Then again, if I didn’t get treatment for my cancer, days were all I had left anyway.

  I had dragged Matt into this, and ultimately I had to choose between them and him. I did my best to convince myself that the starfighters angling toward us were drones. No human pilots. No one inside them to kill.

  It didn’t work. My mouth went dry, my palms sweaty. I knew what had to be done, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Naive? Maybe. Weak? I still didn’t think so.

  I pushed forward on the stick, breaking our ascent to send Head Case into level flight just beneath orbit and out of their firing range.

  “What are you doing?” Alter hissed.

  “There has to be another way. Tell me the PCS can’t chart a clear path.”

  “It’s an old model. By the time it completes a path, the door will likely be closed.”

  Looking at the sensor grid, the starships hadn’t followed us. They maintained orbit, waiting for us to try to break through again.

  “You’re telling me the entire planet’s orbit is fortified and barricaded?” I asked. “That can’t be possible.”

  “The far side of the planet is clear. But if you jump to hyperspace there, you’ll be going in the wrong direction, away from the Quadrant and out to the Edgeworlds.”

  “But we can circle back.”

  “You don’t understand. Our database doesn’t have updated positioning for the Edgeworlds. That’s part of what makes them more dangerous. If we go into hyperspace in that direction, there’s a chance we might collide with something.”

  “Then that’s the chance we have to take. We’ll make a short jump like we did when we left Caprum, regroup and double back.”

  “It would be easier to punch straight through.”

  “Forget it!” I snapped. “We don’t kill the good guys. Not now. Not ever.”

  “But isn’t that what bad guys do?” Alter replied, unfazed by my tone. “Kill the good guys?”

  My whole body went cold, and I looked over at her. “What?”

  “Ben, you were arrested for murder and smuggling. You just broke out of prison. The Baron’s requested assistance from the Royal Guard to stop you. Whether you like it or not, the whole Spiral will soon know you as a bad guy. So why go through such extremes to pretend you aren’t?”

  I glared at her, horrified. Knowing her background and how she had learned to view the universe, I sort of understood her perspective. But I definitely didn’t agree with it.

  “Because I’m not a bad guy, no matter what anyone thinks or says. I’m not going to succumb to the label. I’m going to change the label, somehow.”

  “It’s too late.”

  “We’ll see about that. Is there anything preventing us from going into hyperspace here, oriented toward the Edgeworlds?”

  “It’s illegal to initiate hyperspace inside a planet’s orbit.”

  I couldn’t help laughing. “Okay, we’ll see about that after we break one more law. Make it so.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, thought the better of it, and nodded. “Aye, Captain.” Tapping on the AR controls, she didn’t bother setting a course. I watched her override four different warnings about uncontrolled hyperspace jumps. “Here we go. Let’s hope we don’t hit anything.”

  “Keep us in the jump for thirty seconds,” I ordered. “Engage.”

  I clenched my teeth as Alter activated the drive. The shields went down as the bubble formed around us, and then we were fully inside, zipping through space much faster than the speed of light. I counted down the seconds, waiting for each one to be the last. Space was big and empty. Even unmapped, the odds of hitting something had to be relatively small.

  Alter disengaged the hyperdrive when the thirty-second countdown reached zero. The galaxy reappeared ahead, vast and thankfully still empty.

  This time, we really had made it.

  CHAPTER 18

  I spent the first ten seconds staring at the sensor grid, waiting for the Royal Sentry or some other danger to appear from hyperspace, having followed us despite Alter’s insistence that it was impossible. Satisfied we were alone in the middle of nothing, I removed my helmet and restraints and stood up, eager to both check on Matt and the others, and to head to sickbay to take my meds and receive treatment from the autodoc. My pounding pulse left me with a splitting headache, and I wasn’t even sure I could make it from the pilot seat to the door without collapsing.

