LENGTH: Epic Novel
SENSUALITY: Spicy

Cover art (c) Jenny Dixon 2004
ISBN 1-58608-396-1
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Sensuality: SPICY

HAWK’S REDEMPTION

By

Kathleen Garnsey

© copyright March 2004, Kathleen Sue Garnsey
Cover art by Jenny Dixon, © copyright March 2004
New Concepts Publishing
5202 Humphreys Rd.
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com

Prologue

Planet Andor—2145

"Arrest him!"

Hawk struggled to open his eyes as angry voices penetrated his groggy mind. He blinked several times, forcing himself to focus. Two men pulled him from the bed, jerking him to his feet, his shaky legs barely holding his weight.

"You’re under arrest for murder and treason."

Pain shot up his arm when the guard on his right tightened his grip, wrenching his wrist behind him, taking something from his sticky hand. Hawk’s vision began to clear. Why was the color red all he could see? He glanced down at his naked body not recognizing the red skin as his. Blood. He was covered in blood! His commanding officer, Redmon, pulled back the covers revealing Lissa’s pale, naked, bloody body lying on sheets soaked with her blood. Red, everything was red.

Hawk shook his head. He vaguely remembered entering Lissa’s quarters. He’d been assigned to find the traitor who was selling military secrets. Lissa called and said she had information for him if the price was right.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Redmon stepped around the bed.

"I don’t know what happened. Lissa said she had information for me. I came last night and.…"

"You killed her."

Hawk turned toward the accusing man. "No." He recognized the tall, thin man as The Enforcer, the man who would take him to court and order his death for the crime. Crime? Had he committed murder? Lissa was not dead by accident. Someone killed her.

"Sir, I found this in the pocket of his pants."

Redmon took the paper from the guard’s hand and read. "This is proof of treason all right." He handed the paper to The Enforcer. "Take Hawk to the holding cell."

A guard wrenched Hawk’s hands behind his back and slapped restraining devices on his wrists. With a man on each arm, and one pushing at his back, he was dragged from Lissa’s quarters, down the hall toward the lift. He tried to comprehend what was happening, but everything blurred. The lift doors opened and he was shoved to the back, his head hitting the hard metal wall.

Hawk felt fingers of darkness close around him. He shivered when the door opened and he was pulled from the protection of the building into the semi-darkness of early morning. Time had no meaning, neither did his naked state. Few people were on the streets to observe his humiliation. A hovercraft arrived and he was shoved into the cage in the back. He’d seen other people in "the box" as they called it, but it was worse than it looked. His knees were against his chin, his head and neck bent as the guards crammed him into a space too small for any man.

The ride to the cell turned into the longest of his life. Uniformed men waited outside the drab, windowless cement building. Hawk took a deep breath and wondered if it might be his last. Prisoners often did not live to see their trial date, especially traitors. Relief spread through him when he was pulled from the cage, but fists pounded his ribs from the back when he tried to stand. He doubled over, gasping for breath. Restraints were placed around his ankles and he was dragged inside.

Someone hit his head with a club. A warm trickle ran down his forehead and stung his right eye, but he was beyond pain. Never had he been so helpless. As The Hawk he was a member of the Elite Operatives, Andor’s most feared warriors. He’d served his planet with honor, earning the highest commendations -- now he was a criminal. Something did not add up, or did it? The whole situation smacked of a set-up, and a damned good one.

The grating sound of a metal door sliding open awakened a fear every operative kept buried -- the fear of being caught. He just never dreamed it would be on his home soil. The guards shoved him and he hit the cold, hard floor, the restraints making it impossible to break his fall. The door closed along with his freedom. Animals were treated better than prisoners. He rolled to his side and studied his surroundings. Nothing but impenetrable metal and concrete greeted him. There was no way out, and the thought terrified him.

* * * *

Hours had passed and no one had been around to check on him. The whole situation was strange. Interrogation usually commenced immediately, along with torture if the prisoner failed to spill his guts. Something was really odd about this entire situation, but he could not put his finger on what bothered him most.

The door slid open and Redmon stepped inside. He bent down and removed Hawk’s restraints. "Get up."

