“Yes, Reaper, Lieutenant Benson is here with me. We’re playing human shield at the moment.”
“Anyone else besides you three?” I asked.
“Sergeant Bagwell, but I think he’s dead. Lilly here won’t let us go near him.”
I stepped into the room, with Snake a couple of seconds behind me. The lieutenants looked a little worse for wear, but maybe the idea of a rescue had sparked some new life in them.
“I’m sorry, both of you,” I said. “I’ll make sure Aisling knows the sacrifice you made to help get her ship back.”
I touched the trigger and St. James went down, while Snake did the same to Benson. Lilly fired on me, but I was turned sideways and the shot glanced off my black armor. Snake was already moving. He hit Lilly like a bulldozer.
“I’m going to take St. James to the med bay,” I told him. “You better be finished with him when I get back for Benson.”
I checked on Bagwell and couldn’t feel a pulse. I called the med bay and requested a litter. The Sergeant had been stabbed in the gut and left where he landed days ago. I wasn’t sure if the beating he had taken was before or after the stabbing. I ran with Melanie and deposited her with Ronnie, then immediately headed back for Benson. I needed these two, and quickly; Luther was too far gone to be any help.
zzz
“Let’s walk in and get a table. Get some credits out so the help will know we’re ready to order,” Shawna said to Taz.
“I think a table near the wall would be preferable,” Taz replied.
“Benjamin has been teaching you bar room tactics?” Shawna asked her, smirking.
“Yes and no. I observed on occasion,” Taz answered.
It all happened fast after that. The drinks came, and shortly after so did the major.
“I imagine you’re the reason I can’t reach my ship right now,” he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
“They do not understand English very well, Major. As the new ambassador to Allond, I am also tasked with establishing relationships with other new races,” Shawna lied.
The major just smiled and held up his hand. Within seconds, the table was surrounded by his cronies. “That’s a nice story, but that’s all it is — a story. I’m aware of who she is; and I think the Queen of Cjittan will fetch a nice sum in the way of a ransom, don’t you?”
“I think if you don’t lay down your weapons and surrender, you will all be dead very soon,” Shawna said.
“Maybe, but you five will be dead before we are. It’s such a shame, such beautiful women, but I can’t afford to lose the Warhammer,” he said. “Call your people and tell them to leave the Warhammer, and I will let all of you go but her.” He motioned his head towards Taz.
“Hmm, are you sure? She’s a real pain in the ass, trust me on that,” Shawna said.
“Yes, I’m sure. With the Warhammer and a ransom paid by her government I could live like a king, maybe buy my own planet,” he said.
“Genius,” Shawna said into her com, “get me the boss.”
“What are you guys doing?” came the answer. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Yeah, well, about that. The Supreme Commander, she ordered me to land and go in the bar with her. Major Drummond is going to hold her hostage for a ransom, but he will let us go if you give him the Warhammer.”
“Stop calling her that, and let me talk to him.” Shawna did so.
“Major Drummond, you want her and the others, you can keep them. I’m not giving you shit. Aisling will be here later to take command of her ship, and I’m sure that regardless of your plans, or who you kill, you’ll be dead very soon. I happen to love Aisling, and I used the queen there to help her get her ship back, so have fun. Jamison out.”
“He said I could have you all,” Major Drummond said, looking pleased. “He used you to get O’Shaughnessy her ship back and he doesn’t need you anymore.”
“Really?” Taz said, irritation growing with each breath. “I’m going to flay the skin off his body when I get ahold of him.”
zzz
“Captain, I need to use about twenty of your soldiers right now,” I ordered. “Send Imelda’s daughter and nineteen mantes to the Warhammer to pick me up. The queen is being held hostage and we are going to free her.”
“I’m not sure I should do that.”
“Captain, what did she tell you when I walked onboard with her? Now, load a transport and hurry. He may kill the others and take the queen, and I will be very unhappy when I return to the Nas Et Nass if that happens.”
There was a pause. “We will pick you up in ten of your minutes.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Master Sergeant Lilly was dead, and Snake was wounded, but not critically. There were some holdouts here and there, but the loyal crewmen were rounding them up. Genius still had control of the ship from engineering.
“Genius, close up the shuttle bay and inform the Claymore that the Warhammer will be on an intercept course, if they would like to meet us. I am going planet side, so don’t wait on me. I will talk to Jared and have his marines stationed at all points leading to engineering. You’re in charge, but if you want to give Benson and St. James their jobs back, that’s fine. You three know each other well enough to make it all work.”
“What about you, boss?”
“I’m going to get Taz and the others, they’re in some trouble. We’ll take both shuttles to the Nas Et Nass and meet you and the Claymore. Charge up the ship’s weapons, just in case.”
“Am I really the captain?”
“You are, Genius, and I’ll have Jared back you until Aisling gets aboard. You’ll need to brief her on everything you know.” I switched on my com.
“Lieutenant Jared, this is Reaper. Report to engineering for instructions from acting Captain Bernstein.”
“Copy engineering. Good choice, Reaper,” Jared replied.
“Boss, I think your ride is here.”
“Copy, Genius. See you in a day or less,” I replied.
