Preservation_Age of Expansion_A Kurtherian Gambit Series Read online

  CONTENTS

  LMBPN Publishing

  Dedication

  Legal

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Author Notes - Sarah Noffke

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  Sarah's Sci-fi Paranormal Series

  Acknowledgements

  About Sarah Noffke

  Michael Anderle Series List

  Michael Anderle Social

  PRESERVATION

  The Ghost Squadron Book 7

  By Sarah Noffke and Michael Anderle

  A part of

  The Kurtherian Gambit Universe

  Written and Created

  by Michael Anderle

  DEDICATION

  For Lydia. My greatest treasure in the universe.

  -Sarah

  To Family, Friends and

  Those Who Love

  To Read.

  May We All Enjoy Grace

  To Live the Life We Are

  Called.

  - Michael

  Preservation Team Includes

  JIT Beta Readers - From all of us, our deepest gratitude!

  James Caplan

  John Ashmore

  Kim Boyer

  Micky Cocker

  Larry Omans

  Peter Manis

  If we missed anyone, please let us know!

  Editor

  Jen McDonnell

  PRESERVATION (this book) is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  Copyright © 2018 Sarah Noffke, Michael T. Anderle, and Craig Martelle

  Cover by Andrew Dobell, www.creativeedgestudios.co.uk

  Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing

  LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  LMBPN Publishing

  PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy

  Las Vegas, NV 89109

  First US edition, May 2018

  The Kurtherian Gambit (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are copyright © 2015 - 2018 by Michael T. Anderle.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Deck 12, Onyx Station, Paladin System

  Verdok ran his tongue across the back of his teeth. Having a human mouth always took getting used to. Their teeth were so flat and seemingly useless. At least this body was strong and agile; he couldn’t stand impersonating weak humans.

  He raised his hand and knocked at the door, listening intently to the shuffling that erupted from the other side. The person he was calling on probably wasn’t expecting any visitors.

  Multiple locks clinked on the other side before the door slid back, though only as far as the chain would allow. A green eye partly framed by a bushy gray eyebrow blinked back at him. The person startled, jumping back and fumbling with the chain. The door finally flew open, and a woman stood staring, her mouth wide.

  “General Reynolds!” she exclaimed, bowing low as she extended a hand, like she was so surprised she didn’t know how to greet the honored guest.

  “Annaliese Vincent,” Verdok said in a warm voice. “I hope I’m not disturbing you too early.”

  Annaliese threw her gaze down to the flowery dressing gown she was wearing. She clutched it self-consciously. “Disturbing me? Not at all. But did I miss a note about a meeting?”

  Verdok shook his head. “Something has come up, and I’m seeking your help with a project. Can I come in?”

  “Of course, General.” Annaliese stood back, opening the door wide.

  Verdok strode into the spacious apartment, his eyes intent.

  “I’m happy to help on a consulting basis, as I’ve done in the past,” Annaliese began.

  Verdok slid the briefcase he’d been carrying onto a side table, unbuckling the latches. “Actually, I was hoping you’d take a classified project.”

  “But I’m retired, and my security access has expired,” the old scientist said, hurrying over and looking up at the General.

  “I realize that, but…” He fixed a calculating expression on his face before saying, “I suspect that we might have a security breach in R&D. Until I’ve had time to investigate it further, I need someone I can trust.”

  “Me?” Annaliese asked, pressing her hands to her chest. “I’m honored. I’ll take the project.”

  Verdok nodded, lifting the case to reveal the two pieces of the Tangle Thief he’d stolen. “Are you familiar with this piece of technology?”

  “That’s one of Dr. Hatcherik and Dr. Sung’s projects. I read about it,” Annaliese said.

  “That’s correct,” Verdok affirmed. “And for obvious reasons, I can’t grant you access to the research data. However, I have every confidence that you can fix the device, based on your previous knowledge of the project and your skill set.”

  “Fix it?” Annaliese asked.

  Verdok picked up the two pieces of the Tangle Thief and handed them to the scientist. “Yes, unfortunately they were damaged in transport. I need you to not only repair the devices, but upgrade them.”

  “Upgrade them?” Apprehension covered the old woman’s face. “The project was shut down because it was deemed too dangerous to pursue.”

  “Correct,” Verdok stated. “But things have changed, and we need it operational. This is a matter of galactic security.”

  Annaliese bristled with fear as she looked the pieces over. “I’m happy to help. This sounds serious.”

  “It is. I can’t give you any more details, but it’s crucial that the device works to transport large objects.”

  “That will take testing.”

