Deuces Wild Boxed Set: Books 1-4: Beyond the Frontiers, Rampage, Labyrinth, Birthright

by Ell Leigh Clarke

  << Ellie edit: I think there is a conflation with the word BOOBS going on in the mind of your inner 12 y.o! >>

  Then, I “like” the post… and over the next few days I notice something.

  This post is going viral-ish. I just checked and it IS doing much better than her normal posts. It’s like alcohol (and arguing about which kinds of whisky is the best) is a more contentious and enjoyable past-time than I would have thought.

  It's like older, but yet still strikingly handsome, authors can learn something new every day.

  << Ellie edit: This reminds me of the meme…

  “When 3 people have sex, it’s called a threesome.

  When 2 people have sex, it’s called a twosome.

  Now I understand why some people call themselves handsome.” >>

  “Jayne is Coming…”

  We think.

  Right now, we are in production on the Jayne Austin series. I think I have mentioned before, that the name of the protagonist is very on purpose.

  Why? Well, first my collaborator is English. That seemed very apropos (Jane Austen is English as well, if you didn’t know.)

  Second, she was moving from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas and therefore the last name seemed pretty important.

  Third, we added a "y" to the first name and changed the spelling from Austen to Austin, so that those that love the original Jane Austen series, won’t come by and give us a bunch of one star reviews.

  At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it until Ellie provides me with a different one. Then, if it is a BETTER story, I might switch.

  << Ellie Edit: Nope. That’s my story too. Until we come up with a better one! >>

  Huh, I wonder which way Ellie spells “Austin.”

  Ok, this is going to be the actual end. I have been informed that she's added a few more words to her author notes, which probably puts her around the 2000 word mark.

  These author notes will end up being about 800 words or so, which means that we will be getting just a little bit shy of 3000 words.

  Our next Tabitha book will be coming out in August, look for it as you wind up your wonderful summer and get ready for a hopefully enjoyable fall.

 

  Ad Aeternitatem,

  Michael Anderle

  Not this:

  Add Attorney Tatum,

  Michelangelo

  Nor this:

  Add to turn it to him,

  Michael handily

  And hell no:

  Add the Turner Tatum,

  Michael and early

  << Ellie Edit: Hahahahahahaha! P.S. With my additional comments you’re now at 984 words!>>

  Rampage

  Chapter 1

  Nickie

  Rebus Quadrant, Aboard the Penitent Granddaughter, Nickie’s Quarters

  The Skaines had a rather skewed idea of luxury. There were no bright colors. None of the furniture was comfortable, plus it was all so utilitarian. Nickie could appreciate that sort of aesthetic sometimes, but she was rather opposed to it when her bed fell into that category. She was pretty sure the grey rectangle beneath her was made of concrete rather than anything that was supposed to be used to stuff mattresses.

  She really should replace it eventually. And probably Grim’s, though she wasn’t actually sure if a species with entirely different physiology slept the same way humans did. She supposed she could add it to the shopping list the next time they were in port.

  Despite the discomfort, she made no effort to get up. Instead, she stayed right where she was on the bed, legs akimbo and one arm splayed out to her side. With her other hand, she absentmindedly tossed a holoball toward the ceiling, catching it as it came back down and occasionally sending it floating around the room to watch its iridescent colors bounce off the walls.

  When it came back into range she batted it abruptly, like a cat with a bone to pick. It careened around the room before coming to a halt above her again.

  It wasn’t quite as satisfying as actually getting to wail on someone. The little floating ball didn’t fight back. In fact, it didn’t react at all. It was a floating orb of light.

  Meredith suggested, I’m sure Grim or Durq would be happy to try to entertain you.

  A few minutes later, she added, Or at the very least, they wouldn’t mind if you made an appearance.

  Nickie heaved a sigh and sat up on the bed. She closed a hand around the holoball, and it vanished in a spray of glowing particles.

