Zero Hour (Starmen (Space Opera Series) Book 3)

by J. M. Hagan

  Jeriko had told them many times how many lucrative contracts a team of six specialists with a ship like Europa would be capable of undertaking. He was adamant they should stay together and remain a team.

  “That’s the plan,” said Jack. “It’ll be cheaper to refuel, E, down there.”

  “I might even be able to get us a discount,” she revealed with a smirk. “My Uncle still lives there, last I heard.”

  “He work in the refuelling station?”

  “No. But let’s just say he’s in the refuelling business,” she said, and it felt like a wink-wink moment even though she hadn’t bothered with the gesture.

  “Ah! In that case, even better,” he said. “They got good bars?”

  Malora chuckled at him with a rising head, her eyes returning to the view. “A few. Maybe, if you’re lucky, I’ll let you buy me a drink,” she said, and Jack wasn’t sure if it was a joke with a straight face or just a flat-out offer. He’d assumed things before and been surprised by her. Malora was still something of a mystery to him.

  “Or, maybe, you could buy me a drink?” he said, trying to flip it.

  She shrugged coolly. “Cane, how about you buy me a drink instead?” she asked.

  “It’d be my pleasure,” Cane answered.

  Jack fought hard to keep the agitation from surfacing on his expression as she smiled smarmily at him. “Fine,” he said with a half shrug and a half smile. “But I’m still tagging along. I hate missing out on fun.”

  Malora rolled her eyes and her grin became bright when she stopped acting. “You know what? I’ve got a lot of good memories from Bandora,” she said, stepping away from the window. “I just wanted to see her again.”

  “How about sticking around for a drink now?” asked Jack.

  Malora back-stepped toward the elevator shaking her head at the question. “No, I’m not in the mood. You guys enjoy.”

  Jack smiled. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

  Cane tilted his glass. “Good night, Malora.”

  “Night guys,” she said, turning around. Jack’s eyes dropped to her curvaceous can. God damn. He got hypnotised by the way she walked until the second she turned around to press the switch for the lift. His eyes shot level. She hadn’t a clue.

  The door slid closed and when he turned he realised Cane was shaking his head at him.

  “Oh, c’mon, don’t tell me you don’t wanna hit that?”

  Cane laughed at him and Jack got red as he realised he shouldn’t be saying things like that about people under his command.

  “Sorry. I’m on a long voyage, and I haven’t hooked up with anyone in months…shit…hadn’t hooked up with anyone in months before we’d even set out. I still think about kissing, Erika, sometimes. Damn. That was nice.”

  “Ah. The girl you took on a date before leaving Earth.”

  “I told you about her?”

  “Several times…but only in the beginning.”

  “Yeah. Feelings were stronger then. Now…I miss women in general. Say, what about you, man? It’s bound to be hard for you as well? Haven’t you ever, you know, thought about Claudia, maybe? I mean, you’re only a few years older than her, and you guys get on really well.”

  Cane put up a hand, stopping him abruptly with his glass set to his lips, pausing to grin. “Well, the fact that Jeriko would probably challenge me to a duel for her hand if I sought it, aside, Jack, I’m not into women.”

  It took him a second before he really even heard that. Then he processed it with surprise. “What?” he asked. “You mean…”

  “Yes. I mean that.”

  “Dude, I didn’t even realise,” Jack admitted. Talk about a bombshell…

  “Don’t worry – it’s not like I was throwing it in your face. From what I’ve learnt, your world is different. The galaxies are a dark place at times. But few are silly enough to give much thought to the sexual orientation of others. That’s pushing evolution back a couple hundred years.”

  “Hmph. People probably have bigger problems. It’s stupid. Being prejudice, I mean. I never got it,” he said.

  “That’s good, Jack,” said Cane. “Always keep an open mind.”

  “So…you ever married, or anything like that?”

  Cane walked over to lean against the window. He stared out to space, the distant sun causing his brown eyes to sparkle when he smiled.

