Page 17 of Savage Union

“Give me just a minute,” the boy mumbled and then he was off again, plotting at an impossibly quick pace, making the golden lines pop up on the viewscreen like magic.

Once again—a perfect route and five stars out of five. The boy really was a prodigy—I was ready to hire him on the spot! I opened my mouth to say so, but Yorrin put a three-fingered hand on my arm and shook his head.

“Captain,” he murmured. “A word, please?”

“Of course.” I nodded. Of all my crew, Yorrin had been with me the longest—I trusted his opinion.

We left the bridge and went to my Ready Room—the small lounge that served as the barrier between the bridge and my private quarters. There was a desk on one wall and two chairs sitting across from it. I often used it for interviews and one-on-one talks with crewmembers who had complaints or were fighting.

I also used it for the rare but sometimes necessary punishment sessions. Which was why there was a whipping cross and a pain whip hung on the far wall. I’ll flog an unruly crewmember from time to time, though I take no pleasure in it. I run a tight ship—I can’t afford not to, given the extremely dangerous missions the Illyrian takes on a daily basis.

I sat behind the desk and gestured Yorrin to one of the chairs across from me.

“Speak your piece,” I told him. “I’m about to hire this boy—tell me why I shouldn’t.”

“Oh, you should—youshould, Captain.” Yorrin nodded in his slow, earnest way. “But he shouldn’t be the only navigator you hire.”

“What? You want me to hirebothof them?” I frowned. “I don’t know if the budget will stand it.”

“You’ll have to stretch it then—you need them both,” he said grimly.

I steepled my fingers on my desk.

“Explain.”

“The men won’t tolerate an inexperienced boy as their ship’s navvie,” Yorrin said simply. “We’re putting our lives in his hands. It doesn’t matter what miracles he can work with the simulation program, I doubt he’s ever even been off Rigelis Nine. The men will know that and they won’t like it—especially Frux.”

I groaned at the mention of that name. Frux was the Union Rep assigned to The Illyrian—he was the one and only crew member I hadn’t chosen myself. Instead he had been chosen by the head of my Family—the Chieftain of Clan Savage—which meant he was completely untouchable.

Frux was a real son-of-a-bitch who knew his status and liked to lord it over the other crew members. He had silver horns—the mark of only the most trusted Enforcers—and he never missed a chance to brag about it.

He also never missed a chance to complain or cause trouble. I had been to my Chief several times, asking to have him removed, but no luck. He was some kind of distant relative of the Chief—a second cousin twice removed by marriage on his wife’s side. It wasn’t a close connection—but it was close enough to keep Frux on my ship, no matter how much I hated the fucker.

“You’re right,” I said to Yorrin. “Frux will cause a stink. But I hate to let the boy go—he’s a fucking phenomenon. I’ll neverget a chance at a navvie that good again. I’m surprised the Imperium hasn’t snapped him up for one of their long-range Battle Cruisers already.”

“That’s what I’m saying—keep themboth,” my pilot said. “Let the men see for themselves how good he is. That way, when this mission is over, you can keep the boy and give the smelly one the heave-ho.”

I nodded at Yorrin’s wisdom. I knew he had nothing to lose or to gain in this situation, since he refused to take any pay for his work, wanting only to spread the good news of his deity to the universe. And he had always given me sound advice.

“All right,” I said. “There are two bunks in the navigator’s quarters anyway—they can bunk together.”

Yorrin frowned.

“Is that wise, Captain? The Galafruxian is bound to be resentful that you’re hiring another navvie along with him. Won’t he retaliate against the boy?”

“Nah.” I shook my head. “Galafruxians might be smelly bastards, but they’re also avowed pacifists. He won’t do anything to the boy. Well, except for stink him out.” I shook my head. Ireallyhad to be sure that the big bastard took a shower.

“As you say, Captain. Your word is law. I pray that Amok will bless your decision.” Yorrin bobbed his furry head and withdrew, leaving me to plot exactly how I was going to get both of my navvie candidates to agree to come on the Triplex mission…

8

JESSINA

Iwaited nervously, wondering what Turk’s decision would be. Part of me wanted to reveal my true identity and beg him for help…but another, larger part knew that would be the height of foolishness. He didn’t know he was my Fated mate so he wouldn’t go against a Clan Chief—aka my father—to keep me from getting married, especially when the Binding Contract had already been signed. I was on my own here, with nothing to recommend me but my skill at navigation.

From across the bridge, the slimy Galafruxian was glaring at me. He wasn’t making any secret about the fact that he hated me now—his purple eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets with the emotion.

I tried to keep myself busy and ignore him and his evil glaring. I was clearly the better navigator—if he couldn’t handle that fact, it was just too bad for him. But what was taking Turk so long? How could he have any doubts about who he should give the job to?

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