Scavenger Falters: SkyRyders, #2

By Liza O'Connor

Alisha Kane, the Corps' best flyer, is promoted to colonel, in charge of teaching the Corp's SkyRyders her extraordinary flying maneuvers. The man she loves, Logan, continues to place the Corps first and insists they both remain focused on their work.

For Alisha, this means ferreting out the best flyers in a Corps that has systematically forced great flyers into mediocrity. Logan focuses on learning Alisha's flying techniques so that he can become the hero the East Coast desperately needs. The result includes fractured ribs and broken hearts, but through it all, they never relinquish their love of the Corps.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liza2write
• Release date: Mar 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386845423

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

The day after the devastation of the Broadtown Fort

Logan woke to the stirring pleasure of soft kisses upon his face and a familiar hot body pressed against him. He opened his eyes, and upon realizing this was more than a pleasant dream, he escaped the bed.

Alisha, what are you doing in here? he demanded of the beautiful young woman who regularly tormented his dreams and presently resided in his bed.

Waking you up. She cocked her head to one side, causing her dark hair to cover her right shoulder. God, she looked so young and adorable fluttering those long eyelashes. But before we can go any further, I need you to release me from a part of your order. She climbed out of bed and put her arms around his waist. The part forbidding me to engage in any physical or seductive actions toward you.

Logan unwrapped her hands from around his waist and gently moved her farther away from him. I can’t. The order remains.

But you love me! she insisted. You told me so last night before the mission!

Logan sighed. He led her back to the bed and sat her down on the edge. Alisha, I’ve always loved you. I think I may have loved you from the moment I set eyes on you.

It was the same for me! she confessed.

He smiled and stroked her face. But all that love doesn’t change the facts. I’m your commanding officer, I’m too old for you, and you can and will do better. My orders remain.

ALISHA DIDN’T UNDERSTAND. How could he acknowledge that he loved her and then cruelly push her away on such flimsy excuses? How could he love her yet be so cruel? If nothing’s changed, then why did you even tell me last night that you loved me? Why did you give me hope? she demanded.

He stroked her hair. I knew there was a high probability that neither of us were going to live through that battle, and I couldn’t let you die thinking I had never loved you.

Alisha studied his face, frustrated by his stubbornness. How could she reach him? You seem to think that our love is bad for me, but it’s not. It’s the only thing that kept me alive—kept us all alive. That battle was won because you admitted the truth! She could no longer control the aching pain and anger inside her, and it burst out in a river of tears.

He gathered her in his arms, and it felt so good, so warm and safe. Yet, she knew it was all a lie. There was no warmth or safety within his arms, because he was too damned stubborn to admit the love between them was right.

Hush, he soothed. You don’t want to upset your gramps now.

Don’t even try to distract me with Gramps. If he knew why I was crying, he’d kick your butt.

You’re probably right there, Logan admitted. As much as your grandfather and I like each other, he knows I’m too old for you.

She struck his chest with her fist. Stop saying that! she demanded. You’re not too old! And I’m not as young as I look. And our ages don’t matter. We love each other and that’s all that matters. So she was twenty-one and he fortysomething. Who cared in a world where neither of them were likely to live for long?

Colonel Logan captured her hand in his and turned her so she faced him. It isn’t even close to all that matters. It doesn’t even make the top five priorities.

Name one thing more important! she demanded.

Your career in the Corps.

I don’t care about my career...

Then you’re a fool. You have a rare ability to make real changes and contributions to the Corps. Look at your first two battles. Without you, hundreds of Ryders would have died. Ginnie, Jersey, and Philly—all dead if you hadn’t been there. And don’t say anyone could have stepped up to the challenge, because you know that’s not true. At this point in time, there’s only you, and until your techniques can be taught and transferred to other Ryders, there is nothing more important than your contributions to the Corps.

Alisha wanted to tell him he was wrong, but how could she? She’d only convince him she was a petulant child. Would she really place her own happiness over the lives of hundreds of Ryders? A part of her wanted to do just that, and her selfishness shamed her to the core. She never hesitated to risk her life for the Corps—why was this sacrifice so much harder?

