God and Soccer

Young men show their faith on the playing field. I don't think God took a side. Both teams played like he did, though

Free Sci-fi Ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 27

.CHAPTER 27

Jupiter disappeared below the horizon transforming the Ceres landscape to utter darkness, except for the dim light coming from the millions of stars visible from horizon to horizon. Twelve men slept in groups of three to keep warm. Snoring drifted across the camp. Amasunto dozed nearby sitting against a rock. 

A dark figure crawled slowly and silently on its belly toward the sleeping men.  A blackened face eased between two rocks.  Two blue eyes stared at the huddled figures. 

Jake inched ever closer as one of the men rolled over on his side and pushed closer to the man in the middle, pulling a thin blanket around his shoulders. If the man’s eyes would have opened at that moment, he would have been scared witless to see Jake’s face just inches from his own.

Jake stared at the sleeping man a moment to make sure he wasn’t about to wake.  Then he reached back very slowly. The campfire showed briefly as a glint of light on the blade of the long, razor sharp knife. 

2015 a Very Good Year for Books: "The Kid and Wild Bill"; "Ghost of The U-85"; and film, "God's Club"

It's been a good year, creative wise, for me. Two books published, The Kid and Wild Bill and Ghost of The U-85; a screenplay written for Nasser Entertainment Group that has been produced as God's Club (starringStephen Baldwin, Lorenzo Lamas and Corbin Bernsen) and will be out early in 2016. And a ton of news and feature stories written for BenitoLink and theHollister Free Lance.

Every time I sit down to write I thank God for the ability He has granted me and ask Him to guide my mind and hands so I do the best possible job for whomever has hired me to do so.

Merry Christmas to one and all, and may God watch over you into and throughout the New Year.

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends and Liars, Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Amasunto stood on a slight hill and gazed at Jupiter.  Behind and below him several men were turning off head lanterns and bedding down close to one another for warmth.   One of Amasunto’s new men, Brutachus, a huge, heavily muscled and badly scarred fighter joined him.

“Do you want me to put out sentries?” Brutachus asked.

Amasunto looked around at the empty valley. “It’s been a long march.  Let them sleep.”

“Yes, sir,” Brutachus said as he turned to go back into the camp.

“Brutachus,” Amasunto said.

Brutachus stopped and turned back to face Amasunto. “Sir?”

“Four hours, then we leave.  We need to reach Escalante before they wake.”

“Yes, sir.”

“No matter what, Sergeant Lane is mine.  Understand?”

“Understood.  Then we get off this rock, right?”

“Soon enough.”

“Not too soon, if you ask me.  The agency will track us down if we stay here much longer.  I don’t understand why this Lane is worth risking everything.”

“You had no life before I freed you.  Remember that,” Amasunto said. “I would think you’d appreciate that and do me this little favor, before we leave.”

Brutachus realized he was treading in dangerous territory. “Yes, sir.  I do,” he said.

“Good.  Now get some sleep.”

Brutachus nodded nervously and went down into the camp.

Spy thriller, "Ghost of The U-85" available in paperback and ebook at Amazon

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends and Liars, Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Jake watched Toby and Lizzy run to their mother.  He had a strange look on his face as he remembered the battle on Mars eleven years before.  He turned to them. “Do you have weapons?” he said.

“Oh, crap!” Tibbs said stunned.

“A few old rifles, but not many bullets for them,” she said.  “We have one of the new pulse rifles.  And we have many blades.”

“We have the will and perhaps surprise on our side,” October said.  “They won’t expect a fair fight.”

“There will be nothing fair about it,” Jake said.

“Well, you can count me out,” Tibbs said.  “I’m taking my ore and getting the hell out of here.”

“You can leave if you want, Tibbs, but you’ll go empty-handed,” Jake said.

Tibbs jumped to his feet. “You don’t have any say in what I do!  I’m out of here!” he said and headed for the door, “I’m taking my share with me.”

He started to reach for the door handle and stopped when he heard the sound of a shotgun-blaster coming on.  He turned slowly and saw Elana pointing the weapon at him.

“You want to lose that hand?” she said.

Tibbs studied her eyes and the blaster.  He didn’t believe she would shoot and reached for the door.