"So they sent you to torture me." Hawk eyed his superior and thought of the friendship they shared. Duty erased all ties, he knew that as well as Redmon.

"Explain what happened. I want to help you."

"If I could, I would."

Redmon handed Hawk a flight suit.

"Thanks," he mumbled, putting on the garment. Hawk pulled the zipper up, grateful he no longer had to see Lissa’s blood. He studied Redmon’s strange expression, not sure if his friend was angry or confused. "No torture tools?"

"I came to help." Redmon removed something from his pocket. "Look."

Hawk took the palm-viewer from Redmon and watched the small screen in horror. The man stabbing Lissa was him! As impossible as it seemed, he saw himself murdering a woman. He repeatedly plunged the knife into her chest, blood splattering everywhere, her screams echoing through the cell -- screams he would never forget. All he could do was shake his head. This could not be true.

"We’ve been together a long time, Hawk. I want to help, but I need to know what happened." Redmon scratched his head. "You must have had a good reason for killing her."

"I have no memory of last night." Hawk shut the lid and handed the viewer to Redmon. "Nothing."

"You’re to be tried this afternoon, but you know as well as I do what the verdict will be."

"Death."

"Not if I can help it." Redmon glanced out the small view-port in the door. "Follow me."

Hawk would follow Redmon anywhere as long as it was out of detention. His body felt heavy and weak, but he willed his legs to move. Hawk’s bare feet made no sound on the hard floor, unlike Redmon’s military boots. His head throbbed and his vision blurred, but he kept pace. Why was Redmon risking his career, maybe even his life to save him? If they were on a mission Redmon’s actions would be normal operating procedure, but this was a forbidden act, totally out of character for a superior officer.

When they reached the side door Redmon stopped. "There’s a fully equipped Z-9 behind the building. I installed a special com unit so your communications can’t be traced. Only I can contact you. Once you’re out of Andor air space you’ll be able to contact other ships, but our ships can’t break the code."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Let’s just say you’ll owe me."

"Thanks, my friend. I’ll never be able to repay you."

"You’ll repay me. Now, go. And don’t get caught. If you do, we’ll both hang."

Hawk checked for guards then slipped out the door. He ran for the one-man fighter craft, his heart racing faster than his feet. He met no resistance. Guards should be everywhere, they always were. How had Redmon arranged this? All that mattered was getting off the planet. He would have plenty of time to sort out the last twenty-four hours in the safety of space.

The sun sank in the north casting eerie shadows across the red desert landscape of Andor. He prayed never to see the color red again.

Chapter One

Space—2150

"I don’t like it, Boss."

Hawk smiled at Jester. "We’ve been through a lot these past five years."

"I still don’t like it. I’m not a fish!"

"Neither am I, but we have a job to do." Hawk ran his fingers through hair that had grown past his shoulders. Haircuts for pirates were few and far between. "Redmon insisted we take over the security on SEA Lab immediately and.…"

"I know, you owe him," Jester pressed buttons on the control panel, "but when will your debt be paid?"

"This assignment should do it. At least Redmon paid us well." Jester looked at him skeptically, toying with the collar of his bright purple and pink shirt. "You don’t believe me?"

"I want to, Boss, I really do. But that man has a hold on your soul. And don’t you think it’s strange he’s paying us when we usually work for nothing when he calls?"

Hawk knew Jester was right. Redmon said he would owe him, and he had made good on that statement often — too often. "Of course I think it’s strange. Nothing concerning Redmon has been normal since the day he helped me escape."

"There is no such thing as normal Boss, but I’ve finally found the real definition of ‘normal’."

"And what might that be?"

"Society’s perception of acceptability."

"Then you, my friend, will never be normal."

"I’m in good company then."

Hawk grinned. "I’m glad you hold me in such high esteem."

"Normal is boring anyway. You have to do the manners thing, and the etiquette thing. No, normal will never work for me. And speaking of normal, living in a fish tank isn’t normal either."

"You can live anywhere for six months."

"Six months under water is a lifetime!"

