Her father stared into her eyes, and Jules suddenly felt self-conscious that they were glowing. She wished she could hide her abilities when she chose, and wondered if she’d ever be able to again.
Brik seemed to have caught part of that, and he looked to them with hopeful eyes. “You could help me find my home?”
Her mom surprised Jules by being the one to answer. “We’ll help you. I have a feeling the Gatekeepers are going to be a busy group over the next couple of years.” She glanced toward the camp, where over five hundred rescued beings were gathered.
“Does this mean we can help Brik? Maybe we can all go,” Jules suggested.
Papa didn’t have much to say on the subject, but he nodded. “Maybe.”
____________
If I thought I’d had the shock of my life finding someone from Sterona alive, I didn’t know the half of it. I found the Collector frozen in time, stuck behind one of the glass cases inside his own ship, and we walked past it. It felt a little cruel to leave him like that, but what other options did we have? We couldn’t free him.
“Who else knows about this?” I asked Jules as she led Mary and me to the lift. It was surreal returning to the Collector’s ship. It had been a long time since we’d rescued Ableen from his clutches, but I found the corridors quite familiar.
“Just the adults. None of the other captives saw him, and the students don’t know. Except Dean,” Jules said.
We stopped on deck seven, and I heard the humming of the sole display case still operating on this floor. It was different than the others: thicker glass, surrounded by a dense, dark metal edging. The boy was young, maybe Jules’ age. His hair was blond, and it floated around his head like he was underwater. His eyes were open, revealing piercing blue irises.
The three of us stood there staring at him, and Mary spoke first. “You think he’s like you?”
“I guess so.”
“No one is like Jules,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
Jules rolled her eyes dramatically. “He might be evil.”
“Evil?” Mary asked. “How will we know?”
“We need to talk to Regnig,” I told them. “He’ll be able to help us.”
Jules nodded. “Wait until he hears that we found Fontem! He’s going to lose his mind.”
I stood rigid at the name, and slowly turned to Jules, grabbing her gently by the shoulders. “Did you say you found Fontem?”
She smiled. “Did I forget to mention that part?”
Mary stared at me, her lip quivering slightly. “The Fontem?”
“The very same. I hear he’s quite pleasant, for a depressed non-aging alien who was recently released from his time trap,” Jules quipped.
“You have to be kidding me. Can you imagine what he’ll be able to tell us? Wait until he learns we freed his shrunken world, or that I used his time-travel device,” I said quietly, glancing over my shoulder. Maybe he had something else we could use to prevent Lom of Pleva from returning. There were so many things in his collection Regnig couldn’t decipher, and now that we’d found the man who’d gathered the artifacts, we’d be all the wiser.
“Dean, you have that look on your face,” Mary said.
“Do you want to meet him?” Jules asked.
“I do.” I was nervous, and I stopped as my wife and daughter walked away, leaving the frozen boy with the glowing eyes trapped in his display case. Was he really like Jules? Were there more people out there with her abilities, and could they teach her to use them properly? What did her finding the round crystal mean for her? There were so many unknowns.
I found my two favorite girls waiting for me on the lift platform, and we rode up together, me wondering what the next chapter held for all of us.
Epilogue
Jules was happy the semester was completed. She was almost there: only another year before she graduated as the youngest Gatekeeper ever. There was a huge event at the Academy in a couple of days, but Papa had demanded they all take a break together on Earth. She was only too happy to. After the whirlwind of events they’d all dealt with, everyone needed the retreat.
Jules left her room, smoothing her shirt as she headed for the kitchen. No one was there. She heard Hugo laughing outside and smiled as she watched her mom leading Hugo’s horse, Casper, by the reins. Hugo had never been much of a rider, but he was in the saddle, with Papa on his own horse beside her brother.
She ran outside, feeling the heat on her face. The landscape was so beautiful this time of year, making it one of her favorite seasons to visit their farmhouse.
