Children of Junk (Rogue Star Book 3) Read online

  “Is this the cargo?” The pilot gestured at Solomon and Emily.

  The boss kidnapper nodded. “You have the coordinates?”

  The pilot nodded. “I’m meeting them at—”

  “I don’t need to know. My part of the deal is done. The sooner they’re gone the better. Load’em up.”

  Two of the masked kidnappers shoved them up the ramp into the ship. Unlike the Star this ship had a small hold dominated by six cells used to hold individual prisoners during transport. His guard shoved Solomon into the first cell on the right and Emily into the second. He pushed a button on a control panel built into a pillar in the center of the hold and the cell door slid shut and the lock snapped in place. Solomon sighed, he’d hoped they might remove the cuffs. Having his arms behind his back made his shoulders ache. He was getting sick and tired of being locked up somewhere new every few hours. Hopefully this would be a short trip.

  “Where are they taking us now?” Emily asked.

  He wished she wouldn’t ask him things like that as though he had some idea what these people had in store for them. He didn’t and he sucked at offering strong, comforting words. Solomon was so far out of his depth at this point he feared he might never surface. “I don’t know. Emily. I just don’t.”

  The pilot came up the ramp a few seconds later and the doors closed behind him. He walked past the cells, paying his prisoners no more heed than Solomon did the cargo he and Marcus hauled. Two minutes later a vibration ran through the hull when the engines fired up. The ship lurched and they took off. Solomon chewed his lip. How would Marcus find them if this stupid ship took them to the other side of the planet?

  They flew for a while, the artificial gravity and acceleration compensators made it impossible for him to tell which direction they traveled. The vibration from the engines went down to a dull hum. They must be close to wherever they were going. They hadn’t flown for more than ten minutes so most likely they were still on the same continent. After the brief pause the engines powered back up. So much for that theory. A deeper, more powerful thrum filled the hold.

  “Solomon, what’s that?” Emily’s anxiety clawed at him.

  He focused on the sound and his heart sank. “It’s the hyperdrive.” How would Marcus ever find them now?

  5

  Marcus sat on the railing outside the strip club and waited. Above him the hologram buzzed as the image shifted. He had no idea how far the bouncer had to go to find his boss or what she was doing. Maybe they’d just make him wait until eight, that was one way to enforce their rules. He sighed and forced down his impatience. The bouncer had only left five minutes ago. He couldn’t expect instant access even using Vlad’s name. There were rules dictating this sort of thing, the Nine Dragons had rules for everything. They had to, otherwise they would have murdered each other by now. That would have been a shame.

  Ten more minutes passed before the lock clicked open. He hopped off the railing and the door opened. Instead of the bouncer a female, ruby skinned Etherian, the race regarded by pretty much every other race as the most physically flawless, stood on the other side of the door. This one was a typical example. Long platinum hair hung down to her waist, framing a heart-shaped face. Smooth, silky skin, colored a pale pink was covered by the absolute minimum amount of clothes, all of them shear and leaving nothing to the imagination.

  Marcus couldn’t hold in a grin. It was a good thing Iaka hadn’t come with him, she might have beaten him to a pulp. If she could have read his mind she would have done worse than that. “You’re certainly an improvement over the old doorman.”

  She smiled a flawless, pearly smile, revealing a pair of elongated eye teeth. “Madam Margret insisted you receive every courtesy. After your meeting I’d be delighted to entertain you in private. No charge.”

  Marcus swallowed and the sweat that beaded up on the back of his neck had nothing to do with the heat. An Etherian prostitute probably cost ten thousand credits an hour. “That’s very generous, but I’m spoken for.”

  Her smile broadened. “I know. Congratulations, you’ve proven yourself an honorable man and have passed the first test. Lucky for you we only count actions not thoughts. Follow me.” She winked, turned, revealing a backside every bit as flawless as the front, and led him into the club.

  “That’s a good policy; otherwise you’d have to kill every man that laid eyes on you.”

