DJ's Mission (3 page)

Cathy’s eyes were wide when she looked at the
table and back at him. “Umm…ummm….”

DJ didn’t even cast a backwards glance as he
rushed out of the deli with UR-L8 right on his heels. His mind was already
formulating plans and going over different scenarios he might encounter. None
appeared to be better than any other. As an ex-Marine, the straight-on frontal
assault was always his favorite. However, in this instance he knew that would
only land him back in New Leavenworth. Shaking his head, DJ plowed through the
busy thoroughfare. If the pedestrians got out of his way before he got to them,
great…if not, he shoved them aside. Nothing this side of him being in a coffin
was going to keep him from his daughter.

Chapter 3

The Nemesis was in dry dock at the moment and was
going through a very comprehensive retro-fit.

A dry dock was a hold over term from the years
before space travel. For the ‘wet’ navy, a dry dock was a place where ships
would be pulled out of the water for major repairs and/or maintenance. It had a
similar meaning for starships. On Haven, the dry docks were actually the
highest docking ring of the station which only had one entrance and exit which
allowed a very limited number of ships inside. There was also a long waiting
list to use this area since it was the only place in this sector of space where
certain repairs could be completed and heavy maintenance equipment were
located. Evidently, Iaido had called in some favors with the powers that ran
Haven and had the Nemesis moved to the front of the list.

As DJ approached the ugly starship, he ignored the
praying mantis-like workers which were swarming all over the hull of the
Nemesis. He had fought both against and alongside the Mantodea over the years
and had found them to be tough opponents or loyal friends. Personally, he
preferred the friendship aspect of the insectoid species. He only halfway noted
that the Mantodea had completely removed one engine and were in the process of
stripping off the hull plating which made up the ship’s armor.

Entering the cargo hold of the Nemesis, DJ stopped
long enough to grab his duffle bag from a locker on the starboard bulkhead
before bounding up the ladder which led to the living quarters of the ship.

UR-L8 halted and whistled. “Pardon this unit’s
inefficiency master but this unit will not be able to navigate those stairs
quickly.”

DJ paused at the hatch and looked down at the boxy
android. “Ladder, not stairs, you’re on a ship but don’t worry about it, I
won’t be long. I just need to grab a few things before we head to Titan.” And
the ex-marine disappeared through the doorway

“Certainly sir,” responded the little android even
though the human he was tasked with assisting was gone. Seeing nothing else to
do besides wait, UR-L8 casually rolled around the cargo hold until an internal
query chimed. It was both a verbal and data stream query.

The little android chose to use the verbal aspect
to answer. “How may this unit be of assistance?”

“Who are you? And why are you in my cargo hold?”
demanded Pax.

“This unit’s designation is You-Are-Ell-Eight. I
am the guardian of Kaitlyn Thomas and temporarily tasked with the duty of
assisting retired Staff Sergeant Scott DeJarnette.”

Even as Pax continued to question the boxy
android, she was accessing any and all information on Kaitlyn Thomas. Her first
instinct was to run a worm program through the android’s system but once UR-L8
identified itself as property of the Marine, she stopped. She had witnessed
some of his rampages over the last eight months and didn’t want to enrage him
against her.

“Since you are a guest of the Marine, I will grant
you limited access to the Core-net and I will inform the Captain of your
arrival.”

UR-L8 whistled. “This unit thanks you for your
kindness.”

*   *   *   *   *

DJ was pulling clothes out of his closet and
stuffing them unceremoniously into his duffle bag when Athena walked in. The
ex-Marine did a double-take as she entered since Athena was absolutely
beautiful and he couldn’t help but let his eyes roam up and down her body.

At barely five foot tall, Athena was well
proportioned for her size with a small waist, well defined hips, firm buttocks
and medium sized perky breasts. She was dressed in a form fitting red flight
suit that was unzipped down to her sternum which greatly accented her breasts. Her
raven hair was pulled back into a UNCF regulation style ponytail which hung
loosely off her collar. Her button nose and crooked smile broke hearts whenever
she was seen in public.

DJ just shook his head and thought, not for the
first time, too bad she was an android and went back to packing.

