Death King

by Danielle L. Parker

Chapter 12
conclusion

Abel Verity rapped his pipe against his ashtray. “A satisfactory ending,” he said. “Five frigates and a destroyer are on their way. That lab should be history any minute now. They’ll blow up the whole planet.”

Jim Blunt, seated in the old leather chair opposite, nodded. Verity cast him a swift sharp glance under his steely gray brows before he continued.

“You’re welcome to keep Thanatos’ personal ship as compensation, Captain. I understand it’s a top-of-line model. Should be worth quite a lot on the open market, if you care to resell it. That’s the least we can do. I wish we could do more. You’ve saved a lot of lives, Captain.”

Jim Blunt nodded again. Even this seemed to be an effort. He lay back in the chair and closed his eyes. The fingers of his left hand wandered over his right forearm, and pressed the flesh there, almost idly.

Marlon Foster cleared his throat. “Better take some time off, son,” he advised. “You look done in. Take a trip back to Earth. We’ve taken care of those old charges. Check out some tropical beaches and pretty girls. You deserve them!”

Blunt opened his eyes. “I might do that,” he said. He got to his feet, picked up his hat, and settled it on his head with a brief nod of farewell to his companions.

But Verity raised a delaying hand. He frowned. “Just a minute, Captain. You got rid of that bomb implanted in your arm, didn’t you?”

Jim Blunt paused with his hand on the knob of the door. For a few moments he made no response. “No,” he answered at last, “I didn’t.”

Foster spat coffee as he choked on his yell. “Are you nuts, son? Why not?”

But Abel Verity only nodded. His lined face looked older. “Yes,” he said. “I understand. I’m sorry, Captain. But I promise you this. One day, there will be no more pixie dust left in the universe. None, none at all. I promise you that, on my word of honor.”

“I think I can hold out,” Blunt said, and shut the door behind him.

To Challenge 419...