Exploration: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Ghost Squadron Book 2)

by Sarah Noffke

  QBS’s brew master spent over two years working with new alien strains of barley and maize from planets in the system’s inner ring—barley from the uninhabited Ballistia and maize from the capital planet Chainex. Officers of the Federation were tired of other teams having all the fun creating new drinks and sources of revenue and, therefore, challenged the brew master to create the Federation’s first new hard liquor. Development had been mildly problematic but nothing a couple of weeks in a pod doc couldn’t fix. The Ballistia strain was too sweet to be useful for anything but a candy-ass hard liquor and the Chainex strain puckered you up tighter than a duck’s ass. Together, they were perfect, a classic combination of sweet and sour that engaged both palates of the tongue. Only downside: they were both deadly. Hence, the two subsequent years of R and D.

  The brew master had never actually become a tester, claiming he felt his work was too important. In reality, he was simply afraid of dying from the effects of the alcohol. While they could science the fuck out of the strains and make them safer for consumption, it seriously fucked with the taste. Mother Nature just wasn’t having it. Eventually, another tester had poured a shot into the brew master’s empty Pepsi bottle as part of a practical joke.

  Before he had any time to react or even pray that the station’s A.I. would notify someone and get him to the pod doc in time, the dopamine dumped, the rush of pure grain alcohol, and the whole reason for all the R and D, overwhelmed his system. Even as his nanites raced to counter the reaction, the brew master was on top of the world, flat out drunk, and horny as hell. Unfortunately, he was all alone and couldn’t figure out how to get out of the chair, much less the distillery. It was a long twenty-five minutes until his nanites had countered all the effects and he realized that he wasn’t dead, much to his own amazement.

  When the brew master’s report was complete, and the A.I. continued its testing, it was found that the trace remains of Pepsi had neutralized both strains, allowing for proper consumption of the new beverage.

  It was then that the most potent whiskey in the galaxy was created. The Federation presents Dead Man Walking, a Queens Bitch’s Space Whiskey.

  Eddie laughed to himself. Catch Vas and find out who the bad guy was behind all this. Then he could crack this baby open and drink until he was a dead man walking. Might sound scary to some, but Eddie liked the adventure. The universe was a fascinating place. Everything had the potential for thrills, even whiskey.

  He placed the bottle back on the side table.

  “ArchAngel, wake me up in an hour, would you?”

  “Are you sure you want to rely on me?” asked ArchAngel. “I don’t know what I’m talking about, remember? What if I wake you up at the wrong time? What is an hour, anyway? Maybe I don’t know.”

  “Oh, did you get your feelings hurt when I was talking to Lars? I was just trying to make him feel better. And you shouldn’t have downgraded him for making that call.” Eddie yawned, resting his hands over his abdomen.

  “What if it had been you telling him to fire on enemy ships and he refused, wanting to see if they were truly deadly?” asked ArchAngel.

  “I would have skinned his ass if the ships didn’t blow him to bits.” Eddie settled back deeper into the couch, his eyes closing.

  “Exactly. Ignoring a superior officer to follow instinct is never okay. I simply held Lars to the standards that are set forth.”

  “True, but I might have been okay with checking out the enemy ships first. Why don’t we just agree to disagree,” said Eddie, his words slurring from the sleep taking over his brain.

  The room fell silent until Eddie’s snoring filled the air.

  “And yes, maybe my feelings did get hurt,” said ArchAngel in almost a whisper.

  Loading Dock 04, QBS ArchAngel, en route to Axiom System.

  Checking over her gear, Julianna turned and headed straight into the loading dock. In the distance, she spied Hatch bustling around the Q-Ship, his tentacles going in eight different directions. He didn’t know she was approaching due to her soft steps, and he’d completely change his behavior once he realized she was there.

  Don’t you tell him I’m here, she said to Pip in her head.

  As agreed, I will prove myself dishonorable and not alert Doctor A’Din Hatcherik to your presence.

  I believe you’re only obligated to be truly loyal to me.

  And I am. However, Doctor A’Din Hatcherik knows how to downgrade my software or disable me altogether.

