Recollection: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Ghost Squadron Book 6)

by Sarah Noffke

  She immediately regretted yelling. Her voice echoed off the metal, making her ears ring. She couldn’t see a damn thing in the darkened tunnel. “Hand me a flashlight,” Julianna said, squeezing her hand behind her and combing her fingers in Eddie’s direction.

  “Damn it, Jules,” Eddie said, searching his belt. “There could be a fire or any kind of damage in there. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

  “Eddie, flashlight! Now!”

  “Here!”

  Something cold was slapped into Julianna’s hand. She negotiated her arm back in front of her, scratching her skin on the seams of the metal encasing her.

  When she turned on the flashlight, her heart sank. “Fuck,” she sighed.

  “What is it? Did you find him?” Eddie asked from by her feet.

  Julianna began to inch her way down the tunnel, toward the dog’s ass, which was most of what she could make out, twenty feet away.

  “Yes. He’s on his side and looks to be pinned where the tunnel caved in overhead,” Julianna explained. Her progress was slow, but considering she had an inch of room between her and the tunnel, her speed was fairly good.

  “Ricky Bobby scanned that area,” Eddie called in to her. “That whole section is unstable, and likely to cave from pressure overhead.”

  “So I’ll be fast,” Julianna muttered in response.

  “Fuck, Jules!” Eddie growled.

  You’re risking your life for an animal again.

  So?

  So, you’re starting to get a reputation.

  For being an idiot?

  For having a heart.

  That’s inherently false. I’m only bored. That’s why I’m doing this.

  It isn’t because you love that dog?

  Right now, I despise that dog.

  So you’re risking your life to save him?

  I can’t have the mutt clogging up the vents.

  Liesel is in charge of ship maintenance. Shouldn’t she be the one on this?

  I’m already in here, and she’s probably not strong enough to do what’s got to be done to get Harley out.

  And what’s got to be done?

  I’ve got no fucking clue. I’ll figure it out, though.

  Harley whimpered as Julianna approached. Between the caving metal, Julianna spied his face as he tried to curl up to look at her. When he moved, he yelped in pain, echoing loudly in the tunnel. The entire section shifted, and the metal pinning him slid further into his ribcage.

  “What’s going on?” Eddie called.

  “It’s okay,” Julianna called to Harley, her voice soft. “I’m going to get you out of here.”

  She struggled to pull a full breath into her lungs. The clogged section of the vent had little fresh air.

  Harley whimpered again.

  It tore at the heart Julianna didn’t think she had. What is happening to me lately? I seem to…care—and more than about the greater good or the Federation. I care about this dog, and my team, and, if I’m honest with myself, Eddie.

  Fuck my life.

  I heard that.

  The ‘fuck my life’ part?

  The caring part.

  Like I said, fuck my life.

  When Julianna was close enough, she reached out for the metal protruding into Harley’s back end.

  He snapped at her, then emitted a soft, regretful growl, low in his throat.

  “Hey, I’m trying to help,” Julianna scolded.

  From the other side of the metal, Julianna spied the look of remorse on Harley’s face.

  He’s in pain and scared. That’s what animals and children do when they’re afraid. They react. They snap at those trying to help.

  She sighed. Dammit. How am I going to get him out?

  The tunnel shook. Julianna threw her hand out, holding up the metal section that had fallen into Harley to keep it from stabbing more deeply into his flesh.

  If you’re not too busy...

  This is about the worst time ever, Julianna replied, trying to push the metal section up. Harley growled, nipping at her.

  I can sense that, but I thought you should know that the vent tunnel isn’t going to hold much longer.

  You’re a dear. Thanks for the info.

  I’m not done providing sage wisdom.

  Is that what you’re doing? Julianna punched into the metal, trying force it back up and meeting defeat again. “Dammit!” she shouted out in frustration.

  According to the blueprints for the ship, on the other side of Harley, there is an access door that leads to the floor below you.

  On the other side of the dog.

  Yes, you’re listening. Great.

