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

“Join the IPF?” asked Drake. “Never gonna happen. We’d rather die!”

Casey smirked at Misaki. “I guess Blacktusk knows what he’s doing.” Without breaking eye contact, she swiveled her shotgun toward Drake and pulled the trigger.

Misaki flinched. “Yes, I’m in.”

“I’ll join,” said Ikunku, and he stood with his arms up.

“Me too,” said Sturmhardt, her eyes wide with fear. Blood spatter covered her face and shoulders.

Drake fell backward, dead.

Casey regarded Orin incredulously. “Why didn’t you catch the blast?”

“I was already holding the weapons!” said Orin.

“That you were. My mistake. All right, then.” Shifting her focus to the buccaneers, she rested the shotgun against her shoulder. “What about the rest of you?”

Shulana, Ostonk, Mayfield, and Laz agreed.

Casey nodded proudly. “Good. We’ve got one more formality to take care of. Everyone, repeat after me. I do solemnly swear…”

Almost in unison, they replied, “I do solemnly swear…”

“…that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Planets against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

As she led them through the rest of the deputy’s oath, April finished bandaging Malmoradan, and Shona made her way back down the ladder. She sat at Malmoradan’s side, speaking with him in whispers. They exchanged nods, and Malmoradan climbed to his feet. He and Shona stumbled forward as Orin returned the weapons to Casey’s posse.

Casey took the lead as they all crossed the passageway to the boarding ramp. Steeling her resolve, she peered out into the hangar bay. Blacktusk greeted her, along with the rest of his well-armed crew.

“I offer my sincerest apologies, Ms. Cartwright, but we have arrived at an impasse,” said Blacktusk. “Though it pains me, I don’t think I can let you live. Where is my binary?”

“I’m not your binary,” said Orin, and he stepped into view at Casey’s side.

“I see.” Blacktusk closed his eyes for a moment. “Unfortunately, this also means the end of our friendship, Mr. Webb.” Tapping his commlink, he said, “Kill them.”

The warthog powered up. She swiveled slightly to face Ergo.

Casey leaned close to Orin. “You can catch those cannons, right?”

“Not if they’re lasers!” said Orin.

“I believe they’re particle beams,” said April.

“So, you can catch them,” said Shona. “As long as they’re not lasers?”

“No, that ain’t it,” said Malmoradan. “Particle beams move almost as fast as lasers. I think that’s what he’s getting at.”

Casey breathed out. “Orin, can you confirm that light speed’s a little too fast, even for you? Is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s right,” said Orin. He swallowed hard as the warthog’s forward cannons charged. “Sorry to disappoint. Everyone, hold on to something!”

Chapter 14

The Wreck of the Excrucio

Using a prybar, Mike broke the last of the welds holding the pirates’ door-breaker in place. It crashed to the deck, and the bridge door slid open. He jumped at the sight of gun barrels pointed at him. As he raised his hands, Torsha emerged. With a look of surprise, she removed the tri-corner hat and raised her hands as well. “Mike, what’s going on?”

“Everyone, stand down,” said Izel, and her bridge crew lowered their sidearms. “Indeed, principito, what is going on? We’ve been cut off from the rest of the ship since we received reports of a hull breach on Deck 3.”

“It’s a lot,” said Mike. He related his and Torsha’s actions, as well as Bianca’s status report.

“We will need to act swiftly,” said Izel. “Orin is down on the asteroid, and Blacktusk’s fleet is poised to strike.” She released the lock on the lower decks and leaned over her conn. “PFC De Leon, do you read me?”

A moment later, Bianca’s voice came back. “Roger that, Captain! Thank God you’re alive. Did Mike find you?”

“He did,” said Izel. “I’m promoting you to lance corporal, effective immediately. Instruct Lieutenant Belmont to rally your platoon at the launch bay. Have pilots warm up both of our Sunhawks. You will be the ones to rescue Orin Webb. Ask him to send up a security team to take the invaders into custody, as well. There will be a total of thirteen prisoners.”

“Sí, capitán,” said Bianca. “Thank you! I won’t let you down.”

As Izel issued orders, Torsha ran her hand along Mike’s sleeve. “What happened to your clothes?” she asked. “They’re covered in holes!”

“I’m sure they got snagged on the armor,” said Mike. “It was very big on me. Captain Aguirre, do you have anything else I can wear?”

She chuckled. “Talk to the quartermaster. He’s on Deck 2.”

“What are you planning to do about Blacktusk’s Buccaneers?” asked Mike. “His fleet, I mean.”

“I will be dispatching my own boarding party to breach the Excrucio, using their vessel against them. We must time everything perfectly, so they are completely unaware of our capabilities until we strike.”

She studied Mike and Torsha. “Actually, I could really use your help with the next part of this action. It’s certain they will scan the ships for personnel, and they almost certainly have a roster of the Fox Mendes crew complement. I can provide jamming fields for my marines to escape detection, but it will seem suspicious if no one at all is aboard. How would you feel about posing as the boarding sled’s pilot and copilot?”

“What would be involved?” asked Mike.

“First, you must borrow some clothes from the invaders,” said Izel. “Once you get close enough to the flagship, they will hail you. The actual copilot will send an automated response. If Excrucio is feeling chatty, you will take the comm and tell them you’re an inside man named Blackburn. Tell them the boarding action was successful, and that others will be coming over in the Fox Mendes Sunhawks. Then, you will board and follow the fireteams as they sweep the decks and take command of the flagship. How does that sound?”

Mike took a deep breath. “I’ll do it.”

Insistently, Torsha shook her head. “No. I’m sorry, but no.” She sniffed and wiped at her nose. “I can’t.”

“Please reconsider,” said Izel. “It will be very difficult for Mike to do this alone.”

Torsha looked at Mike.

“It’s up