Loyalty: Old Mans Comeback Book 5, page 1
Loyalty
Old Mans Comeback Book 5
JOHN WALKER
Copyright © 2025 John Walker
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
DISCLAIMER
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This story contains explicit language and violence.
Table of contents
Prologue
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
Epilogue
Prologue
The Hostel
Carnage swept through the streets as the visitors of the Hostel attempted to leave the settlement. They found the ports cut off and locked down. Threats from orbit suggested any ship attempting to depart would be targeted by the Mahshi.
The notification didn’t placate those stuck on the surface. Many of them wanted to take their chances, to do anything as long as it meant forward motion toward escape. A few fled to the terminals for the trams. Others cowered in different business establishments. And some wanted to fight.
They joined the security forces, ready to lay their lives on the line against the incoming threat. Though it quickly became evident that any resistance would be met with fatal violence. The Mahshi announced their intention to bombard the domes. The message came through speakers positioned all over the city.
This possibility pushed the people toward hysteria. Many of them acted like cornered animals, prepared to do anything it would take to keep themselves safe. Only they didn’t have any idea of what specifically they needed to do.
So they turned on each other. Fights broke out through the streets. They flared up briefly before someone fled or died. Security might’ve been out there stopping that type of behavior if not for their own problems. They stood down, waiting at their complex in anticipation of the occupation force.
A pall fell over the settlement, one of pure hopelessness. Because everyone in the Hostel knew the Mahshi. They knew how they felt about cultures outside their own. Even their visits hadn’t been pleasant in the past.
All thoughts turned to Kesta Orat, The Concierge. How would he deal with the invaders? Could he do anything to save them? Or were they doomed to fall under the jurisdiction of some of the most hateful beings in the galaxy?
Time would tell. But as the ships descended with troops prepared to occupy the primary settlement, all eyes turned to the Lobby, where their leader waited to learn of his own fate. And whether or not he’d pull off a miracle that could save them all.
Chapter 1
The Hostel
Kesta Orat
Mahshi occupation never seemed possible. They always negotiated, always accepted passage and supplies, intelligence and aid. Taking over hadn’t come up before. Not in jest, not in passing. Primarily because of location, but also the fact the surface was uninhabitable.
Kesta ordered the security forces to stand down. The warship taking orbit put them in a difficult spot. Once they arrived, he had to wonder why they hadn’t taken what they wanted before. None of the domes could have resisted them with that firepower.
Earlier interactions spoke of rationality, a sense of integrity toward other living beings. This visit held something else. A dangerous sort of animosity, as if they really had been planning on taking the colony. Kesta didn’t understand why they’d bother.
Why would the Mahshi decide to take over a trading post? What did they hope to gain? What were they missing that made such a thing not only possible, but worth their time? Most of it came down to their obsession with Kultarin equipment. And the fact they knew about Sorsha.
The Hostel’s aid to Sorsha’s mission likely put them in the crosshairs. Despite the fact Kesta worked with the Collector many times, he never ran afoul of the less scrupulous aspects of the universe. Not in conflict, at least.
Now this Harl Lacha character was on his way to the surface to discuss the next steps of their occupation. His soldiers already occupied the main settlement, locking the security forces in their own jail. Anyone visiting for trade or business had found themselves stuck there. They wouldn’t be leaving any time soon.
If at all. Kesta had a bad feeling about how things might go. The Mahshi had proven themselves ruthless invaders in the past. Whole worlds had been razed after they got what they wanted. Countless people died in such situations. He had to figure out some way to spare as many as possible.
Without compromising his ideals or friends. That would be the trick. Harl seemed like the sort of man that would apply as much pressure and leverage as possible to get what he wanted. The impression came without firing a single shot, which he might’ve done just to prove himself.
Kesta wondered about Bolst and Torma. They had left to board the space station in orbit, to conduct an investigation into what group might have been helping to smuggle high-tech devices to the surface. They lost contact with one another just before the Mahshi arrived, which didn’t bode well.
Chances were good Harl’s people already occupied the station, that they weren’t dealing with someone within their own ranks, but invaders. How long had they been in control? What had they done with the original admins?
