Metafire

"No," Jim was now pulling himself past Scooter. "And it's been hell. Maybe we should become space pirates and make raids on colonies!"

"Right." Steven stayed back. He was almost never amused, and this was not going to amuse him either. "Sure."

"Well, I think that might be fun." Scooter was serious, but he wasn't going to press it. "You guys are FBI? You're not going to get me killed are you?"

"No, we need your power, maneuverability, and speed. Consider your tug commandeered by the FBI. That outfit that you joined with a cavern, Metafire Two, has broken the law. Kidnapping actually."

"You know. I also provided a tender for Metafire One over at Discovery."

"Well," Jack said, "They have seized the Discovery. These Metafire guys are the pirates. Didn't you know?"

"No, nobody tells me anything. Just where to go and what to move around. I have my own cavern back in my colony. I mind my own business."

"You have your own cavern?" Jack was incredulous.