The 28th Gate: Volume 7

By Christopher C. Dimond

You’ve heard his stories. Now it’s time you hear theirs.
With Hunter’s fate still unknown, Katherine, Gloria, Quatra and others share their stories about the man Hunter once was, back before he ever found The 28th Gate.
From his earliest contract hunts, to his first job for Quatra and the full story behind his experience with Underhelm, these are the stories of Hunter as told by the people who knew him best.
Read them now in The 28th Gate: Volume 7!
Set in a far distant future, The 28th Gate is a series of tales that will appeal of fans of space marines, space fleets, and military hard science fiction. The series consists of eight volumes spread across four seasons telling the story of Hunter’s struggles against the AAA corporation that created him. Each volume contains six episodic novelettes each with the action, character, and plotting of a complete story all crammed into an espresso-like package, while each season chronicles a different arc in the overall epic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: UDW Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781948619066

Book preview

The 28th Gate: Volume 7

The 28th Gate: Volume 7

Season IV

Christopher C. Dimond

UDW Publishing

Copyright © 2020 by Christopher C. Dimond

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2020

ISBN: 9781948619066

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Cover design by Christopher C. Dimond

Copyediting by Janine Savage of Write Divas, LLC

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UDW Publishing

A division of Unlimited Diamond Works, LLC

Seabrook, TX

www.UnlimitedDiamondWorks.com

Vellum flower icon Created with Vellum

Dedication

For the fans…

Contents

Acknowledgments

The 28th Gate

Prologue

Book I

Before Katherine

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Book II

Before Civilization

Episode 4

Episode 5

Episode 6

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I am indebted to the generous and ongoing support of my friends and family, particularly Chris Renaudo and Karen Love for their early comments on these stories.

I also wish to thank my ARC team for their support, including (in no particular order): Charles Ferguson, Stuart Cliffe, Joseph Mills, Alison VanSacker, Ricky Reid, Richard Mabry, Norman Whitehead, Carel Neethling, Tanya C. Forde, Uriah Bartle,  Al Franke, Andrew Leighton-sims, Ed Stegman, Kevin Bentch, and B.K. Foster.

Finally, this series would not exist without my amazing wife, who has served for years now as both sounding board and cheerleader for my stories.

The 28th Gate

Season IV: Volume 7

Prologue

My name is Dr. Katherine Elysa Marshere. Hunter Marshere is my husband and the father of my daughter. The Black Gate refugees and I are alive only because of the sacrifices he made. And I address you now for one simple reason.

We must go back for him. And for everyone else.

I know there are many who believe his deeds mark him as irredeemable, and that his actions are a prime example of why you must leave the Black Gates to their fate and abandon them to the O-S virus as your ancestors once did.

But Hunter’s friends and I know otherwise, and we will show you why Hunter is worth saving. Just like everyone else we left behind.

You’ve heard his stories.

Now it’s time for you to hear ours.

We’ve agreed to share our stories in chronological order, which means it is only appropriate that I now introduce you to the man who knew Hunter first—the man who taught him to become a contract hunter long before the rest of us ever met him.

Book I

Season IV

Before Katherine

Episode One

Erick Walterson

Hunter’s Mentor

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As I understand it, Hunter began each of his stories for you by describing a pertinent weapon. Far be it from me to deviate from his pattern. It might, however, surprise you to learn that Hunter didn’t acquire his penchant for exotic weaponry from me. I used firearms as tools, certainly, but never with such feverous passion as Hunter. Nonetheless, I shall endeavor to match the bravura of his descriptions.

Now then, if I do recall, Hunter detailed for you the Kobolt MLP 82 Ranger as his favorite sniping platform. What he didn’t share with you, however, is that before he ever used the Ranger, he… well, acquired a Kobolt MLP 7 Scout. From what I understand, these two firearms share a similar design, each built on a magnetic delivery platform with a modular and variable barrel assembly for versatility, although the Scout was intended for medium distances rather than the Ranger’s extreme distance abilities.

In truth, I was surprised when I learned Hunter had begun employing a Kobolt Ranger, but only because I remembered in great detail what had happened the first time he’d had an occasion to use a Kobolt Scout.

Tig Hayrix charged down the alleyway ahead of us. This was the first chase I’d taken Hunter on after we’d met, and I’d inadvertently introduced the notion to him by splitting a bounty as thanks for his assistance. I thought it would be a simple one. But we’d almost had Hayrix cornered when he’d spotted Hunter and bolted.

