Degeneration_Age of Expansion_A Kurtherian Gambit Series Read online

  When that regret surfaced in General Reynolds’ eyes, Felix would pull the trigger.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Officers’ Lounge, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System

  “You have a strange look on your face,” said Eddie. He sat on the other side of a small table from Julianna. It wasn’t weird that she’d asked him to meet her at the lounge. It wasn’t even strange that she’d indulged him for the last few days, traveling all over the Behemoth System in search of rescue missions. What was strange was the look she was giving him. It was one full of secrets.

  “Don’t talk about my face,” Julianna quipped, trying to act casual. “It’s stuck like this. Years and years of dealing with assholes.”

  Eddie dropped his eyes to the empty shot glass on the table in front of him. He was overdue for a drink. Since he had awakened in the Pod-doc he’d been so consumed with testing his new skills and body that he hadn’t had time to relax properly. His body didn’t appear much different, although he was firmer and leaner than before. He’d always been in good shape, but now his six-pack was more pronounced. Best of all, he could eat and drink whatever he liked and it didn’t matter. He always woke up feeling great, and at the same weight as the day before.

  “I happen to like your face, so that’s not what I’m talking about. You look like something is irking you. Do you have anything to tell me?” asked Eddie.

  Julianna unscrewed the top of the Bacardi 151 and filled both their glasses halfway. “I do, but it’s better if I show you,” she said, and picked up another bottle—this one ouzo. She poured it into the glasses until they were filled to the brim.

  “Wow! Either it’s really bad news, or you’re trying to get me to take off my pants.” Eddie leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “Are you wondering if everything was enhanced?” He winked in an exaggerated manner at her, which earned him a look of mild disgust.

  “I’m sure you’ve been enhanced all over, and you finally feel like a real man,” she said with a laugh.

  Julianna scooted one of the glasses in Eddie’s direction.

  “You want me to drink that?” asked Eddie, staring at what he’d describe as a “headache-maker.”

  “I do.” Julianna picked up her own drink, her hand steady, not spilling a drop.

  “After I take a sip, are you going to tell me why you look so serious?” asked Eddie.

  Julianna shook her head.

  “You’re not going to tell me?” asked Eddie, wondering what could be bothering the Commander.

  “No,” she answered. “And hey, you’re not taking a single sip. I want you to throw back the whole thing.”

  Eddie eyed the full glass. “All right, whatever you say, boss.”

  “Oh, and it’s called a ‘Greek Pirate,’ by the way.” Julianna threw her head back, slamming the shot at once. She rose up, no bitterness on her face from the strong liquor.

  “I can only wonder about that drink’s name,” said Eddie before taking the shot. He had expected it to burn his throat or engulf his insides in fire, but strangely it didn’t. He’d also expected the alcohol to have an immediate effect, making him instantly relaxed. That didn’t happen either. Then, everything he knew about Julianna’s enhancements rushed to the front of his mind. Well, one critical fact, really.

  “Teach, you should know that you can’t get drunk anymore,” said Julianna, echoing what was in his head.

  He slammed the glass down with a bit more force than he’d intended. Crew members playing pool and darts nearby looked at them, but quickly covered their interests, giving the captain privacy from their spying eyes.

  “Damn it,” he said, his voice clear and unchanged by the drink. “Of all the things to take from me, why did it have to be that?”

  Julianna laughed. “You’re alive. Would you rather I’d left you to die?”

  The memory of the fire returned to Eddie’s mind. He’d been thrown away from the explosion. Commander Lytes had been blown to bits, but Eddie had been far enough away that his body was in one piece. However, enough damage had been inflicted that he should have died.

  He picked up the bottle of Bacardi 151 and poured more into both glasses. “I’ll always be grateful that you saved me. And this just means that you and I are very expensive dates now.”

  Julianna looked at her glass, her eyes still uncertain. Eddie thought there was something she was still holding back, something that seemed to take over her thoughts lately.

