Evolution: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Ghost Squadron Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  After a tentative glance at Teach, Sabien shook his head. “It’s me who is sorry, Cousin. We might be blood, but Blackbeard is right. I’d rather have no bar then condone what you do.” He cast a look at Teach, his eyes disappointed. “Do what you gotta do.”

  The two men flanking Ink smacked the batons into their palms, making a slapping sound.

  “Oh look, Smelly and Smellier have decided to join the fight.” Eddie leaned to the side, his voice directed to the bartender. “Can my friend and I get another round? We’re about to be thirsty.”

  The first man stepped forward and swung his baton, which made Eddie arch his back as he retreated a few steps to keep his midsection from getting nailed. Knox bolted from his position and went after the other man, who was trying to double-up on Eddie.

  As Ink watched this he laughed loudly, as if he’d already won the fight.

  Within seconds Eddie had the first man in a head-lock, his face red from lack of oxygen. He dropped his baton as a few men bolted out of the bar, but the others joined the fight.

  Knox ducked several times, not hitting his opponent but not getting hit either.

  Julianna took a sip of her drink, watching the scene with mild interest.

  The first man was out cold, and Eddie picked up a chair and took out three more with a single swing. Several others charged him as though their numbers would somehow balance the scales, but Eddie was made for this. As the scene intensified and the battle continued, his eyes grew hard and his mind clear. He was in his element, acting on sheer instinct.

  The grin had disappeared from Ink’s face by this time, replaced by a drooping scowl as his concern grew.

  When the man with the baton swung hard at Knox, he slid to the ground and kicked his legs out from under him. The man landed hard on his back and Knox knocked the baton to the other end of the bar. With another swipe of his leg Knox buried his foot in his opponent’s temple, knocking him out.

  Now there were only three remaining—Ink and two of his cronies. That was when Julianna noticed that the bartender had set his dirty rag on the bar and was scratching his forehead. Then he lowered his hand and pretended to feel around his apron.

  But Julianna was no fool.

  When the bartender brought the hidden pistol out from under his belt, Julianna picked up the bottle of Brick Walls and threw it past him to crash into the shelf behind him. He flinched and shot her a look.

  She stared at him steadily, breathing calmly with no fear or concern in her eyes. “Get the fuck out of here,” she told him, “before the next one hits your head.

  The bartender looked down at his gun and then at Julianna, unable to hide his worry. Julianna could sense him holding his breath.

  The second he breathed again he dashed to the side, and his gun fell to the floor where he had been standing. Julianna watched him flee through the swinging doors at the front of the bar. She couldn’t blame him for being a coward, not in this instance. Not against her.

  The commotion on the other side of the bar had grown now that Eddie battled Ink. Knox had taken on the last two men. Julianna threw the rest of her drink back before lazily standing and stretching her arms. She ambled over to where Ink had Eddie pinned against a support post. The brute’s head was pressed hard into Eddie’s abdomen, and the post was groaning from the force.

  “Hey there, Jules!” exclaimed Eddie, grimacing from the pressure.

  “How’s it going, Teach? Need some help?” asked Julianna. In the background, Knox had finished off the remaining two goons.

  “If you’re not busy,” wheezed Eddie, giving her a grin.

  Julianna poked Ink on the shoulder and he stood up, but he still didn’t let Eddie go. “What do you…want, woman?” the giant wheezed.

  “I was hoping to get into the fight,” said Julianna. “You’ll need to let him go first, though.”

  The large man regarded Julianna for a moment and then howled with laughter. “Sure thing, sweetheart. Let me just put his head through the bar. It’s only fair.”

  “I’m afraid I need his head intact,” she said, frowning. “You have three seconds to step away from him.” She planted her weight on her back foot.

  Ink laughed a second time and, turning back to the Captain, squeezed Eddie with both arms.

  Julianna sighed and shook her head. “Have it your way,” she said, then launched up and forward, sending her hand straight down into the man’s neck. The giant’s head rebounded, and he released Eddie and staggered back from the attack.

  Eddie stepped forward and lifted his fist into Ink’s chin, smashing his lip and spilling his blood.

