The Outer World Chronicles: Books 1, 2, 3

by Arwen Chandler

  Adrik hit the button, and her weapons fired. The ship exploded and pushed the Pleiades backward, spinning toward a nearby planet. Gwyn steered away from the spinout and the ship righted itself and came to a stop.

  Gwyn’s heart beat fast in her ears. “Oh, goodness. That worked. I didn’t think it would, but it worked.” She was shaking from her hands to her feet, but her smile never wavered.

  Adrik and Jericho glanced at each other, and Jericho spoke. “You didn’t think it would work?”

  “Nope, but it did.”

  Gwyn turned the neutralizer back on and set her course for Tortuga. “Jericho, do you think you could get these bounty hunters called off?”

  He smiled. “I can make a few calls.”

  “Thank you. You can use the commlink in the guest room at the end of the hall.”

  He kissed Gwyn on the top of the head. “Consider it done, my pet.” Jericho disappeared down the hall.

  Adrik cleared his voice, “So, why didn’t he do that sooner?”

  “Because I didn’t ask. It never crossed his mind, I’m sure. He’s a great smuggler, but well…you know, he’s Jericho. I can’t complain. He is family.” She laughed.

  Adrik wiped the sweat from his face. “So what now?”

  “We are going to have to die.”

  “There you go with all that talk of dying again. You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope. Not at all. If the Admiral sent those bounty hunters, he’ll keep sending them until we’re caught or we’re dead. That’s what you said, didn’t you?”

  “I did.” He leaned closer to her. “And, how are you going to kill us?”

  “You’re not going to like it.”

  “I’m sure of that.”

  “Come with me to the galley.”

  Adrik followed her.

  She poured him a drink. “Take this. It’ll dull the pain.” She reached into her tool box and pulled out a pair of pliers.

  “Uhm. What are you going to do with those?”

  She took a swig of the liquid from Adrik’s glass. “You’ll see. Open your mouth.” She started to put the pliers in his mouth, but he pushed her hand away.

  “Ugh. Wait. Can you take a back one?”

  “Sure. I wouldn’t want to ruin that perfect smile of yours, handsome.”

  Adrik closed his eyes, and she pulled. The flesh ripped and the tooth broke, but she got the root. She handed him a napkin. “Wipe your mouth, it’s bleeding. Now. My turn.”

  He placed the pliers in her mouth. “Sorry, it’s going to hurt.”

  Gwyn flinched as he pulled, but he managed to get the tooth quickly. Blood dripped from her mouth. “That was horrible.” Her eyes watered.

  “So, what are you doing with these?” He rolled the napkin and placed it in his jaw.

  “I’m going to eject them into the debris field, and then shoot them. That way when the Militarian inspects this wreck, and they will, I have no doubt, they will find our DNA.”

  A wicked smile flashed across Adrik’s face. “Good thinking.”

  “Yep, and after Jericho reports that we’ve been killed to his contacts, we will be free to dock in Tortuga, and maybe go sailing. What do you think?

  “I’m ready for a little rest and relaxation.”

  Gwyn leaned into the counter. “Good, because I was thinking about visiting my Gran.”

  “That sounds perfect.” Adrik kissed her gently.

  “Ugh, that hurts.”

  “Yes, it does. Maybe we should take some medicine and go to bed?”

  “I’ll get the meds and meet you in our the room.” She retrieved a couple of vials of pain relief and an auto injector from the medicine cabinet. The commlink on her wrist buzzed.

  “Gwyn here.”

  A soft voice filled the room. “Glad to know you’re not really dead, Ms. Casteliano.”

  “Our secret. Right, Franklin?”

  “Oh, I tell no tales, you know that.”

  She arched her eyebrow. “Right. So why did you call?”

  “Well, I had a smuggler in the bar, and he said a person could actually get into Old Earth if they could navigate the hole in the bionet. Thought you might be interested.”

  She looked at herself in the mirror. She dabbed at the blood on her chin. “How much, Franklin? What’s the catch?”

  “There’s something on the planet I need. The rest is yours.”

  “So, if I agree, you’ll keep our little secret about my death?”

