by Sarah Noffke
“I got over it rather quickly, especially since my chair has a massage mode.” Jack nestled into the leather seat, but his look of comfort slipped away after a moment.
“You still miss ArchAngel, don’t you?” Julianna observed that there was something different about Jack. His dark hair, which was usually slicked back smoothly, looked a bit chaotic, as if he’d run his fingers through it. His button-up shirt was creased, and its sleeves had been rolled up.
Jack straightened. “ArchAngel? Oh, no. I mean, we have Ricky Bobby now and General Reynolds has his ship back. That’s all that matters.”
He misses her, Pip teased in Julianna’s head.
They spent a lot of time together.
We spend a lot of time together.
So…
So maybe you should miss me when I’m away or go quiet.
When exactly is that? How about we play the quiet game and you give me a chance to miss you? Make yourself scarce.
Fine, but you will miss me. Wait and see.
I’m waiting…
“Oh, here it is.” Jack pulled a report from a stack. “Intel came from General Reynolds recently. It’s a very curious case.”
“You have our attention,” Eddie said. He slid out one of the chairs in front of Jack’s new desk and offered it to Julianna, but she shook her head. She didn’t really like to sit unless she was flying. Eddie took the seat, pressing his elbows onto his knees as he leaned forward.
“There was a theft inside Jaslene Corporation,” Jack began, scanning the report.
“Why do I know that name?” Julianna asked.
Jack nodded. “We contracted with them to build secure storage units. They’re known for their high-tech impenetrable units.”
“That’s right,” Julianna said.
“Is it ironic that they had a theft when they’re known for their security?” Eddie asked.
“You’d think so, but the person who stole valuable records was the CEO of the corporation, Mary Jaslene,” Jack told them.
Eddie scratched his head. “Maybe I’m a bit thick, but how can a CEO steal records from her own corporation?”
Jack set down the report and stood, as if adrenaline had suddenly infected him. “Because we believe the real Mary Jaslene’s testimony, and she states that she was on vacation on the day of the theft. According to her, she didn’t come into the office. However, the security cameras clearly show that someone who looked exactly like the CEO entered the building.”
“Okay, that’s bizarre,” Eddie said.
“What did this imposter take?” Julianna asked.
Jack held up a finger as he paced. “Good question. This person removed records that only Mary Jaslene had access to. You see, when the Federation contracted her company to build the secure storage units, we requested that the information not be disseminated companywide. The contents of those units is classified, so we didn’t want our enemies to discover their locations.”
“That’s what was stolen, wasn’t it?” Julianna guessed.
“Bingo.” Jack halted, turning toward them. “There are two Federation storage facilities located on the frontier, and whoever impersonated Mary Jaslene now knows where they are.”
“What’s stored in these units?” Eddie asked.
“That I’m working on finding out, but I’m pretty sure there’s already someone on our staff who knows the answer because he created the technology,” Jack said.
Eddie looked up at Julianna, who was still stoically standing. “Hatch!”
“Jack, you said Jaslene Corporation is known for their high levels of security. Even if these guys have the locations, should we really be worried that they can break into them and get whatever they’re after?” Julianna argued.
“I’m fairly certain that we should be very concerned,” Jack said. “From what I could figure out, the alien species that pulled off the theft shouldn’t be underestimated. If they could break into Jaslene Corporation, they can probably find a way to rob a storage unit.”
“Oh, goody. Have you figured out what alien species we’re dealing with?” Eddie asked, eagerly rubbing his hands together.
“Marilla will have more information on them. There’s not much known on the Saverus, but I’m certain she can shine some light,” Jack said.
“Did you say ‘the Saverus?’” Julianna asked. “I didn’t think they actually existed.”
Jack nodded. “I’ve heard of them too, but only briefly. It appears that this race of shapeshifters is indeed real, and potentially highly dangerous.”
Chapter Four
Intelligence Center, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System
“I think that we should put the hoop right over your desk,” Chester said, aiming the foam basketball with one eye shut before launching it at an invisible hoop. It banged into the wall behind Marilla’s desk before landing on her keyboard.
She looked up, pretending to be annoyed. “I think—”
“Oh, shush,” Chester said, spinning to his main workstation. “This is my new favorite song.” He turned up the volume.
“It’s a hundred years old or more!” Marilla said.
“Tsk, tsk. Taylor Swift is timeless, and you damn well know it.” Chester picked up another foam ball from his desk and spun back, aiming it threateningly at Marilla. The new Intelligence Center was even better than the last. Marilla’s workstation was larger, and positioned right behind Chester’s—and surprisingly, once they had loaded up the space with all the workstations he needed, there was absolutely no room for anyone else. Just Chester and Mar. Oh, well and Harley, of course.
The shaggy dog peeked up from the floor, the orange ball having caught his eye. Chester faked a throw at Marilla, then tossed the ball toward the door and Harley charged after it, tail wagging.
Harley darted into the hallway, catching the foam ball in his mouth as he slid into the wall.
“Good catch,” Eddie told him as he and Julianna approached.
The dog looked up and bounded in their direction. Tail wagging, he dutifully brought the ball over to Julianna. She paid him no attention and continued moving forward, making him walk backward to keep his brown eyes on her.