  “Ben,” Alter said, trying to get my attention. “I was only trying to—”

  “Save your home,” I finished for her. “I get it. Well, it’s safe. And we didn’t need to kill any more guards to do it. Stay here and keep an eye out for any potential disruptions.”

  “No, I was just…” She trailed off with an exasperated breath as she gave up her effort to explain.

  I had only gone two steps when the flight deck blast doors parted. Matt led Quasar and Druck onto the flight deck, Shaq riding on her shoulder.

  “I figured since we went to hyperspace, and then out of hyperspace, that meant we were safe,” he said, looking me over. “But you look like shit.”

  “You’re still looking a little pale yourself,” I replied. “I hope you had time to grab a breath mint.”

  “Funny, but not funny.”

  “Whoa!” Druck said, breaking past Quasar and heading for the platform on the right side of the flight deck. “This is the last place I’d expect to see one of these babies.”

  “One of what babies?” I asked.

  He looked at me like I had two heads. “Isn’t this your ship?”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “And you don’t know what this is?”

  “No. I didn’t think it was anything important.”

  “This is a Junto Virtual Control Module for a war mech,” he said. “Previous generation, but it’s still classified military kit. If Duke Ishima knew it had found its way outside of his military, he would flip his shit. How did you get it?”

  “Demitrus,” Alter said, removing her helmet and getting up from the co-pilot seat. “The Acheon provided it.”

  “Whoa!” Druck said again, staring at Alter. He smiled and walked toward her, putting out his hand. “Emil Druck. And you are?”

  She looked down at his hand. “You’re SFH.”

  He glanced at the tattoo. “Yeah. I used to serve in the Ishima Complex military. Mech pilot.” He kept his hand out. When Alter didn’t take it or tell him her name, he withdrew it and shrugged. “Anyway, I don’t know how much use that thing will be on a ship like this. I didn’t see a mech downstairs.”

  “Shouldn’t you be keeping an eye on the sensor output?” I asked Alter, my gruff voice betraying my current unhappiness with her.

  “The sensors are clear, Captain,” she replied tersely.

  “Uhh,” Matt said. “I guess you two are having a little bit of a thing right now?”

  “It’s nothing,” I said. “Since you’re already up,” he said to Alter, “you already met Druck. This is Quasar.”

  Alter smiled at the large woman. “A pleasure to meet you.”

  “She’s a former Royal Marine.”

  Alter drew back a half step, eying her more warily.

  “Relax,” Quasar said. “I was incarcerated at Persephon Penal Satellite too. I’m one of your kind now.”

  “Our kind?” Druck said.

  “A criminal,” Quasar answered. “A con. An outcast.”

  “You’re a dirty Heg lover,” Druck hissed. “You probably think the galaxy is better off because of the Empress and her kind.”

  “Yeah, I do,” Quasar agreed. “What would you prefer, to have the entire Spiral break out in war?”

  “It’s better than being under someone’s thumb.”

  “I have no idea what you two are arguing about,” Matt said. “But can you both cool it?”

  “Sorry, Matt,” Quasar replied.

  Druck turned away from her. “I don’t mean to be a bad guest. It’s just, people like her are the reason I ended up in prison.”

  “People like me wouldn’t give two shits about you if you weren’t already doing something worthy of landing people like you in prison,” Quasar quipped back.

  “Oh, is that right?”

  “Yeah. The Royal Marines don’t get involved in anything unless there’s something illegal going on. What did you do?”

  “Nothing. I’m innocent.”

  Quasar laughed. So did Druck. It seemed they both knew it wasn’t true.

  “Well, you helped us escape,” I said. “At the very least, we owe you a ride somewhere.”

  “Are you kidding?” Druck said. “You helped me escape. I’m the one who owes you. Especially since you came back to help me after Brako served me up to the PPS. I’m glad she’s dead.”

  “No offense, but we don’t really need anything from you,” I said.

