Free Mercenaries 1 Private Skirmish by Anne Kane

Chapter One
     
    Dee glared at the guard as he nudged her back into place with the barrel of his plasma rifle. One lousy moment of inattention and here she was, waiting her turn on the auction block.
    “Sold!” The auctioneer’s voice rang loud as his gavel hit the podium and the dusky beauty from Uranus Prime was led to the holding cells on the far side of the room, a sultry smile curving her full lips.
    “You’re up, blondie. Smile pretty and you might fetch a decent owner.” The young wrangler smirked as he grabbed the lead attached to the heavy collar around her neck. Dee followed quietly as he led her to the auction block, not because she wanted to be sold off like an animal but because she knew this wasn’t the time to make a run for her freedom.
    She glanced around. Too many guards. Too much security. The holding area was crawling with people of every description and not one would lift a hand to help her. She had been looking for her sister in one of the outer provinces when they arrested her. The penalty for leaving her home province without permission was indentured service for the remainder of her natural life.
    When the Military Alliance ousted the democratic government of Earth, things had changed drastically for the inhabitants. The new rulers had lots of rules and little tolerance for those who didn’t follow them. They found a creative way to get rid of citizens who didn’t obey their every whim, without having to pay for expensive prisons. Sell them, and pocket the profit. Military efficiency at its finest.
    Dee had every intention of escaping, but now was not the time. Maybe the wrangler had a point. A lax owner would make her eventual escape so much easier. If she played her cards right, she could be on her way by nightfall. She mustered up her sexiest smile and looked out over the room full of prospective buyers.
    “What am I bid for this healthy young specimen?” The auctioneer beamed at her like a fond uncle. “Strayed into the wrong province and arrested without any damage to the merchandise. Turn around, sweetie, and let the crowd see what they’re bidding on.”
    Dee gritted her teeth, keeping her eyes downcast to hide her initial reaction. Merchandise, indeed! She turned in a slow circle, ignoring the catcalls of a rowdy bunch of miners in the front row. They were just here for the show, they wouldn’t have the credits to actually bid.
    “Let’s start at one thousand.” The auctioneer launched into his well-practiced spiel, and Dee watched as the bidding became a contest between a jovial fellow with two dark beauties sitting quietly at his feet, and a rather nasty-looking man who smacked a riding crop against his boots every time someone bid against him. Lordy, if he won she’d have to make a break for it before he carted her off to whatever rock he’d crawled out from under.
    “Come on, people. Look at her. New to the block. I’d bet my finest leather duster that she’s never been used by more than one male at a time. Just think what fun you could have training her to your own tastes. Do I hear six thousand?”
    “Six thousand, five hundred.” The Nasty Guy’s smile was as cold as an arctic outflow.
    The Jovial Fellow hesitated a moment, and Dee’s heart sank. She eyed up the exits, wondering which one was the quickest route to outside and freedom. There was no way she was going to let Nasty Guy take her anywhere.
    “Ten thousand.”
    Dee’s head jerked up at the sound of that familiar voice, her heart rate soaring. Kaeden! Where was he? And what the hell was he doing at a slave auction? He hated the government-run auctions with a passion that bordered on obsession. The only time he’d ever attended one was to start a riot and watch the slaves bolt for freedom.
    Nasty Guy stood, his crop whistling through the air in agitation, and for a moment Dee thought he was going to bid higher. Her breath caught in her throat. He glared at the back of the room before spinning on his