Privateer Tales 3: Parley Read Online Free PDF Page A

it? Are you trying to take our load?”
    “It’s okay to be mad, Ada, but you need to know we’re not the bad guys. We responded to your mayday. We’re merchants, just like you.”
    She looked chagrined. “I’m sorry. It’s just, well, I’ve never had to deal with this before. Mom always handled this stuff.”
    “Is your dad still around?”
    “He and Mom started the business together, but they split up a few years ago. He still owns half. All our money is wrapped up in the tug and those bonds. We’re wiped out without it.”
    “We’ll get you hooked up with our comm gear so you can talk to your dad. Before that, let me tell you what I’m thinking. You’re probably required to report this to whomever you contracted with, so you should do that first. My guess is they’ll tell you they’re taking your bond. Tell them you might be able to sub-contract out the delivery and find out if they’ll still honor your agreement. Your dad might pass that by a lawyer if it gets dicey. The problem is, we need to resolved this before the Navy gets here.”
    “You keep saying that. Why?”
    “I don’t want to make a claim of salvage on the barges and your load if we can simply help you get them delivered. A decision needs to be made while the Navy is on-site. Mars Protectorate Judiciary will settle everything while they’re here and they don’t go for long, drawn-out processes. If you want us to sub-contract delivery for you, I need to know so I avoid filing the salvage claim.”
    “Wouldn’t you make more money if you salvaged them?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why would you do this for us?”
    “It’s the right thing to do.”
    “Shouldn’t you make something? It doesn’t seem fair to you.”
    “Okay, what was your net on this run going to be?”
    “Forty thousand.”
    “If we deliver on time, then you pay us twenty. Talk it over with your dad and let me know. We’ll give your AI full access to the comm system and I’ll leave you to it. Come find me when you know something.”

HARD BALL
     
    “Hey, Liam. Can we talk?” Ada’s voice came from the doorway of the bridge.
    “Sure, come in, we’re all friends here. You’ve already met Marny, and this is my partner, Nick.”
    Nick stood and shook her hand. It was less awkward than I might have expected.
    Ada took a breath and said, “We’ve got a problem. I talked to my dad and then to a lawyer. The contract was oddly written and it doesn’t allow us to sub out its fulfillment.”
    “Did you contact the company?” I asked.
    “Precast Products. Yeah, our lawyer contacted theirs and they aren’t budging. We stand to lose three hundred fifty thousand in bonds not to mention the loss of Baux .” The stress in her face was clear.
    “That sucks.” I said.
    “We’ve got an incoming hail from the frigate Banny Hill ,” Nick said.
    “On forward holo.”
    An older naval officer appeared, centered and forward of the two pilot’s chairs. His features were strongly oriental. He had short black hair that was graying at the temples and the fit build I had come to expect from naval personnel.
    “Greetings, Captain,” I said.
    “Greetings. Lieutenant Commander Pablo Veras. With whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?”
    “Thank you, Lieutenant Commander. Captain Liam Hoffen. You are being broadcast on my bridge in front of my crew and a survivor of the attack.”
    “Appreciate the heads up, Captain Hoffen. We’re currently a thousand kilometers from your location, would you submit to a turret lockdown?”
    Accept turret lockdown from frigate Banny Hill . “There you go, Lieutenant Commander.”
    “Thanks, Captain. We’re only a few minutes out and aren’t tracking any hostiles in the area. Do you concur?”
    “Roger that. All’s quiet.”
    “We’ll get right down to business once we arrive, if you don’t mind. Thanks to your combat data streams we will process the scene quickly and let you get on about your business. We’d like to dock up with you