Parabellum: Forsaken Mercenary, #11

By Jonathan Yanez

The enemy has shown its true face. 
Now, the battle rages on two fronts.

 

But the true enemy still lies in the shadows.

 

Humanity reels in the face of a new alien threat. False information spews from the podium of a leader bent on power and conquest.

 

Daniel Hunt finds himself on the run from the very people he had vowed to protect. The corrupted, new Vice-Chancellor wants him dead and will stop at nothing to see the job done. Even if it means contracting assassin syndicates from the Moon and beyond. 

 

Now more than ever, Daniel has to rely on those he calls family. With the new alien threat, known only as the Darkening in front of him and the Galactic Government's Battle Bots chasing close behind, he must pull out all the stops.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonathan Yanez
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223963714

Book preview

ONE

I’m sorry to have to do this to you, I told Andrew Freeman. If you want us out, I understand. We can start working on a different safe house location now.

Andrew Freeman was the owner of the underground fighting ring camouflaged as a club. He was also a master disguise maker. When things went bad and we needed a place to hole up, this was where we came. He conducted business via a hologram of his body with his actual person safely stored away somewhere.

Right now, I stood with the holographic version of the man, in a large room filled with racks upon racks of every kind of clothing or accessories one could imagine. The underground room also had its own private exit, the idea being, after the master disguise maker did his job, his client would need a wardrobe change and an easy means of escape.

In a corner, an exhausted Preacher sat hunched over. Sam, Angel, and Butch stood with him.

Whaaaaaat? Are you kidding me? Andrew asked, aghast. You think I’m going to turn you away just because the vice-chancellor wants you? Please, you don’t know me at all. I’ve harbored more fugitives in here than I can remember. Why, there was the time I hid the Samiel Twins, the Horosho Gang, and let’s not forget those illegal mutie jackals of Earth. You’re the Hero of Mars, Daniel Hunt. Plus, I’ve never been a big fan of rules anyway. If the Galactic Government comes snooping around here, I’ll give them a tour of the club up top and that will be that.

Thank you, I told him sincerely. When we first met, I thought you were just a crime boss, but I’m beginning to see I was wrong. You’re not as much of a brum as I thought.

Oh, thanks, Andrew said, furrowing his brows. Wait a minute. Was that a compliment? I’m just going to take that as a compliment. You’ve had a rough night with the battle bots hunting you down, being public enemy number one and all.

Sam approached as we talked. Her long legs crossed the cement floor as she made her way past the aisles of clothing. With her helmet off, her red hair spilled down her back like a curtain.

Preacher’s not looking so great, Sam said slowly. He can’t stay here. He needs medical attention. I can take him back to Dragon Hold.

I shook my head.

The GG will be looking for you there first, Sam realized, reading my thoughts and answering for me. What’s our move, then?

Radiation slows the spread of the symbiote, I answered. We need to get him stable again until we can find a cure. Doctor Warden and her father are working on one as we speak. At least, they were working on one last I heard.

The honest truth was I didn’t know what was going on at Hellas anymore. Shane Armstrong told me they had gotten to Chancellor Marie. If that meant she was dead or something else, I didn’t have time to ask him.

Hey, that older guy with the one eye isn’t looking so hot, Andrew said, scratching the underside of his jaw. I’m all about hiding from the Galactic Government, harboring fugitives and such, but I don’t want a stem head to overdose in my secret lair.

He’s not a stem head, I responded. He’s been infected with an alien virus known as the Darkening. It’s a symbiote that taints humans and takes them as hosts. His body is trying to fight it off. We need radiation.

Say what now? Andrew questioned, tilting his head to the side. Please tell me, please tell me you just said aliens are back and infecting humans.

That’s what he said, Sam confirmed.

Oh crip, yes! Andrew pumped a hand into the air. Sorry, sorry, not ‘crip yes’ about your friend—that’s horrible—but I missed the battle with the Voy. Since then, I’ve been preparing for another alien attack. Now that it’s here, I’m ready.

