New Rules of Engagement - Second Edition: Paladin Shadows, #6

By Aidan Red

The fight against the slavers took on a new focus, a larger, more threatening purpose and unexpectedly, Shara found herself at the point of the charge and against odds that were definitely not in her favor.

 

Joined with Greg in both their lives and their mission, Shara discovers her talents are the keys to many doors leading them ultimately to  locating and identifying the complex and agent at the head of the Terran slaver's operation. Shara trains in the ways of Shadows and as a fighter pilot, growing in capability and importance in the Force's efforts to rid the planet of the slaver's operations.

When the time for the attack comes, Shara is again assigned to lead one of the prongs, but there is one critical task that falls to Shara, leading a group of three, before the attack can begin. She just has to find a way inside the heavily guarded facility and do it without being seen or heard or setting off any alarms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aidan Red
• Release date: Nov 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781946039637

Book preview

NEW RULES OF ENGAGEMENT...

Terran Recruits, Part 3

Second Edition

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PALADIN SHADOWS SERIES, BOOK 6

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A novel by Aidan Red

Copyright

Paladin Shadows Series Book 6

Terran Recruits; Part 3, New rules of engagement...

Second Edition

Second Edition Copyright © 2021 by Aidan Red

All Rights Reserved

Revision Date 10/23/21

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No parts of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the publisher.

This novel is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, dialogue, locations, events and plots are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Published by Red’s Ink and Quill, Wichita, KS

For information on other works by Aidan Red, Science Fiction and Fiction, published or forthcoming, visit RedsInkandQuill.com or AidanRedBooks.com

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eBook ISBN: 978-1-946039-63-7

Softcover ISBNs: 978-1-946039-64-4

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My many thanks to my

Second Edition editors.

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Content Editing by Trenda London,

Facebook: ItsYourStoryContentEditing

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Copy Editing by Amy Jackson,

Copy Editing and Proof Reading, http://AmyJacksonEditing.com

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Cover by

Aidan Red

JOINED WITH GREG IN both their lives and their mission, Shara discovered her talents were the keys to many doors leading them ultimately to locating and identifying the complex and agent at the head of the Terran slavers’ operation. Shara trained in the ways of Shadows and as a fighter pilot, grew quickly in capability and importance in the Force’s efforts to rid the planet of the slaver’s operations.

When the time for the attack came, Shara was again assigned to lead one of the prongs, but there was one mission-critical task that fell to Shara and her group of three. Before the attack could begin, she had to find a way inside the heavily guarded facility and contact the two POIs in hiding, without being seen or heard or setting off any alarms.

Chapters

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Prologue

Sixty-Four

Sixty-Five

Sixty-Six

Sixty-Seven

Sixty-Eight

Sixty-Nine

Seventy

Seventy-One

Seventy-Two

Seventy-Three

Seventy-Four

Seventy-Five

Glossary

Preview

Books by Aidan Red

About the Author

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Prologue

Tuesday, November 22

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Shara followed Kiile across the yard and past the barn, stopping at the ramp of the waiting transport just beyond. Her thoughts filled with concern, she stopped him, and after a long moment trying to find the right words, asked, Did you know the colonel before he was assigned to the Corsecain campaign?

Surprised, Kiile looked at her and slowly nodded. Yes, Shara. I’ve known the colonel for nearly twelve Terran years now. What’s up?

She knew her apprehension was showing more than she wanted it to. Just wondering. Did something happen before he went to Corsecain? Or while he was there? When Corsecain is mentioned, he gets uneasy and very guarded.

Kiile looked at the ground, and finally nodded. Both.

Shara waited, breathing shallow, unsure of what he might say next. Can you tell me?

He looked at her. I shouldn’t.

Why not? She waited, trying to hold the reins on her patience.

Remember this is past history and that sometimes a man does things he’s not proud of. Kiile sighed as she watched him. A little over six, six and a half years ago, he had a short-term solo assignment that brought him back to this planet, Back East somewhere. He was gone a couple of your weeks, and when he came back, two turns later than he was supposed to, he was depressed.

Depressed?

You know how he usually is, cool, confident, focused with commitment and purpose, thinking things out and knowing as many of his options as he can work out. Kiile’s expression clouded. He lacked his vitality when he got back. He didn’t pick and choose his assignments, taking any that came along, good ones, and bad ones.

Indifference?

Kiile nodded. He never talks idly about a mission anyways, but he didn’t say anything. Usually, he’d give me a synopsis or a sanitized mission status, but not that time. It just seemed like he didn’t care. Then, slowly, he started sounding like himself again and I thought things were back to normal until—

Until Corsecain, she whispered.

