by Huw Powell
Jake wished that Callidus were there, because he would know what to say. It wasn’t about using fancy language or sounding good on the Interstellar News. The speech had to be right, otherwise no one would take him seriously. If he failed to convince the independent colonies to unite, they would be picked off one at a time by the Interstellar Navy, until there were none left. The fate of the galaxy now rested on his words.
Chapter 18
The Truth about Kid Cutler
“Jake, wake up!” shouted Nanoo.
“What’s going on?”
Jake had fallen asleep working on his speech. He woke up in his room, floating inches from the ceiling, immersed in a cloud of pens and paper.
“Interstellar News,” said Nanoo, standing in the doorway. “It talk about gathering.”
Jake rubbed his tired eyes and located his gravity shoes. His breath smelled of stale biscuits and he needed a bath, but there was no time to freshen up. He scrambled out of his room and up to the dining area on the first deck, where several of the crew were gathered in front of a display screen. They were watching a reporter standing outside a large, ornate building under a smoky-red sky.
“. . . but the mayor of Remota is still refusing to say why he has called this historic event. As we heard earlier, it’s the first gathering of independent colony leaders in over twenty years. The last time they met was to agree on the price of crystals, which helped to avoid another mega-depression.”
“The timing of this gathering would suggest it’s related to the Vantos situation,” speculated the newsreader. “Are the United Worlds concerned?”
“No one from the Interstellar Government has been available for comment,” said the reporter. “But if this is related to the increasing tensions in the seventh solar system, it’s difficult to determine what the mayor of Remota is hoping to achieve. the Interstellar Navy has now given Vantos, Abbere, and Torbana three days to apologize, or face the consequences. That’s three days, which is how long we have until the gathering. A few of the independent colony leaders have played down the meeting, claiming that Hector Rumpole only wants to discuss a crystal tax or trade route security. It’s even been suggested that the gathering is nothing more than a media stunt to boost tourism on Remota.”
“Well, it has certainly captured our interest. Thanks, Tom.” The newsreader turned to face the camera. “In other news, a Galactic Trade Corporation ship was attacked today by space pirates—”
“Is that it?” said Jake. “Did they say where on Santanova the gathering would be held?”
Maaka nodded. “It’s going to be in the capital city of Lugar.”
“It will take us almost three d-d-days to get to the f-f-fourth solar system,” stuttered Woorak. “Nichelle had b-b-better hurry.”
“We need to let the captain know,” said Jake, heading for the door with Kella and Nanoo.
Scargus called after them, “Tell her that there will be news crews and enhanced security.”
The three of them reached the top deck before they realized that something was wrong.
“Hey,” said Nanoo. “Why ship slow down?”
The noise of the engine had reduced to a mechanical murmur. Jake wondered if they had run into more Gork fighters or perhaps a fortune seeker, but there were no explosions or laser cannon fire.
“What’s going on?” he asked, as they entered the bridge.
“We’re stopping for repairs,” said Granny Leatherhead.
“But there’s no time. We have to get to Santanova.”
“Santanova?” Granny Leatherhead laughed. “If we don’t patch up these old ships, we won’t make it to the next service port.”
Jake glanced out of the side window at the Divine Wind. The yellow star frigate was in a bad way. Apart from extensive damage to its hull, the ship had only one working engine and a couple of gun ports left. It seemed to limp toward them, barely able to hold a straight course.
“We’re going to connect our air locks,” explained Farid. “Kay contacted us a few minutes ago. Apparently they have a medical emergency and their medic only knows basic first aid.”
“I’ll get my medical kit,” said Kella.
Jake and Nanoo told the captain about the gathering and the Interstellar Navy’s deadline before heading back downstairs. As they reached the bottom deck, Jake heard the Divine Wind connect with the Dark Horse. Kella was already waiting by the inner air-lock door.
“Do you know who’s hurt?” he asked.
“No,” she said.