The transport was sitting in the shuttle bay. The side door opened and I entered. It was crowded, but on such a short trip it wouldn’t be a problem.
“I am number six and I will be your pilot. The captain sends his regards.”
“Tell the captain thank you, number six, and get me to these coordinates pronto.”
“Will you be requiring my assistance, or should I stay with the transport?”
“Just stay right there in your seat,” I replied.
There was some chittering and chirping coming from behind me, until I turned around and looked at them and they fell silent. It was my feeling that the planet side crewmembers were the worst offenders in the acts against the crew. I decided to make one offer, in case I was wrong, but after that they were done.
I need all of you to understand that you are to obey my every command. If you do not, you will not see your brothers and sisters again. Is this clear to you? I asked the group.
It is clear. The soldiers of Cjittan will follow you without question. When you became known to us, we would not have killed you, but neither would we have followed you. However, now that our queen of queens has marked you as her own, we will obey you without question, unless our queen rules against you.
How has she marked me?
She has marked you with her blood and her scent. You have also engaged in mating with her. We can sense that as well.
Damn! Does everyone know? I will talk to her about this further, but your information is most helpful.
“We are approaching the landing area. Will you be taking the soldiers at this time?” number six called out to me.
“Yes, number six,” I answered. “I want you to be my eyes outside once I enter the building. I’m not sure if there is a Trillond military presence on this rock or not.”
“I will keep you informed,” he answered.
“Thanks,” I said. “This place looks like a shithole mining outpost, and it’s about to turn into the wild, wild west.”
&
nbsp; I put the stunner in my belt and powered up both my rail guns with fresh battery packs and a full magazine of ammo. There was still blood on my arm and leg from the guard in the brig I had run through with the katana. I stepped out the door and waited for my very hungry soldiers to disembark.
Chapter 44
There was no door to the bar, just an opening and a force field keeping the dirt and dust out, or at least it was supposed to. The girls were all standing with their backs to the wall, the table in front of them turned over. I walked in, ignoring them as I moved slowly past them towards the bar. Nobody moved or said a word, they just watched my progress. Most of the men at the bar were watching what was going down with the five women.
There was no place to sit or order at the bar, so I grabbed the first man I came to and launched him into the tables and chairs. Drinks spilled and customers cussed.
“Bartender, give me something cold, and don’t make me ask twice.” The female Trillond tending bar pulled something out of a freezer and carried it down to me. It had frost on the container, so I couldn’t complain about the temperature.
“You need to leave right now, along with anyone you have working here. If you’re still here in the next two minutes, I can’t promise you’ll survive.” I lifted my visor and looked at her then took a drink. It was freezing cold. “Go, now!”
“You sound pretty sure of yourself, Jamison,” the major called out. “Almost everyone in here works for me. The owner of this establishment has made a good living off us. I don’t think she’s going anywhere.”
I looked at the pretty green woman behind the bar. “You can’t spend it if you’re dead and if I’m right or wrong, you can just come back later and it’ll be business as usual.”
“I don’t think you have enough men, Major,” I told him. “Are there any in town you can call to come here and help you?”
“I’m going to enjoy killing you, Jamison,” he growled.
“Heard that before, and I sure enjoyed it. Did you get the word Gray is dead?” I asked. “Him and Sims, both were shot multiple times and thrown out the third story window. They were too slow in killing Aisling. She will be so happy to see you.”
“We are not scared of the former Captain, just like we aren’t scared of you.”
“If anybody wants out, now is the time to go. There won’t be another offer.” I looked around me at the people in the bar. I could see some people laughing here and there.
“I see,” I said. “Strength in number and all that shit. How about me and you, Major? We go ‘til someone drops, and the girls go free if I win. I’m really trying to work with you here.”
“No. I don’t think you’re as good as you think,” Drummond said.
“Okay, you’re right. I’m not, I’m better,” I said and started walking back towards the door. “Good luck, ladies. I have to get back to the Warhammer and my new bride. We will wait a few hours for you, but then we are leaving.”
“Benjamin, wait!” Taz called out. “Did you really take the red-haired captain as your mate? And why are you leaving?”
“Sorry, Taz, gotta go.”
“Bring him back!” the major yelled.
I heard chairs scraping the floor as I cleared the force field. I stepped to the side and leaned back against the building.
There are men coming out, I said silently. Take them all and wait; there will be more.
They came running out into the dusty roadway. The mantis pounced immediately. Those with a prize took it, while the others positioned themselves and waited. Imelda’s daughter had one for herself, with plans to get a few more. She did the same happy dance her mom did when getting a fresh meal, I noticed with amusement.
Give me his head, I requested. I will return it to you.
She bit and spit and it landed at my feet. I picked it up by the hair and threw it into the bar. It took a second for the yelling to start.
Watch the side and back exits, I warned them. You don’t want any of your prizes to get away.
I was still drinking the strange ale the bartender had given me. I could hear the screaming coming from a number of directions.
“Number six, I said, “keep the guests alive for my soldiers. Unless any of them tries something — then you can stun them.”
“Yes, Lord Benjamin.”
