Page 49 of Naughty List Delivery
“No bad news, exactly,” Kex says carefully. “But there are... developments.”
He slides his data pad across the table, and I see a series of communications from various sources. The first is from Luzrak, marked official STI business. The second is from an address I don’t recognize but that makes Noomi’s eyes widen with surprise.
“That’s from OOPs,” she says, reaching for the pad. “My employers.”
She reads quickly, her expression shifting from neutral to surprised to something that might be hope. When she looks up, her eyes are bright with possibility.
“They want me back,” she says simply. “Hazard pay for the kidnapping incident, and—” She pauses, glancing at me with an expression I can’t quite read. “They want to offer me a promotion. Lead courier for high-priority deliveries across the outer rim.”
It’s everything she’s worked for. Recognition, advancement, the chance to build something meaningful in the legitimate world she chose over the criminal one we used to share. I should be happy for her. I am happy for her.
I’m also terrified.
“What about the other communication?” I ask, nodding toward Luzrak’s message.
Kex clears his throat. “STI wants to offer you an official commendation for your actions during the Christmas delivery crisis. Luzrak says there’s talk of a formal pardon for past... activities... in recognition of your heroic service.”
The words hang in the air between us. A pardon. Official recognition. The chance to step fully into the legitimate world alongside Noomi, if that’s what she wants.
“There’s more,” Kex continues, and now he’s definitely avoiding my eyes. “STI wants to offer you a deal for the Shadowhawk. They’re willing to overlook her... colorful history... in recognition of her service during the Christmas crisis. Youcould register her as a legitimate salvage and freight vessel, keep her flying under your own name.”
My coffee goes cold in my hands. It’s a generous offer—more than generous. The chance to keep my ship and go legitimate at the same time. But as I look across the table at Noomi, I realize the Shadowhawk represents a life I’m ready to leave behind.
“I appreciate the offer,” I tell Kex, “but I accept on one condition. You take ownership of her.”
The silence that follows is so complete I can hear the ship’s life support systems humming.
“I’m sorry, what now?” Kex says faintly.
“You heard me. I’ll take the deal with STI, but only if you become the official owner and captain of the Shadowhawk.”
Kex’s weathered face goes through several interesting color changes. “Captain, I... I’m a tactical officer. I know ships, I know weapons, I know how to keep a crew alive in a firefight. But I don’t know the first thing about running a legitimate business!”
“You know more than you think,” I tell him. “And salvage and freight work is basically what we’ve been doing anyway, just without having to dodge patrol ships.”
“But the paperwork!” Kex protests, looking genuinely horrified. “The regulations! The... the customer service!”
Noomi snorts with laughter. “The great Kex Gorgen, who once talked us out of an STI inspection by convincing them we were a research vessel studying migratory space whales, is afraid of customer service?”
“That’s different,” Kex says with wounded dignity. “That was creative lying. Customer service is...” He shudders. “Being nice to people on purpose.”
“You’ll figure it out,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “Besides, half our crew already thinks you’re in charge anyway.”
“Because you keep disappearing into medical bays with your mate!” Kex explodes, then immediately looks embarrassed at his outburst.
“And now you understand why you’d be a better captain than me,” I point out. “You actually care about things like duty rosters and maintenance schedules.”
Kex stares at me for a long moment, then slowly shakes his head. “You’re serious. You’re actually giving me the Shadowhawk.”
“I’m giving you the chance to be your own captain instead of babysitting mine,” I correct. “The question is, do you want her?”
The transformation in Kex’s expression is something to see. Wonder, terror, and determination war across his weathered features before settling into something that looks suspiciously like excitement.
“I... yes,” he says quietly. “Yes, I want her. I’ve wanted my own command for years, I just never thought...” He trails off, then straightens with sudden resolve. “I’ll need to talk to the crew. See who wants to stay for legitimate work and who wants to find another pirate ship.”
“Most of them will stay,” Noomi predicts. “Jenna’s been complaining about constantly looking over her shoulder for patrol ships, and Torven mentioned wanting to settle down with his partner.”
“And the ones who don’t stay will understand,” I add. “It’s a big change.”
