HostileIntent (6 page)

“Are you okay?” He moved to go to her but stopped at a shake
of her head.

“Just got bumped around a bit in the attack. Trust me, I’m
better than my ship.”

“I’m pretty good with tech. Let’s see if I can get some of
these systems back online while the Coalition is still providing some cover.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

He pulled out his reader and went to the wall console to
check the systems.

“Weapons and engines would be helpful.”

“Yes sir.”

“I’ll be working on shields.” She moved to the console next
to his and started taking readings.

Adam shook his head with frustration when the systems didn’t
come online. “The systems should’ve reset from the EMP by now. There has to be
something else keeping them off-line.”

She nodded and typed. “It looks like a couple of breakers
are flipped in engineering.” She shook her head as she kept typing. “But that
can’t be right.”

“Hang on. Let me see what my reader says.” He double-checked
her findings and got the same result. “Looks like you were right. They’ll have
to be manually reset.”

She shook her head. “But that means they were thrown
manually. Which could only mean that McNeal…”

He let the words remain silent between them for a moment. “Right
now it doesn’t matter how they were thrown. We need to focus on getting them
reset.” He took off toward engineering before she even had a chance to give the
order. McNeal had done this and Adam would undo it.

“Two of the Coalition ships have already left. Only one is
hanging in the fight.” The captain’s voice sprang across the comm, startling
him.

“Let’s see if we can get the systems up before they pull out
as well.”

The door to engineering was locked but it only took a few
seconds for Adam to override McNeal’s security codes. Thankfully since he
served with the Coalition, he knew all their tricks. “I’m in engineering. It
should only be a minute now.”

Except McNeal had torched the breaker system. Maybe he didn’t
know all their tricks just yet. “Fuck me. This has been shot to hell. It’s
going to take me longer than a minute.”

“We’ve only got a couple of seconds, Sans.”

“Then tell me which system you want up first.”

“You work on engines. I’ll see if I can bypass the breaker
for weapons from the bridge.”

“And Aimes can take the shields.” This might be her ship but
he was used to taking charge in a crisis. And this had definitely reached
crisis level.

“Sounds like a plan.”

The panel was still a little warm but not hot as he peeled
the metal away. That suggested the damage had been done before the other group
of raiders showed up. He hoped that meant McNeal had only intended to strand
them, not leave them defenseless for a slaughter. That gave him some amount of
comfort.

Once the panel was removed he found the maze of wires he’d
been looking for. During his years with the Coalition, he’d jumped and hotwired
more ships than he cared to remember. It was a menial job thrown at the new
recruits and he’d hated every minute of it. It’d been a waste of his time. Only
now, as he grabbed wires and started stripping them, it didn’t feel like such a
waste. He twisted them together systematically until the circuits for each of
the drive systems were complete.

“Engines should be up, Captain.”

“Even jump?”

“All of them, sir.”

“Then let’s get the fuck out of here.”

He couldn’t have said it better himself.

Renee’s back was stiff and her head throbbed as they punched
a hole through the universal veil. She always hated being in null-space but
this particular trip was extra excruciation. Not only was she in pain, so was
her ship. It’d been breached. It was hobbling through the universe with its
guts held together with duct tape and luck.

She growled at the image. When she got a hold of the
bastards responsible, they’d be lucky if the worst she did was toss them out an
airlock without a suit on.

The
Hawk
shuddered violently as it came back into
regular space and for one brief moment she was afraid even exhaling would cause
the ship to fall apart at the seams. When it held, she finally relaxed. “Systems
report.” Her voice cracked as she gave the order. She wasn’t usually one for
shows of emotion while in uniform but she reasoned that a little break in her
voice was acceptable under the circumstances. It wasn’t until Sans started
rattling off the list of damaged systems, though, that she truly knew how dire
the circumstances were.

Their jump had drained most of the energy left on the ship.
What little was left was being used to keep life support up and running. They
were stranded. “Bring up the view screen. Let’s see if we can figure out where
we are.” She needed to focus on her next move. She had to come up with a plan.
But before she could decide where she was going, she had to know where she
currently was. It took a moment for the screen to flicker and come back to life
but when the picture cleared, she found she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was
just too good to be true. “Aimes. Tell me that’s Ontesys I see on the screen.”

“That it is, sir. It was the last destination entered into
the jump drive.”

“Finally, we’ve caught a break.” She took a deep breath and
allowed herself to relax. “Let’s radio the base and get some mechanics up here
to patch up my bird.”

“I wouldn’t do that, Captain.” Adam’s voice shattered her
newly found sense of hope as he walked back onto the bridge.

“And why not?” She was surprised to find she’d stopped
entering the coordinates at his suggestion.

“Until we find out who attacked you, I think we should be
careful who we trust with our location.”

“But you can’t possibly think the military was involved?” It
was beyond ridiculous. She started going through the long list of errors to see
how badly the communications array was damaged. Maybe she could reroute enough
energy from life support to get a short message through if the array was
salvageable.

