Team Captain: Alexander Donson: Intergalactic Civilian Defense Agency Files, #1

By M.R. Anglin

To reach the stars, he must bring a team together.

Alexander Donson, the newest transfer to the Intergalactic Civilian Defense Agency's HQ, has always had his eyes to the stars. By joining HQ, he finally has access to space ships that can take him across the galaxy on a whim—an easy feat for someone as skilled and promising as him. But to get a ship he needs to form a team, and his two prospects aren't exactly top-tier—particularly Danielle, the brilliant tech specialist everyone warns him against.

Danielle Stanon is a master of her craft, a genius with a computer. She had the unique distinction of being the youngest Technical Specialist to ever join the Agency's #1 team—until the team's captain kicked her off of it. Since then, she hasn't been able to stay on a squad for any length, thanks to her former captains' bruised egos tainting the rest of the Agency's view of her. She may have found a glimmer of hope, though, in the newest transfer to HQ, a confident, hot-shot captain who thinks he knows it all—just the kind of person Danielle despises.

Forging a team under these circumstances won't be easy, but neither can fail. This may be the last chance Danielle has to prove she's not the waste of space everyone thinks she is, and without a team, Alex will never be able to explore the galaxy to find the keys to recover his missing past.

They'll have to figure out how to work together—even as she wishes she could tear him apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.R. Anglin
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223613664

Book preview

Chapter 1

The rail transport’s pneumatic doors hissed open. Alex gripped his suitcase and stepped onto the sidewalk. Steel and glass buildings towered around him . . . each one white and spotless. A courtyard with a lawn, a garden, sculptured topiaries, and a fountain in the middle spread out in front of him, and every leaf on every shrub, grass, flower, and tree had a bluish tint to it.

Alex had heard about the plants on Planet Cremen’s surface. Their leaves contained a radiation blocking chemical which protected them from the planet’s harsh suns and gave them their signature bluish tint. In fact, every single last one of the planet’s windows and glass doors had the same blue tinge. The ancestors of Cremen—having found a planet to colonize—had learned how to extract the chemical from native foliage to protect their buildings and vehicles.

Excuse me, said a man departing the rail car.

Pardon. Alex stepped out of his way to allow him to pass. Now that Alex was no longer blocking the exit, more passengers disembarked to join the crowd milling around the courtyard or walking down on the sidewalk. Some carried suitcases, some briefcases, but most toted closed sun-brellas in their hands or had ultraviolet sun coats hung over their arms.

Alex had arrived to Paimont, the capital of Cremen, during the first sunrise. The milder, yellowish-white sun, Alder, rose first in the morning, ushering in the day. At noon, the smaller, bluer Darlin ascended, blasting the city with harsh, bright light. Once the two suns shared the sky, the air scorched, and ultraviolet rays made it dangerous to walk around without a sun-brella or ultraviolet suit. It also explained why the buildings remained spotless. Every day the two suns blasted the dirt off of the buildings . . . or so Alex had heard.

A shadow fell over him. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a grudget standing beside him, blocking the sun with his bulk. The grudget’s skin had the same color and texture as tree bark; his muscles bulged out of his white shirt; and his maroon eyes took in the same scene Alex had.

There it is, Tajet. Alex pointed to a building complex surrounding the courtyard on three sides. The Interplanetary Civilian Defense Agency’s headquarters. We finally made it. He set down his bag. Not bad for two orphans with no future, huh?

Tajet nodded slowly.

This is all a part of the Master Plan. Alex took a breath that expanded his stomach. We won’t stop here.

A stranger bumped into Alex as he passed. Pardon me. He tipped his hat as he went.

Alex nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to the building. Didn’t I tell you to stick with me, Taj? Now we—

Tajet snatched the stranger by his collar, jerking him off his feet and suspending him in midair.

What are you doing? Let me go, you crazy grudget! The man kicked his feet. Help! Help! Grudget attack!

Tajet narrowed his eyes, a growl in his throat.

Alex sighed. What did he do, Taj?

Stole your wallet.

Alex patted his pants and found his wallet missing. Tajet held out a hand to the stranger.

Better cough it up. He’s not going to let you go until he gets it back. Alex gave him a nasty grin. I’m sure you’ve heard stories about how persistent . . .  and violent grudgets are.

The stranger curled up into a ball. A-are you going to believe this overgrown rock instead of me? One of your own species?

