“You’re upset I killed the security guard.”

  Her response surprised me. I nodded. “How did you know?”

  “I may be an organic primitive, but I’m not stupid. We just went through a lot of trouble to avoid harming the law enforcement chasing us. It’s not much of a leap from there. But you would have been caught if I hadn’t. And I don’t know if we would have completed the job.”

  “I know. But we got caught anyway. And maybe they wouldn’t have shipped us up to the penal satellite if the job had gone sour. We were lucky to escape. The only reason we got out of there was because they were horribly lax in their network security. We need to do things like bad guys without actually becoming bad guys, if that makes sense.”

  “I think I understand. I’m not used to operating that way.”

  “Because Sedaya doesn’t care about the collateral damage.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I do.”

  “I know. I’ll adjust.”

  “What if Keep is right about Sedaya and the Empress?”

  “I don’t know what we’re supposed to do about that. You’re a criminal and a fugitive. And don’t forget, Sedaya is still after you, too.”

  “How could I forget that? But if Keep is right, maybe that gives us a chance to redeem ourselves. If we can stop Sedaya and save the Empress, maybe we can rewrite our story. Make it look like we were helping the whole time.”

  “That’s a pretty naive way to look at things.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” I shrugged. “Keep was on Kasper for the slab. We’re going to have some time while we transit to your contact anyway. Maybe I can find something useful on it. Once I’m cured, we’ll need another goal anyway. I don’t see any harm in at least trying to verify whether or not Keep told me the truth.”

  I watched her closely for a reaction that might hint at her real allegiance. She played it straight, her poker face perfect. “Shall I get us back underway?”

  “What about when we get to wherever we’re going? Will we need to worry about orbital security there?”

  “It’ll take time for the Blue Bounty to propagate usefully across the Quad, and then the Spiral. As long as there are no Royal Sentries present where we’re going, we should be able to get in and out without too much trouble.”

  “Blue Bounty?” I asked, frowning.

  “It’s part of the Hegemony notification system. Only vessels or individuals wanted by the Royal Guard are posted to it.”

  “We aren’t exactly subtle in a flying robot head.”

  “A ship’s visual profile is rarely used to identify a vessel. The beacon is primary. We can turn ours off. It’s illegal, but…” She shrugged. “After that, the thruster signature is used. We can probably modify the output enough to avoid immediate identification. If orbital control gives us any trouble, bribes are often an acceptable means of evasion.”

  “You mean pay off the controller?”

  “Yes. Furion is loosely held. The odds are in our favor.”

  “How do we modify the thruster output?”

  “Do you feel well enough to take a walk outside?”

  I smiled widely. Regardless of anything else, I still had a spacewalk on my bucket list. “Hell yeah.”

  CHAPTER 20

  “Where’s Alter?” Matt asked as I descended the steps to the lounge. I had stopped at the head to shower and change into the t-shirt and sweatpants I’d left there earlier, going commando until I could get back to my quarters for a fresher change. While my current clothes didn’t smell great, they were a whole lot better than the stained yellow prison coveralls I’d dumped into Asshole’s input chute.

  “She’s on Deck Six, getting some tools and stuff together. We need to do some work on the thrusters. Where are Zar and Emil?”

  “They’re in their quarters, getting changed. I let Quasar use the head in my suite.” He tugged at the collar of his coveralls. “That’s why I’m still wearing these. Druck wanted to have a few minutes alone. It’s been a while since he had his own private space.”

  “It must be nice for you,” I said to Shaq as he hopped onto the back of the sofa. “You don’t have to worry about clothes.”

  “Or showers,” Matt agreed. “Though I can’t imagine what my armpit tasted like to you.”

  “Meh,” Shaq buzzed.

  “How are you feeling?” Matt asked me.

  “Better than before.” I held up my hand. It still shook when I left it there too long. “It’ll take a few days to reverse the effects of being locked up for a week. Anyway, I’ve got to go up and change. I’ll grab Druck and Zar on my way back so we can talk for a few minutes. Then I need to go help Alter with the thrusters.”

  “What’s wrong with them?”

  “Nothing, specifically. I’d rather explain everything once. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m still a bit disoriented,” he replied. “I think back to what life was like a few weeks ago, and I can’t believe any of this is really happening.”

  “I know what you mean.” I started toward the steps. Matt joined me at the bottom and we talked as we ascended.

  “I’m headed that way too. Does Alter need my help?”

  “She might. She asked me to enlist another volunteer. Just wear something that won’t be uncomfortable under a spacesuit.”

  “Spacesuit?” Matt said, face paling. “You need to work on the thrusters from outside the ship?”

  “That’s what spacesuits are for. You know, going out into space. So you don’t die.”

  “Shut up,” he said. “Maybe one of our new crew members will volunteer.”

  “I can’t believe you’re nervous about space. I think it’s awesome.”

  “You think every nerdy or geeky thing is awesome. I like keeping my feet firmly planted on solid ground.”

  “I’m not going to be doing somersaults out there. The boots are maglocked.”

  “If we didn’t have any other options, I would do it,” Matt said. “But since we might…”

  “Dress for the event anyway.”