Yes. I don’t think he was really thinking straight when he was assigned, but that one almost killed him.

Shara inhaled sharply. The report STSX got only said he was seriously wounded.

He was. More than just seriously, though. Kiile hesitated. He was two turns on that freighter out of Corsecain before it landed in a safe port and he was able to get the two women he rescued into proper GPF custody. I was told he gave the women all the rations and water he had, and when they landed, he got in touch with a GPF agent there, gave a full, detailed report, and left. No one realized he was injured.

And? she asked when he hesitated again.

He checked into a room in the port’s Transient Officers’ Billeting and they found him the next morning, unconscious on a blood-soaked cot. Apparently, his bodysuit had kept him from bleeding to death getting there, and when he took it off to sleep...

Nooo. Shara fell back against the paddock fence, her hand involuntarily cupping her mouth.

Kiile nodded slowly. He had lost so much blood they wouldn’t operate on him until the director stepped in and demanded it.

Operate? The director? I don’t understand, she whispered.

The shuttle he took down to engage the enemy didn’t survive his attack. He had been carrying a ten-inch piece of it in his back, and hadn’t told anyone.

Shara stared at him, remembering the scar and how he had brushed it off, explaining it was just a minor battle wound. I can see why this would be hard for him to talk about, but why didn’t he ask for help? Why does it bother him so much?

Kiile didn’t answer.

Kiile! What are you hiding?

Shara, I can’t—

Kiile! Tell me!

He looked down and studied the ground for a long moment before he looked back at her piercing stare.

He’s always been all about saving the innocents first, and my thought is that in his depression, he was satisfied that he had successfully completed his mission. He got the two women to safety so they could put an end to the battle, and after that I don’t think he cared if he died.

Shara’s legs went limp and Kiile grabbed her to hold her up.

Shara. The important thing is he didn’t die. He got past it, long past it. He’s fine now. Kiile’s voice was shaky and she knew he was concerned for her.

Why, Kiile? Why? She stared at him, trying to divine an answer. What would make him feel that depressed?

Kiile hesitated again. A woman...I think.

A woman? Shara’s mind reeled, remembering his words from the previous night, wondering if he actually did have an earlier love he did not want to tell her about, or if he had intentionally lied to hide her.

During his recovery, sometimes when he was semi-conscious, they told me he spoke of a woman he’d lost. Someone he cared a lot about. We never could figure out who she could be. He had never talked about a woman before, and after he recovered he never mentioned her.

A woman he cared about? A lot about?

That was five, six years ago, Kiile stressed. And the way he feels about you should prove he’s over whoever caused him so much pain back then.

She smiled weakly. Thanks, Kiile.

Sixty-Four

Later that same morning

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Stran showed Jim where to stow his duffel in the suit closet bins and turned to Shara.

Okay, Casi. Take the chair in the cockpit, he directed absently as he stowed his utility belt.

‘The chair in the cockpit?’

‘Yes. You’re flying this leg.’ He turned his head and smiled at her. ‘Never miss an offer for more training.’

‘Yes, sir.’ She smiled back at him and hurried forward and up the ladder, pleased that he was in a good mood, not a trace of the previous night’s depression.

Stran followed her with Jim close behind as he climbed the ladder. At the top, he gestured to the nav-com chair.

You can ride in Casi’s seat if you like. I’ll be up front with her.

Jim turned to the cockpit with a start, seeing Casi as she buckled into the pilot’s chair, then he smiled. You don’t waste any time, do you?

Everything we do is training, unless we have to put it into practice, Casi explained.

Stran turned to Casi and double-checked her security straps, and when he nodded, she swiveled the chair to forward facing.

Are you secure, Jim? she asked without looking back.

Almost, he replied as Stran snapped the jump seat straps in place. Secure, Jim announced, and listened to her practiced litany.

STSX. Ignition ready?

IGNITION IN FIVE SECONDS.

Please open the roof. Cloaking on.

CLOAKING ON. SENSOR BLOCKING ON. SHIELDS ARE ACTIVE.

Anything in the neighborhood?

PASSIVE SCAN IS CLEAR.

They all looked up and watched the thin stripe of sky slowly widen above them.

When the panels were fully open, Casi commanded, Take us up to five hundred feet and close the roof.

Jim felt a little uneasy as the floor began to move and slowly lifted them. He could not see the roof as they left the lair, but felt STSX when he stopped in hover.

STSX, Casi instructed. 3-D planet display, please. Plot our current position, Lieutenant Woods’ apartment in Lynchburg, and the best route.

