by Sarah Noffke
There was a pause.
“Yes, Strong Arm, flying into position,” Eddie finally reported.
Julianna let out a hot breath. “No ships can return to Ricky Bobby until you’re actively squawking mode four.”
“Why would I want to return before having a little fun?” Eddie asked, his voice light from his joy of flying.
“You aren’t out there yet, are you, Black Beard?” Lars asked over the comm.
“Oh, fuck,” Eddie said in a hush. “Their ships can shapeshift.”
“It would appear,” Julianna said dryly. I am going to strangle that damn Saverus in the brig if we survive this.
“Another missile has been launched and is headed straight for the bow,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Can you maneuver to avoid it?” Julianna asked.
“I can divert it for up to ten seconds,” he replied.
“I’m on it,” Eddie chimed in. “That missile is mine.”
The sea of Black Eagles, most of them not belonging to Ghost Squadron, was a trip to see. However, that wasn’t Eddie’s present concern.
He locked his controls onto the missile that had missed the bow of Ricky Bobby.
The missile swerved, turning around to make another attempt.
“Oh, no you don’t!” Eddie yelled, initiating his own attack, a single canon.
He banked the Q-Ship hard to the side to avoid the blast impacts from enemy ships.
Ricky Bobby would take damage, but not as much as it would if the missile had hit directly.
“They’ve fired two more missiles,” Julianna reported over the comm.
“Fuck these guys,” Eddie said, tumbling the ship down and around, making a quick turn.
“Missiles headed for starboard. Can you intercept?” Julianna asked.
Eddie blinked at the new sight in front of him, unsure for a moment exactly what he was seeing.
“Black Beard?” Julianna barked.
“Yeah, I’m here,” Eddie said, momentarily dumbstruck.
“Can you take out the missiles?”
“If I can figure out which ship is Ricky Bobby,” Eddie stated.
He was on the back end of the fleet, and every large ship had shifted, taking on the appearance of Ricky Bobby.
“How is that possible?” Julianna asked, scanning the radar. There was no distinction between her ships and those of the Saverus fleet.
“Should I question the prisoner?” Fletcher asked.
Julianna shook her head. “That bitch isn’t telling us anything useful.”
“Shields won’t hold much longer,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Position the ship so that the next missile hits the brig,” she commanded. “I want that fucking Saverus to feel the attacks of her own kind. If this ship is going down, she’s getting taken out first.”
“We’re trapped out here!” Lars yelled over the comm. “We can only shoot at the ones shooting at us, which means we’re constantly on the defense.”
“Ricky Bobby, when will the transponders be active?” Julianna asked.
“I’m uploading an update now,” Ricky Bobby said. “Give me ten seconds.”
“And the gate engine?”
She hated that they were so vulnerable. How did we get into this?
“It is almost completely charged. One-minute remaining,” Ricky Bobby answered.
The ship rocked, and Fletcher stumbled forward into the radar screen.
Julianna tightened her eyes on the radar as it blinked twice. A moment later, the monochrome scan was replaced with blue and red dots. There were significantly more red ones, and they had the larger ships.
“Radar updated,” Julianna called over the comm. “All of you, return now!”
“Roger that, Strong Arm,” Eddie said, his tone heavy.
Fletcher leaned in closer to the radar. “I’ll make sure none of the Saverus get in.”
“Good, one infestation, and we will be fucking screwed,” Julianna said.
Ricky Bobby took another blow, making the lights flicker and then go out completely. The generator kicked on immediately, bathing the bridge in soft blue light.
“Gate engines delayed due to system outage,” Ricky Bobby said.
Julianna gripped the table until her knuckles turned white. “We’re fucking sitting ducks.”
“Should we deploy more missiles?” Fletcher asked.
Julianna shook her head. “It will only drain our systems. We need to jump. There’s no winning this battle.”
She hated having to run, but knowing when an enemy had you beat was crucial. It was always better to survive to fight another day, especially in the face of such overwhelming odds. If they got out of this, they could return to deliver the Saverus their own asses. With proper strategizing, Julianna was sure Ricky Bobby could take them out; it was being dropped unprepared into a giant fleet, that had been their shortcoming.
“Gate engines charged and ready to go,” Ricky Bobby said.
“Black Eagles? Black Beard? Are you back?” Julianna asked over the comm.
“I’m the last,” Eddie said. “Landing now.”
“Ricky Bobby, jump now!” Julianna ordered.
Chapter Sixteen
Lower Deck, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System
Steam billowed from the rafters overhead. Three crew members were fighting an electrical fire at the end of the corridor. Loud banging echoed from inside the walls of the ship. Ricky Bobby was in chaos.
“Diagnostics report the ship is at forty-three percent,” Liesel said, scrolling through the results.
“Fuck, we took a huge hit,” Eddie said, sliding his hand through his hair.
“Well guess who else is going to?” Julianna said, staring around at the aftermath of the attack.
“Later. Most importantly, we need cloaks online,” Eddie stated.
Liesel widened her eyes before looking up. “Shields are also down.”
“Okay, second most important,” Eddied corrected. “We need those shields back up immediately.”
