The Iron Altar Series Box Set One: Books 1 to 3

by Casey Lea

  Misty frowned and kept studying his face intently. She really did have lovely eyes. His fingers rose to brush her cheek and he forgot all about last night. She drew closer still, until their faces were almost touching and her lashes lowered. He kept his eyes open, watching while hers shut and the perspective grew strange, much closer and more intimate than usual. All he could see was Mist - and then his stomach dropped through the floor.

  Misty shrieked a curse and was slammed onto her butt, while Jace was driven down into his seat, as the ship leapt upward with no inertia damping. Zyl turned the abrupt climb into a spiraling dive and Jace made a grab for his companion before she could be flung across the nest. Misty grabbed back and they huddled in his chair together. His fronds stabbed into the interface and he was instantly hurtling through space. Stars wheeled around him and elation surged through him and it was very hard to remember what he had to do.

  Stop. firm/ certain/ obey

  The ship’s laugh tumbled through his mind, but she responded at once. Their rush through space slowed and steadied, until they resumed a more sedate course into Gratuity. Misty slid from Jace's lap and he noticed her absence, but only briefly. He sank into flying with Zyl again and they soared through the solar system together. Despite slowing down, the docks of Gratuity grew closer far too fast. He was curving Zyl into port long before he wanted to. They would have to fly again soon.

  Misty was strangely silent during their walk home. Her mind felt busy, but distant and Jace made no effort to intrude. He had plenty to think about too. He really, really hoped he would dream again that night. They jogged home without conversation, but paused together outside the Med Centre to exchange frowns.

  “Should we mention the t'ssaa?” Jace wondered, but Misty shook her head.

  “I think explaining our career choice will be enough.”

  They both grinned and Jace relaxed. Misty was still his best friend and her unusual silence was meaningless. She must have had a bad night or something. He gestured at the automatic door.

  “After you.”

  “So I get pounced on first?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “Coward.” She turned without further comment and strode into the low clinic. Jace ducked to follow and they made their way to the back rooms.

  Amber and Harrier were sitting at the kitchen table with cups of coffee. The rich smell was warm and welcoming, unlike the two healers.

  Amber placed her cup down firmly, with a clear, angry clunk. “Where the hail have you been? After we healed Falkyn we stayed up all night searching for you, which left us way past exhausted. So now we’re tired and grumpy.” She narrowed her eyes at the couple. “In case there’s any doubt, I’m Grumpy.”

  Jace squirmed inwardly. “Sorry. We didn't think you'd miss us. Is Fal okay?”

  The two doctors exchanged a look and Harrier turned away. Amber cleared her throat. “He'll live. We wanted to tell you, but we couldn't contact you, or find you. Where have you been?”

  “Getting a job,” Misty announced. She grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and took a huge bite.

  “What job?” Amber asked, but Misty chewed loudly and gestured at Jace.

  He was tempted to make a gesture back, but instead put his fists on his hips and broadcast confidence. “We're bounty hunters.” His statement was greeted by utter silence, so he reached for a joke. “You wouldn't believe how many people out here have a price on them. It's not just the hookers.”

  Amber gave him a look that would have done his mother proud. Sigh. A hand slipped into his and he looked down at Misty. She swallowed the last of her bite and chucked the fruit back into stasis.

  “Being hunters won't work,” she said and Jace snatched his hand away. She crossed her arms, half hugging herself, but her fronds bushed with glee. “Most of what they're thinking is right, Ace. We're young, inexperienced and out-gunned. We have no chance of catching people who are expert at staying free.”

  Jace felt his left eyebrow arch higher to join his right. “You could have mentioned this sooner. Like when we were buying the ship, or facing the t'ssaa, or haggling for handcuffs, or registering as hunters...”

  Misty broadcast more delight. “That's because it will certain-sure work.”

  “Huh? Are you confused, or am I? Because one of us sure as hell is.”

