Starship Renegades: Prisoners: Starship Renegades, #5

By S.J. Bryant

An unfair trial, a prison gang, and a desperate fight for survival.

Kari's luck has ran out.

Caught by the Imperium and sentenced to decades of hard labor, it seems like things can't get any worse.

But they always do.

Kari and her crew must use all of their training and special skills to survive. But is survival enough? And what about stories of a monster in the deep?

If you like grit with your sci-fi, hard edges on your heroes, and adventures in space, then you'll love Starship Renegades: Prisoners. Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saffron Bryant
• Release date: Feb 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393576969

Book preview

STARSHIP RENEGADES: PRISONERS

S.J. BRYANT

Copyright © 2020 by Saffron Bryant. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited.

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A band of rebels. An impossible mission.

The Starship Renegades have one mission: save the civilians.

Standing in their way: The Imperium.

The Imperium killed Kari's sister. She was just a child at the time. But now, Kari won't let them hurt anyone else. She will risk everything to help the Renegades and save the civilians.

Because if the Renegades fail, hundreds will die.

Grab a plasma pistol and strap in for this space adventure.

If you enjoy misfit bands of rebels and adventures through space, then you'll love Starship Renegades. Get it now.

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CHAPTER 1

Kari's shoulder slammed into the wall of the dining room. Dull thuds echoed through the room as the others hurtled forward and smacked into the walls or chairs. Wren managed to roll into the inertia and came up gun in hand. The others lay across the floor groaning.

Ship Phantom Class-4, codename Ghost. You are under arrest for treason, destruction of Imperium property, and stealing Imperium assets. You will be sentenced to twenty years labor on Tulon.

Kari shoved herself upright and sprinted through to the pilot's pod. The front window was filled with the massive hulk of a ship. Its gray paneling spread out in all directions, blocking any hint of the stars beyond.

Magnetic clamps held Ghost pinned to the larger ship and drew them closer, toward the gaping shipping bay; like a mouth intent on eating them.

Kari activated the front weapons and a red bolt of plasma hit the bigger ship.

The shields didn't even shimmer.

Warning, came the same cold voice. Further acts of aggression will be met with lethal force.

Kari's finger hovered over the weapon controls. How could she let them take her without a fight? But she couldn't risk getting herself—and the others—killed. Especially when it was clear Ghost's weapons wouldn't be able to harm the larger, more advanced ship. The Imperium had the latest in technology and there was no way Ghost would get through their shields.

Still she hesitated, hand shaking. What would happen to them in the hands of the Imperium? Perhaps a quick death would be a better way to go.

Don't do it.

Kari spun and found Atticus standing just outside the pilot's pod. She'd been so distracted that she hadn't heard him coming, despite the heavy limp that remained from their fight with the pirates.

If we're dead then it's the end, he said. Better to stay alive and have a chance of fighting back.

We don't know what they'll do to us.

You can't choose death for all of us. That's as good as murder.

His blue eyes bore into Kari and her hand dropped from the controls. He was right; she couldn't kill Ryker and Piper and the others. Whatever happened, they'd just have to find a way to escape.

While they'd been talking, the bigger ship had drawn closer and dragged Ghost into the open shipping bay. Other ships—all of them standard Imperium issue—stood in neat lines inside. Armed personnel lined the sides of the room, plasma rifles and large grenade launchers trained on Ghost.

Cold sweat leaked down Kari's forehead. She'd been avoiding the Imperium for most of her life, ever since they first took Piper when she was only a child.

She and her companions had rescued Piper and damaged the Imperium facility… what sort of punishment would they suffer?

Piper, Kari said, all other thoughts fleeing. She turned again to Atticus. If they get hold of her they'll put her back into that awful facility. They'll experiment on her.

His brow furrowed. They know we're here.

The secret compartment, she said. Where she hid last time. Kari pushed past and ran to the dining room, only to find Ryker already lowering Piper into the narrow hole below the floor.

Stay quiet, he said.

It's not fair that I'm safe and the rest of you are out there, Piper said.

Kari fell to her knees at the side of the hole. You're in more danger than any of us. They'll arrest us, but I don't know what they'll do to you. Don't worry, we'll find a way to escape and get back to you. We always do.

Piper's eyes gleamed in the overhead lights.

