Free STAR HOUNDS -- OMNIBUS by David Bischoff, Saul Garnell Page A

Worlds, and for a long time went on boom-and-bust cycles of wealth. Occasional deep gambling debts forced him into a life of periodic crime, which he hated because of his overwhelming cowardice. He soon became persona non grata on many worlds.
    However, just last year, he had met a remarkable fellow in a particularly seedy dive on Marshton IV.
    “I was down on my funds, but statistically I was hot and the stuff was pouring into me as the dice rolled on the spinning cards. Shaksa we were playing, and one of the heavy losers was a military-looking guy who drank like he had an empty leg.
    “After the game he asked me to buy him a drink.’Jitt’ he says, ‘how’d you like to make some real money and get the opportunity to enjoy it without Authority breathing down your backside?’
    “He explained he was a captain of the most wonderful starship in the universe. ‘Now, mind you, we do need funds, so occasionally we knock off the odd Federation vessel, or hire our services to the wealthy. Nothing too dangerous, and I distinguish something in you that could make it even less dangerous.’
    “Well, he couldn’t have come at a better time. I had almost nowhere to go. I was even a criminal on Changeit. So I agreed.
    “Of course, Northern was lying through his teeth about what the
Starbow
truly does …. But if you stick around for any length of time, I suppose you’ll discover that fact readily enough.”
    Laura supposed she would have to stick around for a time; she didn’t want to try to escape, because the
Starbow
was her hope for getting to Shortchild quickly.
    Laura attempted to probe for more information, but at that point Dansen Jitt was interrupted and notified that the captain was ready for an audience with the captive, and would he and the robot guards kindly lead her to the galley, where a modest dinner was under way?
    This suited Laura very well, for not only did she wish to bargain with the captain of this weird boat; she was also quite hungry.

Chapter Nine

    T he galley proved more of a stateroom. Laura had been on a great many starships in her four years alternating between Intelligence and blip-ship testing, but she had never seen anything like this on any of them. She had seen rooms like this in some of the old movies that Cal had dredged up from the substorage basements. What age did those films depict? Oh yes, “Victorian” it was called.
    “Greetings, Laura Shemzak,” said Captain Tars Northern from behind a large cut-glass goblet of red wine. “Please have a seat. Soup will be served quite soon.”
    The chamber was lined with dark wood paneling. A chandelier, curlings of steel to which glass and light clung like Boxinian fire bees, hung over a long walnut table. Dansen Jitt guided Laura to a high-backed wooden chair opposite the captain and the other two diners, Dr. Mish and a man Laura did not recognize.
    After seating her, Jitt signaled the robots to remain, but sat beside Laura, which signaled to her his trust. The gesture was not lost on Captain Northern. He smiled broadly. “Mr. Cromwell,” he ordered a robot servant, “would you pour our guest some wine?”
    To one side of the captain sat the ever vigilant Dr. Mish, gripping his sensor board, still wearing a lab smock. To the other sat a dark, intense young man who was looking at Laura as though he possessed X-ray vision. Laura allowed the wine to be poured, but did not touch it.
    Dansen Jitt held a finger in the air as though remembering something. “The young lady and I had a very splendid conversation, and I can vouch for her intelligence and apparent sincerity.”
    “May I introduce my first mate, Mr. Arkm Thur,” the captain said, after acknowledging Dansen Jitt’s testimonial with a nod. Despite the presence of wine, he seemed entirely sober; he seemed much more solemn, now, his aspect bereft of its previous animated humor. But his tone remained slightly droll.
    Laura, impatient even with this brief ceremony, decided to take a