  Matt stopped walking and looked at me, a strange expression on his face. “You’re changing.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I remember how you were when we played that spaceship game. It was a side of you that I hadn’t seen before.”

  “I still don’t know what you mean.”

  “All the times we’ve hung out over the years, you always just kind of fell in behind me. Let me take the lead. And I know why. I’m better looking.” I laughed at that. “But as soon as we went to the game, you seemed like you really took charge. Found your confidence and your element. I saw flashes of it after we left Caprum, but it’s been constant since we were locked up. It’s like my little bro is becoming a man right in front of my eyes.”

  “I’m three months older than you are,” I said.

  He laughed. “You’re still shorter than me though. The point is, this is your element, Bennie. Where you’re supposed to be, I think. Maybe Keep was right about that. About you.”

  “That I’m some kind of hero?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. But maybe you really are destined for something more.”

  “Maybe we both are. You’ve changed too.”

  “In a good way, I hope.”

  “Yeah. You were always confident, but you’re using your intellect a lot more, and not relying on your charm, good looks and personality for everything.”

  “I just haven’t had as many opportunities to be charming and all. But yeah, maybe we’re both changing for the better.”

  “I’ll meet you in the lounge,” I said as we reached the door to my quarters. “Don’t take too long.”

  “Yes, sir,” Matt replied with a smile. “See you there.”

  I ducked inside my quarters, quickly stripped out of my dirty sweats and grabbed a pair of boxer briefs, a fresh black tee, and the fitted sweats Sensie Alter had us wear for martial arts training, ostensibly to make sure we were accustomed to fighting in both space-worthy suits and body armor. It only took a couple of minutes, and when I emerged from my room Quasar was coming out of hers, directly across from me.

  “You look a lot better in that,” she said, eyeing my new outfit. “Those coveralls were way too big on you and made you look like a little kid.”

  “I told you I wasn’t scrawny,” I replied.

  “Nah, you’re still kind of lean, but I do see some definition in those muscles.”

  I looked her over. She had gone with a white catsuit made from the rubbery armor of the Niflin mercenaries we had fed to the assembler, a red and gold belt and red magboots. I didn’t say it out loud, but it made her look like a Marvel superhero. Her muscles would have put Thor to shame.

  “I see a lot of definition in your muscles,” I replied. “You’re scarier in that than you were in the coveralls.”

  She smiled. “Good. How are you feeling?”

  “Better. A lot better, though I wouldn’t mind collapsing on my bed for a few hours.”

  “Why don’t you? I’m sure whatever we’re planning next can wait.”

  “It can’t, actually.” I paused and turned my head as Druck emerged from his quarters. He wore simple dark green military utilities, his head freshly shaven.

  “I heard you two talking,” he said. “Figured I should come out.” He stared at Qausar. “Balls, you’re huge.”

  “Are you flirting with me, Emil?” Quasar asked.

  “Hell, no,” he replied. “I think you’d break me in half. You take stims to get that big?”

  “I spent twelve years on the satellite, where would I get stims?”

  “Just seems unnatural for a woman to have that much muscle.”

  The door to Matt’s suite opened and he stepped out, dressed similarly to me. “Now that we’re all here, let's head down to the lounge to talk.”

  “Before we do,” Druck said. “Ben, Matt told me that when we’re on this deck we’re half the size of when we’re on any other Deck in the ship.”

  “Right. And?”

  He looked panicked. “You mean he’s serious?”

  I nodded. “It’s perfectly safe. We’ve been up and down in the elevator plenty of times in the last few weeks and everything still seems to be in working order.”

  “Do you have any berthing on a different deck?”

  Matt laughed. “You could sleep in Sickbay, but you wouldn’t have access to a shower or food.”

  “What’s the matter, Emil?” Quasar said. “Are you scared?”

  “You’re not going to make me feel stupid for being a little concerned.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about, really,” I said. “As long as you always go out through the elevator shaft you’ll be restored to normal size.”

  “So just don’t get sucked out into space from here,” Matt added.

  Druck still didn’t look that happy, but he nodded. “Balls, I thought you were messing with me. I’m short enough already, not like Her-cules over here.”

  “It’ll be fine,” I repeated.

  “Yeah, if you say so.”

  I led them down the stairs into the lounge. Shaq was curled up on the back of the sofa. He picked his head up when we arrived.

  “Grab a seat,” I said to Quasar and Druck.

  She took the sofa in front of Shaq, while Druck sat in the La-Z-Boy. Matt picked the opposite end of the couch.

  I positioned myself in front of the television, remaining standing and pausing for a moment to collect my thoughts. “First things first,” I said. “Welcome aboard to the two newest members of our crew.”

  Quasar smiled. Druck nodded.

  “Yeah, welcome aboard,” Matt said.

  “Welcome,” Shaq buzzed, rubbing his head against Quasar’s ear.

  She started laughing. “Come on, that tickles.”

  “Shaq,” I admonished. He laughed and settled back on the cushion. “Second, after speaking to Alter about—”

  “Hold on,” Druck said. “Why isn’t she here?”

  I looked at him, surprising both him and me with my reaction. “Druck, are you a member of this crew or not?”

