Star Fire by Buffi BeCraft

space was too far removed from your usual den of piracy to be of interest.”
    Captain Taddius nodded. “A new uniform and a new crew.” He suddenly did not appear so happy. “I would have preferred for my associates to kill you outright. You are entirely too resourceful. Finish the demonstration, Mr. Hobbs. My customers are losing confidence in your abilities.”
    “His abilities or yours, Taddius?” Sasha asked, hiding a smirk. Her ex-first mate might run the ship, but he did not command the title of Captain. Hobbs moved his hand closer to the controls and she focused on him. “Don’t touch anything.”
    “You don’t like guns, Captain. You have to be prepared to follow through for the threat to mean something.” Her ex-second in command slapped a button, making the display shift through a series of colours.
    Sasha pulled the trigger, but in the end, Hobbs was right. She winged him solidly in the shoulder, likely damaging bone and joints. Hobbs cried out, but punched in a series of numbers.
    At the same time, she heard the metal slide of Kiev’s sword. Sasha dived to stop Hobbs. He couldn’t be allowed to finish his demonstration, or sell the fucking thing on the black market.
    Kiev didn’t understand any of the conversation, but the intent to show off the device was obvious. The blue-skinned one was a hologram. While the technology had the potential to send his inner scientist into throes of excitement, his priority was Sasha’s safety. When she’d walked out into the open his heart had nearly stopped. Then, instinctively, he’d thrown two bladed knives into the throat of the leader’s standby guard.
    Hearing movement, he drew his sword and ghosted into the shadows. Gods, how he wanted to stay by her side and make sure no one came near. That type of thinking was foolish when she could handle the leader. His hired guns, though, were a more serious threat. How many were left? One pepper-sprayed in the entry, three down around the room’s perimeter. Ducking low, Kiev decided there were no more than two left, not counting the man at the device’s controls.
    Feeling more than hearing the air disperse behind him, Kiev spun low, bringing his sword up in a block. Metal rang against metal, sword against pipe.
    In the dim light, the long, lean furred creature bared a mouthful of fangs from a pointed muzzle. He instantly realised that the slitted pupils gave the alien better night vision.
    Kiev ducked away from a handful of sharp claws and swung the sword down, smacking the delicate wrist with the flat of his blade. The creature made a low growl, with the pain, its ears swivelling back, and returned to a two-handed hold on the pipe.
    Stepping inside the creature’s reach, Kiev aimed for appendages, hoping to slow it down. The furry alien blocked and parried with the pipe. A reverse swing came up inside Kiev’s guard, slamming against his temple and cheek.
    Stars burst behind his eyes. Pain made furrows across the opposite cheek. Kiev rolled and regained his balance. Blood spattered on the floor, darker shadows against the dull concrete. His cheek burned as he and the creature watched each other. The sound of Sasha’s scuffling came to him.
    The floor thrummed under his feet, feeling as though the foundations rocked. Terror slid through him and his sword slipped from his fingers. The furry alien’s eyes rounded and it paused, seeking those at the command console. Kiev dropped his sword and dived, trusting his suit to protect him. The creature yowled, twisting underneath him, proving it was as desperate as Kiev to get to the other players in this game. Kiev pulled back his fist and punched. He grabbed his opponent’s tunic and punched again.
    His tough uniform saved his shoulder from a vicious bite. Kiev risked more head injury and slammed his forehead against the alien’s nose, satisfied at its yowl.
    Fire slid through his gut. Kiev hissed at the pain, hunching his shoulders. The alien slipped away enough for