Call of Curuwen

Kale allowed himself a faint smile as his ship nosed out ofport. At last her years of Imperial service were done. In her cargo hold rested several tons of “liberated” cargo; a more precious sort of bounty rested in the crew’s quarters.

The girl’s name was Jaca. He’d found herwandering lost amid the crowds; no one had come forward to claim her.  In what might have been his most legal act todate, Kale had wrangled custody from the planetary authorities.

More than usual, he felt every bolt and rivet ofthe Startbolt’s hull. It wasn’t like being with a woman; this feeling was more of an extension of him. No one couldunderstand him, without judgment, the way Starbolt could.

“Captain, the passenger Jaca is awake.” The ship’s AI spokein a monotone; he swiveled around to look at the schematic display. She hadn’tmove from her place.

Kale’s sigh fell into dead air. He stood, set theauto-pilot, and took the half-dozen steps to the turbovator. That hip feels stronger; good sign.