  “It’ll work, just not yet. Not as is. We need something else first. We need new inventions. Specifically weapons and I've got some ideas for such. Things I kept thinking about when I was growing up under house arrest with soothing music. Follow.” She grabbed Jace by the hand again and he didn't resist. He wasn't that stupid. He looked back over his shoulder at Amber and Harrier. “Bye.'”

  The two healers exchanged slack-jawed glances like mirror images of maternal confusion. Amber recovered first, to call after them. “Did you say t’ssaa and where are you going?”

  “No idea.”

  Amber’s fingers drummed against the table. “That’s what concerns me.”

  Misty tugged more urgently and pulled Jace from the room. “We're putting a bigger brig in our ship. And a lab” she yelled back as they hit the front room. “A weapons lab.”

  A weapons lab? Awesome. This girl really knew how to have fun.

  28

  Ambush

  Darsey folded her arms, sinking into her sliver's molded seat with her eyes closed. At least that shut out the ceiling just above her nose. She didn't normally feel claustrophobic in the tiny scout ships, but recently she'd felt squeezed tight all the time. So tight it was hard to breathe.

  How could it have taken Jileea six weeks to find Darsey’s baby? And how could they have lost him in the first place?

  Jileea had advertised the perfect job, overseeing a major trading company and Jace had chosen bounty hunter instead. He'd given the dream job along with the tracers she'd hidden in his cells to some shady Scottish decoy. Unbelievable. That Mistwing girl clearly had his brain set to 'drool'.

  It was way past time to intervene in person. Not that she planned to corner her son and shake him, despite temptation. She just needed to find out where he was and what he was doing.

  Darsey was pulled from her thoughts by an Alliance message chime and flicked a finger to check its authenticity. It was genuine and she silently asked Pertwing to relay the automated content.

  “This is a priority alert for all Alliance citizens. This system remains unsecured and offers extreme hazard. The military has deemed it off limits until further notice. You are ordered to retreat through the nearest passage point. First Admiral IceFlight-”

  “Enough,” Darsey ordered, twining her fingers tightly together. Great. Now her husband was trying to thwart her too. Not that he knew she was out here... hmmmm... if she just kept going for another ten minutes the nearest passage point would be the one ahead of her, instead of the two behind. No one would be able to accuse her of disobeying orders, not even her ultra-dedicated, super busy husband.

  ***

  The Grace hovered silent and unseen, holding its position behind the moon of a gas giant. The solar system looked empty, but Free knew that Wing's ship, the Nexus, was only two moons away. The trap was set and now they just had to wait for battle.

  Free straightened his legs and stretched, before collapsing to slump in his seat, the picture of casual unconcern. Or so he hoped.

  “Sar,” his Data Senior called and instantly had Free's attention. His chair tipped to see the officer's scan and he noticed the anomaly at once.

  “There's a ripple in the visuals,” Free agreed. “Something hidden is moving fast. Too fast for it to keep up smooth cloaking. It looks small though.”

  “Tracking ident’s in and it's Alliance,” Senior Spenser Chen drawled, drifting to a halt behind the DS. He clapped the officer casually on the shoulder, but then Spense's head snapped forward. “Sar, it's Lady Darsey.”

  Something sharp and savage dug its claws into Free's chest. What the hail was she t
hinking? Oh, he knew what she was thinking, but she couldn't have chosen a worse time to be maternal. He hardly recognized his own voice when he ordered a com-link. The connection was made, but relayed only static.

  “Dee, pick up.”

  “Dammit, Free, I'm not coming home until I know he’s safe.”

  “I'm happy to discuss that, but if you've ever trusted me at all, then please dock. Right now.”

  There was a surprised pause, before a more subdued answer. “Permission to come aboard, sar?”

  “Permission given.” Free sagged further in his seat, even as he ordered it to a tilt that matched the navigation console. “Nav Senior, get us lined up on that sliver super quick.”

  “The Nexus could break cover and reach her sooner,” Spense pointed out, “I recommend we tell the First Admiral his wife is out there.”

