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    Heroes Need a Captain
    Heroes Need a Captain
    Heroes Need a Captain
    Ebook699 pages11 hours

    Heroes Need a Captain

    By Sharon L Reddy

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    About this ebook

    Dream Realm 2000 Science Fiction Novel of the Year.

    The selk-changed pairs were the only ones who could see the "rainbow slides" into another area of space. When the selk disappeared, they became too valuable to be free.

    The frontier sectors were only connected by the slides. Corporations found war too profitable to allow them to end. Life contracts were legal slavery, until it was discovered the slides came full circle, back to Earth and the contiguous settled sectors.

    The Courts of Humanity were looking for people to give badges. Captain Lura Lake was just who they had in mind, but there was a psychotic fixated on one of her slide-guide deputies. The legacy of the corps was not going to be easy to end.

    About books by Sharon L Reddy, reviewers said:

    recluse:
    "The author is a fine wordsmith who possesses a marvelous imagination."

    Raven's Reviews:
    "...unique, fast-paced style ...allows one to read almost as fast as one can think."
    "...romantic brain-candy... If you like almost any kind of men at all, you'll like hers..."

    Mistress of the Dark Path:
    "...you will also notice your mind is stimulated."
    "...designed for a more educated and worldly crowd."

    R. Cagle:
    "I got hooked immediately."

    Marji Holt:
    "The characters came out of the books and into my dreams."

    Twenty-four titles. Start your collection today.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSharon L Reddy
    Release dateJun 6, 2011
    ISBN9781583385623
    Heroes Need a Captain
    Author

    Sharon L Reddy

    I write science fiction romance, but it's the literary definition of romance. Swashbuckle, Baby, in "white tie and tails." High romantic fantasies, million word mysteries, family sagas, statesmen, gurus and wise immortals. Loving dads, sons and brothers, and of course, the women who understand and appreciate them. High fashion and landscape design. Materials and art, the books are built to be read very fast, specifically for the way women visualize. Research on the soap operas of the fifties, trends in international populist (fan) fiction, technological development, and above all, long-term entertainment value. It has to be good in reruns. The intent is create a body of work that's just fun to read, in spurts or bursts over decades. Ethics, responsibility, nobless oblige, the power of money, the use of prestige. I write good guys win. Period. They're fantasies for women. Men with lots of muscle say, "I love you," a lot.Most of what is currently published was written in the first decade, 1991-1999, before Mother Nature changed my personal definition of "mature audience." I hope you'll remain with me as I and my work mature and enjoy the second decade of my work now being published, as well.I've lived many places and visited far more. My current residence is on a high mesa in New Mexico, in the United States, where I am engaged in a habitat restoration project.Explanation of the Pilots Group:Some of these works have been sitting on my hard drive close to twenty years and they're no fun for anyone just sitting there. They're exactly what they've been titled, pilots, like for a TV series. It is my intent and hope that other writers will choose to continue the adventures of the characters. There are only three restrictions. Don't kill off my heroes, don't make good guys bad guys and give my story credit if you publish. Yes, you may publish and make money on your stories. I loved reading and writing fan fiction, but the limitations on it could be frustrating, so... Have fun with these works that specifically don't have them.

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      Book preview

      Heroes Need a Captain - Sharon L Reddy

      Sharon L Reddy

      Heroes Need a Captain

      ©1999, 2011

      Target Yonder

      Millennium Works Collection

      Smashwords Edition

      ISBN 978-1-58338-562-3

      Cover background: NASA, STScI

      Chapter One

      Lura didn't like the place. She was sure she'd have trouble before the evening was out, but was down to her last few creds and had docking fees to pay. The loud, dirty bar was known to be a place to pick up 'quiet' work. She wouldn't do anything really illegal, but she was to the point she was willing to take on a job that was irregular. She had seven standard hours before her ship was over her credit limit on accumulated fees. If she didn't come up with half by then, it would be locked.

      She'd worked too hard to buy the battered old ship she'd named Cotton to lose her. She'd also put every credit she earned back into her. Cotton still looked like a battered old light-cargo hauler, but she didn't run like one. Lura sat down at a table and used her last four creds to buy a sipper of Tasik brandy. Since she disliked it, she'd be able to nurse it several hours if necessary. She didn't like the place, but had a feeling it was the right one, and an off-hand mention, by someone who didn't do off-hand to back it. She sat back and looked around.

      The two young men at the end of the bar looked out of place. They also looked like they could handle anyone who mentioned it. They were both gorgeous. The smaller one was almost pretty, but his movements suggested training and she had the feeling some of the 'pretty boy' was intentional deception, or even imposed. She wondered about that thought a bit when she had it, but not long. His shoulders were very wide and they gave her other thoughts. Men might see long light-auburn hair and necklaces and think womanish, but no woman would.

      The big man was as interesting as his much smaller friend. He was massive and his open shirt showed thick dark gold curls and heavy muscle. She suddenly realized she'd looked too long at the pale streaks in his curly, dark blond hair. He'd noticed her. Well, maybe they were looking for a ship captain. Her careful display of a docking disk clipped to her collar identified her as such.

      Lura battled to get her surge of hope under control. Her wrist comp was flashing for permission to release standard info on her qualifications and Cotton's listed stats. She hadn't updated them in awhile. Arousing the curiosity of the big four corporations was dangerous. She preferred wondering where her next meal was coming from to accepting it from a corp, or else. Another request came immediately after she'd tapped approval. She approved it and wondered. She didn't see any but the two who looked like they might have any interest, or enough credit, to hire even an in-sector ship like hers.

      When the two men at the bar stood, she saw their true sizes. The smaller was probably a few cens shorter than her one hundred seventy-seven. The big one was near, or over, two meters. She allowed herself a smile when they headed toward her. It surprised her that she had to work to keep it non-committal.

      As they walked toward her, she realized the half-dozen necklaces the smaller one wore didn't move. They were attached to the shirt. The thought 'pretty' was imposed returned and it brought a great deal of curiosity with it. She had the feeling satisfying it was going to change her life, but caution lost the argument when the big man spoke.

