This is a short excerpt from my upcoming book, still untitled. Another short reading will be made available later in the week.
On his way back to the bridge,
Reagan noticed that the bodyguard was in the kitchen portion of the galley
preparing a meal. “I trust you rested well.” Reagan began as he poured another
cup of coffee.
The big man turned, startled. His
hand moved of its own accord to the blade he carried on his belt in the small
of his back. He was dressed in a blue loose fitting slacks, a matching tank top
and shipboard slippers. A relaxed dressed and one that told Reagan this man had
seen many transits.
“My apologies.” The guard offered.
“The first day of a voyage is always the hardest for a new bride. Much
uncertainty awaits her. It makes new brides... ready to be foolish. This is not
my first trip to fetch a bride. In fact it is one of my duties.” The guard
turned back to his food preparation. “Sometimes when the weight of the decision
finally fully rests on the shoulders of a new bride, they look for an escape.
Or a last fling.” The man turned back towards Reagan and gave him a penetrating
look. “I am here to prevent that, as well as to see her safely to her new
home.”
Reagan sized up the man. Confident,
large, relaxed and in control were words that came readily to Reagan’s mind. He
did not like the man’s tone, nor the implications of what he was saying. “I
would never violate my contract. You and her are secure here.”
“And that is always what the
captain says. Even the captains with wandering eyes... and hands.” He
emphasized the point by moving his hand back to his blade.
“I respect your position. Now
please respect mine. I am here to pilot my ship and fulfill a contract. That is
all. I do not need threats from you, veiled or not. This is my ship and if you
violate the terms of the contract, rest assured it will be ended immediately.
And I will drop my cargo immediately regardless of where we are located.”
Threats could go both ways.
The man picked up the tray of food
and moved quietly towards the cabins. Reagan also knew that he could easily
drop word about what the escort did aboard ship, with or without evidence, and
it would end the man’s career if not his life. He was sure the guard knew that
as well. Reagan really despised these games of bluster and posturing. Reagan
did not see him again until the day they docked at the Gardens.
The Gardens was the docking area
for ships seeking safe harbor at the Sultanate. The Sultanate was not a planet
if its own right. It was a collection of asteroids, planetoids and small moons
that had been smashed together over a period of centuries, as additional space
was needed for the growing population of the Sultan’s Empire. The Sultan
forbade entrance to the Empire to any infidel. But some trade and commerce were
required so as a section of the planet, called the Garden, was established for
non-believers to make landfall. It was an opportunity for the Sultan to show
off his wealth and power as well as for other families of the Sultanate to
conduct business. The Garden offered a vast, well-tended garden of many
delights. It also offered many “backrooms” for other delights and places to
conduct shadowy business deals.
