Liberation_Age of Expansion_A Kurtherian Gambit Series

by Craig Martelle

  “That is your welcome-to-the-inner-circle moment. We’re going to tell everyone, and it’s even better than that.” Kim pointed down the corridor. “We have video.”

  Onyx Station

  Nathan approached Terry and Char, but turned quickly away when he saw the look on Terry’s face.

  “I see you!” Char called.

  “Hey! There you are. I was looking for you,” Nathan replied quickly.

  The purple-eyed werewolf shook her head.

  “Kimber just sent me a video. Have you seen it?”

  “Been busy,” Terry grumbled, holding up two armloads of packages. “When will my winnings be transferred?”

  “Already done. Directly to the Bad Company’s commercial entertainment department for consideration of the franchise purchase of one All Guns Blazing brew pub.”

  Terry looked confused.

  “I told him to do it,” Char said, “for your present.”

  “You used my money to buy me a present?” Terry raised one eyebrow. He couldn’t hold his arms up because of the package, but he had an entire routine that he usually went through.

  “Of course. We’re married. That’s how it works. Would you have bought that for yourself?”

  “Maybe. I probably would have filled a bathtub with credits and gotten a picture of me swimming in it so we could have it framed and mounted on Nathan’s office wall.”

  “See? My way was better.”

  Terry wasn’t sure he agreed. “The bets are paid and done?”

  “They are,” Nathan confirmed.

  “Son of a glitching, bung-tapping iceholes. I’m back!”

  Nathan shrugged. Char shook her head. She didn’t know either.

  “What a twunting dickwhistle sample bender!” Terry declared with a big smile.

  “I think one too many violent blows to the head,” Char said. “Maybe we should get that checked out, but after we go back to our quarters. We were able to snag the suite that had the chocolate shower. Toodles!”

  Char headed for the elevator.

  “Thanks for the bar, Nathan. I know you didn’t have to do that.”

  “And you didn’t have to pay the price you did to remove the Skrima from our dimension. Not that any number of credits can bring someone back to life, but I have it on good authority that your people are working on a cryo-drone to secure severely wounded so they can be stabilized for repair in the Pod-doc. It’s not a new idea, but they’ve put it together in a way that will make it work.”

  “A day late and a dollar short, but better now than never.” Terry didn’t have anything more profound than old Earth sayings. He wondered how Cory was doing. The War Axe was tied into an IICS.

  He wanted to call his daughter. He hurried after his wife because they could do that from their quarters.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Chicago, Earth

  “Taxi! Get your taxi here!” the hawker yelled. His vehicle was behind him. There were no others in the area. There were no other people either.

  “I think he’s yelling at us,” Ted stated the obvious.

  “We do need a taxi,” Joseph admitted. “It beats walking. I’ve already done that here, more times than I can count. Lots and lots of walking.”

  “No one will recognize you. Not this time. No black leather.” Cory pointed to their casual slacks and short-sleeved shirts. Joseph’s hair was slicked back. He was still pasty white because starships weren’t the galaxy’s best tanning spots.

  Bundin hung out in the hatch once again, angry at being left behind.

  Dokken was happy to be going, but he had sworn never to let Cory out of his sight. The German Shepherd had adhered to his commitment and had no intention of changing.

  “You said you know where to go?” Cory asked.

  “I do. At least the last time I talked with them, they were in the same area,” Kailin answered.

  Joseph carried the IICS like a briefcase. He wore a light jacket, behind which he had the cavalry shortsword that he’d traded Terry Henry for over a century earlier, not far from where they now stood.

  Petricia was also hesitant to move, for the same reasons as Joseph, and different ones, too. She had great memories of their time in North Chicago, of their whirlwind romance after Joseph rescued her from the clutches of Forsaken in South Africa. Then the renegade werewolves had tried to kill her, and the blood traders had taken her prisoner. She was happy to have no memories of that time. Joseph was more aware because he’d seen the depravity in his captors’ minds. Their liberation was a long time ago, but for vampires it seemed like yesterday.

  “We should have suggested Aaron and Yanmei come instead of us,” Joseph said as his feet refused to move.

