The Hunted Assassin (20 page)

Suddenly, the ship they were hiding behind exploded without warning, launching debris in all directions. Seconds after the explosion, firepower from the remaining three ships once again focused on their location.

“What the hell?” Jaxon yelled. “They shouldn’t be able to see us. Camille!”

“I don’t know. It tells me the device is active, but it’s clear they know exactly where we’re at.”

Jaxon’s mind flashed back to the conversation he and Evans had earlier about a suspected mole in the company. He wondered if information leaked about their presence in the sector, and more importantly the technology of their prototype stealth device.

Jaxon unfastened his safety harness and quickly moved to Camille’s console. “Is there a way we can restart the system? Perhaps they’ve somehow locked onto some device signature? I just don’t know enough about the system to know how it works.”

“I don’t think we have enough time for that, but what you just said gives me an idea,” Camille said as she accessed a submenu on her display.

Jaxon stood beside her as she scrolled through several settings. Finally, she slowed her pace and brought up the device code dialog box. The system cursor blinked rhythmically, waiting for a user input.

“Well, it looks like we can change our identification sequence. By changing this unique code, we should be able to assign our frequency, and, with any luck, confuse their targeting software.”

“Do it. And quickly,” Jaxon said, resting his hand on her shoulder.

Camille deleted the current twelve-digit code then typed in a replacement number. Completely random. She tapped the execute button, and several other settings on the display changed over the next few seconds. Once the adjustment finished processing, Jaxon returned to his seat.

“Miles, now, get us out of here.”

“You want me to park behind one of the other ships?” Oliver asked.

“Hell no. Just put some distance between them and us. We’ll know if they’ve adapted their frequencies if they chase after.”

Oliver entered a new destination into the navigational computer and hit execute. The ship lurched ahead, speeding away from the ambush. Jaxon continued to monitor the sensor array. Waiting. The remaining ships continued to fire blindly at their last location until they finally stopped. Jaxon watched eagerly, waiting to see if they turned to follow. They didn’t move.

“That did it,” Jaxon said, turning back and seeing Camille’s satisfied face. “Can you set it up so that the computer randomly changes that code every few hours? You know, just in case they have some other kind of access to our system? Another back door?”

“Yeah, I think I can. Let me—” Camille trailed off as she began typing new commands at her console.

Jaxon let her be as he contemplated their next move. He still needed to fill the team in on the full mission details, and then probably talk a bit about his own past and just who it was that was attacking them. If he’d only known.

“I think it’s time you all know the full gravity of our situation,” Jaxon began. “First off, after what just happened, I’m positive that there is, in fact, a mole in the company.”

32

Jaxon remained seated at the pilot’s station and swiveled around to face his team. Stunned expressions covered most of their faces, save for Miles. His outward appearance remained his usual indifferent blankness.

“What makes you think that?” Camille asked.

“First off, both Director Howe and Assistant Director Evans mentioned the possibility of the mole. They had no conclusive evidence about the accusation, but too many coincidences have occurred lately; this last one certainly reinforces the argument. To be specific, our departure wasn’t technically scheduled for another day, possibly two. But because of the attack at the compound, which also seems far too coincidental, our schedule was hastily escalated. The list of potential suspects is very limited—probably around eight to ten people—that the mole could be, present company included.”

“If it were one of us,” Francisco said, “do you think we’d still be on the ship if we were trying to blow it up?”

Jaxon nodded. “Valid question, Clay, but there’s a lot that I don’t know … about all of you. And frankly, there’s only one person on the ship that I trust,” Jaxon said, glancing toward Camille, “and the other two need to earn it.”

An awkward silence filled the room.

Oliver continued to monitor the sensor array, cautiously, but remained in the conversation. “So, are you going to tell us all what the hell is going on? he asked.

“First off, what have each of you been told about our mission or about myself?” Jaxon asked.

Camille began. “I was only told about a top-secret mission, which would involve the Guzman drug family, and that’s about it. There was no indication about you, or the rest of the team for that matter.”

“Clay?” Jaxon asked.

“Same as Camille. I’ve been in the loop about the drug family for a few months now, but back then, they only told me that the team lead was still being recruited.”

Jaxon looked toward Oliver.

“Obviously, I’ve known about your situation longer,” Oliver said. “I was read into your situation about four weeks ago, and I was shipped up to the moon base a few days before your arrival at Luna City.”

Jaxon pursed his lips as he contemplated how much information to share. If he wanted to gain the trust of the entire team, he felt that full disclosure was probably the best course of action.

“I’ll first start with my own status,” Jaxon began. “I was an active agent for the GSA for the better part of nine years. Toward the end of my term, my partner and I both realized that our future with the company looked grim. We’d watched too many top-shelf agents either die in the line of duty or be forced into a less than desirable retirement, some having their minds erased due to concerns of divulgence. We decided at the time that we’d rather go out on our own terms. We organized our own assumed deaths.” Jaxon paused to study each of the expressions on his team’s faces. Oliver was blank, as usual. Clay showed surprise, and Camille’s expression was the worst. She looked pained for having to endure the explanation again.

“That was eight years ago, and my partner Gillette and I were able to go our separate ways and live in secrecy until earlier this week. That’s when a hit was taken out on my life. Out of the blue, a small army of assassins have been on my tail, trying to end me. Even now, it remains unknown who is behind the hit. According to the director, that is. The attacks on me began on Taloo Station and carried over into Luna City. The raid on the safe house is also in question. And now, I can only assume that the ambush just minutes ago is part of that same assault. Besides Miles here, I feel that the director has given you each a disservice for not explaining the entire situation before we left. For that, I apologize. Your lives have been put into certain peril until we can neutralize the kill order.”

