“But you said they’re getting worse.”
Mary hadn’t altered course yet, which was promising. “Stronger, not more frequent manifestations.”
“Is there anything else you’re leaving out?”
“Jules was in my vision recently. Before we left. She was in space, holding hands with an alien. I think the other woman had a tattoo.” I didn’t know what it meant.
Mary relaxed into her seat. “Do you think it’s related to their mission?”
“Maybe. Jules looked her current age.”
“Okay.” Mary stared forward for a minute. “Dean, I can’t believe you kept this secret from me.”
“I want to tell you I was being persuaded by Ovalax’s influence, but I don’t think that’s it,” I admitted.
Her expression was hurt when she glanced at me. “Then why?”
I couldn’t admit the truth: that I’d witnessed her death, more than once. Even now, staring at her beautiful face, I could recall the images. But unlike the others, there had only been one option. A single vision.
Mary on what appeared to be Outpost, acting as if she was in sole command of the giant warship. She was shouting at an unseen enemy, the bridge devoid of any crew but herself. Then the flames erupted, enveloping her until her cries ended abruptly.
“Dean, I asked why.” Mary’s expression was soft, her anger dissipated. I wouldn’t lie any more.
I licked my lips. “I didn’t say anything because I had to know if what I’ve been seeing was real or not.”
“And what did you determine?”
“I don’t know the answer yet, but I have to prove them wrong.”
“What’s so important?” Mary asked me.
“You. You are.”
I talked about the vision of her death, and she listened.
____________
“This isn’t what I expected,” Jaessa said quietly.
“You and me both.” Jules walked past a group of gamblers lined up at the entrance to a private casino. Jules assumed it was an illegal proprietorship, but didn’t really care this time. She kept her eyes normal, holding the ever-present powers at bay.
Jaessa stared at the people, unable to hide her curiosity. “What are they?”
Jules gazed at them and tried not to point. “The big one on the left is a Keppe. Their leader is a friend of my parents. The other that looks like an insect is a Padlog. They can be trusted most of the time.” She thought about what a rabble rouser Sergo once was, and how he’d adapted to his new world. Now he was about to become a father.
“And who’s that?” Jaessa indicated a Shimmal man. His snout wagged as he waited, his clothing tattered; his eyes held a desperation in them.
“He’s from Shimmal. One of Earth’s biggest allies,” Jules told her.
“What is Earth?”
They continued on, walking into a restaurant Jules had visited before. Udoon was known for many things, but a great culinary experience wasn’t on the list.
“Earth’s my home. Well, sometimes. I mean, I wasn’t born there. That was Sterona.” Jules directed them to an empty table, of which there were plenty. Jules had no idea what time it was on the station, but assumed it was in the middle of the morning, since that was often the quietest period.
“Sterona?” Jaessa had a penchant for asking questions, and Jules appreciated it.
“It’s a world where the inhabitants were tricked into leaving, but they set up a device to destroy the Arnap. It created terrible electrical storms, and a lava lake…” Jules paused at the girl’s hesitant reaction.
“You were born there?”
“My parents were stranded with Slate and Suma, and my mom was pregnant. This was after she escaped the clutches of the Iskios vortex. It was a whole thing.” Jules waved her hand flippantly and laughed. “When I say it out loud, it does sound ridiculous.”
“But you are ancient, are you not?”
“Hey, I’m nineteen!” Jules exclaimed, not ready to be called old by anyone, even a younger girl from another world.
“That’s not what I meant. The drawing. It’s identical to you.” Jaessa jumped when a rusted old serving robot rolled over, its under-oiled bearings squealing.
“Don’t worry about that. It’s here to take our order. What kind of food do you like?” Jules asked.
“I have a very strict regimented diet consisting of…”
“Two burgers, crispy fries, and loads of ketchup.” Jules called after the robot after he started to roll away. “And two chocolate shakes! You were saying?”
