiss…please, Admiral. Where’s Weiss?” Madisyn tried to sit

up, but firm hands held her down by gently pressing her shoulders.

“I’m Doctor Gemma Meyer, CMO aboard the Supreme

Constellations vessel Brilliance,” the woman said. “You have quite a

way to go before we can allow you to get out of bed. We’re restoring

some of your skin, and your pulmonary system also needs repairs. We’ve

started a regeneration cycle to create the type of tissue you require, but

until we’re ready to transplant, you need to remain very still.”

“If you don’t tell me where Weiss is, I’m getting off this damn

bed!” Drawing shallow, painful breaths, Madisyn forced her upper

body up onto her elbows.

“Weiss Kyakh is undergoing treatment in our surgery theater,” Dr.

Meyer said. “She’s rather banged up and needs a lot of reconstructive

surgery. We have SC’s best plastic surgeons and vascular surgeons

aboard.”

“Vascular? How bad are her injuries?” Weakly, Madisyn

relaxed against the pillows. “Did they torture her?” The thought was

excruciating.

“Nobody tortured her. She sustained bad cuts to her arms and legs

when she rescued you from the oxygenizing glass chamber. She had to

fire upon it to get you out,” Admiral Jacelon said. “There was a lot of

broken glass, according to our people.”

“And the Onotharian? M’Aldovar?” Relief paired with awe made

it difficult to speak.

• 254 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Alive. Barely.” A muscle in Admiral Jacelon’s jaw twitched

and he had unmistakable hatred in his eyes. This man clearly loathed

M’Aldovar, who had nearly killed his daughter.

“And Admiral Jacelon? Your daughter?”

“You ask a lot of questions, but that’s good. Means you care and

that you’re well enough to care.” Admiral Jacelon held up his hand as if

to forestall any more impatient words. “Rae is on her feet again, thank

you.”

“Good.” As if knowing that the ones she had worked with were

all right or expected to recover allowed her to relax, Madisyn slumped

sideways. “Pain.” Her head hurt, and, somehow, the strange sensation

of being short of breath seemed hurtful too.

“We’re adding more pain relief through your intravenous line.” Dr.

Meyer pressed a sensor on a console next to the bed. Within seconds,

the discomfort and pain lessened.

“Wh-when can I see Weiss? Got to tell her…” Madisyn yawned.

“As soon as it’s possible. You’re both too injured right now and

need rest.” Dr. Meyer leaned over Madisyn and met her gaze straight-

on. “Trust me. If we see any significant signs of improvement or if

either of you takes a turn for the worse, I promise to let the other one

know. You and Weiss obviously care greatly for each other. I had to

sedate her because she was ready to jump off the bed and force herself

in here.”

“She’s my colleague. She had my back.”

“She sure did.”

“I’ll return for a bedside debrief when Dr. Meyer says it’s

possible.”

The two officers left, and Madisyn was grateful to close her eyes

again. She needed to gather her thoughts. M’Aldovar’s cohorts had

forced her into the cold glass chamber. The green fluid had stung her

skin, which had startled her. Certainly, she had experienced pain before,

but this was a searing sensation, like being burned.

At this point, Madisyn recalled Weiss going crazy on the outside,

struggling against the two Onotharian security officers. Madisyn winced

as she remembered every little detail as to how Weiss had received

several blows to the head and her abdomen. The last thing Madisyn saw

before she lost consciousness was Weiss falling over, her knees unable

to support her. Instead the chamber had made her hover, the green fluid

• 255 •

Gun Brooke

rising around her. Madisyn had been certain she would die in there and

never be able to tell Weiss how much she cared for her after all.

Madisyn’s eyes snapped open. It was true. She did care for Weiss.

No matter her past, Weiss had proved irrevocably that she was capable

of bravery and honorable actions. I’d love her anyway. Love? Madisyn

tried the word in her head, not about to say it out loud. Love Weiss

Kyakh, who said she loved Madisyn back. Was it possible that Weiss

could really love her? Since Madisyn felt the same, perhaps they had

a chance?

Thinking that the medication might be making her reason like this,

Madisyn let her eyes close again and allowed sleep to take her. They

couldn’t resolve anything here and now. She could only hope to find

Weiss feeling stronger and healthier the next time she woke up.

They had a lot to discuss.

• 256 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter thirty-one

Kellen stepped through the docking tube that linked the

Circinus with the Brilliance and strode through the corridors,

not about to waste any time. Crewmembers moved out of her way, some

actually pressing their backs against the bulkhead.

Next to her, Owena and Leanne lengthened their stride to keep

up. “The admiral said she was all right, Kellen,” Leanne said. “She

even said she’s able to resume light duty.”

“I know. I heard her.”

“But you need to see for yourself,” Owena said. “I understand. If

it was Leanne…” She shuddered.

Kellen knew their friends were concerned about Rae, but she was

past concern. Rae was her life, the one who gave her purpose beyond her

duties as protector and guardian for Armeo. When she secretly feared

that Rae might never be found, or that she was dead, Kellen struggled

to find a reason to continue. Her joy in life was interwoven with Rae

and what they shared, and now Kellen couldn’t wait a moment longer

to see her. She didn’t know just how fast the Brilliance was, and when

she’d returned to the Circinus in her shuttle, Kellen’s knees had nearly

given out when an ensign informed her she had a personal message

waiting, and then Rae’s beloved face filled the screen.

Unable to do anything but stare at Rae for several moments,

Kellen found her mouth curiously dry and her eyes just the opposite.

Rae didn’t have the same reaction.

“Darling…” She launched into a detailed explanation of how

she’d made it to Kellen’s location in record time.

• 257 •

Gun Brooke

Kellen didn’t really care how. She just sat there and enjoyed the

husky voice of the woman she loved, grateful she sounded like her

usual self. Still, now that she was about to see her face-to-face, the

dryness was back in her mouth and her abdomen was in knots.

“We’re supposed to meet Ayahliss in your father’s ready room,”

Leanne said kindly. “Why don’t we see you and Rae later?”

“All right. Thank you.” Grateful for her friends’ understanding,

Kellen parted ways with them by one of the hubs of this enormous

vessel. Consisting of forty-two decks and with a crew manifest of

3,800, it was the latest among five of its kind, each one more elaborate

than and technologically superior to its predecessor.

Standing at the orientation board at the hub, she tried to pinpoint

Rae’s location but couldn’t see anything designated the admirals’

quarters.

“Hello, Kellen. I shouldn’t have used an unofficial name for the

section of my quarters.”