  Petricia hugged her husband’s arm. “You guys go without us.”

  Kailin held his hands out. “I’m not a warrior. And neither are you.” Kailin motioned to both Cory and Ted. “You might be, or you could be just a dog.”

  I am not just a dog, Dokken replied, the hackles on his back standing. Kailin didn’t hear. He didn’t have the chip.

  “Want some jerky?” Kai asked as he produced a small piece from his pocket. He held it out, but Dokken didn’t move.

  “He’s sentient, and he talks.” Cory looked down her nose at her nephew.

  “Clearly not to me,” Kai replied.

  “Need a chip. Go ahead,” she told Dokken. The German Shepherd smiled wryly as he took the jerky, nipping Kai’s fingers as he pulled it free.

  “Dumb dog!” Kai sucked on his injured digits.

  Ted shifted uncomfortably. He leaned toward the taxi, wondering why they were delaying.

  I can’t believe you’re related to the dumb human.

  “I am,” Cory answered, reaching down to scratch Dokken behind his ears. He leaned into her hand. The faint blue glow appeared as they briefly shared nanocytes.

  “You are what?”

  “Related to a dumb human.” Cory faced Joseph and Petricia. “What my clumsy nephew is trying to say is that we need you. We’re a team. We have to find Terry, Char, and Billy, so we can move on, find Sarah and Sylvia.”

  “I know you’re right, but I have bad memories of this place. And they didn’t happen that long ago. Do you know anything about the blood trade, Kailin?”

  “The separate battles fought by Grandpa, Michael, and Valerie drove it far underground, but it still exists. With a group our size, we’ll be fine. It’s never good to be alone.”

  “Like you were in San Francisco?” Cory wanted to hug him, but he stepped back.

  “What’s with evil and their ability to find like-minded souls, heartless bastards?”

  “Maybe the evil convinces decent people that the dark path is the right one to travel.” Joseph took a step, relieved that his feet decided they were able to move. “I have my shortsword, just in case.”

  “I have Grandpa’s .45.” Kai lifted the back of his shirt.

  “Are you any good with that thing?”

  “Have you ever fired this?” Kai told Cory. “Close counts when shooting a cannon.”

  “You should see Dad’s new toy. He can blow up buildings with it.” Cory smiled at Kailin before turning to Joseph.

  “Shall we, my dear?” Joseph said pleasantly, motioning for Cory and Petricia to precede him. Dokken trotted ahead to sniff the ground and make sure the way ahead was safe. The taxi driver waved for them to come closer, even though they were already walking his way.

  Kailin hurried ahead and caught up with Dokken.

  “You’re sentient? I didn’t know, buddy. I never thought about what to ask a dog before, but I guess, what I want to know is how do you know where to pee?”

  Dokken looked forlornly over his shoulder. His ears sagged against his head. His mouth popped open and his tongue fell out as he started to pant. Cory nodded in sympathy.

  Yes. You’re clearly related. I pity humanity.

  The taxi driver was holding the door open as they arrived. “I’m not sure you’re going to a
ll fit. Maybe just the women and the dog,” he suggested. “I can come back for the rest.”

  Joseph didn’t bother with pleasantries. He grabbed the man’s face and stared into his eyes, to deepen the effect of digging into his mind. The driver winced as Joseph forced his way in. Joseph started to growl, deep in his throat like an animal.

  “Okay, pal. There’s clearly something wrong with you, so you’re going in the trunk.” Cory didn’t bother to find out what made Joseph upset. She opened the lid and waited. Joseph dragged the man to the rear of the car and stuffed him inside. She slammed the lid closed.

  “Anyone know how to drive one of these?” Joseph wondered aloud.

  “I do, and I know the way,” Kailin answered. He jumped in the driver’s seat and the others took the empty seats. Dokken climbed in the back with Cory, choosing to sit on her lap instead of Joseph’s and Petricia’s.

  Ted sat up front and maintained an interface with Plato. Ramses’ Chariot took off as they drove away. It gained altitude but stayed over the taxi. Its shadow splashed across buildings as they drove into town from what used to be O’Hare International Airport.

