Star Cruise: Marooned by Veronica Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

aware that the more he struggled, the tighter the net would become, so he forced himself to stay still, and told the screaming woman to do the same. This was a favorite weapon of the Shemdylann pirates. He’d been imprisoned in one before, during training, and knew there was no escape short of burning free with a blaster. His arms were pinned to his sides at awkward angles and struggling would only constrict the cords until he became unconscious or died.
    So intent was he on not triggering the web to strangle them, he was startled when a voice spoke right above them. “An amusing diversion, like stepping on a nalirva hive and watching the bugs scurry in a futile attempt to survive. Truly unexpected entertainment.”
    The words were in passable Basic. The Shemdylann pirate standing next to them was a high ranking officer, judging by the insignia tattooed onto his upper mandible.
    “There are more people inside, you bastard,” Red said. His head pounded with the anger and grief surging through his body. Lying there as a helpless prisoner while innocent people died a few feet away tore at him.
    The Shemdylann waved one clawed hand. “Then let them come outside, or die. I care not. Either way will be equally pleasing to my crew and me.”
    The screams from whoever was trapped in the burning building continued for a few more moments, before the entire structure collapsed in an explosion of flame and sparks, bringing abrupt silence rather than the crackling of the fire. Heartsick and consumed with grief for Meg, Red tried to reassure and comfort Callina as much as he could in the impossible situation. She managed to hook three fingers around his left hand and he squeezed tight. “Don’t look at the cabin, best to close your eyes.”
    Apparently deciding there was no more amusement to be gleaned, the pirate officer moved away from the net confining Red and Callina. “Bring the prisoners to the beach,” he said, still in Basic. “We’ll see what exactly we’ve captured and decide what to do with them.”
    A moment later, a pirate soldier scooped up the double burden as if the net and its contents weighed nothing, hoisting them a good eight feet off the ground onto its shoulder. Carrying them with ease, the alien took the path toward the lake. Head down over his captor’s spiny mantle, Red couldn’t do much more than endure the next few moments until they were tossed carelessly onto the sand by the lake. Fortunately, the way he was trapped in the coils of the net, he cushioned Callina’s fall. He heard thuds and cries of pain or protest as a few other prisoners were deposited close by. Craning his neck painfully, he found the Primary in the net next to him on one side.  
    Figures that guy would survive, while Meg…he forced himself to redirect his thoughts. “Hey, how you holding up?” he asked Callina.
    “I-I’m okay. What are they going to do with us?” she whispered.
    “Hard to say. I’ll protect you as much as I can.” He made the promise, knowing full well there might not be anything he could do. “Our treatment will depend on what brought the Shemdylann here.”
    “Silence.” The closest guard kicked sand at them, and Red closed his eyes against the shower of grit.
    A few moments later the sticky webbing dissolved, as a Shemdylann soldier passed a light emitter over them, set to the proper frequency to counteract the coils. Before he could make a move to do anything, Red was pinioned from behind by one alien, while another dragged Callina by her hair into a position next to him. He and the other survivors were in a line, seven altogether, facing the insect-like Shemdylann officer, lounging in a complicated seat brought for him by his subordinates. A lower-ranking officer stood behind the chair, waiting to carry out any orders. Shemdylann by the dozens bustled to and fro on the beach, setting up some kind of apparatus, more of the strange chairs, and performing other tasks. One or two of the hulking,