Kellen spun around. “Rae!” She was staring again, but couldn’t

stop. They stood among the busy crewmembers aboard the Brilliance

and took each other in. Rae looked thinner, with deeper lines around

the eyes. She was still pale and her red hair in sharp contrast to her

complexion. But the fire was present in her eyes and, most important,

so was the love.

“For stars and skies, you’re so beautiful,” Rae said, sounding short

of breath. “I’ve missed you.”

“And I you.” Kellen wanted to wrap her arms around Rae and kiss

her, but this crowded junction wasn’t the right place for such a display.

“Can we go back to your quarters?”

“Our quarters. Yes, the sooner the better.” Rae smiled her trademark

little curve of one corner of her mouth, and surprised Kellen by taking

her arm and tucking it in against her. Only then did Kellen realize how

badly Rae was trembling.

Their quarters were located on deck four, where the only other

occupants were the Brilliance’s captain and guests of the same rank or

higher. Kellen vaguely noticed the impressive size and expanse of the

rooms before she pulled Rae into her arms.

“I was so afraid,” she managed to say.

“Me too.” Rae clung to Kellen, her arms around her neck. “At

times I thought nobody would ever find us, and if they did, it would be

• 258 •

Pirate’s Fortune

too late. Then I got here and found that you were on a very dangerous

mission, and…I know it sounds utterly unprofessional, but I feared we

were jinxing it. You know, pushing it too much and asking for too much

good fortune.”

“Asking who?” Kellen tried to follow Rae’s reasoning.

“Deities. Lady Luck. The Seers of Guild Nation. The Gods of

Gantharat. Whoever you pray to in times of deep trouble.”

“They don’t get much deeper than this, I agree with that. Still, it is

hardly asking for too much when you want only for the people you love

to remain safe during wartime.”

“You’re right, of course. Perhaps I’m struggling with this notion

that I don’t deserve this much happiness.” Rae buried her face in Kellen’s

shoulder. “Either way, I’m so happy to be back in your arms.”

“Oh, Rae.” Kellen hugged her closer, tears flowing. “I would

never have stopped looking for you, but in my darkest moments, when

they couldn’t find you, I feared the worst.”

“I know you did. I’ve done so myself where you’ve been concerned,

several times. I know how devastatingly frightening it can be.”

“Yes.” Kellen couldn’t get enough of the feelings that having Rae

in her arms evoked. She nuzzled Rae’s neck and kissed her way along

her jawline to her lips. Rae kissed her back with fervor, her lips open

and inviting.

“Mmm. I love you, Kellen. So very much.”

“I love you too.” Deepening the kisses, Kellen changed from

being upset and distraught to serene and excited. Before loving Rae,

she would never have thought it possible to feel this way. Kellen pulled

Rae with her onto the couch and settled in with her on her lap.

Rae put her arms around Kellen’s neck and hugged her. “I was

determined to return to you. I couldn’t think about anything else, but

I was afraid I wouldn’t. When I developed a fever, my mind played

out scenarios of how the SC authorities notified you, Armeo, and my

parents of my death. For a moment I thought they were real and I

frightened myself by calling out, ‘No, no, I’m here.’ I think I scared the

living daylights out of Ensign Hallberg.” Rae chuckled, but the tremors

traveling from her to Kellen spoke of the horror she’d experienced

aboard the Onotharian shuttle.

“You’re here now. I’m here now. This was a long separation, with

very dangerous assignments. No wonder our nerves are frayed.” Kellen

• 259 •

Gun Brooke

caressed Rae’s back with long, soothing movements. She needed the

touch, the feel of her, as much as Rae needed the comfort. Appalled at

how she could detect Rae’s ribs and vertebrae, she held her gentler than

she normally would.

“I won’t break. I may be on the scrawny side right now, but I

won’t come to pieces if you hug me closer. I really need closer.” Rae

placed a trail of soft kisses along Kellen’s neck. “I love how you hold

me, how you make me feel. I always have.”

“Yes. I know what you mean. Long before I knew I loved you, I

loved how you held me. You used to infuriate me, and I certainly didn’t

trust you, but when you touched me…” Kellen caught Rae’s lips with

her mouth. “Mmm, when you touched me, I forgot all about that.”

“You drove me crazy with your mere presence.” Rae smiled

against Kellen’s lips. “I had never met a more intense, cutthroat person.

I remember calling you a loose cannon, and I wasn’t the only one. The

fact that my father, whom I didn’t exactly have an easygoing relationship

with, saw your greatness before I did confused me even more.”

“My greatness?” Kellen returned the smile. “That’s stretching it,

isn’t it?”

“No. You’re great. As a protector. As a guardian. As a representative

of your people. But mostly, you’re great for me. You helped bring me

close to my parents. You made me aware of how I missed having a

family. You brought a child into my life. You brought me love. How can

all of that not be great?”

Kellen couldn’t see for the new tears that welled up instantly.

“Henshes,” she said, her voice broken. “I never realized you saw

things, me, that way. I thought you loved me despite the mayhem I

brought to your life. A life you nearly lost because of me.”

“You saved my life.”

“And you saved me.” Kellen pressed her wet cheeks into Rae’s

hair. “You took me in and gave me a chance, and married me. Before

you, all I could hope for was to be as good a guardian for Armeo as

possible, and to hide him from the Onotharians. I never dared to dream

he’d be able to reclaim his throne, or that we could free my world. You,

your family, and the people you know, and our friends, have made it

possible.”

“My darling.” Rae cupped Kellen’s cheeks. “You hold my heart.”

“So do you.” Kellen kissed Rae’s palm. “My protector.”

• 260 •

Pirate’s Fortune

v

Ayahliss knew Owena and Leanne meant well by checking on her,

as did Ewan. Still on a strange high after helping Kellen apprehend

M’Aldovar, Ayahliss didn’t know how to lose the jitters. She excused

herself half an hour into the impromptu debriefing and stepped outside.

The corridor bustled with purpose-filled SC soldiers and officials, and

Ayahliss had never felt more out of place.

Unable to return to the others, she began to walk—up one corridor,

down another. Eventually she stopped noticing the faces of the people

she met or passed. She used her steps as meditation, trying to calm

down with techniques Kellen had shown her. Once they had found

the unconscious M’Aldovar, a strangely anticlimactic surprise, and

managed to place him back into his hover chair quickly enough to save

his life, Ayahliss had felt out of sorts.

She had been prepared to fight, to explode in a glorious discharge

of energy. Something cataclysmic that would be appropriate after her

training and qualifying for the Ruby Red suit. When that didn’t happen,

the emptiness paired with a strange onset of nerves made her slip back

into a familiar feeling of depression.

