“That’s why I was calling.”
“Yeah, a little late.”
“Where are they?”
“You look panicked, Ozzy.” Jonas turned around and waved someone over. Lily came into view, a lollipop in her hand and a wide smile on her face. “Hi, Daddy. You coming to play? It’s fun here.”
“Are you having a good time, Lily-bug?”
She nodded and licked her lollipop. “I love it.”
Jonas patted her head. “Get along, girlie. Your dad and I have business to attend to.”
Lily shrugged and cocked her head. “Alright, but get here soon, Daddy. Mom’s teaching me one of these cool board games that…” she pointed at Jonas, “…this guy has.”
She walked away from the screen.
“Sunny,” said Jonas, glancing over his shoulder. “Take Venessa and Lily to the gardens. Throw a picnic or something for them.”
Ozzy relaxed a bit, thankful she was safe. “She’s a smart girl. She’ll try to get as many sweets from you as she can.”
“She beat me in chess in about two minutes, Ozzy. She saw it on my table and challenged me to a game. The little bitch—” Jonas cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. That slipped. Your little girl beat me in chess.” Jonas took in a deep breath. “Okay, why I was call—”
“I was the one who called,” reminded Ozzy, placing Relic on autopilot and watching his rear cams for any potential MMP craft heading his way.
So far so good.
Jonas’s face reddened. “Don’t interrupt.” He sighed. “There are thirteen crystal skulls in this solar system. One for each planet and, apparently, there used to be thirteen planets in this solar system.”
How the hell would Jonas get that kind of information?
“Did you read that from an Ancient Coptic glyph, Jonas?”
“I read it from one of your earliest books that you wrote when you were a professor at Gale Crater University.”
Ozzy flinched. Was Jonas the one who bought that copy?
“And in order to activate fully those crystal skulls, you need the crystal sphere,” said Ozzy.
Jonas nodded. “The sphere is locked away in Ares Monument.”
The Ancient Martians had created a Face on Mars, otherwise known as Ares Monument, that could be seen from space. It depicted a Martian face—nose, eyes, forehead, mouth, and ears. It looked human, but was, in fact, Martian.
“When the sleeping crystal skulls touch the crystal sphere, they awaken, and of all things, they talk and give vital information about the past, the present, and the future,” said Jonas. “That’s what you wrote. They also help you get what you ultimately desire.”
It’s what the tablets and scrolls said, but it had to be all myth and complete and utter bullshit. Right?
“I’ve tried, Jonas. I really did. I couldn’t get inside Ares Monument.” He never tried. He simply didn’t want to go.
Jonas cracked his knuckles while giving an unhappy look. “Well, try again. I have major plans for that sphere. It’s going to help me take over the Ministry and put me at the head of the Mars government. If I don’t take over the Ministry, do you know who has plans to blackmail the High Judge and take his seat?”
“Mort Wildly,” replied Ozzy.
“Yes, Wildly. With your Ark and with my crystals, you’re going to help me take over the government.”
Ozzy wanted to laugh. Ain’t no way in Mars-balls was Jonas going to be the next High Judge. The next elections weren’t for another two years.
Unless…
“Jonas, do you know Anonymity?”
“Yeah, why?”
Jozi punched Ozzy in the leg. “Don’t spill the beans.”
Ozzy put his hands up in surrender. “It’s okay. I can trust Jonas.”
Jozi bared her teeth. “No, Ozzy.”
“What’s the big deal here,” Jonas asked. “What are you hiding from me?”
Jozi crossed her arms and leaned back. “Don’t do this, Ozzy. This could compromise everything.”
“It won’t, Jozi. Look, Jonas, we have some damning information on the High Judge. It will be released to the public soon and by Anonymity. This will oust Robert from his position.”
Jonas gave a half smile and scratched his chin. “That’s very interesting news. What do you have on him?”
“You’ll see, but it’s a lot. This can help you get closer to what you want, the High Judge position.” A person would have to be nuts to want that, but if Jonas became the High Judge, life would be a hell of a lot easier for Ozzy and Jozi. Yet, if Mort Wildly—another crime boss much like Jonas—somehow took the position, then life would be rather shitty for Ozzy and probably for the rest of the population. “I can’t talk about the specifics at the moment. I’m heading to Pollack Mine to get my brother, who’s in danger. I’ll pick up Lily and her mom after, alright?”
