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might be time for a distraction for our hosts though.”
    “What do you mean?”
    He doffed his thin backpack and knelt, pulling out two sweet miniature thermal explosive devices he’d picked up while selecting gear at the space station. “Thinking I’ll put a couple of these on one of their parked shuttles, blow it to the seven hells and while the locals are running around like suskadi with their heads chopped off, we’ll be heading for the hills.”
    “Won’t they chase us?”
    “Probably, but not right away. I’ll blow this building too. Umarri’s men will be confused and not only from the drugged tea.” He grinned.
    The two men, arguing half-heartedly, as if they’d had the conversation before, were headed inside.
    As soon as the coast was clear, Johnny said, “I’ll come back for you. Sit tight right here until I do, promise?”
    She gave him a thumbs up. Apparently reading doubt in his face about her probable compliance with his order, she said, “They only feed me once a day so I know for sure no one will come. I’ll wait. You’re the best thing I’ve seen in months, soldier. I’m not going anywhere without you. And your weapons.”
    “Good.”
    He emerged into the open, immediately moving to take cover behind stacks of crates and containers. It was fairly easy to work his way to the edge of the landing field proper and then he had to make careful moves to get to the nearest shuttle, hiding behind loaders and fuel trucks to do so. This was a decidedly old fashioned set up. As he was preparing to cross the final feet of open space to the shuttle, the hatch opened and two men emerged, wreathed in fragrant green smoke.
    Umarri’s got problems if his crews do drugs inside the shuttles. All the better for his plan. Those idiots wouldn’t be sure they hadn’t screwed up and caused the explosion.
    Stumbling, the man in the lead said, “Those freeloaders from the compound better have saved us something to eat.”
    “When can we return to the palace? What did Umarri say?” asked his companion.
    “Damn Shemdylann are late. Of course the aliens never stick to a schedule but they’re way overdue this time. Umarri was screaming this morning. No word from their captain either.”
    “Why does the boss keep sending more cargo here then?” The second man sounded upset. “He knows we’ve got nowhere to store it.”
    “I haven’t heard any complaints from you about having the woman here for a week.” The first pirate dug the other in the ribs.
    “Yeah, she’s been a bonus. Although the warlord won’t let us have any real serious fun with her.”
    “Maybe if the Shemdylann never come, he will.”
    But the second man shook his head. “If the pirates never arrive, he’ll be so mad he’s likely to kill us all. Men whisper over Umarri’s growing unbalance and the Sectors rescuing the other hostage last night sent him into a rage like I’ve never seen. We’d be out combing the hills today except the soldiers who pulled the raid were picked up by a fast moving flier and long gone, according to the playback on the scanners from our ship in orbit.”
    “Loose talk about Umarri’s state of mind will get you killed.” Throwing his arm around the other man’s shoulders, the soldier hustled him toward the barracks.
    Johnny emerged from hiding, requiring only a moment to affix the bombs to vulnerable spots on the shuttle, set the timers and step undercover again. He made it back to the jail in record time and slid through the door. Sara sat in the corner as far as she could get from the entrance and sprang to her feet, chains in hand as he entered.
    “Good thinking.” He nodded at her makeshift weapon. “Ready to make a run for it?”
    Dropping the shackles and wiping her hands on her torn pants, she said, “I wanted to inflict some pain if any of the bastards did walk in here. Retribution, you know?”
    “Completely understand.”
    He led her from the jail, slinking along the wall and moving to the