Because when you’re dead, the pain stops. Living without Logan will be a never-ending agony.

She pushed away the thought and sighed heavily. All right, I’ll concede that my contributions to the Corps should take precedence right now, but can’t I have both? Is there some law that says I must be unloved while I save the world?

Colonel Logan gave her a sad, gentle smile and stroked her face. You’ll never be unloved, Alisha. Everyone who meets you will love you. And someday, when you can risk a few distractions in your life, you’ll meet some young man and fall in love again.

I will not, she replied, her voice quivering with emotion. I will never love anyone but you.

You think that now, but trust me, time will heal.

Alisha couldn’t listen to any more of this. He had made it clear that nothing had changed. He refused to see there might be a compromise, a way she could contribute to the Corps and be happy at the same time. However, to listen to him demean the intensity and durability of her love for him: that was more than she could bear! She ran from his room and down the hall.

Her heart ached with a paralyzing intensity as she entered her bedroom and leaned against the door. Her heart hurt so much, she truly couldn’t breathe. She slid to the floor as gray dots appeared in her vision. Her last thought before blacking out was: So you really can die of a broken heart.

SHE OPENED HER EYES in confusion as Gramps knocked on her door.

Alisha? he called from the other side. Breakfast is ready.

I’ll be right there, she promised him. I just need to change into my clothes. What she needed was more time to pull herself together. No, what she needed was Logan to come to his senses, but that wasn’t going to happen.

She took her time getting ready, including spending several minutes submerging her face in cold water. When she was finally convinced that she bore no obvious signs of the devastation within her, she joined her gramps in the kitchen. She hardened her heart and stiffened her backbone when she saw Logan already seated at the counter, eating.

Smells great, Gramps, but you should have let me cook breakfast! she scolded. It’s not right for you to be waiting on me.

Well, it’s my house and you two are my guests, so I’ll cook breakfast if I like. Besides, the two of you needed every hour of sleep you could get after last night. That sounded like one hell of a battle. Want to tell me what happened?

Alisha hesitated. Her gramps had been a general in the SkyRyders, so he understood the dangers of war. Still her impossible, death-defying role in the battle might upset him. It was pretty bad, Gramps. You sure you want to hear the details?

Daniel pulled out the hot buns and set them on the table. If it gets too unbearable, I’ll raise my hand, he promised as he sat down across from her.

She smiled at his words. When she’d been a little girl, she would make that promise when she begged for a bedtime adventure story from his SkyRyder days. Her mother had declared the stories too frightening for a child. Alisha had insisted if it started to frighten her, she’d raise her hand. She, of course, never did.

Reaching across the table, she squeezed Gramp’s hand. Well, to tell the story in full, I’d better tell you about the battle at the Ridge first. She sighed and began a slightly edited version of her trying two days. She noticed every time she mentioned Jack Sparkes, the colonel’s jaw would clench. So she mentioned Jack often. If she had to suffer, so should the colonel.

After talking through the first battle, or a slightly revised, modified version of the first battle, when the doorbell rang, Alisha ran to open the door, saving her gramps the effort.

She opened the door to the handsome and very tall Colonel Jack Sparks, the hero of her story. She smiled up at him, grabbed his arm, and led him to the kitchen. Come in! There’s plenty of breakfast.

You look well rested, Jack said, clearly pleased. He shook hands with her grandfather and nodded at Logan.

That bread smells fabulous! He looked at Alisha. Don’t tell me you can cook too?

Well, I can, but you’ll have to take my word on it. Gramps made breakfast, and everything is absolutely delicious. Sit down and eat, she playfully commanded, pushing him down onto a stool next to hers, then retrieved a plate and silverware from the kitchen for him.

Gramps smiled at Jack. Alisha was telling me about her rather amazing battles. I hope you don’t mind if she continues. She’s left it off in a bit of a cliff-hanger.

Alisha sat back down beside Jack and reached over and filled his plate with eggs and bacon and two hot rolls. We’re at the point where the compound is surrounded with snipers, the mortar shells are slowly munching away the fort, while all help is being held off by ten concussion launchers.

