by Jan Domagala
“So you came clean with the truth sir?” Matt said a little shocked.
“There was no need to hide it any longer and I’m betting that the fact we both lied before about the planet will be lost amid all the recent revelations about the Alliance troops posing as Outlaws and the subsequent deaths that whole scenario caused.”
“That’s a mighty big gamble sir,” Kurt observed.
“Noted Kurt, now let’s get down to business and what we plan to do about reclaiming Tartaran.”
EPILOGUE.
The starship in orbit around Toldax was brought there to help with the cleanup after the disaster, which destroyed an Alliance facility on the surface.
“Have they docked yet?” asked Captain Frohme as he paced up and down the bridge deck. He was employed by the specialist company, a subsidiary of MaxCorp that engaged in the cleanup of environmental disasters. After the discovery down on the surface, they contacted the CEO of the company to inform him of the find and to ask for instructions. They were told simply to do nothing and that a team would be along presently to take charge.
A team of specialists to take over from a team of specialists did not seem to be the standard operating procedure, considering what the find was, but never the less they went along with the instructions and waited.
Three hours later another starship was on an approach vector and after identifying themselves proceeded to dock with the larger starship.
“Yes sir, they’ve docked and the crew has debarked and are on their way to the bridge,” replied Albert Linkdale, the first officer on board.
“Well I must admit they didn’t waste any time getting here,” Frohme observed and at that moment a tall muscular man strode onto the bridge without waiting to be announced.
He walked up to the captain and looked down at him, the newcomer stood at least six feet five inches tall with a broad chest and chiselled face that could have been hewn from rock. His dark hair was cut short to an almost military length and when he spoke, his voice boomed out of that broad chest.
“Are you in charge?” he asked.
“I’m the Captain on this ship so I guess I am in charge,” Frohme replied.
“You guessed wrong, I am in charge now,” the newcomer said.
“And who the hell are you?” Frohme wanted to know.
“Call me Maguire, now take me to it,” he said and turned to allow Frohme to pass.
Frohme thought against arguing with the man as he stood at least four inches taller than him, had at least fifty to sixty pounds on him and was at least twenty years younger than him, so arguing was definitely off the agenda. He decided to go along with this and hoped they would leave as quickly as they had come so they could continue and do the job they had been contracted to do.
“This way,” Frohme said and led the way off the bridge.
The two of them walked down the corridor to the maglev car that took them down two decks and across to the Med Lab section.
From outside the Med Lab they could see through the Plexiglas wall where the find was laid out on a bio-bed covered with a thin sheet.
It was the figure of a young woman with light mocha skin tones and dark lustrous hair.
Maguire stared at her through the Plexiglas, his opaline eyes taking in every detail, suddenly the young woman sat bolt upright in the bio-bed and took a huge gulp of air, like that of a diver coming up for air from a dive. A scream of pure agony was rent from her lips as Zara Hardy opened her eyes.
Maguire turned to Frohme and said, “She’s coming with me.”
Fin.
Retribution
Retribution
A Col Sec Thriller
Book Four
By
Jan Domagala
Copyright © Jan Domagala 2013
This is a work of fiction, any similarity to anyone living or dead or companies or institutes is purely coincidental. The author’s rights have been inserted.
DEDICATION
This one is for Joyce.
PROLOGUE
I
The large man stood outside the Med Lab looking through the Plexiglas wall at the figure on the bio-bed. His opaline eyes stroked the curves beneath the sheet.
She was asleep now after being moved from the Med Lab on board the starship that was orbiting Toldax in Alliance space onto his starship. She was exhausted after all the questioning and tests performed on her and she had no idea where she was only that she was alive. It was a fact that she could not deny but one that should be impossible.
He turned away from the glass and activated his NI. “Inform OMEGA Command that we’re on our way, eta two hours,” he said and he walked off down the corridor.
Zara Hardy stirred under the sheet. She had heard the clone’s words whilst she faked sleep. Who OMEGA was she had no idea, it was a development she was unaware of having come to light whilst she had been recovering.
Although she was extremely tired from everything that had happened since her awakening she had to admit that she felt good, better than good, in fact she had never felt as good as she did then.
She felt infused with a power that confused her. She hadn’t had the time to actually think it through and figure out how this had happened.
There was something else too that confused her, who was this mysterious man and what was OMEGA?
The last thing she remembered before waking in this austere cell was being on the planet Toldax having being captured and used as a pawn in an Alliance ploy to capture the man she had grown to love, Kurt Stryder by an agent named Pavel Norsky, then having been shot which was when she died. She was aware of what Kurt was capable of, to her knowledge the only one, but the Alliance had suspicions about it which was why they captured him, to learn the truth.
She desperately needed answers to these and so many other questions but in no position to acquire them.
She was torn between using her new found health to escape from her present captivity, for that was what this was, she was certain that whatever plans this OMEGA had for her, did not include her being let free, and gathering valuable Intel on whoever these people were.