He grabbed her hand and pulled it away from the command pad
before she could finish entering the sequence though. “Even if the military is
innocent, there could be a mole.”

She had suspected a mole earlier. But still, her ship was
crippled and drifting in space. She didn’t have many options right now. “What
do you suggest we do?”

“It might be best to go off the grid until we have a better
grasp on what’s going on.”

“We can’t go anywhere in our current condition. How do you
figure we could get off the grid?” Aimes asked the very question she’d been
about to.

“It would take a lot less energy to land than it would to
jump to a new location. I’ve been looking into the numbers and I think we could
manage it.”

He seemed to have a plan. She just wished he wouldn’t make
her pull it from him one piece at a time. “Okay, we could land. But then what?
I’m guessing you don’t think going to the base is any better of an idea than
having mechanics come up here.”

“We get Michael. He seems like the kind of guy who could
help us disappear for a little while. That is, if you trust him.”

She’d suspected earlier that he’d overheard more of her and
Michael’s conversation than he admitted but now she was certain of it. Still,
he’d proven himself when he’d come to her aid so she guessed he’d earned a
measure of her trust. And it was a solid plan. “I trust him more than most.
And, yes, Michael would be able to help.”

It appeared as if Sans started to smile but he stopped
before she could comment on his gloating. “Good. It’s settled then.” He winked
at her. “I liked Michael.”

“Everybody likes Michael.” The words were out before she
realized what she was saying. As soon as she said them, though, an extremely
provocative image popped into her head. “Wait. You don’t have some personal
reason you suggested we seek out Michael, do you?”

“I have no idea what you mean, sir.” But his words had just
enough indignation to make her doubt them.

“Fine. Then let me be blunt. You aren’t trying to get into
his pants, are you?”

“I suggested him because he has the contacts to help us.
Nothing more.”

“Good. I need you to be focused on the job at hand.” As
opposed to a hand job. She nearly choked at the wayward thought. Thankfully she’d
managed to stop herself before she actually said it. Just because she hadn’t
said it, though, didn’t mean she wasn’t imagining it. And damn, was it hot.

“Are you okay, Captain? You look a little flushed.”

She took a deep breath and tried to clear the image of the
two men together from her head. “Of course I’m okay. I’ll be even better when
you take a seat. There’s still a chance we might be able to land before someone
finds us.”

Sans sat down and then threw a smirk in her direction. “Not
the smoothest change of subject I’ve ever heard, sir.”

“And yet still the truth.” Aimes practically growled the
words. “If I’m going to die, I’d rather it not be in the middle of a lover’s
quarrel.”

“We aren’t lovers.” She and Sans both shouted the words
simultaneously at Aimes.

“Of course you aren’t, sir,” Aimes said dryly. “I don’t know
what might have given me that idea.”

With no witty retort at hand, she let the comment go and
focused on getting her crippled vessel on the ground safely. “No telling how
the damage is going to affect the landing. I’m guessing it won’t make it
smoother, though. Might want to strap in.” She was a little surprised when both
men actually listened to her. She was hoping at least one would ignore her. She
kind of wanted to shake them up. Just a little.

When they were standing on Michael’s doorstep twenty minutes
later, though, she was glad they hadn’t had any delays. It was nice to have
solid ground under her. Even better to know her ship was hidden in a locker.
And thanks to Sans, the universal tracker had been disabled. They were on their
way to being off the grid.

She raised her hand to knock but when she lowered it, she
hit a wall of solid muscle instead of the door. Before she could utter an
apology, though, she was swept up into Michael’s strong arms and was being
hugged so tight she couldn’t breathe.

“It’s been less than a day since you saw her last. Don’t you
think you’re overreacting?” Sans’ question made Michael loosen his grip a
little. Something she was extremely grateful for since now she could take a
breath. Still, he didn’t release her.

“Michael, you’re shaking.” She hadn’t noticed the slight
tremble when he’d been wrapped around her like a vise but now it was all she
could feel. “Are you okay?”

“Am I okay?” He barked a harsh peal of laughter after the
question. “Are you seriously asking me if I’m okay?”

She squirmed in his grasp but he still clung to her. “Yeah.
I am. You’re acting kind of weird. Even for you.”

“I just heard you were dead. Killed in a conflict with the
Coalition. And now you’re standing on my doorstep without out a single scratch
on you.” He let go of her but only for the instant it took to grab on to her
shoulders and thrust her backward so he could examine her. “How is it possible?
How are you here standing in front of me?”

Now it was her turn to freak out. “Wait. I’m dead?”
Everything went still around her but the calm only made her want to scream
more. “They’re seriously reporting I’m dead? Are you kidding me?”

Michael’s smile was filled with relief. “I’d never kid about
the news. You should know that.”

“But they couldn’t possibly have a body.” She made a show of
stretching out her arms as she examined her legs. “I’m still using it.”

Michael shook his head. “I don’t know how, but they have
one. They’re reporting the DNA is an exact match.”

“Um… Guys. We should probably move this conversation inside.”

