Labyrinth (Deuces Wild Book 3)

by Ell Leigh Clarke

  Labyrinth

  Deuces Wild Book Three

  Ell Leigh Clarke

  Michael Anderle

  Labyrinth (this book) is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  Copyright © 2018 Ell Leigh Clarke and Michael Anderle

  Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing

  LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact support@lmbpn.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  LMBPN Publishing

  PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy

  Las Vegas, NV 89109

  First US edition, September 2018

  The Kurtherian Gambit (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are copyright © 2015-2018 by Michael T. Anderle and LMBPN Publishing.

  Contents

  Chapter 1 Nickie

  Chapter 2 Tabitha

  Chapter 3 Tabitha

  Chapter 4 Tabitha and Nickie

  Chapter 5 Nickie

  Chapter 6 Tabitha

  Chapter 7 Tabitha

  Chapter 8 Nickie

  Chapter 9 Nickie

  Chapter 10 Nickie

  Chapter 11 Nickie

  Chapter 12 Tabitha

  Chapter 13 Tabitha

  Chapter 14 Nickie

  Chapter 15 Nickie

  Chapter 16 Nickie

  Chapter 17 Nickie

  Chapter 18 Nickie

  Chapter 19 Nickie

  Author Notes - Ell Leigh Clarke

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  Books written by Ell Leigh Clarke

  Books written by Michael Anderle

  Connect with The Authors

  Labyrinth Team

  Thanks to the JIT Readers

  John Ashmore

  Peter Manis

  Kelly O’Donnell

  Kim Boyer

  Daniel Weigert

  Larry Omans

  Micky Cocker

  Larry Westman

  If I’ve missed anyone, please let me know!

  Editor

  Lynne Stiegler

  Chapter 1 Nickie

  Rebus Quadrant, Themis Colony, Mess Hall

  Nickie waited in the dinner line with Grim. The day’s labor had taken it out of them both, and Grim was leaving Nickie to her thoughts while the line shuffled forward.

  She was still finding her feet as someone who gave a shit. It was an entirely different mindset to the one-woman universe she’d lived in before her special functions had been activated. Not so long ago she had been free, fighting her way around the galaxy, unburdened by purpose or responsibility.

  Or sobriety.

  She had been…

  Lonely. You were lonely, Nickie.

  Nickie made a face and sighed. I wish I could argue with you there.

  Shall I give you a moment to think it over? I am certain you can find something to disagree with.

  Bitch. She reached the head of the line and greeted Melissa, who was in charge of this communal meal, with a smile.

  These last few weeks on Themis had reminded Nickie what it was like to be part of a community. Part of a family. She was finally beginning to flirt with the possibility that letting people in did not automatically mean they would leave, but she wasn’t quite ready for her real family. Not yet.

  People were still a pain in the ass, especially since part of her still craved the ease of losing herself to the party. It was simple to just give up responsibility for herself, to numb that deep ache of loss. But it wasn’t that bad having people around. At least, there were some aspects she was getting used to. Getting fed was one of the pluses.

  She held her tray up to accept Melissa’s offering.

  Grim gave her a little nudge with his tray and nodded toward Adelaide.

  Nickie narrowed her eyes at the slumped shoulders and the desultory way she picked at her food. Adelaide spotted them and brightened immediately. She waved cheerfully at Nickie, who met Adelaide’s sweet smile with one of her own and made her way over to the table.

  This is personal growth, Nickie. I’m impressed.

  Nickie snorted, then blushed when the people around her laughed good-naturedly. They’d all gotten used to her sporadic bursts of laughter and the occasional comment aloud to Meredith. What the fuck does an EI know about growth?

  I know you would have turned around and walked away from this not so long ago. You are learning to care for these people.

  I wouldn’t go that far, although I do kind of like it here. It’s out of the reach of my family, and frankly, these people need my help. They’re just gonna keep getting picked off by whatever Skaine come by, and I never mind dealing with those fuckers. She nodded at Keen, who nodded back and returned to his conversation. Besides, it might not necessarily be a bad thing to care.

  Will wonders never cease? Perhaps next we can work on caring about yourself, if that is not a step too far?

  Don’t push it.

  Nickie took a seat on the bench next to Adelaide, and Grim chose the empty space across from her next to Keen. Raynard was conspicuously absent, and Nickie raised an eyebrow at the slight shadow under Adelaide’s eyes.

  Adelaide was getting used to Nickie’s unasked questions. “I’m okay, honest. Just tired from construction on the water supply line. Where’s Durq?”

  Grim nodded toward the door. “He went back to his quarters for some quiet time. He worked with the planters all day today.”

  “Oh, I see.” Adelaide grinned, then pressed her lips together to hide the small smile. “They’re a little chatty, that’s for sure. I had a visit from Leesha and Roan this afternoon.”

