The Star Thief Read Online Free Page B

to distract him until she figured out a plan.
    “No, they were scientists. The company sent them out there to track the ore levels and mining conditions. They were part of a large team.”
    “Weren’t they evacuated off-planet when it was invaded?”
    “It was too late. They got me into the last transport off-world. Women and children only. And Mom wouldn’t leave Dad behind. They made sure my Uncle David knew I was coming. I don’t think they knew the attackers intended to destroy the planet, not conquer it.” He sounded so calm, so adult. Like all of this had happened to someone else.
    “Tell me about your uncle. What does he do?”
    “He’s a scientist, too. Only he invents things. We live on Iniros. He has a lab there.”
    Renna froze. She only knew of one scientist who worked on Iniros. Most of the residents of the planet were ministers for the Cooperative Republic of Galaxies or wealthy businessmen who had vacation homes there.
    “So what exactly does your uncle invent?” she asked, needing to confirm her suspicions.
    “Scientific stuff. Like weapons and ships. I guess he’s important or something.”
    By the gods. “Are you saying you’re related to David Aldani? Of Aladea Labs?”
    As in, the same people who’d hired her to retrieve the gamma particle destabilizer.
    “Do you know him?” Myka asked hopefully.
    “Enough!” a voice barked from across the van.
    The kid stiffened beside her, and she frowned. “Who are you people?” she asked.
    “You’ll find out soon enough. Now both of you be silent!” His voice was low and sharp, like he hadn’t wanted them talking about Myka’s uncle. Was this all connected somehow? Had Boyd set her up?
    Silence fell like a heavy blanket, only broken by the noise of passing vehicles. She still had no idea which direction they were headed, never mind where they might be going. Damn her cheap implant. She should have sprung for the nucleospatial model she’d thought was too expensive.
    The car slowed, vibrating over a set of metal electro-tracks in the ground. Renna tilted her head. Transit lines ringed the city center like a bull’s eye, allowing the train-cycle to traverse the entire loop in less than half an hour. They were traveling into the city.
    She leaned back against the seat as casually as she could. She had an idea, but it would require perfect timing and balance. Renna let out a slow breath and lowered her shoulders from her ears. The van slowed again, swinging to the right. There was a slight pressure as it started down an incline.
    Perfect. She let herself slide forward with the motion, her tight black leggings gliding against the metal bench. Momentum did the rest.
    Renna braced herself for a tumble, but she underestimated the soldier across from her. Before she even hit the ground, he’d grabbed her, jerking her back on the bench. She flailed against him, which was easier said than done in the exovises gripping her wrists.
    She slipped her arms over his head and pressed her face to his, trying to wiggle out of her blindfold. It slipped down a fraction, enough for her to see in the dim, windowless car. That was all she needed to slip across his lap and kneel on the bench beside him. The angle gave her enough leverage to tighten her arms around his neck. His breath wheezed in her ear as his bucking grew frantic. He pinched and grabbed at her, trying to push her off, but despite the pain, Renna squeezed harder, strangling him until his frantic movements slowed. He finally went limp against her, and Renna pulled her arms free with a shudder. Gods, she hated that. Killing never got any easier.
    As the man slid against her to the floor, she tugged her blindfold off with shackled hands.
    “What happened? What’s going on?” Myka asked. He’d been perfectly silent during her struggle, but his hands were clenched so tightly together his knuckles had turned white.
    “I’m fine. And now we’re going to get the hell out of here.” She ripped the