  However, Free shook his hand in a definite refusal. “I'll be deep in trouble just for moving us, but even worse if I throw this errand to the fleet leader. If the flagship moves we lose contact with our energy sink and the trap could be ruined. According to our spies the kres fleet must be getting close and if this ambush falls through because of me... well, I'd like to avoid getting my ass pecked out by Admiral IceFlight.”

  Spense moved closer to lean over the back of the captain's chair. “Your ass or Darsey's ass? Who are you really protecting here? This isn't your problem. Just tell the First Admiral that his wife is in our way. If he goes ballistic it's not your fault.”

  However, any answer from Free was interrupted by a change in every visual and the whistle of a warning siren. Senior Chen snapped upright. “Sar, kres ships. They jumped in past the last gas giant and they're closing fast. Twelve of them. Seven cruiser class, four battleships and one warship.”

  Free studied the data while his fists clenched. “They'll meet Dee first.”

  “They may pass her by, sar,” his Senior suggested and Free felt his top lip curl in response.

  “Mayhap, but not for long. They're after blood. Com Senior, I want out-talk with the Nexus.”

  “Sar, I was ordered to hold com silence after making enemy contact.”

  “NOW.” Free closed his eyes while the connection was made and winced at the edge to Wing's voice.

  “This had better be vital. They're still too far out, Admiral FarFlight. We can't deploy the web yet and now our position's compromised.”

  “Apologies, First Admiral, but a civilian sliver is about to be attacked.”

  “This sector was ordered off limits. What sort of fool would ignore-”

  “It's Darsey.”

  ***

  Darsey took one look at the visual and fed full power to her protective screen. The sliver's main engine cut out with a sigh, while the computer started firing thrusters in an effort to evade what was coming. She peeked at the data feed and quickly looked away. Every one of the twelve kres ships that had suddenly appeared was firing and space behind her sliver had become a honeycomb of missiles. If they all hit she'd never survive.

  A cocoon of protective energy settled invisibly over Darsey, while the sliver jerked wildly, trying to dodge for the edge of the approaching missiles. She left the console to it. She was a fair pilot, but didn't have that elusive touch that would have made her better than a machine. There was a grinding hiss of metal on metal and her ship started spinning when something brushed past it, but that something didn't explode. It kept on going instead.

  Huh? Darsey unclasped her hands and opened her eyes. Why wasn't she dead? Not that she was complaining, but she could see the trails of more passing missiles and there should have been pain by now. A great deal of pain. She widened the view ahead of her craft and realized the attack was aimed solely at the Grace. Red and gold flowered in front of her to spill across the curved face of that warship's protective field. She was never going to be able to dock now. No wonder the kres weren't shooting at her yet. She'd be an easy target once the Grace was gone.

  A proximity alert whistled and Darsey's eyes flicked sideways. There was another ship. Something enormous that was almost on top of her. No, was on top of her. Its nearest hatch spiraled open and her sliver was swallowed whole. She gulped when an ID of that beast appeared above her nose. The Nexus. Wing's flagship. Damn and double damn. Darsey shrank down into her seat and closed her eyes again, while the automatic docking was completed.

  Her ship settled and then obligingly opened its hatch, spilling light across her lids. That spotlight in her face was followed by scrabbling noises that seemed to come from above. The sliver must have been caught on its back by the landing mitt.

  “Are you okay, ma'am?” a voice asked politely, but she simply nodded. Polite wasn’t what she was waiting for.

  “OUT.”

  Ah, yes. That was it. Darsey squared her shoulders, before opening her eyes with a smile. “Wing. What a pleasant surprise.”

  Her husband was braced above the sliver's iris and raised a warning finger. “Don't. Out. Now. I want you safe in an inner chamber.”

  Darsey sat up at that and Wing grasped her forearm to fish her from the vessel. She gasped and had to steady herself against him when she landed on the curved skin of the sliver. “Sorry to drop in on you at work.”

  “Not sorry enough,” he snapped.

  Darsey gulped, but misery seemed to rule her these days and misery loved company. “Well it’s the only way I get to see you. You always put the job first.”

