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

by Sarah Noffke

  She picked up a small TV and threw that too. It exploded, sending parts in all directions.

  The Kezzin dashed for the door and Eddie took off after him, but a radio crashed into his back and knocked him to the side. The Kezzin flew through the door and slammed it behind him as Eddie went after him, but a hair dryer smashed into the closed door.

  “I caught the one who just ran out!” barked Lars over the comm.

  Eddie halted, bending over and taking a breath. He held up his hand to the woman who had a breadmaker over her head in both hands, about to throw it too.

  “Don’t. I’m not the bad man,” said Eddie.

  Julianna ran to the front of the shop and looked around at the destruction. There was a question in her eyes as she eyed Eddie.

  “I’m fine,” he said in answer. “You?”

  “I had to take that Kezzin out. No choice,” said Julianna.

  “OK,” he said to Julianna. “We’ll have someone come in and clean up this mess,” said Eddie to the old woman. She still had the breadmaker in her hands, but didn’t look as bent on throwing it.

  The woman nodded, uncertainty and confusion in her eyes as she slowly lowered her arms.

  Julianna steered the woman to the very front of the shop. “Stay up here. Someone will come to take away these males.”

  “Deacon… Is he?” The woman’s question hung in the air.

  “Yes, I’m afraid so. I’m sorry,” said Julianna with rare sensitivity in her voice.

  The woman nodded, her eyes on the floor, which was now littered with broken appliances. “I didn’t think those Kezzin were customers, actually.”

  “Can you tell us anything about the work Deacon did away from this shop?” asked Julianna.

  The woman brought her startled eyes up to Julianna’s face. “Deacon didn’t do any work away from the shop.”

  Julianna nodded. The woman didn’t know anything. Deacon had kept this employee in the dark.

  “Got the Brotherhood soldiers secured out here, but we need to get Knox to the infirmary,” said Lars over the comm.

  Eddie’s eyes shot to the door, but he couldn’t really make out much through the murky glass. “What’s wrong with Knox?”

  “He’s fine, but it appears he’s broken his foot,” said Lars.

  ~~~

  “First you were shot, and now you’ve broken your foot,” said Eddie over the commotion in the bar. “Sure you want to stay on our team?”

  Lars and Eddie had carried Knox to the infirmary while Julianna supervised the cleanup of the shop. They couldn’t let anyone realize that the Federation—and Ghost Squadron specifically—had had anything to do with this, which meant there could be no evidence of their involvement.

  An hour later Eddie had contacted her and said that Knox was all set, with orders from the doctor to stay off the foot and rest up. Then he’d told her to meet them at the Honky Tonk Bar on Deck Thirty. When Julianna had questioned the decision, Teach had stated that it would cheer Knox up. The guy indeed had a wide grin on his face as he polished off his second beer.

  “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I don’t care if I break every bone in my body. I wanna be a part of this team. I wanna do what you all do,” said Knox.

  Eddie, smiling, brought his mug of beer to his mouth. “Well, good. You did a damn good job today. You both did.”

  “Felix was one step ahead of us again,” said Julianna, taking a sip. It burned her throat, but went down easy enough. They had the good stuff on Onyx.

  “That fucker took out his own scientist!” said Eddie.

  “What kind of person does that?” asked Lars.

  “I have a feeling we’re going to find out many despicable things about Felix Castile,” said Eddie.

  The commotion in the center of the bar, which resembled the inside of a barn, got louder. A ring had been framed in the main area and a mechanical bull stood in the center of its padded floor.

  A man pushed up from the ground, having just been bucked off.

  “Jules, you want to ride the bull first or shall I?” asked Eddie.

  “I’m not riding it at all,” said Julianna.

  “But it will cheer Knox up! He broke his foot. Don’t you want to make him feel better?” asked Eddie.

  Julianna looked at Knox.

  “It’s true, Commander,” he said. “I can’t think of anything that would make me happier than watching you two tackle the bull. We never got a chance to do any real cowboy stuff in Gun Barrel.”

  “I ate a bunch of sand. Does that count?” asked Eddie.

  “It doesn’t,” said Julianna. “How about whoever loses a bet on the Captain rides?”

  Eddie pushed to his feet and puffed his chest out. “Fine with me, as long as there’s a double show.”

  Julianna looked at Lars, who was grinning. “Lars, what do you think?”

  “I’m game for that. I think he’ll make it eight seconds on the first round,” said Lars.

  Julianna set her glass down. “I bet on six seconds.”

  “You both disappoint me greatly, but the loser is up next,” said Eddie, grabbing the beer and chugging the rest. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, then smacked his chest. “Get ready to be impressed! And remember, loser goes next.” Eddie smirked as he walked toward the bull.

