Space Rogues, #1 by John Wilker

Author:John Wilker [Wilker, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rogue Publishing

THE DEAL

After two days of FTL, the Ghost is entering the Fel-lor system, home of the planet Malkor. Everyone is on the bridge, including Gabe.

“Are you sure about this, Wil? We could turn around, find work… I don’t know… somewhere.” Zephyr is sitting at her station, looking concerned.

“Yeah, there’s no getting around it. If we screw Xarrix, finding work will be next to impossible—at least work that doesn’t turn our stomachs. I don’t mind bounty hunting, but I’m not getting into cartel work.” Wil is at his pilot station, guiding the ship down the gravity well toward Malkor. They are still a good hour out from the planet.

Maxim is at the weapons management console. “Do you think he will accept the deal you plan to offer him?”

Wil shrugs. “I don’t know. He’s not a complete psychopath or anything, so he can be reasoned with. I’ve had to negotiate my way out of trouble with him before… but yeah, this is a big one. We don’t know what he agreed with to load Gabe up with, and Gabe can’t access those systems without the passcodes the ensign is supposed to provide on payment. Payment he isn’t going to get now.” He shrugs again. “Anyway, here’s the plan once we get down there.”

Wil looks at each member of his crew.

“Zephyr, you and Bennie are tackling his shopping list.” He looks at Bennie. “Yeah, I don’t trust you—not one bit, even a little. She’ll control the money; you tell her what you need, and sell her on it, and she’ll pay. Zephyr, if you think he’s bullshitting, don’t pay. End of story, Bennie. This job, even if it pays, won’t be enough for everything as it is.”

He looks at Maxim. “Which brings me to you, Max. Take Gabe and go grocery shopping. I’ve sent a list to your PADD of things we need, things I’d like to have, and things that would be cool if you can get ‘em cheaply.”

Gabe, who’s standing near the back of the bridge, by the hatch chimes in. “Are you certain it is a good idea for me to leave the ship?”

“Yeah, I think it’ll be okay. This will either work or not. Whether you’re on the ship or out shopping, it probably won’t matter much. You know, things were a lot easier when it was just the Ghost and me, and I wasn’t almost broke.”

Zephyr smiles. “I think I speak for everyone here, when I say we appreciate it. You’ve given literally all of us a new lease on life.” She looks down at her console, which is beeping. “Incoming comms from Malkor space control.”

Wil turns to the primary display. “On screen.”

The display switches from the stars to a gruff-looking Malkorite female. “Incoming vessel, please identify yourself and state your purpose in this system.” She sounds bored.

Wil smiles. “Hi there, Malkor space control, this is the Millennium Falcon. We’re a small cargo service, here to drop off a crate for a customer, and then look for some work taking us out-system.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.