Daring Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  About the Author

  Praise for

  Kris Longknife

  REDOUBTABLE

  “Readers have come to depend on Mike Shepherd for fast-paced military science fiction bound to compelling story lines and adrenaline-pumping battles. This eighth [book] in the Kris Longknife series does not disappoint. Kris Longknife is a hero to the core, with plenty of juice left for future installments.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “A rousing space opera that has extremely entertaining characters . . . an enjoyable addition to the series.”—Night Owl Sci-Fi

  Praise for

  Kris Longknife

  UNDAUNTED

  “An exciting, action-packed adventure . . . Mr. Shepherd has injected the same humor into this book as he did in the rest of the series . . . I really love these books and Undaunted is a great addition to the series.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  Praise for

  Kris Longknife

  INTREPID

  “[Kris Longknife] will remind readers of David Weber’s Honor Harrington with her strength and intelligence. Mike Shepherd provides an exciting military science fiction thriller.”

  —Genre Go Round Reviews

  “A good read for fans of the series and of military science fiction.”

  —Romantic Times

  Praise for

  Kris Longknife

  AUDACIOUS

  “Mike Shepherd is a fantastic storyteller who excels at writing military science fiction. His protagonist is a strong-willed, independent thinker who does what she thinks is best for humanity . . . There is plenty of action and tension . . . This is a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience for science fiction fans.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “ ‘I’m a woman of very few words, but lots of action.’ So said Mae West, but it might just as well have been Lieutenant Kris Longknife, princess of the one hundred worlds of Wardhaven. Kris can kick, shoot, and punch her way out of any dangerous situation, and she can do it while wearing stilettos and a tight cocktail dress. She’s all business, with a Hells Angel handshake and a ‘get out of my face’ attitude. But her hair always looks good. Audacious maintains a crisp pace and lively banter . . . Kris Longknife is funny and she entertains us.”

  —Sci Fi Weekly

  “The [fifth] book in this fast-paced, exciting military SF series continues the saga of a strong heroine who knows how to kick serious ass and make an impression on friends and enemies alike. Mike Shepherd has a great ear for dialogue and talent for injecting dry humor into things at just the right moment . . . The characters are engaging, and the plot is full of twists and peppered liberally with sharply described action. I always look forward to installments in the Kris Longknife series because I know I’m guaranteed a good time with plenty of adventure. Audacious doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Military SF fans are bound to get a kick out of the series as a whole, and fans will be glad to see Kris hasn’t lost any of her edge.”

  —SF Site

  . . . and for the other Kris Longknife novels

  “Enthralling . . . fast-paced . . . a well-crafted space opera with an engaging hero . . . I’d like to read more.”

  —SFRevu

  “I’m looking forward to her next adventure.”

  —The Weekly Press (Philadelphia)

  “Shepherd’s grasp of timing and intrigue remains solid, and Kris’s latest challenge makes for an engaging space opera, seasoned with political machination and the thrills of mysterious ancient technology, that promises to reveal some interesting things about the future Kris inhabits.”

  —Booklist

  “Everyone who has read Kris Longknife will hope for further adventures starring this brave, independent, and intrepid heroine. Mike Shepherd has written an action-packed, exciting space opera that starts at light speed and just keeps getting better. This is outer-space military science fiction at its adventurous best.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Kris is a strong female character . . . The book focuses on action, with some interesting sci-fi twists thrown in . . . It excels as a page-turner.”

  —Fantasy Book Spot

  “Fans of the Honor Harrington escapades will welcome the adventures of another strong female in outer space starring in a thrill-a-page military space opera. The heroine’s dry wit [and] ability to know what she is good at [as well as] her faults, [all] while keeping her regal DNA in perspective, especially during a crisis, endear her to readers. The audience will root for the determined, courageous, and endearing heroine as she displays intelligence and leadership during lethal confrontations.”

  —Alternative Worlds

  “[Shepherd] has a good sense of pace . . . very neatly handled, and served with a twist of wry. A surprisingly talented read from a very underrated author.”

  —Bewildering Stories

  “Shepherd does a really good job with this book. If you’re looking for an entertaining space opera with some colorful characters, this is your book. Shepherd grew up Navy and he does an excellent job of showing the complex demands and duties of an officer. I look forward to the next in the series.”

  —Books ’n’ Bytes

  “You don’t have to be a military sci-fi enthusiast to appreciate the thrill-a-minute plot and engaging characterization.”

  —Romantic Times

  Ace Books by Mike Shepherd

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: MUTINEER

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: DESERTER

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: DEFIANT

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: RESOLUTE

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: AUDACIOUS

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: INTREPID

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: UNDAUNTED

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: REDOUBTABLE

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: DARING

  eSpecials

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: TRAINING DAZE

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 1
0014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

  (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

  Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia

  (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

  Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India

  Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand

  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  KRIS LONGKNIFE: DARING

  An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Ace mass-market edition / November 2011

  Copyright © 2011 by Mike Moscoe.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form with-

  out permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of

  the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  ISBN : 978-1-101-54523-2

  ACE

  Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  Acknowledgments

  As so often is the case, Sir Winston Churchill said it best. “Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

  Eight books ago, we began the saga of a young boot ensign from a well-connected family who chose to run off and join the Navy. Her folks were sure there was no need for heroes in their day and age, thus no need for soldiers or sailors or Marines.

  Boy, were they wrong!

  But with this book, Kris Longknife: Daring, everything changes.

  And at a time like this in Kris’s life, it’s appropriate that her writer acknowledge a few important things as well.

