Privateer Tales 3: Parley Read Online Free PDF

and provide a temporary catwalk between ships. Is this something you would be amenable to doing?”
    “Certainly. Have your engineer work directly with my partner, Nick James.”
    We tracked the frigate as it arrived. It didn’t immediately stop next to us, but slowly sailed a long arc around the combat area. At forty-five meters, the Banny Hill wasn’t a lot longer than Sterra's Gift , but it was three times as thick and shaped more like a triangle, with several decks above and below the centerline. The amount of firepower on display on the flat side of the triangle was outrageous - turrets and missile tubes fairly littered the side that faced us. I imagined the other side was similarly outfitted. I would hate to run into the Banny Hill under the wrong circumstances.
    The Navy pulled alongside Sterra's Gift and extended the pressurized catwalk. It didn’t take long for two figures to cross over and press the ‘hail’ button on the exterior side of our airlock.
    A stout Marine in full armor stood in front of Veras as I cycled the locks. With the pressurized catwalk, we didn’t have to worry about de-pressurizing and re-pressurizing , but safety dictated that at least one door be sealed just in case either ship were to move suddenly and disconnect the catwalk.
    “Permission to come aboard?” Veras requested from behind the armored Marine.
    “Permission granted. If you’d join us on the bridge , we can make introductions there.”
    “Lead on.”
    When we arrived on the bridge, Marny snapped to attention and announced, “Captain on the bridge.” Once the Marine had surveyed the bridge and apparently decided we were of a limited threat he moved to the side and stood rigidly. We all shook hands and made introductions.
    “If you are amenable, Captain, I would like to interview Ms. Chen first. We can either do that back on the Banny Hill or, if you have a private space, we could do it there.”
    I offered him the use of the captain’s quarters. Ada looked at me with concern.
    “Ada, I believe Lieutenant Commander Veras would like to meet with you privately to make sure that you aren’t being coerced or held against your will. I suspect he will also want to take a statement from you on the events that occurred here today. I know it’s a lot to take in, but he is honor bound to make sure you are safe, first and foremost.”
    I caught Veras’s eye and he nodded affirmatively. Ada, mollified, walked off the bridge with Veras and his Marine guard in tow. I was pleased to see that the door remained open. The Marine took up a position where he had a clear view of Veras and Ada, while blocking our exit from the bridge.
    “Nick, any comm?”
    “Not a thing. Are you going to claim salvage?”
    “Not sure what other option we’ll have. I’m guessing it’ll tie things up for a few months, greedy bastards.”
    “Are you serious about heading back to Colony 40?” Marny asked.
    “We can talk it over, but it would give us the greatest leverage. I bet Precast Products wants to call my bluff and see if we’ll actually file the salvage claim.”
    “Why wouldn’t we?” Nick asked.
    “I’ve got an idea that might keep Ada and her dad from taking too much of a financial hit.”
    We waited for Veras and Ada to finish. I was itching to get moving again. All of this sitting around was driving me nuts. Finally, Ada returned to the bridge.
    “How’d it go?” Her eyes were red and her cheeks puffy. “No fun, eh?”
    “He’d like to talk to you now.”
    Veras stood when I entered the room and we shook hands again. “I had a nice conversation with Commander Sterra on the Kuznetsov . She speaks very highly of you.”
    I wasn’t sure how to respond. “Thank you.”
    “My staff reviewed the combat data streams and provided we don’t find anything to the contrary with the physical inspection that is currently taking place, Mars Protectorate will find the crew of Sterra's Gift acted within the law. Further, you and your