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  Outside of the coffee shop, people ran. They dispersed like minnows, trying to find a place to go. Her eyes tracked the commotion’s source, finding Max Conyers. The big man held Cam in front of him, a blaster to his head. Max’s eyes were wild, unfocused. He roared, “Grace! Come out!”

  Her heart clenched in fear. Cam was in front of her enemy. Max was so far away she could never get there before Cam got shot. She couldn’t run away and leave Cam to die.

  Grace felt like her feet were stuck in ceramicrete. You must face your foe. Her father would tell her to run, strike later, and be done. But there was no way she could let Cam die thinking she’d abandoned him. She faced Ryan, rising from the table. “I’ve got to go.”

  “So it seems.” He pushed his coffee cup away. “You finish your business, then we’ll talk.”

  Grace left him at the table. She exited the coffee shop, shoulders square. Her scabbarded sword was in her left hand, her right empty and wanting purpose. All Grace’s thoughts were on the fear of Cam getting shot. He sagged, limp in his gray and yellow uniform. A gash on his head showed the how of Max overpowering him.

  Cam hit Max with a shock rod. The giant should be out for an hour. It made no sense. Grace’s free hand found the data sliver in her pocket. A super soldier program. Men and women stronger and better than the rest.

  Men like Max. He was a prototype of things to come.

  Max gave an ugly grin when he caught sight of Grace. The concourse emptied of people. The big man removed the blaster from Cam’s head, pointing it at Grace. “You should have stayed hidden.”

  Grace walked to the side, away from the coffee shop and Ryan. No reason for him to get hit by stray blaster fire. “You should have stayed unconscious.”

  The giant laughed. “It’ll be a shame to kill you.”

  “My father won’t be pleased.” Grace looked about, seeking options. She kept her weight on the balls of her feet, ready to dodge or run.

  “Your father won’t know. Remember, we caught an intruder. Ayako Tanaka’s the name in the report. And like you said, I’ve had a promotion.” Max laughed deep in his belly. “It’s a shame you need to die. We could have worked well together.”

  “We still could,” offered Grace.

  “No.” Max shook his head. He held Cam firm in front of him, rotating as Grace walked. What did he think she was going to do? Grace had no blaster. “You’re too dangerous.”

  “And you’re too dumb.” Ryan McCabe spoke from the doorway of the coffee shop. His blaster was in his hand and it spoke blue-white fire. A single shot from the hip. It hit Max, the big man falling in a clatter of armor.

  Cam patted himself down as if surprised he hadn’t been shot. “Grace?”

  Grace swiveled, taking in Ryan holstering his weapon. He offered her a nod. “I never much liked folks like him.”

  Cam jogged closer, then grabbed Grace in a hug. She stiffened, then relaxed. “It’s okay.”

  “It’s not.” Cam’s voice shook as he shed fear/relief in equal measure. He pushed her away, turning to Ryan. “What kind of pirate are you?”

  “Never said I was a pirate.” She heard the truth/truth/honesty in his words.

  Grace nodded. “No, that was us. We judged unfairly. Who are you, Ryan McCabe?”

  “Businessman.” The freighter captain straightened his jacket. “Let’s finish that coffee.”

  Grace and Cam followed Ryan back inside. The coffee shop was emptier than before, some souls seeing the wisdom in leaving before things got uglier. They sat at the table Grace and Ryan shared earlier, Cam dragging a chair close. Grace pulled the data sliver from her pocket, sliding it across to Ryan. “Here.”

  He didn’t take it. “You know what’s on it?”

  “I do.” Grace shifted in her seat.

  “If we put that on the market, they’ll come for you.”

  Grace shrugged. “They’re already after me. This way, someone else might get what they deserve.” She jerked her chin at Cam.

  Ryan nodded. “You said your name was Grace Gushiken. I saw a warrant pass the holo yesterday. Might be a different Grace Gushiken. Might be the same. She’s wanted by the powerful. Worth more coin than what’s on this.” Ryan’s fingers tapped the data sliver. “Still, no sense in going back on a deal, is there?” He looked her in the eye. “We all need to learn from what we’ve done.”

