Intruder Read online

  “You’re afraid she’s going to it sell it to the highest bidder?”

  “If our enemies get their hands on Gaia, the balance of power in the Three Galaxies shifts forever. We cannot allow this to happen.”

  “If this thing is so dangerous, why send me?”

  “I believe you already know the answer to that. You know Commander Black better than anyone alive. If anyone knows how to think like her, it is you.”

  “You’re putting a lot of faith in me, Admiral. How do you know I won’t kill Molly and take Gaia for myself?”

  “It’s simple. We have no choice. Make no mistake. I don’t trust you any more than I do Commander Black. However, as I’ve made it a point to read your bio, I’m aware of the particulars of the nature of your business and your reasons for becoming a bounty hunter. I’m quite sure you’ll finish what you start. God knows the price we’ll all pay if you fail to return that cylinder. Now that you have been briefed on the situation, I expect you to carry out your mission in a timely manner. If not, then I will have no problem following through on my threat.”

  “I’ll get the cylinder back. Just one thing I thought you should know, Admiral.”

  “What is it?”

  “The only reason you caught me breaking into your network is because I wanted you to. Just a friendly warning,” said Zyra with a curt, but noticeably arrogant grin.

  “Good day, Ms. Zanr,” growled Forsythe before disappearing from the screen. Zyra assumed a deep frown.

  He’s holding something back. Even if everything he says is true, why would Molly seek help from pirates? They’re as likely to kill her and steal Gaia for themselves. One way or another, I’m going to get to the bottom of this mystery.

  Chapter Two

  The shadows hung closely to Captain Rador’s bleak form as he traversed the darkness of the Libertatia’s corridors. A verdant glare pierced the darkness at the end of the corridor, causing him to knit his dark eyebrows. Rador did not break stride, but rather, advanced with even more purpose as he approached the strange light. Just when he was about to turn the corner, the light faded, causing the corridor to grow dark again. Rador cast a glower at the somber figure of Molly Black. She did not immediately acknowledge his presence, but instead kept her gaze trained on the stars outside the observatory window.

  “The shuttle has been prepared for your departure. If you are ready, I will escort you there,” said Rador, narrowing his eye.

  Molly assumed a surprisingly curious tone of voice as she responded to Rador. “Do you ever imagine what lies out there, Captain Rador? Beyond what your eyes can see?”

  “I don’t have the luxury of time to contemplate such matters as the unknown.”

  “How sad. There’s more to this universe than you’ll find in a star chart.”

  “Perhaps, the great cosmic mystery is best left unsolved, Miss Black.”

  “Is that what you think? That we shouldn’t explore the universe’s secrets?”

  “There is wisdom in letting sleeping dragons lie.”

  “Why should we fear the unknown?” asked Molly finally turning around to set her curious gaze on Rador. He did not reply right away. When he finally found his voice, it was cold and distant.

  “Ever hear the story of Pandora’s Box, Miss Black?”

  “No.”

  “In Old Earth mythology, there is a story of a young girl who discovered a mysterious box. She was forbidden to ever open it. But her curiosity compelled her to open this mysterious box. In so doing, she unleashed evil into the world and mankind has suffered ever since.”

  “Certainly, a man like you doesn’t believe in old wives tales?”

  “Not at all. But the lesson remains. Unbridled curiosity can be lethal.”

  “Maybe. But the great mystery remains to be solved by those brave enough to seek the answer.”

  “Perhaps. But there is something of another nature I would like to ask you, Miss Black. It appears that you are a familiar of that bounty hunter who infiltrated my base on Taklaylon Alpha. How do you come to know her?”

  “Her name is Zyra Zanr. We were cadets together in the Space Marine corp. We crossed paths and were enemies ever since.”

  “Bounty hunters are known to have long memories. Perhaps this is a grudge not worth bearing.”

  “I would happily cut Zanr’s throat just to watch the light go out of her eyes. Why so interested? Have you met her before?”

  “It was a long time ago. But to discuss the nature of my dealings with this bounty hunter would force me to open my own Pandora’s box. Come. The shuttle awaits and I am eager to claim my share of Gaia. That is the only cosmic mystery which compels me at this time.”

