CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Justyn stood on the bridge of theSky Nomadwatching Dare’s crew work with practiced precision as the ship pushed back from Galaxy’s Edge.
He loved the beginning of a convoy. The sense of potential and excitement.
Justyn could see it in his brothers, too. Ahead of him, Dare stood in his usual spot in the center of the bridge, his posture sharp and his expression serious, watching both his crew and the viewscreen with focused intensity.
“Evan, once you’ve finished pushback, get us on course.” As always, Dare’s voice rang with command. Justyn could easily imagine Dare in charge of a fleet of warships. He might have done well in the military, except he needed to make the rules, not follow someone else’s. Justyn was well aware what had left his brother with a driving need to be in control. None of them had escaped that basement unscathed.
“Yes, sir.” TheNomad’spilot hurried to obey.
Justyn listened to Tasha, the comms specialist, communicating with the other ships that would be part of the Phoenix Convoy. They were all pushing back from the space station’s docks.
But through all the organized chaos, he was excruciatingly aware of Nissa standing off to the side. She looked cool and calm, but he knew it was a brittle façade.
God, her father was a piece of work. Spit and polish to the bone. Commodore Sander had given his daughter her height and the shape of her jaw, but Justyn had seen little else of her in the hard man. A man who seemed to be living through his daughter’s career.
Justyn moved toward her. Behind her stood a small group of convoy passengers who’d paid for passage on theSky Nomad. There were two Cathar monks in their blood-red robes, hands pressed together, quiet eyes watching the proceedings. Three adventurers—two men and a woman—bouncing on the balls of their feet, watching on with excitement. And five colonists looking for new worlds to settle. They looked a little awed by it all.
One of the colonists, a curvy woman with a cloud of golden hair, caught his gaze and offered him a smile filled with invitation. She wore simple fitted trousers and a button-down white top, but she’d left a few buttons open to display all her charms. She whispered something to her red-haired friend, a taller woman wearing a similar outfit. The redhead also looked his way and they both giggled.
Justyn gave them a polite smile before reaching Nissa. “You okay?”
“Fine. Eager to be underway.”
Her voice held about as much emotion as the ship’s metal walls. “What do you think of all of this?” He waved at the viewscreen. A dozen ships of varying makes, sizes, and shapes were moving into formation behind theSky Nomadon Dare’s commands.
Something sparked in her eyes. “Dare runs a tight ship. His crew knows what they’re doing.”
Of course she’d be focused on the ship and crew. Justyn grinned. “Dare gives orders and expects complete obedience.”
An almost-smile on that generous mouth. “Yeah, I got that. When he was giving the pilot orders, I almost jumped to do it.” She turned to look at Dare as he issued orders to a ship that was late getting into line. She lowered her voice. “He’s actually a bit scary.”
“This from an experienced GSS Patrol captain? I thought you’d be used to following orders.”
“Ah, but most of mine come across the safety of the comms. And I don’t fear for my life if I don’t follow them.” She watched the pilot for a moment. “He’s not bad. A little heavy on the thrusters, though.”
“Evan’s new. This is only his second convoy.”
A wistful look crossed her face. “Sometimes I miss the feel of a ship’s controls under my fingers. All that power at your fingertips, waiting for the right commands.”
“Downside of being promoted, I guess.”
“Yeah.”
Suddenly Dare’s raised voice cut through the bridge. “Galactic Pride, get into linenowor we’ll leave you behind.”
On the bottom of the viewscreen was a small square showing the cockpit of theGalactic Pride. A young man with a long, shaggy hair waved a hand at them. “We just want to swing around and get some shots of the space station.”
“In line. Now.”
Dare’s voice was like a blade. Justyn grimaced. ThePride’scaptain was an idiot.
“We just need a couple more minutes. We’ll catch up.”
“No, you won’t. You’re off the convoy. Head back to dock.”
“What?” The young captain’s eyes bugged out. “I paid good e-creds?—”