Grudgets don’t lie nearly as much as humans do. Alex put his weight on one foot. They don’t scream as loud either.

Tajet leaned in close to the stranger’s face and growled through his teeth.

Okay, okay! The stranger tossed the wallet at Alex’s face. I didn’t mean anything. Let me go! He struggled in Tajet’s grasp.

Alex picked up the wallet and checked its contents. Okay, Taj.

Tajet opened his hand. The man collapsed on the concrete, picked himself up, and scrambled away.

Glad you caught the thief. Alex picked out a sheet of folded paper. Without this transfer, we wouldn’t have been able to enter HQ.

Be more alert, Tajet said, his voice deep and gravelly.

It’s easier to let you be alert for me. Alex picked up his suitcase. Plus, with you watching my back, I can better focus on our goal. He headed toward HQ with Tajet following. Now that we’ve been transferred to the Intergalactic section of the Agency, we have more mobility like free access to ships which can take us out of this system—just like the one which got us here. A shiver of pleasure rolled up his back. The spaceship that had transported them here had everything—drive engines, wide monitors serving as windows to see outside, an expansive flight deck . . . The cruiser was amazing, wasn’t it?

Tajet nodded.

More importantly. Alex smacked Tajet on the stomach with the back of his hand. With all the access to transportation, we’re finally able to start our search for your family.

Tajet gargled in his throat—a sound which meant Tajet longed for something. Alex looked up at his old friend. This creature had been with Alex all his life. No matter what he did or where he went Tajet stood by him, ready to bail him out. And what did Tajet ask for in return? Nothing. Nothing at all. So if finding one family of grudgets in an entire universe filled with planets and creatures, stars and star systems would make Tajet happy, Alex would scour every last inch of it.

It was the least he could do for his friend.

Chapter 2

A lexander Donson, reporting for duty, sir.

Alex and Tajet saluted a man seated at the desk in one of HQ’s offices. The office had room for a desk, a chair behind the desk and two more in front of it, but not much else. To make up for the lack of floor space, a window spanned the length of one wall, providing a glorious, overhead view of the courtyard and the city skyline in the background. Potted trees grew in the corners of the office providing contrast with the white walls covered with plaques, awards, and photos of important men shaking hands. Each picture, plaque, and award featured the man sitting in front of them.

The man seated at the desk had all his papers stacked, all his pens in the penholder—clip side out—and his computer monitor lined up with the edge of the tabletop. The nameplate on the desk read, Major Captain Tanquid Turnt, Head Recruiter and Dispatcher. Turnt himself had red hair turning white and a bushy, red mustache. He wore a maroon uniform dotted with medals. The cuff of his arm had three stars, and his hat also had three golden stars pinned on the cap badge. He sat with his hands clasped on the desk.

Alex stifled a gulp. This did not look like the kind of person you’d want as an enemy.

Major Turnt’s eyes roved over Alex.  So you’re the new transfers from Ansar. He turned his gaze to Tajet. Interesting . . . we don’t see many grudgets on this side of the galaxy. They’re not usually allowed to leave Imperial Space.

Tajet said nothing, but Alex felt his cheeks heat. The Empire and its conquest-minded attitude left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, and grudgets—as the Empire’s most used soldiers—bore the brunt of that distaste.

He’s not an Imperial citizen if that’s what you’re thinking, sir. Alex had not stopped saluting even though his voice took on an edge. We grew up together on the same moon, and we have the same foster parents. I can vouch he has no ties to the Imperial—

Major Turnt roared in laughter. I see he’s silent like most grudgets are. Not to worry, Donson. This agency operates outside of the planets’ political confines. We have permission to go just about anywhere our missions call us to—even if it is in Imperial Space. I don’t care where my agents come from as long as they’re loyal and do their jobs.

You won’t have to worry about Tajet. Alex let his temper drain away. I trust him with my life.

I can see that. Major Turnt looked down at the papers on his desk. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have your back to him.

Alex glanced at Tajet out of the corner of his eye. Instead of standing beside him, Tajet stood a little behind. Alex furrowed his brows. Now that he thought of it, Alex couldn’t remember a time where Tajet stood or walked directly beside Alex. Tajet always stationed himself a little behind. He had never stood in front of Alex unless he was shielding him from some danger.

Now let’s see . . . Major Turnt read the paper in front of him. The two of you came highly recommended by our satellite agency on Ansar. I would have been a fool not to accept you, given their glowing recommendation. His brows furrowed while his eyes searched the document. Only . . . who’s your sponsor? I don’t see one listed.