  “No,” he said, drinking a sip. “I was in love once – didn’t last long.” Then he emptied his glass and went over to the wall cabinet to pour another.

  “Is that why you wanted to get away?” asked Jack, as he pulled the cork and began pouring.

  Just before he met him, Cane had been thwarted from taking a long trip into nowhere. When he thought back to Cane talking about it, he would’ve been sad for him wanting to embark on such a lonesome journey, if it hadn’t been for his genuine interest in the unknown. He really did want to see things no-one else had seen.

  “No – not entirely, at least,” said Cane, turning with his glass in hand.

  “You think you’ll still go on that journey someday?”

  Cane shook his head. “No. Not anymore. I wanted a journey. I got one. When this is done…I’m gonna go find somewhere and make a home.”

  “Well…how about Earth?” asked Jack on impulse. It had come to him in a flash. It made so much sense that he got enthusiastic immediately. “Cane – you would have an incredible life on Earth. You could be a celebrity. The human from another world – who just so happens to be the real Professor X.”

  “Professor? But I don’t have those kinds of qualifications,” blared Cane.

  “Never mind that,” said Jack, dropping his hand.

  “You do a good job confusing me at times.”

  “I know. It’s what I do best. The point is, my world, it’s actually really good in some places. There’s nice people. Good work. Lots of money. A whole bunch of guys like you. The gay nightlife is probably the best scene in whatever town you go to. Cane – that’s it – I’m not taking no for an answer. We’ll get you to Earth. Get you a fake ID, a job, you can crash at one of our houses until you get your own place, we’ll go to a gay bar, get drunk, you can meet a guy, settle down, and live happily ever after.”

  Cane laughed, then clicked his fingers. “Just like that?”

  “Yeah, man, it’s that simple,” said Jack, using his hands throughout the course of the dialogue. “I can’t wait to get back home. Back to a shitty job. Back to putting up my feet, watching movies, dating girls, eating chips with dip…”

  “Chips with dip?”

  Jack grinned. “Best. Snack. Ever.”

  He smiled. “It takes some time away before you realise your world is nothing more than all the little things you left behind,” said Cane, ponderously looking into his glass.

  When he finished his drink he went to his room to put down his head for the night. Jack got showered first and when he was in the process of drying himself off, he received a message from Europa.

  “Jack, there’s something I need you to see,” she said, as he ruffled his hair in the towel.

  He looked up, his dark hair a mess. “E?”

  His viewscreen came on and Europa brought up a Media-1 news report that had been released just that day. Jack eyed the headline and his mouth dripped open…

  “Shit,” he muttered as he read it.

  “I thought you should see this immediately,” she said. “I know this changes things…”

  She was right about that. Jack dipped his head and ran a hand down his face. Tears were building in his eyes immediately. “Shit,” was all he could manage to say again as it sank in.

  7

  One day until arrival…

  They convened in the briefing room on Deck-A. His crew sat at the long table in front of him. Jeriko, with his bulky arms folded, was facing him at the other end. He had been the last to arrive. Now that they were all seated, Jack got up and began going over the plan with them one last time.

  A ho
lographic map of Mortron City appeared before them. Jack stood next to it, looking at the faces of his crew looking back at him. He was used to Cane giving these types of briefings, but it had become his responsibility the moment he assumed command of Europa.

  Anderson and Claudia seemed to have accepted his leadership so far. He knew there would have been a lot more reservation from his friends if he had been put in command in the beginning. But he’d grown a lot since leaving home.

  The image zoomed to the target area – where the future-crew had indicated as the last place Vorjool would be seen before amassing his fleet of warships.

  “Okay,” said Jack, giving a nervous exhale. “Vorjool is gonna be here.” He pointed it out. “Once he passes through the checkpoint, we have a long line of sight on him. Seeing as they come through one-by-one, with a brief delay before the next person is allowed to exit, it’s perfect.”

  “I’ve already marked a few good positions that I can take with my rifle,” said Claudia.