After careful consideration she chose the second option mainly because she had no idea where she was being held so an escape plan would not work until she had at least that snippet of information. So, gathering Intel it was, and whilst she was held in Med Lab there was nothing she could do but wait.
She settled down to do just that and immediately began to wonder what Kurt Stryder was doing.
II
He felt the rubble being moved and knew he would soon be set free. His agony would soon be over.
He had been buried alive for what seemed like months, with little to live on, he had no idea how he had even survived. All that he did know was that his entire existence was pain, agonising pain that saw no end.
That pain was about to end, he hoped.
He felt the pressure begin to ease on his arms and legs, felt the weight lift, ever so slightly off his torso so that his lungs could inflate a little and he could get more of the much needed air into his system.
He felt strength returning to his limbs as the pressure eased, a strength that he never thought possible. With that strength travelled a rage fuelled by the time he had spent trapped beneath the tons of rubble and the knowledge he was put there by the actions of someone he worked for.
When the first glint of light reached him through gaps in the rocks and rubble that still lay atop him he knew that it was a matter of just seconds now before his release.
He realised from the direction the light struck him that he was lying face down. His pain had been so all encompassing that there was no way he knew where he was or even which way was up. Consciousness would escape him periodically as the pain overwhelmed him, again and again this happened, each time he would wake to find that nothing had changed and it would all start over until he thought he could bear it no longer and he would go insane.
The pressure eased more and he could w
ait no longer. With a herculean effort he bunched his shoulders and pushed up with his arms. Muscles bulged in his arms and the rubble began to move.
A primal roar formed deep in his stomach, rising up through to his vocal chords where it could be contained no longer and it burst through his lips. As the rubble slowly fell away from him he pushed harder and raised higher until he thrust upwards finally breaking free into the open air, his lungs, almost bursting from the force of his primal scream.
Around him were three figures that he instantly recognised as ground workers. They were working on clearing the ground where the facility had stood before the accident that had caused the catastrophic explosion that had destroyed it. He had been on the outskirts chasing Kurt Stryder when he was shot by General Solon before the explosion. The explosion of the facility had covered his body with tons of rubble and it was only now, much later that they had gotten around to clearing this site.
In all that time his body had regenerated, much slower than Kurt Stryder was capable of but never the less as he appeared before the trio of ground workers he was fully healed.
The fury that had built up inside him during his healing process would not be sated, it needed to be released and he stood looking at the startled men, his chest heaving from his exertions, his body bent over as he rested his arms on his thighs he gave in to it.
In a blur of motion that the ground workers struggled to keep up with Pavel Norsky attacked them. He reached the first worker and grabbed the sides of his head he twisted violently breaking his neck with an audible snap. The second was reached before the first had even hit the ground and a fist struck the man’s face with such force that his nose was completely flattened in an explosion of blood. Norsky whirled around and leapt upon the last worker who had turned to run. He landed upon his shoulders knocking him to the ground where Norsky grabbed hold of his head and again twisted it snapping the neck like a twig.
He got to his feet and looked around at the bodies; he felt no remorse his only thought was how to get off the planet to exact his retribution on those who caused him such agony, starting with Kurt Stryder.
1
Kurt Stryder had returned to Celeron where he had been born and raised. An ‘E’ class planet, Celeron was one of the first planets to be colonised by the Confederation over three centuries ago and was where he called home.
His house was a two story white brick villa that had served as the family home until a tragic accident took both his parents from him. Kurt had lived alone in the house since then.
Since his return from Tartaran and the subsequent debriefings Kurt was allowed some free time. He was given some leeway as regards to regulations considering his status in Col Sec so he went home until at such time he was recalled to duty.
He spent some time relaxing at his villa and did some shopping in Haven, the small coastal town near his home that was a magnet to tourists but tonight he was going to visit some newly acquired friends.
Kurt drove his Celeron Independent Vehicles Sports Hatch, a pedigree sports car based on the Mercedes design which had stood the test of time for over five hundred years. CIV had negotiated with Mercedes to use their design and manufacture cars that were in keeping with the Mercedes pedigree. Kurt drove the car up to the Golden Palace in Jacksonville, one of the two largest cities on the planet, the other being Jamestown, both named after the two leaders of the first colonies from over three centuries ago.
The Golden Palace was a night club owned and run by one of the biggest gangsters on the planet, Abraham Bane.
Abraham Bane was a large man in incredible shape for one in his fifties. His salt and pepper hair was combed straight back from a prominent forehead below which deep brown eyes looked out at the world with contempt. He had a long flat nose that lay close to his face which was a testament to a fight he had lost in his youth. He could have had it repaired but had left it as a remembrance of the last fight he ever lost. He became a student of a fighting arts master and learned all he could then; using his renowned strength and all his hard earned knowledge he gained not only revenge but a reputation that helped in his quest to become the leader of the largest gang in Jacksonville.