  The man spun and faced Julianna, and she grinned up at him. “Hello there, sweetheart,” she said as she sent a knee straight into his belly and then a foot into his groin.

  He doubled over and collapsed, struggling to breathe as his eyes rolled back in pain. “B-bastards...” Ink muttered before passing out.

  Eddie looked around the bar, finally noticing the mess he’d made. “Oh, shit!”

  Sabien stood on the far side of the bar with a beer still in his hand.

  “Sorry about the place, old buddy,” Eddie said, scratching his head.

  Sabien stared at his unconscious cousin and the other men who were scattered on the floor around the bar and shook his head. “Don’t be. Hopefully they’ve learned their lesson this time.”

  Julianna’s eyes fell on Ink, who was lying at her feet. “Maybe,” she said, bending down beside him, “but some people never change.”

  “Anyone can change,” said Eddie, who walked up to her and gave her a warm smile. “But it takes some people a little more time than others.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Planet Sagano, Behemoth System

  The jungle was growing darker, and there were strange animals scurrying through the trees. Reflective eyes popped up in the dark canopy as the three made their way back to the ship.

  Julianna pushed through the large leaves and low-hanging vines. “Next time, do you think you could give me a heads-up that you’re taking us to a place where someone wants you dead?”

  Eddie pretended to consider this, then shook his head. “It’s more fun this way. You should just go ahead and assume they want me dead in most places.”

  Knox hadn’t said a word since they left the Hole in the Jungle, but he’d kept his eyes on Julianna and his mouth parted most of the way like he wanted to say something. Finally he strode up next to her, although it was hard to walk shoulder to shoulder on the narrow jungle path. “You aren’t normal, are you?”

  A laugh burst from Eddie’s mouth. He couldn’t help it. So many things were new to Knox, and watching him learn about the strange and awesome stuff the Federation had and did was like seeing it for the first time again himself.

  Julianna didn’t laugh, but instead pursed her lips. “What’s ‘normal?’”

  “Right, good question. I just meant that you’re different, like not human,” said Knox, his voice hesitant.

  Again Eddie laughed, thoroughly amused. “She’s an alien.”

  “I’m enhanced,” she corrected. “I’m still human, but my nanotechnology makes me stronger and faster, and I have regenerative abilities.”

  “Ask her how old she is!” Eddie urged.

  “That’s rude, Teach,” said Julianna, pretending to be offended.

  “I’m guessing you’re old. Are you the least bit drunk from that Brick Wall stuff?” asked Knox.

  Julianna tilted her head back and forth as if weighing her answer. “I’m a bit more relaxed, but I wish I hadn’t smashed that bottle. I could have used one more drink.”

  “That’s what I do to her. I drive her to drink more,” said Eddie, proudly.

  “Damn, you already had a few shots of that stuff,” said Knox.

  They’d arrived back at the Q-Ship, and it uncloaked itself.

  “Pip hasn’t had any luck getting ahold of Hatch, so we might have to wait it out here until we can connect,” Julianna informed
them.

  Eddie drew in a breath and pushed his back into a nearby tree, leaning his weight into it. “That’s fine with me. I could use a nap after all that fun.”

  Knox squatted down at the back of the Q-Ship, feeling around for the seam where the fuel lines were located. “I can see if I can find where the hose is pinched.” He looked over his shoulder at the others, his face unsure. “I mean, if that’s all right? I don’t know much, and nothing about this ship, but I got a thing for mechanics.”

  Eddie shrugged, closing his eyes for a moment. “Totally fine with me.”

  “I’ll grab you some tools.” Julianna opened the hatch and climbed into the ship. “Pip says he might be able to talk you through some troubleshooting techniques,” she yelled to Knox from inside.

  Landing Bay, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System

  Hatch was in the middle of yelling at three crew members when the Q-Ship landed aboard the ArchAngel. His tentacles waved wildly over his head, and his face was scrunched with frustration. The Londil brought his gaze to the vessel as the three disembarked, eyes narrowing on each of them before focusing on the ship itself.

