Dreadnought (Starship Blackbeard Book 3) by Michael Wallace Page B

our business, either way.” Vargus eyed Drake. “Well, sir. Let’s get properly introduced. This one must be your first mate. Tolvern, right? And the feisty one is Capp. I got that. You know us all by now. Who would you be?”
    Drake hesitated, and Tolvern saw him formulating a story. But Drake wasn’t much more of a liar than the Hroom general, and even before he spoke, she knew he’d tell some version of the truth.
    “My name is Captain James Drake, formerly of the Royal Navy, now in business for myself.”
    Isabel straightened and glanced at her companions. Dunkley stiffened, but Paredes looked confused until Isabel whispered something in his ear, and then his eyes widened and he appraised them with greater attention. Isabel took in Capp and Tolvern with a more cautious look, before returning her gaze to the captain.
    “So you know my family already, it would seem,” Isabel said. Another look at Tolvern. “All of you do.”
    “Yes,” Tolvern said. She kept her hand where it could get to her pistol. “No permanent enemies, you said?”
    “These prisoners you’re looking for,” Isabel said, ignoring the question and speaking to the captain instead, “they wouldn’t happen to be on Albion, would they?”
    “Let’s say maybe they are,” Drake answered.
    “And you’ve got money?”
    “Eight thousand to hire your frigate, three thousand apiece for the two schooners. I’m sure that’s more than the three of you hope to get from this leviathan thing.”
    “You could say that. If you can pay.”
    “And if you can contact Catarina,” Drake added, “I’ll offer her twelve to hire Orient Tiger . It’s a bigger ship, you understand, more crew to pay, more expensive to repair.”
    “I can reach her. And for twelve thousand, she’ll be interested.” Isabel’s mechanical eye kept narrowing and dilating. “That’s twenty-six thousand pounds. How do I know you’re good for it?”
    “Your sister can confirm that I have the money. She’s the one who helped me earn it.”
    Tolvern studied him. He did have the money, but after paying the crew of Blackbeard , that would clear out his massive haul in the tyrillium barge operation. He’d be left with nothing.
    “That makes two frigates, two schooners, and your own ship,” Isabel said. “You still flying the navy cruiser you stole, modified with all the crap you looted from my dad’s ship?”
    “That’s right.”
    “Hefty little armada you’ll have there. But we’ve got to rush Albion? That’s your mission?”
    “That’s right,” he said again.
    Isabel let out a low whistle. “I mean, that’s good money, but it’s not exactly life changing for someone in my boots. I could upgrade my ship, set a little aside, sure. Doesn’t help if I’m dead, though. Can’t speak for these blokes, but I’m not sure even eight thousand is worth it for me and my crew, not unless you can guarantee that we’ll all survive.”
    “I can guarantee no such thing,” Drake said. “There’s an excellent chance someone will die. Maybe we’ll lose a whole ship, if we’re unlucky. But here’s what I’ll do. I’ll pay you half in orbit, and half when we go through the last jump point. Then, when we finish the mission, I’ll give you another eight.” He looked at Paredes and Dunkley. “Three more for each of you. A bonus. Share it with your crews or keep it for yourself, that’s up to you. And that’s on top of any loot we take, which we will divide according to standard practice.”
    This time, Tolvern carefully did not look at the captain. He didn’t have the kind of money he was promising, she was sure of that. He’d just pledged over fifty thousand pounds, of which at least twenty was offered on pure swagger. He’d have to sell his father’s estate to get funds like that, and the barony was currently in the hands of Malthorne and his cronies.
    A warm breeze blew in from the sea, carrying the smell of brine and decaying seaweed. Below the patio, two