“That’s because we earn it. But Rigellus’s fancy lads don’t deserve that kind of compensation just for having their boss blown up.”
Lyk fought a laugh. His cyborg companion certainly had a way with words. “Like I said, we’ll make a hundred times whatwe’re paying out when we sell off our score. So stop acting like a miser and count out the credits.”
While the cyborg grumbled, Lyk made sure his men were ready for a visit to the outpost. Although things generally went off without a hitch, there was always a risk in docking at out-of-the-way places like this. You never knew who might already be on the outpost and whether they wanted to cause any trouble.
Lyk made sure his men always went around in pairs and kept their comm links open. They wouldn’t be there for an extended period, just long enough to fuel up for the journey out to the Rim, but his men enjoyed stretching their legs and poking through the random assortment of wares on display at the indoor market.
“Prepare to dock,” said a member of his bridge crew, and Lyk held the console in front of them as the ship tapped into place, shaking slightly at the impact. “We are docked.”
Lyk tapped a button on his console and addressed the ship. “Men, we’re here for the next hour, so go ahead and visit the outpost if you’d like. Be back on the ship by 09:00 hours, or you will be left behind.”
He cut the feed, then motioned for Celdrake to accompany him. They entered the mess and began handing out credits to the men in red. Each man took his share, some thanking him, some refusing to meet his gaze. Epaulets gave him a scowl but still grabbed the money handed to him, stalking out the door without looking back.
Once the credits were distributed, Lyk told Celdrake to stay aboard the ship and make sure they got the fuel they needed. He was going to take the women onto the outpost.
“You’re letting them go?” Celdrake’s tone was neutral, but Lyk could detect a hint of surprise.
“They got the same option as the others.”
The cyborg goggled at him. “You said they could join up? What were you thinking? We can’t have random females on this ship!”
“They’re not random, and I’m an equal opportunity employer.”
“This is a rather sudden change, since I’ve never seen you recruit a female before, except for your bed.”
Lyk scowled. “Maybe it’s time for a change.”
“Or maybe you’ve lost your marbles. First Rigellus, now females. What’s next? You’re going to give the cruiser away to charity?”
Lyk laughed. “Maybe I’ll donate your body to science.”
Celdrake rolled his eyes. “I know you’re the captain, but you usually consult me about big changes like this.”
His smile slipping away, Lyk took a beat, then nodded. “You’re right. Normally, I do. Things are a little different this time around, but that doesn’t mean I don’t value your opinion as my first officer.”
“My opinion is to put the women on a transport to wherever they were going and get back to the business of pirating. There’s no place for untrained females on this ship. Not only are they a liability in combat, but the men will be foaming at the mouth to seduce them. We don’t need them fighting each other over the females.”
Lyk’s anger flared instinctively. “No one will lay a finger on them, not even a member of this crew.”
Celdrake’s eyes narrowed, and the cyborg let out an exasperated breath. “None of this makes sense.” Then an idea hit him. “Wait a minute. Youwantone of them. That’s what this is about.”
When Lyk didn’t answer, Celdrake pointed at him. “The brunette. The one who came to the tavern. You’ve got a thing for her, don’t you?”
“I’m taking the women to the outpost. If they choose to join us, they’ll be returning to this ship and I don’t want to hear one word about it from you.” Lyk’s leadership was informed by a sense of fairness and the fact that he truly valued his crew’s opinion. But in this, he would brook no disagreement.
As he strode out of the mess, he could hear Celdrake’s voice call out behind him. “Put them on a transport, or you’ll regret it!”
When he reached the quarters he’d stuck them in, Lyk knocked on the door before hitting the lock. The door slid open, revealing two females who were clearly waiting for him.
“Are we at the outpost?” Allandria asked.
Lyk nodded. “I’ve come to escort you, if you’re still set on leaving the ship.”
Evie glanced at her sister, then back at him. “We thank you for your hospitality, but we really must be getting back to the Rings.”
Her polite demeanor was amusing. It was clear that Evie was gently bred, used to better circumstances than they’d found on Gamma-17. And she’d said they were “getting back” to the Rings. Which meant they’d come from there at some point. So what were they doing on a backwater chunk of rock like Gamma-17 in the first place?
Evie elbowed her sister, muttering under her breath. “Come on, Ally, just like we practiced.”
