Preservation_Age of Expansion_A Kurtherian Gambit Series Read online

  Marilla crossed her arms in front of her chest, her eyes hard. “I don’t like it.”

  “There is a lot that could go wrong,” Eddie agreed.

  “And yet,” Ricky Bobby chimed in overhead, “when I run different simulations, this scenario has the least amount of potential threats. Storming the place, or even trying to sneak in by disabling the security, led to absolute annihilation of the squad.”

  Julianna gave Eddie a long, weighted look.

  “Eddie, what do you—”

  He thinks we ought to do it, Pip cut in.

  Julianna gritted her teeth and shook her head.

  “Did Pip just tell you I think it’s a good idea?” Eddie asked and then grunted. “Never mind.”

  Isn’t it wonderful! I’ve streamlined your conversations. Pip sounded entirely too proud of himself.

  Please tell me you’re going to get tired of this, Julianna pleaded.

  Yes, especially if the captain is serious about the threats he just made to me.

  Julianna smiled at Eddie. Pip might think he had the upper hand, but he couldn’t keep playing them against each other.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Loading Dock, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System

  “Whoa,” Eddie exclaimed when he rounded the corner. The missile was larger than he’d expected, taking up a huge portion of the loading dock. “You built that?” he asked Hatch.

  “It’s only the case,” Hatch said. “It’s not like there’s actual nuclear technology inside of it.”

  Fletcher’s team filed out of the front end of the missile, one after another, like clowns from a car at the circus.

  “Is your team ready?” Julianna asked the lieutenant.

  “Yes, we’ve run through the mission a dozen times,” Fletcher answered, clapping his hands together and rubbing them eagerly. “We’re ready to go.”

  Eddie wasn’t sure if it was the nerves connected to the mission, but Fletcher seemed a bit too excited for this, if that was possible.

  Julianna has the same opinion, Pip informed him.

  Eddie cut his eyes to Julianna, a knowing expression in her gaze.

  Maybe there is something good about you sharing a place in both our heads, Eddie stated.

  There’s a lot of good things. Just you wait. Pip’s tone sounded ominous.

  The crew began to load the missile into one of the two transport ships they’d take to Kezza, where the Jungle was located. One ship for the missile and team, and the other for the store of weapons they hoped to take from the Nihilists. If this worked out, they’d disband a corrupt organization and have state-of-the-art weapons. Eddie loved pirating supplies from the enemy. It was a win-win.

  Hatch’s tentacle stretched through the air, waving a key in front of Eddie’s face. “Here, take this.”

  “What’s it for?” Eddie asked.

  “You need to secure an eighteen-wheeler on Kezza to transport the missile,” Hatch informed him.

  “Aw, and you’ve already gotten me the key. Sweet,” Eddie guessed, taking it from Hatch’s tentacle.

  “No, that’s to your ride to the semi,” Hatch said, bustling around. “Pip knows the details.”

  “Why don’t I know the details?” Eddie asked, irritated.

  “Because you’re an idiot who’s on a need-to-know basis,” Hatch mumbled.

  Eddie gave Julianna a questioning look.

  “What about me, Hatch?” Julianna asked.

  “Don’t you worry, Julie,” Hatch said, his tone softer. “I’ve got you covered.”

  Julianna shrugged, her worry disappearing from her expression.

  What’s going on, Pip? Eddie asked him.

  Nothing much, just playing Minecraft.

  I meant what’s going on between you and Hatch?

  Oh, that? It’s nothing. Just boring logistics. Silly transportation details.

  Sounds like I should be worried.

  Don’t you trust me, Ed?

  Don’t call me that.

  Running footsteps stole Eddie’s attention, and he and Julianna turned to find Chester jogging in their direction.

  “I’m here!” Chester said, shoving a laptop into his backpack.

  “What’s that for?” Julianna asked, indicating the bag.

  “Figured that I could communicate with you all over the comms once you’re in place,” he answered, panting. “If I’m in close proximity, I’ll be able to hack into the Jungle’s security mainframe and bypass some of their protocols.”

