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

by Sarah Noffke

  “Especially after we destroyed his weapons cache. I would have thought it would take him a while to recover,” said Julianna.

  “We know roughly the size of his army,” said Jack, no doubt trying to change the tone of the meeting from doubtful to optimistic. “And thanks to Knox, we also know what kind of weapons he acquired from the Defiance Trading Company. In truth, we know a great deal more today than we did yesterday, and I expect tomorrow we will learn even more. Progress takes time, my friends, but it will continue so long as we do our jobs.”

  Julianna nodded in agreement and responded, “We need to know more about his ship technology. More importantly, we need to know what he’s planning next.”

  ArchAngel flickered onto the screen behind Jack, interrupting the meeting. “Hello, all,” she said.

  “Hey, A,” sang Eddie.

  “Jack, the contact has arrived and is currently with Officer Sours,” said ArchAngel.

  “Perfect timing. Thank you,” said Jack to the AI, and turned his attention back to Eddie and Julianna. “As you mentioned, we need to know what Felix is planning next so we can get one step ahead of him.”

  “You brought in a contact who can help,” guessed Julianna.

  “That’s right,” he said with a knowing smile. “Marilla recruited this contact, and I think he might be quite insightful. Go down to the Intelligence Center, and let me know afterwards what you learned. Dismissed.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Intelligence Center, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System

  Eddie’s hand dove straight for his pistol upon entering the Intelligence Center and silently he pulled the weapon out, but left it pointed at the ground. Julianna tensed beside him, staring at the same threat with uncertainty in her eyes.

  A huge Trid stood just in front of them, his back facing them. His long arms were stretched over his head and he stomped angrily. He obstructed the view of Marilla and Chester on the other side of him.

  A loud roar spilled from the Trid’s mouth, one that vibrated the room, and Julianna pulled her gun from her holster, holding it at the ready.

  There was a small laugh. “Then what did you do?” asked Marilla, her voice light.

  “Uhhh, Officer Sours, what’s going on?” asked Eddie.

  The Trid turned around and backed up at the sight of the weapons Julianna and Eddie held. Marilla sprang from her seat and covered the Trid protectively with her small body, although she made a horrible shield.

  “What are you doing? Rex isn’t an enemy,” said Marilla, her voice urgent.

  Eddie eyed the Trid, who looked like he might have just peed his pants. He was large, but had the demeanor of a scared mouse.

  “This is your contact?” asked Eddie.

  She nodded. “Yes, I met Rex when I was doing the archeological dig on Kai. He’s a friend, and a fellow scientist.”

  Eddie lowered his weapon and cast a glance at Julianna. “Jack could have told us in advance.”

  Julianna put her pistol away, shaking her head. “I think he’s probably having a good laugh right now. We were obviously set up.”

  “I know many Trid are viewed as hostile and unwilling to work with humans, but I’m different,” said Rex. His voice was squeaky, also reminiscent of a mouse’s.

  Marilla let out a steadying breath, then stepped to the side. “Rex, Captain Teach and Commander Fregin. They’re the ones you’ll report to.”

  Rex nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs, but he didn’t fit quite right due to his size and stood again. Eddie pictured him as a giant teddy bear. Well, one with gills. A sweet shark-bear. He didn’t have the angry and predatory look on his face that all the other Trid seemed to wear.

  Chester covered a grin when the giant Trid clumsily knocked over the chair while trying to lever himself out of it.

  “You’re not working for the Kai government anymore, is that correct?” asked Julianna, also trying to keep her face impassive. Eddie, though, wasn’t really hiding his amusement.

  “That’s right. I worked with the research organization with Marilla, but I’ve been out of government business for a while. The things the Kai government has been dabbling in were questionable, mostly because the people they were working with… Well, it didn’t seem right to continue,” explained Rex.

  “Do you mean the Brotherhood and Felix Castile?” asked Eddie.

  Rex nodded, his dark shark-eyes becoming quite serious at the mention of Felix’s name. “I used to work for Commander Vas, but when he left I used that as my opportunity to get out of Kai operations. I’m hoping to go back into research through the universities.”

