This was going to be more difficult than I’d thought.
Four
“Jules, we were attacked on the train. They cut the power, and we had to land, and they arrived in a spaceship with guns, and Dad lied and told them his name was Cliff,” Hugo said.
Jules tried to comprehend the fast-talking boy’s words. “What are you saying? You were attacked?”
He nodded feverishly. “Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”
Jules didn’t want to see her parents yet, but she needed to know what Hugo was going on about. She pressed the door open to see her dad standing there in the same position, patiently waiting for her.
“Come in, Papa,” she told him, finding it difficult to remain angry with him. Seeing him made her happy, even though he’d only been away for a few days. “Why’s Hugo saying you called yourself Cliff?”
“May I sit?” he asked, pointing to the chair at her desk, and she nodded, taking a seat on her bed. Hugo hopped up beside her, his legs irritably kicking back and forth, before climbing off and racing away toward the kitchen.
“Someone attacked your train?” she asked.
“Yes. There appears to be a group of humans calling themselves the Restorers, and they sabotaged our train for the supplies, and apparently the train as well,” her dad said calmly.
“Was anyone hurt? Where’s Mom?” she asked, suddenly worried.
“She’s preparing dinner. Everyone’s fine. So far, they haven’t hurt anyone,” he said.
“What do these Restorers want?” she asked.
“They think technology is the root of evil, so their mission is to stop anyone on Earth from using it.” Papa appeared to think this was impossible, judging by the wry look on his face.
Jules fidgeted with the corner of her pillow. “How do they plan on doing that?”
Her dad set his hands on his knees and leaned forward in the chair. “We have no idea.”
“But you’re going to find out, aren’t you, Papa?”
A smile crept onto his face, and she knew she’d hit the nail on the head. “I’m going to work on it. Safely, mind you.” He always added something about being careful or cautious into his comments, as if she was a sponge, not able to comprehend what he was doing. She didn’t mind, though. Her dad only wanted the best for his family, and she knew it was hard on him to have to think about so many other people’s lives all the time.
Papa felt responsible for all of them. He and Mom were the first people, along with Uncle Zeke, to see Haven in its infancy. They were also the ones who’d stopped the Kraski and Deltra during the initial incursion. The only place neither of her parents felt as much of a bond with was New Spero, but that was because the planet wasn’t directly built through any of their actions.
While they were gone, attempting to prevent an attack from the Bhlat way before they were even married, a woman named Patricia Dalhousie and a man named General Heart had led an expedition to Proxima and, using technology learned from the Kraski and Deltra databases, had built colony ships, space stations, and production drones. It was one of Jules’ favorite stories.
New Spero was where her Uncle Magnus and Auntie Nat lived, and where Dean and Patty had been born. Jules also had fond memories of growing up there when she was a little girl. With each passing year, the recollections dwindled, as if turning from color to black and white. She did recall the Hunter attacking them in their home, and knew that was the main reason they’d moved from that quaint house in the country.
Part of her missed that place, that life, but her parents had given her so many good homes. She did travel to their house on Earth a few times a year, spending happy occasions like Christmas there. It was always special to sleep in the same room as her father had as a child. Jules wished she could have met her grandparents.
All of this flashed through her mind as she sat on the edge of her bed, her dad watching her with a worried expression.
“Jules, is there anything you want to discuss?” Papa asked.
She’d almost forgotten, but the entire betrayal snapped to the forefront of her thoughts. “You told the school I couldn’t go to Menocury L05!”
“Look…”
“No. You look… I’m one of the best candidates they have. I’m at the top of every class, and all of my professors agreed that I should be there. How often is it we’re assisting moving an entire race to another world? This is great experience for me, and if I miss out, I may never see an adventure like this again. It’s safe, Papa,” she said, adding in the keyword he loved to spell out.
Her dad’s face softened. “Honey, I don’t think that with your abilities…”
She glowered, frowning deeply as she came to stand directly in front of him. She felt the energy coursing through her, even though she hadn’t intended to let it seep past her barriers. “They all know about my gifts. What difference does it make?”
“What difference? The students may acknowledge them, but what happens when someone from the outside sees a girl with glowing green eyes hovering in the air?”
“I won’t let anything happen to myself. And I’ll be there with Uncle Slate. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt me either,” Jules told him, and the power crept back behind the walls she’d erected in her mind.
Her dad stared at her, and she could tell he was on the brink of a decision. She hadn’t actually expected to change his mind, but she knew she was close. She needed to lay it on thick.
“Papa.” She averted her gaze, staring at the ground. “I only want to help the Nirzu with their transition. I can also assist the other students, and if anything should occur to endanger anyone, I can protect them.”
She felt like using Slate’s name was selling her case, so she added, “Uncle Zeke told me he was disappointed I wasn’t tagging along.”
Her dad let out a cheek full of air. “Fine. You can go. But don’t think I’m not onto you, using that look and Slate like ammo against me. I’m not sure I’m ready for this level of manipulation.” He pulled her close, squeezing her in a hug. Jules hugged her dad back. When it was clear he was never going to let go, she dropped her hands and tried to wriggle free.