  “You keep making our jobs easier,” Eddie said with a whistle.

  “All right, people, look alive,” Julianna commanded, clapping her hands together. “Let’s load up and move out.”

  Planet Kezza, Tangki System

  The transport ship set down in a wide valley that gave coverage from spying eyes. Eddie had spent the ride to Kezza watching Fletcher nervously fidget. Something had the XO more on edge than usual, and it was hard for the captain to believe it was only the high stakes. Yes, they would be battling their way out of a large compound where the terrorists held better weapons than them. However, it was impossible that these anarchists were better trained, even if they had railguns.

  Julianna gave Eddie a curious look as they disembarked.

  “Fletcher caught your eyes too, I heard,” he said from the corner of his mouth.

  “Yeah, but I can’t figure it out,” she said, casting her eyes over her shoulder. “And there are others I’m more concerned about.”

  Chester trotted down the ramp behind them, a little ways off. He wasn’t used to battle, but he’d also never let them down. He was a guy who knew how to rise to the occasion.

  Eddie halted when they were on the ground, and waited for the hacker to join them. “You ready for this?”

  Chester choked on the first part of his answer. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I was born ready.”

  “All right,” Julianna exhaled, looking around. “Where’s the transport to the semi that Hatch promised?”

  Jules and Edward, it’s right behind you, Pip stated in both of their heads.

  They turned in unison to see a shiny, red 1969 Corvette Stingray being pushed down the ramp of the transport ship.

  “No fucking way!” Eddie yelled. “Hatch is going to let us drive this?”

  Correction, Captain, Pip said. Hatch is going to let me drive this. It’s part of our bargain.

  Chester retrieved his ringing phone from his pocket and tapped the screen. “Hey, doc! We made it.”

  “About time,” Hatch’s voice sounded over the speaker. “Turn me around so I can see Teach.”

  Chester complied, facing the screen in Eddie’s direction. Hatch stared back from the small screen.

  “Okay, Pip,” Hatch said. “Ready to pony up on your end of the deal?”

  What’s he talking about? Eddie asked.

  Remember how he said that you had to relinquish control for me to move your body? Pip asked.

  Yeeeeeees, Eddie said, drawing out the word.

  He lied.

  Both Eddie’s hands rose, the right slapping him on one cheek and then the other, repeatedly.

  A booming laugh echoed from the phone as Hatch doubled over. “Oh, damn, Captain,” Hatch said through a fit of laughter. “Why are you hitting yourself?”

  Julianna and Chester joined in, and thankfully the torture stopped after a few seconds.

  When Hatch had regained his composure, he said, “Good job, Pip. You have my blessing.”

  “Wait, Pip makes a mockery of me, and he gets to drive the Stingray?” Eddie asked, slightly amused.

  “That’s right,” Hatch stated. “But after the drive, Pip, remember the rule.”

  Eddie tensed. “What rule?” he asked.

  “No more pranks,” Hatch said, his tone suddenly serious. “I appreciate you being a good sport about this, Captain. But going forward, Pip isn’t to take control of your body without your consent unless it is to save your life.”

  Eddie laughed
. “I can’t believe you two made this deal.” He realized he should have been offended, but it was pretty cleverly executed.

  It was worth it, Pip said, making Eddie hold up the keys and shake them in the air. I’m ready to enjoy my first cruise on the open road.

  Eddie couldn’t help but smile. If anyone deserved this, it was the AI.

