The Outer World Chronicles: Books 1, 2, 3

by Arwen Chandler

  Adrik walked inside, and she holstered her pistol. “Everything good? You were gone a long time.”

  “Yes. He’s convinced you’ve escaped. He sent out a search party to look for you in Holiday City.”

  “Where?”

  “It’s a popular hang-out for off duty service man, and the only place on the planet you can hire a ship.”

  “Can we get to the crystals?”

  “Yes. But, you must wait here. Everyone goes home in about an hour, and I have a few things to do to get your ship out of the hanger.” He handed her his tablet. “Familiarize yourself with the launch codes we use in the Militarian. When we take off, it has to be believable.”

  “Okay.” Gwyn scanned the document. “I can get this in an hour. No problem.”

  “Good.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

  She sighed. “And, I’ll be here.”

  Adrik entered the empty biohazard lab. He rushed past the isolation room, and straight into the back containment area. The crystals were stored in large glass jars. What had originally been hundreds of crystals, now appeared to be thousands of small pieces. Some were dust, some the size of jewelry stones.

  He pulled a grav-net from the cabinet above his head and placed it on the floor. It sprung open and expanded. Adrik quickly filled the net with the jars of crystals. Satisfied, he had them all, he washed down the counter tops to remove all traces of the crystal.

  Adrik searched through the drawers until he found a minimizer. He pointed the machine at the cargo net, and it shrunk down to a manageable size. He covered the net with a large white sheet. The words “toxic” were printed on it in large block letters.

  He smiled. That should keep people away.

  Adrik pressed the controls on the net, and it levitated from the floor. He started to leave. The pressurizer between rooms hissed. Crap! Someone’s in here. He found an open room, and pushed the crystals inside and followed behind. He shut the door.

  A woman in a white lab coat walked through the lab. Her high heel shoes clacked on the tiled floor. Adrik’s heart raced, as she neared the area that should have held the crystals. He watched as she stopped, and grabbed a container of instruments. He gripped his pulse pistol. The doctor stuck the container under one arm but continued to read her tablet. She turned and walked away.

  The doors hissed again, and Adrik placed his pistol back in its holster. He carefully navigated the crystals out of the room, and down the hall.

  Gwyn watched from the small rectangular window in the door. As Adrik rounded the corner, she stepped out. “Are we ready?”

  “Yes. I had Corporal Goodman ready your ship. He’s expecting me, you, and some toxic cargo. He’s even loaded my dirt bike.”

  Gwyn laughed. “Yes, we need to keep that. You’re sure you can trust him?”

  “He’s a good soldier, and won’t ask questions.” Adrik started down the corridor.

  She followed as they retraced their path toward the incinerator. He stopped in front of it and motioned for Gwyn to push the door open.

  Gwyn opened it and moved out of the way. There was no one outside. Adrik pushed the containers into the open. “If we go behind this building and around the back of the next, we can go inside the back door of the hanger. Just remember, follow me. Don’t speak.”

  Gwyn nodded. “Got it.”

  They rounded the building and crossed the short alley between buildings. They were almost at the hanger when the alarm sounded.

  “Gwyn, run.”

  Adrik pulled the long sheet from the top of the crystals and cast it aside, so he could move faster. He followed behind her at a break neck speed. The pair stopped abruptly at the back door of the hanger. Adrik opened it and stepped inside. The room was empty, accept for Corporal Goodman.

  Goodman motioned to Adrik. “Sir, I don’t know what’s going on, and honestly I don’t want to know, but the ship’s ready. If you’re leaving the planet, you have about a ten minute window before they cancel all departing ships.” Adrik nodded and motioned for Gwyn to come inside. She pushed the crystals through the door.

  Goodman’s eyes widened. He turned to face Adrik. “Sir, am I going to be court marshalled?”

  Adrik paused, “No not at all.”

  The corporal relaxed. “That’s a re…”

  The butt of Gwyn’s pulse pistol contacted the back of his head. Goodman fell to the ground. “One less problem, right?”