  Speaking of that upgrade you recently received, when do you want to talk about the changes?

  What changes? asked Pip, trying to sound innocent.

  Oh, are we playing a game? Alright, let’s pretend that you’re not different.

  Different how? I don’t know what you mean?

  Pip…

  Yes, Commander? How may I assist you?

  Julianna smiled to herself. I’d like you to talk about your feelings. Can you do that?

  I’m sure I can. I don’t know what you mean about feelings. I have data that I can report, observations I can make, and correlational data I can provide. Other than that, I do not offer subjective information like these feelings you’re referring to.

  Uh-huh. There was a knowing tone to Julianna’s voice, but she didn’t say anymore. This evolution wasn’t going to happen overnight, nor did it need to be acknowledged completely yet.

  Julianna was standing only a few feet behind Hatch, whose tentacles were each performing different tasks. She cleared her throat. He straightened. All of his tentacles retracted until only one was screwing a bolt into place.

  After a few seconds, Julianna cleared her throat again. Hatch turned his head over his shoulder, catching her. “Oh, you’re there. I didn’t notice.”

  So many keeping secrets, Pip. What’s up with that?

  I don’t know what you mean. What secrets is Doctor A’Din Hatcherik keeping?

  That’s cute. Let’s keep up the charades a bit longer. It’s fun.

  You’re speaking nonsense, Commander.

  Am I?

  I’m going to run systems checks on the Q-Ship’s mainframe.

  Yes, good idea.

  Julianna brought her eyes to Hatch, amusement playing in her gaze. “Is the ship ready to go?”

  “I believe so.” One of Hatch’s tentacles picked up a rag and absentmindedly polished the side of the ship behind his back.

  “I would tell you not to worry but—”

  “Things that happen in a battle are never predictable. It shouldn’t be your place to reassure me that my Q-Ship will return unscathed. I’ve been thinking about it…”

  “Yes?” Julianna prodded.

  “I was attached to the first Q-Ship, the one that was blown up.”

  “As you should have been. That was a ship that took you years to construct. The finest of its kind.”

  “But a ship nonetheless. It can be reconstructed, that I’m certain of now,” said Hatch.

  “Well, I’m relieved to hear you say that since we will need many more going forward. However, I think your disappointment over the loss shouldn’t be diminished. This is your work, and what we’re doing for the Federation, well, it’s our legacy. Some go on to have children who carry on for generations. Some fight and create and innovate so that the future generations can survive. Don’t you ever think that what you create shouldn’t be grieved when it’s destroyed? That would be undervaluing your genius, and none of us aboard the ArchAngel would dare to do that,” Julianna finished with a supreme tone of finality.

  Hatch made to nod, but then his eyes skirted to someone over her shoulder. “Anyway, as I was saying,” he said overly loud, obviously trying to control a rogue emotion. “Chief Renfro asked that I innovate a strategy that will draw the Brotherhood away from their positions and to the area to the north.”

  “Why are you yelling?” asked Eddie, sidling up next to Julianna. He placed his arm on her shoulder and leaned, placing entirely too much of his body weight on her. She ste
pped to the side, making him stumble a bit before finding his footing.

  Hatch’s cheeks puffed out. “I was simply stating that I’ve got a new set of bombs for you all to place. Remember the bombs that I gave you the last time, when you were supposed to bomb the weaponry on EXA, but got caught?”

  “By Lars, if you remember,” said Eddie with a laugh. It was funny that the Kezzin soldier who caught and imprisoned Eddie and Julianna was now their best newbie pilot. Julianna had agreed with Eddie’s decision to pass Lars right away when she saw his simulation results. It had been her idea to include him on the mission, which she hoped was a good one. It was scary offering officers opportunities to prove themselves, knowing they could get themselves killed. That was the price of fighting for a secret detachment of the Federation. It all came with great benefits and huge risks.

  “As I was saying, I think that if you use the same bombs, it will distract the Brotherhood. You’ll have to land in the district to the north, set the bombs, and then remotely trigger them once in the air. It’s the best diversion I could come up with,” said Hatch, starting to pace.