Hayrix glanced over his shoulder at us as we pursued, then flailed a small sidearm and began firing haphazardly at us even as he continued his flight. I dove to the side, taking cover behind a shallow doorstop, but Hunter just held his left arm in front of him and continued charging. I’d swear some of the shots had to have landed, but Hunter didn’t even slow.

A moment later, Hayrix reached an intersection and stumbled, casting frantic glances left and right before tearing away to the left. Hayrix didn’t know where he was going.

But I did.

Hunter! I cried. Bear right! I’d done my due diligence before we moved to confront Hayrix, so I already knew the two streets came back together just a short distance ahead—and the street to the right was the swifter route.

But as I hurried toward the street on the right, I watched Hunter barrel down after Hayrix directly down the street to the left.

Groaning to myself and reflecting on the countless irritations of working with an untrained partner, I hurried ahead, positioning myself in the middle of the next intersection. I even drew my warlock. It wasn’t loaded, of course—it rarely ever was—but just the gun’s formidable appearance often carried enough stopping power for my purposes.

Hayrix appeared around the not-so-distant bend, still looking over his shoulder at where I assumed Hunter must be. But when Hayrix realized I was ahead of him, he stumbled again, momentarily slowing. Even at that distance I recognized the instant of indecision on his face as he pondered whether he could bring his gun around before I stopped him. He was a fighter, ready to go down firing.

And then Hunter tackled him from behind, throwing the man into the air before landing atop him some distance down the street. Within an instant the smaller Hunter had pinned the larger Hayrix. He looked up and flashed me an excited grin as I approached.

Well, I commented as I handed Hunter a set of restraints. I think it’s clear there are still a few things you’ve yet to learn. But you certainly show promise. Once we’ve finished here, perhaps you’d like to join me for another chase, and I’ll see what else I can teach you.

When I first met Hunter, it would have been polite of me to say he was a terrible mess—a young man struggling to find himself after having escaped an unspeakable past. I didn’t know why at the time, but I later learned about his escape from Maunhouser and the drifting he’d done after. But when I looked past his constant air of anger and pain, I saw a glimmer of something greater.

He already told you about the rota he spotted me capturing a target. And I should say he accurately described his own assistance in the matter. My only addition would be that my offer to split the bounty with the boy was by no means a unique gesture. I’d done the same on other occasions in the past. Even so, when he expressed a keen interest to learn more about the duty of hunting, I saw an opportunity to strengthen the glimmer I’d seen within.

And I’m certainly glad I did.

Now don’t misunderstand me. Hunter wasn’t always easy to work with back then. He was still struggling with a lot. The very first rota I brought him aboard my small ship, a modified distance shuttle I called the Lelu, I told him in no uncertain terms that I didn’t allow drugs or mood-altering substances of any kind aboard my vessel. I could tell from the dull sheen in his eyes that he was using, though I didn’t know what. Nor did I really care. And he agreed readily enough.

I only caught him with the stuff once. It was a few rotas after he’d joined me and just after we’d finished handing Hayrix over to the authorities. I suppose I would have been within my rights to end our arrangement then and there, but instead I gave Hunter his first and only warning. I wasn’t about to judge the boy, mind you, and wouldn’t have blamed the boy for leaving. Instead, Hunter nodded and promised me it wouldn’t happen again, after which he tossed the stuff out. We spent the next three chases that subrev with Hunter suffering from withdrawal symptoms as he came off whatever in the twenty-seven gates he’d been addicted to.

But he never went back on that promise.

After that, I knew there was more to him than the anger and the pain and the thrill of the chase. And it was really only then, I believe, that I began to wonder if I’d finally found someone I could entrust to continue my work after I’d gone.

As we continued working together, Hunter and I developed a strong functional rapport. I gave Hunter more and more leeway so long as he followed my general directions. And once I felt he’d learned enough of the details, I resolved to offer Hunter a test to assure myself he could take over for me after I retired.

We had just retrieved a nice little bounty on Allego IV, and I’d been out celebrating that evening. I awoke the next morning to find Hunter already in the cockpit of the shuttle, searching through available listings.

Anything of interest? I asked, propping myself in the doorway.

