Ajax: Relinquished Read online

  Contents

  Legal

  Foreword

  Chapter 0

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Legal

  Ajax: Relinquished

  A Konar City Story

  By Gavin Magson

  Copyright © Gavin Magson 2015

  Note:

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Books by the same author

  Konar City Stories

  Ajax: Rebirth (May 2015)

  Ajax: Relinquished (October 2015)

  Fire and Steel (TBA 2018)

  Foreword

  Unlike last time I am going to keep this foreword short and sweet. Please, no snoring.

  Ajax: Relinquished concludes the original first book, written way back in 2012, and is vastly changed from what it once was. I had hoped to finish the final draft, including editing from my glamourous assistant (still Dad), by September of this year. Turns out I was aiming a tad bit too high, so I do apologise to anyone who was hoping or expecting this would arrive sooner.

  During the final draft I, once again, increased the word count considerably, adding in some much needed detail in certain parts. An all new, never before seen Chapter 0 kicks off our tale, setting the scene for Relinquished. I’ve also been extra vigilant in my attempt to weed out any and all typos. Extra points are awarded to those who find any that I have missed, as I have no doubt that one or two will have still managed to sneak through. A tweet via @GavinMagson would be most appreciated to rectify these errors.

  As promised way back in May 2015 Ajax: Relinquished concludes the original tale. I hoped that people out there would read, and enjoy, Ajax: Rebirth, but I could never have expected it to have reached so many. At time of press the UK Amazon page has 11 reviews; you may think that a small number, to me it is fantastic. I have always maintained that I only want honest, unbiased reviews, since I have seen my fair share of self-published books where the author has, presumably, contracted others to provide glowing recommendations.

  I have started work on the third book, titled Fire and Steel, which I hope will be out within 2018. I am currently studying towards a degree as part of my job, so time is somewhat scarce for now. If I manage to win the lottery I will devote far more time towards writing, so there is always a chance of a few more entries soon.

  I hope that you enjoy this story, and that it keeps you interested enough to look out for any future works. Be warned, not all tales have a happy ending.

  Thank you for reading,

  Gavin Magson.

  Chapter 0

  A few days ago you wanted to jettison his ass into space, what has come over you, Ilya?

  No matter how hard she tried Ilya could not shake Greg’s words from her mind, even now when they were bedding down for their first night on board the Illicit Jane since rescuing Ajax from a slow death and introducing him to Konar.

  Ilya rolled over on the hard mattress so that her back faced the wall, which did nothing to dampen the deep rumble of Lev’s snoring coming from the room behind her. Her cabin was spacious enough to fit the narrow bed in front of a door and a wash basin in its corner, with a small stool that supported her bag of personal belongings adjacent to the bed. If she laid widthways across the room Ilya could probably touch both walls simultaneously, with no need to stretch out her arms.

  Since being taken on by Duke as a crew member the walls of Ilya’s cabin had slowly been decorated with pictures she had taken, most comprising of three sheepish men crowded around Ilya as they posed to varying backdrops. The pictures weren’t arranged in any kind of order, yet she could tell from watching her younger self mature in picture what order they were taken in.

  Her favourite picture, which the others encircled, had been taken during her first outing on the mining ship. Duke sat in the captain’s chair with Lev towering above all of them directly behind, Greg and Ilya stood either side of the chair. The entire room looked so different from its current dilapidated state, though signs of disrepair were beginning to show by then. Ilya could not remember being so fresh faced, or short, yet the picture could never fail in making her smile.

  Beside it was a picture she had taken only a few months ago, this showing the double moonrise above Vaagar, one of the last Konarian planets before crossing over into Believer territory. The two moons, one a brilliant white, the other a pale red, seemed so close to her whilst they crested a mountain range in the distance. Duke had chastised her for holding up the crew as she stopped to take the picture, yet one quick look from her big eyes full of excitement had quickly quietened the man.

  Duke had informed them as they boarded earlier today that they might be stopping at Vaagar once more on their hunt for ore, though only at its space docks this time, should they not have found sufficient bounty by then. Ilya had been disappointed at this, at the time it was only the second planet she had stepped foot on in her life and she relished the chance of returning again one day to explore its lush forests, as yet untouched by the planets small population.

  He had not voiced it at the time but Ilya knew the only reason they would go as far as Vaagar to dock would be if Duke thought they would need to refuel; which could only mean going further from Konar. Her heart quickened at the thought of what lay out there, beyond the far reaches of Konar’s borders.

  A knock at her cabin’s door snapped Ilya’s mind back to the present. She called out that the door was unlocked and watched as her captain entered the room. He flashed her an unsure smile before moving her bag to the floor and sitting on the now vacant chair.