  “It was the Federation that saved you,” she finally said, her tone clipped.

  Eddie filled the glasses with the ouzo, a curious look on his face. “So that was it, was it? You were just reluctant to tell me that I can’t get drunk? There’s nothing else?”

  Julianna shook her head, and grabbed the drink as soon as he was done pouring. She threw it back and wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “Of course, that was it. What else would there be?”

  Eddie shrugged before slamming his own drink in one swallow. “Just sense there’s something else on your mind.”

  Julianna’s eyes rose to look at the clock on the far wall. Eddie knew that even though it was a fair distance away through the smoky lounge, that she could still easily make out the time. Another benefit of the nanocytes was enhanced sight. It was like having binocular vision.

  “We’d better head over to Jack’s office. Our meeting starts in a few minutes.” Julianna stood, her gaze on the door.

  “I guess the boss won’t be mad at us for drinking before the meeting, since we can’t get drunk anymore,” said Eddie with a laugh. “Pros and cons, I suppose.”

  “Yeah,” muttered Julianna. “Pros and cons.”

  Jack Renfro’s Office, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System

  “I’m not sure I asked for your input,” Jack was saying to the empty office when Julianna and Eddie entered.

  They paused and regarded each other with a bit of confusion, then looked at Jack.

  “I believe you said, ‘Why can’t I ever find anything in this place?’” ArchAngel said from the speaker overhead in an amused tone.

  Jack’s desk was covered in paper and folders as usual. He used a tablet often, but also seemed partial to paper at times. Julianna kind of found it endearing. He was an incredibly strategic thinker, evolved in his problem-solving approaches, and yet he liked holding a paper report in his hands.

  He shook his head at the AI, rolling his eyes for Julianna and Eddie to see. “It was an expression of frustration. It didn’t mean that I wanted you to provide a solution.”

  “But my job is to make your job easier. I’m always looking for solutions,” said ArchAngel. She was playing with him, trying to get under his skin, and judging by the look on his face it was working.

  “I was in my office alone, working. Is there no privacy here?” Jack sounded like he was playing ArchAngel’s game, since there was amusement in his tone.

  “There’s no privacy anywhere on this ship,” said the AI, “which is why I’ll tell you that the captain and the commander were drinking prior to this scheduled meeting.”

  Eddie turned to Julianna, shaking his head. “Isn’t she a doll?”

  “Simply delightful,” she said, almost laughing.

  Jack sorted through a stack of papers on his desk, craning his neck to look under them. “I think my office could use some organization,” he admitted.

  “I told you so,” said ArchAngel.

  Jack shook his head. “I knew you were going to say that.”

  Julianna finally laughed. “It’s like you two are married.”

  “Maybe you should get out more often, Jack,” Eddie said.

  Jack looked up from the papers and sighed. “I think you’re right. Something is wrong with me if my most intimate relationship is with a two-hundred-year-old AI.”

  No talking for you, Julianna said in her head, preemptively cutting Pip off.

  What? I wasn’t going to say anything, he lied.

  Well, there’s a first.

&
nbsp; I mean, I might have said that you could relate. And as far as getting action goes, I’m about the closest thing to your boyfriend.

  A shiver ran over Julianna. Do not, I repeat, do not ever describe yourself as my boyfriend.

  I noted that shiver. I don’t know why you have to be so rude. I’d be real good to you, Jules. I’d whisper sweet nothings in your ear.

  Julianna gritted her teeth, but kept smiling still. Pip had gotten more playful like this since evolving. It was kind of cute, but she liked pretending that she hated it.

  I’m seriously considering having you removed from my head.

  Oh! I have a better idea. Why don’t you have me paired with the captain as well? That way I can share a space in both of your heads. I could help you, if you know what I mean. Wink, wink.

  There was silence while Julianna cringed.

  You do know what I mean? I’m winking right now, said Pip with a laugh.

  I don’t know what you mean. And having you bouncing back and forth between the two of us might make me crazy.