“Going somewhere?”

“Out.”

“You need to pack to go out? That doesn’t make
sense.”

“Since when do I have to make sense?”

Athena nodded. “So true but I was sent to deliver
a message. The Captain wants you to stop by before your departure.”

“Tell Iaido that I’m busy.”

Athena shifted her stance from the more relaxed
‘at ease’ stance to the more rigid ‘parade rest.’ The subtle shift in posture
was enough to inform him that visiting Iaido before he departed was not a
request. Athena might look like a runway model but he knew that she was tougher
than she looked and extremely deadly. She was one of those androids that weren’t
bound by the
‘Three Laws’
but instead had a morality code. The big thing
about the morality code meant that if her programming could justify it, she
could use force…all the way up to and including deadly force if necessary.
Disobeying an order or allowing someone to disobey an order given by her
Captain would fall into that category.

DJ nodded. “Okay. You win. Tell Iaido I’ll be
there in moment.”

“I am pleased with your decision.” She flashed him
her infamous crooked grin. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

DJ did a quick look around his small cabin, it was
a wreck. He had never thought of it as anything more than a place to sleep. The
only real personal item he’d even placed in the cabin was a picture of his
daughter. Outside of that, it was just the same drab grey it was when it was
assigned to him. But now that the cabin was empty, he realized that it had
become home and it hurt to leave. DJ swallowed hard. He thought he’d gotten
past this during his time in New Leavenworth. In prison you don’t get attached
to anything. Guards would move prisoners to new bunking areas just for fun. Not
once in the five years he spent inside or the years following had he ever
gotten attached to somewhere…not until now.

Somewhere in the back of his mind came his daughter’s
voice. “
I need you to come get me. I know you won’t let me down, you never
have before.”

DJ grabbed his duffle bag and threw it over his
shoulder. “Let’s go see Iaido. Times a wasting.”

Athena nodded and led the way forward to the
Captain’s Quarters of the Nemesis. DJ didn’t expect to see UR-L8 inside but
there it was standing next to his friend and probably the deadliest man alive.

Iaido Achilles Spartan looked to be in his
mid-thirties although DJ knew that he was probably closer to fifty. At six foot
tall and two-hundred and twenty-five pounds, he was well-built but not overly
muscular. Whenever he smiled he seemed to have a kind face, however his steel
grey eyes always seemed to peer into your soul. His bald head and tribal
tattoos on the base of his neck blended well with his neatly trimmed coal black
goatee and mustache; however the large scar which ran vertically down the left
side of his face bore testament of a rough life. 

DJ looked around the small cabin. This was the one
berth on the vessel which was actually three adjoining rooms. The outer office
or what Iaido called his study was comfortably furnished but not outlandish. 
The hatches to the left and right were closed and probably lead to his bunk
area and private office. Of course this was only speculation since DJ hadn’t
been beyond this point. 

Iaido was sitting on the couch reading something
on a datapad when he entered; there were several other such pads lying on the
coffee table within easy reach. When he didn’t speak, DJ cleared his throat.

Iaido looked up and grinned. “I see you are
heading out. You-Are-Ell-Eight has informed me of the situation you are facing.
I don’t have all the details, just the highlights.”

 “Don’t think you can stop me, nothing can.” DJ
shook his head. “Not you, not Athena, not the Haven Wardens and certainly not
Titan Avionics.”

As Iaido set down the datapad he was reading, DJ
caught a glimpse of the headline. It was a news article from Utopia, the main
planet of the Confederacy which was on the far side of the Milky Way, which
read
‘Billionaire’s Bizarre Murder-Suicide by Trophy Wife Perplexes
Investigators. Fortune Missing.’ 

Iaido picked up a different datapad and stood up.
“You misunderstand me. I don’t want to stop you, I want to help you.”

That got DJ’s attention and he cocked his head to
the side. “Now that’s different but the Nemesis is under repairs. I can’t wait
for her to be space worthy, so I’ll just grab a transport to Titan.”