“Look who we found,” her dad said, pointing behind him.
Jules ran over to her horse, slowing as she neared the beast. “Hi, Belle.” She softly petted the horse’s neck, and it spoke to her, its mouth flapping in happiness at seeing her. She was saddled up, and Jules climbed up into the seat, urging the horse into a light trot to catch up to the others.
Her mom was leading Hugo, not riding her own horse. She rarely did, preferring her own two feet.
“Have you heard from Regnig?” Jules asked her parents.
“Nothing yet. He’s still going over things with Fontem. They make quite the pair, don’t they?” Papa asked with a laugh.
“What about the woman? Did she go home yet?” Jules asked, referring to the female of Regnig’s kind.
Her mom answered that one. “She’s hanging around. She’s intrigued by his work and has been helping him catalog items.”
“And research,” Jules added.
Her dad met her gaze. “And research. We’ll learn more about it all, honey.”
Jules nodded, Belle picking up speed as she gently tapped her with heels. “Race you!”
Her dad sped up, chasing behind her as their horses galloped. Jules was the first one to the edge of their property, and she turned around, celebrating her victory. She closed her eyes, the power inside her thrumming to be released. She denied it again, wondering if this was the time she wasn’t able to, but a few seconds later, it ceased the demands. She was herself again.
Papa watched her with interest, and she pointed at the amber and yellow-leaved forest beyond their farmland. “It’s so perfect. Thanks for suggesting this trip.”
“Well, we settled the Restorers and the Beese people of the Nirzu onto their new home, so I think we deserve a little break, don’t you?” Papa asked.
“Do you think the humans will be happy there?” Jules asked. She was surprised by how many of the Restorers were sprinkled across Earth. They weren’t calling themselves by that moniker any longer, because of the negative connotations Frasier had given the name, but they were still refusing technology as a way of life.
They were on the same page as the Beese, the valley folk of the Nirzu. And the planet the Alliance had found for them was, by far, large enough for the two races to coexist. The humans were on one continent, the Nirzu on another.
Jules reached out, seeking the round stone, and she could feel it even from here. Regnig claimed he’d be able to uncover more about the stone and the time-trapped boy, but it had been several months, and he didn’t have much concrete information yet.
“You okay, honey?” her dad asked.
“I’m great,” Jules lied. She hadn’t slept well since the ordeal on Menocury L05, and doubted she would until she solved the mystery of exactly what she was, and whether or not her powers were going to lead her to dark places.
“Good. Once you graduate, we’ll be able to escort Brik home to his people.” Her dad moved closer on his horse until they were side by side, staring at the beautiful landscape beyond. The wind rustled leaves, many of them falling to the ground along the forest bed.
“Is Slate really going to captain the new Alliance starship?” Jules asked.
“Once you and Dean graduate, Loweck and Slate will be stepping down from their roles at the Academy,” her dad said. “He hasn’t told us whether he’s taking on the captaincy of Light quite yet, but we’re heading to Shimmal in a couple
of days for the tour.”
“He deserves it. I know how much he loves being out there on adventures,” Jules said.
“He sure does.” Her dad was staring wistfully into the distance.
“And what about you?” she asked him.
He turned, grabbing her hand. “I’m happy being with my family.”
She knew he was thinking about Lom of Pleva returning in a few years. He’d be prepared; she’d make sure of it. Her fingers pulsed, her toes feeling the power within struggle to unleash. She calmed herself, and forced a smile toward her dad.
“Race you home,” he said, taking off, his horse galloping away.
She gave him a three-second head start and chased after him.
____________
Shimmal was always a welcome respite, especially after our tense ordeal on Earth. The transport vessel docked outside the immense starship Light. It was beautiful. Clean lines, smooth exterior, and state-of-the-art everything. It had features not used on the previous Alliance of Worlds exploration vessels, and I was looking forward to touring the amazing ship.
