Starship Renegades: Bloodsport: Starship Renegades, #7

By S.J. Bryant

There's Always Another Lie

Kari always suspected there was something wrong with 'the lottery'. Things that appear too good to be true, usually are. Damn, she hates being right all the time.

Now Kari and her crew are hurled into a fight to the death with twenty-two other contestants. And there can only be one winner. But this isn't an ordinary arena; the Imperium have created something special.

If only Kari had learned to use a sword…

Join the crew for a battle royale in Starship Renegades: Bloodsport.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saffron Bryant
• Release date: Apr 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393830009

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

What do you mean we have to go back to Zenith? Kari said. They'd only just got free of the damn swamp planet and its hordes of monkey-like imps, they needed time to breathe, to reassess and resupply, not to mention heal their damn injures. Atticus couldn't expect them to go shooting off to Zenith of all places.

We have to go, Atticus said. My friend, Brody, he's won the lottery.

Kari frowned and sat back. I thought the lottery was supposed to be a good thing.

Atticus shot to his feet and scowled. I know you don't believe that.

In the shadows, Wren sneered, revealing teeth.

I've had… questions about it before.

And damn well you should have, Kari. Please, I can't let them have Brody. He saved my life.

We're Zenith's most wanted. We can't go back there; our faces are marked, our ship is marked, we'll be shot down as soon as we enter Raxis space.

Then drop me off somewhere. Jump to the nearest populated planet and I'll find my own way. Atticus stared down at her, fists clenched and face white.

What the hell was she supposed to do? Going back to Zenith would be a death sentence for them all, but she couldn't very well abandon Atticus to go by himself. If it weren't for him, they'd all have been trapped on the unnamed planet and killed by imps. She might know how to do basic repairs, but she would never have been able to fix a busted katium drive.

He really saved your life?

Yes.

And you'd really hitchhike your way back to Zenith for him?

Yes.

Kari sighed and rubbed her tired eyes. Dammit, what she wouldn't give for just a few days with no emergencies, no rushing from place to place, just the chance to sleep and heal a few wounds before being carved up with new ones. She wished Piper, Ryker, and Aydin were awake so that she could ask what they wanted; she'd be flying them into danger as well. But they weren't, and judging from the look on Atticus' face, she had to choose now.

What do you think? she said to Wren.

Engine lights reflected off Wren's skin, revealing the thousands of tiny scars that covered her. It'll be dangerous.

Kari nodded.

Wren's sharp gaze fell on Atticus who paced agitated lines through the engine room. But we owe him.

It's agreed then. We'll set a course for Zenith.

Thank you, Atticus said. His eyes gleamed, close to tears. Thank you.

But we're not warping straight there, Kari said. None of us are in any shape for a rescue mission and I want to know everything there is to know about this lottery and what secrets you've been keeping from us.

Atticus hung his head. Okay, the engine needs time to warm up anyway.

He slumped into the chair beside Kari. They weren't the most comfortable chairs; hard metal with the wall for a backrest. But seeing as Aydin was asleep in the kitchen, and Kari wasn't sure she could walk that far anyway, she settled for discomfort.

What do you know about the lottery? Atticus said.

Not much. It's meant to be a reward, a chance at a better life. But when do the high and mighty on Albion ever do anything nice for us lower classes on Zenith? Allegedly the winners get taken to Albion to live out the rest of their lives in luxury and—

Yes, yes, Atticus said. We all know the press-release version.

It always seemed suspicious to me, and the winners never felt quite random. It's amazing how many revolutionaries won that lottery, of all the people on Zenith.

Atticus' eyes gleamed. Exactly. When Brody left the service, he became quite vocal about some of the things we'd seen. He's not a bad sort, but not the brightest candle. Dammit, and now they've taken him.

So there are no winners?

No. I've never been able to find any details. The people in charge keep things close to their chests. The winners get taken to Albion, but they don't go and live in giant houses, that much I'm sure of.

Prisoners?

Or worse.

Kari fiddled with her necklace, the chunk of katium smooth between her fingers. Ghost's engine whirred, filling the room with a hot breeze that smelled of cinnamon. Wren? What do you know?

Silence.

Kari looked from the engine to Wren's shadowed face. I know you know something. Whenever Ryker used to talk about the lottery and how he'd win it someday… there was something on your face. What do you know?

Not much more than the tinker.

What more? It's not like you owe the Guild loyalty now.