Well, we’re happy for you, Sam answered, lifting an eyebrow. Now if you don’t mind, our friend needs radiation so he can live.

Right, right, right, right, right, Andrew said, nodding like a bobblehead. I’m on it. You can get anything these days on the dark market.

I can assist with a list of exactly what you’ll need, Al sounded from my vambrace.

Great, Andrew said, slapping his holographic hands together and rubbing them vigorously. Stabilize the Preacher and then we’ll start preparing for battle. I like the way you think.

Andrew went off talking with Al, who now communicated with him directly in his comm channel.

You sure we can trust this guy? Sam asked, eyeing a brown leather jacket on a hanger next to her. The corners of her mouth turned down. She nodded to herself and tried it on for size.

Trust is a strong word, I answered. More like give him the benefit of the doubt. I mean, he doesn’t like the GG any more than we do. The last thing he wants is to reveal the underground fighting ring and disguise setup he has here. I’d say he has as much to lose as we do if he were to turn us in.

Sam stretched in the leather jacket.

I guess you’re right, she said. I don’t think he needs the reward money on your head either. He looks like he’s doing okay for himself.

I don’t know, Athena, Andrew said into his comm, pacing on the other side of the room. You’re the black market expert; just get me one. I’m paying you some heavy credits here.

Andrew looked over at us with a wink, then at Preacher, who still sat in the corner with Angel.

I have a man of the cloth dying over here, Andrew continued, speaking to Athena on the other end of the line. Do you want that on our conscience? A pastor dead because you were haggling with me? He needs that radiation machine yesterday.

Should we tell him that Preacher’s just a nickname? Sam asked.

No, Al and I answered at the same time.

Al, can you keep track of Andrew’s people? I asked. Maybe the calls going in and out. If he does give us up, I don’t want to be caught with my space pants down.

I don’t think anyone wants to see you with your space pants down, Sam chimed in.

In this moment, I’m grateful I don’t have physical eyes, Al answered. Yes, I have already been monitoring communication in and out of this underground facility as well as his club above. So far, he’s been a human of his word. His second in command, Kal, is disposing of the vehicle we arrived in as we speak. And, oh boy, look at this. I just got the reward number for information leading to your capture, one hundred thousand credits.

That’s it? I exclaimed. One hundred thousand?

Sam rolled her eyes and shook her head.

And there’s more details coming in of a bombing on Mars, Al continued. Here.

A beam of light from Al’s sphere on my vambrace projected a holographic screen of a news anchor in front of us. The man was clearly troubled.

We’re receiving reports of a bombing that took place at the Hellas facility on Mars, the news anchor continued. Reports are still unconfirmed, but it’s believed Chancellor Marie was recovering there after the assassination attempt on her life. I’m just receiving the unfortunate news now. The chancellor’s body was found among the wreckage. It’s a sad day for us all as we mourn the loss of the chancellor. Who is responsible for this attack is yet to be seen. There are no terrorist organizations that have taken responsibility for the act.

My heart fell into my stomach. I knew she’d been compromised, but this confirmed she was in fact dead.

Al, turn it off, I said quietly. Any chance this could be wrong?

There’s always a chance, Al repliedas the news brief disappeared. However, all I have to go on at the moment are the news reports coming in. As far as I can tell, she’s gone.

Monica Warden and her father? I asked, not really sure I wanted to know the answer. Did they get out?

I don’t know, Al answered. I’m plugged in to all the channels now. As soon as survivors begin to get named, I’ll let you know.

All right, all right, hold your applause, please, Andrew said, walking into the room this time not with his holographic form but his real-life body. We have a radiation machine en route to help the pastor.

Up until this point, I had only seen Andrew in his holographic form. He looked exactly the same, perfect hair, pressed suit and all, except now he was a real person.

You’ve been here the whole time? I asked. What was all the talk about having your physical body stashed away somewhere safe in case you were attacked?

Mental ninjitsu, Andrew boasted, tapping his pointer finger to the side of his head. I tell everyone that. I mean, if someone really wanted to kill me, why look here, where I’m just a hologram? While they’re trying to hunt down the real me, I’ve been here all along. Pretty clever, right?

