“I have the records for their last trip prior to this one,” the male said at last. “There were a number of females on board.”
“Did they record where they acquired them?”
“Yes. I believe there were three from the same primitive planet.” He raised an eyebrow again. “Of course, you know it would be illegal to return them.”
“I know. But there are undoubtedly more pleasant alternatives than wherever the Derians left them.”
“Yes, undoubtedly. The first was sold on Hothrest, the second on Tgesh Tai.” He shook his head. “The third was sold to a mining corporation on Drahana. It has been three months. I doubt that she is still alive.”
Fuck. Most mining planets were brutal, harsh environments where life was short. He knew—he had been raised on one. Drahana was one of the worst. Moving on a fixed orbit in relation to its sun, one half of the planet was permanently frozen while the other half was a smoldering cauldron. Only a small transition zone was even remotely habitable. But if there was any chance that the human female was still alive, he had to at least investigate.
“I intend to find out.” He hesitated, studying the other male. “How did you end up here?”
The Elginar raised a shoulder. “I thought I had developed a better way of calculating the odds on a dice game. I was wrong.”
Hmm. The Elginar wasn’t the first male to end up gambling away his freedom.
“What do you intend to do now?” he asked.
“Get as far away from here as possible. Perhaps a nice little farming planet at the ends of the galaxy.”
“Can you pilot a ship? More specifically, can you pilot this ship?”
The Elginar looked around the bridge and nodded. “Yes.”
“There aren’t many slaves left on board.” And none of any value. The Derians had brought them here as a last stop, probably to sell them at discount prices, no questions asked.
The Elginar sighed. “And I suppose you want me to fly them out of here?”
“Or I could leave all of you here and take the ship by myself.”
“A convincing argument.” Intelligent blue eyes studied him. “But what’s to stop me from selling them as soon as you’re gone?”
“Are you?”
Another sigh. “No, I don’t suppose so. It is surprising how much having one’s liberty taken away makes one value it. What am I going to do with them?”
“I’m sure someone with your intelligence can come up with something.”
Something that could have been a smile flickered across the other male’s face. “I accept your challenge. But why aren’t you taking the ship?”
“Because I have a little human to rescue and I’m afraid the time may be running out. My ship is faster.”
“Very well. I’m Manam, by the way.” He looked around the bridge of the ship and grinned. “Actually, I suppose I’m Captain Manam now.”
Three hours later, with the assistance of Manam’s computer skills and a little intimidation from Varga, the ownership of the Derian ship had changed hands. Any sentient captives had been given the choice of staying in port or leaving with the ship. Not surprisingly, only one chose to take his chances on the notorious space station. The two males stood on the landing field.
“May the gods smile on you,” Manam said solemnly. “I hope that your trip goes well.”
“I hope the same for yours. I would hate to have to track you down.”
“My friend, what you lack in subtlety you make up for with intimidation. Do not worry. I will do my best.” A brief smile twisted his lips. “Perhaps we will all end up on that farming planet. You would be welcome to join us—I’m sure we could put you to work.”
Varga laughed, clasped the other male’s shoulders, and headed for his own ship. The Aerie had been somewhat of an indulgence on his part, purchased in the flush of success after two lucrative fight contracts and an even more lucrative marketing deal, but the small luxury vessel would be perfect for the role he was about to play.
Between arranging for the transfer of ownership and freeing the captives, he and Manam had discussed the best approach. Varga’s initial preference was to sweep in, find the female, and get the hell out of there. Manam pointed out the obvious flaws in his plan.
“You do realize that you will have to locate her first?”
“I’ll just have to convince somebody to talk.” He cracked his knuckles and grinned.
“That assumes you are even permitted to land. You know how tight security is on those planets.”
He did, sobering rapidly at the memory.
“On the other hand, if you were the representative of a major corporation, looking to make a large purchase, you would no doubt be welcome.”
It was a less appealing but more practical suggestion then simply trying to fight his way in.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“And if I may make the suggestion, I believe you should be a representative from the Acme Corporation.”
“Why them?”
“Because I used to be employed in their financial department and when I requested an advance on my salary to pay off my debts and avoid slavery, they refused.”
“In other words, you wouldn’t object if I created issues for them?”
“Not in the least. In fact, if you could see your way clear to creating those issues…”
Varga had laughed, but Manam’s suggestion seemed like the most logical approach. He set the autopilot for Drahana and, with a groan, pulled up the files which Manam had stolen for him and began to study his erstwhile employer. By the time he reached Drahana, he had little difficulty convincing Ukhaan, the overseer of the mining operation, to see him.
He had considered several ways to bring up the subject of female slaves, but none