  She laughed, warm and bright, it made him want to make her laugh some more. Stop thinking about her! To distract himself from his guide, Marcus turned his attention to the club. There was a polished wood stage with four brass poles for the girls. A bunch of tables of various sizes sat empty in the well lit room. He figured it would be a lot darker in there at night. Opposite the stage was a bar behind which rested row upon row of bottles, intoxicants for the various beings that visited the club.

  At the rear of the club was a staircase. One set of stairs led up and a second down. His guide went up and Marcus hesitated, not sure how close he should follow to avoid getting an up close view of things he shouldn’t be looking at. She noticed his reluctance and laughed again.

  “Don’t be uncomfortable. I’ve had hundreds of men staring at me wearing less than this. Your gaze doesn’t offend me. In fact, I find it charming that you worry about a whore’s feelings.”

  “You’re a person like any other,” Marcus said. “What you do for a living shouldn’t affect how people treat you. I’ve seen enough people judged by their line of work to not want to do it myself.”

  She stepped back off the step and placed a hand on his chest. “Your lady is lucky to have you. Why don’t you lead the way? We’re going to the third floor.”

  Relieved, Marcus climbed the steps. At the second floor landing a door blocked his path deeper into the building. From behind it he heard faint, feminine giggles. He turned up the next flight of stairs and behind him his guide said, “That’s where the girls get ready and later entertain their guests.”

  Marcus assumed as much and didn’t comment. At the third floor landing she resumed the lead, brushing against him as she moved to the front. Somehow Marcus found the willpower not to react. The sparkle in her eye when she looked back at him said she knew just how much it cost him. Was she testing him again or just playing. He didn’t dare ask.

  She pushed the door open and led the way down a corridor paneled in dark hardwood. Erotic paintings hung every ten or so feet and spaced between them were closed doors, each numbered with a bronze plate. The corridor ended at yet another door exactly like every other one he’d seen. His guide knocked and the door swung open.

  She smiled and his heart melted a little. “This is where I leave you. Best of luck.”

  Before she could leave he asked, “What’s your name?”

  “Mina. It was good to meet you Marcus Drake. If things don’t work out with your lady friend, look me up.”

  She walked back down the hall and he couldn’t help watching the play of her muscles under her meager costume. He loved Iaka. He loved, loved, loved Iaka. Marcus tore his gaze away from Mina and entered the office. The only lights in the room were directly over a large steel desk with a single chair in front of it and a figure shrouded in loose, black garments sat behind it. It didn’t take a genius to recognize the invitation.

  Marcus focused straight ahead, trying not to imagine how many blasters lurked in the darkness. He reached the desk and a slim, feminine hand emerged from the folds of cloth to point at the chair. Marcus bowed and sat.

  “You know something of our ways, Captain Drake.” She spoke in a husky voice not much above a whisper.

  He smiled. “Enough, I hope, not to give offense. Thank you for seeing me.”

  “Of course, always a pleasure to see one of the Silver Fox’s associates. May I offer you a drink?”

  “Thank you, that would be nice.”

  Seconds later, so fast he had to be standing in the dark waiting, a human of Asian descent in a black suit stepped into the light, a tumbler
full of whisky on a silver tray. He held it out to Marcus who took the glass, nodded his thanks, and sipped the amber liquid. He held it on his tongue, savoring the smoky burn, before swallowing. “That’s some good whiskey.”

  He couldn’t see the woman’s face, but felt certain she smiled. “Good, now to business. How can the Nine Dragons help you?”

  “You heard about the kidnapping this morning?”

  “Yes, bad for business. We’re doing our best to keep it quiet.”

  “So it wasn’t your people who took Solomon and his girlfriend?” Marcus’s hopes rose. If the dragons didn’t do it maybe they’d help him.

  “Of course not. We don’t do that sort of thing here. This planet is our sanctuary. Whoever did this, did it without our permission.” The cold tone she used made Marcus glad he had done nothing without her permission. Unfortunately, it didn’t sound like she knew who was responsible.

