Category: Science Fiction Publisher: Merita King
Type: Fiction
Pages: 202
Copyright: March 26th 2014
ISBN-13: 9780957052093
Sergeant Narek Jenn goes awol from the military after the woman he loves disappears.
How far would you go for love?
Sergeant Narek Jenn curses his shyness when Risa suddenly leaves without a word.
When he discovers the deceit that forced her to make this desperate decision, he vows to find her and give her the truth.
A chase across worlds, incarceration by insurgents, a crash landing, and finally, Narek is given a choice for which he knows there is but one answer.
A.W.O.L
Excerpt
Narek looked at the enormous hulk of the deep space refuelling station as it came into view. He was pleased they had made it this far and felt great pride for Esclan and his engineering skills. They could have been stuck on Kelmat 5 for ages if it were not for his expertise, and he shuddered inwardly at the thought that they could have been stranded there and never found. He had already made a special note in his training log and recommended Esclan for further engineering training. A crackle from the intercom brought him out of his musings, so he flipped the switch and waited to be hailed.
“Unidentified ship, this is Deep Space Refuelling Station Zeta 12, please identify yourself and transmit your identification signal.”
“Zeta 12, this is Sergeant Narek Jenn of the Inter-Galactic Military Force and this is military vessel LMB72. Sending our identification signal now. I have ten of my unit with me. We needed to make a hasty engine repair and request your engineering crew check it out for us. We also request a refuel and a fresh water top up.”
“We have your signal now LMB72. Come around to dock eight. You will be directed to an engineering bay. Sending you the docking beacon now.”
“I have it. Thank you Zeta 12. LMB72 out.”
Narek expertly followed the landing crew’s directions and touched the ship gently down onto a pad in the engineering bay. Several ships of all descriptions filled the area, all with panels open to reveal pipework, wiring and electronics. He hoped Esclan’s repair would not need too much of an overhaul; he wanted them to be on their way quickly to catch up with the Fa’ahlima, and hopefully reunite with Risa. As the engine settled into silence, he got up from the pilot’s seat and stretched himself before turning to his men.
“Okay guys, this isn’t a military controlled base but it is run under the guidelines of the IGMF, so we may meet soldiers from other worlds. Kaylak?” Kaylak nodded and called the men to attention before Narek opened the hatch and stepped down into the deep space refuelling station. An engineer came up and smiled.
“Chief Engineer Dopwood. How can we help?” he said, extending his hand, which Narek shook.
“Sergeant Jenn, IGMF. We took some fire and our port fuel sequencer took a hit. One of my guys patched her up pretty nicely but we’d like you to take a look at it for us. We’ve kept her down to two thirds speed and she’s behaved perfectly.”
“No problem. We’ll get some jets onto her and get her cooled down within a couple of hours, then we can take a proper look. I’ll have you hailed when I have some news for you.”
“That’s great, thanks buddy.”
“You’ll have to leave all arms in the ship I’m afraid. As this is an inter-galactic station, we have to have strict rules about it and soldiers don’t get preferential treatment. Sorry.”
“No problem at all,” Narek smiled and went back to join his unit, who were standing to attention at the side of the ship, awaiting his orders. “Okay guys relax. We have a couple of hours to kill so let’s go get our papers checked and find a meal. We all get a night off from Dodge’s cooking. We’ve got to leave all arms in the ship so unpack huh?” He approached the security guard and handed him his papers.
“Thank you Sergeant,” the guard said as he handed back Narek’s papers. “Welcome aboard Sir. Will you all be requiring rooms and meals?”
“We’re not quite sure yet,” Narek replied. “Your guys are checking the ship over now, so we won’t know for two or three hours.”
“No problem. Let us know as soon as you do and we’ll fix you up with rooms. Would you like a meal? The restaurant is serving evening meals now.”
“Yes please.”
“Okay, follow the red line until you reach the accommodation section. The restaurant is on deck four. I’ll call the desk and let him know you’re here just for meals at the moment. Enjoy your stay Sir.” It took a few minutes to have everyone’s papers checked, then Narek led them down the corridor, following the red line. After several hundred yards of corridors, the mumble of voices came to their ears, and Narek caught the end of a conversation.
“Thank you again Mr Domenico. It’s been a pleasure to meet you and thank you personally.”
“Thanks buddy, take care of yourself huh?” a deep velvet voice replied. From around the corner came two huge men that Narek immediately recognised as Lileans. He once had a good friend from the planet Lilea and had mourned his loss for ages when he was killed in a shootout on Amtrelia 5. Another, shorter but solidly built man was with them and he looked official. Narek guessed he was either military or law enforcement, but he was not in uniform so Narek plumped for law enforcement. A woman was with them, holding hands with one of the Lileans, a huge bald man, so Narek guessed they were a couple. She was beautiful and he momentarily thought of Risa as a stab of pain leapt through his heart. The woman looked up into the Lilean man’s face and smiled but her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying all night.
“I hope we find him soon Vincent,” she said as they came towards Narek and his men in the corridor.
Modern Mythology is a collection of fifteen imaginative stories having mythological themes and also possessing interesting mythological allusions and characters.
