Wanted Rescuers

By Terry Compton

No good deed goes unpunished. Josh Gunn and his partners were finding this axiom very true. They just wanted to get the slaves home and go back to bounty hunting. They had control of the sex slave spaceship but it contained a load of problems that threatened to boil over into a riot. On top of that, slavers, pirates, a crime lord and the Charter Navy were looking for them. Josh and Cherry needed all their wits and skills to pull off this rescue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Compton
• Release date: May 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311770479

Terry Compton

Terry Compton has raced stock cars, rode horses across the Scapegoat Wilderness, fished and hunted most of his adult life while working at several different jobs. He is an Air Force veteran and served in the Air National Guard for several years. He is currently retired from being the owner, chief welder and installer for an ornamental iron business where he has made several award winning metal creations and is now turning this creativity to writing.Terry loves to read science fiction, westerns and mystery stories. Some of his favorite authors are Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Andre Norton, Poul Anderson, Robert Heinlein, Louie L'Amour, Zane Grey and Anne McCaffery. He is currently learning about 'indie' authors who are publishing e-books.Terry currently lives in Montana with his wife and a dog who thinks she is a short furry people.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Josh Gunn flew the Belleterra Wanderer out of hyperspace with the shield on and set to invisible. He let Belle drift through space as he studied his scanners. After five minutes, Kassie Stevens asked, Josh honey, why are we just sitting here? We need to get to Cherry and Lemmy. What are you doing anyway?

Tuntu, the huge, muscular Arante, quietly said, Hush, little one. Let him work. He knows what he's doing.

She turned her head to glare at him but closed her mouth. Josh's eyes stayed on the view screens. His body tensed as he saw what he didn't want to see. A spaceship. It came from behind the big seventh planet.

Kassie asked, What's that? A spaceship?

Josh replied, Yes.

Is it dangerous? Who is it?

I don't know the answer to either question. Kassie, let me keep checking. Go get me a drink – please.

Her mouth turned down at the corners but she did as he asked. Josh checked the sensors in the opposite direction. Sure enough, there was another ship. He asked, Belle, are they Zlata?

Not those two. I see one more that is.

Where?

With that group of three by the asteroids.

Kassie walked back in with his drink. She asked, What group? What's Belle talking about, darling?

Her hand caressed him on the shoulder as she handed him the drink. Josh said, That group of three spaceships there.

Kassie's eyes followed his finger. She said, Josh honey, this doesn't look good. Who do you think they are?

Pirates or some of Lobos' ships.

Are they looking for us?

No, most likely they are searching for Cherry and the Pomodore. They want that ship back.

Kassie frowned, Will they be dangerous to us if they find us here?

If it's pirates or Zlata.

The first ship he had spotted flew straight at them. With each passing second, it grew bigger in the view screen. Josh could hear Kassie's labored breathing. He slowly let out his own breath he'd been holding.

The ship came closer and closer. At fifty miles away, it passed to their starboard side. Kassie exhaled noisily. Why didn't you shoot it out of the sky?

Are they pirates or someone looking for an asteroid to mine? If they are pirates, do they have any slaves on board? If I fire on them, everyone on board dies.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

Tuntu asked, What would those other ships have done?

Josh said, That's the other question. I think we could have taken all of them, but would any of them get a comm call off? This place would be swarming if one call got out.

Kassie said, Aren't they headed for the Pomodore?

We'll have to wait and see.

Josh nudged Belle around and targeted the ship. He started punching in coordinates for a jump. His eyes strayed to the view screens, then back to the coordinates. He checked the other ships and put in coordinates to be able to jump behind them.

The ship in the crosshairs continued on past Cherry's hiding position. Soon, it flew to another area. The other single ship flew around in an area on the opposite side of the solar system. Josh and the other two sat watching the ships search for two more hours.

Kassie's fingers tapped the arms of her seat. Her foot jiggled on the floor. She looked up to see both Josh and Tuntu staring at her. Her actions stopped as she asked, What?

Josh said, Thank you. You were about to drive both of us nuts.

Well, I don't like to sit just watching. I'd rather be doing something.

I'd say go to the galley but there's nothing there to belt to if we have to maneuver. I'm going to have to talk to Lemmy about that.