  Look, it’s not my fault if I just want to punch something every so often. And it’s been ages since I was able to, at least in any worthwhile capacity.

  She folded her arms over her chest after she made the argument.

  Meredith replied, Considering you have actively neglected to find any less violent coping mechanisms, I calculate that it is your fault, but that is neither here nor there.

  Nickie scowled, mouth twisting to the side, but Meredith plowed onward.

  As I said, they would be fine entertaining you.

  Nickie shot back, They’re both lousy at poker. Durq’s a baby and basically announces what his cards are as soon as he has them, and Grim has the worst poker face ever.

  She made faces at the wall across from her as she grumbled, as if the wall had personally offended her.

  Meredith offered, You could play poker with me, if you’re that hot for the game. It’s not as if I’m going anywhere, and it would be slightly more practical than chomping at the bit for a fight all hours of the day and night.

  The suggestion only led to Nickie groaning and tumbling back down on her bed. It didn’t do much to cushion the fall. “You’re a computer,” she blurted. “What sort of chance do I stand against you? Especially when I can’t even hide my cards from you.”

  I wouldn’t peek, Meredith assured her.

  Nickie flung one forearm across her face.

  No, just leave me here to wallow in my misery. I figure eventually I’ll just die of sheer boredom, and then I don’t need to worry about anything.

  Meredith didn’t respond to that, and for a moment the room was quiet. Nickie’s holoball appeared in one of her hands again, and she passed it back and forth from one hand to the other for a minute.

  Eyes tracking the ball, her tone was slightly distracted when she eventually asked aloud, “Has the time lock on the next entry in my aunt’s diary opened yet?”

  Not yet. As I said before, you don’t need to ask. I will let you know as soon as the next entry unlocks. I’m not going to spontaneously go back on that decision and hold the entry hostage.

  Nickie grumbled and folded her arms under her head, letting the holoball float aimlessly back and forth above her. Without any instruction from her, it lapsed into its default behavior, its colors gradually shifting as it drifted in geometric patterns. Hypnotically, almost.

  Nickie shook off her stupor after a few minutes with a thoughtful hum. Do you think I could train with one of your little minion bots? I mean, they had those tasers that one time. I could make it work.

  No, sorry. If my being a computer is considered cheating in poker, I’m quite certain it would also be cheating in combat. I know you have strong feelings about that.

  Nickie sighed. Oh, come on! I’m dying here! I’m going to shrivel up into nothing, and then what will you do? Pilot me around like a zombie mech? I’m pretty sure that would be a very short-term and smelly solution.

  Meredith said nothing more, no matter how long Nickie waited. Finally, Nickie stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry at the ceiling. Whether it was a defiant or victorious gesture, even she wasn’t entirely sure.

  Rebus Quadrant, Aboard the Penitent Granddaughter, Bridge

  “Nearly to Themis,” Nickie observed, ignoring the remnants of lunch for the time being and focusing her attention on the main viewing screen. Someone else wo
uld clean up later. “Feels like it’s been a lot longer than it actually has.”

  “A lot’s happened,” Grim agreed, tapping the end of a fork against an empty tray in no particular rhythm. “You’re kind of the reason for it,” he pointed out. “You shouldn’t be surprised.”

  Nickie stuck her tongue out at him. “Molly helped. She’s at least as good at wrecking shit as I am.”

  “That’s not comforting,” Grim drawled, setting the fork down and folding his arms. “Neither is the fact that we’re swanning back in purely to give them deadly weapons they probably don’t know how to handle.” He shrugged. “But I guess some things can’t be helped.”

  “I’ll give them a crash course on how to not blow up their colony,” Nickie assured him, her chin dipping in a brief nod. “To absolve us of any responsibility if they manage to blow up their colony.”

  Grim covered a laugh behind his hand before he could help it, his mandibles twitching wide open for a second before pulling tight to his face again. “Very comforting,” he replied, putting as much sincerity behind the words as he could manage. He couldn’t quite keep a straight face.