      Hi, Tock Wain and Dollan. May we join you, Captain Lake?

      Lura nodded and they sat down on either side of her. The big man's voice had surprised her. It was soft and deep and she had a desire to sing with him. It had been a long time since she'd wanted to sing. She'd spent too many years earning a living and saving for a ship singing in port bars. She'd had her voice and her ability to convince people she was much older than she actually was when her 'guardian' had died. She'd been twelve. Her official biography said she was thirty-two. She was actually twenty-four.

      Please, be my guests.

      At the table, but we would like to provide the refreshment. Server, a decanter of Santy wine and three glasses, please.

      I've got a brandy, Tock.

      Which you don't like. You practically grimace when you take a sip. I know 'I may be here awhile and don't want to end up soused,' when I see it, Captain. We have a proposal for you. We want to work for you.

      Say what?

      You're just who we've been looking for. We need work, but we want to choose who we contract with. Pay the server, Dollan.

      I'm flattered, but I'm not in a position to hire anyone. Short runs are few and far between.

      We know, but we want you to contract us and it needs to be done in the next five minutes. After that, we go to the highest bidder. We're too valuable a resource to be allowed more time to look for work we want. The contract judging board gave us twelve hours. We've got four minutes left. We're a selkade pair.

      Lura sputtered in her wine. She'd never even heard of a male pair. A few male and female, but never two males. She made a guess and touched the smaller man. Tock jumped. She'd been right. He was the receptor. Dollan was the power. Dollan chuckled softly and she got goosebumps. When he spoke, she almost missed what he said. His voice was the richest, deepest bass she'd ever heard. And it had been a double shock because he was barely in average height range. Every bass she knew of was tall.

      We chose well. Few see it.

      I still don't have the creds to even enter a contract into record, Dollan.

      We do. Captain Lake, we're in demand. We're a novelty. We were mercenary marines in the fight for Selka. We didn't even know each other when we took cover in a small cave. We saw the chrysalis and tried to run. When we awoke, the war was over and the selk had chosen us as host. Contract us. We got twelve hours to look because our last bid contract was canceled. The bid winner was planning on selling holos of us to more than make up for the bid cost. He asked the wrong person to distribute them. She turned him in to the contracting judges. Captain, free us by hiring us. With a selkade pair, you can use the slides. You won't be confined to short run. Decide now. We have no choices in two minutes.

      Lura suddenly realized she was their only chance. The selk had made them a commodity when it chose them. selkade pairs were wanted for their ability to sense the areas of spatial distortion that were known as slides. With a selkade pair, a ship could 'slide' into another region of space. The slides were mapped, but without the mental powers of a pair, one couldn't 'open the door.'

      The war on Selka had been over who would control the selks. It had ended when the nymphs suddenly massed and flew into space. Two fleets had rushed to intercept the non-sentient nymphs, but they'd hit a slide before they could be stopped. When ships followed, they found no trace. The resource humans had coveted had flown away. And pairs had become too valuable to be free.

      Do it. You get ten percent of gross. All I can give, Dollan.

      Open table console keyin pad for personnel contract code entry. Code your ident, Captain.

      Close keypad and file contract.

      Well, Boss, you have us. Now we can help make us rich.

      Lura expected the contract filing confirmation on the screen of the table comp. She didn't expect the screen to start scrolling.

      Damn. Dollan, you didn't give me any warning. I've just had... seventeen suits slapped against the contract.

      Don't worry. They can't justify it as a 'waste of limited resources.' You're a licensed captain with a good record and no one holds lien on your ship.

      For about six-and-a-half hours. Talk to me, Dollan. Why all the suits? Selkade pairs aren't that rare.

      Lura realized it had been a foolish thing to say as soon as she said it. They were both male. Years of minimal contact with other people, first going straight from rehearsal or performance to her room, then contracting for delivery of one cargo and pick-up of another from orbit, to reduce the cost of time Cotton was on a pad, had put her out-of-touch, but she wouldn't have stayed out from under corp control if she'd been that naïve. It surprised her when Dollan answered the question in a way she didn't expect.

      The selk we host is. The chrysalis was almost three meters long. Most are about one. We were suspended for nearly a season. When we woke, we possessed memories of that time. Do you know how a pair is formed?

      Just that it takes two to host and it's not a pretty process, nor always successful.

      The selk is a nymph for centuries, non-sentient. When it reaches a certain point in its life cycle, it folds its wing around itself and forms a chrysalis. The creature that emerges is a pasty-white worm. It seeks a pair of warm-blooded hosts. It hits them with a telepathic blast strong enough to cause unconsciousness and attaches itself to them. It feeds its chosen hosts as it invades their neural tissue. The process is complete when the worm body is consumed. Every cell of the hosts carries selk DNA. Every brain cell has a tiny extra nuclei. We destroyed the chrysalis, but couldn't prevent the tests from showing we were odd. We needed you, Captain. We can't let them find out how odd. Hosts are part of the selk reproductive cycle, but only one nymph per generation is fertile. Only one can't fly. Only one is sentient. Only one passes knowledge to its hosts.

      Well, now I know why two of those suits were filed by bio-labs, Dollan. They want you bad.

      They want us because they think we might be interesting. If they knew the truth, we'd be enslaved forever.

      That's a pretty strong term.

      Is it? Excuse me, please. Tock, you tell her.

      Lura watched him leave the table and walk to the toilet. She couldn't drag her eyes back to Tock until he went in, but had no difficulty focusing on him when she did. They were both about too beautiful to be real.

      He looked sick.

