Free ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Jake and Tibbs entered the huge docking bay and quickly found Dock 15. A small interplanetary ship was being readied for departure.  The ground crew unhooked thick cables that were then reeled onto spools aboard refueling tankers.

Passengers made up of miners, soldiers, families and adventurers of various races and species walked up a ramp into the ship.

Jake spotted October talking to a dwarf  humanoid alien near the ship. “There he is,” he said to Tibbs as he nodded toward October.

“Who’s he talking to?” Tibbs said always suspicious.

“Jake recognized the alien. “The captain.”

“You know him?

“Oh, yeah, I know him.”

October handed the captain several bills and coins. “You drive a hard bargain, Captain Gorlock,” he said.

“I’m not in business for my health,” Gorlock said with a thick accent as he motioned to boarding passengers.  “I should have charged you double.  If we weren’t friends—”

“You’ve got friends?” Jake said as he and Tibbs approached the ship.

Gorlock’s face broke into a crooked grin. “Now I know that can’t be Sergeant Lane,” he said as he turned to face Jake and Tibbs.

“It’s just Jake now, Gorlock.”

“The Jake Lane I knew once told me the sun would freeze over before he’d leave Mars.”

There was a flash of sadness on Jake’s face; then it was gone.  They locked arms in a greeting of old comrades.

“You old pirate, I thought they pulled your pilot’s ticket,” Jake joked as he motioned to the ship. “You the steward on this barge?”

“I was cleared of all charges, and this barge, as you call her, is the fastest transport in the fleet.” Gorlock stepped back and rested his massive webbed hands on two weapons that hung low on his hips as he looked up at Jake. “What brings you to my part of the galaxy, my friend?”

“Mining.”

“Mining?  What is a warrior doing in the mines?”

This got October’s attention. “Warrior?” he asked.

“One of the finest,” Gorlock said.  “Why, I remember the great battle of Cydonia—”

“Those days are gone,” Jake cut him off.

“But not forgotten, right,” Gorlock said.

“Right.”

“You fought at Cydonia Mesa?” Tibbs said to Gorlock.  “That was a blood bath.  Those rebels didn’t know what hit them.  Couldn’t happen to a better bunch of traitors, if you ask me.  I think…”

“Tibbs,” October said, trying to get Tibb’s attention.

“...the Earth forces should have finished up the job...” Tibbs went on, obliviously.

“Tibbs,” October tried again.

“...and lasered the lot of them.”

“Tibbs!” October’s tone finally got to Tibbs.

“What?” Tibbs said irritated.

“The Martian patriots would have fought to the last man if they had not been betrayed,” Gorlock said bitterly.  “Sergeant Lane commanded the legendary Lost Platoon.”

Tibbs eyed Jake. “Is that so,” he said sarcastically. “So, you’re a legend, huh.”

“No.  No legend.  We lost the war, remember,” Jake said dismissively.

Gorlock glared at Tibbs. “Do you have a problem with Martians?” he said.

“Me?  I got no problem.  Like Lane said, you lost.  No hard feelings.”

Gorlock’s anger simmered near exploding. “Little man, perhaps you would be better served finding another ship,” he said as he glanced at Jake, “with fewer Martians.”

“Who you calling ‘little man?’ But like I said, I got no problem with Martians.” He smiled at Jake. “Some of my best friends are Martians.”

Gorlock looked up at Jake and October.  Being much stronger than his diminutive size would indicate, he could have easily crushed Tibbs and he was about ready to do it. But Tibbs was too mean or too stupid to realize it.

Just then, one of the ship’s officers approached.  He saluted and Gorlock returned it. “Captain, all the passengers are aboard; refueling has been completed; and provisions are stored,” the alien lieutenant reported.  “The ship’s ready to get underway, sir.”

“Very well, Lieutenant.”

The officer turned and went up the ramp into the ship.

“You better get onboard before someone else offers me more for your seats,” Gorlock said.

“Over my dead body,” Tibbs said.

Gorlock gave him a look that said he would be more than happy to arrange that.

The huge hanger doors of the mining spaceship opened and Gorlock’s ship drifted out and away from the larger ship.  A few moments later, the main rockets ignite and the smaller ship streaked away.