The Gatekeeper Chronicles, Book 2: Under Siege

By Terrence McCauley

ONE CRISIS, ONE MARSHALL
A prison break...
One of the most feared criminals in the universe escapes...
A Space Marshall determined to make it right.
In his first foray into science fiction, Terrence McCauley (winner of three New Pulp Awards in 2014) crafts a fast-paced, exciting story for the second tale of The Gate Keeper Chronicles, McCauley’s Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series of digital singles.
Space Marshall Kyle Mackey is a Gate Keeper - one of the members of the Space Marshall Service to watch for unauthorized entry through the portal that allows near-instantaneous travel between Earth and Mars. But when one of the worst killers in the cosmos escapes on Mackey’s watch, it is up to the marshall himself and his AI infused ship, VELDA to either bring back the most wanted villain in history...or die in outer space trying.

The Gate Keeper Chronicles: Under Siege is the second tale in McCauley's thrilling Gatekeeper Chronicles Pro Se Single Shot Series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pro Se Press
• Release date: Jan 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370925612

Book preview

THE GATEKEEPER CHRONICLES:

UNDER SIEGE

By

Terrence McCauley

Published by Pro Se Press at Smashwords

THE GATEKEEPER CHRONICLES: UNDER SIEGE

A Pro Se Productions Publication

Part of the SINGLE SHOTS SIGNATURE line

All rights reserved under U.S. and International copyright law. This book is licensed only for the private use of the purchaser. May not be copied, scanned, digitally reproduced, or printed for re-sale, may not be uploaded on shareware or free sites, or used in any other manner without the express written permission of the author and/or publisher. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Written by Terrence McCauley

Editing by Elizabeth Purvis Horn

Cover by Jeffrey Hayes

Book Design by Antonino Lo Iacono & Marzia Marina

www.prose-press.com

THE GATEKEEPER CHRONICLES: UNDER SIEGE

Copyright © 2017 Terrence McCauley

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

After landing his Prowler in the cargo bay of Marine Transport Carrier Copp, Mackey began powering down his ship’s systems.

His data screen turned green as his ship’s female electronic voice reported, Cargo bay doors are now secure. Atmosphere and artificial gravity are at acceptable levels.

He looked through his cockpit to see if the commanding officer of the Copp had sent a security detail to greet him. The bay was empty.

Mackey figured they weren’t happy about having a civilian on board. The feeling was mutual. Mackey wished he was back at Lunar Command sipping a beer and watching the ballgame.

But Lunar Command was a warzone and the man responsible for it was still on the loose. Since Mackey had played a part – albeit an unwitting one – in allowing the convict to escape, it was Mackey’s job to catch him. And the more he read about the escapee’s record, the more he realized Elgin Staxx wouldn’t surrender quietly.

Looks like it’s just going to be you and me for the next few hours, Velda, Mackey said to his onboard system. Rest up. We’ll be earning our pay as soon as we reach Martian space.

The host ship’s systems are not allowing me access to the mainframe, Velda reported. Would you like me to continue to try?

No need. We’re just hitching a ride through the Gate to Mars. You’ve got plenty of juice left in your tank and there’s nothing in their data stream we need. We’ll sync with Marshall Command when we hit Martian territory.

Beginning power down procedures now.

Mackey wished the humans he worked with were as accommodating as Velda. He’d named her ‘Velda’ because it satisfied his fascination with all things twentieth century since Velda was the name of the pulp fiction detective Mike Hammer’s loyal secretary.

It was also an acronym for the operating system Mackey had created and installed in the Prowler: Virtual ELectronic Data Application (VELDA). He’d built her to be far more than just an on-board system. He’d also retrofitted his ship to be more Star Fighter than a Prowler class vessel.

Both stunts had gotten him into trouble with his superiors, but now, with a murderous felon now riding the vacuum of space, his superiors hoped Mackey’s tinkering would prove useful. He intended to prove them right.

He popped the clam hatch of the Prowler and walked down the ramp. The hours he’d spent guarding the hyperspace gate between Earth and Mars and surviving the riot at Prison Base Luna had taken a toll on Mackey’s body. He was looking forward to stretching his legs and walking around a bit in the cargo bay.

The bay was bigger than some apartment buildings back on Earth. Crates that dwarfed his ship lined the walls, but the space still looked half empty.

He’d just begun to stretch his limbs when the hatch door slid open and a security force of five Marines in full battle armor marched toward him. Their MP-20s weren’t aimed at him, but Mackey knew they were carrying them for his benefit. He thought five armed men were a bit much, but he remembered this was a Marine carrier. They weren’t known for subtlety. That’s why he made sure to keep his hand away from the slug gun holstered on his right hip.

The one he’d pegged as the squad leader was a lean, efficient looking man about Mackey’s height and maybe a few years younger.