      He looked like he always does. You 'saw' what he'd never show. Did you 'see' how surprised he was when you touched him, I jumped and he laughed? Did you 'see' how surprised he was he liked your touch? He'd be the one they'd use to get what they want from me. Probably use direct brain stim. The selk are a gift. They were created long ago by a race that was disappearing. They carried the gene that had enabled that race to explore the universe. No other species had it. I'm the bearer of the gift. I'm the one who will add that gift to the human species. Every child I sire will carry it. The ones who created the selk didn't know it would be so long before a sentient, space-faring, race would be encountered. The selk are gone, Captain. Or what we called selk anyway. The queen found hosts not evolved on the world where she found them this time. It was the central criteria. Instead of searching for a female creature which could birth a nymph queen to start another generation, this one found us. When she did, the nymphs were no longer needed. They flew off to stop a war I hated. They were already dying. The race had received the gift. We needed you to... Dollan says you won't sell us.

      Sell you?!

      How much do you think someone would pay for our contract? Dollan trusts you not to sell us or let us be taken. I trust his judgment. I don't think you'll let them breed me. I'll find women to give the gift. Captain Lake, the war for control of the selks would be minor compared to the one that I could cause. Currently, I'm the single most valuable thing in this galaxy to humans. How long would I stay free if the corps learned it?

      Holy... Tock, I'm scared silly, but I don't think anyone ever got a higher compliment. Now we need a job. I've got to have a contract to keep from having my ship locked.

      Any nibbles?

      Two requests for info. I assume one was you.

      Yes. You're less shocked than I expected.

      Nah, just good at filing emotionally-loaded input under think-now-yelp-later. That woman is headed this way, I think.

      She's nervous. I'll intercept Dollan and we'll go back to the bar.

      Lura was sure the woman was nervous too. She worked to separate her feelings from what she was seeing. Her eyes told her the woman was business-like, but casual. Her feelings told her she 'looked' hunted. She sighed, 'sat on' the piece of her mind yelling she was in over her head and watched the beautiful dark young woman walk toward her.

      Captain Lake?

      Yes. Sit down. Now, what's the problem?

      Problem?

      You're nervous enough to make me jumpy. No, it doesn't show. I just realized I'm out of practice paying attention to what doesn't show, so I'm paying close attention. Nervous is problem and, since you're looking for me, you need a ship to solve it.

      The woman's sudden smile was as pleasant as it was unexpected. It looked like it probably got more use than the near frown she'd been wearing. Lura decided she liked her.

      Captain Lake, you're very perceptive. I need a ship fast. I estimate four hours is all I have before someone notices I'm gone. Get me off this world.

      Whoa. What did you do?

      Told my family I'd consider a marriage contract and ran. I've got adult status in this port, but outside the perimeter I'm the property of my family. Actually, I'm a corporate asset. The money I'll use to pay you is my own. It's been waiting in an account here since my father lost the custody battle for me. I'm Candid Tarollis-Forenan.

      Damn! Twice in one day.

      Twice?

      You're not the only one who needs get-me-out-of-here-fast. Can you deposit twenty thou?

      "Yes, but why that much?

      Less would be questioned on a charter contract. Open table keypad for business contract entry. Vacation charter; first stop Belle, itinerary open, completion date open. Deposit twenty thou.

      Very good. It gives me an excuse to take a large sum with me as cred draft as well. On deposit.

      And... my wrist comp says received. Let's get you out of here. Tock! Dollan!

      Who are they?

      The two others who need out fast. Their contract is as employees. I'm sure you knew they were carefully not paying attention to us.

      Actually, I was working too hard not watching them to notice that.

      I understand that completely.

      Lura led the way to the door. She didn't say anything more until they were outside. They'd already said one name too many in the bar. Neslan Port was the safest place she knew, but that didn't mean it was safe. It was Cotton's home port and the home of one of her two real friends, but she didn't mention they were friends. They wouldn't have been if she had.

      This is our passenger, Tock. First stop Belle. Cotton is on pad forty-three. Get your gear and get there. We need to move fast. The ones looking for her know what they're after.

      We know who she is too, Captain. We'll be there in about fifteen.

      Lura pulled her attention back to Candid and smiled when she obviously had to work to reorient. Candid returned the smile.

      He's huge.

      Big, all right. Let's move. You have essentials in that pack?

      No, I have memories in it.

      Let's get your cred draft and get you luggage. We'll fill as we go.

      As she led the way into the shopping area of the port at a very brisk walk, Lura wondered at herself. She didn't think of herself as the 'action' type, more the opposite. She'd stayed out from under corp control for twelve years by being extremely cautious and considering every possible consequence of an action first, but she'd made two spur-of-the-moment decisions in the space of five minutes and was implementing them as fast as she could. She noticed Candid had walked too much already and walked faster.

      Lura pulled Candid into a shop, tossed things to the clerk to scan, handed her the armload of outfits and authed the clerk to bill her dock account. At the next shop she grabbed luggage and did the same. Candid was giggling by the time she pulled her into a super and punched the comp for hairbrush, toothbrush and toiletries. She dumped them into one of the bags. They had one still empty, but it wouldn't be long. She led Candid into Swain's and told him ten top and bottom for her and fast. Swain grinned and laid out ten sets of lacy undies. She stuffed them in the third bag, kissed him and authed billing.

      The bank didn't want to auth the draft. Lura told Candid she wouldn't want to deal with anyone who argued with how she spent her money. She'd just take it all somewhere else, and if they argued about that, she'd report them to the central banking authority as illegally withholding the funds of an adult with valid identification, due to suspected insolvency, because there wasn't any other reason. Candid took her entire balance in a very quickly authorized draft.

      Lura smiled when an available auto cab 'just happened' to stop at the corner just as they reached it. She yelled and began tossing bags in it as soon as the door opened. 'Someone' had decided the short walk to Cotton was too long. The cab ride took just over a minute. Other traffic along the route was extremely light. It was nice to have friends.

      Candid, he was too obviously stalling. We need to get lifted fast. Your deposit for my contract probably caused an immediate call to your family. We need auth to lift, but Backo will give it no matter who's trying to stall. As long as his fees are paid, he's a sweetie. Cotton's the white one. Her insides are prettier.

      She's already the most beautiful ship I've ever seen. There are the two men.

