Neutral Space(43)

“Identify yourself and state your business on Sirus Three.”

“William Smith and my wife, Ann, on our way to visit friends,” I replied.

“Turn on your view screen.”

“Sorry, sir it broke three months ago, and we haven’t found the part to fix her yet. The ship’s old, you know.”

“Then slow your approach and prepare to be boarded.” I turned off the communicator and turned on the intercom. “Kheda, get your butt up here. I’m gonna need your help.” Kheda came at a run without any shoes on. She’d been sleeping, I could tell, but she was wide awake now. “They want to board.”

“What are you going to do?”

“We’re finished if they board. I’ll be arrested, and we’ll both be handed over to the Kelsairans.”

“Jackson, maybe that’s what we want.”

“No, Kheda; we don’t have enough evidence yet.”

“I know, but let one dock I have a plan. You have a feel for her right.” I slowed the ship as she locked down the doors.

I switched on our communicator. “Ready to be boarded, slowing my speed as we speak.”

“Copy that, ship one will commence docking procedures.” I turned off the communicators.

“Wait till they open their hatch and can’t get into ours. Then, we’ll blow them off our side and break free. At least we’ll only have three to deal with then.”

“Kheda, that’s a bad idea. If we can get close enough, Jeannie has defensive weapons. She can help us.”

She checked the controls and frowned. “We’re still too far out.”

“She can make it. If we wait for them to dock, the other three will close in. I won’t be able to break free.”

Kheda was worried. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“Do it your way.” She strapped herself in and manned our guns. She brought up shields and transferred power from auxiliary systems. “I love you, Jackson.”

“I love you, too, Kheda.” I took her hand a moment before letting go.

“Deactivate shields and power down your weapons, or we will fire.” Came the hail. I fired up the engines and pushed ahead. They followed and ordered us to stop again.

“They want us alive. They’ll target the engines. Use it to your advantage, Kheda.” Her eyes went wide. She knew these were my own people we were going to be firing on. The first ship fired, and I rolled out of the way. I pushed the engines further and took evasive actions.

They spread out on my tail making it harder to avoid them. I looped back on them to give Kheda a clear shot. She took one out as the other two peeled off. They came at me from either side now. The fourth ship that was going to dock with us finally caught up. Kheda took it out before it was even in the game. We were getting closer to the planet now, and I dared not push the engines any further. I sent the signal to Jeannie, hoping she’d respond. The other two ships were tearing my shields to pieces and Kheda couldn’t get a lock. This ship wasn’t meant for a dogfight. I sent the code to Jeannie again. I was going to have to slow down soon if I wanted to live through the landing.

I veered right, hoping to buy time and took a hit on the starboard side. Kheda got off a shot as well and knocked out one of the other ships engines. It was slowed, but it wasn’t backing down. I was just starting to think Jeannie wasn’t going to help when the other ship was destroyed. I looked to Kheda, but she shook her head. The other ship was hit again and destroyed as well.

Kheda powered down weapons as I slowed for a landing “They didn’t get any messages out. I think your plan was better if not riskier.” I nodded my heart still pounding. “And you really are a better pilot.” Her voice was steady even though her hands had a slight shake now that the fight was over.

Jeannie lived on a floating base hidden at the bottom of a deep canyon. It was tricky to get to, but it was highly defensible. Her weapons were hidden all over the planet and hooked to her computer network. She was waiting for me when I opened the hatch, and she wasn’t happy.

“Jeannie, I missed you.” She punched me hard in the jaw and knocked me flat on my back.

“How dare you, Jackson. Gone for over a year; then, you come back like nothing happened. Not to mention you’re being tailed by two army ships.” I got to my feet.

“There were four of them.”

“That doesn’t change anything. Life doesn’t revolve around you, Jackson. We aren’t going back to the way things were.”

“I know, Jeannie, that’s not why I’m here.” She glanced to my hand on her shoulder. She started laughing.

“Did you really get married?” She thought a moment “There was a Kelsairan on your ship.” I waved Kheda out.

“My wife.”

“Shit, Jackson. That’s Trekes; they said she was dead.” Jeannie’s face went ashen.

Kheda folded her arms over her chest. “Do I look dead to you?” Jeannie shook her head. “For a human, you pack quite a punch to lay my husband on his back like that.”

“God, it’s true?” Jeannie groaned. “You’re in over your head, Jackson. Come on.”

“You’re not mad at me anymore?” I asked.

“You know I like it when you’re helpless.” Jeannie smiled at me.