Another hour went by before the two single ships jumped out of the solar system. The other three followed shortly after. Kassie said, Now, let's get the Pomodore and get out of here.

Josh said, Let's wait a bit.

Twenty minutes later, a single ship jumped back into the system. Kassie looked at Josh with wide eyes. If the Pomodore had been moving, they'd have spotted her. That would be bad.

Josh said, That would be bad.

They continued to sit for another four hours. Ships came into the solar system three more times, each jumping out after only a few minutes. The last sighting made Kassie mutter, Once more and I think you should just shoot them and get it over. Let's fight or move. I'm tired of sitting here watching the grass grow.

Tuntu asked, What grass?

It's just a saying. We're sitting here doing nothing. We can't even go get something to eat.

Tuntu said, I'm not hungry yet.

Kassie just rolled her eyes at him. Josh grinned at their exchange, but his eyes never strayed far from the view screens. He slowly eased Belle in the direction of the Pomodore after another twenty minutes with no activity.

Two hours later Belle came into direct line of sight of the larger ship. Josh activated the laser comm. Cherry Kang's face came on the view screen. He said, Josh, I'd like to get out of here. I'm getting jumpy watching all those ships come in and out of here.

I know. I wish we knew what they were looking for.

Both of them spoke at once, Lobos.

Cherry said, She's not dead. I can just feel it.

Josh said, Maybe I should follow some of them. They might lead us to her.

We can't leave the Pomodore here. If they were looking for something else, they should have found us.

Kassie said, Then let's get the Pomodore to someplace safe. Then you could come back here and follow those ships.

Cherry said, There's just one little problem. We need fuel. This ship didn't have much to begin with and those jumps I made used a lot. This tub doesn't have very efficient drives.

Josh asked, Do you have enough for a short jump?

Yes, but there wouldn't be much left. I'd rather get some fuel now.

Kassie looked at them with her big blue eyes. She asked, Where will you get the fuel? What will you use for money? Will one of those planets in this solar system have fuel?

Josh and Cherry looked at one another for long seconds before Cherry gave a slight nod. Josh said, Kassie, Tuntu, what I'm about to tell you needs to remain a secret just between us. If this knowledge got out, we'd have to fight off a lot of treasure seekers.

Kassie and Tuntu looked at him in expectation. They both nodded their heads to let him know they understood. Josh said, Belle has some unique capabilities. One of them is the way she's refueled. She has rockets that scoop the fuel from the surface of the sun over there.

Kassie asked, How is that possible? It would burn up.

I don't know all the details but it works. A blue star works best but any of them will get us by. If people knew we could do that, they would try to take Belle away from us. Promise me you'll keep this to yourself.

Kassie and Tuntu spoke together, We will.

Josh looked back to Cherry. He said, If I fire the rockets from here, it'll take days to get enough fuel for you. Besides, if those spaceships come back, they may see the movement.

Cherry said, Fly Belle closer, get the rockets and her full. Fly back here and transfer fuel.

Josh nodded in agreement and turned Belle toward the star. A few hours later, he came back with a full load of fuel. He jockeyed Belle into place as Lemmy climbed to the hull of the Pomodore. She transferred half the fuel aboard Belle.

Josh made three more trips before they felt they had enough fuel in the Pomodore to last. Josh led the way in Belle. He called back to Cherry as soon as he had cleared the jump area. They made three jumps before they arrived at the asteroid where they had found Belle.

Cherry called Josh, Where do you want me to park this thing? It's too big to go inside the asteroid. Also, what are you going to do about those big snakes?

Josh grinned at him. I thought you'd be glad to take care of them, seeing as how they kept your blue butt safe on that ship.

Cherry frowned at him. I don't have the control you do. You'd better figure out something because I see the big ones moving this way.

Josh looked at his scanners to see a half dozen of the huge Nagini moving their way. In a few moments, Kassie let out a scream as the giant animals started weaving around Belle. Josh slowed Belle as Cherry kept the Pomodore headed for the asteroid.

Kassie said, Josh honey, those things are big enough to swallow this ship. What are they doing?

They like to rub against Belle's shield or even her hull if I let them. Pretty soon, they'll start doing this amazing – ah – dance for lack of a better work. They'll swarm all around us but barely touch.

