Read Online Star Cruise: Marooned by Veronica Scott - Free Book Online

conclusion could he draw? “Hey, pal,” he yelled at the guard standing by their cage. “What brings you guys here?”
    The guard was watching the cluster of copulating Shemdylann, his neck frill extended and pulsing red. Apparently, no one had told him not to talk to the prisoners because he said, “We’ve been in heavy combat, penetrating this Sector. Our officers said this planet was a fabled human resort and he would bring us here for a day or two of reward, if we defeated the enemy ships. We’ll regain energy for the next assault, on your Sector Hub, to be launched when we receive further orders from the Mawreg.”
    Red affected astonishment. “You brought everybody here to party, leaving your ship uncrewed?”
    “Fool, of course not.” The coarse spines covering the alien’s carapace bristled and he stood taller. “You ask too many questions.” He sidestepped, pivoting in the sand to watch his fellow pirates cavorting. In Shemdylann, he grumbled to himself. “Five ships and a battle cruiser full of troops, lots drawn across the fleet for who would be lucky enough to enjoy the day on the planet. I pay a hefty bribe to win a spot and now I must stand here, watching over vermin, while my fellow soldiers shi tangor dunac midtahnn.”
    Red gave no outward sign of comprehension, although he spoke fluent Shemdylann. Leaving the increasingly agitated guard alone, he retreated to the rear of the cage and pondered the intel he’d gathered. Not that there was any way for him to pass the information to the Sectors’ military authorities.
    “Please, isn’t there something you can do to help us?” Eyes wide, Callina pleaded with him. “Isn’t there some way we can escape? Can’t you get us out of here?”
    He tried to be polite. “Lady, these are the Shemdylann, in case you haven’t noticed. They only respond to overwhelming force, or heaps of credits. Your stepfather Finchon is the only one here with enough gravity to pay their demands. I’m just a working stiff, out of luck, like you.”
    “Friend, yeah, the son of a bitch claimed to be my friend all right,” said Harelly, standing next to her. “He always wanted me to come along on these trips of his, impress the clients with his famous actor friends. Not so much now.” He laughed bitterly. “What’s going to happen to us?”
    Basics from past briefings surfaced in Red’s mind. “Cryo sleep once we reach their ship.” He personally had no intention of surviving to leave the planet. Lords of Space bless the checkout code.
    “And then?” asked Mr. Bettis, holding his sobbing wife.
    “You heard the commander.” Red had no interest in trying to cheer his fellow prisoners with lies or half-truths. “The Shemdylann are going to sell us for slaves, in the Outlier Empire most likely, or on one of their own worlds. The life of a slave tends to be short and brutal. She might do better, since she can sing. Be sure to tell them about your voice, lady.”
    “You’re remarkably calm about it.” Trever studied Red’s face. “What do you know that you aren’t telling us?”
    Harelly moved closer, like a dog on a scent. “Yeah, you were ship’s crew, you must have some inside info.”
    Belatedly, Red remembered these men were accustomed to reading people and situations. He didn’t trust them not to sell him out in a heartbeat, if either realized doing so would give them an advantage with the Shemdylann. Finchon had already proven how little other human beings meant to men of his ilk. These two had the misfortune of not being in his extreme wealth bracket.
    “Saving my strength in case I get a break. Panic doesn’t do any good. A cool head might.” He settled into a more comfortable position, acting casual. “Hey, you’re both wealthy, right? You can try negotiating for ransom yourself.”
    “I don’t come close to Finchon’s generational billions of credits,” Harelly answered, lips thinned as if he’d swallowed something bitter. “My