RECON (Andi Barks Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  RECON

  By

  BRITT AYERS

  Copyright © 2017 BRITT AYERS

  Published By: AWESOME DOG

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  AUTHOR NOTES – BRITT AYERS

  Copyright

  © 2017 BRITT AYERS

  All rights reserved.

  Published by: AWESOME DOG

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the Author. Your support of author’s rights is appreciated. All characters in this novel are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  CHAPTER 1

  “You violated a direct order, Lieutenant.”

  Captain Remington towered over me, his face glowing red like the lava field experiments in the science center.

  “Not technically.” I crossed my arms, my forest green jumpsuit still covered in dust and sweat. I suddenly became aware of my posture and stood at attention, snapping my arms back behind my back.

  The Captain’s eyes were on fire. “ACOM, evidence on position one.” The back wall of the room came to life with its large screen. “This should refresh your memory.”

  I deliberately ignored his rage and turned to focus on the screen.

  The morning’s events played out on the monitor, a small crowd of ensigns gathering around a visiting Mink Kat officer as the ship’s medical unit rolled the captain’s guest onto a stretcher.

  “Keep watching,” the captain raised an arm, pointing to the back wall. “You’re the star of the show.”

  The medic team disappeared down the hall with their patient and the image panned out, showing the rest of our K9 Recon Team training room. A line of German Shepherds sat at attention in a straight line, watching a second Mink Kat roll around on the floor in front of them. The two-hundred-pound feline finally sat up still spitting and hissing.

  I appeared in view, yanking a tool from an ensign’s hand while shouting, “Get these flipping Mink Kats out of our training session.”

  My heart rate picked up a notch as I watched myself hook the Mink Kat’s belt with the iron hook and drag him out toward the hallway. The sputtering beast weighed a whole lot more than I did but gave up under the watchful eye of the dog team.

  I remembered praying the dogs hadn’t done any permanent damage to the captain’s guests. They hadn’t bitten either one but both Kats almost went into cardiac arrest when they’d been surrounded by ten snarling shepherds.

  The captain slammed his finger on the desk. “Dragging a Mink Kat with a meat hook?” His six-two frame got a little too close. “Is that your idea of making the Mink Kats feel like honored guests?”

  I resisted the urge to fidget. “I felt it was honorable to remove them from harm’s way,” was all I could come up with.

  “It’s dishonorable for a Mink Kat to be dominated by a female.” He sputtered, a few specks of spit just missing my cheek. “You know their culture.”

  “I know it but I don’t agree with it,” I muttered.

  “You were assigned to do a live demonstration.” Capt. Remington wiped his mouth.

  “It was live, all right.” I frowned. “I instructed Lt. Graves to keep the Mink Kats behind the glass wall. He failed to accomplish that.”

  “A Mink Kat ambassador was dragged across the floor!” His eyes were hard as he growled out the words. “You may have singlehandedly blown the new treaty into a million pieces.”

  “Why would the Mink Kats insist on watching a canine demonstration, anyway?”

  “You’d have to ask space fleet command that question.” Captain Remington narrowed his eyes. “I’m half a second away from disbanding the K9 Recon program and busting you back down to ensign.”

  “The program is worthwhile, sir.” I blew out a breath and shoved my hair away from my face. “We’re making great progress in the silent command realm.”

  The sounds of the teenage ensigns howling and barking out in the hallway only made the captain’s face a deeper shade of red. He pressed the personal com button on his chest and broadcasted an order. “Get out of my hallway and report to the science lab until further notice.”

  I stepped back. “But that’s my crew-”

  “The K9 program is on hold,” Captain Remington blew a gasket. “Recon will continue without it.”

  My heart dropped. I’d just gotten an internal com unit implanted and we’d just gotten started learning how to use it.

  “The Mink Kat you drug across the floor is their king’s nephew.” Captain Remington glared at me. “Now, I’ve got fleet command on my back.”

  “But Captain-”

  My mouth snapped shut just as he dropped the hammer.

  “You’re reassigned.”

  CHAPTER 2

  The stench hung in the air even after two years’ time.

  Earth just wasn’t the same since the resistance won, killing most of the people I knew and allowing industry to take over and pollute the planet. I’d left to join the fleet because of the sick smell. Well, that and the nightmares - filled with images of attacking resistance fighters – that woke me up at night.

  Now, thanks to the Mink Kats, I was banished here with Ensign Jackson Cole for three weeks under the guise of water relocation studies. Yeah, right. There was no such thing. The location of this B.S. assignment was a beautiful experimental forest, but it was polluted with the bad memories.

  Jackson Cole was about the sharpest knife that Captain Remington could’ve used to stab me in the back. Getting stuck on remote assignment with that little pervert was sure to be a nightmare.

  I stepped away from the transport and looked at the positives. At least I was in charge.

  The hormonal ensign emerged from the ship wearing his full helmet, complete with eye shades, his teenage attempt to hide wandering eyes. “It’s a pleasure to be serving under you, Lieutenant.”

  Gag me.