The Nagini started as he finished speaking. They swam in intricate patterns around the spaceship. Tuntu said, They like this ship. What do they do to people outside on the hull?

Josh answered, I don't know. I'm too chicken to go out there with them. The smaller ones on the asteroid —

Kassie asked, Sugarplum, how big are these smaller ones? As small as the little ones on the Pomodore?

Well, some of them are. But some are up to fifty feet long. I've had all of them swarm around me while I sat on my grav-cycle. I about shivered my spacesuit off.

Kassie said, I think I'd just die of fright if I had big ones like that around me.

Josh smiled. You might think the big ones are bad, but wait until you have a hoard of those little ones rubbing on you. I'll have to watch where I take you on the asteroid.

As Cherry drew near to the asteroid, Josh called him. You might want to open the cargo bay's outer door to let those Nagini out. That may keep all of them busy until you park.

Josh, Kassie and Tuntu watched as the mass of snakes shot out of the rear of the Pomodore. Another swirling mass came out of the asteroid. Cherry moved the big spaceship close to the asteroid and anchored it there with a tractor beam. The snakes ignored the ship as they swarmed together in a huge ball.

Josh flew under the arch of the asteroid and set Belle down. The smaller Nagini that would fit hovered around the spaceship. Eight and ten-footers rubbed up and down the length of the spaceship.

Kassie eyed Josh. She said, I hope you don't expect me to go out there with all those nasty things.

Josh said, We need to go over to the Pomodore. We can take a fliter with a shield. We'll have to for Tuntu anyway.

Her eyes snapped as she said, Most of those things could swallow a fliter whole. Just how will a shield help us?

They don't bother a shield. We've sucked the energy out of them before and they respect it.

Kassie gave him a hard look but didn't say anything more. Josh stood up and walked back to the cargo bay. He unfastened one of the military fliters they had salvaged off the Alcantaran relic. He loaded several remote sensors and some shield generators onto it. Tuntu helped move the heavier items.

Josh told Kassie to get into her spacesuit as he climbed into his. After he had completed his task, he motioned for Tuntu and Kassie to get on the back of the fliter. He set the shield and moved into the airlock.

A few minutes later, they flew out into the Nagini. Josh heard a yelp from Kassie as the snakes rubbed against the shield but he ignored it as he hurried to the cargo bay of the Pomodore. When some of the Nagini tried to come inside, he yelled in his helmet, Get out of here. Go eat or something. I have things to do and I can't let you in.

The whirling ball of bodies moved back outside the door. Josh closed it and started pumping air into the bay. He climbed off the fliter and looked to his left. Movement there made him reach for his blaster. Two of the ten-foot snakes rubbed against the bottom of the last Bug ship they had captured.

Josh turned the shield on the fliter off after the air pressure stabilized. He opened his helmet and asked, Tuntu, did you or your people search that bay?

Tuntu frowned, I don't think so. We didn't know there was a bay under there.

You two get behind the fliter. I'm going to open this up and see what those Nagini are so interested in.

Josh waited until they were in place. He saw them draw blasters and lean them across the top of the fliter. Josh found the access panel and opened the bay doors. The two Nagini rushed inside. Ducking down, Josh looked in.

The small one man shuttle sat in the bay. The snakes were twisting and turning around it. Josh pulled a light out of his tool pouch and shined it into the cockpit. Big eyes stared back at him from the pilot's seat.

Josh yelled, Come out of there.

The tiny form trembled but didn't move. Josh set the translator to the Bug language and tried again. Come out of there.

When the being didn't move, Josh aimed his blaster at the cockpit window. A movement to his left made him jump. Kassie said, Josh Gunn, what are you doing? Look at that. You've made her cry.

Josh grabbed Kassie's arm and jerked her to the side. He yelled at her, Lesson number one in dirty tricks. That little thing could be sitting with her finger on a trigger. She could fry you.

Kassie said, Oh.

Stay there out of the way. Just because that thing looks harmless doesn't mean it is.

He moved a little to the side and yelled at the shuttle again. Get out of there or I'll blast a hole big enough for these snakes to get in and suck your essence out.

