Shipmates

By Stephen D. Sullivan

For Midknight mercenaries Menalo, Cretia, and Josun, working on a smoke-belching Iron Pirate ship has been a good gig. They've kicked some ass and been showered with treasure for their efforts. But now an attack by the dreaded Red Jack Sirus tests the trio's bonds and drives all of them into making decisions that they may not live to regret.

Stephen D. Sullivan is the award-winning author of dozens of novels and stories, including trilogies for Legend of the Five Rings, Spider Riders, and Dragonlance.

"Shipmates" is also available in Pirates of the Blue Kingdoms. Menalo and Cretia also appear in Tournament of Death 2.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen D. Sullivan
• Release date: Sep 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301294749

Stephen D. Sullivan

Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate. Not sure where to start? Try these: NEW! Manos: Talons of Fate BEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner) HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju Attack FANTASY: Tournament of Death novels SCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & Rust ADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars) OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other Tales There are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.) Browse! Buy! Enjoy!

Book preview

Stephen D. Sullivan

Novels & Collections

The Crimson Collection

Martian Knights & Other Tales

Luck o’ the Irish

Zombies, Werewolves, & Unicorns

Tournament of Death (free online novel)

Dragonlance

The Dragon Isles

The Dying Kingdom

Warrior’s Heart (Catriona trilogy)

Warrior’s Blood (Catriona trilogy)

Warrior’s Bones (Catriona trilogy)

Legend of the Five Rings

The Scorpion

The Phoenix

The Lion

Spider Riders

The Shards of the Oracle

Quest of the Earthen

Reign of the Soul Eater

And more…

E-Books & Stories

Elf Princess on Mars (regular or illustrated Elf Erotica editions)

Heart of Steam & Rust (steampunk - 2012)

Ghosts of 9/11

Monster Shark

The Candle Goes Dark, But the Light Remains (Crimson)

Crimson & Dragons (Crimson)

Crash of the Titans (Crimson)

Thor Loser (Crimson)

Snowraven

Kidnapped by Saurians (Dungeons & Dinosaurs)

And more…

Anthologies

Blue Kingdoms: Mages & Magic

Uncanny Encounters: Roswell

Hot & Steamy (steampunk)

Steampunk’d

Sol’s Children (sci-fi)

Lilith Unbound

And more…

tmp_d5c4e57b2d47ba82a9e66162d64e1e48_TsvBG9_html_60540581.jpg

SHIPMATES

Stephen D. Sullivan

• Walkabout Publishing •

Smashwords edition.

© 2012 Stephen D. Sullivan

I worked hard on this book, and I hope you enjoy it! I’m a real person trying to make a living, not some faceless mega-corporation. Your purchase of this book makes it easier for me to write more stories for you to enjoy. So…

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*

Walkabout Publishing

S.D.Studios

P.O.Box 151

Kansasville, WI 53139

www.walkaboutpublishing.com

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

Special thanks to my first readers, as always.

Cover art & design © 2012 Stephen D. Sullivan.

Get a free wallpaper of this and other stories at www.stephendsullivan.com –where you can find out more about me, as well. Thanks!

* * *

CONTENTS

SHIPMATES

Samples of Other Stories

Sisters in Arms

Monster Shark

Crimson & Dragons

About the Story

About the Author

* * *

SHIPMATES

Stephen D. Sullivan

By the Gods of Wrath and Mercy! Captain Plutark cursed. Where did that crag come from? Hard to starboard!

The crew of the Marauder hauled on the steering winches, changing the angle of the dreadnaught’s metal rudder. The big ship listed onto its starboard side, barely missing the huge, jagged rock stabbing out of the surf.

The captain of the Iron Pirate vessel paced the bridge, his dark eyes scanning the choppy waters of the Southern Azure Sea for more unexpected obstacles. The ocean ahead surged and boiled, sending gouts of mist into the afternoon air. Sunlight peeked through the dark clouds, turning the spray silver and gold.

To port now! To port! Plutark called as another crag thrust up out of the ocean. Curse the gods!

The crew reversed direction and frantically moved the winches the other way. The Marauder began to turn once more, but this time not fast enough. The ship’s metal sides scraped against the black stone.

Teats of Kabree! Work faster, you dogs! the captain cried. We’ll never catch that Bellarite at this rate! Even as he spoke, more deadly crags emerged from the savage sea, like stony fingers reaching for the ship. Despite the escalating hazards, the pirate captain remained fixated on the white-sailed merchantman bobbing in the distance.

Standing just below the bridge, the Midknight named Menalo shook his head. Why not let her go, captain? he called to Plutark. Their ship is small and these waters far too dangerous.

Plutark leaned over the bridge rail and scowled at the trio of armored warriors standing against the cabin bulkhead. A lot you know! the captain replied. If you Midknights had as much brains as muscles, you’d realize that you can’t judge a Bellarite’s worth by her size!

Menalo smiled, knowing that the crest of his helmet hid his face from the captain.

Cretia, the tall warrior on Menalo’s left, grinned as well. "You can’t expect Captain Plutark to give