Truehearts & The Escape From Pirate Moon

by Jake Macklem

  Cam removed the percolator from the hotplate and carefully poured himself a cup of rich aromatic coffee. Replacing the pot, he picked up his cup and smelled the fresh brew. Haven’t had coffee this good since… well ever. This almost makes this moon worth the trouble. Sipping his coffee, Cam smiled. Almost. I’ll bring some home, Gwen. If I can’t bring platinum, I can at least bring home good coffee.

  Savoring his drink, he felt a strange vibration in the ground and a familiar sound in the distance. He knew he should recognize the sound, and made a strange face trying to place it. It repeated, then he heard footsteps coming down the main entrance.

  “Shaw! Shaw!” Ace shouted from the tunnel. Bursting into the chamber, she slid to a stop and gave him a delighted smile. “They’re here, Cowboy!”

  Cam stood up. “The pirates? That only took a week. I’m impressed Red.”

  She nodded and she ran to her equipment. “Thanks. They’re coming in on a Quidle Cruiser, shooting at the Not-buffalo.”

  He suddenly recognized the sound. “They shot the ships mag guns! Why would they do that?” Cam asked as he casually picked up his rifle.

  “Cause they’re pirates. They like to shoot and kill stuff. It’s what pirates do.” Ace picked up two backpacks. One was jammed full, bulging at the seams. The other was only half-full but she was very careful about moving it.

  Cam strolled across the chamber to the small back-entrance, opposite where Ace had just arrived. “That’s just wasteful and cruel.”

  Ace hurried to the stacked circle in the middle of the chamber. “Yeah, ‘cause pirates are usually so conscientious and kind.”

  “The Not-buffalo aren’t gonna hurt them. It’s just… It’s evil.” Cam stopped and stashed a backpack in the shooting blind he had set up near the smaller opening. He set his coffee down on his shooting bench. “That really burns my backside.”

  “Whoa, Cowboy, you don’t want your boys hearing you talk like that,” Ace jabbed.

  He set his gun down and looked at her. “You’re right, the boys shouldn’t hear me talk like that, but sometimes I just get so angry, I…” He paused. “You were making fun of me, weren’t you?”

  Ace turned so he could not see her grin. “No. I don’t know if I could survive the verbal abuse that would incur.”

  They heard the ship land, the ramp drop, and shouting. Ace took her position behind the metal crates, hidden from the main entrance where the pirates would enter but still in Cam’s line of sight.

  He took position behind his rigged shooting bench, chambered a round, and checked his line of fire through the scope of his rifle. “You sure you want to do this, Red? I mean… you don’t have to be the bait.” He took a sip of coffee.

  Ace looked thoughtfully at her metal spike. “It’s a good plan. Just stick to it and we’ll get off this rock right now.”

  Ain’t never met someone like her. She knows this is it. If we don’t get off this moon right now, it ain’t gonna happen. Cam ran his tongue along his teeth. “Well then, see you on the ship, Red.”

  Ace locked eyes with him from her cover and gave a single nod. “See you on the ship, Cowboy.”

  Cam watched the pirates shuffle down the tunnel. They were armed with a selection of small sidearms and a couple of combat rifles. Entering the chamber, they let loose with whistles and sounds of awe.

  “What a haul.”

  “We’ll be set for a while.”

  “Captain done good.”

  The ten men chattered and spread out into the chamber, examining the corners and ceiling. “Captain said to watch for the spider-things.”

  One of the crewmen looked at a group of boxes. “Some of these are opened.”

  “Aye, some here too,” another barked. “Someone check out that circle of crates. I don’t remember that.”

  Two of the crewmen with laser pistols up, ready to fire, veered toward the center of the chamber. Creeping closer, they scanned for danger. One walked around the outside of the circle while the other moved through the small opening near the pillars.

  Through the scope, Cam watched Ace grab the pirate’s gun hand at the wrist and chop the edge of her other palm into his throat.

  Ouch. I know how much that hurts.

  Grabbing the pirate by his head, Ace spun his head around and tossed the falling body behind the crates. Damn. One down, nine to go.