  Kai drove confidently, demonstrating that he did know where he was going. They turned frequently once they left the main road. The others quickly became disoriented, but not Joseph. These were his old stomping grounds. Decades of preying on those who no one would miss. The unwitting meals of an unwilling vampire.

  They pulled in front of a house in a more upscale area. There was a yard, overgrown with weeds, like most lawns. But the windows were in good repair with their shades open. “That’s where Billy lived, last time I was here.”

  Ted jumped out and hurried to the front door. He turned when he got there, annoyed that Joseph was still getting out of the car. Ted ran back, took the IICS, and returned to the front door, pounding on it unmercifully.

  “Why doesn’t he answer?” Ted grumbled as he kept pounding.

  “Who for fuck’s sake thinks they can pound on my door like they’re swinging a battering ram? What’s wrong with you, dickless? I’m coming down there to kick your ass!”

  “Billy! You get down here right now!” Ted yelled at the open window.

  “Dad?” The figure from upstairs disappeared. They heard him pound down the steps. The door flew open and Billy launched himself into Ted, hugging him fiercely. Ted didn’t hug him back.

  “You’re making a spectacle. I need you to call your mother.”

  “Of course I’m making a spectacle. I’m like Mom. I love people!”

  “Moments ago, you were going to come down here and kick my ass.”

  “Valid point. I love people who aren’t beating down my door at the crack of noon. Some people need their beauty sleep! Cordelia, is that you?”

  Ted started setting up the IICS. Joseph interrupted him. “Maybe we do that inside?”

  Cory hugged Billy and they mobbed inside.

  While the others made small talk, Ted set up the comm console on the dining room table.

  “Where is your brother and sister?” Ted asked while he put the finishing touches on the setup.

  “Rence lives on that side and Lita lives over there.” Billy pointed from one side of the house to the other.

  “Rence and Lita?” Ted asked.

  “There’s already a Terry and Char, the galaxy’s power couple. They wanted their own identity. I’m good with Billy, Dad. I’m a down to earth kind of guy. Grassroots and all that good stuff. Rocking the ganja weed, living life to the fullest.”

  Ted’s expression didn’t change. “Are you speaking English? It sounds like it but it doesn’t. Plato? Please update the linguistics database.”

  “That’s my dad. I’ve missed you and Mom.” Billy was the emotional one, more so than the other two. They had lost patience with their father more than once when they didn’t understand how he could retreat so easily into an emotionless shell.

  Their mother told them that was where he felt safe, and they shouldn’t bother him when his shields were in place.

  “Felicity?” Ted asked the device. “Are you there?”

  The units connected, but the screen was dark. “Hello,” a tired voice drawled.

  “Felicity! I found Billy, and he wants to talk with you.”

  “Billy, my dear, how are you?” The light popped on and Felicity smiled beatifically at the pad she was using to interface with the IICS.

  “We’re okay, Mom. If you give me a couple minutes, I’ll get Rence and Lita so we can all talk with you.” Billy handed the device back to Ted.

  “They live next door. Three houses in a row,” Ted clarified. “They call themselves Rence and Lita. Did you hear that?”

  “I did,” Felicity drawled pleasantly. “It’s okay, Ted. Those are the names we gave them. They shortened them a different way, but they are still our children. Billy looks good! Earth must be treating them right.”

  Ted touched the screen. He knew she was on the other side of the universe, and as frustrated as her emotions made him, she understood him better than anyone else. “I’ll come home to you soon. We think Sylvia is in Pittsburgh, our next stop, and hopefully she’ll know where Sarah is.”

  “If anyone can find them, I know it’s you.” Felicity touched the screen as Ted was doing.

  Joseph and Petricia looked away. They weren’t used to seeing that side of Ted. Cory sat next to Ted and draped an arm over his shoulders.

  “Uncle Ted is magnificent,” Cory added. Ted blinked rapidly and looked at the floor.

  Dokken shoved his face against Ted’s head so he could see the screen.

  “Who is that delightful creature?” Felicity asked playfully as she felt more awake. “Dokken! We miss you around here. Maybe you can find yourself a mate and bring home some puppies. They would be loved from the top to the bottom of Keeg Station.”

