The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1)

by Adrian Fulcher

  ‘Oh, I see,’ James replied. ‘I’ve no idea what any of those ingredients are! I think I’ll just try them, Kalrea.’

  ‘James, I’ve just finished deciphering one of the encryption keys to the diary.’ Kalrea sounded pleased.

  ‘What! Just one? But you said there’s four hundred in all. At this rate it will take a year.’

  ‘Sorry, James, but it’s a start.’

  ‘Have you found anything useful in the diary?’ James asked, while eating.

  ‘I’m afraid one key has only unlocked very few words scattered throughout the data. I’ve done an analysis, and I think the diary belongs to a woman. The fragments seem female in nature.’

  ‘Can you tell whose it is?’

  ‘No, but within the data the name Frasin comes up a lot, and Antaio is also mentioned a few times.’

  ‘Do you think it could be referring to the same Frasin and Antaio we know?’

  ‘The probability is very high, so yes, I believe it could be.’

  ‘Could the diary belong to Londuo’s friend, Frasin?’

  ‘James, writers do not normally use their name in their diary, so it can’t be Frasin’s. When I decipher another key, then other names or references may emerge and it should be clear.’

  ‘Kalrea, Londuo is a very close friend of Frasin and she also knows Antaio. Do you think it could be hers?’

  James looked down at Londuo. She looks so relaxed there, her eyes closed… He thought back to last time he kissed her, remembering her gaze and distinctive green eyes and said with conviction,

  ‘Kalrea, the diary must be hers!’

  ‘Why are you so certain?’

  ‘I believe I’ve already met Londuo back on Earth. The day my mother died, she received a visit from an old woman. I was not sure up to now, but now I know that old woman was Londuo. She had the same eyes, and I remember her hiding something on her face, that must have been the symoi that Londuo has on her cheek.’

  ‘I’ve just scanned her, and she doesn’t have a diary. If you’re right, then I suggest when she’s recovered, you ask her for her diary.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I will.’

  James finished eating the yimp bar. He picked up another.

  That’s if we make it back, James thought to himself. If it’s Londuo’s diary, then that means she travelled back in time. But if she could travel in time, then why did she not do it when she was younger? She was old on Earth. It doesn’t make sense, yet.

  ‘This yimp bar is excellent, Kalrea. Are there anymore similar to this amongst—’

  Kalrea interrupted.

  ‘James, I’ve picked up two Treitan heavy cruisers entering the system. They’re heading towards Ghuno. Get into the seatra!’ she said.

  James’ heart quickened. He dropped the bar.

  ‘What’s the status of the drive?’

  ‘It’s barely functioning. If I by-pass all the fail-safes, I might be able to move the ship.’

  ‘Do it!’ James said. ‘Kira!’

  He climbed into the seatra and looked over at Londuo. She lay there peacefully. He held her hand and waited for Kira to jump in. The lid then closed.

  James looked down into the drive room at the only operational event horizon drive. He watched it pulse erratically, until, with a loud bang, it started. The Aurora shifted, before slowly lifting into the air. He glanced nervously up into the sky, as three bright red dots emerged from the clouds, heading straight towards the ship.

  ‘INCOMING!’

  Two of the mass-converters struck the ship. It was forced back into the ground with a jarring boom. The drive was silenced.

  I’ve lost the stabilisers again, Kalrea said. It’ll take ten minutes, before I can try again.

  Through the clouds appeared two large Treitan assault ships and four fighters. The assault ships held station in the distance, while the fighters rapidly descended towards the Aurora.

  They’re going to test our defences, Kalrea said.

  Two of the fighters passed close in front of the Aurora. Pulses of light left the Aurora’s front laser and the remains of the fighters rained down onto the surface. The other two fighters were now behind the Aurora. James tried hard to target them, but each time he fired the rear laser it flashed harmlessly by the Treitan ships.

  Damn, James thought, frustrated by his efforts.

  The fighters turned.

  They’ve got a lock on the laser port! Kalrea said.

  The fighters fired, but their lasers just flashed harmlessly across the hull of the Aurora.

