Randolph Lalonde - Spinward Fringe Broadcast 08 - Renegades Read Online Free Page A

featured extra horizontal strips of shielding
and a helmet so sturdy only the face shielding could retract. His
normal bulk was formed in such a way that he seemed stout and
powerful. “I call for your eyes and ears,” he commanded, his
voice amplified by his suit. A glass hurtled towards him, smashing
against his energy shielding. He didn’t grant the thrower so much
as a glance. “I’m here to call on the bravest, the craziest, and
the greediest of you,” Frost started, putting all his vocal weight
on ‘greediest,’ to the crowd’s amusement. “I’ve seen the
fight, aye, more times than I can count, and come through it like the
hell-sent bastard I am, hungry for more. That’s because I fight for
the fastest, hardest ship you’ve ever seen.” To Minh-Chu’s
amazement, Frost had their attention. He’d changed his speech –
it was more over the top than ever. “The marks on my armour were
earned in combat with those damned Regent Galactic thieves and damned
Eden machines. I’ve even had it out with Carans and Order of Eden
ships. We came through under the direction of the greatest combat
leadership and teamwork of our generation. The ship I serve is
looking for qualified gunners and crew to join the fight.”
    “You expect us to
waste our lives fighting with you on that planet hopper?” shouted a
woman behind Minh-Chu.
    “No, and we’re not
going out just to fight those whoresons, we’re going out to steal
their supplies, their machinery, their ships. And we’ll be slagging
what we leave behind. This isn’t a fight for revenge, my good lass,
this is a fight for hard cash. Our service to war comes in close
second. We take more loot on one run than any ship here does in
three, and we have our own safe harbour.”
    “Here they go,”
Stephanie whispered to Minh-Chu. Dozens of crewmembers were making
their way out of the barroom, most of them wearing company uniforms.
They weren’t lining up to volunteer, they were leaving the presence
of a pirate, a crewman who would, under different circumstances, be
blasting their ships and stealing their cargo. “We’re up,
Agameg,” she told him, and they both casually left the table to
follow the larger crews while avoiding notice.
    “This is a just war,”
Frost shouted. “One that should be fought by every able body, but
that doesnae mean we can’t make a killing while we’re fighting
for the right side!” His conclusion was met with cheers, applause,
and jeers in nearly equal measure. Minh-Chu was starting to
understand the motivation behind the over-the-top reaction Frost got
out of crowds every time he put on his show. The people weren’t
reacting to the contents of his speech – well, most of them weren’t
– but the theatrical presentation. Live entertainment was still
worth something, perhaps more than ever in the absence of artificial
intelligences, and Minh-Chu had to admit: Frost knew how to put on a
show.
    “I’ll be at that
table, right there,” Frost announced, pointing to a nearby table
that only moments ago had a crew from a Noro Co. ship sitting around
it. “Line up if you think you’re ready to kick some ass and make
some cash.”
    “Why doesn’t he
just post a notice on the board like everyone else?” Kipley asked,
annoyed.
    “Because the people
we want are here, dumbass. We don’t need some innocent scrub from
Harvest Side who thinks he’s signing up for adventure and profit,”
replied Shanda, one of the only security officers who were registered
with Haven Shore before signing up for service on the Warlord.
    Kipley glared at her.
“You watch that mouth, little miss,” he started.
    Minh-Chu took Kipley’s
freshly refilled mug out of his hand and splashed the contents on the
floor. “You’re done, and on your way back to the ship.”
    “You mother-“
    “I’ll freeze your
suit and leave you behind,” Minh-Chu said, slamming the mug on the
table. “Test me.”
    Kipley and Minh-Chu
stared at each other for the