Ian's Gang: War Zone

By Ian Kidd

In the dramatic finale to Season 3 of "Ian's Gang", Maltby is set to host Earth's first Annual Universal Conference - cue an attack by anti-alien terrorists. Commander Wilburts find himself in the front line of a deadly conspiracy that may reach far higher than he could ever have guessed.
Meanwhile Steve Botham begins his new life in the colony of Tru'fa, New Assessis - only to find conspiracies are as universal as murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian Kidd
• Release date: Nov 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311212191

Ian Kidd

I grew up in South Yorkshire, England, before emigrating to South Australia at the age of sixteen. My writing ambitions began as a child, when I became notorious in my class for writing short horror stories that would probably have them calling in the child psychologists nowadays! I have written everything from non-fiction ebooks to published short fiction, and served as script editor on two proposed horror feature film scripts for an LA based director. In terms of fiction I have written dozens of novellas, including more than 70 stories in the "Ian's Gang" sci-fi adventure series. I still live in Queensland, where I work as a freelance writer.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

6:30pm.

Commander Wilburts had just - finally - left Maltby Army Base and was about to head home when Corporal Jensen came running out after him.

Commander Wilburts!

Wilburts stopped, sighing in exasperation. "What is it now, Corporal?"

There's a phone call for you, sir, Jensen informed him nervously.

Corporal, it's eight-thirty in the evening. I've just concluded a 14-hour shift, Wilburts informed him with a calculatingly steely tone. "I would like to go home and see my wife, if that’s not too much trouble. You can't just take a message? Ever hear of a pen and paper, man?"

I - I think it's important, sir, Jensen said hopelessly.

Wilburts turned on him. Frankly, Corporal, at this time of the evening, the only thing important enough for me to turn around and march back into that Army Base would be if that call were from the President or God. Otherwise - take a message. Clear?! he bellowed. Good!

That - that's just it, sir, Jensen continued, plainly terrified. It is.

"Is what, Corporal?" Wilburts bellowed.

It's the President, sir, Jensen told him, wide-eyed. President Thorne. For you, sir.

Wilburts stared.

Commander Wilburts came out of his office, looking more shocked than Corporal Jensen could ever recall seeing him.

Sir, what is it? Jensen cried. What did the President want?

To give me a migraine, I think, Wilburts told him facetiously. You've heard of the Annual Universal Conference, I take it?

Of course, sir, Jensen babbled. Where the leaders of all the planets in the Universal Structure gather together to discuss policies and the like.

Indeed, Wilburts nodded. Well, it seems Earth has won the right to stage the Conference for the first time. President Thorne was informing me that providing the security arrangements for the next Annual Universal Conference was going to be down to Ian's Gang - and us.

Jensen stared at him.

Yes, Corporal, Wilburts confirmed. The Conference is going to be held in Maltby.

After several weeks in the United States, Ian’s Gang had finally arrived back home in Maltby, returning to Base with weary expressions all around. Philip had immediately gone off to see his girlfriend Maia Boothey. Rebecca and Kathryn had made it clear that their return was to be a relatively short one, no month than a couple of months at the most, while they cleared up all of their outstanding responsibilities before returning to their ‘new’ life in Harlem. Nor were they the only ones; Steve too was preparing for his own new life in the colony of Tru’fa on Assessis.

"I seriously need a shower," Kathryn sighed.

So does Steve, Matthew waved his hand in front of his face. Phew!

Bite me, Steve said between gritted teeth.

I don't know about a shower, Rebecca said. I just want to go to bed.

Matthew looked at her and Kathryn. I bet you do, he whistled appreciatively.

Rebecca glared. "I meant to sleep."

Yeah. Me too, Matthew chuckled. Why - what did you think I meant?

Philip banged on the door to Maia Boothey’s house. Finally the door opened to reveal someone Philip was most assuredly not expecting to see, none other than Lieutenant Chris Naucer.

Philip, Chris didn't exactly look thrilled to see him. Hi. I thought it wouldn't be too long before you came around.

What are you doing here? Philip wondered, baffled.

I... well...er... Chris stumbled.

It's alright, Chris, Maia joined him at the doorway.

Hi, Maia, Philip beamed. Not interrupting anything, am I? he joked.

Well, actually... Maia began awkwardly.

Philip’s face fell.

Philip returned to Ian’s Gang Base with a decidedly glum expression.

Hi, Ian greeted him.

Mm, Philip responded.

Ian frowned sympathetically. I take it things didn't go very well?

That's one way of putting it, Philip said bleakly. It seems that my being in America for a few weeks was long enough for my girlfriend to find another bloke.

Ouch, Ian winced. Sorry, mate.

Matthew was still on the sofa. Seeing Ian and Philip, he gesticulated at the TV. Can you believe this? he said in disbelief. You know that Alex Stone prick?

The billionaire businessman? Ian didn't really care, collapsing on the sofa beside his friend, utterly exhausted.

He's moving to Maltby! Matthew exclaimed.

What? Tired though he was, Ian had to admit to surprise at that one.

Shifting his main office to Maltby! Matthew emphasised. "They're even building a freakin' skyscraper for him - in Maltby! I mean, Maltby! Who the hell wants to come here?!"

Who knows? Philip shrugged. More to the point, who cares?

The doorbell rang.

Ah, who's that? Ian grumbled, climbing to his feet.

Tell whoever it is to fuck off, Matthew said bluntly. And if it's a Jehoves Witness, shoot 'em.

