Home Front (Star Kingdom #7) - Lindsay Buroker Page 0,87

past and are suspicious and ignore us all? Or what happens if they attack us all?”

“The Mirage is the only one we’ve put rumors out about. The whole system should think it’s full of vast riches.” His father flicked a finger toward the crushers.

“That doesn’t mean they won’t see through our ruse. Especially if Dya tells them about it.”

“I’ll stay in navigation and keep an eye on her ship.”

After his father left, Asger slumped down in his pod. “Why do I already have a feeling this mission isn’t going to go according to plan?”

“Maybe we should abort.” Qin’s anguished expression promised that wasn’t what she wanted to do. “I want to get them, but…” She gazed bleakly at him.

“We’ll make it work.” Asger had his doubts, but he forced a smile and hoped he was telling the truth.

19

Yas gazed out the porthole in the mess hall at the orderly queue of ships lined up at the wormhole gate, waiting for it to be repaired so they could leave the system. There weren’t as many as he expected, even counting the rogues that had arranged themselves haphazardly and looked prepared to cut the line if the opportunity arose. Nobody was bothering the three university science vessels anchored right next to the gate, their crews going in and out of their airlock hatches in spacesuits.

The Fedallah didn’t anchor itself anywhere. The ship was circling the area, like a hunting dog trying to find a trail.

“Hey, Doc.” Jess ambled up to join him, a sandwich in one hand and a water bottle in the other. Grease and less identifiable stains smeared her coveralls, and a smudge had found its way onto her cheek.

“Chief Khonsari.” Yas doubted she would appreciate it if he pulled out a saniwipe and washed her cheek for her. And her hands. Who ate a sandwich with engine grease and lube on their fingers?

“I think we’ve established that you can call me Jess.”

“I wasn’t sure if you would revoke that after I ran that scan on you and healed your vertebrae without permission.”

“If you have to be knocked out and manhandled by a guy, there are worse things that could happen.” Jess grinned and took a chomp out of the sandwich. Her face was as elegant as ever, even while chewing, even while grease-besmirched, and even while discussing molestation.

“I hope the danger of anything untoward happening to a woman on this ship is low.”

“You’re more likely to get punched in the face here than molested.”

“Some people would consider that molestation.”

“Not if it happens in the boxing ring. And not if you punch them back even harder.”

“The mercenary life is an interesting one,” he observed.

“Not that different from sports, really. More killing and fewer scoring of goals, but the people are kind of the same.”

Yas didn’t know what to say to that, so he opted for, “How’s the burn?”

“About gone. Thanks. And we got the slydar detector online.” Jess pointed her sandwich at the porthole. “The captain has already located three ships hiding out there. We’re making scouting passes now, trying to figure out exactly what the range is. And trying to find an astroshaman ship. Nobody ever sees them flying about, so we’re thinking they’ve all got slydar. They could have some other kind of camouflaging tech—who knows with them?—but we hope to find them.”

“Yeah.” Yas had already voiced his objections on the matter, so he didn’t say more. Besides, Jess wasn’t the one in charge of the ship.

She finished chewing and gazed at him as she drank from her water bottle. The light by the porthole was soft and played across the planes of her face, creating mysterious shadows here and there. There were a few other mercenaries in the mess hall, but it was late, and he doubted anyone would notice if they kissed. Not that they would. He’d given up on her ever falling for him. She was more likely to thump him on the shoulder and call him “Doc” rather than some term of endearment. Or even use his name.

“I really do mean thanks,” Jess said. “And not just for the burn. My headaches have been a lot better since you tinkered.” She waved over her shoulder toward her back. “I’m trying to be careful not to re-injure my spine by lifting too much, but I got so used to being able to pick up heavy things with my cybernetic side that I’m fuzzy on what a normal and appropriate weight is. I’ve tried lifting things