More tears greeted his words. Josh could hear Kassie muttering behind him but she didn't move. Josh triggered his comm, Did you hear me? Get out of there.

A tiny voice quavered, I can't. I need help.

What are you doing in there? How many arms do you have?

I have four arms. I flew this shuttle into the big ship to check it out. The Challeka Traders didn't send anyone to help me out. I heard blasters so I was afraid to say anything over the comm. They've never left me in here this long…

The muttering behind him became more agitated but Josh just waved his hand at her. He said, Put all your hands on the windshield so I can see them. Where is the hatch they get you out of?

It's on the port side. What are you going to do with me? Where are the Challeka Traders? Are you going to shoot me?

You'll be alright as long as my partner can see your hands. If this ship moves or I sense any weapons being charged, she'll blast you out of that ship.

The ship isn't armed. The Traders wouldn't trust me that much.

Josh turned to Kassie as he shut off the comm. Can you shoot her if she does something?

I – ah – I don't know.

Tuntu moved up to the other side of the bay door. He said, I can shoot her. Go do what you need to.

Josh moved to the side of the shuttle. He searched for a few seconds, then opened the access panel. Standing off to the side, he opened the door. The whoosh of air coming out made his blaster come up a little.

After several seconds with no more movement, he quickly stuck his head in and pulled it back. Tuntu said, She's still sitting there with her hands on the windshield.

As Josh stepped inside the two Nagini pushed past him. He yelled, Leave her alone. I'll handle it.

The snakes ignored him and slithered around the petite form in the pilot's seat. A giggle came from it as the Nagini moved around the pilot's body. A louder giggle made two of the pilot's hands move.

Josh pushed the comm button with his chin. Steady. Her hands are moving because the Nagini are tickling her.

Walking forward with his blaster at the ready, Josh stopped just behind the seat. He said, Alright you two, out of the way.

The snakes moved back to the wall on each side but their eyes stayed on him. Josh said, "Turn the chair around – slowly.

Chapter 2

Josh stared at the four withered legs clumped on the bottom of the tiny fragile-looking body. The coloring on the body and the clothes suggested to him that this was a young female, but he didn't know what species. He said, What's your name? Where are you from?

He moved forward a step as he waited for her answer. The Nagini moved between the two of them. Josh's blaster came up a little and the snakes backed tighter to the female. She used her lower arms to reach out to one of them.

The Nagini quivered in delight at her touch, much like a puppy being petted. The being's upper arms touched the other one with the same reaction. Josh lowered his blaster. The tiny female said, My name is Bajel. The Challeka Traders —

Just call them Bugs. That's what they are.

Her eyes widened in surprise at the animosity in his tone. She continued, They – ahh – the Bugs took a large group of us from our planet Rhulla.

Josh waved a hand at her legs, What happened there? Were you crippled like that when they captured you?

Bajel reached down with a lower arm and smoothed her threadbare, patched garment trying to pull it down farther. She said, No, my legs were fine when they first captured me. There was a – uhh – an accident. A young high-ranking Cha – Bug learning to fly crashed into my shuttle.

And they didn't try to fix you?

No, they don't waste time or money on something like that. Usually they would have shoved me out of an airlock, but I'd already learned their language and could fly. When I didn't die, they put me in this spaceship to be the shuttle pilot and to translate orders to the others.

Josh felt something at his side. Kassie asked, How long ago did this happen? How long have you been a captive?

Josh let out an exasperated sigh. Kassie, where are you supposed to be? If you didn't have that spacesuit on, I'd turn you over my knee and paddle you right now. Get out of here.

Josh Gunn, you can't order me around like – like some slave. You can see the Nagini think she's safe. I wouldn't let you paddle me. Why should I stay outside? I have questions —

Tuntu, come get her. If you have to, tie her to a strut. I'll tell you when you can turn her loose.

Cherry came on the comm, Josh, what are you doing? Why is Tuntu supposed to tie your girlfriend to a strut?

Josh's jaw tightened. Not now, Cherry. I'll explain in a few minutes. I'm dealing with another problem at the present.

Bajel looked from Josh to Kassie. Her eyes widened again. A small smile played across her face, then grew into a grin. She kept silent as the drama in front of her unfolded. A sharp gasp escaped her when Tuntu stepped into the ship.