  “You don’t act like any pirate I know.” Grace held up a hand. “I know, you never called yourself a pirate. But you’ve got a pirate ship, and a pirate crew. You deal in stolen booty.”

  Ryan nodded. “A label’s a hard thing to wear. It’ll chafe your neck and grind you down. It’s best to sail the free skies. Fly no flag. Do right by people and hope for honesty among folk.”

  Grace thought that through. “I’ve never seen that work.”

  Ryan shrugged. “You haven’t met the right pirates.”

  Grace hugged herself. “I want to, Ryan. I hope one day to meet more men like you.”

  “Takes just one.” Ryan stood. “Good day to you both.” He left them at the coffee shop, data sliver in hand.

  Cam waited until he was gone. “He didn’t pay us.”

  “He will.”

  “How do you know?” Cam looked after the freighter captain. “He’s a pirate.”

  Grace touched a hand over her heart. “I feel it.” She’d spoken the truth: more than anything, she wanted to meet others like Ryan McCabe. Those who’d get in a fight with the wrong people for the right reasons. Willing to slug the Empire when it was deserved. Quick with a blaster or a blade, but quicker with a kind word and a gentle touch.

  Someone like who she wanted to be.

  Grace sipped coffee. She had friends here now. Skills she could use, and a future she could make. The truth cut at her, a knife in her heart. She’d grown too comfortable, too fast.

  You must leave Starfire Station.

  You’ve finished Dragon’s Bargain. I hope you loved it!

  The next story in The Empire’s Rogues is Ganymede Plague. A bioweapon is unleashed in Nate’s dome. He seems immune, but almost no one else is, including his best friend Valerie Flare. Can Nate find a cure in time? An excerpt is included at the end of this book.

  [https://www.books2read.com/GanymedePlague]

  WAIT. Don’t go!

  Thanks for reading my Rogues story. If you liked it, would you share your experience with your fellow organics? Reviews are helpful to readers by ducting like-minded people to books they’ll enjoy.

  Review Dragon’s Bargain on your retailer and Goodreads [http://hit.mondegreen.co/ReviewDragonsBargain]

  FYI, an angel gets its wings for every five-star review.

  About the Author

  Richard Parry worked as an international consultant in one of the world’s top tech companies, which sounds cool, but it wasn’t all cocaine parties. He lives in Wellington with the love of his life, Rae. They have a dog, Rory, who chases birds. The birds, who have the power of flight, don’t seem to mind. Richard’s online hood is:

  www.mondegreen.co

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  Also by Richard Parry

  The Ezeroc Wars

  The Ezeroc Wars universe is big (and growing!). Get the reading guide here: https://www.mondegreen.co/ezeroc-wars-reading-guide/

  The Empire’s Rogues

  Nathan Chevell and Grace Gushiken are destined to meet, saving the universe from the vile insect-like Ezeroc. Becoming heroes is hard work; read their tales before they meet, forging their names among the stars.

  Rogues 1: https://www.books2read.com/GanymedeSteel

  Rogues 2: https://www.books2read.com/DragonsRun

  Rogues 3: https://www.books2read.com/GanymedePlunder

  Rogues 4: https://www.books2read.com/DragonsBargain


  Rogues 5: https://www.books2read.com/GanymedePlague

  Rogues 6: https://www.books2read.com/DragonsRescue

  A colony world goes dark.

  When Grace Gushiken and Nathan Chevell of the Tyche are hired to deliver a new transmitter for a downed Guild Bridge, they find the Absalom Delta colony deserted, its people enslaved by the insect-like Ezeroc. The aliens have descended like locusts on humanity, consuming all in their path. No one is safe. Even the Republic Navy is powerless against them. The ship and her crew need to test their skill and their luck to survive. Will Grace and Nate be able to work together to get away? Or will fears and rivalries from the past destroy humanity’s hopes, ceding victory to the Ezeroc?

  Tyche’s Journey

  Book 1: https://www.books2read.com/TychesFlight

  Book 2: https://www.books2read.com/TychesDeceit

  Book 3: https://www.books2read.com/TychesCrown

  Tyche’s Progeny

  Book 4: https://www.books2read.com/TychesDemons

  Book 5: https://www.books2read.com/TychesGhosts

  Book 6: https://www.books2read.com/TychesAngels

  Tyche Origins

  An empire falls.

