Chapter 99
Captain’s Terms“We need a captain for a ship,” Alexander said. “And crew to run it.”
“Short term or ongoing?”
“Permanent position.”
“Your ship?” she asked.
“We’re borrowing one.”
Carmen studied him for a moment. The professional mask was firmly in place, but Alexander caught the calculation behind it. “Let’s call it what it is. Stolen.”
Alexander didn’t argue. He just grinned, easy and self-aware. “Fair enough. It’s a quirk of mine. I know it’s silly.”
Something shifted in Carmen’s expression. The corners of her mouth twitched, almost imperceptibly. The tension in her shoulders eased fractionally. She’d been braced for evasion, for carefully crafted lies. Getting honesty instead seemed to throw her a little off balance.
In a good way.
“Alright then,” she said, leaning back. “Whose ship are you stealing?”
“Santiago Systems.”
Carmen went still. Her gaze moved between them again, reassessing. Then she nodded once, slowly. Acceptance, maybe even a hint of satisfaction.
“I can work with that,” she said.
Augustus raised an eyebrow. “Can you?”
“Let’s just say I won’t lose sleep over it.” Her tone was neutral, but there was steel underneath. “What type of vessel?”
“Luxury yacht, but built to near frigate scale with corvette armaments,” Augustus said. “That’s all we can share.”
“How do you plan to take a corporate vessel without being flagged as pirates the moment you hit galactic space?”
Augustus glanced at Alexander.
Alexander considered for a moment, then met her eyes. “I’m a Technopath. The vessel won’t be flagged as stolen.”
He didn’t elaborate. Carmen watched him, clearly sensing there was more to it than that. Her fingers drummed once against her knee before she controlled the tell.
“You’re wanted on Earth,” she said. “What’s my legal position working for you?”
“Complicated,” Alexander said.
Augustus shifted. “We’re wanted by AEGIS and the UEG across all human territories. Classified as supervillains with bounties on our heads, the full treatment.”
“And galactically?” Carmen pressed.
“We’ve committed no crimes,” Alexander said. “Superhuman designations exist in a grey area under galactic law. The Council won’t love us, but working for us isn’t illegal outside human space.”
Carmen’s gaze sharpened. “And in human space?”
“Could complicate your movements in human space,” Augustus said. “As long as the ship is properly registered under galactic law, and you don’t disembark at UEG-controlled stations, our supervillain designations are essentially unenforceable.”
Carmen’s eyes narrowed. “Essentially?”
“You’d need to avoid UEG ports,” Alexander said. “No docking, no shore leave at UEG stations. In Sol, that limits you to independent stations like Astra Omnia. Outside human territory, you’re fine.”
“And if we do dock at a UEG station?”
“Then you’re subject to UEG law,” Augustus said. “Which means their warrants become enforceable. You could be detained, questioned, and potentially charged as an accessory depending on what they can prove.”
Carmen nodded slowly, processing. “But as long as the ship stays in transit, or docks at non-UEG ports...”
“You’re a civilian captain working a legitimate contract under galactic law,” Alexander finished. “The UEG can’t touch you for that.”
“It’s still very limiting,” she said.
“Very,” Augustus agreed. “But it’s legal.”
Carmen sat back. Her expression remained controlled, but Alexander caught the slight tightening around her eyes.
“What are the actual risks?” she asked finally. “To me. To any crew I bring on.”
“Santiago Systems will hunt us,” Alexander said. “Gabriel Santiago personally. I’m sure I don’t need to explain his resources and reach.”
“Bounty hunters,” Augustus added. “Though we’re hoping most won’t follow us into non-UEG space. Too much legal complexity.”
Carmen’s gaze shifted to Augustus. “And my crew?”
“Same risks,” Augustus said. “Anyone who signs on needs to understand what they’re getting into. We won’t hide it from them.”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Can they come back?” Her voice was level. “If they decide it’s not for them after a few months?”
Alexander and Augustus exchanged a glance.
“Yes,” Alexander said. “As long as nothing ties them to any criminal activity during their employment, they’ll be fine. We won’t stop them. But they’d need to be careful. Santiago’s people might question anyone who’s worked for us.”
Carmen’s jaw set. She’d been struggling for two years, barely surviving. Now she was weighing that against working for wanted supervillains who were honest enough to tell her exactly how bad it could get.
“Before we go further,” Carmen said, her voice taking on an edge Alexander hadn’t heard yet. “If you were to offer me the job, and I were to accept it, then I need to be clear about something.”
She leaned forward, holding his gaze.
“I don’t care what AEGIS calls you. I don’t care what Santiago thinks about you. But if you’re asking me to traffic people, move weapons to terrorists or pirates, target innocents or the military, we’re done. Right now.”