  Keen’s bushy eyebrows knitted together in mild surprise. “Oh? What did they want? I can believe Leesha was there distracting you, but it’s not like Roan to leave during the shift.”

  Adelaide stirred her food. “They wanted to talk about the best place to situate the mains access once we get the pipe run over from the reservoir. And for me to put in a word with you about getting a little more water from the reserves in the meantime.”

  Keen sighed. “I hope you’re getting somewhere with that, Addie. Our water reserves are starting to run low.” He put his spoon down and pushed his tray away. “We have enough for now,” he told them, “but we need to get the desalination plant working and finish running the supply line out to the dome if we’re going to meet the colony’s agricultural needs.”

  Nickie lifted an arm. “It’d also be good to get off rationing and have a real fucking shower. The sonic shower just lacks something, you know?” She shifted in her seat and took a hasty bite of her food. Having a wet shower would be nice. She waved her fork at Keen as she continued, “The climate control installation was completed today. As soon as the water tanks are at capacity, the environmental systems can be brought online, and the agricultural workers can expand production. I can’t believe you guys had all that equipment just gathering dust in storage.”

  Keen shrugged in resignation. “It wasn’t exactly an option. We’ve been a little preoccupied with being raided by every passing contingent of Skaine until you got here.”

  Adelaide patted Keen’s hand and pushed his tray back toward him. “Eat up. You need your strength.” Her
ponytail swished as she lifted her chin and put a finger up to silence his protest. “I don’t care if you want to eat, you need to. None of us have had time to grieve. We’re all dealing with it by pulling together and rebuilding.”

  Keen picked up his spoon, muttering under his breath.

  Nickie snickered. “So, Adelaide, how long until the water is running?”

  Adelaide pressed her lips together and tilted her head side-to-side while she did the calculations. Finally, she held up her hands and shrugged. “Um, I can’t really be sure. We’re learning as we go, and since we lost both of our engineers in the Skaine attack, we’re relying on the manuals in the database to teach us how to do most of it.” She smiled brightly at Nickie. “Actually, the interface you provided with Meredith has been incredibly helpful while everyone is getting used to their new roles.”

  Nickie’s heart dropped.

  Are you going to start blaming yourself again? Meredith asked.

  Shut up, Meredith!

  Adelaide noticed the drop in Nickie’s mood. “What is this, brooders’ corner? You’re as bad as Keen! You can’t keep blaming yourself, Nickie. You’ve worked harder than anyone here these last few weeks, and we all appreciate it. You didn’t invite the Skaines over to kill our support personnel. Give yourself a break.”

  Nickie pushed her tray away and made a show of yawning. “Well, tomorrow holds another full day of work. I’ve got a couple of things to do, and then I’m going to hit the sack.” She stood and slapped Grim on the back. “I’ll see you in the morning, bright and early.”

  Grim looked up from his conversation. He took in the careful way she held her face and nodded. “Call if you need me, okay?”

  Nickie nodded tightly and left.

  Adelaide rolled her eyes and turned to Grim. “She didn’t hear a word of that, did she?”

  Grim shrugged. “She’s a smart woman. It’ll sink in…eventually.”

  Nickie made her way to her quarters without stopping to talk when Durq popped his head out of his room. She closed the door behind her, then flung herself face down on her bed and screamed soundlessly into her pillow.

  Meredith remained silent, allowing Nickie the space to vent her grief and frustration.

  Eventually, Nickie sat up. She clutched the pillow to her chest and leaned back against the wall with her eyes closed. “Why does everything have to hurt so damn much?”

  I was once told that life is pain, and you have to grab the joy from it before it escapes or be lost to despair.

  Nickie opened her mouth to argue. I…can’t disagree. Fuck, that’s twice in one day. Am I sick? She put a hand to her forehead and snickered. I must be sick. Are my nanos malfunctioning?

  Funny! My point remains. Not only are you not responsible for the deaths of the colonists, but you have also gone out of your way to ensure they are taken care of. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

  I wasn’t going to just leave them to fucking die, and believe me when I tell you they all would have died if I hadn’t intervened. Now that they have the defenses up and running, they can get this place thriving like it was supposed to in the first place. She threw the pillow back to its place and got up from her bed. “I need some thinking time.”

  You mean you need to hit something.

  Nickie smirked. Same thing.

  She pulled out a drawer and emptied the contents on her table, then began to organize the pile. She placed the already completed part to the side and organized the rest to remind herself what she had to work with. Besides, it’s the activity itself that counts right now. I need to occupy my hands. She picked out a long, curved sewing needle and a thick ball of bonded nylon thread.

  Craft projects are a well-documented method of therapy, Meredith offered. Perhaps this will help clear your mind.

  Craft, my ass. Nickie snorted as she tied the ends of the coated thread off after threading the needle. I have something a bit more physical in mind to burn off this frustration. She sorted through the materials on the table and selected a rectangular piece and a long strip of material, which she pinned inside-out to one edge of the larger piece. A clear mind would be good.

