Space Assassins: The Star Trader series, #2

By Gary W. Feather

Blood will spill across the stars.

A NEW THREAT bursts upon the horizon for the STARSHIP GUINEVERE and the Williams clan.

Martha Clarke, thief and con woman, has caught the eye of Erica Williams. But Martha is being hunted by a secret society of assassins based on the planet Yin, homeworld of the Yin Confederation. Erica talked her family into protecting Martha, who is a non-Yin outsider.

Is Erica thinking with something other than her brain?

Can they trust this con woman?

Is there someone pulling the strings behind all of this madness? 

Erica will fight with all her skills and training from the monastery to protect the woman she loves. 

But will Martha Clarke fight by her side or run away?

A battle begins between traders and assassins!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Interstellar Bushido Publishing
• Release date: Apr 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224841097

Book preview

Space Assassins

Book two of the Star Traders series

Gary W. Feather

SPACE ASSASSINS

Copyright © 2017 by Gary W. Feather

Second edition: Copyright © 2024 by Gary W. Feather

Published by Interstellar Bushido Publishing

Cover art by Clarissa Yeo designer at Yocla Designs

Author website: https://www.garywfeatherauthor.com/

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in the fiction in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

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1.ERICA

2.ERICA

3.MAMA KAT

4.ERICA

5.ERICA

6.ERICA

7.ERICA

8.ERICA

9.ERICA

10.BOBBY-JANE

11.ERICA

12.ERICA

13.ERICA

14.DEMON

15.ERICA

16.DEMON

17.ALBERTA

18.ERICA

19.DEMON

20.ERICA

21.ERICA

22.ERICA

23.DEMON

24.ERICA

25.ERICA

26.EMMA

27.ERICA

28.ERICA

29.ERICA

30.ERICA

31.ERICA

32.ERICA

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Author's Note

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Chapter one

ERICA

The rocketship Guinevere's Daughter had set its fins on a cold landing pad in Caroline City's spaceport. The Starship Guinevere was currently in another star system and being run by first shift and third shift crews.

After one last glance in her mirror, Erica walked into the small living room she shared with Tilly.

What do you think? Erica spun around with all her weight balanced on the balls of her right foot. Her loose blue mini-skirt fluttered over the tops of her thighs as she spun. She landed her left spike heel on the floor to show off her recently waxed legs. Erica pushed her chest out. Her amble cleavage showing through her low cut blue blouse with white ruffles.

I thought you were a nun? Tilly said.

What? Erica said with arms akimbo. I'm not a nun anymore, Tilly. Tilly Zhou was her roommate, cousin, and best friend.

Oh, sorry. Tilly giggled. I just never thought to see you in something like that. Sexy babe.

Whatever. Erica rolled her eyes. I got this entire outfit for a great price when we picked up my little sister and dropped Gwen off at the university. They’re designer Steele!

What? How could you afford that?

I told you I got a good deal.

You sure it's not a rip-off? Tilly frowned. She walked over to look at the tags on the blouse and skirt.

No. Erica shook her brown hair, that was now long enough to touch her broad shoulders. Almost as long as Tilly's black hair. It's still hard to believe I was once bald and living in a Buddhist monastery.

Good Goddess. That isn't Steele.

What? You're serious?

Next time, take me with you when you're looking for clothes. Tilly put hands on her hips. Now this is actually Steele.

Tilly's outfit was violet slacks with a yellow blouse and a black leather jacket over it. Her nose was small and cute, her lips were small but luscious.

Let's go! She tossed Erica another black leather jacket.

Okay fine. Erica shrugged. She slipped it on.

The two women left the rocketship Daughter in a small hovercar that Tilly had signed for. All family members could borrow a small hovercar for personal use while off duty. Tilly parked the car in the parking lot of Anthony's Gumbo, a popular bar and grill with spacers.

As they headed towards the door, a young woman whistled at them. Wow! That's hot! How much are you going to be charging the men on, Caroline?

It was Erica's younger sister Jessica Williams. She'd just returned to Guinevere and the family after graduating with a BS in Starship Engineering at MITT on the planet Yin.

Pervert! I'll tell our moms! Erica teased.

Jessica stuck out her tongue. The rest of their friends surrounded her: Mindy Bettencourt, Lynna Williams, and Keiko Williams.

Why aren't you dressed? Tilly asked Jessica.

I am! Jessica said. She had on regular Guinevere coveralls with an old blue jean jacket and brown boots. All very standard and nothing fancy.

We're going to a bar and grill to have fun, Tilly said. Maybe dance with a cute girl or two.

Oh, I did things like that at the university. I'm tired of it. I just want to get back to work. I'm tired of partying.

Good Goddess! Tilly shook her head with her arms over her small breasts. I thought your sister was the ex-nun.

Oh, she can dress however she wants, Lynna Williams said.

Come on. Let's get going! Mindy said. I'm hungry! I want some of that Cajun gumbo this place is famous for.

Okay. Okay. Erica snickered. Mindy wants her gumbo.

Keiko Williams had been waiting behind Mindy by the door. Erica froze and took a double look. The usual tough as iron security officer was wearing an ankle length red dress that was split on the left side up to her hip. She had on six-inch spiked heels and the breasts between her v-neck were covered in glitter that changed colors.

Jessica whistled again. How close are we related, Keiko? Jessica raised and lowered her eyebrows suggestively.

Close enough, pest. Keiko snickered. Shall we go?

Inside, they got a nice table near the dance floor. Erica hung her jacket on her chair before sitting. The others did the same. Everyone ordered drinks, though Erica ordered a cherry cola.