He laughed at Jester’s imitation of a fish. If it had not been for Jester’s unabashed humor he would have gone insane long ago. He had met Jester on DM-12, an out of the way space station he pulled into for repairs hours after his escape from Andor. Jester had hid him on his ship when Elite Operatives arrived and started asking questions about The Hawk. He left on Jester’s wreck of a ship and they had been together ever since.

It had not taken long before Jester insisted he become captain of the motley crew because of his experience and training. Jester was capable in all areas, but he hated giving orders, which was why he had so willingly given up a position he never wanted. He said the only reason he was captain was because the ship belonged to him. Everyone said Jester was insane when he gave his ship to him, but he said that was what he wanted.

It only took him a year to turn the collection of misfits into a precision team. The crew was by no means conventional, but they were good, and he trusted them with his life. The jobs they took paid well, and their reputation had become well known across the galaxy. "This job will be far easier than ending that nasty war on Metra three years ago."

"At least we were on land." Jester leaned back in his chair. "Did you know that Neptus is 99.99 per cent water?"

"I know. We all came from there, remember?"

"How could I forget. I was only a kid when the floods came. Who would have thought the rains could last eight annual-cycles because of some freak atmospheric condition?" Jester scratched his head. "Nor could I believe my parents would chose Spectra, the religions planet. Need I tell you the story of how I was asked to leave?"

"I’ve heard it before -- six different versions I might add."

Jester grinned. "One of them must be true."

"What do you make of Redmon’s request?"

"I don’t trust him, but you know that." Jester rubbed his chin. "The SEA Lab project is threefold. Estra is looking for a cure for Genesis Disorder, the debilitating brain disease that’s turning their people into vegetables. Spectra is looking for lost religious artifacts, and Andor needs to cultivate a new source for food due to the abominable desert climate. Now why don’t I believe Andor’s intentions?"

Hawk groaned. "Because the military rules Andor and they’re capable of annihilating any planet within twenty light years. They’ve always taken what they wanted, never working cooperatively with anyone."

"Precisely."

"It’s highly unusual for Andor to participate in a tri-planet project. They’re up to something, and I intend to find out what it is."

"I’m worried, Boss." Jester stood and walked toward his friend. "Someone could recognize you. There’s a mighty high price on your head."

"They won’t as long as you don’t call me Hawk."

"I always call you Boss."

"Just remember if anyone asks, my name is Bryce Saxon."

"Well it is your birth name, even if it was erased from CAM. Bryce Saxon, Chief of Security, but to me you’ll always be The Hawk, the most feared man in the galaxy, the man people hire when the job requires the best warrior, the keenest mind, and.…"

"Enough." He wasn’t in the mood to be teased. Jester was by far the most intelligent man he knew, even if he refused to show it. The man was a virtual genius when it came to electronics, toys as he called them. "I don’t give a damn about Andor’s false pretenses, or Spectra’s desire to recover artifacts. It’s Estra that needs help, and from what I understand, Genesis Disorder could spread to other planets. I can’t imagine losing my mind like that."

"Oh, Boss, you lost you mind a long time ago."

"You might be right, but it could get worse, and neither of us are ready for that." Hawk stepped toward the door.

"Is it Estra you want to help, or Andor you want to destroy?"

Hawk cringed. He would love to destroy Andor for what they had done to him. There was a time he supported everything the military did, but he realized just how evil they had become since his departure. They created wars on other planets so they could step in as saviors and demand exorbitant recompense for their help. What a scam. "Estra is a very scientific planet. If anyone can find a cure for Genesis Disorder they can. I hate to think what will happen if they don’t."

"I know, I know. It’s just that the crew is dying to test their abilities against Andor’s best."

"Dying?" Hawk groaned. "Poor choice of words. Still, it’s not a feasible plan. There are only nine of us." Hawk stepped into the hall. "One day we’ll find a way to beat them at their own game."

"Are you sure we couldn’t give it a shot before we grow scales and fins?"

"Just set course and wake me when we arrive."

* * * *

Hawk took his seat behind the desk in his office on level four in the giant underwater pyramid. He wasn’t sure if it was the close quarters and confinement that made him uneasy or Jester’s suggestion they’d turn into fish. He rubbed his temples to ease the throbbing.

"Boss? What’s wrong?"

