Your Life Is Forfeit: A Space Opera Adventure Legal Thriller (Judge, Jury, & Executioner Book 4)

by Craig Martelle

  “But I won’t use it. Once is enough, and I’m glad that I couldn’t see what it did to the people inside the tank.”

  Rivka took the device, turning it over in her hand. It was still dialed to eleven. “We need to stop this war,” Rivka whispered.

  “Brief me on Capstan, please,” Tod Mackestray said pleasantly. He laced his fingers behind his massive head and leaned back.

  “Capstan is a minor planet in the Gridlow Expanse, eighty-seven light years from Amberstrom. Population of fifty million, mostly a humanoid race called the Verge, but other non-native species have a presence on the planet, including humans.”

  “Pause. Did you just say Capstan natives are called virgins?” The Blokite started to laugh. His head remained perfectly still owing to his thick shoulders and lack of a neck.

  “’The Verge’ is what they are called as a people. An individual member is a Verge.”

  “You’re not making it any better.” Tod belly-laughed at his joke. “Pray continue, Margaret.”

  “Capstan is a pure democracy, majority rules. It makes for a cumbersome and slowly responsive system since any issues that matter are put to a vote. The power vested in the leadership is that they determine what gets voted on. They can bury issues or make them relevant. They shape the message the voters hear.”

  “That doesn’t sound very democratic, but it is perfect for what we do, don’t you think?”

  “I think you will find fertile ground on Capstan.”

  “Who is the best target?”

  “The challenger, Benitus Fogg, who will lose unless he gets help. He is a wealthy landowner and businessman.”

  “I like the sound of wealthy.”

  “He is polling behind because the planet is sound, with a good economy and one of the best educational systems in the galaxy. Status quo suits them. Fogg is running his campaign on a change in focus from liberal arts to business.”

  “Not everyone gets to be a rich businessman,” Mackestray claimed. “Start working up a campaign against the incumbent: shady dealings, personal degradation, a demeaning attitude toward whatever minority group is the most popular, and so on. You know the drill. When will we arrive?”

  “To maintain our anonymity, we are routing through two additional Gates. We will arrive in no more than three days.”

  “Do they have good food on Capstan?”

  “Owing to the diverse nature of those coming from different planets for the education, Capstan has some of the best fine dining experiences in the galaxy.”

  “That works nicely! Thank you, Margaret. I was going to ask for you to find a planet in between where I could get something good to eat, but I’ll wait. Get us to Capstan, and the first order of business, once we arrive, is the best meal on the planet!”

  “I will arrange it, along with preparing a meeting schedule for your approval.”

  The Blokite nodded. He accessed the background information Margaret had compiled and started reading. Leverage consisted of knowledge. He had three days to gain as much of it as possible.

  Chapter Ten

  “It’s time to get up.” Red shook Rivka until her eyes opened. She sat up and blinked at the glow surrounding Lindy as she climbed into the mech suit. It zipped behind her, and darkness returned.

  “I’ll go with you,” she said as she stood.

  “No.” Red was firm in his response. “We are a diversion and aren’t going to engage. If they try to chase us, we may have to hurt them. Outside of that, it’s all Jay on the smash-and-grab.”

  “What if Jay gets caught?”

  “How would that happen?”

  “If she stops or someone accidentally opens a door in front of her. I don’t know, but something could happen. Our luck sucks.”

  One side of Red’s mouth twitched upward. “Aren’t we grumpy in the morning?”

  “It’s the middle of the night.” Rivka nodded and slapped Red on the shoulder. “I’ll be waiting for you right here. Stay in touch, please!” She tapped the side of her head. She was as guilty as the others when it came to not using the comm chip.

  Ankh, can you hear me? she asked.

  Loud and clear, the Crenellian responded.

  Me, too, Lindy added. Red nodded and gave the thumbs-up before turning his attention back to his railgun. He wore his goggles while he worked.

  And me, Jay replied softly.

