by Huw Powell
“How dare you threaten my crew?” snarled Granny Leatherhead. “You always were too big for your gravity boots, Scarabus Shark.”
“It’s not personal, Lizzy,” said James Hawker. “We’ve been after Jake for a while now. He’s drawing too much attention and he needs to be stopped. We tried to trap him in the fifth solar system, but he got away, thanks to Kay Jagger.”
“Was that why Admiral Vantard was at Papa Don’s?” asked Granny Leatherhead. “I bet you invited him the moment we blundered through your door.”
“None of that matters now,” said Scarabus. “This is your last chance. Hand over Jake Cutler or we’ll blow you to stardust.”
“No deal,” shouted Crazy Kay, on behalf of both crews. “We’re not going anywhere, you sniveling sons of snitches. If you lay a finger on either of our ships, I’ll rip off your arms and slap you with them.”
“Ahoy there, little Miss Crazy,” said Scarabus. “I was hoping you would stick around, because I still owe you for that bubble gun stunt you pulled at Papa Don’s.”
“What are you going to do?” sneered Kay. “Teach me a lesson? What makes you think you could beat the Divine Wind?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” said Scarabus.
The communicator fell silent.
“So, it was you who killed Wild Joe Jagger,” croaked Granny Leatherhead. “I’ve always had my suspicions, but there was never any proof. What did he ever do to you?”
“Joe was out of control,” said Scarabus. “He was bad for business, and I didn’t want to see his treasure wasted.”
There was a long silence. Jake waited for Kay to scream or shout, but instead she spoke slowly and deliberately into her communicator.
“Kiss. My. Cutlass.”
And with that, the Divine Wind attacked.
Jake stared in amazement as the Divine Wind lunged toward the three ships, its front cannon targeting the Black Death. Had he really expected anything less of Crazy Kay Jagger? The Black Death took several hits before it shifted into gear and returned fire. It sprayed the Divine Wind with red laser bolts, like a shower of blood, but the star frigate’s patched-up shields held together.
Kay was the toughest teenager Jake had ever met, but her ship didn’t stand a chance on its own.
“What are you waiting for, Nichelle?” asked Granny Leatherhead.
“Aye, Captain.”
Jake had expected the Space Dogs to turn and run, as they had done previously. But instead, the old cargo hauler powered toward the Black Death.
“This is for Wild Joe Jagger,” said Granny Leatherhead. “Kodan, introduce that metal-mouthed murderer to Old Lizzy.”
A string of laser bolts burst from the nose of the cargo hauler and struck the shields of the Black Death.
“Watch out,” warned Farid.
Carla Gritt joined the battle, pulling in front of them and unloading her laser cannon. Nichelle swerved to avoid the space cutter, forcing Kodan to break off his attack.
“That flaming fortune seeker,” fumed Granny Leatherhead. “Take her out so we can get back to Scarabus.”
“What about the Lost Soul?” asked Nichelle.
“Ignore it,” said Granny Leatherhead. “We’ll deal with James Hawker later.”
The Dark Horse tore after the Loose Cannon, chipping away at its shields, trying to get a clear shot. Jake’s insides turned as the ship dipped and weaved. He kept the rear laser cannon pointed at the Lost Soul in case it tried to creep up behind them, but the large black cruiser remained in position with its gun ports closed. Why was it holding back? What was it waiting for?
The Divine Wind soared over his head with a large section of hull missing, where the Black Death had blasted through its shields. Jake watched the huge warship storm after the damaged star frigate and knew that he was the only one who could help. He gripped the rubber handlebars and swung the laser cannon around, catching the Black Death in his sights.
“Leave them alone, you monster.”
Jake pulled the trigger and held on as the cannon fired. His laser bolts caught the side of the pirate warship, but they failed to penetrate its shields. He fired again, targeting its weak spots, such as the gun ports and exhausts. To his surprise, most of his shots were on target. It was probably because the Black Death was a lot bigger and slower than the Gork fighter craft. Whatever the reason, it encouraged him to keep up the attack.