  “Yes, and the wound will keep him from getting into trouble. Quick thinking, Gwyn.”

  She smiled, “I haven’t been a smuggler all these years without learning a thing or two.” She crossed the room to her ship and laid a hand on its side. “I’ve missed your girl.” She entered the combination into the ship’s control panel, and the carbo bay door opened.

  Adrik pushed the crystals inside, and Gwyn shut the door behind them.

  “Adrik, store the crystals, and I’ll get the lift off sequence started. She rushed into the cockpit and started the ignition sequence. The Pleiades roared to life.

  “They are stored.” Adrik sat down in the co-pilot seat and fastened his belt.

  Blips appeared on the navscreen. “Do you see those ships? We’re fixing to have company.”

  “I see them.” She pushed the throttle forward and the ship exited the hanger bay.

  Gwyn pressed the communicator on the dash panel. “Sargent Ramirez, requesting permission for lift off. Destination the orbiting colony. They need medical supplies.” Gwyn held her breath.

  Silence filled the cockpit, and Gwyn cast a sideways glance at Adrik. “Does it usually take so long?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Static filled the room, as the control tower answered, “You’re good to go.”

  Gwyn took a deep breath and keyed in the lift oft sequence. The Pleiades took to the sky. She closed in on the planetary defense shield when the communicator buzzed. “Starship Pleiades, return to the launch pad, by orders of Admiral Spearman.”

  “Gwyn, we’ve been found out, and they are closing the shields.”

  She nodded, “but we can make it.”

  She pressed the ship forward into the atmosphere. The defense shield glowed orange as it closed in. “Hold on. This is going to be rough.” She turned the ship a hard right. The tail of her ship slipped through the net as it closed. Fire flashed across the sky, as they left Raygus Prime behind.

  Gwyn squealed. “That was close!”

  “Too close.”

  Gwyn inspected her ships functions. “Looks like they put a sensor on our vessel. I’m going to have to find it before they launch from the orbiting colony. So, co-pilot, take control.”

  “Yes. Ma’am.” Adrik saluted, then snorted.

  She giggled and rolled her eyes, “I don’t have time for you. Behave.”

  Gwyn rushed down the hall and into the engine room. “Now, where are you?” She studied the engine coils. Nothing looked out of place. She laid down on her stomach and felt up into the engine. “Ah, there you are.” She pulled the tracker down and carried it back to the cockpit.

  Gwyn studied the navscreen for a second, then pointed. “There. Look. There’s a trasher.” She bit her lip. “If we can get close enough.” She flew alongside it and handed the tracker to Adrik.

  “In the galley, there is a small capsule in the drawer closest to the synthesizer. Put the tracker in it, and get ready to eject it.”

  Adrik rummaged through the drawers until he found a small clear tube with silver tips. He slid the tracker inside and sealed it.

  “Did you find it?”

  “Yes. It’s ready.”

  “Okay when I say now, eject it. If it works as planned, that tracker will adhere to the trasher.”

  Adrik inserted the tube into the ejector and waited with his hand on the eject button.

  “Just a little bit further.” Gwyn pulled up above the trasher and lowered the ship so that the two vessels were nearly touching. “Okay. Now.”
<
br />   Adrik hit the button and the tube exited the ship.

  Gwyn watched the navscreen. The tube collided with the trasher, then shattered. The tracker stuck to the ship.

  Gwyn whooped. “You did it. Get back here.”

  Adrik plopped down in the seat beside her. “That was genius!”

  Gwyn smiled. “Nothing any average smuggler wouldn’t do.”

  “I don’t believe that for a minute, Gwyn.”

  She plotted a course for the asteroid. “Believe what you want, my friend. But, let’s get those crystals home.

  Chapter Seven

  Gwyn awoke with a start. She nudged Adrik, and he sat up.

  “What’s that sound?”

  “A proximity alarm.” Gwyn threw her jumpsuit on and pushed her feet into her combat boots.

  “You think it’s the Militarian?”

