Salvage-5: Final Mission

By Brian K. Larson

Colonel Tucker Petersen, and crew, are back for one final mission. After discovering the cyborg alien matter regenerating properties, Lieutenant Buster Clark tells his commander that the spheres they blew up on their last mission, regrew. Tucker mounts up and takes off to rid the asteroid belt of the cyborg alien infestation once and for all.

Join the Colonel, and his crew, for this fun filled, and explosive series finale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian K. Larson
• Release date: Nov 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370934003

Brian K. Larson

Brian was born and raised in Seattle in 1959. He grew up in the town of Mount Lake Terrace, a small suburb north of the city. Brian, being the youngest, had two siblings, his eldest brother, Mike and sister, Pam. School was challenging, as Brian suffers with Dyslexia, a learning disability that affects 1 in 15 Americans. That didn’t stop Brian. He was named "bookworm" in school because he always had his nose in a book.Brian received his MBA in 2010 in Business, now writes for fun, living his lifelong dream of writing science fiction books. He enjoys his off time, with his seventh grade sweetheart, Diana Rose now for going on sixteen years. She has been by his side and continues to supports his writing. Brian says that without her encouragement, his dream would never have become a reality. They now live in Marysville, Washington, and enjoy three wonderful kids and eight grandchildren. They range from newborn to thirteen, and he says they are so special and great to have around.It is Brian’s hope that through his writing he will fill hearts with joy to readers all over the world, sparking their imaginations.

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Salvage-5

Final Mission

Brian K. Larson

Salvage-5

Final Mission

Brian K. Larson

Published by Slipstream Publishing

For Smashwords

Copyright 2018 Brian K. Larson

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

This is a work of fiction, all the characters and events in this novel that appear similar to persons living or dead are unintentional and are completely coincidental.

DEDICATION

As I finish the first chapter in this work, my thoughts reflect on our men and women who served in the armed forces. This day in history, Dec 7th, is Pearl Harbor Day. I dedicate this work to all service men and women that have helped keep our country safe from the tyranny of those who would take away our freedoms.

I can never say it enough, thank you for your service.

Author, Brian K. Larson

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Epilogue

Chapter 1

San Miguel de Allende

Monastery - High in the Mountains

January 13, 2068 09:47

Ohhh, Benedict, Buster shouted, looking both ways down the alley.

Benedict ducked around the corner, biting his knuckles as he ran from Lieutenant Clark.

Sir, where are you this time? Quit hiding; I have some important information for you!

Benedict ducked down a set of cement stairs and hid from the approaching young lieutenant.

Buster cupped a hand to his mouth and yelled. C’mon, Benedict, where are you? Running down the narrow alley, he slid to a stop as he passed the stairwell. Dust kicked into the air as he halted.

With hands on his hips, Buster spun around and looked down where he had just come from. He took off and ran past the steps again, only to skid to a stop once more. Turning, he placed his hands on the railing, and looked over the side, Sir Benedict! There you are!

Oh no, no, no, no, Benedict whispered to himself. He found me! Raising his voice slightly to ensure Buster heard, Oh, heh, heh, hi ya’ Lieutenant. Fancy running into you... right here...

Buster ran around the railing to the steps and returned his hands to his hips, I thought I saw you heading this way. What are you doing, Sir Benedict?

Benedict held his hands together and looked up to the sky, Praying...

Praying?

Yes, I’m praying... that’s why I’m here... yep... praying...

Colonel Petersen’s voice echoed Buster’s name. He turned towards the sound.

Uh oh... Buster nervously whispered before descending down the steps to where Benedict was hiding.

Whattya doing, Lieutenant? Benedict asked.

Hiding from the Colonel...

"From the Colonel?

Yes, he wants to take me into space again.

The Colonel depends on you, Lieutenant... you don’t want to disappoint him now, do you? You really must go!

No... I mean yes, now keep your voice down, Sir Benedict, before he hears us.

Hears who? Tucker asked, peering below at Sir Benedict; Buster nowhere in sight. Hi ya’, Benedict, you see Lieutenant Clark around here?

Benedict looked around his shoulders and then back up to Tucker, Nope, he answered with a nod of his head, nobody’s here, Benedict continued pointed with his finger to below his robe.

What’s the matter, Sir Benedict?

Nothing, Colonel, Benedict motioned towards his robe with each word, nothing...at... all,

Are you hiding something? What are you doing down there anyway?

Ah, err, ah, praying... That’s right, I’m praying, Benedict nervously answered, pressing the palms of his hands together.

Oh, c’mon now, you’re really not the praying type... rubbing his hand on his chin, You sure you’ve not seen Buster around here?

Tucker froze when he heard Cassie’s voice shouting his name, Tuuukerrrr!?

Oh crap! Tucker exclaimed before coming around and running down the cement steps.

Buster peeked out from under the Abbot’s brown robe; Tucker’s eyes meeting with his, Buster!? What are you doing down there?

Uh, err, nothing, Sir, heh heh.