“Don’t call me that! Where did you come up with that nonsense?”
“Internal memo from the queen,” he replied.
“Oh okay,” I said. “Well, don’t. Just Ben, Benjamin, or Reaper are fine.”
Anybody got a head count? I cracked myself up. Nobody joined.
I heard a scream from inside and ran back in. Two men had taken Crnana and were dragging her away. Taz and the others could not get to her. They were headed for the side door.
Two are leaving by the side door with Crnana, the queen’s bodyguard. Make sure she is safe and they are dealt with.
Your orders are being carried out as we speak.
I walked back out to my spot against the wall. Crnana came around the building and saw me leaning back against the wall, sipping on my ale.
“She is quite upset with you,” she told me.
“How about a thank you for saving your life?” I said.
“She will not care,” Crnana retorted. “I am going back in.”
“Crnana, just lead them outside. The soldiers will take care of them, there is no need for you to fight.”
Crnana thought about it for a minute. “You’re right, Benjamin Jamison. The future of the Cjittan Empire could possibly be jeopardized, no matter how small the odds.”
“Good,” I said. “Now get them and get going. We will take care of the rest.”
The five of them came out single file, with Taz in the middle. She walked up to me and stood toe-to-toe, studying my face. “It was a lie, wasn’t it?” she asked.
“What on this shithole planet do you mean?” I asked, feigning innocence.
“You and the red-haired Captain Aisling.”
“You don’t think it could be true,” I asked, pretending to be shocked. “You think she wouldn’t have me?”
“No, I think that it could be a very real possibility,” she scowled. “You are an evil man, Benjamin Jamison.”
“Geez, it’s called teasing,” I said. “I just wanted to make you mad while you were in there with the major. Hold on a second.”
Bring me this man, and do not kill him. I projected an image of the major.
“Aisling isn’t anywhere close. We just told her to meet the Warhammer a couple hours ago.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she replied. “You thought it would bother me and it did, so the thought must give some truth to what you said.”
“You are impossible, and off your nut if you believe what you just said. Go to your ship,” I told her. “I’ll meet you later, and maybe Shawna can explain teasing to you. I thought we had talked about this before.”
“Do not come to my ship,” I ordered. “You will wait here on this planet for your own starship.”
“Now you’re starting to piss me off.”
“Boss, don’t,” Shawna said. “It’ll be okay. I’m staying with you, we’ll be fine. You made her mad, but it has backfired, so let it go.”
Taz turned and began walking towards the shuttle. The three sisters were walking along behind her.
“Hey, don’t you walk away from me,” I called out to her. “You have been leading me around by my nose since I met you. You preyed on my emotions when I was down, and most of the time you treated me like shit. You know what? Just go. I’m sure I’m better off without you, and you can take your stupid bugs with you.”
Right on cue, they came out of the bar, carrying the crew members they had caught. The spider dropped the major at my feet and walked towards the transport. It’s funny, but I could tell they were all happy. The major was in shock and trying to crawl away. I handed Shawna my stunner and pointed. She walked over, laid his head open with it, and laughed. I gave her
my “what the hell is the matter with you?” look and she stepped back and stunned him.
Damn, one with a sense of humor and one without. “Shawna,” I said, “go to our shuttle and contact the Warhammer. Tell Genius that we’re stuck here and the queen is pissed at me. Bring the Claymore and retrieve us when they get back.”
I picked up a rock and chucked at the queen’s shuttle. It did nothing, but I hoped I had pissed her off some more. They had to have heard it.
I walked to the area where the shuttles and the transport were parked and stood in front of her shuttle.
“Benjamin, my queen has ordered me not to give you transport to our ship. The soldiers and I are departing, so please be safe.”
“You too, number six, you be safe also.”
The command center to Taz’s shuttle went translucent and I saw her standing behind Lemra. Her hands on her hips, she stared at me, smiling.
“You’re playing me!” I yelled, though I doubted she could hear me. “You’re doing it again, you suckered me down here and now I’m stuck. You didn’t need any help with those space rats. You even let me bring the soldiers, knowing that would seal the deal, make me happy. You know what? You better be gone when I get back up there, and I know how to track that giant bucket-of-crap ship of yours.”
“Boss, she’ll calm down and things will get back to normal if you don’t say anything else to hurt her feelings,” Shawna said. “Come on, let’s go get a beer and something to eat.”
“Hurt her feelings, really?” I sighed. “Yeah, I’m hungry, let’s go.”
The bar was empty and the bartender stood staring off into space. When recognition finally took hold, she came across the bar at me, but I held her at arm’s length. I heard the hum of a stunner and she went limp. Shawna was smiling as she slipped the weapon into her waistband.
I carried the owner-bartender into the back and laid her down in the storeroom. Wedging the door shut, I walked back out and sat down at the bar. Shawna took up the job of bartender and set us up with a couple of drinks.
“I don’t see much in the way of food behind the bar,” she said. “Was there anything in the storeroom?”
“I didn’t see anything, but I wasn’t really looking. Why don’t you take a walk and see what you can find? I’ll keep an eye on our friends.”
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: No More Lies (Book 3) Page 36
