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    A Jack in the Dark
    A Jack in the Dark
    A Jack in the Dark
    Ebook362 pages4 hours

    A Jack in the Dark

    By Lesley L. Smith

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Interstellar singer spy Jack Jones is kidnapped!

    When he's rescued by his crewmates on the Shakespeare (how embarrassing!) he's still in the dark... He accidentally has sex with what appears to be a ghost and is very surprised at what develops. When the resultant ghostly investigation leads him to the most secretive planet in existence, will what he finds there bring freedom or the destruction of the entire galaxy?

    Armed only with his stunning good looks, amazing charm, superlative secret agent instincts and a special skill that seems to be on the fritz, Jack must get to the heart of the greatest unsolved mystery in the galaxy...even if it kills him.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLesley L. Smith
    Release dateApr 24, 2018
    ISBN9780997313161
    A Jack in the Dark
    Author

    Lesley L. Smith

    All right, I confess! I love physics. I blame my misspent youth reading science fiction by the likes of Asimov, Heinlein, and Clarke. Not surprisingly, I also love science fiction. I grew up in Missouri, in a family of overeducated overachievers. Following in their footsteps, I've earned far too many degrees including an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Elementary Particle Physics and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction. Hmm? I may have a split personality. The evidence shows I've authored or co-authored many scientific articles, and am a longtime member of the American Physical Society. I'm also a founder and editor of the speculative fiction ezine http://www.electricspec.com and a longtime member of the Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America. Both sides of my personality live in Boulder, Colorado where I do physics by day and science fiction by night. Please visit me on the web at http://www.lesleylsmith.com.

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      A Jack in the Dark - Lesley L. Smith

      Chapter One

      I leaned back in my chair in the dimmed theatre on Keplarr-452b. It was impossible to get comfortable in the high gravity. The thick planetary atmosphere almost felt like a blanket lying on a person; the humidity was impressive. I sucked in a dense breath.

      My good friend and crewmate Ted, sitting next to me, glanced over. You okay, Jack? When I'd first arrived on our ship, the Shakespeare, he'd beguiled me with his extraordinarily long eyelashes.

      I nodded.

      The crew of the Terran Cultural Committee's flagship was putting on one of Earth's masterpieces, Hamlet, for the Keplarrians. It was an unusual experience for me to be in the audience since I was a huge star, but I was trying to make the most of it. I stared at the stage, letting the whole experience wash over me.

      Lord Polonius, aka First Officer Carter Nillion, was talking. "This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!" Carter was doing a good job; he actually had some acting chops. Who knew? He did resemble a classically-handsome leading man, tall, with symmetric features--so it was good he could play a leading man.

      I found this section particularly intriguing since I was a clone. Who was thine own self? Not the original Jack Jones--I hoped. He'd ended up being a dastardly thief and murderer, a brigand, and an evildoer of the highest order. I paused. Maybe I was getting a little carried away. At any rate, he was imprisoned back on Earth, so I didn't need to worry about him anymore. I cleared my throat.

      You could play any character in this, Jack, Ted whispered.

      I know, right? I whispered back.

      Their loss, he said.

      I nodded. Yeah.

      Somebody sitting behind us said, Shh! It must have been a human because it was doubtful the Keplarrians knew about shushing. Or could make that sound since they were snake-like creatures. I glanced back, but it was too dark to see who or what it was.

      Sorry, but my part's coming up, Ted said. I have to go.

      Shh! the mysterious audience member said again.

      Ted stood.

      Down in front!

      Ted leaned over and crept away.

      Yes, it was irksome that I was pretty much the only member of the Shakespeare's crew not in or working on the show. Especially since the official mission of the Shakespeare was spreading Earth's awesome culture for the Terran Cultural Committee. The Shakespeare's unofficial mission was spying on the rest of the galaxy for Earth.

      Ophelia, aka Engineering Lieutenant Olivia Lee, said, "My lord, he hath importuned me with love in honorable fashion." With her golden-hued skin and wide-set almond eyes, she made a great Ophelia.

      I could imagine someone importuning her with love. I lost myself in the story...

      At intermission, no one from the crew came out to say hi to me. Frankly, it was surprising. I'd made a point of staying near my seat so they could find me. "Oft expectation fails," I muttered.

      The theatre had a distinct cave-like vibe with walls, floor and ceiling made of what appeared to be gray rock. It wasn't the first non-Terran theatre I'd been to that reminded me of a big cave. On the other hand, all theatres looked pretty much the same with the house lights dimmed--especially from the stage.

