Pirates of the Galactic Empire: Outpost Wars

By Brian K. Larson

Join forces with Sean, Petra and the cybernetically enhanced chimpanzee, Bob, as they discover more secrets from the mysterious Habitat. There are six more cards to be found. Will they discover them before the GSF destroy every outpost in the quadrant?

Find out in this exciting series finally, Outpost Wars

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian K. Larson
• Release date: Jan 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005749446

Brian K. Larson

Brian was born and raised in Seattle in 1959. He grew up in the town of Mount Lake Terrace, a small suburb north of the city. Brian, being the youngest, had two siblings, his eldest brother, Mike and sister, Pam. School was challenging, as Brian suffers with Dyslexia, a learning disability that affects 1 in 15 Americans. That didn’t stop Brian. He was named "bookworm" in school because he always had his nose in a book.Brian received his MBA in 2010 in Business, now writes for fun, living his lifelong dream of writing science fiction books. He enjoys his off time, with his seventh grade sweetheart, Diana Rose now for going on sixteen years. She has been by his side and continues to supports his writing. Brian says that without her encouragement, his dream would never have become a reality. They now live in Marysville, Washington, and enjoy three wonderful kids and eight grandchildren. They range from newborn to thirteen, and he says they are so special and great to have around.It is Brian’s hope that through his writing he will fill hearts with joy to readers all over the world, sparking their imaginations.

Book preview

Cyclone

Frost Byte

Time Stop

Box

Teleporter

With…

Ghost

Trinket

… And…

Augmented Teleporter

… and introducing…

Mirror

Thump

Sneakers

Double Trouble

Illuminator

… And…

The Oracle

Prologue

Galactic Year 3213

The first outpost war raged. The military were ruthless. It was bloody. Innocent men women and children were murdered at the hands of the galactic forces. Evil was rampant as the military forced their rule on every galactic citizen. Anarchy increased. Civil disobedience grew to new heights as citizens rioted. This only served to fuel the military and their desire to eliminate the current uprising.

The resistance fighters were few, but they fought valiantly, regardless of the military strengths. They continued fighting a losing war, because of one simple goal: to thwart totalitarian rule. Freedom was lost, but the desire to be free remained strong in the hearts and minds of everyone, fighting the good fight.

One man was not a fighter. He knew that if he did, he would die and the hope for a final solution would die with him. Maximilian was in his thirties and a man with a desire for archeology. His extensive knowledge of the ruins and dedication for discovery paid off. For, you see, Max discovered all five of the ancient cards some time ago.

Neatly stored in a silver-lined case and buried with the skeletal remains of an unknown humanoid, he kept them hidden from everyone. Everyone, expect the love of his life, Lolita.

The day finally arrived when Max broke the ancient text inscribed on stone tablets. Now, he knew what he had. He had a gateway to paradise.

He knew he must safeguard this find from the military space forces. They must never find them, for somehow, he knew if they possessed these treasures, there would never be hope for any resistance to the galactic space force rule.

Discovering that the love of his life betrayed him, Max knew he must take these five ancient cards and leave the ruins of Sargon, forever.

-- Outpost Sargon

Kyle Finnigan ran with his wife, Julia. Their young son in tow, held by the hand tightly as the three of them made their way across the tarmac.

Racing toward the Spindrift, the Finnigans fought with every breath to make it to Max, who stood by watching them approach as he prepared his ship for takeoff.

Max! Kyle shouted, Wait!

Max stopped his prep to turn and face the arriving family, Aye, what is it ol’ Max can do for you, today?

The outpost air raid sirens began blaring, causing the family to slow as they reached Max’s ship. Everyone looked up into the skies of Sargon with fear. Other men ran to other ships and took off, rushing to get into the fight that was now on the outpost’s doorstep.

They’re here! Kyle shouted over the roar of engines. The galactic forces are attacking!

Julia lifted little Sean to her hip and then began offering the young boy to Max, "We have to get to the Polaris and enter the fight! Take Sean! I know you’ll keep him safe!"

Wait, wait, now, Max motioned.

Kyle took the child from his wife and pushed him into Max’s arms, You have to do this, Max! You’re the only one we know that will keep our boy safe!

Max hesitantly took the child, seeing the military fleet appearing on their horizon, They’re bringing a mighty large force, they are, Max said, now holding the child, Okay, okay. I’ll watch after the boy. You go and fight now. I’ll be taking off.

