Escape 2: Fight the Aliens (27 page)

Above him, leaning over him, was Jane. Lovely Jane. His heart love. But she looked upset. Tears showed in her dark brown eyes. Why? Seeing beyond her he took in the fact he was inside a room of gray metal walls. Not the slave-taker building. Not down on the Market world where he and his buddies had gone. Looking back to Jane, he noticed a white shell above her head. He was inside something.

“Wha . . . what happened! Jane! Are you okay?”

“Oh yes!” she cried as she bent down closer, grabbed his shoulders with her hands and kissed him.

The warmth of her lips finished his awakening. He’d been laser shot. In the left shoulder, then down into his innards. His heart must have been hit because his awareness has faded fast, as if his blood pressure had plummeted for some reason. Now, though, he felt fine. Automatically he curled his toes and flexed his fingers. Pressing down with the flat of his hands, he tried to rise up.

“Wait!” she said, pulling back from the kiss, her oval face filled with joy and love and concern. The black bangs over her forehead looked wet though, as if from brow sweat. She’d been worried about something. Him?

He took a deep breath, looked right and left quickly, saw the rim of a tub-like enclosure, then realized he was in a clamshell healer. Most likely on the
Blue Sky
since Jane still hovered above him, her hands pressing down on his shoulders when he tried to rise up. “Love, I feel good. I’m in a healer. How bad was I hurt?”

She blinked, then lifted a hand free to wipe away her tears. The hand returned to touch the side of his face tenderly. She smiled her happy-go-lucky-girl smile, the smile that had drawn his first effort to kiss her after they’d taken control of the starship from the . . . the, that bastard cockroach! Who’d returned to Earth with other ships and had tried to capture more humans even as the Collector ships bombarded Earth’s space launch sites. It all came back to him. He felt relief.

She caressed his cheek. “Bill, you were dead. The laser cut through your left lung, your heart and your right kidney. You had no blood pressure and you were leaking loads of blood inside you,” she said, her tone pained. “Builder of Joy got you, Learned and the rest of the team up to orbit in a flash. Then they ran you to the Med Hall even as I met them outside. We got you into this healer unit. But it had been five minutes with no heart action. Despite Learned’s CPR on you, I was . . . I didn’t know if your mind was still there, inside your healed body.”

Saliva filled his mouth. He swallowed hard. His heart beat fast, a chill went down over his body and he realized how close he’d come to not ever again seeing the woman he loved, the buddies he’d convinced to travel to the stars for a battle against long odds, even his world of Earth. No more fly fishing. No more grilling fish steaks in butter beside a lake in the high Rocky Mountains. No more sleeping in a bedroll under the star-filled night sky. He’d almost lost all of that. He lifted a hand and touched her face, running fingers along the smoothness of her pale skin.

“I’m thinking good. I remember it all. Whatever you and Builder and everyone else did, it keep me from brain hurt,” he said. Memories came of the attack and his buddies. “What about the teams? Are they okay? Did they get the Captives loose? What about—”

“Shush,” she said, putting two fingers against his lips, her relief clear in her face. She shook her full head of black hair, then smiled. “That’s an order. From your wife. And from your captain.”

Slowly he reached up and gave her a salute. “Order accepted. What now?”

She reached down and took hold of his shoulders. “Well, first we get you up, then out of this healer. If you feel good enough to ask a million questions, your condition must be Green Operational.”

Her use of the term from his Weapons control pillar pleased Bill. It said she was ready to do more than be worried about the husband she’d nearly lost. He sat up with her help, felt good being vertical, then lifted his legs. He swung them sideways, out and over the edge of the bottom half of the healer unit.

“Let me help!” she said quickly, moving to put an arm under his left shoulder. As he pushed off the healer and his bare feet came into contact with the cold, cold metal of the room’s floor, she kept him balanced.  That was when he noticed she was wearing her blue camo Air Force ABUs while he had nothing on.

“Uh, do I report for duty naked, like our Megun couple?”

She laughed then. It was her normal, good-hearted laugh that he mostly heard while they were in private mode, in their habitat room. “That might be one way to convince Chester, Alicia, Stefano, Frank, Time Marker, Long Walker and everyone else that you are shipshape and in top condition!”