“Why were you on that picture from Fontem?” Jaessa sure had a lot to understand, but Jules didn’t have the time to explain everything.
“That was just the Zan’ra. I was part of it so I could save the Deities… another lengthy story.”
“Wow. You may be young, but you’ve lived a thousand lives, Jules Parker.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Their food came, and Jaessa stared at the white plate with a frown on her face. She poked at the burger bun, knocking sesame seeds free.
“What is it?”
“Beef burger. These diners pick up a few items from the different races that visit frequently. I think burgers have become a hit for most of the restaurants by now.” Jules took a bite and savored it. The burgers at the Institute were usually overcooked and under seasoned. This was a far better burger, all the way out on Udoon Station.
“If the food originates on Earth, where do they get the beef?” Jaessa asked.
Jules stopped to think about it, and frowned at the patty. “Has anyone ever said you ask too many questions?”
“My mother does all the time…” Jaessa lost her smile. “Or she did.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve seen a lot of death myself,” Jules told her. She didn’t tell her that some of it was by her own hands.
Jaessa finally tried the food, starting with a French fry, and quickly graduated to the burger. Before long, she was devouring it, and Jules picked at her food, pleased to see how much the girl was enjoying the meal.
“The burger is wonderful. Why couldn’t food at home taste like this?” Jaessa used a cloth to wipe her mouth.
“What is that? A handkerchief?” Jules asked.
“It’s a cleanser. We all carry one.” She pulled a small box from her pocket. “It returns to here.” Jaessa shoved it into the black device. “And you press the button.” The thing vibrated, and a second later, a hatch sprang open. “And the cleanser is fresh.”
The ketchup stains and grease were gone off the bright yellow cloth napkin. “Pretty cool.”
With their plates cleared, the pair of girls sipped on their milkshakes, and Jaessa leaned closer in the booth. “Will you promise to help liberate us from the Brack?”
Jules tensed, and her powers flared behind the barrier. She grimaced, and shoved them further down. “Yes. We—” Jules nearly knocked over her glass as an alarm sounded throughout the restaurant.
“What is that?” Jaessa paled.
“I don’t know.” Patrons were already exiting the establishment, flooding the station’s quiet corridors. “Let’s go find out.”
“Shouldn’t we allow someone else to handle this?” Jaessa hesitantly followed her to the doors.
The alarms were a constant whine, and red lights illuminated the entire section. She’d never seen this happen on Udoon Station. A Motrill guard strode through the hall with a giant gun raised. Jules ran up to him, getting a barrel of the weapon shoved in her face. “What’s happening?”
The guard saw it was her, and quickly lowered his aim. “Ms. Parker. The Station is under attack.”
Jules thought about Outpost. “I’ll contact our warship. We’ll fend the invasion off.” She started to pull her tablet out.
The guard shook his head. “Not like that. They’re already here.”
Jules scanned the area, as if expecting a group of marauders to be stalking the corridors. “How did they access the station?”
�
�I have no idea. I just started my shift.” The Motrill guard stepped in front of them. “I’ll bring you to safety.”
“The hell you will,” Jules said stubbornly. “I’ll stop this.” She gazed at the scared girl. “Take Jaessa and get her to the Alliance’s hotel section. To a man named Magnus.”
The guard appeared dubious. “That might be difficult.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where the enemy are situated.”
Jules examined him in disbelief, trying to puzzle this together. Udoon Station was being threatened from within, and they had her allies under wraps. It was up to her to prevent a disaster.
____________
The first section of the trip wasn’t so bad, once I passed the hump of breaking the bad news to Mary. She calmed and went from interrogator to supporter. She finally tired, and while I needed sleep too, I offered to take the helm for a few hours. These things were mostly automated, but I wanted the time to think.
I was enjoying the comfort of the Cyclone. The interior was comfortable, the aesthetics pleasing to the eye. It was similar to our suite on Light, only smaller. I still recalled being given that ship, and how much I enjoyed our adventures before I cut my captaincy short and handed her to Slate and Loweck. Slate was better for the job. He was poised and did the work. I was always distracted, being pulled from the missions because of my name.