The door opened, and standing in the air lock was Crazy Kay Jagger, supported by one of her shipmates. Her skin was porcelain white, and her sweaty pink hair clung to her bruised face. A thick bloodstained bandage was wrapped tightly around her thigh. As she caught sight of Jake, a smile trembled on her scarlet lips.
“Kay!” he exclaimed. “What happened?”
The teenage pirate captain limped into the corridor.
“Ahoy-hoy, mates,” she said weakly. “We were repairing a damaged laser cannon when it exploded. I was hit by some shrapnel and was lucky not to lose my leg. Can you help me? My medic has fainted.”
Jake sat with Kay in the dining area of the Dark Horse. Kella had used the pendant to stop the bleeding and she was now cleaning up the medical bay, while Scargus, Manik, and Nanoo helped to patch up the Divine Wind. Kay had a fresh bandage and she was recovering with a cup of sweet pirate tea.
“Why do you do it?” asked Jake. “Why do you put yourself in danger to help us?”
Kay smiled. “It’s the sort of thing my dad would have done.”
Jake glanced at the cuts and bruises on her face. “But you could get killed.”
“I nearly did,” she said, and her smile faltered. “A few of my shipmates were killed in the explosion and the rest are not happy about it. My first mate reckons that the crew will mutiny if we don’t start making some money soon. He says they won’t keep risking their lives for free, not even for the Space Dogs.”
“Well, I think it’s great that you want to help other pirate crews.”
“Thanks, matey.” Kay hid behind her cup. “I just wish that I was half as good a spacejacker as you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you,” she said, and her eyes flashed with excitement. “Kid Cutler, the teenage space pirate who defeated a super-destroyer using only his courage and a rusty old cargo hauler. I know all about you, Jake. How the Interstellar Navy burned down your monastery on Remota, but you escaped and hunted down Admiral Nex to make him pay.”
Now it was Jake’s turn to hide behind his cup. “You make me sound like a hero.”
“There’s no need to be modest. I’ve read all of the Kid Cutler stories on the stellar-net. How many other pirate captains have blown up a kalmar or escaped from a black hole? Your adventures inspired me to repair my father’s ship and seek out a new crew.”
Jake mumbled something into his drink.
“What did you say?”
“I’m not a pirate captain,” he said, looking up. “I never was, and I didn’t do half the things you’ve mentioned. At least, not on my own.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Granny Leatherhead is the captain of the Dark Horse,” he said. “I’m only a trainee gunner.”
“A trainee gunner?” Kay looked confused. “I don’t understand. Is that meant to be a joke?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“You mean, it’s all lies?” Her hand moved dangerously close to her laser pistols. “Is none of it true? Not even the ISS Colossus?”
“No—I mean, yes—well, sort of.” Jake put down his cup. “Let me tell you what really happened, my story, the truth about Kid Cutler.”
It took Jake the better part of an hour to tell Kay his story. He described growing up on Remota, the monastery attack, his escape aboard the Dark Horse, the crystal hunters in Papa Don’s, saving Kella from slavery, rescuing Nanoo from a shipwreck, being arrested by the Interstellar Navy, the kalmar attack, the
battle of the black hole, and finding his home planet. By the time he reached the part about leaving Altus, Kay was hanging on his every word.
“Ha,” she laughed. “Just a trainee gunner, eh? You had me going there for a minute.”
“But that part is true,” he said.
“Yeah, I know, but you’re not any old gunner, are you? How many spacejackers are also the ruler of a planet?”
Jake grinned. “You know what, I actually miss Altus. It may have been colonized by pirates, but most of the people there are now farmers and fishermen. The capital city, Karmadon, looks beautiful in the ruby moonset. It even has a Great Hall made out of solid gold.”
Kay’s sapphire-blue eyes sparkled. “That sounds amazing.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty magnifty. I’d like to return there when I find my dad.”
Kella entered the dining area and strapped herself into a seat. “Is there any tea?”
Jake fetched her a fresh cup. “You look exhausted.”