He relented, stepping toward the door. “I’ll tell Mom the news. She’s going to blame me, and I’ll take the heat on this one, Jules, but I do have one question for you.”
“Anything,” she said. She was so thrilled to be going on the expedition, but she attempted to remain calm.
“Are you still having any issues with the abilities coming and going?” he asked softly.
Jules froze, not wanting to give herself away. She thought about waking up outside a few times, or the barrier not quite holding her abilities at bay when she was too excited. It wasn’t as if they were failing her, so she didn’t really see what the issue was. “No issues, Papa. All clear,” she lied, feeling sick in the pit of her stomach at not coming clean with her dad.
“Good. Dinner will be ready in twenty. Patty was looking for you. I know you guys don’t see each other much, but I think she misses you, Jules. Can you try to spend some time with her this weekend?” her dad asked.
Jules said she would, and her dad shut the door behind him, leaving her alone in her room. She slumped to the bed, arms spread as wide as her smile. She was going to Menocury with the team of Gatekeepers!
____________
I walked the familiar halls, full from dinner, but happy for the exercise. The bridge was where it always was, and the guards let me past without preamble. It felt good to be on the Horizon. I’d visited far too infrequently over the years, and since there was a portal on board, making traveling to and from the starship so simple, I didn’t really have an excuse.
I told myself that everyone was busy with life, and that was true, but part of me didn’t want to be reminded of the adventure and excitement I was missing out on. Instead, I was living on Haven while Mary headed the Board of the Alliance of Worlds, and Jules attended the Academy. My trips to see the Terran sites on New Spero were more of a tradition at this poin
t, as I had no real say there, and Paul had been doing a spectacular job on Earth since the Empress had left.
All of this left me with nothing of consequence to do most days, and it was wearing on me. At the same time, I was thrilled to be home each night with my family, watching the children develop around me. They were growing so fast, and I was struggling a bit to keep up with their changing personalities.
I found Magnus where I expected him: in the captain’s chair. The bridge seemed different with Slate and Loweck missing, and Suma was noticeably absent as well, all three of them having opted to teach at the Academy after their first term on board the starship.
Magnus had taken it well, and admitted he was happy with his newest crew. I saw Walo at the edge of the bridge, standing at a wall of screens, tapping away at one of them. She’d replaced Loweck as the head of security, and where there was Walo, there was Sergo. He sat in the pilot’s seat, and as soon as I stepped on the hard ground, my boots announcing my arrival, the Padlog man jumped to his feet, racing over to greet me.
“Parker! Buddy, why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Sergo asked. The two of us had been through a lot, and I didn’t trust the thief one hundred percent, but his actions on Haven during the Kold attack had done a lot for his stock with me. Without his help, Hugo might never have made it out of our condo complex alive.
“I told some people I was coming. I must have ‘forgotten’ to let you know.” I smirked as I used air quotes around the word.
He buzzed in frustration. “One day you and I will be good friends, mark my word, Parker.”
“Dean, welcome to the Horizon,” Magnus said, staying in his seat. He motioned to the empty commander’s chair beside him, and I obliged, sitting in it.
“Still no commander?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
He’d gone through an endless rotation since Slate had left his post, including a Bhlat, a Keppe, and even an Inlorian, but none of them had seen eye-to-eye with his standards or procedural structure. Magnus was a strong-willed man and appeared to be even more so as he aged.
I noted how much more gray had crept into my old friend’s hair. I always pictured him as the young man I’d met on that gravel road in South America so long ago. I knew for a fact I didn’t look the same now either.
“The spot may be holding out for someone in particular,” Magnus said quietly as he nudged me with an elbow.
“Sure. Why don’t I ask Mary if I can play spaceship for a few years while she runs the Alliance and makes sure Hugo has the crusts cut off his sandwich?” I said with a laugh.
“You do know she could commute, right?” Magnus asked.
“From here to Haven each day?”
“Sure, why not? What’s a trip through the portal, then a lander, going to take? Thirty minutes? That’s better than the old days of commuting to the day job, isn’t it?” Magnus asked, and he had a point. Maybe a change would be good.
“That would mean Jules would have to stay on campus,” I said, not willing to miss spending time with her each evening.
“Dean does it,” Magnus reminded me. “Kids are resilient, and we see him every weekend. It’s two days of packed family time. The kid hates it.”
I nodded, sure that very few sixteen-year-olds wanted to be bombarded by family game nights. “He’ll grow out of it,” I assured him.
“Keep telling yourself that. Yours is even younger. And don’t get me started on Patty,” Magnus said.
“Why?” I asked.
“She’s all over the map. No ambition in classes, sneaking out at night, as if I don’t have eyes all over this place.” Magnus sunk into his chair. “She’s seeing a boy, Dean. A boy. You know the kind? Dopey eyes, sticky hands, and no life prospects.”
“Isn’t that most teenage boys?” I asked, receiving a nod in return.
“You bet. Maybe Jules can talk some sense into her. She always listened to your girl, even though Jules is younger.” Magnus turned to look at me. “That’s a kid you can be proud of. She’s going to be a real leader, Dean. Maybe I’ll save this seat for her.”
