Jake took the last drag of his cigar.
With a great movement of the arm, he threw it off the deck, into the desert. Cordelia—first mate in training—and Turner on either side of him.
He told Cordie this was his last mission.
It caught her by surprise, and she seemed saddened.
She'd always been loyal.
"I've come full circle," Jake said. "My first mission on Miner's Danger I overtook a ship with a twenty thousand bounty on board. And, now, my last. It's fate."
Jake could tell Cordie wanted to say something.
She, at length, did. "Sir, please don't retire. You're too young to retire."
"Perfect timing for me to get out. Young. While I'm alive and healthy."
"The captain has led quite a successful venture," Turner said. Perhaps a bit enthusiastic since after this he was to become the next Captain of Miner's Danger.
The sandstorm was behind them and now, because of its loud nature, they had to shout to hear each other.
And as it often was with sandstorms, it came upon them fast. That sudden-strike nature of storms had taken down many ships in this desert. Burying them in the sands for low-status scavengers who lived in holes and caves to find.
Jake and his crew were scavengers of the skies, far above the ground Scavs, literally and figuratively. Ground Scavs were disgusting people, leeches and vagrants. Jake and his crew were distinguished pirates. Professionals. They lived for the finer things in life and for the thrills of overtaking ships—the thrill of the fight.
The sandstorm created a low bass noise, like a dragon's throat, ready to devour the unsuspecting, flying behind them. If they left the storm to its own devices, it would likely take down The Ginger Star—a ship unaccustomed to this desert.
"She's wanted for smuggling," said Cordie, "so we better be careful. She might know her stuff. After all, she does have a twenty thousand bounty on her."
The sand began to beat against the back of their ship. They turned around. Jake liked watching this part. The wind was violent in the sands. Fingers of dense sand reached outwards, toward the ship. One by one, starting with Cordie and ending with Jake, they took the scarfs from around their necks and tied them over their faces so they'd be able to breathe.
The moment Jake finished tying his behind his neck, a vortex of sand reached past and smothered them. They faced forward as the storm overtook them.
In seconds, it reached past the front end of the ship.
The Ginger Star was impossible to see now, but they'd set their course precisely and would meet with it shortly. Turner flipped over a sand dial. Jake watched the sand begin to drip.
They'd overtaken many ships—had done this many times.
No one had to say a word.
In two minutes, they'd reach The Ginger Star.