by John Bowers
The Spanic workers quickly finished their beers and followed Kline out of the Vega. Silence settled over the room. Nathan helped Kristina collect the glasses and Suzanne set a cup of coffee in front of Nick.
“Is it really over?” she asked wearily.
“I think so. Tatum apologized for Peloni’s little stunt, and I think Harry Reed has lost all credibility with the KK. I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble for awhile.”
“Gerald Graves is dead, Joel Graves is dead—how many others?”
“Ten or eleven KK men, I think. Sam and Judy.”
“And what happens when Lucius Clay becomes president of Missibama? I’m not sure I want to live here if he forms that confederacy he’s been talking about.”
Nick sipped his coffee and gazed into her lovely green eyes.
“In that case, I think you better make a move before that happens. Once they establish the confederacy, they may not allow women like you to leave the planet.”
“Slavery will become legal.”
He nodded. “And it won’t be confined to black and Spanic women. Any woman who isn’t a citizen will be subject to enslavement.”
“I wasn’t born here, but Kristina was. What about her?”
Nick shrugged. “I’m only guessing, but probably the fact that she was born in Federation territory will preclude her from ever being a Confederate citizen. A girl with her looks won’t stand a chance under their new regime.”
“Then I have to get her off the planet.”
Nick looked past her, to the kitchen doorway, and his eyes twinkled. “I think Nathan might take care of that for you.”
Suzanne turned to look—Kristina stood in Nathan’s arms, kissing him desperately, as if drawing life itself from him. Suzanne turned back to Nick.
“I think you’re right.” She smiled. “I guess I’ll just get myself off the planet.”
“Where will you go? Back to Vega?”
She cocked her head. “Maybe the real question is, where will you go? You’ll be reposted when that happens, won’t you?”
He looked at her in surprise. “You want to tag along with me?”
“Would you mind so much?”
“I dunno. Aren’t you a little old for me?”
“Maybe a little. Is that going to be a problem?”
“I guess I could deal with it.”
“That reminds me,” she said. “I told you that when this was over, I was going to do something about your brains.”
“I remember.”
“When would you like me to take care of that?”
Nick sat there a moment, pretending to think.
“I need to file a report with London, but…I guess I can do that tomorrow.”
She smiled. “Okay…”
“And I still need to get that car back to the Outback, but…that can wait until after Sirian Summer.”
“Right…”
“And I’m gonna have to request vouchers to pay for all the damage I’ve caused around town, but…”
“You won’t need your brains for any of that, will you?”
He laughed. “No, those are all no-brainers.”
“Then what’s wrong with right now?”
He shrugged. “Can I get a shower first?”
Suzanne leaned across the bar and kissed him.
“Absolutely. I’ll wash you myself.”
Thank You
If you enjoyed this book, it would be fabulous if you could leave a brief review where you obtained it. Readers trust other readers, and the number of positive reviews has a huge impact on sales.
If you’re on Facebook or other social sites, and liked the book, perhaps you could recommend it to your friends there as well. Again, thank you so much. You are my marketing team!
-John
Writing and posting reviews is easy:
You don’t have to be a professional writer or particularly verbose. Reviews by “real people” are what most readers are seeking. Just tell them, in your own words, what you thought of the book. If you can put into words “why” you liked the book you can also add that information.
Don’t give away the ending. Most people hate “spoilers” (although there are a few who actually look for them).
Then give it a rating (usually 1 to 5 “stars”), a title, if needed, and click on the appropriate button (on Amazon, that would be the “preview” button, followed by the “publish” button if you like what you’ve done).
That’s all there is to it. You’re now a seasoned reviewer.
About the Author
John Bowers discovered his love for writing in 7th grade and started his first novel at age 13. By the time he graduated high school he had written six complete novels, sending his English teachers (all four of them) into paroxysms of delight. The pastor of his church was not so easily amused, however, and Bowers was “encouraged” (can you spell “threatened”?) to give up the creation of “manmade daydreams” and seek the Kingdom of God instead. He continued writing through his twenties, turning out several more books and a number of screenplays, but around age 30 finally surrendered to “God’s will” and gave up writing altogether.
Fifteen years later Bowers realized that his writing talent, if indeed it was God-given, was not intended to be “hidden under a bushel”, so he gave up “manmade religion” instead. He began work on a novel that eventually became the first in a series called the Fighter Queen saga. A few years later he began another book called Nick Walker, United Federation Marshal. Aside from several magazine articles, publication took time, and it wasn’t until the e-book revolution that Bowers finally saw his lifetime dream come true when a friend introduced him to AKW Books.