  “Yeah, I want to be.”

  “In that case, what am I to you?”

  He paused, uncertain.

  “He’s the captain, dipshit,” Quasar said.

  “Co-Captain,” Matt corrected. “The ship is half mine.”

  “Do you fly it, sir?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “With all due respect, the ship may be half yours, but if he flies her then he’s the captain.”

  “Since when?” Matt questioned.

  “That’s true, sir,” Druck said. “Traditionally, if the pilot also owns the ship they’re the captain. If it’s split fifty-fifty, then he has a leg up on you.”

  Matt glowered for a moment before cracking a smile. “Well, shit. If that’s how it is, then that’s how it is, I guess. You have my complete support, Bennie.”

  “Thank you,” I said, truly appreciative. “Look, I don’t need you to call me Captain or sir or treat me like I’m in the military. But I do demand respect, which means not being interrupted while I’m speaking.”

  “Yeah, sorry, sir,” Druck said. “It won’t happen again.”

  “Good. After speaking to Alter about our legal situation, we decided we’re going to make some modifications to the thrusters to change their output signature, as well as turn off our identifier beacon.”

  “Ben, if I may,” Quasar said.

  “Go ahead.”

  “That’s illegal.”

  Druck laughed. “Yeah, we’re outlaws. Illegal is kind of how we operate.”

  She looked like she wanted to drive her fist through his face.

  “He’s not wrong,” I said. “I know you’re still a Royal Marine at heart. And I appreciate that. But right now we have to do things outside the lines.”

  “Understood,” Quasar said.

  “If you’re going to change the thruster signature, you’ll need to adjust the manifolds from the outside,” Druck said. “Recalibrate the exchangers and destabilize the mix a little bit.”

  “You know something about thrusters?” I asked.

  “A little,” he replied.

  “Do you mind helping with the modifications?”

  “No, I don’t mind at all.”

  “Thank you!” Matt said, escaping from the job.

  “No problem,” Druck answered.

  “You’re probably wondering where we’re headed,” I continued. “Before our little detour to incarceration, we were on our way to a planet named Furion to see a doctor about my condition. We’re going to pick up that trip. Once we’re there, we can hopefully resupply the ship.”

  “What about the Empress?” Quasar asked. “That’s why I’m here.”

  “Alter recovered the slab we were paid to deliver to Kasper. We have reason to believe there might be some information related to the warning contained on the device. I’m going to spend the transit time trying to access it.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Sir,” Druck said, raising his hand.

  “Yes?”

  “We’re really going to look into some vague threat against the Empress? I mean, I would think the Royal Guard already knows about any plots against her, and anyway why do we care?”

  “We care because whether you love or hate the royal family, they’ve kept the Spiral relatively peaceful for over two thousand years,” Quasar said. “How long do you think that peace will last if someone destabilizes the Hegemony?”

  “Let’s not get into that argument again,” Matt said. “We care because Ben cares. That’s good enough for me.”

  “Me too,” Shaq buzzed.

  “I don’t know about you, Druck,” I said. “But I don’t want to die as a fugitive. I want to die on the right side of the law, and hopefully not anytime soon. If you want to disembark permanently once we get to Furion, you’re welcome to do so.”

  Druck leaned back in the recliner and rubbed his chin in consideration. He shrugged. “Nah. I figured I’d spend the rest of my life behind bars. This at least sounds like it could get interesting.”

  “Hopefully not too interesting,” Matt said.

  “We need to meet Alter in the hangar,” I said. “Druck, you’re with me.”

  “You got it, Boss,” he said, getting to his feet.

  “Do you need me to do anything?” Quasar asked.

  “Nothing specific. Feel free to explore the ship or hit the gym or get some sleep. The datastore has movies, books, and music too.”

  “It’s like being on vacation,” she said. “I think I’m going to like it here.”

  I smiled and headed for the elevator. Druck hurried to catch up to me.

  “Let’s go fix some shit, eh Boss?” he said.

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “Let’s go fix some shit.”

  CHAPTER 21

  The elevator doors slid open. Druck and I stepped out onto the raised platform over the hangar. Looking through the grated metal floor and then across to the bay doors, I spotted Alter against the starboard bulkhead, hunched over a bag of tools and picking out specific items. She was already in her spacesuit, though her helmet rested on the deck next to her. I could tell from the angle that she had taken on her mechanic persona, larger and more muscled than any of her other female forms.

  “You know,” Druck said, approaching the railing at the front of the overhang. “If we cut a piece out along this rail, we could easily add a modification to support loading a mech. The ceiling’s certainly high enough. It’s almost as if it was designed for it.”

  “Except it doesn’t have the modification already,” I replied. If it did, then I would have believed that had been the Acheon’s intent.

  “I don’t know, Boss. You said the ship was built on Demitrus, right? Maybe they didn’t have the right parts available. I mean, they did toss in the Junto.”

  “True,” I agreed. “Would you know how to make that change?”

  “I could do it with the right equipment. Basically just an external elevator to lift ammo up to the rear and a short extension to let the pilot get into the head. Although in our case, we wouldn’t need the second part since the command module offers remote piloting.”