I reached down and picked up the two biggest, heaviest wrenches I could see and was preparing to make taking me down as expensive as possible, when more shapes slipped in through the door behind the wolves. I was figuring it was a darn shame they didn’t have anything made of silver alloy in there, when a second door blew off its hinges, and the rest of Team One came thundering through.
When the wolves turned to see who’d come to join the party, I tucked one of the wrenches under my arm, and scooped up a half-dozen screwdrivers. They’d hurt like a bitch and maybe I’d get a wolf to back off while it healed. Of course, odds were all I’d achieve was one very pissed-off puppy, but, hey, anything was worth a try, right?
Right?
I think I was just damned lucky I didn’t have to find out. Team One had come with prejudice, and not even a wolf gets up from a blaster burn that wide. So much for Delight’s ‘Don’t kill anything’ request. The guys came in hard and fast, and with the sole aim of getting the rest of their people back, along with one ammo-less Dasojin HMT ship. I’d heard the term ‘off the leash’ before, but seeing it was something entirely different.
I don’t think they even gave me time to hit the floor. Or maybe they knew the stim pack had run its course and I was as useful as fossil fuel in a star drive. I just stood and stared, wrenches hanging from my hands, all too aware of the locked-up shuttle just behind me.
I didn’t even know how to feel when the last wolf fell, and a dozen weapons turned my way. I’m just thankful I remembered to drop my wrenches and raise my hands. Delight’s crew weren’t known for their restraint.
I was still holding my hands over my head when the teleport silver faded from around me.
“Pretty sure, you can take a break, Cutter,” Tens’ voice greeted me from behind one of the consoles of the Wanderer’s teleportation centre, and I lowered my hands, took a breath, and said the first thing that came into my head.
“I’ll be in the san. Mack knows where it is.”
The minute the words were out of my mouth, I felt my face blush hot. Tens sniggered.
“Oh, sure—and is that invitation open to anybody, or just Mack?”
I didn’t dignify that with an answer, as I stalked towards the door.
Abby’s treatments aside, I don’t think I’d lost any of the horrors populating my nightmares, but I sure as shit had added another one. And it was big and hairy and my, oh my, what big teeth it had…
I shivered, palming the door open with one hand and resisting the urge to wrap my arms tight across my chest. The next few nights were going to be rough… No pun intended.
Behind me, came the gleam of another incoming teleport, but I ignored it as the door opened in front of me.
“Cutter!” Mack’s voice rang out, just as I hit the hall.
I flipped him off and tweaked the door closed behind me.
He knew damned well where I’d be—and he’d better not try following.
We’d saved the ships, fulfilled the contracts, kept his crew safe, and even managed to make Odyssey happy. What more could the bloody man want? Which, of course, was when the post-enhancement crash hit, and my world wavered, and my knees gave way.
Mack caught me before I hit the floor, tucking my arm across his shoulders.
“Come on, girl.” He slid into my head as he lifted me off the floor. “I hear we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
Sure, Mack, I thought, closing my eyes and starting to drift. Catching up. Later. Maybe…
Somewhere in the distance, I heard him sigh, thought he spoke.
“You’re not getting out of it, that way. I’m still going to be here when you wake up.”
Yeah, Mack. Sure. Whatever you say.
But I was happy, and I couldn’t work out why.
Author’s Notes
It’s early December as I write this, and I’m working to make sure this book is up and available for pre-order. Summer has well and truly come to Australia, but the weather seems to be very confused with today being very hot before giving way to storms, and tomorrow returning to autumn/winter temperatures.
I’m staying indoors…which is a good thing, as I have a full day of writing scheduled. I’m excited to be working on a new science fiction series even as I get this one ready for market. The Lunar Wolves grew out several short stories I wrote a while back, but this is the first time they’ve had a novel…and now a series. I’m looking forward to introducing them to you.
Thank you for reading this far, and for coming with me on this journey. I truly appreciate your company.
If you want to see more of me, you can find more news of my work, or follow me as I create more stories at any one of the following locations:
Blogspot: http://cmsimpson.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMSimpsonWriter/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/cmsimpsonauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simpsoncolleen1
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCjOK2SvOHoT_ru9rlnlVS-g
Linked In: https://au.linkedin.com/public-profile/in/c-m-simpson-8279344a
The cover art for this book was created by Moonchild Lilja and you can find her work at fantasybookdesign.com
Other Work by C.M. Simpson
The Magic Beneath Paris (with Michael Anderle)
#1 Trading into Shadow
#2 Trading into Darkness
#3 Trading Close to Light
#4 Trading by Firelight
#5 Trading by Shroomlight
#6 Trading into Daylight
#7 Trading into Stormlight
#8 Trading to the Deeps
Mack ‘n’ Me ‘n’ Odyssey
#1 Mack ‘n’ Me: Origins
#2 Mack ‘n’ Me: Blaedergil’s Host
#3 Mack ‘n’ Me: Arach
#4 Mack ‘n’ Me: The Transporter’s Favor
#5 Mack ‘n’ Me: The Wolves of Alpha 9
#6 Mack ‘n’ Me: Diplomacy 101
C.M.’s Collections
#1 365 Days of Flash Fiction
#2 365 Days of Poetry
#3 A Collection of Dragons
#4 Tales of Mack ‘n’ Me
I also have work in the following publications:
The Expanding Universe: Volume 4
Dragonscales Anthology: Volume 2
About C.M. Simpson
Born in Far North Queensland, I ended up being dragged over most
