The Starlight Lancer

Chapter 130: Interference

"How regrettably rare that things go according to plan."

—General Mois Wanari after the Conquest of Meega

Zaina approached the two parked ships, with Reida's freshly acquired cruiser easily dwarfing the Order of Riiva's no-frills lightweight transport. The pirate was busy at work inspecting her new ship, having pulled off the bottom engine panel. She had a pair of goggles on which were too large for her head, making her look a little silly.

"Hey there," Reida said. "You done with Kazlo already?"

Zaina sighed. "You know I'm not going to let you have him, right?"

"Yeah," Reida replied, reaching into the engine with a multi-wrench to tighten something. "You're going to make me work for it, aren't you?"

At that moment Zaina wanted nothing more than to tackle Reida to the ground and place her under arrest. It was better to hold back for now, but even the thought was immensely satisfying. Instead she leaned into her performance. "Actually, I came to thank you."

Reida's eyes narrowed. "Thank me?"

"Yes. For saving us back there. I don't think we would've gotten out of that hangar if it hadn't been for you."

Reida shrugged and went back to working on the engine. "No need to thank me. I've been looking for a ship. It so happens I saw this one in the hangar. A decent sized cruiser, big enough for a small accommodation of light craft, and a pretty sizeable crew—plus a good variety of weapons, armor, and shields. It's not my dream ship by any measure, but it's nowhere near the worst first ship for a captain."

Zaina stood beside her, trying to act natural. "That's what you're after?"

"Being a captain?"

"Yeah."

Reida smiled. "Well, yeah. Who doesn't want their own ship? The freedom to go where they want when they want? Plus a crew loyal to you—people who will stick by your side and listen to your every word?"

"Well, when you put it like that," Zaina said.

In her head she finished, When you put it like that it's easy to overlook all the theft and murder.

"Maybe you wouldn't get it," Reida said. "After all, you're part of the Order of Riiva now. A proper little worker drone like you wanted to be."

Zaina rolled her eyes. "Like you don't have a boss, too."

Reida paused for a moment. "It's different. She's closer to family. I bet the Order barely tolerates you being there."

The words cut deeper than Zaina wanted to admit. "I was welcomed in, you know. There's nothing wrong with wanting community."

"So long as the community has your back," Reida retorted. Then she pulled her hands from the engine block, put them on her hips, and gave a deep, heaving sigh. "You want some lunch? I'm gonna take a little break."

Zaina was a little taken aback, but didn't care what Reida did. "Sure."

Reida went over to a crumpled bag and pulled out two nutri-bars with blank wrappers. She handed Zaina one. "Made them myself."

"What the hell are they?"

"Berries, seeds, and dry-aged pharnos meat in saspar blocks. It's pretty good—and it'll fill you right up." After scarfing down her first bite, Reida looked at Zaina and said, "It's spacefarer food."

Zaina scoffed. "That's a charitable way of describing your job."

Reida shrugged. "It's technically true."