It was so difficult to imagine my old life. Watching baseball games on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Adjusting my clients’ 1099 forms. That was the thing about our existence. We’re settled into these roles we believe are our only path. Then something happens, and we’re thrust onto a new trajectory. Mine may have been more dramatic than a lot of people’s, but nearly everyone changed after the Event.
Sure, some returned to their previous occupations. Most chefs remained chefs. A lot of teachers kept at it, but perhaps on New Spero or Haven instead of Earth. Life in general was different. But most had accepted it without complaint.
As I stared out the viewscreen, being lulled by the gentle chimes and noises of the cockpit, I wondered what my children would have been like on Earth.
Jules wouldn’t be a Deity. She could have grown up surrounded by friends, playing sports, and studying to be an engineer or doctor. Knowing her, she would have become an attorney or social worker, trying to help people down on their luck.
Hugo would be obsessed with baseball like his old man, and he’d likely excel at business or something with numbers. He had the personality and the confidence to do anything.
But the thoughts were all for nothing, because without the Event, I wouldn’t have reconnected with Mary, and we’d never have been wed. Jules and Hugo wouldn’t exist, and I’d probably be in my old house, filling out ledgers and balances.
I smiled and stretched my arms overhead. This trip was going to be positive. Despite my own inner turmoil about Ovalax, I was excited to explore Ebos. I wanted to learn who the Tiprea were, and see if we could use the colony planet for our Alliance purposes. I needed this.
Sleep found me in the pilot seat, and I closed my eyes without realizing I was so tired.
Dreams drifted into my mind. My family. Mary. Maggie running under my feet while we walked along the property line of our farmhouse.
It faded, and I was floating in nothing. I tried to breathe, but no air entered my lungs. My chest burned, and I grabbed at my throat. Jules was there, reaching for me, but she withered too, disappearing, and leaving me alone to my eternal rest.
“Dean.” Mary shook my shoulder, and her concerned expression came into view.
“What? Was I out?” I wasn’t on the bridge; I was in bed.
She looked worried. “It’s been twelve hours. I woke, and you were here.”
I sat up and rubbed my hair. “Sorry. I guess I was beat.”
A noise crashed from the cargo hold. I jumped to my feet, grabbing a pulse pistol from the nightstand. Mary peered at it, then me. “Really? In the bunk?”
“I said I wanted to be prepared,” I whispered. Despite the fact that I was only wearing a pair of black sweatpants, I slunk from the quarters and silently crept toward the hold. Our supplies were stacked neatly, and I saw a form lurking by the crates, digging into the top one. “Put your hands up!”
The figure was shrouded in shadows, and it turned, an apple in his mouth.
“Hugo?” Mary asked, rushing past me.
I quickly put the gun down and tapped my foot impatiently. “This better be good,” I muttered, staring at my son.
He pulled the apple from his teeth and smiled. “Hi Mom. Hi Dad.”
Six
“How many people are on the station?” Jules asked.
Their leader was a shifty-eyed woman, part of an alien race Jules rarely saw. Her hands were covered in hair, tufts jutting from her long-sleeved uniform. Barod blinked sideways, and she scratched a fuzzy nose. “We don’t keep tabs on that.”
“Are you kidding me?” Jules stood face to face with the being. “You’re telling me you don’t know who’s on the station?”
“We can’t ID them, Ms. Parker. This is Udoon Station, and no matter how much the Alliance thinks they have a foothold, we’re free from your rules.” She pointed to the floor. “The planet Udoon may be distracted by your regulations, but we are not.”
Jules was already tiring of this woman’s resistance to action. “This isn’t a time for splitting hairs. My allies are captive, and the entire station is at risk.”
Barod shrank slightly, her stiff posture melting. “We desire the same thing. These marauders off my station.”