  The dog who I can’t free, nor get around.

  The broken metal of the vent was wedged so firmly into Harley’s side that Julianna thought she’d have to retreat and have him cut out. She didn’t know if he that kind of time.

  What if you pushed him forward, over the access vent? Pip asked.

  Julianna was about to argue, but paused.

  Pip, that’s actually a really good idea.

  I’m full of them, you’ll find.

  Work on the modesty, though.

  She was having zero luck with trying to push the metal that was pinning Harley out of the way. Urging the dog forward would hurt him a great deal, but it could possibly free him from the stuck metal.

  Securing her hands on Harley’s back end, Julianna pressed her toes and elbows underneath her. She’d have to push swiftly, to clear him of the space and minimize his wounds.

  You can do this, Pip encouraged.

  I can’t tell you how much I need to hear that right now. Julianna gritted down hard on her teeth.

  I know.

  Julianna drew in a breath. On the exhale she pressed her arms straight, pushing Harley.

  He snapped at her, letting out another yelp.

  “I know. I know,” Julianna said through a grunt.

  The broken piece of the tunnel released and Julianna knocked it hard. She unleashed a great deal of strength forcing the broken section of the vent back. Now that Harley was out of the way and she didn’t have to worry about harming him she could push her limits. With the vent cleared, Julianna spied the giant laceration from Harley’s spine to the middle of his stomach.

  His insides spilled out, and he roared with fearful pain.

  Julianna gritted her teeth, blocking out the desperate whimpering of the dog. She forced harder, pushing up onto her knees and bolting forward.

  The grate of the access door pinched her legs.

  “Fucking hell!” Julianna rejoiced, pushing once more. She knew that every movement was endangering Harley, but she had to get him out of there.

  The tunnel shifted, dropping down a foot and leaning to the side. Julianna kicked her heel into the access door once. Twice. On the third time, the grate fell, clattering to the ground.

  “Tell Eddie that I’m—”

  “Julianna! Is that you?” Eddie’s voice called underneath her.

  On it! Pip exclaimed.

  Thanks.

  Julianna grabbed onto Harley, careful to hold him in a way that didn’t put more stress on his wounds. She pushed her legs out of the access area and felt hands wrap around them. Eddie lowered her to the ground, and Julianna looked up at him. Her mouth fell open but nothing came out.

  Eddie’s eyes shot to Harley in her arms. “Is he—”

  A loud groan stole their attention. The vent dropped several inches, bolts flying off in different directions. Eddie yanked both Julianna and Harley to the side.

  Julianna continued moving forward, getting as far as she could from the duct before it crashed to the ground. She didn’t stop when they were in the clear.

  “Where are you going?” Eddie asked, running beside her. “The infirmary is the opposite direction.”

  “The doctors can’t save him,” Julianna said, pressing Harley firmer into her chest.

  They were both covered in his blood. His eyes were clo
sed, but she felt his heart still beating.

  “The Pod-doc?” Eddie asked.

  “It’s his only chance.” Julianna sped up, knowing they were running out of time.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Hatch’s Lab, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System

  “I don’t know,” Pip said, a laugh in his tone, “I think she’s kind of pretty.”

  “Pretty? I haven’t noticed,” Hatch said, spinning a wrench in one of his tentacles.

  “Oh, really?” Pip challenged. “Then why is that every time Liesel comes around, your temperature rises and your eight hearts beat faster?”

  Hatch puffed out his cheeks. “What? They do not.”

  “I can upload your stats for you to review, if you don’t believe me,” the AI teased.

  Hatch gave Knox a pointed stare that was meant for Pip. “I think that interfacing you with the lab was a bad idea. It’s obvious that you’re more of a distraction than an assistant.”

  “Not to mention that my observations regarding Liesel are challenging something that you’re in deep denial about,” Pip said.

  He doesn’t know when to stop, Hatch thought. And to think that Julie has to put up with him full-time… She must have unending patience.

