Backwoods Station

By Chris Lowry

"Exiled to the barren mining outposts of Mars, Spurlock Jennings finds himself in a fight for survival in a world where danger lurks around every corner. In this gripping science fiction action adventure, titled, BACKWOODS STATION, Jennings must navigate the treacherous landscape of the Red Planet while facing threats from all sides.

As the new Marshal in town, Jennings's first task is to clean up the lawless streets of Musk. But with a bounty on his head and enemies closing in from every direction, staying alive becomes a daily struggle. Forced to confront former allies and ruthless gangsters, Jennings quickly realizes that keeping his head down is easier said than done.

Written by acclaimed author Chris Lowry, BACKWOODS STATION is a pulse-pounding tale of betrayal, redemption, and the quest for justice in a world where survival is not guaranteed. With its richly imagined world and gripping narrative, this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Packed with adrenaline-fueled action sequences and unforgettable characters, 'The Martian Marshal' is a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure. Whether you're a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this book promises to deliver thrills, excitement, and non-stop entertainment.

Experience the thrill of the Martian frontier and join Spurlock Jennings on his journey to reclaim his honor and protect the innocent. Get your copy of BACKWOODS STATION today and embark on an unforgettable adventure into the heart of a lawless world."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Lowry
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224755882

Chris Lowry

Chris Lowry is an author and adventure seeker who has traveled the globe exploring new worlds and writing about his thrilling experiences. With over one hundred thrillers, science fiction, and urban fantasy novels to his name, as well as more than a thousand articles published across various publications, Chris has established himself as a master storyteller and a leading voice in the world of action and adventure. Whether he's fighting off hordes of undead in a post-apocalyptic wasteland or braving the depths of outer space, Chris is always ready for his next thrilling adventure. Follow his journey as he battles against impossible odds and becomes the hero that the world needs.

Book preview

Chris Lowry

Backwoods Station

Copyright © 2019 by Chris Lowry

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

First edition

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

Contents

1. KEEP HOUSE – BACKWOODS STATION

2. CHAPTER TWO

3. CHAPTER THREE

4. CHAPTER FOUR

5. CHAPTER FIVE

6. CHAPTER SIX

7. CHAPTER SEVEN

8. CHAPTER EIGHT

9. CHAPTER NINE

10. CHAPTER TEN

11. CHAPTER ELEVEN

12. CHAPTER TWELVE

13. CHAPTER THIRTEEN

14. CHAPTER FOURTEEN

15. CHAPTER FIFTEEN

16. CHAPTER SIXTEEN

17. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

18. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

19. CHAPTER NINETEEN

20. CHAPTER TWENTY

21. BOOTLEG – BACKWOOD STATION

22. CHAPTER TWO

23. Chapter 23

1

KEEP HOUSE – BACKWOODS STATION

I thought I told you to get out of my station.

Galactic Marshal Spurlock Jennings froze at the sound of the voice behind him. He knew who it belonged to, a man that wanted him dead.

You weren’t kidding about that? He held his hands away from his waist and slowly turned around.

The man who snuck up on him was roughly the same height, average weight and handsome face with make-up tattooed on his cheeks and eyes. It was a face made for television, and that’s part of what the man did.

You’re about to find out how much I was kidding, he made a motion with the blaster in his hand.

The blaster was a small compact model favored by the citizens in Musk, the largest domed colony on Mars, and carried by many on the streets as a form of personal protection.

Spurlock knew the range was limited, and if he could get twenty feet from the end of the barrel, it would do little more than singe his shirt.

The four and a half feet distance at the moment would punch right through him.

You sure you want to do this? Spurlock asked.

I told you to leave me alone. I told you to get away from the station. I warned you this wasn’t going to end easy for you. You were just too cocky to listen.

Brett, said Spurlock. Can I call you Brett?

Brett took a step closer and waved the pistol again.

Brett, I know you work for some powerful people-,

The most powerful on the planet, the man bragged.

And I get that. But Brett, you killed a friend of mine.

He was fighting out of his league, Brett said. That market is mine.

Spurlock nodded and curled his lip.

I don’t object to the black market here. I think you know our official stance on it.

You think I give a shit about your official stance?

No, looking down the barrel of your piece makes me think you don’t give a damn about my stance.

You’re damned right.

Which brings me back to the fact of the matter. You killed a friend of mine. For smuggling food.

Through my channels, Brett growled. That’s taking money from my pocket. Your friend was stealing from me.

He was feeding his family, Spurlock tried.

He was a thief, Brett snarled.

Spurlock sighed. The irony was lost on the Prime Minister’s assistant. And now the man was adding assassin to his list.

I heard your warning, said Spurlock. Now I’m obligated to give you one of my own.

You’re going to warn me? the assassin sounded cocky.

Spurlock shifted, putting all of his weight on one leg, like he was relieving a pain in his back.

You’ve got one chance, Spurlock warned. You put your piece away and I won’t shoot you.

Brett glanced down at the gun in his hand and grinned at the lanky Marshal.

I’ve got you dead to rights, he said. What’s to stop me from blasting you right off your feet here in the street?

Spurlock moved. His hand whisked the blaster from the holster strapped to his thigh, swung it straight from the waist and sent a blast of sun hot plasma through the heart of the man standing in front of him.

Brett collapsed over backwards, carried by the force of the laser. He sprawled on the street and glared at the domed forcefield high above the streets of Musk. Red dust swirled across the dome in intricate patterns that were in constant change from the ever present winds.

That will, said the Marshal.

2

CHAPTER TWO

Spurlock Jennings folded his six foot four frame into a small chair and waited for Herman Vasquez outside of his office. It was a small space, not much larger than a walk in closet back on earth, and plain, much like the man it belonged to.

Vasquez was a gray man. He wore a gray suit that matched his gray hair, blending in with his gray complexion. His well-trimmed mustache was gray, as were his eyes, a gift from his Russian mother.

He glared at Spurlock as he marched into the office and towered over him, standing in his personal space like he was a perp locked in an interrogation room.

There is a shitstorm coming.

A shitstorm, huh?

Big shit. A metric fuckton of shit. A hurricane of shit all aimed at this office and all coming right down on top of that fucking stupid cowboy hat you won’t take off.

You think my hat is stupid?

I think space is limited up here and nobody can bring anything up from earth without a cost, Bart muttered through clenched teeth.

I think it says something about a man who wastes that precious space just to bring up a hat.

Spurlock adjusted the brim of the Stetson.

You’re not a cowboy, you know.

I know that.

There are no cowboys in space.

Look Herman, you can say it as many ways as you like it you think it ain’t sinking in, but I get it.

No space cowboys, Herman turned and stalked away. There’s a hearing at my office in the morning with the Company attorney. Leave that fucking hat in your quarters.

Spurlock watched him go. He reached up and tipped the hat back on his head, bemusement and annoyance battling for supremacy on his face.

He wanted to shout at his boss’ back but knew