  James focused and fired again. The Aurora’s rear laser sliced through the port drive of one of the fighters. It flipped over and spun into the ground. Flames leaped in the air.

  Yes! James thought.

  At that moment, four Treitan scout ships dropped down into view in front of the fighters. They fired their plasma missiles instantly. The Aurora’s laser stopped abruptly. The assault ships then descended into the furrow behind the Aurora.

  Now they’ll board us, Kalrea said.

  How are they going to get onboard? James thought.

  He quickly viewed the rear of the ship.

  The Plyane hull will—

  He stopped abruptly, as he looked in the wrecked drive room. At the back were two gaping holes where the event horizon drives once stood.

  I’ve activated the ships internal defences, Kalrea said. We can’t allow them to capture the Aurora.

  You mean you will activate the self-destruct?

  James felt a deep sadness. He knew that meant Kalrea would not survive.

  Yes, it is just a question of time before they reach the bridge I’m afraid, then I’ll have no choice.

  The Treitan assault ships touched down on the surface. Clouds of dust lifted into the air obscuring them.

  James watched on nervously. Out the dust suddenly sped a large vehicle, then two seconds later three more appeared. The sand-coloured vehicles were the size of a house and hovered across the surface. Each had a plasma tube mounted on either side of the main body and a circular turret on the roof. He looked at them transfixed, while they raced toward the Aurora. When they got closer he could make out a thin yellow window on the front of the closest vehicle, behind which he could just make out some movement. The vehicles one by one dropped to the ground near the back of the Aurora. They opened their doors, and many Treitans rushed out, most carrying what looked like laser rifles and others grouped in pairs carrying large tubes.

  James almost laughed to himself as the cumbersome bodies of the Treitans tumbled over the surface, their tentacles flailing in the air, juggling their weapons. His ship was about to be boarded and all he could do was laugh.

  They’ve reached the drive cones, Kalrea informed him.

  James quickly looked down at the Treitans massing around the event horizon drive cones.

  Suddenly a small missile exploded inside the ship. Yellow smoke filled the drive room.

  I can’t see them anymore. Where are they? James thought, trying to see inside the drive room. He could hear laser fire as the Treitans rushed in.

  They’re about to enter the cargo bay through one of the breaches in the blast walls, Kalrea said.

  Six Treitans moved slowly into the now smoke-filled cargo bay. Pulses of light leaped out from the red eye in the roof of the cargo bay. The Treitans were instantly atomised. A red glow, which turned orange, marked their positions, before fading away.

  More Treitans moved into the room.

  James saw the red eye fire once more, but there was also an explosion which shook the ship. Part of the ceiling of the cargo bay fell to the floor.

  Two of the Treitans who were carrying a plasma tube moved towards the Aurora’s pojin lift door. One sprawled out in front of the other with the plasma tube held above it; its tentacles were wrapped around the tube’s bulk, pointing it towards the lift door. A bolt of red light emerged from the tube, and then the lift door, surrounding walls and floor turned white before melting. A molten riv
er of material flowed for a second before solidifying. A team of ten Treitans then entered the lift shaft.

  James felt completely helpless and was now resigned to the fact it was the end of Kalrea and the Aurora.

  Kalrea, I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Before you die, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me. I’ve really enjoyed your company. I will miss you—

  The cruisers, they’re starting to turn away from the planet, Kalrea said suddenly.

  What? James thought. His mind focused on the scanners.

  *****

  Four Qinant ships had just dropped from light speed, catching the Treitan cruisers by surprise. The Lonori and three destroyers thundered towards the turning cruisers.

  ‘All ships, fire!’ Isistia ordered.

  A volley of torpedoes screamed into the distance, striking the event horizon drives of nearest Treitan cruiser. A burst of white light erupted from its rear.

  Fighters suddenly emerged from the other Treitan ships.

  ‘Captains Gani and Lexu, finish that cruiser off,’ Isistia ordered. ‘Captain Treno, keep your ship close to me. Launch all fighters! Atenopila fighters, protect the Aurora!’

  The Atenopila and Beruopila continued towards the stricken Treitan cruiser, while the Lonori and Yemolopila turned towards the other.

