Vengeance (The Kurgan War Book 4)

by Richard Turner

  “I guess we both owe you our thanks,” said Sheridan.

  “I’d say you owe me a beer, but since you and I don’t drink, you can buy me an expensive steak dinner when they let us out of here.”

  “Speaking of that, where are we?”

  “We’re still on Tranquility Station. I’ve been told that Admiral Oshiro will be coming by sometime tomorrow afternoon to talk to us.”

  “Do you think we could escape before then?”

  Cole chuckled. “I might be able to, but you and the good staff sergeant are going nowhere for days.”

  Sheridan groaned. He disliked the limelight that accompanied visits by flag officers. He placed his head back on his pillow and closed his eyes. Right away he saw Tarina’s face and smiled. The drugs still in his system helped him to fade back into a deep sleep. For the first time in ages he dreamt.

  Chapter 39

  Hidden inside an asteroid field near the Kurgan border floated a transport ship. For close protection, a couple of fighters stood ready to assist.

  It had been a month since the events on Dorset Island. Admiral Oshiro had received permission from President Martinez to send Angela home. The mission from beginning to end was conducted under the utmost secrecy. Most of the people involved thought that they were launching a clandestine mission deep into enemy territory. The shuttle they were going to use to send Wendy back to her children was a captured Kurgan ship which added to the deception.

  In the flight hangar, Tarina and Wendy waited to say goodbye to their friend. A minute later, Kitan, as she now preferred to be called, walked out of a side room dressed in a Kurgan survival suit.

  “Everything has been automated for you. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. I’ve programmed your nav-computer with the coordinates you gave me,” Wendy explained to Kitan. “From here it should take you three days to reach your home.”

  “Since you’ll come out of your jump over land, all you have to do is jump from the shuttle and let your parachute do the rest,” said Tarina.

  Kitan smiled at her friends. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for your kindness.”

  “Without you we would have died back on that prison planet,” said Wendy.

  “I think we’re pretty well even if you ask me,” added Tarina.

  “Three minutes,” said a voice over the ship’s PA system.

  “Well, I guess this is goodbye,” said Kitan, trying not to cry.

  Tarina was no better. She forced a smile as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Look after yourself and your children.”

  “I will.” With that, she embraced Tarina and then Wendy before turning to board the shuttle.

  The two women watched the door to the ship close. With the launch only one minute away, they jogged out of the hangar and watched the shuttle’s departure on a computer monitor.

  “God speed, Kitan,” said Tarina as the shuttle jumped away.

  “Do you think she’ll make it?” asked Wendy.

  Tarina shrugged. “For her children’s sake, I hope so.”

  A man’s voice came over the speakers. “All hands, this is the captain, we will be jumping back to Illum Prime in two minutes’ time. Secure the ship for the jump.”

  “Hungry?” Wendy asked.

  “Yeah, I could go for a plate of eggs.”

  Chapter 40

  Sheridan ran a hand through his hair and stepped back from the mirror. His dress blue uniform was as presentable as he could make it.

  “Enough about you, how do I look?” asked Cole.

  “As ugly as ever.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re not much better, sir.”

  Sheridan chuckled. A second later, his mood changed like a switch being turned off when he realized that they were on their way to a memorial service for Commander Roy. He had only met her a couple of times in the past and always found her to be a pleasant person. It was his father, Admiral Robert Sheridan, who had taken her death hard. She had been his aide for close to two years and he had grown to respect and like her. It was going to be a hard task to replace her.

  After the somber service, Michael Sheridan and his father adjourned to his quarters for a few minutes to discuss a few matters before they had supper.

  “How are your wounds healing up?” his father asked.

  “Let’s see. I’ve had my porcelain teeth replaced . . . again. I’ve had plastic surgery to cover up my latest batch of scars, and if I don’t move too fast, my guts don’t yell at me anymore. Apart from that, I think I’m feeling fine.”

  Admiral Sheridan shook his head. “How is Master Sergeant Cole doing?”

  “Better than me. He even managed to sneak in a couple of dates with a certain Miss Elba before we left Tranquility Station to rejoin the fleet.”

  “Michael, Admiral Oshiro told me that you turned down a promotion. Is this true?”

  “Dad, he wanted Cole and me on his staff. Can you see me sitting behind a desk?”

  “No. I can’t imagine that happening in a million years.”