Jack looked at her grandfather. While she tells this story, just keep reminding yourself that she’s alive and well on the other side of the table, because I can promise you that you aren’t going to like what you hear.

Alisha stuffed a roll in Jack’s mouth to stop him from talking. Just raise your hand, and I’ll stop the story, she assured her grandfather, noticing that Colonel Logan was not at all happy with the way she flirted with Jack.

If it bothers you, then do something about it! With a deep breath, she continued her description of her mission impossible.

The humor was gone by the time she spoke of the endless hours she’d lain on the west bank and watched the SkyRyders massacre every last one of the enemy. She hadn’t realized she was trembling until Jack took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

He stroked her head, leaving his hand resting on the back of her neck. When my communication officer said that a ground crew had captured a woman claiming to be Captain Kane, I knew it had to be an imposter. There was no way she could have survived the explosion and her tumble into the Cully River. I had only hoped she was unconscious when the meat-eaters reached her.

So Jack asked me an annoying and personal question, Alisha declared, wishing to move away from the discussion of the large carnivorous fish that populated the Cully.

Jack laughed and nodded. She answered it correctly and then proceeded to yell at me for having the nerve to ask it.

The ground soldiers brought me to Jack, and then Jack brought me here. Jack was afraid you’d be upset if I came to the door all muddy and suggested I wait in the jeep.

Her gramps shook his head and looked at Jack. The mud I’ve seen, but if you’d shown up on my door without her...

That’s what I told him, she said and playfully bumped his arm.

Jack sighed and stood up. Regrettably, I have to leave now and take Wonder Woman away with me. General Powell wants a full accounting within the hour.

Alisha sighed, handing the jacket back to him. I’ll go get my flight suit...ah shit! My catcher! She had disconnected her catcher at a thousand feet before taking her suicide-bombing run behind the concussion launchers. She’d never find it this late. It had probably blown across three states by now.

It’s in my jeep outside. As soon as the battle was contained, I sent a squad out to recover it.

Even though you didn’t think I survived? she asked, pleased by the gesture.

Evidently, Colonel Logan had reached his breaking point and for the first time in the last hour, he spoke. Of course he retrieved your catcher. Even if you were gone, we could still learn and improve our flying techniques by studying your alterations. He wasn’t being kind, Alisha. He was doing his job.

Instead of replying to Logan’s rant, Alisha ran to her room and grabbed her flight suit. When she returned to the kitchen, Jack was shaking her gramp’s hand. Thank you for the breakfast, sir, it was delicious. I’ll have to figure out more reasons to visit you in the mornings, bringing Alisha with me, of course.

Try to keep in mind that Daniel is on a food budget, Logan warned.

Which reminds me. Jack pulled out a deposit slip. I had this sent directly to your bank account this morning, sir. I hope that more than covers the costs you’ve incurred boarding these two fine soldiers.

Moving close to her gramps, Alisha read the slip of paper in his hands.

This is too much! he insisted.

That’s the standard cost of housing officers during an emergency, Jack assured him.

Alisha kissed her gramps on his cheek. You see. It really does pay to let muddy, stinky Ryders into your home.

She was glad he was so well rewarded for his efforts. I gotta go now. The general does not like to be kept waiting, she explained and walked out of the house, not even acknowledging Colonel Logan. He didn’t deserve acknowledgment after his hateful comment about her catcher.

Chapter 2

Logan fought to contain and conceal the anger he felt. It was bad enough that Sparkes had seduced Alisha, but now he wanted to seduce Daniel as well?

He had rightfully challenged Sparkes’ intention to visit often. While Logan had ensured the Corps reinstated Daniel’s pension, that didn’t give Jack the right to consume it in high food bills. Yet when Logan mentioned it to Jack, the arrogant bastard simply presented a deposit slip, showing how generous he could be with the Corps’ money.

That really pissed off Logan. His budget was so damned tight he couldn’t buy sufficient blankets for his squad, and yet evidently the Corps had given Jack a blank checkbook to use as he wished.

Thus, Jack left a hero who had saved the catcher, saved the budget, and somehow, he’d even got credit for saving Alisha, while Logan’s part in her life had disappeared from her memory. She hadn’t even said goodbye when she left. She had kissed Daniel, but never once glanced in his direction.