He looked around the room. Rectangular it was, with six clamshell healer units filling half its floor space. No closets. No hover bots. Nothing else was present. “Uh, maybe we can visit our bedroom for my jeans and checkered shirt? Before we show up on the Command Bridge?”

She let go his shoulder and stood back. Looking him up and down and back up to his face, she winked at him. “You promise not to try to bed me when we’re in the bedroom?”

That was when Bill realized he was more than fully recovered. Being aroused in front of the woman you were married to was normal, but not usual after the equivalent of open heart surgery. “Promise. I want to see images of the Captives we freed. Uh, how many did we liberate,” he said, taking hold of her warm hand as they walked toward the door leading to the left side hallway.

“Ninety-three,” she said. “We put the overage in the other Collector ship liberated by Joe. The Captives are very happy to be free, but many are homesick for their home worlds.” At her touch, the door slid open and they stepped out. Turning left, together they walked toward the Command Bridge and their nearby habitat room. “We now have five Collector starships filled with liberated Captives. Which gives us a problem to resolve.”

He thought he knew what she meant. Still, he was fresh from magical Alien surgery. “What problem needs resolving?”

She looked over at him, her expression becoming more command intent even as her eyes sparkled at the sight of him. “Do our five ships head back to Earth and drop off the Captives in a habitat dome on Mars? Or do we continue on the diplomatic mission given us by President Hartman? I think you know where Chester stands on the matter.”

They passed through the Transport Exit Chamber with its two transports safely docked. They went down the rear ramp to the lower deck, out through the hatchway, then up to the deck they spent most of their time on. Moving ahead, they passed ten habitat rooms. Rooms now occupied by Alicia’s partner Lorilee, Chester’s wife Sharon and the live-in spouses of his other saloon buddies.

“I do suspect where he stands,” Bill said as he linked his arm in Jane’s arm, slowing their forward progress. “I think we should do what the president ordered us to do. Head out to the stars of our seven Alien crew members, make contact with their leaders and work to establish this NATO of the Stars. What do
you
think we should do?”

She chuckled, sounding in amazing good humor considering what he had put her through so recently. “Outward, of course. We went out to the stars after our capture of this ship. We spent nine months returning the first group of Captives to their home worlds.” She stopped, turned and faced him, her expression intent. “We should do the same now. I’m sure we will pass within hailing distance of the home stars of some Captives, as we travel to the five stars occupied by the people who gave life to amazing folks like Bright Sparkle, Time Marker, Long Walker, Wind Swift, Lofty Flyer, Builder of Joy and Learned Escape. You willing to head out?”

“Willing,” he said, standing at naked parade rest in front of his wife and captain. “Willing to head for new stars. Willing to be your XO. Willing to be a good husband. Even willing to cook you some New Mexican red chili enchiladas tonight!”

She laughed easily, grabbed his arm and headed forward. “Then we’re off to the stars!”

