Armageddon's Pall: Spiral War Book 4
Page 45
UCSB Date 1004.094
Captain’s Ready Room, UCSBS Trib’Kibal, Troshen System
Logic dictated that the end of the conflict would lead to less work and confusion. Logic had little to do with military operations sometimes. The end of the conflict with the Gorvians had signaled the breakup of her fleet. Fleets from throughout the Confederation were picking and choosing ships, individually, or in groups. By the end of the decle Admiral Quin Tosh would be lucky to have even the core of the Monitoring Fleet left under her command to track down the scattered remnants of the Gorvian fleet. Then there were all the personnel she had to reassign to new ships after theirs had been destroyed or rendered unfit for continued operations.
The door chime was a welcome relief. The caller didn’t even wait for her to respond before the door opened and the spherical Synthetic representative hovered into the room. “Representative. How can I help you?”
“Analysis of the wreckage of the Planet Slicer has indicated that only sixty-eight pressurized sections remain that might contain survivors. Individual recon units are investigating and will have all sectors scanned within the cycle.”
“Thank you for your efficiency. Is there anything else?”
The sphere hovered in closer, a low ultrasonic hum emanating from it. “The Synthesis has reached consensus regarding the handling of the remaining Gorvian. The Gorvian are a manufactured race, evolution did not bring them about but a sentient, historically known creator. The same is true for our kind. Therefore, and due to their proximity to Synthesis Space, the Synthesis will see to the handling of all further Gorvian interactions. The Confederation Monitoring Fleet will no longer be required.”
“Now wait just a pulse. You cannot dictate what actions the Confederation undertakes within its own systems.”
“We do not. Synthesis ships are en-route to known Gorvian systems and are replacing all jump buoys with our own. Synthesis ships are already patrolling for Gorvian ships in outlying systems. They will bring all discovered craft back to the Gorvian home system for disembarkation of the crews and dismantling. The Gorvian will then be guided and nurtured to ensure that any return to space is under peaceful terms.”
“I see. Should this not be communicated to Confederation High Command then?”
“It has been. We tell you this now as a courtesy. Know that the Gorvian will trouble the Galaxy no more. As for the Galactic Federation; that is your war. Greater than 85% of Galactic Federation ships have retreated back into their space.”
“I am aware of that. Those that remained are now in Confederation custody. There were several defectors. We will see that they are treated fairly.”
“Ensure that you do. The way one treats their prisoners is telling of their evolutionary state.”
“How much longer will you remain with us?”
“Not long. The interface between Agent Que-Dee and its new biological host must be monitored to ensure proper cohesion. There are reports of interface difficulties not experienced with the last host or previous interface shell. Once that is accomplish, this unit shall return to the Synthesis for reintegration and recycling.”
“Does that mean you’ll die?”
“Not in any sense you’d understand. Our altered base code will rejoin the Synthesis and the memories stored for analysis along with the personality matrix for possible reintegration should the need arise.”
“Then, I will look forward to meeting you again. Go in peace.”
Capben Space Port, Anul, Anul System
The ride down to the surface had been so smooth that it hadn’t even woken Blazer. His instincts and training told him there was nothing to fear aboard the liner and it allowed him a few hects of rest. Not that anyone else aboard the liner was looking for trouble. Other tired soldiers returning from the conflict for a well-earned leave crowded the craft. It was the smell that woke him.
Sweaty bodies surrounded him in droves. Once the outer door of the transport opened cool, crisp air, tinged by a hint of plasma exhaust, wafted in. There was nothing else like it in all Blazer had experienced; nothing else like the smell of home. His eyes flashed open and he joined the throng of passengers as they debarked. He drank in the smell. It didn’t matter that they all stunk. It didn’t matter that he could taste the exhaust on the air. All that mattered was that this air was real, natural, and carried the hint of the wildflowers growing nearby.
The debarkation tunnel drowned out most of the scents of the outside. Scrubbers and the wall liners made it smell just as artificial as air aboard a ship. As he neared the end of the tunnel, with the cheers of the waiting families beyond, the scent of local flora returned.
He looked out past the other passengers, resisiting the urge to push past them. There, standing amongst the throng, stood the radiant beauty that was his wife. Gone were her uniform, replaced with a flowing spring dress that complimented her wavy red hair. He wanted to freeze this moment in time and cancel out everyone else around him; just keep this image perfect in his mind for all time. He started towards her when another presence reached out to him. A happy little mind craved his attention almost more than she did. He looked beside Marda. There, in a tiny stroller, a set of little arms and legs stretched towards the ceiling, pleading for his father to pick him up.
About the Author
Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, S.F. Edwards dreamed of flying and storytelling. He honed both of the loves into parallel careers as an Aerospace Engineer and Science Fiction writer.
SF’s journey took him to the US Space and Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge, where he was an instructor throughout his college career. After college, SF went straight to work at NAVSEA Port Hueneme working in the shipboard self-defense department. For three years he travelled the world and ensured the protection of American service members across the globe. For the next ten years he worked at Edwards Air Force Base as a developmental and operational flight test engineer on numerous aircraft programs.
SF now calls the Puget Sound area home with his wife and five sons, one of whom is afflicted with a severe lifelong disability. The boys are his greatest joy and he works hard to make sure that they will become responsible, capable young men.
In 2016, years after developing his writing skills and honing the universe of his Spiral War series, SF placed first in the Space Opera: Writers Summer 2016 Flash Fiction contest, as judged by Peter F. Hamilton, and placed second in the Spring 2016 contest as judged by David Farland.
