Page 30 of Sol Survivor

“It’s my off day.”Vic grinned, flicking her skirts aside to flash a thigh.She rolled her shoulders while his crew gathered in front of Nikko and his victim.“I love a fight as much as the next whore, but I suggest you rethink this.I’ll let you off with a minimum amount of pain if you free the weasel.”

“Farg off, and mind your own business.”Nikko shook Webb once then tossed him aside.

“Why do they never listen?”She tutted, then burst forward, landing her heel into toothpick-man’s chest and sending him flying.He bounced off the wall, denting it.Sprawled on the floor, he tried to rise but collapsed.

Nikko threw a punch.

She dodged and counter swung with an uppercut while smirking at him.Her enjoyment must have irritated Leah since her face mottled.She entered the fray, swinging a punch.

This one Vic caught with her hand.The impact of Leah’s fist striking Vic’s palm radiated along her cybernetic arm.Closing her fingers, she crushed Leah’s hand.The woman paled and screamed, then pleaded with Vic to release her.

“Stop.”One word in Nikko’s baritone made Vic pause.

She faced him, prepared to take him down.On par with Ande’s bulk, she wasn’t intimidated, and thanks to Ande, had practiced fighting such a sizable man.

To his credit, he didn’t so much as twitch.With a hand clamped on Webb’s shoulder, Nikko met her gaze.From behind him peered the boy, his eyes wide and flickering, as if he filmed her.

Farg.She hadn’t thought of that.

“You best delete that, boy.”She waited, squeezing Leah’s crushed hand to draw a whimper.

The boy nodded, flopping his hat, then raised his wrist to tap the keys.“It’s…done.I swear.”

A woman of her word, she unwrapped her hand and freed Leah.She staggered back, slammed into the wall while cradling her hand, and slid to the dirty floor.The boy darted to her, running his wrist over her disfigured fingers.

“Webb owes us for delivered cargo.”Nikko pursed his lips, as if he hated having to explain himself to Vic.“Without his tokens, we’ll run out of fuel halfway to Europa.”

“What about other buyers for your product?Does it have to be him?”She gestured to the weasel, his skin taking on a greenish hue.

Nikko scowled and released Webb with a shove.The man stumbled to the side and wretched.

“Take back whatever you’ve delivered and blacklist him.”Vic folded her arms across her chest, mimicking Nikko’s earlier stance.

“It’s not as simple as that.”His gaze shifted to Leah who reached for her blaster with her good hand.

“I wouldn’t if I was you, Leah,” Vic smirked.“I can kill your boss where he stands.”

Nikko jerked back, his eyes widening.

“So make it simple,” Vic continued.

The boy unholstered Leah’s blaster and tucked it in the back of his pants.Wise.

Webb tried to run past her, but she caught him by the throat and pinned him to the wall.His feet dangled inches off the floor.The stench of vomit hit her with his every puff.

“Is Nikko’s request for payment unreasonable?”Vic studied her human hand then nibbled on a broken fingernail.

Webb shook his head.

“Spill it.Why can’t you pay?”She sliced a glance at Nikko leaning his shoulder against the wall beside Webb.

“I…I lost my access pass, and it will take a day for a renewal.”

This was but a petty squabble?She pointed at Nikko.“So pay the man’s docking fee.”

“I offered, but he declined,” the weasel whined, not endearing himself to her.

She closed her eyes with a deep sigh.“Do you have to be on the station to receive your access?”

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