The Colony (The Survivors Book Seventeen)

by Nathan Hystad

  The tall beings lounged in their military garb, drinking from bright red cups. “I’m out of Olip.” Ashtom banged his cup on the table loudly. A few drops spilled onto his uniform. “Look what you made me do!”

  A pair of Sterol were quickly reprimanded as they entered the room, carrying pitchers of liquid sloshing inside. The male bowed his head, and I cringed, remembering that they couldn’t speak. Because of the Takmas.

  “Your apology means nothing. Clean this up!” Ashtom threw his empty glass at the worker, and he didn’t even duck. It struck him square in the chest, bouncing to the floor. His partner, a slight Storel woman with small dark ears, picked up the glass, and started to dab a cloth over Ashtom’s uniform.

  “We have business to conduct. Would you hurry along?” Ashtom drew his hand back, prepared to strike the woman, and I rushed over, invisible to his eyes. I caught his arm and allowed myself to be seen. My tattoo tingled slightly, and I revealed myself between Representative Ashtom and the Sterol woman.

  “If you ever lift a finger against another Sterol, I’ll kill you with my own two hands,” I hissed, letting go of his hairless arm.

  “Dean Parker, what are you doing here?” Representative Medo asked.

  Ashtom seemed to gather his wits, and he shoved me in the chest. “You dare sneak into my offices and threaten me?”

  I laughed and walked with the pair of Storel to the exit. Once they were gone, I closed the door. “Listen up. I’m only going to say this once.” I used the voice translator to speak their language. They acted surprised. “I have five thousand soldiers prepared to travel through our portal.”

  “It is not yours you travel with,” Ashtom cried.

  “I’m afraid you’re wrong. You signed the agreement. Rylan joined the Alliance when you made the trade for those Inlorian bars. Which means the portal is ours, until I deem it not.”

  “You do not hold that kind of power, Dean Parker. You have no title—”

  “Wrong again.” I shook my head, and tossed Medo a tablet.

  “He’s right. Dean Parker has been named President of the Alliance of Worlds. He’s the voice of the people,” Medo said, backing away from the table.

  “What do you want?” Ashtom barked. “Your bars?”

  “No. Keep those. You’re hereby under violation of Alliance code.”

  “Which one?” another of the Representatives asked.

  “Section Nine, subsection Alpha Tango.” I waited for confirmation. Medo retrieved it on the tablet.

  “It states that no Alliance partner will place another partner under duress for any reason. If such an incident is reported, the oppressor will be disbanded from the Alliance, and named an enemy. Trade will promptly cease.” Medo’s jaw dropped, and her big eyes blinked on either side of her head. “You didn’t…”

  Ashtom hadn’t clued in. “What are you talking about, Medo?”

  “The Storel…”

  “That’s correct,” I informed them. “The Storel are now Alliance partners, and they have a home on Ebos, where they will live freely. Because that’s how my Alliance will be governed. You are effectively removed from our group the moment the last Storel is off your planet.”

  Representative Medo looked at the doorway to find five soldiers arriving. They whispered something to her, and she stared at Ashtom for a moment before relaying the message. “The Alliance soldiers are here. They’ve already begun relocating the Storel with the portal.”

  “You can’t do this,” Ashtom told me.

  “Too late. Maybe next time you’ll think twice before you enslave anyone.” I poked him in the chest. “Remember what I said. I won’t put up with your transgressions ever again. Take this warning, and move on.”

  It felt great to offer the Storel a new life on Ebos. It was the first act I was doing as president of the Alliance, and it was the proper avenue. Mary had been afraid of making an enemy of the Takmas, given their abundant military presence, but my patience had run out long ago.

  “We understand.” Ashtom finally relented, bowing slightly in deference. “But do not ever return, Dean Parker.”

  “I’ll promise that if you tell me why they cannot speak.” I’d seen that they had tongues.

  He indicated a computer next to Medo. “Representative, please remove the blockage.”

  It was a software modification. Remarkable.

  Medo used the keyboard, and after several tense minutes, she informed me of the reversal. “The Sterol have their voices again.”

  “Then I’ll be gone.” Just to remind them of my power, I disappeared, using the spell tattooed on my shoulder. They gasped, and I exited the building. Alliance soldiers marched through the streets, and I saw Magnus growling orders at his people. Malir and Dean were present as well, helping gather the Storel.

  I reversed the spell, coming into plain sight. “Has anyone seen Sergo?” I asked Natalia.

