Shipmates
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About this ebook
For Midknight mercenaries Menalo, Cretia, and Josun, working on a smoke-belching Iron Pirate ship has been a good gig. They’ve kicked some ass and been showered with treasure for their efforts. But now an attack by the dreaded Red Jack Sirus tests the trio’s bonds and drives all of them into making decisions that they may not live to regret.
Stephen D. Sullivan is the award-winning author of dozens of novels and stories, including trilogies for Legend of the Five Rings, Spider Riders, and Dragonlance.
“Shipmates” is also available in Pirates of the Blue Kingdoms. Menalo and Cretia also appear in Tournament of Death 2.
Stephen D. Sullivan
Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!
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Shipmates - Stephen D. Sullivan
Stephen D. Sullivan
Novels & Collections
The Crimson Collection
Martian Knights & Other Tales
Luck o’ the Irish
Zombies, Werewolves, & Unicorns
Tournament of Death (free online novel)
Dragonlance
The Dragon Isles
The Dying Kingdom
Warrior’s Heart (Catriona trilogy)
Warrior’s Blood (Catriona trilogy)
Warrior’s Bones (Catriona trilogy)
Legend of the Five Rings
The Scorpion
The Phoenix
The Lion
Spider Riders
The Shards of the Oracle
Quest of the Earthen
Reign of the Soul Eater
And more…
E-Books & Stories
Elf Princess on Mars (regular or illustrated Elf Erotica editions)
Heart of Steam & Rust (steampunk - 2012)
Ghosts of 9/11
Monster Shark
The Candle Goes Dark, But the Light Remains (Crimson)
Crimson & Dragons (Crimson)
Crash of the Titans (Crimson)
Thor Loser (Crimson)
Snowraven
Kidnapped by Saurians (Dungeons & Dinosaurs)
And more…
Anthologies
Blue Kingdoms: Mages & Magic
Uncanny Encounters: Roswell
Hot & Steamy (steampunk)
Steampunk’d
Sol’s Children (sci-fi)
Lilith Unbound
And more…
SHIPMATES
Stephen D. Sullivan
• Walkabout Publishing •
Smashwords edition.
© 2012 Stephen D. Sullivan
I worked hard on this book, and I hope you enjoy it! I’m a real person trying to make a living, not some faceless mega-corporation. Your purchase of this book makes it easier for me to write more stories for you to enjoy. So…
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
*
Walkabout Publishing
S.D.Studios
P.O.Box 151
Kansasville, WI 53139
www.walkaboutpublishing.com
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.
Special thanks to my first readers, as always.
Cover art & design © 2012 Stephen D. Sullivan.
Get a free wallpaper of this and other stories at www.stephendsullivan.com –where you can find out more about me, as well. Thanks!
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CONTENTS
SHIPMATES
Samples of Other Stories
Sisters in Arms
Monster Shark
Crimson & Dragons
About the Story
About the Author
* * *
SHIPMATES
Stephen D. Sullivan
By the Gods of Wrath and Mercy!
Captain Plutark cursed. Where did that crag come from? Hard to starboard!
The crew of the Marauder hauled on the steering winches, changing the angle of the dreadnaught’s metal rudder. The big ship listed onto its starboard side, barely missing the huge, jagged rock stabbing out of the surf.
The captain of the Iron Pirate vessel paced the bridge, his dark eyes scanning the choppy waters of the Southern Azure Sea for more unexpected obstacles. The ocean ahead surged and boiled, sending gouts of mist into the afternoon air. Sunlight peeked through the dark clouds, turning the spray silver and gold.
To port now! To port!
Plutark called as another crag thrust up out of the ocean. Curse the gods!
The crew reversed direction and frantically moved the winches the other way. The Marauder began to turn once more, but this time not fast enough. The ship’s metal sides scraped against the black stone.
Teats of Kabree! Work faster, you dogs!
the captain cried. We’ll never catch that Bellarite at this rate!
Even as he spoke, more deadly crags emerged from the savage sea, like stony fingers reaching for the ship. Despite the escalating hazards, the pirate captain remained fixated on the white-sailed merchantman bobbing in the distance.
Standing just below the bridge, the Midknight named Menalo shook his head. Why not let her go, captain?
he called to Plutark. Their ship is small and these waters far too dangerous.
Plutark leaned over the bridge rail and scowled at the trio of armored warriors standing against the cabin bulkhead. A lot you know!
the captain replied. If you Midknights had as much brains as muscles, you’d realize that you can’t judge a Bellarite’s worth by her size!
Menalo smiled, knowing that the crest of his helmet hid his face from the captain.
Cretia, the tall warrior on Menalo’s left, grinned as well. "You can’t expect Captain Plutark to give