Page 51 of Heir of Draga

“Have you sent out the distress signal?” Joslynn asked, threading her way through Command to her console. It kept her out of the way of the crew but still able to see what was going on, send commands, and monitor the ship and space. “There are multiple pirate ships. Colin, send the word to our forces to engage.”

He stood as close to Joslynn as he could with one strong hand on her shoulder. He pushed her gently into the chair and activated the straps. “I will send word, but most have civilians on board.”

She gritted her teeth and watched the distress signal activate. The captain shouted orders and activated the shield, but the Jewel wasn’t a warship. It had only basic defenses and shields.

They took another blast and the holo showed the Pedranus forces taking on the pirates they could, but there were too many of them and her people were dying. Tears pricked her eyes. “Is there nothing we can do?” she asked Colin, desperate for any solution.

“Countess! Other ships have just popped up on the long-range scanner,” the captain shouted as he braced against another attack.

“Shield down to sixty percent!” a crew member called out.

One of the Pedranus caravan ships blasted into a million pieces and Joslynn gripped her chair so hard her nails cracked. Tears ran down her face as she realized just how useless she was. There was no magic solution she could use, nothing to save her people other than wait and watch.

“Are the ships here to aid us?” she asked, praying for the Draga Royal Army.

“I’m not sure,” the captain said with a frown. “It appears they’re not royal ships…but, they fly the royal flag.”

Her heart lurched with hope. Joslynn selected one of the ships and magnified the holo. She ran a scan for allegiance and found none, not even a licensing number. But the flag was definitely the Draga royal seal.

And then they started firing on the pirates, absolutely obliterating them.

“It’s Princess Adelina’s privateers,” Joslynn murmured. “Don’t fire! They’re sanctioned by the Crown!”

Colin’s hand tightened on her shoulder and she squeezed it back. “Send out the order for an emergency evacuation with the message to all rural dwellers it is now or never. We need to get behind the legions at the core’s border.”

“Yes Countess, It will be done. Captain, ready the Jewel for top speed.”

Joslynn selected the privateer at the front of the small armada and sent out a cast. It was answered immediately by a roguish male with a winning smile. “Aw, Mistress, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“I appreciate your assistance. Please escort us to the core and you will be rewarded handsomely. You and any other privateer you fly with.” Joslynn clasped her hands on her lap and waited, knowing what a disadvantage she was at.

The pirate turned privateer picked at his teeth, smiling wide. “I would have taken out these shysters for the value of their ships alone, but your offer is tempting. All the way to the core?”

“Yes, all the way to the core, then you may do as you please and I’ll send along word of your adherence to Princess Adelina’s request.”

“Tis your wish, Mistress. It is my command.” He gave her a mocking bow and the transmission ended abruptly.

Joslynn didn’t like that her people’s lives were in the hands of such rapscallions, but it was better than letting them all die trying to fight off pirates. “Get us out of here, captain.”

“With pleasure, my lady.”

Joslynn watched the privateers and pirates slaughter each other for as long as possible while a small contingent broke off to escort them to the core. Two days before she reached the first royal legion. Goddess, help them make it there alive.

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