The Last Spartan 2: DJ's Mission

by A. E. McCullough

  Teana took a deep breath before answering. “As citizens of the Coalition, it is our duty to protect it from all enemies, foreign and domestic. And believe me; if Titan Avionics is sending ships to Haumea then they are trading with the Confederacy. The Confederates aren’t as beaten as the general population has been led to believe.”

  That was news to both SWAT officers but their current charge was on the High Council and she would know better than they would. Moving back to their posts, the two SWAT officers settled in to get as much sleep as possible over the next few hours. Tomorrow seemed like it might be a bit hectic.

  * * * * *

  Sheriff Kassinger paced back and forth as he surveyed the carnage.

  Sometime after midnight his office had received a report concerning a shooting in the downtown area. The first two deputies on the scene had called for additional backup when they found the six dead bodies and the mutilated corpse of what looked like an overgrown purple bug. Within minutes, the sheriff’s police band was afire with conflicting reports, ranging from a gang war to being invaded by giant insects.

  When Sheriff Kassinger had arrived, he’d immediately put a lockdown on the crime scene, including all information concerning the incident and personnel. This wouldn’t eliminate the rumors but it would slow them down and it would keep the media at bay. Kassinger paused and looked down on the headless corpse of the geometrid. “Who in the fuck did this?”

  “The Red Falcon,” came a voice behind him.

  Kassinger spun and dropped his hand onto his gun but didn’t draw it when he recognized the speaker. A Jovian dressed in the official black uniform of the SIS stepped up to his commanding officer, clicked his heels together and nodded his head.

  “Kommandant.”

  “What in the world are you doing here?”

  “I’m working…what does it look like?”

  Kassinger took a deep breath to calm himself before he spoke next or he would be tempted just to reach over and pull the Jovian’s head off. “Pridgen…I meant what are you doing away from Mocha’s?”

  The SIS officer unconsciously adjusted his cap as he stepped over the mutilated corpses. “I am actually on a mission for my employer,” he made the air quotation marks with his hands. “A small time dealer known as Needles was supposed to meet with a supplier last night.”

  “I know who Needles is,” Kassinger pointed down at the decapitated corpse, “and there is no way in Hell that Needles did this.”

  Pridgen shook his head. “No. As I said, it was probably the Red Falcon and Jagger Jax.”

  “And why would the bounty hunter and that damned pirate be in my city?”

  “Mocha sent the Falcon here to collect on a debt. I would guess that something triggered their attack on the bug. Nothing in the Falcon’s profile would suggest this action.”

  “Needles would know.” Kassinger spun around quickly looking for the drug dealer. “Where is he?”

  Turning back he found Pridgen bent over studying the ground. As much as he wanted to demand answers, he knew that the Jovian had more skill than anyone else in his department when it came to tracking and yelling at him would only delay his reading.

  The Sheriff waited until the Jovian stood back up before asking, “What do you see?”

  As Pridgen began to explain, he pointed out different sections of the battle that stood out to him, especially the pool of blood with a distinct void in the pattern.

  “Needles was here; see the area without blood? He was laying down when he was shot but that was after the rest of the men were dead or dying.” He pointed at a couple of the corpses. “These two were only wounded in the initial assault but executed as they were reaching for dropped weapons. You can tell that by the placement of their arms. They’re outstretched in an unnatural position for a dying man.”

  Turning back to the void in the blood pool, he continued. “Needles lay here for some time before crawling off in that direction. His wound is serious but probably not fatal.”

  “It will be when I find him,” muttered Kassinger as he turned back to his waiting men and began barking orders. Within minutes, there was only one police cruiser and the Sheriff’s own skimmer parked in the intersection. “You better get back to Mocha’s before your cover is blown.”

  Pridgen nodded. “I’ll be happy when this mission is over. I can’t wait to get my hands around that smug-ass gambler’s neck.”

  Kassinger placed a reassuring hand on the Jovian’s shoulder. “All in due time my friend, all in due time.”