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

T. Jackson King (Tom) is a professional archaeologist, journalist and retired Hippie. He learned early on to question authority and find answers for himself, partly due to reading lots of science fiction novels. He also worked at a radiocarbon dating laboratory at UC Riverside and UCLA. Tom attended college in Paris and Tokyo. Tom is a graduate of UCLA (M.A. 1976, archaeology) and the University of Tennessee (B.Sc. 1971, journalism). He has worked as an archaeologist in the American Southwest and has traveled widely in Europe, Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico and the USA. Other jobs have included short order cook, hotel clerk, legal assistant, telephone order taker, investigative reporter and newspaper editor. He also survived the warped speech-talk of local politicians and escaped with his hide intact. Tom writes hard science fiction, anthropological scifi, dark fantasy/horror and contemporary fantasy/magic realism. Tom’s novels are
ESCAPE FROM ALIENS
(Wilder Publications, 2015),
ALIENS VS. HUMANS
(Wilder Publications, 2015),
FREEDOM VS. ALIENS
(Wilder Publications, 2015),
HUMANS VS. ALIENS
(Wilder Publications, 2015),
GENECODE ILLEGAL
(Wilder Publications, 2014),
EARTH VS. ALIENS
(Wilder Publications, 2014),
ALIEN ASSASSIN
(Wilder Publications, 2014),
THE MEMORY SINGER
(Fantastic Books, 2014),
ANARCHATE VIGILANTE
(Wilder Publications, 2014),
GALACTIC VIGILANTE
(Wilder Publications, 2013),
NEBULA VIGILANTE
(Wilder Publications, 2013),
SPEAKER TO ALIENS
(Wilder Publications, 2013),
GALACTIC AVATAR
(Wilder Publications, 2013),
STELLAR ASSASSIN
(Wilder Publications, 2013),
STAR VIGILANTE
(2012),
THE GAEAN
ENCHANTMENT
(Wilder Publications, 2012), 
LITTLE BROTHER’S WORLD
(Fantastic Books, 2010),
ANCESTOR’S WORLD
(Ace Books, 1996, with A.C. Crispin), and
RETREAD SHOP
(Warner Books, 1988, 2012). His short stories appeared in
JUDGMENT DAY AND OTHER DREAMS
(Fantastic Books, 2009). His poetry appeared in
MOTHER EARTH’S STRETCH MARKS
(Motherbird Books, 2009). Tom lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA with his wife Sue. More information on Tom’s writings can be found at
www.tjacksonking.com/
.

PRAISE FOR T. JACKSON KING’S BOOKS

EARTH VS. ALIENS

“This story is the best space opera I've read in many years. The author knows his Mammalian Behavior. If we’re lucky it’ll become a movie soon. Many of the ideas are BRAND NEW and I loved the adaptability of people in the story line. AWESOME!!”—
Phil W. King,
Amazon

“It’s good space opera. I liked the story and wanted to know what happened next. The characters are interesting and culturally diverse. The underlying theme is that humans are part of nature and nature is red of tooth and claw. Therefore, humans are naturally violent, which fortunately makes them a match for the predators from space.”—
Frank C. Hemingway,
Amazon

STAR VIGILANTE
“For a fast-paced adventure with cool tech, choose
Star Vigilante
. This is the story of three outsiders. Can three outsiders bond together to save Eliana's planet from eco-destruction at the hands of a ruthless mining enterprise?” –
Bonnie Gordon
,
Los Alamos Daily Post

STELLAR ASSASSIN

“T. Jackson King’s
Stellar Assassin
is an ambitious science fiction epic that sings! Filled with totally alien lifeforms, one lonely human, an archaeologist named Al Lancaster must find his way through trade guilds, political maneuvering and indentured servitude, while trying to reconcile his new career as an assassin with his deeply-held belief in the teachings of Buddha. . . This is a huge, colorful, complicated world with complex characters, outstanding dialogue, believable motivations, wonderful high-tech battle sequences and, on occasion, a real heart-stringer . . . This is an almost perfectly edited novel as well, which is a bonus. This is a wonderful novel, written by a wonderful author . . .Bravo! Five Stars!” –
Linell Jeppsen,
Amazon

LITTLE BROTHER’S WORLD

“If you’re sensing a whiff of Andre Norton or Robert A. Heinlein, you’re not mistaken . . . The influence is certainly there, but
Little Brother’s World
is no mere imitation of
Star Man’s Son
or
Citizen of the Galaxy
. Rather, it takes the sensibility of those sorts of books and makes of it something fresh and new. T. Jackson King is doing his part to further the great conversation of science fiction; it’ll be interesting to see where he goes next.”–
Don Sakers,
Analog