  Molly lingered for a moment longer to take a final glimpse at the blackness of space outside the observatory window before turning around to follow Captain Rador down the corridor.

  Chapter Three

  Zyra’s flustered gaze grew more intense as she studied the star chart on her ship’s main view screen. She had spent the entire afternoon in Helship-II’s flight control room trying to locate Molly Black. Seventy-two hours passed since Molly made her escape from Zyra on Taklaylon Alpha. Every additional hour that Molly remained on the run made finding her more difficult. Zyra would have to work fast if she was to figure out where Molly had gone.

  “Computer, link ETHER-comm system with nearest hyperspace gate signal amplifier and run a tachyon scan. Search for superluminal trail signatures matching the Libertatia.”

  The ship computer answered Zyra in its lilt, but mechanical feminine voice:

  “Operation commenced. Searching hyperspace for requested energy signature. No matching energy signatures detected.”

  Zyra frowned. Was it possible the Libertatiahad not yet entered any hyperspace conduits via the local jump gates? If Captain Rador was in the process of taking Molly to her mysterious destination, the fastest means of getting there would be through hyperspace.

  Her unannounced arrival on Taklaylon Alpha alerted Rador to the fact that the InterGalactic Alliance was hot in pursuit of Molly. Certainly, he was determined to procure himself of the Gaia stores that Molly had promised him. Why would he have any reason to delay?

  Zyra had not revealed to Admiral Forsythe that Molly was conspiring with Captain Rador to offer him a supply of Gaia from a secret source. Had Forsythe known of Zyra’s refusal to inform him on the new development, he would probably have passed on his threat to have her imprisoned in favor of having her killed. But Zyra did not trust Forsythe or the Alliance. Her task was to retrieve the cylinder from Molly. That was the extent of her involvement in this affair.

  Zyra pondered her strategy to locate Captain Rador and realized that she was approaching the matter entirely wrong. Captain Rador was a very methodical man who would go to great lengths to ensure that he acquired Gaia from Molly. In the end, Zyra conceded that Rador was probably lurking somewhere in space, carefully implementing his plans.

  Looks like I’ve been barking up the wrong tree. Time to change the game plan.

  “Computer, search the entire sector for all matching energy silhouettes.”

  The ship computer promptly answered, “Searching sector for requested energy silhouette. No matching energy signatures detected.”

  “Perform a parallax sweep and search sector for residual chrysium energy spores.”

  “Chrysium energy spores detected. Displaying spore signature now.”

  Zyra read the numerical data that flowed down her main view screen with a furrowed brow. It was standard practice to track a ship’s chrysium emission in order to discover its location. However, this technique only worked if there weren’t other ships traveling the same area of space. Assuming that the energy signature was strong enough to be detected, Zyra would still have to match the emission to the correct ship or risk pursuing the wrong target.

  Finally, I’m getting somewhere.

  “Computer, cross-reference chrysium spore signature with IGP file entry: Libertatia.<
br />
  “Chrysium spore signature match inconclusive.”

  Inconclusive? Doesn’t mean it’s not the right signature.

  “Cross-reference chrysium spore signature with Galaxy Class starship performance records. Analyze standard GC engine types and find appropriate match.”

  “Chrysium spore signature matches seventeen Galaxy Class Engine types.”

  “Cross-reference spore signature with all early model GC engine types.”

  “Designated spore signature matches twelve thousand one hundred and sixty-six performance tests records of Galaxy Class starship engine type number jay eight seven four. Cross reference match is positive.”

  “Took you long enough! Now it’s time to get my hands dirty.”

  Chapter Four

  “I don’t give a damn what any of ya think! Ya must have your head up ya ass if ya don’t see what’s goin’ on,” said the grizzled man wearing a blue bandana who sat across from Molly Black. “Captain’s no fool. Reason he sent me on this trip’s to keep an eye on our friend here just in case she tries to pull a fast one. Don’t think I ain’t watchin’ you, Lady. Can’t outpirate a pirate, ya know!”

