Rise of the Altered Moon: Altered Moon Series: Book One (The Altered Moon Series 1)

by AZ Kelvin

  “Cat, take over at tactical and keep your eyes peeled,” CJ said. “Cal, you’re with me. Boss, you have the conn.”

  CJ and Cal hit the squad bay to suit up and were in the shuttle bay to open the outer doors inside of ten minutes. The thruster packs shot them through space to the hull of the courier ship. CJ worked the manual override on the airlock and opened the outer hatch. The two men moved into the ship and sealed the door behind them. The inner door panel showed green when the airlock was fully pressurized. They engaged the magplates in their boots to gain their footing. CJ again worked the door lock as Cal covered the door with a K-20 rifle. The inner door slid away and they moved cautiously into the main corridor.

  “The hatch at the far end should be the cockpit,” CJ said, as he moved down the corridor toward the hatch. “Good shot, it looks like the main systems are still intact.”

  The door slid away at his touch to show three unconscious MT&T security officers. CJ and Cal looked at each other with a ‘Yeah, that worked’ look. They got the officers out of their seats and administered the sedative that Cat had sent with them.

  “The ship is secured,” CJ said into his comms unit. “Bring the Moon alongside and dock up”

  “Roger that, Captain,” Gina answered back.

  The Altered Moon filled the view screen of the small ship as Gina closed to docking distance. They could hear the universal dock clamps attach to the hull and the collar pressurize. Cal opened the hatch of the courier vessel to find Katy had opened the other end already. She shot him a thin cable with a small cleat on the end, which he clipped onto officer number one. Katy pulled the unconscious man through the docking collar and into the Altered Moon. They repeated the process two more times to move the MT&T officers off the ship. Cal followed the last officer across, as CJ waited for Katy to cross over to the courier ship.

  CJ and Katy worked as fast as they possibly could to restore the power systems before any other ship happened to come by at the wrong moment. The simple act of working beside her was one of CJ’s greatest joys. He didn’t know what was in store for them, but now that she was back in his life it didn’t seem to matter as much. They rerouted the power conduits and the power was soon restored. They gathered their tools and got ready to cross over to the Moon when Katy grabbed CJ’s arm.

  “I’m not going to be one of those women who complains every time her man goes on some adventure, and I know firsthand how dangerous life can be aboard a starship.” She looked at her cosmetically perfect robotic arm. “Just come back to me, Crucible…Johannson…Evermore.” She kissed him between every name and hugged him hard when she was done. Katy immediately walked to the docking collar and crossed over to the Altered Moon without a look back. CJ crossed over to catch up and console her, but found the rest of the crew had gathered by the airlock.

  “Here are the officers’ uniforms,” Cat said. “There’s a lieutenant colonel and a captain.”

  “What, no general? What a rip!” CJ joked to ease the tension he felt building already. “Look, no worries, right? We get in, we do our business, and we get out. No sweat, there and back again. Two charming guys like…” CJ stopped short as he saw Cal in his MT&T security uniform with his gold hoop and silver eye. “Okay, good cop, bad cop, it is then.”

  “Captain, here are coordinates of a tucked-away spot at the edge of the Surian system. It would be a good spot for a rendezvous.” Boss handed him a data chip.

  “Very good,” CJ said, as he shook Boss’ hand. He spoke in a smooth European accent from ancient Earth to amuse his friend and science officer. “Make it so, Number One.”

  Boss laughed and moved aside as Gina stepped up to kiss CJ once for health, twice for luck, and a third time just for good measure. She hugged Cal and told him to be safe. Cat hugged CJ and then turned to Cal. She just about floored the poor guy with the whopper of a kiss she planted on him. She nonchalantly wiped a finger over her lips as she inhaled deeply and sighed it back out again. Cal moved his lips around, no doubt trying to get the circulation going again.

  CJ looked toward the door to the engineering level but knew the best thing was to go and get back. “Cal, GABI, all set?” he asked.

  “Aye, sir” answered Cal.

