Drifters' Alliance, Book 2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

stop being an idiot.” I slowly lower my knife, but leave it out where he can see it. Everyone is dead silent as they wait for me to either explode again or explain. Even I’m not sure which I want to do right now. I hate having to battle stereotypes with people who should know better. Hell, these turds work with Lucinda. She’s living proof chicks know their shit.
    “I’m going to explain this to you real simply so there’ll be no mistake.” I look at the trio of droid heads, trying really hard not to yell. “This kind of weapon, if it works, could revolutionize our universe and how people get along inside it.”
    Gus and Baebong smile.
    “See? She gets it,” Gus says. “Finally.”
    Tam doesn’t look so happy. “Shut up, dickcheese. Let her finish.”
    I give him a tight smile. “Thank you. As I was saying, revolution . And not that really fun kind where the people rise up and stick it to The Man and hold hands singing in a frigging circle. I’m talking about where the OSG has enough power to push everyone under their thumbs and to force them to toe whatever line makes them happy.”
    “Not if they don’t have the weapon,” Gus says, but his bravado is fading fast. Now he sounds afraid of what I’ll say next, as well he should.
    I slide my knife into its holster as I speak. “And how long do you think it would be before the OSG got their hands on it?”
    He shrugs. “Maybe never. We could mount it behind a collapsible panel. Just bring it out when needed.”
    “The OSG has video feeds. Even if you annihilate them with one of their own reflected particle blasts, the feed would be captured and transmitted to the central defense station in a nanosecond. The one my father runs.” Even just saying that makes me shudder. Goosebumps jump out all over my skin.
    “Not if we use the de-animator,” he says in a weak voice, pointing to the previous device with a limp finger.
    “Assuming it works! Assuming you have it on when you need it on! Assuming there are no glitches, and I can tell you from personal experience that glitches are pretty common with Baebong’s shit! They’d have our ship, they’d have a picture of what happened, and they’d have all the reason they’d need to hunt us down, take us apart panel by panel and limb by limb, and then reverse engineer the fucking thing and make a million of them to put all over their ships!” I’m glaring at the three amigo-troids now, not bothering to hide my disappointment. “Do you see the problem yet, or do I need to give you more horrific detail?!”
    Tam holds up his hands to calm me down. “You had me at limb by limb. No need for more detail, we get it.” He sighs and looks at his friends. “Maybe we should hold off on this one for now.”
    “Yeah,” I say, laughing bitterly. “Not just for now but forever. Kill that thing with fire.” I turn to go.
    “But what about the other things I have to show you?” Baebong asks. He almost sounds like he wants to cry.
    “Start with what you’ve already shown me and leave it at that for now.” I don’t even what to know what other Frankenweapons he has cooked up for my life, and my temper can only take so much. I haven’t had nearly enough sleep for this shit.
    “Aye, aye, Captain,” Gus says, sounding like he’s trying to cheer me up. “We’re on it! You can count on us!”
    “I still think we should have it ready,” Baebong mumbles as I reach the portal door.
    I don’t bother turning around. “Mount that, and I’ll mount your head right next to it.” The door slides shut behind me at my last word.
    My footsteps are heavy as I drag my sorry butt to the kitchen. Next in line … a little convo with Jeffers. Might as well shoot the whole herd. No more hiding behind linen for that guy. I need to know who he is and what he’s all about, so I can stop worrying he’ll be the one to slit my throat someday.

Chapter Six

    I FIND JEFFERS IN THE pantry counting pressure-locked canisters of