“He brought you a present,” Eddie said, pointing to the ball.
Unhurriedly Julianna peered down at the dog, looking unimpressed. “I prefer whiskey and chocolate.”
“He remembers that you saved his life. I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop his obsession now,” Eddie teased.
“He licks his own butt. I think it’s very likely that he’ll forget,” Julianna said, rounding into the Intelligence Center.
“Or are you hoping that you’ll forget?” Eddie prodded. “Jules cared enough to save Harley. She must like him, despite the tough-girl act.”
Julianna looked down at Harley, now giving him a meaningful expression. “No good deed goes unpunished, am I right?”
Harley hopped as he barked, and the foam ball fell from his mouth and rolled under a workstation.
Chester nodded his head to the blaring music, dancing in his seat and singing loudly.
“Nice singing,” Eddie said. He shot Marilla a wide smile, jerking a thumb in Chester’s direction. “That’s real entertainment.”
“It’s nonstop entertainment, is what it is,” Marilla replied.
As the music faded, Eddie stared around the new Intelligence Center. It had remarkably made significant progress in a short time. There appeared to be enough computer power to hack the Federation if they so desired. What there wasn’t, were chairs—only Chester’s and Marilla’s.
“I understand you can offer us insights on the Saverus species,” Julianna said, her attention on Marilla although Harley kept pawing at her knee.
“Yes. I reviewed the information Jack sent over, and I can confirm that they are the most likely candidates for this imposter job,” Marilla said.
“Why are you so sure?” Julianna asked.
“When Ms. Jaslene’s office was searched after th
e theft was discovered, the team found scales in the carpet,” Marilla explained.
“Scales? Like measuring devices?” Eddie asked.
Marilla shook her head, typing on her computer and taking over the largest monitor on the main wall. An image of a giant red snake with green eyes popped onto the screen. The alien’s face had a strange, almost human quality about it—something in the eyes and the shape.
“Meet the Saverus,” began Marilla. “In their original form they look like large snakes. They can grow arms for certain purposes, but as you can see here they are mostly a head, body, and tail.”
“You’re telling us that this snake can shift into the form of a human?” Eddie asked, giving Julianna a look of disbelief. She appeared to be in deep thought, or a rather in-depth conversation with Pip.
“Not just human. Saverus can become Kezzin, Trid, Londil, or any other species. They can hold up to six different personas at once,” Marilla explained.
“And how do they steal these personas?” Julianna asked.
Marilla pushed her long braid off her shoulder. “They need only come in contact once with the person they wish to impersonate.”
“So you’re telling me that this giant snake visited Mary Jaslene? Wouldn’t she have remembered that?” Eddie asked.
“Maybe, but probably not,” Marilla said. “I’d guessed that it took on a different form—a more acceptable one—when it came in contact with Ms. Jaslene.”
“I thought this species was a myth,” Julianna said, eyeing the image skeptically.
“It’s true that we know little of the Saverus, but they did in fact exist.” Marilla rose from her computer station and walked around it. “They came from the planet Savern, but oddly there are none there anymore. A Saverus sighting is rare and it was thought that they’d become extinct.”
“Or were hiding while disguised,” Julianna said, her tone careful.
Marilla nodded. “That’s my thought too. What I’ve been able to find out about their society is quite strange. They had a weird hierarchical system that was ritually-oriented.”
“How so?” Eddie prodded.
“Well, the lower ranks appear to answer to the elders. And they are only placed into a role once they pass a series of sacramental tests,” Marilla explained, twisting a rogue strand of hair around her finger. “What I know is incomplete, since there’s little information on them. It’s strange. When I went to research the species…I don’t know...”
“What?” Julianna encouraged.
“I don’t know. It’s almost like the records have been erased.” Marilla, who had looked lost in thought, gazed up at them. “Is it possible that they’ve intentionally been trying to hide?”
“It’s absolutely possible, because the best way to pull off a major heist is for no one to know you exist,” Julianna stated.
“Is there anything else you can tell us about this mysterious alien species?” Eddie asked.
“Tell them about the rat people,” Chester said, his tone dripping with excitement.
“Rat people? Oh no, who are they?” Julianna asked.
“The Petigrens,” Marilla stated. “And they are—or they were—the Saverus’ servants.”
Eddie was about to ask another question, but he was knocked off-balance when something rocked into the ship, making all four of them lurch forward from the assault.
Chapter Five
Bridge, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System
“What the fuck?” Eddie blurted when the ship was rocked by a second attack.
“Ricky Bobby,” Julianna called as they entered the bridge, Harley on their heels. “What’s going on?”
Fletcher was there as usual and was scanning the central radar, his brow furrowed. He pointed to a series of red dots on the starboard side of the battlecruiser.
“I’ve intercepted the enemy’s communications,” Ricky Bobby said from overhead. “It appears these Trids think Felix is aboard. I’m holding them off the best the ship can manage in its current state.”
The battlecruiser bucked as more missiles impacted the hull.
Eddie grunted with frustration. “Well, it did used to belong to Felix.”