The shadows hid Wren's expression, but her shoulders tensed. Like he said. The winners don't win, they get killed.

Dammit, Kari said. She'd known some good people who'd 'won' that lottery. Even though she'd never quite trusted it, sometimes in quiet moments she liked to imagine those people living in comfort, happy and free. But they were dead. She said silent farewells to the people she'd known, adding their names to the growing list of dead that lurked like ghosts in the back of her memory.

I hope we're not too late, Atticus said, his voice husky.

We'll get there as quickly as we can without being stupid. We'll need to find somewhere to hide Ghost and we'll need fake IDs if we're going to have any chance of getting to Albion.

Atticus' head bobbed. Right.

And I'm sorry, but I need to sleep. I won't be any good to you or your friend at the moment. Even now, Kari could feel pain building behind her eyes. If it got much worse she wouldn't be able to see, let alone think. But we'll hurry, I promise.

Atticus nodded.

Kari didn't want them to see just how exhausted and injured she was, so she stood with all the strength she had left and shuffled from the engine room.

Wren fell into step beside her. I have some numbing agent.

I can't afford to be drowsy.

It'll help you sleep.

I'll be okay.

Wren shrugged and peeled away, leaving Kari to make her own way to her sleeping pod. She'd only just closed the door when her legs gave out. She managed to grab her bed to slow her fall and dragged her aching body onto the mattress.

So much of her hurt; her shoulder from the monkey-imp creature's bite, her head from the stress and the damned poisons she'd inhaled, not to mention the bruises and burns. Ironically, the only part of her that didn't hurt was the purple-stained flesh at the tips of her forefinger and thumb where the berry juice had dribbled, weeks ago.

She drew a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying not to think about how the hell they were going to rescue someone from the very heart of Albion. Escaping from a prison planet was one thing, but how were they supposed to run an extraction from the most protected part of the star system? The place would be crawling with enforcers. And what about their names being plastered all over the most-wanted lists?

She'd never imagined that she might miss a radioactive planet with bloodthirsty monkeys, but given what they were about to go into, maybe she'd been too hasty.

CHAPTER 2

He's my friend, I should be going, Atticus said.

I've got more muscle than you in one arm, Ryker said. I should go.

Do you think you can muscle your way into Albion? It's going to take a little more than an oversized bicep to—

Enough. Kari's voice cut through Ghost's kitchen, plunging them all into silence.

Aydin sat on his makeshift bed, head in his hands. He'd woken up the day before but hadn't said much since. According to Wren, he'd be okay eventually, but it would take a while for his injuries to heal. Kari could sympathize with that; a week after leaving the horrible planet behind and her shoulder still ached, knocking her awake every time she rolled onto it.

Kari splayed her hands on the table. Wren and I are going. That's final.

Atticus opened his mouth.

No, Kari said. Do you think we'll do anything less than our best to save your friend?

No.

But that doesn't mean you should be the one going, Ryker said. You might be a mean shot, but I can outgun you and—

I said it's final, Kari said, locking eyes with Ryker. And one day when we're not scrambling for our lives, we'll see about that claim that you can outgun me. But right now, I made the choice to bring us here, so I'll be going to Albion. Wren is better than any of us at surviving, so if anyone can get out of there alive, it's her.

Ryker looked ready to keep arguing. Kari knew he was only doing it because he cared, but damn she wished he'd shut up. She'd made the decision and that was it. Settled.

We're about to come in to Farcrier, Kari said. Mean place. Stay on board. Ryker will come with us to get some supplies, but after that, you stay inside unless the place is burning down around your ears. Even then, think twice.

If it's such a mean place, Ryker said. Then why are you dumping us here?

Because it's still safer than floating through Imperium space for any passing ship to scan. At least here we can shut everything off except essential life support, throw a tarp over you, and you'll go unnoticed.

Provided you pay the right people.

Kari fidgeted. Yes. Outer asteroids like Farcrier relied on blackmail and bribes, fine for staying under the Imperium's radar, provided you had the money.

And how will you be paying for this? Ryker said.

Kari had been hoping to think of something by the time they got to Farcrier, but so far, nothing. Well, I'm sure I can strip some things—

Please, Ryker said. You'd have to pay someone to take parts from this rustbucket.

Kari scowled. She would have argued except that he was right.

Sell the cargo. Aydin's husky voice barely made it over the whir of the engines.

They turned to stare at him.