A fist-sized hole exploded, vaporizing the handle.  He jerked his hand back and glared at her with hate-filled eyes.

“Bitch!” He snarled. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re a bad shot.”

“If it makes you feel better to believe that,” she said adjusting the weapon, aiming it at his head.

“Sit down, Tibbs,” Jake ordered.

Tibbs gave both of them a hateful look.  Reluctantly, he went back to the table and sat down.

Jake and Elana exchanged a quick look. He took a deep breath and seemed to dig deep inside to bring up a resolve that he had kept hidden for eleven years.

“How many men are there who can fight?” he asked.

October winked at Elana.

“All are willing, but perhaps eight or ten are capable,” she said.  “The women will also fight.”

 “We have to keep Amasunto and the others out of town.”

“How?” October asked. “There are too many of them to fight in the open.”

“I want you two to make preparations.”

“And you?” Elana asked.

He smiled slightly. “I’m going to try to convince them to stay away.”

“What are you gonna do, talk them to death,” Tibbs growled.

“Something like that,” Jake said.

Elana studied Jake a moment. Then she slapped the blaster up in both her hands as she turned to October. “Come on, father.  We’ve got work to do.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” Tibbs said.

Jake nodded toward October and Elana. “Help them or stay out of the way,” he said.

Jake, Elana and October went out the door, leaving Tibbs sulking.

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

Elana brought a dish of hot food to the table and sat, joining October, Jake and Tibbs.  October was pleading the case for the villagers, “These people need you, Jake.  They cannot stand up to Amasunto and his men.  It would be a slaughter.”

“That’s not our problem,” Tibbs chimed in.

Jake stared down at his hands.

“Does he speak for you, Jake?” Elana asked.

Jake looked up at her. “No, he doesn’t,” Jake said.  “But I can’t help you.”

“Can’t or won’t,” she said.

“However you want to look at it.”

“For once you’re making sense,” Tibbs told Jake.  “We’re not looking to be heroes.  We just want to get back to New Romani and cash in.”

“I’ll give you my part share if you stay and help,” October offered.

“You ain’t got no share to give, old man,” Tibbs said.

“Tibbs, shut up, will you,” Jake said and turned to October. “You’re still getting your share.”

“Won’t do me much good because I’m staying,” October said.

“No one has to die if we get out of here before they come.”

“This is our home,” Elana protested.

“This is a row of huts in a forgotten outpost on an asteroid that nobody cares about,” Jake said.

“That’s right!” Tibbs agreed gleefully.

“It may be an asteroid that nobody cares about, but this is where we live,” Elana countered.  “My children were born here.  My husband died here.”

“Do you want your children to die here too?”

She looked at him with sadness in her eyes. 

He turned to look over his shoulder and saw Lizzy and Toby playing with her swirler. 

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

Escalante was a small outpost of small huts and tents, a store, electronics gizmo repair shop, and a saloon that buzzed with activity and celebration at the return of the missing friends and family members.

October was being treated like a returning hero, which in a way he was, being related by marriage to Elana’s mother to half the villagers.  He lay sprawled in a hammock stretched out between two small buildings.  Children hovered around him in awe and he sipped a cool yellow liquid from a tall glass.

“Uncle October, what is it like,” said an excited boy of about eight as he pointed to the stars, “out there?”

“You mean to tell me you’ve never been off Ceres?” October asked amazed at the thought.

“No uncle, none of us have,” chimed in another boy about the same age.

“Well, in that case, children, listen up,” October began, “while I tell you a story about the time I saved Captain Alexis Xernuroff during the great raid on Victor’s Glen.”

“You knew Captain Xernuroff!” asked a girl of ten amazed at the possibility.

“Know him!  If I hadn’t been with him in the early days, why he’d never grown to be the hero he is today.  Course that was way before he went on to head the campaign against the Warlights.”

“Yes, father, tell us how you saved the great Captain Xernuroff from a fate worse than death,” Elana said from the sidelines.

October looked up and saw the disproving, yet loving, look on Elana’s face.

“Children, I’ll have to tell you that story a little later,” he said.

The children gave a collective moan of disappointment.

He held up his hands to quiet the protest. “I promise.  Now, off you go.” As the children scurried away he got up and walked with Elana along the street. 