  Admiral Sheridan poured them both a glass of mineral water before motioning for them to sit down at the table in the middle of his quarters. On a screen was the news without the volume on. It showed President Martinez presenting medals of bravery to several young soldiers still recuperating in their hospital beds. The next clip was of one of the president’s rivals still bemoaning the fact that the president had allowed the families of the insurgents to depart Terran space without trying to stop them.

  “That move may not play out well back home politically, but when the peace talks ever do occur, showing compassion to the families of our enemy will pay off. I’m sure of it,” said the admiral.

  “Sir, has there been any news from the special task force assigned to track down Harry?”

  The admiral shook his head. “Not a word. He’s probably safe and sound in Kurgan space. The odd thing is that President Martinez received a communique from the Kurgan High Council disavowing Harry Williams and his actions onboard Tranquility Station.”

  “Dad, I wrote in my report that he is marching to the sound of his own drum. I’m not surprised the Kurgans don’t want anything to do with him. He’s gone rogue. Ten to one, the Kurgs are looking for him as well.”

  “That’s why we need to find him and the virus before he decides what to do with it.”

  “Dad, he’s already made up his mind what he’s going to do next. The question is where and when he intends to release the virus.” Michael Sheridan’s voice grew serious. “That is why I want to join the hunt. He’s made this personal, and if anyone is going to end this, I want it to be me.”

  Admiral Sheridan decided for the moment to change the topic. “Michael, just so you’re in the loop, I’ve asked Tarina to be my new aide. I’ve given her a couple of days to think it over before making up her mind.”

  “I hope you’ve got someone else in your back pocket because if she gets back to her old squadron you’ll never pry her out of it.”

  “I figured as much.”

  The younger Sheridan wanted his question answered. “Dad, what of it—can Cole and I be assigned to the task force?”

  “Michael, Captain Killam has been coordinating the search for Harry in the Sixth Fleet’s area of operations with the task force. He’s already decided that you’re the best man for the job and has sent your name to ADF HQ for the orders to be drafted cutting you both to the task force.”

  Michael smiled. “That’s great news, when do we start?”

  Admiral Sheridan patted his son on the shoulder. “When the C-in-C of the Sixth Fleet feels you’re recovered enough from your injuries to resume normal duties, that’s when.”

  Michael knew he was pushing. He had what he wanted. A couple of days were probably required to catch up on all of the reports coming from headquarters on Harry’s supposed whereabouts. Besides, if Tarina were not on assignment, then he could spend some much-needed time with her. All in all, he couldn’t complain.


  His father saw the determined look on his face. “Michael, you said Harry made this personal. Don’t you make the same mistake. Please try to remember that you’re all I’ve got.”

  “Dad, I’ve got Alan Cole to keep me safe.”

  “You’re both not indestructible. He won’t be with you forever. You need to think about that as well.”

  Michael sat there speechless. He’d never thought of Cole not being there to guide him and back him up in a fight. The man was more than a mentor, he was the closest friend he would ever have. His father’s words tugged at his heart. He was right. Life was too precious to throw away.

  “I can see you thinking in there,” said the admiral.

  “I just have a lot on my mind right now, that’s all.”

  The bell to the door chimed.

  “Come in,” said Admiral Sheridan.

  “Hope I’m not too early, sir,” said Cole as he walked into the room.

  Michael Sheridan jumped from his seat when he saw Tarina arm in arm with Cole.

  “Look who I found wandering the hallway,” said Cole.

  Sheridan stood there speechless staring at the angelic vision in front of him.

  The elder Sheridan looked over at Cole. “What do you say, Master Sergeant, want to get some chow from the galley and then maybe a game of racquetball to work off the food?”

  “Sounds good, sir. Well, the food bit does.” Together they left the room.

  “Hi, Michael,” said Tarina, stirring him from his reverie. He ran to her and took her in his arms. They stared deep into each other’s eyes before sharing a long, deep kiss.

  “Dad arranged this didn’t he?”

  “Kinda. I asked him if I could come aboard to talk about the job offer. He and Cole planned everything else.”

  Sheridan smiled. “Do you remember the last time we were alone in my father’s quarters?”

  Tarina took a step back and winked seductively at Sheridan. “Do you mean this?” she said as she unzipped her flight suit and let it fall to the floor.

  Sheridan sprinted to lock the door. By the time he turned around, Tarina was standing there naked. Like a teenage boy on a hot date, he hurried to remove his clothes. For the next few hours the war was forgotten. For the young lovers; the only thing that mattered was held in each other’s arms.

  – END –