Hell's Jesters by K.J. Coble

Author:K.J. Coble
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space opera, star fighters, galactic civilizations, mega corporations, space battles, rebellion
Publisher: Haymore House Publishing
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

THE LOADING RAMP OF the transport opened to a battered landing field never designed to host the number of ships crowding its crumbling blastcrete space. Howling grav drives, metallic clatter of boots, shouts, and the rumbling of masses of humanity assailed Kelly’s ears as she and the other refugees unloaded. Flood lights glared from the field’s small airdrome facilities. Thick deciduous trees of an odd coloring crowded the edges of the tarmac. It was dusk and the air smelled of dew over the acrid bite of engines and electronics.

Kelly glanced about, sought in vain some kind of landmark that might give away the planet. Useless...we’re at the edges of Alliance space, if I don’t miss my guess. She felt vaguely bouncy and light. Low gravity world. Probably some Third Diaspora settlement practically off the Survey charts.

A huge hand came to rest on her shoulder and Jerry Rodann’s syrupy bass spoke at her ear. “I was beginning to wonder after you.”

With a grin she couldn’t suppress, Kelly pivoted into the Hauler’s arms, laughing. The throng of refugees parted around them, a few grumbling. After a long squeeze, she pulled back to look him in the face. “Me, too. They treat you right?”

He shrugged. “Better than what we’re used to.”

They shared another laugh at that.

“Look at all this.” Jerry turned her around and gestured at the surrounding mania. “There’s a lot more to these Jesters than I would’ve expected.”

Armored Jesters waited near the base of the ramp, directing the traffic. A similar scene played out in front of other transports. Groups divided off, some forming lines toward the row of hangars on the field’s far side, others, smaller knots, heading towards a row of parked shuttles with the Jesters’ Death Head symbol leering from their hulls. There was crying and embraces, tears and farewells. A few would-be recruits paused near a pair of the insidious Jester fighters—“Hellhounds” Kelly had heard them called—but were chased off by maintenance crews.

Kelly glanced at Jerry again, had picked up something in his tone, something that sounded like admiration. “Have they been talking to you, Jerry?”

The Hauler grinned uncomfortably. “Yeah.”

Kelly nodded and looked away to hide the melancholy she knew would show across her face. “And you’ve been listening to what they have to say.”

“They’ve said some things that make sense, Kelly.”

“Some things...” She winced away a memory of the Admiral swearing vengeance over an empty grave.

“I’d kind of hoped—” he trailed off at the look on her face. “But, no. I guess not.” He shrugged mountainous shoulders. “I understand.”

“Do you?”

“I’m trying.”

“Then tell me why you’re going with them.”

Another shrug. “I don’t have anything left.”

“What about that daughter of yours, Jerry?”

He looked wistfully into the sky. “Tina grew up without me. The only thing she probably remembers is a dad who worked too much. And what was I working on?” His expression twisted into something momentarily angry and bitter. “They blew away everything I thought I was dedicating my life to on Gallaton. They made a lie of my life’s work.

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