      As I lollygagged, I studied the crowd. I didn't see any sign of the annoying humans giving Ted grief earlier. I did see a few Tau-Ceto-ans with their gray scaly skin, powerful thick arms and legs, rounded backs, and gray-brown tunics. I'd been told not to say they resembled turtles, but come on. I'd had a bit of a mishap on Tau Ceto e--running from the law--but presumably, none of these Tau-Ceto-ans would hold it against me. Or even know about it.

      I also saw a few Alpha-Catoblepans with their weak chins, prominent noses, big ears, and fur in shades from white to black. They also sported tunics. Why were tunics so popular? A couple of white-furred AC ladies(?) sitting behind me waved energetically as I turned around. I modestly waved back. They seemed thrilled. I'm sure I made their day since, on Alpha Catoblepas, I was renowned as a supremely gifted singer.

      The Keplarrians resembled nothing so much as big snakes--wearing tunics. I guess when you have high gravity and a thick atmosphere, a snake is an economical body type. I nodded at the group to my right. They didn't respond--or if they did, it wasn't in any way I could discern.

      I perused the crowd some more. There were quite a few species I didn't recognize, like that violet cloud over to the left and the rock-looking thing next to it.

      Intermission can last a long time when you don't have anyone to talk to. I was just debating going over and chatting with my AC fans when the lights flickered, indicating the show would go on momentarily. I carefully set myself back down in the seat.

      Sure enough, the lights soon dimmed...

      Hamlet, aka Captain Gina Gomez, said, "As thou'rt a man, give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't." Yes, it was an unusual choice to have a curvilicious woman playing Hamlet, but the captain was in charge of shows as well as the ship, and apparently, rank has its privileges.

      Suddenly something was on my head blocking my vision, but when I tried to take it off, someone or something held my arms down. Hey! Stop it! Let me go!

      Behind me, someone said, Shh!

      In the background on stage, Gina said, "Absent thee from felicity awhile..."

      I felt a small prick. That didn't seem right...

      Everything went dark.

      When I came to, it was pitch dark. I was lying on some kind of stone floor. Hello? Anyone there? I tried to get up and realized the strong gravity and thick soupy air meant I was still on Keplarr-452b. Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

      Surely, the Shakespeare crew would be busting in any second to rescue me. Surely, they all missed me immensely by now. Surely.

      Hello?

      No one came.

      Anyone there? What do you want?

      No one answered.

      Help?

      Nothing.

      It looked like it was up to me to get out of here. I tried to stand and, woozy, decided crawling was a more efficient means of locomotion. I crawled until I touched a wall. It was stone. I crawled the entire perimeter of my cell. It all felt like stone walls. Where was the door? How had I even ended up in here?

      I lay back to regroup and come up with a plan.

      I wracked my brain. Jeez, coming up with plans was tough, especially when one was woozy.

      I lay on the floor for what seemed like forever. In the dark, with no sensory input whatsoever, it was impossible to tell how much time was passing. Eventually, my disquiet was replaced by boredom.

      Hey! I yelled. You can't just leave me here!

      I paused to listen.

      Nothing.

      Apparently, they could just leave me here.

      I wracked my brain some more. Since I was technically less than a year old, it was doubtful this was about me. Either they wanted to use me as leverage somehow against the Shakespeare, or this had something to do with my original, the infamous Old Jack. I pondered. Yeah, it was most likely they thought I was Old Jack and I was in possession of his stolen goods, or he owed them money. Or he'd murdered one of them. The extent of Old Jack's crimes was still being investigated.

      I'd had enough. If I couldn't escape right now, or come up with a plan, at least I could do something constructive: I could rehearse. The next time the Shakespeare put on Hamlet, I would play the Danish Prince.

      I started to stand, but gravity was still very strong. Why use up my energy? I could rehearse lying down.

      Let's see. What's my first line?

      "A little more than kin, and less than kind."

      "Not so, my lord; I am too much i' the sun."

      Rehearsing was not super fun, with no one to run lines with you.

      "Ay, madam, it is common."

      I heard a crash, and suddenly light streamed into the room. A section of the rock wall had collapsed.

      Ted bounded in, grunting with the effort. Jack! There you are! Are you all right?

      I felt my eyes fill with (manly) tears of relief. Thank God, Ted.

      Carter entered after him, looking like a hero, darn his classically-handsome looks. Is someone else here? Captors?

      No. I shook my head and reached for Ted. He leaned down and engulfed me in his arms. After so long alone in the dark, it was heavenly.

