The Pirate Captain (The Space Pirate Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  “Welcome to the Pirate Guild,” Charley said theatrically. “I have a feeling we’re gonna see a lot of action.”

  “I’ll second you on that,” Molly enthused. “That Galactus asshole wants to string every last pirate by the neck I hear.”

  “Seems that way,” said Charley, stifling a surge of anxiety. “What we really have to do is expand our power base.”

  “Copy that,” Molly agreed. “Believe it or not, you chose the right place to hole up in. This place might be ostentatious but its height makes it difficult for assassins to reach.”

  “That’s good to know,” Charley said. “Are you able to escort Harry and I to the Deep Blue shipyard? You can get your things later.”

  “Lead the way,” said Molly cheerfully. “I like to get straight into my work.”

  The Deep Blue shipyard was located in a huge hangar that stretched out into the water. Crashing waves resounded against the side of the hangar as Charley, Harry and Molly caught a bullet tram straight through the front entrance.

  A portly shipwright stepped forward to greet them as they stepped off the bullet tram.

  “Greetings, welcome to Deep Blue Shipyard,” said the smooth talker. “I must say, congratulations on your recent deal with MinCorp.”

  Charley smiled tightly. Of course he knew. It was his business to know how much money Charley had in her pockets.

  “I may not be spending the profits here,” Charley said teasingly, slightly annoyed at the shipwright’s presumption. “It all depends on whether you have what I need.”

  Harry looked at Charley approvingly and winked. She was fast becoming the skilled negotiator she had always hoped to be. The shipwright had been successfully placed on the back foot and would be struggling to match Charley’s demands.

  “I want an armadillo-class fighter if you have any,” Charley said.

  The shipwright brightened. “I do have just the one, ma’am. Alas, it’s been considerably damaged in a firefight and will need extensive repairs before it’s ready for use.”

  “How old is it?” Charley asked.

  The shipwright consulted the inventory on his wrist pad. “Only seven years,” he said hopefully.

  Charley considered this. “Repair the vessel yourself and I’ll pretend you didn’t just offer me a clapped-out hunk of junk. Once it’s repaired I’ll consider buying it.”

  The shipwright look aghast. “But ma’am, I can’t commit to -”

  “Fine,” Charley said, beckoning Harry and Molly to follow her out. “We don’t need a ship that much.”

  Charley got to the door of the waiting bullet tram before the shipwright called out. “I can do the repairs, ma’am,” he said in a defeated voice.

  “Good,” Charley said with a smile. “And you can throw in some discounted repairs to my ship, the Surprise.”

  The sun was bright off the ocean when Charley, Harry and Molly made it back to the penthouse. Charley guessed it wasn’t sunny often on Deep Blue - a huge flock of sky blue gannets rose into the air and luxuriated in the weak sunlight, many of them just outside the penthouse window. Vanessa was sitting by the window watching them with rapt intensity. She was wearing a sexy silver jumpsuit with a plunging v-cut at her back. Charley felt a tingle between her legs, remembering the sensuality of the previous night.

  “How did you go?” the girl asked as Charley sat beside her.

  “We might just have a new ship,” Charley said with pride. She was already thinking about how they could put a second ship to good use.

  “Are you sure we needed another armadillo, Charley?” Harry asked. “We could’ve chosen a scout, or a larger corvette, for example.”

  “The pirate brand is important,” said Charley. “Both armadillos will have guild colors. I like the idea of a symmetrical fleet.”

  Harry shrugged good-naturedly. “You’re the boss, boss. You have a lot of respect for pirate traditions. I think you’ll be a great captain, Charley.”

  Charley reddened with embarrassment and gave the old man a peck on the cheek. She could’ve bedded him right there.

  An urgent ping came through over Charley’s wrist pad. It was Betty, their AI back at the pirate Guild Hall on Danderly.

  came the familiar voice.

  “Betty?” Charley said into the com. “Is everything alright at the Hall?”

  came the reply.

  “Go ahead, Betty,” Charley said, exchanging a worried look with Harry.

  “Emperor Galactus is making a special trip out to the edge of the galaxy, just to prove that he can. He wishes to exert his limitless power and shine his magnificence on all.>

  “Are you reading from a missive, Betty?” Charley asked.

 

  “Here?” Charley said incredulously. “What could he possibly be interested in here?”

 

  “When will His Magnificence arrive, Betty?”

 

  “Thanks, Betty. That’ll be all for now.”

  Harry walked to the glass wall, deep in thought. Charley felt a growing sense of dread. Why couldn’t they just have an opportunity to relax for a few days? Something was always coming up.

  “This is very bad news,” Harry said eventually. “There’ll be a huge security presence ahead of the Emperor’s visit. Some of it will be arriving already. I fear we’ll be rotting in a prison cell if we don’t act quickly, Charley.”

  Charley sighed. What was she to do? The Surprise and her proposed second ship both needed repairs. She needed at least 24 hours, perhaps more. To make matters worse, her enemies were closing in on all sides. Enemies with greater manpower, firepower and fleet power. Charley looked at Harry, then Vanessa. Molly stood quietly by the wall, watching for threats. Charley felt much safer with her on the team.

  Something told her her growing pirate skills were about to face their sternest test yet.

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  The Space Pirate Chronicles:

  The Space Pirate (The Space Pirate Chronicles Book 1)

  http://www.amazon.com/Space-Pirate-Rags---Riches-Saga-ebook/dp/B01895UW0K

  The Pirate Captain (The Space Pirate Chronicles Book 2)

  http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Captain-Rags---Riches-Saga-ebook/dp/B0190IYZBC