  “Have you noticed the slight war raging around you?”

  “Have you noticed our missing son?” Wing didn’t answer, except with a glare. “I want to be on the bridge,” she said and his fingers tightened round her arm.

  And I want you safe at home instead of in the midst of my ambush.

  Well, you never told me there was an ambush.

  If we tell everyone then it's no longer an ambush. “Anyway, all Alliance citizens were ordered away from these systems.”

  More damn. Darsey looked up at Wing, but this time he avoided eye contact. He jumped from the sliver and reached up without looking, to pluck her from its roof. His shoulders felt like iron under her palms and she shivered. Damn him this time. She had every right to check on her son.

  A roar filled the hangar bay, followed by the jolt of an explosion and everything tilted sideways.

  Darsey braced herself, fighting the growing steepness of the deck, but Wing did the opposite. He skidded with the sloping floor, collecting his wife as he went. They accelerated over the smooth metal together while the landing bay shrieked and shook. It started to tear away from the ship and the floor ahead of them ripped apart.

  Darsey gripped Wing tighter, but his fronds sent almost casual reassurance. He scooped her off the disintegrating ground and into his arms. His com sent a pulse just before they fell into the widening rent ahead and they shot forward. Wing tensed and then jumped, kicking against a still curling metal edge as it fell away behind them. Darsey closed her eyes and hoped like hell.

  There was a moment of falling and then jarring contact as they collided with a corridor wall, bounced off it and tumbled to the floor. Darsey opened her eyes and they stared at each other, while the world around them continued to shriek and shake. The landing bay gave a final wail, before shearing away completely to leave open space behind them. Air was sucked after the dock, but in less than a second an integrity field sealed the breach.

  Darsey gulped and her husband grinned.

  “We hit the wall,” she said and they both smiled at such an obvious comment.

  “I had my eyes shut,” Wing confided with a wink. “I thought you were looking where we went.”

  Darsey felt her smile slip away. “That’s a change of tune. Wasn’t it just last week you accused me of not seeing the big picture?”

  Darsey's jaw set and the corners of Wing’s mouth turned down. He pulled away, untangling himself from his wife to jump upright. She pushed herself to her feet and backed up too. The corridor was narrow, little more than a serviceway and the
y were still uncomfortably close. They stood silently toe to toe and eyeballed each other. “This is ridiculous,” Darsey finally protested. “You can't just lock me away. You know I can help.”

  “There's too much you don't know and we already have a plan. We had a plan. If you wish to be included I suggest you enlist. Until then-”

  “Until then I don't have to take your orders.” There was another second of intense staring, before Wing turned away.

  “ARRGGHH,” he yelled and punched the passage wall. It deformed around his fist with a dull whump. Darsey gulped when he turned back to her, but he placed his hands together, palm to palm and bent his head, until his nose rested on the tip of his steepled fingers. “Darsey. Get out of my way. And go someplace. Anyplace. Just make it a safe place.”

  Wing turned on a heel and strode away, leaving Darsey to whisper “Okay,” to the dented wall. She wondered how he expected her to find someplace safe in the middle of a battle, but didn't think she should ask. Instead she shrugged and headed for the First Admiral's quarters. Her pace quickened as she went, along with the roar of exploding missiles. She started to run, but was staggering by the time she reached Wing's chambers. The barrage was almost constant. How much ordinance could twelve ships carry?

  “At least one thousand two hundred missiles, and twelve thousand mines,” her computer program Pertwing answered and Darsey grimaced as she grabbed the door frame to swing herself into one of the most shielded rooms on the ship.

  “That was rhetorical, Pert and the correct answer is 'way too much', anyway. Link with your mother program and get me up to speed, okay?”

  “Not entirely. She won't clone Wing's military files. Not even to me. We're locked out.”

  Darsey laced her fingers together, considering, but another explosion sent her staggering. “Dammit. Try this, Pert. Wing gave it to me as an absolute last resort override.” Her fingers flew over the smooth band of her com, while her mind silently added another password.