When the display coalesced, Casi eased the thrust levers forward and gently pulled STSX’s nose up toward the bright morning sky.

‘Are you okay with company?’

‘Jim? Sure.’

Stran looked back at Jim. Casi says you can come forward if you’d like. The view’s better from up here.

Jim unbuckled the straps and slowly walked forward, up the steepening deck. Once in the cockpit, Stran pointed to the bulkhead behind the jump seat.

If you stand there, you can hold onto the back of the jump seat—he patted the seat back—or the handhold by the portal.

Jim moved behind Stran and took a good hold as suggested.

Why Lynchburg? he asked Stran.

We’re going to have that conversation you owe Shelly, he answered bluntly. I can’t have you distracted any longer. I need you, and she needs to know what’s going on. He turned and looked Jim squarely in the eyes.

But some things are classified.

Yes—officially, but in this mission, the Air Force is not in command. I am. Stran did not let Jim’s eyes go. I have always appreciated your assistance in everything about the mission so far. You helped when I needed it. Now we’re going to help you. And Shelly.

Hold on, Jim, Casi announced. Our loss of gravity will be noticeable shortly. If you start to float, don’t panic. It’s normal. She tried to sound like an old hand, repeating Stran’s words to her. Just put your hand up and push back down. Move slowly.

She glanced sideways at the crescent of the earth as she gently lowered STSX’s nose, settling into their cruise altitude. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? she asked Jim.

‘Never,’ Stran admitted softly in her mind.

She turned her head and saw him watching her. She blushed.

No, I can’t say I have, Jim answered, missing the exchange between Stan and Casi. I’ve never been in space before. Actually, I’ve never been in a Q-Ship before, much less in space.

STSX, where is the space station? she asked.

ONE QUARTER ORBIT BEHIND US. WE WILL BE DESCENDING BEFORE IT REACHES OUR POSITION.

Sorry, Jim. Maybe on the way back, she added with honest regret in her voice.

It’s okay. I didn’t think about seeing it. He smiled, glanced at Casi, and then looked back at the space around them.

Jim, if you slowly turn and look over STSX’s back, you can see all the way around. Then she changed her thoughts. STSX, I do not feel anything unusual. Is the scanner clear?

NOTHING ABNORMAL. ALL CONTACTS IDENTIFIED AS NORMAL.

Thanks.

‘You can push your thrust up now that we are stable above the atmosphere.’

‘How much?’

‘Give it another twenty percent. That’ll take some time off the trip. You’ll have to be ready a little earlier for descent.’

‘STSX, give me some warning before we need to start down. I want to decelerate gently and not shake Jim up on his first ride.’

‘WILL DO.’

The trip progressed without incident. STSX provided the necessary cues, and Shara made a smooth transition from cruise to descent.

Jim, Casi directed as they started down. Give me your hand for a second.

What? He looked at the back of her head and then at Stran.

Give her your hand, Jim, Stran repeated.

Jim looked forward and saw Casi was holding her left hand up and was reaching back as far as she could. He reached up and clasped her hand as requested.

Think of Shelly. Something nice and warm, she added firmly.

He did as she asked, thinking of Shelly’s small-framed, full-figured, 110-pound blonde beauty.

I have her, she admitted, releasing Jim’s hand and glancing at Stran. Jim, would she be at home this time of day?

"Yes. Carrie Anne should be napping, so she’ll be cleaning house or working on one of her hobbies. What do you mean you have her?"

She’s in a building on the north side of town. Is that where your apartment is?

Yes. He was confused as he watched her slowly maneuver STSX around the north side of the approaching city. He told her what floor their apartment was on and explained the layout of the elevator lobby and the small outdoor balcony on the north side of the lobby. How do you know?

Look over the canopy lip and confirm we’re at the right building.

He looked. Yes, that’s it.

I’m going to hover STSX just above and on the north side of your building. We’ll secure him and drop to your balcony on Six and Seven, fully cloaked. Once on the balcony, we’ll drop our veil and go in. Does that sound okay?

Yes. The door to the balcony is never locked.

He watched as she executed the necessary maneuvers to place STSX where she had said she would and then pivoted him so the rear portal faced the building.

We should be low enough to avoid any flying traffic, except for an occasional bird. She chuckled warmly as she secured the controls, set STSX to wait, and made sure he maneuvered if anything threatened his position. Satisfied, she looked at Stran.

‘Is that okay?’

‘You’ve outdone yourself. I am very proud of you, love. STSX is secure and we are ready.’

Okay, Jim, I’m going to swivel the seat.