Jester’s voice sounded worried. His friend may joke most of the time, but he had a serious side most men never saw. He felt one of Jester’s lectures coming on, which would not help his headache one bit. "Nothing."

"Yeah, and I’m the best looking guy in the galaxy with hordes of women following me everywhere. Now spill it before I sing you a song."

He’d do anything to keep Jester from singing. "For a project that demands tight security the set-up here stinks."

"I agree. Isn’t that why we brought all my toys?"

"Yes, but I haven’t decided where they’re needed. We’ve only been here a few days."

"So that’s what’s bothering you. In three days you haven’t separated the good guys from the bad guys." Jester laughed. "You’re losing your touch, Boss. Must be the water pressure."

"Right." They were not that deep, it just felt like it. SEA Lab was no different than underground cities he had visited. The only difference being a means of escape.

"I don’t like The Redemption so far away."

"Your ship will be fine." Hawk suppressed a smile. "The crew will be back in Neptus air space when they get bored with the women on Terra."

"Sure wish I could have gone with them, but somebody has to look after you, Boss."

"I told you to go." Jester scowled at him. The depth of Jester’s loyalty always comforted him.

"The women will wait." Jester fidgeted in the chair then flung one leg over the upholstered arm. "What’s with the new researcher arriving?"

"Estra is sending Rolph Kubin. He’s a Delphin expert. The Estran scientists think the Delphins may be the key to a cure so they want the best here to work with them."

"I don’t like fish, but I do like those Delphins. Did you know their ancestors were brought to Neptus from planet Earth? They were called dolphins there. When they arrived they were mated with our Deltins, hence Delphins. In the crossbreeding process, their intelligence level rose significantly. I think they’re probably smarter than most people I know."

"I don’t know much about them, but you won’t get an argument out of me on that subject." Hawk studied the stack of files in front of him on the desk.

"Why aren’t there any women here, Boss?"

"There were, but for some reason when the crew exchange took place all replacements were men."

"Just my luck. I hate sharing quarters with Cook. He’s big, ugly, and he snores!"

"We agreed we could learn more if we took separate quarters. I only hope Rolf is a congenial guy since the only available bunk is in my room."

"You stand to learn more from a researcher than I will from a cook named Cook. I don’t mean to complain, but this guy is off his perch to choose a name like that."

Hawk glanced at the clock on the wall. "Rolf will be here in a couple of hours and I want to finish going over the personnel files. Redmon sent us here to find out who stole those Gwadra coins that the Spectran archeologists recovered. We need to narrow our suspects."

"Yeah, maybe we can cut the field to two-hundred out of the three-hundred here."

"Look at it this way -- the sooner we do our job, the sooner we get out of here."

"I like the sound of that. Let’s get to work."

Hawk wondered for the thousandth time why Jester hid his brilliant mind behind gaudy clothes and silly jokes. When Jester was ready, he would confide his secret. As if the past five years had not offered the right opportunity. Of course, no one rushed Jester. He operated in "Jester Time". Hawk shoved a stack of files toward his friend. "You read those and I’ll take these."

"Are we looking for the usual stuff?"

Hawk nodded. "Pay special attention to the money trail. Because of security everyone’s background was carefully checked, including their financial status. Right now greed is all we have to go on."

"Gotcha, Boss."

* * * *

Kylie Beryl took a deep breath as the door to her superior’s office whooshed open. She walked toward his desk, wondering why she had been summoned. Her work with the Delphins was progressing well. She loved working with the sleek mammals. In fact, she had grown extremely fond of them, which did not say much for her social life if Delphins were her best friends. Delphins responded to her without caring who, or what she was, and that was the blessing.

"Kylie," Roloc greeted. "Please, have a seat."

She made herself as comfortable as possible, considering her mind was back on the island. With Rolf going to Neptus she had been put in charge of the research project, and she was determined to make the most of her promotion.

"As you know, Researcher Kubin was to leave this morning, however, I have some bad news." Roloc leaned back in his chair. "He didn’t pass his physical. His blood test confirmed he’s been infected with Genesis Disorder."

Kylie wanted to scream. Only yesterday she had learned of her parents’ infection. It seemed everyone was falling victim to the deadly disease. Her hands began to shake.