  Chapter 15

  As morning came to Titan City, the panels of the city’s bio-dome duplicated the faint light of Sol and slowly increased the intensity of light and heat. Titan was in a synchronous orbit around Saturn which meant that the primarily settled regions of the moon were always facing the sun, while the far side of the moon remained in virtual darkness. Of course this meant that the length of a Titan day was the same as a Titan year, the complete orbit around the gas giant, which turned out to be about fifteen days and twenty-two hours, using the Terran clock.

  To solve the issue of day and night cycles common to the human condition, the advanced solar-mechanical panels of the city’s bio-dome captured and stored the faint light of the star until needed. When the time was right, it would blend that stored energy with geothermal energy pulled from the moon’s core to heat and light the city. It really wasn’t an efficient method but humans weren’t always the most efficient or logical creatures. The settlers of Saturn and Jupiter were still only three or four generations removed from Earth and haven’t completely adapted to life among the stars. They still insisted on regular day-night cycles based on Terra, hence the bio-domes and their inherent quirks.

  Stephanie didn’t think about any of this as she moved up the white marble steps which lead to the front door of the retired Admiral’s mansion. Her mind was already working on the details of tonight’s kidnapping. The Falcon might call it a rescue but until she had his story confirmed by Kaitlyn that was how she would continue to look at it. Stephanie knocked on the door and looked around as she waited. The retired Admiral must’ve spent a fortune on the landscaping of this place. There were dozens of flowers and bushes which she recognized that were from Earth. She didn’t know their names or the regions they came from but she was sure that the environment of the bio-domes wasn’t exactly flower friendly.

  When the door opened, Stephanie was surprised to find that it was Megan answering the door instead of one of the servants. She was sporting rather large sunglasses and lots of makeup, which at a few minutes after six in the morning, was odd for anyone. Glimpsing a dark bruise under her right eye which the makeup couldn’t completely hide explained away her unanswered question. Stephanie couldn’t help but think, ‘if the bitch is too weak to defend herself or too stupid to leave him then she deserves every beating.’ Instead she forced a smile to her lips and asked, “I’m sorry to stop by so early but is Kaitlyn up?”

  Megan’s smile was genuine as was the relief which flooded over her body. “Of course, come in…come in. She will be thrilled to see you.” Megan turned and began walking toward the back of the mansion. “You’ve been good for her in these….rough times.”

  Stephanie didn’t say anything but followed the battered female down the hall. She mentally took inventory of the devices she had hidden in plain sight over the last few months; a vase on the mantle, the silver ashtray on the coffee table and red leather bound book in the study. These were the only three she could see in her passage but felt confident that if they were still in view, the others were still undetected. She was so occupied with her task that she almost ran into Megan when she stopped abruptly. The battered female didn’t even notice as she downed, what Stephanie guessed was not her first, bloody mary of the day. Megan waved one hand down the hallway and wandered away muttering to herself. Stephanie could only presume that she was heading back to the bar.

  Stephanie knocked twice and poked her head inside. Even though she h
ad never been inside Kaitlyn’s room, this was probably close to what she would’ve imagined for the young lady. It was decorated in a mixture of old and new, pre-teen and teenager. There were black and white pillows on top of her bed which was covered with a thick comforter that was decorated with the gothic motif of skulls, crosses and gargoyles. The walls were covered with posters of the latest bands and anti-Coalition signs. She even spied a classic Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ poster on the door of Kaitlyn’s closet before the young lady jumped into her arms from the nearby desk.

  “Stephanie!”

  Returning the hug, Stephanie wanted to be firm and get right to the reason of her visit but Kaitlyn had other ideas. Turning away, she went back to her packing. That’s when Stephanie realized that the closet was actually empty and all of its contents were thrown all over the floor. As a matter of fact, the only clear spots on the floor were in front of the door and around the feet of the boxy android.

  “Isn’t it a little late in the year for spring cleaning?”

  Kaitlyn smiled. “Funny. I’m packing.”