  The other crewman turned toward the sounds. “What was that? You okay?”

  Taking a few steps forward, Ace grabbed the next pirate’s shooting arm. Using his body as a set of stairs and his arm for balance, she flipped over him, ripping his arm out of the socket. The crewman fell backward screaming as Ace landed, holding his laser pistol.

  Unbelievable. Dislocated that arm for sure.

  The remaining pirates turned to see Ace charging toward a group on the west side of the chamber while firing the laser pistol at the pirates on the east side, the beams taking them low, piercing their legs but not killing. One of the east side pirates opened fire while she sprinted. She focused her fire at him and a beam of light seared through his kneecap. He cried out and as he fell, kept firing his gun, bullets tearing through his nearby comrades, splattering blood and brain across the cave. The last east side pirate stared at his dead friends that he killed; his anger boiled as he aimed at Ace. “You tart!”

  Language son! Cam’s rifle cracked and the pirate’s gun hand exploded, his auto-pistol spinning across the floor of the cavern. Aghast and in agony the wounded man stared at his bloody stump and wailed.

  Ace had closed the distance to the other trio of goons. They spun around and fired, but she slid across the ground, the beams and bullets flying over her. Grabbing a leg of the nearest pirate, she yanked and he fell forward, instinctively reaching out, his pistol still firing. The bullets bounced off the iron ground in sparks. He landed on his face and did not move.

  You might have to get your nose fixed.

  Still moving, she grappled the arms of the closest scallywag, pinning his weapon arm behind him and pulling him off balance. Adding his weight and momentum to her own, she hurled him sidelong into another thug.

  As both men crashed to the ground, Ace was already launching herself off a nearby crate. Gliding through the air, she led with her elbow and felt his sternum crack, a scream gurgling from his throat. More shots rang out as the last two crewmen still on their feet, opened fire. Bullets ricocheted, spitting dirt and iron fragments into the air.

  The pirate she had knocked down with his own mate stood again, shaking his head and raising his pistol. Ace darted behind him and yanked him close, using him as a shield. The force of the bullets hitting him knocked her off balance and she slipped to the ground.

  The pirates’ guns clicked as they ran out of ammo. As they frantically rushed to reload, Ace looked up at them. The right shoulder of one of the pirates exploded in a burst of red blood, white bone, and crimson meat. Crying out, the pirate dropped his gun and fell backward with the force.

  Cam looked at the last target. So, you’re the lucky one.

  “You shot him with your eyes!” The final pirate looked around the room at his dead, dying, and disabled companions then at Ace. “Ye be an angel of death!” He turned and fled out of the chamber and down the tunnel.

  Go tell your friends, like a good stooge. The chamber had been cleared of pirates in about fifteen seconds. That was amazing, Red.

  Ace pushed the dead pirate off her and stood up. “That went pretty good.”

  The pirates that were still alive moaned and cried for help. Cam had only fired twice, but put a fresh magazine in his rifle. “Could have been worse.”

  Walking quickly through the surviving men, Ace kicked away any firearms within reach. “What do you mean it could have gone worse? It couldn’t have gone much better, neither of us died. I think your expectations are higher than mine.”

  “Only thing I expect is to get off this rock.” Cam moved around the room checking each downed pirate, making sure none were a th
reat.

  Ace hurried to the half-circled crates. Grabbing both backpacks, she started toward the main entrance and the pirate’s ship. The sharp, pulsed whine of a plasma discharge rang through the tunnel. “Think we scared them?” she asked.

  You scare me, so… “No doubt.” Cam watched Ace climb up the wall and then over the entrance of the chamber until she rested on one of the small ledges they had prepared as a hiding spot. Her position there was crucial to the next part of their plan. She pressed herself against the wall as they heard the remaining pirates coming.

  The crew entered the chamber with weapons ready, nervously scanning the room for threats. Cam felt a cold chill as the pirates kept coming; over two dozen Peoples. A Gargin, who looked to be made of striped rocks, carried a heavy machine gun capable of firing its entire clip of fifty rounds in less than five seconds. He was the most dangerous threat in the chamber.