  “Yes, Captain,” said GABI. The image of the smartly dressed woman seemed to be sucked into the hover drone as GABI prepped for travel.

  “Then let’s go,” CJ said. He stopped at the hatch to look back at Boss, Gina, and Cat. “You know, I can’t thank you all enough…”

  “Come back to us, Captain, all of you,” Cat said.

  “Be careful, CJ, and don’t worry about Katy,” Gina reassured him. “She’s already family.”

  “You need us, Captain, and we’ll be there in two shakes,” Boss told him.

  “Right, we’ll see you on the other side of the mountain.” CJ flashed his famous ‘nothing can stop me’ grin and crossed over to the courier ship.

  Cal was already strapped into the pilot’s seat and GABI hovered just behind him. CJ sat down in the copilot’s seat and disengaged the docking collar from the courier ship’s hull. Cal fired up the ISE and set a course for the Surian star system. GABI interfaced with the computer so she could upload the credentials and IDs that would grant them access to the operations center on Surian Prime.

  “The information is in place, Captain,” she reported, “and I have accessed the onboard jump computer.”

  “Very good, thank you, GABI. Anyone not going to Surian Prime should get off now,” he joked. “GABI, jump the ship.”

  The MT&T Courier ship slipped quietly out of normal space as GABI engaged the String Field Drive.

  *~*~*

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Merilee Travel & Transport built a state-of-the-art logistics base on Surian Prime when the Gems of the Galaxy Tour became eighty percent of their gross income. Today Surian City was a mega metropolis that covered nearly a third of the planet. MT&T managed to capitalize on galactic transport after the invention of the String Field Drive and now they stood in power second only to the Marlacuer Empire itself.

  The possession of any title of MT&T directorship meant the possession of incredible wealth and influence. When you’re in a position to buy the entire planet, a troublesome official or two upon it is a small matter to take care of. The massive tithe that MT&T paid to the Empire caused a selective blindness in the eye of the Emperor. The citizens of the Marlacuer Empire knew full well not to catch the attention of either the Imperial guard or MT&T security. You don’t pinch the three hundred pound gorilla…unless, you happen to be CJ Evermore.

  The courier ship slipped back into normal space just outside of the Surian star system. CJ had GABI overlay the fake IDs onto the courier’s security codes so no one would have any reason to double-check their identities. CJ chose their target based on the level of importance to the main control of the company. It had to be big enough to have mainframe access and small enough that officers of their rank would be commonplace.

  The Office of System Logistics was the perfect choice. Overall logistic control would have to have mainframe access, while package processing wouldn’t necessarily be a high rank position. CJ and Cal thought it took a while to get to Surian Prime from the jump point, but it seemed just as long to cross Surian City. The city was protected by a no-fly zone that extended out into the space around it. MT&T security patrols and city defense batteries kept the skies and space locked down tight. Heavily guarded entry gates for all ground, sea, and air traffic were placed around the city perimeter. The security codes held as they took their turn at the guard post and soon they landed on the shuttle pad of the Office of System Logistics.

  “Well, now the real fun begins,” CJ said, as Cal powered down the flight systems and locked out the control functions. It wouldn’t do to have someone messing around with the getaway car.

  CJ brought out his datpad and rehashed the plan with Cal. “All we need to do is get to the kernel architecture room on the far side of the operati
ons center. GABI should be able to link up with the mainframe through the wall. Security to reach that point will be tight, but our codes should hold. GABI will search out and download any data about the Kang, the Istraulis, or accident reports involving missing people. Remember you’re a captain of the MT&T Security Force. Act like one. Ready?”

  “Absolutely, Lieutenant Colonel Hammond,” Cal snapped CJ a salute. “On your three all the way, sir!” He indicated that he would stay by his side no matter what happened.

  “Thank you, Captain Davis.” CJ returned the salute. “GABI, it’s time to go to sleep.”

  “Yes, sir.” GABI settled down into a courier case they converted to fit the hover drone and powered off. Cal snapped the case shut and secured the case to his left wrist using the security shackle.