“I doubt the Saverus followed,” Julianna stated.
Eddie nodded. “I agree, but I’d feel more comfortable if we were prepared for another attack.”
“How is the new weapon coming along?” Julianna asked.
Liesel swiped through several screens before replying, “It’s almost complete, but I’m going to have to put it on hold.”
Eddie gave a low whistle. “That would have obliterated them.”
“Put the project on Hatch’s plate,” Julianna said. “We need a weapon in case we have another run-in with the Saverus; nothing we have right now will defeat them.”
Eddie looked at her with a skeptical reluctance. “I don’t think you would have authorized using that weapon when there were other options at our disposal.”
“We were the ones nearly disposed of, so don’t be so sure.”
Julianna was mad. No, she was fucking livid. They hadn’t stood a chance against the Saverus; their ships could shapeshift. It made her realize exactly how powerful this alien race could be.
“How about you take this hostility out on our prisoner?” Eddie asked, leading her down the corridor.
Julianna was about to answer when Ricky Bobby cut her off. “I’ve found the dog named Harley.”
“What? Where?” Julianna’s pulse quickened.
“He’s not far from here,” the AI assured her. “I was right; he was in the cargo bay. It appears that he burrowed into one of the vent tunnels.”
Julianna let out a weighty breath. “Dumb dog was intent on finding that damn ferret.”
“It would appear,” Eddie said with a laugh.
“Where is he now?” the commander asked. I’m going to ignore him for a week for pulling this stunt.
“He’s in the vent tunnel, down this corridor on the right,” Ricky Bobby said.
Julianna hurried in the given direction. The damn dog is probably cowering in the tunnel, knowing he’s about to get chewed out.
“The section of the vent where Harley is located suffered one of the biggest impacts during the battle,” Ricky Bobby said.
Julianna slowed. Paused. Turned to read the apprehension on Eddie’s face. “What? What does that mean?”
“Is he alive?” Eddie asked tensely, watching Jules.
“I believe so,” Ricky Bobby replied, “but he’s not moving. The vent where he’s located appears to have been crushed.”
“Fuck!” Julianna yelled, running. “We have to get him out.”
Eddie was on her heels. “How are we going to do that?”
Julianna pulled the grate up off the vent. She kneeled, peering into the fifteen-by-fifteen-inch space. Without hesitating, Julianna slithered into the tunnel.
“Are you crazy?” Eddie asked, crouching on the ground beside her.
“No, I’m problem solving!” The metal tunnel was cold and smelled of mold and dust.
“You’re going to get stuck in there!” Eddie yelled.
“Are you calling me fat?”
She immediately regretted yelling. Her voice echoed off the metal, making her ears ring. She couldn’t see a damn thing in the darkened tunnel. “Hand me a flashlight,” Julianna said, squeezing her hand behind her and combing her fingers in Eddie’s direction.
“Damn it, Jules,” Eddie said, searching his belt. “There could be a fire or any kind of damage in there. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Eddie, flashlight! Now!”
“Here!”
Something cold was slapped into Julianna’s hand. She negotiated her arm back in front of her, scratching her skin on the seams of the metal encasing her.
When she turned on the flashlight, her heart sank. “Fuck,” she sighed.
“What is it? Did you find him?” Eddie asked from by her feet.
Julianna began to inch her way down the tunnel, toward the dog’s ass, which was most of what she could make out, twenty feet away.
“Yes. He’s on his side and looks to be pinned where the tunnel caved in overhead,” Julianna explained. Her progress was slow, but considering she had an inch of room between her and the tunnel, her speed was fairly good.
“Ricky Bobby scanned that area,” Eddie called in to her. “That whole section is unstable, and likely to cave from pressure overhead.”
“So I’ll be fast,” Julianna muttered in response.
“Fuck, Jules!” Eddie growled.
You’re risking your life for an animal again.
So?
So, you’re starting to get a reputation.
For being an idiot?
For having a heart.
That’s inherently false. I’m only bored. That’s why I’m doing this.
It isn’t because you love that dog?
Right now, I despise that dog.
So you’re risking your life to save him?
I can’t have the mutt clogging up the vents.
Liesel is in charge of ship maintenance. Shouldn’t she be the one on this?
I’m already in here, and she’s probably not strong enough to do what’s got to be done to get Harley out.
And what’s got to be done?
I’ve got no fucking clue. I’ll figure it out, though.
Harley whimpered as Julianna approached. Between the caving metal, Julianna spied his face as he tried to curl up to look at her. When he moved, he yelped in pain, echoing loudly in the tunnel. The entire section shifted, and the metal pinning him slid further into his ribcage.
“What’s going on?” Eddie called.
“It’s okay,” Julianna called to Harley, her voice soft. “I’m going to get you out of here.”
She struggled to pull a full breath into her lungs. The clogged section of the vent had little fresh air.
Harley whimpered again.
It tore at the heart Julianna didn’t think she had. What is happening to me lately? I seem to…care—and more than about the greater good or the Federation. I care about this dog, and my team, and, if I’m honest with myself, Eddie.
