Lost and Found

By Charissa Dufour

It was supposed to be easy. They would drop down to the surface, get Bit’s niece, and return to the Lenore. What could go wrong?
The answer, everything.
Nothing goes smoothly for the crew of the Lenore, or at least it hadn’t since Bit joined them.
Now, Jack has a crew determined to find a lost child hiding somewhere in the known galaxy. The fact the child’s location is protected by a band of violent men makes the task just that much harder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charissa Dufour
• Release date: May 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370126149

Charissa Dufour

My journey to become a writer began in 8th grade, when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and pulled from school to recover. During this time, I was left alone for hours on end and it was then that I discovered new friends within the pages of books. I also learned the blessing of creating my own friends by writing down the stories that plagued my lonely mind—as demented as that sounds. Therefore at the ripe age of fourteen, I wrote my first novel. It sucked! But I kept going and now I am an Indie Author with numerous books out. I never imagined that first horrible novel about a man who crash landed on his long lost home world would turn into a lifelong passion.I now live in Chicago, IL with my amazing husband and two rambunctious kittens, Groot and Rocket.

Book preview

Lost and Found

By Charissa Dufour

© 2017 by Charissa Dufour

All rights reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Follow Charissa Dufour at

https://www.facebook.com/Charissadufourauthor

https://twitter.com/CharissaDufour

https://www.instagram.com/charissadufourauthor/

http://charissadufourauthor.com/

Chapter One

Long before Bit woke, she was aware of sharp pains throughout her body as though they had invaded her very dreams. When her mind finally released her to reality, she opened her eyes to find herself in one of the Lenore’s officer cabins. At some point on the journey from Johannesburg up to the port orbiting Earth, Bit had fallen asleep. She had blurry memories of Jack’s angry face hovering over her while something sharp pricked her arm. After that, she had hovered delightfully over everything, feeling as though nothing could touch her. It had been a nice feeling.

She missed it.

Now, even the pressure of the soft mattress hurt her bruised back. Bit craned her neck to see an empty I.V. bag hanging from the wall. The clear cording ran down the wall and under her blankets. Slowly, she lifted the warm covering to see the tubing disappear into her arm.

With the bag empty, she felt at liberty to pull it from her arm. She winced and quickly pressed her finger against the little drop of blood. Bit pushed the blankets off the rest of the way. She was dressed in her baggiest pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt three sizes too big. Piled on her knee were at least three bags of cold water. It took her fuzzy brain a few minutes to realize the bags had once been filled with ice. A similar bag lay on her pillow next to her face.

Her cut wrist was freshly bandaged. She hadn’t tried to commit suicide. She had been tied to a post, and while she tried to cut her bindings, she had caught her wrist. Last time she had looked at it, the wound had been badly infected. Bit assumed they had tended to the infection.

As she lay on the bed, she realized the ship’s engines weren’t thrumming. Were they still docked with the landing platform?

With a grimace on her bruised and swollen face, she pulled herself into a sitting position as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her damaged knee wouldn’t bend, making her climb to her feet awkward. Finally, she stood, holding onto the shelving above the bunk to keep herself from toppling over.

Glancing around, she spotted a surprising amount of her stuff in the strange cabin. Clothing was neatly folded on the shelves, her bathroom bag sat on the table along with a few of her books. On the wall, she spotted fire damage and absently wondered what had happened behind the access panel.

Bit was just about to change out of her baggy clothing when she heard a noise from outside the cabin. She opened the door to find herself staring at her own bedroom’s door. It was Dirk’s cabin, but she doubted he had given it up willingly. She dreaded seeing the grouchy engineer.

She rounded the central staircase just as Reese emerged from the crew’s quarters looking just as curious as she felt. He smiled at her before turning to the empty space Bit had grown to consider as a sort of entryway to the ship. Bit came to halt as the airlock door came into view.

Though she noticed Jack, Oden, and Calen standing on the stairs leading up to the bridge, and Vance and Kat hovering on the other side, her focus was solely on the men standing just beyond the hatch. Randal stood with them, looking rather chagrined.

What is this? Jack asked.

You said you wanted me to get new members for the security team.

