Hunted (Space Rogue Book 2)

by Jay Toney

  ****

  As soon as the glare from the explosion faded back to the blackness of space, our view of the Tempest changed to that of the Valley Forge. The destroyer was gone, and so was the Jackal. David's freighter was free from the wreckage of the Jackal.

  "Captain, David wants to know how he can assist us."

  "Have him pull alongside for now."

  External cameras focused on the fires that were burning out of control. The first thing that we needed to do was to extinguish the fire. Most of our repairs would have to wait until we got to space dock. One-third of the port nacelle was gone, another third was mangled and twisted metal. What was left was being consumed by fire and radiation.

  "Tanya, have all damage control parties evacuate the port nacelle and shuttle bay. Let me know when it's clear."

  The nacelle wasn't designed to be ejected from the rest of the ship. If it were, it would already be gone. The fire had to be extinguished before it could spread to the rest of the starship and its fuel tanks. There was only one way to do it.

  "Jane reports, that all personnel are clear and accounted for."

  "Natasha, seal all bulkheads to the port nacelle, deactivate the force fields, and open the launch doors."

  "Nathaniel, we will lose everything in the shuttle bay," Amber warned me."

  "We can recover our Marauders and shuttles after the fire is out."

  Air rushed out of the lunch tubes carrying everything that wasn't secured to the deck, including the flames. We watched the flames shoot out of the nacelle, extending for hundreds of feet before they died down with the lack of oxygen feeding them.

  "I opened the comms to engineering, "Randolph how is main power coming?"

  "The energy from the antimatter warhead that hit us overloaded the power inducers and polarized the main feed line couplings.

  They require replacing. It's going to take the better part of the day to do it."

  "Natty, assign a couple of cargo shuttle pilots to retrieve our lost shuttles and Marauders."

  "Captain Jenkins already has a team ferrying our shuttles and Marauders back. He is also netting as much of our tools and equipment as he can."

  It took longer than I expected to bring the shuttles and Marauders back. The first four ships had damaged winglets, two of them had shattered windscreens. The last three fighters had to be recovered one at a time. Their landing gear was damaged; the pilots had to do a belly landings and skid the ships into the barrier net. It took time to free each Marauder from the barrier net and reset it for the remaining fighters. The repairs to our shuttles and Marauders were within the capabilities of our maintenance teams.

  It was late into the second shift before Randolph was able to restore the ship's primary power. The Persephone was in no condition to risk another battle. Natasha synchronized our hyperdrive with the Valley Forge, and we entered hyperspace.

  ****

  Four light years, and the eight days later we exited hyperspace in the Buenos Aires star system. The Persephone was severely damaged and in need of repairs that could only be done inside of a repair dock. Hopefully, our reception would be better with the news of us defeating the Alliance.

  It wasn't. Explosions rocked the ship from two missiles detonating, just off our bow. Warning sirens sounded, and warning lights flashed on. Red's voice thundered, "Alliance vessel, you are ordered to power down and surrender."

  "Natty do as he says."

  Natasha cut our ships drive, and the Valley Forge did the same. I didn't anticipate the fact that we would be attacked by our defense patrols when we returned.

  "Natty, are we broadcasting the Persephone's IFF codes?"

  "Negative, we are still broadcasting the Ajax's IFF."

  "Change our transponder codes back to the Persephone's.

  Jewel, open a hailing channel to Red."

  "The blast from those two missiles knocked out our viewscreens. I can only give you audio."

  "Red quit shooting. I just got this ship back together."

  "You sound like Nathaniel, but I have to be sure. Give me a visual."

  "I can't; your missiles knocked out our visual communications."

  "Adam, you know damn well it is us. If you need further proof, you have a birthmark shaped like a fish located on..."

  "Okay, it's you, Amber. You know better than to use that name. I go by Red now."

  "There is nothing wrong with the name Adam."

  "We will talk about it later. What are you doing with your ship painted to look like the Alliance warship Ajax and using its transponder codes? It's a good way to get shot. The freighter you are traveling with is an Alliance freighter."

  "It is a long story. It will have to wait until we get home to tell it. The freighter and its crew are under my command. We can use an escort, so we don't accidentally get shot again."

  "I'll escort you in. I don't want to miss any of this story."

  "If you have any ships to spare, there are a couple of Alliance scout ships, the Falcon and the Griffon patrolling the Coria system."

  "How would you know a thing like that?"

  "We sent them there."

  "I'll dispatch a couple of destroyers to take care of them."

  Red's battleship was too massive to dock at the space station. He moored his ship a few hundred meters away near the repair docks and took his private launch to the space station. Captain Jenkins docked the Valley Forge on the white docking ring.

  Hangar doors opened to space, and the Persephone backed into the hangar by a couple of tugs. Once the ship was settled onto the floor, the doors closed and the hangar was pressurized. Boarding gantry extended to our main airlock. Red, followed by Chief Mike, and Captain Jenkins boarded my ship.

  "What in the hell did you do the ship? Can't you bring it back without damaging it? I just got the ship together, and is up with the paint? Are you trading loyalties or are you suicidal?

