Grantville Gazette Volume 7 by Eric Flint & Paula Goodlett

Author:Eric Flint & Paula Goodlett [Flint, Eric & Goodlett, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction & Fantasy, science fiction, Alternate History, Alternative History
Publisher: 1632, Inc.
Published: 2011-03-28T04:00:00+00:00

Nobody Wants to be a Pirate in the Baltic

Anette Pedersen and Kerryn Offord

Kolberg, Pomerania, March 1635

“Viktor not have all day.”

Hans Johansson jumped and nearly dropped the musket he gingerly held in his soft, white hands when the gravelly voice broke the silence. He’d been so busy examining the musket that he’d momentarily forgotten Viktor, though, as he glanced at the big brute of a man with his barrel chest, gray hair, and badly pockmarked, battle-scarred face, he had to wonder just how he’d managed to forget the man was waiting for him to accept the consignment of weapons. Even when he was just standing still, there was a brooding intensity about Viktor that was more intimidating than his physical presence warranted.

“I’m sorry. Is . . . is something wrong, Herr Viktor? These are very fine guns. I’m most impressed that you’ve managed to acquire so many of the new Russian AK3s. They only went into production last summer.” To his annoyance Hans realized that he was babbling.

He wondered if he needed to make eye contact, if it would make him seem more sincere and trustworthy. He had forced himself to do so when this deal was set up and it hadn’t been something he had enjoyed. On the surface Victor looked like any other thug, but there was something about the fire in Viktor’s eyes that was scary. Something not quite right. No, eye contact wasn’t necessary. Hans was sure he had Viktor convinced that he was just another harmless clerk handling his master’s dirty transactions, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to let Viktor think that Hans was somewhat scared of his violent reputation. That Hans had spent the last three years looking for revenge against the powerful Vasa family for the loss of his heritage, and was now one of the duke of Courland’s most trusted agents, was not something Viktor needed to know. Especially since the duke’s new mission might bring Hans into more contact with Viktor and his men.

“Viktor’s weapons is good. Why you take so long?” The big man folded his arms over his large chest, and frowned. Hans was acutely aware that he had his back to Viktor’s henchman standing by the pile of gun crates, and that the two guards at the cellar door were now looking in his direction.

With an effort Hans returned his attention to the musket in his hands. It was, as Viktor had promised it would be, a used weapon, but in very good condition. That was something Viktor’s reputation had promised. When you bought from him, you bought weapons you could rely on. He didn’t deal in rubbish, and he didn’t try to palm off damaged weapons as useful ones. On the other hand, he was also rumored to be willing to go to any length to get revenge for a betrayal, real or imagined, and Hans had no intention of telling Viktor all there was to know about the mission. Still, there was no one else

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