The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10

by Hudson, G. P.

  It swung for him again just as he got to his feet and clipped him in the shoulder this time. The same shoulder the Juttari had gashed with its claws. Jamie’s implants struggled to combat the pain as Jamie reeled from the force of the impact. The damn thing was strong. Jamie feared it might be too strong.

  It rushed him again, its arms like windmills. Jamie waited, timing its swings and moved at the last possible second. He sidestepped, simultaneously executing a low side kick at the giant’s knee joint. This time it buckled, and the Draahn came crashing to the ground.

  Without any hesitation, Jamie lunged for its head and let loose a devastating kick to its windpipe. Fortunately, that was another humanlike feature that was not protected by the heavy muscles layered over most of its neck. Jamie hit the target perfectly and heard it snap. The Draahn flayed about wildly, but Jamie backed away out of its reach. It made choking sounds and grasped at its throat until it finally died.

  Jamie stared at its body with disgust. He had no quarrel with this creature. Nor did he have any quarrel with the other foes the Erinyie pitted him against since the Juttari. The Draahn turned to dust, and the eyes appeared from the darkness again.

  “What is the point of all this?” Jamie said, the fury rising inside him. “Do you want to see if I will kill to survive? You have your answer. Do you want to see if I can survive? I will beat anything you throw at me. You will not break me. You cannot break me.”

  The darkness dissipated, and Jamie was back in the cavern again. Lord Toth was bowed before the fire tornadoes, and Jamie found himself back in restraints. Strangely, the injuries he had sustained in combat were gone. Had any of it happened? It certainly felt real at the time. Was it all in his head?

  The anomaly requires ongoing study, a voice said in his head.

  “What does that mean?” Jamie said.

  An unforeseen variable, another Erinyie voice said. It creates uncertainty. Randomness. Its destruction is merited.

  Were they going to kill him? After all that he had just gone through?

  Destruction violates the covenant, the first voice said. Ongoing study is the optimal path.

  “If you’re going to kill me just get it over with,” Jamie said.

  The fire tornadoes began to contract and the eyes within the flames disappeared. Soon the fires were gone, and Lord Toth got up from his supplicating position. The Kemmar commander stepped up to Jamie and studied him closely. “As much as I would enjoy killing you and feasting on your flesh, the gods have other plans, and I am compelled to obey their decrees.”

  Lord Toth gestured to one of his guards and Jamie blacked out.

  ***

  “Jamie? Jamie, can you hear me?”

  Jamie opened his eyes and looked up to see an armored Chaanisar looking down at him. He glanced at the uniform’s markings and realized it was Lieutenant Jarvi. “Yeah, I can hear you. Where am I?”

  “You’re on the planet surface. On Kem. But, how did you get here?” Jarvi said.

  “How did I get where?”

  “You are on the other side of the planet from the base. You are in a desert. There are no signs of life or any means of transportation.”

  “I don’t know,” Jamie said. “I guess the Kemmar dumped me here.”

  “It was reported that the Kemmar had taken your body. We assumed you were dead. Why would they release you?”

  Jamie shook his head. “I have no idea.”

  Another Chaanisar produced a scanner and ran it over Jamie’s body. “There are no signs of new implants. No trace of explosives or other weapons,” the Chaanisar said.

  “The bioweapon?” Jarvi said.

  “Negative.”

  “How did you find me?” Jamie said, still groggy from whatever the Kemmar had done to him.

  “We picked up your implant’s signature. Do you remember anything about what happened to you?”

  “Yeah, unfortunately I do.”

  “Let’s get you back up to the ship. We’ll debrief you there.”

  Jarvi helped Jamie get up to his feet. The Chaanisar activated their personal jump systems, and individual portals took shape before them. Jarvi helped him enter the shimmering field. Just before walking through, Jamie looked back and there, in the barren desert landscape, he saw multiple sets of eyes peering back at him.

