BOONE NOVA AND THEPIRATE QUEEN
Page 26
“Jona, my arm is bothering me. Can you take my place?”
He jumped to his feet, “Sure! Uh, um, you OK?” She smirked and nodded. “Yeah, I’d love to blast that devil woman! Thanks!”
Terra took his seat and smiled. Boone looked back at her and caught her eye. He smiled as Jona took her place. Jona was gleaming as he had never before.
Mace said, “Hey, I’m a miner. Remember? I have a small bomb.” Boone looked at him in the hologram. “I can be there in ten minutes.”
Boone nodded. The Kori Dane flew back to the Kenos and Gunner and Lincoln suited up. Gunner pushed a small package out toward Lincoln who was standing in the cargo bay of the Kenos. He caught it. Gunner returned to his position and Lincoln removed his helmet. Lincoln stowed the package in a small outer hatch on the port side of the cargo bay.
Lincoln asked, “Boone, it has a timer! What do you want it set at?”
Boone thought. He asked, “Mace?”
“Ten minutes! I’ll be ready to hover, target, and fire on those engines.”
“Jona? Phia? Ready?”
They answered, “Yes.”
Boone said, “Set it for twelve minutes. On my mark. Now!”
…
Aboard the Sim-Sa Gale, Commander J’Dar and Captain Eisen were desperate.
“Ellswood!” Captain Eisen exclaimed. “Do you have the Ambulas? Has she struck again?”
She frowned. “No, Sir. And every ship on Efferium is looking for it.”
“Sir,” a young man uttered. “I see the Night Star. It’s behind a small moon, orbiting Efferium.”
The captain and the commander stepped forward and stood behind him.
“What’s it doing?” J’Dar asked.
He looked at them and answered, “Hiding! I think he may have found the Ambulas. The Kori Dane is there, too. Sir, they might be planning an assault.”
“Ha,” J’Dar chuckled. “That’s a joke!”
The captain replied, “Yes, it might be but the Ambulas is about to strike again. That, I’m sure of.”
J’Dar smiled at the foolishness of such a daring attempt; the captain noticed it. The captain was moved by Boone’s daring attempt to fight the Ambulas. He became angered by the commander’s disdain for Boone and his ship.
He asked the commander, “You have no respect for what they are trying to do?”
He nodded. “I do have respect for that but not for them. They are not up to the task nor capable. It’s foolishness. You’ll see.”
…
Boone also set a timer mounted on the wall next to him. Lincoln returned to the cockpit. Boone rehearsed with everyone.
“I jump at fifteen seconds! We arrive! Phia launch and Jona shoot! Lincoln launch rockets! Terra? Open rear port vent hatch to release bomb?” he asked as he looked back and gave her something important to do.
“Yes!” she gleamed. “That’s just what I wanted to do!”
Lincoln said, “That’s good. One less thing for me to do!”
“Bomb is away with ten seconds remaining. Lila jumps! Everyone got that? That’s all we can do.”
Boone rehearsed the plan several times until they each memorized their part. They all agreed they were ready. They watched the timer. It got down to twenty seconds and the Kenos hovered to starboard and came out from behind the small moon. They had a visual on the Ambulas.
Boone uttered to himself, “OK, my precious Night Star. This is your moment! We’ve waited for this for a long time! C’mon, Lady, do your thing! Don’t let me down!”
The Ambulas appeared as a black blob with the planet Efferium slowly rotating behind it. 17… 16…
“Here we go,” Boone exclaimed as he touched the panel. Everyone tensed. The Kenos suddenly reappeared above the Ambulas.
“Queen!” Juvas yelled. “The Kenos! Uh, Night Star! It’s on top of us!”
“Evasive!” she yelled. But the Night Star was already halfway through its preplanned mission.
“Now!” Boone yelled as he began strafing the top of the Ambulas. The Kori Dane fired upon one of the engines of the Ambulas. It took two full seconds for it to explode. The Ambulas rocked and its stern shifted to starboard, causing the ship to rotate.
The Kenos sent out a continuous flurry of phase blasts as Boone moved the Kenos quickly toward the bow. Phia had already sent out one of two tracking devices. Lincoln launched two of the ships four rockets.
“Das!” the queen yelled. “Get us out of here! Now!”
Along the top of the ship and from Qwi’mae’s star lab, quick bursts and explosions were seen. For the Night Star, the destruction ignited more hatred toward the queen and summoned more courage for the crew.
Qwi’mae stood in horror as she was the first to see the Night Star coming toward her position, several small explosions appearing sporadically as it came upon her. Miraculously, the Night Star went past her as quickly as it had appeared.
For the Kenos, four seconds had passed. Boone began to panic. He also had to adjust course because the ship was rotating. Something he was not expecting. The Kenos was nearing the bow and the bridge could not be identified in the single second Boone searched. Jona never let go of the trigger as the blasting continued. Lincoln launched the final two rockets at what he claimed to be key locations. The five seconds were up.
