Moonbeams and magic by Janelle Taylor

by a reactor malfunction. She was bom and raised there, but she had gone with her brother to get the unit, the first time she had been off her world since birth. The android was ready for programing, so she ordered him to serve her. I don't know much about robots and computers and such, but that Cypher talks and acts so like a human sometimes that it's eerie. That's probably why Starla treats him as if he is alive. After that skyball exploded, she traveled with her brother

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    MOONBEAMS AND MAGIC 69
    for a couple of yings. He became a smuggler, but wasn't very successful. He taught her to fly, fight, and use weapons. After he and his men were killed by one of his buyers, she took off in his ship with Cypher as her crew."
    "I haven't heard of her before; where was she operating before Seri?"
    "Pyropea, Androas, Maffei, and other places. When it got hot for her in one sector, she left for another. She isn't rash or impulsive, but she had no choice about that last raid; she needed supplies and ftael to vanish for a while. Tochar was impressed by her; he said we could use a pilot with a fast ship and somebody with courage, wits, and skills like hers. He offered her sanctuary and asked her to join us. She hasn't failed or disappointed him. The rest of us enjoy working with her; she's good, real good."
    Dagan was learning a lot about Starla. He wanted to learn more, so he continued questioning Sach. "Was all of her family killed except her brother?"
    Sach nodded. "She's lucky she was gone when its reactor went critical because there was no time for evacuation. The few ships that took flight were caught up in the blast; it must have been a huge explosion."
    "That's a real shame. Those incidents must have been tough for her, being a female and one so young."
    Sach nodded again and downed his drink. "Starla's educated, intelligent, and well bred; her family was rich and powerfiil. I guess it's hard for a woman to lose everything and not change a lot."
    "I understand how she feels. After those Sekis terminated my father and brother for alleged crimes, all I wanted to do was pay them back."
    "It sounds like you've given them trouble for a long time. They don't take defeat and humiliation good, and you've given them plenty of both."
    "That's part of the excitement and challenge: to bite and run, have them pursue, then elude them and leave them

    with singed pride. Do you think Starla's a permanent inhabitant here?"
    "I don't know. If she ever gets tired of being a pirate, she could have her looks changed and live elsewhere. I'm sure Tochara doesn't have much to offer a woman like her; that's why she lives on her ship. But after Tochar makes his improvements here, she might stay for good." Sach grinned and jested, "Unless you lure her away when you leave, if you do. You may want to stay here after Tochara becomes a real city. All it needs is more time, wealth, and power, and some of those magic crystals. Best empty many glasses tonight and tomorrow, Dagan, because no drinking is allowed during raids."
    "That's a wise precaution. Tell me, why does Moig call her Vedris?"
    Sach laughed heartily. "To keep him fi-om thinking of her as a woman. Moig didn't stand a flick of a chance with her; he's finally accepted the fact he isn't her type."
    "Am I?"
    Sach chuckled as he toyed with his empty glass. "Don't know. As I said, she keeps to herself about men. About the only one here who could match her is Tochar, and he's involved with Palesa."
    "That's good news; he would be a tough competitor for her."
    "You're lucky he doesn't desire Starla or she would belong to him. If all you need is a woman for your sleeper, there are plenty of Pleasure Givers here."
    "That isn't why Starla appeals to me." Give it to him good, Dagan; nothing like supposedly sharing a secret to dupe a person into believing you like him and trust him. "To be truthful, Sach, I don't know why she gets to me and how she did it so fast. She has some kind of powerful magic and pull.