New Horizon (The Survivors Book Nine)
Page 25
I spotted Walo along at the edge of the room, and I let Mary know I’d be right back.
“Everything good, Walo?” I asked the Padlog woman.
“I know it’s senseless, but I miss Sergo,” she admitted.
I wanted to tell her that was insane but bit my tongue. “You’re better off without him, Walo. You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a strong and great asset to any team. And Sergo only cares about one person.”
“Himself,” she said, nodding solemnly.
“Exactly. Are you going to stay on the Horizon?” I asked. This was a common topic at the moment. With our big mission out of the way, the mines established, the Scaril returned home safely, we were about to depart on the journey home. Many of the crew had only wanted to join for the inaugural endeavor, but many were signing on for longer. Magnus had no idea what the next adventure would entail for the starship, but he was ready to captain it there.
“I am. It’s been a pleasure working here, and I’ve made a lot of good friends,” she told me.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I told her.
“What about you?” she asked.
“We’re heading to Haven and staying put for a while. Setting some roots for the family,” I said, and heard a light squawk from behind me.
I turned to find Suma standing with Silo sidled up to her arm. “Dean Parker, settling down? I’ll believe it when I see it,” she told me with a laugh.
I shrugged. “You know me all too well. I have to make an attempt, don’t I?”
“We’ll be close, then, because I’ve agreed to teach next at the Academy next year.” Suma beamed as she said it. Silo shifted on his feet, clearly still getting used to his prosthetic leg. He grimaced, and I suspected there was some drama behind the decision for her to take a teaching gig.
“That’s great. Then you may have a special student in your class, because Jules is going to be attending next year,” I told them.
Suma’s snout wagged in delight. “I can’t wait. Let me go find her and tell her I’ll be her professor.”
I watched Suma walk off, and instantly noticed Karo beside the water feature. He was holding two of his children, and he lifted a hand when his gaze met mine. It was so nice to be celebrating, and I didn’t even notice Jules was absent from her mother’s side when Mary came with me to talk to the recently arrived guests.
Hectal was across the room, chatting to one of the Gatekeepers, and I waved at him. He stuck a fist in the air and nodded at me.
Slate and Loweck saw us heading for Karo and Ableen, and set a course to join. I found a tray with empty wine glasses and picked it up, grabbing a bottle of red as well, moving for the table beside the Theos. It was a great night, and I pushed the worry of the future away for the time being.
Magnus and Natalia saw our group forming and came over, and soon it was the entire club of us, chatting and having a reunion while everyone else enjoyed the respite before the return journey to Haven.
I couldn’t have been happier at that moment.
Epilogue
Jules
The room was too bright suddenly, and Jules felt her powers trying to push through her barrier again. She didn’t let them. Papa and Mom were watching her too closely, and she knew it was best to keep her eyes this color. She saw the way his mouth turned when they glowed, and how Mom’s eyebrows formed a frown when she noticed Jules using her abilities.
They didn’t think Jules could control them, and maybe they were right. Jules closed her eyes and recalled the feeling of helplessness as her powers failed her, when she and her father stood amidst the whirlpool a few days ago. She’d felt like a husk of a human, a child without a soul, and it terrified her almost as much as the creatures that had attacked her shortly after.
But Papa had saved her; he always did and always would. She’d keep secret the fact that her abilities remained, because she knew it was better for their family that way. She’d stop using them, at least when anyone was around. It would be her little secret, but she knew she’d be able to help people should they need assistance. She’d be like her Papa that way, and her Mom too. They were always thinking of others first, and Jules wanted to act like them more than anything.
Next year, she’d be going to the Gatekeepers’ Academy, and she’d be six years old. She really hoped Patty would be there with her, because she couldn’t imagine doing anything without her best friend, even if the girl only wanted to play with dolls and watch movies. She’d teach Patty to be adventurous, and they’d grow up in the Academy. Jules had it all planned out.
The party was thriving around her, and she had to keep moving around so she didn’t get trampled. No one seemed to see her there as they all ate and drank. The scent of so many people in one area threatened to overtake Jules for a moment before she let a trickle of her abilities out to muffle her nose’s ability to smell. She covered her eyes so no one could notice the slight glow, and in that instant, she felt the raw hatred emerge from someone in the room with them.
She nearly stumbled in shock and stepped to the edge of the room, pressing her back against the stone wall by the water feature. Jules scanned the room, searching for the source of the anger. This person wanted to destroy everything about the Alliance and the Academy. She could feel the intent so clearly, and then it was gone in a flash.
Jules turned away, hiding her face, and let more of her power out slowly, determined to learn who it was that exuded so much hostility. The source was dead. Nothing but the steady thrum of chatter and the clinking of glasses filled the courtyard, and Jules cut the power off again.
If she told her parents about the feeling, they’d know she still had the abilities. If she didn’t, something bad might happen. She decided to make it her mission to find out, because she had an edge on everyone else. She was only a kid, and as she wandered through the room, she was reminded of how invisible she was to the adults around her.
The End
Continue the adventure with
The Academy
The Academy is a galaxy-class school, created to train the next generation of Gatekeepers.
Jules Parker is attending the Academy, alongside her best friend Patty. When the Kold threaten everything her father and his friends have spend years building, she must reveal that her Iskios abilities are stronger than ever.
With Magnus and Slate away on the Horizon, and Mary working on the board of the Alliance of Worlds, Dean finds himself out of the action for the first time. He works on a plan to set a trap against the mysterious Kold, and things culminate as the looming attack grows, leaving Dean shocked to find someone he trusted has betrayed him.
The Academy is under attack, but will it still stand when the dust settles? Find out in the newest installment of the Survivors adventure!
The Academy
Keep up to date with his new releases by signing up for his Newsletter at www.nathanhystad.com
Nathan’s books are also available on Audible!
They’ve watched us for centuries through the Rift.
They’ve prepared.
Invasion is inevitable.
The Earth Fleet has known of the Watchers for years, unwilling to share the knowledge with humanity. Now it might be too late.
Hidden away from the Fleet, one man is creating a new colony ship destined for the other side of the Rift, but he’s missing a few pieces.
Three other people have varied paths to get there. Ace goes from the streets of Earth to the Fleet training facility on the moon. Flint, an ex-Fleet pilot, must decide if a job is worth his life, and Wren, imprisoned for a secret project years ago, is given hope as an unlikely ally whispers words of escape in her ear.
Their journeys lead to Councilman Jarden Fairbanks, who knows of the impending invasion, and has prepared. All they can do is wait for the Rift to open once again, and see what’s on the other side.
Rift joins an ensemble cast facing immeasurable obstacles. If you enjoy space bat
tles, prison breaks, androids, and aliens, buried under a shroud of mystery, this book is for you. Try it today!
A fresh new science fiction adventure from the author of the best-selling Survivors series
Start with:
RIFT