“In three, two, one. Release.”
Bit heard the snap-hiss of something being released. A second later, three tiny ships appeared above the long bow of the freighter. From what Bit could tell from her corner, the skiffs looked to be no more than a cockpit atop a fuel tank. The tiny ships zoomed out of view and began flying patterns around the freighter.
Her eyes shifted to Oden. Beads of sweat were forming on his brow, rolling down the shaved portions of his head and disappearing into the collar of his shirt. No doubt he was the one they were all depending on.
Bit held her breath as the skiffs shifted their maneuvers to protect the back of the freighter. Had it not been for the displays showing the action taking place behind them, she might have tried glancing over her shoulder. Through the cameras mounted on the rear of the ship, they were able to watch the skiffs weave together.
“Three miles,” announced Oden.
The attacking frigate let loose a barrage on them.
“Take evasive actions,” Jack ordered Oden before speaking into his communicator. “Hold on, folks.”
Just as Jack finished his warning, the enormous freighter’s bow dipped downward. Bit scrambled for a handhold a second too late. She stumbled forward, right into the back of Oden’s seat, nearly flipping over his shoulder and going face first into his lap. In a swift movement, he reached back to stabilize her before returning his hand to the controls.
“Hold on, sweetheart,” he murmured, half to himself.
She did as she was told, spreading her feet apart for better balance and gripping the back of his seat until the cushion dented under her fingers.
The ship tilted to the left—was that port or starboard? She was going to have to learn the language if she hoped to stay on with the crew. Bit leaned against the movement, just before Oden shifted the controls again and the bow moved upward.
Bit glanced at the other men. They had their own handholds and were leaning with the movements of the ship.
Something hit the back of the ship, rocking it. From where she stood she could see Oden’s eyes narrow as he made another swift maneuver. His eyes glanced up at the display showing where the skiffs were. They were still whizzing about, waiting for the enemy frigate to get close enough to fire.
“Two miles,” Oden announced.
Bit wondered how the pilot managed to fly, monitor the incoming vessel’s distance, and keep track of where three skiffs were all at the same time.
All of the sudden, all three skiffs opened fire on the incoming vessel. Simultaneously, the freighter gave a mighty shake and the lights dimmed as something overhead released a loud whomping sound. Bit glanced up, wondering if they had been hit again. The freighter gave another shake and made the noise again.
Oden made another careful move. While their movements came unexpectedly to the other passengers, they were smooth and seamless. Bit didn’t know much about space flying, but she was pretty sure Oden was earning his pay today.
Suddenly Oden pulled the ship back to level, simultaneously speaking, “Three miles.”
“They pulling back?” asked Jack, sounding as though he couldn’t believe his ears.
“Looks like,” said Oden.
They waited a few more minutes, the skiffs still flying patterns around their backside.
“Four miles,” said Oden.
Another wait lasted even less time, though Bit felt as though she had held her breath for an eternity.
“Five miles.”
Those on the bridge let out a collective sigh. Jack nodded to David, who flipped on his communicator.
“Looks like the danger’s passed.” The XO changed to another channel. “Skiffs, stay out another few minutes, then come back in and dock.”
The men glanced at each other, each one showing their stress in different ways.
“Good flying, Oden.”
David nodded.
“David,” continued the captain. “Get the crew into the cargo bay and make sure the goods are in order.”
David nodded again and scurried away.
“I’ll go debrief with my team,” announced Randal.
“Good plan,” agreed Jack. He turned to smile at Bit and his pilot. “Well, Little Bit. First encounter with pirates, what do you think?”
She stared at him, unsure what he expected her to say.
“Um… don’t much want to repeat it.”
Jack and Oden laughed.
“None of us do,” Oden said as he messed with a few more buttons.
“But they’re part of the trade. Many more days like that and I’m gonna have to give you a raise, Oden,” Jack said, patting him on the shoulder and leaving the bridge in one swift movement.
Oden messed with one last thing on his bank of controls before turning in his swivel chair. He gave her a wide grin. She liked his smile, and him. She felt as though Oden knew what she had gone through before joining the crew. He seemed to understand her fears and nervousness. Something about him suggested he had suffered too.
“Where did you learn to do that?” she asked, flinching when she realized how forward she had been.
To her relief, he laughed, turning in his seat to get a better look at her.
“You should see Calen in action. I got a scholarship for the flight school on Mars.”
“You’ve been to Mars?”
“Hell, girl, you’re going there now. Couple months with us and you’ll have visited most of the outposts and mining camps.”
Bit pressed her lips together, trying to hide her excitement. She had learned a long time ago to keep her desires to herself. If her employer knew what she wanted, he knew how to manipulate her. The truth was, she wanted to stay with the freighter. She may not have shown it yet, but she was happier here than she had been since…She couldn’t remember when she last had been happy.
Suddenly, Oden’s face took on a more serious look.
“Bit, I know you haven’t had a good life, just remember, you stick with us and you have a chance at that.”
Bit looked down at the metal plating. Oden remained silent, waiting for her to speak.
“Whether I stick with you or not ain’t up to me, sir.”
Oden laughed again. “Don’t you dare call me sir again, Little Bit. Cap’s the only one you need to be treating with that much respect. And trust me, neither the captain nor Calen are gonna give up your debt anytime soon.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
He paused for a long moment, clearly working through what else he wanted to say. Finally, he spoke again. “I’m not gonna pretend to know what your life has been like before now, but if it was anything like my growing up, then family is something you’re pretty short on. Here, aboard the Lenore, you have fifteen men—well, fourteen if you leave Dirk out of this—who are ready to punch the first person who hurts you.”
Bit felt pressure build behind her eyes. She couldn’t even look at Oden. She didn’t want to be afraid anymore, and his words told her she didn’t need to be. But her body had suffered time and again at the hands of men, and now she was aboard of ship full of them.
“Hey. No need for tears,” he said, reaching out as though he wanted to grip her shoulder, but pulling back at the last second.
Bit shook her head. “S-sorry.”
“No need for apologies either.”
Bit nodded, gnawing on her tongue in an effort to control her emotions.
“Hey, Bit, you still up there?” called Jack from the lower level.
Bit tried to clear her throat to answer, but couldn’t quite get past the lump in her throat.
“Yeah, Cap. You need her?”
“Send her to the mess hall when you’re done wooing.”
“Ha-ha!” replied Oden with a roll of his eyes. Oden gave her a moment before he said, “You might want to get on down there.”
Bit finally swallowed her need to cry. “Thank you for showing me the bridge.”
“You’re welcome up here
with me anytime.”
She forced a smile to her lips and turned to leave.
“Hey, Bit.”
“Yes?”
“Chances are the rest of the crew will hang back tomorrow morning, hoping to catch you on the way to breakfast.”
Bit frowned. She still couldn’t understand why they all wanted to sit with her… unless they wanted… She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to think all these men wanted her for that.
“They just want to talk,” Oden said as though he had read her thoughts. “But if you don’t want a mob, you might want to try getting there early tomorrow.”
“And you’ll be there early too, I suspect?” she asked, amazed at her temerity; she had actually teased him.
Oden chuckled. “Maybe. Better get going.”