Potential Energy

When interstellar smuggler Haz Taylor loses his ship, his money, and his tattered reputation, drinking himself to death on a backwater planet seems like his only option. Then the Coalition offers him a contract to return a stolen religious artifact. Sounds simple enough, but politics can be deadlyand the artifacts not enthusiastic about being returned. Haz didnt sign up to be prisoner transport, but hes caught between a blaster and hard vacuum. Still, that doesnt mean he cant show his captive some kindness. It costs him nothing to give Mot the freedom to move about the ship, to eat when hes hungry to believe that hes a person. Its only until they reach Mots planet. Besides, the Coalition would hate it, which is reason enough.

Then he finds out what awaits Mot at home, and suddenly hard vacuum doesnt look so bad. Haz is no hero, but he cant consign Mot to his fate. Somewhere under the space grime, Haz has a sliver of principle. Its probably going to get him killed, but he doesnt have much to live for anyway.