mutiny,” Greyson said. “Just common sense. We need a place to unload the children. This outpost is the closest, safest place, and I know the commander.
He’l see to their wel -being.”
“And why should he just let us unload the children and leave? Capturing the Independence would be a coup for an outpost commander. Might even get him a better posting.”
Greyson gave a humorless laugh. “Believe me, ELF isn’t going to promote Carter Kincaid. Even if they did, he wouldn’t accept. He won’t fire on us first, either.
He knows he can’t capture us; we outgun him.”
“Channel open,” Terle said.
“This is Commander Kincaid. State your business, pirate,” a man’s voice demanded over the com. Shy could hear the anger and frustration beneath his control ed tone.
When Greyson didn’t respond, she raised her eyebrows in question.
“It would probably be better if you dealt with him,” Greyson said so only she could hear. “Kincaid and I have…history.”
“What kind of history?”
“Pirate!” Kincaid interrupted whatever Greyson might have answered. “Why are you here?”
Shy keyed the com. “This is the captain of the…cruise ship Alliance .” She supplied the false locator ID they were broadcasting. “We have a group of children that need assistance.”
“Cruise ship, my ass. I don’t care what locator ID you give. I’ve got eyes. What game are you playing? This outpost has nothing of value for you to steal. And what little we have wil cost you dearly.”
Shy ran her hand around the back of her neck to relieve the tension. “No games, Commander. We have ten children and one young woman rescued from slavers that we need to unload. Then we’l leave peaceful y.” Kincaid fel silent for a few minutes, then said, “Close your gun ports and dock on port three.”
“I think not.” Shy laughed. “We’l send the children over via a shuttle. And our gun ports stay open.”
“I look forward to meeting you, Captain…” His voice trailed off.
She didn’t supply her identity. “I’l have to forgo the pleasure this time. I’m no fool. A friend of yours wil deliver the goods.”
“What friend?”
She ignored Kincaid’s question, cut the connection and turned to Able. “Strip the Spitfire of her weaponry and valuables and get the children aboard.”
“Why my ship?” Damon protested.
“Because it’s the smal est and oldest one we have.” She grinned. “If it doesn’t come back, you can have Greyson’s.”
Chapter Seven
Greyson stood outside Spitfire as Eldin strapped the children into some makeshift seating. This trip was bound to be interesting.
Going to the outpost and seeing Kincaid again was a gamble. Though he knew Kincaid would see to the children’s welfare, the man had little reason to grant him any favors. Five years ago he’d testified at Kincaid’s hearing about the incident at the Largon colony. His testimony kept Kincaid from spending time in a penal colony and helped him maintain his rank, even if he was then posted as far from civilization as possible, but that didn’t mitigate the fact that Kincaid felt Greyson had betrayed their friendship.
At the time, Greyson had felt compel ed to reveal the truth, but time had a way of blurring the sharp lines of right and wrong. If he’d kept his mouth shut, kept the truth hidden, Kincaid might have walked away from the hearing without penalty, his career with ELF intact. Instead, because of Greyson’s actions, a good man and a bril iant soldier was reduced to running an unimportant outpost.
“I’m not going.” Brina’s voice jarred Greyson from his memories. “I want to join your crew,” the girl continued.
“You don’t know what you’re asking,” Shyanne said. The two women stood just out of sight, down the corridor and around a corner, but their voices were clear.
“We’re smugglers. Outlaws. Go back to a more safe, comfortable life. You’l prefer it in the end.”
Brina snorted. “I’m
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