The grin returned when the huge Arante picked up Kassie and carried her back outside. Kassie kicked, screamed and yelled at both men. Bajel said, Your friend doesn't follow orders very well, does she – he?

She. And no, she doesn't. She has a mind of her own and it's going to get her killed one of these days if she doesn't learn to listen.

I think you will protect her. Is she your mate?

Josh squirmed at the suddenly personal questions. He asked, How long ago did the accident happen? How long have you been a captive?

The accident happened three years ago. I was captured about four and a half of my planet's years before that.

A jerk in her body followed by a tremor made her face grimace in pain. Her eyes squeezed shut. The Nagini swirled closer to her and wrapped their bodies around her. As Josh stepped closer, their mouths opened with a fierce hiss.

Hey, I'm not going to hurt her. I just need to see if I can do anything.

Bajel took a shaky breath and whispered, I'll be alright. I've just sat here too long and I need to – take care of some bodily functions. Could you get some slaves to move me to…

Another jerk and tremor stopped her words. The Nagini tightened against her body. Her face eased out of the grimace as they did. Josh called Cherry, Send Aunt Dianna down. We have another passenger and she needs some medical attention. Send someone with a stretcher.

Josh heard the sound of a remote sensor flying into the open door. He didn't turn around until he heard the angry footsteps stomping inside the Bug spaceship. He let out a sigh.

Kassie stormed into the shuttle. Tuntu came in behind her. He said, I had to let her go. I didn't grab her arm and she pulled the stingerray. She threatened to shoot me with it if I didn't let her go.

And I'll shoot you too, Josh Gunn, if you try anything like that again.

She waved the weapon in his direction. Bajel looked at her in alarm until she saw Josh roll his eyes. A smile eased the look of pain on her face. The shuttle shook as Tuntu jumped away with a loud grunt.

Kassie squealed and ducked to the right. Josh looked over his shoulder to see a fifteen-foot snake coming in the shuttle. He yelled, There's not room for you in here. We need to get Bajel out of here. Tuntu, how did this thing get in? I have the outer doors closed.

Captain, I have no idea. It just came swimming in behind me. Bout made both of my hearts stop.

The Nagini stopped and flipped around. Its tail moved Josh out of the way as it wormed closer to Bajel. The two smaller ones lifted her and dragged her up on the larger one. Once they had her outside, they moved her closer to the big one's head.

Josh called Cherry back, Cancel the stretcher. The Nagini are carrying her.

What? What's going on back there?

Look on your sensor. You'll never believe it otherwise.

The two smaller Nagini balanced Bajel on the back of the larger one. All three looked back at Josh as he stepped out of the shuttle. He asked, Cherry, where would be the best place to take our extra passenger? She needs some medical attention.

A 3D map appeared in front of Josh a few seconds later. He moved to the cargo bay doors and led the Nagini down the passageway. Kassie and Tuntu followed at a distance.

Josh saw Aunt Dianna and Lemmy at the room Cherry had indicated. When Lemmy saw the Nagini, she moved across the passageway to quickly enter a room. Aunt Dianna followed Josh in the room and moved to a bed to adjust it. The white sterile-looking walls gleamed softly in the bright light.

The Nagini came in and looked to Josh for instructions. He waved at the bed Aunt Dianna had adjusted. He said, Put her there.

Bajel said, I – ah – have some body functions to take care of first. Please. The shuttle ran out of food and water yesterday and the facilities quit at the same time.

Josh's face reddened. Aunt Dianna said, You wait outside. I'll take care of it.

After fifteen minutes, Josh started pacing the passageway. Cherry joined him in the passageway, but Josh didn't say anything. Cherry moved to Kassie and Tuntu to find out what had happened. Josh paced for another fifteen minutes before Aunt Dianna opened the door.

She said, She's going to be fine. I need to go get her some food. She's malnourished and dehydrated.

Josh started to ask about her legs, but the robot had already whizzed away. Opening the door, Josh led the others inside. Lemmy refused to come out of her room. Inside, Josh saw the three Nagini floating near Bajel.

