BOONE NOVA AND THEPIRATE QUEEN

by John E Bujanowski Jr

Lila: “Ready.”

  “Initiate.”

  The Night Star jumped again. This time it headed toward a specific place just outside the O'bipherion-Xeraxes corridor. After nearly an hour traveling at a speed a normal cargo ship would travel, it finally entered the corridor and headed toward the Xeraxes system and the planet Isoter. Mace and Pryce, traveling at speeds that far outmatched the Kenos, were hours ahead of them and not suspecting anything abnormal.

  Lincoln was sitting next to Boone as Jona was in the galley eating. He asked as he displayed a hologram of the constellation, “Boone, where in dead space are we going. How long till we get there?”

  Terra and Phia were standing behind them, chatting, and wondering also. Boone pointed with his finger and looked at Terra.

  She said, “I know that place! It’s that debris field we came across last month.”

  “Uh, explain?” Lincoln asked.

  Terra looked at Boone and he nodded, agreeing she tell him. “We had left Arkitrosis.”

  “With the prime? No, wait. He left with the Sim-Sa Gale. You had Lorin and Pryce. Right?”

  She nodded, “We were headed for the Xeraxes system. Eventually Isoter. It’s not a corridor in any way. I mean, no one travels from Arkitrosis to Xeraxes. There is a large debris field out there. I’m not sure exactly where it is but you better be ready for it. You could fly right into it. We almost did. Boone, the first time, you didn’t seem to know about it.”

  “No, I wasn’t aware of it, then. I know about it now and we’re four days from it.”

  “How many jumps, Boone?” Phia asked.

  Everyone turned and looked at her. It made her feel foolish about the question.

  Boone answered and raised his voice, “We can’t do that just now!”

  Phia scowled again, having been yelled at again. She barked, “You keep yelling at me! It was a good question! And I don’t see why we can’t…”

  “Because you’re not thinking, Phia,” he answered. “I’m sorry if you think I yelled at you. I didn’t mean to.”

  Phia looked at Lincoln and said, “He has an anger issue. I hope you know that.”

  Lincoln nodded and looked at Boone, “We all know about his anger issue. But, Lieutenant, I mean, Phia, you have to think about more than just getting the device.”

  “That’s all I’m saying, Phia,” Boone added. “You’re young, and you’re not…”

  “Boone,” she blared. “I’m five years younger than you! I’m not that…”

  “What I mean,” Boone interrupted, “OK. You’re right. What I mean is you’re inexperienced.”

  She stiffened her body, glared at him, and dropped her jaw. She gazed at him.

  Boone tried to calm her down by motioning with his hands. He said, “All right, how many times have you traveled the constellation? Have you used the Axeon-Xeraxes corridor? Huh? The most feared one? Have you made a run, hopping to all seven systems in a circle? Have you ever had to fend off a pirate or defend someone else that was being looted? Have you had to flee a pirate ship and run for protection? Phia? Have you?”

  She sunk in her chair and grimaced. “No. But, that’s why I’m in the High Guard.”

  “I’m very sorry if you think I yelled at you, I’m just very nervous right now. I’m trying to figure out the Ambulas, and you, Phia, are just starting to see what is really happening out here.”

  Lincoln added, “Cadet, uh, I mean, Phia, this is all very good training for you. I know all about your accomplishments at Abdom Center but we are in the heat of battle right now.”

  Terra said, “Boone, stop yelling at her. OK?” He remorsefully nodded. She said, “Phia, we need to see where the Ambulas is right now. And we need to be careful and figure out what we are doing, how we do it, and when. Mace and Pryce and the others are heading into who knows what? Understand?”

  She nodded and let out a wry smile. She glared at Boone as he smiled at her. He wasn’t forgiven that easily.

  “I’ll find the Ambulas,” she said as she looked at her panel. Lincoln also looked at the main NAV panel. “I think we have a problem,” she added. “I don’t see any ships her size in the corridor, nor in Xeraxes. Where did she go?”

  …

  Janek slowly descended upon the capital city of Nepa’pa, on the planet Xeraxes. He flew to the outskirts of the city to a beautiful large estate. The three-story mansion-like home seemed more like a palace than a place of residence. The front of the estate was adorned by large flower gardens, small colorful trees, walkways that were covered with beautiful arches containing rare and wild flowers, and many water fountains for pooling, flowing, and streaming water in a host of amazing displays. It was a majestic paradise.

