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Rimrider

Rimrider Adventures, Book 1

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Secrets

"Jane."

"Mmr?" Jane growled as a hand gently patted her shoulder. She snuggled deeper under the covers.

"Wake up. I need to speak with you. It's important."

Mathias Benedict's whisper cut through Jane's mental fog. "Dad?" She blinked away sleep. "It's still dark. What time is it?"

"Not quite six."

She yawned. "Too early."

"I'm sorry. It can't be helped. I'm on my way to the bureau. Make sure Will gets to school on time."

"You're going to work now? Is anyone even there yet?"

"I need to message a rim colony. Now is my only chance for privacy in the com room."

Jane reached for the lamp by the bedside. "Why do you need privacy?"

Her father's hand rested on hers. "No lights."

She sat up straight, an anxious knot tightened in her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Even in gray morning light, tense lines around his eyes were visible.

"Don't worry, I'll explain later." His gaze strayed out the window.

"Dad?"

Fingers tightened around her wrist. "Jane, I want you to memorize a string of numbers and letters."

"Why?"

"No questions. Keep it secret. Promise me."

The anxious knot became a cold hard lump. "I-I promise."

"That's my girl. UAS19090213P24RE35 ... say it."

Jane repeated the sequence over and over to her father until she committed it to memory. He kissed the top of her head then strode to the door. "I'll see you at dinner. We'll talk then."

She swallowed hard. "Dad, do the numbers and letters have to do with Mom's death?"

His hand froze on the doorknob. "She died in a shuttle accident."

"Shuttles are so safe. They never have accidents ..."

"The months since her funeral have been hard for all of us," he said tenderly, "but especially you. Minding Will and running the house while I worked long hours wasn't easy. You had to cut back on classes while your friends finished lower level certifications and left to start the upper division. Life is nothing but home and school. That's a lot to put on the shoulders of a fifteen year old."

"I'm sixteen in a few weeks. Anyway, I don't mind. I want to help."

His voice softened. "I know. I'm very proud. You're so much like her."

Jane flushed under his praise. "No, I'm not. Mom was a doctor. She loved caring for sick people. I think they're gross."

His lips formed a wistful smile. "Eva Benedict knew the true meaning of sacrifice. So do you."

"I don't understand."

"My special project is nearly finished at the bureau. The long hours will end and then we'll take a trip — someplace far away. Would you like that?"

"Sure," said Jane, confused by the abrupt change in topic. "Where will we go?"

"I'll explain tonight. Goodbye, honey. Never forget I love you and Will more than anything."

"We love you, too."

Her father darted out the door. His footsteps pounded down the stairs, and then the front door slammed.

Jane flung aside the covers and slid out of bed, shivering as her bare feet touched the cold hardwood floor. The house was suddenly too quiet. A gust of wind through the open window twitched the curtain. Jane shifted her weight. The floorboards creaked, and her heart skipped a jittery beat.

"Get a grip," she muttered in disgust.

* * *

"Why did Dad leave so early?"

Jane placed the plates in the dishwasher. "I told you fifty million times he didn't say. Get your things or we'll be late for school. I don't need another lecture from Mrs. Lee."

Will slapped on his wrist com, grabbed his jacket and school tablet, and then opened the front door. "I like it better when Dad's here. Then we get a ride. Hey — the hover is still in the driveway. Dad must have taken the public shuttle to the city." His eyes lit up. "Why don't you drive us?"

Jane secured her com. "Duh. Don't have a license yet."

"Duh. Chicken."

"Nope. Merely smarter than my twelve-year-old brother. Anyone caught in a hover without a license is sent straight to the magistrate."

"Then it's a one way ticket to the rim."

Jane shut the door behind them. "Banished across the galaxy for a traffic ticket? Geez, that's harsh. I hope you never go into law enforcement."

"Mason's dad works for the magistrate. He told Mason people sent to the rim are criminals."

"Mason's dad is a dope. So is Mason for believing him. Not only criminals go. United Earth Corporation built a big compound. The colony planets have Freetrader settlements. Lots of people live there. Everyone can't be a criminal."