“Well, go get your brother and take him to Ares Monument with you. That’s how you’re going to help me take over the High Judge position. I’ll give you enough auric for you to finally get your Class-14 Quadruple Engine Electrohydrodynamic Ionic Thruster 113 SX Vessel. You know, the Eagle. Plus, I’ll add a significant amount more auric, Ozzy. A lot more. You can travel to Europa to the make-believe colony you think exists or to Alpha Centauri for all I care after you get this sphere for me.”
“Wait, you want me to get the crystal sphere?” Butterflies stirred in Ozzy’s stomach. From what Jonas just explained to him about getting the Eagle and even adding more auric to the pot to get him enough battery cells to Europa, this might be the mother lode of all payments. “How much are you talking, exactly?”
Jozi shook her head at Jonas. “Ozzy’s not interested.”
Ozzy dismissed her statement with a wave of his hand. “I’m interested. How much?”
“Forty-five million auric credits. Half up front, and the other half when I get the crystal sphere.”
The first payment was almost enough on its own to buy the Eagle. “Send me the first bit.”
Jonas intertwined his fingers. “It’s already in your account.”
“But, what about your brother?” Jozi asked.
“As Jonas said, he’ll come along.”
“That’s the last thing he’ll want to do after he hears about his wife.”
“I’ll tell him about Gloria after I fetch the crystal sphere. Okay?” He gave her a pleased look.
Jozi punched Ozzy in the shoulder.
Ozzy jerked to the side. “Watch it.”
Jozi pursed her lips and shook her head. Her cheeks flushed red indicating she clearly didn’t approve.
Ozzy couldn’t care less. He had a responsibility to his daughter. She’d almost died twice, and now he had a chance to complete his goal—getting her off of Mars and to Europa.
Ozzy pulled out his auric wallet, pressed a button, and a hologram popped out of the top. It displayed twenty two and a half million auric credits, plus some change.
“Thank you, Jonas.”
“See you in a while, Ozzy,” Jonas said, rubbing his greedy fingers together. He wiggled a finger in the air ready to turn off the com line but paused. “Oh, one more thing. I like what you’re doing with Anonymity, but be careful with him. He always works for the highest bidder, and if someone finds out that you hired him to leak vital information to the public, then someone like the High Judge will counter your offer with a bit more money to keep his mouth shut.” He nodded. “Good luck.” The holoscreen went black and folded in on itself, disappearing from view.
Jozi stared at the blank com channel for a few seconds. “No, no. Anonymity wouldn’t do that.”
Jozi and Ozzy had paid Anonymity to hack into the holonetworks, the holochannels, and everything else he could find to show damning information on the High Judge.
Ozzy grimaced. “Is your guy legit?”
“We’ll be fine, Ozzy.”
Ozzy let out a soft chuckle, knowing that dealing with Robert in any way was never fine. He paused. Wait, he thou
ght, Jozi has just learned that Robert is a relative. Was she throwing Ozzy a curveball here? “You realize this will put your uncle in jail, right?”
Jozi reached forward. “I’m getting straight to the bottom of this so you can relax.”
Ozzy wrapped his fingers around her wrist, stopping her from pressing the com line button. “You’re not calling Robert to warn him.”
“I was calling Anonymity.”
“Why? What’s your angle here? Do you or don’t you want to put your uncle in prison? Oh, I get it, you’ve changed your mind on throwing him in the slammer, haven’t you?”
She sighed and batted his fingers off of her wrist with her other hand. “Justice needs to be served, Ozzy. I’m an MMP agent and have made an oath to serve and protect. I wouldn’t be serving Mars and the people if I keep Robert from being behind bars. I can look past the uncle aspect, okay.” She huffed. “This can also get me back inside the MMP where I can make everything right again with my reputation and with Robert.”
What did that mean?
She quickly punched in Anonymity’s com channel.
Ozzy went to smack her hand away, but she was too quick and Ozzy missed. “I don’t trust you, Jozi, let me—”
Anonymity answered.