      Tock and Dollan ran for the cab and had the door open and the luggage out before Lura finished authing payment for the cab. She caught up with them before they got to the top of the ramp at the bridge hatch. She hadn't ordered the ramp. It was nice to have friends.

      Open up, Baby. Mama's home. Inside fast. We'll sort out after we lift. Welcome home, boys. Grab couches. Cotton calling port docking.

      Docking. You leaving, Lura?

      Don't tease when I'm nervous, Backo.

      Lift, pretty girl. I've got a dozen people on hold who I need to tell they're too late. Tell the princess to visit Seabrook. There's a trading company there she should check out. Give the boys the message the comp registered their contract, but doesn't seem to have recorded who it was with. Odd that. Ramp clear. Lift in five. Take care of them all, Captain Beautiful. Four.

      I will. Three. Love you, Backo. Two. We'll drop notes. One. Take care. Lifting. Bye-bye.

      He's amazing.

      He is that, Candid. He's like a big spider that notices every breath of wind that brushes his web. Keep your bills paid and he's the best friend you've got. Don't, and his bill is the first filed with the collections court. Now, you three decide how and where you're going to bunk and who's going to cook dinner. Candid, I posted for Belle, but it's a fly-by to collect credits owed. If you want to stick, I can get you to Seabrook. Your deposit will cover it. I've got to do course comps. Talk to you later.

      Tock caught Candid's attention with a lifted finger and motioned her away from Lura, then spoke very softly.

      Don't bother her, Princess. Ten seconds of delay could cost a day's journey. I'm Tock. He's Dollan. Shall we explore Cotton and find somewhere besides the bridge for our things? Lounge, galley and cabins will be somewhere beyond this hatch.

      Please don't call me 'princess,' Tock. My mother ran away from it and now I'm running.

      They were going to marry you off to finalize a contract?

      That's why there are princesses. I was to be Harten Corp's seal on a fifty-year trade contract with the Menvatta. The negotiations were complete. Me to the harem, my sons to the Menvatta, my daughters to Harten Corp and profitable trade for all. You two?

      We're why the cap can get you to Seabrook. The name didn't register because it's a very long way. We're a selkade pair.

      But they're women! Oops.

      Most are. A few are mixed pairs. We're the only male pair we know of. We wandered into a cave just as a chrysalis cracked. We're still learning to live with it. We were running because we've got everyone from feelie producers to bio-labs bidding our contracts. We got to negotiate because the last neglected to mention he planned on making us holo-vid stars as well as slide navs.

      Ugh. Someone caught him and put him away for planning on doing it without your consent.

      No, it would have been perfectly legal if it was in the contract and our consent would have been irrelevant, but then it would have cost more and he didn't want to have to pay more. Backo gave us twelve hours, on an old precedent established for spacers, who wanted off a ship, but didn't want to jump. They got twelve hours to find someone who would buy their contracts or negotiate to end them. We got twelve hours to find someone who we wanted for our boss. We had twelve minutes left when Captain Lake walked into the place we'd decided was our last chance. The hatch just ahead on the left should be the lounge.

      I looked for a woman captain with 'honest' on a recommendation. There were three. The others were of big ships and not likely to be willing to run with one passenger. Oh, it's lovely!

      Nice room. She's put real work into this ship. Now, that door is to her quarters. It's a straight shot to the hatch we saw on the bridge. Hatches are airtight seals others are doors?

      Yes, I know that one and that captain's quarters are connected to the bridge on one-person ships.

      Her quarters will be more an apartment than just a bedroom and a pleasant area to sit, though it's unlikely she has a food prep area. The galley door is open for someone and there are emergency rations on the bridge.

      Because the hatch is on the other side of her quarters.

      Yes. The spacing of those five doors indicate the cabins are a nice size, each with a private bath. Usually there would be about eight around a passenger lounge area like this and a bath for passengers who got tired of sonic showers in a cubicle. From the arrangement of the doors, the cabins probably aren't all just alike.

      You choose first. I'm going to sit down, get my shoes off and play in the rug with my toes. Go on. This is going to be your home. I'm too delighted to be on this ship to be picky about which cabin I get.

      Thank you, Candid.

      Dollan's voice surprised Candid just as it had Lura. His smile said he knew it. She speculated on the vagaries of fate while she eased her aching feet. She'd awakened that morning dreading the day. She was sure she wouldn't find any 'unclear' points in the contract to delay things. It would be spelled out down to how often the Menva of the Menvatta corp would call her to his chambers. She only had the right to refuse a contract if it wasn't complete. Her signature was a formality. Only the chairman and holder of the familial assets needed to sign it. When it was delivered, she'd been surprised he hadn't already signed it.

      She wondered if it had all been intentional. The chairman was her great-grandfather and she'd once heard him tell her grandfather he didn't think marriage contracts and trade contracts should be discussed in the same room, and he certainly didn't think they should be part of the same document. She wondered if the way hadn't been cleared for her to have one chance to run.

      The contract hadn't been signed. Her chaperone had been borrowed as governess for the day. The garden was being watered so no one was in it. The dogs were in the kennel pending the veterinarian's visit. The latch on her window still didn't lock and the alarm was out until it did. She'd grabbed a satchel, stuffed in a few personally important things, climbed out the window and run. It was eight k cross-country to the port. She'd made it in less than an hour.

      Ow! Tock, get a basin of water. I'll find the aid locker. Candid, your feet are leaving tracks.

      Oh! I hadn't realized they were that dirty, Dollan.

      The dirt isn't what I meant.

      Found the locker too, Dollan. Just inside the galley door. Handy spot. Candid, the water is going to burn, but you need to get those blisters clean. Oh, baby, you rubbed holes in yourself.

      Ooh, it does burn. I really hadn't noticed. I hope I didn't stain the carpet. It's lovely.

      Candid, your feet are swollen and bloody. We worry about them first. The captain will have something for the... Your pack just mewed at me.