“Terra?”
“Bomb is away!” she roared.
Phia announced, “Second tracker already launched.”
The small hull hatch on the port side of the Kenos opened and the vacuum of space sucked the package from its chamber. What was a waste and maintenance hatch became a weapons launch. The bomb glided downward as the Kenos disappeared. It reappeared 41,000 miles from the planet. Boone turned the ship around 180°.
“Lila! Project live hologram! Enlarge! Initiate!”
A large live feed of the Ambulas appeared just as the bomb went off. They saw the Ambulas tilt upward as the bomb descended just under the bow of the Ambulas.
“I hope it damaged those laser turrets,” Jona huffed.
“Me, too,” Jona answered.
Suddenly, the Ambulas started to flee. While it was fleeing, it sent out bursts of laser fire in every direction. Halene - controlling the bow lasers, Aksa - controlling the aft lasers, drained all the power the laser banks could hold. The Ambulas was determined to defend itself and hit what it could, though it was a shot in the dark. It sped away and vanished.
Boone stood as did everyone else. “Ah!” he roared. “How does it feel?” he shouted. “Lila! You are the best!”
They started rejoicing, shaking hands, and hugging one another. Phia embraced Boone and held him tight. She realized she didn’t want to let go of him. A tear surfaced in her eye and Boone saw it. He wondered about it.
She said, “Boone!” Everyone looked at her and watched. She wiped it away. “I am so glad,” she sighed. “We are alive!” Then she laughed. Then everyone laughed. Then they all sat down.
Boone said, “Mace? You there?”
“Oh, yeah! I only got two engines. We are alive, too.”
“I’m replaying the footage, Mace. Patching you into Lila’s hologram.” Boone replayed the footage and paused it when he saw a black wide panel five feet by eight feet sitting on top of a small metal rectangular beam.
“That, people, is a deflector. At least, that’s what I’m calling it. I don’t know what it is, exactly, but it is the cause of her deflecting our scans.” They all watched the footage and made remarks about it. Boone forwarded the footage, “Looks like we destroyed two out of eight of them.”
“Unless there are more on its sides and hull,” Terra said.
Mace said, “Boone, we have company. Those two ships are at the edge of the system, now. And I am also tracking some space gunners emerging from Efferium! What!” he exclaimed as his voice cracked.
“I see them!” Phia said as she noted the panel at her small station. “Boone, they are coming from Isoter, also. To fight, probably!”
Gunner
said, “I see a handful coming from a moon orbiting Xeraxes. They will be late, though.”
Mace said, “They are coming at us from three sides. Uh,” he moaned. Then he exclaimed, “Hey! There’s a few from the Gorledeon system? Really?”
Terra said, “See, I know there must be a base in Gorledeon! That is where Cumi came out from, too. Those three hundred guard runners are engaging with them. The queen’s gunners seem outnumbered.”
Lincoln said, “I’m worried about those coming at us! Not those in Gorledeon, Terra. I’m contacting the High Guard on Efferium! We will get every intergalactic runner and space ship they have available!”
A few minutes passed by as they chatted and conspired how best to defend themselves from what they estimated to be seventy-two ships in all. Ships of various types and sizes. Ships all loyal to the queen and the Ambulas. They were seeking revenge.
Mace said, “Boone. I want to reconnect the tow cable. Why don’t we bolt out of here?”
They all looked at each other, wanting to fight but agreed. The Kenos’ rockets were gone and it had been a stressful day.
As they contemplated and schemed, a massive ship reappeared 3,000 miles directly in front of them. Boone shuddered nervously as he thought the Ambulas returned to exact revenge. It was the Sim-Sa Gale.
“Mr. Nova,” Captain Eisen appeared in his hologram. “This teleportation device is… wonderful! Would you please land your Night Star, uh, Kenos ship? What am I to call it, Mr. Nova? Docking bay 151. Now! We have a lot to talk about.”
Boone sunk into his seat. Fear and trepidation took over his complexion. Filled with apprehension, he wiped his face with both of his hands. He blew out a loud and long sigh. He looked behind him at Terra, Lincoln, and Phia. They just gaped and watched Captain Eisen in the hologram. Boone nodded to the captain then the hologram abruptly ended.
“Wait,” Boone exclaimed as he pushed a button to reestablish contact but there was no answer. He tried again but they ignored his call. He leaned back in his cockpit chair and let out a stressful sigh. With trepidation on his face, he slowly and cautiously gripped the flight yoke.
“Boone?” Lincoln asked, noticing his fear and reluctance. “What are you doing? We’d like to know.”
Terra, the only one there that truly understood his dilemma, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She said, “Boone, listen. I know what you’re thinking. You want to bolt out of here, run, and hide. I know! But listen, I’m here with you. I’m gonna see this through with you. All the way. I will be with you. OK?”