  “One more inappropriate glance and you’ll get a swift kick to the privates.” I sent some dirt sailing his way with my boot for emphasis. “Put your eyes where they belong and go camouflage the transport.”

  “Huh?” Jackson’s face twisted as he removed the helmet.

  “Don’t bother me until you’re finished.” I chuckled to myself. It would take the kid three weeks just to try and figure that out. That’ll keep him out of my hair.

  I left the kid scratching his head, shook off my negativity and focused on the immediate task at hand… getting some food in my belly. Jackson’s too.

  The tension in my back eased up as I made my way down to the river. My recon jumpsuit kept the water off my body as I entered the stream, held my breath, and plunged under the surface, searching for something to serve as dinner.

  Documenting the emergency food source capabilities in the forested area was one of the twisted requirements of our assignment. Captain Remington must’ve really had fun coming up with that one.

  The fingers on my left hand twisted through my loose fitting tool belt as I felt under the loose rocks below with my right. My collection bag kept trying to float away from me as the force of the water flowed past. It wasn’t
that long ago when I’d have killed to be the lead on a bogus remote assignment like this. Not anymore.

  The new K9 Recon project was the opportunity of a lifetime. It was where I belonged. Humans and dogs would soon be working together in ways never before imagined. I just hoped Captain Remington didn’t yank the program before it even got started.

  Suddenly, an earth shattering rumble filled the sky and my body instinctively dove down to the bottom of the river. I held my breath and clung to a moss covered boulder, my lungs burning as an unknown ship passed overhead. I stayed under as long as I could until small spurts of air escaped from my mouth, rising in small bubbles, and mixing with the dead leaves floating on the water’s surface four feet above. My lungs were screaming and could finally take no more, so I scooped my body into a ball, got my feet underneath me, pushed to the surface, gasping for air.

  One deep breath told me they were here.

  Everything reeked of them.

  This was a private experimental forest governed by the USS Eco-Justice and a definite no-fly zone to anyone else. The belt dropped off my waist as I raced from the river and scrambled up the slippery bank, leaving splashes of water in my wake.

  My knees pushed aside several branches as I crawled under a section of dense shrubbery at the top of the ridge before tapping the com-unit on my chest. “Stay in place, Jackson.”

  I snapped the vision enhancement unit over my eyes and waited. A second later, three soft beeps signaled a hit and the visual adjusted, bringing a grounded Militia Kat shuttle into view.

  The Kats have no business here.

  Militia Kats were the business end of the Mink Kat Kingdom.

  “It’s two miles out, ma’am,” Jackson whispered over the com-unit.

  “I said, stay in place.”

  A lone Militia Kat walked upright with a large hand clamped on an RMX13. He glanced in every direction as he led a small group toward an abandoned shelter just this side of the old mine. One adult and one child - both human civilians - the young boy balancing on a man’s hip and clutching him around the neck.

  I couldn’t blame the kid. I’d be clutching someone’s neck too. Militia Kats were known to have quick tempers and hair triggers. They were deadly.

  Three shaggy dogs with various coats followed in a straight line. They were well trained but weren’t military by any means. I pressed my com button to report in.

  Nothing happened.

  “Frig.” I pushed it again.

  The small green light engaged but nothing was getting out. I ran a scan and quickly found out why. A powerful com block was engaged on the Militia Kat’s shuttle.

  That could only mean two things – they didn’t want to be found – and we were cut off.

  CHAPTER 3

  Dr. Harlan Gray stepped past the hulking fur ball, ignoring the stench of Kat as he pushed open the door. He focused on appearing calm for his son’s sake. Not an easy task when every bit of his brain matter was screaming at him to run.

  He blew out a breath and glanced around. The old house left an awful lot to be desired but at least Benjamin wouldn’t be subjected to filth. His five-year-old didn’t deserve that. The poor kid didn’t deserve any of this.

  At least we’re still together.

  Harlan forced himself to keep up as the group moved into the living room. The big Kat moved swiftly from room to room performing a skilled scan of the interior.

  “All clear.” The Militia Kat planted a thick, furry hand on Harlan’s shoulder. “Now, get to work.”

  Harlan’s body sagged from the force pressing down on him.

  “Daddy, I’m scared,” Benjamin whispered.

  “It’s okay,” Harlan told the boy as he glanced toward the hulking beast. “He’s… friendly.”

  “Here.” The big Kat lowered his laser and tossed a bag of crackers toward the two. “Give the kid some snacks.”

  Lance plopped Benjamin on the couch and the three dogs joined the child, all six eyes fixed on the crackers. Benjamin giggled and shared his treats with his furry friends.

  “Like I told King Ferocious, I’m not trained in anything remotely like this.” Harlan wiped the clammy sweat from his forehead. “I don’t have the knowledge to complete this task.”

  The big Kat clawed the back of Harlan’s collar and half-dragged him to the kitchen. “You better figure it out fast,” the Kat hissed. “Both of your lives depend on it.”

  A single, soft beep interrupted the threats.

