Lightwave by AM Scott

Author:AM Scott [Scott, AM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lightwave Publishing LLC
Published: 2018-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

It was done. Ruhger sent a copy of the imprinted contract back to the Scholar. For better or worse, it was done. He scowled, imagining his parents looking over his shoulder, shaking their heads in disapproval. Or would they? The folder always came first with his mother, and his father would be the first to say, “Get out of debt, boy,” especially to weapons merchants. Every mercenary in existence knew they were the lowest of mudball slime. The passenger deposit confirmations would come in on the other side of the fold, then he’d transfer credits to the dirt suckers and be done with them. He should be thrilled, but dread warred with relief—what would the next few folds bring? Suns, what would the rest of this fold bring?

Impatient with his thoughts, he slammed his fists down on the chair arms, wincing when the plas crackled. He had to stop with the doom-and-gloom scenarios, or he’d drive himself crazy. Or break something. It was done, and they’d deal with the next thing when it came. He could almost hear his mother’s voice: “One fold at a time, Ruhger. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Plugging the contract funds into his accounts, he smiled when the red went away. Now this was a moment worth enjoying, so he did, sitting back in his chair until it creaked, grinning at the view until his cheeks ached from the unaccustomed position.

Enough enjoyment. He had a job to do. Ruhger checked crew locations. Chief was in Beta Shuttle, the Phazeers in their room, Lowe in the ready room and Loreli in the kitchen. Wait, what? Shaking his head in irritation, he jumped up, striding toward the hatch.

“Contact Chief Bhoher, normal priority.”

“Bhoher here, Captain.”

“Chief, Loreli’s in the kitchen. I’m going to go check on her. You’ve got command.”

“Captain, I accept command. Isn’t it too soon for her to be cooking?”

“Yes,” Ruhger growled.

“Ah. Good luck. Bhoher out.”

Loreli shouldn’t risk her health. She could relapse. Marching down the narrow beige crew corridors and ladders, Ruhger jerked to a halt with a hand on each side of the back kitchen hatchway. He tried to make sense of the scene in front of him, but there were a huge number of people cluttering the kitchen, all chattering happily at incredibly high volumes, confusing him utterly. Did they have this many people on board? And what in all the suns were they doing in the kitchen! Loreli had been poisoned once—did she want them all taken out?!

Finally, he spotted Loreli, sitting on a high stool near the chow hall hatch. Ruhger pushed and shoved his way through all the happy people to reach her. She twinkled at him, her face shining with sparkly makeup. “Loreli, what are you doing?! You’re supposed to be resting! And what in all the seven suns of Saga are all these people doing in our kitchen?! We secured it for a reason!”

She beamed and blinked her ridiculous lashes at him. “Oh, are you worried about me? How sweet, darling.

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