The ground vibrated under their feet. A low rumble filled the air. Both looked up as a fiery streak split the sky. A spaceship launched from her father's workplace, UEC Port Control on the outskirts of the city.

Will's gaze followed the track. "Another one headed to the rim," he murmured. "Which planet, do you think? Rimrock? Pacha? Maybe one of the space stations?"

"Beats me." Jane shielded her eyes from the sun's glare and watched the ship until it was nothing more than a suspended pinprick of light. "But I'll bet the people on board won't be back soon."

* * *

Jane peered absent-mindedly out the classroom window. Her father's mysterious request echoed in her mind the entire day. The strange chain of numbers and letters wasn't for anything as obvious as a com device, map coordinate, or government ID. Her gaze drifted to the computer tablet on the desk. Several times, she almost succumbed to curiosity and keyed in the sequence for a quick search. A finger hovered over the touchscreen. Maybe the answer was only a few taps away ...

Jane's hand dropped into her lap. She promised to keep a secret. Her father would explain at dinner. Surely, she could wait a few more hours.

"Miss Benedict."

Jane's head jerked up.

Mrs. Lee tapped her toe briskly on the floor. "An answer, Miss Benedict."

Jane's cheeks turned red. She peered in desperation at the wall monitor behind Mrs. Lee for a clue to the lecture's topic. As the silence lengthened, another student snickered. It sounded like Farad. He always had the right answer.

Butthead.

A buzzer signaled an end to the class period and cut short Jane's misery. She scrambled from the seat and gathered her belongings.

"One moment, Miss Benedict."

Jane bit back a sigh. "Yes, Mrs. Lee?"

"I have multiple concerns about your performance lately." She narrowed her eyes. "Multiple," she stressed. "You are unfocused and distracted. Grades have slipped. I realize you assumed more responsibilities at home, but qualification exams begin soon. They can't be ignored. You wish to be certified for advancement to the upper levels, don't you?"

At the thought of another six years of training and education, a heavy weight settled on Jane's shoulders. Unconsciously, she hesitated. "Of course, Mrs. Lee."

She frowned. "You sound unsure."

"I-I meant I haven't decided what to study."

"You needn't worry. Students are assessed with academic testing and psychological evaluations and then placed in fields where workers are needed most. However, if you don't qualify for advancement, the decision won't matter. No position will be available. What happens then?" The irritating toe tap started again.

"You get shipped to the galactic rim?" Her teacher's horrified expression tickled Jane to no end.

"No, of course not," Mrs. Lee sputtered. "The correct response is the student is assigned remedial training until grades are up to par. No decent person is ever sent to the rim."

Her huffy attitude pricked at Jane. "What about people who work for UEC?"

Mrs. Lee's posture stiffened; her annoyance plain at Jane's unwillingness to cede the point. "United Earth Corporation manages the Citizen Education Center and owns the bentite mine. Employees return to Earth as soon as their contract ends, and relieved to be in civilization again, I'm sure."

"Not everyone," persisted Jane. "Rimrock and Pacha have settlers."

"Freetraders." She wrinkled her nose. "They refuse the protection of UEC and have no respect for our ways. All were either in prison or related to someone still there."

Jane stifled a smile. The teacher's political correctness slipped. She said prison instead of Citizen Education Center.

"Once time is served," Mrs. Lee droned, "ex-prisoners and their families choose to stay. It's a perfect arrangement. Those with criminal records won't find a welcome here. Who'd hire them? Thanks to UEC and their work in the rim, troublemakers are removed from society while bentite provides Earth with an inexhaustible supply of power."

Jane's irrational urge to horrify Mrs. Lee wouldn't let go. A long-buried memory bubbled to the surface. "My aunt was sent to the rim. She killed a man."