  Right, Red said. Let’s do this.

  Lindy opened the door and crouched, almost having to crawl through. Once outside, she stood up straight and cycled her systems. I wish the sensors were working. I’m operating on visual only.

  Jay? Red asked.

  I’m with you. Let’s do this and be done with it.

  Rivka crossed her arms, worry lines creasing her face as she watched them go their separate ways, Jay to the right and Lindy and Red to the left, where they would loop around to the far side and attack the security perimeter.

  It took the team ten minutes to get into place. No one had to announce the kick-off. That was obvious.

  Is that what I think it is? Lindy asked.

  Are you talking about the truck that looks to be filled with ammo crates? Nice catch, Red replied.

  Lindy targeted it and activated one of her three remaining rockets. It screamed into the night sky, turning at its apex to arrow into the truck. Ledonians nearby started running before the rocket hit, and the spectacular explosion was blinding. While a great cloud billowed from the crater that marked the truck’s previous location, Lindy and Red opened up with their railguns, tearing up the pavement in front of the perimeter.

  Return fire scattered outward.

  Is there an opening? Red asked.

  Heading in now. Jay’s voice sounded calm, but the comm chip regulated speech, keeping everyone’s tone even.

  Red and Lindy moved to their first alternate firing positions before renewing their attack to keep the Ledonian defenders pinned down.

  After a few seconds of intense fire, Red and Lindy moved to their secondary positions. After their third move, they would fire one last volley and run.

  A tank fired, and the round tore through the building too close to Red. A second tank fired, and Red was thrown to the ground. He grunted from the impact of the debris.

  Taking them out, Lindy reported. Two rockets launched from her suit.

  They have me zeroed somehow. Red covered his head and waited. The explosions following the rockets’ impact were his signal to move. Jay, what’s your status?

  Red jumped to his feet and ran to his final position. Lindy’s heavy footfalls echoed while he hunkered down and took aim.

  The Ledonian rifle fire grew as they gathered their wits and reformed their line, having realized that they weren’t the target. Red wondered if they considered him and Lindy to be incompetent.

  Status? Red requested again.

  They locked me in a room on the ground floor. I don’t know if it was intentional, but I stopped to tuck the device under a desk, and the door clicked behind me. I’m stuck.

  On my way, Rivka interrupted.

  No, Magistrate, stay where you are! Red pleaded.

  Overruling you on this one. I need you two to show them who’s boss. I’ve had enough, and if the only way we can stop the madness is by killing them all, then that’s what we’ll do.

  Red switched to a direct channel with Lindy. She said that, but there’s no way she wants us to wipe them out.

  What she meant was clear. Establish dominance. I’m out of rockets, but I’m not out of influence. I’m going to charge their lines. Don’t let a rocket surprise me. Or a tank.

  She didn’t wait for Red to reply before she pounded toward the fortress. Rifle fire increased to a crescendo. Red’s gaze darted around the area, looking for any movement to signal the arrival of another tank or an overzealous defender with a rocket launcher. Machine guns burped from the towers.

  Red took aim and eliminated the threats. In his mind, he had rationalized that a few had to die so most co
uld live. A small vehicle appeared sporting a variety of antennas.

  I think the people in charge have arrived. Stop that small armored car and hold it. Maybe a few hostages will convince the others to lay down their arms.

  Lindy slammed into the outer barrier, using the suit’s power to toss an overturned car to the side as if it were a toy. She continued like a battering ram, destroying the barricade as she moved until she dodged to the side and sprinted to her target. She grabbed the rear bumper and picked it up, and the rear wheels spun helplessly in the air.

  “Put your weapons down!” Lindy blared through the external speakers. She strobed the suit’s lights to blind the watchers, and Red saw the opening and ran. Lindy had disrupted their defenses so completely that even if someone noticed his approach, no one fired. He joined Lindy and waved his railgun at the driver.