  Verdok nodded. “I assumed as much.”

  “But what about the tears it leaves behind? The radiation leaks?”

  “That’s not our concern presently.”

  Annaliese’s eyes widened with alarm.

  Verdok coughed discreetly. That’s apparently not how the General would respond. “There are other factors at play here that are incredibly important,” he said, trying to cover his blunder.

  The scientist didn’t question this, she simply ran her eyes over the receiver, studying it. Maybe under other circumstance she would, but not when being told this by the General. He was considered the supreme source of truth and to be respe
cted and followed. Verdok had learned this much studying the Federation.

  “I also need you to unlink the device so that it can’t be connected to any other Tangle Thief clients. Otherwise, our enemies could track down this device with their own.”

  Annaliese’s eyes widened. Verdok really had her attention. “I’ll make that my first priority,” she said.

  “Splendid.” Verdok strode back for the door, giving the scientist one last look. “I’ll be in touch. For security purposes, you shouldn’t attempt to contact me.”

  She nodded obediently. “Of course. I’ll get right to work and wait to hear from you, General Reynolds.”

  “Very good,” Verdok said, a satisfied smile on his face.

  CHAPTER TWO

  McCormick’s Pharmacy, Federation Border Station Seven

  Lowering the Saverus goggles, Eddie confirmed what they’d suspected with a sharp nod.

  Julianna held her gun close to her body, her back pressed to the wall beside the entrance. She cut her eyes to Eddie, who stood in the same position on the other side of the door. With a curt nod, she swung into the mostly empty shop.

  “Hands up,” she commanded, pointing her weapon at an elderly woman who had been sweeping the floor of a wide aisle stocked with cold remedies.

  Eddie directed his gun at a decrepit man sitting behind the counter, leaning over an adding machine.

  “What?” the woman said, dropping the broom and hurrying closer to Julianna.

  “Stay back,” Julianna ordered.

  You’re holding a senior citizen at gunpoint, Pip scolded in her head. How low have you sunk?

  She rolled her eyes. Penrae says that we can’t trust them, and fear and surprise, along with keeping them at a distance, could inhibit them from shifting.

  Penrae, the same Saverus who tricked you into jumping into the middle of the enemy’s fleet?

  I think we can trust that these two are up to something nefarious. The goggles confirmed that they are shapeshifters.

  Or they are just two Saverus trying to make an honest living in a world that would distrust them if they showed their real faces.

  Would you shush? I need to concentrate.

  Yes, I think the evil villain you’re after just peed herself.

  “What is this about?” the man behind the counter asked, looking between Eddie and Julianna.

  “We need to see what’s in the back,” Julianna stated, her voice clear and deliberate.

  “There are only supplies in the back. Nothing of much interest.” The old woman dared to take a step toward Julianna.

  “Stay back!” Julianna commanded, her gun pointed at the woman’s head.

  “We’re honest business owners,” the old man said, his body shaking as he attempted to push up from his stool.

  Eddie kept his gun trained on the man. “We know what you are, so stop the bullshit, Saverus.”

  The woman glanced back at the man. “You must be mistaken. We’re human.”

  Eddie let out a breath, fully annoyed. “You have blue scales and creepy green eyes.” He tossed his head in the direction of the man. “And you are yellow with golden eyes.”

  “Oh, well, since when is it a crime to be an alien?” the man asked, wheezing between each word as he clutched the countertop, inching forward.

  “We simply asked to take a look in the back,” Julianna stated, pointing her gun at the woman before pivoting it in the man’s direction. “You two are going to stay frozen under my supervision while my partner checks it out.”

  The old man hobbled forward, fumbling with the half-door dividing the counter from the rest of the shop. “That’s fine with me. You okay with that, Daisy?”

  “I don’t see why not,” Daisy said as the man continued to attempt to pull open the door.

  Why these two picked these feeble bodies, I don’t know. Jules lowered her weapon, focusing her gaze on the woman only a few feet away.

  “I’ve got this,” Eddie stated, striding for the half-door where the old man seemed to be struggling with the lock.

  “This darn thing needs to be greased,” the man said, taking a step back so Eddie could unlock it.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty stubborn,” Eddie agreed, his voice returning to his more relaxed tone. These two didn’t at all appear to be the criminal Saverus that Penrae had described.

  “Mind if I resume sweeping?” the woman asked Julianna, pointing to the broom she’d dropped.

  With her curly blue hair and spectacles, she reminded Julianna of her own grandma. Julianna remembered that Granny used to whistle while folding laundry, and often called herself ‘an old fart’. The commander found herself smiling at the long-ago memory.