Once out of the chair, Jim looked at her, suddenly in an entirely new light. That was very nice. Then he stopped. Do I call you Casi or Shara?

When we’re on duty, on board STSX, it’s Casi and Stran. She tapped the name tag on her chest. But sometimes we let the formality slide. She gestured to the ladder. Shall we get started?

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WITH HIS WINTER JACKET bundled tight around him, Jim followed Stran out onto the partially extended aft ramp.

Be careful and always have a handhold. A misstep is a long one, Stran cautioned as Six stopped above Jim.

Jim stepped into the stirrup as Stran and Casi stepped into Seven’s stirrups and gently lifted off. When Jim was hovering beside them, she smiled. STSX, close the aft portal and retract the ramp. Listen. She watched as the ramp retracted and the portal closed. Body cloaking on. We’re ready.

Inside the elevator lobby, Jim led them to his apartment door, but instead of unlocking the door and entering, he knocked lightly and waited. Just as he was ready to knock again, Shelly opened the door and stared up at him in surprise. Then she noticed the two with him.

Hey, I—we—need to talk to you. May we? Jim was polite and waited for her to respond.

Slowly, she stepped back and let them in. Jim closed the door behind them.

Is Carrie Anne asleep? he asked softly, and Shelly nodded.

Shelly, this is Colonel Stran Geaardt and his mate, Nav-Com Officer Casi Geaardt.

Pleased to meet you, Stran greeted, keeping his voice low and extending his hand.

Shelly shook his hand and stared at Casi.

Don’t I know you from somewhere? She was having trouble thinking of where.

‘May I tell her?’

‘Of course.’

Shelly, you probably know me as Shara Smallwood. Paul Hawkins’ grandniece. I have the ranch just below his.

Shelly’s eyes lit up. Yes, of course. I remember you. And your ranch. But... She faltered, looking at the suits and at the different name on hers.

Among the things we’d like to explain, this will become clear. You might also have heard of my husband, Greg Malone. She gestured to Stran.

Jim has worked with and for me for over two years, Stran began to explain as Shelly offered the couch and a couple of chairs. Stran pulled the chairs together in front of the couch and took one. Casi took the other, leaving the couch for Shelly and Jim.

He has been tied up with red tape over what he can say, what he can’t say, and to whom he can do either. He has been very distracted with not being able to explain, and I need his full wits about him if he is to continue supporting our mission. I brought him here to explain what has been happening, even though you will not believe some of it. Casi and I are here to provide whatever authentication is needed, classified or not. And to answer any and all questions you will have.

For the next couple of hours, Shelly listened to Jim explain how he had gotten involved and what he had to do, including the Pitcarthy incident, Cheral’s injury and recovery, and Stran’s tracking of the stolen people to the site in Riggs Valley. He explained the details leading up to Shara’s and Jill’s capture.

Stran and Casi added the details concerning Shara’s poisoning and the attempt to ship Jill into slavery. Jim continued with a detailed description from his involvement helping Casi in the rescue of his dad and the other four in the launch complex and how Casi had led them through the heavy gunfire and out of the complex, to his getting shot just before the fighting ended.

Casi explained Jill’s rescue and Stran added the details of his and Nick’s efforts in disabling the complex, and included the use of the ship’s Medical Chamber to speed Jim’s and Nick’s healing.

Jim showed her the Kaaspr and explained its function, but in the end, Shelly could not absorb so much so quickly.

I don’t know what to believe, Jim. I wish I could just accept everything you say, but a slave operation selling people to off-world clients? It’s too much sci-fi. I just don’t know.

Fair enough, Jim admitted. I love you too much to keep this a secret any longer, but I do understand if you can’t accept it. He slowly stood up and looked down at her, still seated on the couch. I have to go with Stran and Casi. There are a lot of people needing our help, and we have to do all we can. The colonel has been given complete command of this operation by his superiors, and I’ve been asked to continue my support. He watched her, hopeful, but when she did not move, he looked at Stran. Colonel, we should be going.

Jim led them to the door and opened it. As they left, he waited a moment, watching Shelly. Goodbye, my love. I miss you.

He closed the door and joined Stran and Casi on the balcony. Casi mounted Seven and waited for Stran as Jim mounted Six.

Just as Jim activated his cloaking, Shelly stepped out of the apartment, calling to him. She was staring at the empty balcony when Jim heard her and unveiled.

Shelly nearly collapsed as he coalesced in front of her and stepped back onto the balcony. Jim quickly opened the door and waited.

Shelly ran and threw her arms around him. "My god, you were telling the truth! You can