  The wounded crewmen called out, asking for help. The Gargin knelt next to the man with the broken sternum. “What happened?”

  “A woman…with red hair…” The man winced and coughed blood.

  Pointing at a cluster of pirates the Gargin shouted, “You! Circle round that way.” Standing, he pointed at a smaller group and said, “You’re coming with me, deeper into the chamber. The rest of you,” he addressed the remaining crewman, “stay close together and cover our asses.” The rock man turned and led his team toward the inner circle of crates.

  Cam’s sphincter tightened when the piton holding Ace loosened, shifting some stone to crumble and roll down the wall. She ducked down before the pirates turned, but a few started calling out.

  “What was that?”

  “It was behind us.”

  “Anyone see anything?”

  Flashlight beams danced over Ace’s hiding spot, threatening to reveal her location.

  Damn it. Cam squeezed off a single round, aimed in the far corner of the chamber. The crack of the rifle echoed through the chamber and the bullet bounced and sparked, making it nearly impossible for the searching pirates to locate the shooter. This is your window, Red.

  As if she heard him, she rolled off the ledge and dropped the three meters to the ground. Flashlights beams strobed through the chamber as the pirates spun toward the sound. Cam squeezed off another shot while she absorbed the shock of the landing. A circle of light fell on her. Is she smiling? Ace darted for the big entrance, one pack on her back the other in her hand. Bullets and lasers filled the chamber as pirates opened undisciplined fire at Ace.

  Cam located the Gargin as he lifted the massive machine gun level and pulled the trigger, bursts of fire exploding from the end of the barrel. Exhaling, Cam squeezed his rifle trigger and watched the Gargin’s back left shoulder crack and splinter like glass. The giant man staggered forward, roaring like an avalanche, but did not stop firing his weapon. Cam fired again; this time the Gargin’s shoulder exploded completely, grey, oil-like blood sprayed in all directions as he fell to the ground.

  Quickly adjusting his rifle over the firing bench, Cam saw Ace sprinting up the entrance. She’s not holding it! Scanning the ground, Cam saw the half-full backpack ten meters behind her. Move it, Red!

  The pirates started to follow her to the entrance, some of them even shooting down the tunnel. He desperately wanted to give her just a little more time but the pirate crew was not going to let him. Exhaling, he shot the pack of explosives. The blast shook the chamber, cracking the tunnel walls and ceiling as the concussive force flung the closest pirates through the air. Large rocks fell and crashed together, blocking the main entrance.

  Cam took a swig of his coffee and tossed the cup as he hopped up and scrambled the steep incline to his nearby backpack. He slipped it on and locked it in place over the strap of his rifle then grabbed the two grenades at his waist. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the pins, rolled the grenades down the incline, and ran the other way. As he cleared the entrance a thunderous boom shook the ground and sent dirt and debris out of the cave.

  Stepping from the cloud, Cam grabbed the hanging rope and started climbing. I really hope I didn’t kill you, Red.

  25: Ace

  Under the transparent dome that kept out the vacuum of space, Cadet Hart walked to the main gate of Camp Crescent. Her head was down, hands deep in the pockets of her black leather jacket. She barely noticed the troop of soldiers running past her.

  Cadet Smith jogged up to walk with her. “You taking your leave?’

  “Yeah. Got tired of everyone staring at me.” Ace kept walking, her eyes downcast.

  Smith looked ashamed. “She died Hart,” she began quietly. “We all knew it could happen, but the way Diaz just tossed her in the water. None of us were prepared. We could have saved her.”

  Ace spun around to face Smith and snapped, “Her name was Anderson. Amber Anderson! You dumb hussies! You blame me and Diaz for Anderson’s death but she was already dead. We all are! What do you think Diaz was trying to teach us there? As soon as we walked through those gates we died! Now we can never forget it.”

  Smith’s face went white, her glare fierce as she demanded, “What was so important you let her die, Ace?”

  I just can’t get through Smith’s thick skull. “You still don’t get it.”

  “And you won’t tell me where you’re going?” Smith looked around and asked just loud enough to be heard. “Are you coming back?”

