Free A Matter of Honor (Privateer Tales Book 9) by Jamie McFarlane

dismissal
    "We don't mind working for it." Nick swiped an agreement from his HUD and tossed it at Anino.
    Anino swished his hand across a virtual signature block and flicked it back.
    "If you're all done hugging it out. I need to hear LeGrande's voice before I'm on board," Tabby said.
    "Ever the skeptic, Masters. At least that's something I can understand," Anino said.
    He dropped the crystal he'd been holding into a receiver on one of his many, cluttered work surfaces.
    Hail Cape of Good Hope .
    After a few minutes a woman's voice replied. "Anino, is that you?"
    It was the voice that haunted my nightmares.
    "It is, Katherine. I think I've found our crew," he said, his voice softer than it had been.
    "You shouldn't take this risk, Phillippe. You'll be starting a war you can't hope to win," she said.
    "Wouldn't be the first time. What's your sit-rep?"
    "It's pretty dire. Our O2 scrubbers are fouled and operating at forty percent. We've had to start burning the O2 crystals. We still have food and the water reclaimers are still operational."
    "How much time, Katherine?" Anino asked.
    "Two weeks, comfortably. After that, we'll start making tougher decisions," she said.
    "Captain LeGrande, Liam Hoffen here," I said.
    "Captain Hoffen. Good to hear your voice. You shouldn't let Phillippe drag you into this," she said.
    "Try to stop us," I said.
    "Katherine, just hold on. Help's on the way," Anino said.
    "Roger that, Phillippe, LeGrande out," she said and cut the comm.
    "That do it for you, Masters?" Anino asked, looking at Tabby.
    She brushed a tear from her eye, tried to look casual, and failed miserably. When she didn't answer I stepped in.
    "What aren't you telling us?" I asked. "Something doesn't smell right."
    "Belirand will do just about anything to keep secret the fact that they can jump relatively inexpensively to just about any location within a hundred million light years," he said.
    "That's crazy. Why would they need to keep that secret?" I asked.
    "I can't tell you, because once I do, there'll be a price on your head," he said. "You need to understand, if you join me to go after LeGrande and crew, your lives will be changed forever."
    "That sounds a little grandiose," Ada said.
    "But it's not. You should know that if you accept this mission, the life you've known so far will change. Belirand is a powerful enemy," he said.
    "And LeGrande and forty-four of her crew's lives hang in the balance… so no pressure?" I said.
    "Life isn't fair, Hoffen. Bad people have power because no one stands up to them," he replied. "I'm asking you to sacrifice for forty-five people you've never met."
    "My crew needs time to talk in private," I said.
    "I haven't even made you an offer… and we'll need Hotspur ," he said.
    I nodded and looked around the room. "If we do this, it won't be for money."
    "Don't be stupid. Name your price, I'm loaded."
    "Two thousand credits a day per person, replacement insurance on Hotspur , twenty-thousand a week for the ship, and consumables," Nick said. "If we accept, there'll be organizational requirements as well."
    "Done," Anino said. "I'll give you time to talk it over, but Jonathan is going to have a heart attack if I don't get that katana back from Bertrand."
    "The sword?" Marny asked.
    "Yup. It's a priceless Japanese relic and you took it for a swim in salt water," he said.
    "Oh crap. My bad," she said, pulling the narrow bladed sword from where she'd slung it over her back.
    "Not at all. You needed a weapon and your instinct caused you to grab perhaps the finest weapon ever crafted by humans." He accepted the sword with an odd little bow. "We're so impressed with our technology that we ignore the craftsmanship and skill of those who came before us.
    Anino continued. "As for a place to talk, use my meditation garden over there." He pointed to a small seating group against the armored glass.
    "Great. Thanks." I grabbed Tabby's hand, leading her to an overstuffed chair looking out at the sea bed. In the