Star Road by Matthew Costello, Rick Hautala Page B

their Road.”
     
    “The only thing that gets respect—especially as far out as I’m going—is a gun and someone, like that Jordan guy, who knows how to use it.”
     
    Ruth lowered her head.
     
    Pointless.
     
    This guy was just another arrogant jerk who had bullied his way through life, taking what he wanted and damn everyone else.
     
    Still, she had to try.
     
    “Respect isn’t something you get,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “It’s something you earn.”
     
    Then he turned to her.
     
    “Is this a church or an SRV?” Gage sniffed with laughter at that and then, leaning closer and eyeing her steadily: “You keep on believing that, Sister. Live and let live. Me? I’ll use the Road for anything and everything I can get from it.”
     
    Ruth thought, Right... an arrogant jerk.
     
    She turned away from him just as the cockpit door opened, and the captain came down the flight of stairs.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    Moving quickly, Annie walked down the aisle and stopped in front of Gage.
     
    She placed both hands on the seats and leaned down toward him.
     
    “Hi. Annie Scott,” she said, extending a hand. The man shook it. A strong handshake.
     
    This guy’s no office worker.
     
    “Your flight plan checks out with what I have in my computer. But I’ll still want to send a pod back for confirmation once we reach the way station.”
     
    “No problem,” Gage said.
     
    “I’m curious what you’re doing out along this route in a solo. Kinda unusual. And dangerous.”
     
    “Heading to Omega Nine ... like you, I guess, if you’re going to the end of the line.”
     
    “Yeah, but... a solo?”
     
    “Uh-huh.”
     
    “And what’s your business on Omega Nine?”
     
    He smiled. The answer total bullshit.
     
    “Family stuff.”
     
    “You have family on Omega Nine?”
     
    Gage nodded and said, “Last time I checked—yeah. But, rescue or not, I don't see where it’s any of your business. I do appreciate you stopping and saving my skin—for following the code.”
     
    “We don’t get an option with that,” she said.
     
    She thought: This guy needs to be watched. Something’s…off.
     
    “And no worries—I’ll make sure to transfer the transportation fee to your account when we get to the way station. What way station is it, anyway?”
     
    “Way Station One—Epsilon Two Sector. So, why a solo?” the captain asked again.
     
    “Only ship I could find at the time.”
     
    “So why not this SRV? I had a few empty seats.”
     
    The man shrugged.
     
    “I left before you did.”
     
    “In a hurry?”
     
    “You could say that. Still... I don’t see where that’s any of your business.”
     
    “Right. Okay. Good chatting. Just make sure you’re no trouble to any of my paying passengers. Or me ... or my SRV. Understand?”
     
    “Perfectly.”
     
    Then she turned and walked back to the cockpit.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    Ruth watched the captain leave and then looked back at Gage, slouched in his seat, hands folded across his stomach.
     
    He looked at her and smiled.
     
    He likes playing with people.
     
    As if this is all a game.
     
    Just like too many people she had met in her life. People like him were the reason she had joined the Seekers in the first place.
     
    To get away from people who would say or do anything as long as they got what they wanted.
     
    “If you don’t mind ... he said, smile fading. His voice was low, edged with fatigue. “I’d just as soon not have any more sermons for the time being. That all right with you?”
     
    Ruth stared at him for a moment, then adjusted her cowl as she turned to the window.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    Ivan looked around at the other passengers.
     
    Some of them—especially the Chippie—were watching him as well. The old-timer up front was dead to the world. The guy across from him looked like he was gone—lost in whatever chip he was using.
     
    Behind him, a twitchy guy eyes flickering around the passengers’ quarter and then