  They lapsed into silence after that. Nickie picked at the last bits of her lunch and Grim let his thoughts wander. The bridge was quiet, save for Durq fussing at his console on the other side of the room.

  “Do you suppose they’ve done all right for themselves?” Grim wondered as the little spit of rock that was Themis loomed closer on the main viewing screen. “I mean, we haven’t been gone that long, and they seemed to have everything they would need.” He hesitated. “But they also seemed a bit, uh…danger prone?” The last part came out sounding like a tentative question.

  Nickie flicked a leftover crumb across the table at him. “How am I supposed to know?” she asked, one eyebrow rising. “We haven’t exactly kept in touch with them. Or I haven’t, at least. Meredith?” She looked toward the nearest speaker.

  “I saw no reason to interrupt their daily activities,” the EI replied. “Especially considering we were fairly occupied. Regardless, I don’t believe we’ve been gone long enough for any real trouble to find them.”

  Grim squinted suspiciously and Nickie half expected him to say “knock on wood,” but she supposed that was a uniquely human superstition. Instead, Grim simply turned his attention back to the main viewing screen.

  “We should have called.” He sighed. “It seems like something’s off.”

  “Should I make you a tinfoil hat?” Nickie asked dryly, propping her chin up in one hand. “I’m sure one of the bots could bring me some foil. I even know a bit of origami.” She paused, eyes drifting up and to the side in thought. After a second, she mused, “Granted, you’re already an alien, but I associate tinfoil hats with conspiracies.”

  Grim flicked the crumb back at her. “So are you—an alien—from my perspective,” he pointed out. “And I’m not the one who keeps promising people ‘Oh, sure, I’ll go chasing after this dangerous target for you’ for spurious reasons.”

  “I’m a vigilante,” she insisted primly. “I help people, and look badass doing it.” She brought a hand to her chest. “I am just upholding my role.”

  Your self-assigned role.

  Hey, no one objected. You’ve gone along for the ride pretty easily so far, so you don’t get to complain.

  Dare I ask, but how exactly would I protest, even if I felt inclined to do so? We’ve already determined that piloting you like a zombie mech is out of the question.

  I stopped paying attention once you confirmed you didn’t feel inclined to protest. What was all that?

  Nothing important, evidently.

  Grim cleared his throat. “You know, it’s obvious when you’re having a conversation that no one else can hear.”

  The corners of Nickie’s lips curled down in a delicately melodramatic pout. “It is not,” she insisted. “I’m an amazing actor.”

  “You make faces,” he continued as if she hadn’t said anything. “It’s a bit like watching someone rehearsing for an improv show.”

  Nickie blinked at him slowly. “How…the fuck does someone rehearse for an improv show?”

  “Exactly,” he answered earnestly.

  Nickie snorted and tossed her fork at him, only for it to sail harmlessly past his shoulder and land on the floor. One of the cleaning bots—Brandy, the glimpse of copper plating confirmed—picked it up a second later and trundled out of the room with it like a dog with a bone.

  “Breaking atmosphere in five minutes,” Durq announced once it became apparent that neither Nickie nor Grim were paying attention. It was more of a mumble than a real announcement. He hunkered close to the console he was frequently seen at, largely because it was the only one big enough for him to bodily hide underneath in a pinch.

  Nickie practically bounced up, rolling her shoulders and shifting on the balls of her feet for a few seconds. She gave her arms a shake afterward, satisfied that she was loosened up for anything that might happen.

  Soon enough, there was the telltale rumble of the ship passing through the outer layers of the atmosphere and slowing, then the juddering bump that told them they were in the lower levels.

  A few minutes later the ship touched down delicately on terra firma. “I’m attempting to hail the colony to let them know that we’re landing, but I’m not getting any response,” Meredith reported.

  Nickie tensed, undoing her previous efforts to loosen up. “Any suspicious activity?”