  Without the support of an editor like Ginjer Buchanan, these stories would have never been told. A writer couldn’t ask for a better editor than I have with Ginjer. Few writers get as long a run with the same editor as I have gotten with Ginjer, and I treasure every minute of it.

  Jenn Jackson is the best sort of agent that a writer could hope for. She’s always there when I need her and kind enough to keep out of my way when I have a head of steam up and just want to run with it. Thanks to her and the Donald Maass Literary Agency, Kris’s story is now being translated into Japanese and Spanish as well as available at www.audible.com.

  The list of other folks who’ve been a part of bringing Kris to life for the readers goes long and includes way too many for me to name. However, I’d like to highlight the gang at the Historic Anchor Inn in Lincoln City, Oregon. I twisted my back during one of my writing weeks at the coast. For four days I was in a drug fog as my back did horrible things to the rest of me. They were the home away from home that I could only hope for, bringing food up to my room and finding ice for my back. Thank you, Kip, Candi, Misty, and all.

  Special thanks go to Edee Lemonier, one of those people born with an eagle’s eye for spotting typos and nits that escape me. After all, once I’ve written the story, I know what’s supposed to be there. Seeing what’s not there is a special blessing Edee gives me.

  Last, but hardly least, I’d like to thank my wife, who has held my hand and encouraged me from the first day to find the writer inside me I was afraid to let loose. Thanks, Love.

  1

  Lieutenant Commander Kris Longknife fought the shot-up controls of the Greenfeld Ground Assault Craft. It seemed bent on smashing itself into the rocky ground below. She would much rather stay in the air, putting more miles between her and the whoever it was who’d put so many holes so quickly in her borrowed air vehicle.

  “Jack, get me some more controls.”

  “I’ve already flipped on the backup stabilization and directional controls, Kris.”

  “Then find the backup to the backup!”

  “I don’t think Greenfeld puts more than one in any craft.”

  “What kind of cheapskate, death-happy crazies only put one backup system in a fighting vehicle?” cried Nelly, Kris’s personal computer and no help at the moment.

  “Our newest ally,” Jack muttered.

  The air vehicle fought Kris, flipping right, then left, but it put more rock-strewn ground between Kris and the apparent mining concern that had been the target of what was supposed to be a quick snatch-and-grab raid.

  “Where did all that firepower come from?” Kris asked no one in particular.

  “I think who- or whatever we’re dealing with is very, very trigger-happy. And really paranoid, to boot,” Jack answered.

  “You can say that again,” Nelly said.

  A flash came from behind Kris. Her air rig chose to zig at that moment, giving her a fairly good view out of the left corner of her eye at the target they were now fleeing. A laser beam winked out, to be replaced by several more.

  “Oh, oh,” Kris muttered. “Admiral Krätz just got tired of messing with the problem and lased it from orbit.”

  “God help us,” Jack said. And very likely meant it for a prayer. The shock waves coming off the target were only seconds away from ripping their damaged ride to pieces.

  “There’s a swamp up ahead,” Nelly said.

  “I see it,” Kris said. “I’m aiming for it.” As much as she could aim that riddled bucket of lowest-bid bolts.

  She managed to pancake the craft into what looked like the softest mud bank in sight. They bounced, settled again, slid for a bit, then slowly turned sideways.

  Then the shock wave from 18-inch lasers pommeling a mine head hit them.

  The Greenfeld assault boat flipped and lost its stubby wings as it rolled and started coming apart.

  As the cockpit was ripped from the rest of the craft, Kris grayed out but fought not to lose consciousness. As she struggled to avoid the looming darkness, one question kept running over and over in her mind.

  What am I doing here? What am I doing here?

  Then she remembered.

  Oh, right, I insisted on being here.

  2

  “You will not,” thundered King Raymond the First, Hammerer of the Iteeche, Killer of the Tyrant Urm and Ender of the Unity War (it was in all the papers), and presently Sovereign of the 173 planets in the United Society (or Societies, depending on your political persuasion). That royal claim was circumscribed by a brand-new, if as yet not very tested, constitution.

  A recognized legend for the last eighty years, what Ray Longknife bellowed, he expected to have done.

  “Yes, I will,” said Lieutenant Commander, Her Royal Highness Kristine Anne Longknife, Defender of the Peace at Paris (even if it did involve mutiny), she who commanded at Wardhaven, and presently Commander, Patrol Squad
ron 10. She’d had enough of her grampa Ray running her around on a short leash and was ready to take her squadron and do what she thought necessary to save humanity . . . this time.

  The space between them and the room around them took on a noticeable chill. Those forced to witness this intrafamily squabble, which, like everything the Longknifes did, was of near-biblical proportions, did their best to gaze at the ceiling, desk, carpet . . . anywhere but at the two so committed to disagreement.

  Kris locked eyes with her grampa Ray. He scowled back, a scowl he’d been practicing for a hundred years. Kris didn’t try to match him, scowl for scowl, but met his gaze with a rock-solid blank stare that promised no flexibility on her part.

  Neither one blinked.

  It got kind of boring.

  So Kris checked out General Mac McMorrison’s new digs. He’d been promoted from Wardhaven Chief of Staff to Chief of the Royal U.S. General Staff. The republican blue rug and frayed blue curtains were gone, replaced by a royal red. The new curtains even had gold tassels. The couches that held Kris’s staff had also been reupholstered in red and gold stripes.

  Kris would never have guessed Grampa Ray was so into red.

  The king himself sat in a large visitor’s chair next to Mac’s desk. Why did Kris suspect that chair was only brought out from against the wall when the king came to call. Mac sat at his desk. To his left, in a normal-sized visitor’s chair, was Admiral Crossenshield, the head of Wardhaven Intelligence.