  Before there was a Tyche, the crew were scattered. Nate wore the Emperor’s Black. El helmed mighty destroyers. Hope joined the new Republic’s reclamation projects. Kohl fell in with the Yakuza. And Grace was a prisoner. Grab their origin stories as they become the heroes the universe needed them to be.

  Collection (origins 1-6): https://www.books2read.com/TycheOrigins

  Or get them à la carte…

  Origin 1: https://www.books2read.com/TychesFirst

  Origin 2: https://www.books2read.com/TychesChosen

  Origin 3: https://www.books2read.com/TychesHope

  Origin 4: https://www.books2read.com/TychesFury

  Origin 5: https://www.books2read.com/TychesGrace

  Origin 6: https://www.books2read.com/TychesGravedigger

  Future Forfeit

  Not sure where to start? Get the reading guide here: https://www.mondegreen.co/future-forfeit-reading-guide/

  It’s 2150AD. There hasn’t been a corporate war… until now.

  Mason Floyd is an augmented syndicate enforcer at the top of his game. His job is asset protection and acquisition, no questions asked.

  Company tech is stolen on Mason’s watch. Rival megacorps want it, and they don’t mind killing him to get it. Framed for the theft, Mason runs. He tangles with off-grid rockstar Sadie Freeman on the grimy seam between the powerful and poor. Together they uncover a secret an entire city died to keep.

  Hunted and desperate, they must team up to survive. Together Mason and Sadie can save the world. Apart, both are lost. They must trust each other or die.

  Megacorps. Cyborgs. AI. Gene-spliced monsters. Syndicate enforcers. Off-grid illegals. Supersoldiers. Rock music. Violence. Einstein-Rosen bridges. Liquor. Enhanced reflexes. Power armor and energy weapons. Full body replacements. Swearing. Mind control. Telekenetics. G-Men. Drugs. Neural links. Orbital cannons. THIS IS CYBERPUNK.

  Book 1: https://www.books2read.com/ChromedUpgrade

  Book 2: https://www.books2read.com/ChromedRogue

  Book 3: https://www.books2read.com/ChromedRestore

  City Stories 1: https://www.books2read.com/ChromedConsensus

  City Stories 2: https://www.books2read.com/ChromedDelilah

  City Stories 3: https://www.books2read.com/ChromedMeltdown

  Night’s Champion

  Could just one night change your life forever?

  Valentine Everard and Danielle Kendrick have the Night’s Favor: they are werewolves. There are many who would steal the Night’s dark gift from them. The Night’s Champions must face down the corporate interests of Big Pharma, battle with masters of dark Vodou, and make their last stand against both vampires and the Riders of the Apocalypse. Armies fall. Zombies roam the street, and no one is safe. The world is close to its final Judgment. What can a handful of souls do against the powers of the heavens?

  Book 1: https://www.books2read.com/NightsFavor

  Book 2: https://www.books2read.com/NightsFall

  Book 3: https://www.books2read.com/NightsEnd

  Glossary

  Acceleration Couch Crew couches support crew members during high-G maneuvers. They are fitted with gimbals allowing free movement. Their dynamic gel system supports all points of the body in both positive and negative G, providing some protection against grayout, blackout, redout, and G-LOC (G-force induced Loss of Consciousness). They remove the need for G-suits in modern spacecraft, although many space suits are still equipped with anti-G technology anyway.

  Artificial Gravity Artificial gravity is generated through use of a configurable energy density field of positive mass at the defined base of the ship. It uses the same technology as an Endless Drive, except in reverse (Endless Drives use negative energy, whereas positive is needed to simulate gravitational effects). Artificial gravity can be used in any situation where a significant power source exists to create a configurable energy density field (typically a reactor, although large yield capacitors and fuel cells have been known to work for brief periods).

  Blaster A weapon that fires streams or bolts of plasma (high energy ionized gas). They deliver high energy to targets in the form of heat. They are effective weapons against most targets, although heat-shielding (ablative or insulating) has been shown to be an effective armor against them.