  Lieutenant Colonel Hammond and Captain Davis exited their courier ship and crossed the shuttle pad to the security panel at the door. They held up their credentials and stopped for visual recognition. The faked ID codes held again as they were granted access to the building. They had to pass several security checkpoints just to reach the first transtube. Tight was a gross understatement of the level of security they went through. They, and their IDs, were scrutinized at every checkpoint for the next eight floors.

  Fifty minutes later CJ and Cal walked up to the door of the kernel architecture room on the one hundred and third floor of the building. CJ tapped his ID card against the security panel and the door slid open. The massive amount of information that had to be processed and routed required hundreds of servers linked and running twenty-four-seven. It took CJ and Cal five minutes just to get to the back wall of the huge room of humming computers. They waited a few minutes more when they got in position, just to gauge the rhythm of the room.

  Cal disengaged the security shackle and laid the case flat on the floor. CJ put his finger against the print scanner and spoke the name, “GABI.” The hover drone powered up and lifted a foot or so out of the case. “Online, Captain.”

  “You’re on GABI,” CJ said quietly.

  “Working,” she replied. The drone seemed to pulse softly now and then as more of the processor was taken up in an effort to break through the encrypted security firewalls. Several minutes passed by and the possibility of being caught increased with each one. CJ stifled an urge to ask GABI how it was going; he knew it was best to let her focus on the job. Several more minutes passed by and CJ stifled yet another urge to ask for a progress report. Finally the datpad mounted to the interior of the case began to show an upload in progress.

  “There,” CJ said, “she’s in.”

  The two men shifted from watching for trouble to checking on the progress bar on the datpad, which increased by only microns per minute. CJ’s legs began to tingle as he squatted for so long it caused him to shift position in order to relieve one leg then the other. Cal began to shift back and forth as well. The progress bar was at thirty percent.

  “Take a short patrol route down to the first walkway and back,” CJ told Cal. “I’ll do the same this way. Stay in sight and go quietly.”

  “Copy that,” Cal said and gladly began his patrol.

  The two men completed half a dozen patrol routes by the time the datpad’s progress bar showed ninety-nine percent. CJ gave Cal the ‘wrap it up’ sign. Cal got back just as the bar filled completely and it flashed “download complete.”

  GABI said, “Two minutes to compress the data, Captain.”

  The datpad showed an icon that repeatedly smashed big boxes to small boxes as it compressed the huge amount of data into a manageable file size. The icon stopped and the datpad went to the main screen. CJ pulled the datpad from the port in the case and stuffed it into an inside pocket of the uniform. “GABI…” he said.

  “Understood, Captain.” She once again took her position in the case and powered down.

  Cal closed the case and secured it again to his left wrist. CJ and Cal worked their way back to the door. CJ tapped the ID card against the security panel and the door slid open. Three armed security guards stepped back from the door they were just about to open and drew their weapons.

  “Stop where you are!” the guard in front yelled. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”

  “Stand down, Sergeant!” CJ barked at the guard, “Lower your weapons.”

  The guards made no move to lower their guns.

  “I said stand down, Sergeant, or you will be guarding latrines on the farthest rock I can find from here,” CJ growled at the man.

  “Begging your leave, Lieutenant Colonel, but no one is supposed to be in this area,” the guard said over the barrel of his weapon. “I’ll ask you to accompany us, sir. You there, step out and keep your hands up.”

  Cal stepped out around CJ and out into view of the guards. First they looked at the case that was secured to his wrist, then they looked at his silver cybernetic eye and that was a mistake. Two bright strobe flashes came from his eye, blinding the guards. That was all CJ and Cal needed to put them down for the count.

  “Nice work,” CJ said. “Real eye-catcher.”

  “I know, pretty flashy, eh?” Cal grinned.

  “Drag ‘em in here,” CJ said as he grabbed the first guard and dragged him into the room. Cal grabbed the next guard and followed CJ through the door. “Use those cable ties, bind them all up in a group, and I’ll grab the last guy.”