  Vic Tabbers had spent the last hour lambasting his fellow shipmates for their refusal to question the nature of their mission. Not surprisingly, his tirade drew the ire of his companions, including Molly Black, who cast a threatening glance at him.

  “Shut your trap, Tabbers. We know why we’re here. That’s all that matters,” said Pilot Iviss Moyna in her stern voice. She was the leader of the rag-tag group of pirates and was quickly losing patience with Tabbers.

  “I ain’t shuttin’ up! I tell ya, somethin’ ain’t right. How come we ain’t never heard of this Gaia before?”

  “‘Cause it’s top secret, you fool! That’s why we’re going to retrieve it before anyone else has a chance to get their hands on it,” interjected Nora Kato, the navigator. Like the rest of the crew of the shuttle Stingray, she had had enough of Tabbers’ incessant complaining as well.

  “I ain’t buyin’ it, ya hear me? None of this makes any damn sense. Why the hell would the Alliance hide this thing on our side of space? Even those egg-heads are smart enough to know you can’t hide treasure from a pirate, especially right under his nose!”

  “Tabbers make good point,” grunted Klarrg Nagoryll, the resident Throg who had been on the run from the InterGalacticPolice ever since he escaped the Penal Colony of Valis-4. He was one of the J-Sector Corsair’s most feared members and infamous for murdering all 200 members of his family back on the Throg home world. Many of his comrade-in-arms had also met their end at his hands.

  “At least Klarrg’s got a bit of sense. More than I can say for the rest of you knobs!”

  “Tabbers, I told you to shut it! Keep this up and I’ll have Klarrg toss you out the airlock just like he did Mantiss!” said Moyna, remembering the much despised Rattaran crew member who was unexpectedly jettisoned into space by an enraged Klarrg only minutes after they left the Libertatia. After giving Tabbers a full dose of her blazing blue stare, Moyna spun back around to face the ship controls. Tabbers ignored Moyna’s threat and set his furious gaze on Molly.

  “You sure you can get this stuff, woman? It’s a long way to Darokk. Last thing I’m expectin’ is to make this trip for nuthin!”

  “You can rest assured, Pirate. You’ll learn all you need to know when we arrive at our destination,” said Molly, her voice calm and emotionless.

  “I hope so for your sake. It’ll be a short drop down a disintegration shaft for you if you’re messin’ us around!”

  “Pipe down, back there! I thought I saw a silhouette on the proximity sensor,” said Kato, as she closely checked her navigational gauges. “It’s gone now. Probably just an echo.”

  “Maybe. But we better run a vector scan just in case,” ordered Moyna, also checking her sensors.

  “Look at you two!” said Tabbers. “Sweatin’ bullets over ghosts! We’re J-Sector Corsairs! Ain’t no one stupid enough to mess with us. That skull and crossbones on the back of the hull ain’t there for decoration. Means we’re the no nonsense type and we’re runnin’ the show! Got it?”

  “Maybe you haven’t realized it, but the Alliance isn’t the only one to worry about, Tabbers. This area’s crawling with other pirates who’d be just as happy to take what we’re going after. If you’d stop to think before you opened your mouth— Wait. There it is again. That’s no ghost! Shields up—”

  Before Kato could say another word, there was a deafening thrum as the lights went out inside the ship.

  #

  Zyra Zanr watched with fretful anticipation as the engines on the pirate shuttle went up in a bright saffron cloud. The tension that had built up inside her had made her fingers cramp. Adrenaline raced through her veins stealing the breath from her lungs while she observed the fulmination which blotted out the stars on her main view screen. The power to take life—and to destroy—filled Zyra with a sense of purpose that was as invigorating as it was nerve-racking. Yet, what disappointment Zyra felt in her merciful shot would be abated when she confronted Molly again. The thrill of satiating her lust for the other woman’s death was barely kept at bay by the thought of being able to deal out death from close up rather than at distance. It wouldn’t be long now before she tasted revenge. Zyra tensed again. She was certain she had hit her mark. But her grin turned to an agitated frown when her sensors revealed that the shuttle had powered up its shields, effectively repelling her attack.

