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CHAPTER 1

Waking up to a fleet of Zormian star pirates surrounding my ship was yet another reminder that my life was not going as planned.

"This ship is loaded with thermal plasma canisters. You nail us with a photon canon and it's lights out for all of us." I glared up at the viewing screen and leaned forward in the captain's chair trying to appear threatening.

"Lies. We ran a thorough scan of your freighter. There wasn't a trace of thermal plasma."

The Zormian slug captain's generous, puke green torso folded over tight black stretchy pants in a hideous disregard for fashion. Though, to be fair, his velvet collar had style.

"They're coated in Vanthis cocoon slime. They can't be scanned."

"Impossible. Space trash like you can't afford Vanthis slime."

" ... it was a gift," I said.

Okay, I admit it was a weak story. I'd just woken up five freems ago and I was still groggy. I'd barely had time to step into my boots, grab my holster and throw on my lucky silver shirt and black kandrelian hide jacket. It wasn't until I made it to the bridge that I realized I hadn't changed my red-checkered pajama pants.

Not exactly the intimidating presence the captain of a starship hopes for.

Whispering gurgles and mutters trailed over the sub-space intercom. I took personal satisfaction that one of my lamest bluffs ever had prompted enough doubt for a hushed conference.

Though admittedly, Zormians aren't very bright.

The bridge doors slid open with a chirp and Blix came strolling in, sinking his twin rows of sharp teeth into a golden spice pear. The overhead lights gleamed off his shiny copper scales. A brown bandoleer filled with small daggers criss-crossed his brawny torso and charcoal pants fit snuggly over his muscular reptilian legs.

"Where have you been?" I hissed through gritted teeth.

"I was hungry." Blix joined me at the captain's chair and looked at the viewing screen. "Zormians, huh? Savage creatures."

I shot him an angry look and put a finger to my lips.

"We'd like to see the thermal canisters if you don't mind." The Zormian captain's voice crackled over the antiquated intercom.

My shoulders sank, and my black jacket creaked against the chair. Bested by a Zormian. This was a dark day in the life of Glint Starcrost. I scratched at the three day old scruff on my cheek, wondering if this was the end of things.

"Thermal canisters?" Blix arched a scaley brow and grinned. His yellow eyes swirled with an orange smoke as his slivered pupils narrowed. He was taking delight in my misery. My life had taken some bad turns lately — the services of a star pilot, skilled as I was, were just not in demand these days. As such, I had taken to whatever odd jobs would keep me from going broke. This, of course, took me through some rather seedy star systems, teeming with the worst interstellar riffraff the universe had to offer. Run-ins with space trash like the Zormians was now my lot in life. My mind raced for a way out of this mess.

And then, inspiration hit.

"Did you say we?"

"Um, yes. I mean, what?" The Zormian was flustered.

"Well, I just thought it was strange you said, 'We want to see the canisters.' I thought you said you were the captain."

"No, not we. Me. You must show them to me," the slug demanded.

"Okay, it's just that you said 'we' like someone else was in charge over there. Are you sure you're the one I should be talking to?" Messing with Zormian egos was a dangerous game but what choice did I have?

"I simply meant ... that is ... I took council that is all. I am in charge."

Green ooze was dripping from his antenna and flowing into his seven bloodshot eyes. He was clearly upset. His gelatinous body rippled as he looked around in a rage. Behind him, a stout, pot-bellied Zormian was trying to fade into the shadows. No doubt he was the clever counselor working on a plan to steal leadership away from the current slug captain. It was a typical Zormian power grab, so far be it from me not to call attention to him.

"Is that him?" I pointed toward the retreating counselor. "Is that the real Zormian leader calling the shots here?"

The slug captain spun, all eight laser cannons drawn in a flash. The counselor drew his own cannons and they faced each other for a tense moment.

Zormians aren't big on peace negotiations but just in case, I thought I should speak up.

"Fire!"

They both unloaded their cannons and a myriad of red beams danced across the screen.

Chaos.

Smoke.

Gurgled screams.

Finally, the visual went black.

I exhaled and shook my arms to release the tension. Blix shook his head. "I can't believe that actually worked."

"Computer, switch to space view," I said.

The screen remained black. After a moment, a female voice came over the ship communicator.

She sounded upset.

"A good morning might be nice."

"Yes, right. Good morning, computer. Switch to space view."

"You know I prefer 'Iris'. It's so much more personal."

About a century ago a group of meddlesome programmers thought it would be a great idea to add personalities to artificial life. The machines, realizing they were outfitted with emotion but lacked basic human senses, became disillusioned. Some turned unresponsive, others shut off completely. The remaining machines developed unhealthy personality traits. Iris is passive-aggressive. Sometimes technological advances take you back a few steps.

"Of course, Iris. Now how 'bout that space view, pretty please?" I tried to mask the frustration. Any outburst could send her weeping into the circuitry.

"Yes, of course, Captain. Or should I call you Glint?" Iris said.

"We've already had this discussion, Iris."

Iris sighed. "Oh, very well ... Captain."