“I feel it,” she moaned, taking the drink. “You try cleaning the medical bay in zero gravity. Blood gets everywhere.”
“Sorry about the mess,” said Kay. “But thanks for fixing up my leg.”
“Hey, no problem.” Kella smiled. “We spacejackers have got to stick together, right?”
Kay laughed. “You? A spacejacker? With an accent like that? Jake told me you were from a United Worlds planet.”
Kella’s face crumbled. “I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Kay looked startled. “What did I say?”
“Kella was born a United Worlds citizen,” said Jake. “But now she’s a spacejacker and a ship’s medic.”
“Am I?” Kella’s tired eyes filled with angry tears. “It doesn’t seem as though I belong anywhere. I always wanted to be a doctor and help people, but crystal healing is banned on United Worlds. And I’m too rich to be a pirate.”
Jake reached for her hand. “A friend once told me that it doesn’t matter who you were or where you came from, but who you are and where you want to be now. And she was right.”
Kella rubbed her eyes with shaking palms. “Your friend sounds like a smart girl.”
Jake laughed. “The smartest. Not to mention a first-class spacejacker.”
“It’s funny,” she sniffed. “I’ve lived in my sister’s shadow my whole life. My parents were so pleased when she took over the family crystal mine. But all this time, Jeyne has been plotting to take down the Interstellar Government. Now I’m helping to unite the independent colonies. My parents will never forgive either of us for betraying the United Worlds.”
“At least you have parents,” said Kay bluntly.
Jake decided to change the subject before the pink-haired pirate could upset Kella further. “How are the repairs going?”
Kay shrugged, but she took the hint. “I suppose I’d better go and check on my crew. Thanks again for healing my leg, Kella. I’ll catch you later, boy ruler.”
Kella frowned at Jake as Kay limped out of the door. “You told her about Altus?”
“I didn’t tell her the location,” he said. “What’s it matter anyway? In a few days’ time, I’m going to tell the entire galaxy that Altus exists.”
“Does that mean you’ve finished your speech?”
“Nearly,” he said, but this wasn’t strictly true. “In fact, I have a couple more ideas that I need to write down, so I’ll see you later.”
Jake wandered back to his room, where his half-written speech was scattered in the air. He fetched down the scribbled notes and sorted them into the right order. As he read the words, he hoped they were good enough to convince the other leaders of the danger.
“You can do this,” he told himself. “You have to do this. There’s no one else coming to the rescue.”
Jake opened his cabinet and pulled out his belongings. If he looked like a leader, he might feel like one. His Altian uniform was rolled up inside an old blanket, along with the sword of Altus. He carefully unpacked it and started to change. It had been a few months since he had last worn the maroon jacket, and the collar felt strange around his neck. He slid the sword into its sheath and checked his reflection in the porthole. The face that looked back seemed older and more serious than he remembered.
“My name is Jake Cutler,” he said confidently. “And I am the ruler of Altus.”
Chapter 19
Dog Fight
Jake was relieved when the crew finished patching up the Divine Wind and the two ships were on their way to the fourth solar system. Vantos remained surrounded by naval warships, refusing to apologize, as the deadline approached. It was a standoff while the galaxy waited for the gathering.
Jake had spent the day in his quarters, working on the remainder of his speech and checking his handheld computer for messages. Nanoo was building a new gadget in the engine room while Kella puttered about the medical bay. It seemed that all three of them needed some time alone.
As for the rest of the crew, Granny Leatherhead seemed stronger and claimed that she had never felt better. Nichelle, Farid, and Kodan were sleeping in shifts so there was always someone to pilot the ship and watch the scanners. Maaka and Woorak stayed close to the laser cannon on the gun deck while Manik looked after the engine.
Scargus was busy creating a crown for the gathering, which he had fashioned by bolting shards of rusted metal onto a section of old pipe. The last time Jake had checked, it had looked more like a torture device than a crown.
“It’s not finished yet,” the chief engineer had told him. “It still needs a bit of tidying up and a splash of paint.”