A chilly silence fell upon the kitchen once the lovebirds were gone.

Young girls are the strangest, yet most beautiful things on God’s Earth, Daniel declared.

Logan didn’t even dare want to attempt a reply in his present mood, but fortunately Daniel didn’t seem to be looking for one.

Alisha’s mother, Caroline, was much like Alisha when she was sixteen.

Logan’s heart climbed into his throat. Alisha says she’s twenty-one. Dear God, don’t let her have lied.

Is she? Daniel laughed and shook his head. I suppose she is. Doesn’t seem possible. She looks so young to me. But then I’m growing old, and the young keep looking even younger every day.

Then she is twenty-one?

Daniel paused as he did the math in his head. She turned twenty-one the day after she left Flatland, I believe. Then his gaze fell upon Logan. But she’s a young twenty-one. Until she left Flatland, she had been pampered and protected from the world at large. It’s the way they raise socialite children. Teach them no values, no ethics, no skills, unless you call setting a table a skill.

Doesn’t sound like a life Alisha would like.

No, but had you asked me, I would have told you her mother would have likewise shunned it. Caroline was just like Alisha, one minute a playful kitten, and then next, doing something so extraordinary it would take your breath away. One day she and some of her friends had gone into Capital to see a movie. That was back when the subways still ran. While they were waiting for the train, a little boy fell onto the tracks. His nanny screamed for help, but there was a train barreling towards them. No one could save him, or so it seemed.

Daniel smiled with pride, intermingled with regret. Caroline dived onto the tracks, grabbed the boy, and rolled out of the way of the oncoming train within seconds of impact. After the train was gone, she handed the boy back to the nanny and then tried to pull herself back up onto the dock. Unfortunately, she had sprained her right wrist and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t climb up.

Wouldn’t anyone help her? Logan asked.

"You would think so, but no. They were afraid to get close to the edge. Afraid she’d accidentally pull them over. She remained on those tracks for almost an hour, dodging one train after another, now too proud and angry to ask for further help.

Finally, the father of the child arrived, and the little boy told him what happened and begged him to help the nice lady who had saved him. Daniel sighed. "So he called her over, pulled her onto the dock, and took her to his home where she was well cared for by his personal medic.

By the time she was returned home, she was enraptured with her savior. I never knew a person could love so hard, so quickly. He was her Prince Charming. He had rescued her, comforted her, and shown her kindness when no one else would, and she wanted nothing but him. Daniel sighed heavily.

I tried to point out the problems of the match. He was married, twice her age, and a socialite. She didn’t care about the problems. She believed anything was possible.

Like Alisha, Logan said softly. Like us, he added to himself.

And he was just as besotted. So he divorces his wife and marries my sixteen-year-old daughter.

If you could see it was wrong, why did you allow it? Logan asked.

I didn’t at first, but eventually I gave in, due to necessity and because I couldn’t stand to see her suffer anymore. And believe me, she suffered terribly when I told her I’d never permit the marriage. Daniel sighed. But then my hand was forced. She was pregnant with Alisha. It was a virgin birth, well documented. So now, I had a choice of letting her be Karl York’s mistress or wife, and I thought the wife of a socialite had to be better than that of a mistress. So they married.

I take it from the few things that Alisha has said that it’s not a happy marriage.

For a short while they were happy, but socialites really are to be pitied. They have the most boring and unfulfilling lives of any humans on Earth. Even the fish in the Cully are more worthwhile and beneficial. The Caroline I loved and raised could not exist in such an environment, so she changed into a person who could, and there wasn’t a bit of the change that was for the better. By her fifth year of marriage, my Caroline was completely gone. There was no sparkle or joy left in her, and certainly nothing wondrous. She was hard and bitter. She was only twenty-one, the same age as Alisha.

Daniel stared out the window until he got his emotions back under control.

I can’t allow that to happen to Alisha. He faced Logan. You’re a good man, Logan. But you’re too somber for my granddaughter. You’ll crush her playful spirit.

Logan smiled painfully. "Well, I hadn’t thought of that reason. I just told her I was too