      So, you were talking to yourself? Carter asked.

      Eva strode in, her big brown eyes flashing. She was the weapons expert and trainer on the ship. You got him? All right then. It was wonderful to see her; we were very close. Truth be told, it was always wonderful to see Eva: she was very fit and beautiful.

      Ted said, Let's get out of here.

      Yes, please. I let go of Ted. How long's it been? How long have I been a prisoner? He helped me off the floor, and I got a head rush as I ascended.

      Eva looked at her fon. Almost two hours.

      I couldn't process that. Only two hours? That couldn't be right. It felt like two centuries.

      Ted helped me to the door. Yeah. We didn't know you were missing until after the show.

      You didn't show up at the after-party, Carter said. In hindsight, that was suspicious. It's not like you to miss a party.

      Ted shook his head. I thought you were signing autographs. We all started walking down the hall. But then some AC ladies came looking for you and said they saw you leave wearing a hood over your head before the end of the show.

      My prison was all nondescript familiar-looking gray stone walls and floors. The cell doors also seemed to be made of stone. What is this place? I asked. Then, Ted's words registered. Did the ACs see who took me?

      No, Ted said.

      The ACs were useless for intel, Eva said, striding in the front of the group. Among other things, they didn't think there was anything weird about the hood.

      Didn't you see who took you? Carter asked me.

      No. I shook my head, and everything spun. I remembered the little prick. They, whoever or whatever they were, must have drugged me. And they put something over my head.

      The hood, Ted said helpfully.

      I nodded. Head spin. I was officially putting a moratorium on head shakes and nods.

      Eva stopped and turned around. Who or what was it? What did they want with you? She stared at me.

      I had no idea. I have no idea.

      Gee, that wasn't ominous at all.

      Chapter Two

      The morning after my ordeal, I sat with Captain Gina Gomez in her pretty, rose-walled ready room. It was dominated by a large table and chairs; I now sat in one of the latter around the former. I knew from experience that the flowers in the vases were bolted down somehow. I hadn't quite deduced the mechanism yet but resisted the urge to investigate.

      I'm disappointed with you, Jack, she said. It's not acceptable to be AWOL from the ship. She was the most voluptuous woman on board. Her combination of sexiness and power was almost intoxicating.

      Wait. Was she blaming me for being kidnapped? I was kidnapped! I pointed at her. You know I was kidnapped because your husband Carter was one of the people who rescued me!

      She frowned.

      I was in danger, real danger! It's not like some rabid fans took me for a fun orgy or something. I was a galactically-famous singer, so that scenario wasn't totally outside the realms of possibility. Of course, I was also a Terran spy, like everyone else on the ship--but did the aliens know that? I wasn't sure.

      Because of your unusual, ah, talent, I need to know where you are at all times, she said.

      Sadly, the unusual talent she was referring to was not singing. Or even orgy-related talents. But I thought my special skill was top secret, need-to-know.

      It is. But who knows who might have deduced it? She frowned some more. Or who you might have blabbed to.

      To be fair, I was a little murky about who I'd told. A lot had happened in the last few months. Well, how will you know where I am at all times? It's not like you can hold me prisoner.

      Her expression said, 'Yes, I can.'

      I'm a grown man!

      She wrinkled her brow. Are you? Technically, I'd only been decanted a few months ago.

      I am. We stared at each other for a few moments. She didn't seem convinced. "Come on, Gina. Give me a break. Aren't we more than kin?" Frankly, our relationship was confusing. She'd been married to the original me. Legally, I thought we were, in fact, still married.

      She exhaled. So, anyway, I won't assign you a guard if you promise to behave.

      Kidnapped! I said.

      I know; I've got a team investigating. She paused. In the meantime, we need to study your special skill. I'm assigning you to engineering; you can study with the engineers.

      I knew a very sexy engineering ensign, Olivia Lee. Olivia?

      No, she said. I'm not assigning you to work with a bimbo you can just flutter your eyelashes at and get in the sack. In point of fact, Olivia was surprisingly immune to my charms.

      Olivia's not a bimbo. Now I felt myself frown. And that's not an appropriate thing to say about one of your crewmembers.

      You're right. She exhaled again. I apologize to you and Olivia.

      She didn't seem like herself. You seem upset, I said. Can I help?

      She hesitated.

      Do you need a hug?

      She looked like she might actually be considering it. No, Jack. Just do your job. I'm assigning you to work with Chief Engineer Bello. Keep this all quiet. Report to engineering immediately.

      She still looked like she needed a hug.