A man and a woman danced the tango nearby.

Erica contemplated her menu. Oh, that sounds good. Wow!

How about a dance, beautiful? said a familiar voice.

Erica turned in her chair. Martha?

Martha Clarke smiled at Erica and her heart skipped a beat. The woman wore a black pantsuit with a pink bow tie. She had pulled her long blonde hair back in a braid that swung behind her as she walked in red cowgirl boots. But it was Martha's swinging hips that held Erica's eyes.

Well, how about it? Martha held out her hand.

Who is she? Jessica said.

Trouble. Keiko said.

Erica ignored them. She took Martha's hand. They went to the dance floor with the other couple. Martha led Erica into the tango. Erica got lost in the moment following the gorgeous woman and forgot about food. Later, the music slowed.

Erica looked awkwardly at Martha, but dared to step in closer.

Erica gazed into Martha's eyes. Martha laid her head on Erica's shoulder. Soon, their bodies swayed to the soft melody.

I need your help, Erica.

What?

I need your protection, Martha said.

Erica leaned back to look into her eyes again.

Four years ago, I left an abusive marriage. Martha grimaced. I hoped it was over. But she followed me and demanded I come back to her. I tried to hide, which is why I started taking odd jobs in bizarre places like when I worked for Beaumont in the Collard system.

I remember.

I'm sorry. Martha leaned her head on Erica's shoulder and made a sniffling sound. And I thought she would never find me again, but she did. Now she wants to kill me. She doesn't want anyone else to have me. Please help me. Please.

Erica stroked Martha's hair. Is this a trick? What if she is in trouble? She smells so wonderful.

Suddenly, a blaster bolt struck Martha's arm.

Martha's cry rang through Erica's ears. Erica caught her as she fell.

Martha! Erica covered Martha as more blaster fire came.

Screams and shouts came from everywhere in the bar and grill. Terrified men and woman rushed to the exits, while others hid. Erica dragged Martha into some cover behind a booth. Erica had no weapon on her. Martha pulled out a blaster with her left hand.

Take it. They got my gun hand.

Erica scrutinized the area from their hiding spot. There was no more shooting. Only the debris of broken glass and plastic remained. Keiko waved at her from behind the table they had been sitting. It was now turned on its side. Her sister and the rest of her cousins were with Keiko. Everyone looked okay.

The security for the bar and grill fired back at the window where the blaster fire had come from. A few guards went outside to search for the shooter and came back, saying they had found no one.

Erica took a deep breath and caught the scent of blaster fire and burnt flesh. She turned to see Martha grimace from the pain in her arm. Erica tore a strip of cloth from her own blouse. She bound the strip around Martha's wound to stop the bleeding.

Thank you, Martha whispered, tears still streaming down her face.

Erica's heart ached for her. Of course. We need to get you to a doctor.

Martha nodded, still clutching the blaster in her left hand. Erica picked up her jacket off the floor. The group made their way out of the bar and grill, keeping a close eye out for any signs of danger.

Once they were outside, an ambulance came to help Martha. Erica took the blaster from Martha and hid it in her jacket. It turned out Martha was the only one hurt. The local police arrived to ask questions.

I'm going with her in the ambulance, Erica told Tilly and the others.

What? Keiko complained. No. We should return to the ship.

Sorry, Keiko. I'm off duty.

What? Damn it, girl!

Chapter two

ERICA

Ineed a shower. Now Erica sat in the waiting room by herself. She pulled off her shoes and rubbed her sore foot. Erica stood when Martha walked into the waiting room wearing a sling.

Are you okay?

Nothing serious. Martha smiled. Didn't hit bone or cartilage. Lucky me.

Uh. Yes.

Could you come with me to my hotel room? Martha tossed her a wicked smile that made Erica’s throat tighten and her skin flush. I'm too afraid to go anywhere by myself.

Sure, Martha. Erica nodded. What am I thinking? I'll go with you.

Thanks, honey, Martha said. I called a taxi, so hopefully they'll be waiting out there for us.

Erica started to follow her out of the hospital, but Martha stopped her.

Oh, your shoes. Martha pointed.

Oh, yeah! Erica rushed back to grab her heels before she'd left. She slipped them back on and buckled them. Okay. Let's go.

Hours later, the taxi dropped them off at the hotel. Martha opened the door of her room.

Ladies first, she gestured for Erica to go in first. Take off those pretty heels.

Thank you. Erica strolled inside. Not a big place. Standard small hotel with television, fridge, microwave, desk-n-chair, couch, queen-sized bed, bathroom. A couple of suitcases were in the closet. Erica unhooked and jerked off her heels. The soft carpet felt good under her bare feet.

Martha went straight to the closet. She flipped open a suitcase and pulled out a box. She dropped the box on the desk and sat down.

They are so fucking primitive here, Martha complained. Did you notice that the security people at the bar and grill had a few blasters, but the cops didn't?

I had heard that most folks on Caroline use gunpowder guns, Erica replied.

Martha yanked her bandages off her arm. It didn't look pretty. There was an ugly hole in her forearm. Erica thought of what to say but stopped herself.

Right, and the hospitals are about the same. Martha pulled a sonic-spray out and a bottle of green liquid. She attached the little bottle to the sonic-spray. Luckily, I bring my own nano-serum to heal my arm.

Erica heard a hiss as Martha pressed it to her arm. The smell was like rotten eggs.

Martha layed on the bed. She sighed and wriggled as she kicked off her hot pink boots. Martha