Kesta blamed himself for not staying on top of communications with the various people responsible for his woes. Dome Four, the space station, probably others… he’d been letting them all run on autopilot. And up until that point, they had been doing quite well for themselves. Until they weren’t.
A lot of people came through the Hostel demanding his attention. Traders, sometimes diplomats from independent worlds and colonies, even the militias, all of them looking for better rates and the means to get their goods moving faster. They needed the travel hub to operate quickly on their behalf.
Keeping the machinery of commerce moving meant intense focus. Kesta understood he needed to delegate more. He already did so with security, but there was another layer he missed. A small council dealing with the domes would’ve gone a long way.
And all of his thinking might have been too late. If Harl’s arrival meant the end of his time as The Concierge, then none of his future plans mattered. While Kesta refused to give up, he couldn’t help but prepare for reality. The very real idea that he could be executed.
The shuttle arrived some time earlier. Harl and his entourage made their way for Kesta’s office, which had been moved away from the destroyed Collector comm unit. He had no desire to explain why that happened. At least not in their first meeting.
The Mahshi occupied the Lobby quickly enough. Security stood down throughout the settlement. Kesta found himself all alone. Much as he would’ve loved to have Rethus nearby, he knew it was far more fair to face the enemy alone. If they killed him, then anyone nearby might be at risk as well.
Harl entered the room without knocking. He stood tall, towering over Kesta with dark hair and pale eyes. His black uniform fit him well, gold trim giving it a hint of color. A pistol sat high on his left hip, the handle facing outward.
“Kesta Orat,” Harl said. “The Concierge. That’s what they call you, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Harl’s eyes twitched as he cocked his head to the side. “Are you going to welcome me to your world?”
“I didn’t invite you,” Kesta replied, “so there’s not much in the way of a welcome, is there?”
Harl smirked. “A fair point. But still, as we occupy this planet, I would imagine the administrators might be inclined to help themselves by embracing us. With courtesy, if nothing else.”
“I don’t get the sense that you’re here to be courteous,” Kesta said. “Nor do I think you’re going to be kind. Perhaps if you got to the point of your visit—”
“Make no mistake,” Harl interrupted. “I’m not here for a visit. This is occupation. We are taking this hub and repurposing it.”
“Ah.” Kesta nodded. “I see.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“Did you have some other expectation?” Kesta frowned. “Are you hoping I might be thankful for having you come take over my family’s life work for no reason?”
“There’s a reason,” Harl said. “There’s always
Kesta snorted.
“You find it funny?”
“In the directness, yes.”
“It’s not.” Harl scowled as he advanced to the desk. “You have hidden Kultarin technology. Or the means to get it. You know full well that our primary doctrine is to collect lost relics. And yet you’ve managed to harbor multiple people with enough information to keep us busy for a long time.”
Kesta shrugged. “I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about, but if someone came here with knowledge of such items, I—”
“Take care,” Harl said. “Your next words might not work out so well for you. Assume that if I’m making the accusation, I already know it’s valid.”
“Enlighten me as to how.”
“Sorsha and Flip,” Harl spat the names. “Two fugitives from the Mahshi that have been racing around with a high-tech, ancient starship. One of an original design within the Kultarin Empire. And who knows what other equipment they’ve found?”
“How do you know about it?” Kesta asked. “It doesn’t seem likely to be true.”
“An informant,” Harl said. “One who has collected plenty of relics on his own.”
“And you didn’t hunt them down?” Kesta chuckled. “Seems like you’re looking for the wrong person.”
“We’ve lost contact,” Harl explained, “and even if we hadn’t, we’ve never been able to trace their signal. Which makes hunting them pointless.”
Kesta chewed his lip. The fact they couldn’t figure out where the signal came from gave him hope. It meant they wouldn’t be finding Flip and Sorsha any time soon. Also, he took satisfaction that they didn’t have the ingenuity of his friends.
“What a shame.” Kesta sneered. “So you’re looking for people you think might have information. That’s… very strange.”
“Oh, we know they do. And what’s more, that ship is worth more than any life on this rock. Even mine.” Harl took a seat. “Such is the way of things in our society. Now, all that said, I would very much appreciate it if you’d help me.”
