Page 10 of Pirate By Parrot

Fascinating. Well, we are busy working on some renovations on one of my system worlds. She is safe where she is. That creature of hers is amusing as well.

You did it on purpose?

She is worth far more than those two idiots could offer her. She has to simply wait until we have time to introduce her to her new worlds.

Stellar avatars are a pain in the ass.

The voice chuckled.We see so much, and our avatars are both dense and radioactive.

We’ll, dense fits the bill. How long are you going to leave her there?

A few months or years.

Fuck you, you pasty bitch. I am going to come get her now.

You do, and the station will destroy you.

It will destroy my vessel; I will be fine.Imbolt was irritated.You will not be fine when I catch up with you if you don’t agree to at least make contact with her.

I am making her a lovely home to live in and relax in.

This is a woman of action, a woman who depends on others for equilibrium. She is not the placid type.

Ah, I had not counted on that. Others in this project are placid.

No, they aren’t. They have guardian-level strength, others have open minds, another has skin of flame, and another has death as a companion. They are not placid.

My host is intrigued. We will make our way there within thirty days. Acceptable?

Acceptable, but we are watching.

Understood. If she is to be a companion, I will have to make alternate arrangements and get him to control his burn.

That would be appreciated. We are watching the time. We are expecting progress.

Yes, Zanican, I understand.

The connection thinned to a micro connection, and Imbolt-Zanican conferred with each other on the likelihood of Vendor actually going to the station in the next month. Fortunately, from her file, Mel could entertain herself.

* * * *

MEL RACED DOWN THEcourt and jumped as she launched the ball into the hoop Ves had set up for her. Marko struck the ball and knocked it away from the hoop, and Mel landed in a crouch. “Damn it, Marko, you are ruining my groove.”

“Loser. Try again, dumbass.”

Mel huffed, sprinted back to the other side of the court, and then began dribbling and running back down the court. Jumping into the air, she swatted Marko away and got the ball into the hoop.

“Bitch. Smack yourself!”

Mel laughed. “Hah. That’s two-two. I am catching up.”

The proximity alarm sounded, and she sighed. “I am going to beat you, bird. Don’t think this is over.”

She lifted her head. “Ves, what’s going on?”

“There is a raider vessel, and it is drifting close to me. I am about to destroy it.” There was a pause. “There is a life sign.”

“Vertical or horizontal?”

---