“That is what I just said.”
Without further ado, Moss turned on the exterior microphone, catching the tail end of Amelia’s statement to the group. “—here for anything profitable, trust me. We picked up a stray in space; couldn’t leave them stranded.”
Torian leaned closer to the windows, squinting at these people. Trying to ascertain if sheshouldgo outside, just to provide backup. But she was not good at security, so the backup she’d provide would probably suck ass. Torian stayed put, grudgingly.
“Always honorable, you Fleeters,” the lead woman drawled, crossing beefy arms. “At least when folks are looking.”
“We’re plenty dishonorable when they aren’t, it’s true. Not that you folks in the Luminas can boast more.” Amelia offered a charming smile, but to Torian, it seemed more like a predator’s grin.
The Luminas were one of two other smuggling cartels. If the Fleet operated with old-world honor swathed in crime, the Luminas were their high-tech cousin with shadier morals. If she looked closely, Torian could see the holographic visor over one thug’s eyes, the laser gun strapped to another’s hip.
The Luminas had an uneasy truce with the Fleet, maintained only through careful boundaries about jobs. Facing Amelia like this on Colony 4—which was neutral territory—was bold.
Or stupid.
Or both.
“All right, Fleeter.” The Luminas woman inclined her head at Torian’s ship. “Time to explain why a Fleet vessel towed an unregistered starship into our hangar. Better yet, give us a cut of the profits for this job, and we’ll go about our merry way.”
Amelia laughed, but one hand rested on her gun. “There’s no profits. We found a drifter in space, and because we’re ever so kind and thoughtful, we towed them here.”
“Ratshit. We know who you are, and you don’t do nothin’ for free,” Goon 1, a mustached man standing behind the Luminas leader, snapped. “FuckingPrincessof the—”
He fell silent with one scathing look from the leader.
Amelia’s predatory smile grew. “I love when my reputation precedes me. It means we can cut the chatter and get right to the point.” She tugged a pistol out of her own holster. It was big and intimidating, and Torian doubted it was loaded with jelly bullets. “Let’s make sure your story is straight. We’re on Colony 4, and a Luminas crew is claiming to own this hangar. Is that about right?”
“Torian,” Moss said.
Torian jumped, startled. She’d almost forgotten Moss was here, that she was sitting in her own starship while a potential war started on the nearby dock. “Not now, Moss,” she hissed.
The Luminas leader’s jaw clenched.
It was enough of a tell. Amelia tilted her head, raising her eyebrows. “And here I thought we’d agreed that Colony 4 was off-limits.”
“It was. Until you docked in our hangar.”
At Amelia’s side, Opula tensed, narrowing her eyes.
Amelia, meanwhile, smiled prettily. “I see. Look at my starship. How many crewmembers do you think I have?”
“Torian,” Moss said again.
She grimaced, spinning away from the window. “What, Moss?” What was more important than the events unfolding outside her ship?
“There is another human attempting to cut through the hull of our vessel,” Moss said simply. “Just so you’re aware.” To emphasize, a recorded image of theDestitute’s exterior appeared, with a shady figure crouching by their starship, activating a welding torch. It should be loud, but they’d also appeared to bring some kind of noise dampener. Between that and the rumble of Amelia’s starship, the noise seemed imperceptible.
Someone was trying tobreak into her new ship.
Torian scowled. All right. If Amelia wanted to tackle a hostilesituation without Torian, that was her prerogative. But Moss? TheDestitute? Those wereTorian’sto protect, and fuck anyone who thought they could act otherwise.
In an instant, Torian had left the flight deck. She paused to check for weapons. Zen had destroyed her gun, but there were knives in the kitchenette that might do in a pinch. She slid one into her boot, ensuring it was accessible, and strode for the cargo bay.
“You are leaving? Why don’t you simply alert Amelia and her security humans?” Moss said over the intercom.
Torian jogged down the stairs to the cargo bay. “Amelia is in a standoff right now. If we interrupt, someone could start shooting. People might die.” She set her jaw. “I have to handle this alone, discreetly.” She approached the holopanel to the cargo bay doors. It was dark, and tapping the screen did nothing. Torian scowled. “Moss. Unlock the doors.”
“I’m running scenarios.” Moss paused. Alongpause, considering what was happening outside. “Confirmed. They are not favorable for you. As your life support system, I will inform you that approaching a hostile human with a blowtorch is not supportive of life.”
