Элизабет Мун - Moon Flights

By the time they had two gross cheese rolls ready for delivery, the entire crew was exhausted, but they were ready ahead of time, and every lingering trace of the Gumbone additive had been scrubbed from the air. Only the lush aroma of Baris’s recipe, now neatly wrapped, sealed, and closed with the newly printed labels (Vatta & Co, Private Treaty Cheese Rolls, 500g) greeted the sales agent on his return.

Homecoming meant docking at Slotter Key Station and facing yet another customs and immigration inspection. With the exception of the remaining Gumbone, now stored in crew quarters as private property, everything in the cargo holds matched the manifests. The last of the cargo from that Corland trade had been sold off two stops before.

Gerard did not expect to see his father standing outside the ship when customs cleared them and opened the dockside access.

“I’ll just come aboard, shall I?” Arkady said, with a nod for Arnie. “Hi, Arnie. Talk to you later.” He stepped into shipspace before Gerard could say anything. Gerard gulped.

“Father. Welcome aboard.”

“We’ll go upship,” Arkady said. The arm he put around Gerard’s shoulders was hard as stone and felt as heavy. No chance to warn Stavros… “I understand you’ve had an interesting voyage, Gerry. You and Stav both.”

“We’re in the black,” Gerard said.

“Very nice,” Arkady said, in a tone that did not match his words.

Someone had warned Stavros, because he met them in the main passage.

“Your cabin,” Arkady said. It was not a request. Stavros, stony-faced, ushered them in and at Arkady’s gesture closed them in. Gerard had the feeling that only one was coming out of there alive.

“I should knock your heads together,” Arkady began. “Do you even have an idea how many laws you broke and how much trouble you could be in?”

“I don’t think we actually broke any laws,” Gerard said. “At least, not until we unload the—” His father held up a hand.

“I don’t want to know about that until it’s downside, behind odor-proof seals. It’s your problem how you get it down.”

“We’re in the black,” Stavros said. He glanced at Gerard.

“Trade and profit,” Gerard said.

Arkady gave them both a long, hard look, then slowly shook his head. The rumble of laughter that meant danger was over followed after. “You boys,” he said. “No, sorry, you men. You are definitely, absolutely, without any doubt, Vatta to the core.” He grinned. “We will have to have your pictures taken, added to the database of permanent crew.” He chuckled again. “You will have to say cheese,” he said.

The Deed of Paksenarrion (available as an omnibus edition)

Sheepfarmer’s Daughter

Divided Allegiance

Oath of Gold

The Legacy of Gird (available as an omnibus edition)

Surrender None

Liar’s Oath

The Planet Pirates (with Anne McCaffrey)

(available as an omnibus edition, with Death of Sleep by Jody Lynn Nye)

Sassinak

Generation Warriors

Remnant Population

Hunting Party*

Sporting Chance*

Winning Colors*

(* available as an omnibus edition titled Heris Serrano )

Once a Hero

Rules of Engagement

Change of Command

Against the Odds

The Speed of Dark

Trading in Danger

Marque and Reprisal (UK title: Moving Target )

Engaging the Enemy

Command Decision

Lunar Activity

Phases

Moon Flights © 2008 by Elizabeth Moon

Introduction © 2007 by Anne McCaffrey

This edition of Moon Flights © 2008

by Night Shade Books

Jacket art © 2007 by Dave Seeley

Jacket & Interior layout and design by Jeremy Lassen

Edited by Marty Halpern

All rights reserved

“Accidents Don’t Just Happen—They’re Caused” © 1996 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Don’t Forget Your Spacesuit, Dear, edited by Jody Lynn Nye, Baen Books.

“And Ladies of the Club” © 1995 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Chicks in Chainmail, edited by Esther Friesner, Baen Books.

“Fool’s Gold” © 1999 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Chicks ’n Chained Males , edited by Esther Friesner and Martin Harry Greenberg, Baen Books.

“Gifts” © 2004 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Masters of Fantasy, edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen, Baen Books.

“Gravesite Revisited” © 1988 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Analog, mid-December 1988.

“Hand to Hand” © 1995 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Women at War, edited by Lois McMaster Bujold and Roland J. Green, Tor Books.

“If Nudity Offends You” © 1988 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 1988.

“Judgment” © 2003 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in The Dragon Quintet, edited by Marvin Kaye, Science Fiction Book Club.

“New World Symphony” © 1989 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 1989.

“No Pain, No Gain” © 1998 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Did You Say Chicks?! edited by Esther Friesner and Martin Harry Greenberg, Baen Books.

“Politics” © 1990 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in The War Years #1: The Far Stars War, edited by Bill Fawcett, Roc.

“Sweet Charity” © 2000 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in The Chick Is in the Mail, edited by Esther Friesner and Martin Harry Greenberg, Baen Books.

“Tradition” © 1998 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Alternate Generals, edited by Harry Turtledove, Roland Green, and Martin Harry Greenberg, Baen Books.

“Welcome to Wheel Days” © 1989 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in New Destinies, Volume VII, edited by Jim Baen, Toni Weisskopf, and Kathy Hurley, Baen Books.

“Say Cheese” © 2007 by Elizabeth Moon. Previously unpublished.

“Fencing In” © 1993 by Elizabeth Moon. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine , August 1993. (Available only in the limited edition of Moon Flights .)