The Lost Command (Lost Starship Series Book 2) by Vaughn Heppner Read Free Book Online Page B

comply.
    “The boss would love to question Captain Maddox,” the tangler-man said, snapping his weapon back into one piece.
    Kane said nothing.
    “Ambushing Maddox here would be easy,” the tangler-man added.
    “You are wrong,” Kane rumbled. “No.” He patted Meta’s bottom. “I prefer your goodbye letter. I will leave that for the captain to find. You would like that, yes?”
    Meta twisted around to stare at Kane crouched behind her. He held a tiny can in his hand.
    Kane depressed a nozzle, the diamonds in his ring glittering. A fine aerosol mist sprayed from the can. Meta tried to hold her breath, but it didn’t help. Seconds after he sprayed, she slumped into unconsciousness. Thus, she never felt Kane gather her in his arms, carrying her to a cleaning lady’s dolly, depositing her into a large laundry bag. Seconds later, the men rolled the dolly into the hallway, taking Meta with them.
     

-4-
     
    Captain Maddox strode down a New York City sidewalk. He wore his uniform tonight, as he had a meeting later this evening with Brigadier O’Hara. The Iron Lady said it was important.
    The captain carried a dozen roses in his right hand, with a heart-shaped box of chocolates tucked under his left.
    Sergeant Riker had suggested the items. The man waited in an air-car on a nearby skyscraper landing-pad.
    Maddox looked up at the blaze of lights. Tall buildings surrounded him. Ground vehicles swept past on the street. Hundreds of people shared the sidewalk with him, noisy crowds in search of entertainment. He understood that many sought the nightlife because no one knew how much longer mankind could play these mindless games.
    He had begun to wonder that himself. Maybe that’s why he’d called Meta. He wasn’t sure. Maybe it was watching the enemy agent die, leaking blood onto the spaceport’s paving. That made him wonder how much longer until he did the bleeding. Was that too morbid? In truth, he had enjoyed his short vacation with Meta in the Big Apple after the debriefing from Victory .
    Meta was an unusual woman. It was a pity they had gotten into that argument. Perhaps it had been inevitable. Meta was strong-willed, and she insisted on carrying her sorrows deep inside her.
    Maddox frowned. He had his own…loneliness. Yes, that was the right word. The nature of his birth had set him apart from others. He was a hybrid, a half-breed. Alcohol failed to make him drunk. He had a slightly higher core temperature than regular humans. His reflexes were phenomenal, and he was stronger than he looked. The fear of his life was that he was part New Man. What else could he be? He dreaded the idea that he had any connection with the supermen invading the Commonwealth of Planets, the entire Oikumene or Human Space.
    Maddox’s fingers tightened around the rose stems, making the clear plastic crinkle.
    Whatever had happened to his mother, she escaped from the Beyond, birthing him on a Windsor League planet. From there, she had taken him to Earth and died afterward. Using his analytical talents and a flair for detective work, he had discovered these truths several years ago.
    Maddox wanted to know the truth about his birth, but he was also afraid of it. It frankly surprised him that Star Watch still trusted him. That trust had a lot to do with Brigadier Mary O’Hara.
    Inhaling the brisk New York air, Maddox headed for Meta’s building.
    Several months ago, she had unleashed on him. Her fury had shocked him. He had endured, though. It was a storm, but given enough time, it would pass. Yet, he had found himself that night on his bed brooding about her accusations. Maybe he should have called the next day. He’d decided to let her stew…for several months now.
    On a whim, he had called this afternoon. Her guarded voice decided it for him. He would win her back. Meta was different from other women. There was strength in her, a steely core. Maybe that’s what he needed in a woman. Otherwise, he would just bulldoze over her.
    He