      I brought... I forgot to mention them, Tock. Do you think Captain Lake will be angry? I've been dropper feeding them. I couldn't just leave them.

      Them?

      There are three. I put their little box in my bag. I fed them as soon as I got to the port, but it's obviously meal time again.

      Lura walked through the door Tock had said was to her quarters, and Candid saw the 'living room' beyond was done in shades of teal darker and richer than the soft sea blue-greens of the lounge. It made her more eager to see how the five cabins had been decorated. Lura noticed she was looking, smiled and swung the door wider.

      It's lovely.

      Thank you. We're on our way. Five days is best I could do. That's not bad. Nasty. I saw you were nearly hobbling, but didn't think we had time to stop.

      I really didn't notice, Captain. Dollan noticed I was making a mess on the carpet. I'm sorry.

      I noticed she was bleeding on it. Tock noticed her pack mews.

      Mews?

      Their mama was hurt and can't feed them, and I couldn't leave them.

      Candid pulled two liter containers of yellow-white fluid out of her large pack and laid them on the floor. She spread the top widely and lifted a box out, obviously being careful not to tip it. Lura noted the box had holes around the side and was watching closely when Candid got it on her lap and lifted the lid off.

      Kittens! They haven't even got their eyes open yet.

      Well, the black one had one open this morning. See? One open. They should probably all be open by tomorrow or the next day.

      May I hold one?

      Certainly, Tock.

      It's so soft. Oh, I know what it's looking for. Nuzzle, nuzzle, dinner time.

      That's Blackjack. The black and white one is Dapper Dan. The orange one is Lucky Louise. A tetah lizard dropped her when the gardener hit it with a compost rake. He was pretty broken up. Mama kitty is his. The vet thinks she'll make it, but she can't take care of these little ones.

      The lizard got some kittens?

      No, Captain. There were only four and the gardener has one.

      Lura watched Dollan softly smile and smoothly take over the job of bandaging Candid's blistered feet. Tock was enraptured by the tiny thing that fit easily into his big hand. She wondered where he was from, where they were both from. Tock looked like a vid caster's dream of the perfect male lead for a holo and Dollan was somehow very exotic, even though his fair skin and light auburn hair weren't really that unusual. Dollan finished and Candid thanked him. He smiled and carried the basin to the galley. Lura followed.

      Why don't you talk much?

      I sound strange to myself. My voice changed.

      The selk?

      Maybe. Maybe not. I'm fifteen.

      What? How did you... The war on Selka was over more than a year ago.

      Adult is twelve on Mindao. My contract was purchased on my birthday. That's not as bad as it sounds. Mindaon years are longer.

      Not that much longer, I don't think. You were late maturing?

      I don't really know, but Tock said it's not uncommon.

      Selling a contract on majority date is, even on Mindao. Again, qualified with, I think.

      I was a problem. They didn't want me. I learned not to argue my first day of training. The sergeant showed me my contract. I was designated as cannon fodder. My contract price was twenty credits. It was for life. When we walked into Selka port, Tock commed and reported two MIAs had wandered in surprised the war was over. He asked Venbot Corp how much accumulated pay we had coming. They sold him our contracts for what they owed us. We had to tell what we were to get off Selka. Our contracts were ours, but we had to trade them for training. We aren't allowed to not work. We aren't allowed to hold our own contracts. Backo found us a way to control them for twelve hours and choose our owner.

      Ugh. Don't use that word, Dollan. All worlds aren't Mindao. To most people, a contract is this many pigs for that much corn and employment contracts are for the length of the job. Life contracts aren't common, at least not in this sector. Where's Tock from?

      Vegas.

      What?!

      He was why the queen found us suitable. He was one of ten who were contracted to Venbot for ten years as settlement of a suit over a satellite Vegas shot down. They handed them ten orphans age ten. The settlement hadn't specified adults, just high psi. He's nineteen.

      You both look older.

      I think somehow we are. I know I matured more than I should have in about a hundred days. He says he's taller. You're the one I chose to own us. You may not like the word, but it's the truth. We'll never be free, but you won't treat us like possessions, or sell us to the highest bidder. You're our captain. You should read contracts before you auth them. We signed for life.

      For... life. I think I need to sit down. Dollan, why? Why me?

      Because you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and...

      You had about ten minutes left.

      Yes, but I was positive you were the right choice, not the last chance. Being told you're beautiful makes you uncomfortable. It shouldn't. It's true.

      I know, but it's not something I did and it's not a blessing. I spent years fighting off drunks who told me I was beautiful.

      It is something you did. Pretty is inherited. Beautiful is not. You're beautiful because of what's inside.

      Dollan turned to the storage locker and opened the lid. Lura just watched him. He was a living work of art, even from the back. She smiled at herself when she realized she was watching the muscles of his gorgeous ass as he rummaged through the locker trying to find four of something.

      Dinner is stew?

      Suits me. I throw whatever's on top in the storage locker into the hydra-cooker and punch the buttons as directed. Bet she gives him that kitten?

      No bet. You going to let him keep it?

      Might as well. I collected every other kitten in need of shelter I ran into today, but just one, Doll.

      Doll?

      Sorry. Slipped out.

      No one's ever called me that.

      I'm probably going to about half the time, unless you remind me not to. Dollan is conducive to being shortened. What's the rest, Dollan? Tock Wain and Dollan what?

      Nothing. I'm, quote, 'Male. Meets minimum genetic standards for state contribution. Code D O two L four A N.' So, Dollan. One of tens of thousands whose parents hand them over at birth. I was raised in a state nursery. So was Tock, but it was a very different place. Vegas didn't cheat, really. Tock's parents were premmies. They were killed along with twenty-odd other premier talents in a lab explosion. Premiere testing can't be done until maturity, but Tock tested well in preliminaries. Vegas has reasons for being iconoclastic. Most of the settlers were running from the purism movement of about four hundred years ago. Mental powers were classified as mutations. Mutants were to be exterminated for the good of the race. It was the third time in a thousand years they'd been hunted. It could happen again.