"In view of this development, I want you to go in his place. I know it’s short notice. Your physical is set one hour from now, and your transportation is ready."

"I’m honored, sir, but I cannot possibly leave Estra. My parents will need my help. I can’t be separated from them for such an extended period of time. And my work with the Delphins is at a critical point."

"This is not a request, Researcher, it is an order." Roloc rubbed his chin. "I’ve known you and your family a long time. I understand your dilemma, but hear me out."

Kylie’s hands tightened on the arms of the chair. "I’m sorry, sir. Please continue."

"Professor Winn is working day and night on a cure for Genesis Disorder on Neptus. His work on SEA Lab dictates the need for the best Delphin Researcher we have, and that’s you. You’re even more qualified than Researcher Kubin because of your special ability to mind-link with the mammals. Because you suspected your parents illness, I decided to send Kubin, but as you can see, I’m left with no choice."

Roloc stood, walked around the desk and perched on the edge facing Kylie. "You can help your parents more by going to SEA Lab. Nyles Logan is the current Researcher Five in charge of the Delphin project. I don’t trust him, and from what Professor Winn reports, neither do the Delphins. You know how perceptive Delphins are, you’ve worked with them exclusively for the past six years. Without their cooperation, the project is at a standstill."

"I see." She leaned forward.

"I don’t think you do. I need more than a Delphin Researcher. I need someone I trust to insure Winn’s success. Papers have been stolen, which tells me someone is working against us. Your work with the Delphins is important, but I want your first priority to be the project itself."

"You mean you need a spy?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. However, I prefer to think of you as an agent who keeps everyone honest." Roloc closed the folder in front of him. "Your parents’ diagnosis was just confirmed, so they have several weeks before their minds show any signs of deterioration. I know this is hard for you, but without a cure you know the outcome they’ll face. If you go to Neptus and help Winn find a cure, they might be spared their unfortunate fate."

"I understand." Kylie took a deep breath. She had no choice in the matter. Roloc’s orders must be followed. It would be painful to leave her parents, but saving their lives was more crucial than her presence.

Roloc took her hand. "I’ve known you since you were a child, and I wouldn’t ask this of you unless.…"

"No need to explain." She watched her longtime friend and Commandant sigh in relief. He’d been like the grandfather she’d never had. She would go to the ends of the universe for him and he knew it.

"I want you to observe Nyles and his crew. I feel he’s working against us, and I need you to uncover his scheme, whatever it is. It won’t be easy. Nyles is a difficult man. He has a reputation with the ladies. I’m sending you as a Class Two Researcher. No one is to know you’re a Class Five."

"You’re not suggesting I get close to him?"

Roloc smiled. "Not in a romantic way, I’d never suggest that, but I do want you to gain his confidence and trust. Watch and listen, that’s all. And work with the Delphins. I simply want you to be aware of the situation since Nyles will be your superior officer. Don’t worry if he threatens your position, you ultimately answer to me, the same as he does." He pulled a file from the desk. "Study this, but leave it on the ship when you arrive."

She glanced inside and found the complete history of SEA Lab and a brief rundown of every man stationed there. Her eyes widened and she swallowed hard. "According to this I’ll be the only woman."

"For a short time. There will soon be another routine rotation bringing several women to join the crew, but yes, for now you will be the only female." Roloc returned to his seat behind the desk. "There are many Researchers capable of working with the Delphins, but none I have as much confidence in as I do you. Consider Estra’s security you first priority. We cannot fail in this, because if we do," Roloc hung his head, "Estra will be destroyed." He looked up and continued, "Spectra, Estra and Andor are there for their own reasons. We’ve never gotten along with Andor and their staunch military ways, or Spectra, they’re too involved with religion, and as scientists, well.…"

Kylie grinned. "So tell me, why did we get involved in a tri-planet venture?"

"In the beginning we were only participating to research the effects the flood had on the sea life. As a community of scientists, it was tempting to learn how salt water inhabitants adapted when fresh water diluted the seawater, so it didn’t take much for them to persuade us. Of course, they needed our credits. The project was too costly for one planet to undertake, so we decided to set our differences aside and work together for the good of all. It’s a good thing we did, because the answer to our problems may lie on Neptus."