She was frightened and it showed despite her attempt to hide it.

“What’s wrong?” he asked concerned.

“Scouts have reported in that Amasunto has more men and he’s coming,” she said.

October was stunned. “Where in the galaxy does he continue to find such men?”

“It would seem there is no shortage of evil men, even here on this small rock in space.”

“What does he want with this place?”

“Revenge, I would think.”

“For what?”

“Christopher was the one who led authorities to him.”

“I don’t understand.  You said Amasunto killed Christopher.”

He did, afterward. And even though he did kill Christopher, it would seem that Amasunto’s blood thirst has no limit.  He has sworn to wipe our clan from existence.”

October held her shoulders and looked down at her. “What do the elders plan to do?”

“Some want to flee,” Elana said.

“Ceres is too small a place to hide for long.  He will find you no matter where you run.  They must know that.”

“What choice do we have?  We’re tinkerers and traders, not warriors.”

“We in time for dinner?” Jake’s voice came from behind Elana.

October and Elana turned to see Jake and Tibbs leading three mules as they entered the outpost.  October grinned broadly and turned to Elana.

“I just happen to know a warrior,” he said as he waved to Jake.  

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

At the mining camp Jake handed one of the former prisoners, a teenager, a weapon. “Keep an eye on the trail.  You see anything move, shoot,” he said.

“Yes, sir,” said the gypsy boy as he trotted to the edge of camp where he could watch the trail into the valley.

Jake watched the boy for a moment with a far-away look.  

Joshua would be about his age, he thought.  Then he noticed the ground ahead of the boy begin to move.

The boy was not paying attention to the trail as he examines the weapon. Jake rushed forward and tackled the surprised teenager, knocking him away from the smoldering ground and yanked him back. The boy saw the transformation of the ground taking place and knew what it was. 

They sprinted away just as the ground erupted into a gigantic blue geyser, which proved beautiful and deadly as the plants around it turned black and burst into flames.

The boy looked at Jake, thankful but embarrassed. Nothing needed to be said. They watched a moment as the geyser died as quickly as it had erupted. Jake nodded for the boy to move out.

“What now?” Tibbs said as he nodded toward the others, “They can’t stay here.”

“For once I agree with you, Tibbs,” Jake said then turned to Elana. “How far is that outpost?”

“Escalante?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“Half a day’s walk.”

“How many people are there?”

“A few dozen, maybe more. Why?”

“They have weapons?”

“Yes, some do.”

Jake looked at October. “What do you think?”

October studied the path below their camp. “They’d have to pass down there to follow us,” he said.  “If you watch our back, we can make it.”

Tibbs stepped forward to protest. “Hey, what about—”

“About what, Tibbs?” Jake cut him off.

“We’ll need every gun in case they decide to come up after the—” Tibbs caught himself and eyed the others, his paranoia and distrust building. “We just gonna let them go?  They might tell someone.”

“For god’s sake, Tibbs!” October exploded.  “If you’re worried about the ore, you can have my share.  These people are way beyond caring about your precious treasure.  They just want to get out of here alive.”

Tibbs seemed for the moment to realize the idiocy of his statement.

“You’re right, of course.  Don’t know what I was thinking.” He looked at Jake. “Whatever you want to do.”

There was no way Jake could trust Tibbs, but he didn’t have much a choice.

“Tibbs and I will stay here and cover you down the trail,” he said. “I know how Amasunto thinks.  He’s a fugitive.  He won’t stay in one place long.  Besides, his men know his dining preferences.  They won’t want to be out here alone with him any longer than they have to.”

“Do you want me to bring reinforcements back here?” October asked.

“No.  We won’t be staying much longer.” He nodded at Tibbs. “We’ll bring your share to Escalante with us.”

“Don't stay too long, Jake,” October said as he shook Jake’s hand and added as an afterthought, “You too, Tibbs.”

“Yeah, sure.  See ya,” Tibbs said irritably.

“Be careful... Mr. Lane,” Elana said.

Jake smiled. “It’s Jake.” 

She gave him a little smile.

Jake nodded to her as October gathered the kids and the three men and the teenager as they moved on down the trail.