  “I can see that. Going on a trip?”

  That stopped Kaitlyn in her tracks. Getting up, she rushed to the door, opened it a crack and peered down the hallway. Not seeing anyone, she closed and locked it before moving back over to her desk. Kaitlyn pulled out a silver device which the spy recognized as a scrambler. When turned on, it emitted sonic waves that jammed all forms of visual and auditory devices. It usually only had about a three meter radius but within that scope, they were very effective. The two questions which went ran through her mind was simple; where did she get such a device since they aren’t cheap…and who did she need the protection from?

  Kaitlyn saw the strange look her coach gave her and shrugged. “Just in case Roger is listening, I know he has the whole house bugged.”

  Stephanie knew that but had to play it cool. “Really? Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know and I no longer care. I’m leaving.”

  “What? Why? When?”

  Kaitlyn reached out and patted her coach’s arm in a comforting move that was slightly comical. “I’m not exactly sure when but my father is coming for me.” She nodded her head toward the babysitter ‘bot. “I sent UR-L8 to find him and give him a message. He’s back and says that my dad is here and gonna bust me out of this dump.”

  Stephanie was so happy that she wanted to cheer or dance or just reach over and hug the young lady but her situation wouldn’t allow that. So, she just locked her emotions down and placed a reassuring hand on Kaitlyn’s hand. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  Kaitlyn nodded. “With all my heart. I can’t stay here any longer. You know what it’s like around here.”

  “True, but there is an old saying that goes something like – better the devil you know than the one you don’t.”

  “That sounds like something my dad would say but in this case, leaving is my best option. I fear that if my dad doesn’t rescue me soon, I will be dead or in jail.”

  “Why would you be in jail?”

  Kaitlyn reached into her waistband and pulled out a Derringer Mk11 energy pistol. “Because if that bastard my mom married ever touches me again, I’ll make sure he gets a chance to meet the devil.”

  Stephanie was only slightly shocked at her student’s revelation of her gun. It was more the iron in her voice which surprised her. “Good enough for me but if I could make a suggestion…”

  Kaitlyn expected her coach to chastise her or argue or protest, anything but this calm acceptance. “Su…sure.”

  “The Derringer doesn’t have a lot of punching power. It’s best used up close and personal. Your target needs to be the soft spots on the body. I would suggest the genitals or gut. Let him get close, pull the gun, place it next to his skin and squeeze.”

  Kaitlyn had to force herself to swallow. She was shocked at the calm directions that her blonde coach was giving her. Although when she thought about it more, it sounded like the kind of advice her dad would’ve given her too. Unsure of her voice, she just nodded and tucked the gun back into her belt.

  Stephanie reached down and adjusted it slightly. “There. If you wear it like this, it can be drawn with either hand, just in case.” Giving her student a hug and a wink, she turned and walked out.

  Stephanie had been gone for several minutes before Kaitlyn realized that she hadn’t explained her reason for the early morning visit. With a shrug, she turned back to her task at hand. How to fit everything she wanted to take into one suitcase?

  * * * * *

  Virginia and Alex were verbally short and slightly nasty to each other as they ate breakfast. While their tones were curt, their fingers were flying as they scribbled messages to each other on their datapads. As quick as one would write a question, the other would scratch it out and write their answer.

  Basically their plan was to run along the same as yesterday. Virginia was to be flirty, scattered-brained and yet inquisitive, while Alex would act jealous and argumentative. They had also worked out a signal for him to turn up the argument a notch to get more attention focused on him, so she could have more leeway.

  As their escort arrived and knocked on the door, the two Coalition officers grabbed their things, checked the settings on their concealed guns and headed off to confront their day.

  * * * * *

  By the time High Councilwoman Teana Carpenter was awake her two SWAT escorts were already moving about. They were still wearing their SWAT tac-armor, which she suspected they had slept in, but they had removed their helmets. They were both busy cleaning their heavy weapons on the coffee table.