He studied the frail body supported on the zero gravity bed. The round head sitting on top of the long slender torso had two large eyes. Two air holes under a flap of skin sat where a human's nose would be. A thin slash across the bottom of the head was her mouth.

A Nagini moved her a little and Josh could see a strip of what looked like very fine blue leaves running from the top of her head down to the middle of her back. A large, angry-looking scar ran across her back, just above her hips. Four arms were attached near the top of the torso. They moved gently as she talked. Farther down, he saw the clump of withered legs twisted off to the side.

The snakes rolled her back so she faced them again. The legs didn't move and a snake moved them to a more natural position. The two smaller ones then pressed up against the frail body. Bajel said, When they touch me, the pain eases.

Josh said, I've experienced the same thing. I get migraines that drop me to the floor. They've taken away that pain. Do you have a lot of pain?

Almost constantly. This is the first time in three years that it's almost bearable.

Kassie clucked in sympathy. Cherry asked, Do you feel up to answering a few questions?

A few. I feel so weak.

Josh said, You said you were from Rhulla. Do you know where it is? Any idea of its coordinates?

Bajel stared at him for a few seconds then said, Yes, I know the exact coordinates – but I don't want to go back there.

Kassie blurted out, Why? Why wouldn't you want to go home?

A shadow of pain and sorrow passed over Bajel's face. She almost whispered her answer, Look at my legs. I can't go back like this. Besides, I'm the only one left alive of all my people who were captured and I've shamed my family.

Kassie said, But it's not your fault. Could you have done anything to save them?

I should have.

What could you have done?

Paid more attention to them. Instead, I immersed myself into learning to fly. I also worked at learning the language of the Cha – Bugs. It took me many months just to learn a few words. I should have asked —

Cherry snorted, Asked, begged or whatever. Do you really think the Bugs would have listened to you?

Kassie said, Cherry, it might not make sense, but I know what she's talking about. Bajel, the other people captured with me are all gone too. Logically, you know you couldn't do anything for them, but…

Bajel's eyes widened and the leaves on her head stood up a little. She asked, You were captured by the Bugs?

Yes, me and some of my friends. I fought them every chance I got until they sold me to some sex slavers. I fought them too until they found out I could organize. They put me to work at something I liked and could do.

That sounds much like my experience. The Bugs tortured me unmercifully until they started my flight training. I loved it. The feel of controlling the machine, zooming through the air or space. It makes my spirit soar even now just thinking about it. I will be sorry to give up flying the shuttle.

Josh looked at Cherry. He asked, Bajel, can you fly the Bug's spaceship?

The leaves on her head flattened to her skull. A wave of sorrow moved over her face. She said, They would not allow such a thing. They were afraid that I might escape. With the one man shuttle, I could be sent into all the most dangerous places. If they lost me and the shuttle, who cares?

Cherry asked, Do you think you could learn how to fly the spaceship? Do you know how to plot courses and jumps?

No, but if you have instructions, I could learn. I am a very fast learner.

Aunt Dianna pushed into the room with a tray loaded with food. Bajel's eyes widened in shock at the sight of so much food. She said, I can't eat all of that. That's a week's worth of food for me.

Aunt Dianna said, You just eat what you want. I'll leave some here in case you get hungry. The rest of you need to leave. Let this poor thing eat and get some rest.

Josh said, We'll leave you for now. We have a lot more questions, but they can wait until you're a little stronger. Aunt Dianna will stay with you.

The group stepped out into the passageway. Lemmy peeked out the door. She whispered, Are the snakes around?

Cherry said, Yeah, right behind you.

Lemmy jumped out into the passageway with a squeal and twisted to look behind her. Cherry chuckled. Kassie slapped him on the arm. She said, That was mean.

Yeah, but funny. You don't know how that little fur ball tortured me when I was injured —

Josh said, That's a story for later. Now we need to decide if that injured pilot in there is the real deal or if she's a Bug spy.

Kassie said, Can't you see how the Nagini are touching her and hear her sincerity? I feel sorry for her.

Josh said, I feel sorry for her too, but…

Cherry said, It all could be an act. We haven't talked to Aunt Dianna about her legs. Did she really have an accident three years ago or are those marks self-inflicted?

Kassie said, How can you two think that? Are you always so cynical?

