Starship Revenant (The Galactic Wars Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

into Zoey’s cheek. The blow wrenched her jaw, twisting her neck. She smacked the concrete like a slab of beef. The floor smelled like stale beer and old vomit. Washed with bleach and water many times, it was a smell that never quite came out of the porous concrete floor.
    Zoey had been in plenty of bar fights before. But she’d never been hit that hard in her entire life. Her eye was instantly black, and she was seeing double. It took her a moment to regain her faculties.
    The meathead was moving in for the kill.
    Zoey tried to peel herself off the ground. She couldn’t take many more hits like that. If she didn’t get off the ground soon she was going to be in deep trouble.
    The fight had drawn a crowd. They were hooting and hollering and cheering. People were making bets on the side. Nobody was stepping in to help. Hell, it was a free fight on a Friday night. You couldn’t get better live entertainment than this.
    Eddie charged the oaf, but he batted Eddie away like he was made of paper. He turned his attention back to Zoey. By this time, she had sprung up from the ground and was trying to plot her next move.
    A shotgun blast got everyone’s attention.
    Baxter had put a round into the ceiling. Bits of plaster and debris rained down from above. He racked the pump action shotgun and aimed it at the oaf’s mellon head. “I like a good fight as much as the next person, but this one is over, Harley.”
    Harley scowled at him.
    “Tell you what… you apologize to the lady, and I’ll give you another round on the house.”
    Harley growled.
    “I got no qualms about making improvements to your appearance,” Baxter said. “Dr. Floyd here gives a helluva facelift.” Baxter had an affinity for his shotgun. It had settled down many a rowdy patron over the years.
    Harley gritted his teeth. “She started it. I ain’t apologizing for shit.”
    “Harley, I haven’t had to shoot nobody in a long time.” Baxter’s finger was wrapped tight around the trigger. Even with a 12gauge shotgun aimed at the big thug, Baxter was still a little nervous. Harley was just one of those guys that was hard to put down.
    Harley pursed his lips, then sighed. “Alright, fine. Whatever.” His menacing eyes found Zoey. “I’m sorry. My behavior was rude and insensitive.”
    Baxter’s tense body relaxed a bit.
    Zoey was a little surprised Harley complied so easily. She wasn’t about to let her guard down, but Harley’s change in behavior was just enough of a distraction for him to make his move. And he moved quick, for such a big guy.
    Harley lunged for Baxter’s shotgun. He grabbed the barrel and pushed it toward the ceiling. Baxter clenched his fist, involuntarily squeezing the trigger. The thunderous blast was deafening. Zoey’s ears rang. Bits of dust and debris from the ceiling rained down.
    Harley cracked Baxter in the face with the stock of the shotgun. Then he stripped the weapon from Baxter’s hands. He pumped the weapon and aimed it at Baxter’s head. He was about to pull the trigger when Zoey lunged for the barrel.
    The shotgun went off again—this time cratering the concrete next to Baxter. He managed to roll out of the way in the knick of time, pelted by chips of concrete.
    Zoey struggled with Harley over the gun. But it wasn’t much of a struggle. Harley tossed Zoey aside. She crashed to the ground amid broken glass and the debris of the shattered table. Shards dug into her hands and forearms. Blood bloomed from the abrasions.
    Harley racked the shotgun again. This time the big black barrel was staring right at her.

8
    The Decluvians
    E mperor Tyvelon marveled at the destruction of Delta Vega from the CIC of the Imperial Spaceship Korvectus. It was named after the Decluvian God of War, and first emperor, Ivas Korvectus IV.
    If Tyvelon’s campaign to exterminate the humans and drive them from the Saarkturian Holy Land was successful, which was off to a good start, he would be remembered as a god himself. And that