Desperate to help Kay and her crew, Jake continued to fire short bursts, taking care not to overheat the weapon. His shots must have caused some damage to the Black Death, because the warship broke off its pursuit and came after the Dark Horse instead. Jake took one look at the blood-streaked hull and suddenly felt exposed in his little turret. He fired another burst from his laser cannon and hoped that the rest of the crew had noticed what was happening.
A barrage of red laser bolts struck the Dark Horse from behind. The Black Death was so close now that Jake could make out Scarabus Shark standing on its bridge. He fired a couple of shots at the oily-skinned captain, but they bounced off the shields. A large panel opened below the bridge window, like a gaping mouth in the warship’s hull. At first, Jake feared that the Black Death had a multibarreled laser cannon like Old Lizzy, but its contents were much worse. A circle of fire glowed deep inside, and something burst out of the hole.
“Torpedo!” he shouted, but no one could hear him.
The huge red missile headed straight for them. In a moment of panic, Jake did the only thing that made any sense. He aimed his laser cannon at the torpedo and pulled the trigger.
Boom!
It may have been luck, or the sheer number of laser bolts that Jake fired, but the torpedo exploded in open space, causing both the Dark Horse and the Black Death to veer in opposite directions. Jake was thrown from his saddle as the blast hit. He flew into the air and crashed into the dome roof with such force, he was amazed the glass didn’t break.
“What the fluff was that?” said Granny Leatherhead, as the cargo hauler creaked and shuddered to a halt.
“We’ve been hit,” reported Farid. “An explosion has knocked out our shields and exhausts.”
“The ship is not responding,” said Nichelle. “I’ve lost control.”
Jake looked outside and saw bits of jagged metal where the exhausts had been. It was a miracle that his turret had only suffered a few scratches on its smudged glass. With a great effort, he climbed back onto his laser cannon and listened eagerly to the intercom.
“What happened to the Black Death?” asked Granny Leatherhead.
“It’s damaged,” said Farid. “But still operational.”
Jake tried to block out the pain as he scanned the stars. He spotted the pirate warship circling back around to finish them. Its shields were down and its hull was buckled, but it looked like it was in better shape than the Dark Horse. As it lined up to attack, Jake took aim and fired, but a single laser cannon was no match for the Black Death. It flew toward them, weapons blazing. Scarabus Shark had the old cargo hauler firmly in his sights, and there was nothing Jake could do to stop him.
Crash!
The Divine Wind hurtled into view and rammed the Black Death, sending both ships spinning off at angles, with bits of debris flying in all directions. Jake watched the star frigate cartwheel through space, its yellow hull mashed and its exhausts crumpled, while the Black Death tumbled off course away from the Dark Horse.
“Madness,” muttered Granny Leatherhead.
The Divine Wind stopped turning and became motionless. Jake wondered if Kay was all right, or if she had been hurt in the collision. His eyes scanned her ship, trying to detect signs of life.
“Ahoy, Divine Wind,” hailed Farid. “Are you there, Kay?”
Jake pressed his ears to the intercom speaker. At first there was only static, but then a weak and husky voice responded.
“Ahoy-hoy,” wheezed Kay. “We’re still here, mates, but the ship is a total wreck.”
“Can you fix it?” asked Gr
anny Leatherhead.
“We might be able to do something with the engine, if we had a couple of hours.”
Jake knew that they didn’t have a couple of minutes, because despite everything, the Black Death still had power. It turned slowly toward the Divine Wind, and Scarabus Shark’s voice rasped through the speaker.
“You put up a good fight, Kay,” he said. “But you’ve got nothing left. It’s time to join your daddy.”
Chapter 20
Rusty’s Revenge
“No!” cried Jake.
In a fit of panic, he fired the laser cannon at the Black Death, no longer caring if it overheated, but it wasn’t enough to stop the old warship. The Black Death stopped in front of the Divine Wind, like an executioner towering over the condemned. Jake scanned the crumpled crimson hull and spotted a large crack near the rear, where he knew the engine room was located. If there was an engine, there would be fuel cells.
Without hesitation, Jake swung his cannon and fired. His first two shots grazed the hull, but the third flew straight into the crack and disappeared. For a moment, nothing happened, and then the Black Death exploded from the inside, blowing itself apart in a series of blinding flashes. Jake braced himself as the shockwaves hit the Dark Horse, followed by shards of metal.