  “I think it’s a good plan. Most of the Brotherhood soldiers will be sent to the bombing site, which will take them away from the area around Vas.” Julianna smiled approvingly at Hatch. He knew he was a genius, but she thought he didn’t want anyone to know how incredible he was because then he’d lose an edge, the ability to surprise.

  Hatch nodded, the prior emotion before Eddie walked up absent from his face now. “Very good. The bombs are already stocked and ready for placement on the ship.”

  “Thanks, Hatch. You’re the best,” said Eddie, exuberantly.

  Hatch puffed up his cheeks and turned, putting his back to them. “Just bring…” he trailed away, scuttling off several yards. Then he said, “Just don’t screw up.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Q-Ship, Axiom 03, Axiom System.

  Wearing the armor Hatch had made for them, Eddie and Julianna were prepared for battle. The tri-rifle sat in a case behind the cockpit. They were planning on bringing it to the meeting as Vas was expecting it. However, the Trid wasn’t getting his hands on it, but he would see how well it worked firsthand.

  “What’s your twenty, Carnivore?” asked Eddie over the comms.

  “Black Beard, I’ve just entered the atmosphere,” said Lars.

  “Relax. You got this,” encouraged Eddie. The tension was heavy in the Kezzin’s voice.

  “Yeah…”

  “How’s the Black Eagle handling?” asked Julianna.

  “Like a dream,” answered Lars.

  “That was Strong Arm’s way of checking on you. Don’t take it personal that she’s not more encouraging,” said Eddie.

  Julianna cast a scowl at Eddie, looking about like she was done with his shit. She wasn’t though, he knew.

  “You’re a natural, Carnivore. Get in there and do what we planned,” said Eddie.

  “Copy,” said Lars, and then the line fell silent.

  Eddie flipped a switch, muting the line. “He’ll be fine,” he said, mostly to himself.

  “We passed him. He’s prepared for this,” said Julianna.

  “We both know that nothing prepares you for battle and space combat.”

  “Except for combat itself. Simulations can only do so much.”

  “Yeah, let’s hope it was enough.”

  “Whatever happens, Teach, you have to know we prepared him the best we could. It was his decision to go on this mission. We’ll carry our men on our backs if we have to but, eventually, they stretch their wings and have to fly on their own,” said Julianna, sounding more sympathetic than he’d ever heard her.

  He looked at her and nodded, there was a meaningful expression in her eyes.

  Harbor District. Trinidad City, Axiom 03, Axiom System.

  Armed soldiers marched through the alleyways between the buildings in the Harbor District. Julianna observed from the air that the Kezzin seemed to be preparing for something. It was in the way they moved, like getting ready for a deployment. She was familiar with the way an army moved and knew the signs well.

  Eddie set the cloaked Q-Ship down in an empty field. In the distance, the warehouses in the Harbor District could be seen, flanking the gray waters.

  “Blowing up an empty field seems kind of boring,” said Eddie, staring out at the brown grass waving in the air.

  “I’m sure it will only get more interesting as time rolls on.” Julianna unfastened herself from her seat, grabbing the bombs.

  “I’m in position,” said Lars over the comms.

  Eddie flipped a switch. “Very good, Carnivore. We are too. Wait for my signal.”

  “Copy.”

  Julianna opened the door and marched out into the open field. A bullet whizzed by her face. She ducked back into the cloaked ship. “Damn it! We have enemy fire. Pip, do you have satellite yet?”

  “Affirmative. Checking now for cause of attack,” said Pip.

  “Now that’s more like it. Much more fun than blowing up an empty field,” said Eddie.

  Julianna pulled her pistol from her holster. “Glad you got your way. Hope you’re happy.”

  “It appears motion detector guns have been set up around the perimeter. The Q-Ship took a few bullets upon landing,” said Pip.

  “These guys are getting more and more prepared for our tricks,” said Julianna.

  Eddie picked up the tri-rifle. “Not all of them.”

  Julianna smirked. “Let me go first. Cover me.”