  “Sir, will that be all?” asked one of his mechanics.

  Hatch turned back to the man. “Now you listen to me,” he snapped. “Try that procedure again and this time don’t screw it up, you good-for-nothing knuckle-dragger! That goes for the lot of you!”

  The three crew members stiffened at the order, no doubt terrified.

  Hatch looked back at the Q-Ship and puffed his cheeks, then waddled over to Julianna and Eddie. “I got a message that you’d had an accident and needed my help. What are you doing back? I was just about to leave to pick you up.”

  “The Brotherhood ships hit us as we were leaving,” said Eddie. “Luckily, old Knox here managed to get the busted fuel line fixed all by himself.” He slapped Knox on the back. “He did it before I even managed to fall asleep, and you know how I like my naps.” Eddie yawned loudly.

  Hatch studied the boy before him with a cynical expression on his face. “You? You fixed the Q-Ship?”

  Knox stared back at him timidly. “I, uh…”

  “What’s wrong?” asked Eddie, tilting his head. “You’ve never seen an octopus alien mechanic before?”

  “This is Knox Gunnerson,” said Julianna. “Knox, meet Hatch. He’s a Londil, and our resident specialist in all things mechanical, electronic, and so on.”

  Eddie nodded. “Need a device, go to Hatch. Need a part, go to Hatch. Need—”

  Hatch cut Eddie off. “Need a pain in the ass, go to the Captain.”

  “It’s true, I’m a huge pain. Just ask Jules,” said Eddie, jerking a thumb in her direction.

  Hatch looked at Knox. “Pip said there was a problem with the fuel lines. Did you patch a leak? I guess that’s easy enough to handle.”

  “Actually, the second interior armor plate had shifted and pinched the lines. I hammered it back into place and that fixed the issue,” said Knox, shrugging noncommittally. “It wasn’t really difficult.”

  “No, it doesn’t sound like it,” agreed Hatch, and turned back to look at his crew. “But the dimwits around here wouldn’t have figured it out!” He raised his voice to make sure they could hear him. “They can’t tie their damn shoes, let alone follow the specs for building a Q-Ship!” Hatch looked at Julianna and Eddie again. “Hope you don’t need new ships anytime soon, because these monkeys can’t seem to build one.”

  “We’ll need more sooner rather than later,” said Julianna. “Maybe Knox could help?”

  Eddie tapped his chin. “We need good pilots, though, and he can handle himself in the air, can’t he?”

  Hatch looked between the two with an annoyed expression on his face. “And heaven forbid you ask the kid what he wants.”

  Knox shook his head, face slightly pink. “It’s fine. I’ll do whatever you need. I mean, if you’re going to let me stay and…work with you, or whatever you have in mind.”

  Julianna looked at Eddie, and the two had a silent exchange. After a moment she nodded. “Knox, after seeing what you did back there in both Gun Barrel and Sagano, you’ve proven yourself to be an asset.”

  “An asset?” he asked.

  “That means she likes you,” said Eddie. “Would you like to join our team, fighting bad guys and protecting the Federation?”

  Knox looked at the three of them like he expected someone else to answer for him.

  Eddie continued, “It’s your call, Knox. You saved my life back there in the desert, and in my book that means you’ve proven yourself a dozen times over.” He motioned at the spot on the boy’s arm where he’d been shot. “What we do is dangerous. I think you understand that now, but just in case you don’t, take a listen and mind what I say. The people we fight are scoundrels, cold-blooded fiends with a thirst for killin’. They’ve drawn a line and dared the rest of the galaxy—namely us—to cross it.” He looked at Julianna and Hatch, then at Knox again. “It’s tough, doing what we do. Not a lot of people can.”

  “Which is why we’re here,” added Julianna. “Because we have the capability to cross that line and hold our ground.”

  Eddie nodded, and he gave the boy a wicked grin. “Plus, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.”

  “Would our missions be like Sagano?” asked Knox.

  “Well, bar fights aren’t really in the job description,” said Julianna. “They’re more of an extracurricular activity.”

  Knox was quiet for a moment, as if he were weighing the variables in his head.

