WIP Wednesday: Clans of Kalquor 12: Alien Outcast

              “Please, if you would just take me to someone with authority.” Piper had come to the conclusion that Nako, as impressive as he was, was no real leader as far as Kalquor or its fleet. He was too coarse. Too casual. He and his men’s uniforms were worn and frayed. All evidence pointed to Nako being low in the Empire’s hierarchy.

              He certainly wasn’t responding to her warnings as a real leader would. Impatient with his attitude, Piper added, “Look, don’t trouble yourselves. Let me and Ob use Prince Yel’ek’s shuttle to Kalquor, and I’ll deal with it myself.”

              Nako scratched his nose. Curse the man, his attitude once again verged on amusement. “I’m afraid that wouldn’t be possible. By now, that pretty pleasure cruiser is barely more than a metal shell floating around in space. My men would have stripped bare by now.”

              When she stared at him, aghast, Terig added, “Living out here on the fringes, parts that happen to fly into our possession are most welcome. Things are hard to come by when you live on the outside of society.”

              Dread asserted itself, dropping a heavy weight into Piper’s stomach. “Wait a minute. You aren’t affiliated with the Kalquorian fleet?”

              Nako and Terig looked at each other. They erupted into laughter.

              Through his chuckles, Nako told her, “My dear, we’re about as unwelcome to the fleet as the Basma is to Kalquor. As a matter of fact, Kalquor is the last place we wish to show up. We’re strictly out for ourselves, and the empire be damned.”

              “Although with the Basma’s fleet close at hand, they’re the ones who have to put up with our occasional boarding and looting,” Terig added. 

            "You're pirates?"

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