"Have they found the source of the disease yet?"

Roloc shook his head. "Our efforts in creating a cure would be much easier if we had."

"I was hoping that after all this time they had at least pinpointed the source."

"There are two teams working on it, one here and one on SEA Lab. We all pray it’s soon."

"You mentioned papers being stolen -- who is in charge of security?"

"Spectra, Estra and Andor take turns providing security. We provided the first crew, Spectra the second, but Andor just took the rotation."

"When did the problems start?"

"Day one, and they’ve continued, so it’s impossible to know who to blame. All we can do is stop them. We thought if we rotated responsibility every six months we could keep everyone honest. What a mistake. If I had my way, I’d hire The Hawk."

"You can’t be serious! You’d hire a ruthless killer? A mercenary wanted for execution on Andor? He has a price on his head greater than the entire treasury of all three planets combined!" Kylie stood and began to pace.

"But he gets the job done, and he claims no allegiance to any planet. And for that reason, I’d hire him in an Estran minute. He may be a lot of things, but he’s effective."

"Who did Andor send?"

"The Chief of Security is a man named Bryce Saxon. I hear he’s good, but right now, I don’t trust anyone, especially a man from Andor. However, he’s only begun his rotation, so it remains to be seen how good he is."

"How much authority does Saxon have?"

"He is the law on SEA Lab, which is why I want you to work with him as closely as possible." Roloc stood, walked to Kylie and placed his hands on her shoulders to stop her pacing. Study the reports I gave you. Memorize the layout of SEA Lab, it’s a difficult facility to become familiar with. Each successive deck gets larger because of the pyramid shape, but they all look alike."

"Anything else?"

"Be careful, Kylie. Being the only woman could put you in a compromising situation."

"That’s not a problem. You know I’m forbidden to form relationships with men because of my genetics."

Roloc grinned. "My dear, just because you’re forbidden to life-mate doesn’t mean men won’t find you attractive."

"I assure you, there’s nothing to worry about."

"It’s not you I’m worried about. Men confined in an underwater facility can begin to act strange and do things they might not normally do."

"Then I’ll let the Chief of Security take care of the problem." Kylie laughed to herself. The men on Estra never even gave her a second look. She did not expect it to be any different on SEA Lab. Even men from other planets considered the offspring of Estran scientists taboo. It was a known fact how Estran scientists experimented on themselves altering genetics, creating offspring that were considered freaks. Even Estran law forbid the children of scientists to mate, but she’d had twenty-six annual-cycles to adjust to that fact. No, she’d have no problems.

"Go say your farewells to your family. The sooner you get to Neptus, the sooner we’ll find a cure."

* * * *

Hawk ran his fingers through his hair. The coins had been missing for two weeks and he still had no clue about who was behind the theft. It was not like people had the opportunity to leave at will. The only good news was that no one recognized him. He was not used to being called by his real name. The Hawk was the operative name he had chosen when his real identity was erased from Confidentially Accessed Material, commonly referred to as CAM by those who knew of its existence.

"Boss, I’ve done some research on those missing Gwadra coins. They’re twentieth century, valued at 2.5 million credits each, which puts the theft at.…"

"I can add, Jester. Who took them?"

"Someone from Spectra, Estra, or Andor."

Hawk grinned. "Thanks for narrowing it down to three planets." There were times Jester’s odd sense of humor could drive him up the wall.

"No problem, Boss." Jester glanced at his wrist. "You know that Researcher will be arriving in a few minutes. What me to pick him up?"

"I need a break. I’ll do it myself." Hawk stood and stretched his arms over his head, then bent to touch the floor. "This place is getting to me."

"Me too. Men weren’t meant to live like fish."

"I agree. I’ll be glad to get back into space."

"Even The Redemption isn’t as confining as SEA Lab."

"My ship has never been confining. It’s the only place I have real freedom." Hawk stepped toward the door.