  “Turn it off, put it in Park, and get out.” The rear wheels stopped spinning and the engine shut off. Lindy put the vehicle down but maintained her grip. A stately-looking Ledonian climbed from the back seat, and an elder member of the planet’s military came from the passenger’s seat. The shorter Ledonians looked up at Red while keeping a wary eye on the mech.

  “What do you want?” the civilian asked.

  “When my boss arrives, I want you to answer her questions.”

  Lindy made a quick circuit around the perimeter. Not everyone had put down their weapons, but no one dared shoot. Lindy took a rifle from one of the defenders and bent it in half before handing it back. “Be warned.” With a clatter, the rest of the weapons hit the ground.

  Rivka jogged into the light, slowing to a walk. She nodded at Red and walked up to the one who looked in charge. “Who are you?”

  “I’m the president of this world. Which invading terrorist are you?” he demanded with a wave of his arm.

  Rivka slowly removed her credentials and shoved them into his face. “I’m Magistrate Rivka Anoa. I represent the Federation. It appears that you are running an unsanctioned war. Every death is on your head, so I’m going to have to take you in for a war crimes hearing.” She looked at the military leader. “And probably you, too.”

  He made the mistake of reaching for her. She was in no mood. Rivka side-stepped, caught his arm, twisted it until the shoulder dislocated, and followed with a right hook that crushed his skull. He was dead before he hit the ground.

  “You have been sentenced to death for your attempt to escape custody pending charges of war crimes. You have been judged. Paperwork to follow. Anyone else care to see how quickly Justice can ring across the land?”

  The remaining Ledonians stood frozen. The rage at the back of her mind started to ebb. She wrapped her fingers around the Ledonian president’s arm, making sure she had a firm grip. “I came here to collect data regarding an individual I wish to question. His name is Tod Mackestray.”

  Images of the Blokite flashed through the man’s mind.

  “I see you’ve used his services.”

  “I’ve never met any Tod Mackestray,” the president claimed weakly.

  “This is going to take too long if you keep lying to me. How about you don’t say anything? I’ll rip what I want directly from your mind.” Rivka stared into his eyes. He tried to look away, but she grabbed his head as she doubled down on her bluff.

  “Fine. I double-crossed him, and he did this.” The president pointed to the barricade and the soldiers standing around. Red flexed his ham-sized fists. Lindy continued around the perimeter, the rhythmic thumping of the mech’s feet keeping the defenders on edge.

  “He didn’t make you angry. Where did that come from?” Rivka looked over her shoulder. “Go free Jay.”

  Red nodded and waited. As soon as Lindy arrived, he ran for the front door.

  “Things have been on edge for the past couple of years. We’ve grown more fractured. I’m trying to bring us back together!” he claimed.

  “Remember the part where I told you not to lie to me? I suspect your idea of bringing the people together was simply telling the other side to like whatever you were going to do.” Rivka shook her head. “Why did you need Mackestray’s help? You weren’t going to win the last election, were you?”

  “The next election. I had to cancel them once the riots started, and I was forced to declare martial law.”

  “None of this is your fault, according to you. According to me, all of this is your fault. You are guilty as sin.” Rivka loomed over the Ledonian. A shot rang out, and the round dinged off the vehicle next to the Magistrate. Lindy opened up with her railgun. Three hypervelocity darts later, only a brown puddle remained where a soldier had stood.

  “I’m going to need you to do a few things...” Rivka began, then saw movement out of the corner of her eye—Red and Jay emerging from the building.

  I am accessing the Ledonian systems now, Ankh reported.

  “I want this to be over as much as you do,” the president said smoothly. Rivka backhanded him across the face.

  “If you had wanted that, it would have already been done.” She let go of him. “Get on the comm or whatever passes for communication on this ass-backward planet and tell everyone the war is over!”

  “I can’t do that. It’ll take a declaration of the council...”