 
“When I’m turning a friend on to a good writer I’ve just discovered, I'll often say something like, “Give him ten pages and you’ll never be able to put him down.” Once in a long while, I'll say, “Give him five pages.” It took T. Jackson King exactly
one sentence
to set his hook so deep in me that I finished
LITTLE BROTHER’S WORLD
in a single sitting, and I’ll be thinking about that vivid world for a long time to come. The last writer I can recall with the courage to make a protagonist out of someone as profoundly Different as Little Brother was James Tiptree Jr., with her remarkable debut novel
UP THE WALLS OF THE WORLD
. I think Mr. King has met that challenge even more successfully. His own writing DNA borrows genes from writers as diverse as Tiptree, Heinlein, Norton, Zelazny, Sturgeon, Pohl, and Doctorow, and splices them together very effectively.” –
Spider Robinson, Hugo, Nebula and Campbell Award winner
“
Little Brother's World
is a sci-fi novel where Genetic Engineering exists. . . It contains enough details and enough thrills to make the book buyers/readers grab it and settle in for an afternoon read. The book is well-written and had a well-defined plot . . . I never found a boring part in the story. It was fast-paced and kept me entertained all throughout. The characters are fascinating and likeable too. This book made me realize about a possible outcome, when finally science and technology wins over traditional ones. . . All in all,
Little Brother’s World
is another sci-fi novel from T. Jackson King that is both exciting, thrilling and fun. Full of suspense, adventure, romance, secrets, conspiracies, this book would take you in a roller-coaster ride.” –
Abby Flores,
Bookshelf Confessions

THE MEMORY SINGER

“A coming of age story reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein or Alexei Panshin. Jax [the main character] is a fun character, and her world is compelling. The social patterns of Ship life are fascinating, and the Alish’Tak [the main alien species] are sufficiently alien to make for a fairly complex book. Very enjoyable.”—
Don Sakers
,
Analog Science Fiction

“Author T. Jackson King brings his polished writing style, his knowledge of science fiction ‘hardware,’ and his believable aliens to his latest novel
The Memory Singer
. But all this is merely backdrop to the adventures of Jax Cochrane, a smart, rebellious teen who wants more from life than the confines of a generational starship. There are worlds of humans and aliens out there. When headstrong Jax decides that it’s time to discover and explore them, nothing can hold back this defiant teen. You’ll want to accompany this young woman . . in this fine coming-of-age story.”—
Jean Kilczer,
Amazon

RETREAD SHOP

“Engaging alien characters, a likable protagonist, and a vividly realized world make King’s first sf novel a good purchase for sf collections.”–
Library Journal

“A very pleasant tour through the author’s inventive mind, and an above average story as well.”–
Science Fiction Chronicle

“Fun, with lots of outrageously weird aliens.”—
Locus

“The writing is sharp, the plotting tight, and the twists ingenious. It would be worth reading, if only for the beautiful delineations of alien races working with and against one another against the background of an interstellar marketplace. The story carries you . . . with a verve and vigor that bodes well for future stories by this author. Recommended.”–
Science Fiction Review

“For weird aliens, and I do mean weird, choose
Retread Shop
. The story takes place on a galactic trading base, where hundreds of species try to gain the upper hand for themselves and for their group. Sixteen year-old billy is the sole human on the Retread Shop, stranded when his parents and their shipmates perished. What really makes the ride fun are the aliens Billy teams up with, including two who are plants. It's herbivores vs. carnivores, herd species vs. loners, mammals vs. insects and so on. The wild variety of physical types is only matched by the extensive array of cultures, which makes for a very entertaining read.” –
Bonnie Gordon,
Los Alamos Daily Post

“Similar in feel to Roger Zelazny's Alien Speedway series is
Retread Shop
by T. Jackson King. It's an orphan-human-in-alien-society-makes-good story. Well-written and entertaining, it could be read either as a Young Adult or as straight SF with equal enjoyment.” –
Chuq Von Rospach,
OtherRealms 22
“If you liked Stephen Goldin’s Jade Darcy books duo, and Julie Czerneda’s Clan trilogy, then you will probably like
Retread Shop
since it too has multiple aliens, an eatery, and an infinity of odd events that range from riots, to conspiracy, to exploring new worlds and to alien eating habits . . . It’s a fun reader's ride and thoroughly entertaining. And, sigh, I wish that the author would write more books set in this background.” –
Lyn McConchie, co-author of the
Beastmaster
series

HUMANS VS. ALIENS

“Another great book from this author. This series has great characters and story is wall to wall excitement. Look forward to next book.”—
William R. Thomas,
Amazon