Just stay quiet, Kari said as Ryker placed the fake floor tile over the hole so that it blended with the rest of the room. The memory of Piper's trembling lip replayed over and over in Kari's head, tearing at her heart. But it was better this way; this way, Piper survived.

A grinding sound echoed through the ship; metal scraping against metal.

Kari's stomach twisted as if the Imperium were tearing through her own body, rather than that of her ship. Her feet dragged as she trudged to the main entrance. Wren emerged from her room as Kari passed, a dark expression on her face.

By the time they got to the main door, the Imperium troops had already forced their way inside. A half dozen people in combat armor with full face shields stood in the hallway, weapons trained on Kari and the others.

Kari rested a hand on her pistol but didn't see any point in drawing it. One wrong move and she and the others would be mowed down.

The troops parted and a tall woman in a stiff-necked shirt entered. Her gray hair pulled back from her face in a tight bun and her lips were so thin they were nearly invisible.

Under the authority of the Raxis Imperium, I am arresting you for treason, arson, murder and a dozen other charges.

We heard that before, Ryker said. How the hell did you find us?

The woman glared at him, her black eyes like that of a spider watching its prey. A very helpful Robotic and Utility Servicing Technician tipped us off.

Kari's stomach clenched. Rusty?

That little tin can! Ryker roared. When I get my hands on him, I'm going to—

What, Chimp? Rusty said, emerging from the darkness behind the troops. Kari vaguely recalled there being some kind of storage closet at that end of the ship, although she rarely had need to go there.

Ryker took a step forward but Atticus laid a hand on his shoulder.

I told you I hadn't seen him, Atticus said.

Kari stared at Rusty, uncomprehending. Atticus had always been suspicious of Rusty, but that's because he didn't know or understand what the robot had been through. Rusty was a good guy, even if he drank too much and swore and—

But he'd sold them out.

Rusty, what's happening? Kari said.

Rusty lifted a bottle to his lips, took a long drink, then let his arm go limp so that the bottle sloshed and coolant spilled over the floor. I warned you that I'd betray you.

He had, almost every day, but Kari had never actually believed him. That was just the talk of a drunkard who had too many ghosts. And yet… here they were.

I knew it, traitor, Atticus said.

Rusty shook his head. I was always honest with you. It's not my fault if you chose not to listen.

What did they promise you? Atticus said.

As much coolant as he can drink and a comfortable place to sit, the woman with the thin lips said. Now as charming as this little get-together is—

They'll betray you, Atticus said. They might have promised you whatever you want, but they'll betray you.

Desperate people will say anything, the woman said. Now, my name is General Asterson, when I call your name, you're to step forward. Any hesitation and I will shoot one of you. Kari.

Kari stepped forward, legs shaking. She wanted to pull her gun and shoot Rusty through the head but resisted the urge.

Good, the thin-lipped woman said. We've been looking for you for a long time. Ryker.

Ryker stepped forward, eyes still locked on Rusty, and lips twisted.

You two have been a thorn in the Imperium's side for a very long time. We will be happy to cross your names off the list. Atticus.

Atticus shuffled forward, shoulders hunched over.

You shouldn't have joined this ship, she said. Although I've read your file. It had traitor written all over it. Wren.

Wren lumbered forward, but to Kari her step looked wrong. Wren usually moved with the uncanny grace of a cat, but now she stomped, stiff-legged.

I couldn't find any information on you, Asterson said, looking Wren up and down. And that is very interesting.

Not much to know, Wren said, but it wasn't Wren's voice. It was deeper, with the accent of the lower tunnels of Zenith. And her hair looked different too. Usually it was black, but in these lights it almost looked red.

Hmmm, we'll see. The woman rounded on Aydin and frowned. Well now we do have a problem. Because according to my list, the last traitor is a young girl called Piper and somehow, I don't think you're her.

Aydin said nothing.

Who are you?

Aydin, he said. And I'm no part of whatever this is.

Aydin… last name?

It wouldn't mean anything to you. I'm not from the Raxis system.

The woman raised a thin eyebrow. A new recruit then?

Just passing through. I'm not a recruit for anything.

I'm afraid I will have to charge you as an accessory.

A muscle in Aydin's jaw bulged. I had no part in whatever this is.

Perhaps not, the woman said. But that will be for the court to decide.

We're far from Raxis jurisdiction.

For now. A cruel smile spread over her face. But in a few short hours we'll be back in Raxis space and then we are judge, jury, and executioner.

Aydin's face paled.