“What are you suggesting?” Jules asked.
“A partnership. A temporary one.” Barod blinked again; her slitted eyes were damp.
“Okay. But we do things my way when it comes to saving my friends.” Rivo, Nat, and Magnus were in there, and she wasn’t going to let anything happen to them.
“And we do things my way in regard to the rest of the station. And disposing of the enemy.” Barod rose taller, and the five guards patted their chests with fists.
“Sure. You can string them up from the station’s exterior spires for all I care.” Jules didn’t want to delay this anymore. “We don’t know the population of the station. What about the hotel?”
Barod used a communicator, speaking softly into it with her back turned. “There are two hundred and nineteen registered guests, which means probably three hundred or so total. They often bring… visitors.”
The main security offices were run down, with flickering lights, and storage lockers on the far edge. The computers were updated, and they searched the station blueprints, zooming on the hotel. “First off, we need to learn why they came. They must be after a payout.”
“I thought you knew,” the head of security said.
“What?”
Barod grunted. “The station is housing a sizable array of valuable gemstones. The owners sought to sell them to the highest bidder at a private event tomorrow night. There are twenty investors from around the galaxy vying for the treasures.”
“And you didn’t think that was a time to increase security clearance?” Jules asked.
“The marauders came from the surface on a ferry. Certain things cannot be circumvented, Ms. Parker. Udoon Station has successfully dealt with matters for more years than you can imagine.”
Jules glanced at Jaessa. She was sitting at the table, hands clutching a warm beverage. “You okay?”
Jaessa actually smiled. “It’s impressive watching you.”
Jules shrugged it off. “You can compliment me after I kick them out of here. Okay, they want gemstones. Where are those at this moment?” Barod indicated a lower level of the station, a part Jules had never visited. “How many guards are situated there?”
“Ten. There were two, but I sent reinforcements.”
Jules tried to determine the path from the horde to the hotel, and didn’t see a simple one. “What’s their plan?”
Jaessa leaned
over the table, observing the screen. “They will use your friends to take the gems. They’ll contact you and ask for the gems in exchange.”
Jules nodded along with her analysis. “I agree with that. But if they came on a ferry…” It clicked. She pulled her tablet out and hastily called Outpost’s bridge. Rumi answered the video chat.
“Commander Parker, we have a situation.” Rumi’s voice was timid, and his face contorted with concern.
“Let me guess. Someone is pointing a gun at your head right now?” Jules asked.
The man stepped into the camera’s sights. He was human.
“Commander Parker, as in Jules Parker?” He had an Australian accent.
Jules thought about denying it, but it wouldn’t do any good. He’d seen her. “That’s me. And I assume you want to give yourself up?”
He laughed cockily and rubbed his graying beard. “I don’t think so, little miss. You should really tighten the security up on your ship.”
Jules noticed he was in an Alliance uniform, matching the Outpost colors: blue and gray. “All I did was slip into this number, and they let us right on. Unbelievable. After everything humanity has endured, and you still trust another person with blind faith.”
She tried to assess the situation. Outpost’s bridge crew was hostage, as were her allies in the hotel. This was bad. “Who are you?”
He flashed her a grin. “Call me… Peters.”
“Okay, Peters. What do you want?” Jules kept her voice level, despite the anger burning inside.
“Want? That’s simple. Get the gems to the hotel. Grant my people passage to this wonderful warship, and I’ll let everyone off. They live to see another day, and we win the booty and ship. Easy as that.” He smiled the entire conversation.
Jules gritted her teeth. “And if we don’t?”
Peters shoved his Padlog-issued weapon against Rumi’s temple. “I shoot them. Here. In the hotel. Then I blow up Udoon Station with you on it, and I still take this vessel.”
There were a lot of crew on Outpost, but it was possible to lock down the bridge from the inside. Despite all their security measures, a simple slip-up at the entry hatch on Udoon Station may have doomed them.
The Colony (The Survivors Book Seventeen) Page 6