  Janek flew over the magnificent haven and headed for a few small buildings several hundred yards behind it - a place sheltered by a tall and thick tree line. There were three old metal buildings surrounding an old ship junkyard - an airship junkyard. One of the old shacks was made of paneled tin wherein several men worked on ship parts and other machines. Janek found an empty space amongst piles of ship engines, wings, and small pieces of ship debris.

  He marched down the ramp of the cargo hold and saw his friend, Rowe, dressed in a sleeveless shirt, dark pants, and black boots. A phase blaster dangled from her hip. She was a tall dark-haired woman with high cheek bones and a wry smile. The faint scar on her neck and her toned arms made it obvious she was cut out for pirating.

  They quickly embraced and kissed deeply and passionately. She pushed him away and gleamed at him.

  “Well, how did it go?” she asked.

  “Beautifully!” he replied. “She is everything they said about her and, well…”

  “And what?”

  “I’m not going to be her puppet. She is very assertive, and pushy. I think we can profit from each other. Not only that, I have a job for us. A nice job and we will take out two ships with one shot. And get paid for it!”

  “What does she want? Are we looting a ship?”

  “No, babe. We’re hunting Boone Nova! We get to drop everything we’re doing and look for him full-time but we get paid for it.”

  She hugged him. “Nice! Our dream job! But you know I will need some time with him alone. If we can find him.”

  “No. Sorry. She wants him alive.”

  Rowe snickered.

  …

  Kola was studying the main NAV panel in the cockpit of the Intrepid. He had Veil working on a substation beside him. They were both trying to find the Ambulas. They saw the Kenos Verisian, it was hours behind them as expected. Kola glanced at Veil again. Viel just shook his head, no.

  “Pryce,” Kola said. “I don’t see the Ambulas anywhere. I’m contacting HGCO. Something’s wrong.”

  “OK,” he said. “Tell Mace, will ya?”

  “Want me to let the Kenos know?”

  “Naw,” he said. “They already know. I’m sure of it.”

  …

  Phia sent a data burst request to HGCO and they quickly responded. They informed the Kenos that the Ambulas had ‘disappeared’ from their scanners and more importantly, from the High Guard scanners within the Xeraxes system. The HGCO was very perplexed that the Ambulas could not only strike vast distances with a laser but could also vanish. HGCO also informed them about the Ambulas’ burst of speed prior to its encounter with the Dorian Surge. The Court of Primes had another immediate meeting to discuss the problem. Upon ending the transmission, Lincoln, Boone, and Terra sat stunned.

  Boone sat in his pilot’s seat, studying the starry host in front of him. His head was resting on the headrest behind him and he had a disgusted look on his face.

  Phia added, “Boone, they said Mace and Pryce know about it.”

  “I can’t believe it,” he mumbled. “If they can disappear like that,” he became speechless.

  Terra said, “They must have the device. That’s the only explanation.”

  Everyone sat stunned and very troubled. Lincoln added, “They must have found it.”


  “No,” Boone said. “They definitely don’t have it. And I know they couldn’t make one from what Zay'Geis did. I talked to him about it and the information the Axeon’s relayed to Cumi could only confuse them more if they were building one. He never intended on giving them anything.”

  Terra said, “Then he must have known they would find out he tricked them, sooner or later. Right?”

  “Yeah,” Boone answered. “He thought he was dead, sooner or later. Zay'Geis kept,” he hesitated, “well, he said he kept praying and holding out till the last possible moment.”

  “Really?” Phia asked. Boone nodded. She said, “Boone, you were his miracle. Huh?”

  Boone looked at her and pondered, “He is a buckler to the upright.”

  Phia, get them back on the COM. No one is listening to us out here. I think we are quite alone. Tell them to send the last few minutes of the Ambulas’ position, heading, and when she went dark. I want to check it out for myself.” She did it immediately as Lincoln laughed. Boone looked at him. “What? Something funny?”

  “Yes,” he chuckled. “You said you want to check something. Boone, you’re investigating. You know? The more I watch you and listen to you, the more I think you're acting like an investigator.”