Phia added, “Me, too, Boone. I’m not going anywhere and just like we talked about before, at the hospital, I’m going to be here for you. OK? What do you say?”
Lincoln asked, “Boone? What’s going on? You sound like you’re in trouble.”
Boone looked at Lincoln, Terra, and Phia, “The High Guard has wanted me for years. Now, they have me!”
Lincoln asked, “For what?”
Phia said, “Boone! You are under my authority! Remember? ‘I’ took you into custody and…”
“Phia! They don’t care about ‘your’ authority!” He looked at Terra and Lincoln. “And they won’t recognize your authority, either. My life, my freedom… it all just ended.”
A Special Thanks
Thank you for taking the time to read my novel. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.
In this adventure, Boone had a very difficult time navigating a host of various trials – some very disheartening trials. Not being trusted, having no one to trust in, being lied about, and being lied to are just plain demoralizing and hurtful. It can change your life - for the worst and even destroy you.
On the other hand, exercising faith and trusting the Lord during these trials and issues can result in the opposite – vindication and blessing. God sees it and though it seems He is silent, He is not.
Boone also struggled with another spiritual truth – a truth that is most difficult to reconcile. He tried to process the evil that God had allowed with the victory God had also brought. We often can’t comprehend God’s purpose and sovereignty but one thing will always be true – He is molding you and testing you and desires your heart, your actions, and your integrity glorify Him.
Maintaining your integrity and speaking the truth can often be a very difficult thing to do. Boone encountered a lot of lies, accusations, and hurtful personal attacks during his adventure. We all face similar trials and difficulties in our own lives, including lies, accusations, and hurtful personal attacks.
I challenge you. What trials are you facing? What is the ‘right thing to do?’ Will you maintain your integrity despite the circumstances? I encourage you to look into God’s Word – you’ll find the strength and peace you need to endure any attack and any trial.
I encourage you to visit my website and see what trials I faced and how I overcame them. I also welcome your questions and comments about The Adventures of Boone Nova and my other novels on my website, www.integritynovels.com. – Novels to Inspire.
I hope I can be an encouragement and an inspiration to all who visit there. You can also find out more about my upcoming novels, bio, and more.
Lastly; if you enjoyed The Adventures of Boone Nova – Book 4 Boone Nova and the Pirate Queen, I would be honored if you would tell others by writing a review. I am in great need of some good reviews. Reviews are very important to us authors. Please go to Amazon.com/theadventuresofboonenova to write a review on Amazon. Thanks so much!
Thank you for reading my novels!
John
A brief word about the author
I currently live in upstate New York with my wonderful wife, Christine. I served in the USAF from 1977-1981. Then I earned my Bachelors of Bible degree from Bible Baptist College in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1984. I also earned an associate’s degree in theology and a minor in Christian Education.
I have served in many various local ministries for over 33 years now. I currently work and serve in my local church as a secretary and ministry leader. I love to spend time with my wife, family, and friends. I enjoy biking, cooking, grilling, hosting barbecues, reading, writing, and watching movies and sports.
I have experienced many physical trials throughout my life and have detailed some of them on my website; www.integritynovels.com. I hope it will encourage you. I hope you’ll take something from my novels that will lead you closer to Him. That’s my goal as a writer and a believer.
Thank you,
John E. Bujanowski Jr.
Acknowledgements
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth forever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth forever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth forever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth forever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth forever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth forever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth forever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth forever.”
Psalm 136:1-9 KJV
“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Proverbs 2:7
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
These verses are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain).
All Rights Reserved – April 2017
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The purchaser of this book is subject to the condition that he/she shall in no way resell it, nor any part of it, nor make copies of it to distribute freely unless authorized to do so by the author or the distributors. This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and
incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be interpreted as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or deceased, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without the express written approval of the author, except where permitted by law. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.COM and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of all people involved in the creation of this book.
Thank You
Return
of the
Guardian King
The Search for Truth
Book 5
The
Adventures
Of
Boone Nova
A novel by
John E Bujanowski Jr
Previously… From Boone Nova and the Pirate Queen
The battle for the spatial corridors was just now being realized. For years, the Court of Primes, the High Guard Investigation Command, and many other planetary dignitaries failed to see what was happening within the spatial corridors of the Abdom'anon Constellation. Now, because of Boone Nova and his friends, they finally clearly understood an evil foe - a pirate queen, was waging war against them.
Infiltration had caused grave problems for the Court and the High Guard administration. Several High Guard establishments, bases, and outposts were secretly infiltrated and it may have happened years ago. In some places, it may have occurred the same time the seven planets agreed to unification – over eight years ago. Presently, the queen and some of her key personnel were diligently attempting to infiltrate more places and free certain coveted pirates – the notorious Jurias Kwelling, the 5th prime’s servant, Luweena, and Merrick’s son-in-law and second-hand man, Ander Indrayel.