You exhaust me. Al said what we were all thinking.

So why tell us now? Sam asked. You just revealed to us where you really are.

Because I need friends, Andrew admitted with a genuine smile. It gets lonely always hiding behind the hologram. I felt like we could start to build some trust. Plus, I can’t hold the Eviscerater T9 in my holographic form. I need my real hands to do that.

The who now? I asked.

Oh, you’re in for a treat, Andrew said with a wide smile. After the Voy attack, I told myself I’d be on the front line for the next alien invasion. Behold.

Andrew reached into his jacket pocket for a small black remote. He clicked a button. The far wall of the room containing storage crates for accessories separated in the middle and parted outward. What I saw inside took my breath away.

TWO

Holy crip on a kabob, Sam breathed next to me. How—why would you think you’d need all this?

Where did you get it from? I asked, making my way to the open secret chamber. Are those—is that a mech suit?

A P.B.M.: Personal Battle Mech, actually, Andrew said with a smile as he waved us forward. You see, when private companies and even the GG are done with their weapons or fund a project that ends up not working out, the accessories have to go somewhere. I got the P.B.M. prototype off the Yakuza. The GG contracted them to build a few, but I guess the credit points to build en masse was too high.

I only half-listened as I walked into the room. The chamber itself wasn’t particularly large, just a few meters deep and twice as wide. What was most impressive was the amount of firepower Andrew managed to fit into the secret room. Bluish lights illuminated racks upon racks of explosives, firearms, and even a mech suit in the center.

The mech suit, fully armed with dark metal, stood a good three meters tall. Some kind of gatling gun sat on its left forearm, and on its right, a curved blade twice the length and width of Preacher’s katana.

I think I’m in love, I remarked, looking at the armor.

You are welcome to use whatever you’d like, but hands off Terry, Andrew said, standing beside the mech and patting the piece of armor fondly. I’ve been waiting to take this baby out for a test run and it seems like I’m about to get my chance.

Not bad, Sam praised, walking over to the wall where a trio of high-powered rifles with scopes nearly as long as the weapon’s barrel sat. Not bad at all. There’s probably enough firepower in here to equip a small army.

It’s turned into somewhat of a hobby, Andrew shared, bobbing his head. I’m glad we’ll be able to put it to use.

While all of you are drooling over the weaponry, we have a really serious problem here, Al interjected, tearing my attention from the weapons stock in front of me. It seems the GG isn’t the only one after you.

What do you mean? I asked, lifting something that looked like a rocket launcher off the wall and testing it for weight.

It seems there’s been a call put out for half a million credits on Daniel Hunt and anyone who is found harboring him, Al stated matter-of-factly. It’s been sent out to every hitman, assassin, and bounty hunter on Earth, Mars, and the moon.

Man, remind me not to piss off Vice-Chancellor Mandrake. Andrew whistled. I would not want to be you right now, my friend.

Well, if they’re coming for me, then they’re coming here, I said, thinking over my options. I don’t want to put you in a position to get killed. If you want us out—

Stop it, stop it, Andrew protested, waving away my proposition. You aren’t going anywhere. We’re in this together. I never liked paying taxes anyway. Plus, have I told you how much I’m looking forward to battling aliens? I mean, come on, that has to be every kid’s dream at some point.

I gave Andrew a nod of thanks. I didn’t think any more words needed to be exchanged on the subject. For better or worse, I trusted him.

Al, I asked as I removed myself from the hidden room of weapons and headed to the corner to check on Preacher and Angel, any reason those back at Dragon Hold would be in danger?

No. I’ve been discussing the topic in great detail with Bapz and we have no reason to believe Dragon Hold would be in jeopardy, Al responded. At most, they may search the grounds, but you’re such a big name now, they wouldn’t dare attack the manor. Bapz said even now the place is surrounded by a mob of media outlets.

