Free Black Dawn by Morgan Brautigan

equipment. Their only objective was
to secure the commander and command station to keep anyone from
firing on them as they left.
Its thoughts were interrupted by a steady stream of swearing in
Randy Sweggert’s voice. Coy stopped firing and looked over at him.
It closed its eyes briefly in relief. “Welcome back, Mr. Sweggert. Can
you travel?”
“Yeah. Just knocked the breath...” More swearing as he tried
to straighten up.
“Damn fine armor, Captain,” Pierce checked the readings on
Randy’s medical telemetry. “Just gave him something to complain
about.”
“We’re clear!” Schiff reported in.
“Alright!” Coy broadcasted to them all. “Everybody out!”
The three teams each made their way back to where the Blackbird was docked, encountering some half-hearted opposition now and
again. Upon the loss of their commander and further orders, the terrorists seemed to care little about anything but personal survival.
By the time Coy reached the bay, Butler already had the released hostages on board. Lamont stood at the end of the tube and hurried its troops through. Upon a last hasty look around, Lamont spotted
a lone terrorist standing in the shadows. They stood, weapons raised,
staring at each other for a long moment.
“Who are you?” the man asked, desperately. “This was supposed to be so easy... No one around...”
Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Coy suddenly felt
weary. “I’m Captain Coy Lamont. Commander of the BlackFleet,” it
answered literally. While they continued staring at their mutually
deadly weapons, Coy quietly pulled out a small ornate stunner with
its other hand and fired. Once on board, it called to Pedula up in the
little ship’s command center. “All in. Go.”
“Aye, aye, Skipper. We’re gone.”
* * * * *
    Lamont stood in the small medical chamber of the Blackbird next to the anxious Tenetian ruler. They both watched Byars and Terrell work on the former hostages. Most sat in a daze, slowly awakening to the fact that they were indeed safe.
    At last Ceal joined them. “The stasis prep was textbook . The
other patient is stable and able to be transferred safely to a medical facility.”
    King Frederic took her hands gratefully. “Thank you, Doctor.”
She smiled a little nervously. “I’m a med tech, sir. And
you’re welcome.” She pulled her hand free carefully and returned to
the refuge of her duties.
    “Thank you, too, Captain,” he said turning to Lamont. “I cannot possibly thank you enough. Whatever price my government
agreed to pay, they got their money’s worth.”
    “Actually, Sire, we never made an agreement with your government. We thought our element of surprise would be compromised
had we taken the time for negotiations.”
    “Is that so,” the man said in amazement. “Then you did all of
this as a personal favor?”
Certainty clicked into Coy’s brain. Sometimes, the universe
worked, it mused inwardly. “Yes, Sire,” it said without missing a beat.
“And that’s all I ask in return.”
“A favor? What is it you want? My word, you’ll have it.”
Coy smiled. “That’s good to know.”
“And what is this favor you need?”
“Oh, not now. Sometime. Someday, I’ll need something.”
“And I’ll owe it to you?”
In answer, Coy looked around the room at the safe and recovering people. The monarch followed the mercenary’s gaze.
“Yes, you’re right.” He motioned to one of his aides, who
promptly came to them. “Witness this.” He pulled a round disk on a
clasp from his cloak and handed it to Coy. “The commander of the
BlackFleet Mercenaries, bearing this brooch is entitled to whatever
favor they ask of the Royal House of Tenetia.” He looked Coy in the
eye. “Will that do?’
Lamont gave a small bow. “Thank you, Sire. I shall leave you
now to rest. We’ll let you know when we are in range of your vessel.”
Another small bow and Lamont left the chamber.
    Sometime later, the Blackbird mated in space with the incoming