      Immediately, she said. Do you not know what immediately means?

      So, no hugs. I got to my feet. No, ma'am. I mean, yes, ma'am. I know what immediately means.

      As I approached engineering, I appreciated the fascinating mural on the hallway wall outside. It featured Hamlet and his father's ghost with lots of spooky fog and a dramatic full moon. I would play Hamlet some day.

      Engineering was the same as ever, full of machines whirring and blinking lights. And full of engineers; they all looked cute in their form-fitting engineering uniforms.

      Someone said, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jones, as soon as I entered. He was an older man with gray hair and a trim gray beard. He was quite attractive, in a mature way. We were expecting you earlier. I'm Commander Bello. The other engineers weren't paying any attention to us. They remained focused on their tasks--whatever they were. Maybe I'd learn more engineering being stationed here.

      It's nice to meet you. Please call me Jack. What should I call you? I looked into his eyes. They were very nice, a strong gray-blue, the color of a stormy Terran sky.

      You should call me Commander Bello. Then, he looked back into my eyes.

      I recalled what Gina'd said and fluttered my eyelashes. Oh. I smiled. Surely, you have a first name?

      Dylan, he said as if in a daze.

      I held out my hand, and we shook. Very nice to meet you, Dylan. His hand felt strong and warm in mine. I liked this Dylan. "More honor'd in the breach than the observance."

      Dylan withdrew his hand. Ah, okay. He cleared his throat. Perhaps we should get to work?

      Sounds good, Dylan. I beamed at him.

      So, ah, anyway, we're supposed to investigate your 'special skill'? Can you enlighten me? What is this skill?

      I leaned towards him. Are you sure you have the security clearance?

      Yes. Gina already told me.

      Then why are you asking me?

      It's pretty hard to believe. He paused. What are you claiming?

      I took a step closer. He smelled nice, strong, like a powerful man. I can make improbable things happen?

      He took a step away. Seriously? I mean, that's what Gina said, but...

      I took a step towards him. Seriously. I nodded.

      He raised his eyebrows. Well, I guess we'll see, won't we? I'm supposed to turn on the FTL drive?

      Yes.

      All right. He turned around. Follow me. I followed him deeper into engineering.

      He paused in front of a featureless white ball, aka the mysterious FTL drive. It was about two feet in diameter. We humans knew almost nothing about how it worked. He accessed a computer near it. So, I turn on the FTL drive? Are we going somewhere?

      I'm no Engineer, but aren't we too close to Keplarr-452b? We're not supposed to try to jump near planets and stuff, right?

      We've been flying through normal space at full speed since the crew returned last night. We should be far enough away.

      I held up my hand. Let's wait on jaunting across the universe for the moment. Is it on?

      Yeah. Can't you tell?

      Tricky. Usually, I realized something wonky was going on with the FTL drive when my body started acting wonky. Can we jump a few feet or something? I asked.

      He shrugged and fiddled with the machine. Okay. He straightened and looked at me.

      What would you say if I asked you to kiss me? I asked.

      I'd say you seem like a nice young man, but focus on your damn job.

      What if I said kissing you was part of my job?

      He stared at me.

      Go ahead. Check with Gina. I'll wait. I smiled and crossed my arms. It would be fun to kiss him.

      Without saying a word, he took out his fon. Gina? I'm standing here with Jack as you asked, and you wouldn't believe what he wants to do. He quieted, listening. He glanced at me. Whatever he wants? He listened. Anything? He listened. Yes, ma'am. He hung up.

      He stepped to me, held my face in his hand and planted a delicious kiss right on my lips. Wow. I lost track of space and time there for a moment.

      But I didn't get aroused. That was very unlikely, considering how attractive he was.

      When we separated, he said, So?

      My special skill is working. I smiled. I needed to get to know this Dylan much, much better. Do you have a wish? The more outlandish, the better.

      He shook his head a little but then said, I wish I was your age again.

      I started to say his wish but stopped myself in time. Ah, technically, I'm less than a year old. So, maybe that's not a great idea. I knew for sure Gina would be annoyed with me if I turned her chief engineer into a toddler.

      Dylan's jaw dropped.

      Maybe we should wish you were eighteen years old again?

      He nodded.

      I wish handsome Dylan Bello here was eighteen years old. I stared at him.

      He got kind of blurry, and then, suddenly, he looked much, much younger. If I'd thought old Dylan was attractive, young Dylan was really, really attractive. His stormy blue eyes were even more beautiful, framed by dark hair and smooth skin.

      My skill worked. Of course. Yay, me.