  “Good. To be on the safe side, we’ll position two snipers at different locations to eliminate any blind spots. Malora – that’s where you come in.”

  Her blue eyes shimmered in the light. “I won’t let you down,” she assured them.

  Jack had seen them both shoot – he wouldn’t doubt it.

  “Hopefully, our snipers will get the job done. Quick and clean— “

  “I don’t like this plan,” commented Jeriko, crossing his arms strongly. His thick biceps bulged, as he grimaced with clear disapproval.

  “What? Why the hell not?” blared Jack.

  Jeriko sat forth. “Before leaving Maji-Onda station…I purchased the most beautiful weapon imaginable. A customised F-69 assault rifle with a chrome finish.”

  “Yeah…we’ve all seen you polishing it.”

  “I named it Shona. After my mother,” he said, grinning wider than Jack had ever seen him do before. Like he was on the verge of laughter.

  “You named an assault rifle after your mom? That’s…”

  “She would be proud that I have given her name to such an impressive weapon. Accurate, deadly – just as she was.”

  “That’s nice,” said Jack, rolling his eyes. “But, ugh, getting back on topic. What don’t you like about the plan?”

  “Claudia and Malora, are excellent shots. If either of their sights fall on him – Vorjool will surely die. I won’t get to use Shona.”

  “I’m not changing the plan just so you can get to use your new toy. There’s civilians everywhere. Firing automatic weapons is a terrible idea.”

  “My aim is impeccable. I won’t miss.”

  “No, man, it ain’t gonna happen.”

  “Shit.” Jeriko sat back in disappointment. “I know you’re right…I just really wanted to use that gun.”

  “Right…moving along,” Jack droned in an exaggerated tone. “In the event things don’t pan out the way we hope – myself, Jeriko, Anderson, and Siena, will be on standby. If need be, we’ll swoop in and take him down.”

  Anderson offered a nod. “We’ve got enough firepower to put down an elephant. Vorjool, won’t stand a chance.”

  Jeriko chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for the asshole. I’ve been saying from the start that this mission is gonna be overkill.”

  “Our main concern is crowd control,” continued Jack. “It’s a busy street. There’s gonna be a lot of bystanders.”

  “We’ll deal with it,” said Siena.

  “Hopefully. But we’re not gonna put anyone in danger, if we can avoid it. If we can’t take him in the street, Cane, will follow him. With his genetically enhanced vision, he’ll be the best candidate for tracking him through the crowd.”

  Cane, with his arms folded, gave a thoughtful nod. “I will do whatever I can to help,” he said. They shared a meaningful look, and Jack knew he was ready. Cane wasn’t a Starman – he wouldn’t be carrying a weapon. But Jack was confident that he would still contribute somehow.

  “We all know what we’ve gotta do,” moaned Jeriko, bored with it. “Better to start planning how you’re gonna spend your credits after.”

  Jack and Claudia shared a surprised look before she asked: “What credits?”

  Jeriko and Malora shared a look then. “The credits you’ll be paid for finishing the contract,” he said.

  “Nobody is paying us, though,” said Claudia.

  Malora chuckled. “Claudia, of course you’ll be paid. Chief Fischer, made this a guild priority. That means you’ll receive, at the very least, a standard tier-1 guild reward. They keep funds to the side for important missions of this nature.”

  Jack sat down, forgetting his position of command for a moment. The promise of a financial reward got them enthusiastic, even Anderson.

  “How much is that?” asked Jack.

  “One hundred thousand,” she answered.

  “Between us?”

  “Each.”

  He took that piece of information with a glowing smile. “Not sure about the exchange rate. But I’m guessing it’s a lot more than a year’s salary at my crappy job back home.”

  “Weren’t you military?” asked Jeriko sharply.

  Claudia exploded laughter. Even Anderson gave a chuckle at his expense. Damn. I forgot I told people that. Jack cleared his throat.

  “Sure was,” he assured Jeriko.

  “No, he wasn’t. He worked in a supermarket,” blared Claudia.

