Taking Liberty Read Online Free PDF

surface just visible beyond the glowing moon orbiting the planet’s perimeter. “Is that Aquatica?”
    â€œYep. Make sure your harness is fully secured. Sometimes the gravitational pull around their moon is a bitch. Normally I wouldn’t approach from this direction, but it’s faster.”
    Not in the mood to test the splatter resistance of the Liberty’s viewing shield, Rini tugged on the harness and expelled a relieved breath when the straps remained snug.
    They approached the enormous moon and the star cruiser shuddered and dipped. Lucus’s knuckles tightened around the jerking throttle until the bones appeared like they might break through his skin. “Come on, baby. You can do it. Just a little more.” Cooing to the ship like it was a child throwing fits at having to eat brussel sprouts, he maneuvered past the moon’s hazardous pull.
    Their safety assured, Rini released her death grip on the harness, her shoulders sagging against the seatback’s rigid spine.
    Aquatica’s surface loomed closer, the crags and craters gaining definition. They soared over the highest peak of a mountain range before plummeting in a slow coast towards the arid valley nestled at the basin.
    Like the majority of the planets existing in the Daxitron galaxy, Aquatica’s oceans and lakes long ago fell victim to ever-increasing solar warming, leaving each body of water in a barren state. Unlike its neighboring planets, Aquatica’s residents refused to find more hospitable accommodation elsewhere, as evidenced by the sizable warren of dome-shaped buildings clustered in the shadow of a massive water-drilling rig. The moon’s reflective glow glinted off the rig’s network of scaffolding. With a slight jolt, the Liberty touched down on the small landing strip situated several yards from the largest of the domes.
    Lucus abandoned his seat, but not before giving her a move-a-muscle-and-you’ll-regret-it stare. Hah, like that wasn’t going to happen. She twisted in her seat and glared at his retreating back.
    No force in the universe would keep her from the showdown she had planned for Aquatica’s leader.

Chapter Four
    Lucus kept his distaste in check as General Quarrel limped across the lit tarmac followed by a small army of heavily armed guards. Aside from the Aquatican leader carrying excess flab that made him look like an octopus with a major beer gut, Quarrel represented everything Lucus despised in an individual. Top on the list of the general’s repugnant qualities—his delight in employing cruel and vicious terror tactics, even on those who possessed less threat to him than a sand gnat.
    It didn’t help that the general coerced Lucus into this illegal trade operation, with a little help from Chase.
    For the millionth time—minimum—Lucus envisioned his hands wrapped around his foolish brother’s neck. If Chase hadn’t gone looking for a cheap piece of tail on Shiarta three months ago, none of this would be happening. And if Chase paid the damn UGG payments as instructed, there wouldn’t be an aggravating, nosy woman prowling inside the star cruiser, waiting for the exact moment to make a huge nuisance of herself.
    General Quarrel wobbled to a halt and leaned his massive weight into the walking cane gripped in his hand. His tentacle-like fingers slithered over the sturdy brass knob topping the cane. Watery, bile-green eyes regarded Lucus intently.
    â€œYou’re late. Do you have my shipment?” Impatience knifed through Quarrel’s raspy demand.
    Lucus nodded.
    â€œYou made the trip here with no incident? I don’t need those damn bastards heading the UGG charging in here and raiding my compound.”
    Willing away the bead of sweat attempting to slide free of his scalp, Lucus swept his arm towards the parked Liberty. “Everything went fine. If you have transport carts ready, I’ll start unloading the cargo.”
    The