Light was surrounded by mechanical arms, girders, and exterior living quarters on a space station. It had taken a year to build, with a few more months needed to finish the interior off.
Jules leaned over my shoulder, peeking through the viewers for a better look at Light.
“This is a ship,” Mary whispered as she stared with wide-open eyes.
“It sure is. Slate’s going to love it,” I told them as our compact transport clicked into the docking bay.
“Welcome to Light,” Sarlun said from the pilot’s seat. Suma was beside him, and she beamed at me, her smile so exaggerated, I worried they were up to something.
“Suma, I know that look. What is it?” I asked the young Shimmali woman, and she turned her head away before speaking.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dean. Come on, the others are waiting.” Suma left first, followed by her father, and Hugo went next, racing onto the ship.
“Dad, this is cool!” Hugo told me.
“I agree, son.”
The bay looked exactly like the one on the Horizon, and we crossed the open hangar while Sarlun told us about the production of the ship. I listened idly, having heard most of it already. We passed through the entrance to the main corridor, and I stopped in my tracks.
The halls were a step above any I’d ever seen. The walls were smooth, molded in a light gray color, the computer screens integrated so well you could hardly see them.
“This is a new feature,” Sarlun said, tapping the wall. A 3D image appeared, and his fingers flew over the air as he keyed in instructions. “I’m going to have it lead to the bridge.”
A Shimmali woman’s projection was suddenly in front of us. “Welcome to Light, Sarlun. Please, follow me.” She walked past me, wearing a dark gray uniform with a burning star insignia on the left shoulder.
“Who is that?” I whispered to Suma.
“That’s the ship’s AI. She can appear as anyone you program in,” Suma said.
“That’s cool,” Hugo said.
“It is. I guess we should follow her,” Mary said, tugging my arm. Jules was already down the corridor, right behind the projection, and we caught up.
There were Shimmali workers everywhere, and some stopped to talk to Sarlun in chirps and tweets before continuing their tasks. A few intricate robots moved by, welding seams along the floor as we passed them.
“How much longer? Six months?” I asked Sarlun.
He kept walking as he spoke. “I’d say closer to a year. There’s one more thing we need to accomplish by the time Jules finishes her last year at the Academy.” He turned and winked at my daughter, who let out a laugh. She met my gaze, her eyes burning hotly. I’d become used to her like this, but still cringed at the reactions she received from others around her.
They painted a large target on her. Everyone knew who she was as soon as they saw the green eyes, but she was doing well with it. Even her mood had improved over the last few weeks as she’d grown into her new reality. She was so strong, stronger than I’d ever been.
We stopped to see some high-end facilities like the mess hall and gymnasium, complete with holoprojection training grounds. This ship was top-notch, and Slate was going to be really happy here. I’d miss having him around. Mary and I had spent so much time with Loweck and Slate over the last few years on Haven that having them gone on an exploratory ship with no access to a portal was going to be difficult.
Eventually, our AI guide led us up a wide elevator toward the bridge. It was bright inside the elevator, the size easily accommodating our group.
“How many decks is the ship?” I asked, realizing I’d never asked.
“Twelve,” Sarlun answered.
Mary smiled at me. “What do you think, Dean?”
I shrugged. “I think the ship is amazing. It’s everything you could ever dream of in an exploration vessel. The Alliance has outdone itself on this one.”
The elevator stopped, the doors opening to the left. I instantly heard a lot of voices, the general mirth filling the air.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, seeing Slate and Loweck near the gigantic viewscreen. Magnus and Nat were there, with Dean and Patty chatting to each other. Rivo Alnod surprised me by waving at me. She was still so small, but I noticed she was dressed in a gray uniform. Then it hit me.
Almost all of them were in uniform: some from the Horizon, but many wearing the new Light logo on their shoulders. I saw Leslie there, wearing a uniform to match Magnus’, and I smiled at her, so happy she’d finally accepted the role of commander on his ship.