  She recognized the blaster rifles as THAB Mk8s –Tactical Heavy Assault Blasters Mark 8s. She had used older models in her time in the FSA. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she joined her escort in the living room portion of the suite. Neither spoke to her as she entered but both nodded silently to her.

  It was a pleasant gesture. By acknowledging her but not speaking, it gave her the quiet time she so desperately craved in the early mornings. For a few minutes she gazed out the fifty story window. Since it was inside the bio-dome she couldn’t see the fabled lake or sky of Titan. Turning her attention back to the officers, Teana couldn’t help but grin at the short spiky hair of Ernspiker. It seemed perfect, not a hair out of place. She reasoned that his hair style coupled with his last name was how he got the nickname of Spike. Shifting her focus onto Spurgeon, she studied him. He had short blondish hair, chubby cheeks and a crooked smile similar to the laughing cartoon figure on his armor but she had no idea where he’d gotten the nickname of Sponge Bob and was about to ask when a chime sounded at the door.

  Spike stood up. “That should be your breakfast.”

  Sponge Bob slid the bolt back into the receiver with a resounding click. “Admiral Thomas’ secretary called earlier to confirm your dinner date…I, mean…”

  Even as Spurgeon’s face turned beet red, Teana waved her hand at him. “Don’t you go worrying yourself over a slip of the tongue, not to say that I wouldn’t bed him if given the chance but no, our boss forbids such actions on this mission.”

  Teana sighed deeply as she thought of the past and all the operatives, foreign and domestic, she had slept with….all in the line of duty of course.

  Spike cleared his throat. “Our transport will be here in less than an hour.”

  Teana grabbed some toast, threw on the bacon, piled on the scrambled eggs and wolfed it down like a veteran soldier. Chugging down her coffee, she hobbled back to her room and said over her shoulder. “I’ll be ready.”

  Both SWAT officers shook their heads in amazement. There was more to this High Councilwoman than her appearance. One thing was certain, today promised to be an interesting day.

  * * * * *

  DJ was awakened by a persistent and completely annoying chime. Blinking his eyes open, he saw the blinking light on his helmet’s HUD that there was a secure transmission waiting for him. He eyed the com
m-codes. It was the Aetós. He hit the receive command with a combination flick of his eye and a simple thought.

  Stifling a yawn, he said, “Morning Aeolus, what’s up?”

  “Morning Staff Sergeant,” came a female’s voice. “Although I think you have me confused with someone else.”

  Hearing a different voice on the other end of the circuit woke him up even more. “Athena, why are you contacting me? Is something wrong with Aeolus and the Aetós?”

  “Negative. The Captain instructed me to inform you of certain complications in your region. First off, in the last six hours there has been a flurry of traffic on the core-net concerning your cover identity.”

  “I was afraid of that. It seems the Cartel had hired the other Falcon for a hit in Confederate space.”

  Athena nodded. “That would make sense. Some big shot Confederate General got himself a killed and half the Confederate Fleet has been mobilized to hunt down the assassin.”

  “How’s our military reacting?”

  Pax interrupted over the same channel. “The Second and Third Fleet have been put on standby and the Fourth has been recalled from Orion Nebula. The First has formed up at Wolf Three-Five-Nine and all incoming traffic to Haven has been rerouted.”

  “So, you’re saying that the next few days could get dicey.”

  DJ could hear the frustration in the android’s voice when Athena responded. “I am saying no such thing. I was instructed to inform you of the situation and the current status of the Fleet. I have done my duty. Whatever you infer from this information is entirely up to you.”

  DJ couldn’t help but grin. He loved baiting the android into showing emotions. She would argue all day long that she didn’t have them and if she did, she would purge them since emotions were illogical. But this wasn’t the time or place for such an argument, so he let her off easy.

  “Thanks Athena and Pax. Let Iaido know that everything here is a go and scheduled for midnight tonight.”

  “Affirmative,” replied Athena and after a brief pause she added, “Good luck.” Then the circuit went dead.