The Lost Destroyer (Lost Starship Series Book 3)

by Vaughn Heppner

  The web tightened so Maddox couldn’t breathe. He willed his finger to move again. It did. The long-barreled gun sent another slug at Villars. This round ricocheted off the floor by his right boot.

  The web tightened even more, squeezing the captain’s chest. Maddox fired a third time. Villars was already backpedalling as he clutched his wounded shoulder. Blood trickled between the slarn hunter’s fingers.

  Maddox would have fallen out of the hatch, but Dana yanked him back inside. Then, the captain blacked out…

  Maddox woke up several minutes later. The hangar bay lights shined down on him. He must not be inside the shuttle anymore. He noticed Dana and Meta. They stood uncomfortably stiffly to the side. The professor must have webbed them.

  From on the floor, Maddox stirred.

  “Finally,” the professor said. “You’re back. Good. We need to speak, you and I.”

  Waiting several seconds, Maddox summoned his energy and managed to sit up. The professor stood to the side, making minute adjustments to his flat device. There was no sign of Villars.

  “Where’s the sadist?” Maddox asked.

  Ludendorff frowned. “I do not appreciate your firing at my bodyguard. I take that as a personal affront. He will see it as the beginning of a vendetta. You’re making this harder than it has to be.”

  “You should have known better than to bring Villars near Meta,” Maddox said. “I did the rational thing upon seeing him. The man’s unpredictable. I had to act before he did.”

  “Forget about Villars,” Ludendorff said. “You used a scrambler in order to plot against me in secret. You should know better than that.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t. You took my ship. Give it back, and we can start over.”

  “Come, come, Captain, this petulance isn’t going to help either of us. It’s true I have command, at present. But that’s how it should be. I’m wiser and have more understanding of the situation than any of you do. I know what’s at stake and how to defeat the problem. In time, I’ll leave, and Victory will return to your command.”

  Silently, Maddox disagreed most profoundly about who was wiser. Aloud, he said, “I understand your thinking. Yes, let us proceed then and put this behind us. If you would release my two crewmembers from your web, I’d appreciate it.”

  Ludendorff glanced at Dana and Meta before regarding Maddox. “You were plotting against me, Captain. Worse, you did it with someone I find reprehensible. I no longer trust the doctor.”

  “It hardly matters anymore. You destroyed her scrambler and nearly wounded one of us in the process. That was risky on your part.”

  “Play with fire and you can get burned,” Ludendorff said in a hard tone. He paused, and it seemed he brought his anger under control. The stiffness left his features, replaced by a roguish grin. “What happened in the shuttle reveals a little of my…hmm, shall we call them my resources?”

  “I’m duly impressed,” Maddox said. “I won’t try something like that again.”

  Ludendorff eyed the captain. “I’m going to have to take your gun, of course.”

  “I don’t advise that,” Maddox said. “Villars will take advantage of my defenselessness.”

  “Cesar is wounded. That will slow him down for a time, making you two even, which is more than I should give you for what you just did.”

  Instead of responding, Maddox climbed to his feet. He stood too fast, though, and his vision blurred. He held himself still, with his head down until the grogginess passed. Finally, he fully straightened.

  “Your assassination attempt just now reveals several interesting factors about you,” Ludendorff said. “You have a remarkably swift reaction time, and you can act without hesitation. If Villars didn’t understand before how dangerous you are, he does now. That will make him doubly hazardous for you. Before, he underestimated you. I assure you he won’t do that again.”

  Maddox said nothing.

  “That’s another thing I admire about you,” Ludendorff said. “Sometimes, you know when to keep quiet.”

  Maddox continued to wait.

  “You don’t have a response to that?” Ludendorff asked.

  “What would you like me to say?”

  The professor frowned. “What did you and the doctor talk about in the shuttle?”

  “You.”

  “And…?”

  “Dana told me how she admires your resourcefulness.”

  “That isn’t what she said,” Ludendorff snapped.

  “Actually, it is.”