  ~~~

  They watched Eddie as he headed off to sign up for the event, then Knox turned to Lars with a smirk on his face. “You and the Commander bet on the Captain often?”

  Lars shifted his gaze to Julianna, who was watching Eddie throw his leg over the bull’s side. Lars nodded. “So far I’ve won all the rounds.”

  Julianna tilted her head in Eddie’s direction. “Yeah, but this time the win is mine. Be prepared to ride that bull.”

  “You seem confident, Commander,” said Lars, curious.

  Her drink in her hand, Julianna pointed at Eddie with her pinky. “Teach is wearing slacks that aren’t at all flexible, not to mention those loafers are pinching his feet. I said six seconds, but he’ll be lucky to make it that long.”

  “Lowest bid wins, then,” said Lars, shaking his head with disappointment. He should have considered those factors.

  “Captain should have dressed in his cowboy getup like on Gun Barrel,” said Knox, who was enjoying himself immensely. Maybe it was the beer mixing with the painkillers, or maybe it was just being around the team.

  Lars could relate. His life had significantly improved since joining Ghost Squadron. He missed his family, but now his life had real purpose for what might have been the first time. He had direction.

  “If I don’t see Teach in a cowboy hat again for the rest of my life it will be too soon,” said Julianna, then stood and stretched. In her pants suit she looked dainty, maybe even like an actual vulnerable human, but Lars knew that wasn’t at all accurate—appearances were indeed deceiving in her case. “I’m going to get another round. You guys in?”

  Both nodded.

  When Julianna had left Lars looked at Knox tentatively. There was something he’d been meaning to say since he met the guy, but he didn’t really know how. “I’m sorry about your people at Defiance,” he finally got out.

  Knox swiveled his gaze up to look at Lars, and then away. He touched the side of his glass, then ran his finger through the condensation. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

  “I know they were killed by the Brotherhood, and…”

  “The Captain said you used to be one of them, but things changed,” said Knox after a moment.

  “I was forced to be one of them. That’s what you should have been told. Not all of them are bad. Many are enslaved, like I was,” explained Lars.

  Knox drew more designs in the condensation on his glass. “Even if I was forced I wouldn’t shoot innocent people, not like what they did to the guys and Mateo.”

  “I agree,” said Lars. “I don’t think I would either, but it’s hard to say what people will do sometimes. The Brotherhood used to tell us that aliens we
re evil, particularly the Federation. They lied constantly, and those lies mostly worked on the younger generation. I’m old enough to remember when the Kezzin people were better than that. That’s why I’m here and not working for the Brotherhood anymore.” He took a long, quiet breath. “I work for the universe. However, this silent war isn’t black and white, even if we want it to be. People aren’t always good or bad. Most of the time we’re just gray. Everyone is motivated by different things. Maybe some of those Brotherhood soldiers have families, and if they don’t comply then they’ll be killed.”

  Knox pushed out his lips, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. It’s hard not to hate the people who killed Mateo and Axel, though. I don’t think I could ever forgive them, especially Felix Castile.”

  Lars knew exactly how conflicted emotions confused things. “I know how you feel, but that’s why you’re here, right? To make a difference, and to stop the Brotherhood and Felix?”

  Knox nodded. “Did they kill your family?”