  “Left?” asked Eddie. “You mean after we blew him up?”

  Rex flinched at the question. “Yes, I guess I do.”

  “Tell them what you told me about Commander Lytes,” urged Marilla.

  “Oh, right. Well, General Vas was popular with his soldiers, but he was not as powerful as Commander Lytes. He’s the real force behind the Brotherhood,” said Rex.

  “Yes, we’re aware of that. What we need to find out is where the Brotherhood is and what they are planning next,” said Eddie.

  “That’s where Rex can help,” said Marilla, giving Rex an encouraging look. “Go on. They need to know so they can intervene.”

  Rex swallowed, something bobbing in his throat. “Well, I don’t know where the Brotherhood is based, but I do know that Commander Lytes is planning on taking over a planet on the fringe. They may already be there, putting their plans into action. That’s supposed to be their new base of operations.”

  “What?” asked Julianna in disbelief. “An entire planet? That’s huge. Where? What is the name?”

  Rex shook his massive head. “That I didn’t find out. I left before any of the information crossed my desk.”

  “Where exactly did you work?” asked Julianna.

  “The underwater base on Kai. It’s under the eastern equator,” explained Rex.

  “Remember I told you that’s where their ships are constructed? The Stingrays?” said Marilla.

  “Did you work in R&D?” asked Eddie.

  Rex bluntly shook his head. “I’m a historian, about like Marilla. I worked in the facility, but mostly on the dry land where the dig was taking place.”

  “Are you telling us that information on what the Brotherhood is planning can be found in this underwater facility?” asked Julianna.

  “Pistris Station,” supplied Rex. “And yes. Plans and technology are all housed in that particular station. I know I’m betraying my people, but since they’ve partnered with the Brotherhood, I believe their interests aren’t pure. The Brotherhood has been giving huge donations to the Trid government in exchange for our compliance.” Rex shook his head, looking disturbed. “But money isn’t everything. I hear about what they’re doing, and I can’t be a part of that anymore.”

  His voice was almost frantic, maybe even scared.

  “Like the planet you mentioned?” asked Eddie.

  The Trid nodded. “They took over the planet and enlarged their military forces. My department was all but cut, since it wasn’t vital to the mission. Most others were too, if they didn’t serve the ever-increasing war machine. All the Brotherhood cares about is expanding its influence and control. I don’t know specifics, but I know this is the start of something big. The power and influence of the Trid and Brotherhood are growing.”

  “I think we all know who is behind this, manipulating and using the Trid and Brotherhood,” said Eddie, looking at Julianna. She agreed with a nod.

  “Can you get back into Pistris Station?” asked Julianna.

  Rex backed up several feet, nearly ramming into Chester. He looked as though he’d just been scared half to death. “Oh, no, I can’t go back there. I quit. What if they suspected something? They’d throw me into prison. I can’t have that.”

  “Right,” said Julianna, drawing out the word. “Can you help us get into that underwater base?”

  “Now you’re talking,”
said Eddie, his tone excited. Breaking into a secret underwater base sounded like exactly what they needed to do next.

  “I guess I could. You might still get caught, but I’ll tell you what I know,” said Rex.

  Eddie clapped his hands and rubbed them eagerly. “Perfect.” He turned to address Marilla. “Have Rex convey everything he knows about Pistris Station to ArchAngel so Hatch can work on a way for us to get into this base. Chester, you think you can hack the security system for us, grant us access?”

  Chester spun around in his seat with a wide grin on his face. “I must be a mind reader, since that’s what I’ve been doing since Rex mentioned Pistris Station. I’ll have your clearance by the end of the day.”

  Eddie let out a loud whoop. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about!”

  Bridge, QBS ArchAngel, Tangki System

  The ArchAngel gated to the Tangki system, arriving near Kai’s orbit.

  “ArchAngel, can I please get an update on that information you’ve been hunting down for me?” asked Eddie, standing next to Jack on the bridge.