  “He and Walo returned home with the Supreme. I guess it was time for the eggs to hatch,” she told me.

  I tried to picture Sergo with a few doting larvae, and imagined he was at his wit’s end—but also the happiest he’d ever been.

  Jules had been informed of the rescue mission, but she’d told me she had somewhere else to be. I knew what that was, and hoped she was doing the right thing.

  I reappeared when I saw Mary near the portal, and we worked for the next ten hours, ensuring every single Sterol made it to Ebos through the Shandra Valincin we’d exorcised Ovalax from. The Deity stone allowed us to travel to our new colony whenever we wanted, like the one we kept at the Alliance Institute.

  The last group of Sterol was shuttled by the portal, leaving Suma, Mary, and me alone on Rylan. The Takmas soldiers observed us, leaving their weapons in holsters. All of the Representatives stared from the front row, silently urging us from their planet. I made a note to have Jules block their portal access. I could tell from their expressions that this wasn’t truly over, if they had any say about it. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

  Mary stepped closer, dusting her hands off. “We’ve managed to clear the Storel, and I didn’t die on Outpost like your vision.”

  “About that,” I whispered. “I wasn’t sure it was Outpost. It was just a warship.”

  “Was I this youthful?” Mary smiled, batting her eyelashes.

  “Good point. It was probably nothing. Ovalax was a liar and a cheat.” The vision would haunt my dreams, but I had to let it go. We had enough to worry about, and I tried to accept that.

  Suma was near us, but she seemed tense.

  “Today went exactly as planned. Why the frown?” I asked. Instead of heading to Ebos with the others, we were off to Haven, where Hugo was prepping at the Academy, staying with Karo and Ableen.

  “It’s my father. He’s gone.”

  “Gone?” Mary asked.

  “He talked to me for a few minutes last night in his office, and when I woke up today, he wasn’t there.” Suma pulled out a tablet, and handed it to me. “He left this.”

  I read the message, feeling emotions tug at my heart. I was going to miss my old friend. Wherever you are, Sarlun, I wish you the best.

  ____________

  Sarlun read his message again.

  Suma,

  I regret what happened with all of my being. I was a tool. I paid the price for my father. My only solace is that the curse has ended with Ranul’s death.

  I’ve provided you the code for my treasures; the artifacts I’ve collected over the years are now yours. Be cautious with them. I’ve downplayed their value for many reasons, but there’s something you need to know. Below the storeroom rests another chamber.

  In it sits the final Shandra Valincin. When I collected it as a young man, I didn’t understand what it was, or that it was related to the Deities in any form. Please, heed my advice. Do not use it. This portal is unlike any others. It takes you somewhere dreadful. Uninviting. It is not healthy. I fear it’s a version of a universal hell.

  Promise m
e you will tell Dean and Mary how sorry I am for everything. I love them as if they were my own family. I never would have done anything to harm the Parkers, if given a choice in the matter. Make sure they understand.

  And Suma, my dear daughter. You are the light that rose at the dawn of my life. Shine bright, my sweet. You will be twice the leader I ever was.

  All my heart,

  Your father

  Sarlun sat up straighter in his pilot’s seat, and double-checked his destination. They would never find him there. Sarlun could live his remaining guilt-ridden days in solitude. He couldn’t look his friends in the face. None of them. Not after his betrayal.

  He used his tablet, and replayed the ceremony from Suma and Elex’s wedding, smiling at the joy their expressions exuded.

  Suma was his true legacy.

  Sarlun silently said goodbye to his loved ones, and raced away, off to a distant world where no one knew of his sins.

  ____________

  Are you certain? Regnig’s voice was a comfort. Gasade felt as inhospitable as they came, from Jules’ perspective. It was always dark. The sun never rose, and Jules wondered if that was a spell.

  “Do you think this is wrong?” Jules asked her friend.

  The old Toquil limped over using his cane, and plopped onto the wooden chair. This was the fourth temple they’d found, and Jules passed Regnig another empty journal and black charcoal stick.

  At first, I was hesitant, but I do love recording history, and without us, the Beykn’s magic will die. He began sketching a rune etched in stained glass above the main living space’s fireplace. It was impossible to know what most of the spells did, but Jules was deciphering them, testing their power.

  She shielded herself, making sure the sphere was contained, and copied the symbol, using green light. It glowed brightly, and a gentle whirlwind of air began to grow within her shield. Jules smiled at Regnig, and he marked down the attribute.