Jack’s mouth hung open a moment before he replied. Yeah, but… uh…

Bit understood Jack’s hesitation. Though one of the new members looked much like the rest of the crew—large and brawny—the other looked anything but. He was tall and slim, as though he’d just reached his full height while his weight hadn’t caught up with the latest growth spurt. His face was young, almost childish, as though he had never seen the sun before. All these features were normal enough. What had everyone staring were the various add-ons. The top of the boy’s hair was dyed crimson red, while the sides were an eccentric yellow. His eyebrows were dyed bright aqua-blue. To go with his hair, blue paint lined his sultry eyes, with crimson brushed across his eyelids.

He wore black. A black shirt hung down past his privates and his legs were coated in what looked to be women’s tights. Over his black shirt, he wore a shiny black jacket with a strange hood that draped over the back of his head, much like the hood of a cloak.

It’s me, isn’t it? he asked.

Bit had expected his voice to be high and lispy, and she felt a little ashamed of her own assumption. Instead, he had a deep timbre. Bit glanced up at Jack to see his expression.

Before Jack could think of something to say, Randal piped in. I realize, Sying is a little…uh…

Colorful, the strange man provided, giving a little playful flip of his hand.

Yes, uh, colorful. Still, Sying is the best demolition man I know, and he’s finally agreed to work for me.

Randal, here, he placed his hand on Randal’s thick arm, dwarfing his slender fingers, has been trying to get me to work for him since he was in the army.

Right, agreed Jack. Uh…Welcome to the Lenore?

Bit clamped down on her tongue to keep from laughing at the sound of Jack’s statement. It sounded like a question, as though Jack himself didn’t know what to think.

And this is Terrall. From his references, we’ve got ourselves a good fighter.

Jack nodded. Excellent. Oh, Bit, you shouldn’t be up.

Excellent. Oh, Bit, you shouldn’t be up, Jack said as he caught sight of his battered indentured servant.

She really was all black and blue. An image of her lying on the infirmary table, barely a scrap of clothing on her and all her injuries on display, passed his eyes. Jack had cursed himself for letting it all happen to her. It was his job as the owner of her debt to protect her, and he had failed. He ignored the little voice that, even now, reminded him that she had run away. Her injuries weren’t his fault.

Where should I be? she asked, sounding just as snarky as ever.

Jack suppressed a grin. She would be okay if she had the energy to sass him. Randal, get them settled. Bit, come meet me in my cabin. Vance, bring the girl some food. She’s skinnier than she was when we first got her.

Jack could see Bit’s glare, even through her bruised features. She followed him to his cabin as Randal led the newcomers to the crew quarters. Others loitered in the central space, eyeing the strange boy Randal had brought aboard their ship. Jack sighed. He trusted Randal and forced himself to continue to trust him, despite their issues with Blaine.

Bit was still favoring her injured leg, but from what it had looked like when they arrived on the Lenore, he wasn’t surprised. Jack motioned for her to take a seat on his bunk. The room was the same size as the other officers' cabins, leaving room for only one chair at his small desk. He took the chair and turned to look at her.

Are we going to Seattle? she asked, skipping all preamble.

We are, but you need time to heal.

I’m fine. I can keep going. How long have we been here?

You’ve been unconscious for two days, he replied, noting the shock on her face.

Then I’ve rested plenty.

Bi-it. He drew out her name in his exasperation. You were badly injured. To be quite frank, I think you need to sit this one out. Stay on the Lenore with Vance and recuperate. I can leave Oden here, too. After all, we’re just going down to pick up the girl and coming right back.

Captain, with all due respect, you leave me on the ship and I’ll just follow you down. I don’t much like the idea of repeating what happened in Johannesburg, but I will if forced. Besides, has anything we’ve ever done been ‘simple’?

Jack gave her a ruthful grin, not wanting her to see the anger rushing through his body. All the more reason for you to stay where it is safe.

We’ve also learned that it isn’t necessarily safe here, either.

Jack’s grin faded as his anger increased. True, but I don’t want you on this mission. I want you here.

Vance interrupted them, appearing with a plate piled high with food.

Vance, Bit will be staying on the Lenore while we go to the surface.

