Free NASTRAGULL: Pirates by Erik Martin Willén Page B

him with gray matter and gore. The rest of him slid quietly to the deck. The female pirate stared, aghast, at what was left of her companion. Her entire front was covered with brains and blood. She looked towards Zuzack, who was holstering one of his blasters, angrily mumbling something about laundry.
    Zuzack said loudly, "Well, that means more spoils for me...the rest of you...us...whatever." The only response was nervous laughter from a few of the older and more experienced crew. Zuzack grinned widely, revealing his fangs, and shouted, "My fellow brothers and sisters! We have had a long and successful campaign in this sector, but now it's time to divide the spoils, head for a neutral trade station, and sell it!"
    The crew let out a roar of happiness and anticipation, and again Zuzack gestured towards the onlookers, demanding silence. He went on, "The spoils will be divided according to my... our tradition, and the rules you all agreed to when you joined up. Now! Since there were a few mishaps with the first catch, and Myra's crew blew up the spoils before we could get to them..."
    Myra interrupted Zuzack, and her tone was anything but polite. "Hold on, now, it wasn't our fault that some idiot targeted the fuel tanks. Besides, you know very well that shot was fired from the Bitch while I and my lassies were floating through space."
    There was an uncomfortable silence in the hangar, and all the pirates looked first at Myra and then back at Zuzack, who looked like he was about to explode. He moved his hand toward the gun at his side, and Myra did the same. Everyone standing between them began to move away, leaving the two huge pirates staring at each other across a wide expanse of steel deck. Sweat pooled on Zuzack's brow and began to slide down his face in fat, greasy drops; if the lizard woman showed any signs of apprehension, none could read it. Finally Zuzack's murderous expression morphed into a false smile and then he said, "But Myra, my dear, if you would let me finish, you wouldn't have to interrupt me, now would you! " The last words were shouted, and in response all the women standing around Myra drew their weapons simultaneously and aimed them at Zuzack.
    Perhaps half of the pirates in the room didn't move a muscle; the rest drew their weapons and covered Myra and her girls. Zuzack looked the room over calmly; he hadn't yet touched his weapon. He was canny enough to realize that that would have been a death sentence; and though Myra's crew would also most assuredly die in any firefight, it was obvious that he had less support than he had expected. He swore a silent oath about what he would do to anyone who had not supported him in this.
    Zuzack's second, an old pirate named Grotech who affected a  white uniform dressed with medals and decorations from a lost time, touched his elbow and said in a low voice, "Relax, my liege." Raising his voice, he called out, "Stand down, people. You are all hardened cutthroats, and some of the best warriors in the universe. We cannot fight among ourselves. Let's not ruin everything we've worked for because an old bitch like Myra demonstrates lack of discipline. You, Myra! You and your crew have been assets to all of us, but if you don't respect the Captain, then you and your tramps will have to fight all of us."
    Zuzack made a gesture with his gun hand and added, "Everyone, just put away your weapons." The pirates exchanged glances; but it wasn't over, as the chill in the air attested. Zuzack looked to Grotech with deep appreciation and took a shaky breath, deciding to give the short speech instead of the longer one that he had rehearsed together with Grotech for several hours. "Let's divide the spoils!" he shouted. The hangar bay filled with a loud cheer as the crew responded with gusto.
    Representatives from the various pirate gangs and collectives hurried towards a rank of tables where Grotech and several officers had placed themselves. All of them carried clipboard comps, and