      I can't deny the possibility. I've seen too many people make warding signs when a blosian walked by. They're bio-engineered, not mutants, but most people don't know that.

      Blosian?

      They need nictating membranes and thick skins to protect them from sudden dust storms. Blosia is in Ponder sector. It's marginally habitable, but so rich in minerals it's worth the struggle. Most Blosians are quite wealthy and the corps haven't been able to figure out a way to get a handle on them. You're stuck with Doll. I won't call anyone a code. Even without the numbers. Dinner's done. I'll carry two. We eat out there. That way she won't hobble in here. How bad were they?

      Ow.

      They hadn't been blisters for several kilometers.

      Large holes. They'll be lots smaller by morning. You have a well-stocked aid cabinet, but it's now short a hyper-heal patch.

      I've got more in storage. She's got courage and determination.

      And a soft spot for kittens. Reminds me of you.

      Thanks, I think.

      Dollan pulled two bowls from the hydra-cooker and handed them to Lura. Candid was tucking the last kitten in the box when she carried them from the cozy galley she'd planned for the comfort of one to four, to the lounge she'd planned for two to six. It had never actully had occupants before. She'd never had a passenger before. She'd never planned on a crew.

      Dinner is stew. It was on top. Here, Candid. Oops, I forgot spoons.

      I didn't. Stew, Tock, and spoons all around.

      The evening was pleasant. Tock chose a cabin for Candid and carried her to it. The night was uneventful and the next day Candid sat and chatted with Lura on the bridge while Tock and Dollan familiarized themselves with Cotton's systems.

      They found her slide nest and went to work on it. They didn't have a great deal of experience, but they knew what they'd need. It didn't take long. They laid the sensor helms on the cushioned floor and closed the hatch. They were very pleased. The walls were opaque and no cams were mounted inside. On the two ships they'd worked previously, the nest had been transparent and cams had been a safety precaution.

      Selkade pairs at work were usually listed as entertainment features on passenger ships. The receptor searched, but the power guided. It was a physical act. The receptor felt every touch on the power. One of their instructors had demonstrated on Dollan. Tock had knocked him cold. When he awoke, he apologized and told him a little warning would be a good idea the next time. He never demonstrated on Dollan again.

      Dollan watched Candid and Tock happily over the next two days. He was delighted they were having a good time together. He wasn't prepared for what happened the fourth night out. He didn't understand it and it scared him.

      He grabbed his fear and 'bottled it' with his mind. Tock hadn't made love to a woman since they'd been paired, but Dollan knew he hadn't expected this. He shouldn't have been more than barely aware of it. The flow was one way. It wasn't supposed to work in reverse. He needed to get up, move around. He left his bed and went to the galley. That's where Lura found him. He was curled in a ball, shaking and sweating.

      Doll, what's wrong?

      Captain, help me. It's not supposed to be... I'm not supposed to feel...

      Easy, Doll. There's nothing wrong. You know you're different. You know you're supposed to be. It's just a new different. Come on, let's get you off the floor.

      I can't. Go. I'll be all right.

      You can. If you can't, Tock needs to know it right now.

      No! He's so happy. I'll be all right, Captain.

      Up. I'll help.

      I'd strain you. Mindao is high grav. I'm a lot heavier than I look.

      Doll, why are you trying to get me to... Oh, I see. He clobbered you and you had no warning.

      Lura decided she was going to find some way to help and that included not letting Dollan be embarrassed by wet pants. She was trying to figure out how to do what she'd decided when he gave her a place to start.

      It's not supposed to work this way.

      I don't think it does. I think it's Tock and not the selk. He's getting stronger as he matures and you've got a channel he's just made two-way. Doll, I can't leave you here.

      You... It's just beginning again. You have to go, Captain. I won't know what I'm doing in a minute.

      You'd better. If I'm going to make love to you, I expect you to know what you're doing. Close your mouth, uncurl and let's go to my cabin.

      Captain, I won't know. I've never even had my arms around a woman.

      That's about to change, Sweetie. I can about guess how long Tock thinks a night should last. The galley floor would be sticky for days. Smile don't blush. Come on. Up. You are heavy. Doll, bedroom that way.

      Uh, huh. So beautiful.

      So are you. Come on. A little farther.

      Early in the morning, Doll happily made breakfast for four and had it waiting when Tock and Candid came out of her cabin. He grabbed Tock, lifted him off the floor and spun around. Candid was very surprised. Tock was not.

      You had a nice night.

      I had a fantastic night, but it was because it began very bad. I was in trouble. Tock, I was scared.

      What? What happened?

      You happened, you lummox. You didn't think it was fair for things to only flow one way. You had me curled in a little pink ball of scared and embarrassed on the galley floor. Our captain is a wise and wonderful woman. She pointed out you were a more likely cause than the selk.

      And more likely you than me, Dollan.

      Me? I don't think I understand.

      Dollan, you're as receptive... It's why I always trust your judgment about people. Or anything else for that matter. Dollan, you're high enough psi you could petition to emigrate to Vegas. I'm half of this pair. You were perfectly willing to accept the selk chose us because of me. In fact, you tell people that. The selk chose us because of us. You're eminently fair. You don't like things being one way. My money is on he-did-it. You're always surprising me, but this does not.

      I... They didn't say... When they tested us, they didn't say I was high psi.

      No, they said my ability and you were part of it. I figured we had enough problems without me increasing our 'oddness' by straightening them out. Besides, you weren't ready for it.

      I'm still not. Why is it physical and not mental?

      That's actually easiest. We'll devise our own tests for it. Dollan, you're not even fully mature yet. Neither am I. We'll actually get stronger. We're going to be about the most powerful pair in space.

      Is that good?

      That depends how the captain uses it.

      It's good. Candid, are you going to Seabrook?

      Yes, but I have no idea where that is.

      It's a slide along a rainbow to a golden plain. I'll take Seabrook as a destination, anytime. It's an ideal one hears about. One is born with an inherent value there, not a debt to the state. Seabrook, Covenlea, Shanan, Vanessa, four worlds in an alliance of freedom and mutual trust.

