"What? It's a legal move, isn't it?"

"I can't believe you pulled it off. I thought I had a better block in place."

I left the two of them to the game. I checked the ship status on my way to my cabin. Everything was still green. The systems functioned normally. The engines were fine. I leaned on the pilot's chair, feeling at loose ends. A corner of a sheet of mem paper tucked under the cushion in Clark's chair caught my eye. I pulled it loose, unrolling the paper and pinching the bottom corner.

The lurid cover of a novel showed on the mem paper. The woman in the picture had most of her clothing falling off. The man behind her had chest muscles that would put any vid star to shame. He didn't seem shy about showing them off; his shirt rippled loosely around him.

I settled into my chair, my cabin forgotten, tucking my feet into the copilot's seat. I wondered why Clark would have such a book. I didn't wonder why he'd try to hide it. I'd be embarrassed to be caught reading such a trashy romance story. I squeezed the corner, turning to page one.

"Something wrong, Dace?" Jasyn called.

"The ship's fine," I answered. "I just found Clark's book, that's all." I couldn't resist sneaking a glance at the two of them.

Clark's face reddened, but he pretended it hadn't, concentrating on the game as if his life depended on it.

"Destiny's Secret, Clark?" I teased. "I didn't think you were the type."

Jasyn laughed.

"Don't read chapter four," Clark said. "Six points left, Jasyn."

"That was mean," Jasyn answered. "But it gives me both your scouts."

I tuned out their game, turning to chapter four of the book. It was very informative and left me blushing, although I couldn't figure out if what they did was anatomically impossible or not.

Clark pulled the mem sheet out of my hands.

"Hey, it was just getting interesting."

"I told you not to read it," Clark said, his face deep red.

"And you expected her not to?" Jasyn entered the cockpit behind Clark. She pulled the book out of his hand. "Romance and passion among the stars. I didn't think you were the type, Clark."

"Isn't there any privacy on this ship?"

"Not when you leave it in the cockpit," I answered. I pulled the sheet away from Jasyn. "Go play your game. I'll give it back when I finish reading it."

"Clark lost," Jasyn said.

"Then play another game." I slouched in the chair with the book.

"Beginner's luck," Clark said. "This time I won't play nice."

"Is that a challenge? You're on. Loser does dishes?" Jasyn followed him back to the galley table.

"I thought I was doing all the dishes this trip," Clark said.

"Since you're going to lose anyway, it won't change anything."

I tuned out their conversation and the clinking of pieces on the boards. Chapter four was the only interesting chapter in the book. I fell asleep somewhere in chapter eight, while the heroine was being rescued from brigands who threatened her virtue.

Chapter Seven.

Luke Verity arrived at the restaurant a fashionable forty minutes late. The planet Kimmel boasted some very glamorous night spots. This wasn't one of them. Luke could barely conceal his disdain for the dusty decor and bland food. He tried to be civil to his dining companion, but even that was difficult. The man dressed with no sense of style or fashion. He looked like an accountant. He smelled of sweat.

Ortel leaned forward. "I'm telling you, Hom Verity, this sector is ripe for the taking. You find a way to get the governor in your pocket and no one can stop you."

Luke pushed rubbery chicken across his plate with his fork.

"You hear what I'm saying? With one move you could own Cygnus Sector." Ortel wiped sweat from his forehead with his napkin.

"What of Targon and Gemini? They say Cygnus isn't worth the risk. The Patrol is too strong and the governments refuse to tolerate any hint of graft or corruption."

"They don't live here. They don't know the real story. I'm telling you, this could be your golden opportunity."

Luke patted his lip with his napkin. His blue hair caught the light as he leaned back and rested his arm across the back of the booth. His black silk shirt rippled. Elegant and poised, he raised one eyebrow in denial of Ortel's reasoning.

Ortel forked a bite into his mouth and chewed. Gravy dotted his lips.

"This trip was a waste of my time," Luke said.

Ortel swallowed. "Aren't you tired of running errands for the big boys? You're smart. You should be your own boss. Things are changing in Cygnus. Ripe for the picking."

"And what do you want in exchange for your help?"

"Not much. A hundred thousand should do." Ortel smiled, certain he held the upper hand.

"A hundred thousand? You haven't provided enough for me to cover the cost of this atrocious meal." Luke's fingers plucked a frayed spot. His other hand was out of sight, under the table. "Convince me not to kill you, Ortel. Give me something useful."

Ortel paused in the act of sawing off another chunk of meat. His face paled.

Luke smiled. "You're out of your league, Ortel. Don't try playing with the big boys unless you've got the balls for it."

"You kill me and you won't make it off Kimmel. I took precautions." Ortel grasped his knife like a weapon.

"You're threatening me with flatware?" Luke chuckled. "You have no idea what weapon I'm holding, do you?"

Ortel dropped his gaze to the table, as if he could see Luke's hidden hand.