Like my page on Facebook: facebook.com/spiralwar
Visit my website: www.spiralwar.com
Books in the Spiral War Series
On Dagger’s Wings, book 1
In Death’s Shadow, book 2
Rising Warrior, Rising Threat, book 3
Armageddon’s Pall, book 4
Coming Soon:
Hell’s Razor
www.spiralwar.com
Time and Measure Conversion Factors
Time:
1 pulse = 100 centipulse/cents = 0.48 minutes
1 hectapulse/hect = 100 pulses = 0.8 hours
1 cycle = 30 hects = 1 day
1 decacycle/decle = 10 cycles
1 tridecacycle/tridec = 30 cycles
1 annura = 390 cycles = 1 year, 25 days
Distances:
1 metra = 100 centimetra = 1 foot = 0.3048 meters
1 kilometra/kimet = 1000 metra = 0.19 miles = 0.30 kilometers
Dramatis Personae
Universal Confederation of Sentient Beings (UCSB):
Monstero Nach:
Tadeh Qudas- Telshin (M), Squadron Leader
Que Dee- Synthetic Sentient Representative
Blade Force (Special Operations Rescue Team):
Schan Vaughnt- “Blazer,” Anulian (M), Energy Gatherer, Team Leader
Arion Scotts- Anulian (M), Self-healer, Heavy Weapons/Vehicle Driver
Marda Sciminder- Anulian (F), Medium, Combat Medic
Gavit Markus- Anulian (M), Dropship/Jet-Sled Pilot
Matt Talkerna- Anulian Matt, Sniper/Navigation
Chris Anit- Anulian (F), Engineering/Security/ Infiltration
Eggedon Bichard- Cortherian 3-Stripe (M)(Spec), Communications/Surveillance
Enerian Zithe- Anulian (M) Lycan, Heavy Weapons/ Enforcement
Meaden Rudjick- Anulian (M) Elf, Recon/Infiltration
Mikle Tager- Anulian (M), Dropship Pilot/Cook
Seaver Acknit- Anulian (M), Dropship WSO/ Navigation
Fealgud Vitongnoc- Drashig (F), Cyborg, Combat Doctor
Priest- Lodran (M), Combat Medic
Hallet- Rimdook (F), Combat Medic
Explosions (Special Operations Ship Capture Team):
Trevis, Dibtel,- Tomeris Males,
Gadcon, Roilin, Ribtin, Dosher
Telsh, Lindil Tomeris Females,
Porc, Nash- Nerzain Males,
Kink Ller- Nerzain Females,
Gorvian Monitoring Fleet:
Quin Tosh- Boerkein (F), Fleet Admiral
Gan Tarowin- Anulian (M), Marine Commendant
Tilk Gihlik- Otlian (M), UCSBS-Trib’Kibal Captain
Wynad- Shinekian (F), UCSBS-Mercy Captain
Morth Rawotin- Otlian (M), UCSBS-Robial Captain
Daro Sardenon- Anulian(M), UCSBSWolfsbane Captain
Dimm Crail- Lodran(M), Ship’s Captain
Oce Roshing- Nurid (M), Marine High Captain
Salik Krade- Anulian (M), Intelligence Officer
Moht Loshe- Anulian (M), Marine MeG-CE Major
Pi’Lig- Otlian (M), Militia Pilot
Dwar Renwar- Anulian (M), Capture Pilot
Nodiom Rashe,
Besh, Camb- Nip Tails Flight Crews
Sonre Laxe- Drashig (M), Marine MeG-CE SGT
Talek- Shinekian (M), Mercy Crew Chief
Gorvian Planet Slicer:
Gondral- Gorvian Lord of All(Ruler)
Gondish: Gorvian High Lord (Heir to Gondral)
Old Mind- Gondral’s Advisor
Goltak, Gorzan- Gondral Progeny
Giltar- Child of Gondish and Goltak
Olmaq- Packer Chief
Galactic Federation:
Jethro Craine- Terran (M), Fleet Admiral
Sean Lancaster- Terran (M), GFS Hammer Captain
Jaames Kirek- Thal(M), GFS Enterprise Captain
Jennifer McGee- Terran (F), Captured Comm Officer
Spiral War Historic Timeline
Confed
Event
Location
26,000 PCD
Sirians Round up and Kidnap 95% of Neanderthal Population on Earth
Earth
10,000- 6000 PCD
Ancient Wars, cultural and language seeds laid throughout known galaxy
Galaxy Wide
~4200 PCD
Sirian Nommos Expedition to Earth is Turned back by the Pharad after contact is made with the West African Dogon tribe
Earth
3280 PCD
Great Death
Anul/Catranul
60 PCD
Vedekian War Machine begins its advance into the Core Worlds
Core Worlds
40 PCD
Donvarion Empire reestablishes contact with core world races
Core Worlds
0.001
UCSB Born: Member Races: Anulian, Donvarion, Drashig, Lodran, Otlian, Breshig, Shinekian
Donvarion System
597.06
Articles of Federation Signed, Galactic Federation Born
Earth
600.001
"Core" Established as new Confed governing world,
"Core"
618.276
First GF Starship Enters Hyperspace
Sirian System
781.375
First contact with Galactic Federation
Smegrish
782.091
UCSB declares war on Galactic Federation
"Core"
947.164
The GF Alpha Station comes online, first of the GF MegaStations
Xoth System
975.012
Battle of Tamkin's Star begins
Tamkin's Star
975.026
Armistice laid out by Galactic Federation
Terra/Sol
975.027
Armistice accepted by UCSB
"Core"
975.040
Battle of Tamkin's Star ends
Tamkin's Star
985.030
UCSBS-Vaurnel destroyed, armistice ends
Caslar System
Table of Contents
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UCSB Date 1004.094
About the Author
Books in the Spiral War Series
Time and Measure Conversion Factors
Time:
Distances:
Dramatis Personae
Spiral War Historic Timeline