What's that, buddy? Ryker said.

Sell the cargo.

Kari held her excitement back. We promised to deliver it—

Aydin looked up at her, a sardonic smile twisting his lips, eyes sunk deep in his pale face. We're a bit past that, aren't we?

You were very protective of it.

He shrugged. It was my job, but I don't think the boss expects it anymore. He paused to draw several labored breaths. And honestly, from the way you're talking, I don't like my chances of living long enough to face him if you don't get the money.

That was true enough. Are you sure?

He nodded, sagging.

What is it? Ryker said.

Tech parts.

Valuable?

Aydin nodded.

We'll only sell what we need to, Kari said. Whatever is left is yours.

But Aydin seemed too far gone with exhaustion to care.

That's the plan then, Kari said. We'll sell a bit of Aydin's cargo for money. Ryker gets supplies while Wren and I go to Albion to find Brody.

How will we know if you're okay? Piper said. What if you get captured, or…

We can't communicate, Kari said. It's too risky. But we won't be gone long; just a quick in and out mission. Pick up Atticus' friend and get the hell out of there.

Always plan for the unexpected, Piper said.

Kari knew the wisdom in the words, but what was she supposed to do? They were literally walking into the mouth of the beast. Not only that, but the beast had specifically said it wanted them on the menu.

Perhaps this will help, Atticus said. He lifted his tool bag from the floor and opened it wide on the table. He'd lost many tools during the imp attack, and yet still the bag seemed to be overflowing. He pulled a plastic case the size of his finger from near the bottom and unclipped the lid. A tiny computer chip lay inside, thin wires sprouting from the top like antennae. Transmitter. Plug this into whatever you find and you'll be able to get in touch. Just in case…

It's a good idea, Kari said. But if something did happen and they caught us, they'd do a search and find it.

Not necessarily, Wren said. She plonked her right foot up on a chair. Her knife appeared in her hand and before anyone could react she carved a deep cut into her thigh, over the top of an existing scar. The flesh gaped open. She grabbed the transmitter from Atticus and slid it beneath her skin like a pocket. I'll stitch it up later.

Kari swallowed the bile in her throat. She'd seen Wren's 'skin pocket' before, but that didn't make it less gross.

That is disgusting, Aydin said.

Wren winked and returned to her seat.

Aren't you worried about infections? Piper said.

It's pretty much all dead tissue, scars. I have to keep it… manicured… but no, it won't cause problems.

Kari tried to imagine what that meant but she shoved the thoughts aside. She could not afford to be sick right before they landed on Farcrier. Is everyone clear on the plan?

You two risk death while we sit here like idiots? Ryker said.

Exactly, Kari said. Although it's up to you with the idiot thing.

Ryker scowled.

I'll bring us down, Kari said. Remember, stay inside, and don't talk to anyone.

She hoped they understood just how serious she was; the people on Farcrier would sell their own mothers for a few tokens. If they knew what the bounty was on Ghost and the crew…

She shivered as she stomped into the pilot's pod. They'd been circling at a distance from Farcrier, but now she engaged the engines and brought them down. The asteroid spun in a random orbit around Raxis' sun. It didn't have much of an atmosphere, so everything happened below ground with artificial oxygen pumped in. From orbit, it looked like another uninhabited rock, which helped to keep tourists away. It used to keep the enforcers away too, but they'd got wise. Not that it really mattered; the enforcers made just as much money from bribes as the next person.

Kari navigated into a deep, rocky ravine, to a tunnel that dove beneath the surface. She'd been to Farcrier a few times and flew to a familiar corner of the parking area.

Ships, some big and some small, dotted the cavern and a trail of people meandered toward the center where a market boomed. Cloth-covered stalls and more permanent shops made a colorful display, but the bright colors masked the unpleasantness beneath.

Kari said goodbye to Piper and the others, promising she'd be back in just a few days, then she, Wren and Ryker stepped out of Ghost into the warm cavern.

Shouts and haggling carried from the distant market, accompanied by the smell of engine oil and sweat.

Ghost lay half hidden in shadows, near the back of the cavern. Hopefully people will realize to stay away, she said.

I'll put a sign up, Ryker said.

You can't be mad at me.

Watch me.

Ryker—

It should be me.

It's not.

If you two are going to bicker like a couple of old birds, then I'm going alone, Wren said.

It's fine, Kari said. We're fine.

She tugged a scarf around her neck, bringing it over the top