The Impatient Lord Read Online Free

too worried. She knew enough about Torgan to know they wouldn’t want a ship exploding over their docking lot. They would be liable not only for ruined ships and damage to their facility, but they’d have possible authoritative inquiries into the incident.
    Aeron grabbed the communicator and turned the volume back up. “My apologies for the rookie, Torgan Ground. She panicked. This is Federation ship class three cruiser number six-nineteen-twenty requesting you open for an emergency takeoff.” Glancing at her sister, she said, “We’ve got a level nineteen prisoner onboard that we’d like to get out of your sky.”
    “ Federation class three, understood. Clearing sky traffic. You have an open shot into deep space. Scan protocols being activated and ships are being locked down.”
    “ The Federation thanks you for your cooperation, Torgan Ground,” Aeron said, shutting the communicator off.
    “ Level nineteen prisoner?”
    “ Possible toxic contaminate,” Aeron answered.
    “ Wow, thanks for that,” Riona drawled sarcastically, realizing her sister had likened her to infectious waste. Though she had called Aeron a prostitute earlier, so she guessed they were even. “I love you too.”
    “ I just did you a favor. Whoever is chasing you will have to wait for contamination clearance. Standard protocol whenever there is a possible onworld level nineteen contamination.”
    The ship shook as they began to move. “ I’ll have to remember that. Thanks for the tip.”
    “ I didn’t tell you that so you would—”
    Riona purposefully jerked the ship, jarring her sister to the right and th en left to get the woman to stop talking. It worked. Aeron stopped lecturing her. “Try to hold on there, sis.”
    Lights began to blur on the viewing screen and the ride became smoother. She relaxed some as the surface view faded from the sensors.
    “ I can’t believe you, Ri,” Aeron said through gritted teeth. “I’m with you for two seconds and we’re already being chased off a planet because you owe money to a space pirate…”
    Blarg. Blarg. Blarg. Riona moved her mouth, silently mocking the lecture and not really paying attention to it. She pushed several buttons before turning away from the control panel to let the ship guide itself. “Okay, you got me out here. We’re in space. What’s so important you had to slum it with the lowlifes?”
    “ I need your help. I have to get to a planet on the outer edge of the Y quadrant. I can’t keep this ship.”
    Riona arched a brow.
    “The planet is called Qurilixen. The Federation has no authority there, and quite frankly little interest in it or the people, but for their mining operations. The Draig and Var people who inhabit the planet keep to themselves and by all reports live quite primitively. About five months ago, I intercepted some data that leads me to believe the people there might be in trouble. The Federation refused to get involved. So long as they get the ore mined on the planet one way or another, they’re keeping their hands clean of the whole situation. But after seeing our home world explode, I can’t stand by and watch another race of people get wiped out—especially over something like mining rights. If something happened and I did nothing—”
    “ So let me get this straight,” Riona interrupted. “You left work without permission and you stole a Federation ship, which you now need to ditch because you’re heading to a primitive planet in the Y and don’t want the military tracking you. And you need my help to get you there.”
    “ Yes.” Aeron bit her lip and nodded. “Will you help me?”
    A slow smile spread over Riona ’s lips. “Ah, little sis, I’m so proud right now I might start crying. Of course I’ll help you break a bunch of Federation laws.” And the fact Range wouldn’t dream of looking for her in the Y was a bonus. “Besides, you know me. I’m always up for a little mischief and adventure.”
    Riona wasn’t sure if