Stiletto

Summary

When the Orion free-trader ship is destroyed and its captain nearly murdered, the Baldwin Crew continue to investigate

Log Entry

Captain’s Log, Supplemental: We have met up with Winchester and are now en route to Starbase 375 for emergency repairs.

— Recorded by Sara Jackson

Memorable quotes

“It’s good to have you back, Captain. I just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.”

— Sara Jackson

“We’ve had our share of ne’er-do-wells that want to plant their flag in the Aloran system. However, that system runs deep in Patrick’s bloodline, he won’t let it go so easily.”

“I know that the system has great sentimental value to Captain Ingrum, but as far as the commercial traffic lanes go, it’s off the beaten path.”

“Well…”

— Bridget Ingrum and Mara

“If they so much as lay a scratch on our hull, feel free to answer in kind.”

— Patrick Ingrum

“Right now, you’re in no position to ramble about the supposed error of my ways. You seem to have suffered from an electrical issue that has affected your shields and weapons. The Bella is my ship now, her captain is on my payroll. Since you’re crippled, I will just take a couple of worthless thorns in my side, knowing all you can do is just sit there and watch. Ciao!”

— Malina

“There are too many unanswered questions when it comes to someone like Malina, but we won’t give up until we find Mara and Bridget, and we will assume they are alive until we verify they are not by seeing their dead bodies before us.”

— Roslyn Tyler

“It makes sense that she wants to break you mentally and physically before she kills us. Even before I studied psychology, I could tell that she was a manipulative narcissist. Her DNA manipulation treatment didn’t help in that regard. I’d bet on the suppression field; I haven’t felt out of the ordinary, and we’ve been sharing the same supply of food and water.”

— Mara, on Malina

“Try not to scratch the Ninnescah, I know how Captain Ingrum takes pride in his runabouts.

“I have precious cargo aboard. It’s a hell of a lot easier to replace ships than family.”

— Sonya Fiehrer and Johnathan Bucyrus

Notes

• The story title refers to a song written and performed by Billy Joel.

References

Aloran IV; Athena One; Athena Two; Ingrum, Bridget; Mara; Malina; Nava; Ninnescah, USS Nottingham Bella; Nottingham Interstellar; Tyler, Roslyn; Winchester, USS

External links

• Stiletto Full text of the story, on the author's website.