  Cal bound the first guard to the second, as CJ dragged the third guard into the room. Cal ripped pieces of fabric from their uniforms and stuffed them into their mouths, using the cable ties to clamp their jaws down around the bunched fabric.

  “Oww,” CJ half laughed as one of the guards’ hair got caught up in the cable tie. “Okay, we need to get out of here before these guys are missed.”

  CJ and Cal took a second to straighten their uniforms before they re-entered the corridor. The trip back through the myriad of checkpoints was almost too much to stand as they thought that the intruder alarms would scream out at any second. The last checkpoint before their exit was jammed with people who left for the day, which drew additional security forces for coverage. The force it took to simply remain calm was almost overwhelming. CJ’s pulse quickened whenever a guard put a hand to an earpiece, expecting it to be the alert to apprehend them. Two more people, almost there, CJ thought to himself.

  The person ahead of them cleared through and they stepped up to the checkpoint. CJ presented his ID card, then Cal did the same. The guard slid the cards through a hand reader and watched the readout. A quizzical look passed over the guard’s face and he looked up at CJ.

  “I’m sorry, sir, I’m having some trouble reading your card. Just a moment. I’ll run it again.” The unusual delay brought a few guards closer to CJ and Cal.

  “What’s the trouble, Major?” CJ showed a little real irritation to help sell the part.

  “I’m sorry Lieutenant Colonel Hammond, just a delay on the server,” the major replied. “You’re all clear, sir. Have a good evening.”

  “Thank you, Major, you as well,” CJ responded. The two guards that stood on either side of the doors snapped to attention and saluted as Lt. Col. Hammond walked by. CJ returned their salutes and exited the building. He and Cal walked calmly and slowly to the courier ship.

  Cal gave the case over to CJ as he climbed into the pilot seat and powered up the flight systems. CJ opened the case and activated GABI’s hover drone. GABI came online as CJ took the copilot seat and the courier ship lifted off from the shuttle pad.

  “GABI, check for tracking bugs,” CJ said, as he scanned the cityscape for any sign of pursuit or ambush.

  “Aye, sir,” she replied and in a few seconds added, “Negative, Captain, no tracking devices detected.”

  Now if we can just make it out of the city, CJ thought to himself, not wanting to say anything that would jinx their escape.

  The flight across the city was uneventful and their path through the gate was clear. Cal followed the normal outgoing traffic lanes until they were cle
ar of Surian City airspace then pitched the courier ship up and out of the atmosphere.

  “What’s going to happen when they find those guards?” Cal asked.

  “They’re going to come after us,” CJ answered him with a ‘we ain’t out of the woods yet’ look on his face. “GABI, did we get any details on the Predators?”

  “Yes, Captain, there is one detail of great interest. They burn metastable hydrogen as a catalyst for their fuel.”

  “And we can track that?” asked CJ.

  “Yes, by including its chemical makeup in the sensor parameters,” she said.

  “Fan-friggin’-tastic.” CJ thought they’d made out better than expected. “Stay on this heading for ten minutes, then set course for the rendezvous,” he told Cal.

  “Roger that, Captain.”

  CJ took out the datpad and began to sift through the data that GABI downloaded from the MT&T mainframe. CJ’s heart sank as their worst fears were realized in the footage and information he found on it. There were files on the Kang that dated back more than a hundred years. The dates on the files went back years longer than they had originally suspected. The time passed quickly as CJ was drawn in by the unfolding treachery against Humankind by Merilee Travel & Transport.

  “Twenty mikes to rendezvous, Cap.” Cal broke into his concentration.

  “Thank you, Cal,” CJ said, at the same time as a sensor alert beeped twice then stopped.

  “What was that?” asked Cal.

  “GABI, can you upgrade the sensors on this ship—right now?” CJ asked, as he got a sinking feeling.

  “Negative, Captain,” she answered.

  “Damn…Cal, alter course, forty-five degrees to starboard,” CJ said.

  “Aye, Cap.”

  “MCV 1928, this is MSS Vigilant. Heave to and prepare to be boarded,” hailed the Predator security ship.