  Besides the obvious damage to the port side nacelle, what else do you have for me?

  "I have a few damaged Marauders and shuttles, my ammo packs are empty, and I expended most of my missiles. If possible, I would like to get a few more Marauders I don't have pilots for all of them yet, but I will."

  "What in the seven hells convinced you to paint the Persephone to look like the Alliance cruiser Ajax?" Red asked. "Perhaps you should start with Captain Jenkins and why you have an Alliance freighter under your command."

  "When we arrived in Nueva Zelanda, Jewel detected some communications signals from the smallest moon orbiting Thanatos. The Alliance had a hidden base buried under its surface. It was nearly empty except for Captain Jenkins, his freighter, his crew, and a small detachment of Alliance soldiers. With his help, we captured the moonbase.

  Jane put the base on lockdown and has the encryption keys necessary to access the facility. Captain Jenkins can provide the details of the station's layout to you."

  "That doesn't explain the choice of paint on your new ship."

  "The Alliance confiscated gold, silver, platinum, and other assorted gemstones from the mining operations on the third planet of the Coria star system. Captain Jenkins was scheduled to rendezvous with an Alliance cruiser to transfer this shipment back to the Alliance headquarters in the Avalon star system. The treasure is needed to help finance their incursion into this sector.

  The Ajax is a famous warship in the Alliance fleet, as is its captain. I disguised my ship to look like the Ajax as a ruse, to help me acquire the treasure.

  The paint scheme allowed me to get in close to the planet's defenses. Two destroyers were guarding the planet, the Jackal, and the R
aven. I destroyed the Raven in combat and damaged the Jackal. Captain Jenkins towed the wreckage of the Jackal most of the way back.

  "Where is the salvage?"

  "Its gone now.

  When we entered the Boniferstar system, we were intercepted by two scout ships, the Falcon and the Gryphon. Doc, disguised as Captain Thornton sent them to spy on us in the Coria system. When we got to Nueva Zelanda, we were met by an Alliance cruiser and a Targa class destroyer.

  The captain of the destroyer didn't fall for the ruse and engaged us in combat. An anti-matter missile hit our port side nacelle and disabled us. Captain Jenkins saved our lives by running the Jackals damaged reactor at critical levels and ramming the Tempest with the Jackal. He destroyed both ships.

  After restoring our primary power, we came home."

  "How much treasure did you get away with?"

  "We emptied the warehouse they were storing it in. Most of the good stuff is in our smuggling holds; the rest is in the starboard shuttle bay. I haven't had a chance to inventory it yes, I estimate that we have around 5000 gold bars, about the same amount of platinum, 10,000 bars of silver, and several chests of assorted gemstones."

  "You need to keep all of it on your ship. Don't let anyone see it or talk about it. Something is amiss. I'm not sure what it is. Drain all of your accounts, converting it back to gold and credits. I'll have it moved here."

  "Most of the loading was done by the local workers on Coria III. So no one aboard knows what is hidden under the deck plates. Doc compensated the workers for their troubles. I doubt they will say anything to the Alliance that won't cause more confusion."

  "The Alliance changed your wanted status. You are not wanted alive any longer. They want you dead. They placed a 100,000 credit bounty on you, for your dead body. When they find out that it was you that interfered with their plans again, they will hunt you, until they find and kill you."

  "What do you suggest?"

  "Get your ship repaired, see if Mike can scrounge up a few more Marauders, replenish your ammunition, store additional missiles and ammunition in your cargo bays, and fill your food storage. If something happens, there is no telling when you will get another chance to restock. Keep your crew restricted to white section so that they can be recalled fast. Most important of all, get your ship repainted. It's now a target for the Alliance. They will be looking for both your ship and the Ajax."

  "I can get you a few more Marauders from the salvaged wrecks. I'll check them out to make sure they are in top shape. Reloading and stocking extra ammunition won't be much of a problem. I'll have it done on the third shift when most people are asleep. I'll have to juggle the paperwork so no one can trace it to your ship. I'll do the same for your food stores. We won't be able to use Governor Rutherford's resources this time. As far as anyone is concerned, you are not here. I'll get everything you need for a fair price. I'll have to bill it to other fleet ships, mark it paid, and use your credits or silver to balance the books. Don't fill any of your empty cabins. They may be needed for some unexpected passengers."

  "Red, Captain Jenkins has been a lot of help. He and his crew have proven themselves to be honorable. The Alliance ruined their families when they conscripted the freighter crew. The Valley Forge is his to command. The freighter needs a new registration, different markings, and an upgraded powerplant. David has earned another chance. I'm hoping you can find him some employment."

  "I'll take care of the freighter," Mike said.

  "I reckon I might have some work for him, as soon as he has a chance to rest a bit, and Mike gets done with his freighter."

  "I'll pay for whatever repairs it needs, as well as provisions. Thank you, Red and Mike.

  David, let us get you and your crew paid.

  You have already done too much for me and my crew, Nathaniel."

