Free Halcyon Nights (Star Sojourner Book 2) by Jean Kilczer Page A

Rammis?”
    “I need to keep some cards face down, to cover my… “I glanced at Lisa. “My derriere.”
    He set his glass softly on the table and stabbed an oyster ball with his knife. “The fate of your derriere is in the hands of my employers.”
    “Then I'll deal with your employers. Maybe they have the foresight to see an incredible opportunity when it's presented to them on a silver platter.” I lifted the coffee cup for a sip, realized my hand was shaking, and set the cup back down. “Then again, maybe you like this scow so much that you prefer to spend your life,” I flicked a look at the painting of the old woman, “alone with your scurvy crew and your 'bots. That's your call.”
    Bjorn played with the stiff edge of his napkin. “Unlike you, Mister Rammis, I adhere to a policy of strict and complete loyalty to the organization that pays my salary.” He tapped his mouth with the napkin. “After the ship's scheduled deliveries and pickups, we will return to Earth and to my employers.” He brushed imaginary crumbs from around his setting and flicked them onto his empty plate. “Breakfast is over, Mister Rammis. It is time for your nap.” He folded his napkin, then his hands.
    I jumped up.
    “Daddy?”
    “Stay close to me, Lisa. Whatever happens. Just stay close!”
    “You and your spawn,” Bjorn said, “will awaken when we enter Earth orbit and the Rocky Flats spaceport.” He wiped his hands. “You should have eaten breakfast. It will be a month before lunch.” “Can we go now?” Lisa tried to open the door. “It's locked, Daddy!”
    I started for Bjorn. I'd hold the croteass as a hostage. It was a desperate move, but all I had.
    Bjorn grabbed his systems remote, pointed it at the door and clicked it before I could reach him. The door swung wide and I saw exactly what I hoped I wouldn't see. Two crew members and a 'bot behind them. One guy was red-haired, with a hatchet jaw he jutted out to look tough. The other, a bulky black tag, stood, legs apart, and stared at me.
    Dammit! Stop them,
I sent to the alien tag. “Come here, Lisa!” I backed toward Bjorn as they entered. “Come here!”
    You ask that I destroy these Terrans?
the alien sent.
Have you considered who will fly the ship?
    “Run, Daddy!” Lisa tried to squeeze past the trio's legs at the door but the black tag picked her up, and got kicked in the knee for his trouble. She screamed and beat at his chest with small fists. He just held her lightly, though. “Master Bjorn?”
    “Don't hurt her!” I yelled.
    “Oh, just hold the little beast for now, Leo,” Bjorn told him.
    The 'bot tried to push past the red-haired tag and roll into the room. “Get out of my way,” the man ordered and kicked him in a joint strut. “metal-brain!”
    The 'bot rolled into a wall. “Desist and cease, crewman Sharkie,” he squeaked. “You will loosen my struts!”
    “I'm curious,” Master Bjorn said to me, still sitting. “Just what sort of a deal do you intend to make now?”
    I grabbed an edge of the linen tablecloth. “Tell him to let her go or I'll clear the table!”
    “Get him!” Bjorn cried and clutched the tablecloth. His eyes bugged as I yanked.
    Crystal crashed. Liquid sloshed out of the rolling Lafroygue bottle as it bounced to the carpet, and left a ruby trail.
    Sharkie approached me carefully, arms spread, and blocked my path to Lisa.
    I went around the table, grabbed Bjorn, pulled him to his feet and caught him in a neck lock that bent his back and forced him to stare at the ceiling. “You hurt my daughter,” I told Leo, “and I'll snap his neck like a chicken's!”
    Bjorn's blue eyes went paler with a sheen of tears, like water under ice. Terror surfaced as I hauled him to his clock and lifted him till only his toes scraped the carpet. “Tell him to let her go or I'll put your fucking head through the clock.”
    “Get him!” Bjorn croaked. His hands scratched at my neck.
    Sharkie came around the table. I threw Bjorn