MoonRush
Page 26
Dr. Weigner and Gil stalked toward the Rogues, accompanied by a military man with, as far as Jarod could tell, a stick up his rectum the length of Montana. Weigner came to a halt less than a meter away from Jarod. The doctor jutted his chin out as he spoke.
“Where is it?”
Jarod put on his best stupid look. He had been working on it for years. It was a good look.
“Where’s what?”
Gil stalked closer, sneering at Jarod as he added his two cents. “Don’t play the mother starling, limping away to protect her young! We know you found it!”
Jarod found himself thinking about how often Gil used animal metaphors. That probably meant something. He decided to ask Mia later.
Again, Jarod kept his face studiously blank. “Found what?”
Weigner gave Gil a hard look, suddenly unsure. “The mother lode?”
Jarod stared at the doctor, his face uncomprehending. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Gil stepped forward and backhanded Jarod across the mouth. Jarod wiped his mouth, bringing his head back up to eye level. He looked at Gil…and smiled.
“All I know is that you assholes attacked us unprovoked. And don’t think you won’t be hearing from my lawyers.”
A soldier crossed over from the sad remains of the Eureka. What the ravages of space travel, being repeatedly attacked, and reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere had not completely accomplished, the American military had finished. Brilliantly.
The soldier stopped in front of the military man with Gil and Weigner and snapped a smart salute.
“Captain Stavros.”
Stavros replied with a certain amount of impatience. “Well?”
“All clear, sir.”
The captain gave a significant look to Gil. “There’s nothing there?”
“No, sir. We tore everything apart. Down to the hull.”
Simon placed a hand on his forehead and groaned. Jarod patted him gently on his back. Simon let out a long lament.
“My baby!”
Doctor Weigner looked from the serviceman to Gil, and then back at Stavros. “This is impossible.”
Buton spoke as he would to a remedial student. “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
Weigner snarled back at him. “Dimwitted…” The doctor groped, searching for a word he clearly couldn’t find. He gawped like a fish on land for a moment, and then rushed off toward the wreckage of the Eureka, clutching his head with both of his hands. As he neared the entrance to the craft, they heard him scream.
“Dork! Dimwitted dork!”
Ah, it was sad when the mighty fell. Jarod remembered something and whispered to Mia.
“Was Buton quoting Freud? Van Gogh?”
Mia grinned back at him. “More like Sherlock Holmes.”
The two shared a moment until Stavros planted himself toe to toe with Jarod. He leaned in with menace.
“Where did you hide it?”
Jarod shrugged, spreading his arms wide. “We only found a few small gems…”
Cleo stepped forward, revealing three small shards of crystal in her palm. The gemstones sparkled brilliantly in the bright sun, sending slivers of rainbow light darting around the faces of everyone present.
Gil stepped up to Stavros’ side, yelling in Jarod’s face. “Bullshit! You never would’ve left with just those baubles. Where’s the real find?”
“That’s all. I don’t know where this ‘mother lode’ crap came from. Everyone was insane up there.” Jarod looked Gil straight in the face.
Captain Stavros snatched the jewels out of Cleo’s hand and growled in Jarod’s face. “A rumor? I risked lives for these?” He clenched his fist around the stones. “These are government property now.”
Jarod fired back at him. “Hey! We’re not to blame. We were just protecting ourselves. Whoever said we had the mother lode…”
Jarod paused and glanced at Gil, winking at him from the eye Stavros couldn’t see. Jarod watched as Gil’s face blanched.
“…that’s the person to blame.”
Captain Stavros’ tone dipped down dangerously low. “Rest assured. The blame will be placed where it’s deserved.” Stavros motioned to the men around him. “Take him into custody.”
The captain then pointed directly at Gil. His men grabbed Gil’s arms and yanked them behind his back, slapping binders in place on Gil’s wrists.
For the first time Jarod could remember seeing it, Gil was speechless.
Stavros glanced back at the Rogues. “You’ll be debriefed. If you cooperate, you should be released by this afternoon.” He turned on his heel and stalked off toward the base.
Jarod took the opportunity to speak one last time to Gil before he was carted off.
“Gil, how’s it feel to be the gazelle taken down by lions?”
Gil’s mouth worked, but no sound came out as he was dragged off toward the base in Stavros’ wake. What awaited Gil there, Jarod was not entirely certain. It would make for some awesome conjecturing as they were being debriefed, though.
Rob gazed up at the palm trees surrounding the base as the crew was led inside. “Well, at least we got a free trip to someplace tropical.”
The debriefing was as long and as painful as Stavros had probably ordered it to be. Jarod felt a bit as if the captain had to take out his frustration on someone. At least they weren’t in Gil’s shoes right about now.
