Hauk studied Bastien carefully. They had to be tight for Fain to mention any of that to him. “He must have been drunker than hell to tell you that.”

Bastien rubbed at his neck. “Yeah. It was on what would have been their tenth anniversary. He didn’t handle it well. He even told me why they divorced, and I know that if I allow anything to happen to you, he’ll hunt me down to the ends of the universe and gut me hard.”

“That I believe he would.” Hauk sat back as he started the airbee. “I’m headed up to bust ass. You joining or staying?”

Bastien grinned as he slung his leg over the airbee beside Hauk’s. “Always ready for a good fight. Especially when a mighty War Hauk’s involved.” He powered on the engine. “And I’m harboring a serious hard-on for anyone who hunts others for a living. I’d much rather be the predator than the prey.”

“Then welcome, brother.” Hauk inclined his head to him before he gunned the accelerator. Though the signal from the radios was faint, he was able to trace it to the small skimmer shuttle they had docked a few ticks away.

Hauk landed the bike and turned it off.

Bastien pulled in beside him. Hauk removed the safeties and locks from his weapons while his new friend swung his dirty poncho over his shoulder and secured it so that the material wouldn’t get in his way during the fight. Next, Bastien took inventory of his own weapons. Hauk secured his braids back from his face. He unwound his long brown scarf from around his neck so that he could cover his head and the lower part of his face. Then he pulled out a pair of opaque eyeshields he normally used for climbing.

Now concealed, he took the container he’d scavenged from the assassins and waited for Bastien.

Once his new friend was ready, they crept toward the shuttle where four men waited for their comrades to return with Hauk’s head.

“So what are you spending your money on?” a large, grimy man asked.

“Women,” his muscular companion said with a snort. “Lots of women.”

“Always looking for the next ex, eh?”

“Always.”

Hauk met Bastien’s gaze. “Cover me.”

He scowled at him. “Want to fill me in on your plan?”

“Told you already. Bust ass.” Hauk rose to his feet and walked calmly toward the group. A breeze stirred, whipping the end of his scarf out while he entered their camp.

Two of them rose with their hands on their blasters.

“Can we help you?” the largest one asked. From the way the others deferred to him, Hauk assumed he must be their leader. His was also the voice he’d heard on the link, asking for a status update.