  “I can totally get it,” Pip continued. “She’s smart, really pretty, has a spunk that you find interesting, and she’s—”

  “Pip!” Hatch yelled, startling Knox.

  Ignoring him, Pip said, “She’s not my type, if you must know. I prefer my ladies a little taller. Oh, and I love brunettes. Who says they aren’t as much fun as blondes? But you obviously have a thing for the pixie types, which I can respect.”

  “That’s quite enough!” Hatch’s head felt like it was about to explode. He had half a mind to downgrade Pip’s programming, turn him into an EI.

  “Oh, don’t get so excited,” Pip chortled. “I’m not implying anything is going on between you two. I mean, the anatomical conundrum that a human and Londil pairing poses is beyond my capacity to sort out. I’m only strongly suggesting that you have a little crush, which is completely normal for a Londil of your age when going through a mid-life crisis.”

  Hatch flung a wrench across the lab, throwing most of his tentacles above his head. It wasn’t that he was attracted to Liesel. He didn’t actually know what got to him about her.

  “I DO NOT like Liesel!” Hatch yelled, turning to leave the lab and escape the taunting.

  Hatch’s eyes widened. His mouth fell open. His eight hearts palpitated.

  Standing squarely in the entrance to his lab was Liesel Magner, a look of utter heartbreak on her face.

  “Uhhh…L-L-Liesel!” Hatch stammered.

  “Wow, this is a little uncomfortable,” Pip said in a squeaky voice. “I think I hear Julianna calling me. Gotta go!”

  The chief engineer drew herself up, lifting her chin. She reached down and picked up the wrench that Hatch had thrown across the room. “If you didn’t like me before, then you’re going to fully hate me now.”

  “Liesel, it’s not like that,” Hatch said in rush. “Pip was provoking me.”

  She shook her head, a pleasant smile now on her face. “It’s fine. I heard you clearly; although I’m sad about it, I know I can’t make anyone like me.”

  “Pip was making it sound like Hatch had a crush on you,” Knox cut in.

  Hatch closed his eyes for a beat, wishing he could disappear. He shook his head, looking at Knox. “Gunner, stay out of this.”

  “I was trying to help,” Knox explained, looking between Hatch and Liesel. “It’s all a big misunderstanding.”

  “Hey, Gunner, you know how I rehired you this morning?” Hatch asked.

  “Y-y-yeah,” Knox stuttered.

  “Well, you’re fired…again. Clear out.” Hatch pointed at the exit.

  Knox didn’t argue. Hopefully he knew that tomorrow he’d be rehired; Hatch needed space today.

  Dropping his tool on the workstation, Knox headed for the exit. Liesel gave him a sympathetic look as he passed.

  Hatch knew he was being cruel, but he couldn’t stop himself. Maybe it was the midlife crisis comment. Hatch wasn’t getting enhancements to his tentacles, or dyeing his skin like most Londils did when growing older…

  The baby blue Mustang 390GT he’d been working on caught his eye; the muscle cars were taking over his lab lately. Maybe he was “going through something,” but it was definitely none of Pip’s or anyone else’s business.

  “You really like your apprentice,” Liesel observed when they were alone.

  “I like you, too…professionally,” Hatch said, adding the last part a beat later.

  “And I hold only the highest level of respect for you,” Liesel said. “But Knox means a lot to you. He represents a part of yourself.”

  “He’s a kid I’m teaching.” Hatch shook his head, waddling back to his main workstation.

  “He’s the next generation of mechanics,” Liesel pressed.

  “What does that have to do with anything?” I don’t have time for this. He’d only completed one pair of the Saverus goggles, and finishing another one would take time, especially because he kept firing Knox.

  “Evolution is a healthy part of us and the organization that we’re a part of,” Liesel said.

  “And?”

  “And it can also challenge us,” Liesel continued.

  “I’m not feeling challenged enough,” Hatch declared. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

  “Maybe,” Liesel said, her voice doubtful. “I think it’s more likely that you’re afraid of what will happen to you as Ghost Squadron continues to evolve. Will there always be a place for Doctor A’Din Hatcherik? That place is surely going to change; it already has. Now you have a chief engineer you have to answer to. I don’t think you dislike me so much as I make you nervous because of what I represent.”

