Free Shadow Space Chronicles 1: The Fallen Race by Kal Spriggs Page B

number of identical drive systems, which we'll install for you."
    "What if we don't want them installed?" Alec asked.  The expression on his face suggested that the drives would be sold... and the money would go towards himself, rather than any refugees that he managed.
    Lucius grimaced, "If you want to sell the drive rather than install it, that's up to you.  The installation is a one time deal, though."
    The big man who'd interrupted snorted, "His ship's in such bad shape at this point it won't hold air, much less lift off the ground."
    The old man looked around at the others, "As long as we can get some kind of assurances as to the validity of the agreement, then I will go along with this."  He smiled nervously, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll speak with my engineer to make preparations."
    Lucius watched Alec step out with narrow eyes.  A man who'd sold out his own people would have no hesitation about selling out someone else.  He made a mental note to have someone keep an eye on him.
    "I'm certain each of you will have to speak with your crews and your passengers about this decision.  It will be at least two months before I'll be able to make good on the offer," Lucius said.  "As a proof of my intentions, you may select two of your number to monitor our construction.  Additionally, we'll probably be hiring, and paying cash, for anyone willing to work hard and help to get our current construction completed.”
    The group still looked distrustful, if not as hostile as before.
    Lucius nodded at them, "Contact me with your decisions by tomorrow morning."
    On his way out, he noticed the decay of the ship even more.  The tired, miserable faces that peered at him from the corridor seemed even more downcast and afraid.
    "Hey!"
    Lucius turned.  The big man and Nyguyen both approached wearily, their eyes on the pair of Marines flanking Lucius.  "Yes?
    "I was wondering," the big man said.  "Those enlistment advertisements you've been running, are they open to us too?"
    "What?" Lucius asked.
    "What my friend Aaron Dallas means," Nyguyen offered, "is that the Faraday Defense Force doesn't allow non-citizens to join their ranks... not even to enlist."
    "Bastards don't even let us own weapons," Dallas said.  "That was one of the terms for our entry.  They also disarmed any defense systems aboard ship."
    Lucius shook his head, "That's ridiculous."  Even after the Imperial Security Act, Nova Romans retained the right to bear personal weapons.  To disarm whatever pitiful weapons a freighter might carry was not just ridiculus, it was insulting.
    “The recruitment is open to all who apply.  I'll take anyone willing to serve, you can tell your people that.”  Lucius shook his head, “And I'll treat every recruit the same.  They'll receive the same pay, same food, and same quarters as any other recruit.”
    ***
     
    September 27, 2406
    Faraday System
    Unclaimed Space
     
    “ So, Matthew, what's the news?” Lucius asked.  After almost a month of work, and what had looked like tens of thousands of man-hours of labor, his business partner looked exhausted. Lucius had been more deeply involved in the training of the new recruits than he had expected.  Fortunately, Major Proscia's Marines and a select group of ship's crew had served admirably in the basic training.
    Where Lucius had worked hardest was with his remaining officers in the selection of recruits for officer training.  They'd studied the recruits and looked for that spark of initiative and the ability to think outside the box. They didn't have time to put them through months or years of additional training, they needed the best and most capable to fill the roles right away.  Those recruits received additional training, and Lucius had been personally involved in many of the classes and exercises.
    His experience at the Nova Roma Military Academy had proven an excellent resource to draw on.  Lucius had discovered that some part of him actually liked teaching,