  “Lincoln! Please? Never say that again. I don’t want to ever… well, never mind.” Boone glared at Terra, Phia, and Lincoln. They were taken aback for a moment. “I’m not an investigator and I don’t want to be called one.”

  “I’ve got the data, Boone,” Phia said.

  She displayed the information on a hologram and everyone stood and watched intently. Jona showed up munching on some food and found out what was going on. They watched a small blip, the Ambulas, rushing toward Xeraxes then vanish. Boone had her replay the footage again and enlarge it. Then they saw the hologram with a tiny ship in it.

  “Phia,” Terra said. “Enlarge the hologram again. I think I noticed it turn but we need to enlarge it some more.” Phia did and they noticed the ship make a 12° turn to starboard then disappear. Terra exclaimed, “Hah! They did! Did you see that?”

  Lincoln answered, “Yes!”

  Phia checked her NAV panel and exclaimed, “It’s headed for the Gorledeon system!”

  “Phia,” Boone said.

  “I know,” she replied. “Let Mace and Pryce know. I’ll also inform HGCO.”

  Boone smiled and said to her, “Phia, you’re doing a great job. Nice work!” he added.

  Phia smiled at him as he gazed at her because of the good work she did. She felt very gratified, especially in front of the others. Terra noticed Boone’s praise for her and smiled. The team was working and coming together.

  Chapter 20

  Rena and Aderian were speeding toward the outskirts of the Gorledeon system. It would normally be a five-day journey for them in their Juno Class I space gunners but Rena insisted on remaining in the smaller ship and go unnoticed among the other busy ship traffic. Ship traffic, although, was at a minimum due to the havoc the Ambulas had caused in the corridor. Rena sent the Ambulas to the outskirts of the system so it could hide cloaked among a group of moons and asteroids surrounding one of Gorledeon’s planets. She was very wise and meticulous about hiding the Ambulas and her presence from everyone. The planet lay on Gorledeon’s outermost edge cutting her journey nearly in half. She expected a two-and-half day trip.

  …

  Jak and Nell arrived at Xeraxes nearly eight hours behind Janek. They decided to land and stretch their legs. They kept a very close eye on their scanner, though, watching the tracker Aderian placed in Janek’s ship.

  …

  Boone got everyone’s attention by turning his cockpit chair around and motioning them all to take a seat. They all sat and listened.

  “OK, we are about six hours behind Mace and Pryce and they will continue to gain more distance as we head toward Isoter. I’m hoping by the time they near the Xeraxes system, we will know how safe it is out there. It would be nice to know where the Ambulas is! That is a problem right now. I’m also planning to reach our destination – somewhere just past the halfway point in the corridor. When we get to that spot, we make a 90° turn to starboard and follow that course for almost a day. We reach the debris field, retrieve the device, and find the Gale. I’m giving everyone a job for the next three days. You will have sleep times, cockpit duties, cooking and cleaning the galley …” Boone saw Jona frown as Jona hated cooking and cleaning. “Jona? You alright with that?” Jona grunted as an answer and smirked. Everyone chuckled. He continued, “And physical training exercises. Everyone also has to work out in the cargo bay. I’ve got sparring equipment, weights, and a jogging board.” They were all nodding, agreeing with the schedule.

  “Terra,” Boone added. “We’ve been up for a while, now. Can I get you to your bunkroom, change your bandages, and you can get some rest?”

  “I can take care of myself!” she argued. “And no one is going to ‘coddle’ me! I…”

  Boone interrupted, “I’m not coddling you. I’m making sure you heal. OK?”

  Phia added, “And making sure you don’t over-do-it. I think you would do the same if our roles were reversed.” Terra looked at Lincoln as he was nodding for her to agree. She finally did. Terra got up to leave and Boone indicated he was going to help her but Phia insisted she take care of Terra.

  Terra and Phia left the cockpit and went down the circular stairwell to where their bunks were. Boone went to his bunk which was on the third level, just beyond the stairwell. He laid down and could hear the low chatter of an awkward conversation.