  Dokken stopped and cocked his head. Do they have German Shepherds like me on Earth? he asked. Felicity couldn’t hear, so Cory shared what he said.

  “There is no one like you, Dokken, but there are German Shepherds. Big, beautiful dogs. Irish Wolfhounds, wolves, and so many more. The smaller dogs didn’t survive the Wastelands, but you’re a big handsome man and deserve a big beautiful woman!”

  Yes, I do! Dokken exclaimed, his tongue hanging out of his face, and drool splattering on Ted’s leg and the floor.

  Ted and Felicity’s three children walked in together, saving Cory from having to relay what Dokken was saying.

  “Dad!” Charlita called easily with a slight Southern twang. Ted stood, stumbling over the big dog as he made to greet the kids.

  He assumed his dad persona and hugged them one by one. Billy took it with a shrug, dismissing the earlier chill, which he had learned to never take personally.

  Ted shuffled his feet and looked at the device on the table. “Your mother wants to talk with you,” he said, pointing.

  “Is she in orbit? Why doesn’t she come down?” Terrence wondered aloud.

  “She’s on the other side of the galaxy,” Joseph clarified, smiling at the three werewolves. “Ted invented this device for one reason, so Felicity could talk with her children. And I don’t want to be dramatic, but the unit’s power source came at a very high price.”

  “For us?” Lita asked.

  “For all humanity,” Cory answered. “Even if that means aliens.” She closed her eyes and slowly moved aside to give the three space before the IICS.

  “There you are, my lovelies!”

  The group moved away to allow the family privacy. Joseph stayed near the window where he could watch out. “Do you think we should let the taxi driver out of the trunk?” he asked.

  Kailin chuckled. “I’ll take care of it.” He went outside.

  Cory sat in an overstuffed chair and disappeared into her own thoughts. Petricia kneeled beside her. “We’ll be on our way soon. Ted will leave the IICS here. We’ll find Sylvia.”

  Cordelia nodded slowly, her lips white from clenching her jaw so tightly
.

  “I’ll kill you!” the taxi driver yelled as he tried to jump from the trunk and attack Kailin. He stumbled as he came out, landing on his face. He rolled to his feet and ran at Kailin. Kai dodged and tripped the man as he passed.

  “You were thinking some pretty foul thoughts in regards to my aunt and my friend, so here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to calm the fuck down, or I will beat you senseless and toss your dumbass back in the trunk. We’ll be returning to the airfield shortly. You can drive us, or you can ride in the trunk. The choice depends not on what you say, but what you do.”

  Veins stood out on the man’s face as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

  “You’re making this decision easy for us. I want to punch your face so bad,” Kai told the man as he raised his fists and maneuvered toward the driver. The man relaxed and held his hands up in surrender.

  “See? That wasn’t so hard.”

  Ted was the first out the door. When he reached the taxi, he stopped to wave, but the others had followed him out. His children hugged him again. He was embarrassed, since this was in public. The rest said their good-byes and started to pile into the cab.

  “Why are you taking that thing?” Billy asked.

  “It’s our ride,” Ted replied matter-of-factly.

  “We’ll take you back to the airport,” Rence offered.

  Ted pointed at the ship hovering a few hundred meters overhead.

  “Holy shitsickles, Dad! Is that your spaceship?”

  “It is Ted’s spaceship, called Ramses’ Chariot. Ted and Plato defeated the evil AI that was running a blockade that we were called in to break. I don’t want to brag, but twenty-five of us took over twenty ships and captured more than a thousand prisoners. It was a masterful stroke.”

  Petricia looked annoyed. Joseph laughed.

  Kai threw the car keys to the taxi driver. “Don’t let us see your face around here again.” The man didn’t wait to be told a second time. He jumped in, revved the engine, and squealed the tires on his way out of the neighborhood.

  “Ted and Ankh were both exceptional. Their minds defeated that of an alien artificial intelligence. We have a rematch coming. I expect Ten will be waiting for us, far more prepared than it was the last time.”