Ian opened the door. Yes, can I - he stopped, staring in disbelief at the person on the doorstep. Oh, God.

Hello, Ian, said Robert Stevens.

CHAPTER TWO

What... what are you doing here? Ian gaped in shocked disbelief.

Who is it? Matthew stood up.

I need to talk to you, Robert began.

I don't think that's a very good idea, Ian shook his head.

Matthew walked to the door and, finally, caught sight of Robert. You...

Hello, Matthew, Robert said tightly.

Matthew's expression darkened to one of murderous rage. He made toward Robert, fists at the ready. You treacherous little fuck! he spat.

Ian put himself between Matthew and Robert. I think you'd better go, Robert.

You had if you want to keep breathing, Matthew snarled.

But - Robert protested.

"Go!" Ian yelled.

Robert took off.

Ian slammed the door shut after him. Calm down, he ordered Matthew.

That son of a bitch, Matthew growled. What the hell is he doing here?

I don't know, Ian said quietly.

What the hell is he even doing out of prison? Matthew spat. He commits treason, shoots you – and he’s out walking the streets after nine months!?

They can’t keep him locked up forever, Ian reminded him.

They should have thrown away the fucking key, if you ask me, Matthew said venomously.

Yeah, well, Ian checked his watch. It's nearly seven-thirty. Time we started getting ready to go to Wilburts'.

I suppose, Matthew conceded grudgingly. But I'm telling you now, Ian - that fucker shows his face around here again, I'm gonna rip it off!

Ian knocked on Rebecca's door and entered to find Rebecca and Kathryn curled up beneath the bedcovers, sleeping soundly, holding each other tightly. They looked so adorable together Ian couldn't bring himself to wake them, and shut the door gently as he left.

Philip was sitting disconsolately on his bed when Ian found him. The room was becoming dark as night fell outside, but Philip had made no attempt to turn on the light.

Time to go to Wilb's, Phil, Ian informed him.

Philip shook his head. I'm not in the mood.

Come on, Phil, we promised, Ian urged.

You promised. I didn't, Philip didn't even look at him.

I know you're hurt, Philip, but - Ian began.

Look, just back off! Philip said angrily. I want to be alone, alright? I'm not sodding well going!

Matthew, Steve and Banix were waiting in the lounge when Ian joined them.

Well, it seems this is our lot for tonight, Ian told them. So let's get going. Don't wanna keep Wilb waiting.

As they left the Base and walked down the road Ian stopped at the sight of a bank ATM vestibule. I'm just going to draw a little cash out. I'll catch you up, he told his friends.

Righto, the gang moved on.

Ian entered the vestibule, and moved to the machine, putting his card in the slot.

Someone entered behind him. Ian.

Ian spun around.

I'm sorry, Robert told him. But we really need to talk.

CHAPTER THREE

Wilburts was waiting on the doorstep as Matthew, Banix and Steve turned into his driveway. Saw you coming, Wilburts grinned.

Yeah, sure, Matthew smirked. You've been standing there waiting for us all the time, haven't you?

Wilburts looked at them. Where are the others?

Ian will be along in a minute, Banix explained.

And the rest are just rude cunts, Matthew explained.

Well, come in anyway, Wilburts ushered them inside.

Ian confronted Robert. What the hell do you think you're playing at? he demanded.

I need to talk to you, Robert told him. He sounded almost desperate.

And you think this is the way to do it? Ian asked angrily. Following me around and sneaking up on me?

Just give me five minutes, Robert begged.

No, Ian shook his head. I don't think so. He turned to the ATM to get his money.

Congratulations are in order, Wilburts beamed proudly at his wife. Elizabeth is pregnant.

In Base, Rebecca and Kathryn were still in bed, sleeping in each other's arms. Philip sat down on the couch in the lounge and turned on the television.

Chris and Maia were eating a very strained evening meal in their kitchen, trying unsuccessfully not to communicate their unease to Melissa and Lisa.

Then, suddenly, everything went dark. All over Maltby, the power failed simultaneously. All over Maltby, the lights went out. All over Maltby, darkness ruled.

In the vestibule, the doors drew shut with a firm CLICK. What the hell? Ian started. He could see nothing, absolutely nothing at all. Robert?

Yeah. Ian could hear his ex-colleague, and as his eyes adjusted, could begin to make out the vague outline of him, but nothing more. What the hell happened?

Ian looked out into the street. It was pitch black through the glass doors, with no moon, only a hint of a light coming from a very few stars. Blackout. At least a couple of streets, by the look of it.

Great, Robert made to walk out the doors, and hit his nose on them. Shit!

What is it? Ian asked.

Robert shook the doors. They won't open. Sealed. 'Til the power goes back on, most like.

Ian moved to touch the now immobile doors himself. So we're trapped.

So it would seem. Ian couldn't even see Robert's face, barely the outline of his head, but he could swear his one-time friend was smiling. Looks like we've all the time in the world to talk now.

Jesus! Matthew exclaimed as Wilburts' house suddenly plunged into total darkness.

Oh, no, Elizabeth sighed.

Is it a fuse? Kathryn wondered.

Wilburts managed to stumble over to a window. Nope. The whole block's out. Blackout. We’ve had a few of them in town lately.

Brilliant, Steve grumbled.

Nobody panic, Wilburts said crisply. I'll get my torch.

Philip was watching an old 'Roseanne' re-run (from season 9, clearly