“Hey, Parker!” Sergo said, lifting a glass of nectar from one of the helm positions. Walo was beside him, grinning at me.
“Slate, I see I’m late for your party,” I told him as we arrived near the front of the bridge. I turned to see it from this perspective and felt a warmth course through me as I soaked it in. The science station was twice the size as those of the other Alliance ships, and there were three helm positions at the front of the bridge. The commander’s seat was in the normal spot to the side of the captain’s seat, but there was a third station on the other side.
“Wait, you didn’t hear?” Slate asked.
“Hear what?” I asked.
Mary placed a hand on my forearm. “We didn’t want to tell him until he was in front of everyone.”
My back went rigid. “What is this? Are you two conspiring against me?” I let out a laugh, hiding my nerves.
The entire bridge went quiet. I spotted Regnig there beside Jules, and they all looked toward Sarlun.
“Light is nearing its completion, but there will be a delay in the launch,” Sarlun told the gathered guests. “We’re in the process of mining a portal stone, and the delivery will take eight months or so. This gives our captain time to make sure their business with the Academy is finished.” He looked at me, and I glanced at Slate. He was finishing his last year as an instructor. We all knew this.
I waited for Sarlun to mention Slate, and stared at my old friend. It was a full minute of silence when I realized they were all watching me now. “What? Do I have something on my face?”
Mary spoke now, tears forming in her eyes. “Dean Parker, on behalf of the Alliance, we’d like to offer you the captaincy of our newest vessel, Light.”
I stood still, waiting for someone to tell me she was kidding, that Slate had put her up to this, but no one did. They all waited with expectancy, and I didn’t know what to say.
“Slate, weren’t you going to take this ship?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I’m not ready for it yet, but I’d be happy to be your commander,” he said softly.
“And I’ll be your science officer,” Suma said.
“And I’ll be your pilot,” Sergo added.
Loweck put an arm around Slate. “I’ll be your head of security.”
“And I’ll be coming too,” Rivo said, �
��if you’ll have me.”
I was speechless, feeling so many emotions welling up inside me. Jules met my gaze and gave me a slight nod, her smile infectious.
We could do so much with the ship. I’d be able to bring Brik, the being from Sterona, to his home. I could show Fontem things he’d never seen before; I could study what Jules was becoming, and how we could help her. I’d be able to defend us from Lom and PlevaCorp if necessary, or at least have a better chance at fighting him when the time came.
I stood tall, looking out at the bridge full of my friends.
Before I answered, I leaned into Mary’s ear, and asked one question. I’d grown bored over the years, complacent and on the sidelines while others took leading roles. I was ready for this. Excitement filled my veins, and my hand shook slightly as I spoke. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Mary stared me in the eyes, her lips curling upwards into a smile. “I’ve never been surer of anything.”
“Let’s do this!” I told everyone, and the room erupted into cheers.
“Welcome the new captain to his starship Light,” Slate said loudly.
“Welcome, Captain Dean Parker,” they echoed.
It had a good ring to it.
The End
Continue the adventure with
New Discovery (The Survivors Book 12)
Dean Parker is now the captain of a sleek new Alliance starship. His mission is close to his heart.
Jules has recently graduated as the youngest Gatekeeper in Academy history, and takes residence on her father’s newly appointed ship, Light. Together they must escort Brik, a being from the long-deserted world of Sterona, to his people’s distant home. The trek won’t be easy, but for the Parkers, nothing ever is.
Join Dean, Jules, and the rest of the elaborate crew in New Discovery, the twelfth book in the sweeping Survivors saga.
NEW DISCOVERY
A new flagship. An unfamiliar crew. An old nemesis.
Thomas Baldwin has been appointed captain of the state-of-the-art cruise ship Constantine, named after his heroic grandfather. When their first diplomatic mission turns deadly, all signs point to the return of a former adversary, one the Concord claims to have defeated five decades earlier.
Old World (The Survivors Book Eleven) Page 24