  Lars swallowed. He couldn’t even fathom such a thing. “No, but they separated us. Pulled me away. All I can think about now is getting back to them and making sure they are all right, but I can’t do that yet. I need to know that they will be protected in the future, and that starts with Ghost Squadron.”

  “You speak with a lot of passion,” observed Knox.

  Lars almost smiled at this. He’d always thought of himself as simmering with passion, but it had never come out of him until now. “War brings out the best in some, and the worst in others. I’m hoping that all this has made me a better person, not a worse one.”

  “Seems like it has,” said Knox as Julianna returned with four drinks in her hands.

  ~~~

  “Looks like it’s almost show time,” said Julianna, pointing to Eddie. He’d already received the full rundown and signed a waiver. When he held up one hand the crowd around the bull boomed, many of them throwing cowboy hats over their heads.

  “Oh, this is going to be good,” said Lars, leaning back in his seat and watching eagerly.

  Eddie’s other hand had been tied tightly to a handle on the saddle. The mechanical bull tilted forward, and he compensated by leaning back.

  So far so good, but that’s not going to last, thought Julianna.

  The bull spun to the side, and then flew backward. Eddie rocked back and forth, clenching his legs to the machine’s sides. His shiny loafer slipped just as the bull rocked forward, swerving at the same time. He slid to the side, hand still attached but both legs on one side of the bull, and the contraption picked up intensity, continuing to buck.

  Unable to pull himself back up, Eddie finally let go and slid to the mat. The crowd hollered with excitement, many of them urging him to go again. Lying on his back on the mat, Eddie heaved in a breath, his eyes on the ceiling. He got to all fours before pushing to his feet and throwing both hands over his head to encourage the audience.

  “All right, moment of truth,” said Lars, looking at the screen to the side of the bull that displayed the rider’s time.

  The screen blinked several times, then two numbers appeared.

  5.4

  “Yeah!” cheered Julianna.

  Knox laughed. “Five and half seconds. You called that one, Commander.”

  Lars stood up reluctantly, but had a small smile on his face. “All right, you got me this round.”

  “Time to take your punishment,” said Julianna. “Get up there and ride that beast.”

  He strode toward the bull, and as Eddie passed him he patted Lars on the shoulder. “Hold on tight, there. That bull ain’t playin’ around.”

  Buzzing with excitement, Eddie returned to the table and took the seat next to Julianna. “You had me figured, didn’t you, Strong Arm?”

  “I had your shoes figured, mostly,” she said, pointing to the tight leather shoes.

  “Ha! Yeah, that’s exactly why I got bucked off. Good call,” he said, glancing down at them.

  Knox had turned around completely and was watching the activity in the bar. He always appeared to look at things with fresh eyes. Julianna guessed he hadn’t been in places like this much. Onyx Station hosted things that weren’t found anywhere outside Federation space.

  “I got us another round,” said Julianna, indicating the beer she’d gotten for Eddie.

  “Why, thank you kindly, Sally. After a long day at the census bureau, I can’t think of anything I want more than a cold beer.” Eddie picked up the mug and took a long sip.

  Julianna’s dropped her eyes as a weird thought occurred to her.

  “What’s the look for?” asked Eddie, catching the change in her expression.

  “I was just thinking how strange it would be to have a normal job like that—one with set hours where you go to the same location,” said Julianna. It really seemed as foreign of an idea to her as sleeping in on weekends, or having actual weekends. What day was it, anyway?

  Eddie laughed, then leaned close to her and whispered, “To be honest, it sounds horrible. I don’t think people like you and me are well-suited for normal jobs.”

  “Yeah, there’s not much normal about me or my life,” said Julianna.

  Eddie was still leaning in close, but was now studying Julianna. She pulled back a couple inches to get space.

  He tapped his chin as if he were contemplating something. “You ever want that? A normal life? Wish you could have it if you wanted?” asked Eddie.

  Julianna picked up her drink, but didn’t take a sip. She thought honestly about the questions.

  Before she could answer Eddie continued, “You know, a steady job, a family, a mate?”