  “You should have been asleep by now, Duke, can’t have a tired captain giving instructions tomorrow; we have ended up lost before because of your directions.” Ilya could not help but laugh as he cursed her.

  “I could say the same to you, though by the sounds of things we are the only two left awake.” On cue a low, long rumble came through the wall as Lev continued to dream peacefully. “I couldn’t mention it before we left Aurora, and it is not easy to tell your crew members that I am likely going to risk their lives during this trip.”

  Ilya’s breath caught in her throat, her suspicions all but confirmed by Duke. She sat up on the narrow bed and pressed her back against the wall, knees drawn up to her chin. “We are going into Believer territory, aren’t we?”

  The question hung over them. Duke could not make eye contact with Ilya as he considered his answer. He was asking a lot of her, of his crew, yet they deserved the truth.

  “We might be. We have been struggling against my competitors for a while now, this might be our only choice. Past Vaagar is neutral territory, where not even the most desperate captains will take their ships in search of ore. There could be an abundance of it floating around, left untap
ped because of what lies beyond our borders.

  “I haven’t told you before but I have dealt with Believers in the past. They aren’t what our glorious ruler would have you believe; after all they are people, of a fashion, too. If we can’t find ore this side of Vaagar then I intend to go further afield, but only into the Unclaimed, no farther than that.”

  Ilya stared into Duke’s eyes, holding his gaze for a few seconds. When she spoke he expected anger at this betrayal, holding back information until already aboard, yet her voice was soft, quiet in the small room.

  “If that is what you think is best for you, for us, then I will follow you, despite your own stupidity. Besides, I’ve never seen a Believer craft; I hear their guns are very efficient at turning Konarian vessels into vaporised metal.”

  “Don’t worry about that, there are still a few tricks that Jane has left; I won’t let anyone hurt her, or you. To be honest that isn’t the only reason I came to see you. I haven’t seen you as silent as you were whilst we travelled to the docks today, and I need to know what has been bugging you since we left Konar.”

  “Does it matter? It isn’t something that will affect my work.” Ilya said, her voice quiet, reserved.

  Duke stood up from the stool, stretching a little to ease the ache in his back. When he sat back down it was on the beds mattress, near Ilya’s feet.

  “I have my suspicions about what is on your mind, and it isn’t your work that concerns me. Am I right in thinking your silence today was because of Ajax?”

  Ilya did not know how to answer him, nor whether she wanted to. To tell him what was on her mind would be to admit to herself that this stranger was all she could think of right now.

  “Yes, you are right. But I don’t see why it should concern you.”

  Duke let out a quiet sigh and turned his head to stare across at Ilya’s pictures. He could clearly remember the immense pride Ilya had brought him on her very first day on board his ship. She had shown no reservation in helping out in any way possible, her eagerness to please infectious to the crew. He had not taken her in with the intention of recruiting a new crew member, but within a few months of meeting he could not have stopped her from signing up.

  “I can’t read minds, so I don’t know what is currently going through yours, but hear me out. Ajax is an unknown, and I am not just talking about his past. I’ve seen him do things that I have never witnessed in my life, and I have been around to see a lot of good, and a lot of bad.

  “Truth be told that man scares me on a level that no one ever has, yet he has saved my life and my livelihood without a second thought for his own. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and all I can think of is: What kind of man will he prove himself to be? I’ve seen his capacity for violence first-hand, the damage that he can cause. How long before that catches up with him? How long could he protect those closest to him if his enemies were to use them to get to Ajax?

  “Before you do anything rash, think on my words. Ajax is a rare breed of man, but I couldn’t tell you now whether he will turn out to be the kind to be worthy of you.”

  Ilya stretched out her legs on the bed and ran a hand unconsciously along the smooth, bare skin. Only now she noticed her shorts had bunched up when she had sat up. Silently Ilya straightened them out as she tried to collect her thoughts.

  “You’ve been great to me ever since I was a kid, always watching out for me in this dangerous world. You have to understand that I am my own person, you can’t stop me from living my life for fear I’d be making a mistake. Ajax is different than other men I’ve met. That doesn’t mean I’m mad for the guy just because he kicks ass and takes names.

  “I only met him a few days ago, and I don’t know what you think you’ve seen between us, but I’m not about to go and jump into his bed because he is different. There are plenty of abnormal men out there have made their intentions known to me, straying from normal isn’t my thing.”

  The woman staring back at Duke was not the scared and malnourished girl he had found fighting over scraps of food in Sector Seven not that long ago. He hated to admit that Ilya had grown up since then. Duke did not have any children and Ilya was the closest he had to family, now that his own had fallen out of contact since he left the parental home.

  “Just, whatever happens, keep in contact with me; I’ve lost enough people in my life already. When the right person, man or woman, walks into your life you’ll know they’re the one. I just pray for them that they are strong enough to survive you.”