“Jacelon to Ayahliss.” Ewan’s voice over her communicator

brought her out of her hypnotized frame of mind.

“Ayahliss here. Go ahead, sir.”

“Please report to shuttle bay six.”

“Very well. On my way. Ayahliss out.” She wanted to ask why,

but knew not to question admirals, not even one in the family. A quick

glance at an orientation board showed she was actually four decks

directly above shuttle bay six.

The bay was, if possible, even more crowded, as several more

shuttles had arrived. Certain that Ewan wanted her to fetch something,

she looked around for someone to ask.

“Ayahliss. Oh, Gods.”

Whirling around, Ayahliss stared at Reena where she stood dressed

entirely in black, down to her long cape. She kept her wild hair back

with a brass hair band, and she was pulling a hover bag behind her, no

doubt filled with legal pads and documents.

“Reena.” Ayahliss raised her hand, but, suddenly feeling drained,

• 261 •

Gun Brooke

she let it fall. “You—I didn’t expect to see you aboard the Brilliance.”

Her lips felt stiff and her voice was just as rigid.

“We’re back to update the military leaders on our progress. I think

you’ll be very proud of Dahlia. She’s accomplished a lot in a very short

time.”

“As have you”

“I’m not a diplomat. I’m all about the law.” Reena smiled with a

tired look in her eyes. “I’ve got six hours before I give my briefing. I

need to find my quarters and—”

“I’ll help you.” Suddenly energized, and with a new sense of

purpose, Ayahliss stepped up and took the handle of the hover luggage

from Reena. “I’ve walked all over this big tin can of a ship, and I know

where the brass stays.”

“Brass?” Reena looked startled. “Guess I’m brass, then.”

She glanced down at her handheld computer. “Deck four, quarters

Sig0811.”

“This way.” Ayahliss wanted to offer her arm for support, but

knew it wasn’t appropriate aboard a military vessel. Nor did she want

to make anyone who didn’t know Reena think she was weak. “My

quarters are on deck five, which is a great honor. I believe they’re just

beneath yours.”

“Have you had time to think about what we discussed?”

“No. Yes. I mean, I was afraid you might have spoken out of

concern and then had second thoughts.” Ayahliss kept her gaze forward,

too nervous to look at Reena.

“I most certainly haven’t.” Reena sounded quite affronted, which

was oddly heartwarming.

“Really?” Ayahliss spoke fast, tripping over her words. “I mean,

Owena and Leanne are my neighbors. Of course Andreia and Roshan are

on the same deck as you. All the quarters here are luxurious compared

to the ones aboard the Noma.”

“Given Andreia is Boyoda, that makes sense, I suppose.” Reena

still didn’t look pleased. “Nothing has changed. I still want you to stay

with me.”

Reena’s assertive words made it impossible for Ayahliss to say

anything. She walked in silence next to Reena to the lift, which took them

to the fourth deck. “Take a right,” Ayahliss finally said as they stepped

• 262 •

Pirate’s Fortune

off. “Looks like it’s the fourth on the left. Use your communicator as

your key.”

Reena pulled her communicator from her lapel and held it against

the sensor, which opened the door with a soft hiss. “Efficient.” She

stepped inside and looked around. “Look, this is huge. We’ll have

plenty of space.” Reena suddenly blushed. “If you still want to, that is.

I’m taking a lot for granted.”

Ayahliss stepped inside and pressed the sensor to close the door.

“No. You’re not.”

“I’m being pushy and selfish.” Reena pushed her cape off and

tugged the band from her hair, sending it flying in wild curls. “Coming

back here, I thought of little else but getting to you as soon as possible.

I’ve been wrapped up in the negotiations, and during the meetings, I

deliberately forced every thought of you out of my mind, or I couldn’t

have focused at all. As soon as I was on my own time, and especially

aboard the shuttle heading for the Brilliance, all the thoughts and

feelings rushed back with a vengeance.”

“A vengeance? That sounds pretty bad,” Ayahliss said, trying to

pass it off as a joke.

“Poor word choice. I’m sorry.” Reena gestured helplessly, palms

up. “I feel dusty and unattractive as hell. I need a shower.”

“On this ship you can even take an aqua shower.”

“Really?” Reena’s face brightened. “That might transform me in

more ways than one. Care to join me?” Her eyes widened. “Oh, Gods,

I can’t believe I said that.”

“You mean it?” Ayahliss whispered. The images in her mind made

her feel warmer, heavier.

“Yes. Did I offend you?”

“No. And yes.”

“What?” Reena looked up at Ayahliss with alarm as she stepped

closer. “No, yes, what?”

“No, you didn’t offend me and, yes, I’d like to join you.”

“I can’t believe I actually invited you to take a shower, but you

know what? I’m glad I did. I don’t want to be away from you, even to

wash up.”

Pulling her black cape off, Reena looked like an enchanted

mythical creature. Ayahliss wondered, for the millionth time, what

• 263 •

Gun Brooke

Reena saw in her, who had seen little else but violence and fighting for

the last several years.

“Computer. Unless there is an emergency, administer privacy lock

on door and communicator. Code Beqq-Sig0811.” Reena motioned for

Ayahliss to do the same. “Good. No unnecessary disturbances. Come

with me, beautiful Ayahliss,” Reena murmured, her glimmering eyes

half-closed. She took Ayahliss by the hand and pulled her toward the

bedroom and into the ensuite. “May I undress you?”

Trembling now, but more exhilarated than she’d ever been,

Ayahliss simply nodded.

• 264 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter thirty-two

Reena had known she had to follow her feelings as soon as she

saw Ayahliss in the shuttle bay. She had paged both Jacelon

admirals to let them know she and Dahlia had made it safely to the

Brilliance. Ewan Jacelon had asked his wife to join him in his quarters

and offered to send Ayahliss to escort Reena to hers, as it was on another

deck.

Reena had accepted.

Now, standing outside the blessed aqua shower, she couldn’t take

her eyes off Ayahliss. Tall and blond, with a dangerous look in those

icy-blue eyes, Ayahliss had a statuesque appearance, which her blue

skin tone emphasized.

“How do I unclasp this thing?” Reena pointed at the Ruby Red

suit. “It looks like it was painted on.”

“Fortunately not.” Ayahliss raised her arms and pressed a sensor

on her neck. Kellen’s Ruby Red suit was made of traditional, natural

leather, but Ayahliss’s was replicated and made from a leather-like

material that looked identical. The suit lost cohesion and slid down a

few centimeters before it got stuck on her elbows and breasts. “Like

so.” “Like so, eh?” Reena pushed the suit off Ayahliss’s arms. It

now hung from her hips, where her weapons belt prevented it from

slipping farther. “Ah, another challenge.” Reena examined the belt and

pressed the buckle in the front. Nothing happened. She licked her lips

and turned the buckle an entire rev. This proved successful and Reena

couldn’t hold back a triumphant grin. “Now the boots. More buckles.

