The Begining (The Navigator Book 1) (15 page)

“Jared is looking for you. I would bet he has special plans for you, too.” Joe replied.

She paled a little bit. “That's not something I would like to think about. I really don't want to know what that twisted fuck wants to do with me. Besides, I know most of the people on the station that are against him. If he gets me, he could get them.”

“So, we will have to make sure he doesn't get you. Hopefully, this is only a retrieval order and not a terminate one. Don't sweat it, Becka. They think I'm dead, so they won't be prepared for it. Let me call the Admiral to let him know we're on our way and see what he can do about it. Otherwise, I'll deal with it … quietly.”

“He may want you to do that anyway. I get the feeling he's getting tired of all this bullshit,” Becka asked.

Joe chuckled. “I'm sure he is. Hell, I just got here and I'm already sick of it!” He paused and turned in his seat. “We're on the move, Admiral."

“I see that. What's your ETA?” Hawklings said.

“About five and a half hours, Sir. Even at these speeds it's still going to take some time, we were pretty far out,” Becka replied.

“That should put you there in the middle of the night cycle. I've already gotten your paperwork set up with Symms and told the young Captain Shana that she and her ship have been reassigned. Symms said to let you know he should have everything else ready to go by noon tomorrow,” Hawklings explained.

Joe nodded. “One thing; Becka received a message from the young man that dispatches these darts. A very rude woman with two thugs in tow came into his office and demanded to know which dart and where Becka had flown to. He said she claimed to be from the Guild. It sounds like Jared is searching for her.”

Hawklings looked thoughtful. “Which means they'll be watching for her arrival. We don't have the time or the facilities to question prisoners, and your existence needs to remain a secret, Major. So, even if she is a Navigator, you're going to have to deal with her and anyone with her that can identify you.”

"With everything going on at the Citadel, I think I might need a little help I can trust. Admiral, do you think you could get me those two ex-Marines that picked me up?" Joe asked.

"Sure I can, but why do you need them?" Hawklings asked.

"From what Becka has been telling me, there are two separate factions on the Citadel. Those that are loyal to us and the mission we were recruited for and the other is composed of Jared and his minions.

"Before I take out Jared, we're going to have to make sure he doesn't have anyone in position to cause trouble or something else drastic. I'll have Smith and Jones help me round up the minions in the most important areas before I hit Jared. It's the only way to insure the safety of the loyal people. After that, I would like them to handle station security while I get busy with my real mission there; being a Navigator," Joe explained.

"Are two going to be enough?" Hawklings asked. "I can get you a few more if you think you'll need them."

Joe was thoughtful for a moment. "I just don't know, Admiral. I'm usually a solo act. It's going to be difficult enough having two with me and I know I can trust them to do what I tell them. There is a strong possibility that Jared will have sanctioned many more. I can't see how he could get away with everything he's been getting away with, if he was acting on his own."

Hawklings nodded. "I see you're point. Those two are actually already over there and preparing for an exploration mission. I'll get two others sent out to replace them and have them reassigned to you."

Joe nodded. "Okay, I'll call ahead and work out the details with Shana and Doctor Symms. That way she can be ready to lift once we get there. With any luck, we'll be able to simply land next to the shuttle, get aboard and leave before Jared even knows what's going on."

Hawklings nodded solemnly. "Do what you need to do, Major. I'll see you when you get here. Good hunting Major."

"Thank you Sir, with any luck, this'll be over quickly," Joe said grinning.

"Survey zero-one-one-niner, you are cleared for landing on pad Gamma nineteen-west," the tower controller at New Hedron Starport said over the speakers in the cabin.

"Roger Control, Gamma-one-niner-west. ETA is five minutes. Thanks for the quick landing," Becka replied.

"It's the middle of the fuckin' night, there's no one to wait for! Welcome back," Control replied.

Joe checked his Glock and chambered a round. He'd attached the silencer a bit earlier.

Becka landed the agile little craft next to the larger shuttle. Through the windows, Joe could see Shana standing beside her ship next to the open airlock. A rather large man was standing next to her and she was not smiling.

"Joe..." Becka began.

"Yeah, I see it. Just follow my lead. If someone asks you who I am, tell them I'm an assistant Dr. Symms sent out with you to test his shielding," Joe replied. "If we play this right, maybe we can break this little trap and get some information at the same time."

Becka nodded. "Okay, I trust you."

"Just be ready to get out of the way. I'll go first with the toy box. You hang back and do pilot things," Joe said winking at her.

Her worried expression softened a little and she almost smiled at him.

Joe opened the cargo doors as soon as Becka powered down the drive. He could be clearly seen un-strapping the big case holding his weapons. Becka was busying herself in the cockpit with pilot duties.

Joe lifted the case up on its casters and pulled the heavy case out of the dart and headed for the shuttle. Shana looked at him strangely for a moment, but a minuscule shake of Joe's head stopped her from asking a question.

"Good Morning, Captain. Is Dr. Symms onboard yet?" Joe asked in a friendly tone of voice.

"No, I haven't seen him yet, sorry." Shana replied.

Joe winked at her, and spoke in French. "You don't know me, just act like I'm an anonymous tech assistant. Just play along for now, I'll explain later. If they ask, tell them I'm from Quebec, too."

"
Oui Messuier
," Shana replied in the same language.

"That's kinda rude, I don't speak French," the brute beside her said.

"He asked if he could store his equipment and said he was from Quebec as well," Shana replied to him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, could you give me a hand with this? It's kinda heavy and if I don't get it stowed before the doctor gets here, he'll get really mad at me," Joe asked with a French accent.

The man motioned his head toward the airlock. "Go on, there's someone in there to help you."

