Gold Digger: The J T Jackson Adventures, #3

By Brad Chambers

Taking on human cargo always means trouble. This time is no exception. J T and Campbell get forced into a fight they want no part of, on a world known for its barbaric cruelty. A ghost from the past amkes things even more complicated. The only solution is try to survive until there is a chance of escape.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brad Chambers
• Release date: Dec 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393540618

Book preview

Chapter 1

Laser fire crisscrossed my vision as I fought to keep the Shelby from taking a hit. My fingers twitched on the controls, changing direction constantly so the lasers couldn’t get a lock.

I took a deep breath, willed my heart to slow its wild pumping, and pointed the ship’s nose for the surface.

Campbell had already taken the Solaris through the cloudy upper atmosphere of Meronth, and I followed her path.

The attack ended as soon as we entered the vapor laden air, giving my adrenaline levels a chance to ease down. A few moments later, though, they skyrocketed along with my breathing, when we broke through into clear air and I could see the surface approaching much too quickly.

I returned to fighting the controls as the Shelby’s nose pulled up slowly. I willed myself to stay alert and fight the lowering blood levels in my brain. From the corner of my eye I saw Benson slump forward in the right-hand seat. The force of the turn was too much for him, the same as it probably was for the thirty passengers in the hold.

At least if we crashed, they would never know it.

I would have a front row seat for it.

The Shelby groaned and popped under the stress as her nose slowly raised. Tree tops scraped the hull as the horizon appeared in the view port. Those short scrubby trees were the last of them before the landscape changed to bare ground. Out to where the curvature of the planet hid the surface it was completely barren.

The Solaris was in sight now and I followed her to the tarmac that made up the small landing area on this out of the way planet. The only building was a small office for Customs. Even on lightly populated worlds they wanted to be sure all arrivals went through inspection.

The landing area hadn’t been cleaned in a while, so a thin cloud of dust rose around us as we set the ships down.

We made it?

I looked over at Benson and responded in a voice calmer than my still pounding heart proved I was, Of course. Did you think we wouldn’t?

They didn’t follow us in?

The pirates? No, they’re afraid the planet’s defense force would take them on. They’re cowards, mostly, looking for easy money.

I started the post flight checks and added, They would have been disappointed if they’d taken us. A few refugees isn’t their idea of money making cargo.

I wanted to add that it wasn’t mine either, but I didn’t want to insult the man. What they could afford to pay barely covered our fuel, but it had gotten us off of Scarbish.

Movement from the Customs office caught my eye as a pair of figures left it and moved in our direction.

The welcoming committee, I told Benson as I got up and headed for the door. Better stay inside and let me deal with them.

I wound my way through the annoyingly cluttered hold to the hatch. After a warning to its occupants to stay quiet, I popped the door and stepped out to greet the approaching pair. I closed the hatch behind me as I fought to control the urge to vomit. There was a smell on this planet that didn’t agree with me. Hopefully we wouldn’t be here long.

Welcome to Meronth.

The shorter officer was the one that spoke. She was a rough looking woman with broad shoulders and dark eyes. Her expression gave away the fact that her words didn’t express how she really felt. The other officer was very thin with long blond hair, a nose that hooked down on the end, and blue eyes. She didn’t look particularly happy either.

Thanks, I responded, trying to be pleasant. It was never a good idea to make enemies of Customs. It’s good to be here.

What is your cargo? the broad shouldered one asked. We have no deliveries showing on our schedule.

We hadn’t planned to land here, I told her. We were forced to by an attack as we passed by.

The pair turned as Campbell approached from the Solaris. Both women looked her over and turned back to me.

You will stay with your ships until we have inspected your cargo. If everything checks out you will be allowed to leave your ships, but only for a short time. Since you weren’t expected, you will have to leave within one cycle.

About the cargo, I said. It isn’t exactly what you would expect to find on ships like ours. There are thirty-one people on the Shelby and forty on board the Solaris. We are trying to find them a place to live. Their ship gave out, and they were stranded on Scarbish.

Both Customs officers stepped back a few paces and their expressions became even more off-putting.

We will not be inspecting your ships, the thin blond told us. You may stay for one cycle but you must remain in your ships. Your attackers should be gone by then and you must leave.

What’s that about? Campbell asked as the pair hurried back to their office. And what is that horrible stench?

I don’t know, I replied, And I don’t want to know.

I was hoping to air out the ship, she said. But I’d rather have the smell from all the passengers than this horrible stench.

The roaring sound of an approaching ship made us both look up to see a pair of fighters coming in. The shape of them was similar to a Gascon but there were subtle differences. The nose was a little sharper, the drivers bubble more squared off, and more of a sweeping curve back to the engine, but definitely like a Gascon.

The pair split up and one swung around the tarmac to the opposite side. They both settled to the surface at the same time and then sat there with their canon pointed directly at our ships. The drivers didn’t get out, they just sat there looking at us.

