Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G. J. Koch Read Free Book Online

neutralized, we all sort of collapsed in the living room.
    “None of the bugs were specific,” Randolph said finally. “Just standard for Herion.”
    “No bombs,” Slinkie added.
    “And we have no risks from the occupants of other buildings that I can spot, Captain.” Audrey was sitting next to Randolph, leaning against him. She looked almost human. If you could get past the way the lights reflected off her. Which I couldn’t.
    “Good. Then I can call my contact and we can make a deal we probably don’t want to make with the Herion Business Bureau while simultaneously figuring out what Herion Military does and doesn’t know.”
    “Nap, I still think I should spend time with Bryant and see what I can get out of him.”
    “I know you’re hot for him, Slink. Cut me a break, though, and don’t throw yourself at him. Play a little hard to get. You know, you practice that on me all the time, you’re a pro at it by now.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I guess brains and piloting skills are not the same thing.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “Security Chief Slinkie is not actually interested in Major Lionside,” Audrey offered. “She is trying to gain information by using her feminine wiles.”
    Slinkie didn’t look like she’d wanted Audrey to share this news. But I could tell it was true. Amazingly enough, I felt a lot better. “Oh, well, I knew that .”
    “Nap, don’t even try to lie.” Slinkie leaned her head on her hand. “But you haven’t come up with anything better, and I want to be able to get off this planet and arrive somewhere else alive.”
    “I don’t want you cozying up to Lionside, okay? I don’t trust him.”

    “I don’t trust Nitin. Not sure about Bryant, but that Nitin guy gave me the creeps.”
    “Same here. More reason not to let you go off with Lionside. What if they just want you for a group grope?” I had far too active an imagination. I could see this happening far too easily. And if anyone was going to be groping Slinkie against her will, it was going to be me.
    “I’m more concerned with the gentlemen who are trying to hire you, Alexander,” the Governor said gravely. “Dealing with organized crime on Herion is tricky at best, particularly since we have Herion Military interested in us.”
    “I agree. I need to call Janz.”
    The Governor nodded and stood. “I’ll go with you. Sometimes he prefers to deal with me.”
    “True. The rest of you, stay here and brainstorm ideas. I don’t want anyone wandering off right now, not alone, not together. You all stay here, got it? Especially you, Slink.”
    “Fine,” she grumbled. Randolph and Audrey nodded.
    “You sure you want to deal with Janz the Butcher again?” Randolph asked. He sounded no less freaked out than he had before. “That guy’s reputation is pretty terrifying. Even those Business Bureau guys were afraid of him.” Randolph clearly felt I should also be afraid of Janz. If he only knew.
    I shrugged. “Been dealing with him for years. He seems to like me. Besides, the Governor uses his connections to smooth things out with the Butcher. We’ll be fine.”
    “If the Butcher knows how to get us off this rock, I’m all over your talking to him, Nap.” Slinkie sounded much more morose and uncomfortable than normal. I decided I’d see what I could do about that after I made my contact.
    “I’ll ask him for ideas, Slink, I promise.”

CHAPTER 13
    T he Governor and I went into the room he’d taken as his. Closed the door, moved to the far side. He sat in a chair and sighed. “Exciting day.”
    “Too true.”
    “Exciting days are hard on old men.”
    “True enough.”
    “Why did you tell them you were dealing with Janz the Butcher?”
    “Had to. No one on this planet respects weakness.”
    “Yes, I know. I’m the one who taught you that, remember?”
    “Yeah. So, what do you recommend?”
    He rubbed his head. “You need to go to the ship to place your call. They’ll be monitoring the