The Lost Colony (Lost Starship Series Book 4) by Vaughn Heppner Read Free Book Online Page A

concentration shining in his eyes.
    He wanted to be able to report to the Iron Lady more information than simply, “I evaded capture, Ma’am.”
    She would ask, “Yes, but what did you learn?”
    “Not to gulp tainted drinks,” would be a poor reply.
    The truth was the captain prided himself on his Intelligence work, believing himself to be Star Watch’s premier agent. He had considerable advantages—his dual heritage chief among them. That was the other reason he didn’t want to report back empty-handed. Even if he didn’t like to dwell on it, Maddox knew he was different. Despite everything he had done the past few years, too many people still distrusted his half-breed nature. One of his ways of compensating was by being better than anyone else.
    Thus, Maddox peered around a corner into a dim hallway. A light shined sixty feet away, illuminating a door in the corridor. A guard in a suit waited there. The man stood with his feet planted and his hands held in front of his body as if he meant to hold the position for some time. He stared at nothing in particular, although he swiveled his head from time to time, glancing both ways.
    Who was in the room that needed a guard? Was a meeting in progress or would one happen soon?
    Maddox stood undecided. Finally, he tucked the sharp part of the blade through his belt behind his back so it wouldn’t be visible to someone in front of him. He straightened his shoulders and rounded the corner in a long gait, swinging his arms like a man who had confidence in the situation.
    The guard noticed him, naturally. The man stiffened, shifted his head to the side and spoke rapidly, no doubt using a microphone pinned to his collar. Afterward, the guard reached inside his suit but hesitated pulling out a gun.
    That indication of uncertainty was interesting. Maddox hoped to get close enough to take the man’s gun.
    As the captain neared, the door opened. Three more men in suits stepped outside. Each was big, held himself with confidence and had the feel of being security. None of them had as of yet drawn a weapon.
    “Gentlemen,” Maddox said in a cheery voice. “I do hope I’m not late.”
    The guards glanced at each other. The one with a pinstripe suit stepped forward, clearing his throat.
    “I know who you are, Captain Maddox,” the man said in a deep voice. “You’re not welcome here.”
    Maddox grinned, saying, “Nonsense. I want to speak to your boss.”
    The man drew a small pistol, aiming it at Maddox’s belly. “Stop or I’ll shoot.”
    Maddox heard the certainty in the guard’s voice. He halted.
    “Turn around, Captain. You have no business being here.”
    Acting on a hunch, Maddox said, “I played cards with your boss, earlier. I came to collect my winnings.”
    The guard opened his mouth to reply.
    “You don’t think I’d let him cheat me, do you?” Maddox added.
    One of the other guards whispered to Mr. Pinstripe. He frowned, nodding, putting away his pistol.
    “Just a minute,” Pinstripe said. He reentered the room.
    Maddox began to walk closer.
    “Hey,” the original guard said. “You’re supposed to stay there.”
    Maddox spread his hands, shrugging as he did. “I just want my winnings. I’ll leave right after that.”
    The three men glowered, but none reached inside his coat to draw a weapon.
    Maddox neared the group as Pinstripe stepped back outside. The man’s head swayed just a little. His hand darted into his coat.
    “I told you to stop,” Pinstripe growled.
    Maddox only felt a little lightheaded from the head trauma earlier. He realized he was as close as he was going to get without a reaction. Therefore, Maddox exploded into action and charged the remaining distance.
    Pinstripe was in the process of drawing the small pistol as the captain reached him. Maddox could have used the knife. This was the perfect situation for one: among a group of men trying to draw their guns. That meant, however, that Maddox would likely end up killing some of