The effect was better than expected. Mrs. Lee made a sound as if she abruptly swallowed her tongue. "I'm certain ...I mean," she flustered, "her incarceration was for the best. Decent people don't consort with criminals. Neither should you, even if they are relatives. Earth has no room for slackers and misfits. Because of UEC, we live in a golden age, Miss Benedict. A place for every citizen and every citizen in their proper place. If you wish to become a productive member of society, you need to apply yourself."

"Yes, Mrs. Lee."

The teacher made a shooing motion as if she couldn't get rid of Jane fast enough. "Run along now. You'll be late for the next class."

A self-satisfied smile played on Jane's lips as she left the room.

"We have an aunt on the rim?" Will whispered, eyes wide. He pressed against the wall right outside the door.

"Why are you here?" Jane cast a nervous look over her shoulder as she pulled him down the corridor. "School isn't over for another hour. Did you cut class again?"

Will stuck out his lip. "I don't want to go. All teachers do is drill us for those dumb end-of-year exams. So who is this aunt? How come I never heard of her?"

"I have class —"

"Come on, Jane," he wheedled. "Let's ditch school this once. You never do anything wrong. You don't want to listen to more stupid lectures today, do you?" At Jane's hesitation, Will threw in an incentive. "Dad will write an excuse for us tomorrow."

She shot a sly glance at Mrs. Lee's classroom. "Let's go."

Will let out an excited yip, and Jane clapped a hand over his mouth. They darted out the nearest exit and ran until the school was no longer in sight.

"Okay, now give," demanded Will, panting for breath. "Who's this aunt?"

"Her name is Adelyn. I caught Mom and Dad talking one night years ago. Mom was upset. She wanted to send a message to Adelyn on Rimrock, but couldn't — some problem with contacting prisoners. I didn't understand. Dad told her he'd figure out what to do. Then they saw me standing there and shut up fast. I asked about Adelyn. Mom told me she was her stepsister and left home a long time ago for the rim. She made me promise never to tell anyone. I forgot about Adelyn until now."

His eyes widened. "Mom had a stepsister?"

"Uh-huh. Mom said her folks divorced when she was a teenager, and then her father married a woman who was lots younger and had a little girl. He died years before I was born, so I never heard of his second family."

"Wow, that's so weird having a secret relative."

"No kidding. I don't even have Adelyn's last name."

Will scratched his head. "Why didn't Mom and Dad talk about her?"

"Maybe because they both worked for United Earth Corporation. It isn't smart to tell people you're related to an exile. Mom was sad though. She and Adelyn must have been close."

Will drew in a breath. "Who'd Adelyn kill?"

"Nobody. She had one too many traffic tickets."

"Aw, c'mon. Tell me."

"I don't know if she killed anybody," said Jane with an impish manner. "I said it to freak out Mrs. Lee."

Will snickered. "It worked. I thought she was gonna pee herself — hey, do you think Dad will talk about Adelyn now?"

"Maybe. It's been a long time, and we're older. I'd like to learn more. Dad trusts me to keep a secret," she added with a cagey look, "although I'm not sure you can."

"I can keep a secret. I'll bet you didn't know a bottle of liquor is hidden in the teachers' lounge."

Jane raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"I snuck in once and found it in the back of a cabinet. It was halfempty."

"You'll get in so much trouble one of these days."

Will shrugged. "They have to catch me first."

"You realize now that you told me, the liquor bottle isn't a secret anymore."

"Will you squeal?"

"Nope."

He wore a superior expression. "Then it's still a secret."

Jane rolled her eyes. "You have the most unbelievably flawed sense of logic."

They rounded the corner toward home, and Will stopped short. Parked in the driveway was a second hover. "Hey, look. Dad must be back. We have company."

The door to the house opened, and a man stepped outside.

Will frowned. "Who's that?"

The man gazed at them. Although Jane only met Mr. Gunter once, she recognized her father's superior at UEC Port Control. He had worn the same indifferent expression at Eva Benedict's funeral.

Jane's chest tightened. She placed an arm around Will's shoulders, drawing him close.

"Jane?" Will regarded her with obvious confusion. "What's wrong?"

Mr. Gunter strode down the steps and walked toward them.