  “Come, come, Captain, you’re trying my patience. That isn’t wise on your part.”

  Maddox looked the professor in the eye and gave him a professional smile.

  “Do you dare to mock me?” Ludendorff asked in wonder.

  “Professor, I’m afraid you’ve done exactly what your sadist did, which was to underestimate me. I salute your genius. It is a rare quality and quite admirable. You have potent toys, and you play the long game. However, the fact of your keeping Villars in your company causes me to doubt your judgment.”

  “I don’t care for lectures,” Ludendorff said, “and I like it even less from a hypocrite. You have an assassin and a clone thief in your crew. They were both judged as violently dangerous, enough so Star Watch sent them to a prison planet. Villars—”

  “Is a sadist,” Maddox said calmly, interrupting the professor. “Both Dana and Meta acted out of noble sentiments. You cannot compare them to the monster you call a bodyguard. You’re a clever, man, Professor. You’ve shown that more than once. But, as I said, I wonder about your judgment.”

  “You can wonder all you like,” Ludendorff said. “But think deeply on this. I presently run the starship. You wouldn’t even possess Victory without my knowledge, and you wouldn’t have a working disruptor cannon. Because of my actions, you were able to save Fletcher’s fleet. And without me, no one will stop the planet-killer.”

  “I quite agree, of course,” Maddox said. “Therefore, you don’t need to coerce us. Let us attempt to work together in harmony once again. There’s no need for us to bicker with each other.”

  Ludendorff considered the captain for a long moment before nodding in agreement.

  “Dana and Meta are still webbed,” Maddox finally pointed out.

  “Oh, you’re right,” Ludendorff said. “I was just waiting for you to tell me what the two of you talked about in the shuttle. No doubt you want to do that as a gesture of good will.”

  “I would be delighted to tell you,” Maddox said. “As soon as you release Galyan from your compulsion, I shall do so.”

  Ludendorff spread his hands. “I see that we’re back where we began. Neither of us sufficiently trusts the other to work together unconditionally. Since I hold the upper hand, I shall continue to wield it.”

  “As you wish,” Maddox said.

  Ludendorff tapped his right foot several times. “Seriously, Captain, you’re not going to tell me what the two of you plotted?”

  “I already did tell you,” Maddox said. “We spoke about you.”

  “Very well,” Ludendorff said, as he patted the long-barreled gun tucked at the top of his pants. “I shall keep this then. And I will take Meta with me.”

  Maddox’s heart rate increased, although he said pleasantly, “Beg pardon?”

  “Meta has memories I need to access for the next stage of operations,” the professor said. “Therefore, I will need to take her with me.”

  “There’s no need for that,” Maddox said. “Ask her what you want to know. She’s right here.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t risk any duplicity on her part. I shall have to take her.”

  Maddox shook his head. “I suppose I should let you know then that my cooperation ends if you take her.”

  “Hmmm,” Ludendorff said. “This presents a problem.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what memories you’re seeking,” Maddox said. “Dana can question Meta for you.”

  “I don’t trust either woman.”

&
nbsp; “That’s a futile position,” Maddox said. “You were correct earlier in saying we need each other. Thus, we should strive to cooperate, not find ways to antagonize each other. The stakes are too high for anything else.”

  Ludendorff glanced at the two women before regarding Maddox once more. “Yes. That will suffice for now. Later, I may not be able to agree to your stipulation.”

  “So far, we’ve been taking one step at a time. Why don’t we continue to operate on that policy?”

  “Agreed,” Ludendorff said.

  “What memories do you require?” Maddox asked.

  “I want to know in precise detail what Kane did when he entered the targeted star system with Meta.”

  “I find it interesting you still won’t tell us which system you mean,” Maddox said. “It’s obvious our destination is dangerous. Therefore, given our heading, I’m sure you’re referring to the Xerxes 14C System—the Bermuda Triangle of space.”