  Lincoln would ask a question and Jona would just grunt. It would take weeks for Jona to trust Lincoln and have anything productive to talk about unless it was about fighting, ships, or weapons. They continued to perform intense scans for the Ambulas and carefully keep an eye on the Kori Dane and the Intrepid.

  Hours passed and Boone showed up in the cockpit to relieve them. Jona and Lincoln headed to their bunks as Boone secretly followed them down to the second level. He saw them go into their bunks and slid their doors shut. Then he quietly approached Phia’s door and Terra’s door. When he surmised they were still asleep, he quickly returned to the upper level.

  The moment he stepped into the cockpit he quietly uttered, “Lila, full stop.”

  “Full stop,” she answered.

  He punched a button and lowered her volume. “Send data burst request, I hope I’m right about the time on O'bipherion.” O'bipherion, Varga City, Jeo’dy Keyo.”

  A minute passed when a response finally came. The data link was established and converted into a hologram.

  “This must be very important, Boone. You said you would ‘never, never, never’ call me,” the young genius answered as he sat and gazed, mouth opened wide in disbelief.

  Jeo’dy was a short light-blue haired man with a square jaw and beady eyes. He changed his hair color nearly every day. His wry smile made him look all the more devious. He was an independent manufacturer and his reputation for creating advanced technology was known only to a few – his hatred for corporations that employed scientists was well known. He felt that advancements in science and their inventions belonged to the person that developed them and they alone should profit from them – not corporations.

  “Jeo’dy, I know. I don’t have time to get into it. I need you and I can pay. Our usual method, though.”

  “Talk,” the inquisitive inventor answered.

  “Ever hear of the Ambulas?”

  “Oh, no! Don’t tell me you’re caught up in that? Boone? Why can’t you stay out of trouble? How many times have I told you about helping people? It’s…”

  “It’s gonna come back and bite me. I know! Look, I know you’ve studied it. It’s all over the COM and news flashes. Jeo’dy, I have to make this fast. I’ve got people on board with big ears.”

  “You’re breaking my rule!” Boone just looked at him and smirked. “Yeah, I’ve studied it alright.” Jeo’dy quickly punched so
me buttons and an image of the Ambulas came up on a panel next to him. “A very old and, decommissioned I might add, Galaxy Class 4 Starliner. Boone, it’s a fast, sleek, long and very wide ship with a tapered cone. It used to house colonies a thousand years ago when we first discovered this constellation. I have an image of it. Don’t ask me how I got it.”

  “I won’t!”

  Jeo’dy nodded, “On its cone-shaped bow I see mounted phase cannons and laser turrets. Five of them! I’d like to see one of those and Boone, I can make one of those for you. At a cost, though. Our usual…”

  “Keep going,” Boone interrupted.

  “OK, rockets are mounted on the sides of its hull. I’d say three to five years in the retrofitting and that’s if an army did the modifications. A nominal crew, that’d take about eight to ten years.”

  “So, they could have started this retrofit when the Emancipation Declaration took place.”

  “Yeah,” Jeo’dy replied. “That’s about right. Tell me you’re not planning to go up against her? I know she has the battlecruisers running for cover.” Boone didn’t answer. He gave him a blank look. Jeo’dy bowed his head, kept his eyes on him, and sighed. “You’re out of your mind, Boone. Are you a bounty hunter, now? Because I can tell you this right now, nothing can touch that ship and if…”

  “I am,” Boone answered. “I’m going after her if I get the chance. I might have a weapon that can bring her down but…”

  “What weapon!”

  “Look, I need some info and I don’t have time to chat.”

  Jeo’dy nodded, “OK. What do you need?”

  “Tell me why she can muster a single burst of speed – temporarily, and why she can, uh, disappear?”

  Jeo’dy rolled his chair backward and quickly stood. His jaw dropped and his eyes bulged out. “What?”

  Boone nodded, “It’s true. Now, tell me how she can do that?”

  Jeo’dy slowly took his seat again and rolled up to the hologram. “I’m gonna have to get back to you.”

  “Give me your gut feeling. Right now. Please?”

  Jeo’dy let out a loud and long breath. He studied the hologram of the Ambulas and said, “You tricky little devil, you. Boone, I’m looking for an image of her after she was hit by a laser from, well, it was either the Gale or the Surge. I don’t know.”