  “Do you mean the information on how to get rid of that stubborn rash?” asked ArchAngel, her face on the large screen in the front. Many of the crew members at their different stations laughed.

  “Ha-ha,” said Eddie. “No, and I don’t believe I asked for any such information.”

  Jack stood nearby. “You’re still going through with this?” he asked. “Aren’t you concerned about backlash from Julianna?”

  “I’ve thought about it. I think this is what she needs, and I think there could be some long-term benefits,” said Eddie.

  “If you say so,” said Jack. “Personally I’m going to avoid that woman’s ire. She seems just as likely to rip your throat out as kiss you.”

  “More the former than the latter,” said Eddie, “but I’ll take my chances!”

  “If the two of you are finished,” said Archangel, “I’ve found the information you requested, Eddie. I’ll send it to you right now, along with those special rash remedies.”

  “Wow, thanks. You’re a doll,” said Eddie, humorlessly. He pulled up his pad, tapping the screen. “Here it is. And our current location, the Tangki system, couldn’t be any more perfect. It’s like it was meant to be.”

  “Serendipity,” supplied ArchAngel.

  Eddie looked up, confused. “Huh?”

  “’Serendipity.’ You said it was meant to be. That’s the word for it,” she said.

  “Thanks. I’ll use your expensive word the next chance I get,” said Eddie.

  Jack read the information on the pad over Eddie’s shoulder. “I agree that the locations line up pretty well. Are you going to contact him?”

  “Yes, I’ll set up a meeting for when we return from Kai,” said Eddie.

  “You know that Julianna will more likely punch you for meddling than thank you,” warned Jack.

  “Meddling in what?” asked Julianna, popping up behind Jack and Eddie and nearly making them jump. Damn! She was so fucking quiet, thought Eddie.

  He pushed the power button on the top of the pad and shook his head.

  “We weren’t talking about you. We were talking about Lars. I’m meddling in his love life. Trying to recruit a nice Kezzin girl for the crew,” lied Eddie.

  Julianna tilted her head to the side, not buying this at all. “I heard my name.”

  “Because we thought you wouldn’t like us meddling in the crew’s love life,” said Eddie, his ears growing hot.

  “Well, of course I don’t. That’s highly unprofessional. Jack, I’m surprised you’d condone such a thing,” said Julianna, her tone punishing.

  Jack yanked up his wrist, eyeing his watch. “I have a meeting in my office that I’m late for.”

  ArchAngel appeared on the main screen again. “Actually, Jack, I show that your afternoon schedule is wide open.”

  “Uhhh, I didn’t put this meeting on my calendar,” stuttered Jack, hurrying off.

  Slowly, Eddie turned and looked at ArchAngel’s face. “You have been exceptionally helpful lately.”

  Cargo Bay 01 , QBS ArchAngel, Tangki System

  Hatch wiped a rag over his head, muttering to himself.

  “The crew seems to be giving you a headache,” stated Pip. “I show that your stress levels are elevated.”

  Hatch blew out an exaggerated breath. “That’s because they are all a bunch of worthless idiots who need me to hold their damn hands.”

  “You do have eight tentacles. You could hold a few hands,” joked Pip.

  Hatch deflated his cheeks and stood back to stare at his current project. It was a rather special type of ship, somewhat different from the rest he’d recently been working on.

  Pip continued, “And my records indicate that each member of your assigned crew has sufficient education to do the work you require of them. On the surface, they should be more than qualified to collectively build the Omega-line of Q-Ships.”

  “Education isn’t everything,” muttered Hatch. “I have plenty of degrees and certifications, but they’d all be worthless if I didn’t have instinct. These people have book knowledge but no heart.” He lifted a nearby screwdriver with a tentacle and examined a small bend in the metal before placing it down. “They don’t know how to feel their way around a machine.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Pip.

  “Ships are more than parts, Pip. They are living, breathing organisms that must be respected. The people on my crew are the same as all the other idiots I’ve met, with only a few rare exceptions. Those fools don’t see the truth inside the metal, so they can’t touch the soul of the ship they’re working on. They can’t understand how to talk to it, bend it, make it better. They don’t know how to imagine anything more than what they see.”

