The Secret Society: The Secret, #2

By Jon Carter

The Nighthawk team return to protect the galaxy, and keep it from blowing up. When it comes to redefining tech, gadget girl Sparrow Hawk shows her inventiveness every time she lays her hand to this device or that. Her inventions are both, the very things the Nighthawks need to win, and the source for all their troubles. If either of their enemies, the Black Dagger pirates or the Confederate government, get their hands on what she creates, the tides will turn against the very people she has vowed to protect. With an attack imminent, and a trap set in play, will the Nighthawk team’s counter intel discover the truth of what is coming before it’s too late? Who outside this little band of heroes can be trusted? Bringing in the wrong guy can devastate all they’ve built, destroy all they’ve worked for; the peace they’ve gained for the peaceful.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jon Carter
• Release date: Jul 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516354788

Book preview

Chapter One

One last little turn and . . . Sparrow carefully snugged the tiny screw. It barely moved. There was a sudden swfitz! and a puff of smoke plumed up from the small device in her hand. Gritting her teeth, she fought the urge to throw the thing across the room, choosing instead to set it down and roll her head to loosen her stiffening neck muscles.

Wow, E said from the doorway, that was interesting, but can you duplicate it.

Sparrow rolled her eyes and shot a sharp look at the sarcastic droid who was casually leaning against the door jam. E, a slender, female-shaped, iron-man-esque android, was Sparrow’s fifth prototype of what was proving to be an impossible idea. Stages A thru D had brought her all the way to this roadblock. "Frying that was not my plan, E, she said forcing herself to be calm. This’ll go into you, by the way, if I can ever get it to work."

No thanks, E said dryly. I don’t care to smoke.

A slight laugh found its way past Sparrow’s nose. Very funny. With that sense of humor I bet I could make a mint selling you to Disney. This Version-E android, in its composite metal and plastic body, was far less flesh-like than her predecessor, but she still had D’s brain and memories, and sense of humor—dry wit notwithstanding.

Just then ten-year-old Perry squeezed past E into his mother’s small lab. Right behind him, Tony peeked in but stayed behind the android. Mom, Perry asked, putting on his best ‘I’m a very good boy’ face, a baby velociraptor followed me home. Can I keep him?

Sparrow raised a questioning, accusing scowl at her husband. Really?!

Tony shrugged sheepishly. It’s cute, hon. And besides, a boy should have a pet. It’s got no mom and needs tending, so—

"You are serious. Sparrow rolled her eyes again. Let me make this simple. NO!"

Perry looked back at Tony pleadingly.

Sorry, kid. The general has spoken. Press this, and by dusk she’ll have you walking the plank.

Why did you bring this to me? Sparrow said to Tony, barely able to contain her growing anger.

Parden, he said to E as he slid past the android. He went to Sparrow and tugged her close to him, then kissed her. A boy should have a pet, hon he said softly. I would have said yes, but thought I’d better run it past you first. Velociraptors are smart critters. I thought—

You thought!? she snapped. You knew what I’d say, so rather than be a dad, you thought you’d make me the bad guy by dumping the hard decision off on me.

That isn’t the way it was, sweetness. Why are you so hostile to the idea?

"And yet, seeing I am hostile, as you put it, you press me even further. I’m not changing my mind, so don’t think sweet talk is going to make that happen."

I see I caught you in a bad mood. How about we revisit this later?

Later won’t make this any better.

Are you saying I should have just said no?

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Then, after taking a moment to think about it, she took another deep breath. "No . . . you shouldn’t have. You should always trust your better judgment. Perry needs a father, and you jumped into this ready-made family knowing it’d be hard. All I ask is, before saying yes to something like this, I’d like you to run it past me first so we can discuss it openly, honestly. Then, whatever you decide, I’ll back one-hundred percent."