They really don’t want us to wander off, do they, I commented.

Friendly place, Campbell said, and then headed back to the Solaris.

Back inside the Shelby I was greeted by a sea of expectant faces. They were hoping this would be their new home and I hated to disappoint them, but they were definitely not wanted here. I just shook my head without saying anything and went to the bridge, where I got the same expectant look from Benson.

Not here, I told him as I settled into my seat. They don’t want anyone here at all.

Will we be able to get out and get some fresh air?

I wouldn’t, I replied. Those fighters are here to keep an eye on us, not defend us. Besides, the air here isn’t very fresh.

He left the bridge to explain things to the others and I leaned back for a nap. My eyes had barely closed, when Campbell beeped the comm.

Are you seeing this?

I opened my eyes and looked out the view port just in time to see the second fighter take off in a cloud of dust, following the first into the air. In the distance I could just make out a small group of ships heading toward us. I flipped the long range camera on and saw they were the ones we had recently evaded on our approach. They had picked up a couple friends and now there were six ships inbound.

Time to get moving, I told Campbell, even though I could see the Solaris was already powering up.

Both our ships were in the air by the time the mixed group were within range. We hit our throttles at the same time and the Shelby and Solaris blasted away from the surface, both of us zig zagging to avoid the expected laser fire.

Benson came in and took his place in the second seat, watching but not asking questions.

It took longer than I expected, and I was just starting to think we had managed to avoid a fight when my eyes blinked at the sudden brightness. Benson bounced from his seat when a twitch of my fingers flung the Shelby to the left and down at a steep angle. He had almost made it back when I flung her to the right and up.

The proximity screen showed that we were pulling away and after a couple more changes of direction the flashes of laser fire ended. The Shelby was too fast for them, and they broke off. The bad thing was they headed for the Solaris. She wasn’t quite as fast, even with Campbell driving her.

I swung the Shelby in a tight arc and went after the attackers. They split their forces almost instantly, giving Campbell a chance to fight back.

I saw her pivot the Solaris and head right for her remaining three pursuers. That was all I had time to see. With the proximity alarm screaming about impending collision, I opened fire on my approaching trio and then swung straight up.

One of the small ships began trailing smoke and headed for the ground. The other two came at me again as I looped back around. This time they drifted apart, putting distance between them as they approached. I chose the one on the left and took him out in a fireball as I hit the fuel tanks with a shot. The third one turned tail and ran. I pulled the Shelby around to help Campbell but was too late.

The Solaris was rolling left then right as she fought to keep control. Her course was back to the dock. The tail end of the ship actually brushed down the roof of the warehouse as Campbell set her down with a thump on the dusty tarmac. Luckily her last remaining attacker had followed the example of mine and disappeared.

By the time I had the Shelby on the ground, Campbell’s cargo was spilling out onto the pavement, putting distance between them and the smoking ship. I ordered the Shelby to open the hatch as I sprinted across the hold, jumping around and over its occupants.

Once out of the ship I made a beeline for the Solaris and got there in time to meet Campbell as she exited.

How bad? I asked, fighting for breath.

Not good, she replied, coughed a couple of times, then continued but it’s safe now and I’m sure it’s fixable. They hit the stabilizers and burned a small hole through the outer hull.

I let loose a string of curses that only lessened a little in vulgarity and volume as the two officers from earlier approached. They stared at me with blank expressions until my tirade ended when I ran out of breath. They then looked to Campbell.

How bad is your ship? the taller one asked, seeming to actually be concerned.

It can be fixed, she responded. It will take a few days. Less if you have a good mechanic I can borrow to assist me.

The Customs officers shook their heads in unison, We don’t have anyone to assist you with your repairs. If you get us a list of parts, we may be able to get what you need.

Thank you, Campbell told them with a smile. " I will have it ready as soon as the smoke clears out and I finish my inspection.

Please forgive us for our earlier rudeness, the broad shouldered one said with what passed for a smile on her rough face. We didn’t realize you were the driver of the ship.

Why didn’t your fighters stay and help? I broke in, unable to keep my anger from coming through. If they had, the Solaris probably wouldn’t have been damaged.

I got a disdainful look from the pair and the blond looked down her hooked nose at me.

They were here to keep you from straying, not to protect you. We don’t get involved in others business.

Do you know why those ships attacked us? Campbell asked. Do you often have attacks at your docks?

The women’s expressions changed completely when they turned back to her. No. It has never happened before. We assume they were after you for some reason.

We’ve never been in this area before, Campbell told them. They have no reason to attack us that we know of.

The smoke is clearing, the stocky woman gestured toward the Solaris. Bring us your list when you have it.

The pair walked away, their loose fitting uniforms blowing in the wind that was kicking up.

They seem to have warmed up to you a little, I commented, not sure why