• 265 •

Gun Brooke

Sweet soul, this is draining my patience.” Pressing the many sensors on

the tall red boots, she unfastened them and pulled them off.

Once she had removed the Ruby Red suit, she took a long look

at Ayahliss, wanting to become reacquainted. Ayahliss had clearly

gone through a lot since they parted, and for some reason seemed to be

brimming with pent-up energy. Reena didn’t want to pry and was also

fairly sure she would hear all that had happened aboard the Onotharian

ship during the debriefings.

Now all that was important was right here in the luxurious

bathroom with her. Reena pushed off her tunic and stepped out of her

trousers. The black shoes went the same way, and soon she and Ayahliss

were equally undressed.

“May I continue?” Reena asked. “I won’t do anything you’re not

comfortable with.”

“Yes. I mean, yes, please continue.” Ayahliss’s voice had suddenly

deepened, as had her breathing. Deep and fast.

“Very well.” Reena first turned to the control panel for the

aqua shower. “Computer, aqua shower, medium spray, forty degrees

Celsius.” She then slipped her hands under Ayahliss’s non-woven

camisole. Her skin was like damp silk. Reena tugged the camisole over

Ayahliss’s head and tossed it into the recycler. Broad shoulders, small

firm breasts with dark reddish-blue nipples that puckered before her

eyes—Reena’s mouth watered. Still, she knew they were supposed to

shower and forced herself to merely push Ayahliss’s briefs down off

her hips. “There. Get in. I’ll be right there.” She nudged Ayahliss gently

into the shower tube. Undressing quickly, she didn’t take her eyes off

her stunning body. Naked, Reena stepped into the spray of water next to

Ayahliss and moaned as the hot water hit her sore shoulders. Sitting at a

negotiating table wasn’t the cushy job some people thought. It drained

both the body and the mind.

“I want to wash your hair,” Ayahliss said, surprising Reena. “It’s

something I’ve dreamed of doing.”

“By all means.” Reena closed her eyes when Ayahliss pulled her

close under the cascading water. Strong, gentle hands rubbed sweet-

smelling hair cleanser along her long curls, massaging them gently.

Touched that Ayahliss would know not to clump them all together in

one big mess, which would be damn near impossible to untangle, Reena

groaned at having her scalp massaged.

• 266 •

Pirate’s Fortune

She let the water rinse the cleanser from her hair, then felt Ayahliss’s

hands on her back, sliding a bar of old-fashioned soap against her skin.

The feeling was so exquisite, she had to hold on to the grab bar next to

the shelf where all the luxurious cleansing supplies sat.

“The label says oat-and-honey soap,” Ayahliss said. “It has a nice

scent, even if I don’t know what an oat is.”

“A sort of grain,” Reena said dreamily. “Grows on Earth.”

“Ah. I see. Hence the roughness of the texture.” Ayahliss pulled

the soap up and down Reena’s back, and the scrubbing inflamed every

nerve ending.

“I feel it.”

Suddenly kneeling, Ayahliss washed Reena’s legs. Having

Ayahliss’s head so close made Reena blush again. The warmness of her

cheeks far surpassed the feeling of the hot water and, unable to hide her

reaction, Reena looked down at Ayahliss.

“Feel good?” Ayahliss ran soapy hands along Reena’s legs. The

inside of her thighs seemed to especially interest Ayahliss, who turned

the washing into caressing with a few strokes. Just as Reena was ready

to spread her legs for a more intimate touch, Ayahliss rose from the

floor. Standing in front of Reena, she took another type of soap and

dutifully read the label.

“This one is made from samona oil and…how do you pronounce

this? Galloianti?”

“I-I believe you’re right.” Samona oil was a well-known

rehydrating soap that left the skin completely rejuvenated. Galloianti

was a Cormanian herb Reena had never tried.

Ayahliss slid the new soap up and down Reena’s abdomen,

stroking her at the same time. She avoided her breasts a few times,

but then washed them with slow, circular movements. At first, Reena

thought that Ayahliss’s touch had caused her puckering nipples to

tingle. It took her a few moments to understand that the galloianti was a

strong stimulant. Her nipples buzzed and begged to be fondled. Reena

whimpered and wrapped her arms around Ayahliss’s waist, rubbing her

breasts against her smooth skin.

“That soap is something else,” Reena muttered. “And you are

driving me crazy.”

“I am?” Ayahliss’s eyes twinkled, but there was still something

dark and intense in her features.

• 267 •

Gun Brooke

“Yes. You do. You know you do.”

Ayahliss suddenly pulled them both under the spray of water.

“Computer. Rinse cycle and then instant drying sequence.”

The spray widened and soaked them completely. Ayahliss gently

pressed the excess water from Reena’s long hair, then a warm gush hit

them from all directions. Apparently, the soap’s effect wouldn’t rinse

off easily, nor would the arousal Ayahliss’s presence induced.

“Ayahliss!” Reena exclaimed as Ayahliss lifted her and carried her

out of the shower tube, through the ensuite, and into the bedroom. She

placed Reena on the bed.

“Computer. Lights at seven percent. Play classic Gantharian

music.”

Reena thought she was dreaming. She was supposed to be the

seasoned lover here, and now Ayahliss was acting like she was well

versed in the art of seduction. Had Ayahliss been studying for this,

much like she had to become a protector?

“Ayahliss…I love you.” Reena gasped at her own words. She

hadn’t meant to blurt out the truth like that, but she couldn’t take it

back—not that she wanted to. If Ayahliss didn’t reciprocate, Reena still

wanted her to know that someone did love her, no matter what.

“Reena?” Round-eyed, Ayahliss sat back on her heels for a

moment. “You love me?”

“I do. I have, ever since you and Armeo got into trouble and I had

to bail you out.”

“For months?” Blinking, Ayahliss put her hand over her mouth.

“And here I thought it was just me. Reena, my heart is beating so fast.”

She moved the hand to her stomach. “You know, at first I couldn’t even

grasp that you were physically attracted to me.”

Reena’s heart slowed down. Of course. “It’s all right,” she

whispered. “It’s enough for me to know I love you. To know that you

know.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Ayahliss took Reena by the shoulders

and buried her face in her abundant locks. “I’ve loved you just as

long. When you spent so much time with me on the court ship orbiting

Corma, I fell in love with you. I couldn’t believe it at first, and I didn’t

recognize the emotion since I’d never been in love. In a way, I’m very

inexperienced, and in other ways, I possess knowledge few people my

age do.”