Hmmm, it doesn’t look like nothing to me, whiz-kid.

Tucker? Cassie’s voice echoed from above their heads, What are you guys doing down there? Cassie asked, peering over the railing.

Tucker held his hands together and closed his eyes, Shhh, we’re praying...

Buster poked his head and two hands out from under the robe, placed them in the praying fashion, and closed his eyes after he pushed his glasses up his nose.

Huh uh... quit all this tomfoolery, you guys! We’ve got to finish packing for our trip... you know, the one to brief General McKenzie about our final fun filled trip to the asteroid belt... ring any bells, Tuck?

Well of course, Sassy. I was looking for Buster, who apparently is hiding from me...and we’re done packing up down here.

Right, Cassie snickered, With the exception of our abled bodies.

Buster looked up at Tucker from beneath the Abbot’s robe, Sir Benedict was hiding from me... and it’s because I don’t want to go back to space... Sir... Buster gave his glasses another shove.

And I’m hiding with good reason... please take him with you, Colonel... please... I beg of you... Benedict whispered.

Why don’t you like me, Sir Benedict? I don’t understand why you never want to be around me. I mean if you really wanted some private time, all you had to do is say so. I’d be more than happy to leave you be, but you really have to let people know... maybe Sam should give you the social talk she gave me, because she’s real good at explaining those kinds of things to ya. I know, just ask me and I’ll tell ya...

Tucker held his hand over Buster’s mouth, I think you just made Sir Benedict’s point, Lieutenant.

What?

What the Colonel is trying to say, Lieutenant, Cassie smiled, Is that you talk too much.

Muph, ma, muphem.

What was that, Lieutenant? Tucker asked.

Buster pulled Tucker’s hand from his mouth, I said I’ll try harder.

Very well, Buster, Tucker smiled, I guess we better get on the ship. We’ll be heading north shortly.

Awwwwwe man! Buster moaned. Colonel, I really don’t want to go back out there, Sir... I mean it wasn’t very much fun the last time.

C’mon, Lieutenant, Cassie held her smirk the best she could as Buster came out from under Benedict’s robe. We need you out there.

Cassie’s right, Tucker added, We need you to help us finalize your formula for anti-matter... you know, just in case?

In case they don’t take your peace offering, you mean, Buster finished.

Right, Tucker brought out a cigar from his vest and puffed on it, enticing the buried cherry to ignite, But there’s no reason to believe they won’t take their precious core back.

So, Buster added, skipping up the cement steps after Tucker, if they just take their core back, you think they’ll just go on their merry way back to Sirius?

That’s the general idea, yes.

So, I’m really not needed then, right? I mean, if they’re just going to leave us alone, I don’t need to come along, right, Colonel?

Tucker grabbed Buster by the collar and drug him back toward where the ship was parked, C’mon, whiz-kid, it’s our final mission to rid our solar system of these alien clone-things ... it’ll be fun, trust me.

Buster slid his glasses up his nose and gulped.

Oh, come on now, Buster, It won’t be all that bad, Tucker wrapped his arm around Buster’s neck and gave him a friendly squeeze.

Uh huh, Buster stumbled along with Tucker.

Besides, you’re chipped this time too.

Yeah, Buster rubbed the back of his neck, I remember how much fun that was.

Don’t make us hold you down again, Cassie added.

What? I took the chip... eventually.

Only after we held ya’ down.

I was going to do it, Buster argued.

C’mon, the ship’s right this way, Tucker dragged the young Lieutenant by his collar.

Hargrove is already waiting in orbit on his frigate, Cassie reported, That’s what I was coming to tell you, Tuck.

Benedict followed a few steps behind, hands clasped in prayer, Ohhhh, thank you, Lord, thank you, for delivering me from this, this, ahem, wonderful Lieutenant that has graced us with his superior intellect, he whispered under his breath, And watch over the Colonel, and his entire crew... they’re gonna need it.

Gee, thanks, padre, Tucker sneered. Turning back to Cassie, You say Captain Hargrove is on his ship in orbit with his crew?

Yep, and we have an appointment at Oak Harbor. Sargent Samuels is waiting to load our new MECH’s, Cassie answered as they approached the salvage ship.

Sam stood at the cargo bay door with her arms folded, You guys done clowning around? I’d like to get airborne sometime this week.

Oh, Sam, Tucker smiled, finally releasing Buster’s collar, Don’t be such a party poop.

Yeah, well, sorry to spoil everyone’s fun, but I have Bennie on the horn, Colonel.

Bennie? How is he doing anyway?

That’s what he was about to tell you, Commander...

Tucker held his finger at Sam, Not Commander, not until we’re on the mission clock.

Sam slapped her forehead, Right, sorry, Colonel. How could I forget?

Okay, Sir Benedict, Tucker said to the abbot, You and Snaggletooth hold the fort down, m’kay?

You got it, Colonel, Benedict quickly came over to Tucker, wrapping his arms around him, and whispered in his ear, Thank you for taking the Lieutenant with you... you don’t know how much that means to me...