“I thought Felix was friendly with the Trids,” Fletcher said, rubbing his hand over his bald head. He was both young and old in Eddie’s eyes. He had the spirit of a young man, but the wisdom and features of someone much older.
“I’ve examined many of Felix’s records. They suggest that he was engaged in shady practices,” Ricky Bobby informed them.
“Shocking,” Julianna muttered.
“So he employed the Trids and then screwed them. Yeah, no surprise there,” Eddie said.
“Sleep with a dog and you’re going to get fleas,” Fletcher said.
Harley, who was standing at Julianna’s feet, barked at this, seemingly offended.
Eddie cast the dog a furtive glance. That dog might be smarter than they all realize, he thought. No wonder he preferred Julianna to anyone else.
“The enemy’s ships are closing. Without the cloaks and with the gate drives offline we’re going to need a more direct defense,” Ricky Bobby informed them.
Eddie imagined that from the engine room he could hear Hatch yelling, “I know! I’m working on it, damn it!”
Julianna turned to Eddie. “The Black Eagles. They’ll be the best defense against the Stingrays.”
“We have a Stingray, remember?” Eddie began. “I could take that fish out and get in close. Blow them up without them seeing me coming.”
“That’s a good plan, but there are too many.” She pointed to the radar table. Two dozen Stingrays were approaching slowly, maneuvering around Ricky Bobby’s counterattacks. “When they figure out it’s you attacking them, you’ll be outnumbered. My instincts say to leave our Stingray behind for another time.”
Eddie nodded. He trusted Julianna’s instinct like it was a life line. “Okay, then we’re off.” He ran for the landing bay.
“Stay on the comm,” Julianna called to his back.
“You said you’ve intercepted their comms, right?” Julianna asked Ricky Bobby.
“That’s correct,” he answered.
“Then will you inform them that we don’t have Felix Castile and are not their enemy?” Julianna knew it was a long shot, but although she craved a good fight she didn’t like to kill unnecessarily. It felt wasteful, even the Trids.
“I tried that,” Ricky Bobby informed her, his tone morose.
“And they didn’t believe you, because that’s exactly what the real Felix would have said…is that right?” Fletcher asked from Julianna’s side.
Harley kept growling softly at the Lieutenant. Aboard Ricky Bobby Fletcher had taken a hands-on approach, helping with crew assignments and workflow. Jack may have been right that he would make a good choice for XO. This battle might be the time to tell them.
Fletcher had combat experience and was a respected leader, but the hardest thing for soldiers to do in battle was exactly what he and Julianna were doing—manage the battle from a strategic level, leaving the tactics to those engaged on the front lines. She would have loved to fly into battle alongside Eddie, but there were too many unknowns with the new ship and having a bird’s-eye view was crucial for a battle of this magnitude.
The battlecruiser jerked violently under a fresh barrage. Alarms echoed throughout the ship.
“Ricky Bobby, status?” Julianna called, gripping the radar table for support.
“A flight of Stingrays snuck through our defenses on the starboard side. The missiles are keeping them back, but not targeting them well enough for complete protection,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Damn it, can we get some railguns already?” Julianna said, gritting her teeth.
“I might know a guy,” Fletcher said with a wink.
“Make sure we survive this battle so you can call your contact in time for the next. I’m tired of eating bullets because we’re the Federation’s secret squadron.” Julianna paced back and fort
h in front of the radar table, watching as the Black Eagles deployed from Ricky Bobby. “Come on, Eddie—get those fuckers off our tail.”
The Black Eagles streaked into the void of space with Eddie in the lead. It felt good to be back in the pilot’s seat, cruising in the direction of a bunch of Stingrays. Most could appreciate the adrenaline rush, but for Eddie it was more. Each battle he fought was an attempt to come back to himself. Trying to make amends for what he’d done—or really, what he hadn’t done.
“Carnivore, I’d like to make this fish fry happen as fast and efficient as possible,” Eddie said over the comm.
“Copy that, Blackbeard,” Lars responded.
Behind the Kezzin pilot were three other Black Eagles. Lone Wolf, Escrema, and Trapeze were their best pilots, and at the moment the only ones prepared for this level of combat. Recruitment efforts had taken a backseat to renovations.
“Lone Wolf and Escrema, take the Stingrays that have broken through defenses on starboard,” Eddie ordered.
“Yes, sir,” the pilots said in unison.
“Trapeze, you come with us. Let’s go after that school of fish ahead,” Eddie said, speeding in the direction of a dozen Stingrays flying in formation.
Eddie pulled in a long, steadying breath and fired a barrage of bullets at the enemy ships. He swerved between two Stingrays trying to box him in, banking hard and whipping the ship around.
“Fuck yeah, baby! Feels good to be back in action,” he roared. He sped after the two Stingrays, intent on teaching them a lesson.
“They’re outnumbered,” Fletcher observed, leaning over the radar table.
Julianna balled her fists, squeezing tightly. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Our ships are faster and better equipped.”
“Yes, but the Stingrays have enhanced maneuverability, according to what I discovered in both Felix’s records and Dr. Hatcherik’s notes on the ships,” Ricky Bobby stated.