Camille’s facial expression suddenly changed. It softened at hearing more of Jaxon’s background. “Do you think it was someone at the company?” she asked.

Jaxon nodded. “That is certainly a possibility. It seems that our
prototype
stealth device wasn’t as invisible as we were told. It’s all too clear that our unique signature frequency has gotten into the hands of some very bad people. If that’s not a clear indication of a mole in the company, then I don’t know what is.”

Oliver whistled softly as the implications of a traitor in their midst were fully realized. “Am I the only one not completely privy as to what our real mission is?” he asked.

“Okay, here’s what I know. Pablo Guzman has developed a drug that has severe addictive qualities. Our directive is to track down the production facility located somewhere in the outer ring and cease its operations. Based on what I’ve seen of our ship and its capabilities, I think we take the easy way out. We locate the station where the drug is being produced, and we neutralize the operation from space. We blow it up.”

Francisco gasped. “But what about all the innocent people that would be on that station? You’d be killing hundreds of people.”

“We don’t know that for certain, Clay. If my intuition is correct, the production facility won’t be on any normal station. I don’t think Pablo would be naïve enough to mix business with pleasure to that degree. I might be wrong here, but I think the information that has been given to us is only half true. I think the list of possible space station candidates is part of a ruse to keep us preoccupied long enough for a lucky assassin to carry out the hit on my life. Personally, I like living, and I’m not about to give them the satisfaction. It’s my intention to shoot first and ask questions later. The sooner we get on with this mission and finish it, the sooner we can all get back to our normal lives. Any questions?” Jaxon asked.

Francisco raised his hand, as if a nervous school boy.

“Go ahead, Clay. We’re not very formal here,” Jaxon said.

“Well, it appears that I have a different agenda than you, which has also come down from the director himself. I’m supposed to get eyes on the factory and obtain their manufacturing procedures of the drug. If possible, I’m also supposed to round up as many samples of the drug as I can before leaving the station.”

Jaxon contemplated Francisco’s words. “If Evans or Howe has given you a separate agenda, then so be it. My mission is clear, and it is to stop the production of the drug by any means necessary. At the end of the day, the manufacturing facility will be destroyed, and all I can say is that you best be on the ship when the last explosion ignites, if you want a ride back.”

Francisco’s face showed shock, Oliver simply nodded, and Camille now read indifferently in her expression.

“Miles, how long until we get to our first outer ring space station?” Jaxon asked.

Oliver turned to his console and brought up the navigation computer. He entered in a few keystrokes, and the ETA displayed on the screen. “A little less than thirty-six hours, boss,” he said. “But didn’t you just say that we wouldn’t find the factory on any of the listed stations?”

“Yes, that’s right. But we need to start somewhere. We’ll need to get onto a station or two and ask some questions. We don’t want to rock the boat too much, but right now we’re flying blind and we need to get intel on Guzman’s operation.”

The flight deck drew quiet as the team individually pondered what they’d just learned. Once it was clear that no more questions were being put forth, Jaxon stood and headed for the door. Before stepping out, he paused and turned to look at his team.

“I’ll be in my quarters if any of you have any further questions. I suggest we get some rest and be ready when we get to station number one.”

With that, Jaxon turned and walked down the ramp, disappearing from view.

33

Having frequented many of the outer ring space stations through the years, Jaxon knew what to expect when in the region. Through conversations with the rest of his team, it became clear that he was the only one that had that exposure.

Camille Parker, despite having been an active agent in the past, had never had the opportunity to step foot on a spaceship, let alone journey into the outer ring. Her region was earth based.

Clay Francisco was the youngest of their group and had the least amount of experience, having only been trained through simulation. Jaxon was very concerned about his role in the operation, as so much of what they did was improvisational. Francisco was a chemist, and his lack of field experience could very well put the entire team at risk.

Miles Oliver, despite his propensity for silence, possessed the greatest advantage of anyone else on the team. Besides Jaxon himself, that is. Oliver had been active for many years, but Jaxon still had his reservations. Mostly due to his dossier. The majority of Oliver’s final year as an agent had been redacted. In the hours before their arrival at the first station, Jaxon tried to broach the subject with him but was stonewalled with yet more silence. Regardless, Jaxon’s gut instinct said he needn’t worry about Oliver, but also to keep a watchful eye on him.

As Oliver docked the ship, Jaxon readied the team to disembark. “The first thing they’re going to do is do a weapons check,” Jaxon said, looking at each of the team members as he spoke. “Now is not the time to try and guess exactly where you could hide a knife or a pistol and have it get through their detectors. Despite the corruption that runs rampant in the outer ring, most of the stations are virtually weapon free, save for the security personnel throughout each station, who are typically armed to the hilt. We’re just here for a bit of
entertainment
, right?”

Everyone nodded, while Jaxon held Oliver’s eyes a moment longer. Satisfied that he’d made his point, he proceeded.

“All right. As we discussed, we’ll work in pairs. It’ll be Cam and I covering the bars and clubs while you two head to the pavilion,” Jaxon said. “Just find out what you can, and keep an eye out for prostitutes, boys. Those women are trained professionals.” Jaxon winked. “They’ll easily remove you from your money and not think twice about it.”

Jaxon resisted laughing out loud as the blood drained from Francisco’s face. He looked petrified, but pairing him with Oliver was probably the safest bet. Or so he thought.