  “None that I’m picking up, but that in and of itself isn’t comforting. I’m not picking up much of anything.”

  “What, it’s just gone dark?” Nickie asked, incredulously before shaking her head sharply. “Just… Never mind, we’ll figure it out once we get down there. You ready to go?” The last was directed at Grim as she turned to face him.

  “As I’ll ever be.” He sighed and fell into step beside her as she strode toward the door that led out of the bridge.

  Nickie paused once she got to the door, and pivoted on one foot. She pointed an imperious finger at Durq so suddenly that he recoiled slightly as if he thought she was going to scold him for something. She let her hand drop back to her side as she commanded, “You stay on the ship.”

  “As if that was ever in question,” Grim muttered almost silently.

  Durq's response was to duck under his console without complaint as Nickie and Grim left the bridge together. They always looked so badass, but dwelling on it wasn’t going to do him any good.

  As they left, Nickie couldn’t help but recall Meredith’s earlier words.

  “Oh, I don’t think we’ve been gone long enough for them to get into any trouble.’ Buuuuullll shiiiiiit. Famous last words right there, Mere. You jinxed everything.

  I have my doubts about a statement being the cause of the current dilemma, but if it makes you feel better, so be it.

  They didn’t say anything until they were off the ship and standing at the base of the ramp. Even just a cursory look around told them that it was deserted.

  Grim cringed when Nickie cupped her hands around her mouth and hollered abruptly, “Anybody out here!?”

  She stomped one foot and huffed like a discontented Clydesdale. “Wait here,” she commanded without looking at Grim, already on the move toward the outpost. “At least until we know if it’s safe or not.”

  “You don’t need to tell me twice,” Grim assured her as he took a seat on the airlock ramp. He watched Nickie’s back as she got farther away. It wasn’t until she disappeared into Tykis Outpost that Grim glanced over his shoulder. The idea was tempting, to just head right back up the ramp and into the ship. There were weapons on the ship, after all. He would probably be more useful if he had one.

  But he was self-aware enough to know that if he went back onto the ship, he probably wouldn’t come back off. He folded his arms nervously. After all, the crew—such as it was—didn’t need two people hiding under their consoles every time a crisis hit.

  Chapter 2
r />   Nickie

  Rebus Quadrant, Themis Colony

  The main hall was quiet when Nickie stepped inside. She could hear the sounds of electronics buzzing, but there were no voices or sounds that heralded any sort of activity. Her footsteps echoed as she walked.

  She slowed to a halt in the center of the main hall, arms tense at her sides. It felt like something was going to happen—like something was supposed to happen—but instead, everything just remained silent.

  Remaining alert, Nickie plucked her trio of drones out of her belt pouch and tossed the metallic orbs into the air. They whizzed off in separate directions, and Nickie started walking in a fourth.

  She paused at the mouth of a deserted hallway and waited. Then, slowly and cautiously, she drew her gun with one hand and her boot knife with the other. Only once she had a weapon in each hand did she begin the trek down the hallway, occasionally time-slicing her attention to the video feeds from her drones. They were having much the same luck as she was when it came to finding other people, which was none at all.

  Any signs of…anything?

  Not yet. I would have said something if I had anything relevant to offer.

  Yeah, yeah. She looked behind her before moving forward again. I know the drill. Can’t say the nasty smell is making me think this is going to end well.

  There was a T at the end of the hallway, and Nickie peered down the left side first. She couldn’t see anything in the half-light. It looked just as abandoned as the one she had just walked down.

  Presumably the various doors along the hall were the same, or else there would have been some sign of someone being there.

  I should tell you, the time lock on your aunt’s diary has expired. The next entry is available for you to read.

  Nickie couldn’t help but huff out a laugh, shaking her head. “She always did have a theatrical sense of timing,” she mused. “Surprisingly, I’ll have to read it later. I’m up to my ass in mystery and danger here, and that’s probably a little more important. But only a little.”