Page 4 of Stolen Fire (N.O.A.H (Nostradamus Outerspace Advancement of Humanity) #2)
“Where are you going, lover?” The hybrid escort lounged against the padded frame of the bunk, two of their three breasts exposed and still bearing some exquisite bite marks.
Varik couldn’t help the grin that touched his lips. But no matter how entertaining the time on this fuck-all of an excuse for a station had been, it was time to go. According to the brief conversation he’d had with Karnek, the ship was ready with a whole new identity.
Varik slipped a leg into his coveralls. “Been fun.”
“When will you be back?”
Never . Because if he had to come back, it meant his plans were falling apart. Again. “Soon. Behave while I’m gone, or I’ll put your dick in a cock cage and beat your ass without mercy.”
The hybrid—Varik couldn’t remember their name—shivered and moaned. Never let it be said he left his sexual partners unsatisfied. Maybe a bit bitter, but always fully pleasured.
With a quick seal of his coveralls, he darted out the door and down the poorly lit underground tunnel.
Occasionally, a scream, or something worse, emanated from the doors he passed.
If he’d had time, he’d have stopped to see if they were open and if he could enjoy the spectacle of whatever was happening to make those thrilling sounds.
Karnek stood outside the ship. It shone, the paint of the new name, Cain’s Alibi , without a single blemish from space dust or ER bridge crossings. So perfect, he ought to record an image. Varik rolled his eyes at himself. “Let’s go.”
Varik entered the security code into his comm and transmitted it to his vessel. The bay door lowered. “Did you get the fuel?”
“We’re fully stocked. I did what I could to negotiate.”
The likelihood of a successful negotiation on a 3F station—fuel, fix, fuck—was infinitesimally small. Varik pulled up the receipt and scowled, mainly for Karnek’s benefit. “Where’d you learn to negotiate?”
Karnek sputtered.
Varik stomped up the ramp, grinning on the inside. Never a good idea to give many compliments. Leave your lessers grasping and desperate for approval.
“Run a scan as soon as we launch and clear the quiet zone. I want to know if The Treasure is anywhere nearby.” And blast it out of space, but unfortunately, his ship wasn’t designed for battle.
It favored research and steady performance.
There were modifications Varik would make to increase the speed, but it would never be fast, which made navigation even more important.
Varik strapped into the captain’s seat, even though there would be no need to punch out of the atmosphere.
Once the port doors opened, they could basically float out.
Everything on the 3F was in an artificially created atmosphere, mostly underground.
Ingenious way to stay beyond the reach of any judicial oversight from a nearby planet.
Varik almost wished he’d thought of it first. With the prices they charged, they had to be making a fortune.
As soon as they were outside the quiet zone around the 3F, Varik reminded Karnek to initiate a deep search for The Treasure .
They had to be out here somewhere. That bitch who stole his ship was too weak to use ER bridges.
“I entered a course for the Cassan space station. You keep an eye on the search.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m going to get cleaned up, unless you can’t handle the ship by yourself.”
“No, sir, I’m fine. Glad you got us off Kolben when you did. I don’t know what I would have done if we’d been stuck there. And thank you for covering my accommodations back there,” Karnek said.
It would come out of his compensation.
“I’ve never had a captain who cared if I was covered when we landed. I know you’re missing Jarn, but if there’s ever anything I can do— anything— just ask.”
Varik grunted approval, but Karnek would never be in his bed. Not with those teeth. Varik liked to bite, and if Karnek decided to bite back… Varik’s insides shriveled at the image.
“Can I ask what your plan is to find more crew on Cassan? I’d like to help any way I can.”
Karnek was a decent communications officer—he’d found the dark site after all—but it wasn’t enough. “We’ll find them any way we can. Crews are always available when you know where to look. To pay them, we have to secure new contracts and make credits. As much as we can.”
Funds weren’t a problem at all. Auvi, his dead lover and former captain of The Treasure , had left Varik plenty, but he didn’t allow anyone to get lazy on his tab.
And there was no such thing as too many credits.
And if some of those contracts they secured were intended to go to The Treasure ?
Even better. If he couldn’t blow the ship up, he could at least starve out the crew.
Cyra deserved it for stealing what belonged to him.
“Excellent.” Karnek grinned, and his razor teeth made Varik’s stomach turn.
One of the new crew members better be attractive enough and willing to see to Varik’s needs.
Auvi had never had any trouble securing a willing partner, and Varik was twice the male that weakling had ever been.
“As soon as we’re in range, I’ll post on the board for crew and check for any contracts, Captain. ”
“Good.” Varik released his harness.
“Captain?”
Varik paused in his retreat.
“I just want to thank you for taking a chance on me. Trusting me. My people get a bad rap as being…well, you know. But you hired me anyway. And now that it’s just you and me, I’ll repay that trust, earn that trust every single moment.”
Varik turned and lifted his lips in a smile. “I’m counting on it.”