  Jeriko sniggered. “A what? Murphy, was a shopkeeper?”

  “Sure was,” Anderson backed her. Jack quickly checked on Malora’s reaction to all of this. She was smiling wider by the second.

  He itched the back of his head. “I told people at Maji-Onda I was military because I wanted them to take us seriously,” Jack told his fellow Earthlings. Then he held out his hands. “Jeriko – I might not have been military – don’t let that fool you, though. I can still hold my own against anyone.”

  “Sure ya can,” Jeriko joked.

  Malora sniggered, then smothered her mouth with a hand. He appreciated she didn’t want to be completely rude.

  “Look, it doesn’t matter that our Commander is grossly underqualified,” she said, and Jack held out his hands defensively.

  “Grossly underqualified? I saved your life on Maji-Onda.”

  “Yes. Exactly. That’s why it doesn’t matter,” she said, shrugging with a smile which let him know they still weren’t done berating him.

  “So, you were a retailer?” asked Jeriko.

  Claudia was quick to answer that. “No. They wouldn’t let him use the register.” Jeriko got another good laugh. “He only stacked shelves.”

  He pointed at her. “Shut up! You worked a damn deli counter.” Jack pointed at Anderson then. “And he was just a technician. A pretty lousy one at that!”

  “Hey! What the hell did I do?”

  “Shut up! You’re supposed to have my back!”

  “But this is fun,” Anderson snorted derision.

  “No, it isn’t. Shut up everyone. Hate you all. Back to the damn money. When do we get it?”

  “Once the guild confirms the contract has been completed,” said Malora. “There’s a guild right there on the planet. It shouldn’t take long.”

  Jack smiled. “No idea what kind of stuff they sell down there, but I’m gonna buy a lot of cool things.”

  “For the trip back,” said Anderson. “After that, we leave it all on-board Europa.”

  “What? Why?” blared Claudia. Jack bit down to stop himself from saying anything about the news report he’d discovered the night previous. It wasn’t the time to tell them about that yet.

  “C’mon. Are you serious?” Anderson went on. “Can you imagine what will happen if we bring alien technology back to our homes? Even a single PDP? Someone will find out and rob us. Or worse, the CIA could come and abduct us.”

  “I never even thought of that,” admitted Claudia.

  “I’m not being a conspiracy nut here,” he continued. “If we have anythin
g that’s alien, we’ll be putting our lives in danger.”

  Then he glanced at Siena briefly. It was pretty obvious to everyone in the room that she’d gotten uncomfortable. Jack hadn’t been sure how serious their relationship was until that moment.

  They were keeping things casual, everyone knew. They dated once a week. Sometimes, they even stayed in each other’s rooms. But they were handling it with consideration, and weren’t being controlled by their feelings to the point that it might complicate things on-board this ship. Their shared home.

  When he saw that look they shared, Jack, and everyone else, realised that was the moment when both Siena and Anderson admitted to themselves they had no future beyond the trip back to Earth. Cane and Jack shared a look, and he knew that the big guy accepted in that moment he wouldn’t be coming back to Earth either...

  To Siena and Cane, Earth was a closed door. But little did anyone know, aside from Jack and Europa, that the door had been closed for them all…

  8

  Vorjool took off in his ship and set out after Kal.

  He had discovered the truth about his heritage, and he was determined to see this new mission through.

  When he took off from the planet, Zero explained to him:

  Zero proceeded to instruct him and Vorjool followed the steps, pressing buttons and activating several switches. However, the A.I. in his head hadn’t used words. Vorjool’s hands were guided as if by instinct. He was willing to allow Zero to guide him – they shared a body now, whether he liked it or not – and their bond was growing quickly.

  When he pushed the last button, the ship’s noise sounded increasingly louder. An electronic wave surged along the window and enveloped the entire ship in a ball of pulsing energy. Then it vanished.

 

  Amazed by the tech, Vorjool gave a tight smile. “The Starman won’t know we’re coming after him,” he realised with rising conviction.