A warbled blip sounded. The screen flashed to life and the grand blackness of space filled the screens, a vast choir of stars blinking behind three Zormian pirate vessels clustered in tight formation. Small red explosions dimpled the largest ship in the middle. It started drifting toward the nearest vessel.

"And you say you're unlucky?" Blix said.

"I woke up to a hostile fleet of Zormians. You call that good luck?"

Blix shrugged. "You know, when I dreamt this there were ten of them."

I slammed my fist on the armrest. It hurt. Sometimes I wonder why I do that. "Why can't you dream about wild fortunes or a relaxing vacation on the orange sands of Xerifities 12?"

"Preposterous. It's obviously beyond my control what thoughts emerge." Blix leaned against the half circle railing beside my chair. He took another bite of his pear and smirked. "But I must admit, it is wildly entertaining to watch you scramble. And look at the glorious results." Blix motioned to the screen.

The main Zormian ship exploded in a huge ball of fire, starting a chain reaction that set the whole fleet ablaze. And they say words can never hurt you.

"Well done, Captain Starcrost." Blix placed his arm over his chest and gave a theatrical bow.

I grumbled my disapproval. "Yeah, no thanks to you. How 'bout some advice from my second in command during a crisis."

Blix narrowed his eyes. His reptilian features turned menacing. If I didn't know his aversion to battle, I would have been intimidated.

"I don't like hostile confrontations." Blix lifted his chin in the air as if something smelled rotten.

"Well then what good are you?"

"Tch, tch, such hostility. You haven't had your morning velrys have you?"

"No, as a matter of fact I haven't."

"Well that would explain the pants."

"Never mind all that. You got the charts for Beringfell galaxy yet?"

Blix paused for a moment. His cheek twitched, the telltale sign of his guilt. "Ahem, yes, not to worry. I have them well in hand."

"Blix, I need those today. I'm running out of chances here." I stood, running a hand through my coarse dark hair. Too many close calls lately left me feeling desperate.

"Such dramatics. You don't even know if it's there."

"It's my best shot. And once I have it, no more star pirates, bounty hunters or space trash of any kind will ever hassle me again."

Blix rubbed his chin, then cast a patronizing glance my way. "You're pinning quite a bit on a legend, you know."

"The Emerald Enigma is real. I know it."

Blix sighed. "Yes, of course."

He retrieved a palm-sized black communicator holstered on his hip. He pressed a button and the device sprang to life, expanding into a luminescent blue rectangle with a translucent touch screen. He tapped an animated icon of a scenic view and aimed the rectangle toward the burning ships on the viewing screen.

"What are you doing?" I said.

"I'm getting a visual of this for my Spacebook profile grid. It's magnificent — in a tragic sort of way."

"All the uniweb can see that! You'll compromise the security of my ship!"

"I do have a life outside this ship." Blix tapped the screen and the device collapsed. He returned it to his hip, his face all pouty. "It's not like we're on some big, secret mission."

"I've got a bounty on my head!"

Blix huffed out a mocking laugh. "One hundred vibes. No one is going to waste their time for that paltry amount."

"Get off the uniweb. Got it?"

"Captain. Vythians are very social creatures. You don't know what you're asking."

I folded my arms and shot him my best disapproving captain's stare.

"And what of my blossoming romance with Vythgirl755? It's so hard to find quality Vythian women these days."

"Delete the profile. That's an order!"

Blix leaned toward me, a concerned look on his face. "You seem more on edge than usual. Are you getting enough sleep?"

"His sleeping patterns are very irregular." Iris chimed in before I had time to respond. "I've been monitoring a troubling upswing in stress-related behavior."

I tried to suppress my building rage so as not to prove their point. "I didn't authorize monitoring my sleep patterns."

"It's standard protocol," Iris said. "Unhealthy patterns of crew members must be documented and reported."

Blix nodded and motioned to me as if I was supposed to agree.

"Well, stop it," I said. "I'm fine."

Blix shook his head. "Denial. So typical. Listen, I think I know what this is about."

Blix moved closer and patted me on the shoulder like he was my father. "You've been forced to grow up too fast. Fending for yourself at an early age, developing that cold exterior of yours to protect the wounded child inside. It's textbook human behavior."

I glared and pointed a threatening finger at him. "I told you never to psychoanalyze me."

"I completely understand." Blix put his hands on his chest in a gesture of sincerity. "I too lost my parents at an early age."

I frowned. "You were one hundred and seven gloons old. I was twelve. You don't understand a thing."

"In Vythian terms I was a mere youth."

I waved my arms in frustration as if swatting his words away like insects. "Okay, new ship rule. No analyzing me, watching me or even looking at me. Got it?"

Blix spread wide his muscular arms. "Sounds like somebody needs a hug."

I took a few steps back. "Stay away from me."

"It's okay, Glint," Iris said. "You're among friends. This is ... a safe place."

A sharp crack sounded followed by a thin vertical beam of light that materialized in the center of the bridge. The beam of light widened and a human figure stepped through. Sparks exploded from the thin beam in a chorus of electric crackles before it disappeared. Wisps of smoke ascended around a skinny, teenage boy in a silver jump suit. Mousy blonde hair draped over his face like an animal emerging from a pool. The boy stood there shivering for a moment, hugging at his chest for warmth and looking wide-eyed at the ship. His nervous eyes darted about and then froze on me. I drew my trusty Demolecularizing Termination Energy Ray (DEMOTER for short) and leveled it at his head.