  “Of course.” He chuckled. “If you bring me a statue from the Louvre.”

  She laughed. “Any particular one you want, Franklin? You know the Louvre was destroyed years ago, in the biowar.”

  Franklin whispered. “No, the Louvre still stands.”

  The End

  Book Two: The Louvre Still Stands

  (Short Fiction)

  Gwyndalaria studied the turquoise and white planet that filled the view screen. She flipped the com button ending the transmission and leaned back in her chair. “It’s always good to be home.”

  “It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?”

  “Too long, and this time I can’t visit Gran. I hope she doesn’t find out we’ve been here without stopping in.”

  “She’d understand.”

  Gwyn frowned. “I doubt it.”

  “Well, once we drop this load and pick up another, we can come back and stay awhile. Maybe get some sailing in, or visit your friend Babylonia.

  Gwyn shut her eyes. “Sailing sounds nice. But, first things first, right. Always work.” She grinned, “And what could be better than this work?”

  Adrik kissed the top of her head. “Nothing beats this work.” He plopped down into the co-pilot chair. “Do you think he’ll help, Gwyn?”

  “Chances are good. I’ve known him a long time. He’s the best at what he does, and he likes to make money.”

  The navigation button beeped and turned green. “He’s let the shields down.”

  “Yep. You better get out of sight, Adrik.”

  He laughed. “Consider it done. I’m going to store myself in the cargo hold. You tell Rodrigo our needs, and if he’s willing, come and get me. Take your pulse pistol, just in case.” Adrik kissed her cheek.

  “Of course.” Gwyn lowered the Pleiades to the planet’s surface. Tortuga station sprawled out around the landing pad. Gwyn gasped. “I can’t believe how it’s grown since the last time I was home. “

  The com crackled. “Gwyn, you there?”

  “Yes. It’s great to hear your voice again.”

  “Yours, too. I almost couldn’t believe it when they told me who was waiting on the platform.”

  “ Hey, why don’t you come aboard? I need to talk to you, face to face.”

  “Sure. Give me about fifteen. I have some loose ends to tie up.”

  “Don’t you always?” Gwyn laughed, “It’s lucrative.”

  “Well, why didn’t you say so? I’m on my way.”

  “I knew they’d get your attention. I’ll meet you at the cargo bay door.”

  ***

  Gwyn watched out the porthole and opened the hatch before Rodrigo even had time to touch it.

  She extended her hand toward him, but he brushed it aside and hugged her tightly.

  “It’s been a long time Gwyn.”

  “Yes, it has.” Gwyn’s eyes danced. “You really are a sight, my friend.”

  Rodrigo blushed. “You said you had a proposition?”

  “Always business before pleasure. You never change, Rodí.” Gwyn sealed the door. “I have cargo that needs to be unloaded.”

  “Well, you’ve come to the right place. Standard cut applies. What do you have for me?

  Gwyn shoved her hands down in her cargo pants. “Art.”

  “Well, as long as it’s quality. I should be able to unload it.”

  Mischief flashed in Gwyn’s smile. “How long have we known each other?”

  “Twenty, twenty-five years, maybe.”

  “That sounds
about right. We’ve known each other a long time.” Gwyn paused, “What if I told you I have something big. Bigger than anything you’ve ever been into. Would you be interested?”

  Rodí licked his lips. “Of course.”

  “The art is from Earth.”

  Rodrigo’s eyes widened. “Your joking right? It’s polluted!”

  Gwyn rested a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. The cargo’s been decontaminated. There are no bio-contaminants.”

  Rodí sighed. “Well, that’s a relief. What were you doing on Earth, Gwyn? It’s too dangerous.”

  “I fell into some intel that I couldn’t pass up, so I’ve been collecting art for the last month or so.” Gwyn’s voice quivered with excitement, “Rodí I’ve come back with some of the most valuable pieces ever created. It wasn’t easy. Believe me, it wasn’t. But, ugh, well. Let’s just say, the Louvre still stands.”

  “The Louvre? I’ve only heard about that place, maybe seen a picture or two in some of the ancient history books. Wasn’t that a museum in old France?”