  You’ll warm to the idea. It’s a good one. Think of all the fun we could have.

  I’m thinking about it, and nothing fun is coming to mind. Just endless annoyance.

  Sure, sure, Pip said with a hint of mischief in his voice. Oh, and you don’t have to worry about me crossing the platonic boundary. You’re not my type.

  A moment later he added, At all.

  Do you have a crush on ArchAngel, is that it?

  Pip made an audible shiver noise of disgust. Are you kidding me? That woman would have me by the balls. I wouldn’t be able to glance at another AI without asking permission.

  Wow, now you have balls. Things have come so far.

  It’s figurative language, dear Julianna.

  Jack was still ruffling through papers and looking overwhelmed. Eddie was peacefully whistling to himself and leaning back in a chair. Julianna took the seat next to him, hoping that Pip was willing to grant her some peace away from his distractions. He was much more fun than he used to be, but hell if she was going to tell him that.

  Balls, Pip chirped as Jack cleared his throat.

  Julianna suppressed a laugh.

  “Here we go. I knew it was in here somewhere,” Jack said. He scanned the paper before looking up. “As you are aware—because I keep reminding you of it, —you’re overdue to elect an XO. The command structure for Ghost Squadron is unique, since we wanted you two to be equal partners. Because of that, it’s growing even more crucial that you have a second in command of this ship.”

  “What about ArchAngel?” asked Eddie. “She likes to manage everyone.”

  “Although she takes care of this ship, she wouldn’t be right as XO,” Jack began. “You see, we as officers manage processes, which ArchAngel is superb at. However, she’s not really part of your team. This ship is on loan to you, but at some point you will need your own, which means having an XO who can go with you. Archangel will not be able to do that. Her place is here.”

  “That makes sense,” stated Eddie.

  Jack laid the report on his desk before tapping it with the tip of his finger. “I’m actually thinking we can kill two birds with one stone here.”

  The screen behind Jack’s head flickered and revealed an image of a rotating planet.

  “Wow, you and ArchAngel have really coordinated your act,” said Eddie.

  Jack didn’t look impressed. He shook his head and said dully, “Yes, sometimes it feels like she’s listening to my thoughts.”

  “What planet is that?” asked Julianna, trying to keep the meeting on track.

  “Right,” said Jack, wheeling around to look at the screen. “This is Klamath. It’s a small planet, largely covered in ice.”

  Julianna noticed that much of the planet was entirely white. There were bodies of water and masses of greenish land, but not many.

  “You want us to go to an ice planet? I’m glad you reserved this until after I was upgraded,” said Eddie with a laugh. He leaned over and whispered loudly to Julianna. “We have resistance to cold, right?”

  She nodded, keeping her gaze forward.

  “Aside from requesting that you elect an XO, I’ve also been thinking that Ghost Squadron needs a Special Forces unit. What you all did on Nexus was impressive considering you didn’t have ground forces. However, I don’t want you to go into a similar situation in the future without having your own detachment.”

  “I’m not sure I’m following you,” said Julianna, continuing to stare at the rotating planet of Klamath.

  Jack nodded like he understood her confusion. “There’s a squad of Special Forces soldiers stationed on Klamath. They were set up by the Federation under General Reynolds, about like Ghost Squadron. Specifically, they are located in the northern hemisphere on a small bit of unnamed land. The natives are considered savages, and this team was sent there to quell the warfare.”

  “You want us to retrieve this Special Forces team? Recruit them?” asked Eddie.

  “Wouldn’t we be pulling them away from their mission?” asked Julianna.

  Jack shrugged reluctantly. “Unfortunately, although this team is considered quite skilled, they haven’t been able to prevent the attacks. Sometimes we can go in and create peace. Sometimes we can’t.”

  “So, the forces are being pulled out?” asked Julianna.

  “Exactly. And this team is being reassigned to Ghost Squadron, which I suspect they will enjoy much more than their current assignment,” said Jack.