  Ludendorff was quiet for a time. “I’ve misjudged you, Captain. Yes, this is a surprising development. You should realize I’ve been studying you for a time. Until now, you haven’t exhibited an in-depth knowledge of space. Why let your guard down now and show me you know as much as a regular starship captain should?”

  “Call it a gesture of goodwill,” Maddox said. “I’m tired of this pretense.”

  “I see,” Ludendorff said. “Yes. We’re heading for the Xerxes System. It will be dangerous, as you’ve suggested. You’ve made this gesture of goodwill. Thus, I will do the same. The doctor may question Meta. If the answers are sufficient, I will let it go at that. If not…I will do my own questioning.”

  “The latter would be a bad idea on your part,” Maddox said in a friendly tone.

  “Threatening me in any way is the worst idea of all,” Ludendorff said. “I hold the upper hand. Until I relent, I will continue to hold it. You should be grateful, because without my help, you will never defeat the doomsday machine. And if the planet-killer continues its mission, humanity as you know it dies.”

  “I think it’s good that we’ve made our positions clear,” Maddox said. “If you could release my two crewmembers, we will continue to prepare for the Xerxes System.”

  “One last thing, Captain,” Ludendorff said.

  Maddox nodded.

  “Meta has one day in which to remember the needed facts. After that, I will probe her.”

  “Is your equipment the same as what the teacher used on her in the New Men’s star cruiser?”

  “Don’t be absurd.”

  “That isn’t an answer,” Maddox pointed out.

  “No, it isn’t,” Ludendorff said. “I have no need to tell you the manner of my tools, and you have no lever to force me to show you. Thus, you will have to be content not knowing exactly how I will manage my trick.”

  “Did you twist Lank Meyers’s mind?”

  Ludendorff frowned. “I do not appreciate your bringing up such a bitter memory. My patience has a limit. It’s a bad idea to try to reach it.”

  Throughout their conversation, Maddox had been gauging the professor’s reactions to everything. He studied the man while appearing to needle him. It was a deliberate process, with his Star Watch Intelligence-trained mind hard at work.

  “Are you trying to tell me Lank Meyers willingly gave himself into the custody of the New Men?” Maddox asked.

  The professor’s features tightened. “That is my final warning. Mention the incident again, and I will punish you.”

  Maddox stared into the professor’s eyes. The captain believed he saw actual pain there. He had to push the professor, though. Maddox didn’t believe he could learn the truth any other way.

  “I think you turned Lank Meyers into a kamikaze, the poor soul,” Maddox said.

  “Enough!” Ludendorff said, sharply. He aimed the flat device at Maddox and pressed a stud.

  The web field surrounded the captain. Then, shocks began to twist Maddox. His eyeballs bulged outward. He twitched as another round of volts struck him, but he endured them silently.

  It was clear by this demonstration that the professor felt normal emotions and loss. Maddox felt that was vital information.

  Ludendorff’s thumb lifted off the device. The shocks stopped. The professor’s eyes were red-rimmed and moist. Without a word, the man whirled around, taking his leave.

  A few seconds later, the web field around Maddox, Meta and Dana disappeared.

  “Why goad him like that?” Dana asked. “You went too far.”

  Maddox said nothing, but he was more determined than ever to wrest control of Victory back from Ludendorff. This last incident gave Maddox an insight, which might give him the needed lever to achieve his goal.

  -12-

  Dana sat in a chair, examining the list of questions Ludendorff expected answered. The words were hard to read in the dim lighting of her chamber.

  The professor was insufferable, an egotist of the first order. The man thought about himself front, center and back.

  A brushing noise alerted her that Meta stirred on the couch beside her. Dana’s only true friend glanced up at her questioningly. Meta’s green eyes were glazed because of her hypnotic state.

  “Don’t worry, dear,” Dana said, patting Meta on the shoulder. “You’re doing well.”

  “I feel strange,” Meta said in a soft voice.

  “No, no, don’t think about that for a moment,” Dana said. They had been at this for an hour already. Meta refused to open her mind to the time with Kane in the Xerxes System.