• 268 •

Pirate’s Fortune

“Come here.” Reena threw her arms around Ayahliss. Letting

herself fall onto the pillows, she reveled in the sensation of having

Ayahliss fall on top of her. “I love you so much. Please, my sweet

Ayahliss. Make love to me?”

“Gladly,” Ayahliss said with a smile. She pushed herself between

Reena’s legs, probing her sex gently.

“Touch me. My breasts. Everything.” Grunting, Reena arched as

Ayahliss closed her lips around a steel-hard nipple. Ayahliss’s tongue,

probably meant to be soothing, inflamed her further, and Reena wrapped

her arms and legs around her.

Ayahliss seemed to know just what to do. She pressed her fingers

into Reena, filling her as Reena had once done to her. The sensation

was pure fire, and when Ayahliss grazed her cluster of nerve endings,

Reena cried out.

“Ayahliss!”

“I’m here. I’m yours, Reena. I’ve always been yours.”

“Yes. Yes.” Undulating, Reena knew she wouldn’t last long.

She clenched her inner muscles around Ayahliss’s fingers and rode

the passion harder and harder. A ravine opened up, and trusting that

Ayahliss would catch her, Reena threw herself into it. The pleasure

that seared her skin made her come repeatedly. Surprised at her own

keening sound, Reena clung to Ayahliss, thirsty for her kisses. Finally,

their mouths met and Reena drank from Ayahliss’s lips.

Once she was temporarily sated, Reena rolled Ayahliss onto her

back. “Hello, lover.”

“Hello.” Ayahliss was already trembling, clearly on the verge of

her own release.

“I’m going to taste you now, sweet soul.” Reena bent and began

kissing her way down Ayahliss’s abdomen. “Mmm. Just what I thought.

Delicious.”

“Reena?”

“Yes?” Reena murmured against Ayahliss’s satiny skin.

“Will I lose you? I can’t.” Ayahliss didn’t sound pitiful or pathetic,

only insecure.

“Trust in me, sweet soul,” Reena said as she devoured Ayahliss.

“No matter what happens, I won’t let you go.” She found Ayahliss’s

silky, wet folds and parted them with her lips. She intended to show

Ayahliss how much she meant to her by making beautiful, passionate

• 269 •

Gun Brooke

love to her. Figuring out the logistics in their very different lives would

be a challenge, but they would make it happen.

Kissing and licking, Reena carried Ayahliss gently into the same

ravine she had just visited. As Ayahliss writhed beneath her, Reena

hummed happily against the silken tissues. Once Ayahliss slumped

back onto the pillows, Reena slid up along her and held her gently.

“Reena—” Ayahliss began to cry. No heavy sobs, no drama, just

quiet tears as the last of the tension seemed to leave her system. “I—I

love you.”

“And I love you.” Reena pulled a retrospun wool blanket up

around them, as the conditioned air in their quarters cooled their damp

bodies far too quickly. “Rest, darling. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Reena curled up and made sure they were both comfortable. Who

could’ve guessed that she would fall for someone like Ayahliss? Who

was she kidding? As soon as she saw Ayahliss, she knew. Stars and

skies, help me, but I knew.

Reena kissed the top of Ayahliss’s head. Certain she wouldn’t

sleep, she spent the next four hours merely gazing at the woman she

loved.

• 270 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter thirty-three

Trax M’Aldovar had never hated his disability or his hover

chair more. Confined to the machine, he was forced to let it

breathe for him, transport him, and perform other necessary functions

too humiliating to even think about. Now, facing this veritable tribunal

of Supreme Constellations officials and officers, he wished he could

have, at least, been able to stand and tower above them. What good was

it to be almost two meters tall if you had to cower in a chair like some

geriatric idiot?

“Trax M’Aldovar—”

“General M’Aldovar.” Trax, scornful, was in charge of his vocal

cords. “I do not recognize this assembly as a legitimate force in this part

of space. You have no jurisdiction here.”

“On the contrary,” a woman with long, flaming locks said. “When

the Onotharian Empire declared war on the Supreme Constellations

Unification of Planets, laws of war went into effect. Within the

battlefield, this assembly does indeed have jurisdiction.”

“I don’t know where you studied law, but—”

“At the best universities throughout the SC and intergalactic space.

I’m Judge Amereena Beqq.”

“Charming.” Trax bit off the word abruptly.

“General M’Aldovar,” said a man Trax had earlier identified from

the dossier he had read so many times: Admiral Ewan Jacelon, Kellen

O’Dal’s father-in-law. To his left sat his wife, Dahlia, who held the most

redundant position of all, in Trax’s eyes. Diplomacy. What a waste.

“You know some of us, you’ve probably heard of others.” Ewan

Jacelon rose and stood in the center of the room. “The Brilliance has set

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Gun Brooke

a course for Corma, where you will be held as a prisoner of war until

you can be tried for your war crimes and other criminal actions.”

“You cannot do this!” Trax wanted to throttle the self-righteous

man with his paralyzed hands.

“Before we confine you to the prisoners’ hospital section, we have

arranged this informal meeting, since some individuals have issues to

address.” Admiral Jacelon nodded to the guard at the door. “Let them

in.” Trax drummed his fingers inwardly, a sign of impatience that he

sometimes indulged in.

Shocked, Trax stared at the first one to enter. “Andreia? What

the hell are you doing aboard this ship? An SC ship! And where have

you been?” His sister had been missing in action since the resistance

kidnapped her during an event that their parents concocted. According

to rumor, the thugs had beaten Andreia beyond recognition, and when

his parents, famous Onotharian politicians, meant to disclose this

outrage, the resistance fighters kidnapped her. She had been presumed

dead and a national day of mourning had been proclaimed.

But here she was, looking healthier and more energetic than ever.

Most disturbing, next to her stood a tall Gantharian woman with her

arm protectively around Andreia’s waist. It was…Andreia’s friend

from university, Roshan O’Landha, entrepreneur and collaborator. Trax

moaned. Clearly this woman had fooled everybody. She had endured

this rumor and the hatred of her countrymen for more than twenty years,

and obviously worked in the resistance the whole time.

Trax knew the Gantharians hated him, but that didn’t matter,

since he considered them ultimately inferior. Ruling by fear among his

subordinates, he made sure he was at the top of the food chain.