Even their ejection from the base wasn’t gentle. Their escort threw open the gate and all but threw the Rogues into the street.
“Hey…” Jarod protested. “The least you can do is buy us dinner after stealing our diamonds and grilling us for hours.”
The only response was the gate slamming shut.
The Rogues brushed themselves off, looking at each other. Cleo broke the silence.
“Where to now?”
Jarod shrugged, picked a direction, and started walking. Mia, looking as dead tired and haggard as Jarod had ever seen her, fell into step beside him. She glanced over at him.
“I don’t suppose there are any taxis?”
Jarod laughed. “We couldn’t afford one, anyway.” He stopped and slapped himself on the forehead. “Damn! I lost my boat, my car, and my house…Man, this has not been a good week.”
Mia grinned up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Hey. You met me.”
Jarod chuckled, assenting. “You’re the silver lining, babe.”
Mia drew herself up at that, apparently taking umbrage. “Silver?” She punched Jarod in the shoulder, causing him to shake his arm out. Mia continued. “I’m worth way more than that!”
Mia pulled out her scorpion pendant. She turned it around and opened up a compartment in the back to reveal a small but brilliant diamond. Jarod gaped at her, his eyes moving from her face to the gem, and back to her face.
“How?”
“Cleo and I took a little precaution.”
Cleo grinned at him. “We girls have to tuck something away for a rainy day.”
Jarod whooped, then grabbed Mia around the waist and spun her around. She giggled… Mia giggled…then flushed. She gazed through her eyelashes at Jarod.
“It’s worth enough to outfit the Rogues with a new seagoing vessel…And maybe even a little left over for my research.”
Jarod peered deep into Mia’s eyes. Damn, but this woman was beautiful. She had whirled and kicked and insulted her way into his heart. His pulse pounding in his throat, Jarod leaned in and kissed her. She stiffened for a moment, then melted, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Enthusiastically. The Rogues cheered.
Rob slapped Jarod on the back. “It’s about freakin’ time!”
Jarod held out his hand to Mia, gesturing at the gemstone. “Let me see that.”
The shard flared up brightly, as though it reflected a tiny piece of the sun.
Jarod turned to the crew. “You know, guys…I think I might just know which ‘shipwreck’ to
pursue next.”
“Let me guess…” Mia teased. “Was it sunk somewhere near the Mariana Trench?”
“For someone who just met me…” Jarod pulled her in to his side, tight. “You know me too damn well!”
Buton smiled at Jarod, showing all his teeth. “How do you feel about karma now?”
“I’m loving it!” Jarod announced to anyone who would listen.
The Rogues turned as one and walked back toward civilization, leaving the base and all its conflict behind. Jarod looked out over the group. It didn’t really matter where they were going.
They were together. They were already home.
EPILOGUE
Deep under the surface of the ocean where little to no light penetrated, a glow suffused the terrain. The seascape appeared exposed, almost uncomfortable, with this new intruder to its realm. Fish and more mysterious sea creatures darted away, seeking darker, more hidden climes.
The massive stone shone with an inner radiance. Denizens of the deep, those with no eyes to be burned by the light, crawled onto its surface, extruding sediments and catalysts that would eventually turn this radiating orb into just another dark stone on the floor of the ocean.
But for now, the gem burned brightly, brilliantly in this darkest and deepest of the world’s hidden places. It shone as a beacon, calling out for rescue. Calling out to be seen. Calling out to share its beauty with the world.
The call…was heard.
AfterwordThank you so much for joining us on this romp we like to call MoonRush! We really hope you enjoyed all the exciting twists and turns as much as we loved writing it. Jarod and crew took us on quite a romp!
As reviews are the life's blood for any indie book, we would really appreciate if you liked MoonRush to please go back to Amazon and give it a review! You can imagine how much Jarod would love the attention!
If you couldn't tell by the epilogue of MoonRush there are more adventures awaiting the Rogues. Expect to see MarsRush summer 2013!
Until then you might want to check out the Thriller anthology, Bullets, Brass, and Babes to read our short story With (Star) Diamonds in Her Eyes. It is a great look at Mia and how she came to shoot for the moon!
If you'd like more books by Carolyn or Ben scroll down to the next section where you will find plenty!
Other Works by Carolyn McCray and Ben Hopkin
If you enjoyed the adventure-filled romp of MoonRush, you might also enjoy Carolyn’s action-packed techno-thriller, Encrypted.
“Dan Brown blinked, and Carolyn McCray took over. Encrypted is the best thing that I’ve read in the thriller genre, hands down. It’s got history, mysticism, and shadowy organizations manipulating world events. Oh, and did I mention the most incredible opposites-attract relationship EVER? This novel knocked my socks off.”
ThrillersRockT
Book Reviewer
More praise for Encrypted….