Alex glanced at Tajet. He shrugged.

Sponsor, sir? Alex said.

Eh? You don’t know? Major Turnt stared at them, those grey eyes boring through him. Alex shivered. After a moment, Turnt his attention back to the document. He flipped the page over. Oh, I see. You got into the Agency by yourselves. His bushy brows shot up. Wow. You two are something.

But, sponsor, sir? Alex said.

Ah, yes. In order to operate the way we wish, we don’t want to take money from the Narsan government, and we don’t want corporations to have a hand in our organization. However, we couldn’t possibly provide all the equipment and tech and ships and such we need for our agents to train and accomplish their assignments. Turnt leaned his hands on the desk. So each agent is sponsored—it could be a family member or a business or a government—we don’t care as long as it isn’t illegal. They get the benefit of having their chosen members in the Agency who will act according to their interests if the need should arise, and we get the money to provide all this to our agents without having the constraints of other people’s money on us. Win-win for everyone. But you . . . He leaned in closer. You two are so talented the Agency Heads decided to fund you themselves. It’s a tall order, boys. I hope you’re ready to live up to it.

Alex nodded. Ah, so the sponsor pays the Agency member fees. I see.

There’s one thing, though. Turnt returned to the document. Looking through your records, Donson, you could have made it here a long time ago.

Tajet had a trouble adjusting to life at the Agency and to what going on assignments entails. Alex cleared his throat. I had to help him out.

You could have been promoted without him.

Alex narrowed his eyes. We’re a team, sir. I don’t go anywhere without him.

It seems your loyalty flows both ways. Major Turnt laid the paper on the stack. Now that you’re here, allow me explain how things proceed at this branch of the Agency. Our Ansar satellite has a system in place which allows individual agents to be assigned to missions with any other agents depending on the assignment’s needs. That’s not how it works here. Every agent must be a part of a team before they are allowed to take part in any assignment.

Alex motioned to himself and Tajet. We are a team, sir.

Major Turnt shook his head. Not enough. Each team must have at least three members and must include a Team Captain, a First Officer, a Medical Tech, a Technical Specialist, an Astro-Pilot, a Star Navigator, and a Protocol Director. Obviously, one person can take on multiple roles.

I’ll be the Team Captain, and Tajet will be my First Officer . . . Alex bit his lip. . . . but I’m at a loss as to what to do for the other members.

There are a several free agents for you to choose from. Major Turnt hefted himself out of his chair. His gut protruded over his belt. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a DataHub. This will provide you with a list of all agents as well as their primary specialties.

Alex took the DataHub. It was silver and flat, and its screen turned on as he touched it.

It’s locked on to your specific DNA pattern so it will turn on automatically for you. Major Turnt rounded the desk to join them. It’s also voice activated. Try it out.

I’d like a list of all free agents, please. Alex blinked as the screen displayed a list of pictures and profiles. Most of them were humans, but other species had been intermixed with them. There are quite a few here.

You can narrow the results by choosing search parameters. Or you can do this. Major Turnt snatched Alex’s hand and pointed the DataHub toward Tajet. The DataHub beeped, and Tajet’s profile appeared—complete with his picture, his mission history, his heath records . . . everything.

This is impressive. Alex scrolled through Tajet’s profile. But all this personal info could be dangerous if this got into the wrong hands.

Turnt narrowed his eyes. Make sure it doesn’t. Besides, we have safeguards in place. Only a Team Captain’s devices have the ability to do this.

Understood. Alex examined the DataHub from all sides. He wondered . . . could he take pictures with this thing?

Medical Tech. Tajet pointed to a line on his profile.

Right. Alex tapped the line Tajet had pointed out. You did take the certification course, didn’t you? Got the best grade of all the entrants.

Tajet gave a shy smile. He waved his hand in dismissal.

Major Turnt stared at Tajet, his mouth agape. I believe this is the first time I’ve ever heard a grudget speak.

Taj is a real chatterbox. Alex elbowed Tajet in the side.

That was well worth accepting your application to transfer. Come with me. Major Turnt beckoned to them while heading out the door. Once you have a team assembled, you and your team will have to undergo three months of mandatory training. He strode down the hall with Alex and Tajet following. "Even though the training is mandatory, we generally leave the regimen up to the Team Captain. It’s a way for us to assess your skills as a leader. At the end of the training time, we will