Supremacy's Outlaw: A Space Opera Thriller Series (Insurgency Saga Book 3) by T.E. Bakutis (top 100 books of all time checklist .TXT) 📗

Bharat heard a hush settle over the gathering. All eyes fixed on Jan Sabato. Bharat supposed that made sense, given Jan had been the most directly betrayed.

“Rafe was a very flawed man,” Jan said quietly. “He was also a good friend, and he saved my life at least as often as he endangered it. In the end, he did all he could to make up for his mistakes, and he died in an attempt to save us all.”

After a moment, Emiko and Pollen raised their beers. Fatima and Kinsley didn’t, yet no one looked askance at that. Bharat supposed they respected each other enough to let everyone deal with Rafe’s betrayal in their own manner, in their own time.

“To Rafe,” Pollen said, “who sucked at everything, but kept on sucking anyway.”

Emiko rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that about covers it.”

“Oh!” Kinsley said, as brightly as if they hadn’t just memorialized their dead friend. “Jan, I must warn you. When I checked the passenger list on the way here, I spotted—”

“GREETINGS, MY VICTORIOUS FRIENDS!” A needlessly magnified voice echoed across those gathered in Bharat’s front yard. “IT IS A TRUE PLEASURE TO SEE YOU UNITED!”

Jan rubbed his temples. “It’s fine.”

“Who,” Nadia asked, with an audible amount of incredulousness, “is that?”

A man in green and yellow powered armor paused at the edge of Bharat’s yard. He stopped there, placed hands on hips, and inclined his head. “Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Chada.” At least Marquis had used their new last name. “May I enter your estate? I have business with Mr. Sabato.”

“Sure,” Bharat said, with a heavy sigh. “Why not.”

Marquis strode into the yard and parked himself in front of Jan. “The time has come to repay my debt!”

Jan waved him off. “No need. You already found Bharat.”

“That was a task for Miss Emiko! My debt to you remained unpaid, until now!”

Jan sighed heavily. “Get it over with.”

“The illustrious Elena Ryke has officially pardoned both you and Miss Emiko for any and all former slights! You may now freely travel Ceto without fear of retribution! Miss Ryke is even willing to offer you smuggling jobs if you so wish!”

Jan stood. “How?”

“The fuck?” Emiko finished.

Marquis stood proudly, cloak billowing. “I merely offered a generous donation of finances and services in exchange for your pardons! Miss Ryke hires only the best!”

“But, Marquis ...” Jan’s eyes were now wider than Bharat had ever seen. “That’s crazy. You’re working for her?”

“For four months only! I pay my debts, Mr. Sabato, and now my debt to you is paid in full.”

Jan blinked, stared, and then swallowed. “Thank you.”

Marquis bowed, then rose and turned with a swish of his cloak. “Ladies, gentlemen, I leave you to your libations. I must return to my new duties. Good day!”

Bharat watched Marquis as he strode out of their new yard. Perhaps that man wasn’t as crazy as he seemed. Perhaps he did more than shout at people and blow things up.

“Goodness,” Kinsley said.

Jan sat back down. “Huh.”

“He meant it,” Emiko said. “He meant that, right?”

“Marquis does not lie,” Pollen said, raising her brand-new beer. “He is a good man. I told you, didn’t I?”

Jan sat down. “All right, sure. Marquis is a good man.” He took a swig of his beer. “I still say his cloak is stupid.”

THE END

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ALSO IN THE SERIES

SUPREMACY’S SHADOW

SUPREMACY’S BOUNTY

SUPREMACY’S OUTLAW