Good, I answered. I agree. With so many cameras pointed at the estate, I don’t think the vice-chancellor will risk an open attack.

I reached the corner of the underground warehouse-like room. Angel had pressed a few boxes together and placed thick blankets on top, creating a makeshift bed for Preacher.

I swallowed hard when I saw him. Eye sunken in and weak, he looked like a shadow of the man I remembered.

I’d ask how you’re feeling, but that seems like a silly question right now, I said to Preacher. The radiation machine is on its way. I’m going to find out what happened to Doctor Warden and her father. They were working on an antidote. We’ll find a way to get you better.

No doubt in my mind, Preacher replied with a feeble smile. I’m not giving this symbiote in me nothin’. I’m going to fight tooth and nail. It’s our way. I wouldn’t be a member of the Pack if I didn’t. You just know what to do if fate has other plans.

I didn’t want to admit I knew what he was talking about. Preacher made me promise if he was consumed by the Darkening that I’d be the one to kill him and tell his family what happened.

Still, I knew if I didn’t confirm his words, he’d push the subject. Even in his weakened state, the older man was stubborn.

I know, I assured him.

Well, we don’t have to think that way, Angel said, speaking up for the first time. Let’s go find out what happened to the doctors and get this antidote made. I’m not losing anyone else. I—we have all lost enough.

Agreed, I answered. I believe Monica Warden and her father are still alive. She’s a survivor like the rest of us. She’ll make it. As soon as we get a lead on them, we’re gone.

Well, that’s not good, Andrew said into his comm unit from across the room. Tell them I’m unavailable. Comp their drinks and send them on their way.

Something in his voice caught my attention. I looked up over the racks of clothes to where Andrew and Sam still stood admiring the weapons.

I don’t care what they insist on, Andrew said with a huff. I’m not here right now. Tell them I’m off with another client or something.

Al, do we have an issue? I asked the AI in the vambrace on my arm. What’s going on?

It seems like the Den wasn’t the smartest place to come and hide, Al mused. Okay, I was going to try and break it to you easy, but this was probably the worst place for us to come and seek shelter. The Den is a known hangout for the exact types who are hunting us now. As we speak, upstairs in the Den, every known criminal, lowlife, hired killer, and mercenary is gathering seeking information on where to find you. Apparently, the news of your little match has gotten around.

Great, I muttered. That’s the last thing we wanted.

Okay, okay, I’ll be right up, Andrew finally said over his comm piece.

We all looked at him for answers. Butch even lifted her head from her paws to see what he was going to say.

No reason for alarm, friends, no reason for alarm, Andrew reassured us. I’m going to send my hologram upstairs and talk to a few hired killers. All they want is information on Daniel. I’ll tell them yes, he fought in the ring, but then that was it. He took his winnings and ran.

I didn’t want to believe it, but with so much backstabbing going around, a voice in the back of my head made me consider what would happen if Andrew was lying.

It would be easy for him to tell them we were here. All they had to do was come downstairs and find us. Sam, Angel, and I all shared the same look. Preacher was too fatigued to think of much. Butch just turned around and started licking her private parts.

Butch, really, Al said, half amused, half disgusted. I feel like you clean that area of your body way too often.

Butch didn’t look up but growled something.

How rude, Al huffed. I have never been mistaken for a female K9.

Not to sour our new relationship, but how do we know you’re not just going to give us up? I asked Andrew, cutting straight to the point. I mean, I want to trust you, really I do, but I’ve been through too much to gamble all of our lives now.

Andrew pursed his lips in deep thought. As if a light bulb exploded in his head, he raced down his racks of clothing, muttering to himself.

No, too revealing, too teenage; hmmm, this one looks just right, Andrew said, removing a hoodie from a rack. He walked over to a bin of sunglasses, rummaging through its contents.

What are you doing? Angel asked.

I agree; asking you all to trust me is a lot, Andrew stated. However, what if Daniel could come with my hologram so I could show him I mean every word I said. Meanwhile, my actual physical body will remain here. If I make a wrong move, then one of you lovely ladies can slit my throat. How does that sound?