“Yeah?” Kesta laughed. “I can’t wait to hear this.”
“I’ll preface by saying you really have no choice. The people in your settlement will suffer if you don’t comply.” Harl lifted his hands. “That’s just the way of things. We’re also violent people when necessary. So you don’t want to push me.”
“I’ve heard that about you.”
“Good. Then you’re going to bring those people back here.” Harl narrowed his eyes. “However you communicate with them, I want you to get them here as soon as possible.”
“Why are you under the impression we’re working so closely together? I don’t understand.”
“The intelligence I received is solid.”
“From?” Kesta scoffed. “Because no one who is in the know would have talked to you. None of them even know you.” Though he knew who it was. Would he call out the Collector directly?
“We’ll get to that some other time. Right now, suppose they told me accurate things. And you can stop playing coy.”
“Fine.” Kesta leaned against the wall. “But here’s the problem. They’re independent. I had them do a job for me. They pulled it off. That earned them some VIP privileges here. One of which involved their travel restrictions.”
“What are they?”
“There are none,” Kesta said. “They can come and go as they please. I’ve kept a landing pad open for them. Well, I did until you came. I think your shuttle took their spot.”
“Shame,” Harl replied. “I suppose that I’ll have to move.” He sighed. “Listen to me, there must be some way for you to reach them.”
“What happened to your intelligence source again? Why aren’t you able to find out where they are from that person?”
“Contact lost,” Harl replied. “Remember?”
“That’s right.” Kesta nodded. “Well, if you still could talk to them, they’d confirm what I’m saying is true. I don’t have the means to reach them. No better than you.”
“You’re not proving your worth to me, Concierge.” Harl let the last word ooze out.
“I can blast a signal out. One they’ll pick up when they leave warp. Or you can be patient. They’ve come back here several times with their findings. I don’t think you’ll have to wait long. Each expedition brings them back here for a resupply and rest.”
“How long ago did they leave?” Harl held up his hand. “Never mind. I’ll check the records. Assuming you don’t doctor them.”
“You’d know if I did.” Kesta pursed his lips. “You see, I know that your people are good at what they do. There’s no way I can deceive you. And I’ll cooperate to keep my people alive. If you get me to a comm station, I’ll send out a signal asking them to come back.”
“Under what pretense?”
“None,” Kesta said. “I’ll ask them to return so they can help me with a problem.”
Harl laughed. “I like your implication.”
“That you’re a problem?” Kesta asked. “Aren’t you?”
“Yes. I suppose I am.”
“They won’t be able to help,” Kesta said, “but they don’t know that. And when they arrive, you take them into custody. Problem solved.”
“Perhaps.” Harl tapped his knee. “Or maybe you’ll do something to warn them off.”
“You can stand right there.”
“Codes are hard to understand.” Harl hummed. “But I don’t have a lot of options. And if you warn them, if you save two lives, you’ll condemn however many happen to be on this worthless ball of rock. I will execute every single soul on this planet if you defy me.”
“Of that,” Kesta said, “I have no doubt.”
“Good. If we’re on the same page, then I’ll have you escorted to the comm center. You can get that going right away.” Harl stood. “When you’re done, you’ll take me on a tour of your settlement. I want to see the facilities, what you have to offer, and how the trade network functions.”
“Whatever you say.” Kesta asked, “If we do all of this, you’ll let people go?”
“You’re referring to the independent traders?”
Kesta nodded.
“They have work to do,” Harl said. “And we don’t have a functioning trade hub if they don’t. So yes, they’ll be released. And the people will return to work. Though I don’t know about your job.”
“You think someone can do better?”
“I need a loyalist. Something tells me that won’t be you.”
Kesta chuckled. “I see. So why leave me in charge at all? Why not change the guard now?”
“Are you eager to die?”
“Is that what’s at the end of this?” Kesta looked around. “Because I’m not sure where my incentive is to work with you.”
“Right now, you have little value. The more you add, the better your fate.” Harl motioned toward the door. “You and I are leaving here together. You’ll send the message, help me pacify the settlement, and in the end, we’ll gauge your worth.”
“What a deal.”
