CHAPTER 4
Jake
and Tibbs walked along a busy passageway.
Behind them all manner of space inhabitants carried out business or hurried
along to various points on the huge ship.
“You think that old man knows what
he’s talking about?” Tibbs said.
“He might exaggerate some, but I
don’t think he’s lying. Not about
everything, anyway,” Jake said.
“So, you think he can find ore out
there?”
“Probably.”
“You think he might be too old to
cut it now?”
“I’ve seen these old timers down in
the mines and they can out work the young guys any day of the week.”
Tibbs stopped and looked at Jake
hard. “He said he’ll take on a couple partners if they can come up with their
own stake.”
“Yeah?”
Tibbs looked around nervously. “What
if I can get us a stake for both of us?
Would you be in?” he asked.
Jake studied the smaller man. He did not trust him at all, but he was
desperate. “Why would you do that?” he said.
“Anything happens, I want someone
around I know who’ll back me,” Tibbs said honestly.
“And you think I’d back you?” Jake
said curiously.
“You may not like me, but I know
your kind.”
“And what’s my kind?”
Tibbs looked at the Special Forces
tattoo that covered Jake’s shoulder of a skull with a dagger through the top,
surrounded by Mars Marine Corps Recon II.
“I don’t trust that old guy to get us back after we find ore,” he said. “He’ll cut our throats first chance he
gets. I know all about you, Hammer.”
Jake studied Tibbs.
“You’re some kind of legend,” Tibbs
said with a hint of awe tinged by envy. “Special
Forces during the second Mars revolt.”
“It wasn’t a revolt,” Jake said
sharply.
“Whatever. How you ended up out here digging dirt is no
concern of mine, but if you was watching my back, I’d be willing to stake the
both of us.”
“Where you going to get that kind
of money?”
Tibbs pulled a few coins from his
pocket. “I know of a game down in the engineering spaces.”
Jake looked at him skeptically.
“I’ll get the stake. You can bet on it,” Tibbs said confidently. “I’ll see you 0800 in the mess hall. You be there with the old man.”
Tibbs hurried off, leaving Jake
standing outside a store. He looked through
the window and saw several toys, including the Galaxy Starfighter.
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