No, she said, nearly spilling the food.

Bit, barked Jack, rising to his feet. You’re hurt. You’ve run away. You’re already in deep water. Now, I am doing more for you than most owners would. You will obey me in this.

Bit shrunk in on herself, reminding him of the battered girl who had shown up on his ship a few months ago. She looked as though he had beaten her with his words. Jack suddenly felt like an ass but refused to change his mind. She was too injured to come along.

Now go to your cabin. Forrest is letting you borrow it until you’re healed. And I want all that eaten. Jack pointed at her large plate.

Bit glared at him before limping out of his cabin.

The next morning, Bit stood in the entryway, waiting for the rest of the crew. She knew Jack and the other uninjured parties would be leaving for the city of Seattle, and the idea of being left behind rankled her. It was her niece. She should be there. Her thoughts raged within her, blinding her to her surroundings.

Hey there, a voice said interrupting her enjoyable fantasies including Jack and a crowbar.

Hi.

I didn’t get to really meet you yesterday. Sying. He held out a manicured hand, the knuckles dusted with gold.

Bit.

I hear that’s a nickname.

My given name is Larissa, but I haven’t been called that since I was a child.

Sying nodded, a smile still plastered on his face. Can I ask, what happened to you?

You can ask. She was in no mood for small talk, much less retelling her adventures in Johannesburg.

It’s related to what we’re going to the surface for today, isn’t it?

Yes.

How’d you get that wound? He pointed at her wrist.

Freeing myself from some bindings. Caught my wrist.

And that one? He pointed to her face.

Are you always this curious?

Usually. He shrugged, unaware of her annoyance.

Fine, then it is my turn to ask you an annoying, personal question. What’s with the getup?

Sying glanced down at his clothing. He wore skin tight pants that looked like snake scales, a slick tank top, and a weird sort of shawl-sweater-thing.

You don’t like my outfit?

Compared to Bit’s torn trousers and over-sized t-shirt advertising Fiat hover cars, he was ready to go on a date rather than traipse through Seattle looking for an Indentured Servant.

Just a heads up, Bit said as a few other crewmembers emerged from their shared quarters. A lot of time our work requires us to look ordinary.

This isn’t ordinary to you?

Bit’s eyes went wide. She glanced around at the other people, all dressed more like her.

See anyone else dressed or dyed like you?

Sying glanced around and shrugged.

Before either of them could say anything more, the volume of the other crewmembers increased, and Bit chose not to try. She didn’t much feel like talking, knowing she was going to be left behind. Vance looked happy enough as he passed out packets of food to those going to the surface. Bit spotted Oden hovering at the switchback in the stairs leading up to the bridge. He looked just as pissed as her, despite his arm still hanging in a sling.

Sying joined the group preparing to leave, looking like a peacock at a penguin rally. Bit watched as the other men tried to make space for him. Even from her spot by the stairs, she could see the discomfort in the men’s stances, especially those in the security team. Bit couldn’t imagine what skills Sying had to make him worth the sudden division in the team.

Finally, Jack and Randal emerged, their own packs hanging from their shoulders. They took Vance’s offerings and stuffed them into their packs before slinging them over their shoulders.

All right, men. Ready?

A mumble of replies greeted him, and they began to slow process of shifting small groups through the airlock. Jack turned to look at Bit before entering the airlock with the last group.

Be good, Bit, he ordered, throwing a wink up to Oden at the same time.

Yes, sir, Bit growled, not bothering to mask her anger.

Jack glared back and turned into the airlock.

Vance didn’t hesitate to head back down the staircase into his normal territory. Bit glanced up at Oden, unsure what she should do. He gave her a one-shoulder shrug and went back to the bridge. Lacking anything better to do, she went back to her borrowed bunk. Within a few minutes of angry silence, Bit was fast asleep.

Chapter Two

Jack peered out the window of the transport ship. He had been the lucky one to get the window, and he enjoyed the unique opportunity. The transport ship skimmed over the unusual city, heading for Olympic Island. He had seen maps and pictures of when the city had been mostly dry, with a few small inlets and channels making it a rather soggy environment compared to most other places on the planet. Now, though, it was more water than land.

