by J. M. Hagan
Jack whipped his pistol from its holster and shot her forearm. A bleeding hole erupted. Claudia dropped on her knees with a shriek, covering her head. The Agent stumbled. He took his gun up in both hands to aim carefully. Then shot her between the eyes.
She dropped. He scurried over to aim down at her. Her lifeless eyes were locked in a death stare, as blood trickled from the red hole in her forehead.
“Malora!” cried Claudia.
He turned and saw her on her knees over her, shaking her. She checked her pulse. Then searched for blood. “She’s okay,” she said. “Her vest took the brunt of it. She’s just unconscious.”
“Thank God,” sighed Jack, his eyes trailing to the Agent he had killed. You tried to kill my friends. “I wish she would get up…so I could kill her again. Bitch.” Jack spat on her corpse.
24
Space between the station and the dreadnought was littered with hundreds of small fighters. Plumes of fire painted the backdrop, blinking out and shifting. But on-board Europa, hidden on low-power between a small cluster of asteroids and detritus, Cane was a safe observer yet to participate in the battle.
The fighters from Maji-Onda were trying desperately to stop another transport gunship from getting through to dock at the station. He knew the people inside, his crew among them, were fighting for their lives.
But he had to hold out until the dreadnought was too busy dealing with fighters and the station itself to focus enough time on dealing with Europa. That time had come.
“Europa – are you ready?”
“Of course,” she replied.
Power restored.
Cane took the sticks in hand. He took out from the asteroid field with a sharp burst in speed, dodging floating hunks of ice as he went.
“Europa…begin overloading the time-drive…”
“Cane, are you sure? This process cannot be undone. Venec’s machine will be lost. Forever.”
If it hadn’t been for Venec’s machine, they wouldn’t be here right now. Amid all of this death and suffering. But this event, previously unwritten, would serve as one of the most historic days in recent memory.
Cane nodded. “Yes, Europa, I am sure. The time-drive could give us a second chance, if we fail in our mission. But, if we don’t sacrifice it now, we may not even get a single chance at taking out, Vorjool. The Dok’ra must be destroyed…here and now.”
Europa paused. “I do not like the idea of destroying, Venec’s, life’s work. I understand it is necessary. But that does not mean that I do not feel regret. However, I am following my programming – to take care of my crew. “
“I am sorry,” said Cane, meaning it. The distress in her voice had been controlled, yet that made it all the more heart-breaking. “But we must do it.”
“I am well aware,” said Europa. “Thankfully, Venec, designed the time-drive so that it could be jettisoned at speed, to put enough space between us, and it, if it ever overloaded. It will shoot at them with the speed of a missile.”
“Open a channel to the station.”
“Affirmative.”
The com flashed on. “This is Europa,” said Cane.
Someone named Hamley greeted him on the other end, but there were some sounds of shuffling as the com seemed to be taken over by someone else.
“This is Chief Fischer. Identify yourself.”
“My name is Cane.”
“Cane,” the Chief repeated with recognition, “whatever you’re gonna do, son, you’d best do it quick.”
“You know me?” he asked, baffled that he hadn’t been required to offer a full explanation.
“Yes. What the hell are you planning?”
Cane swallowed, as he contemplated the power in his hands. “I am going to hit them with something…something they can’t survive. Chief Fischer…please warn your fighters. I need them to distract the dreadnought while I approach. When I am in range, it will be too late for them to flee. I need protection until that moment…then pull everyone out! The explosion will be catastrophic.”
Fischer seemed to mull it over for a moment. “All right, Cane. I’m sending Siena and Anderson, along with a few others, to protect you. Blessing of the stars upon you all. Fischer out.”
Cane smiled. “Did you hear that Europa? Our trusted crew members are out there.”
“Yes, Cane, I heard,” she replied.
With a gentle sigh, he steeled himself and trusted in hope.
As they approached the battle, Dok’ra fighters fled from the main fight on a course for them. “We have been detected,” warned Europa. “They know we are here.”