Jake grabbed his weapon and headed in the opposite direction.  In the distance, he could see that Amasunto’s campfire was blazing brightly. He turned to Tibbs. “I’ll take the first watch.  Relieve me in four hours.”

“Right,” Tibbs said, adding under sotto voce, “Always think you’re in charge, don’t you, Lane.  We’ll see about that.”

Jake settled in behind a rocky ledge above the trail.  He set his weapon up, aiming so as to get maximum angle on the trail in each direction.  He raised the binoculars to his eyes and even though he knew what he might see he was shocked at the sight. “Bon appétit, you sick bastard,” he said as he watched the body of the convict turn slowly over the fire as his mortal enemy, Amasunto watched hungrily.

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

Three of the convicts hovered close to a fire as night closed around them. Four tuskers were roasting on a spit over the fire.  One of the convicts pulled one of the small animals off and tossed it to Amasunto who ripped into it hungrily.

Another convict stood guard outside the circle of light.  The four prisoners watched warily and the children cling to their mother.

Amasunto nearly swallowed the tiny rodent whole and licked his fingers. “More!” he bellowed.

Even those who had escaped the maximum security prison with him feared the terrifying giant.  The convict who gave Amasunto the first tusker started to take another off the spit.

“No.” Amasunto stopped him. “I find them too greasy for my taste.  I need proper nourishment.” He smiled a crooked-toothed grin at Toby, who cowered against her mother and nodded toward the boy. “He will do.”

“You know that ain’t our thing, Amasunto,” the man said.

Amasunto licked his lips hungrily. “I was not thinking of sharing.  Prepare him for me.”

The convict looked at the boy and his mother with regret, but he knew better than to disobey Amasunto.  He nodded to another of the convicts, who had no compunction about roasting children as he strode toward the prisoners.

Elena’s eyes grew wide in terror as she clung to her children. “No!  You can’t do this,” she pleaded.

“Momma, what’s he going to do?” Tobey said terrified.

“Give me the boy,” the convict demanded.

Elana clung desperately to Toby as the convict pulled at his arm. “Please, don’t!  Take me, I beg you.”

“Normally, you would be acceptable, but he will be more tender,” Amasunto said and nodded at the convict. “Get it done.  I am famished.”

“Why are you doing this?” Elana asked desperately. “We have done nothing to you.”

“It is not personal.  It’s a matter of metabolism.  I must eat every two hours or I will perish.” He shrugged. “It is who I am.”

“If you must eat, then why not me?”

“Your time will come.”

The convict slugged Elana, knocking her down and yanked Toby from her arms as he walked toward the smoking fire and drew a knife. He did not see the pencil-thin red laser beam cut through the campfire smoke as a red dot centered on his chest just above Toby’s head. 

Everyone in the camp, however, did see the beam. All eyes followed it to the man as he drew the knife up to Toby’s throat.

Toby struggled as he dangled in the air and kicked helplessly against the convict’s legs.  Then the convict noticed everyone staring at something.  He finally saw the red beam of light in the smoke and he looked down slowly, following its path to his chest.  He looked up at Amasunto with an aw-shit expression.

Amasunto tried to see into the darkness around them. “Perhaps you should put the lad down,” he said quietly.

Instead of heeding the warning, the convict raised Toby higher and pressed the knife against his throat.  The red dot rose to the convict’s head.

“Even if you kill me, the boy’s dead,” he shouted into the darkness.

From the opposite direction another red beam cut across the first and centered on Amasunto’s chest.  The tiny dot expanded slowly to a ten-inch circle, indicating the size of the hole the blast would make.

“Now it is personal,” the man-eater said.  “Put him down.”

“No way I’m gonna do—”

Without warning, the convict’s right leg was blown off below the knee.  He screamed in agony and dropped Toby as he fell to the ground writhing in pain. Amasunto stood across the fire with his shotgun-blaster. 

The red circle remained on his chest.

“Drop it,” Jake commanded.

Amasunto tossed the weapon aside.  It was a practical decision.  There was no fear in him as Jake, October and Tibbs stepped into the circle of light.  But there was recognition on the giant killer’s face. 

Then a little smile.

“Sergeant Lane?  I thought you were dead,” Amasunto said cheerfully.

