Sacred Planet: Book One of the Dominion Series Read Online Free

Carinian gave a slight nod but didn’t seem satisfied. “Did you come across any survivors?”
    “Nope,” Davin said, a bit too casually. “Only bodies. Whatever hit their ship took ‘em out fast.”
    The Carinian’s eyebrows twitched. “Indeed.” He looked down for a moment. “Our scanners read you have five people aboard your ship. Is that correct?”
    Davin looked at Strange and Jabron, taken off guard. “Uh, yeah. That’s creepy, but correct.”
    “Please list each of their names.” The fellow’s eyes flicked up, waiting, as if ready to take notes.
    “Sorry, but no can do. This is an Orionite ship carrying an Orionite crew, and I’ve got no obligation to—”
    “ May I remind you ,” the Carinian interrupted, “you are in Carinian space, and it is a violation of Carinian law to approach or loot a crippled Carinian ship.”
    Davin had a brilliant thought. “And are you from the Carinian government?” If he said yes, he would be admitting to their proximity to the attack, thus creating suspicion against the Carinian government. If he said no, he had no authority to boss Davin around. Brilliant.
    “We are Carinian citizens,” came the unfazed reply. “And under Carinian space charter, code six point fifteen point eighty-four, citizens have the right to act on behalf of law enforcement in defense of a Carinian-registered ship against a non-Carinian ship.”
    Damn! Too rusty on that Carinian space law.
    Strange leaned toward Davin and whispered, “Doesn’t give them the right to strip search us.”
    “We’ve complied with you and released all items from the wreckage,” Davin said. “Now, as I see it, we’re under no other obligations and we’re gonna leave. Sorry for the trouble.” He switched off the dash screen, turned around, and let out his breath.
    Sierra moved further into the cockpit, eyes bulging, cheeks so red they almost hid her freckles. “Get me out of here. I’m begging you. Please , get me out. You’ll be rewarded, I swear.”
    “I don’t know, boss,” Jabron said, not looking at Sierra. “She worth it?”
    “My father is a good man,” Sierra pleaded. “He repays his debts, and if you return me, he’ll be deeply indebted to you.”
    Davin crossed his arms. “You suggesting we go deeper into Carinian space? Where we’ll stick out like a cold tit?”
    “No!” she said. “Well, yes, but—”
    “I say we tell ‘em we got her,” Jabron said, eyes on Davin. “Then get to a safe distance, dump her out the airlock in a suit. We get away, they get their girl. Everybody wins.”
    “Except me!” Sierra exclaimed, shaking with intensity and fear. “They’ll kill me! Can’t you see that? Your ship and theirs are the only ones in this area. It was either you or them, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t you.”
    “Boss, use your head,” Jabron said, noticing the conflict on Davin’s face. “The one on your shoulders. This girl ain’t worth risking our lives—”
    “They attacked my ship,” Sierra said. “Now they’re coming to finish what they started. Please, Davin . . . don’t let them.”
    Four pairs of eyes rested on him, waiting for a decision. Davin had never taken up the role of hero, and wasn’t about to start, but this girl did represent a lot of money. Old Man Falco’s pockets ran deep, and a few hundred million sharebucks would be no skin off his nose for the safe return of his daughter. Plus, this Sierra girl was kinda cute. And innocent as a puppy. Could he live with himself for dumping her to a group of homicidal fanatics?
    “Cap, something we haven’t considered yet,” Strange piped up.
    “What’s that?”
    “If they find out we have the princess on our ship, they might just take her and then blow us up anyway.”
    Jabron stirred. “That’s why we get to a safe distance—”
    “They’ve got three military-class frigates!” Strange protested. “We won’t be able to outrun ‘em.”
    “No chance they telling the truth?” Jai