  Adrik pulled his shirt over his head, then pulled up his pants. “Don’t know, but not likely. We should be in Cardike space. The Militarian wouldn’t dare follow us here.”

  The pair jogged down the hallway to the cockpit.

  “Caracho! It’s Cardikes.”

  Voices broke over the intercom. “Prepare to be boarded. You are trespassing in Cardike space.”

  A knot formed in Gwyn’s stomach. “This is bad.”

  “Can we out run them?”

  Gwyn shook her head. “Not at this proximity. They’d fire, and we’d be space dust. The best thing we can do is stash our weapons in the cargo hold, and pray they can’t find our cargo.”

  Adrik rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll store everything. It’s going to be okay.”

  Here voice shook. “I know. Get out of here, and do it quickly. I have to respond.”

  Adrik ran down the hall.

  “Starship Pleiades this is your last warning. Put down your shields, and prepare to be boarded, or we will open fire.”

  Gwyn lowered the shields and pressed the communicator button. “There down. Don’t shoot.” She turned on the viewer.

  A short portly man with a bald head stared at her. “Gwyndalaria Casteliano. It’s been a long time.”

  She glared at the screen. “Not long enough, Jackie.”

  He guffawed. “We’re going to put you away for a long time, this time, beautiful.”

  Gwyn narrowed her eyes. “You say that every time. What are you doing working for the Cardikes? Make too many enemies on Tortuga?”

  “Cardikes pay better. As does the Militarian. You got the man with you?”

  Gwyn didn’t answer.

  “Oh, I bet you do. There’s a big price on both your heads.”

  Adrik walked back into the room and grimaced. “Ugh. Who is that?”

  Jackie snarled, “Shut your mouth deserter. You’ll know who I am soon enough.”

  The starship jerked forward. Gwyn and Adrik waited as the Pleiades was pulled into the other ship’s shuttle bay. The Pleiades stopped with a thud.

  “We better meet them at the door. I don’t want those nasties in my ship.” Gwyn entered a lock code into the navigation system. “It’ll take them awhile to figure that out.”

  Adrik laughed. “So how are we getting out of here?”

  “I’m working on it.”

  Two armed guards waited at the door.

  Gwyn and Adrik placed their hands on their heads and then exited the ship. A line of armed guards stood between them and Jackie.

  Gwyn crossed her arms across her chest. “Scared of something, Jackie?”

  Jackie smirked. “Fire at will.”

  ***

  Gwyn opened her eyes. The room was hazy, and her head spun. “What was in that?” She stumbled to her feet and timidly touched the cell’s force field. It buzzed and her hand popped back. “Caracho!”

  She returned to the metal bench that lined the back wall of her cell. There were various individual cell units lined up in rows, all separated by indivisible force fields. Most cells were empty, but there were a few men and women scattered through-out the room. Adrik was nowhere in sight. He must be at the end, or worse. Tears rolled down her face, and onto the end of her nose. She allowed herself a moment to get ahold of herself, then wiped the tears away. Stop it, Gwyn. You can’t think like that. He’s too valuable. He’s here somewhere. He must be.

  In the distance, a door chimed. Gwyn watched as Jackie wobbled his way toward her cell. Great.

  He stopped in front of her cell. “It’s good to see you in a cell where you belong.”

  Gwyn rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Where’s Adrik?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know? I’ve something special planned for him. He’s a Militarian caught in Cardike space. He’s going straight to the prison planet.”

  Gwyn fumed. “He left the Militarian. Come on Jackie. Don’t do that.”

  He waved a fat hand in front of his face. “No matter. This is a special request from Admiral Spearman.”

  “You toad! What’s he paying you?”

  “Two million units.” Jackie licked his lips, and his eyes glistened. “With that much money, I can retire on Tortuga in style. Might even by your Gran a new house. She won’t be able to say no this time.”

  “Leave her alone, Jackie. She’s not part of this.”

  “You made her part of this when you flew into Cardike space, Gwyn.”

  “Jackie, I’m warning you. You do this to Adrik, and you’re never going to make it back to Tortuga.”