"You know, Boss, we’ve seen a lot of action together, but this is the first time we’ve been stuck underwater. I don’t like it. I’ve been studying the probabilities of a leak. The percentages bother me." Jester turned to face his friend. "There is a .00032 per-cent chance of a wall cracking. I don’t like those odds."

"There’s a fifty-fifty chance my true identity will be discovered. Try those odds."

"According to my calculations.…"

"Save it. I’m going to meet Researcher Kubin. Try and stay out of trouble while I’m gone." Jester was still muttering facts and figures to himself as the door slid closed. It was no wonder everyone who met Jester thought him the fool. He spouted facts and fiction all in the same breath, asking himself questions and answering them as well. Of course, Jester would not be effective if people knew he was a pure genius masquerading as a simpleton.

Hawk bypassed the lift and ran the three flights of stairs to the observation deck. Running the stairs was the only exercise he’d gotten lately. At least the designers of SEA Lab planned ample escape methods should the need arise. Each level had connecting lifts, a flight of stairs, and an emergency slide pole, and he hoped he never learned why all three were necessary.

A moment alone before meeting Rolf Kubin was exactly what he needed. Since his arrival he had investigated stolen artifacts and lost papers, asked thousands of questions, and found answers to none. Not a very good start. Redmon sent him to get things under control and he was far from that accomplishment.

He stepped onto the observation deck with the same sense of awe he had the very first time he’d seen it. Beams of light from the surface penetrated the depths of the Agor Sea, glistening off brightly colored fish that swam by the clear walls in large schools. Here, he did feel like one of the fish, completely surrounded by quiet water. This was the only window in SEA Lab, but it didn’t seem like a window at all, more like an air pocket in the ocean. Jester had done numerous calculations on what it would take to crack the clear walls of the pyramid peak where he stood. He didn’t care, it was one of the few places he could relax.

As a warrior he hated being trapped by water. Redmon promised this would be his last obligation, and he meant to hold him to it. The only reason he appeased Redmon was to clear his name. Whether he helped his former commanding officer or not, he could not be in any more trouble. Why he thought Redmon could help clear him he wasn’t sure. He still did not understand why the man had helped him escape. Obviously Redmon wanted a man not connected to Andor he could count on to complete assignments outside the law. His days of doing Redmon’s bidding were over the minute he found dry land.

He had evaded capture for over five years with the help of Jester and his other loyal crew. They had made a fortune as mercenaries, solving problems no one else would touch, but it could all come to an end, here in the depths of the Agor Sea. His instructions to Beggar, his first mate, were to take the men on a well-earned leave. His men deserved some time off, yet he could never escape this watery prison if his enemies discovered his presence. For some reason the thought of ending this endless game of hide and seek held merit. It was the punishment he was unable to come to terms with ... death.

For a wanted criminal he led a comfortable lifestyle. The Redemption was the finest ship credits could buy, fully equipped with the latest technology, conveniences and weapons. Considering its size, The Redemption was fast, which had served them well on many occasions. But nothing replaced freedom. Sure, he roamed the galaxy doing everyone’s dirty work, but it wasn’t the same as being able to walk into a legitimate business and shop for himself, or share drinks with friends in a reputable tavern, not to mention the one thing he wanted most -- to settle down somewhere, with a woman he could love and have children. It was a foolish dream, but the desire to be normal left an ache in his heart.

A Delphin swam by and two more followed. He admired their grace, their speed, and their freedom. They displayed concern for the family unit, a trait he had little experience with. Schools of fish skittered one way, then abruptly turned in another as if they detected an unknown enemy lying in wait. Hawk checked his wrist piece for the time. Rolf should have been here by now. All he could do was watch for the sub-shuttle.

More sea creatures casually swam by in their peaceful, quiet world. Suddenly an object plunged past the clear walls of the observation deck. Hawk strained to see through the mass of bubbles that enshrouded the object. Whatever it was he had to check it out. It could be a spy vessel, the first break in his investigation. With the luck he’d been having, it was probably space debris. Or worse, and explosive device that would turn SEA Lab into fish food. He pulled the palm-com from his pocket. "Jester, come to the ready room on level two immediately."

Hawk used the emergency slide pole to the deck below and ran to the ready room. He stripped off his clothes, pulled on a dive suit and reached for one of the clear helmets from the rack on the wall.

