Chapter 30: Buccaneers

“Aye, sir. The captains aboard. Follow me.”

We enter the towering sterncastle of an other worldly version of a seventeenth century Spanish galleon from earth’s ancient history. This second humanoid planet in the PLUS hegemony is even more backward than the first planet. At least that one had steam. This planet is still in the age of sail. My escort knocks on an ornately carved door. We are invited in.

“Captain sir, this gentleman claims to be a lord Iron and asked to speak with you.”

“That’s all Plug. Welcome lord Iron. What service may I render you? Won’t you be seated? Wine?”

Accepting the glass of wine, I study the creature addressing me. Barely humanoid, there is some distinct bird like features, most obvious the vulture like beak. Short, barrel chested, thick limbed, he impresses me likely a formidable opponent in a brawl.

“Thank you, captain. My excuse for bothering you is I was informed I could arrange for an illegal cargo with you.”

“And where did you learn this slander?”

“At the tavern at the shore side terminus of this pier. Is the information false, then? You declare it slanderous?”

“Your interest in illegal cargo is suspicious and dangerous. What exactly is your interest? Freight for such cargo or purchase of one?”

“Freight. I possess a cargo I want smuggled without official notice.”

“Do you accuse me of being a smuggler?”

“That IS your reputation, captain.”

“Idle talk, Envy and character assassination, I assure you.”

“Then, my apologies for annoying you. I’ll waste no more of yours and my time. Good day, sir.”

“Sit back down, lord Iron or whoever you really are. That is more than a polite request. You have unwittingly placed yourself in mortal danger. Obviously, you are a stranger to the culture of this world, or you would never be so reckless. Your language is naively indiscreet. Empty your pockets.”

“You see before you, a man with an empty sleeve, a cripple. Would you rob a one armed man?”

“You joke, of course. My mother, if she were still alive, would assure you I stole from her at every opportunity.

“That you even know the word heartens me. Know that I pity you.”

The captain is infuriated that I consider him pitiable. A long rapier like blade appears from below his desk, gripped in his until now concealed hand. The point is aimed at my throat. We both planned this in advance.

“Drop the sword captain, or I will drop you.”

“You joke, certainly you cannot expect to avoid my thrust.”

The shot fired in the enclosed cabin deafened us both momentary. The acrid smoke hangs between us as a foggy veil. The captains severed fingers retained their death grip on the sword hilt as it was blasted away sailing across the room. The murderous captain looks bewildered at his ruined hand. The derringer was concealed in an invisible bag and held in my invisible hand. I fired point blank at his sword hand, destroying his hand and singing the cuff of his coat. I am not missing an arm afterall, it’s merely camouflaged with darkmatter paint.