He had slick black hair, hazel eyes, and white, pasty skin. He had a hood covering half of his face while leaving the other half exposed. Ozzy could tell he was going for the scary, daunting look, but in truth, the guy looked silly.
“How may I help you, Jozi?” His voice was low, almost in a whisper, and was another oddity with the guy.
“I received news from Jonas Moon that you may give someone the opportunity to outbid us.” Jozi leaned forward. “Can I still trust you?”
Anonymity stared unblinking at the screen. “I’ve never blown a deal. An agreement is an agreement. Tell him to stop trying to screw with my business. Lesser rumors have destroyed corporations. I don’t need this crap right now, Jozi.”
“So I can count on you to fulfill our agreement and leak the documents?”
He tilted his head forward. “Correct. The High Judge will be thrown out of office and out of the Ministry by what we show the public. If he’s not ousted right away, the public will surely ask for his head on a silver platter shortly after.”
Jozi winced from his last remark. “A platter won’t be necessary.” She glanced at the date on the flight console. “This will commence in two days according to our agreement.”
That’s if Jozi doesn’t screw this up and warn Robert. Ozzy eyed her like she was the devil. He’d be keeping tabs on her until the documents are leaked to make sure she doesn’t tip off the High Judge.
“I give you my word.” Anonymity gave a half smile and straightened his lips, becoming serious again.
Klank!
The loud sound came from the lower deck.
Ozzy turned in his seat. “What the Mars was that?”
“It came from the storage bay,” said Jozi, slowly standing. “Someone’s on board.” She twisted around. “Gotta go, Anonymity.”
Footsteps clanked across the storage bay’s grated floor. Jozi was right. They had a stowaway. Or worse yet, Quad, the bounty hunter, had found a way aboard.
Not good.
Ozzy unholstered his photon gun. “Stay here. I’ll see who it is.” He stood and cautiously walked from the cockpit to the corridor.
The footsteps on the lower deck grew louder.
He held his gun out and moved slowly toward the ladder that went from the upper deck down to the storage bay.
“Who’s there?”
The footsteps stopped.
Ozzy leaned over the deck railing and pointed his weapon.
A figure came into view, and it was staring at Ozzy.
6
Nearing Pollack Mine, Mars
Ozzy lowered his weapon. “You about gave me a heart attack.” Ozzy holstered his gun and slid down the ladder. “How did you get on my ship?”
“I followed you and Jozi onboard and sat in your forklift over there.” The person thumbed over his shoulder. “You were in a great hurry, so I didn’t want to introduce my presence and slow things down.” Gragas leaned against a crate, patting it. “Is the Ark of the Concordant in this?”
How the hell would he know it was in there? Did it glow or something? “Yeah, and that’s just between you and me.”
“Ozzy,” Jozi said. She was leaning over and pressing her hands on the upper deck railing. “Two minutes until we reach Pollack Mine.”
“Let my brother know I’m arriving. If he doesn’t let us in, tell him the truth: a bounty hunter is trying to kill him.” He wasn’t going to include the fact that his brother’s wife was dead at the hands of the said bounty hunter.
That was the last thing Ozzy wanted to tell him. It went without saying that Lou would be devastated.
Ozzy hurried to the ladder and motioned for Gragas to join them on the upper deck and in the cockpit. “Gragas?” he asked while climbing the ladder. “How in Mars do you keep calm all the time?”
“Do you want to be calm, Ozzy?”
Ozzy reached the highest rung. He thought about it and tilted his head. “Well, not really. May bore the crap out of me.”
“Then let me know when you do. I’ve been practicing being calm in the midst of chaos for a long time. It’s a state of body, mind, and soul. My master has taught me many techniques, but it’s a lifetime practice and not something I think you’re ready for…yet.”
Ozzy pushed off the last rung with his foot and hopped onto the upper deck. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Quite boring.”
He dashed into the cockpit and saw Pollack Mine’s dome graviton shield surrounded by small, red mountains and rocky hills. He plopped onto his seat. “Did you let my brother know?”
Jozi nodded. “He was too chill about it, Ozzy. Something is wrong. He gave slow and what seemed like scripted answers.”