  “Be careful with her, Pip,” Hatch warned. “I’d tell you not to allow Teach to touch the car, but that would be impossible.”

  ~~~

  The Stingray left Chester in its dust after dropping him off at the semi. There was no way the big truck could keep up with the sports car, the way Pip was driving.

  Pip, using Eddie’s body, shifted gears, peeling around the dusty roads that snaked through the mountains.

  Are you enjoying yourself? Eddie asked the AI.

  Hell yeah, I am.

  On the straightaway, Pip cranked the speedometer up to ninety miles per hour.

  I think you’re going a bit fast there, buddy.

  I think you’re jealous.

  It was strange for Eddie to have his hands on the wheel yet not be in control. It surprised him, the way Pip used his hands—not always gripping the shifter, like he would—and sat differently than he was accustomed. Although he could feel his body, he was a mere observer of the whole experience.

  You know is probably jealous ? Jules.

  Pip turned Eddie’s head and looked at the bucket seat where Chester had ridden on the way to the eighteen-wheeler.

  Yeah, I definitely wish she were here. She’d rag me about burning out the clutch when I first took off, Pip said a longing in his voice.

  She never lets me get away with anything. She always keeps me on my toes, Eddie related.

  A good woman teases you over your faults, while cataloging your strengths and filing them away, remembered for all of time.

  Damn, that’s some poetry, Pip.

  In other news, hold onto your ass. Pip accelerated, making the needle teeter close to one hundred.

  I would, but you kind of own it right now.

  Damn straight I do. Don’t you forget it.

  They were quickly approaching the area where the ships and crew were located, ready to load the missile silo onto the semi when Chester arrived. The warhead lay on its side in the center of the clearing.

  Hey what you got planned? Eddie asked, feeling tense but unable to show it.

  Relax. I got this, Pip responded, slowing, but not enough. They were quickly approaching the fake, giant nuke.

  Pip pushed in the clutch while slamming on the brakes. He jerked up the parking brake and whipped the wheel around, leaving rubber on the road as the tires squealed. The car’s rear end spun in a one-eighty. It would have been a perfect move, except for the bumper grazing against the missiles outer skin at the last moment, making an awful screeching noise. Even though Eddie’s foot was pressed firmly on the brake, the car continued to drift, raking against the silo until it finally came to an abrupt halt.

  Eddie’s hand gripped the Corvette’s steering wheel, and his face was pink with embarrassment. Julianna stepped out of the crowd of soldiers and strolled over, a calm expression on her face. She eyed the bumper crunched up against the missile silo as she sauntered up to the car, and bent down, setting her arms on the open window of the convertible.

  “I hope you enjoyed your ride, Pip, because Hatch is going to murder you,” she said casually, her voice almost sweet.

  Pip released his control over Eddie’s body, and retreated into his mind. His time in the spotlight had been absolutely diminished by the scratching of the car.

  Eddie hopped out of the Corvette, gauging the damage. “Let’s be glad that’s not an active missile.”

  “And hope that the Nihilists don’t mind a bit of red paint on their warhead,” Julianna added.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Planet Kezza, Tangki System

  “Are you ready for this?” Nona asked Fletcher, pulling her eyes away from the missile as it was loaded onto the bed of the eighteen-wheeler.

  “Stopping a terrorist group?” Fletcher asked, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “Of course I’m ready.”

  “I was referring to confronting Conway and finding out where Rosco is located,” Nona stated.

  Fletcher’s throat tightened. He couldn’t believe that this was playing out so perfectly. He’d been tracking Conway for years, knowing he was one of the few who still worked with Rosco, the pirate who had killed his father. Things had lined up perfectly, and now his team would be bringing down the terrorist. Fletcher was one step closer to avenging his father’s death.

  “It doesn’t feel real,” he said finally.

  “You’re only trying not to get your hopes up,” Nona reasoned.

  Fletcher watched as the team secured the missile. It was almost show time. “I’ve been on this mission to find Rosco for a long time and have always hit an obstacle.”

  Nona looked directly at him, a sincerity in her eyes. “Yeah, but you’ve always been on your own. Lars and I are going to help you. We’re taking down Rosco together.”

  ~~~

  The inside of the missile smelled of new paint and fuel. The latter was the decoy technology Hatch had built into it to fool initial tests. On the surface, the nuclear warhead would deceive most, but that wouldn’t last for long. They would have to be fast once they entered the compound.

  Julianna watched the screen in her hands, which was streaming footage from cameras hidden on and around the missile. Currently, the most important shot showed Chester standing beside the eighteen-wheeler, trying to appear casual as he pushed his glasses up on his nose.