Luke withdrew his hand from under the table. It was empty. He held both hands up, palm out, then resumed his previous position. "As I said, Ortel, you don't have the balls. Or the brains." He picked up his wine glass by the narrow stem and gestured towards the door. "My man, Lopei, will make certain you don't live through the night, if I decide you need to be killed. Now, have I utterly wasted my time and resources coming to meet you or do you have something worthwhile to tell me?"

"Miya," Ortel blurted.

Luke raised his eyebrow again.

"Arramiya Daviessbrowun. She's the daughter of the sector's richest businessman. You get her and he'll do whatever you want him to, including buying off the Patrol. He tells the governor what to do. And they listen." Ortel babbled nervously.

"Kidnapping?" Luke pursed his lips as he toyed with his glass. "Messy business. Why should I risk it?"

"I got it all figured." Ortel dug in his pocket, retrieving a much folded scrap of paper. "You buy a place on Burundia. Nobody bothers anybody there. I've got guys who'll snatch her for you. Take her to your place and demand a ransom from Daviessbrowun. Give him a choice between his daughter and his money. He'll do whatever you tell him to."

Luke took the scrap of paper from Ortel's shaking hands.

"It's foolproof, Hom Verity. You get Daviessbrowun in your pocket and Cygnus is all yours. No more working for someone else. You'll be as powerful as any of them."

Luke smoothed the paper, taking his time to press out the wrinkles with one finger.

"One woman, and it's all yours for the taking. I swear."

"And all it will cost me is a hundred thousand credits."

"Nothing compared to the millions you'll make." Ortel dared a smile.

"Do you have a picture of this woman?"

Ortel shook his head, his smile collapsing into a worried frown. "She's a recluse. Daviessbrowun keeps her locked up tighter than a virgin in a space port bar."

Luke gave an exasperated sigh as he slid to the edge of the seat. "Enjoy your date with Lopei, Ortel."

Ortel dared to grasp Luke's flowing sleeve.

Luke's face pinched with anger at his audacity.

"It's him, not her. Rumors are that she's a wild one, always trying to escape her leash. Daddy doesn't want her out in public. She'll embarrass him with another scandal."

Luke brushed Ortel's hand from his sleeve. "Bring me Arramiya Daviessbrowun and I'll consider your proposal. Until then, you're living on borrowed time, Ortel." He stalked from the restaurant.

Lopei met him outside, opening the door of his flitter and climbing in behind him. "How'd it go?" he asked once they were airborne.

"Never expect a decent meal at a place called The Greasy Chicken. I'm starved." Luke settled back in his seat. "Take me to the spaceport," he ordered the pilot.

"We're leaving him alive?" Lopei glanced at his boss.

"For now. His proposal was interesting, but it needs more research. Have you heard of Burundia?"

Lopei shook his head. "Why?"

"We're going to investigate some real estate investment opportunities. How much cash can we liquidate?"

"Plenty, if that shipment of Glitter makes it to Callisto. It may take a few weeks."

"Then I'll leave that in your capable hands, Lopei. See that I'm not disappointed."

"Of course."

"It's time to make some business acquaintances. Do I look like a rich playboy to you?"

Lopei studied Luke, looking for a hint of the right answer. Luke's bland smile gave nothing away. "Do you want to?"

Luke laughed and patted Lopei's cheek. "It's all part of the plan. Cygnus will be my playground very soon."

Chapter Eight.

The reentry alarm startled me awake. I scrambled under my pillow and came up with my blaster before I was completely awake. I'd been dreaming again, this one involved Tayvis. I put my gun back and promised myself that I would go the Patrol base on Shamustel, if they had one, and find a way to send him a message.

Clark was in his seat, pushing buttons. He looked as awake as ever.

"Don't you ever sleep?" I ran a hand through the mess of hair on my head.

"It's sticking straight up now."

"I like it that way," I said.

Jasyn joined us, in her bright purple pajamas and bare feet. She didn't say anything, but slid into her chair with a yawn.

The ship hiccuped on reentry to normal space. I frowned and checked a few dials.

"Something wrong?" Jasyn asked, through another yawn.

Nothing showed up on the indicators. "Probably just a bubble, but I'll check it when we land."

We got a course in to the planet. Shamustel was a busy port. We were shuttled in behind a wallowing freighter and two luxury yachts. A Patrol cruiser slid past us, circling the planet. The landing went smoothly enough. We got a berth on the very far side, miles from the main gates and port offices.

I opened the hatch and stood breathing in the smell of the planet. It was night, very late night. The city beyond the field was mostly dark. Only the bars and businesses next to the port were still open. The air was cool, almost chilly, and smelled of oil and burnt plascrete.

"Who gets what?" Jasyn asked, standing behind me and shivering in her pajamas.

"I get port authority, unless you want it this time," I said.

"I'll do it," she answered. "You find us something that we can make money hauling."

"I'll go with you," Clark offered, looking at me.