“Humans are once again aggressive and blood thirsty to defend the Earth. Pace is quick and action is plentiful. Some unexpected plot twists, but you always know the home team is the best.”—
C. Cook,
Amazon

ANCESTOR’S WORLD

“T. Jackson King is a professional archaeologist and he uses that to great advantage in
Ancestor’s World
. I was just as fascinated by the details of the archaeology procedures as I was by the unfolding of the plot . . . What follows is a tightly plotted, suspenseful novel.”–
Absolute Magnitude

“The latest in the StarBridge series from King, a former Rogue Valley resident now living and writing in Arizona, follows the action on planet Na-Dina, where the tombs of 46 dynasties have lain undisturbed for 6,000 years until a human archaeologist and a galactic gumshoe show up. Set your phasers for fun.”–
Medford Mail Tribune

ALIEN ASSASSIN

“The Assassin series is required reading in adventure, excitement and daring. The galactic vistas, the advanced alien technologies and the action make all the Assassin books a guarantee of a good read. Please keep them coming!”—
C. B. Symons,
Amazon

“KING STRIKES AGAIN! Yes, T. Jackson King gives us yet again a great space adventure. I loved the drama and adventure in this book. There is treachery in this one too which heightens the suspense. Being the only human isn’t easy, but Al pulls it off. Loved the Dino babies and how they are being developed into an important part of the family of assassins. All of the fun takes place right here and we are not left hanging off the cliff. Write on T.J.”—
K. McClell,
Amazon

THE GAEAN ENCHANTMENT

“For magic, a quest and a new battle around every corner, go with
The Gaean Enchantment
. In this novel, Earth has entered a new phase as it cycles through the universe. In this phase, some kinds of “magic” work, but tech is rapidly ceasing to function. In the world of this book, incantation and sympathetic magic function through connection to spirit figures who might be described as gods.” –
Bonnie Gordon,
Los Alamos Daily Post

“In
The Gaean Enchantment
the main character, Thomas, back from Vietnam and with all the PTSD that many soldiers have—nightmares, blackouts—finds his truth through the finding of his totem animal, the buffalo Black Mane. He teaches Thomas that violence and killing must always be done as a last resort, and that the energies of his soul are more powerful than any arsenal . . . Don’t miss this amazing novel of magic and soul transformation, deep love, and Artemis, goddess of the hunt and protector of women.”–
Catherine Herbison-Wiget,
Amazon

JUDGMENT DAY AND OTHER DREAMS

“King is a prolific writer with an old-time approach–he tells straight-ahead stories and asks the big questions. No topic is off limits and he writes with an explorer’s zest for uncovering the unknown. He takes readers right into the world of each story, so each rustle of a tree, each whisper of the wind, blows softly against your inner ear.”–
Scott Turick,
Daytona Beach News-Journal

“Congratulations on the long overdue story collection, Tom! What I find most terrific is your range of topics and styles. You have always been an explorer.”–
David Brin, Nebula and Hugo winner

“
I’m thoroughly loving [the stories]; the prose is the kind that makes me stop and savor it – roll phrases over my tongue – delicious. I loved the way you conjure up a whole world or civilization so economically.”–
Sheila Finch, SF author

“
Judgment Day and Other Dreams
. . . would make a valued addition to any science fiction or fantasy library. There is a satisfying and engrossing attention to detail within the varied stories . . . The common thread among all works is the intimate human element at the heart of each piece. King's prose displays a mastery over these myriad subjects without alienating the uninitiated, thus providing the reader with a smooth, coherent, and altogether enjoyable experience . . . King is able to initiate the reader naturally through plot and precise prose, as if being eased into a warm bath . . . There is a dedicated unity amongst some of the entries in this anthology that begs to be explored in longer formats. And the works which stand apart are just as notable and exemplify King's grasp of human emotions and interactions. This collection displays the qualities of fine writing backed by a knowledgeable hand and a vivid imagination . . . If
Judgment Day and Other Dreams
is anything to go by, T. Jackson King should be a household name.” –
John Sulyok,
Tangent Online