I looked over at Sam and Angel. The former shrugged, the latter nodded in approval.

Sounds fair to me, I answered.

Good, let’s get you disguised and you can join my hologram self above, Andrew said, picking out a fake beard from another bin labeled unkempt male.

I have to say, Andrew knew what he was doing when it came to disguises. Even without the use of a mask. I hardly recognized myself when he was done. With the hood pulled up over my hair, the red sunglasses, and thick fake beard that smelled like old socks, I looked more like the city drunk than anything else.

Not bad, Sam said, looking at me from various sides. I wouldn’t look twice at you.

And you definitely don’t look like Daniel Hunt, Angel added.

See, there we go, Andrew said, heading for the secret room of weapons. I can control my hologram from a panel in this room as well. Let’s not keep the bad guys upstairs waiting.

True to his word, Andrew removed one of the firearms along the wall in the room and began pressing buttons on a panel. A mirror holographic image of himself appeared next to his physical body and walked out of the room.

So many years of using this hologram, controlling him has become second nature, Andrew explained.

When the real physical Andrew talked, so did the hologram. The tech was amazing, mirroring his hand movements and even facial expression perfectly.

Shall we? Andrew asked, heading for the door.

THREE

The Den that served as the upper front for the underground fighting ring and disguise business was one-half restaurant, one-half seedy gambling floor.

Plumes of smoke rose to a dark ceiling with low light and red cushioned booths spread out in front of us. The room was busier than I remembered. Men and women cheered and laughed around holo tables while others gathered at the various bars stationed around the room.

I hung back, keeping to myself just within ear range of Andrew’s hologram. He walked the floor, freely exchanging smiles and waves as if he knew everyone there by name. It wasn’t long until he made for his own rear booth.

I took the booth next to his with my back toward him. The Den wasn’t exactly packed, but I could make out those who didn’t seem to fit. To the untrained eye, it might seem as though it was business as usual. I knew otherwise.

The hitmen traveled in groups or carried themselves differently than the others. No weapons were allowed in the Den, so that was something I had going for me. That was probably the only thing.

There had to be dozens of them already here, all of them with the eyes of a killer. There were the loud obnoxious ones, the silent but deadly, and the indifferent. As soon as Andrew sat down, they made their way to his booth as if that were some kind of signal.

Friends, friends, Andrew called, extending his holographic arms in an open, even welcoming gesture. What can I do for you?

You know why we’re here. Enough of your games, Freeman, a man with a scar down the left side of his face answered. A pair of muscled men in suits flanked him. Where is he?

Kal? Andrew feigned indignation. I didn’t know my assistant was in such high demand these days. He’s out running an errand, but he’ll be around soon enough.

Daniel Hunt, a short woman corrected him. She leaned against the edge of his booth that connected to my own. I could smell the pungent odor of perfume on her that tickled my nose. We heard he was part of an expedition match here the other day. Where is he?

A moment of silence passed between Andrew and the rest of the bounty hunters.

I tensed. This was the moment of truth. If Andrew wanted to sell us out, then this was the time. He sat right behind me in his booth within arm’s reach.

Actually, Andrew started, I begged him to stay for another fight. The take was so good, but he wouldn’t even consider it. I wish I knew where he was as much as you, not just for the reward but to get him in the cage again. I mean, did you see the holo replays of that? He took out our champion like he was taking out the trash.

You sure you don’t know where he was going, Freeman? a gruff voice whose owner I couldn’t see asked. It would be like you to know exactly where he went and just keep that info to yourself so you could grab the bounty.

Come on, come on; would I lie to you? Andrew asked indignantly.

Yes, everyone around the booth replied in unison.

There was the time you told me you didn’t have any of those mutie sharks for sale, a nasally voice answered.

You told me not to worry about that rash I showed you, another voice chimed in. I went to the doctor and I in fact needed a cream.

And then there was the time—

Okay, okay. Andrew sighed. "Enough. I get it. If you want to look around the Den and the ring below, that’s fine. I have nothing to