  “Are you trying to out-lawyer me with bullshit? I’m the Queen’s Barrister, and I have had about enough of you. Your obstructionism in order to continue your illegal war is punishable by death. What are your final words?”

  “Wait!” The president dropped to his knees and started crying. Rivka picked him up by the back of his collar and slammed him face-first into the armored vehicle. “Get on the comm and convince everyone that the war is over. Peace talks are underway, so no one is to kill anyone else. You had best lie better to them than you lied to me or I’ll remove you and keep going down the line until I find someone who is convincing. How about that?”

  The Ledonian opened the door and climbed in. When he tried to shut the door, Rivka blocked it with her body. “I want to hear your dulcet tones sway a world’s population.”

  Damn, Magistrate, you’re going to have that crack-snacker begging for buttermilk.

  Rivka smiled at the man and motioned for him to do his duty. Crack-snacker?

  It’s better than my original thought, which was scum-sucking asswipe.

  The Magistrate continued to smile, trying not to laugh. Jay joined her. “Good job,” Rivka whispered, draping her arm over the younger woman’s shoulders. “I know how hard that must have been for you.”

  “I can’t kill ever again. You don’t know how much that bothered me.”

  “But I do. I can see the pain you’re in. It won’t ever go completely away, but it does lessen over time. I won’t put you in that position.” Rivka stabbed a finger at the president, who had yet to do anything.

  “You can’t promise that.”

  “I can promise that I won’t do it on purpose. We get into dangerous situations all the time. Your speed will help us resolve things without violence. We almost had what we needed without resorting to full-scale warfare. Almost.” Rivka hung her head. When she looked up, she found the president staring at her.

  She hesitated for a moment before reaching in and dragging him from the vehicle. She snapped her fingers. “Zip-tie.”

  Red handed one over, and the Magistrate torqued his arms behind his back until he grunted. She zipped the plastic cuffs tightly.

  “Take charge of this thing. I’ll be back for him.”

  “Gladly.” Red pushed the Ledonian to the ground and planted a foot in the middle of his back.

  “That’s one way, I guess.” Rivka crooked a finger at the driver. He slowly approached. “Comm. I want to talk to all the government loyalists. In my estimate, that will allow me to talk to exactly half the residents of this planet.”

  The driver pointed into the vehicle.

  Rivka took a deep breath. “Are all Ledonians such flaming assholes?” she asked. The driver shrugged. “Power it up, dia
l the right frequency or whatever you use here, and hand me the microphone.

  “Oh,” his mouth formed. He reached through the open door and did as he was told, then handed Rivka a standard microphone connected with a long cord to the unit that occupied the middle of the vehicle.

  “All residents of Leed’s Planet. I am Magistrate Rivka Anoa from the Federation. I have placed your president under arrest for his perpetuation of an illegal war following his election tampering in order to steal the election. This war is ended, effective immediately. If Federation military forces have to be called in, anyone who is still participating in combat operations will be subject to immediate termination. Leaders on both sides will come to the main government building. This is not a request or a negotiation. This is what you must do if you are to save your planet and your people.”

  Rivka repeated herself once before asking the driver to dial the frequency for the other side. He didn’t know what it was.

  Ankh, what’s the frequency for the resistance. The rebels. The anti-government forces, or whatever the hell they call themselves?

  There is a significant amount of chatter on one hundred twenty-five point four megahertz. It seems that you’ve made quite a stir, which also suggests that the main building is under surveillance.

  That means credibility that we can do what we say we can, Red remarked.

  “One twenty-five point four.” She counted on the translation chip to convert it to local units.

  The driver dialed it up.

  Rivka keyed the microphone and restated what she had told the government forces. “Now we wait.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Billister,” the man answered the comm. He listened to the voice at the other end. “Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it.”

  K’Twillis’ security chief looked from man to man, evaluating who he could trust with removing the members of the licensing board. They had to do it without sending alarm bells screeching across the planet. K’Twillis needed to buy a little more time for the mining operation, that was all.