      And all the worlds around them benefit because of it.

      Lura walked into her quarters and smiled. Doll had 'straightened' them while she'd been on the bridge. The smell of breakfast drew her through the open door to the lounge. Doll's smile when she walked through it was wonderful. Tock's grin was nice too.

      Good morning, Captain.

      Good morning, Tock. Hi, Candid. Doll, you're on comm at Belle. Cessendra Veiliskasy deserves to see you and hear that deep voice and not get close. Doll, she does not like me. She won't take my money, but she can make getting it real tedious. I don't want to land. It's an unnecessary expense. You're the one to charm her for us. We need knowledge of where we're going. Find out the current situation among the Estuan sector worlds. Look for mostly short-run work with round trips on the slides as our ace to play when we contract.

      Courier work?

      That's the idea, Candid. It's ideal work for a ship Cotton's size, especially with her drive system. How fast do you want it there? Her comp is the next chore.

      She needs a unisystem program more than hardware, Cap. Uh, sorry, Captain.

      You've called me Cap before. You were just too busy to notice. I like it. Unisystem program?

      The hardware is nice, but Tock can build the circuits, I can program the system, and we can bring her comp up to about... Tock, help. You know how much simulated capacity that circuit would produce.

      The data doubling is about forty percent with sixty used as program?

      Roughly.

      Running two tiers is most reasonable. After that it's diminishing returns with loss, not gain, of efficiency. Say she'd be capable of operation at ninety-six percent of the capacity and speed of the best current hardware.

      You two can upgrade... Huh, uh. Talk to me, boys. Where did you learn this stuff?

      Lura was almost sorry she'd asked. Doll didn't actually move, but his withdrawal was still obvious. She looked at Tock, even more sure she needed the explanation than when she'd asked for it.

      When you have eight thousand people watch you... We spent our time in our quarters learning. That's where our would-be holo director got the idea. We were quite an attraction on the Starletta Regency cruise ships. You could do the whole circuit and watch us ride a slide eleven times. The would-be was sure there was a souvenir market that hadn't been tapped.

      Yuck. No wonder Backo found you a precedent and got you some time.

      He told us to find 'the captain who's beautiful clear through.' There were lots of captains. You're the one Doll said... You've got me doing it, Cap.

      Tock, he likes it. Or else. I'm going to stick a last name on him or... Yep. That's perfect. Hmm, I can do it right now. Official legal notice. Log entry. Authenticate and record. Ship Cotton personnel list: Lura Lake, captain; Tock Wain, Doll Dolan, slide navigators; Blackjack, ship's cat. Captain Lura Lake recording. Auth my signature on lounge stylus pad. Tock Wain.

      Auth my signature.

      Doll Dolan.

      Let me practice! Oops.

      Practice. Note to record. Two letters dropped from personal name as Doll is common form used.

      Ready, Captain Lake. Doll Dolan. Auth my signature.

      Close log and verify. Edit official documents, not under verification seal, bearing reference to contractee Dollan to contractee Doll Dolan per verified legal entry. Question verified legal entry contractee Dollan. All other documents name contractee Doll Dolan. Copy error entered upon discovery this date. Verification at origin point personal. Computer error correction insert Doll Dolan noted this date. Verify as corrected. Captain Lura Lake recording. Close all logs. Assume normal recording mode.

      Lura, you are a genius. Doll Dolan is perfect!

      Thanks, Candid. Doll, are you pleased?

      You just want to hear me say it.

      Yes. I want to hear that deep voice say Doll Dolan with pride, not as something I stuck on you.

      Captain, I have always been Doll Dolan. It just took you to discover it. Doll. I'm going to get in fights.

      So what's new? Actually, it'll probably reduce the number. They'll figure any guy named Doll has to be able to much more than take care of himself. Keep you from having to demonstrate so often.

      Tock, how often does he get in fights?

      Well, Captain, we didn't really have much time to find out, but it seems to have a direct correlation to how often we change bars in an evening.

      Oh, terrific. Doll, bail comes out of your share. So does breakage. If I get involved, I'll pay part. I'll decide how big a part on the occasion. Or, I may just stun you and leave you home until you learn how to behave in public.

      I don't start them, Cap. Honest. I usually ask fights to go away, please. They just won't.

      I found another dropper, Tock. You feed Blackjack. He is not happy with taking turns. Doll, be more arrogant. You'll get in fewer fights.

      What? Candid, I'm not sure that made sense.

      It's part of... It's the same thing Tock was saying. The difference between arrogance and conceit is arrogance is always based in fact. I know I'm good, not I say I'm good. You have every qualification for arrogant. Fights will go away when you say please, because you're quite sure you can handle them. They're rather inconvenient, but they don't last long. Yawn. An attitude that convinces other people works both ways. You learn to look at all you are and see how much you've got going for you besides pure masculine beauty.

      What?

      Candid, he thinks he's too short for a man.

      Tock, compared to you, most people are short. Doll, you and Tock are both gorgeous men. Lura, what did you think the first time you saw them?

      Yum.

      Yes, that was my reaction too. 'Yum. Oh, oh. Who are they? Yum. They're with her? Yum. How nice. Oh, oh, more people. Gee, that's nice.' I had very mixed feelings, but yum was never in question.

      Lura just sat and laughed. Doll and Tock were both blushing. Candid had blossomed on the journey. She'd once-been nervous and frightened.

      Now, about this ship's cat.

      How did you know Candid gave him to me this morning, Cap?

      Oh, she knew it before you two did, Tock. She tried to get me to bet on it. I declined. The minute you got that kitten in your hands, we both knew we had a cat.

      Personally, I can't wait until he grows up. Kittens are cute, but cats are interesting.

      You like cats, Cap?

      I like animals in general, Tock. I've never had a pet, but I've met some nice cats. He gets neutered though. Cats are predators.

