M D Cooper [Cooper - The Eden Job

THE EDEN JOB

THE DELTA TEAM BOOK 1

BY M. D. COOPER

Just in Time (JIT) & Beta Readers

Scott Reid

Gareth Banks

Randy Miller

Copyright 2019 M. D. Cooper

Aeon 14 is Copyright 2019 M. D. Cooper

Version 1.0.0

Cover Art by Andrew Dobell

Editing by Jen McDonnell, Birds Eye Books

Aeon 14 & M. D. Cooper are registered trademarks of Michael Cooper

All rights reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

The Delta Team is a bit of a break from regular Aeon 14 stories. It started out as a satirical story for an anthology, which I then decided to fit into the greater A14 universe.

Some of the things in the Delta Team stories may seem too fantastical to fit into Aeon 14, but trust me, it actually all slots into the greater plot, and just like Xander in The Zeppo episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer , this small team that usually just bungles their way through space is going to play a pivotal role in the Orion War.

And no one will ever know.

The keen-eyed will notice that the characters in the Delta Team are very much a satirical take on the original A-Team (which I still love and rewatch). Fear not, this is a legal satirical use of the A-Team, and I havent taken any plots from their shows, just the general nature of the four main characters.

This first story starts up just a few days after the events of Orion Rising, so (unbeknownst to the Delta Teamand most of the rest of the Inner Stars) the Orion War has begun! For now, theyre blissfully unaware, though they are treading perilously close to where the Intrepid has gone before

THE VAN GOES FTL

STELLAR DATE: 08.15.8948 (Adjusted Years)

LOCATION: Van , Yesdi Station

REGION: Takara System, Independent

Ramsey heaved a sigh and directed a worried glance at Patty, the teams latest client who stood next to him at the Van s airlock. Though theyd been waiting several minutes, she seemed unperturbedwhich was somewhat surprising, given how the crush of Yedsi Prime Station throbbed all around them like an angry vein in the forehead of a drunkard. It didnt smell much better than said drunkard, either. He was eager to get off-station, once his last crewmember showed up.

A hauler drifted past, crates with AST markingsclearly contrabandand Ramsey finally caught sight of the reason for their delay, a rather massive woman who was casually lumbering down the dock.

For fucksakes, BAMF! Just once, could you make it to the ship on time? Colonel Ramsey hollered around the giant, green-stalked carrot dangling from his mouththe only thing that kept him from resuming his former smoking habit.

Whats the rush, Colonel? BAMF yelled back, her deep voice echoing off the bulkheads. Its just a quick hop over to Pega Station.

Pega? the woman to Colonel Ramseys left asked, her eyebrow cocked quizzically. Why do we need to stop there on our way to She fell silent when the colonel gave her a sidelong glance and made a soft shushing sound.

He didnt speak further, waiting for BAMF to get closer before replying to his crewmember. There was no need to continue hollering at her across the dock. The woman was his ships engineer and primary muscle, and he couldnt do a job without herunless the job required any measure of stealth. BAMF stayed on the ship for those.

It wasnt because she couldnt be sneaky. Her clothingof which there was little variationwas relatively sedate, consisting of knee-high boots, tight cargo pants with too many pockets, and a camisoleusually with something crude, such as Suck These printed on it.

The problem was the bling.

BAMF always wore a few dozen thick chains made of various precious metals, her ears were pierced in more places than he could easily count, and her fingers bore so many rings, it was a miracle she could bend them. When she walked, the noise it all generated was like an engineering shop; to top it off, the jewelry was polished to such a degree that it could reflect light in the dark layer.

BAMF finally came within a dozen paces, and Ramsey spoke to her in low, soothing tones. Its Stick. She just likes to be punctual. Shes all strapped into her pilot seat and ready to goyou know how it is.

BAMF stopped and stared at the colonel. Our pilot? Stick? That fool aint been punctual a day in her freaky little life!

Colonel Ramsey shrugged as he chewed on his carrot, long green strands waggling in front of him. YeahI mean it was bound to happen eventually, right?

BAMFs broad features crinkled as her eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head, chains clinking and adding to the feeling of annoyance emanating from the engineer. She glanced at the woman who stood beside Colonel Ramsey.

Whos the broad?

Colonel Ramsey reflected for a moment on how BAMF, a womanyou just had to double-checkcould use such a dismissive term for another of her gender.

This is Patty. She just needs a ride over to Pega Station. She paid well, so were giving her a lift.

BAMFs eyes narrowed further, becoming slashes of simmering anger across her face. Somethings off. You lying to me, Colonel? She widened her stance. You gonna take the Van FTL?

Mandy, you know I wouldnt do that to you. I know you hate FTL. Were just hopping over to Pegano dark layer, no FTL, no interstellar travel.

BAMFs eyes darted to the woman at Ramseys side and then back to the colonel. You never call me Mandy, unless youre lying.

Im not lying, ManBAMF. Ramsey gave a broad smile, silently cursing his slip-up. He looked to his companion. Right, Patty? Pega, thats where youre going.

Yup, sure, I have important business on Pega, Patty replied, her delivery only marginally more convincing than Ramseys.

I just met you, Patty, but I already know youre a bad liar, BAMF said, taking a step backright into Lashes, who sank a nano-injector into BAMFs neck.

Ow! What?! BAMF said as she spun and caught sight of the small, blonde woman. Lashes! You bitch, Immaaaaaa.

With that last word dying on her lips, BAMF fell to the deck.

Colonel Ramsey smiled. Excellent, glad to see that went smoothly.

Raahmseeey, what are you talking about? That didnt go smoothly! Lashes whined. You said this stuff would work fast!

The colonel ignored Lashes annoying tone. It did. He prodded BAMFs prone figure on the deck with his boot. Look, just a few seconds, and shes out cold.

Yeah, a few seconds where she saw me, Lashes lamented. Now shes going to smash me to dust when she wakes up.

Nah, dont worry, Ramsey grinned. Well just make her a platter of toast points, and shell be as happy as a pig in mud. Now help me pull her in.

Lashes bent down and grabbed one of BAMFs arms, while Ramsey took the other. Lashes was a dainty girl, and BAMF weighed a metric buttload, but with Pattys help, they managed to drag the engineer into the ships small cargo hold, where they left her to sleep off the effects of the nanobots.

Is this how you usually operate? Patty asked as she followed them onto the ship.

This? Lashes replied with a concerned frown. No, only whenwellyeah, most of the time.

Wont she be mad when she wakes up? Patty asked.

Ramsey put an arm around Pattys shoulder, and smiled as he walked her out of the hold and toward the crews rec room.

You have to understand, dear. Life has been hard on BAMF. Shes seen a lot, what with battling the likes of the AST, the Scipio Federation. Hell, shes even been out to the Pleaides! FTL makes her nervous. But when the time comes to do her part, shell be ready. Trust me.

Patty glanced at Lashes, who followed a few steps back.

And youre Penelope? The infiltration specialist? she asked.

Lashes nodded. Who doesnt like a little bit of infiltration? Might as well specialize in something people enjoy.

A sultry voice came over the ships audible systems. I know I like infiltration. Oh, and Stick is ready to undock. The word undock was drawn out and breathy, as though there was some possible sexual innuendo that could be made from it.