Countdown by John Walker (most life changing books TXT) 📕

“I get it.” McCully rolled her chair closer. “But you know, that’s how the military works. Sometimes, there are double standards. You can’t always be in the right. They didn’t drum you out, didn’t bust you or anything. Do you really think you did better for yourself by leaving? You could’ve stayed. Helped other people.”

“I kind of got selfish after that shit.” Zem smirked. “Call me cynical. I’ve only just recently found myself turning over a new leaf. When I met Rita and the others, I found a new unit. One I knew wouldn’t rat on each other… one I trusted with my life again. And I can’t tell you how good that felt.”

“Which is why you were willing to come to this place with a skeleton crew to save Rita.” McCully touched his arm. “Zem… would you consider coming back? Joining us again? Give it another shot? Under different leadership, of course.”

“No.” Zem shook his head. “Never. Why? What’s the point? I’ve got everything I want out here.”

“Rita’s not returning to this life,” McCully replied, gesturing around her. “She’s probably going to work for that MerCon lady. And your buddy Borden? I think he’ll have to go too. His time in this job’s limited anyway from what I hear. And that’s it. Your crew’s done. Broken up. I just… want you to land on your feet.”

“I always do.” Zem looked past her as Torrence entered the room. “Besides, I’ve got some plans of my own, Captain. Maybe I won’t need the military anymore for much longer.” He stood. “What’s going on? You got something to report?”

“That Biggun asshole took a nap,” Torrence said. “Nostros is watching him. Got word from Dora. She’s going comm silent until we send her the code. Which means we’re pretty much good to go for this guy. When we get a signal that he’s arrived in the system, I’ll get into position and hang out for a few hours while he flies in.”

“Sounds good,” Zem replied. “I’ll keep you company at that point.” He turned to McCully. “You mind handling our prisoner? Since I know you’d rather I not shoot him in the head after we’re done.”

“Yes,” McCully said. “I’ll take care of him. Just… think about what I said. There’s a place for you.”

“Thanks.” Zem pulled Torrence aside. “I needed a break from the generosity.”

“She trying to get you to come back?” Torrence asked. Zem nodded. “Would it be so bad?”

“Yeah. I’ve left that behind. Imagine having to break a bunch of bad habits. Again!”

“Nah, you’d be fine. Besides, I could use someone like you on my squad.”

“Oh, you think I’d report to you?” Zem chuckled. “You’re insane.”

“We worked well together on the space station.”

“That we did.” Zem nudged her. “Maybe you should retire from that shit. Come with me. We can start up a new crew. McCully thinks Borden’s on the way out but I disagree. Plus, we’ve got Hayes now. She’s solid. The four of us are a good start to getting work out in the frontier. They won’t civilize it for years yet.”

“When this war is over,” Torrence said, “we’ll be needed to keep the peace more than ever. Systems will rise up. All kinds of shit will go down. It’s important that we’re around to fight them off. To keep everyone safe. That’s why I think we’re both hitting you up to come back. Do you want to be part of the problem?”

“Because I’m a thief?”

“Pretty much, yes.”

Zem sighed. “I don’t know. I mean, we never took too much. Not enough to be a real issue at least.” He leaned against the wall. “And we’re helping a lot right now.”

“Maybe Rita’s got a place for you.”

“Working for MerCon?” Zem wrinkled his nose. “That’s bullshit. I can’t believe she’d even consider it. Unless she’s got the hots for Erris.”

“I don’t think she swings that way.” Torrence lowered her voice. “Thing is, we’re going to be doing important work. Not fighting pirates and shit. Really saving people. Keep up the swing. You’ve been doing good with us… so what? There’s always room for more, pal. And I think you know that.”

“Yo!” McCully called. “We’ve got contact! A ship just popped in through hyperspace. I’m running a scan now to confirm it’s Loch!”

“Ah,” Zem waggled his brows, “saved by the bell. We can continue that chat when we’re sitting around bored.” He moved over to the computer, waiting for the positive ID. It came a moment later. “Right on. This is it, folks. Torrence, have Nostros bring Biggun in here. McCully, you know what he’s got to do. We’ll wait until the first chat’s over.”

“Yep. I’m on it.” McCully sat at the computer. “Better hurry. If they call us, we need him here.”

“Going now!” Torrence called.

Okay, Rita. If you’re alive, we’ve got you. Zem steadied his nerves. They were still four hours away from the planet. Plenty of time to relax and prepare himself. No need to get riled up now. Just keep calm. Plenty of time for adrenaline. Right now, this is finesse. I’m glad McCully’s here. I probably wouldn’t have enough to take us through this situation.

***

Rita felt the telltale signs of leaving hyperspace. She began to pace. They likely popped in hours from the planet. Does that mean I still have time before Loch demanded to speak with me? Before the guards come to take me somewhere? The answers came down to how efficiently they ran their ship.

I can’t imagine they’re all that impressive, Rita thought. Those with some military training might know what they’re doing but they’re still saddled with civilians. Which meant slower responses, less accurate calculations, and more time to figure out what to do. I have to get to the surface to make a move.

After half an hour, she flopped on