“Trax. I can’t say I’m pleased to see you. I thought you were dead

and, honestly, seeing you alive disturbs me deeply. Your crimes against

the Gantharian people, and others, are hardly surprising, but it still

pains me that we come from the same womb.” Andreia stepped closer

and looked down at him with hard, amber eyes. “Your latest crime,

stealing davic crystals and indulging in slavery—”

“Slavery?” Trax thundered. The coughing spell that followed

annoyed him, but he pushed through it. “I have not enslaved

anybody.”

“You took a young woman and stuck her in an oxygenizer chamber.

• 272 •

Pirate’s Fortune

She would have suffocated in there, drowned, if her friend hadn’t saved

her.”

“That was no woman. That was a damn android. A machine.” Trax

had no idea why he bothered to defend himself. Honestly, it wouldn’t

have mattered to him if the android had been human.

“No. A human brain and spinal column in a BNSL body.”

“Liar.” Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead. No doubt he

was sweating profusely all over, like he always did when he experienced

stress. “I don’t know what this is supposed to accomplish—”

“Closure,” a husky voice said behind Andreia. “Hello,

M’Aldovar.”

Admiral Rae Jacelon, Protector of the Realm, circled Trax’s sister

and stood before him. He remembered nearly killing her, and also what

that had led to. He hated her passionately. She had a strong presence

that would’ve been formidable had she been on the right side of this

conflict. Like Judge Beqq, her hair was red, but more of a fiery auburn,

and it suited her well, despite her cold stare.

“How’s your neck?” Trax said slowly, deliberately hinting at the

damage he had done to her carotid artery. Seeing her in a pool of blood

had been most satisfying. Such a retro battlefield experience.

“How is yours?” Kellen O’Dal, Protector of the Realm and

guardian to the heir to the Gantharian throne, walked up to Admiral

Jacelon. Her SC uniform only seemed to add to her stunning blond

looks. “I thought I’d killed you. Guess I did snap it fairly well, though,

since the finest Onotharian doctors couldn’t patch you up.”

“I did live. And I did rise in the ranks. I gained power.”

“And used it for your own gain. How noble.” Kellen’s voice oozed

sarcasm. “Now we can continue to fight the good fight for Gantharat,

knowing that the likes of you and your entire crew are where you

belong. In a cage.”

“I have standards that need to be met.” He was beginning to

realize that he was going to prison. His rank would afford him decent

accommodations, but he was used to utter luxury. How would he

tolerate “decent”?

“Your medical needs will be tended to,” Ewan Jacelon said calmly.

“Regarding anything else, you will have to yield to the regular conditions

of our maximum-security planetoid prisons.” He smiled coldly. “And

an MSPP facility is not exactly like an Imidestrian resort.”

• 273 •

Gun Brooke

Anger rose so quickly within Trax, his mouth filled with bile.

Swallowing it, he said, “You will not get away with this. You will not!

My government—my family has connections all the way up to the

chairmen of Onotharat.”

“I think we’ve said all we came to say,” Rae Jacelon said lightly.

“Dinner, was it? In the officers’ mess hall?”

“I believe so.” Kellen O’Dal put her arm around Rae’s shoulders.

“I’m starving.”

As the group of people who came to gloat left the room one by

one, eventually only one person, apart from the security officer and a

medic, remained. Andreia walked up to him, regarding him with a sad,

wistful look.

“This will probably mean nothing to you,” she said, raising a

hand and briefly touching his cheek. “When we were very young, and

played together like children do, you were always the leader, always

the one in charge, and I was happy to follow like the adoring sister

I was. I can’t quite say when everything changed, but gradually it

all became very clear how different we are and how fundamentally

opposed our values are.” She drew a trembling breath and Trax wanted

to take the opportunity to say something scornful, but she forestalled

him. “I guess we’re the opposite sides of a medal. You are very much

our parents’ son, loyal to our old, malevolently governed world. I’m

the individualist, the freethinker who empathizes with and is loyal to

the world we grew up in, Gantharat. The sad thing is, documents exist

that prove this never had to happen. Gantharat was ready to share its

resources with Onotharat, just as Gantharat had opened its intergalactic

borders to allow limitless immigration.

“If the Onotharian government and its chairmen hadn’t been so

greedy for political power and so afraid to lose face, Gantharat would

have continued to flourish and been able to sustain two worlds. Worlds

that once were sister planets!” Andreia blinked against tears.

Trax found it hard to speak, his breathing labored.

“Know this, brother,” Andreia said, her voice now low and

menacing. “Gantharat will be great again. Onotharat and its hardcore

leaders will never dupe it into trusting them. Perhaps, in time, new

generations with less ambitious motives will reign and we can find a

way back. As long as people of your kind are in charge, I don’t see

• 274 •

Pirate’s Fortune

that happening.” Her smile turned scornful. “At least we don’t have to

worry about you popping up like rotting seed.”

“Don’t count on it, sister,” Trax muttered, but his voice held no

power, no energy.

“Oh, but I do. Once you are in SC hands, they will keep you locked

away and it will be up to you to see the errors of your way and make

a change. Other people have. Weiss Kyakh, for instance. I’m afraid I

gave up hope for you a long time ago. Our parents corrupted you, and

you willingly let them.”

“H’rea deasavh!” Trax cursed in Gantharian without thinking.

Andreia laughed. “My thoughts exactly. Now I’m late for lunch.

Good-bye.”

Trax sat motionless, like he usually did, and watched the medic

and security officers punch in commands to disconnect his chair from

the bulkhead power source. They wheeled him to a different door, which

led to a transport corridor and directly to the brig hospital wing. As the

staff helped him into bed and attached his life-support apparatus to the

wall unit, he closed his eyes. He had thought his life was over when

Kellen O’Dal nearly killed him. He’d proved himself and everybody

else wrong. This time, he was even less optimistic, despite his bravado

earlier.

He had no way out of this mess.

• 275 •

• 276 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ChaPter thirty-Four

Bigger than our quarters about the Salaceos.” Madisyn tucked

her hands behind her back, lacing her fingers.

“I would imagine the broom closets onboard the Brilliance are

bigger than our old quarters.” Weiss motioned for Madisyn to sit down.

“I hope you really are all right about sharing. I don’t think Dr. Meyer

would have let you out of the infirmary if you were left to your own

devices.”

“I got that much, and a long lecture what I can and cannot do in

the upcoming weeks.”

“Anything I need to know about?” Weiss winked, but managed to

look just as nervous as Madisyn felt.

“Plenty of sustenance and rest, combined with light physical

training.”

“Huh. She told me the same thing. How about that?” Weiss

motioned toward the couch. “Please, sit. Want something to drink?”

“Water, please.” Madisyn wasn’t really thirsty, but she needed to

stall. She had longed to have Weiss to herself, but now that she did, she

was ridiculously close to panicking.