The Bowers name has gained widespread popularity in the e-book world. In addition to the Fighter Queen saga, he has authored the Nick Walker: U.F. Marshal series and the Starport series.
He lives in Central California with his wife and two spoiled cats, Rama and Dinky.
Rebel Guns of Alpha Centauri
by John Bowers
As Titus lost his balance and fell, his eyes filled with horror, Suzanne drove her heel into his cheekbone, stomping down once, twice, three times…all she needed to do was disable him, then she could escape. Hope surged through her chest, and when he scrabbled frantically backwards to avoid her murderous assault, she spun around and looked for his weapon.
There! Six feet away, lying in the dust. She reached down and picked it up, then turned back to see if he was still down or needed a little more persuasion. He stared at her in horror, fear gleaming in his eyes. Suzanne raised the weapon and pointed it at him.
“I’m going to leave now,” she said in a calm, steady voice. “If you try to follow me, I will shoot. So I suggest you don’t do anything st—”
She never finished. Thirty yards behind her, Darius had stopped retching on the ground and raised his head in time to see her aiming a gun at his father. Reeling with nausea that still surged out of his groin, he managed to pull his own pistol and take aim.
He shot Suzanne in the back.
Starport
by John Bowers
Askos Queen crossed over the dark side of the planet, the sun blotted out by the orb of Environ. Col. West felt his blood pressure increase slightly as the big moment approached. Askos Raven was still in position to their right, and would soon be jumping to hyperspace. The chief pilot was talking to STC South as if Queen were also going to jump.
“Environ Traffic South, Askos Queen; preparing for hyperspace in four minutes.”
“Roger, Askos Queen, copy four minutes. Trajectory lane is clear, nothing inbound.”
“Thank you, South. Askos Queen.”
West glanced at his watch. At the same moment, he felt Mios tense beside him. Mios was staring intently at a holo-screen that displayed air traffic inside the atmosphere. West looked and for a moment saw nothing out of order…
“What is that?” he murmured a second later. Two pinpoints of light seemed to be risi
ng straight up at incredible speed; a flashing collision warning followed them as the onboard navigation radar determined their projected course—if nothing changed, they would intersect with Askos Queen in less than a minute. West felt his mouth turn dry.
“They’re going too fast for manned spacecraft,” Mios replied, his voice almost detached, as if his mind were on other things. “Got to be intercept missiles. Mach 6 at least.”
“Kristopher Krist!”
“Environ Traffic South!” Mios shouted over an open channel, “Askos Queen. We are detecting what looks like two intercept missiles rising from the surface on a convergent course! Please identify and advise!”
“Captain, shall I take evasive action?” the pilot shouted.
“Stand by!” Mios ordered.
“Askos Queen, Environ South—I don’t know where the hell they came from, but they do look military in nature. Take evasive action! Repeat, evasive action! I’m trying to raise Environ Defense Net, but you better get out of there now!”
Mios didn’t take the time to respond. Instead he thumbed open another channel and spoke directly to Raven.
“Askos Raven, Askos Queen! Execute hyperspace now! Repeat, make your warp jump now! Execute!”
To the pilot: “Take evasive action! Sound the collision alarm!”
West grabbed an overhead bar and held on. In spite of all the talk about making a hyper jump, Queen’s warp drives were cold, because the plan had never included using them. Bringing them online would take several minutes longer than they had—the missiles were already clearing the atmosphere.
Askos Raven disappeared seconds later, simply vanishing from view as it leaped into hyperspace. Queen was now alone, above the atmosphere, and even though the pilot fired thrusters, everyone on the bridge knew it was too late. The missile that had been targeting Raven now changed course and headed directly for Queen.
But the other one got there first.
The Fighter Queen Saga
The Fighter King
The Sword of Sophia
A Vow to Sophia
Star Marine
The Fighter Queen
The Complete Fighter Queen saga
Other Great Science Fiction and Fantasy
Book of Books
Blanktown
That Which is Human
The Complete Alpha Dreamer
BrownBird’s Luck
Commodore Farmer
Joseph Lexxus and the Drug Runners of Altair
AGF: The Gathering
Available from
AKW Books