Free A Pirate's Tale: The Only Solution Is Retribution by Saxon Andrew Page B

I’ve managed to stay alive because of it and I want you to know I truly appreciate it.  Please lean down for a moment.”  The Insectoid leaned down expecting Ana to whisper something but she went up on her toes and kissed it on the side of its triangular shaped head.  “Thank you!”
    The Insectoid stared at her for a long moment and then turned to Leo, “You’re right, her heart is purer.”  It turned back to Ana, “You are welcome.  I see that Leonidas has chosen well on who to use it on.”
    “Are you going to stay?” Leo quickly asked.
    The Insectoid looked at Leo and then back at Ana before answering, “Yes, I think I will for a while longer.  At least for the time being.”
    Leo smiled and waved him over to the table.  Ana smiled as well and followed Leo back to her chair as the Insectoid stood behind Leo looking around the table where the former mercenaries sat in silence staring at him.  “Everyone, this is Gem.  He’s been a close friend and has helped me more than I can say in developing my survival skills.  He’s here to listen to what’s going on just like all of you and I’m hoping he will join us.  You can introduce yourselves to him once you hear what I’m planning but we need to get down to business now.”
    The Insectoid looked at the gathering and said in a calm voice with perfect Cartian dialect, “I apologize if my appearance causes any of you distress.  I understand that initially my appearance can cause some to feel ill but, after some time has passed, you will become accustomed to how I appear.”
    Barney smiled as he said, “I’ve seen much worse.  I think all of us are glad you’re here with us.  We’ve heard many things about your species and I can honestly say that I’m hoping to find out if they’re true.”
    “Thank you.” The Insectoid looked around and said to Leo in a soft, clearly modulated voice, “Do you wish to keep this conversation private?”
    Leo said without turning around, “I do.”  Suddenly, the entire group was surrounded by a light blue colored privacy field.  Leo smiled and said, “I know all of you are wondering why I brought this woman with me.  The name you will use to address her will be Victoria or My Lady, which is not her real name, but it makes it easier for you to not inadvertently say her name.”  Leo looked at Ana, “Alright, tell them what you want.”
    Ana’s eyes went wide, “I thought you were going to do that?”
    “You’re the one paying them.  You asked to be here so it should be you who tells them what’s going on.  Tell them everything; they deserve to know what they’re getting into.”
    Every eye around the table, including Gem’s eyes turned to her.  She looked around the table and sighed heavily as she began speaking, “About a month ago I was traveling on a Starliner for Kellinger.  We were boarded by pirates led by John Blakely and he killed two members of the group I was traveling with…”
    Leo sat back and listened to Ana retell everything that had happened down to the smallest detail except for the name of her family.  He was genuinely surprised she remembered all of it.  She even remembered the trigger ring on the man’s hand in the black vehicle.  He watched the former warriors gathered around the table and saw she had their total attention.  He could even tell that Gem was also totally focused on what she was saying.  He saw most of the warriors looked directly at him when Ana mentioned that he was going after Blakely for killing his brother.  That information will have to be handled after Ana finished.  He turned and listened with the others.
    “…so when Leo said he was going to pick up a crew, I asked if he might help me find a crew to fly my ship as well.  That pretty much brings you up to date.  I’m here with him to hire a crew to fly my ship.”
    Jack looked at Leo, “Tell me about this brother.  I never knew you had a brother.”  Leo saw Ana’s head jerk around