Another family reached Max’s ship just as the Finnigans turned to run to the Polaris.

Pausing, Julia pointed, It’s the Sylvina family!

Kyle shouted at them, "Evan! Stella! We thought you’d be prepping the Polaris by now!"

Coming to a stop at Max’s ship, Evan Sylvina held a small child, The ship’s ready, but we’re not taking Petra! We saw you asking Max, here, to watch Sean. We thought—

—You thought it would be good if I watched Petra for ya’, too, Max interrupted, C’mon then.

Max held Sean with one arm on his hip as Even transferred the little girl to his free arm.

Stella leaned over and kissed the now crying child, Max will take good care of you. See? Stella assured, Sean’s with ya’. Everything’s going to be alright, now. Okay?

C’mon, we have to go! Kyle urged, We have to launch now, or those ships will take us out before we’ve even entered the fight!

I’m leaving Sargon, Max said, Just so you know, I’m heading to another outpost. Outpost—

—Don’t tell us! Kyle insisted, holding his hand up, If we’re captured, it’s best we don’t know. They want all our kids, in order to use them for the military when they’re older. Don’t let them get our kids, Max!

Now, don’t you worry, Max smiled as he hugged both crying children, Max won’t let anything happen to you, now. Okay?

How you getting out without the other ships targeting you? Julia asked.

We’re a small ship. I’ve got a few card tricks up my sleeve; you need not worry. I’ll get them safe. Now, you both better get your ship up and into the fight, before this outpost turns to rubble.

Julia and Stella each kissed their kids goodbye, before leaving Max’s ship. Tears flowed down their faces as they ran toward the Polaris.

Max wasted no time, seeing the military fleet quickly approaching. He entered his ship and secured each child to a seat, Now, you two stay put and everything will be alright. Ol’ Max, here, will take good care of ya’, ye’ maties.

Max stepped out of the ship’s entry and stood outside, watching as the two families made it to the Polaris. Turning, he watched as the approaching fleet began launching a barrage of rockets.

He reached inside his vest pocket and withdrew two of his cards. He held the two cards together for a moment and then placed one of them away, keeping card number one. He focused on it, causing the one single gear to spin and the compass to turn before it pointed at the attacking fleet. A box enveloped the ship as the wind intensified.

Then, out of nowhere, force winds rushed across the tarmac, turning into a giant cyclone which headed for the incoming rocket attack.

The cyclone raged, impacting the incoming missiles. Each rocket flew uncontrollably away from the outposts tarmac, keeping each counterattacking ship safe as they lifted off.

He watched as the Polaris’ landing skids retracted, the nose dipped low to the ground before speeding upward and away from the outpost.

Once the first round of weapons fire was successfully diverted away from the fighters, he withdrew his outstretched arm, causing the card to cease its spinning. The cyclone winds died down and the box around the ship began to fade, Max quickly pressed the close sequence and sealed his ship.

He checked on the two kids before strapping down in his pilot seat and fired off the engines. Not wasting anymore time, he skipped the rest of his preflight check and grabbed the controls. The Spindrift took off and turned away from the approaching attack force.

Looking over his shoulder, he watched the next barrage launch from the attacking forces. Feeling helpless as he flew his ship, and the kids he was sworn to protect, away from the battle front. The weapons began landing on the tarmac. With each rocket strike, it added to the destruction of every ship still on the ground.

He turned and witnessed the Polaris engage the enemy with fifteen more ships. One by one, the attacking military ships, took down the opposing fighters until the Polaris was hit.

He turned his ship away, knowing the fate of these kid’s parents and sped up into orbit.

Then, he took card number five out from the silver case and held it up. It quickly activated as his ship was targeted by the orbiting forces.

The gears on the card turned one direction as the compass turned another, causing the Spindrift to vanish, just as several incoming rockets flew past his location.

1

Galactic Year 3245

-- The Habitat

William’s ship, the Sinclair, was first to exit the giant vortex and fly close to the strange place that was referred to as paradise.

Reggie, William called over the live link, Do you see that thing out there?

Which one? The Sinclair’s live link crackled.

Well, the mammoth ship that’s out here— that one.

Yes, yes, we’re picking it up on scanner, Captain Joyce’s astounded voice echoed over the link, That’s over a hundred-miles long! My tactical officer tells me it’s forty-miles wide!