      I feel different, he said. I feel awesome. Energetic. Strong. He held up his hands. My skin looks different.

      He ran to a reflective piece of equipment. In the mirror-like surface, he beheld the eighteen-year-old version of himself. What. The. Fuck? Then he crumpled to the floor.

      I got out my fon and called Dr. Sharma. Hi, Dr. Sharma. This is Jack. I'm in engineering. I think Commander Bello fainted.

      What did you do to him? Dr. Sharma asked.

      I didn't do anything! Nothing bad, anyway. Can you come over here or not?

      All right, he said, sighing. On my way. Why did people seem to sigh so often around me?

      Soon, Dr. Sharma ran into the room with his medical bag. He was one of the oldest men on the ship, and it appeared his ancestors were from the Terran country India. Considering how old he was, he was a very good runner. He was also a very good doctor with an excellent bedside manner. Usually. Now, he pointed at Dylan lying on the floor. Who's this?

      Dylan Bello.

      I know Dylan, he said, frowning. He's a fifty-five-year-old man. This isn't Dylan.

      Well, whoever he is, he fainted. I suppressed my own sigh. Can you help him?

      I should be able to. He knelt and leaned over him, taking his vital signs. He opened his bag and withdrew a vial. He opened the small container and waved it under Dylan's nose.

      Dylan sputtered and opened his eyes. What's going on? Why am I on the floor?

      You just fainted, young man. Dr. Sharma put his equipment back in his bag. But don't worry, you're going to be just fine. What's your name?

      Dylan stared. What do you mean, what's my name? You know me, Sharma. I'm Bello, Dylan Bello. He struggled to get to his feet.

      I lent him a hand. Because I was gallant like that.

      Dylan bounced up. When he caught sight of his reflection again, he whispered. Fuck.

      Dr. Sharma stood. What's going on here? What did you do, Jack?

      I couldn't recall if he knew about my special skill or not. Why do you assume I did something?

      He gave me a smirk that said, 'Duh.'

      Top secret, I said.

      Change me back! Dylan said.

      I wish Dylan was back to his usual fifty-five-year-old self, I said.

      Nothing happened. Oops. My special skill was a little unreliable.

      Change me back! Dylan said.

      I tried, I said. It didn't work. I did not understand why it worked sometimes and didn't other times.

      What the hell is going on here? Dr. Sharma said.

      Good question.

      Chapter Three

      Gina, aka Captain Gomez, was calling me on the carpet. Again.

      It felt like being summoned into the principal's office. I could remember that like it was yesterday--which was ironic since the last time I'd been called to the principal's was about forty years ago.

      What the hell, Jack! Gina exclaimed, hands on her ample hips, fire practically shooting out of her eyeballs. What did you do to Dylan?

      We were in her ready room. She was sexy when she was angry. But she was also more than a little scary.

      I made him eighteen again, I mumbled. I didn't understand why she was so mad. She'd told me to study my special skill, and I had. I also didn't understand why Dylan was so mad. Who wouldn't want to be young again?

      What? she asked. Speak up.

      I made him eighteen again! I said. You're the one who told me to experiment!

      I also told you to keep it quiet. Her volume decreased slightly. How are we supposed to explain this?

      Isn't it obvious? I waved my hand over my awesome bod. We could say Dylan was a clone, like me.

      What? She shook her head. You want to have sex with him?

      Why did everyone always assume I wanted to have sex with everything? I hadn't had sex in hours. In fact, I hadn't had sex in days.

      Jack!

      Obviously, we tell everyone he's in a clone body, I said.

      How do we explain the fact that he wasn't in a clone body fifteen minutes ago?

      It's a secret clone body that we just transferred his memories to?

      How do we explain the fact that we don't have the facilities to grow clones on the ship?

      The clone body was in stasis or something?

      Why did he transfer to a clone body? she asked. It was a good question. Did he die?

      Okay, I said. He died.

      She took her hands off her hips and sat down in a chair. Might work. She frowned. I guess. She glanced at me. Beggars can't be choosers.

      "Things without all remedy should be without regard: what's done is done," I said.

      Maybe so. She sighed. "More like the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. But, all right. Secret clone body it is."

      I stood up from my chair. Are we done, then?

      Where do you think you're going? she asked.

      Back to engineering? Back to work?

      She looked at me.

      Aren't I?

      Dylan refuses to work with you any more.

      Aw. I knew things hadn't gone totally smoothly with Dylan, but I'd thought we'd had a connection. And I still didn't get why he didn't

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