In Discretion

By Reesa Herberth

Thanson Nez thought his career as a Discretionary would take him to the stars, not strand him on a space station at the ass-end of the Empire. Thanks to his last client, he’s carrying a secret he can’t get rid of fast enough, but his oath to the guild means a swift, painful death if he shares it. Already desperate for help, he runs into yet more trouble: his ex, and an explosion that paralyzes the station moments after their uncomfortable reunion.

Kazra Ferdow, Station 43’s communications officer, is almost as blindsided by the return of his first love as he is by the sudden loss of power and life support. The station is a floating graveyard in the making, and something is turning its inhabitants into savage killers. Fighting human monsters and damaged tech, Kazra and Thanson must put aside their past long enough to try to save everyone.

The more light they shine into dark corners, the more Thanson realizes how many people might die for the secrets locked in his head—and what he’s willing to sacrifice to make sure Kazra isn’t one of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Riptide Publishing
• Release date: Apr 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781626490949

Book preview

Riptide Publishing

PO Box 6652

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

http://www.riptidepublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

In Discretion (A Ylendrian Empire Novella)

Copyright © 2013 by Reesa Herberth

Smashwords Edition

Cover Art by Simoné, http://www.dreamarian.com/

Editors: Rachel Haimowitz and Carrie White-Parrish

Layout: L.C. Chase, http://lcchase.com/design.htm

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, and where permitted by law. Reviewers may quote brief passages in a review. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Riptide Publishing at the mailing address above, at Riptidepublishing.com, or at [e-mail].

ISBN: 978-1-62649-094-9

First edition

December, 2013

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Thanson Nez thought his career as a Discretionary would take him to the stars, not strand him on a space station at the ass-end of the Empire. Thanks to his last client, he’s carrying a secret he can’t get rid of fast enough, but his oath to the guild means a swift, painful death if he shares it. Already desperate for help, he runs into yet more trouble: his ex, and an explosion that paralyzes the station moments after their uncomfortable reunion.

Kazra Ferdow, Station 43’s communications officer, is almost as blindsided by the return of his first love as he is by the sudden loss of power and life support. The station is a floating graveyard in the making, and something is turning its inhabitants into savage killers. Fighting human monsters and damaged tech, Kazra and Thanson must put aside their past long enough to try to save everyone.

The more light they shine into dark corners, the more Thanson realizes how many people might die for the secrets locked in his head—and what he’s willing to sacrifice to make sure Kazra isn’t one of them.

To my sister Tina, with love. Sorry about shooting you in the head.

About In Discretion

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Acknowledgments

Also by Reesa Herberth

About the Author

More like this

Protocol was lenient, given the circumstances, but it felt strange to leave Rannah’s ship without announcing his intentions. Thanson Nez took the last step out of the neutral zone between the yacht’s private airlock and the station corridor, bouncing the handle of his travel case against his hip.

He’d taken this contract months ago, assuming it would be a basic flatter-and-fuck job, rather than a complete disaster that would leave him stranded in the middle of nowhere. Imperial Minister Lantony Rannah might be heading home from a lengthy tour of the Empire’s strategic pressure points in a few hours, but Thanson had no intention of setting foot back on that ship, however inconvenient his current location.

As soon as he cleared the docking bay, he paused to retrieve a sleek notepad from the top of his luggage. Hooking into Station 43’s local systems, he pulled up directions to the communications office.

He’d been to worse places in the course of his travels for work, but the sort of person who could afford to contract a discretionary didn’t often frequent deep-space waypoints like Station 43. Scuffed, dirty metal ramps, stacked over each other like rodent mazes, dropped at least another level or two below the one he stood on. The walls were encrusted with a century’s worth of grime, and the flat air carried the stink of unwashed bodies with every breath. Each of his quiet steps, dogged by the soft drag of his belongings, brought him closer to the murmur of busy noise built by all the layers of people crammed into the station.

Where are you off to, Nez? Thanson was too well trained to flinch, but the question hit him like a hand falling on his shoulder. His contract had been with Misher’s employer, but that hadn’t kept Misher from trying to treat him as company property.

Thanson turned to speak face-to-face with the man, aware the same courtesy never would have been extended his way. We’ve docked at Station 43. Do I need to expand on the geographical concept for you, or can you follow the clues to a logical conclusion? There was no need to add treacle to his tone. Misher would assume it, and he didn’t feel like wasting the effort of a performance on an unappreciative audience.

I don’t think Lantony will be best pleased by his belongings getting lost somewhere in the ass-end of the ’verse. He’s finished his inspection with the station commander, so why don’t you scurry back to your room and wait for him like a good little whore?

Misher’s narrow, refined features, while objectively attractive, had never been much good for camouflaging an intense desire to unsettle him. But Thanson refused to play the game Misher so obviously wanted, at least without a paid contract. I realize there’s no point in contesting your terminology yet again, but I’m feeling gracious. I’m a member of the Discretionary’s Cohort, not a sex slave. One is a respected trade guild, the other is illegal. If a touch of hostility crept into his voice, it was only because they’d had this discussion before, generally when Misher felt drunk and entitled. "I’m not chattel, and in any case, while I wish Minister Rannah only the best of health and success, I’m afraid our paths must diverge. The sooner we end this tiresome conversation, the sooner I can contact my Cohort, and the sooner they can offer the minister names and locations of other suitable companions."

Thanson’s clipped Triumvir accent and emphasis on the honorific wasn’t without reason. Misher came from Cainet, and had never shaken entirely free of the social castes there. A reminder that Misher lacked the appropriate standing to truly speak for Lantony might buy him an out.

Or, it might piss Misher off.

Misher caught Thanson’s wrist, quicker than he’d anticipated. His fault, really; he’d forgotten how fast Misher could be when he wasn’t drunk. Thanson’s notebook clattered to the floor as Misher twisted his arm. So that means you’re open for business?

It means I’m free to choose a new contract. And let’s be perfectly clear; it won’t be with you. It would never, ever be with you.

Misher’s hold tightened more than Thanson would have thought possible, and Misher used the leverage to reel him in. Truth be told, I’m not even interested in fucking you. I imagine you’ve got a little more use on you than I care for. I just want to put you in your place for once, and we both know that’s below me.

Lantony’d chosen a worthy second in Misher, who masked a brutal, efficient nature with handsome trappings and a warm smile. Where an Imperial Minister might not go, Misher was happy to tread.

Thanson smiled and lowered his voice as the pain in his wrist ratcheted up another notch. Do you know what happens to someone who tries to violate a discretionary, Misher?

A case of overpriced crotch rot?

Blast guns weren’t a fitting accessory for his trade most of the time, but he wasn’t a small man, and he’d been trained to control his body under duress; he didn’t need a gun to make his point. He drove down hard with his heel, and Misher’s involuntary urge to reach the source of pain gave Thanson the chance to bring a knee up, freeing his wrist at the same time.

There wasn’t room for a good kick in the narrow hallway, so he settled on the direct application of force, driving his elbow into Misher’s gut hard enough to put him on the ground. Shoving his foot between Misher’s legs, he stepped down with enough pressure to make his point. "Nobody knows because we keep our secrets well. I’d advise you to do the same. My

Reviews for In Discretion

[Estarianne · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I actually enjoyed this novella and thought the environment and characters were well done. Unfortunately the story was really hard to follow and about half the time I couldn't figure out what was happening. It made the plot sort of haphazard, as I think I just missed some of her plotting elements.


Overall a fun read. Basic story elements just need to be more overt.