“They will attempt to immobilise and capture us! Europa – full combat-speed!”
Cane had no intention of getting into a dogfight.
“Europa, divert all power from weapons. Redistribute between shields and engines!”
“Affirmative. Enemy fire – in-coming!”
Cane sailed Europa through a gauntlet of Dok’ra fighters who targeted her shields with pulse beam fire. The shields were rapidly dropping. But they punched through. The fighters gave chase.
Shields 12%
He bit down as the entire ship rumbled fiercely. The roaring engines blaring in his ears.
Shields – Offline.
“They’re targeting our engines,” cried Europa.
He saw his HUD flash. One of the red blips indicating a Dok’ra fighter blinked out. Then another. And another.
“Cane!” he heard the cry over his com. “It’s Anderson—“
“And Siena!”
“—Don’t stop! We’ve got this!”
More and more friendlies were rushing to their aid. Cane, surging with adrenaline, boosted the engines with a dangerous amount of power. The hull itself screeched from the stress. They soared toward the Dok’ra warship.
Optimal position reached.
“Europa!” he cried, his teeth clattering.
“Jettisoning time-drive!”
He watched as the most unique creation ever invented shot toward its destruction in cold, unforgiving space. It was the first and last time he ever laid eyes on Venec’s masterpiece.
There were two small towers of blinking lights with a small blue sun between them. As the delivery system burned fervently, the blue orb began expanding.
The time-drive met with the dreadnought.
A bright light surged.
A bubble of dark energy enveloped the middle section of the warship. It expanded exponentially, swallowing it, and all of surrounding space, in an orb of crackling thunder.
Then, within seconds, it shrank to a tiny bubble that burst with a ring of plasma.
A cloud of green and blue swept across space in a vanishing wave. Then star-speckled darkness returned.
What little remained of the dreadnought wreckage was drifting apart. The fighters guarding Maji-Onda, spurred by the destruction of the warship, chased down the remaining fighters to eliminate the Dok’ra once and for all…
Cane watched it all from Europa’s cockpit. Then his head tilted at his feet.
“We did it,” he said, finally allowing himself to believe it was all over.
25
Location: Maji-Onda Station, Security Wing, Fischer’s Office
Three days later…
“That was quite the ceremony, Chief,” said Jack, his ears ringing from the fanfare. He took a seat with a smile on his face.
Fischer went to his drink’s cabinet and produced a square shaped bottle with a fine label that promised quality. “This is the good stuff. Courtesy of Captain Lu,” he said, pouring them drinks.
Jack got up to retrieve his drink from over the table so Fischer wouldn’t have to walk all the way. It was his seventieth birthday, after all. The Chief took a drink and savoured the taste with his eyes shut before opening them to give the glass a nod of appreciation.
“Good stuff, indeed,” he said, sitting down.
He reached over his glass for cheers and Jack clinked his against it. Then he tried t
he golden brown liquor for himself. It had a nice bite for something so smooth.
“I brought you something,” said Jack, going into his pocket when he remembered. He produced two of Venec’s thick cigars. Tossed one. “Happy birthday, Chief.”
Fischer caught it with a grin. “Haven’t smoked for years. I hope you’ve got a light?”
Jack sparked up his own. Then tossed him the lighter. As his mouth filled with smoke, Jack sat back comfortably before blowing it out. Then he looked down at the medal of honour on his chest. The one Fischer had pinned there himself only moments ago in front of a huge crowd.
“It suits me, don’t ya think?”
The Chief nodded. “Okay, Jack, let’s get down to business.”
“I’m all ears.”
Fischer puffed on the cigar and then had a drink. Some smoke crept into the glass and curled around it. “Frankly, Jack, what you told me about your target – Vorjool – is crazy. But we both know how fucked up the galaxies are. Hell, never thought I’d see the Dok’ra. Never thought I’d meet someone with a time machine, either.”
“I had it, yeah. But I never got around to using it.”
“Probably for the best.”
Jack nodded, but kept quiet. Then had another drink.