"Thanks," Joe said in a less than friendly voice the big man ignored. He almost made it to the door when another huge man came out and picked up the case.

"Careful! there's a lot of expensive and delicate equipment in there!" Joe said in mock fear for the imaginary equipment.

"Chill out tech-head. I won't bust any of yer test tubes," the man said. "Come on."

Joe followed the big man into the empty cargo hold for the shuttle. Joe made sure the door closed behind them as the big man sat the case down. He stood and started to turn. "Do you ha... Gahh!"

Joe struck quickly, hitting him in the throat so he couldn't call for help, then proceeded to knock the big gorilla unconscious. He pulled the heavy man over to one of the walls where he secured him with several cargo straps.

Opening his weapons case, Joe took out a roll of military duct tape, and covered the man's mouth. Thus secured, Joe quickly moved back to the door and cracked it open. He was just in time to hear the other man talking to Becka.

"There you are you stupid bitch! You know you should have just came in when the Prime ordered it. He wants to see you in his office; now," the big man said.

"I've been busy doing what we're supposed to be doing, or has he forgotten that?" Becka said insolently.

"I'll let you tell him that. Get aboard," the man ordered. "You, pilot, get ready to lift."

"What about Dr. Symms?" Shana asked. "He's the reason I'm going to the Citadel in the first place."

"Fuck 'em!" the brute said, "He ain't here and we're ready to go. He can find another ride. Move."

Doing as she was told, Shanna followed Becka into the ship, while the big man followed and closed the airlock.

Once everyone was passed the door, Joe heard a woman's voice in the main cabin. "You are a hard little bitch to find, now maybe the Prime will get off my ass about finding you. He has a few questions for you. Pilot! Get your skinny ass up there and take us to the Citadel. Ayers, go see what's keeping Hewes and that tech."

"What do you want to do with the tech? You know he's gonna bitch when he finds out Symms ain't here," the man said.

"Tell him to go file a complaint with the Citadel. This is official business," the woman replied.

Joe saw the big man start to turn, so he moved back and pulled out the Glock. The door opened and the man saw Joe standing there with the gun pointed at his head, and a finger to his mouth indicating silence.

Joe motioned the big man over beside his friend, where he too was quickly secured.

"You're that fucker the Prime was afraid of aren't ya?" the man called Ayers asked.

Joe smiled at him evilly and covered his mouth with the tape.

Joe didn't say anything to him. Instead, he turned around, fastened the tie-downs for his case to the floor, and walked over to the door. Looking back, he could see the other man had regained consciousness. They were both watching him in amusement. Joe grinned at them and left the hold.

"Why hasn't that stupid bitch taken off yet?" the woman asked.

"She isn't a stupid bitch, her name is Shana and she's my friend," Becka replied. "You know she might be having trouble getting clearance on this short notice."

The woman snorted. "My, haven't you gotten brave. That won't last long." The woman's sneer deepened.  "I'm certain the Prime has something special planned for you. By the time he gets done with you, you'll be begging to tell him who all the troublemakers are at the Citadel."

"You know I don't think you have a clue as to what's really going on here," Becka looking up said as Joe stepped up behind the woman.

"Who the fuck are you?" the woman said, turning to see what Becka was looking at.

"Major Joseph Anderson, United Terrain Marines. Who are you?" Joe asked seriously.

"You're the Anomaly!" The woman said and started reaching under her jacket.

Joe had the Glock pointed at her head so quickly she hadn't even seen him move. "That's rather rude," he said. "I introduced myself, you call me names and reach for a weapon. That's just not nice."

She slowly pulled her hand back away from her jacket. "Okay, so now what?" the woman asked.

"First, you're going to answer my questions. Depending on how you answer will determine how you are going to make this flight... or if you finish it," Joe said, reaching into her jacket and removing her weapon.

"Like I'm going to tell you anything! I'm not that stupid! There is nothing you could do to me that would even compare to what The Prime will do to me," she replied.

"You're not very bright are you?" Joe asked. "I really don’t think you have to worry about seeing your beloved 'prime' again; at least, not in this life." Joe said. "I want you to think about something."

"What?" the woman asked, hatefully.

"You're afraid of Jared, right?" Joe asked.

"Who isn't?" she said.

"Me," Joe replied. "Now, consider this; you're afraid of Jarad, but Jared is afraid of me." Joe smiled without any warmth. "Who do you honestly think you should be afraid of right now?"

"Jared isn't afraid of you," the woman replied without hesitation. "You are a nuisance and a threat to his control of the Citadel, but he's not afraid of you."

Joe turned to Becka. "Do you recognize her?"

"I've seen her of course, but I don't know her at all. I think her name is Connie, or Corinne or something," Becka replied.

"Well, Connie or something, you and your two friends are going to be joining us for the time being. It's entirely up to you if you will be actually staying with us or not. Have a seat, this won't take long," Joe replied and motioned her to a chair at the table with his weapon. He moved over and gently knocked on the bridge door.

When Shana opened the door, she smiled at him. "I knew you were up to something. So, where are we really going?"

Joe winked at her. "The Citadel, but we can't leave yet. There are a couple of things I need to take care of first. Dr. Symms and his team will also be joining us. Can you hang out here for a few?"

Shana nodded. "Sure, but what are you going to do with our passengers?"

"Try to get some information out of them, but mostly I'm just gonna make sure their comfortably contained in the hold. We'll take them to Darkwater when we're finished." Joe said.

"Okay, I did file the flight plan as instructed, but I left the departure time as 'indeterminate'. We can get away with that when we do research runs," Shana explained. "Oh! Before I forget, a runner from the operations office brought this by for you." She handed Joe a small plastic card case. He opened it, and saw several different identification cards. One of them listed him as a representative of the Council and gave him Council authority.