Free The Hunted Assassin by Paul B Kohler Page A

in. Cautiously, Jaxon nodded and moved to the side of the vehicle where a hatch was beginning to swing out.
    Once the door was open, Jaxon climbed in and cycled through the pressure chamber before moving further into the vehicle. Making his way forward, he verified the environment was safe to breathe before removing his helmet and face shield. As he finished stowing them in his satchel, the old-timer opened the door to the cockpit.
    “Well, what we got here?” the old man asked. “Looks like yer having a bit of car trouble, eh?”
    Jaxon was a little baffled by the codger’s slang and ancient earth accent. “Oh, you mean the escape pod?” Jaxon asked. “Yeah, I had a thruster problem on my ship and had to bail before I went down with the vessel.”
    “Yep. I reckon that’s what that flash was a while ago. Ain’t that thing got any better distance?” he asked as he stroked his beard, probably out of habit.
    “You’d think, but here I am. Sorry about landing on your property,” Jaxon said as he nodded in the direction in which he came.
    “Ain’t no thing. I reckon yer probably gonna be looking for a ride to the nearest call station?” the old man asked, surveying Jaxon with a peculiar look.
    “If it isn’t too much trouble,” Jaxon said. “I’d be willing to pay you for your time and effort. I’m …” Jaxon paused to determine what name he should be using. “I’m Jaxon,” he finished, deciding that Martin Wheeler might have taken his last breath in this sector.
    “Names DeWitt. Yeah, I can give you a ride. I was fixin’ to head that way anyway, so you can keep yer money.” DeWitt turned and stepped back into the cockpit. Jaxon followed and took the copilot seat.
    “About how far of a ride is it to Luna City?” Jaxon asked.
    “Luna City? Are you out of your mind? It’s at least three hours away. No sir, I’m headin’ to Carver Outpost. Yea, should be able to secure transport through the tunnels on into Luna City, if that’s yer destination,” DeWitt said as he adjusted a few controls on his dashboard before engaging the drive.
    “Okay, then. How long until we get to Carver?” Jaxon asked, conceding that landing where he did was probably a blessing as he wouldn’t have to explain his arrival at the docks of Luna City.
    “Thirty minutes. Max,” DeWitt said as he pointed his moon buggy toward their destination and engaged the autopilot.
    Jaxon caught DeWitt giving him a sideways look again, his curiosity certainly piqued by his sudden appearance.
    “Tell me, DeWitt, what is it you mine out here?” Jaxon asked, hoping to divert the attention away from himself.
    “Oar, mostly. There’s some heavy mineral deposits all over the surface, and the moon is littered with meteorites,” DeWitt said, turning directly toward Jaxon.
    “Isn’t that the truth?” Jaxon said. “But hasn’t the surface been picked clean? I know nine or ten years ago, the reports indicated that most of the meteorite salvage had been exhausted.”
    DeWitt nodded. “Yep. Sounds ‘bout right. I got this parcel pretty cheap around about that time. You’re not really from around here, are ya?” DeWitt asked as he sized up Jaxon’s attire.
    “Oh no, not at all. I spent a good deal of time here a decade or so ago but not so much since,” Jaxon said as he adjusted his posture, attempting to betray a sense of confidence. It had been years since he’d had to use the technique, but he was confident that he hadn’t lost his touch.
    “Listen, I got to ask you a question, Jaxon, was it?” DeWitt began. “Where in tarnation did you get that environmental suit? If you ask me, you look like some kind of futuristic techno-nerd. Because that suit looks out of this world. I’ve been up on this rock looking down on earth for coming up on six years now and boy, let me tell you. That is one, fancy, suit yer wearin’ there. That must’ve set you back a pretty penny.”
    Oh, shit, Jaxon thought. He instantly regretted not