“You’re a Starman Specialist now, Murphy. If you wanna hunt him – it’s legal. I don’t doubt the abilities of you or your crew. But who’s to say you couldn’t use a helping hand? That’s why I’ve decided to assign both, Malora, and, Jeriko, to join your mission.”
Jack sat forward. “Really?” If Jeriko hadn’t shown up when he did at the end, we would’ve been creamed by the remaining Dok’ra on-board. I owe that guy.
“Yes. They’ve already been briefed. I am placing you in command of the team. Your mission – neutralise Vorjool, by any means. You have the backing of this guild.”
“Thanks, Chief,” said Jack, overwhelmed with joy.
Fischer gave a smirk. “Just don’t screw up, kid,” he grunted.
*
They were all safe aboard Europa. Their journey to Delta-2 having begun a few hours earlier. Siena visited the medical pod. With all that had been going on at Maji-Onda since the battle, she hadn’t given herself the opportunity to heal the wounds.
She came out with some new scar tissue. Anderson had been there when she was getting out. He helped her. Then he waited outside while she changed out of her gown and got dressed.
She found him in the corridor, leaning into the wall.
“How is it?”
She rotated her shoulder slowly. “Better.”
“Good. You wanna grab a bite? I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Siena frowned. “What makes you say that?”
“Because you’re always hungry,” he said, shaking his head with humour.
Siena giggled. “So?” She started leading him. He followed with hands in his pockets, looking down.
“I would suggest a victory drink,” he said, “but I know you don’t participate.”
Siena shrugged. “I am happy. You can have one, if you like? I’ll enjoy a coffee.”
Anderson grinned. “Coffee will do for me.”
Siena stopped. She slid her fingers between his. Then stood closer.
“Mark…we had each other’s backs,” she said.
He swallowed looking into her silver eyes. “Yeah. We did.”
“I really thought…when we were fighting her…”
“I know,” he said, seeing her well-up.
“But…we had each other’s backs. I’ve never had anyone fight alongside me like that.”
Anderson chuckled. “I’d never even been in a fight – outside of training of course.”
She was stumped. “Really?”
He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. “Yep. Never hit someone. Never got hit. Well, aside from a few run-ins with bullies when I was a kid. Nothing major. Nothing life and death.”
Siena sighed, giving a short smile. “You’re lucky,” she said. “I’ve been fighting my whole life.”
Eyeing his mouth, Siena tilted her head his way. Then shut her eyes as she neared. Anderson swallowed. Wow…is this happening? Shut his eyes. They locked lips softly. This is happening.
The initial awkwardness of lip movements was quickly resolved between them as they fell into a smooth kiss. Siena’s hands glided up his back. Then she squeezed him closer. His hand caressing her face.
Only days ago, we could have died…I’ve never felt this alive before…
She pressed herself against him. Anderson broke the connection. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, staring at his lips longingly. Her hands went into his hair.
They got lost studying each other up close for a moment.
Siena removed his steaming glasses. Folded the arms. Then slid them into his pocket, her hand tantalising close to touching him...
“I’m not hungry anymore,” she whispered, her silver eyes gleaming.
Anderson grinned. Then put his arm around her neck and drew her in for another kiss.
*
Jack took a breath outside her room. His fingers tapping the edge of the bottle in his hand. He rapped on the door to her quarters and Malora opened up a moment later. She stood with her shoulder against the door frame.
“So, how are you settling in?” he asked, staying in the corridor.
“Fine,” she said. “It’s clean in here.”
“Yeah. Sorry about the corridor,” he said, glancing at the blackened walls. “That’s from our skirmish with the Dok’ra that you saw on the news.”
“I guessed as much.”
“So, uh, where’s Jeriko?” he asked.
Malora shrugged. Then she waited for him to either say something or leave. He wasn’t sure which.
“Well, I was thinking…we passed. We’re Starmen. How about we celebrate it with a drink? As many as we want. This time – we can afford a hangover.”