  Chapter 26

  “You seem distracted? Miira said. She had taken Emperor Kriss to the coast to show him the beauty of Earth’s oceans. They took a stroll on the beach with Taymati and UHSF security keeping a respectful distance.

  “I apologize,” Kriss said. “It is beautiful here. I can see why you like this planet so much. I am worried about the Empire.”

  “I understand. But your trip here was a success. You obtained an alliance with the humans and the Diakans.”

  “Yes, and now I will return with an alien invasion force. How will my subjects view that?”

  “Their Emperor was betrayed by his generals and sought outside help against them. We can present the story in a way that they will understand.”

  “Will they? This is war, and we are talking about alien soldiers killing Dvorkan soldiers in Imperial territory.”

  “The people know that the humans were our friends before. They fought to protect you before. Why is this any different?”

  “All I ever wanted was glory for the Empire. I fear that in my quest for glory, I may have sown the seeds of the Empire’s destruction.”

  “I don’t think so, but I will say that things have changed, and the Empire needs to adapt. It can no longer stand alone at the top of the food chain. We need friends, and the humans and Diakans are our best option.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” Kriss said. “You heard them threaten the Empire with invasion. What if they help us defeat the generals and then decide to carve out portions of it for themselves?”

  “Admiral Pike would not do that,” Miira said. “He is an honorable man.”

  “Is he? How can you be sure?”

  “I have known him for a decade now. I have had ample opportunity to analyze his personality.”

  Kriss stared off into the horizon. “And what of these Diakan creatures? General Tallos did not hide his hostility toward the Empire. Can your Admiral Pike stop them from taking our territory? I understand that before their recent hardships they ruled a great empire of their own.”

  “It is known as the Galactic Accord and is more of an alliance structure than an empire.”

  “This organization is simply meant to obscure reality. Are the Diakans not the dominant force in this alliance?”

  “They were, although I don’t know what their status is after their recent setback.”

  “Precisely,” Kriss said emphatically. “They will seek to regain their lost status and might seek to do so by seizing Imperial territory.”

  “I do not claim to be an expert in strategic matters, but I have difficulty understanding how that would benefit them. As an alliance, the Galactic Accord requires trust. If the Diakans betray their agreement with the Empire, how can any other civilization trust them? In the end, betraying their word would cause more harm than good.”

  “Greed and reason do not normally coexist.”

  “If you distrust them so, why did you agree to the alliance?” Miira said.

  Kriss smiled bitterly. “What choice did I have? Without allies, I cannot hope to prevail. How long do you think it will take for the Taymati to turn on me?”

  “The Taymati? They are sworn to protect the Emperor.”

  Kriss shook his head. “No, my dear Miira. Once it becomes clear that my cause is lost, they will execute me themselves.”

  “But the Taymati have always protected the Emperor. I can’t believe they would do such a thing.”

  “Beautiful Miira, you know books, I know Dvorkans. Do not ever underestimate the power of a Dvorkan’s self-interest.”

  “Do you think of me in the same way?” Miira said.

  “No. There is a reason why you have
always felt alone in the Empire. You are different. Some might call you naive. Not me. You are better than the rest of us. Uncorrupted. It is what I love about you.”

  Love? Miira thought. Did he just say love?

  As if hearing her unspoken question, Kriss took her hand into his. “We have seen some turbulent times, and I fear we will see more before there is peace. When blood runs through the streets, most look to their own welfare. Some Taymati will stay loyal, but most will move against me. I’ve done what I can to secure the Taymati’s loyalty, but I have few options left, especially without General Kiith. That is why, despite my reservations, I have sought this alliance. It is a show of strength, not just to General Tok, but to the Taymati as well.”

  “I think I understand,” Miira said. “You seek to use each player to keep the others off balance.”