That’s right, Reggie, William answered, tell your tactician, he’s right. It is big!

Finnigan strode over to the card stack and removed his. Then, he took each card and handed them back to their owners. Skyler took Box. Captain Drakes was given Time Stopper and then Captain Allie Scott snatched Frost Byte from Finnie’s fingers. Then, Finnigan handed Max Cyclone.

We’re scanning another ship out here. It’s nearby that massive ship, Reggie reported, If you can call it that?

"Yes, that’s the Spindrift."

She was mine, Max added, She’s been good to me, all these years.

Well, she’s mine, now, Finnigan smiled, And thanks, Max, she is a fine ship, she is.

I’m getting calls from the others, Lieutenant West reported, Captain Loberg wants to know what’s going on. Captain Greer is demanding we get back into the fight. Bob is already slipstepping over.

Tell Captain Loberg he can slipstep over as well as Kristie, William nodded. Then, Max and Finnie can get everyone up to speed, so to speak.

"I’m also getting messages from the Spindrift from Keegan, continued Byron, He says Captain Walker and his crew are getting mighty tired of waiting."

You can tell Noel to keep his shorts on! Finnigan interjected.

William chuckled before ordering, tell Captain Walker he’s welcome to slipstep over. Also, get Reggie and Donovan over here as well.

Aye-aye, sir, Lieutenant West acknowledged.

Bob entered the Sinclair’s bridge and ran before jumping into Finnigan’s arms, Did you miss me, little fella?

Well, Bob smiled before making a few hoots, I’m not one to admit things of this nature, so, no. I just like theatrics.

Oh, Bob, Finnigan laughed, You’re something else, you are.

Why thank you, Finn. Bob’s smile beamed, showing his teeth.

I don’t think he meant it as a complement, there, Bob, Petra snickered.

Bob hooted twice more, Y’all should watch yourselves. I’m feeling my animalistic instincts tryin’ to surface.

Now, Bob, you don’t have to be that way, Petra smiled, We’re just a’teasin’ ya’.

And you’re such an easy target, too, Finnigan added. Then Bob thumped his head, Ow! Hey, watch it, Bob!

No, you watch it— animalistic instincts, remember? Bob hooted.

Captain Joyce reports, Donovan and himself, will be right over, Lieutenant West reported. Captain Loberg confirms as well as Captain Greer. They’ll be right over.

Get word down to the slipstep chamber to provide an escort to the bridge, William ordered.

Aye, sir. I have a security detail standing by.

A few minutes passed before everyone entered the bridge, escorted by the security detail.

Noel was first to complain, Was an armed escort really necessary?

Yeah, Captain Greer added, I think I might take offence at this!

Relax, everyone, William motioned. It’s for your own protection. We have a few hundred people on this ship. Might I remind you, not everyone supports us one-hundred percent.

He’s got a good point there, Reggie said, standing next to Colonel Clay. Just because William and I have gone rogue, doesn’t speak for my entire crew, either. This is something we have to deal with as those opposing us attempt to rise up.

It’s similar to when we were trying to take over this ship, Maddie answered, There will always be those that don’t support us.

"For now, the Sinclair and Yucatan are secure, William continued, and I am depending on those pirates we rescued from Detention-032, to keep us that way."

You actually put pirates and prisoners in charge of your ship’s security? Captain Loberg said with raised brow.

Yes, Sven, another familiar voice rang out from the bridge entrance, brandishing a blaster rifle, set to ready, I’m in charge of security, ship wide!

Thorne?! Captain Greer shouted, Is it really you?

Yes, missy, Thorne replied, But, you can call me, Thor.

Is that little pip-squeak, Levi, with you too?

"Yes, he’s here too. Finnie rescued all of us from Detention-032 planet side mines. I’ve put him in the engineering room to keep that safeguarded. He’s irritating, but he’s loyal and a good pirate, he is. I’ve got my men positioned throughout all decks and any sensitive areas. We won’t lose this ship to anyone!"

So, what about this war? Captain Loberg protested.

Sven’s right, Kristie added, We lost four ships in one skirmish!

We lost a lot of good pirates, added Loberg.

Not to worry, Finnigan smiled.

Whattya mean, by that? Sven protested, How is it that losing them isn’t anything to worry about?