  Julianna threw her head back, emptying her glass. “No. I love my job, and I’ve never been the family type. Well, unless you count the crew and the squadron.”

  “And what about a mate? You ever get lonely? Space can be a lonesome place,” said Eddie, looking like he was playing a game with her with this questioning.

  Julianna shook her head. “The Federation made me who I am and I’ll always be grateful for that, but I’m very different from most because of it. No one could ever be right for me, not now that I’ve changed.”

  “Because you’re enhanced?” asked Eddie.

  She paused, but then shrugged. “Something like that.”

  Eddie nodded, his eyes dropping to his half-drunk beer.

  “And to answer your question,” said Julianna, “no, I don’t get lonely. I don’t allow myself the opportunity.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Intelligence Center, QBS ArchAngel, Paladin System

  Eddie rolled his shoulders, glad to be back in his normal clothes. He’d slept fitfully the night before, maybe from being back on Onyx Station, maybe something else. There was a feeling in the back of his head, something he couldn’t place.

  Julianna and Eddie stood shoulder to shoulder as Jack bustled into the Intelligence Center with a worried expression in his eyes. Jack often looked focused, but rarely did he appear like this. Anxious.

  When he reached the front of the room Jack cleared his throat, pulling everyone’s attention to him. “Thank you for joining me. Some intel came in while you were on Onyx Station. I had Chester look into it, and he’s been able to pull quite a bit of information. Fortunately, we now know exactly what Felix and the Brotherhood are up to. Unfortunately, it’s not good at all. I daresay it’s worse than I originally envisioned.”

  Juliana stiffened beside Eddie, her jaw clenching.

  Jack gave Chester a brief nod and he dutifully pulled up an image on the main screen. A small blue and green planet with purplish clouds rotated on the monitor.

  “Felix has a project in the works, something he’s taken to calling “Domination”, and it has just one purpose,” said Jack, angry heat in his voice. “He’s trying to take over a planet.”

  Julianna tilted her head to the side as if she hadn’t heard Jack correctly. “But why? What’s the purpose of taking that pa
rticular planet? I thought he wanted to make the Federation pay for something the General did. How is this related?”

  Jack nodded. “That’s exactly what he wants, and this is the way he’s attempting to do it, utilizing the Brotherhood.” Pointing to the screen, Jack flicked his eyes in the direction of the small planet. “This is Nexus. It’s a fairly obscure world, but rich in certain resources. Furthermore, the people are at a major disadvantage. From what we can determine the Brotherhood have landed on Nexus and made it their central base of operations, at least for right now. They are enslaving the human natives to serve them. Capable men are being enlisted to fight as grunt soldiers, while others are forced to serve in the local mines.”

  “And the people are just accepting this?” asked Julianna, disgust in her voice.

  “Actually, they aren’t,” said Jack. “There’s now a war on this usually peaceful planet, although I don’t expect it to be long before the Brotherhood overpowers them. At that point Felix will have tripled or quite possibly quadrupled his army, and he’ll have a powerful home base outside Federation space. If he succeeds in taking over Nexus, he’ll be in a position to attack the Federation.”

  “How’s that?” asked Eddie.

  “Nexus isn’t far from Federation space, sitting somewhere between the Kezzin and Trid empires,” explained Jack. “It’s the perfect staging ground for a full-on assault.”

  “Why hasn’t anyone stepped in?” asked Marilla, who was sitting at her desk.

  “No one knew what was going on until just recently,” explained Jack. “Besides, we believe the local governments in this region have been paid off by Mr. Castile. Were it not for Ghost Squadron’s efforts we would not know any of this, not before it was too late.”

  As Eddie studied the planet’s image, a chill ran down his back at the idea that Felix had almost successfully taken over a planet right under their noses.

  “You have a mission for us?” asked Julianna.

  “Yes. We need to act fast, because Felix has made a fair amount of progress according to the images Chester has found,” said Jack. He pointed to the hacker, who sat behind his workstation twirling his pencil.