Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

“I overheard Ostonk mention something about hiring some denshi-tengus from space station Tiburón Dellasuerte,” said Eridani. “It’s not far from here, and if they’ve got skin thieves for hire, they might just have the right sorts of knuckleheads for hire too.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” said Gretchen. “As long as you’re not going alone. That place is a pirate cove. The scumbags there will gang up on you, kidnap you, and sell you into a sex ring. Real-life pirates aren’t like the ones in the stories. Also, no one calls it that. It was Tiburón Dellasuerte back when it was a supermax lunar prison, but ever since some shady business types bought and renovated the place, everyone calls it the Black Doubloon.”

“Good advice. I’ll bring Torsha and a couple big lads from Imperium’s security detail,” said Eridani. She glanced at Torsha. “Assuming you’re okay with that.”

Torsha nodded. “Sure. A pirate cove sounds cool.”

“Actually, I’m thinking just you and me, and a couple big lasses,” said Gretchen, and she looked at Eleski and Katsinki. “Cullthoun matriarchs, to be exact. I don’t care how worldly you are, standing in the presence of one of those ladies is terrifying. Standing in the presence of two is the stuff horror movies are made of.”

“Cullthoun matriarchs are famous for jealously nurturing their young,” said Katsinki. “They are seldom encountered beyond their home world. Onlookers will likely find the presence of one matriarch curious, while the presence of two matriarchs is certain to rouse intense suspicion. They are likely to deduce we are denshi-tengus in disguise.”

“On places like the Black Doubloon, everyone uses denshies,” said Gretchen. “It’s not about trying to fool anyone over there—deception is a given. It’s about creating just the right amount of doubt, just the right amount of wariness about what you might do.”

Torsha crossed her arms. “If everyone from there is a liar, how are we supposed to trust anyone we hire?”

“Give them work they can brag about, work they could see themselves coming back to,” said Gretchen, and she regarded Eridani. “Considering the scope of what you’re about to undertake, it sounds like there’ll be plenty of that. If you decide that’s where we’re going, just follow my lead. Let me do the talking and you’ll be all right.”

“It sounds like I don’t need to be there at all,” said Eridani.

“No, no—you’re a Jo without a fixer, so you definitely need to be there,” said Gretchen.

“What’s a Jo?”

Gretchen smiled wryly. “It’s a lot like a dikfer.”

Eridani sighed. “Seriously?”

“Ah, you’re quick,” said Gretchen, and she laughed. “The Jo is the person bankrolling the job, and the fixer is the one who secures the resources. Now, normally fixers won’t work with a Jo that’s got no reputation, but it so happens I know a guy in the Northern Arm that’s taking new clients. Want me to arrange a meeting? It’ll need to be in person, of course.”

“Thank you, but we don’t have that kind of time,” said Eridani.

“No fixer, then. It’s not ideal, but everyone has to start somewhere,” said Gretchen.

“Aren’t you acting as my fixer in this context?”

Gretchen shook her head. “I’m the face. I’ve never loved networking enough to be a fixer.”

“Got it,” said Eridani. “Then before we set course for the Black Doubloon, is there anywhere else you think we should go instead?”

“Not here in the Eastern Arm,” said Gretchen.

“Then let’s do it,” said Eridani. “Let’s get underway.”

Gretchen took her station at the conn and set down her mug. She began entering flight data. “First things first, Captain. Getting underway involves a lot of people doing a lot of things, and they need to know they’re taking orders from you now.”

“Not captain. Eridani. Please, just Eridani.”

“If I call you Eridani, it’ll erode your authority,” said Gretchen. “If you’re not comfortable with captain, I could call you something else. Maybe skipper, or something that captures the imagination, like… Calico Jackie, or Bonny Morgan, or even Flaxen Dani if you prefer keeping closer to your real name.”

“That’s a hard pass on skipper. No, let’s go with…” Eridani sighed. “Captain will be fine.”

“Great. That’s one thing that’s always bugged me about Captain Veskatar. He always insists on being called Bloodtusk. Except by the Stonks, of course.” Gretchen glanced at Torsha. “What’s your job? Counselor?” She noticed the flecks of dried blood on Torsha’s clothing and fur. “Bodyguard?”

Torsha shrugged. “I don’t know. Bodyguard, I guess.”

“She’ll be my first mate,” said Eridani. “If you’re okay with that, Torsha.”

“That sounds cool,” said Torsha.

Gretchen winced. “No offense but being first mate is a lot of responsibility. It’s very administrative, and very boring.”

“Ha! Not the way I’ll be doing it,” said Torsha.

“We can revisit this later, after you realize I’m right,” said Gretchen. “Captain, if I were you, I’d spend some time with the deck plan. After you’re familiar with Imperium’s layout, call an all-hands meeting in the main mess. Tell the crew you’re in charge now. That’s when I’ll start evangelizing. Don’t worry, between me vouching for you and the overall dislike of our former captain, they’ll warm up to you in no time.”

“I appreciate your confidence in my ability to lead,” said Eridani.

“Also, you and Torsha should both take showers before you do anything else,” said Gretchen. “And maybe… burn your clothes. You guys smell like you live in a latrine.”

Eridani laughed. “It’s that bad?”

“It’s pretty bad.”

“The quartermaster tends a multitude of varied jumpsuits and undergarments,” said Katsinki. “I would be happy to procure suitable apparel for both of you.”

“That would be great, thank you,” said Eridani. “Can you show us to our rooms? I’d prefer to make use of the same ones Ostonk and Bloodtusk used.”

“That is a wholly agreeable request,” said Katsinki. “Please follow me.”

“Gretchen, you’re in charge while I’m gone,” said Eridani, and she paused. “Is it commander? Officer? Do you have a rank? How do I address you?”

“Myeong is fine. No one really has ranks, here.”

Eridani nodded. “You vouch for