      He won't be a hunter, Lura. That's actually something mama teaches. Well, instinct would probably take over if he got hungry. His mama and daddy are both very smart cats. His daddy is huge.

      Training hints, Candid?

      Be consistent, Tock. Cats are quite trainable. Of course, with cats it works both ways. You'll discover you're quite trainable too. You may think you have a cat. He'll know he has people.

      I have no idea why that thought pleases me. Cap, if we're going to Seabrook, we should get the upgrade on the comp done. We can pick up the two items I need at Sten Service Dock before we slide.

      I'll compute course from Belle, Tock. How long will it take to upgrade?

      My part's easy. Doll?

      I think I can do it in six days. I'll try.

      Six days is longer than I planned, but it's worth it to me. The question is do you mind a two-day delay, Candid. This is your charter.

      I am in no hurry at the moment, Lura. I'm very curious about Sten Dock. I'm sure I've heard of it.

      Probably in whispers. The service dock is famous. The rest of the station is notorious. It caters to the crews of ships in service dock. Adult status is required for entry, including staff.

      No families?

      Not on Sten Dock. There are four settled worlds within one-day shuttle distance. It's a unique place. No weapons allowed. In some areas, no clothes allowed.

      What?!

      There's a casino called 'Bare Bones,' where you check your clothes at the door. The owner got tired of electronic whiz cheats, people bringing their own alcohol, and drugs being sold in his place. He lowered the cost of everything, raised the payout percentage on non-skill games and put in a clothes check. Business skyrocketed. He's not losing money. We will go. It's fun. Everybody is in the same boat, liner captain to mech tech one. Getting fresh gets you slugged and tossed out. Getting excited gets you teased. I'm betting Doll gets teased.

      That's it. I'm not going. I know I'll get teased if you're willing to bet on it.

      Yes you are, Doll. You, Tock and I are going to sing together. The prize for the talent show is ten thou creds.

      Sing?! NUDE?!

      We need the creds. Computer, run program vocal arrangement. Analyze recorded voices of Lura, Tock and Doll. Select four pieces for performance and practice programs for performers. Performance date: seven days.

      Centava City by Zarkey Shond, Star Glow by Minda Reweloska, Marion Plays traditional, Shoop Kabba Don't by Stinkytoe Bowman.

      Oh, brother. A concerto, a folk song, a popular ballad and a silly little ditty. Well, if we can pull it off, we'll have a nice bankroll. Boys, the practice program is good. I know. I wrote it.

      Captain, I have never sung a note in my life. Tock does, but I never learned. It wasn't allowed outside the chorus room and I was barred from all arts after I used a marker on a wall when I was about two.

      I may bomb that planet. Doll, you're not barred anymore. You'll be magnificent. I'll lay odds on it. Takers? Three to one? Five to one? Ten to one? See, Doll? Even you don't have doubts.

      The run to Belle got busy. Candid heard four songs sung over and over. She turned out to be a terrific coach for Doll. He needed one thing the comp couldn't supply, someone to tell him he sounded good. The comp could only tell him he was correct.

      Doll discovered he programmed faster when he sang. Lura was positively smug. She had a few more tricks up her sleeve. Doll was on his way to unshakable self-esteem, but she was still thinking about dropping a bomb on Mindao. Twenty credits for a contract as cannon fodder and a child banned from all arts, was plenty of reason.

      Old Bill would be tickled when they performed. He'd been trying to get Lura to sing again for years. The chubby nudist was a sly old dog and one of her favorite people. She'd laughed til her sides ached, when he'd told her his excuse for making his business a nudist establishment, and hiring members of the nudist colony, to which he belonged, as staff. She was really looking forward to introducing Doll and Tock to him.

      Doll's singing lessons had an unexpected effect on their finances. He was rehearsing Star Glow when Belle Bonding Agency came online. Three minutes later, Cessendra was just nodding to everything he said. Twelve minutes after that, they had the money Lura was owed, plus the run-time bonus Cessendra probably hadn't planned to mention, until she'd had Lura filing reports for hours.

      A 'personal knowledge, prior dealings' release was a personal favor and large responsibility. She'd told Lura she was sure she was honest, but didn't trust her judgement enough to forego the detailed journey forms, and hadn't since Lura hadn't asked her sister's gorgeous boyfriend if he had a usual companion, as well as spouse or engaged-to-be.

      Doll had promised he'd visit in person next pass and asked her to help make it soon. He was sure he could talk his captain into spending time on Belle, if they finished their current contract ahead of schedule. He felt pretty safe giving the assurance. Lura was collapsed in mirth in the command chair. They didn't have a schedule.

      Sten Service Dock was swamped. They were given a docking slot in eight days. Tock said he could get the parts he needed without docking for service. Lura got immediate docking on the casino arm. She called Old Bill and borrowed the berth the station kept reserved for VIPs. He nearly bounced when she said she and her two crewmen would sing.

      The three began rehearsal together and Candid played critic. She admitted bias, but was sure they were at least terrific. Lura listened to the recording of their rehearsals carefully. She agreed with Candid. They were nearly ready. They had only one more thing to practice. She took them to Old Bill's Bare Bones Casino.

      Candid matter-of-factly handed her clothes over. Tock blushed, but turned his in. Doll just stood. Lura sighed. Tock grinned and tackled him. Lura and Candid moved fast. They checked his clothes and Tock carried him in over his shoulder. Doll was bright pink and laughing. His captain had noted she would have won her bet before they even got into the casino.

      Doll slowly stopped paying attention to his nudity. No one else did because everyone else was. Lura was relieved. The prize for talent wasn't necessary, but the extra credits would give them more time to look around Estuan sector before they had to find work. She took them to the Bare Bones for awhile every day until the contest, but Doll wasn't ready for spotlights.

      I don't... Captain, I won't remember any of them. I'm sorry. I'm just not ready for this.

      "Doll, sing with us and to me. Don't pay any attention to anything else. You know no one's got a holo cam in this crowd. You know our singing is what's being judged and you can do

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