Josh said, After you've dealt with as many pirates and criminals as we have, you learn to take everything someone like her says with a grain of salt. Too many times, they lie.

Kassie said, But —

Tuntu said, Little one, I agree with them. We need to know more about that one before you can trust her.

Cherry said, She seemed awfully peaceful towards the Bugs for being tortured and injured. If her story is true, I'd expect more rancor and bitterness.

Kassie didn't say anymore. Her eyes clouded as she thought about what he'd said. Josh said, We need to see what we can do about the others on this ship. We need to take care of them before we worry about Bajel.

Cherry said, What do you have in mind?

Let's find a room to talk in. I don't like standing out here in the passageway.

Kassie said, The captain has a room just off the bridge where the officers used to meet. They had me bring slaves in there with food and drink.

Josh bowed slightly and said, Lead on, fair maid. We will follow you anywhere.

Kassie and Lemmy giggled. Lemmy grabbed her hand and said, Food sounds good to me.

The others followed behind. A former slave approached Kassie before they reached the room. The female shyly asked, Ma'am, when do we get to go home?

Kassie replied, We're going now to talk about how we can do that. We'll make an announcement – soon.

Under her breath she said, I hope.

The female curtsied to her, but looked like she had another question. After a few seconds, she left. Kassie walked up to a door and pushed inside. She went to a console and called the galley. She asked someone to bring refreshments to the Captain's meeting room.

The group found a twenty by thirty room with a large table in the center. The console Kassie had called from sat along the side of the room. Chairs lined the table and along the opposite wall from the console. A smaller table stood at the end of the room.

Tuntu asked, If that pilot knows her home world, do you think she would know about – others?

Josh said, Like yours? I don't know. We'll ask after she's had time to recover a little. Kassie, do you have any idea how many – ahh – residents we have on the ship?

I have no idea. I did a lot of things but I was never privy to any information like that.

The group drifted to the large table and found chairs. Cherry found the computer terminal at the place he sat in. The others saw their terminals after he pointed out his. The android started using the computer and said, I'll see if they have any records. What else will you need to know?

Species. If they came from the same area or if they were from all over the universe. Lemmy, how are the engines and the mechanical parts of the ship? Any problems?

The engines are fine. They need to be inspected and fine-tuned. Doing that would most likely increase the efficiency by fifty percent. As for the rest, it's an older ship. Things always need fixing. I'm going to need a small army of helpers to be able to keep up.

Kassie asked, Cherry, can you find out how much food and water they have on here? I know there has to be several thousand beings. I don't know the resupply schedule for the Pomodore.

OK.

Kassie looked at Josh and asked, Josh honey, how will we get all these people home? Will you fly the Pomodore around and drop them off?

We can't. If the Charter Navy catches us at any of those planets, they take the Pomodore and put all the people on it on their detention planet. The people will never get home then.

Cherry said, I have some of the information. There are 5728 former slaves on here and there appears to be enough food for five to six months. Water doesn't seem to be much of a problem either. We can find more out there. He waved his arm at the wall. We'll just have to purify it and make sure there are no viruses or bacteria in it.

Kassie said, I wonder what's taking so long with the food. It should have been here by now. She stood and walked to the door.

Josh said, We can wait. Sit down. We need to figure out some sort of plan.

Just then three scantily clad females pushed a grav-cart into the room. Delicious odors wafted from it. They pushed it to the table at the end of the room and started placing dishes from the cart on it.

One of the females came to Kassie as they finished. She whispered in her ear. At Kassie's gasp, the group looked closer at the female then at Kassie's red face. Kassie said, I'll talk to the Captain there. We'll let you know shortly.

The three pushed the cart out of the room and Kassie sat back down at the table. Her eyes looked at the floor the entire time. Josh asked, Kassie, what's the problem?

She took a deep breath before speaking. Besides those poor girls being half naked, we have another serious problem.

Tell us. If we don't know, we can't solve it.

She shuddered a little, then in a very quiet voice said, Those girls wanted to know when they would get some more clients. They need more to reach their quota to get…

Her hands twisted together and she had to take another deep breath before she could force out the words. To get their drugs.

Chapter 3

Josh leaped to his feet as he yelled, What did you say?

"They