Countdown, John Walker [online e book reader txt] 📗

Can you patch me through to Sergeant Torrence or Lieutenant Nostros? It’s urgent.”

“Yeah, no problem. One moment.” Zem leaned to check where they were. They’d nearly landed. Another five minutes would put them on the deck. Dora happened to be there somewhere. He’d ask her in person about the mission. She was crazy enough to fly to ervas space. She might be up for this.

“It’s Torrence,” the familiar voice gave him a moment of relief. “What the hell’s going on, Zem? You okay?”

“Yeah, for the most part,” Zem said. “Listen, Rita went off with that asshole Loch. I need some help to get her back. Captain Markel gave me the go-ahead, but it’s volunteer only. You, Nostros, Dora. Think of this as a real crew that doesn’t have any limits. I’ll literally do whatever it takes to succeed so you’ve got to keep that in mind.”

“Yeah? But the people we’re dealing with… they’re criminal pricks, right? Pirates?”

“Likely,” Zem replied. “But if I have to deal with some sympathizing civilian…”

“Yeah, I get it.” Torrence sighed. “Well… Nostros won’t like it much, but… sometimes he surprises me. I’ll bring it up. Get him on board. You sure just the four of us will do? I could probably convince a squad to come along. Get a couple more shooters at the very least. Loch has the numbers.”

“They don’t have our training. Be ready. Soon as I land, I’ll grab Dora. We’ll rendezvous with the Morrigan and get out of here.”

“What’s the big hurry? They’re likely still in hyperspace.”

“Yeah, and if they kill her during that, then we’re screwed—but I want to be where they’re likely going. Back to his little hole in this sector. I’m hoping that The Bounty is faster. We might even beat them there.”

“What happens if they killed her in transit?”

“Then I’m burying Loch.” Zem scowled as he said it. “You got a problem with that?”

“No, I just wanted to understand the limit.”

“As I said, no limit. The job gets done. Save Rita… or kill Loch for being a piece of shit. That’s it.”

“Okay. See you soon then.”

Zem tapped his foot as the shuttle entered the hangar. He stood, moving to the loading ramp. He felt the eyes of the others on him, staring intently. They don’t understand urgency. They’re about to get some rest. But for me, this situation is far from over. The second they stopped rumbling from their landing, he disembarked.

Okay, Dora. I hope you’re up for this. I don’t know what I’ll do if you turn me away.

***

Dora sat on the ramp of The Bounty, staring out at the MerCon hangar. There was too much foot traffic to leave so she stayed out of the way, waiting to see if anyone needed her help. Graff immediately departed, heading down to the surface for a look at the damage to the settlement.

Chatter in the hangar made it clear he wasn’t going to like what he found. A lot of people had died. Confeds, Gold Empire, the militia Graff had trained… the survivors had been allocated to the different ships in orbit to get them medical attention. She heard some of them had been maimed, while others still fought for their lives.

I hope most of them are cleaned up before that old man gets down there. Dora wanted to ensure he got out of the fighting and moved off to a place where he could retire. Major Peck felt like he could convince him. Whatever he does, he needs to do it before someone fills Graff’s head with delusions of staying involved in this fight.

“Ship checks out mostly,” Ronnie said, “hyperdrive is fine now. Did a few tweaks. Would be nice to have a couple hours with it. Everything else is as good as it’s going to get without some extra parts and time. I figure we don’t have much of either so… I’d call the thing combat operational.”

“Yeah? Seriously?”

“Well…” Ronnie shrugged. “I mean, I wouldn’t want to go up against a battleship or anything.”

“You mean again?” Dora smirked. “I think we’re in the clear.” She paused as she caught sight of Zem advancing on them. He was moving with a serious purpose, eyes fixed on her. “Uh oh. I might’ve spoken way too soon just now.”

“What?” Ronnie crouched beside her. “Why? I don’t see anything?”

“Zem. Eleven o’clock.” Dora pushed to her feet. “What’s going on?”

“Rita’s gone,” Zem said. “And we gotta get her back. Torrence and Nostros are in. Will you take us? Markel said it’s your call.”

“Um… wow.” Dora rubbed her eyes. “Way to ease a girl in on that. Where exactly are we going? Who took Rita? Can I get some information?”

“Loch. That pirate asshole. He got her.”

“Got it. And we’re going?”

“To his place to get her back.”

Dora looked at Ronnie. “Seems simple enough, huh?”

“I’m going with you,” Ronnie said. “You can’t take the ship up without me in fact.”

“I thought you said it’s combat operational,” Dora replied.

“Yeah… and…” Ronnie shrugged. “You know how it goes. I’ll keep working on it as we head out. Most of the systems that need attention won’t be in use during a hyperspace trip.”

“I haven’t decided if I’m going,” Dora said. She approached Zem. “Do you have a plan? Because this sounds like some crazy ass fools rush in kinda shit. I’m not up for that.”

“The plan is to get there ahead of Loch,” Zem replied. “Get into their base, wait for them, get her back. It’s pretty simple, but we have to move fast. That means pretty much hopping in the ship right away, getting to the Morrigan, and falling out.” He took her arm. “I wouldn’t push if it wasn’t important. If it wasn’t imperative we go now.”

Dora sighed. “Yeah, I get it.” She looked at Ronnie. “You sure