Yeah, a couple, he replied. Thought you might like this one. He pointed to a listing, but I didn’t bother inspecting it.

And what of your interest? I asked.

He just shrugged. Hunter was often noncommittal, happy to rise to whatever job I set him on. But it was time for that to change.

I was thinking this might be an occasion for you to take point, my boy.

He frowned at me. You mean pick a job?

Yes, indeed, I answered with a smile. And so much more. I believe you’re more than capable of leading an entire chase. You pick our target, and I’ll support you however you decide. But you’ll be the one with the final say in our decisions.

He nodded slowly as he considered the proposition.

Interested? I prompted.

Yeah, he finally answered, as something of a smile crept across his face. Yeah, I think I am.

So, my boy, what is your plan of action? I asked as we approached the small cantina Hunter had identified on Allego IV. Perhaps a coordinated capture?

He glanced around and then shook his head. You watch the door. I’ll go get him.

I almost voiced my concerns, but instead I held my tongue. I wanted this to be his decision, and so it would be. As such, I watched with more than a hint of reservation as Hunter strode through the broad doorway and into the serving area beyond.

I must confess I often wondered if some of his Maunhouser enhancements didn’t help him identify targets, because he didn’t even slow as he continued toward his selected bounty, Edwit Fadar, seated at a table along the far wall. Without so much as a muttered word of warning, Hunter hit the man with a compact electric stunner. Fadar’s body wasn’t even yet limp before Hunter chucked him over one shoulder and started striding back toward me at the door.

One of the establishment’s servers seemed a touch perturbed by this turn of events—and reasonably so—but I waved her away, assuring her we were simply collecting a legitimate bounty. Then, I fell in beside Hunter as he threw Fadar into the back of my dirt cruiser.

Easy, Hunter said, flashing me that rare grin of his. Then he settled in behind the controls as I took the passenger’s seat, reflecting that Hunter had indeed picked a straightforward job—and had also done well in choosing so. After all, I approved of an easy jaunt for his first contract. All that remained was to turn Fadar in at the local constabulary for Mystix Corp, one city over.

If only it had been so simple.

Fadar awoke a few subchrons later. Despite his experience by that point, Hunter had forgotten that the stunner he carried wasn’t nearly as powerful as the heavily modified PDD I used. And in his haste, Hunter had also neglected to bind our target. So, no sooner had Fadar awoken than he began thrashing in the back of the cruiser.

Hunter spat a muttered curse and shot me an accusatory glare. Couldn’t have reminded me? he growled as he pulled hard on the controls that would bring the dirt cruiser to a halt.

I smiled. It wasn’t often I’d seen Hunter act so flustered. I suppose I could have. But I bet you’ll remember the lesson better this way. Besides, didn’t we agree this would be your job?

Hunter just growled again. And then Fadar leapt out of the back and set off at a dead run down the empty street.

Hunter spat another curse and sprang after him, barely waiting for our transport to skid to a halt. I followed a moment behind, after having ensured the controls were safeguarded—since even I had limits as to how far I’d let Hunter fall on his first job in charge.

By the time I rounded the back of the dirt cruiser, Fadar had lost most of his lead. He was, I’m willing to admit, surprisingly spry for such a slender fellow. But Hunter was faster. And with that artificial leg of his, Hunter was a prodigious sprinter. Fadar threw a harried glance over his shoulder just in time to see Hunter diving toward him, stunner already in hand.

I didn’t do it! Fadar cried, dodging to the side as Hunter landed and missed his first swing. You’ve got the wrong guy!

Hunter didn’t even reply as he sprang at Fadar again, and this time the man caught Hunter’s arm and, by sheer luck alone, managed to dodge the stunner a second time.

I’m telling you that bounty isn’t for me! Please! They set me up!

Hunter pivoted on his left leg and this time caught Fadar’s closest hand in his synthetic fist. Then he drove the stunner into the man’s exposed ribs. Fadar shuddered once, then crumpled into Hunter’s arms.

Hunter threw a glance over his shoulder at me. Go get the cruiser, he called. And then bring the restraints.

We were heading for my shuttle beyond the edge of town so we could ferry Fadar to the neighboring corporation for our bounty when we came upon a security checkpoint for the city’s controlling corporation, HedGer Corp. Two of their aerial attack craft were parked on either side of the street with clusters of local corporate personnel conducting checks of each passing vehicle.