She wanted to shush Sans for interrupting but her practical
side cautioned against it. He did have a point. Someone out there apparently
wanted her dead. And if they couldn’t actually kill her, they’d settle for
making the universe think she was dead.

Everyone who knew her thought she was gone. The thought
rocked her again. “My dad. I have to call him.” Michael ushered her into his
house as the rest of the ramifications rolled through her head. “And my
superior officers. I have to let them know I’m okay and that the Coalition didn’t
attack me. Well, they attacked me but I don’t think they’re behind this.” As
much as she wanted to pin everything on them, even she had to admit that there
was no way they had the ability to come up with a DNA-matched cadaver.

“Take a deep breath, sweetheart. Try to relax.” Michael
guided her to the couch.

Take a deep breath? Seriously? He thought she should be able
to relax right now? “I’m legally dead. I probably can’t access any of my
accounts. My keycards have most likely been deactivated. And I’m guessing I no
longer have clearance to fly my own damn ship. What part of this should I find
relaxing?”

“How about the part that you aren’t actually dead?” Michael
went to pour her a drink and then returned to sit next to her. “Having to sort
out your accounts is better than the alternative, don’t you think?”

She took a gulp of the dry wine and then sighed. “I have to
get ahead of this. I need to call a press conference.”

Sans sat down on her other side so she was sandwiched
between the men. Now that was an idea. If she were officially dead, she wasn’t
his commanding officer any longer. There was nothing stopping her from being
with both men. Well, nothing other than her inability to maintain a
relationship and the possibility of losing Michael when she caused it all to
self-destruct. And given time, she
would
cause it to self-destruct.

“I don’t think that’d be such a great idea,” Sans said as he
shook his head.

“What?” He couldn’t mean the three of them writhing naked on
a bed together. She hadn’t said that out loud. Had she?

Sans’ brow wrinkled with concern as he looked at her. “The
press conference.”

“Oh, that.” It was actually a relief that he wasn’t talking
about the ménage. She didn’t plan on actually having one with them but the
thought of him not wanting to have one with her hurt her feelings for some
reason.

“Yes. That.” Sans touched his palm to her forehead. “Are you
feeling okay?”

“I’m dead. Doesn’t that kind of answer the question?” She
gulped down the rest of her wine before putting the glass on the coffee table. “So
what do you think would be a good idea? Do share.”

There was a loud knock on the door that made her pulse jump
and her breathing falter. “Are you expecting anyone?” she whispered.

Michael shook his head as the knocking repeated. “I’m
getting dressed,” Michael yelled loudly. “Give me a second.”

He motioned them to follow him to the back of the house and
into his bedroom. When he reached the other side of the bed he threw back a rug
and opened a trapdoor. “Follow the tunnel. It leads to a small clearing in the
woods. I’ll meet you there as soon as I get rid of whoever is at the door.”

“Do you really think this is necessary?” She didn’t know
which she hated more—running or leaving him behind to face possible danger. “Maybe
we can just hide somewhere in the house? That way we can help if something
happens.”

“If that’s trouble knocking at my door, I’ll be a lot safer
if you aren’t here. Trust me.”

“I’ve been running all day and look at where it’s gotten me,”
she argued.

“It’s brought you back to me safe and sound.” He kissed her
softly and then turned to Sans. “Keep her safe.”

“Will do.”

Before she could react, Sans grabbed her around the waist
and started lowering her down the narrow opening. “I can do this on my own,”
she snapped at him.

“Yes sir.” He let go of her abruptly and she slid down a
couple of rungs in the ladder before she caught herself.

“Jerk.”

“I get it. You’re upset. But you aren’t the only one in
trouble here.” As he looked down at her the muscle in his jaw tensed. “If you
went down with your ship, what do you think happened to Aimes and myself?”

She stared up at him in confusion for a moment before she
understood. They’d be dead, too. Or at the very least missing and wanted for
questioning. Their lives had been screwed up just as badly as hers and she hadn’t
even realized it. “I’m sorry. I guess with the shock of everything, I just didn’t
think about it.”

“I get it. But what you need to understand is that we’re in
this together. You’re our captain. We need you to hold it together, sir.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “Of course.” She was
still their captain. She’d known it on an intellectual level but hearing Sans
say it made it real. Her life seemed to settle back into place around her. “Then
let’s get out of here.”

She climbed down the ladder with deliberate and sure steps
and then moved out of the way to wait for the men. After they joined her,
Michael closed the door and they were left in darkness. “Here.” She turned on a
flashlight and handed it to Aimes. “You’re my navigator. So navigate.”

He chuckled softly but took the light. “Yes sir.”

The tunnel only went in one direction but Aimes seemed to be
happy enough to lead them. She assumed that meant he was as relieved to be back
to his duties as she was. It felt good to be useful. Now all she needed was a
good gunfight to put Sans’ expertise to use. She cringed at the thought of a
firefight developing in the tight confines of the tunnel though. Maybe she’d have
to find some other way to make Sans feel useful. He seemed to make a fairly
good engineer.