"Ow!" Will shifted under her touch. "You're squeezing too hard."

"There was an accident," said Mr. Gunter. He mumbled consoling phrases ... how tragic for a man so young ... must have fallen ... died instantly ... so unfortunate.

Jane stared blankly; the words didn't register any meaning. Dead? How could her father be dead? She spoke with him a few hours ago. They were going on a trip.

"Liar!" shouted Will. He broke from Jane and pummeled Mr. Gunter's chest. "You're all liars. How can he die from falling? H-he went to work ... he's coming home ... he's ... he's ..." His voice choked.

Mr. Gunter grabbed Will by the wrists and pushed him to arm's length. "Control yourself, young man. Nothing is gained by an emotional outburst. Your father left the bureau and then fell down a flight of stairs at the shuttle station. He hit his head." Mr. Gunter gave Will a vicious shake as the boy struggled in his grip. "That's all there is to it."

"Don't touch him." Jane shoved Mr. Gunter aside. She placed a protective arm around her brother once more. "Come on, Will. Let's go in the house." He nodded numbly as she led him away.

Mr. Gunter straightened his collar. "I'll stay with you until the funeral, and then we'll discuss the future. You needn't worry. All will be well. Official legal procedures are in place."

A rumble drew Jane's attention. The brilliant trail of another spaceship rocketing from Port Control tore through the sky. Soon its light would disappear the same as the others, devoured by the cold, uncaring universe. Tears stinging her eyes, Jane climbed the stairs.

What's Black and White and Red All Over?

Mr. Gunter took over the household. He immediately announced the need to inventory their parents' possessions, but stayed in the office scouring Mr. Benedict's computer files. As a temporary guardian, Mr. Gunter displayed a peculiar lack of interest in Jane and Will. His stock answer to each of Jane's questions was, "Official protocols are in place and will be explained at the proper time." His only interaction was to order Jane to fetch him a cup of coffee or something to eat. Jane shot Mr. Gunter an ugly look whenever she set a plate on the desk.

The next few days were a blur. The doorbell rang constantly. People came and went from the house, their meaningless condolences spilling together. Jane barely listened. Words held no comfort. Nothing anyone said would bring Mathias Benedict back to life.

On the morning of the funeral, people flashing UEC identification arrived to pack everything in her father's office. "Where are you taking those?" Jane demanded as they tossed books into a crate.

Mr. Gunter regarded Jane as if she was an annoying, but harmless insect buzzing around his head. "On occasion, your father's position in the Bureau of Freight Oversight at Port Control required him to work from home. Anything taken from the bureau to perform his duties belongs to UEC."

"Dad bought the computer with his own money," she shouted. "Those books were my mother's. Nothing in here belongs to the company."

"It's protocol," he stated with finality. "I'll examine the items and those deemed private property will be returned."

Jane seethed in helpless rage as the men sealed the packing boxes. They emptied the entire contents of the study, including the desk.

The funeral, arranged by Mr. Gunter, was short and efficient. Afterward, people came to the house. Mr. Gunter advised Jane protocol required a light buffet. Guests milled about drinking coffee and nibbling cookies. Jane's head pounded with the effort to maintain self-control. Each "You poor dear" ramped up her desire to scream at everyone to go away.

Will made his dislike of Mr. Gunter plain from the start and stayed in his room. He only emerged to sit stiffly through the funeral. Soon after the reception started, he bumped into Mr. Gunter at the punch bowl. A bright red splotch now decorated the front of the man's shirt. Will offered a half-hearted apology and then sprawled in a corner chair, glaring at any visitor who dared approach.

Jane envied him. She gritted her teeth at Mr. Gunter's repeated reminders that as the oldest sibling her duty was to mingle and accept condolences. She hated mingling and watched in amusement as Mrs. Lee bent over to murmur a trite phrase of sympathy to Will. He told her to get lost, and she flounced off in a huff.

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Excerpted from Rimrider by L. A. Kelley. Copyright © 2016 L. A. Kelley. Excerpted by permission of CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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