Sgt Orlan: Hero of Man by Scott Moon

Author:Scott Moon [Moon, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Sgt Orlan: Hero of Man
Amazon: B01GIP66XA
Publisher: Scott Moon
Published: 2016-05-30T07:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Listen, Martin, I am taking my son back to Earth Fleet Port 492-007-VII. If you don’t want to fly the Limping Dandelion, I will have Kent do it,” Orlan said.

“He can’t take possession of the ship until I die,” Martin said. “It is genetically locked.”

“You shouldn’t have told me that.”

Martin swallowed. “Okay. I will take you, but it will cost more money than you have to get through customs. You should know the penalty for human trafficking in the Fleet.”

“On second thought, I don’t think you are a very good pilot.” Orlan strode toward Martin, who retreated into the cockpit of the ship. “Get your ass out here and die so Kent can take over.”

“No!” Martin said. “Please!”

“Kent,” Orlan said without looking over his shoulder to check the young man’s location. “Get your boss moving or you will be the boss.”

Kent hesitated. “Okay, Sergeant.” He moved into the cockpit and spoke with Martin in low tones for several moments.

Orlan took William to a cabin and prepared him for sleep. He was tired of the way his son kept staring at him. “Just be glad I came for you.”

“I am,” William said, eyes wide. From time to time, he moved his head like he was trying to force Orlan to make eye contact.

“Don’t fight the drugs. If you do, you will have nightmares,” Orlan said. His large hands and thick fingers connected IV tubes.

William said nothing as the door to the small room closed between them.

Orlan silently worked through his problems as he stalked up the tight, poorly lit hallway. Martin understood customs; he knew the regulations, procedures, and most of the officers charged with enforcing them. Getting through without a bribe was impossible. There were plenty of reasons for Martin to be a nervous wreck. He could lose his ship and do prison time for smuggling a live, unregistered passenger.

Orlan could bulldog his way through the first few inspections, but that would not work for long. During the logistical chaos of a large Earth Fleet operation, it would be doable if not easy. The problem was the relative peace between campaigns. He needed to get his son into a boarding house near the port as soon as possible. Hiding him inside Earth Fleet would get them both killed.

Halfway through the trip back to the port, Kent approached Orlan in the galley.

“I know a place that will take your son,” he said.

“Better be a good place.” Orlan waited for the young man to offer details. He struggled to hide his impatience. “Fine. You pogi-pogi-boy. What is it going to cost me?”

Kent smiled, then gave him an inquisitive look. “I have always wondered what that word means.”

“No idea,” Orlan said. “How much?”

“Everything you have,” Kent said.

He’s not wrong, Orlan thought. “As soon as we make the Port, I can get you 40,000 credits.”

Kent laughed. “That’s all you have?”

“Listen, you little shit, that is a year’s salary.”

“Yeah, but what happened to the Hero of Man bounty?” Martin asked, leaning forward with genuine interest.

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