  Ilya took a second to process his attempt at humour before cracking a dazzling smile.

  “I think you’re praying for the right person, I won’t let anyone take me for a fool. You’ve nothing to worry about, even if someone came into my life I’m not going to forget about my friends. Or family.”

  Duke leant over to wrap both arms around Ilya, drawing her into a tight embrace. She did not see the tears that welled in his eyes, and he made sure to turn from her before they streaked down his face to wet his beard. He stood and headed for the doorway, turning before he stepped out into the corridor.

  “I don’t know what I would do with myself if you were to leave, so don’t go breaking this old man’s heart for a long time yet.”

  Chapter 1

  The transporter was flying low, so close to the desert below Ajax was convinced that it must be skimming along the tall dunes. Apart from the pilots and three guards Ajax sat alone in the ship, both wrists shackled tightly to the chair he sat on. The warden had tried persuading Henry Steel against such measures, the mayor had been adamant that Ajax was restrained until he was back in Konar; only then would he receive his pardon and be a free man once more.

  Ajax had been half dragged, half carried from the building’s roof, with Joel now dead his legs had decided no longer to support his weary body. He was supported by the same three guards who now kept a watch over him on the transporter and lead out onto the landing platforms. Here he saw a sleek red and black craft that glinted in the intense sunlight, almost shimmering. It reeked of wealth and comfort, much like its owner, but was a welcome sight to Ajax.

  The hovering platform landed close by, the mayor and his handful of guests were deep in boisterous conversation as they disembarked and headed straight for the luxurious craft. Ajax had thought he would be riding with them back to the city, relishing the comfort the ship must offer.

  A handful of congratulatory comments drifted his way as a walkway lowered from the crafts rear. The troupe boarded swiftly, none looking back upon the bloodied, beaten man below them. The door closed and its powerful turbines kicked up sand and debris, the ship eased off the ground before speeding away into the distance. As he watched the ship leave Ajax could see an approaching speck on the horizon, which soon turned out to be his ride home.

  This was more like what he was expecting. The transporter looked of a similar ilk to the one he rode into the prison, faded paint flaked off from decades of service under the harsh heat and intense sunlight. Ajax wasn't sure if it was fit to reach the platform, he stepped back just as it began to slow and lose altitude. Unlike his ride into the prison this transporter did not cut out during its descent, yet it still landed with a groaning metallic screech that pierced his eardrums.

  Moments after the doors opened fifty prisoners, from his rough count, disembarked, some suffering minor injuries and colourful bruises from being held by the city’s police force. The last prisoner to leave was doused in blood, her nose appeared to have connected with the head rest of the row in front of her, or possibly a fist. The wound was pouring crimson down her clothing, staining her shirt and trousers. None of the guards were interested in her wellbeing, one jabbed a baton in her ribs as she stopped and tried to stem the bleeding.

  Once the ramp was clear Ajax took his cue to board, one of the guards pointed out a seat which he was soon handcuffed to. All he could think of was should the ship go down he had no chance of survival; Ajax whispered a small prayer that this rusting heap of scrap mad
e it back to the city without plummeting into the desert sands and taking him with it.

  He peered around the head rest of the seat in front of him, unsurprised to find that the three guards were more interested in the card game they were playing than Ajax. He took the opportunity to fish around his jacket, which resulted in the metal cuffs biting into his wrists and drawing a sliver of blood. Ajax managed to hold off the pain, which paled in comparison to the trauma he had undergone so recently.

  He successfully pulled out his tablet and flipped it over screen up in his hand. He held a button down on the devices side until it powered up. No messages met him, so he accessed the contact list and strained to type up a message to Aiko. He looked up constantly through the gap in front of him to ensure the guards had not become suspicious of him, weary that he could not risk discovery now that he was so close to freedom. It seemed to take an age but finally his message was typed out.

  Please forward to Rine. Joel is dead, heading back to the city. Will be back later this afternoon. He'd best get counting those chips – A

  With his message sent Ajax struggled at his chains until his wrist was in position and dropped the tablet back into another pocket; he finally relaxed. No longer did he have to watch the cave mouth for shadows seeking his death, nor would he have to beat criminals to a bloodied pulp in order to eat for one more day.

  From the tablets date Ajax realised that he had been imprisoned for over three months; his mind flooded with the familiar faces he had been denied for so long. Ilya's face was the last he saw, that infectious smile that could warm the heart of anyone filled his mind. Bitter regret set in as he drifted off to sleep.

  The engines managed to hold out as the pilot eased the battered ship down, the landing shook Ajax awake in his seat. The desert weather had not reached the city, winter had certainly set in and brought the rain and wind which assaulted the transporter with an unrelenting force. A guard unlocked his handcuffs from arm’s length, the man stepped back whilst another released the head restraint from behind.