  “It doesn’t sound like you know who’s behind it.”

  She leaned forward into the light and Marcus got his first good look at her. Black shoulder length hair framed a classically beautiful Asian face, almond eyes, full lips, small chin. The only flaw he saw were some fine lines around her eyes. She could have been Iaka’s mother. Somehow that made him feel better. “I can’t give you a name, but I can give you a location. My people tracked their ship’s unannounced arrival three days ago.”

  Marcus frowned and she nodded. “Yes, the same day you arrived. Not a coincidence I think. They’re mercenaries, not a group we’ve used or even dealt with, also not a coincidence. Whoever sent them for your friend knew what they were doing.”

  Marcus nodded, mind working, trying to figure which of his enemies had the money and connections to pull this off. The list shrank a little, but it was still way too long. Right now it didn’t matter who was behind it. They could figure that out after he rescued Solomon. “You wouldn’t object to me talking to the mercenaries?” They both knew what he meant when he said talk.

  “Not at all. In fact it saves us the trouble of having to talk to them ourselves. When you’re finished I expect they’ll never talk to anyone else again. Clear?”

  “Crystal. I’m working with a security officer named Smith. Should I tell him about this before or after?”

  She leaned back into the shadows and he caught snatches of whispered conversation. She leaned forward again. “Smith is one of ours. Tell him whatever you like. We’ll instruct him to provide whatever help you need.”

  The man with the silver tray stepped out of the shadows again. This time he had a data chip on his tray. Marcus got up, took the chip, and bowed again. “Thank you for this.”

  She nodded. “Deal with the mercenaries and we will call it even.”

  Behind him the door opened. As dismissals went that one was pretty clear. Marcus backed a few paces away from the desk then turned and walked toward the rectangle of light. He stepped out into the hall and the door shut behind him. A little ways as away, leaning against the wall, waited Mina.

  Marcus smiled. “Waiting to see if I made it out in one piece?”

  She stepped away from the wall and moved to walk beside him, a little closer than he was comfortable with. As they headed toward the stairwell she said, “You wouldn’t have been the first person to go in and not come back out. I’m pleased you’re intact.”

  He laughed. “Me too. Thanks for worrying.”

  They retraced their path to the front door, no further conversation passed between them. Marcus stepped out on to the front steps, the sun sat low in the sky, and turned to face her. “Take care of yourself, Mina.”

  She flashed an eyetooth. “Actually, it’s Margret.” She closed the door, leaving him staring at the blank steel door.

  * * *

  Marcus tightened the final strap around his bike. He hardly remembered the ride back to the landing field. Mina’s, no Margret’s, final words stunned him. He knew the dragons had nonhuman members, but to have one running a planet spanning operation… He’d say this for her; she was one hell of an actress.

  Iaka entered the hold from the cockpit. She stopped by the door, crossed her arms and frowned. Looked like she was still mad at him for not taking her along. He left the bike and went to join her. “Well, you’re alive, that’s something. How’d it go?”

  Marcus told her what happened, leaving nothing out, but glossing over a few details, most related to Margret’s costume. When he finished Iaka said, “The Nine Dragons’ leader is an Etherian?” Iaka incredulity matched Marcus’s.

  “I know, it surprised me too. That’s probably the best thing she’s got going for her, no one would expect her to be in charge. The thing that matters most is I know where to find Solomon. Let’s contact Smith then head out.”

  Marcus started toward the cockpit. Iaka grabbed his shoulder. “Did you really pass on a chance to hook up with an Etherian for me?”

  Marcus grinned. “I told you, you’re the only woman for me.”

  She kissed him and they continued on towards the cockpit. “Was she as hot as they claim?”

  Marcus glanced over his shoulder. “Do you think I’m stupid enough to answer that?”