  Gwyn shook her head. “Yes, I only have a few pieces, but they’re quality. If you can find some buyers, I’ll cut you in.”

  He stroked his chin. “I might have some.”

  How’d you get past the planetary shields, and survive the biochemicals? Earth’s off limits for a reason, Gwyn. Even the Militarian don’t go there.”

  “Details, Rodí.” Gwyn stared at him long and hard. “You don’t need them. All you need to know is I have merchandise that needs to be unloaded. And, I think you’re the man for the job. Am I wrong? I can leave.” She placed her hand on the button for the cargo bay door and hesitated slightly.

  Rodí pushed her hand away. “No. No. No need for that. I have buyers, but people are going to ask questions.”

  Gwyn studied him. “You’re a good liar, Rodí. You’ll think of something.”

  She motioned to the corridor, “Follow me. I have someone for you to meet.”

  …

  Rodrigo shook his head. “You’ve found a way to get past the planetary shields, and escape the pollution, how? It’s never been done before. How safe is it?”

  Adrik pushed the button on the holo-caster, and an image projected above the table. “Earth, as you can see, is surrounded by this planetary shield net.” The planet’s image was covered with a red force field. Adrik moved his finger along the screen, rotating the image, until it hovered over what was left, of the Arctic Circle. A tiny green dot appeared above the planet. “There’s the access point. The shields don’t work there.”

  Rodí squinted. “It’s small—no more than a thousand feet in diameter. You’d have to be crazy to pilot through that. If you hit just a piece of that shield, you’d fry.”

  “You forget who you’re talking to. I can pilot anything.” Gwynn propped her feet on the table.

  Rodí contemplated the image. “Ok, but what about the air. It kills anything it comes into contact with, doesn’t it?”

  Adrik tossed a small circular device to Rodí. “With this.”

  Rodí turned the device over in his hand.

  “When you flip that switch on the side, a personalized containment field creates an exoskin onto your own. Turn it off, it goes away.”

  Rodí shook his head, “I don’t even have tech like this. Sounds Militarian. Is it?”

  Adrik glanced at Gwyn.

  She nodded.

  “Yes.”

  Rodí jumped back knocking over his chair but landing on his feet. “You’re either working for the government or have stolen from the Militarian. Which is it? I’m not going to the prison planet. This better not be a set up.” Rodí reached for the pulse pistol hidden at his side.

  Gwyn fired a warning shot. “Sit down, Rodí. This isn’t a trap. Adrik is Militarian, but he’s not active—in fact, he’s dead. At least that’s what they think on Raygus Prime. I killed him.”

  “Caracho! Gwyn, what’ve you gotten yourself into?”

  “Money, Rodí. Lots of money. Are you in?”

  Rodí sat back down. “I don’t know.”

  “I can always go somewhere else.” Gwyn studied his face. “Time for this opportunity is ticking by you, my friend. You in?”

  He leaned forward in his chair and whispered, “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  Gwyn handed him a stack of paintings. “How long will it take you to fence these?”

  Rodí shuffled through the pieces. “About a week.” He stopped in the center of the pile and frowned. “Ugh, this smiling woman gives me the creeps.”

  Adrik chuckled. “You and me both.”

  Gwyn sighed. “It’s a Da Vinci. Her name is Mona Lisa. It might help if you familiarize yourself with the pieces before you try to sell them, Rodí.”

  “ My standard rates apply, Gwyn.”

  She shook her head, “No. Thirty percent. Take it or leave it.”

  Rodí stared at the paintings. “Thirty-five and it’s a deal. As long as I go with you. I don’t want to miss the chance of seeing Earth in person.”

  Gwyn smiled at Adrik. “What do you think?”

  “It’s okay with me.”

  “Alright.” Gwyn nodded in agreement. “You have one week Rodí. Get these fenced, and get us some supplies.”

  He rolled the paintings up and placed them back in there crate. “Sure. Sure. Leave it to me. My assistant Milania can get you whatever you need. In the meantime, I have a private island, with a landing strip about three miles off the mainland to the west. It’s a good place to keep low. Private beaches, luxurious accommodations. I don’t want people asking questions.”