  “Bullshit,” Druck replied. “You’re an escaped convict. That limits your career choices. But I’m guessing since you were already incarcerated, then you were already a smuggler, especially with this weirdo ship. I’ve never seen a starship shaped like a head before. It’s crazy. Anyway, there’s no way you won’t need a soldier sooner or later. And I can get you stuff through the SFH you wouldn’t have easy access to otherwise.”

  “We already have a soldier,” Matt said, motioning to Quasar.

  “Her? I admit, she’s got a mass advantage on me. And probably a training advantage. And she’s probably smarter and okay, better looking too. But can she drive a mech?”

  I glanced at Quasar. She shook her head.

  “See,” Druck said.

  “We don’t have a mech,” I said.

  “You don’t have a mech so far,” Druck countered. “You already have a remote rig for one, which is actually harder than obtaining the heavy metal itself and a lot safer for the pilot, I might add. You can pick one up somewhere, I’m sure.”

  “What would we do with a mech?” Alter asked.

  “You haven’t been smuggling for very long, have you? A mech can make deliveries in hot zones a hell of a lot easier and safer overall for the crew than flying this ship in with whatever you’re delivering.”

  “I don’t know how many deliveries we’re going to make,” I said. “I’m not completely sure what our plans are outside the near future.”

  “You need to eat, right? Which means you need electro. Which means you need work. Which means you’ll be smuggling. I mean, I guess you could try prostitution but you’re a little scrawny.” He laughed. “I’m just messing with you. Or not, I don’t know. Maybe you’d entertain the idea. Who am I to judge?”

  “I’m not going to become a prostitute,” I said. “None of us here are.”

  “Good call.”

  “Is this bullshit why Brako picked you as cannon fodder?” Quasar asked.

  Druck made a face. “Funny.”

  “What are your near-term plans?” Quasar asked, shifting her attention to Ben. “You told me the Empress might be in danger. I assume we’re going to do something about that?”

  “The Empress is in danger?” Alter said. “What does she mean?”

  “Yeah, what does she mean?” Druck echoed.

  I put my hands up. “Right now, I have to get to Sickbay. Matt, do you mind giving them a tour of Deck Three? Let them pick their temporary quarters and have Asshole make them some new clothes.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Matt said. “I need to go back to my quarters to change out of this anyway.” He tugged at his soiled yellow coveralls. “Alter, is there anything we can do about the brand they put on our necks?”

  “The same doctor that can treat Ben’s cancer should be able to remove it.”

  “You have cancer?” Druck asked. “Now I know why you look like shit. And why you’re so skinny.”

  “I’m not that skinny,” I countered.

  “Whatever. Is it bad?”

  “It depends on if I get the treatment I’m after or not.” A wave of dizziness washed over me. “Matt?”

  He eyed me worriedly and nodded. “Come on, I’ll show you two around.”

  Shaq turned to me and buzzed.

  “He wants to know if you want him to go to Sickbay with you,” Alter said.

  “You understand that?” Druck asked.

  “I think that’s pretty obvious.”

  “Yeah, right. Sorry. I should have said, wow, you understand that!” He grinned. “Whatever. I’m impressed. Do you think you can teach me?”

  “Not right now.”

  “Okay.” He glanced at Matt. “Lead the way, Boss.”

  “Shaq, stick with Matt right now,” I said.

  “Mmm-hmm,” Shaq replied.

  “I’ll check in on you in a couple of hours,” Matt said to me. “Feel better, bro.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure I will.”

  They left the flight deck again, leaving me and Alter alone once more.

  “Ben, I know you’re mad,” she started.

  “I’m not mad,” I replied. “Whatever your reasons, you were still there when we needed you, and I appreciate that. Some of my reaction is adrenaline, some of it’s delirium. Right now, I need Nurse Alter, as long as you think we’re safe here.”

  “There’s no reason for anyone to follow us. It’s more efficient to wait for us to turn up in the Quad again.”

  “But Head Case is tagged now, isn’t it? How are we going to get anywhere in a wanted ship?”

