Wanderer 3: Tainted Universe Read Online Free Page A

complete,” Marsh said.  “Use the flightpath we supplied.  Any deviation will lead to your destruction.”
    “ Thank you commander.  Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.  The food you’ve supplied will save thousands from starving.”
    “ And turn you a tidy profit, no doubt.”
    “ We… that is… yes…”  The man was completely thrown.  “But only from half of the shipment.  The other half goes to those most in need.  As you always specify.  Do you want payment?  The captain said you always refuse his offers.”
    “ No.  We aren’t doing this for money.  And I was unfair. You are taking far more risks than we are, you and those with you.  You deserve to make a profit.  If you didn’t then who would deliver the food to those who really need it?  Anyway, you should be going.  I hope the captain recovers soon.”
    “ So do I!”
    The first officer said it with such conviction that Marsh smiled a little.  The man seemed on the level, and his nervousness was certainly understandable.  He knew full well how much firepower was pointing at the Silver Tramp .  How small a movement it would take to see him and the rest of the crew killed.
    “ Safe journey,” Marsh said.
    “ Thank you Commander.  Stay safe.”
    “ I certainly intend to,” Marsh replied, then killed the link.
    The Silver Tramp slowly started to move away, sticking to the flight plan exactly.  Marsh allowed himself to relax a little as it built up speed, but was still tense until it finally reached safe distance and disappeared into jump space.
    The relief in the room was palpable.  People joked, smiled and in a couple of cases blinked away tears.  Marsh didn’t blame them.  Even with all their precautions letting ships so close was terribly dangerous.
    The alternative was worse though.  Stockpiling the huge supplies of food grown on Greenseed, maybe even destroying food eventually, while hundreds of thousands starved elsewhere in the system and at neighbouring stars.  Marsh knew he’d never take that option.  No matter the risks, Greenseed would continue to supply the food to prevent at least some of those people from dying.  From starvation at least.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Jess stared at the others sitting around the living area.  He found himself missing Elizabeth once again, both for her sense of humour and her cutting insight.  So much of his life had changed since he gained his freedom, and kept changing, that the few friends he’d gathered had become vital to him.
    The pain of losing first Matt and then Elizabeth cut deep.  Though at least Elizabeth was leaving on good terms, and deep down he wished her well.  Matt… Matt had been different.  Even now, several weeks later, the pain of that betrayal refused to heal.  He found himself suspecting those around him, watching them for signs of betrayal.
    At the moment that suspicion was focused squarely on Dash.  Jess found himself liking Dash but that just increased his worries.  Dash had already shown himself to be an exceptionally shrewd operator, and to be manipulative too.  Jess was certain the betrayal by Hackett and Dash’s other men had been for real, but that wasn’t a guarantee that Dash could be trusted.
    Ali sat near to Jess, seemingly relaxed.  Jess wasn’t fooled.  He caught the slight tension in her body and the nervous glances she threw at Dash from time to time.  He was certain Dash did too.
    Sal sat away from the others, shoulders slumped.  Jess wanted to go to her, to offer words of support and a hug, but he couldn’t bring himself to.  He just couldn’t think of the right words to say.  Another reason to miss Elizabeth he thought.  Since joining the ship she’d been there whenever Sal was struggling.
    To his surprise Teeko was in the room too.  Jess had grown used to the alien hiding away in its room, sunk in gloom over the lack of progress finding others of its kind.  Now, though, it stood in the living area with