  “Ah, your powerful intellect shines through. General Tallos was correct when he said that Dvorkans are divided. The aliens will serve to keep both sides under control. The Taymati will not dare to turn on me for fear of the aliens. General Tok will be defeated. And, with some luck, General Tallos will not move against me for fear of the Taymati and Admiral Pike’s disapproval.”

  “Do you not fear Admiral Pike?”

  “I do, but I believe he is more concerned about the Juttari and would rather not start a full-scale war with the Empire. Tallos should think the same way, but he has a grudge which makes him unpredictable.”

  “You are quite the juggler.”

  Kriss laughed. “It is all smoke and mirrors, my dear Miira. Come, let us enjoy our time on this stunning planet. I promise to refrain from speaking of Imperial affairs for the rest of the day.”

  Chapter 27

  “The Erinyie are helping the Kemmar insurgents?” Colonel Bast said in astonishment.

  “Yes, Colonel. I saw them myself,” Jamie said.

  “You saw the Erinyie? What did they look like?”

  “I do not know if it was their true form. They presented themselves as tornadoes of fire.”

  “Tornadoes of fire?”

  “Yes, large spinning fire vortexes. They spanned the height of the cavern and within the flames were what I can only describe as numerous sets of eyes. But they were more. Inside those eyes I saw ancient, unspeakable evil.”

  Bast stared at Jamie from the opposite end of the metal table where they sat. Once back on board the Ronin, Jamie had been thoroughly examined. His body was healthy and his implants in perfect working order. After that, he was taken to an interrogation room to be debriefed.

  “What did the Erinyie want with you?” Bast said.

  “I do not know. They entered my mind, and suddenly I was no longer a prisoner of the Kemmar. Instead, I was sent back in time to the day of my abduction. I saw my parents and watched as the collaborators killed my father.” Jamie felt a pang of regret. He tried to help his father but could do nothing to stop his death.

  “You think the Erinyie sent you back in time?”

  “No. I’m not sure. It felt real enough, but I was merely an observer. My parents could not see me. I think they did something to my mind to make me relive that day. After that, I found myself on a Juttari starship watching them insert implants into my young body. Then I found myself alone facing a Juttari in combat. I killed it and was made to fight two Juttari. Once I killed those, I faced multiple alien opponents with a final match against a Draahn. After that, I was returned to the cavern. I sustained many injuries in the fighting, yet all were gone. The Erinyie vanished, and I blacked out. I opened my eyes again when Lieutenant Jarvi found me.”

  “Forgive me, Jamie, but this story is very far-fetched,” Bast said.

  “You don’t believe me?”

  “I did not say that. I just need more evidence to corroborate your story. You must understand my position. You were taken by the Kemmar insurgents, and instead of killing you they left you so that we can find you. It seems suspicious. The Kemmar might have done something to you.”

  “Or I could be lying,” Jamie said.

  “That is also a possibility.”

  “What do you want me to do to prove that I’m not lying?”

  “Give me access to your brain implant,” Bast said.

  Jamie had been assigned to the Ronin as a contractor but had refused to join the Chaanisar brain chip network, or to allow the AI to enter his implant like it had done with the rest. “And if I refuse?”

  “Unfortunately, that would be doubly suspicious.”

  Jamie considered arguing against the request but relented. He was already perceived as an outsider. Why make matters worse? “You may access my implant.”

  Colonel Bast sent Jamie a request for an implant to implant connection, and Jamie accepted. Once connected, Jamie showed Bast his experiences on the planet Kem.

  This is incredible, Bast said through his implant.

  Do you believe me now? Jamie said.

  Yes. Thank you for sharing the experience.

  “What happens now?” Jamie asked aloud.

  “We must notify Admiral Pike. If the Erinyie are helping the Kemmar insurgency, then they are probably the source of the Nanoweapon.”

  “That does make sense.”

  “I still wonder why they did not allow the Kemmar to kill you?” Bast said. “The Erinyie think nothing of wiping out life on a planetary scale. Why spare you?”