"Boss, what’s going on?" Jester blurted, trying to catch his breath.

"Gear up. Either Rolf Kubin crashed, or we have a spy on our hands."

"Are you sure?"

"I saw a one man pod sink to the bottom." Hawk heard his palm-com squawking from the pocket of his pants on the floor. He picked it up and listened to an excited voice. "Calm down and repeat."

"We’re up here with the sub waiting for the new arrival. The pod approached but didn’t land on the pad, it crashed into the sea. What should we do?"

"Take the sub down to the site and wait, Jester and I are gearing up. I’ll contact you with further instructions. Out." He attached his helmet and tucked another under his arm then removed a spear gun from the rack. If it was a spy, he hoped there would be a survivor to interrogate. "Jester, grab two hand-jets." Hawk jumped into the exit pool and waited for Jester to hand him the small unit that would propel him to the bottom of the sea.

The currents seemed stronger than usual which slowed their speed, but he kept his course set in the direction where he had last seen the pod. He was not sure if he wanted to find Rolf Kubin or something else that would solve the mystery of the deep and get him back on dry land. Neptus made the hot, dry deserts of Andor seem inviting. "There," Hawk said, pointing straight ahead.

"I see it, Boss."

The bottom was murky, sand still settling about the wrecked craft. Fifty more feet to the left and it would have fallen into the bottomless crevice the scientists were studying. They had yet to determine its depth, and he had no intention of being the person to do it. He turned off the hand-jet and glided the last few feet, trying not to stir up any more silt. "It must be Rolf, there’s the Estran seal on the door." He glanced at Jester. "Are you all right?"

"I’m not a fish! I can’t breathe."

"Calm down. Breathing in this helmet is no different than the space suits you’ve worn. You’re fine." He put Jester’s gloved hands on the hatch wheel. "Stay put, I’ll be right back." Jester looked pale and scared, but he was a trooper. Hawk swam to the front and inspected the cockpit windshield. As he suspected, the outer shield was shattered and a large crack was visible on the inner glass panel. A smoky haze filled the cabin causing poor visibility, but he saw the outline of a body slumped over the console, and so far, the interior appeared dry. With a few hard kicks of his flippers he was back beside Jester, who had not moved a muscle since he left. Jester nodded and removed his hands from the hatch. Hawk ripped a long string of kelp from the wheel then grasped it with both hands. "Jester, please tell me this model pod has a double door entry."

"It’s a model RS-24, manufactured by...."

"Yes or no!"

"Yes."

Hawk used every ounce of strength to budge the wheel, but it only moved an inch. He took a deep breath and tried again, pleased when it moved a foot more. Rolf was lucky he had not been in one of the newer models with a single hatch or the man would drown before he could reach him.

"There probably isn’t room for both of us between the two hatches. In fact, I’m not sure your helmet will fit," Jester said, grabbing the other side of the wheel.

"That’s why you’re going to wait here for me."

"It could be dangerous in there. What if it’s not Rolf, but…."

"Rolf is unconscious in an Estran pod. We were expecting him, so I don’t think it’s a spy. Even if he were the enemy I’m more than capable of taking care of myself, remember?"

"You’re the best, I know that, it’s just...."

"Quit worrying and turn." Together they managed to overcome the tremendous pressure the water exerted and pulled the hatch open. Murky green seawater filled the small space so fast he wondered if it had ever been dry. Hawk picked up the spare helmet from the sandy bottom and squeezed his large body into the cramped space.

"What about the weapon?"

"You might need it to shoot a sharkus. I’ll be fine." Jester closed the door from the outside and he heard the lock click into place.

The second wheel turned a bit easier, but he dropped the helmet in the process. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for a rough entry. The interior hatch swung open and the immediate gush of water took him with it and he landed face down on the metal floor. He removed the helmet and shook his head. At least the clear plastic sphere had not cracked, but he felt as if every tooth in his head had.

"Are you all right?"

Jester’s voice echoed in sphere on the floor. "Fine," he yelled, rising to his feet. He turned toward the cockpit. His jaw dropped and his heart nearly stopped at the sight before him.