  “Why don’t you think on it for today?” asked Eddie. “You can decide if you want to join after we’ve gotten that wound looked at and had some rest. Take some time and watch what we do. Hang around ArchAngel, and when you’re ready let us know.”

  Knox smiled, shaking his head. “No, I definitely want to join. Definitely,” he said quickly. “I just don’t know what I want to do. I like to fly, but mechanics comes naturally for me.”

  “Good,” said Eddie. “Think about that decision instead, then. It’s equally important.”

  Hatch motioned with his tentacle. “Well, now that you humans are done with your moment, get out of my landing bay! I’ve got work to do.” He waddled past them and over to the Q-Ship, starting to inspect it at once.

  Julianna smirked as she watched the octopus, then turned to Eddie. “Pip has decoded the information he downloaded from Gun Barrel, by the way. He’s sending it to Jack now. We should head to his office and review it together. Think you can hold off on that nap for a while?”

  Eddie frowned. “Aw, fine. I guess stopping a galactic threat is more important than sleeping.” He waved at Knox as he and Julianna strode to the exit. “Go explore the ship, kid, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

  ~~~

  “You like Gunner,” said Eddie, his tone teasing.

  Julianna cast a sideways look at him, not at all impressed. “I think he has a good heart.”

  “But you’re not as cautious about him as you were before, are you?”

  The two walked through the corridor, crew members nodding in respect to them as they passed them.

  “I think things have changed. He can’t really get himself in trouble on ArchAngel. We’ll see how he does, but yes, giving him a chance made sense,” said Julianna, then added, “I think we should still be careful.”

  “You’re always careful.”

  “Is this when you tell me I should live a little?” asked Julianna.

  The pair rounded the corner and walked straight into Jack’s office. “Nah, this is when I tell you not to change. You’re the careful one, and I’m—well, the free spirit.”

  Jack looked up from a report he was studying. “Captain, did you just describe yourself as a ‘free spirit?’”

  “Well, I’m not like those hippies who run the crystal store on Onyx Station, but sure. I’m the relaxed one, and Jules is the careful one. It’s a nice balance,” said Eddie, taking a seat.

  “Le
t’s get right to it. Now then, thank you for getting this information to me quickly. I’ve just reviewed it.” Jack pushed away from his desk, crossing his ankle over his knee. “Tell me, what did you learn in Gun Barrel?”

  “That our contact had been murdered and the Brotherhood is one step ahead of us,” said Eddie.

  “Damn it. I feared that Felix would go back and take out the person who vouched for him to the Defiance Trading Company. He’s not leaving any loose strings out there, or so he thinks,” said Jack.

  “’So he thinks?’ What did the report tell us?” asked Julianna, leaning on the back of the chair.

  “It appears that Axel Link took an interest in Felix after he was ‘asked’ to provide a reference. I’m guessing he knew the guy was up to something. The information Pip pulled from Link’s place shows that he was tracking an army, which I believe to be the Brotherhood,” said Jack.

  “Why is that news to us? We know the Brotherhood are Felix’s minions,” said Eddie, leaning back in his seat and stretching.

  “Every time we get a glimpse of the Brotherhood their numbers grow. From what I’ve learned, it looks like the Brotherhood army has doubled since you went after Vas,” said Jack.

  “Doubled?” asked Eddie, leaning forward. He remembered the sea of soldiers they’d encountered when they came face to face with Commander Lytes and General Vas. There had been more than they could handle, and that had only been a couple weeks ago.

  “Yes, which means Felix and Commander Lytes are recruiting faster than ever. The information from Axel doesn’t specify where the army is being housed, only shows when they were on the move. Still, that gave us a good enough estimate of their numbers to guess that they’ve doubled,” said Jack.

  “So now Felix has a huge store of weapons and is quickly growing an army…” said Julianna, voice trailing off and her eyes staring at nothing as she thought.

  “Yes, which suggest he’s preparing for a war,” stated Eddie.

  “Exactly. We suspected this was coming, but I don’t think we could have guessed that he’d make this much progress so fast,” said Jack.