Benja rolled his shoulders, loosening them up for the fight ahead.

"Here they come."

Malcolm lost his blunderbuss during their escape, so he was also down to fists. He looked only mildly chagrined. Benja got the distinct impression the pirate had done more with less.

They stared out the escape pod's window at the approaching patrol ship. The squat, angular craft swiveled its spotlights.

Harsh light flooded the escape pod's ...