Free Reavers (Book 3) by Benjamin Schramm Page B

captain is hoping the traders will be too sex-starved to put up any fight,” Tardos said, clearly irritated.  “How does that explain us ?  I look like something out of a poorly written horror 3P!”
    “For lack of better words, you are the women’s protectors,” a firm and slightly hostile voice said.
    Tardos instantly spun in place to face the owner of the nasty voice.  Standing behind him was none other than Andreas.  From the disgusted look on his face, it was obvious he shared Tardos’ disapproval of the suits.
    “Don’t mind Andreas,” Revel said, trying not to chuckle.  “He often criticizes my work as . . . what do you call it again?”
    “Dinner theater,” he said coldly.
    “So this is your fault?” Tardos asked, clearly surprised.
    “Not at all,” Andreas said, correcting him.  “Rosy picked the attire.  Revel just chose to run with it.  Although, I do wish he had put up more of a fight.”
    “You can’t argue with results,” Revel said behind a wide grin.
    From the way the two men stared each other down, Tardos realized they must have this fight before each and every raid.  If it was Andreas’ job to torment the crew, perhaps Rosalyn’s was to torment Andreas.
    “What’s the target?” Kevin asked abruptly.
    “A Union ship,” Andreas said, taking a step away from Revel.  “No escorts.  Just finished its seventh jump.  We should have three hours before it can jump again.”
    “More than enough time!” Revel shouted excitedly.  “You heard the man.  We’ll be partying tonight!”
    As the rest of the new crewmembers tried to sound optimistic, Tardos noticed a look of deep thought on Kevin’s face.
    “What’s the matter?” he whispered.  “Don’t tell me you’ve just realized how silly we all look.”
    “It’s nothing really,” Kevin said quickly.  “Pre-battle anxiety maybe.”
    “While we might be new at this, it’s just business as usual to the rest of the crew.  Relax.  After this maybe we can get a comfortable job down in maintenance.”
    Kevin smiled warmly at Tardos’ suggestion.  A sudden silence filled the room.  The Wall had just penetrated the forward edge of the armory.  While the rest of the pirates waited anxiously for it to pass, Kevin continued to smile warmly - oblivious to its approach.
     
     
     
    “Jump complete,” the man at the navigation station reported.
    The main monitor showed a large rectangular mass of metal slowly crawling through the blackness of space.  Rosalyn leaned forward in her chair, as a sinister smile filled her face.
    “They are trying to establish a communications link,” one of the bridge crew reported.  “It’s sloppy work; they must be scared already.”
    “Let them wait a while,” Rosalyn said as she readied herself.  “Take a hostile position and close rapidly.  Make them sweat .”
    Rosalyn’s ship quickly closed the distance between the two.  Its hull was as unique as its interior.  Instead of the blocky designs constructed with efficient jump travel in mind, her ship was smooth and elegant.  Like a massive stingray swimming through the void of space, her ship approached its prey.
    “They are attempting to contact us again.”  The woman at the communications terminal was chuckling to herself.  “They are practically begging.”
    “Excellent,” Rosalyn said.  “Let’s get this over with.”
    The monitor shifted to a view of a tall man, a heavy layer of sweat on his brow.  He was attempting to stand firm, but it was painfully obvious his bravery was forced.
    “This is the Independent Traders Union ship, Archer,” the man said proudly.  “State your purpose and . . .”
    “Reduce your speed and prepare to be boarded,” Rosalyn said in a sweet voice, interrupting the man.
    “We are carrying property of the ITU.  We won’t be . . .”
    “Now, we can take that property and leave you in peace,” Rosalyn interrupted again, dropping the sweet voice.  “ Or we can salvage that