  "Probably. Let's start with one million credits for you and your crew. That should be enough to get you situated. I suggest you and your crew visit the Lucy. The girls are friendly, the food is good, the liqueur isn't watered down, and they have entertainment of all kinds. Don't mention my name or Amber's; we are having some family problems. The owner, Beverly, is my wife's twin sister."

  ****

  When Amber and I got back to our quarters, Jewel was already there. She was curled up on the couch watching the holovid. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

  "What's wrong, Jewel?"

  "I made a mess of my life in the Space Marines. I got court marshaled for providing sexual favors to politicians in exchange for their voting in favor of Governor Rutherford's legislation. I was stripped of my rank and kicked out of the Space Marines with a dishonorable discharge. Now my life is ruined. The only friends I have left are here aboard this ship."

  "Jewel it is only a holovid show."

  "No, it's real. They have documents and evidence to prove it. They showed everyone watching my dishonorable discharge and my service record; it was almost blank. I have some good news though. They are going to devote the next season to you and Amber. You two are going to be holovid stars."

  "Not if I kill them first."

  "We probably won't be around to worry about it, the way my brother is talking. We've been stuck on this ship for a while, let go to the Lady Luck and have a nice dinner and celebrate a little.

  ****

  Jewel chose to stay aboard the ship. She didn't feel like celebrating after watching the news about her court-martial and discharge, all fake.

  Amber and I went to the Lady Luck to celebrate. We couldn't do our celebrating aboard the Lucy like we usually would. Beverly gave us a lifetime ban for stealing from her girls, also faked and aired on a holovid program for everyone to watch.

  The fish we had from dinner came from a live tank; it was fresh, not frozen. A holovid band was playing retro music, supposedly from Earth. There was no way to verify that. It was over 4000 years since anyone came from our home galaxy. It didn't matter whether it did or not. The music had a good beat to it, and I liked it.

  Amber and I were on our third pitcher of Sangria and probably wouldn't make it back to the Persephone tonight. She left to use the ladies room. As soon as my wife returned I was going to suggest that we rent one of the suites above the restaurant. She had just left a few seconds ago and reappeared coming from the opposite direction.

  "Come with me, Nathaniel."

  "Where are we going?"

  "It's a surprise."

  Amber led me down one ring to blue ring dock three where the Lucy was docked with the space station. "We can't board the Lucy."

  "It will be okay. My sister and I have made up. She is expecting us."

  Amber led me straight to her former, and now Beverly's cabin. She opened the door and urged me to go inside with her. "Beverly is going to be mad if she finds us in here."

  "Don't worry about it. It will be fun. Besides, I agreed to a second tumble with you, and I want it now. Haven't you learned that I always get what I want?"

  I didn't resist Amber as she helped to undress me. She was right. Defiling Beverly's bed was fun. We fell asleep in each other's arms. When we woke, we made love again. It was pressing our luck. Beverly could walk in on us at any time.

  "I have what I want from you now, daddy. You can leave." I was confused, what was Amber trying to say. She raised her left hand showing me her palm and its deactivated birth control device. "I am not Amber."

  I gathered my clothes and dressed. Now I knew why Amber wasn't worried about getting caught by her twin. How was I going to explain this to her, and how was I going to tell her that her sister was pregnant with my child. Deactivating birth control was a sure way to get pregnant if precautions weren't used during the fir
st few weeks while the body readjusted.

  The birth control implant worked by fooling the body into thinking it was already pregnant. The human female body liked it that way and fought to get pregnant when the device was deactivated. Beverly and I didn't use any precautions.

  When I got back to our cabin, the look on Amber's face told me I didn't need to bother coming up with an explanation. Beverly already told her the news. "I'm sorry, I thought I was with you."

  "Damn my sister! She always gets what she wants. This isn't the first time she pulled a switch on me. I know why she wanted to have sex with you. She did it to hurt me. What I can't figure out is why she wanted to get pregnant with your child, not Sultans."

  I didn't know either. What I did know was that I wasn't leaving the ship, Amber, or Jewel until the repairs were finished and we were a long way from San Paulos and Beverly.

  Shree'tek

  It took over a month for Mike and his team of mechanics and engineers to repair our port side nacelle and to repaint the ship. During that time, we stayed isolated from the rest of the space station. I restricted my crewmen and women to the white docking ring, the Lucy docked below us on the blue docking ring, or here aboard the Persephone.

  Tension and trouble were building. Red and Mike were keeping the information I needed carefully hidden from me. Neither one of them would talk about what was happening. I needed answers, and I was not going to get them here. I also needed to get off of my ship before I went crazy.

  Amber, Jewel, and I spent a lot of time in the holographic simulation rooms, but even that became boring after a while. I was sure they needed a break to stretch their legs as much as I did. Natty and Tanya were quiet. Either they were planning their next mission, or were already deeply involved, and keeping it quiet. A month without them getting into trouble was a sure sign that they were up to something. At least they were having fun.

  I used my rooms comm to page Tanya. After an hour I still didn't get a response. "Natasha, where is Tanya?"