Inquisitor: The J T Jackson Adventures, #2

By Brad Chambers

A slightly risky delivery turns dangerous for Jackson and his partners. An old acquaintance gets them out of the frying pan and throws them directly into the fire. Something unknown from the past can sometimes cause a person loads of trouble. Hopefully Jackson can settle the old dispute without getting them all killed a slow and painful death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brad Chambers
• Release date: Dec 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393041115

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Shelby swung around the moon in a tight arc going all out. Flashes of laser canon blinked past making the view from the driver’s seat flicker like we were passing a sun instead of a moon.

Watch our tail! I growled through clenched teeth.

I didn’t know if the ships chasing us would follow my line or swing around the other side to intercept us.

A pair of fighters came into view, thrusters at full throttle, giving me my answer. There was no time to change course, so I mentally crossed my fingers and drove straight between them. This caused them to peel off so quickly that one of them lost control and plummeted straight for the rocky surface.

I couldn’t tell if he made it or not, I just took the Shelby away from there as fast as she would go. Hopefully I could make it to the surface of the planet this moon circled before the fighters recovered and caught up.

Don’t do that again! Campbell griped at me in an annoyed voice.

A quick glance showed me the stress on her face, but it was offset by the thrilled gleam in her eyes. A little trifle with death made her feel alive, apparently.

I agree, Droge stepped onto the bridge. Let’s try to make the surface without any more altercations.

Would you prefer to drive? I groused, trying to hide the fear I felt at how close we had come to a fiery death.

I would, Campbell chimed in.

I wasn’t asking you.

The Shelby pierced the atmosphere and I took her down as fast as I safely could. Once we were at the dock, we would be safe from attack.

A quartet of fighters popped out from the scattered clouds below. Two of them taking position on either side of us and the other two continuing the way we had just come. These fighters were of a different design then the pair that had tried to take us out on our approach. They had insignia on their fuselage showing they were from the Zeeren defense force.

I hadn’t had time to get a look at the markings of the ones I’d sent scrambling near the moon, but I knew they would have indicated they were from Avered, the nearest inhabitable planet.

Delivering supplies to a besieged world wasn’t the greatest job in the world, but it paid really well, and we were broke. The Shelby was running like new since the replacement engines had been installed but it had taken everything we had to pay for them.

The escorting fighters stayed with us until we were settling toward the tarmac of the dock, then they swung away and headed toward the nearby military base I’d noticed on approach.

The computer took over the landing a few meters above the surface and I pulled my hands from the panel letting out a sigh. Next time I would be glad to let Campbell drive. I would never tell her, but she was better at it than I was. Especially when there was shooting involved.

We sat in silence as the ship slowed and settled itself in the center of the yellow circle painted on the black pavement. Through the view port I could see the surrounding buildings. They were standard prefabricated warehouses but the armed guard every few feet wasn’t standard. When we popped the hatch, we were greeted by soldiers.

There was the usual group of three cargo inspectors, but they each had personal security.

The three of us stood to the side as the trio and their shadows made their rounds and returned.

Looks good, one of the inspectors informed us, and the ranking soldier gave an all clear wave to someone we couldn’t see.

The six men left and a group of lumpers approached. Droge sent the manifest to them and after a quick check on their wrist screens, they went to work.

The three of us stepped out into the fresh air of Zeeren. After the recirculated and scrubbed air on the Shelby, it was good to breath air that didn’t smell of disinfectant. It was a bit overwhelming, though, Zeeren was a planet covered in rain forest with high humidity. The air felt thick and there were a million smells in it.

What’s this about? Campbell asked, and I turned to see a pair of officers approaching. One was a Colonel with a thick black mustache and a hard look in his brown eyes. Following him was a clean-shaven Captain with a bald head and cold blue eyes.

Which one of you is in charge of this ship? the Colonel asked in a voice used to instant response.

We are equal partners, I replied carefully, not sure of the Colonels intentions. No one is in command.

Then all three of you need to come with me, he ordered, turning on his heel and heading back the way he’d come. The Captain waited, watching us, his eyes showing no emotion.

The three of us looked at each other, none of us sure what was going on.

Now! the Colonel barked over his shoulder.

The Captain gestured we should do as we were told and followed behind as we started moving.

We were led to an office with a sign on the door that read Dock Security. Inside they directed us to a small office. The walls were bare. The only furniture was a bolted down table with the chairs attached.

It looked and felt like an interrogation room to me.

The Colonel told us to sit and wait, then they left the room.

Any ideas what’s going on? I asked Campbell.

She shook her head and then brushed back a lock of red hair that fell in front of her eye.

You? I turned to Droge.

He rubbed his orange, scaly head and answered, No idea at all.

I was tempted to open the door and look around, but I was sure the Captain or one of their soldiers was standing guard there.

Campbell and Droge sat down but I had been at the helm of the Shelby for several hours and wanted to stand. When the Colonel returned a short time later he gave me a hard stare until I took my seat.

I am Colonel Duncan. I am with the Zeeren defense force and I need to know what you encountered on your approach. I need all details of contact with enemy ships and conversations with the drivers.

Two fighters attacked us as we neared your moon and I managed to evade them and make my descent into the atmosphere where your fighters escorted us in. There was no verbal communication with them.

The Colonel nodded at my response. What were the markings on the ships that attacked you?

I didn’t have time to look at them, I told him. It happened pretty fast. I drove between them, causing them to take evasive measures. They swung off and I left them behind.

From the look in his eye I don’t think Duncan believed me.

And you two? he turned to the others. What did you see?

I was in the cargo hold, Droge responded. I saw nothing.

And you? Duncan looked at Campbell. Where were you?

I was on the bridge with Jackson, she said. But I didn’t see any markings either. I was trying to get a lock on them, so I could return fire.

Duncan looked at each of us in turn, disbelief and annoyance plain on his face.

Very well. Wait here.

He marched from the room leaving the door open for the captain to close from his station outside.

I don’t think I like him, Campbell commented after the door clicked shut.

I know I don’t, Droge agreed.

He doesn’t seem to care too much for us either, I said. It feels like he’s fishing for something in particular.

Droge nodded his agreement. I thought so, too.

We waited in silence. I assumed the room had listening devices recording everything we said and didn’t want to give Duncan anything to use against us. I was sure the others had the same idea.

It took longer for him to come back this time, and I was getting restless. I didn’t like being locked up, even if it was just an interrogation room. It still felt like a jail cell and stirred up memories I would rather not think about. I’d been a prisoner of war for a time during the Petlan-Kapron war and had a few scars to prove it.

My pacing must have been annoying to Campbell.

Why don’t you relax? Wearing a groove in the floor won’t get us out of here any quicker.

I gave her what probably wasn’t my best smile and sat down. My feigned calm only held out a short time, though, and I went back to pacing.

Droge made no comment on my agitation. He understood why it was there. He had been a prisoner, too, but he was hiding his