  “The afternoon rush is coming, and I’d prefer to get my chores done before then,” Daisy said, inclining her head toward the clock on the wall.

  Maybe these really are just two, hardworking Saverus, trying to make it in a world that won’t accept them for who they are. Shapeshifters aren’t considered the most trustworthy, but is it their fault they have such a powerful skill?

  “Yeah, go ahead,” Julianna stated, stepping on the end of the broom so that its other end popped up.

  She leaned forward to retrieve the broom for the old woman and only barely registered movement from the corner of her eyes.

  The old woman had vanished, shapeshifting into the hulking figure of a man over seven feet tall. He reached forward, grabbing the broom, and swung it around at Julianna’s head. She ducked, then popped back up and brought her arm holding her gun around, slamming it into the massive man’s shoulder to no effect. He picked her up by her neck and threw her into a nearby shelf, knocking it over. Julianna’s head slammed against the sharp, metal shelf, and her gun flew from her grasp.

  From the sound of it, the feeble old man had also shifted and was currently fighting Eddie. Julianna scrambled off the shelf and chanced a look in their direction. The old man had taken the form of a giant Kezzin, and he towered over the captain. He’d apparently fixed his problem with the rusty lock, and threw open the half-door, making Eddie jump back to avoid being hit.

  The Kezzin grunted before barreling in Julianna’s direction. She kept her shoulders low, darting to the side to get him to chase her, his position matching hers. Tapping the side of his head with her hand, she taunted him in a circle, the two facing off, both looking for the perfect time to attack.

  When the huge brute dove for her, Julianna pivoted, putting her back to him before springing backwards into the air. She performed a flip over the imposter, landing hard on his back as he continued forward. Before he knew what was happening, she wrapped her arms around his torso and used her momentum to tumble to the right, pulling the man over her body and down to the ground, pinning his hands. She grabbed his head with both her hands and slammed it into the ground. He fell still at once.

  Yeah, so I guess they’re probably not as unsuspecting as I first thought, Pip said as Julianna peeled herself off the giant’s body.

  You think?

  A gunshot stole her attention.

  Eddie stood, his feet a shoulder-width apart, with his gun pointed straight out in front of him. On the ground, lying lifeless, was the Kezzin. Its body flickered before shifting into the form of a giant snake with golden scales.

  “I thought we agreed not to use deadly force if it could be avoided,” Julianna said, searching the floor for her gun.

  “We did,” Eddie said, pointing at the ground behind her. “So what’s your excuse?”

  She retrieved her pistol from underneath a package of gauze bandages and cast a look at her back. The man she’d fought had been replaced with a blue serpent. “Oops. I guess I don’t know my own strength.”

  “Well, it could still be alive. They do shift back when they’re unconscious,” Eddie reasoned.

  “Good point.” Julianna aimed her gun and shot the Saverus in the head. Eddie gave her a questioning look. “What?” she asked, rolling her stiff shoulder. “We can’t risk these assho
les waking up and starting another fight.”

  “Good point. Shall we see what’s in the back of this seemingly innocent mom and pop shop?” Eddie asked, holding the half-door back for her. It was partially off the hinges, having been punished during the brawl.

  Julianna strode behind the counter, gun at the ready, and eyes scanning the back area. She didn’t hear noises indicating that anyone else was back there, but she couldn’t afford to drop her guard again. Damn Saverus had hit a soft spot, reminding her of her grandmother. She understood exactly why they’d taken on such unsuspecting forms.

  A curtain divided the pharmacy from the shop area. It was far less secure than most of the pharmacies on the station, but those tended to have lots of customers; the same didn’t seem to be the case for this store.

  Julianna and Eddie stealthily moved into the back room, their guns leading their way as they searched the small space. It was no more than fifteen by fifteen feet, and the walls were lined with shelves all holding rows of an identical item.

  “Holy fuck!” Eddie exclaimed, looking up to the ceiling.

  “Looks like Penrae was telling the truth.” Julianna holstered her weapon and picked up one of the vials on the shelf.

  There were thousands of small, labeled, stainless steel containers. The one in her hand read:

  Race: Human

  Gender: Female

  Nationality: Asian

  Age: 35

  Build: Small

  Strength: Average

  Identity: Unknown

  “So this is the Saverus’ one-stop shop for getting ahold of new identities,” Eddie deduced, picking up a vial and studying the label.

  Julianna set down the vial she held. “Apparently, it’s one of many shops operating right under the Federation’s nose.”