Hero of the Republic: (The Parasite Initiative, Book 1)
Page 55
“How considerable?” Anthe asked.
“I witnessed the destruction of one of our destroyers after a single shot.”
Neal stepped back to the podium quickly, reaching for Twist’s arm. “Our weapons experts are examining the data brought back by Commander Twist’s ship. The information is being evaluated as we speak. Right now, our scientists are suggesting it’s a weapon based, in part, on muon cannon theory. We’ve never been able to create such a weapon as there were too many technological hurdles in producing such a range-limited cannon. The Parasites may have found a solution however. We’ll have a detailed report shortly but further discussion is pointless speculation until we have the facts.”
Neal gave Twist a dismissive nod. When the commander stepped away, he addressed the Council once more. “Commander Twist has expressed that the aliens attacked with straightforward, horde tactics and very little finesse. They come en masse and overwhelm their opponents through brute numbers. The commander’s ship was sent ahead to warn the Republic but Secretary Sebastian Brewer, who was an observer on the exploration fleet, said he would hold the fleet at Skathi in a final attempt to defeat the aliens before they entered our habitable space.”
“Did he succeed?” Anthe asked eagerly.
Anguished looks passed between Neal and Twist. Neal glanced at the Minister of Intelligence. Unfathomable, green eyes stared back.
“We assume that fleet has perished with all aboard,” Neal answered. “Four hours ago, we received word that the Parasite fleet had entered the Narvi system.” He raised his voice in a cautionary tone. “This information is highly classified but will shortly become public knowledge because several freighters inside Narvi escaped to Tarvos early in the invasion. We estimate the standata wave with the news of the Parasites has already reached Anthe. It will rapidly spread across the entire Republic once it reaches Titan.”
Nervous chatter broke out among the conference tables.
Anthe’s councilman stood and asked loudly, “What do we have to defend Narvi? Can we rush in the forces positioned at Titan in support?”
The crosstalk grew from a mild din to a clamor. President Matthews rapped his gavel to restore order. Neal stated over the fading conversations, “The battle in Narvi is already over. We lost.”
“Can we negotiate with these aliens for the safety of our civilians?” Each question asked by the Anthe councilman became more desperate.
Neal gave Fane another questioning look. Fane gave him nothing. “Doubtful,” he replied. “Our initial intelligence suggests the aliens will not see a difference between combatants and noncombatants. In fact, we have yet to successfully communicate with them at all.”
Titan asked the next question. “What exactly are these things? Are they similar to the Chetellx?”
Neal tapped his datapad a second time. An image of a single Parasite appeared. “The alien race is insectoid, like the Chetellx. However, they are much smaller. The average size of a Parasite is only approximately two point five centimeters long. They are a flying species with significant endurance. They tolerate freezing cold temperatures and even vacuums for short periods. Individual Parasites seem to possess little more than a rudimentary intelligence. However, when they attach to a host in numbers, a collective intelligence appears to develop among them.”
Looks of revulsion spread across the room. Anthe’s councilman was nearing hysteria. “Y—You mean these things attach to their prey, to people, and feed on them? Is this what has happened on Narvi?”
Neal nodded reluctantly. “Parasites do extract nourishment from their hosts but also utilize their hosts as tools.” He looked again to his master. After a long pause, he resumed, “There are reports that infected humans, that’s what we call people who have been attacked by the aliens, that the infected not only serve as sustenance and tools for the Parasites but also that an infected’s memories can be accessed by the Parasite group intelligence in control.”
Lysithea’s cold soprano chilled the room. “Are the victims aware of what’s happening to them?”
Neal sighed. “We don’t know, Madam Councilwoman. We hope not. Parasite hosts are disposable and ultimately treated that way.”
Anthe’s fist slammed down onto his table. The sound reverberated through the empty chamber. “How has this been allowed to happen?” he roared. Anger was quickly replacing fear.
Behind Neal, President Matthews scolded the governing body, “Now is not the time for recriminations. Humanity has never faced a greater threat. We must act in unity to defend our Republic and stop these aliens before they advance further.”
“Stop them with what?” Anthe shouted defiantly. “The majority of our fleet was shattered in the Brevic-Hollaran conflict. The terms that gave us peace also prohibited much of our warship reconstruction.” He looked desperately to his fellow councilmembers and despaired, “Even if we had the military hardware to defeat such a threat, who would lead it? Our best admirals were killed in the last war. These aliens have crushed one fleet already and killed everyone in their path. There’s nobody left to lead us.”
In the middle of the chamber, the councilwoman from Bree shot up from her seat. "What about Admiral Heskan? His heroics early in the Brevic-Hollaran War showed he's a brilliant tactician."
"His messages during the conflict inspired the entire Navy," added Councilman Green from Ariel, "and his wisdom in supporting the eventual peace showed sound judgment."
A renewed fervor took hold as the representatives of the Republic grasped the only source of salvation they had, the legend of Garrett Heskan.
"Where is he now?" someone asked.
"Did he retire?"
Neal ignored a glowering Twist and gave Fane an imploring look. The delicate woman in the corner closed her jade eyes while looking away. Finally, after an eternity, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
All eyes locked on to Secretary Neal, pleading silently for hope, for salvation. Neal cleared his throat.
“Garrett Heskan will lead our fleet.”
Thank you for your readership and be sure to watch for the next book in The Parasite Initiative:
Across the Blue Line
Coming in late 2017 plus a new book in a brand new setting:
Scorched
Coming in late 2016!
For updates on future books, visit http://www.thiscorneroftheuniverse.com.
If you liked Hero of the Republic, consider leaving a review where you bought the book.
Sponde Defense Organization Chart
(Continue reading in Chapter 10)
Kalyke I Defense Organization Chart
(Continue reading in Chapter 20)
Kalyke II Defense Organization Chart
(Continue reading in Chapter 24)
Expeditionary Fleet Organization Chart
(Continue reading in Chapter 41)
Table of Contents
PART I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
PART II
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
PART III
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
&
nbsp; Chapter 40
PART IV
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55