  Five more torpedoes from the Qinant destroyers struck the damaged Treitan cruiser. Drawn in by the planet’s gravity well, it started to drift slowly into the green atmosphere, where it floated like a sinking ship at sea. The green atmosphere pierced through the hull, then as it slowly sank, explosions rippled through the ship. Sections of the hull imploded.

  *****

  Back on the Aurora the Treitans had reached the door to the bridge. The red eye in the bridge started to glow.

  They’re almost here, Kalrea said.

  One of the Treitan assault ships, which had landed behind the Aurora, lifted quickly away. The scout and remaining Treitan fighters turned as a swarm of Qinant fighters burst through the clouds. Laser fire suddenly filled the air. Explosions erupted from one of the assault ships banking over the front of the Aurora.

  Fire! James thought.

  The front laser of the Aurora lashed out at the Treitan assault ship. The rear of the ship was torn open, and sections of the hull fell to the ground. Its drives gave out a burst of orange light before the ship exploded. A Qinant fighter suddenly crashed into the side of the Aurora.

  James looked out from the Aurora in amazement. The massive bulk of a Treitan cruiser appeared through the clouds in the distance. The burnt out and discarded remains hurtled into the ground. Huge explosions blanketed the green sky, like fireworks, as fragments burnt up in the atmosphere.

  *****

  In space, above Ghuno, two missiles struck the Yemolopila, which was now engaged the other fleeing Treitan cruiser.

  ‘Why isn’t that Treitan ship fighting?’ Adonti said, looking to Isistia.

  ‘Try and jam their communications,’ Isistia said.

  ‘It’s too late; they’ve already signalled the main fleet,’ Adonti replied.

  The Treitan cruiser accelerated away, leaving its fighters stranded behind.

  ‘Do you want to pursue?’ he asked Isistia.

  ‘No,’ Isistia ordered. ‘Break off the attack, and head back to Ghuno. Commander, contact the Aurora.’

  ‘LONORI TO AURORA. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE!’

  ‘AURORA RECEIVING.’

  Captain Brasdoi, are you all right? Kalrea placed Adonti’s voice in James’ mind.

  Yes commander, I’m glad to hear you, James’ thoughts were converted into words, over the ship to ship communication system.

  Sir, we need to get you out of there. We don’t have much time. Is the Aurora operational, or do you want a shuttle sent down? Adonti’s voice said in James’ mind.

  James checked the ship’s systems.

  Kalrea, I don’t want to leave you here. Can the ship operate on the one drive? James thought.

  The Aurora’s only operational event horizon drive started.

  I’m not finished, yet. I’ll get us into space, Kalrea replied, determined.

  We’re on our way, Commander, James said.

  The thrusters were operated erratically causing the ship to shudder and creak. Slowly it began to rise drunkenly skywards.

  James, the Treitans are still at the control room door! Kalrea said.

  What? James thought. I forgot about them. Give it all you’ve got, Kalrea.

  Come on, Captain Brasdoi. You need more power, Adonti said.

  The noise from the event horizon drive increased, and the Aurora was thrown clumsily through the atmosphere. James watched the Treitans at the bridge door panic. Some slithered back along the pojin lift shaft heading for the exit. Others looked at each other when the air started to thin. They slowly sunk to the floor, one after the other, and their skins shrivelled like dried-out prunes.

  *****

  The Aurora breached the atmosphere and was greeted with the welcoming sight of the Lonori flanked by the three destroyers.

  Commander, the thrusters are operating erratically, James said with concern. We won’t be able to manoeuvre into the docking bay.

  Don’t worry, sir. Get as close as you can to the Lonori and cut power, Adonti said calmly in James’ mind. We’ll use the Golp cranes to bring you onboard.

  The Aurora’s drive became silent, and the ship drifted silently in space. James watched on as the huge mass of the Lonori manoeuvred with great precision alongside the Aurora.

  ‘CLAMPING STATION ONE PREPARED FOR DOCKING.’

  ‘GOLP CRANES ACTIVATED.’

  Two large cranes extended out from the Lonori’s open docking bay and flexible claws gripped the edge of the Aurora, front and rear. Then, slowly they pulled the ship into the internal docking bay. As soon as the Aurora cleared the docking bay doors they started to close.