“Good shot, Kid Cutler,” cackled Granny Leatherhead over the intercom.
Jake could hear Farid and Nichelle cheering in the background, but their celebration was short-lived. Two ships remained: the Lost Soul and the Loose Cannon.
“Thanks, Jake,” said Kay, her husky voice filling the turret. “We’re goners now, but at least we took those wretches with us.”
The Loose Cannon circled the two ships, steering clear of Old Lizzy and the sawed-off laser cannon. Jake spotted a long hose dangling from its hull and knew that Carla Gritt was preparing to give them another acid shower. He fired several shots in her direction before his cannon finally overheated.
“What do we do now, Captain?” asked Nichelle.
“What can we do?” said Granny Leatherhead. “Without exhausts, we’re an easy target.”
In the distance, the Lost Soul stirred and moved toward them, its gun ports open and its laser cannon primed. If the acid shower didn’t destroy them, James Hawker would finish them off.
“Hey, it was fun while it lasted,” said Kay. “At least I got to meet the famous Jake Cutler.”
Jake sat back from his laser cannon. Why did it have to end like this? If only he could speak to Kay and thank her for everything she had done for them. He thought about Kella, Nanoo, and the Space Dogs. They had been through so much together, and now Jake was going to die alone in his turret.
What about his father? He would never find out what had happened to Andras Cutler. As for saving the independent colonies, it would now be up to Hector Rumpole to prevent a galactic war. Jake was sickened to think that millions might die so that James Hawker and Carla Gritt could collect a reward.
“Captain, I’ve picked up another ship on the scanners,” said Farid.
“I wondered when the Interstellar Navy would show up,” she croaked.
“It’s not naval. In fact, there are no signs of life aboard. If it wasn’t moving so fast, I would have dismissed it as a wreck.”
“What are you saying? We’ve got an incoming ghost ship?”
“Not ghosts,” he said. “Robots.”
Jake glanced up to see Rusty’s Revenge soar into view. The pirate ship had been converted from a space tug, with armor plating and a battering ram. It opened fire, its front weapons tearing holes in the Loose Cannon. Carla Gritt took evasive action, but her ship stumbled into the path of the cargo hauler’s sawed-off laser cannon. Maaka and Woorak blasted the side of the Loose Cannon, while the Hacker Jackers continued their overhead assault. Even the Divine Wind managed to get a few shots in with its last remaining weapon.
It was too much for the old space cutter. A laser bolt penetrated its hull and ruptured the acid tank, flooding the ship with corrosive fluid. Jake watched as the Loose Cannon disintegrated before their eyes.
“Captain, should we let space have her?” asked Maaka over the intercom.
“Are you pulling my pistols?” barked Granny Leatherhead. “Keep firing. I’m not taking any chances this time.”
Within seconds, the Loose Cannon was reduced to stardust. It was now three pirate ships against one, and Jake’s laser cannon had almost cooled down. Rusty’s Revenge positioned itself between the Dark Horse and the Divine Wind, so that all three craft faced the Lost Soul.
“Come on!” shouted Jake at the black cruiser. “What are you waiting for?”
The Lost Soul lingered for a moment, like a spider waiting to pounce. But instead of attacking, it turned and fled. Jake nearly slipped off his saddle in surprise. He had expected fearless James Hawker to put up more of a fight.
“Captain, the Starbucklers are making a run for it,” said Farid. “It’s over, we’ve won.”
A cheer exploded through the ship’s intercom as the crew celebrated.
“Magnifty,” cried Jake, punching the air. “Mag-flipping-nifty.”
The Space Dogs and the Luna Ticks had done it—they had beaten the top two spacejackers in the galaxy, as well as a ruthless fortune seeker. Jake felt incredible, as though he could take on the whole Interstellar Navy on his own. He joined in the cheering, making himself hoarse, until a familiar electronic voice made contact.
“Ahoy, Captains Leatherhead and Jagger,” said Vigor-8. “Can we assist you?”