  Hatch’s face pinched with confused outrage. “I don’t have to answer to you.”

  Liesel wasn’t deterred, only continuing to smile at him. “I would think that, on this ship, we all answer to each other. That’s how a team works.”

  “This is ridiculous. And what do you mean by what you represent?” Hatch asked, his breath hot.

  “I represent the change. Before I was hired, you had full control over all the projects on the ship. And control is something I think you crave,” Liesel said casually.

  Hatch’s cheeks were burning hot with anger. He shook off the ridiculous notion. “Why are you here?”

  Liesel released a clever smile. “Why am I here? What are any of us doing here? It’s the grandest question.”

  “Oh, stop with your hippie bullshit!”

  “Fine.” Liesel pulled a pad from the holder on her waist, handing it to Hatch. “I’m specifically here because the captain and commander want you to take over on this project, since I need to focus on ship repairs.”

  Hatch took the pad, a sound of frustration falling from his mouth. “You’re not serious? I’m supposed to take over building the weapon?”

  Liesel shrugged weakly. “I prefer to call it the ‘leveling laser’ rather than ‘weapon’.”

  “It’s a weapon,” Hatch argued.

  “A bulldozer isn’t considered a weapon, but it does something similar.”

  “I don’t like that you play this semantic bullshit with me.”

  Liesel dared to smile sweetly. “I completely understand that me assigning you this project makes things tense. I know how you feel about the leveling laser.”

  She is either the dumbest person in the galaxy, or she has a death wish. “You’re not assigning me anything!” Hatch roared.

  “No, you’re right. This order came from the captain and commander, like I mentioned.”

  “Fine, I’ll do it—but only because we were nearly demolished by an alien race.” He glanced at the plans before handing back the pad.

  “Do you need me to send these blueprints over to you?” Liesel asked.

  “No, I just memorized t
hem.”

  The chief engineer tilted her head to the side, a calm look of respect on her face. “Okay. Thank you, Dr. A’Din Hatcherik.”

  “Whatever,” Hatch grumbled, putting his back to her.

  “Oh, and, Hatch?”

  “What?” he barked, opening the hood for the Mustang. He’d get started on the leveling laser soon; first, he needed to calm his nerves.

  “Just so you know,” Liesel began, “there’s no replacing you. Not now. Not ever.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Brig, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System

  “He’s going to be okay,” Eddie said, watching Julianna pace back and forth in the corridor outside the brig.

  Julianna spun around, her hands on her hips. “Who is?”

  Eddie’s eyes rolled up to the ceiling. “Are you really going to play this off like you’re not concerned?”

  “I’m not following,” Julianna said.

  “Jules, you’re obviously worried about Harley coming out of the Pod-doc. Will you stop acting so heartless?”

  Julianna pulled her gun from her holster. “This isn’t an act. I honestly wasn’t thinking about Harley just now.” She pointed her gun at the door. “My mind was firmly focused on quelling my anger so I don’t do something I’ll regret. Now why don’t you open that door?”

  Eddie gave her a discriminating glare, not at all buying her tough-girl act. Jules was tough. The toughest he knew. But she was also human and had feelings. The fact that she was so angry she was resisting the urge to murder a prisoner meant that the attack that nearly killed Harley was burning her up inside.

  Eddie placed the goggles onto his face, tightening the band around his head until they were secure. “You sure you don’t want the goggles? It does help to break the illusion.”

  Julianna shook her head. “I don’t need them. I know what that thing is and can no longer be fooled.”

  Eddie had never seen Julianna so pissed.

  Since he was the one who had taken the coordinates from the Saverus, he figured he’d be the most irate. But Eddie had made the call that he thought was right. There was no going back and changing things. It wasn’t that Eddie didn’t regret things; it was that he already had one major regret in his life, and everything else paled in comparison.