“Imagine a roller-coaster ride filled with historical twists and turns, fabulous action, and a great love story. You’ll soar to the skies, then grip your seat on the way down. Encrypted will leave you breathless in the end.”
Amber Scott
Author
Fierce Dawn
“If you like Lara Croft, you’ll love Encrypted’s heroine, Ronnie. From one explosion to the next, my heart raced with each turn of the page. And the plague making a comeback? Written with such realism, after reading Encrypted, you may never want to leave your house again.”
Elena Gray
Author
Full Body Contact
To purchase or sample Encrypted on Amazon, just click here.
* * *
If you loved the thrills, and excitement of MoonRush, you should check out my #1 Bestseller in Men’s Adventure /War/Techno-Thrillers, 30 Pieces of Silver.
Be warned, however, that 30 Pieces of Silver is an EXTREMELY controversial historical/religious thriller. Please be sure to read the warning on the Amazon page before purchasing!
Unabashedly controversial, 30 Pieces of Silver has been described by NYT Bestselling author James Rollins (author of Devil Colony) as…
“Part minefield and all roller-coaster ride, here is a story as controversial as it is thrilling. Hunker down for a long night, because once you start reading this book, you won’t be putting it down.”
And the praise doesn’t stop there…
“Even as I write this, I find I can’t do justice to the scope and breadth of 30 Pieces of Silver. It is cinematic in its ambition and execution, taking the reader on a well-thought-out and well-written journey.”
The Word Zombie
Book Reviewer
“If you are looking for an action-packed, archaeological thriller, then look no further than Carolyn McCray’s 30 Pieces of Silver. I cannot say enough good things about this book! I started reading this book and found myself taking it everywhere I went just to finish it. McCray has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
The Pen & Muse Review
Book Reviewer
We could go on and on. However, it is probably best if you sampled some of 30 Pieces of Silver for yourself. However, be forewarned! The ending is so controversial that New York would not put it into print! #youhavebeenwarned
To purchase or read a sample of 30 Pieces of Silver on Amazon, click here…
* * *
For something a bit lighter, yet with the same fun vibe as MoonRush, check out Ben and Carolyn’s, Pet Whisperer…er…rrr.
Wyatt and animals...don’t always see eye to eye. But that doesn’t mean he can’t make a rip-snorting pet psychic, right? I mean, seriously. What could possibly go wrong? Other than an elephant with a wandering trunk and a ferret that likes to dance around inside his pants, that is.
Oh, and the serial-killer Chihuahua.
Okay, so maybe a lot could go wrong.
Pet Whisperer...er...rrrrr: A book where the animals talk back!
Click here to purchase or sample Pet Whisperer…er…rrr!
About the Authors
Carolyn McCray
Carolyn McCray is a social media and sales consultant to indie authors and publishing houses alike. Her own controversial thriller, 30 Pieces of Silver, hit the #1 spot on the Amazon Men’s Adventure/War/Techno-Thriller lists, (beating out the likes of Clive Cussler), and all thirteen of her indie-published books are Kindle Bestsellers. Her latest nonfiction endeavor, Dollars & Sense: The Definitive Guide to Self-publishing Success (coauthored with Amber Scott) debuted at #1 on Amazon’s “Authorship” bestselling list.
Carolyn is also the founder of the Indie Book Collective, an organization with over 6,000 members which is dedicated to helping authors utilize social media to the fullest to sell their books. The Collective offers free workshops, a live advice radio show, innovative programs such as Blog Tour de Force & Bestseller for a Day, and so much more to its members.
Ben Hopkin
Ben Hopkin is a transplanted Texan. After being indoctrinated in the Lone Star State he was ripped from his ancestral home and whisked away to Los Angeles, where he was forced to appreciate fish tacos and sushi. While there, he worked as a professional actor, director, and producer, as well as teacher, which he loves most. He has now settled in Provo, Utah, with his wife and three children. Just in case there was any question, Provo is NOT a happy medium between Ft. Worth and LA, although his kids have made the transition from body boards to snowboards seamlessly.
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, places, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
MoonRush
An Off Our Meds Project/published by arrangement with the author
FIRST EDITION
Copyright 2010 by Carolyn McCray
All rights reserved
Kindle Edition
No part of th
is book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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Email
Contact Information
Carolyn McCray can be found just about everywhere social media exists (and some that are just in her head).
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Her writing advice, Writing Without the Drama, links:
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Technical Publishing articles on DigitalBookWorld.com
Poignant articles on Lifarre.com
Motivational article on Mome-O.com
Ben Hopkin
Website: http://actingwithoutthedrama.blogspot.com
Twitter: @actingnodrama
Internet database: http://imbd.me/benhopkin