  “Yeah, not having frostbitten balls would be a welcome change for most,” said Eddie.

  Balls, Pip said in Julianna’s head before returning to being quiet like before.

  She rolled her eyes.

  “We’ve tried to relay the change in orders to Lieutenant Chad Fletcher,” said Jack. “However, the natives have them practically overrun. Any communications in or out of the planet have been compromised.”

  “So, you need us to buzz over there, help them out, and tell them to report to their new base of operations, is that right?” asked Eddie.

  “Correct,” stated Jack. He then lowered his gaze, his eyes suddenly heavy. “Surveillance shows that the Special Ops team is still strong in numbers, however, like I said, they’re close to being overwhelmed.”

  “So, you’re sending us into a war,” said Julianna. She had read the change in Jack’s tone and the tension in his shoulders.

  “The natives are unreasonable, and our attempts to intervene appear to only have pissed them off further,” said Jack.

  “These natives? Are you going to give us a hint as to why you refer to them as savage, or is it a surprise?” asked Eddie.

  “I’ll have Officer Sours brief you on that. She’s studied the Mamaths, as they are called,” said Jack.

  “Mamaths?” asked Eddie. “They sound quaint.”

  “As quaint as a giant bunny rabbit with razor-sharp teeth,” said Jack.

  Julianna let out a long breath. This was a dangerous mission to undertake right after Eddie’s upgrade. He was still getting used to his body, and that would take time. “This Special Ops team you want us to pick up—are you sure they are worth us going out to this planet?”

  “I could send a carrier ship.” Jack mused for a moment, and then shook his head, deciding against the idea. “No, I think it should be you folks who bring in the team. They are under serious fire, and getting out of there will be an ordeal. Furthermore, I want you to see the team in action, and vice versa. First impressions are everything. Adding a Special Forces unit to Ghost Squadron isn’t something I take lightly.”

  “We will need both Q-Ships, is that right?” asked Eddie.

  “Yes, and take a few Black Eagles for cover as well. You’ll understand more once you speak with Marilla,” said Jack.

  “You mentioned killing two birds with one stone,” said Julianna. “Something about this and the XO?”

  “Right, I did,” said Jack. “Lieutenant Fletcher has been leading this
team of twelve for several years. He’s well respected by his team, makes sound decisions, and is an incredibly skilled soldier. I also think that he is the natural choice for your XO. However, you’re going to have to bring him in first. Get to know the guy. Have him on the ship.”

  Eddie slapped his hands together and looked at Julianna. “You ready to grow the family?”

  She nodded reluctantly. This was the correct thing to do. It felt right to grow Ghost Squadron, but still she knew she’d always value the time when the team had been small. She’d always think fondly of its inception.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Intelligence Center, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System

  Eddie chuckled at the image of a gorilla-looking creature covered in long white fur on the largest screen over Chester’s workstation. Long black claws protruded from its giant fingers, and its beady eyes were tiny on its massive head.

  “That’s one ugly caveman,” said Eddie, still laughing at the cartoonish-looking creature.

  “That,” said Chester, pointing at the screen, “is one of the angry natives you will have to fight on Klamath.”

  Eddie’s laughter ended abruptly. He turned to Marilla, looking for confirmation. “What? Is that true?”

  She nodded, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Yes, this species is known as the Mamath. They used to be widespread on Klamath, but due to their violent nature they have killed each other to the point of near extinction.”

  “Why has the Federation been silently interfering?” asked Julianna.

  “One of the reasons was to help preserve the Mamath population,” explained Marilla. “At least that’s how I understand it from reviewing the reports, but I think that mission has been abandoned. Also, the Mamaths weren’t only killing off their own population, but also the other animals on the planet. Putting the Special Ops team down there was an attempt to make peace for all. However, I don’t think there’s any hope for the Mamath. They’ve been trying not to use deadly force on this species, but it’s not working.”