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

The comm lit up, buzzing as a message came through. “Hold on!” Borden held up his hand. “That’s coming directly to us!” He dialed it in, working the controls until he heard Oliver’s voice clearly.

“Pegasus, this is the Morrigan. Please respond. This is Oliver. Are you there?”

“Holy shit!” Borden accepted the transmission. “I read you, man! What’s going on?”

“We won,” Oliver said. “The worst part is over. I’d like to give you some coordinates to rendezvous with us. I think you’ve got some people who would like to disembark.”

“I’ll say,” Borden replied. “We’ve been out here for hours. And do we have a story to tell you!”

“We’ve got plenty of those,” Oliver said. “Is Lyson there?”

“Lyson!” Borden shouted. “Your boyfriend’s on the line! He lived!”

A moment later, Lyson stumbled onto the bridge. “Hello? Olly? Hello?’

“Hey!” Oliver called back. “Good to hear your voice.”

“Are you done? Are you safe?”

“Yes, to both accounts! We have a lot to talk about. Borden has some coordinates. We’ll see each other soon, huh?”

“Yeah… I can’t wait.” Lyson covered her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears. “Hey, Oliver? I… I love you.”

“I love you too,” Oliver replied. “See you guys soon. Oliver out.”

“Aww,” Borden turned to Lyson, “so touching!”

“Shut up!” Hayes whacked him again. “That was awesome.”

“Just… you know. Kind of predictable.”

“I don’t care.” Lyson smiled. “If you knew what it was like, you wouldn’t be scoffing.”

“No one’s going to put up with him,” Vic said. “Trust me.”

“You never know.” Borden engaged the thrusters. “I’m charming.” He waggled his brows, getting them underway. “Strap in, boys and girls. We are about to hyperspace our asses back to civilization.”

And into a future far brighter than any I’ve known for a very, very long time.

***

Jerson Whitaker sat on a threadbare chair, staring at a fire raging in a tiny hearth. He felt ill from a lack of ether. Withdrawals racked his body, made his stomach cramp and his muscles burn. He’d lost his appetite, resorting only to water. All his resources had been depleted and he wasn’t sure how to procure more.

My lines have all been severed. His plans were over. All his schemes, years in the making, had been shattered. Torn apart by the Morrigan, her crew, and the traitors that stabbed him in the back. I should have known better than to trust Petrova again. That spineless worm! And Eliza! She was always a serpent.

Even after granting them a great boon, a generous gift, they still kicked him in the teeth.

The ingrates!

Vengeance seemed out of reach but he remained ambitious. Eventually, he’d find a way back to civilization. Back to a place where he’d make an impression. And when that day came, everyone who crossed him would suffer. He knew this as he knew his own name. He would revisit all his suffering tenfold on his opponents.

Wood creaked in the other room, a sound he’d heard a thousand times before. This was different. It caught his attention, made him look as two figures emerged from the shadows. Each wore black tactical suits… both held pistols on him. He stood, eyes wide as he gazed at their covered faces.

The one on the left drew hers back first. Eliza Leavis. Then the other. Karl Petrova.

“You didn’t think you’d get away that easily,” Eliza said, “did you?”

“We figured you missed us,” Karl added. “And after all, we owe you thanks for the gift you gave us.”

“Let’s just close this door.” Eliza pressed the panel, sealing them in together.

Jerson shouted once for help… and that was it.

Prequel available!

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/1s4f3aod8w

Lieutenant Noah Markel believed the war was over. In the war torn streets of a major city, he receives a final assignment, one that partners him with an unusual ally on the hunt for a delicate package.

Want more? Check out the box set of my first series!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TXLRYHY

On the eve of Humanity’s first great journey beyond our solar system, tragedy strikes. Hostile ships arrive, attacking the fledgling fleet and decimating it with ease. Only the intervention of strangers, benevolent aliens prevents the total annihilation of not only the starships, but the planet itself.

Offering the means to defend themselves in the form of shared technology and a liaison, humanity prepares to fight back. They refit the Behemoth, the only surviving ship from the initial attack and embark on a quest to join their saviors. A war is brewing against a zealous enemy, one with a single minded notion to destroy every colony, every world, all civilizations.

As humanity works to prove themselves to their highly advanced allies, they travel to the far reaches of the galaxy. Every test pushes them toward their ultimate confrontation, a final match with those who attacked them in the very beginning. But will their preparation be enough to defeat a culture literally designed for war?