  Ace snapped her mouth shut and swallowed. “I already told you. To get some dick.” She turned and hurried to the transport shuttle.

  “I don’t want to do this alone, shank-hole,” Smith shouted after her.

  She was still watching Ace when she closed the shuttle door. A moment later the vessel lifted off and flew through the force window.

  I never did tell her the truth. How would I explain anything so crazy? I should have told her. I get that now.

  The shuttle flew away from the Mars base through space for Luna, the Earth’s moon. Her viewport pointed away from the planet and not even the moon was visible from this angle. Ace stared out into the vast blackness of the Verse, shifting nervously in her seat, fidgeting with the zipper of her jacket.

  The trip took hours, but I still hadn’t figured out what to say.

  The shuttle docked and the door slid open. Armed guards entered the vessel and leveled their guns, sweeping the transport; Ace sat, unmoving. One of the guards stepped forward. “Please slowly stand up and exit the craft,” he said, his voice hard and commanding. Ace complied.

  She stepped onto the station. The transport bay was large and open, without the usual bustle of a dock. The lack of crowds and cover left Ace feeling exposed. A dozen armored and armed guards lined the bulkheads, aiming their weapons at her. Their soft-fire rifles would pierce flesh and armor but not the hull plating of the space station. “Stop there,” a guard said. Ace did.

  A door opened and a Sidarian with a face carved and scarred by years of experience stepped into the transport bay. His stride was as crisp as his uniform and he briskly crossed the hanger, studying Ace with a surprised expression. “You are not what I expected.”

  “Sorry to disappoint,” Ace retorted.

  “I am Warden Cilphu Torlic.”

  Ace leveled her gaze. “Nice to meet you.”

  “I did not receive your name in the request.” Cilphu let the implication hang in the air.

  Ace smiled—a polite gesture that did nothing to warm her eyes. “There was no request Warden, only an order from the United Sol Counsel.” Her smile froze. “Are you prepared to follow that order or are we gonna stand here until you realize my balls are bigger than yours?”

  Cilphu blinked his orange eyes and flicked his tail. “Follow me.” He led the way through the hallways to a room that was bare except for a table with a prison uniform on it. “You will change here. Leave your clothes on the table. Nothing from outside the station can leave this room with you. Is that clear?”

  “Yes.” Ace walked past the Sidarian and started undressing, tossin
g her black leather jacket onto the table along with the rest of her clothes.

  “I don’t know who you are or why you’re here, but I know the prisoner you are about to see. He’s on a space station prison for a reason.”

  The warden ticked off each item on his fingers. “The man is dangerous beyond measure. He’s been here almost four years and in that time he has been involved in a long list of violent acts and disobedience. He has wounded over a dozen guards and twice as many prisoners. He has spent almost half his time here in solitary confinement.” He stopped and watched Ace zipped the prisoner's uniform shut. She had reacted to nothing he said. “Do you have any idea who this man is?”

  “Better than you do.” Ace walked barefoot toward the warden. Her feet slapped against the frigid steel of the station deck, echoing sharply around the room.

  Cilphu studied her face. “He will shank you up little girl,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

  Ace grabbed the front of the warden's pants and dug her fingertips hard into the soft flesh “Then I’ll just have to shank him first, won’t I?”

  He squirmed and shook his head in vehement agreement.

  Ace twisted her wrist and gave a sharp jerk. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “Good plan,” Cilphu squeaked. “Will you let go now?”

  “Call me little girl again… next time I’ll rip it off and feed it to you.” She pushed him back. Cilphu stumbled to keep his balance. “Now take me to the prisoner before I get annoyed.”

  Cilphu straighten himself and his clothes and winced as he started walking gingerly to the door. Ace followed behind, casually ignoring his discomfort.

  Down a few more hallways they entered a secured area. After Cilphu realized he left his key behind, the guards buzzed them through a series of locked doors. Finally, Ace was let into an interrogation room—a fifteen-foot cube with a metal chair welded to the floor. The sterile room was uninviting. The cold floor chilled her feet.