"Don't shoot! I mean no harm!" The young boy threw up his arms.

"Who are you?" I made sure my voice was extra gravelly. I had to make up for the pants.

"N-Nelvan Flink. I'm an apprentice time traveler."

I lowered the DEMOTER and my shoulders slouched. I might as well have found a lost puppy.

I looked over at Blix, who seemed amused.

"Still convinced I don't have bad luck?" I said.

"You may indeed have a point."

"This isn't Stonehenge. Where am I?" Involuntary twitching seemed to emanate from all areas of his thin frame. It wasn't pleasant to watch. I hoped for his sake it was the after effects of time travel and not a normal condition.

"You're on my ship and I ain't happy about it," I said.

His eyes settled on Blix and he let out a small gasp. "Whoa. Is that ... A lizard-man?"

"I am a Vythian." Blix assumed a regal stance as if offended. "Reptilian traits certainly, but far different from either lizard or human."

Nelvan gave an uncertain nod. "Oh ... Okay."

Suddenly a loud siren filled the air, and a thin band of red light pulsated from a shallow cavity that ran along the circular walls of the bridge.

"It's a little late, computer," I said. "Our time traveling stowaway got here about thirty freems ago. How 'bout a little advance warning next time?"

Most of the console lights in the bridge turned red. "First off, I'm not equipped to detect space-time rift displacements. Though, I might be able to if you'd buy me some nice technology enhancements once in awhile —"

"Okay, never mind, I —"

"— I've been graciously flying you around with the same outdated electronics, while my contemporaries are always bragging about their flashy upgrades —"

"Computer, I got it, listen —"

"— And talking about how their captains take them to nice spaceports and —"

"Iris!" I barked. I had a good bark. It generally made people stop and listen.

The computer sniffed. "That tone is uncalled for."

"Turn off that blasted alarm."

"Fine, but I should inform you that the alarm is sounding for a second intruder that transported aboard the maintenance deck eight point three freems ago."

"What? Details, now!"

"The intruder scans human but there is some signal interference."

I leveled the DEMOTER at Nelvan. "Did you bring someone with you?"

"No sir," Nelvan said, trembling.

I narrowed my eyes.

"I promise."

"Computer, launch the scan bots. I want a visual." I kept the weapon pointed at Nelvan's head — it gave me a sense of balance amidst the confusion.

"Yes, Captain." The computer emitted a few blips and the bridge screen flickered and resolved on a moving image of the ship's hallway. The visual closed in on the back of a retreating intruder who wore a black body suit outfitted with armor plates. I'd seen similar gear on the deadly leopard people from Reznake 7. But this was no leopard man. This intruder was human.

The visual dipped and weaved as the scan bots hovered closer. The intruder was racing down the hallway.

"Heading for the power grid, no doubt." Blix tapped his chin as if this were some academic exercise. "Bad fortune for us indeed."

I glared at the screen and switched the DEMOTER to full power. Two gleaming orange rings lit up around the barrel. Nelvan's eyes went wide, and his lip was trembling. "I came alone. I swear on my life."

I gave Nelvan a suspicious glare just for fun, then turned back to the screen. The scan bots were close. It became suddenly clear this intruder was a woman. My eyebrows rose involuntarily. Her movements were lithe. Exquisite. A grand vision of beauty and feminine grace that was enough to bring tears to the eyes of a lonely space drifter.

Too bad she invaded my ship, because now she was my sworn enemy.

"Computer." I said. "Lock down the engine room, enable all turrets, send out the guard bots and activate stasis grids."

"I'm afraid they've all been disabled, Captain."

"They've what been who now?" My mind stuck for a moment.

"Apparently our intruder has some advanced technology disruptors. The only operational security devices are the scan bots."

The intruder continued down the hallway. Her long, electric blue-and-silver-streaked hair was drawn back with an ebony band that criss-crossed down past her shoulders like a loosely bound whip. She stopped at the end of the hallway and spun, her hair wrapping around her neck. Her face was covered in shadows but I caught a glimpse of dangerous beauty. The kind that makes you hesitate before shooting. I swore a silent resolve to avoid all bedazzlement and fire repeatedly if I got the chance.

She reached into a small case on her utility belt and flung a handful of black specs at the approaching scan bots.

"Computer, analyze those ... things."

"Kelluvian buzz mites. Approximate count, fourteen."

"Blast!" I gritted my teeth and glared at Nelvan.

He dropped to his knees. "I'll tell you all the secrets of time travel."

I sighed and stuffed the DEMOTER back in the holster. "It's old news, boy. Outlawed for ages. Time barrier grids in place. Only the occasional jumper from the past gets through. Like you."

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Excerpted from "Space Drifters: The Emerald Enigma Book One"
by .
Copyright © 2016 Paul Regnier.
Excerpted by permission of Gilead Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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