Now, Asterson said. Where is Piper?

She's not here, Kari said. We dropped her off somewhere safe.

Oh really? And what do you say, newcomer?

Aydin barely paused before he said. I don't know anyone called Piper. They must have dropped her off before I got on board.

Kari could have kissed him. He owed them nothing, especially not now that they'd likely got him killed. The reservations she'd had about him faded; he might have only been looking out for himself when they escaped from the pirates' ship, but now he was putting his own neck on the line for Piper.

They're lying, Rusty said.

Sick vertigo rushed through Kari. She'd forgotten all about Rusty.

He stood, leaning to one side with his bottle in hand.

Oh really? the woman said.

She'll be hiding in the secret compartment. Under the dining room floor. Three tiles in, two left.

You bastard! Kari said and lunged for Rusty. Two of the armored enforcers caught her arms and pinned them behind her back, twisting so that her shoulders threatened to snap.

Find her, Asterson said.

Two of the soldiers broke away, stomping through the corridor.

No, Kari said. No, don't hurt her. Please.

The sounds of a scuffle reached them and then the soldiers returned, carrying a writhing Piper between them.

There now, the woman said with a smile. Everyone is accounted for.

Tears threatened and a painful lump formed in Kari's throat. Whatever was coming, she might have been able to cope if she'd known Piper was safe. But now…

Arnold, please escort our robot friend to his new quarters.

One of the soldiers broke away from the rest and gestured at Ghost's door. Rusty stumbled out, swaying. Clearly he'd managed to stuff enough coolant into the storage space to last him the week he'd been hiding. He disappeared from view, leaving a cold silence inside Ghost.

Kari tried to speak but found her tongue glued to the top of her mouth. How many times had she defended Rusty? She'd saved his damn life, taken him on when no one else would. Hell, she'd practically supported him for the last four years because the stars knew he didn't actually do the job she'd hired him for. And for what?

Betrayal.

This. This was why she couldn't trust anyone. There was always another lie.

He'll make good spare parts, Asterson said, and her nose scrunched. Once we wash off all the coolant.

You're a traitor and a coward, Atticus said, snarling.

Kari had had too many encounters with the Imperium to be surprised that they'd go back on their deal. But after Rusty's betrayal, she couldn't find it in herself to care what happened to him.

Asterson surveyed them and then smiled at Aydin. And in case you were wondering, lying to us during a treason investigation is grounds for a death sentence. I don't know whether you were part of their crimes before, but you are now.

Aydin sagged.

Kari wished she could reach out to him, or at least tell him thank you, but the soldiers still had her arms pinned and she refused to show any kind of emotion in front of the woman and her goons. She'd find a way to repay Aydin… somehow.

Good, Asterson said. The court for your trial is assembling as we speak. I should warn you, the prosecution has asked for execution.

CHAPTER 2

The manacles rubbed at Kari's wrists and ankles as she shuffled through the Imperium ship. From the hangar where they'd left Ghost, they'd been led through a maze of passages. The chains linking her wrists and ankles clinked with every step, echoed by the rest of the crew behind her. General Asterson marched at the front and guards escorted Kari and her crew, guns ready.

The dense metal at Kari's wrists pulled her arms down. She doubted if she'd be able to fight, even if the guards weren't armed. So she kept her mouth shut and followed them through the mammoth ship until they emerged into a small chamber with a large screen filling one wall.

Asterson sat near the back while the guards took up positions in each corner.

Kari shuffled, feeling uneasy in the middle of the room, like a cow brought to the killing floor.

The screen buzzed and flared to life, showing twelve stern faces that Kari would have recognized anywhere—the Council—voices of the Imperium and ultimate rulers of the Raxis system. On the wall behind them gleamed the Imperium insignia; a shield with a five-pointed star.

Council, Asterson said. As I mentioned, here are the fugitives listed in the manifest. They are all accounted for.

Kari glared up at the faces. These twelve people would decide whether she and her friends died, and yet they'd probably never even left Albion. What right did they have to make such a decision?

The old man at the head of the table—Senator Olfred himself—glanced up at them from heavily lidded eyes. The prosecution is asking for the death sentence.

That is correct.

It seems like a waste. They are strong, they could work in the mines.

Many of the other senators nodded, muttering agreement.

Death is the only option, Senator Kimchan said, her face pinched. "They have breached too many layers of security to be allowed