  “There are ways.” She turned translucent, her shape shifting in front of me until it was replaced with her nurse essence. “Let’s head to Sickbay and work on your physical health. We can worry about everything else later.”

  “Okay,” I agreed.

  I passed out before I could take another step.

  CHAPTER 19

  Nurse Alter was in Sickbay with me when I woke up, her smile warm and comforting.

  “Tell me I wasn’t out for long,” I said.

  “Only thirty minutes,” she replied. “A little too much blood to the affected area, which pushes on other parts of the brain when it swells. Just relaxing the blood flow helps, so did the meds.”

  My headache hadn’t vanished completely, but it was much better than before. “How long will it take for us to reach your contact?”

  “Twelve days.”

  “That’s a long haul.”

  “We’re on the wrong side of the Quadrant. But you have enough pills to last, and once we’re in hyperspace we’ll be safe. The rest will do you a lot of good.”

  “Am I okay to get up?”

  “As long as you don’t get dizzy.”

  I sat up first. No problem there. Sliding off the table, I felt a little unsteady on my feet. Alter put her shoulder under mine to prop me up.

  “I didn’t want to leave, Ben,” she said softly. “I didn’t want you to get caught. When I went into the tunnels with the other security guards, I was hoping to keep them away from you. But then they stopped Matt and there was nothing else I could do. I couldn’t help you both at the same time, and if we had gotten away…”

  “Matt would have been left behind,” I said. “Along with Shaq.”

  “Yes. I didn’t think you would want that.”

  “I wouldn’t,” I agreed. “And you couldn’t get into the prison?”

  “I could have gotten into the prison,” she replied. “I could have put myself in the cell right next to yours. But that wouldn’t have helped. I did go into the PPS ground station to see if there was anything I could do for you.” She shook her head. “They didn’t waste any time sending you up there. I did take back the slab we delivered.”

  “Why?”

  “We were paid eighteen million electro to deliver it. I figured it was valuable, and whoever wanted it would pay a premium to get it back.”

  “So you were going to sell it once you left Kasper?”

  “Yes.”

  “What would you do with the electro? Eighteen million plus, and nobody to have to share it with.”

  “I thought about going back to Demitrus. Planting the ship in sand and returning to that simple life, far away from the chaos of the Spiral. The electro would pay for the Acheon’s silence.”

  “I thought they didn't need money.”

  “Not as much as some, but they could still use it to barter. Anyway, I could have left within hours of your arrest. I didn’t. Before, when I called a place a home, it meant this ship, and more specifically Deck Five. Now, home is this ship with you and Matt on it.”

  I looked into her eyes, wanting to believe her. A lingering part of me couldn’t see her without seeing Keep. Without the sense that they were up to something and her words were a snare.

  “I didn’t kill the courier,” I said.

  “I believe you. Did you see who did?”

  “Yeah. Keep.”

  “Avelus was here? On Kasper?”

  “More than that. He was after the slab too.”

  She turned transparent before becoming Enigma. “Why would he be after the slab?”

  “I don’t know. He asked me if I would help him save the galaxy. He told me the Empress was in danger. That Sedaya has his sights set on ruling the Hegemony. If he does, he might just send a few ships to Earth. Do you think Keep could be right?”

  She didn’t react right away as she considered the statement. “I don’t know where he got his information. We spent most of the last twenty years on Earth.”

  “He didn’t travel back and forth?”

  “I wasn’t with him all the time. It’s possible he did.”

  “How? Earth is a long way from here. Months in hyperspace. How did he send us back and forth so quickly?”

  “I already told you I don’t know how he does it. He just…does.”

  “I’d love to be able to do that. My mom is worried sick about me, I’m sure. I feel like Keep is the real enigma here.”

  “You already know my secret. Ben, I’m sorry you thought you weren’t important to me. You are. So are Matt and Shaq.”

  “It’s okay. I think we’re back on the same wavelength.” I paused, not sure if I wanted to rock the boat again right after we smoothed out the sea. “There’s something else.”