  Damn. Too slow.

  She watched as the shuttle veered off of its present course to evade her ship’s weapon targeting system. Zyra increased the power to Helship-II’s forward cannons and fired another salvo at the pirate ship hoping to penetrate its aft shields. Zyra always hated playing footsie with an armed ship. She preferred a straight up dogfight to the death—where the loser lost more than just his or her pride—than to merely try to render a ship’s propulsion systems useless. Fighting this kind of battle put her at a huge disadvantage considering that her enemy had free reign to blow her to oblivion.

  The agile pirate shuttle had slipped past her laser fire and through some clever piloting, found its way directly behind her. It unleashed its full compliment of weaponry: well-trained lasers raking the starboard side of Helship-II’s hull. The lights in the flight control room blinked on and off as Helship-IIencountered another barrage of lethal laser fire.

  Zyra was determined not to let the pirate vessel get the upper hand. Helship-IIbobbed and weaved through the torrent of lasers that dogged it, powerful gyro-thrusters located along the ship’s extremities allowing it free range of movement. Helship-IIrolled into a sharp left turn to force the pirate shuttle into an awkward spin. Zyra fired her ventral jets and performed a somersault, firing a steady burst from her forward cannons as an inverted Helship-IIflew backwards. The pirate shuttle absorbed the entire volley and burst into flame.

  #

  “Shields are down, Moyna! We can’t sustain another hit!” Nora Kato cried while raising the starboard thruster levels on the navigation controls to get the shuttle to veer off to the right to avoid being struck again by the attacking ship.

  “Who the hell is piloting that thing?” asked Moyna from the pilot’s chair next to Kato, whipping her head to the side to keep the sweat out of her eyes.

  “It’s Zyra Zanr,” Molly said, a dark expression overcoming her face.

  “Ya mean that bounty hunter who killed Red and Lopez? Thought ya iced her at the base!” Tabbers said in his harsh, but flustered voice.

  “A mistake I’ll have to fix.”

  “She’s hailing us! I think she wants us to surrender,” said Kato.

  “Ignore transmission. I am not letting that bounty hunter take us alive. Perform evasive maneuvers and head for the nearest jump gate!” said Moyna.

  “But Moyna!”

  “Just do it!”

  Kato acquiesced to Moyna’s command and sent Stingrayinto a wild spin before plun
ging into a steep dive. As expected, the other ship kept up its pursuit and fired another brilliant round of scarlet energy at the pirate vessel. The stars raced by in a blur of light as Kato forced Stingray’s thrusters to maximum setting. A trail of black smoke poured out of the right engine; the damaged ship began to buck and shake.

  “The ship can’t take much more of this! We have to surrender or we’re done for!” cried Kato.

  “Prepare to fire aft cannons on my signal!” said Moyna, desperate to find a way to save her crew. But just before she could give the command to fire on the pursuing ship, she was blinded from the glare that engulfed the main view screen.

  #

  Zyra Zanr tried to keep her composure as she trailed the pirate shuttle. Considering the amount of damage their ship had sustained, she had not expected the pirates to ignore her transmissions. Their shuttle had lost its shields and its propulsion system sputtered. One clear shot would send the damaged spacecraft up in a ball of blue flame. But that would not serve her purpose. She would not grant Molly an easy death.

  The pirates knew they could not withstand another volley from Zyra and could tell by the way the shuttle was being piloted that she wanted to get a clean shot at their engines. But the wild spin they maintained all but guaranteed that she might accidentally miss her target and destroy their ship.

  Zyra had to think fast. There was no telling how badly the shuttle was damaged. If the shuttle’s hull or energy core was compromised, it would not survive the violent entry into hyperspace. But she couldn’t stay on the defensive and remain a sitting duck for the shuttle’s weapons systems. Zyra realized she had no choice. She would have to open fire on the shuttle engines again or risk failing her mission. It would not due to fire on the shuttle from a distance. She would have to get within lethal range of the enemy guns to lock on to her target. Zyra stole a glance at her instrument panel to check the power level of her shields. Her shields were down to fifty percent.