Page 67 of Sol Survivor

“Where’s Tiny?”Vic stilled, dreading the answer.

“She’ll be dealt with soon enough.”

Vic nodded at Nenn, her instruction clear.“If you want me, Leah, come and get me, but then again, you never had the balls.Unable to face your weakness, you cut my tether, didn’t you?”

“No, that was Dieter’s idea.I wanted to shoot you while you slept.”

“Ah, yes, the coward’s way.”Vic forced a chuckle.“Well, I’ll wait for you down here, shall I?”

“I’m on my way, bitch.”

Good.In the meantime, Vic had other tasks to focus on.“Computer, end patch.Caah, can you deactivate the engines?I don’t want anyone hitting a self-destruct button.Let’s break that connection.We might need the engines later, so don’t do anything irreversible.”She faced the prisoners.“Listen, you know how to fight.Take this ship, help us destroy this facility, and walk away from a life of servitude to Carne.Whatever you salvage from the facility is yours to start anew.”

The crowd rumbled approvals, some applauding.Bright smiles glowed from the shadows.

“Might even stay and make it our home if it's defensible,” someone called out.

Done.They had an army if needed.“Computer, the prisoners are hereby employed on theMula Pesadaas maintenance crew.Grant them full access to all areas on this ship.”

“Granted, Captain Vic.”

One by one, the prisoners crept from the room, only for their many footsteps to thunder across the grated floor.

“Computer, is Nikko still in the mess?”Vic wondered if Leah had informed her lover theMula Pesadahad visitors?With the way the woman had spoken, Vic would hazard a no.

“Yes.”

She nodded.“Lock him down.Where’s Dieter, Cap…Themba, Trent, and Grunt?”

“In their quarters.”

The captain’s location was no surprise.“Lock them down too, and replay archival footage of the prisoners to Grunt.I doubt the kid knew.”

“Lockdown initiated.”

Vic grinned at Drafe.“Now we wait.”

He frowned.“For the female who wishes you harm?”Tugging Vic into his arms, he pressed his lips to her temple.“Do not injure yourself.”

She snorted.“We are unmatched.I have her at a disadvantage.”

He leaned back to smile.“I know.”

Naivete rested on Vic’s shoulders.She should have known Leah and Nikko wouldn’t easily forgive.Carne combatants were vindictive.She had foolishly hoped the rest of the human race wasn’t.“Besides, this will be quick and unsatisfying.”

Caah intruded with a bounce to his steps.“Done.Antiquated machinery at its finest.Might upgrade her if there is time.”

“Why?”Drafe released her to holster his blaster.

Caah shrugged.“For the challenge of it.”

Slow, steady steps announced Leah’s arrival.Vic nodded at Drafe and Caah to step back.They faded into the shadows, no doubt an easy thing to do when their skin was the color of darkness.She took center stage in the pool of light, unafraid to show herself.Though not a fool, she kept her blaster drawn.

But the silly woman was taking forever to peek inside the cell.

“Leah, do hurry up,” Vic snapped.

The woman huffed and stepped through the doorway, her blaster in hand.

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