  So far, they’d recorded over two hundred spells: some were nearly useless, others deadly. Jules memorized each rune, knowing there might come a time when she could apply them.

  Remember, Jules. These are never to be shared. The Brack were willing to kill thousands for the power stored on Gasade. Regnig’s beak opened slightly, his tongue poking free.

  “I won’t let it out.” She patted the crystal stored on her uniform’s belt. “And no one can reach the planet but me.”

  Or your father, Regnig reminded her.

  None of the others could operate the crystal portal shard. Papa couldn’t explain it, but Jules sensed something different from him lately, and it was more than just his youthful appearance. It was so strange to see her parents looking twenty years younger, but she was happy to think they’d be around for longer.

  Regnig closed his journal and set it down. When do you leave?

  “As soon as we’re done here.” Jules walked around the spacious room. Lightning flashed through the colorful windows, and she spotted another rune on the ceiling.

  This temple? Regnig inquired.

  “Gasade. I want to record all of them. Is that okay?” Jules pointed to the newly discovered symbol, and Regnig sighed, bringing open the journal again.

  I will help you.

  “Thank you, Regnig. I couldn’t do it alone,” she said.

  Jules thought about Ranul’s obsession with these runes, and how long she’d waited in a prison for everything to fall into place. But she was dead, and so was Ovalax. The future held promise.

  Do you know what your father is doing next? Regnig took a break from his illustration, and Jules peered at him.

  “I expect he’ll be devoting a lot of time to meetings.” Jules laughed at the notion of Dean Parker, her Papa, spending his days in a boardroom.

  I doubt that.

  “Why?”

  Because he’s finally embraced his role. The Recaster isn’t designed to be bound by societal norms. Dean is meant for great things. Regnig’s gaze went distant.

  “You want more material for your book on him,” she snickered.

  You might be correct. Come on, let us continue. My old bones are beginning to ache. Regnig finished the drawing, and they took a break for the night. Jules had scoured Gasade, and there were another sixteen buildings like this to investigate before their time here was complete.

  She hated leaving Jaessa on Ebos, but the girl had already waited twenty years to see her planet again. They’d be leaving for Adrol soon.

  Jules was ready to visit a new galaxy. To see what waited beyond the boundaries of Violet Bloom. Until then, she would learn everything she could about the Beykn witches.

  Jules, I’ve seen a mention of something called the Planner. Have you encountered anything with this name? Regnig watched her as he scribbled notes.

  “Never heard of it. Probably nothing.” Jules kept working.

  Eventually, she grew tired, and exhaustion overtook her. Jules heard the slow walk of Regnig’s feet, then the draping of a blanket as he set it onto her resting form.

  Sleep well, my young friend. I fear you’re going to need it.

  THE END

  Of

  The Colony (The Survivors Book Seventeen)

  Continue the Adventure with

  New Galaxy (The Survivors Book Eighteen)

  A distant world. A new friend. A looming threat.

  Jules Parker helped stop Death’s Mistress, but at what cost? She’s changed after the latest ordeal but pushes away the pain to focus on bringing Jaessa back to Adrol.

  The Fera are thrilled to see the Governor’s daughter returned safely, but what’s waiting for them might be worse than the Brack.

  Dean Parker has a new lease on life. He’s done sitting on the sidelines and takes the role of President over the entire Alliance with authority. When one of their allies stumbles on a dangerous secret, he’s dispatched to investigate. With Slate and Loweck escorting him on Light, he’s in for a surprise when they reach their destination.

  New Galaxy is a brand-new Survivors adventure you won’t want to miss.

  NEW GALAXY

  A brand-new collection featuring all 6 Baldwin’s Legacy novels. Over 1800 pages of space battles, starship exploration, betrayals, and redemption. Get your copy today!

  Thomas Baldwin has been appointed captain of the state-of-the-art flagship Constantine, named after his heroic grandfather. The Statu war was won, and the Concord has enjoyed fifty years of relative peace.

  When Baldwin’s first mission turns deadly, he fears the worst. The Statu have returned.

  Included inside:

  Confrontation (Baldwin’s Legacy Book One)

  Unification (Baldwin’s Legacy Book Two)

  Culmination (Baldwin’s Legacy Book Three)

  Hierarchy (Baldwin’s Legacy Book Four)

  Lineage (Baldwin’s Legacy Book Five)

  Legacy (Baldwin’s Legacy Book Six)

  Join the Concord today! Until we meet in the Vastness...

  BALDWIN’S LEGACY (THE COMPLETE COLLECTION)