Easy there, Sir Benedict, Tucker insisted as he separated from the man-hug, No need for any of that now, but don’t you worry, we’ll be back.

Dear god, save us all!

You betcha, Benedict, you just keep on a prayin’ for us. We’ll need all the help we can get, divine and otherwise, to pull this one off.

Tucker pointed up the ramp of the salvage ship, Okay, Sam, fire up the engines, seal this bird up and patch Bennie through to my wireless.

Sam smiled and ran up the ramp followed by Cassie and Buster. Climbing up from the crew cabin, Sam slid in to her pilot’s seat as Tucker moved to the seat next to her. She began the preflight ritual of flipping switches and pressing buttons.

She talked to Tucker while keeping her eyes focused on her console, Closing bay door and sealing hatch. Avionics are online, NAV computers set.

Course checked. Engage take off thrusters... pilot’s discretion, Tucker smiled.

Oh, I like the sound of that, Sam smiled.

Oh, no! Buster pulled his seat restraints tighter.

Skids up in, 3...2...1.

Sam’s practiced hands danced over the controls. She yanked the stick back and jammed the throttle forward, pressing Buster deep into his seat, Course set to Oak Harbor.

The ship rose off the pad and rotated until the nose pointed roughly north.

Engage course, Tucker ordered.

Yeah, what she said, Buster gulped.

Sorry guys, Sam answered, But he did say pilot’s discretion... and I’m a Major, remember everyone? My clone drowned, which was a Captain.

Fine, fine..., you’re a Major, but I’m still gonna call ya’ Captain. What’s our ETA to Oak Harbor?

Great, Sam swallowed hard, then whispered, What a killjoy... raising her voice now, We’re two hours and ten minutes out, Colonel.

What was that, Captain? Something about a killjoy?

Okay, more like a wet blanket.

Very funny, Sam; just patch Bennie through, m’kay?

Sure, sure, Sam flipped two more switches and pressed a button, He should be patched over now, Colonel.

Tucker turned his attention to the static, now relaying Bennie’s voice, Dad? You there?

Yes, I’m here, Ben.

Jeez, it’s about time, Dad! I’ve been on hold for like a hundred years.

Sorry about that. I had to go track Buster down.

Yeah, I’ll bet you did.

So, Bennie, how are things down in our former alien complex these days?

Yeah, Dad, I’m down inside the complex, or at least what’s left of it. Uncle Calvin’s here with me and Mom. Trudy, Griffin, and Doctor Rhodes are disconnecting the remaining clone tubes to ensure that no more Sirius beings or cyborg clones can be activated.

I thought we disabled the complex when we took the core back?

Yeah, well… for the most part we did. The complex cannot grow any new clones, but the programming is still active. Dad, we had to make sure no other clones could be activated.

How’s that going, then?

We have to be sure every gestation tube is offline. Other than that, Uncle Cal says we can still interface with the complex and use their technology.

Wasn’t that nice of the aliens to leave all that tech behind.

Dad...

Sorry, Son, I can’t help being cynical, I mean, we’re getting ready for our final mission... and I gotta tell ya’, this is the final mission for dealing with this these aliens! The Final, right?

Yeah, Dad, as long as Lieutenant Clark and Uncle Calvin can figure out how to make anti-matter, contain it, and launch it at any complexes out there, yeah, final mission, Dad.

Calvin’s voice rose over Bennie’s on the wireless, I’m working on several Penning Traps, so we’ve got containment addressed.

Then all we need is the perfect vacuum of space, Buster added over his wireless, as long as the magnetic traps work and we don’t experience a ton of particle decay, we should have ourselves one fine little anti-matter bomb.

Say, Buster, Tucker asked, how are we going to create the anti-protons in the first place?

Oh, that part’s easy, Colonel.

Enlighten me, whiz-kid.

We supercharge our chips with gamma waves using our ship’s accelerator. Once we’ve collected enough anti-protons in the Penning Trap, we can store the device for detonation at the complex.

Cal, Tucker asked, Are you two certain you can make and contain anti-matter?

Sure, Tuck, Calvin answered over the wireless. Piece of cake.

And we’re going to test one of these devices before we reach any alien’s, right?

Sure, sure, no prob, Tuck. Buster and I have been working on it all week.

Good thing you guys are chipped then, isn’t it?

Right you are, Colonel, Buster answered, We would never have come up with the correct computations and logistics to do this without one.

See, whiz-kid, I told you you’d like it.

Yeah, yeah, Buster nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. Still, I didn’t like being held down, though.

Well, you survived it, and we have a plausible solution to our little mission... I’m feeling fairly confident that this will be our final mission... Tucker pointed to a smirking Cassie, and I mean it, this is our final mission dealing with aliens already!

Sure, Tuck. Whatever makes you happy.

... and what’s that supposed to mean, Sassy?

Nothing, Colonel... oh hey, will you look at that, Cassie