Truehearts & The Escape From Pirate Moon Jake Macklem (classic romance novels TXT) 📖

him and yanked him close, using him as a shield. The force of the bullets hitting him knocked her off balance and she slipped to the ground.

The pirates’ guns clicked as they ran out of ammo. As they frantically rushed to reload, Ace looked up at them. The right shoulder of one of the pirates exploded in a burst of red blood, white bone, and crimson meat. Crying out, the pirate dropped his gun and fell backward with the force.

Cam looked at the last target. So, you’re the lucky one.

“You shot him with your eyes!” The final pirate looked around the room at his dead, dying, and disabled companions then at Ace. “Ye be an angel of death!” He turned and fled out of the chamber and down the tunnel.

Go tell your friends, like a good stooge. The chamber had been cleared of pirates in about fifteen seconds. That was amazing, Red.

Ace pushed the dead pirate off her and stood up. “That went pretty good.”

The pirates that were still alive moaned and cried for help. Cam had only fired twice, but put a fresh magazine in his rifle. “Could have been worse.”

Walking quickly through the surviving men, Ace kicked away any firearms within reach. “What do you mean it could have gone worse? It couldn’t have gone much better, neither of us died. I think your expectations are higher than mine.”

“Only thing I expect is to get off this rock.” Cam moved around the room checking each downed pirate, making sure none were a threat.

Ace hurried to the half-circled crates. Grabbing both backpacks, she started toward the main entrance and the pirate’s ship. The sharp, pulsed whine of a plasma discharge rang through the tunnel. “Think we scared them?” she asked.

You scare me, so… “No doubt.” Cam watched Ace climb up the wall and then over the entrance of the chamber until she rested on one of the small ledges they had prepared as a hiding spot. Her position there was crucial to the next part of their plan. She pressed herself against the wall as they heard the remaining pirates coming.

The crew entered the chamber with weapons ready, nervously scanning the room for threats. Cam felt a cold chill as the pirates kept coming; over two dozen Peoples. A Gargin, who looked to be made of striped rocks, carried a heavy machine gun capable of firing its entire clip of fifty rounds in less than five seconds. He was the most dangerous threat in the chamber.

The wounded crewmen called out, asking for help. The Gargin knelt next to the man with the broken sternum. “What happened?”

“A woman…with red hair…” The man winced and coughed blood.

Pointing at a cluster of pirates the Gargin shouted, “You! Circle round that way.” Standing, he pointed at a smaller group and said, “You’re coming with me, deeper into the chamber. The rest of you,” he addressed the remaining crewman, “stay close together and cover our asses.” The rock man turned and led his team toward the inner circle of crates.

Cam’s sphincter tightened when the piton holding Ace loosened, shifting some stone to crumble and roll down the wall. She ducked down before the pirates turned, but a few started calling out.

“What was that?”

“It was behind us.”

“Anyone see anything?”

Flashlight beams danced over Ace’s hiding spot, threatening to reveal her location.

Damn it. Cam squeezed off a single round, aimed in the far corner of the chamber. The crack of the rifle echoed through the chamber and the bullet bounced and sparked, making it nearly impossible for the searching pirates to locate the shooter. This is your window, Red.

As if she heard him, she rolled off the ledge and dropped the three meters to the ground. Flashlights beams strobed through the chamber as the pirates spun toward the sound. Cam squeezed off another shot while she absorbed the shock of the landing. A circle of light fell on her. Is she smiling? Ace darted for the big entrance, one pack on her back the other in her hand. Bullets and lasers filled the chamber as pirates opened undisciplined fire at Ace.

Cam located the Gargin as he lifted the massive machine gun level and pulled the trigger, bursts of fire exploding from the end of the barrel. Exhaling, Cam squeezed his rifle trigger and watched the Gargin’s back left shoulder crack and splinter like glass. The giant man staggered forward, roaring like an avalanche, but did not stop firing his weapon. Cam fired again; this time the Gargin’s shoulder exploded completely, grey, oil-like blood sprayed in all directions as he fell to the ground.

Quickly adjusting his rifle over the firing bench, Cam saw Ace sprinting up the entrance. She’s not holding it! Scanning the ground, Cam saw the half-full backpack ten meters behind her. Move it, Red!

The pirates started to follow her to the entrance, some of them even shooting down the tunnel. He desperately wanted to give her just a little more time but the pirate crew was not going to let him. Exhaling, he shot the pack of explosives. The blast shook the chamber, cracking the tunnel walls and ceiling as the concussive force flung the closest pirates through the air. Large rocks fell and crashed together, blocking the main entrance.

Cam took a swig of his coffee and tossed the cup as he hopped up and scrambled the steep incline to his nearby backpack. He slipped it on and locked it in place over the strap of his rifle then grabbed the two grenades at his waist. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the pins, rolled the grenades down the incline, and ran the other way. As he cleared the entrance a thunderous boom shook the ground and sent dirt and debris out of the cave.

Stepping from the cloud, Cam grabbed the hanging rope and started climbing. I really hope