  *****

  Six symbols illuminated on Adonti’s console.

  ‘Docking bay doors locked, Captain,’ Adonti said.

  ‘All ships synchronise control.’ Isistia ordered. ‘Turn to a heading of 236 sectors.’

  ‘Synchronisation confirmed,’ Adonti replied.

  Isistia looked across to Adonti.

  ‘Let’s be somewhere else.’

  The ships turned and accelerated.

  Isistia glanced at one of the monitors to see the Aurora being slowly guided into a clamping station.

  ‘Well done, Captain Brasdoi; you did it! They aborted their attack on Moulo and Earth,’ Isistia said.

  Thank you, sir, but Lieutenant Besic was badly hurt in the attack. She needs urgent medical care, James thought.

  ‘DOCKING COMPLETE.’

  ‘A medical team’s already at the clamping station, James,’ Isistia replied. ‘Londuo is in safe hands,’ she said reassuringly.

  *****

  James climbed from the seatra. Kalrea, have you been able to seal the hull?

  The pojin lift shafts are sealed and pressurised but are inoperable, Kalrea said.

  ‘Isistia, the Aurora’s pojin lifts are damaged. I’ll need to show the medical team the way from the docking bay,’ James said.

  Kira peered out from the seatra. She sniffed the air.

  James moved to the lift door. It opened to reveal the bodies of six Treitans outside.

  What’s that smell?

  James covered his nose and mouth with his hand. The stench of rotting plants filled the air. When he entered the lift shaft, he could see more bodies strewn along it in the distance.

  Kalrea, make sure Kira doesn’t follow me, please. It’s not very pleasant out here.

  The lift door closed behind him.

  Suddenly something gripped his leg. He felt an intense pain. The telementor turned white and a halo of light surrounded him. The bodies of the Treitans around him were instantly atomised. James looked down. Around his leg were the remains of a thick mustard-coloured Treitan tentacl
e. He squatted down to remove it. It was soft but very dry and started to crack when he unwound it; a sap-like liquid oozed out. He felt a shiver run down his spine. He tossed the tentacle away quickly and then vigorously rubbed his fingers against his trousers to remove any traces of the sap from them.

  *****

  Londuo was rushed, on a Metrol hover stretcher, to the hospital facility onboard the Lonori. James accompanied her. They entered a small white waiting room where James had to stay while medical staff moved Londuo quickly into an adjoining room. There was a large window looking into the hospital. He looked on, his hands pressed up against the glass.

  Londuo, please be strong. James felt unease and concern. He wanted to be in there with her.

  The hospital consisted of a huge semi-circular room and spaced around its curved wall were five large containers similar to the seatra. Three were closed and had blue lights above them; the other two were open and their bright interiors were visible beneath the lids. Doctors were frantically rushing around, attending ten other patients, who were all on identical padded tables. Black control panels and monitors were positioned on one side of the room and a large flat metallic arm extended out over each patient. There were many other empty tables scattered about the room.

  James was so focused on Londuo that he jumped when the doors behind him slid apart suddenly. He turned. A fighter pilot was rushed through into the hospital. James looked at him in pity. His hands and legs were badly burnt.

  James looked through the window once more. Londuo had now been placed on one of the tables and instruments were scanning her body. Her table was then moved and slid into one of the containers. The lid of the container slid shut, and one of the doctors glanced around at James.

  James was suddenly aware that he wasn’t alone. He turned to see Gulino alongside him. They embraced each other.

  ‘Gulino! It’s good to see you again. How’s Frasin?’ James asked.

  ‘She’s fine,’ Gulino said, sounding sombre. ‘She was one of the lucky ones that got picked up before the ships retreated.’

  The doctor who had looked at James earlier walked out through the door.

  ‘You must be Captain Brasdoi,’ he said to James.

  ‘Yes,’ James replied.

  ‘Don’t look so worried,’ the doctor said calmly. ‘Lieutenant Besic will be all right. She was very lucky. If she had not been put in stasis on the Aurora, she would have been dead hours ago.’