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Chapter 15

The Enchanted Captainwas quiet. It was too early for people to be finished with work for the day, so Karn and Billy had the place almost to themselves.

Karn chose a table near the back of the bar, so they could discuss the escape plan without being overheard and without the watchful eye of station security discovering them.

He placed two beers on the table and settled into the seat opposite Billy.

“What are we doing?” Billy’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“I need to get off this space station. I had a little... encounter with security. They will want to talk to me when they realize I’ve broken out of the holding cells.”

“What happened?”

“I decided not to stay in the cell I was put in.”

Billy laughed. “Only you could do such a thing.”

Karn smiled. Billy was the only person who always supported him. “I’ll need a ship, money, and maybe a new identity. I’m not sure how seriously station security will take my break out. I wasn’t in there because I did anything terrible. It’s not like I killed anybody. When they realize I’ve left the station, they might put other outposts on alert.”

“It won’t be easy or cheap to get a new ID.”

“I’ll do it if I have to. I’d rather not go into hiding. It makes finding new jobs trickier when you don’t have a reputation to proceed you.”

“Are you taking anyone else with you?” Billy studied the foam on the top of his beer. “If you’re looking for a co-pilot, I’m available.”

“You’re welcome to come along, kid. I could do with the company. But if you’re associated with me, life might not be simple.”

Billy looked around the bar. “I’m done with this place. I didn’t pass my last physical exam. Even with all the training I’ve been doing, they said I wasn’t good enough. I don’t know what else I can do here. There’s not much for a guy with one arm.”

“You still haven’t managed to get a prosthetic? There are some cool cybernetic parts available.”

“At not particularly cool prices,” Billy said. “There’s no way I’m getting a cheap knockoff plastic thing. They look dreadful.”

“Maybe we can start you a savings account when we get settled somewhere new.”

Billy nodded enthusiastically. “That would be great. With the two of us working on it, I can get a top of the range cybernetic implant in no time. Then they’ll take me seriously. Everyone will want me as their bodyguard.”

“One step at a time. We need to get off this place first.”

“Will that girl you’re interested in want to come with us?”

Karn’s eyes narrowed. “Who do you mean?”

“You know, the super-hot one with the fancy hairstyle. She works at the dating agency.”

“No, there’s nothing between us.”

“Don’t tell me she turned you down.” Billy laughed. “She must be crazy.”

Karn shrugged and acted like he didn’t care. He was still angry over Ivy’s betrayal and the way she so easily let Marcus back into her life. He’d made such a mistake when it came to her. He blamed those red lips and the way her hips swayed from side to side when she walked.

“Sometimes, when you’re into a girl, you have to let her go if the timing isn’t right.”

“You sound like you know what you’re talking about.” Karn smiled. Billy wasn’t even out of his teens. There was no way he could have found and lost love at such a young age.

“I do. I remember my first love like it was yesterday. She was beautiful. Curves in all the right places. I drooled over her for weeks. She was perfection.”

“Did you ever talk to her?”