“And then what? Kick in the doors, grab your
daughter and waltz back out? Do you really think that you’re going to be able
to hop a transport out with the adopted daughter of Roger Thomas under your
arm? I don’t think so. Titan Avionics controls all of Saturn and her moons not
the Coalition…don’t think otherwise. I’ve had a few bounties there over the
years and every time I’ve been there, I’ve ruffled the Sheriff’s feathers.
Enough so, that I’m on their no-fly list. Not that it stops me when I’m on a
hunt but it does make dealing with the local authorities more difficult.”

Iaido typed a few more notes into the datapad
before handing it to his friend. “Here is a list of my contacts in the area and
what they are known for and expected costs. I have also highlighted the best
leads for your journey.”

The ex-Marine took the offered information and
stammered, “I…I….”

“What flight certifications do you hold?”

DJ shook his head slightly. “Only level one, not
much use for big transports in the Marines or starfighters for that matter.”

Iaido nodded, picked up another datapad from the
coffee table and typed in a few things before handing that to him also. “On the
lowest level of Haven, you will find hanger fifty-one. Epista’tis is expecting
you.”

“Epi-what?”

Iaido shook his head. “Epee-sta-tees, it’s Greek
for caretaker. He’s in charge of my hanger and will have a few items that might
aid you in your mission.”

DJ looked down at the two datapads in his hands
and back to his friend. “I….I don’t know what to say.”

Iaido waved a dismissive hand. “You don’t have to
say anything. You came to my aid when I needed it, now it’s my turn to return
the favor. I would offer more help but I doubt you would take it.”

DJ nodded. Iaido was right. This was something he
felt he had to do on his own. He really couldn’t explain it other than it was a
family thing but then, Iaido understood that and was offering help in the only
way he could. “Thanks. This means a lot to me.”

Iaido held out his right hand. “Just be safe and
good luck.”

DJ grasped forearms with his friend. “Thanks. I’ll
contact you when this is over.” Once again grabbing his duffle bag and throwing
it over his shoulder, he and UR-L8 made their way out of the Nemesis.

*   *   *   *   *

Talia Stargleam poked her head out of one of the
side hatches. “Is he gone?”

Iaido nodded. “Aye.”

As Talia moved into his study, Iaido’s eyes
studied her every move. He was always entranced by the inhuman grace the Sylvan
race possessed. They seemed to glide instead of walk with their shoulders and
heads held straight and even. The whole race seemed to move that way. Was it
natural or a learned trait? He didn’t know but just accepted it as one of the
subtle differences in the two races.

Talia placed her cup of coffee on the table, sat
down on the couch and pulled her legs up underneath her. “Is it wise to let him
go alone?”

Iaido shook his head and joined her back on the
couch. “Probably not, but he would not take any more aid from me on this
subject.”

“But what if he fails?”

With a shrug, Iaido responded calmly. “Then he
fails. Everyone must walk his or her own path.”

“But I thought he was your friend?”

Iaido took a drink from his own cup of coffee
before replying. “He is…but a true friend doesn’t stand in your way when you
have something important to accomplish. He allows you to fall if that is your
destiny but he’s also nearby to help you up when you need it.”

Talia’s emerald green eyes flashed and a smile
came over her lovely face. “You have a plan.”

Iaido couldn’t contain his grin. “Yes, I have a
plan.”

*   *   *   *   *

DJ followed Iaido’s directions and took the lift to
the lowest section of Haven. This was actually the worst area of the whole
station. It had never been fully repaired in the interim years since the war
and had become the home to the scum of Haven. Thieves, murderers, bums, slavers
and anyone else unable or unwilling to afford living topside made this area
their home. DJ was unsure why his friend was sending him down here but he
trusted Iaido. And even though some of his plans seemed outlandish or strange
on the surface, he rarely did anything without a good reason.

Stepping off the lift, five thugs moved out of the
darkness to flank him.

Without a second thought or hesitation, DJ pulled
out his Graver Mk7 blaster and blew a fist sized hole in the closest thug’s
chest. He didn’t need to fire a second shot as the rest faded from view.
Ignoring the body, DJ moved through the bowels of the station. Stepping over
the debris and rubbish which covered the corridors, he came around a bend and
stopped dead in his tracks at the sight before him.