  The monster feline blinked, pushed Harlan away, and whipped his mobile scan unit from a leather harness. “That’s not a good sign.” He grabbed his laser with the free paw and rushed to the door. As he headed out into the forest he looked over his shoulder. “You have twenty-four hours.”

  Harlan was relieved the Militia Kat was gone but his heart began to ache, again. He didn’t want his actions to end up hurting anyone, under duress or not. The reason he chose this profession was to be of help.

  Harlan peeked out the window, his eyes darting left and right, looking for any possible escape. All he saw for miles were mountains and trees, and his heart sank. If he’d make a run for it, they’d surely die in this forest. Harlan had a no outdoor skill what-so-ever. His nose was always in the books.

  Why did I blow off the survival presentations during college?

  Harlan fumed, why did he work so hard to be the top expert in his field? He’d slaved away for years to push the boundaries of science. Now, that knowledge might be the death of him.

  It might be the death of his son.

  CHAPTER 4

  I knocked the com-device out of Jackson’s hand and stomped it with my boot, breaking the equipment into several small pieces. “Are you crazy?”

  “Hey!” Jackson fell to his knees as he tried to collect the black fragments. “I was just sending a quick message to my girl. She’s really going to be mad.”

  “Not half as mad as I am…” I tried to get a lock on the cave but there was no motion. “Your stupid move probably just alerted them we’re here.”

  “It was just for a second.” Jackson frowned.

  “Get your butt up to the ship, hunker down in the safety cube, and put both hands on the max-laser.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. “Shoot anything that moves.”

  His face flushed. “But-”

  “Go.” I jerked my arm out and pointed towards our half-hidden ship. “And don’t come out until I give you the all-clear.”

  Jackson disappeared behind me as I took position. There was no movement down at the camp. Darn it. It was way too quiet. When Militia Kats got quiet, bad things were about to happen. That group was in the middle of clandestine no-good and I had no doubt they’d leave no witnesses.

  What are they up to?

  I looked over my shoulder and made sure Jackson was following orders. As I spun back around, I lost my balance and my foot slipped into the water.

  Oh crap! The fresh water supply!

  If they contaminated this water it could easily kill thousands of people.

  We’re going to need backup.

  The personal weapon nestled in my belt would blow the civilian off his feet, but wouldn’t do a bit of damage to a Militia Kat. At least Jackson was safe, as long as he stayed huddled in the one safe place we had. Not even the Kat’s RMX13 would be able to penetrate that cube. The idiot kid might even be able to get off a lucky shot off with the max-laser if he pays attention. And that was a big IF.

  Jackson would have to man-up and fend for himself. There were thousands of lives at stake. I pulled my jumpsuit’s hood up on my head and blended in with the forest.

  My recon-suit helped me stay hidden to an extent, but the Militia Kats were unmatched in camouflage. A covering of forest green cloth was no match for their centuries of breeding and skill.

  I kept my face close to the ground and scrambled a quarter mile down a ravine toward the headwater. All the streams flowed from there, down into the townships many miles below. My boots dug i
nto the soil as I camouflaged my position and readied myself for a surprise attack.

  If that Kat attempted to poison this water, one of us would pay the ultimate price.

  CHAPTER 5

  Jackson Cole gripped the max-laser and took a pot shot at a small pine for practice. “Lt. Barks would’ve flipped her lid if she’d seen that.” He chuckled as the tree disintegrated in a wisp of smoke.

  Andi Barks was always on some kind of a tangent, pushing him to do things by the book. She was only four years older but thought she was Queen of the friggin’ universe. He had to admit, the Lieutenant looked hot in that eco team uniform, though. Once he got promoted to Lieutenant, he’d consider asking her out.

  It was time to step up his game in women since he was about to turn eighteen. If he didn’t find a way to fix his relationship after this com-device disaster, he’d need a new girlfriend anyway.

  Jackson stretched his neck, checking for any movement outside. There was none – hadn’t been for over thirty minutes. He frowned as he rubbed his forehead. This was such a bogus assignment.

  “I’m not some little kid that needs to hide out and out pod,” he muttered to himself. If he could just run outside for a second and recover his shattered com-unit, he’d have it fixed by the time Lt. Barks decided to calm down.

  He released his grip on the max-laser, pressed the exit button on the hatch, and snuck out into the open air. He double checked to make sure all was quiet, raced over to the pile of advanced electronics and scooped up the pieces. The pile of debris just increased his annoyance with Lt. Barks.

  “She’s such bi-”

  Jackson only saw a brief flash of light as the Militia Kat took the ensign’s life.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Wingback Battle Plan X477.9.”

  I froze at the sound, hoping my cover hadn’t been blown. How could’ve someone gotten so close without my knowledge?

  “Wingback Battle Plan X477.9.”

  My shoulder ached, as I dug an elbow into the dirt and strained to look through the foliage behind me. There was no one there. At least no one I could see. I plastered the side of my face to the ground, staying as low as possible and listening for any vibration. Ten minutes ticked by - nothing.