  Gwyn glanced at Adrik. “Sailing?”

  Adrik grinned. “Sounds good to me. I could use a vacation. Dying was hard work.”

  ***

  “Approaching Earth’s atmosphere. The opening is 500 miles south, Adrik. Get your exoskin on guys. We don’t need to take any chances with the contaminants.” Gwyn slowed the Pleiades and turned on her exoskin. For a moment her skin radiated a soft green glow, then returned to normal.

  Adrik checked Rodí’s exoskin. “We’re all set, Gwyn.”

  “Okay, I’m taking her in.” Gwyn steadied the starcruiser until it was located directly above the center of the opening, and started the descent sequence.

  Rodí gripped the arms of his chair. “So far so good,” he stammered. Sweat beaded on his brow, and he wiped at it with a silk handkerchief.

  Adrik laughed. “She’s done this before, Rodrigo. Quit worrying.” Adrik watched out the navscreen as the starcruiser barely missed the edge of the security net.

  “We’re through, and flying below the net.” Gwynn inhaled slowly and exhaled heavily. Her eyes twinkled. “Setting a course for Paris, France.”

  ***

  Paris lay in ruins. The once majestic Eiffel tower crumbled into the jungle. Vines twisted and turned around its base. Somewhere, obscured by vegetation, a river bubbled across rocks.

  Rodí kicked at a vine that had tangled around his shoe. “It’s nice to see there’s vegetation around here.”

  “After all my years in the Militarian, it still surprises me how a planet can recover from chemical warfare, but they always do. Nature has a way of healing herself.” Adrik tightened his grip on his pulse pistol and examined the dense forest around the trail.

  “It has more plant life than I thought it would. I imagined this place would be shades of brown. Jumbled concrete. Rusty buildings. You know the stuff they show us in school.” Rodí stared off into the distance. “Did you hear a bird?”

  “There’s a lot of life here, Rodí. Be careful, not all of it’s nice.” Gwyn unholstered her pulse pistol and pointed toward the trail. “This way. We’re almost there.”

  The Louvre towered above them. The ancient palace was nearly intact. Ivy grew wild. It crawled up the castle’s sides, and mostly obscured the glass pyramid structure at its base. The reflecting pond was dry. Extreme weather and the passage of time had popped up the cement cre
ating broken statuary like formations around it.

  Rodí stumbled. “How do we get in?”

  “That’s the fun part.” Adrik opened his pack and pulled out three flashlights. “There’s a small opening in the eastern wall.” He handed out the lights. The jungle’s pretty dense around it, so not much light gets through. Of course, there’s no power on in the inside. It’s pretty dark. Once we’re in, I’ll set up a light beacon.” Adrik tossed his bag back over his shoulders.

  The sound of trees crashed behind them, and low growl reverberated through the air.

  “We need to hurry!”

  Adrik looked over his shoulder, “It’s coming Gwyn. Run!” Adrik fired a shot into the vegetation, as he rounded the corner, of the eastern wall.

  Gwyn moved the rock and pushed her way through the opening. She jumped out of the way, and Rodí and Adrik rushed through. Adrik slammed the rock in front of the makeshift door, and pulse blasted it until it was sealed.

  “Nothing’s getting through there, now.” He slid his pistol into his side holster and took a deep breath. A bright smiled crossed his face. “Nothing like a work out in the morning, huh?”

  Rodí breathed hard, “What was that? You guys didn’t tell me there were monsters out there!”

  Gwyn shrugged. “We call it Gévaudan. I read about something like it in a story once. A long time ago, there was a wolf that killed people in France. It sliced their throats out. It terrorized a village. Seemed somehow appropriate to me.”

  Rodí paled. “A Gévaudan? It east people’s throats?”

  Gwyn laughed, “It’s like a wolf and all wild. I told you not all of the creatures here are friendly. Just stay alert.” She patted him on the back, “We should be safe here. Local wildlife doesn't like man-made structures.” Gwyn twisted the nob on her flashlight. “Turn your light on, Rodí.”