Although he retained that position, in recent years he had diversified his interests into legitimate businesses making him a very wealthy man.
It had been Bane who he had called to see concerning a problem he had just after his enhancements had taken place. The problem concerned an Alliance agent who had kept Kurt under surveillance and ultimately led to him being kidnapped. Tonight though he was there just to relax and say ‘Hi’
He parked his CIV Sports Hatch in the car park opposite the club and walked across to the entrance. He locked the red vehicle via his Neural Interface which allowed him to do away with mobile devices such as phones or remote controls. He smoothed out his dark blue Armani suit as he stood up to his full height of six feet two inches. His lean hard frame was that of an athlete and being a professional soldier from Recon Delta, the elite Special Forces of Col Sec; it was kept in shape through the regular exercise routines. Although since the experiment that had altered his genetic structure making him virtually indestructible; and heightened all his other senses to super human level, he hardly needed to exercise anymore. His blonde hair was cut short once more now that he was back on active service and his goatee had been shaved off too. His cobalt blue eyes looked across at the Golden Palace as he moved toward it.
As usual the club was lit up like a Christmas tree with lights strewn all over its exterior, Bane was, if nothing the opposite of subtle.
The Golden Palace was a three story Victorian style building with a wooden edifice and slate tile roof. The neon strip lights were arranged over the outside frontage to advertise the venue. Bane liked to make a statement and the Golden Palace was his way of saying ‘I’ve arrived’
On the door stood two burly men with shaven heads each wearing black suits and bow ties to match. A queue had formed waiting to gain entrance to the club and these doormen were the guardians.
Kurt walked past the line of smartly dressed people commandeering scornful glances from those he passed.
“Evening guys, is Abe in tonight?” he said as he approached the two doormen.
“Well if it isn’t Col Sec’s finest,” said the one on the left as he recognised Kurt. “Mister Bane is in every night sir, go right in Tony will be pleased to see you too,” he added with a smile.
As Kurt walked past them jeers from the line of people waiting to do the same were thrown at his back.
Kurt walked through the large ornate wooden edifice into the foyer. A door led to the inner room of the club which was again guarded by a behemoth in a suit. A nod of recognition from the giant in the suit and the door was opened to allow Kurt to go on in.
The inner room was large with tables dotted around for those patrons who wanted to eat. There was a small dance floor to the left of him at the far end of the room in front of the tables. The dance floor had a small raised stage where musicians performed. To Kurt’s right was a long mahogany bar with bottles arranged on the wall behind. Several bar staff were working behind serving drinks to the customers standing there and the waitresses who delivered drinks to the guests seated at the tables.
Abraham Bane was in a booth over by the far wall in the VIP section with a huge man standing guard at his shoulder. As Kurt approached them a smile spread across the stony face of the man mountain who said, “Glad to see you again Kurt.”
“Nice to see you again too Tony,” Kurt said.
Bane looked around Tony to see his visitor and he too smiled. He well remembered the last time Kurt was in his club and he had later described it as one of the more entertaining nights at the club.
“Are we in for more fun and games tonight?” he asked as Kurt came up to his table.
“Can’t a guy come to see some friends without being accused of something?” Kurt asked in mock indignation.
“Oh, we’re friends now are we?” Bane s
aid.
“Are you saying we aren’t, because I could always ask my friends over in the Intelligence Division to go over your business dealings? I’m sure they could find something for the local Constabulary to investigate,” Kurt countered.
“No need to be hasty Kurt. Christ, can’t you Col Sec guys take a joke? Tony, get the guy a drink, he looks like he could use one,” Bane said.
Before Tony could even move there was a disturbance at the entrance. Four men burst through the guards and pushed their way through into the main room.
“What now, are they with you?” Bane said when he saw the intruders.
“Never seen ‘em before but I’ve got a feeling it’s me they came to see,” Kurt replied. He didn’t know how he knew, just that he knew. It was just one of the side effects of his enhancements that he was trying to get used to and understand better.
“Life is never dull when you’re in town, is it Kurt,” Bane said, more of a statement than a question.
“You know me, anything but boring,” Kurt replied and then he turned and walked toward the intruders. As he passed Tony he said to him, “You wait here, keep Abe safe at all cost but feel free to step in if you think I need it.”
“Goes without saying man,” Tony said.
“Can I help you guys?” Kurt asked as he approached the small group. Three of the four moved forward to face him whilst the fourth remained toward the rear content to simply watch.
All four newcomers wore expensive suits so they would fit in with the club’s regular clients. The three at the front were all large men, standing at six feet six inches tall with powerful muscular frames. The one at the back had a more natural appearance standing at least six inches shorter than his companions but they all looked as if they could be brothers, the smaller being the runt of the litter. One feature they all shared which Kurt noticed as they all looked at him was their eyes. They all had opaline green eyes that stared at him with a fierce intensity. He was obviously the reason for their visit.