  Nickie picked up the sewing needle and started to stitch the two pieces of material together. “But first I have to work on letting this guilt go and learn to grab joy by the balls before it escapes.”

  Rebus Quadrant, Themis Colony, Airfield

  Nickie strode determinedly up the ramp of the Penitent Granddaughter and headed straight for the cargo hold they’d never used. The only things in the open area were a weight bench and a big pile of rags on the floor near the door.

  Her eyes widened at the size of the rag pile. She’d asked Durq to find her something to stuff her homemade punching bag with and it looked like the little Skaine had dug up every scrap of cloth on the ship.

  She sniffed.

  He’d even washed them for her. “Aw, Durq,” she muttered. She sat cross-legged on the floor beside the pile and unpacked the sack and a flat, heavy disc from her carryall.

  You’re growing attached to him.

  Nickie couldn’t prevent the grin that broke out. I know, right? It’s fucking weird. It’s like he’s so vulnerable it cancels out all the parts of me that want to smash his Skaine face in.

  Charming.

  Nickie shrugged and grabbed a handful of rags. What? Don’t judge me. It’s the truth. She stuffed in a layer of rags and then placed the weighted disc on top before snatching another handful of rags for the next layer.

  It is?

  Nickie rolled her eyes. Durq is okay. Not just for a Skaine, but actually okay as a person. She packed the rags in until the bag was full, keeping a close eye on the seams to check for splits before she threaded the tie in at the top. Who’d have thought anyone could like a Skaine?

  She picked the bag up to test the weight. “Shit, this is a lot heavier than I expected.” She bounced the bag in her hand a couple of times and nodded with satisfaction when the tie held. “Now, which beam is gonna hold this?” She dropped the punching bag gently and removed a long chain with a metal clip on each end from her carryall.

  Nickie glanced at a girder that looked wide and thick enough. She coiled the long chain and held it loosely in one hand while she tossed the end over the top of the beam. She missed the first time, but her second attempt was successful.

  She caught the end of the chain as it fell and threaded it through the tie, then began to haul the heavy bag up one pull at a time.

  You have a message.

  “Huh?” The distraction caused the chain to slip through Nickie’s hands. The bag plummeted, and the chain bit the skin of her fingers. “Shit!” She caught the chain before the bag hit the floor.

  Meredith’s tone was dry. A message, Nickie. You have one.

  Ignore it, Mere. I’m too busy. She paused to wipe the sweat from her eyes and recommenced pulling the chain hand-over-hand until the bag was at the perfect height. A thought occurred to her. Who the fuck even knows where I am to send a message?

  I wouldn’t know. The message is from an anonymous sender.

  It’s probably spam. Or a scam. Nickie grunted as she anchored the chain to a support column. Or, she snickered, it might be my lucky day, and it’s a dick pic from a disaffected Torcellan noble who just needs me to send him twenty thousand credits so he can cross space to rock my world.

  You would know who sent the message if you read it.

  Nickie smirked as she stood back to admire her work. Was that almost a chuckle? Well, that’s a relief. I was starting to think your sense of humor didn’t make it into this version of you.

  Silence from Meredith.

  Oh, fine, if it will make you happy then put it up on my HUD. Here’s hoping it’s the di— Oh. Oh no. No. Fuck that.

  What is the issue? It is a simple request for assistance.

  Nickie’s lip curled. It’s a fucking babysitting job, that’s what. Some overindulged royal sweetheart’s gotten himself lost on sabbatical, and
his family wants someone to go and hold his overly soft hand while he fucks about doing whatever it is princes do.

  Meredith tsked. That is not what the message says. The prince has gone missing while on tour, and the royal family is in fear for his safety.

  Nickie grabbed the roll of tape she’d brought and got to work wrapping her hands. You have to read between the lines, Mere. Look, John Deblanc of Zuifra, right? She tore the tape with her teeth and smoothed the end down over her knuckles.

  It is.

  And what stands out about that message?

  It is a human planet, one of the ones who chose a monarchy to govern when the colony was founded. But there are plenty of human planets who chose that model, Nickie. Meredith went quiet for a moment. Oh. I see what you mean.

  Nickie jabbed lightly at the bag to test it. “I see what you mean?” Our missing Prince John is on a quest. A fucking quest, Meredith. She grimaced at the cuteness of it all and hit the bag a little harder. Like a damn fairy tale.

  I was referring to the markers which indicate the message was transmitted using Federation technology.

  Nickie paused mid-punch. It was what? Are you fucking joking?

  I thought my information was clear.

  Nickie sighed. It was. You know what this means though, don’t you?

  That someone in the Federation knows where to find you.

  That someone in the Federation knows where to find me, she echoed. No shit, but how? We’re all the way out past the frontier. We shouldn’t be within range of Federation communications.