Drifters' Alliance, Book 2 (22 page)

Authors: Elle Casey

Tags: #Science Fiction, #Space Opera

BOOK: Drifters' Alliance, Book 2

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“Welcome to the Alliance,” Beltz says. “Everyone is linked in to the comm, but I will save us the confusion and provide you with an introduction. First, though, let me say that everything said or done here is confidential. If you share the information about us with anyone, we will kill you. There is no mercy for traitors.”

Before he can say another word, I cut in. “Sorry to interrupt, but I want to be sure you’re aware of my latest conflict with the OSG before you give me any sensitive information.”

Beltz laughs. “If you are here to tell us that you were recently an invited guest on the Warship Baltimore, do not bother. We are well aware, as we are aware that someone used the schlafhammer there.”

I bug my eyes out at my crew, and they stare back at me. I’m sure the guilty looks I see on their faces reflect the one on mine.

“And you’re still allowing us here and introducing us?”
Does this mean we’re going to die soon?

“Of course. We have already accepted you into the Alliance. We are not afraid of the OSG.”

“You should be,” I say, worrying I’ve just joined the looney dome crew.

“Fear is their greatest weapon. We will not arm them with it. Now for the introductions…”

I guess we’re done with that part of the conversation.
I shrug at my crew, and we all go back to focusing on the transmission.

“In your three o’clock position, you have the glorious DS Mekanika, here to provide the Alliance with parts and mechanical technology. We are a crew of four, including my cousin Jens, my good friend Jacov, and my lovely sister Helga.”

I make sure I’m not transmitting when I speak to my crew. “Did any of you see a Helga when they were here?”

They shake their heads.
Hmmm … a mystery onboard the DS Mekanika. I’ll bet she’s butt ugly, that’s why she hides.

Beltz continues. “And in your one o’clock position, you see there the DS Arcadia. Captain Romulus brings his wife Binta and his son, Mohamar. Together, they are shepherds and manufacturers of woolen items. They are always looking for brownshins workers, so if you have anyone there who would like a change of scenery, please do speak up.” He laughs and then continues.

“In your eleven o’clock, there is the DS Huna. There are not just one but
two
fully qualified medical technicians on board, along with many fine instrumentations and healing chambers.”

“Damn, I wish I’d known that before,” I say mostly to myself.

“I tried to tell you it was a bad decision to go to the OSG,” Baebong says.

“Tam would have died if I’d waited,” I say angrily.

“Yes, he would have,” Jeffers says, looking over at Baebong. “There’s no point in second guessing ourselves now.”

Baebong nods, possibly agreeing. I don’t have the time to figure him out, though, because Beltz is still talking.

“The Captain of the Huna is Kaiholo. He has with him Kimo, Olina, Ailani, and Kekoa. You can visit with him and ask him who does what over there. I am always confused by the names, so I do not remember exactly.”

Baebong laughs silently. I can see his shoulders shaking.

“Last, in your nine o’clock, you have …,” I think he’s hesitating for effect, “… the DS Osiris. Captain Alana and her crew —Beltine, Lim, Damra, and Sorci— are here for the pleasure of our crews. Together, they practice the fine and integral art of personal relaxation and sexual satisfaction.”

My jaw drops practically to the floor.

Gus transmits from the engine room, his voice about three notches higher than normal. “Did he just say there’s a DS full of whores out there?!”

I cut him off, blocking him from listening in anymore. I don’t want the poor kid to blow a nut before he even sees any of them. In my experience, they tend to be kind of worn-out looking and used-up in the head.

“Hallelujah is right,” Baebong says under his breath.

Jeffers just clears his throat.

“Do they have any weaponry?” I ask, hoping these chicks are going to have more to contribute than just entertainment.

“Oh, you will not be disappointed with the DS Osiris, do not worry, Captain Cass.”

The line goes dead for a few seconds. I chew my lip as I wait for the next transmission. This guy is full of surprises today.

“Captain Alana, here. Captain Cass, what does the DS Anarchy have to offer the Alliance?”

I clear my throat, hoping I don’t sound as nervous as I feel. They’ve given us their identities, their location, and their method of staying hidden.
And
they’ve told us we’re already accepted.
Do I dare to tell them about the biogrid? Is this some kind of trap?

I hate to say what I have to say, but I don’t feel like I have any choice.

“How do I know I can trust you?”

Beltz’s voice comes over the line. “You know that you can trust us because the entire time you have been playing around in the Dark with your little friends at the OSG and that pirate who nearly took your ship from you, we have been watching and listening. And we have a pretty little explosive device affixed to your hull that we could have detonated long ago. But we have chosen not to. As a show of good faith, of course.”

I feel myself going light-headed and have to sit back in my seat to keep from keeling over.

Gus is on the line before I have time to even think about what to say in response. “Son of a bitch! I see it! Just below the aft landing gear! How did we miss that, Tam? Sneaky bastards!” He’s off the line as quickly as he arrived on it. He and Tam are probably punching holes in the walls down there.

“I appreciate you not blowing us up,” I say, trying to sound calm when I’m anything but.

“Of course. It was an investment in our future to wait and see what you would do. You did use the schlafhammer, that is obvious. We will have to find a plan for that, but in the meantime, welcome. Welcome to the Alliance. Please tell us you have something to offer, other than your quick wit and bad decision making skills.”

My head feels like it’s going to explode. “Uh, well, we have a Level G biogrid here growing enough food for everyone on all the Alliance ships and then some.”

There’s a long pause for the reply comes. “Well,” says Beltz, I think a little bit shocked by my transmission if his tone is any indicator. “That is something, isn’t it?”

There’s a long period of silence before anyone transmits again.

“This is Captain Alana again, Captain Cass and crew. Welcome to the Alliance.”

“This is Captain Huna,” says a man’s deep voice. “Welcome to the Alliance.”

“Captain Romulus Hurtu, DS Arcadia. Welcome to the Alliance, Anarchy.”

I’m sweating all over, and my throat feels like it’s been strangled again. I know my voice is going to come out sounding reedy, but I’m too nervous, freaked out, scared, and excited to control it. I press the transmit button and lean in toward the comm.

“Captain Cass, here. Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. We’re glad to be here.”

I jump up from my seat and start dancing, and I don’t care who watches me.
We made it! We’re in!

Want more?

The adventures of Captain Cass and the crew of the DS Anarchy continue…

For more of the humor, writing style, and action you enjoyed in Books 1 and 2, read Book 3 in the
Drifters’ Alliance
series next!

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Drifters’ Alliance, Book 2.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elle Casey
is a prolific,
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling American writer who lives in Southern France with her husband, three kids, and several furry friends. She writes in several genres and publishes an average of one full-length novel per month.

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OTHER BOOKS BY ELLE CASEY

SCIENCE FICTION

Drifters’ Alliance
(ongoing series)

Winner Takes All
(short story prequel to
Drifters’ Alliance
,

Dark Beyond the Stars Anthology)

CONTEMPORARY URBAN FANTASY
War of the Fae
(10-book series)

*Book 1, The Changelings, is a free ebook at most retailers*