“Such as against planet pirates?”

Aelock looked troubled. “Well, it’s been very quiet lately. Too quiet. There hasn’t been a peep out of them in months - almost a year since the last incident. I think they’re planning another strike, but I haven’t a clue where. By the time we reach Alpha, I’m expecting to hear from one of my contacts, a friend of a friend of a friend of a supplier who sells to the pirates. We still don’t know who they are, or who is providing them with bases and repair facilities, drydocks and that kind of thing. I’m hoping that I can make a breakthrough before someone follows the line of inquiry back to me. People who stick their noses into the pirates’ business frequently end up dead.”

Lunzie gulped, thinking of Jonahs and the airlock. The captain seemed to divine her thoughts and chuckled.

“Ignore the finger-crossers among my crew. They’re good souls, and they’ll make you comfortable while you’re aboard. We’ll have you safe and sound, breathing smoggy Alpha Centauri air before you know it.”