“Here you go,” Weiss said, interrupting Madisyn’s thoughts as she

handed her a glass of water.

“Thanks.” Clinging to the glass, Madisyn took a deep breath.

“What’s wrong, Madi?” Weiss sat down next to her, looking

concerned.

“I’m fine. I mean, I’m a bit nervous, but I’m all right.” Having

Weiss call her Madi actually helped. “I—I’ve missed talking with you.

Just the two of us.”

• 277 •

Gun Brooke

“So have I.” Weiss moved closer. “All right if I hold you, Madi?

I nearly lost you.”

“You saved me.” Madisyn acted without hesitation, wrapping her

arms around Weiss’s neck.

Weiss pulled her closer, up on her lap.

“I’m too heavy,” Madisyn said breathlessly.

“You’re perfect.” Weiss buried her face against Madisyn. “You

feel wonderful.”

“Oh.” Madisyn began to tremble at the tone of reverence and

something more in Weiss’s voice. Desire?

“So soft.” Weiss pressed her lips against Madisyn’s jawline,

tracing it as she clearly headed for her mouth. Yes, definitely desire.

The arousal echoing within Madisyn, she turned her head and

caught Weiss’s lips with her own. Pulling the clasp from Weiss’s hair,

she freed it and pushed her fingers through it. Touching Weiss like this,

tousling her hair, was all she needed to see the Weiss she’d come to

know aboard Podmer’s ship.

“Oh, Madi, I love you so much. I can’t believe I’m holding you, or

that you’re allowing me to hold you. You hated me.” Weiss pulled back

a little. “Perhaps part of you still does.”

“I don’t.” Madisyn knew this was complicated and their only

chance at mutual happiness was if she remained totally honest. “I did at

first, once you told me of your past. After a while I had to force myself

to hate you. I felt I owed it to my parents. Even before you saved my

life, I knew I didn’t hate you.”

“And now?” It was Weiss’s turn to tremble.

“I don’t hate you. I love you.” Madisyn looked into the eyes of

the one person who had been the first one to regard her as human, even

before Madisyn told her the truth. “I love you.”

“I have a lot to atone for.” Weiss drew a shaky breath. “I owe the

people I robbed, hurt, or killed, to not waver from this path. I need to

keep doing this.”

“So do I.” Madisyn curled up, snuggling closer. “We make an

awesome team, don’t you think, Weiss?”

“We do.” Weiss slid down along the backrest of the couch, pulling

Madisyn with her. “Right now, there is something far less unselfish on

my mind, though. I need you.” She slid her hands under Madisyn’s SC-

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issue shirt. “I want to feel you against me, with no barrier between us,

physical or emotional.”

“Then undress me.” Madisyn raised her arms above her head,

allowing Weiss to remove her shirt.

“Stars and skies, you’re beautiful.”

“So are you.” Madisyn tore open Weiss’s buttoned uniform jacket.

“Oh. So are you.” She pushed her hands in under the retrospun tank top.

“And you feel amazing.” She cupped Weiss’s breasts, caressing them

greedily, making Weiss give an uncharacteristic whimper.

“Damn.” Weiss rolled them over, pushing the tank top up above

Madisyn’s breasts, immediately lowering her mouth to one of her

nipples. The searing pleasure showed Madisyn beyond any doubt that

her body functioned perfectly. Moisture dampened her underwear and

she gasped as she held Weiss closer.

“Make me yours,” Madisyn whispered feverishly. “Show me.”

Weiss tugged at Madisyn’s pants, pulling them off as she caressed

her with steady, soft hands. “What is it you want me to show you?”

Arching under the hands of the woman she loved, Madisyn

couldn’t take her eyes off the sight of a half-naked, passionate Weiss.

“Show me that I’m humanoid.”

“Madi,” Weiss removed the last of her own clothes in a frenzy.

“You are. You are.”

“Show me that I’m still me.”

“You are!” Weiss pressed her body in between Madisyn’s legs.

Spreading them willingly, Madisyn felt Weiss’s damp sex press into

her own. Her own moisture mixed with her lover’s, and the heat

between them, around them, seemed to eradicate the years of desperate

loneliness.

Placing one hand between them, Weiss caressed Madisyn, at

the same time undulating against her busy fingers. As Madisyn felt

impossible heat emanate from inside her belly and between her thighs,

she wrapped her legs around Weiss. It was when she felt Weiss’s rapid,

strong heartbeat against her own chest that she knew.

She was Madisyn Pimm, loving and caring humanoid, who in turn

was fully capable of loving Weiss and caring for her. She was real and

she was still here.

• 279 •

• 280 •

Pirate’s Fortune

ePiloGue

Four months later

Kellen O’Dal stood with Rae behind the prince as he rose from the

gilded throne. Armeo, a mere thirteen years old, wore white and gold,

the traditional Gantharian O’Saral Royale colors. Tradition also dictated

that he would make his first appearance before the Gantharian people

on the stairs leading up to the royal palace gates. Granted, the palace

was still in ruins and it was doubtful if it would be possible to rebuild

it to its former glory. Many Gantharians wanted to, but the Gantharian

funds would be better spent on more pressing matters: hospitals and

schools, to start with.

Glancing to her left, Kellen saw Rae regard the crowd with

narrow eyes. Not a gan’thet master, Rae wasn’t dressed in the Ruby

Red suit but in a form-fitting black version, which Rae had found a bit

too revealing, but succumbed to when she viewed images of previous

protectors. Kellen had never seen her look more commanding than she

did now with the black leather-like cape billowing behind her.

To Rae’s left stood Ewan and Dahlia, wearing their respective

uniforms as admiral and chief diplomat. Dahlia was one of the negotiators

who had worked tirelessly with the Gantharian interim government, and

she was also Armeo’s grandmother. In addition to being his grandfather,

Ewan was the highest-ranking SC military presence at Gantharat. On

the other side of Kellen were three representatives of the M’Aido family

from Onotharat, distant relatives of Armeo’s Onotharian father.

Behind them, dressed in civilian festive attire, Andreia M’Aldovar

sat next to Roshan O’Landha in the first row of white chairs, both

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Gun Brooke

representing the leadership of the former resistance movement. Mikael

O’Landha, Roshan’s father who had suffered for more than twenty-

five years on an Onotharian asteroid prison before his rescue, sat in a

hover chair next to his daughter. Behind them, distinguished guests and

friends from the Supreme Constellations and Gantharat sat in row after

row. Kellen had greeted them all personally and was pleased to see,

sitting beside Owena and Leanne, Dwyn and Emeron, who’d helped

save Dahlia when M’Aldovar kidnapped her. To everybody’s joy, the

de Vies family had traveled from Earth. Dorinda, their daughter and

Armeo’s best friend, had been instrumental in helping Armeo cope

when both his guardians were deployed. Next to them stood Madisyn

Pimm and Weiss Kyakh, who had shortened the Onotharian war effort

by years when they prevented Trax from obtaining davic crystals.