The children saw October and ran to him, crying together, “Grandpa!” They lept to him as he knelt to take them into his arms.  Elana ran to her father.

“Christopher?” he asked her of his son-in-law.

Elana shook her head and tears swelled up in her eyes as she looked toward Amasunto. “We were traveling to the Escalante outpost,” she said through the tears.  “They ambushed the caravan.  Chris... he tried to protect us, but,” her eyes glared at the monster with hate, “but that one murdered him...in front of the children.”

Amasunto looked past Jake at them.

“Touching,” he said without feeling.  “If I had known they were friends of yours, sergeant,” he grinned through crooked lips showing sharp teeth, “I would have had them for breakfast.”

“You know him?” Tibbs asked.

“We’ve met.”

Tibbs looked from Jake to Tibbs. “The two of you are just full of surprises.”

“It was a long time ago.”

“It seems like only yesterday when we were comrades-in-arms,” Amasunto said.

“He fought with the rebels?” Tibbs said.  “With you?  Why am I not surprised!”

“He’s a mercenary,” Jake said as he glared at Amasunto, “and a traitor.”

“That’s not how I saw it, sergeant,” Amasunto said.  “The other side simply made me a better offer.”

“Just business, right,” Jake said scornfully.

“I liked you, sergeant.  But I had a reputation to consider.  I couldn’t let emotion stand in the way of a firm offer.” He shrugged his massive shoulders.  “You know how it is.”

“Yes, I do.  And I’m sure you’ll understand—” Jake aimed his weapon at Amasunto.

“That wouldn’t be smart,” Amasunto said. 

“You know I’ve never been the smart one,” Jake said.

Amasunto held up a small device in his hand. 

Jake knew instantly what it is, a miniature tactical nuclear explosive device. 

Amasunto smiled as a long finger tapped gently on a button. “If you are intent on killing me, then I have nothing to lose,” he said.

“Is that what I think it is?” said Tibbs.

“Exactly,” said Jake.

“Crap!”

“The range is limited, but everyone here will die,” Amasunto said.

Tibbs looked desperately at Jake then Amasunto. “Let him go,” he said.

“He’s bluffing,” Jake said.  “He may be uglier than hell, but he doesn’t want to die any more than you do.”

“Mr. Lane, please,” Elana pleaded.

“Yes, sergeant, after all, there are the children,” Amasunto mocked.  “As I recall, you always were one for protecting the children.”

It was a deadly standoff as Jake kept his weapon aimed at Amasunto, who caressed the button on small explosive device.  Jake straightened up, eased the weapon down and motioned with a nod for the others to move back away from the camp. “We’ve got the high ground and can see every move you make,” he said.

“You had the high ground before.”

“We don’t have a traitor among us this time.”

Amasunto eyed Tibbs. “It’s a small asteroid, sergeant.”

October guided Elana and the two children out of the camp.  The four other prisoners moved out with Tibbs as he walked backwards keeping his weapon trained on the other convicts.

Jake stood at the edge of the light a moment. “I won’t hesitate to kill you next time,” he promised.

“That would be wise,” Amasunto said.

Jake stepped into the dark and disappeared. 

Amasunto stood motionless for a few moments then took out of one of his pockets a long, twisted cigar-like object and casually flicked the explosive device as he lit up and took long drag.

One of the convicts went over to the injured man who had dragged himself up against a rock as his knee smoldered; the remains of his leg lay nearby.

“They might have a radio up there and call for help,” the convict said as he looked down at the injured man.  “We better get moving.”

“You’re right,” Amasunto said.

“What about me?” the wounded man gritted. “I need a doctor.”

“He ain’t going to make it out of here on his own,” said another convict.

“Excellent point,” Amasunto said as he took a drag on the cigar.

The man’s fear overrode his pain as he looked up in terror at Amasunto.

“I ain’t carrying him,” said the man nearest the injured convict.

“No need,” said Amasunto as he blew out cigar smoke through fleshy slits on either side of his thick neck.

The wounded man struggled to rise, but fell back in agony.  He looked helplessly at the others. “Just help me up,” he pleaded.  “I won’t slow you down.”

“You’re right.  You won’t,” said Amasunto as he picked up his weapon and pointed it at the terrified convict. “I hate to travel on an empty stomach.”