Fuck my life.
I heard that.
The ‘fuck my life’ part?
The caring part.
Like I said, fuck my life.
When Julianna was close enough, she reached out for the metal protruding into Harley’s back end.
He snapped at her, then emitted a soft, regretful growl, low in his throat.
“Hey, I’m trying to help,” Julianna scolded.
From the other side of the metal, Julianna spied the look of remorse on Harley’s face.
He’s in pain and scared. That’s what animals and children do when they’re afraid. They react. They snap at those trying to help.
She sighed. Dammit. How am I going to get him out?
The tunnel shook. Julianna threw her hand out, holding up the metal section that had fallen into Harley to keep it from stabbing more deeply into his flesh.
If you’re not too busy...
This is about the worst time ever, Julianna replied, trying to push the metal section up. Harley growled, nipping at her.
I can sense that, but I thought you should know that the vent tunnel isn’t going to hold much longer.
You’re a dear. Thanks for the info.
I’m not done providing sage wisdom.
Is that what you’re doing? Julianna punched into the metal, trying force it back up and meeting defeat again. “Dammit!” she shouted out in frustration.
According to the blueprints for the ship, on the other side of Harley, there is an access door that leads to the floor below you.
On the other side of the dog.
Yes, you’re listening. Great.
The dog who I can’t free, nor get around.
The broken metal of the vent was wedged so firmly into Harley’s side that Julianna thought she’d have to retreat and have him cut out. She didn’t know if he had that kind of time.
What if you pushed him forward, over the access vent? Pip asked.
Julianna was about to argue, but paused.
Pip, that’s actually a really good idea.
I’m full of them, you’ll find.
Work on the modesty, though.
She was having zero luck with trying to push the metal that was pinning Harley out of the way. Urging the dog forward would hurt him a great deal, but it could possibly free him from the stuck metal.
Securing her hands on Harley’s back end, Julianna pressed her toes and elbows underneath her. She’d have to push swiftly, to clear him of the space and minimize his wounds.
You can do this, Pip encouraged.
I can’t tell you how much I need to hear that right now. Julianna gritted down hard on her teeth.
I know.
Julianna drew in a breath. On the exhale she pressed her arms straight, pushing Harley.
He snapped at her, letting out another yelp.
“I know. I know,” Julianna said through a grunt.
The broken piece of the tunnel released and Julianna knocked it hard. She unleashed a great deal of strength forcing the broken section of the vent back. Now that Harley was out of the way and she didn’t have to worry about harming him she could push her limits. With the vent cleared, Julianna spied the giant laceration from Harley’s spine to the middle of his stomach.
His insides spilled out, and he roared with fearful pain.
Julianna gritted her teeth, blocking out the desperate whimpering of the dog. She forced harder, pushing up onto her knees and bolting forward.
The grate of the access door pinched her legs.
“Fucking hell!” Julianna rejoiced, pushing once more. She knew that every movement was endangering Harley, but she had to get him out of there.
The tunnel shifted, dropping down a foot and leaning to the side. Julianna kicked her heel into the access door once. Twice. On the third time, the grate fell, clattering to the ground.
“Tell Eddie that I’m—”
“Julianna! Is that you?” Eddie
’s voice called underneath her.
On it! Pip exclaimed.
Thanks.
Julianna grabbed onto Harley, careful to hold him in a way that didn’t put more stress on his wounds. She pushed her legs out of the access area and felt hands wrap around them. Eddie lowered her to the ground, and Julianna looked up at him. Her mouth fell open but nothing came out.
Eddie’s eyes shot to Harley in her arms. “Is he—”
A loud groan stole their attention. The vent dropped several inches, bolts flying off in different directions. Eddie yanked both Julianna and Harley to the side.
Julianna continued moving forward, getting as far as she could from the duct before it crashed to the ground. She didn’t stop when they were in the clear.
“Where are you going?” Eddie asked, running beside her. “The infirmary is the opposite direction.”
“The doctors can’t save him,” Julianna said, pressing Harley firmer into her chest.
They were both covered in his blood. His eyes were closed, but she felt his heart still beating.
“The Pod-doc?” Eddie asked.
“It’s his only chance.” Julianna sped up, knowing they were running out of time.
Chapter Seventeen
Hatch’s Lab, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System
“I don’t know,” Pip said, a laugh in his tone, “I think she’s kind of pretty.”
“Pretty? I haven’t noticed,” Hatch said, spinning a wrench in one of his tentacles.
“Oh, really?” Pip challenged. “Then why is that every time Liesel comes around, your temperature rises and your eight hearts beat faster?”
Hatch puffed out his cheeks. “What? They do not.”
“I can upload your stats for you to review, if you don’t believe me,” the AI teased.
Hatch gave Knox a pointed stare that was meant for Pip. “I think that interfacing you with the lab was a bad idea. It’s obvious that you’re more of a distraction than an assistant.”
“Not to mention that my observations regarding Liesel are challenging something that you’re in deep denial about,” Pip said.
He doesn’t know when to stop, Hatch thought. And to think that Julie has to put up with him full-time… She must have unending patience.