“Ahoy, Captain 8,” croaked Granny Leatherhead. “It’s good to see you and your courageous crew of robot raiders. I don’t suppose you have any maintenance droids aboard your ship?”
It took the Hacker Jackers an hour to patch up the Dark Horse and Divine Wind, but the two ships were still vulnerable. Vigor-8 took Jake aboard Rusty’s Revenge and introduced him to the crew of free robots. Jake thanked each one in turn for its help, before the robot captain escorted him back to the Dark Horse.
“You helped me in Papa Don’s and showed me respect,” said Vigor-8. “Now I have returned the favor.”
“It wasn’t just our crews you saved today,” said Jake. “If I can prevent a galactic war, the entire seven solar systems will owe the Hacker Jackers.”
Vigor-8 stopped and tilted its head. “I don’t understand.”
Jake explained about the Interstellar Government’s plans to wipe out the independent colonies.
“Is that why you need Papa Don’s sword?” asked Vigor-8.
“Yes,” said Jake. “It will help me to convince the independent colony leaders that I’m telling the truth.”
“Do people often not believe you?”
Jake laughed. “Only when I talk about Altus.”
“Altus?” Vigor-8 paused. “You are a most unusual spacejacker, Jake Cutler.”
The air-lock door opened, and they entered the Dark Horse. Jake took Vigor-8 up to the bridge to say good-bye to Granny Leatherhead.
“Thanks again, Captain 8,” said the captain. “It’s good to know that we have friends out here in space.”
Vigor-8 held its chest and bowed. “You’re most welcome, Captain Leatherhead.”
“I wonder—”
“Captain,” interrupted Farid. “I’ve picked up three naval warships on the long-range scanner and they’re heading straight for us.”
Granny Leatherhead glanced at her damaged ship. “Captain 8, could you do me another favor?”
Vigor-8 snapped to attention and saluted. “Name it.”
“Jake needs a lift to Santanova in the fourth solar system,” she said. “Can you take him?”
“Yes.”
Jake tried to protest, but Granny Leatherhead refused to listen. “I’m sorry, Kid Cutler, but even if the Dark Horse could make it to the gathering on time, the Space Dogs would never get past the security. Rusty’s Revenge stands a much better chance of getting you there in one piece.”
“What about Kella and Nano
o?”
“You should take them with you. A lilac-skinned alien and a United Worlds crystal healer might help to back up your story. But I would leave Kay behind, in case she decides to do something crazy in the middle of your speech.”
“What will you do?” asked Jake. “Where will you go?”
“No idea,” said Granny Leatherhead. “We’ll start by leaving a false trail for the Interstellar Navy to follow, and then stop somewhere for repairs. Now, hurry up and go, before that adamant admiral gets here.”
Jake paused in the doorway. “How will I find you?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll show up when the time is right.”
Vigor-8 helped Jake collect his things from the guest quarters, including his Altian uniform, his handheld computer, his scribbled speech notes, and the sword of Altus. By the time they returned to the air lock, most of the crew had gathered there to see them off. A moment later, Kella and Nanoo hurried up the corridor with their bags.
“I’ll understand if you two want to stay aboard the Dark Horse,” said Jake.
“And miss fun?” joked Nanoo. “I want to be at historic event with my friend, before I return to Taan-Centaur.”
“What about you, Kella?”
“I want to help you to unite the independent colonies and stop the Interstellar Navy,” she said. “It’s what Jeyne would have done. I may not be able to save my sister, but at least I can make a stand on her behalf.”
Jake nodded and smiled.
“Come on, you space pups!,” croaked Granny Leatherhead. “You’ve got a gathering to catch.”
“Thanks for everything, Captain,” Jake said, picking up his bag.
“Have you got your speech?”
“Right here.” Jake patted his pocket. “I hope it’s enough to convince the other leaders.”
“You’ll be fine,” she said. “You’ve stood up to me enough times.”
Scargus stepped forward with something wrapped inside a blanket. “Don’t forget your crown.”
Jake had hoped to sneak off without the metal monstrosity. He made a mental note to leave it on Rusty’s Revenge when they reached Santanova. But with a dramatic flick of his wrist, the chief engineer whipped off the blanket to reveal the finished creation.