  His eyes-widened. “Are you threatening me?”

  She laughed. “Maybe you’re not as dumb as you look.”

  Anger flashed in his eyes.

  “No. You’re at least as dumb as you look.” She grinned.

  “You know, I can send you to the prison planet, too. I think you know what happens to pretty girls like you there?”

  She glared at him. “You don’t scare me, Cardike trash.”

  Jackie puffed out his chest. “Do you realize the position you are in, Ms. Casteliano?”

  She hit her fist against the force field. “I’m going to kill you if anything happens to him.”

  “You’re in no place to make threats.”

  She slammed her hand against the cell again. “It’s not a threat, Jackie. This time, I mean it.”

  He took a step backward and addressed the guard nearest him. “Change her destination. Send her to the prison planet.”

  “Yes, Sir.” The guard typed into his notepad.

  Jackie turned to her, “We’ll see how you behave after your time on the planet. A pretty girl like you. Well, let’s just say, you’re going to be a prize. I’ll tell your Gran hi for you.”

  She growled then spit at him.

  She watched as he walked away. A smile traced her lips. Hang on, Adrik. I have a plan.

  Chapter Eight

  Explosive gas filled the orange and red atmosphere. Transportation to the planet was as dangerous as living on it, but it didn’t stop the Cardikes from filling up their prison. They had specially equipped systems to keep emissions from their transport ships to a minimum. They only lost a few ships per year, and they were more than willing to live with those numbers. Prisoners or guards, it didn’t matter to them. In their minds, the only cost of operations was the amount of slop and water they fed the inmates. Everything else was bartered, traded, or fought for by the inmates themselves.

  Gwyn stepped off the transporter, and into the general population. Tattooed men with half-shaved heads started in her direction, and she stared them down. They backed off. She scanned the room for any sign of Adrik. She knew his ship had arrived a few hours prior, but so far, he was nowhere to be seen.

  She walked the perimeter of the yard. In a dark cubby, several men squatted playing Tarvish, the Cardike version of Perudo. A voice drifted from the alcove, and Gwyn looked up. Seated in the center of the group, was a man named Jericho. Gwyn stepped into the inner circle and waited.

  Jericho glanced in her direction, and an open smile formed on his lips. His teeth were filed to points. “Gwyn. Ho
w long has it been?”

  “Too long, my friend.” She clapped him on the forearm, and let go. “What you in for?”

  “Trading faulty defractors.”

  Gwyn laughed. “Faulty defractors? Don’t you know how to check your inventory? At least make it good enough to pass inspection, until you have the money in your hand, and are in space.”

  He shook his head. “You’re preaching to the choir, kid. Add this to your repertoire. Don’t sale to marshals.”

  “Ah. Well, Jericho, a man like you should be more careful.”

  “You’re one to talk, Ms. Casteliano. I see you’re here. How long’s your sentence?”

  She shrugged. “Life.”

  Jericho arched an eyebrow, “You really stepped in it this time, huh?”

  “Let’s just say the Militarian are involved, and that toad Jackie.”

  Jericho motioned her to follow him to the back of the alcove. “Militarian you say?”

  She nodded. “I heard a Militarian man was just delivered here. A Lieutenant Commander.”

  Her eyes flashed. “You see him?”

  “Maybe.” Jericho spat a wad of tobacco onto the ground.

  “What you got to trade?”

  “What you see is what you get, Jericho. You know they took everything, even my ship.” She leaned up against the wall.

  “Well, hmmm. Did they store it on the planet?”

  “Yes, I saw it in the shipyard as we flew over. I’ve got to find a way to get it.”

  “If I help you, will you take me off this rock?” Jericho put another chaw between his cheek and gum.

  “Sure thing, my friend. But, she’s not equipped to leave this atmosphere.”

  Jericho motioned her closer. “I know a guy.”

  Gwyn whispered, “He has the technology to retrofit my ship for this atmosphere?”

  “Yep. Just need a good pilot. And, you’re the best.”

  “On one condition. Find me that Militarian man. He leaves with us.”