  Had the teacher placed a block in Meta’s mind?

  “Why…?” Meta used her tongue to moisten her lips. “Why can’t I remember what happened?”

  “I’m not sure,” Dana said. “Now lie back, close your eyes and start counting to zero, beginning at one hundred.”

  Meta lay back. She was strong with a tough mind, especially in dangerous situations. Dana knew she’d never have survived Loki Prime without Meta. She owed her friend, and she would never forget that.

  At first, Meta’s romantic dalliance with Captain Maddox had bothered Dana. She had examined her thoughts on that many nights and finally determined that the relationship made her jealous. Dana hadn’t trusted Maddox’s intentions either. Over time, Dana’s thoughts on him had changed. The doctor also came to understand that Meta needed the captain’s calming influence. The man was like an oak tree, able to weather any storm. He was strong enough so Meta could take shelter in his protection.

  There were deep hurts in Meta. Her coldblooded killing of others had twisted the dear girl, and her use of sex to obtain a tactical advantage had also caused her grave pain. Maybe some people could do those things without their conscience bothering them. Meta wasn’t one of them.

  “Are you counting?” Dana asked.

  “Eighty-three, eighty-two, eighty-one,” Meta said aloud.

  “Think it, dear, don’t speak it.”

  With her eyes closed, Meta nodded. Her lips twitched, but she didn’t make any more noise.

  Dana glanced at the list in her hand. Insufferable Professor Ludendorff needed to know these specifics, did he? Damn his soul! Why was the man so arrogant? Why had he played it this way? He hadn’t acted like this on the expedition to the Adok System.

  Oh, Josef Erich Fromm Ludendorff the III had been devious and secretive from the beginning. He had also been charming, with a beguiling and mysterious manner. And the love-making—Dana had never experienced anything like it. Literally, those times had taken her breath away after she’d stopped screaming in rapturous delight.

  While sitting in the chamber aboard Victory, Dana frowned as she thought back to her early days with Ludendorff. Life had been difficult for her growing up on Brahma. The ancient Hindu caste system had been engrained into the planetary culture. In it, women didn’t hold important posts in society. That went to the high caste men, her father being one of them.

  Raja Nehru, her father, had gone against Brahma custom by allowing her to go to u
niversity. There, Dana had excelled, gaining degree after degree with bewildering ease. It had been as if she was a rose grown in a dark corner, and finally, someone had thought to place her in the sunlight. She bloomed there, flourishing in the perfect culture. In time, though, her professors frowned upon her success. It was clear she was the brightest student in the entire university. Her father ordered her home. She refused, staying on as a teaching assistant. The boys—she had never been able to think of them as men—resented her instructions during the study halls. How dare a woman show them up with her incredible breadth of knowledge as she did?

  Then, Professor Ludendorff arrived, teaching a fascinating course on alien technology. He was one of the few white men at Brahma Tech, and he hadn’t held to the same illusions as everyone else.

  One by one, the other professors told Dana she could no longer assist them. Raja Nehru had used his influence to twist their arms. Finally, Professor Ludendorff was the only teacher who would employ her, paying her stipend out of his own resources. Dana survived on a pittance, refusing to quit. That would mean returning to the shadows where she would wither, killing her intellectual growth. So, for another six months she lived in a tiny garret and ate less and less so she could make ends meet.

  “Are you on a diet?” Ludendorff asked her one day after class.

  She shook her head.

  That’s when he’d put a hand on her shoulder. Until that moment, the professor had been perfectly correct in all their interactions.

  “My dear girl,” Ludendorff said. “I understand your situation. Come live with me. It’s the right thing to do.”

  Dana looked up at him, shocked at the suggestion.

  Ludendorff grinned and winked at her. “Yes, I mean to bed you, to love you as you’ve never known it could be. But I also mean to help you. You’re brilliant, Dana. You’re possibly the second brightest person I’ve ever met.”

  “Who is the first?” she asked.