Tony’s eyes smiled. He had come to her trying to be nice to everyone involved, and ease Sparrow into Perry’s unusual proposal. And she had somehow transferred her irritation with her project to him to make her husband the bad guy. He didn’t need that. From day one the man had been great. She took and released another calming breath. Look, I’m sorry. You did good, and yes, I’m in a bad mood. This uncooperative thrust-regulator is driving me nuts.

Well, maybe I can help. What do you need?

"I just need to take a step back and think on it some. E is, in essence, a scaled down version of Carina. The problem I’m facing is compounded by E’s size. To get it to fit, I have to reduce already microscopic circuitry. Her components have to be so much smaller than Carina’s that I’m beginning to think it’s impossible."

Ah, I see. So, being smaller, these micro-circuits are more resistant to whatever energy you’re trying to pass through them.

That’s right. So, what happens is— she paused abruptly. That’s it! I’m forcing too much through too little. Beaming, she kissed him. I love you.

He looked confused. Um, yes, uh, so do I.

She looked down and smiled at Perry who was being very quiet. Go. I’ve got work to do, so go play with your dragon. Scoot.

Yippy! Perry cheered. Spinning on his heels he turned to race to the door, but was stopped short by his mother’s warning, If it bites off your hand, don’t expect me to clean it up.

He glanced back. Thanks, Momma. With that, he raced away.

Tony gathered her in his arms. Are you sure about this?

Will you get out of here before I change my mind?

He kissed her, once, twice, then nuzzled her neck before releasing her to head out himself.

Dragon, ma’am? E questioned.

Sparrow turned her attention back to the small device. Raptors are smart creatures, she said lifting the small regulator to her jeweler’s loop. Folks that have them say they’re easy to train, and that they’re loyal to their owners.

If you believed that, why did you give the men such a hard time?

Sparrow lowered the loop, and turned a coy smile to E. A girl’s got to keep her men on their toes. If she says yes to everything they ask for, they’ll eventually take her for granted and stop talking to her altogether.

Cute, E said, pushing away from the jam to go to her creator. You said raptors are loyal?

They certainly are. They imprint on the first thing they see after they break out of their shell, and . . . She looked up. Hey, wait. Those sly dogs.

Ma’am?

You don’t just happen across an unguarded egg in the wild. Tony had to’ve purposely bought an egg so it would immediately imprint on Perry once it hatched.

So what does that mean?

It means Tony’s sleeping in the doghouse.

So, what’s your plans for me?

Chapter Two

Major Saundler Blackhart found King Dardas Tummel on the links’ seventh hole. His well-guarded vast estate also served as Black Dagger’s HQ. The ocean breeze from the west was cool and comfortable though the sun was high. Men in black scanned the horizon with their backs to Blackhart, who teed off, then turned to his covert Black Dagger agent to ask, News?

Ride with me, Sire Blackhart said, patting the empty seat beside him.

King Tummel slid his six foot four inch toned-muscular frame into the golf cart, having to duck his head to do so. Jimmy, his caddy, an old wiry guy, took a place in the back of the cart beside the golf bag filled with clubs.

We have no advantage, Sire, Saundler said as he pressed the accelerator to chase after Tummel’s ball. The Confeds may not have our technical advantage, but they’ve been around longer; have more men, more guns, more experience fighting wars . . . Every time we gain an advantage here, they rout us there. It’s exasperating.

Tummel turned cold dark eyes to Saundler. What am I paying you for, Blackhart? Excuses? To dilly-dally putzing with the Confederation? Just exactly what am I paying you for?

Saundler stopped the cart, turning it before it came to a rest on the ground. He looked back at the Tummel estate. Sire, you hired me to make you rich, and so I have. He gestured toward the mansion. I thought my job was to do the dirty work so your hands would stay clean. Haven’t I done that? All along the way haven’t I been here for you? You are one of the richest men in the galaxy. How many can boast they own their own planet. You have two. What exactly will satiate you?

"My dear Mr. Blackhart, I don’t care to be one of the richest men in the galaxy."

No?

No. Tummel stepped from the cart to look back