Truehearts & The Escape From Pirate Moon by Jake Macklem (ebook audio reader TXT) 📕

crashed and spent four months on a deadly moon, then commandeered another pirate vessel to get home. Anyone else would have given up. Just laid down and died. But not you.”

Ace looked Diaz in the eye. “You know I don’t quit.”

“Amber Anderson learned that the hard way.” Diaz stared at Ace, inches from her face. “I have learned to live with ghosts. Verse willing, you will too. I’m used to training girls to die. You’re the first one I’ve ever had live. I finished my STAR contract eighteen years ago, but I stayed. I was never able to let go. I hope you’re stronger than I was,” Diaz finished, her eyes still boring into Ace’s.

“Lt. Commander Hart, the general will see you now,” the secretary interrupted.

Ace ignored her, still focused on Diaz. “Aye, Commander. I am stronger than you. I’m gonna leave. I’m gonna live to honor all my sisters. And—just for you—I’m gonna get me some dick.” Ace straightened her gaze and marched ahead. Turning a sharp ninety degrees, she entered the general’s office. Hussy.

The general stood and watched her enter the room. Non-plussed, Ace snapped to attention and saluted. Her superior curtly returned the salute. “At ease, Lt. Commander. Or I should say, Commander. I read your report. That’s quite the adventure you had the last few months. In fact, I remember signing KIA papers,” she said.

“I was lucky, ma’am.” Ace stared straight ahead.

“I highly doubt luck had anything to do with it. Diaz tells me you are as good as it gets. I would certainly love to hear more about it.”

Ace was not about to explain that her luck came in the form of a space cowboy named Cam. “I filed a full report, ma’am.”

“I understand.” The general pressed her com button. “Angela, send them in.”

To Ace’s surprise, the entire resident command staff filed in. It was a big office, but they still had to crowd a bit.

“Ace Hart, as commanding officer of the Strategic and Tactical Aerospace Rangers, I am proud to present you with these medals, awarded in recognition of your actions in the field.”

An attendant stepped forward with a tray of medals and ribbons. Oh shit. How long is this going to take?

One by one the general named them as she pinned them to Ace’s uniform. The Navy Cross. Intergalactic Defense Service Medal. Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Distinguished Flying Cross. Air and Space Campaign Medal. Bronze Star. Silver Star. Platinum Star of Sol. And the United Sol System Congressional Medal of Honor—the highest honor awarded to service members.

“And finally, your Commander insignia.” The general pinned on the Commander Star.

The entire staff saluted, then broke into applause. They filed by, shaking her hand and congratulating her before leaving the office. Ace was silent. Is this almost over? Just let me sign my papers.

“Now, I have to ask you this, though I am afraid Commander Diaz already warned me what the answer would be. Would you be interested in staying on as an instructor to help prepare the next generation? I can guarantee a pay raise and excellent quarters. What do you say, Commander Hart?” The general smiled.

“Shank no, ma’am,” Ace answered loudly and firmly.

Surprised at the wording, if not the answer, the general laughed and reached out to shake hands. “There is a transport ship ready to take you anywhere in the Sol system that you would like to go.” She gave one last salute in farewell and finally said, “Dismissed.”

Dazed, Ace found herself in the outer office. The secretary handed her a digital document and a stylus pen. She signed the page and the secretary said, “Thank you, Ms. Hart.”

Ace was dismissed from the Sol military.

Standing in front of the STAR wall, Ace all at once felt the sum of every emotion she had ever experienced before. Proud of her accomplishments. Grateful and resentful for the belated recognition. Happy she was leaving. Sad she was the only one. Angry the Verse took any of them. Scared to start over. Excited to see Mick. I don’t think I ever let myself believe this would really happen. I’m free.

Walking the length of the wall, she stopped in front of the section that represented her class; thirty-six small stars—one for each STAR that died—arranged in a larger five-pointed star. Ace had a star on the wall with her sisters. I hope it’s okay with you guys, cause I doubt they’ll take it off. “You all earned your death. I hope it’s… peaceful.” Stepping forward, she slowly placed her palm flat on the wall. “I will honor you.”

She crossed the tarmac to her transport and a group of soldiers ran by. A tight sensation squeezed her heart as she waited for Smith—she knew it was not going to happen. Heading up the ramp, Ace felt heavier with every step. When she reached the top, she turned and looked at what had been home for the last six years. If I ever see this place again, it’ll be too soon.

Far across the base, Diaz watched her and saluted.

Ace lifted the sling strap over her head and tossed it to the ground then snapped to attention and returned the salute. She then turned and entered the transport, never looking back.

  35: Ace

Her final days of STAR training had taken place four years ago, in northern Canada. Ace had not been to Earth since and things had not gotten any better while she was gone. Global overpopulation, a shaky food supply, rolling power outages, and unpredictable snowstorms, heatwaves, and other disruptive weather were commonplace. Humans just kept on marching to their own destruction.

Bills still needed to be paid, products needed to be made and bought, and people still needed a way to forget that their lives were doomed. That part had not changed at all.

The dying city of Portland