  She laughed. The cockpit door hissed open at their approach. Marcus dropped into his chair and punched comm number into his console. It took a few seconds, but he finally answered. “Marcus, word is you have some good news.”

  “Hopefully. Did our mutual friend fill you in on everything?”

  “Everything I needed to know. There won’t be any patrols in the area until you call me. When it’s done we’ll handle the clean up.”

  “Sounds good. We’re heading out now.”

  Marcus powered up the Star and slipped the data chip into the reader. All that came up on his screen were a set of coordinates. Iaka typed them into the navigation system and a guide appeared on his heads up display. Looked like they were only half an hour out. Anxious as he was to find Solomon he wanted to get there after dark, it would make their stealth system even more effective. He did a quick search. Sunset was an hour away. No problem, he’d just fly slow.

  They blasted off from the landing field and Marcus set a course that would take them on a long loop out wide from the target. He kept his speed under mach one and when they flew far enough away from civilization activated the cloaking device. He grinned. The mercenaries would never know what hit them.

  When the sun finally set Marcus swung the ship towards the coordinates Margret provided. He came in slow and silent, using the antigravity generator and maneuvering jets to position the Star directly above a clearing in the jungle. On his scanners little figures loaded gear into a hauler. It looked like they planned to move again soon.

  He turned to Iaka. “I’ll go down with Gruesome, you stay here and watch the scanners. If anyone tries to escape blast them.”

  “Be careful. These people look like professionals.”

  “Don’t worry. After everything we’ve been through I don’t intend to buy it on some jungle pleasure planet.”

  She smiled. “We really don’t have very good luck with jungle planets, do we?”

  “I don’t know. If not for a certain jungle planet I might never have met you. Still, next vacation I vote for a water world.”

  “I second that.” She squeezed his leg. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.” He left the cockpit, relieved Iaka hadn’t insisted on coming down with him. He doubted she’d approve of what he agreed to do for the dragons. He reached the hold and walked over to Gruesome. “Wake up.”

  The war bot’s photoreceptors flashed green then glowed steady indicating it was ready. “War mode.”

  The light went from green to red. Blunt fingers designed to handle cargo lengthened into rending talons. Banks of micro-missile launchers slid out of concealed compartments in its shoulders and lower legs. A pair of heavy blasters emerged from forearm slots followed by the plasma cannon in its chest. “War mode confirmed.” Gruesome’s voice was so deep it vibrated in his chest.
r />   “We need three prisoners for questioning. There are potentially two noncombatants so watch your field of fire. Lethal force is authorized.”

  The crimson lights in Gruesome’s eyes flashed once. “Acknowledged.”

  Marcus went over to the storage cylinder where his armor waited and typed in his access code. The cylinder spun around revealing the gleaming black armor. He and Gruesome should make quite an entrance. “Black Dragon, armor up.”

  6

  Marcus clanked over to the rear door control panel, he always felt a little awkward when he first put the armor on, and hit the switch. The doors squeaked open, revealing the clear night sky. Below them the lights of the mercenaries’ camp revealed the clearing and their continuing work. Marcus used eye movements to control the suits heads up display and activated the dedicated link to Gruesome. “Commence attack.”

  The war bot walked to the end of the loading ramp, every step rattled the deck, and leapt into the darkness. Three quarters of the way to the ground, thrusters built into its feet and back fired. It looked like someone sent up a flare. A couple seconds later crimson streaks of killing energy streaked up from the ground. Gruesome responded in kind and the battle began.

  Marcus leapt out of the ship, fired his thrusters, and flew around the battlefield. Gruesome would handle the heavy combat while he scouted around and checked out the building. If Solomon was anywhere it would be there. He flew around the clearing, checking for hidden snipers or traps. The building, a temporary shelter similar to what soldiers used on long-term deployments, had only one entrance and no guards. An explosion rocked the clearing. Either Gruesome had gotten serious, or the mercenaries had more firepower than he thought. The scream of blaster fire continued without slowing, so whatever blew up it hadn’t ended the fight.