  “Is that what you’re doing right now? Trying to imagine something more?” asked Pip.

  “I’m trying to figure out if I like the paint job,” stated Hatch. “Blue is a good color for this one, don’t you think?”

  “Mmmm…” said Pip, thinking. “I would like a red racing stripe down the center. Maybe two.”

  Hatch dismissed the AI with a wave of his tentacle. “No, we’re trying to camouflage it, not have the damn thing stick out like a sore appendage.”

  “Thumb,” said Pip.

  “What?” asked Hatch, mostly distracted.

  “The expression is ‘a sore thumb,’” stated Pip.

  “I know damn well how it goes, but I don’t have thumbs so why would I use such a dumb word?” replied Hatch.

  The outer door opened and Julianna and Eddie strode into the bay.

  “I always enjoy our little heart-to-heart talks,” said Pip in a playful tone.

  “Heart-to-hearts,” corrected Hatch. “I have three hearts, remember?”

  “And nine stomachs and blue blood,” added Pip.

  Hatch polished the vehicle in front of him as Eddie and Julianna approached.

  “You called?” asked Julianna, smiling when she saw the mechanic. “We got a message to come and see you.”

  Hatch puffed his cheeks at the sight of her. “I did. I got your request for something to help you gain entry to the underwater base on Kai. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to create something from scratch. That would take longer than you have. Instead, I pulled one of my previous research projects from the storage locker.”

  “Is that a submarine?!” asked Eddie, looking at the blue ship. It was shaped like a “U” and had a round glass bubble in the middle.

  “It is,” said Hatch. “If I’d had more time I would’ve created a more unique one for your mission, probably with cloaking technology and big enough for more than one person. Instead, I tweaked this ship and got it working as well as could be expected,” explained Hatch, stepping back and admiring the submarine.

  “Wait, this only holds one person?” asked Julianna. “But we both need to get into the base.”

  “I’m sorry, Julie. Adding more room would require a comp
lete overhaul of the ship,” stated Hatch. “That would take several days at the least, even for me. Weeks, if I left it up to my sorry excuse for a crew.”

  Defeated, Julianna blew out a breath. “Okay. It’s not ideal, since I’d prefer us to partner up, but I’ll just go into Pistris Station alone and—”

  “Hey, whoa, no way!” argued Eddie. “I call dibs on this one.”

  “You can’t call dibs on a mission,” explained Julianna. “Besides, I got dibs when I volunteered myself.”

  “That’s not how ‘dibs’ works,” said Eddie.

  She fanned her hand at him. “You’ll just get caught if you go. Better to let an expert handle this.”

  “Who said I was going to get caught?” Eddie put a hand on his chest, offended. “There’s no one down there but scientists and a few lazy guards. I can handle that easily.”

  “I’m the obvious choice,” declared Julianna, a definitive tone in her voice.

  “I disagree. I vote we settle this using a tried-and-true method,” said Eddie.

  Julianna lowered her chin and gave him a heated look. “Don’t you dare say what I think you’re going to say.”

  “Roshambo! That’s the only fair way,” said Eddie.

  “What’s that?” asked Hatch, who was watching all this unfold from the side.

  “An old Earth game,” said Julianna, glaring at Eddie. “It’s just another name for rock-paper-scissors.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen that,” said Hatch, “but unfortunately I’ve never been able to play.” He held up a tentacle. “No fingers.”

  Julianna sighed. “Fine. We’ll do this your way, Teach, but when I win I want you to back off and let me go. No questions.”

  “You got it,” he said, holding up his fist.

  She did the same.

  Eddie looked at Hatch. “You’re the referee, buddy. Don’t let me down!”

  “Fine,” said Hatch, waddling closer to the two of them and puffing his cheeks. “This seems like fun.”

  “Let’s do this!” exclaimed Eddie.

  “On the count of three,” said Hatch. “One, two…three!”

  Julianna pushed her fist through the air, but kept it tight.