  Eddie nodded, both of his hands on the tri-rifle. He aimed it out the side door, around the Q-Ship.

  “Closest guns set up at your two o’clock,” informed Pip.

  Eddie closed one eye, scanning the seemingly empty field. Julianna cast him one last look before diving and rolling through the tall grass. Several shots tried to follow her. She heard Eddie fire three times. Julianna, propped up on her elbows, spying smoke wafting in the air.

  One target down, Pip said in her head.

  How many more are there?

  At least three. The problem is they only raise up when they catch movement, keeping them nicely hidden. There’s one due west.

  So we can’t take them out unless one of us baits them?

  I’m afraid so.

  Looks like it’s my day to be the minnow. Julianna caught Eddie’s attention, waving to the motion-detector gun at her back.

  He nodded, aiming his new toy in that direction.

  The spray technology might be good for this.

  And it could be haphazard. I’ve never been a fan of spraying off shots with the hope of hitting a target. Not to mention that a barrage of gunfire is one way to draw attention to our position too early.

  I concluded that you were right when I ran the scenario, which is why I didn’t suggest it first. However, you as bait is less than ideal.

  Ah, shucks Pip. I didn’t know you cared.

  Of course I do.

  Pip was an E.I. He shouldn’t care. And Julianna shouldn’t care that he did or didn’t. The whole thing kept bringing up uncomfortable memories. She shoved them away.

  Julianna took in a steadying breath and popped up. Several gunshots fired off. She side-stepped moving fast before rolling back into the grass. Her head popped up, looking at Eddie. He held up two fingers, then pointed down.

  Two down. One to go.

  Last one is at your nine o’clock. It’s farther than all the rest. Going to take a precise shot to take it out.

  Julianna silently indicated that direction at Eddie who nodded in confirmation, aiming the gun.

  Crawling sideways, Julianna slithered through the grass until she was on the other side of the ship. The last thing she needed was to pop up and have Eddie catch one of the bullets aimed at her.

  Open the hatch on the other side of the ship.

  Done. You’re going to run around the ship?

  It’s the only way to give Teach a sufficient chance to knock it out based on the d
istance.

  Good plan.

  Okay, well, on the count of three. One.

  Julianna crouched on her knees.

  Two.

  She pressed her fingers and toes into the ground, ready to spring up.

  Three.

  Julianna jumped to a standing position, zipping to the side and sprinting. Bullets ripped through the grass around her, spraying through the air. She cut in around the Q-Ship, not safe from the bullets until on the other side. She flung herself into the open ship, the door closing behind her at once.

  Eddie lowered his weapon, looking relieved. “I got the last one.”

  “Good,” said Julianna, breathless. Her arm stung suddenly. She peered down, surprised to find not just one, but two bullets embedded in her armor. Pulling them from the lightweight material, Julianna smiled. She held up one of the bullets. “Damn, Hatch is a fucking genius.”

  “Yeah, we owe him big,” said Eddie, beaming. “Ready to place some bombs?”

  “Yeah, imagine what Commander Lytes will think when he discovers the field is bombed and his fancy guns have been shot down.”

  “I’m hoping he’s pissed as hell.” Eddie gauged the field again before stepping out, holding the tri-rifle. “I’ve got your back.”

  “I’ve got the bombs.” Julianna reached into the bag on her hip, pulling one of the small bombs from it. She set each of them roughly ten feet apart. When all of them had been placed, she returned to the ship.

  “That was fast,” said Eddie, sounding impressed.

  “Yeah, well, the fun hasn’t begun yet. Let’s get in the air.” Julianna jumped into her seat, fastening herself into it.

  “Some fancy footwork back there.”

  “I suppose so. I used to be a ballerina.”

  “Really?” Eddie’s face was full of surprise.

  Julianna rolled her eyes and laughed. “No, not really.” Maybe she’d dreamed of dancing on a stage at one point over the last two-hundred years, but life had served up something different for her. Something better. Something that made sense to her. In her next life, if there was one, she’d do something creative, if just trying to survive wasn’t the chief mission.