Jake had tried to appear pleased, but he secretly dreaded the thought of wearing such a crude-looking crown in front of the other leaders. No one would take him seriously with that pile of junk on his head.
It was now only two days until the gathering, and Jake had nearly finished his speech. He was happy with everything except the ending, which needed to be perfect. His eyes were tired and his brain ached, so he decided to take a break. He snatched the handheld computer out of the air and saw that there was an e-comm from Callidus. With a flick of his finger, he opened the message and quickly read the words, as though worried they might disappear without warning:
Ahoy, Jake. Capio and I caught a fast ship to the third solar system, and we’re on our way to meet the captain of the mining crew. I was surprised to hear about Papa Don’s and the gathering of leaders. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of you for taking action, and it sounds as though you’re doing the right thing, but I’m worried about your safety. Capio and I will join you on Santanova as soon as we can. In the meantime, keep an eye on the stars and stay out of trouble.
—Callidus
Why was that last line so familiar? Callidus often said it, but where else had Jake read those words recently? He repeated them out loud.
“Keep an eye on the stars and stay out of trouble.”
Jake had seen the exact same phrase in Papa Don’s illegal spaceport. He remembered reading it on a plaque outside Papa Don’s quarters. Was it something to do with the space mafia? Had Callidus worked for them in the past?
The intercom crackled.
“Attention, crew,” said Granny Leatherhead. “We’ve got incoming ships on the long-range scanner. Farid reckons they’re not naval vessels, but I’m not taking any chances. I want everyone on battle stations.”
Jake rushed up to the top deck, but instead of heading to the rear turret, he made his way to the front of the ship. He had a bad feeling about the approaching craft and wanted to see them for himself. As he entered the bridge, he caught sight of the three ships on the main display screen.
“What is it, Kid Cutler?” asked Granny Leatherhead.
“I’ve seen those ships before,” he said.
“Where?”
“I don’t know, but there’s something familiar about their shapes.”
“Stop wasting my time,” she snapped. “I want you up in that turret, covering our rear.”<
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“Captain,” interrupted Farid. “I’ve identified the ships.”
“Well?” she said. “Who are they?”
“It’s the Lost Soul, the Black Death, and the Loose Cannon.”
“Great galaxies!” she exclaimed. “You had better warn the Luna Ticks.”
“Why is Carla Gritt hanging out with Captains Hawker and Shark?” asked Jake.
“That’s what I would like to know,” said Granny Leatherhead. “I don’t trust any of those wretches.”
“Can we outrun them?”
“If we use the new boosters,” said Farid. “But I doubt the Divine Wind could keep up.”
Jake shook his head. “We should stick together.”
“What’s more important?” asked Granny Leatherhead. “Getting you to the gathering, or helping that potty-mouthed pirate girl and her crackpot crew?”
“We’re not leaving Kay behind,” he insisted. “How many times has she risked her life to save us?”
Granny Leatherhead scowled at the approaching vessels on the display screen.
“Okay, fine,” she said. “We’ll find out what they want, but this ship had better be ready to bolt the moment there’s any trouble. Now get your butt into that turret, Kid Cutler; that’s an order.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Jake hurried to the rear laser cannon and quickly activated it. The Dark Horse was being pursued by two of the most feared pirate crews ever to roam the seven solar systems, as well as a devious fortune seeker. What chance did the Space Dogs have against the Starbucklers and the Crimson Hulls? The only pirate more notorious than James Hawker and Scarabus Shark was Jake himself.
“Ahoy, space slackers,” hailed Scarabus, his voice grating through the intercom speakers.
“Ahoy, tin teeth,” said Granny Leatherhead. “You’re a long way from Papa Don’s. What do you want?”
“The golden cutlass, the pendant, and that slippery little thief, Jake Cutler. Hand him over and we’ll let you live, but resist and we’ll scuttle your worthless hulls. I’ve already alerted the Interstellar Navy. Admiral Vantard is on his way to pick up the boy.”
