AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But this crew of theRevenge? They were some of the most disrespectful shitheads he’d ever met. They were not afraid to call him an idiot if he did something stupid. They were intelligent free thinkers, and their respect had to be earned. Ulrek wouldn’t trade them for the universe.
The Dominion had been wrong when they guessed humans would make good slaves. Ulrek had seen the truth early. Humans were too smart, too rebellious. They did, however, make exceptional allies and crew if you could win their loyalty.
“I’ll get Tuhror and meet you in front of the ship,” Gavin said.
Tuhror had been with Ulrek since his Dominion days. The male had an incredible nose and could track anything. Tahra, Tuhror’s sister, would be an even better choice to join them since she’d fit in more with the colonists, but she was out exploring the colony today.
Ulrek took out the tiny device he’d been using to disguise himself every time he stepped off the ship on Reka 5. The device had cost him more than he cared to think, but it had been worth it. Delaney wouldn’t be the only one to react the way she did if he didn’t bother with it, and others would stab or shoot first, then ask questions later.
He’d had the technological marvel crafted into a thick pendant, the type human soldiers wore, but much bigger. On his large frame, it looked just right, and considering the humans on his ship, the accessory fit right in.
Moments later, Captain “Uzzar” of theNew Horizonstood in front of the mirror, ready to hunt down his ship’s new greenroom technician.
Delaney
Delaney could not believe her ears. “Wait, so you’re saying you guys knew Ulrek the Horrible was recruiting here on Reka 5, and you just let it happen?”
Angie sighed. “I guess I need to explain.”
Angie was one of the first people Delaney had met when she arrived on the colony. They’d been friends once, but it had been so long since they’d talked Delaney was surprised Angie even took her call, and even more shocked when she invited her over. Delaney might have thrown the colony directors’ names in the Dominion asshole captain’s face, but she didn’t actually know them in person. Angie, however, was mated to both of them.
“I’m not sure if you knew,” Angie said. “But theRevengewas one of the ships that came to fight for Reka 5 when the Dominion attacked. Ulrek switched sides years ago and has been fighting with us since. He hasn’t been Dominion for years.”
“But he abducted us. Stole us from Earth.” Delaney knew she sounded a bit shrill, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Yeah, I know. Trust me, I was pissed too, and I gave Ryek hell about it. But some of our best allies are turncoats from the Dominion. Why do you think he named the ship he stole from them theRevenge?”
Delaney scoffed. “What the fuck does Ulrek want revenge for? He was their fucking poster boy.”
“He has his reasons. I never used to understand why Ryek and Holden let him hide here, but I get it now. Politics are complicated, right? Anyway, we’re supposedly on the same side now.”
“You mean he doesn’t enslave people or treat men and women as merchandise anymore? Oh wow! Give the guy a medal.” Delaney couldn’t stop the sarcasm that oozed through her words.
Angie turned serious. “It’s not that simple. He helped turn the tide in favor of our little colony. The Dominion has a huge ass bounty out on him. If we help hide him from the Dominion, he’ll have our back if we’re ever in trouble again.”
Shit. Delaney thought again of the lucrative hazard pay that had drawn her in.
“I’m not sure if you remember two women that lived here briefly, Mia and Scarlet?”
“I know a Mia who lived here for a while before finding a mate. She’s living with him on his ship. That who you mean?”
Mia’s mother, Bianca, had run in the same Tallean-hating circles Craig did, and both Mia and Delaney had been dragged to those god-awful sermons that crazy Reverend Jon had spewed. The reverend was long gone though, and Bianca had finally came to terms with the fact that her daughter was happy with her massive mountain of a Tallean male.
“Yes. Her mate is ex-Dominion.”
Delaney gasped. “No way! Are we really talking about the same person?”
“Mia worked at the Daily Dose when she was here. She’s mated to Arus. And you might know Scarlet as Lettie.”
Yup, that was the same Mia. Craig had eventually forbidden Delaney to see her when she came to visit, but that didn’t stop her from stalking Mia’s travel blog as Arus took her across the galaxy. She’d always secretly thought of Arus as the perfect husband. He doted on Mia.
Delaney knew of Lettie too, though not well. Lettie was mated to Vore, a reformed Tallean playboy.
“That’s her,” Delaney said.
“Yes, well, Arus and Vore were both top students at the Academy. They get them young and indoctrinate them into the Goddess’ teachings. They’re told again and again that they, and the Dominion, are the Goddess’ chosen ones and that heathens should be thanking them for saving them and bringing them into the Goddess’ arms, even as slaves.”
Delaney made a face. “Man, that’s fucked.”