During the late twenty-first-century, a series of earthquakes up in what had once been known as Canna—or something like that, Jack could quite remember his history lesson—disrupted the land. The earthquakes had sent tsunami after tsunami slamming down onto the growing city that surrounded Puget Sound. Initially, the waters had receded and the city repaired, but as more earthquakes struck over the decades, the high grounds shifted and the sea level sections became permanently flooded.

Now, the expansive city stretched for miles, over land and sea alike. Even from the altitude of the transport ship skimming over the city, Jack could see the enormous houseboats. A few of the taller buildings from the original Seattle still stood, their top halves being used as high-end apartments.

The transport bucked against the changing air temperatures and Jack heard his brother curse. Jack could only imagine what a pilot felt when flown by someone else. A little smile spread across his lips. It grew as he thought of Bit, safely tucked away on the ship. It was a relief not to worry about her after four long days of panic.

They bounced against the short tarmac, coming to an abrupt halt. Taking the enormous elevator down, they reached the surface. Misting rain slapped them in the face as they stepped out onto solid ground.

Not much like Johannesburg, Reese said, squinting up at the gray clouds that looked as though they were descending on the city.

About as opposite as you can get, Randal agreed. Where to, Boss?

Jack glanced down at the scrap of paper. That’s odd. The address Zandri gave us is for Issaquah, but last time I was here Issaquah was a rather low-end neighborhood. Kinda got the impression he had placed the baby with a stable family.

Maybe there’s more to the story than we know, offered Calen.

Jack’s brother had been the one and only crewmember to fight for Bit’s right to be on the trip. Thankfully, he had done it privately. All the same, Jack had stuck to his original plan. He was done being the pushover. No longer would he treat Bit any differently just because he had feelings for her. His XO had been right. He was too easily swayed by her charms.

Could be, he replied, realizing the crew was waiting for a response. We’ll grab a ferry over to Issaquah.

The crew took off slowly, weaving through the crowds. Like Johannesburg, Seattle was bursting at the seams. In fact, Jack didn’t think there was a city on the planet that didn’t have a population issue.

C’mon, Stray, someone said.

Jack glanced back, but couldn’t identify the name-caller. Jack knew what the slur meant. A headache began to form behind his eyes. He glanced at Randal, who had clearly heard it too. A quick examination of Sying—their new and interesting security team member—showed Jack that he had heard it but wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it. Jack wanted to intervene, but Randal shook his head. After so long, Jack could read Randal’s thoughts. He wanted Sying to stand up for himself.

They continued down the steep street toward the waterfront. It was a long, tiring walk, but they made it. Jack paid for the tickets, grimacing as yet more of his precious funds were spent on finding Bit’s niece. He suspected he was going to spend more than Bit had earned while working for him. But Bit was now family, and the crew took care of their family.

The ferry hovered over the dark water, streaming forward at breakneck speeds through what apparently were streets dividing various docks filled with houseboats—some large enough to house numerous people in luxury. Though Jack wasn’t sure, he suspected the floating suburbs were the more expensive neighborhoods.

Jack leaned back, trying to imagine what it would be like living on a houseboat. Probably a lot like living on an old spaceship.

They reached the far side of the enormous bay—some thirty miles wide—and docked. On the other side, the land rose in what appeared to be a man-made cliff. Various staircases made of stone led up to the suburb. They filed up to the main level—at least forty feet above the sea—and began weaving through the suburb.

Though it was a far cry from the slums of Johannesburg, Jack had been right. Issaquah was a low-rent suburb. Enormous concrete buildings rose up in perfectly symmetrical blocks, each one like the last. The first and second floors were painted by the shop owners, but the floors above were left a dull gray. Unlike Johannesburg, the residents had worked to make each unit their own. Colorful curtains were visible through the closed windows. Bright potters hung from the windows, overflowing with green produce. Jack easily spotted a few tomato plants and zucchini plants. It all reminded him of his mother’s apartment and their own little garden.

Randal nudged him, pointing down a side street. A quick glance at the sign showed him it was the street on the little slip of paper. They reached the building, which looked just like all the others and mounted the stairs to the third floor. After a short search, they found the right unit. Jack motioned for the