THIRTEEN
The Neptune cut through the water calmly and steadily, the massive ship’s deck lights could be seen for miles across the great expansion as this floating city cast a glow on to the horizon.
Steel sat with the other guests listening to one of the captain’s tales of when he was a merchant shipman off the coast of Africa and how pirates had boarded, looking for goods. Steel had to admit his tales were gripping but felt that was all they were, but then it didn’t matter, he was a good host and entertainer.
Tia May looked up as she saw a grim-faced man in a white officer’s uniform head directly to the captain’s chair. Steel also looked up as the man crouched down with his back to the guests to whisper something to the captain. As the officer spoke, the captain shot bolt upright and w
