Project Prometheus Ch. 43 - Teaser (Patreon)

“All right, then. I better get back to minding the town and grab some shuteye. It’s going to be a long few days ahead of us,” Daved said before he left the line.

“I should go too! Rest would be a most welcome reprieve!” Dagan said as he too, got off the line. Inari was about to step off herself, when another ping came in over the line, which she answered.

“Darkstrider, are you there came a male voice over the line.

“Yeah, I’m here. Who is this?” she asked, curious who’d be calling her up at this hour.

“William Johnson, captain of the frigate Mjolnir. I was also a former marine back in the Federation. Came here not long after you left that first time,” he told her.

“I… see.”

“Never believed the bullshit that happened to you back in the Federation. Looked to me that Briggs wanted certain favors, but you were the first to deny him. After you left, some folks thought to investigate the bastard. Turns out you weren’t the first he tried this on, nor the last,” he told her.

“I’d heard something about that but never really looked into it. Thought it nothing more than tabloid drivel,” Inari replied, happy to hear that someone was on her side.

“Oh, no, it was very real! Massive scandal on the Federation Navy, and left a black mark on them that they’re still trying to scrub off!” William told her. He then quickly detailed what had happened and who was involved, with more than half the woman that Briggs had abused coming forward. Inari was surprised that an admiral’s daughter was involved and had a self satisfactory smile, knowing the man finally got his just desserts.

“Glad to know that prick was finally outed. How did he escape custody?” Inari wondered.

“He wasn’t in custody. The fucker vanished just as the story was breaking. No one could find him and believe me, the investigators tried. Bastard is still on the run and if I was him, I’d stay down. There’s a sizable bounty on his head,” the man told her.

“A bounty? How big of a bounty?” Inari questioned.

“About five million credits, last I heard. Heard tell of it going up to ten, but I can’t confirm that. Been a while since I left Prodosia,” the man told her. Hearing this left Inari’s mind reeling as she thought about the bounty for Rat-Faced Mike. His was well over one million credits, but Briggs had one on his head for at least five?!? This certainly changed things up, and she was going to have to speak with Priya and Alex about this!

“Either way, it’s good to hear that. Now, I believe you called in for a reason?” Inari asked as she stifled a yawn.

“Oh, yes! I just wanted to say thank you for saving our hides up there! We wouldn’t have been blown to bits if you hadn’t run that defensive screen to shield us from that attack!” Captain Johnson told her.

“Not a problem! The ground attack didn’t even do much, as our shields held beautifully!” she said.

“Well, when you blow most of the ordinance out of the sky like you did, it’s no wonder they held that easily! You and your crew are amazing shots!” he complimented.

“Well, thank you, captain! I assume that you and yours have your orders?”