Arminium

By Byron Gordon

Novella

When a promised "vacation" campaign ends in disaster, two rival mercenaries must work together to survive in a desperate bid to escape the planet they are caught on. Follow their action packed adventure to see whether they can defy a planetary government and escape with their lives, or if they end in the shallow grave fate of the mercenary warrior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Byron Gordon
• Release date: Sep 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465982988

Byron Gordon

Byron Gordon grew up in the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA. One of six children, he soon discovered his love of reading, ranging from the clever humor of P.G. Wodehouse to the epic fantasy of Tolkien to the fast paced science fiction of Timothy Zahn. Fed on this widely varied diet, his imagination blossomed and he began to write, desiring to create worlds and adventures of his own.After realizing the bleak financial prospects of an aspiring writer trying to break into the fiction realm, Byron enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He spent an extra week in Coast Guard Boot Camp (Cape May, NJ) for writing during the breaks between classes. After Boot Camp he traveled to California for training in radio communications. Following the completion of his training, he spent three years on a Coast Guard Cutter, interdicting and repatriating illegal migrants. He currently is still on active duty and plans search and rescue efforts on the east coast of the USA.Despite the intense, and often hectic, schedule that military life entails, Byron has continued to write in his free time. While writing a complete novel still proves elusive, he has composed multiple short stories and a small amount of poetry. In the spring of 2011, he started publishing his writings electronically and now has a fair number of short stories and poetry available online in a variety of formats.

Book preview

Arminium

Byron Gordon

Copyright 2011 by Byron Gordon

All Rights Reserved

Cover Art by Jeanette Bouch

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The transport Lunar Mother silently sailed towards the planet of Arminium. Though it was a long trip from the Omicron Sector the rusty old workhorse had almost finished the journey. It was no ordinary cargo that she carried; the outlines of combat vehicles could be dimly distinguished in the spare lighting that illuminated the lower hold. The upper hold had been converted into a berthing area, living space for the hundred-odd men that were riding to fight a war for Yraven Inc.

Inside the berthing area Gareth Mercer carefully wound his way through the piles of combat gear and sleeping men to the urinal. He contemplated the upcoming combat as he made use of the facilities. The mercenaries were being paid handsomely to fight, and the briefing had described their foes as a collection of security guards and some light armor. He had served with Orion Company for two years now and knew that they would chew through these with ease.

Shit, he thought, We beat Maden's Planetary Guard last year, and they were no greenhorns.

When he got back to his berth Harvey was awake. New to the Company and new to the trade, Harvey looked rattled. He was not the only one who got the shivers before action, but the only one on Mercer's team.

What's the matter Harvey? That crap they called dinner give you indigestion?

Nah, Harvey shook his head, although he grinned slightly, I'm getting that bad feeling again. Like I'm not going to make it out of this one alive.

Cut that static! I always felt that way my first year. You stick by me and you'll be fine, kid.

I can't sleep without dreaming, Harvey said desperately, And I don't want to dream those dreams.

Listen kid, there's a difference 'tween dreaming and reality. A dream bullet wakes you up and a real bullet kills you.

But what if when you die, its like waking up?

Kid, Mercer faced Harvey, his eyes unblinking, I have never died so I don't know, but what you said don't make no sense. How come 'dead' people don't fall asleep, if they've just woke up for a while?

I don't know, Harvey stared at the floor, Still I get a bad feeling.

Stop thinking 'bout death, said Mercer, Think 'bout how you gonna spend this pay stub you'll be getting soon. It'll be a big 'un.

Yeah, Harvey rolled over and Mercer continued on to the where he had bedded down.

Harvey getting the shakes?

Ice, didn't realize you were up, Mercer rolled into his blanket, "Yeah, kid says