Space Knight 3 by Michael-Scott Earle

Author:Michael-Scott Earle [Earle, Michael-Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MSE Publishing, LLC.
Published: 2018-03-09T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

I waited on the bridge with Leith, and we explained what had happened in the feasting hall to Olav. The berserker desired to come with us to the PR-12, but he was hesitant after learning we would teleport there.

While the rest of the crew busied themselves with preparations for takeoff, we gathered around the map table with Captain Cross and Commander Reynolds. After an hour of waiting for the stolen ship’s diagram, we were prepared to leave the docks, but there was still no sign of the information I needed to teleport to the PR-12. Without a detailed picture of the internals, I wouldn’t have an accurate location to target my jump.

“Where is this damned diagram?” Captain Cross slammed his fist on the table.

The bridge doors opened, and we all turned to look at a wide-eyed heavyset man. The royal blue lines along the seams of his grey jacket marked him as RTF personnel.

“You don’t look like a diagram,” Captain Cross said gruffly.

“Ah, my name is Rafael Smith,” he said. “I am the p-p-purser for Dock A1 through A6. I handle the imports, exports, and all p-p-personnel.” Every second word came out a stutter, and I might have thought he suffered from a speech impediment, but the rest of his muscles were rigid like a terrified animal.

I thought maybe he feared what his lord might do if the transporter cube wasn’t found, but the constant sideways glances he gave to the crew members inside the bridge made me think otherwise. He must have heard about the RTF Stalwart and believed their horrible reputation. According to him, his life rested in the hands of the worst starship and her crew.

Except I knew we were probably the only ones he could trust to return the cube safely to Lord Ramsay.

“Sounds like you’re the person Lord Ramsay will be blaming for his stolen transporter cube,” Olav said to the man. “I wouldn’t like to be in your shoes when we return to the station. You’re likely to become spare parts for a machina.”

The purser trembled, and Leith put his hand on his shoulder. “There are worse things, friend.”

The touch only made the man shake all the more.

“You could always join our vessel,” the berserker said. “Not sure what you would do. Are you any good at peeling skin?”

“Skin?” the man asked, and I realized Olav was playing a game.

“Yeah. Skin. Hey, Captain, could we use another skin peeler on our ship?”

The corners of the captain’s lips tweaked in understanding. “Good idea, Olav. Smith would make an excellent addition to our crew.”

The berserker grinned at the purser. “There you go. You won’t ever have to step foot on Petuaria again.”

“I would rather retain my current position,” Smith said with a gulp. “My lord has assured me I will receive no punishment so long as the cube is found.”

“We won’t stop until we get it back,” I said to the terrified man.

The knights frowned at me, and I guessed I had just ruined their game.

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