A ship, long and round like a perfectly oval rock, was parked near the guard’s station on Pollack Mine. Ozzy’s heart picked up a beat, and he let out a loud breath. “Quad is here.” It had to be him since Ozzy had never seen a ship quite like this one before. “He’s already inside. Dammit.”
Gragas stood behind them. “He is. Turn around.”
Ozzy pointed at the dome where the ship entrance was opening. No guards were at the station, and the station’s windows were shattered. “My brother will die if I don’t show up.”
“This is for certain, but if you show up, then you will perish as well. This is what Quad wants. He’s setting you up. It’s an old, old trick.”
Ozzy already knew he was being used as a pawn. But it took two to play chess. He wasn’t a genius player like Lily, but he was pretty good, regardless.
Ozzy lowered Relic, easing her into the ship sterilization chamber. The craft shuddered as it touched down on her skids, and the engines powered off.
The massive outside door slammed closed, and soft-white lights blinked on in the four-ship chamber. The cleansers sprayed from the ceilings and floor, washing off dangerous perchlorate-dense sand that coated a few areas of Relic’s roof and underbelly.
“Ozzy, look at this.”
Jozi was staring at a holovid coming from her wristband. She swiped her hand on the holographic audio control and turned it up. The news was playing and showed Robert Baldwin standing at a podium.
“…and I declare a Mars Ministry Police emergency. We have two fugitives, more dangerous than you can imagine, who are on the run and must be caught.” The skin around Robert’s eyes creased as he squinted, and his white outfit and white hat looked too snug. His young son was by his side, which was most likely to garner the public’s sympathy since his son barely survived the Martian Plague and was deemed a young hero.
Ozzy’s and Jozi’s profiles popped on the holovid screen, and both were doctored to look menacing: their facial features sharp and their eyebrows furrowed. “This is Ozzy Mack and Jozi Ryan. If you see them, contact th
e MMP immediately. Just this morning, they killed another innocent victim and are believed to be the leaders of the crime syndicates on Mars. They have killed hundreds that we know of and have been part of more than a thousand crime syndicate murders. They must be brought to justice. This is how bad these two—”
Jozi turned it off and lowered her head. Ozzy’s heart sunk another level. The lies were piling on top of each other, nearly crushing his soul.
“You still want to see if you can work things out with Uncle Robert?” Ozzy’s voice dripped with contempt.
Jozi pursed her lips and didn’t reply. She stood and touched her lone photon pistol. Her eyes were welling up. This was her family—Robert and the MMP—that was destroying her career and her life.
Family was everything to her.
“Why would Robert be doing this?” she finally said.
“Jozi, don’t fool yourself. What do you expect? You are looking into information about your parents that could lead to Robert. He will try to stop you any way he can. Even if that means throwing you under the bus.”
“I only want answers, Ozzy. I believe my parents were used as scapegoats. I felt so alone after they died. I had no one. You can’t imagine the pain I felt as a child, not sure who to trust or where to turn for comfort. I only had the other kids in the orphanage. Then I started working with the MMP and they became my family. Ozzy, being an agent is my whole identity. My fellow agents, and even Robert mean the same to me as what Lily means to you. I’m having a hard time understanding that my “family” is now turning against me.”
“…until you’ve walked a mile in another person’s shoes,” the memory of Ozzy’s mother’s voice reverberated in his head.
He reached out to Jozi and wrapped his hand around her forearm. “I’m here for you, Jozi. I’ll help in whatever way I can. We will get to the truth, and Robert will pay.”
She nodded but didn’t speak.
“I’m heading to the gun rack,” she said. “Ozzy, I’ll grab you a photon rifle and a photon gun, and I’ll get me the same.” She looked Gragas up and down. His legs, hips, and back were strapped with daggers, swords, double-barreled photon pistols, a rifle, and some other weapons neither Ozzy nor Jozi knew. She wiped her eyes and with her voice cracking said, “Is Armageddon coming soon?” She didn’t wait for a response and hurried down the ladder to the lower deck.
Martian Insurrection (Mars Colony Chronicles Book 3) Page 3
