Page 65 of Star Prince

Tee stared at her boots. He had no doubt hermind was full of images of Klark in various forms of misery.

“Your crewmen were the aggressors, sir,” the officer explained. “But, as I said, all charges will be dropped with your generous contribution to the local economy.”

Meaning a sizable bribe.Furious, Ian handed over the credits necessary to secure the crew’s release. Then he smiled tightly. “Now may I escort my crew from your facility?”

“I can arrange an appearance before the magistrate tomorrow,” the police officer said, studying her viewscreen.

Tee blurted out, “Tomorrow?”

Ian flattened his hands on the desk and leaned toward the woman. “I thought the fine—”

“The contribution,” the officer corrected, rubbing her nose.

“Yes, the contribution,” Ian said with deadly calm. “It cleared their records of any charges. Or am I mistaken?”

“No, sir. That’s correct. After the appearance they’ll be released.”

“Tomorrow.”

“Yes. Tomorrow.”

He pushed away from the desk. He didn’t have until tomorrow. If the tapes got into the U.N.’s hands before he got there, Klark would succeed. Not for the first time, he almost told the officer who he was. He would follow up with a few hints that thingswould go badly for her if she and her comrades didn’t release his crew. But if he hoped to be the mediator for this region contemplating sovereignty, he couldn’t afford word getting out that the galactic crown prince simply threatened local trade police who didn’t do his bidding. No, he had to play by the rules, now more than ever, or he risked being thrown out of the game.

He conceded defeat with a charming smile. In response, the officer simply rubbed her skin jewelry faster.

“Let’s go,” he said to Tee.

Invisible barriers blocked the entrances to the cells. Muffin and Quin were in one, and Gredda in another. Ian stood with Tee in the area between.

“Greetings, Captain.” Muffin rolled up his sleeves, revealing massive forearms. Though the air was cool, his skin gleamed. But his sheepish grin shattered the image of a merciless warrior. “We got in a bit of trouble.”

“They tell me you were the aggressors.” Ian’s voice held a certain approval, despite their now compromised position.

“I might have been a little rough with him,” the big man admitted readily, “but he deserves much more.”

“Aggressors, bah.” Quin’s face contorted in the grumpy scowl he had once reserved only for Tee. “Pretty boy got off lucky. Just a bruised chin and a good scare.”

“I wish they would have let me finish with him,” Gredda complained. “He wouldn’t have been so pretty…in the end.”

“All right, listen up,” Ian snarled. “The good news is that the charges will be dropped. I made a generous contribution to the local economy.”

Tee snorted. “A sizable bribe, he means.”

“What’s the bad news?” Muffin asked warily.

“They won’t release you until you appear before the magistrate tomorrow morning. I guess we’ll leave after that.”

“No, Captain.” Muffin stood so close to the invisible barrier that the air rippled like a layer of phosphorescent film. “Don’t wait. Take Tee and go. The ship’s mostly repaired. Randall’s on his way home, and you have to go after him.”

“I understand that. But it doesn’t mean I’ll desert my crew.”

“With all due respect, sir, Gredda, Quin, and I have more time in space than you’ve been alive,” Muffin said. “We’ll be fine.”

“Listen to him, Ian,” Tee urged. “Push is on theSun Devil.He’ll stay here when we leave. He’ll take care of the crew.”

“He’d have to secure lodging,” Ian said thoughtfully.

“You bet, Captain,” Quin piped in. “For as many days as we need before we get transportation off-planet.”

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