“And now to another historic event,” the official Gantharian

speaker said, raising his hands. “We have regained an O’Saral Royale

to take the throne, but that is not all. Today, for the first time in more

than a hundred years, a member of the royal family will initiate a new

line of protectors.”

Murmurs erupted in the crowd and the cheering grew louder as

Ayahliss stepped forward and knelt before Armeo. In danger of choking

up, Kellen forced herself to think of the scene from last night when

Ayahliss and Armeo had “practiced” and eventually ended up giggling

on the floor, much to the chagrin of the newly appointed court officials.

Kellen, who knew how nervous Ayahliss was about the ceremony,

thought it was good to get all potential nervous giggles out of the way.

Ayahliss looked up at Armeo as he extended his right hand to his

new marshal of the realm, a young man whose grandfather and father

had held the position before him. The marshal handed over a deep red

cape lined with silver threads. Armeo took it and reverently held it

for a moment before he addressed Ayahliss and the several hundred

thousand people who filled the big field outside the ruins and the streets

of Ganath.

“People of Gantharat.” His young voice echoed through the city

via the sound system. “I am honored to initiate a new member of the

royal court. Almost thirty years ago, we lost most of our protectors

when the occupation commenced that left Gantharat in the shadows for

decades. We now know that greedy, corrupt leaders, not the majority

of the Onotharian people, wanted them destroyed. I stand before you

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Pirate’s Fortune

as your prince, but also as an Onotharian, and that is how we must

proceed as a nation. We must remember that the Onotharian people

still suffer on a depleted planet, and despite the way the occupiers have

mismanaged it, Gantharat is still very rich in natural resources. We can

afford to share with those who have less.”

Kellen monitored the reaction to Armeo’s words. They were his

own, drafted over weeks and only slightly edited by his grandmother.

Most of the people looked adoringly at the young O’Saral Royale, but a

few frowned. The hatred toward the Onotharians ran deep with some.

“It is my pleasure that my first official duty is a positive one. My

friend Ayahliss, who has proved herself as a member of the resistance

and as an unofficial member of my security detail, has completed her

training. She will today receive the Ruby Red Cape of the Silver Order,

the second-highest rank among protectors.”

Armeo let the cape billow in the wind and then placed it around

Ayahliss’s shoulders. He gave her his hand and she rose to stand in

front of him.

“Prince Armeo,” she said, “I am now your protector and will serve

as such. You and your family will be mine to keep safe, and I will

do so with pride and self-sacrifice.” Ayahliss turned and bowed to the

cheering public. She smiled broadly, walked over to Judge Beqq, who

waited among the dignitaries, and kissed her. The judge had accepted

a position as head negotiator and supreme judge on Gantharat earlier

in the week.

Armeo looked relieved as he sat down on his renovated throne. He

glanced over at Kellen and Rae, who gave him a discreet nod of approval.

Kellen suppressed a smile at her blatant disregard for protocol.

v

The large villa, built inside the old palace walls by Gantharian

masons and carpenters over the last four months, easily hosted the

festivities for two hundred guests. Outside, five hundred more celebrated

the return of the last O’Saral Royale. The three protectors were on duty

overseeing the security arrangements, aided by their friends.

In the ballroom, Ayahliss danced with Amereena Beqq, surrounded

by dignitaries from the closest sectors. Rae stood watching, a glass of

water in her left hand, the right resting on her holster.

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Gun Brooke

“Never quite relaxed around him, are you, Rae?” a male voice

said. Marco Thorosac, leader of the Supreme Constellations, and his

wife joined Rae at the far end of the dance floor.

“He’s my responsibility, and my son,” Rae said politely.

“I didn’t mean to criticize. On the contrary. You’re perfect for this

job.”

“As a protector? Doubtful. I’m horrible with the rods and will

never earn my Ruby Red suit and cape.” Rae shrugged.

“Perhaps not, but you will make a very good fleet admiral for the

new Gantharian space fleet.”

“What?” Rae spun so fast she spilt water on her shoes.

“Marco,” his wife said, admonishing him. “I told you to pick a

better time and place to ask her.”

“I’m stunned.” Rae looked at her father, who approached them,

smiling broadly. “Dad. You knew about this.”

“I did.”

“As did I,” Kellen said from behind her. “Since this afternoon.

Ewan made me promise not to say anything.”

“I’m speechless.” Rae looked around her, at the dancing people,

the son of her heart, Kellen, whom she loved more than life itself, and

her parents. “And I accept.”

“Splendid.” Councilman Thorosac beamed. “This deserves a toast.

Gantharian champagne.” He motioned for a waiter with a large tray of

champagne flutes.

Soon they all stood in a large circle, and Rae looked at them all

as she toasted family, friends, colleagues, and subordinates who had

all had a role in the liberation of Gantharat in general, and in her and

Kellen’s life in particular. Other faces, the images of the individuals

who had fought them every step of the way, lingered in her mind, but

only to remind her why they needed to remain cautious. Hox M’Ekar

was imprisoned, as was Trax M’Aldovar. Most of the Onotharian

oppressors had gone into exile—some on Onotharat, others on home

worlds farther away.

“I have another toast to make,” Kellen said, interrupting Rae’s

thoughts. “To my wife, Rae, who dared to put her life and career on the

line and marry a strange Gantharian woman and…love her…” Kellen

swallowed hard, but crystal blue tears ran down her cheeks. “And love

her and the boy she brought to the Gamma VI space station.”

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Pirate’s Fortune

“To Rae!” The voices around her echoed as they all raised their

glasses. Rae returned the toast, but focused only on Kellen. She raised

her free hand and wiped away the tears.

“To Kellen,” Rae whispered, out of earshot. “Who dared to love

her captor and trust her with her heart.”

The music began again, and this time, knowing their subordinates

were in control of security, Rae bowed before Kellen and asked her to

dance.

• 285 •

About the Author

Gun Brooke resides in the countryside in Sweden with her very patient

family. A retired neonatal intensive care nurse, she now writes full time,

only rarely taking a break to create Web sites for herself or others and to

do computer graphics. Gun writes both romances and sci-fi.

Visit Gun online at http://www.gbrooke-fiction.com

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Email: gun.brooke@gmail.com