He chuckled, but I guessed he was only half-joking. “I think she has bigger ambitions, and I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or not,” I admitted.
The huge viewscreen showed a planet in the center, and I spotted three colony ships still in orbit. “How’s the evacuation going?”
Magnus smiled. “So far so good. We haven’t been involved at all, since we only just arrived.”
“Are you okay with being used like this?” I asked. Magnus had had to pause his exploration mission to come to Menocury, so the Gatekeepers could arrive more easily through his ship’s portal.
“Sure. Isn’t that what all this is about? The Gatekeepers are part of our Alliance of Worlds, and the Horizon is our flagship. Not to mention, the only one with a portal on board,” Magnus said.
“How are the other starships coming along?” I asked.
“Gazer and Spear have really expanded our research, and are progressing fast. Light is almost done with construction on Shimmal. It’s a different look than the others. Sarlun oversaw the construction and added a few new twists to the Keppe design. I’m looking forward to visiting. When we head to Shimmal next week, you should come,” he said.
I nodded absently, staring at the viewscreen. It was hard to imagine this planet needed to be evacuated. From here, it looked vibrant. “So is this like a Noah’s ark-type thing?” I asked.
“As in, are they taking two of each animal and insect?” Magnus asked. “I know they’re bringing animals, but only select ones. You know how scientists used to say that our society would fall apart if the gnat died, or something like that?”
“I don’t think it was a gnat.”
“You know what I’m saying. Well, the new planet already has a balanced ecosystem, so the Nirzu had to be careful about what came along with them, if that makes sense,” Magnus told me.
“It does.” I hoped allowing Jules to join the final Gatekeepers expedition was a good idea. I couldn’t really see what issues they’d encounter on the world that they wouldn’t be able to handle. “Dean is going to the surface, right?”
Magnus stood up and stretched. “Of course he is. He’s my boy, after all.”
Mary hadn’t been very thrilled that I’d told Jules she could go. But Jules was so happy at dinner time, more excited than either of us had seen her in ages, so the argument I’d expected never happened. At least, not yet.
“Then he can look after Jules for me,” I said.
“Damn right he can. Believe me, Nat’s constantly telling him to watch out for your girl, not that she needs his protection. But he’ll be there for her. It’s not like it takes much convincing him. She’s like a little sister to him. He’d do anything for her,” Magnus said.
I knew that much. I’d seen it in Dean’s eyes since they were little kids.
“I’m going to be away for a while, Mag,” I told him.
“What do you mean?”
I explained what had happened with the Restorers on Earth, and it was obvious Magnus was getting more and more upset at the news.
“Who the hell do they think they are?” he eventually barked. The entire bridge crew stared at us, snapping out of the work they’d been doing. He lifted a hand. “Back at it. Dean, follow me.” He led me to his office and motioned for me to have a seat. “Scotch?” he asked, and I shook my head. He sat at his desk empty-handed, still frowning. “I mean, if they want to live like barbarians, let them, but why do they have to force their ideologies on everyone else?”
“That’s a good question. We don’t know much about them, but that’s where I come in. I’m going to infiltrate their organization,” I told him. Saying it out loud sounded even more preposterous than thinking about it.
“What?” Magnus’ eyes opened fully. “You can’t be serious.”
“Dead serious.”
“What, you’re going to walk in and tell them you wa
nt to join their group?”
“Something like that,” I said. I didn’t have the details ironed out yet, but we were guessing their home base was in Europe. France or Spain would be a good place to start.
“This is insane, Dean. I don’t like it. I should go with you,” he said.
I laughed, looking around his neat office. “Don’t you… I don’t know… have something to do?”
He shook his head. “We’re here for a few weeks while the evacuation protocol is seen to. The Horizon doesn’t need a captain for that.”
I considered this. Maybe having a guy like Magnus at my side wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Slate was busy with the Academy and leading the surface team on Menocury L05, so having Magnus with me would be helpful. Plus, he was Scandinavian and spoke a few languages even before we learned about aliens. He was far more familiar with Europe than I was, having been on countless mercenary missions, mostly secretly, over the years.
“In that case, welcome to the Restorers,” I said, jutting my hand out. He clasped it, pumping it twice.
“Do you mind telling my wife?” Magnus asked without mirth, and it was my turn to laugh.
Five
Patty led Jules into the courtyard. The plants had grown even wilder but were trimmed so you could walk under them.
“You sure that’s what you want to wear?” Patty asked her, eyeing Jules’ jeans and t-shirt.
Jules didn’t know how to respond. Patty was wearing tights and a blouse with the top button undone. Her parents wouldn’t approve. “I’m fine,” she told Patty.
“Okay, but you’re always such a prude,” Patty told her, and Jules wished she’d stayed home. Mom and Hugo were going to watch a movie while Papa caught up with Uncle Magnus. Jules and Patty had grown apart over the years since Patty had been pulled from the Academy.
Jules missed the way it used to be, but as time went on, Patty seemed to focus on all the things Jules didn’t care about. She wasn’t ready to date boys or worry about what earrings matched her shirt. Jules was too focused on her training, but Patty had no such ambitions.
Old World (The Survivors Book Eleven) Page 4