  “He’ll do fine,” Eddie stated, looking over her shoulder at the screen. He was pressed in closed to her at the front of the warhead. There wasn’t a lot of room for personal space, with Fletcher’s team all loaded into the silo, but they all fit and that’s what counted.

  “I’m not worried about Chester,” Julianna explained. “He’s better at acting than any of us.”

  “I’m not worried, either, but Marilla is,” Eddie stated. “That’s what you do when you care about someone.”

  “Sounds exhausting,” Julianna joked.

  “Yeah, I agree.” Eddie pointed to the screen, an eagerness springing to his eyes. “Looks like we’re almost ready to roll. Figuratively and literally.”

  A black SUV appeared beneath his finger, kicking up dust as it sped in their direction.

  ~~~

  Chester wiped his palms on his jeans for what felt like the hundredth time. He always told himself that getting out on these missions was good for him, but as soon as he was in the field, he longed to be in the comfort of the Intelligence Center.

  He’d been restless lately. Well, always, but especially lately. Maybe he had Marilla to blame for that. She often told him of her adventures exploring Kai or some other exotic planet.

  A cloud of dust marked the arrival of the SUV full of Nihilists. Chester rolled his eyes at the name the terrorist organization had chosen.

  They couldn’t have come up with something a bit more clever, like the cyborgs who call themselves Otterbots?

  For instance, Chester himself had chosen his hacker name, ‘Monte Niles,’ as a nod to Monty Python, and to the longest river on Earth. He often related his job as a hacker to finding a clever way through the electronic river that connected everyone.

  A man with an eyepatch and a sour expression climbed out of the SUV, not even glancing at the giant missile at Chester’s back. Really? So stereotypical, Chester thought with a laugh.

  “Hey, Conway!” he called cheerfully. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

  The guy sneered, drawing up the corner of his mouth like a rabid dog. “It’s a day.”

  He must not have had his Fruit Loops yet, Chester reasoned. He reached backward and slapped the side of the nuke. “It’s a beauty, don’t you think?”

  Conway apparently didn’t see the elegance in Hatch’s handiwork. He shoo
k his head and waved his arm toward the SUV, where a few other rough-looking losers piled out. They hurried over, holding various equipment in their hands. Two men went to work sweeping the vehicle for bugs and trackers, while the others set to authenticating the missile.

  “The warhead has been secured using Defense Nuclear Material Transport Operations guidelines,” Chester informed Conway, whose one good eye was watching his men.

  “You talk too much,” Conway growled.

  “Well, I only wanted you to know that the reactors have been buffered to minimize friction, and other precautions have been taken to avoid spillage,” Chester said, his tone easy.

  This guy didn’t intimidate him. What did was the hand cannon strapped to Conway’s waist. It made the pistol in Chester’s waistband look like a slingshot.

  “Everything checks out, boss,” one of the men called over, lowering the diagnostic device he’d used to test the silo.

  Conway nodded. “Half the funds have been transferred to your account. You’ll get the rest when my team completes their thorough tests.”

  Good thing I overcharged the Nihilists, because we are not getting the other half, Chester thought.

  “Sounds good,” he said, holding up the keys for the semi. “I hope you enjoy your nuke.”

  ~~~

  “ ‘I hope you enjoy your nuke’?” Eddie whispered, shaking his head as they watched Chester deliver the keys.

  “Yeah, he’s got some balls,” Fletcher stated, which earned him a seething stare from Julianna.

  “I think you mean ‘he’s a courageous motherfucker’—balls have nothing to do with bravery,” Eddie corrected.

  Fletcher nodded. “That’s exactly what I meant.”

  A loud bang echoed from inside the silo. One of the special forces soldiers at the other end had dropped something, and the noise reverberated like a drum.

  They watched the screen as Conway spun to face the weapon, and Eddie could see that all Conway’s men were suddenly on alert, staring intently at the missile.

  “Fuck,” Julianna whispered.

  Everyone in the silo tensed, no one daring to move.

  The men circled around, inspecting the weapon.