Finnigan pointed across the bridge, Just ask Captain Walker, why we shouldn’t worry.

Sven turned to face Noel, We heard your ship was destroyed at Outpost Shakaro?!

It was, Noel answered, But we’re here, ain’t we?

In the flesh, Kristie added, It would seem.

Just how is that possible? Loberg again protested.

Bob continued to ride on Finnigan’s back as he fished for another cigar, but found none, Why don’t you tell him what you all found?

Finnigan held his hand up, holding card number five, It’s this new thing, that, that thing, over yonder, gave to Petra. Show him what that thar thing gave me, missy?

You’re not making any sense, Finnigan, Donovan said.

Well, that thing over there, Max took us too, gave us two new items that adds to the stack of cards.

You’re saying that hundred-mile-long thing gave you more cards?

Yep, that’s what I’m a’sayin’, Finnigan answered. Show him, Petra.

Petra held up card number six, but looked beyond the card, ensuring she didn’t activate it, This was givin to Finnie. It’s called Ghost. There’s something over there that is, well, none of us know what it really is, but after our encounter, we each received something.

Finnigan pointed to the jewel set to his card, It gave Petra this little Trinket. I gave her the new card and she gave me this little jewel to use with mine. This device augments the card’s abilities. I am no longer restricted on where or when I can teleport.

That doesn’t explain how Noel and his crew are still alive, Donovan asked once more.

Well, Max cut in, What Finnie’s tryin’ ta’ say, is that we now have the ability to go back for them.

What this new card does, Petra held it up once more, but this time, she focused on the six gears, is it turns us into ghosts and ghosts can’t be hurt.

The gears spun and the compass turned as Petra became translucent and ghost-like.

You see, Petra said, lowering the Ghost card and returning to normal, "I just have to activate it. Then I took Finnie by the arm and he teleported us. When we arrived on the Gladius. He reached out to Noel and Noel reached out to the others. That turned us all into Ghosts. When the Capital ship fired its Nebula cutting beam, the ship destroyed around us. We weren’t hurt as long as we all kept our link to each other, Petra continued. Then Finnie just had to activate his card with this teeny-tiny Trinket fixed and we all returned to the Spindrift."

That’s how it was, Captain Loberg, Noel confirmed. We were as good as dead! But, now we’re alive. There really isn’t any other explanation.

So, you’re saying, Sven asked, Is that you can go back for Alex and Sissie and rescue them and their crews?

That’s exactly what I’m sayin’, Finnigan nodded.

Well, what are you a’waitin’ for? Kristie protested.

I can get them anytime. Trinket will work and with Ghost, everyone will be safe.

But, why wait? Captain Loberg added.

Don’t get your locks all tied in knots, now, Captain, Finnigan pointed, We’ve got more to tell you, first. Then, when we do head out to retrieve those unfortunate pirates, you all will be taken to the Habitat and shown around, by Max, Bob and Otto.

Why do the monkeys have to come with us? Kristie asked.

Bob jumped down from Finnie’s back and charged at the fowl-mouthed pirate, I ain’t a monkey! Bob snapped, his jaws clicking in the hopes of finding raw butt.

Finnie caught Bob and hoisted him back to his arms, Now, Bob, there’s no need for any of that. I’m sure, after we educate everyone, they’ll appreciate knowing you’re a primate, not a monkey.

Bob hooted twice before spitting at Kristie, I thought all pirates new better!

Well, Finnigan said, continuing to wrestle Bob in staying put, Perhaps not everyone knows. Just calm down, little Fella! Finnigan finally won the battle as Bob shot her a glare.

Let me tell you, began Bob. Let me tell all y’all! I am NOT a MONKEY! Monkeys are not suited for the implant! Only PRIMATES! Get it! Got it! Good!

Okay, everyone, Finnigan again shouted, "That means no one should call Bob or his cousin Otto, a monkey! I will not be responsible for butt bites."

Thank you, Finnie, Bob said, then hooted three times. Looking over Finnigan’s shoulder, Bob held his palm up and motioned with his fingers at the others, C’mon, mate, I dare ya’ ta’ call me that again!

Okay, you answered how you can save the others, Donovan asked, Can you tell us where we are?

That’s a fine question, Colonel, Finnigan began, then motioned with a wave of his arm, "But, I think Max, here, can answer that