  “I’ve been wondering the same. They kept saying they needed to study me.”

  “Yes, you showed me that,” Bast said. “They called you an anomaly but said there are others too. I think they are referring to the nature of your freedom. You were not freed by the AI, or by the treaty with the Cenobi.”

  “Neither were you,” Jamie said.

  “That is true. Perhaps the Erinyie consider us anomalies as well.”

  “And I am serving aboard your ship. It seems too much of a coincidence.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Then they are studying us to perfect their methods?”

  “It is the logical answer. They are trying to learn what is the difference that allowed you to free yourself. That information will help them prevent similar cases in the future.”

  “But they were forced to free all Chaanisar. How does this knowledge help them?”

  “Their influence spans the universe,” Bast said. “They must have enslaved beings in other galaxies.”

  Jamie didn’t like the idea that he was being used to better enslave other races.

  “Do you feel any different?” Bast said. “Have you experienced anything to indicate that the Erinyie are still in your mind?”

  “No. Did you feel anything when you connected with me?”

  “No, I did not. But the Erinyie are advanced beyond our comprehension. We have to assume that they are still monitoring you somehow.”

  “Doesn’t that make me a security risk?”

  “That is a possibility. I want to remain linked, at least for communication purposes. That way, I will know immediately if something does happen.”

  Jamie did not like linking with other Chaanisar, but in this case, Colonel Bast had a point. “Very well, but only you, and only for communication.”

  “Of course. That said, you do understand that AI occupies my brain implant. She sees what I see.”

  “She has witnessed my encounter with the Erinyie?”

  “Yes, Jamie,” AI said through Bast’s comm. “I have.”

  “Interesting. Did you record what you saw?” Jamie said.

  “It is in memory, which means I have a copy of it.”

  Jamie nodded. “Good. I think you should share it with Admiral Pike. He needs to know everything that has taken place. I feel that this is something greater than just the Kemmar and their homeworld.”

  “That is a logical assessment,” AI said. “I will make it a top priority.”

  ***

  After finishing up with Colonel Bast, Jamie left to meet Anki who had been waiting in her quarters for him. He received odd looks from the o
ther Chaanisar he passed in the corridors. How much did they know about his experience? They were all connected to each other through their implant network, and that included Colonel Bast and the AI. Did Bast share the information with the crew? Did he show them the Erinyie?

  Jamie remembered that his implant was still connected with Colonel Bast for communication, so he asked him. Does the crew know about my experience with the Erinyie?

  Yes, Bast said through his implant. We are all Chaanisar. The Erinyie threat affects us all. Has this angered you?

  No, Colonel. You’re right. They should know. Whatever the Erinyie are up to, it affects us all.

  The real threat to the Chaanisar was the Erinyie. The Juttari were nothing more than servants. He doubted they would have ever developed their capabilities if not for Erinyie patronage.

  The door to Anki’s quarters opened. Anki stepped out and punched him in the chest. The attack shocked Jamie. He stared back at her with disbelief and said, “Why did you-”

  Anki punched him again, harder this time.

  “Stop that,” Jamie said.

  “I thought you were dead,” Anki said in anger.

  This confused Jamie even more. “Are you trying to kill me? Because you cannot succeed with just your fists.”

  “Shut up!” Anki said and tried to punch him a third time, but Jamie deflected the strike. That made her angrier, and she came at him with a flurry of punches and kicks. Jamie fell back, giving himself room to block them.

  “What are you doing?” he said.

  “Do you have any idea what you put me through,” Anki said, pointing a finger at him.

  “Do you think I did this on purpose? The Kemmar captured me.”

  “I don’t care!”

  Jamie often had difficulty understanding normal humans, but this went beyond anything he had ever experienced. If Anki cared about him, why was she attacking him? And if she wanted to attack him, why wasn’t she using a weapon? Surely, she knew she couldn’t hurt him with her bare hands. “I don’t understand what is-”