Hunter shot me a glance and I shrugged. It had been a while since I’d seen such a concerted search, but with the various mutual pacts the two corporations on the world shared, I doubted we would have any trouble passing once we explained our purpose.

Hunter slowed as one of the security personnel approached.

Please state the nature of your business, she called through the open-air canopy of the dirt cruiser.

Freelance contract hunters, he replied, flashing her our permits. Our bounty’s in the back, heading for Mystix Corp.

She glanced at a screen on her wrist, presumably checking our permit against those listed for the corporations on the planet. Though I suppose she might also have conducted a check against local bounty listings as well. Name? she asked.

Fadar, Hunter replied.

Her head snapped up, but she quickly covered the reaction. Understood. Please pull over here for a moment. She turned away and promptly began a hushed conversation over a comm connection.

Hunter shot me another glance. I don’t like this.

I nodded in return. I wasn’t terribly keen on the latest turn of events myself.

What do you think? Hunter added.

The question surprised me, by and large because I wasn’t used to his asking my opinion. Hunter rarely questioned my choices, mind you, and always followed through on plans I made. But once I set objectives for him, he tended to use whatever methods he deemed fit.

It does seem a predicament, I answered. We have not, as yet, behaved in any way questionable. Nonetheless, it appears they intend to detain us, even if only to take custody of our charge.

Hunter nodded and the expression on his face hardened.

But this is your contract, my boy, I reiterated. Decide our course of action and I shall back you through it. Knowing Hunter, I was amply aware that giving him free reign could be a calculated risk when I didn’t yet know what Hunter had planned. But I was willing to assume the risk—I wanted to see how he would handle the challenge.

Hunter offered another slow nod, then turned his gaze back to the road ahead of us with a hint of a smile. You’d better hold on.

Before the guard could stop us, the dirt cruiser leapt forward, accelerating with great rapidity through the checkpoint and between the grounded attack craft. We tore away from the city, though in the distance behind us I could hear the whine of the attack craft launching.

I expect we shall have company soon, I called over the rush of wind as he continued accelerating into the sparse forest outside the town.

Just get us in the air. I’ll secure Fadar.

Hunter barely slowed the dirt cruiser as the shuttle’s rear bay door began opening, and the ramp had only just reached the ground when we blasted into the craft. Then Hunter spun the controls hard, spinning the cruiser into the bay and dissipating our momentum. Following his instructions, I jumped from the craft and ran for the cockpit.

A moment later, we were in the air.

I kept us low over the forest as we soared away from HedGer Corp territory. A moment later, Hunter slid into one of the three passenger seats in the cockpit.

Where are those assault craft? he asked.

I pointed to the displays, which indicated they were still positioned near the checkpoint, circling within their own territory. I do believe they declined to give chase after all.

Good, Hunter grunted. Then he frowned. What’s that?

I spared a glance away from the foliage ahead and realized Hunter had spotted another craft on an interception course. I beamed when I recognized the modified heavy fighter as belonging to a friend of mine.

My, what superb luck! I told Hunter. I haven’t had the occasion to introduce you to Juykes yet. You should like him.

I paused, pulling up a communications channel with the oncoming fighter, and Juykes’s leering face appeared. My friend! I greeted. What are you doing out— The rest of my sentiment was cut short when our shuttle rocked from gunfire.

Gunfire originating from Juykes’s heavy fighter.

Juykes! I snapped over the comm line. What in the gates are you doing?

Nothing personal, ol’ chum! Just here for the bounty. You understand. The shuttle rocked again from another volley.

But we already have Fadar for Mystix! I snapped. You’ve never been one to attempt theft like this!

Oh, you misunderstand, my friend, Juykes replied, his grin widening. I’m not here for the Mystix bounty. I’m here for the one HedGer Corporation just posted. But as I said, it’s nothing personal. So why not make this easy?

Hunter growled a curse and shut off the comm line before I could respond. Just take evasive action!

Hold tight! I pitched the shuttle up on one edge and pulled hard to the south. From the rear bay I heard the scrape of crates sliding and then a cry when Fadar slammed into the port bulkhead.

Here! Hunter cried, highlighting a deep canyon ahead of us splitting the forest in two. I’ll find us a cave.

A cave? I murmured. My shuttle wasn’t as large as Juykes’s heavy fighter behind us, but I