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board now?” Zoey asked.
    Declan nodded.
    Zoey headed up the ramp and Eddie followed behind.
    Declan grumbled under his breath. “I’m not getting paid enough for this job.”
    “Shit, I don’t do this job for the money, boss. I do it for the sport,” Jaxon said.
    Declan rolled his eyes and headed up the ramp. Jaxon followed.
    In the cockpit, Violet was in the copilot seat. She was going through the pre-flight checks. All systems were green.
    Mitch took a seat at the navigation console. He grabbed the handset and spoke into the intercom. He sounded like a cheesy radio DJ. His voice boomed throughout the ship. “Welcome aboard the SS Zephyr , non-stop to the resort at Alpha Ceti 7. A luxurious tropical destination with today’s temperature at a toasty high of 300°. Hope you brought your sunblock. Looks like we’ve been cleared for takeoff, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.”
    “Declan hates it when you do that,” Violet said.
    “That’s why I keep doing it.” Mitch smiled. He had sparkling eyes, blond hair, and a round face. He was a likable kind of guy that never met a stranger. He had put on a few pounds since he left the service—more than a few, actually. And he hadn’t kept daily PT as part of his routine.
    Declan grimaced at the sound of the announcement. He showed his new passengers to their cabin. It was a small compartment with two bunks. “This is you. The head is down the hall.” He pointed aft. “The galley is on level one. Make yourself at home.” He pulled out his PDU and paged through a few screens. He checked his bank account. “Looks like the money is all there. I’ll have you to Alpha Ceti 7 in no time.”
    Declan marched to the cockpit. “I hear that ridiculous announcement one more time, I’m kicking you off the ship. Preferably during flight.”
    “Oh, come on. It’s funny,” Mitch said.
    “If you were funny, you’d have your own comedy show.”
    “Hey, I’m big on Zeta Cygnus. My standup kills it there.”
    “Those people have no taste.” Declan took a seat.
    “All systems go,” Violet said.
    Declan engaged the thrusters. The powerful engines roared. The ship creaked and groaned as it lifted from the ground. It didn’t totally inspire confidence. The Zephyr was at least 50 years old. It rumbled and shook and plodded through the atmosphere like a lumbering elephant.
    “Are you sure this thing is safe?” Zoey asked as she strolled into the cockpit.
    “I don’t really like passengers in the cockpit,” Declan said. “Besides, you should really strap yourself in.”
    Declan jerked the controls in an attempt to throw Zoey off balance. But she held onto one of the consoles. She glared at him, then took a seat and strapped in at an empty console. 8-Ball strapped in next to her.
    An alarm sounded.
    “Shit,” Declan said.
    “We’ve got a leak in one of the hydraulic lines,” said Violet.
    “It’s nothing major. I can fix it once we’re in slide-space.” Declan flicked a switch and silenced the alarm.
    The old ship screeched and squealed as it rocketed toward space. It finally broke free of the atmosphere, and the ride smoothed out.
    “Engage the artificial gravity,” Declan commanded.
    Violet pressed the button, and Zoey felt her ass plant firmly against the seat.
    A proximity alert sounded. It buzzed over a klaxon until Declan silenced it. “Shit.”
    “What is it?” Zoey asked.
    “It’s no big deal.” Declan tried to play it cool.
    “Sir, I’m getting a communication across all channels,” Violet said.
    “Mitch, have you got those jump coordinates plotted yet?”
    “Working on it.”
    “Work faster.”
    A craft pulled alongside the Zephyr . A voice crackled over the intercom. “ SS Zephyr , this is the Customs and Planetary Protection Agency. Stop your vehicle and prepare to be boarded.”
    “Is there some kind of problem?” Zoey asked.
    “It’s nothing really,” Declan said, trying to hide his concern with a grin. “Just a few