Malora shook her head. “Maybe later, Jack,” she said, much to his disappointment.
His head fought to drop. Damn. Jack smiled, keeping his eyes level. “Oh. Okay. Well, I’ll see ya later. If you change your mind, have, Europa, buzz me.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
Jack turned away, huffing when the door shut behind him.
“Damn,” he muttered. Why the heck was so cold toward me? We fought by each other’s side. I saved her damn life.
Then he headed to command, knowing that Cane was there. He would spend a little time with him instead. He deserves a victory drink.
*
“You know what – I’m the luckiest guy in the world right now,” said Jeriko, as they walked down the corridor with sweat on their brows.
“Why is that?” asked Claudia.
“Well, where to start? I’m a Specialist now. I’ve got a mission. A new crew. An amazing ship, with a kick-ass HC. And, the icing on the cake, one seriously hot woman who’s willing to train with me…”
Claudia burst out laughing. “Jesus,” she muttered in English, her cheeks beaming red.
“Huh?”
She waved her hand, still laughing. But Jeriko stopped. She turned. “I appreciate it,” she said. “But, seriously, I’m not interested in…”
“What?” he asked, taking a strong stance with his muscles bulging. He would have been threatening, somewhat, if it wasn’t for the cool grin that accompanied the stance.
Claudia’s eyes crinkled. If you weren’t an alien…God…look at his head. It’s so much longer than what I’m used to…but the rest of him is damn fine…wow! Stop that! He’s a freakin’ alien! Her eyes hardened.
“You know…we fernode are tremendous lovers.”
Claudia burst out laughing. Covered her mouth. Tried not to let the nervous tingles take control. She turned away and walked off.
“Down, boy!” she warned him, not sure that he would understand the expression.
“I don’t understand,” said Jeriko, following after her. “You’re obviously att
racted to me.”
Claudia glanced over her shoulder, still marching away. But his long strides kept up. “Obviously? Really?”
“I can always tell.”
“Yeah? Keep telling yourself that.”
Jeriko chuckled. “Well, if you aren’t now, you will be soon.”
“Yeah? What makes you so sure?”
Jeriko scrunched his dark eyes. “Who wouldn’t be?” he offered, hands out at his sides. “How about a card game after we’ve showered?”
“No thanks. I don’t gamble. And no – we’re not gonna shower together.”
“Is that what you think of me?” he begged, like he was offended by her remark. “I always treat a lady to a nice evening before I expect anything.”
“You can expect all you like.”
“That an invitation for a nice evening?”
She had to stop herself from laughing. Every time he spoke, she was being overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. Her sexuality had gone stale in recent months. In fact, aside from a few moments when she was training with Jack, she had barely permitted herself a sexual thought. Jack is too close…we couldn’t...and I’m not the only one who sees it. He doesn’t even try…
“No,” she said.
Jeriko grunted. “Well, what the hell else are we gonna do? This ship is a bubbling pot of hormones. Anderson and Siena, if they haven’t hooked up already, are gonna screw each other’s brains out soon. Jack has eyes for Malora. I know her – she’s playing hard to get. As for that other guy, Cane, I just hope he isn’t into any weird shit. Otherwise, he’ll be humping Europa’s walls.”
Claudia stopped, raised a hand. Wow. Man, slow down. “Hold on…are Mark and Siena?”
“Like I said, if they aren’t already, they will be soon.”
She turned her head away as she thought on it.
Jeriko crossed his arms. “You’re a little slow when it comes to stuff like this, ain’t ya?” he joked.
Claudia frowned at him. “I’ll have you know I’m a writer – I’m great at reading people.”
Jeriko laughed. “Yeah. Keep telling yourself that.”
“Don’t mock me,” she warned sternly.
“Sorry. But, honestly, you’d have to be blind not to see it.”
He’s right. How did I not see it? Now that he’s pointed it out, and I think back, I must’ve been in a trance not to pick up on it. A previously numb part of her brain tingled – the side that fed on juicy gossip. God. I have missed this.