  Bridge see Guild Bridge.

  Cargo Freighter (also, Merchantliner) A large cargo starship used by traders in and between systems.

  Carrier The largest class of warship, carriers stock many smaller fighter craft for deployment.

  Ceramicrete A composite construction material commonly used in the manufacture of structures. It is very strong and durable, and can be manufactured to be impact and heat resistant (even to weapons fire levels).

  Console Any type of personal terminal. Keyboard and gesture controls are still prevalent. Keyboards are especially useful on consoles mounted to the arm of a ship suit.

  Corvette A smaller, lighter attack craft than a destroyer, corvettes are mostly used for coast guard duties in-system.

  Crust Spacer slang for planet.

  Crustbuster A large payload thermonuclear weapon, deployed against planets to disrupt the surface crust. Typical designs yield energy sufficient to crack most Earth-sized worlds to the core, yielding wide scale destruction and loss of life. Their use in war or insurrection has typically been infrequent and as a last resort, because the world they are used on becomes inhabitable for most forms of life forever. More common uses include destruction of enormous asteroids.

  Destroyer A large warship. These are reconfigurable bastions of destruction. They can be deployed solo or as a part of a fleet, often alongside carriers.

  Empire The ruling dictatorship of the wider human civilization.

  Endless Drive The Endless Drive creates negative space energy (a “bow wave”) to pull a vehicle at effective superluminal speeds. Endless ships don’t exceed the speed of light, but rather contract space in front of them and expand space behind it (space is doing all the hard work). The exigent concern with Endless jumps is the violation of linear time. Endless Drives are equipped with buffers to stop crews exceeding human tolerance for the experience of linear time; while human perception of linear time may be an illusion, it is a convenient one. If the buffers break, allowing the ship to move too fast, then human consciousness falters (resulting in mild to severe mental illness) or is extinguished entirely. Endless Drives are difficult to use near gravity wells and in such circumstances are guaranteed to malfunction. This and other safety concerns has shifted common FTL to the Guild Bridges, although privateers still often run free traders with Endless technology. The Empire Navy also use Endless Drives as it is often inconvenient to disclose locations of sensitive operations to the Guild.

  Esper Slang for those considered abhorrent creations of the Empire. Esper is a term taken f
rom Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP, hence ESPer). Espers can read minds, and often control them. Espers were created through genetic manipulation.

  Fab see Fabricator.

  Fabricator Similar in concept but not scale to our 3D printers, fabricators (or ‘fabs,’ for short) are capable of printing components out complex materials. Part forge, high quality fabs can manufacture materials to high levels of precision. They are the preferred method of component construction. Military vessels of sufficient size often carry fabs for repair and outright construction of everything from hull metal to dropships. The Guild has the best fabricators available, high precision devices some say can print to the demanding levels required by AI mind crystal.

  Faster than Light Travel (FTL) There are two discovered forms of FTL; Endless Drives (using theoretical physicist Miguel Alcubierre’s concepts), and Guild Bridges (Einstein-Rosen Bridges).

  Fergelic, Dominic Dominic is Emperor in Waiting, son of Emperor Prirene III.

  Free Trader A starship that operates under legal Guild charter for commerce or transport.

  FTL see Faster than Light Travel.

  G Slang for gravity or gravities. A unit of measurement based on Earth’s 1 standard gravity.

  Grav see Artificial Gravity.

  Guild Bridge The Guild maintain a set of Einstein-Rosen bridges throughout human space. These allow instantaneous travel without violating the concept of space time, as they create wormholes through space. Einstein-Rosen Bridges require endpoints (the Guild Bridge) which are operated on a strict schedule between star systems. They are used for transferring everything from whole starships right down to small messenger probes.

  Guild The Guild is the dominant technology provider in the Empire. They have a rigid code of conduct that governs all members awarded and maintaining a Shingle. The primary source of Guild revenue is via the Bridges (see: Guild Bridge) they maintain for safe, instant FTL. Many merchant vessels prefer the use of Guild Bridges over the use of Endless Drives due to safety concerns. The Guild is best known for their Engineers who breathe life into starships, but they also provide Shingles for other practices such as medicine.