by Jay Allan
Whiplash burned through his neck as he read through the warnings. He was more than a little surprised to discover the right engine and life support systems were undamaged, though they were about the only things left running.
Reyne winced. “Get that damn gunship back on the view panel.”
“I’m working on it. She’s a bit sluggish.”
As he spun the Merganser, he expected to find the gunship hot on their tail. Instead, he found no sign of the ship.
Drake grunted. “It looks like they bugged out.”
“No.” Reyne pointed to debris floating in the distance. “That’s all that’s left of them.”
Drake’s jaw loosened. “That’s not possible.”
“It’s not probable,” Reyne corrected. “I have no idea how you managed to do it. My guess is that when you scraped off that left engine, the fuel left in it sparked off the photon gun.” He chuckled. “I think that’s the best move I’ve ever seen.”
Drake stared out at the debris in shock. “I really didn’t expect that to work.”
“Well, I’m not complaining,” Reyne said. “Though, we better not stick around here much longer. It won’t take the CUF long to come check out why one of their gunships dropped offline.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Drake said as he reinitiated the flight path to Ice Port.
Limping on one engine, it took them four times as long to reach Playa’s orbit.
When they got there, they found no sign of the CUF, which was normal for the colony farthest from the Collective. After Drake had docked and powered down the Merganser, he said, “Vym’s not going to be too happy having a busted up ship.”
Reyne unstrapped his belt and headed onto the ramp. “That’s nothing compared to the CUF coming after you for blowing up one of their ships.”
Drake followed him. The freezing Playan air blasted through his jacket in seconds. “You think they know who I am?”
Reyne waited for Drake to catch up. “Everyone on the Coast saw you win the Coastal Run with this ship. Yeah. It’s safe to say they’ll know it was you.”
Drake swallowed. “I need to get back to Kora.”
“It won’t be safe for you on Nova Colony,” Reyne said. “Same with Kora. I can help. I can have your sister brought here.”
“You mean, you’d have her brought to a torrent base.” Drake grimaced. “I’m trying to keep her away from trouble.”
Reyne gave him a sad look. “I know you’re trying to do the right thing, but the CUF’s reach is growing every day. Soon, you may find it impossible to keep your sister safe.”
Drake thought for a long moment. “Before they died, my parents made me promise to take Kora as far away from the CUF as possible.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s not possible, but I’ve got to try. I made a promise.” He took a breath. “Listen, you have my word that I’ll join up when Kora turns eighteen. That gives me two years to save up enough credits and find a good, safe home for her.”
“Good luck.” Reyne handed him a card with a comm channel scribbled across it. “You can reach me on this channel. Give it some thought. I could always use a good pilot. And, the bases are more secure than you think.”
Drake gave a small nod.
They shook hands and parted ways.
As Drake headed to find a lounge, his wrist comm chimed. He smiled when he saw it was Chutt. “Hey, you wouldn’t believe what happened. I was flying—”
“They killed her,” Chutt cut in, sobbing. “They killed Kora.”
The blood in Drake’s veins suddenly chilled to match the outside temperature. “What are you talking about?”
Chutt’s story came out in between stuttered breaths. “The CUF showed up and started arresting everyone at the bar. They didn’t even say why. They called us fringe rats! People started yelling and stuff. Someone fired off a shot, and then the CUF started shooting everyone like they really were just rats!”
Chutt’s voice cracked, and he sucked in a couple breaths before continuing. “Kora and I crawled under the tables. We almost made it to the doorway when one of them saw us. He shot as us without thinking twice about it!” He paused to breathe. “I swear, I tried to cover Kora, but the CUF guy shot her before I could move. He shot her right in the head. Oh God, there was so much blood. I tried to save her. I mean it, Drake.”
Drake would’ve said something if he could, but he couldn’t form any words. Every muscle was paralyzed, and his tongue was a leaden weight. Thoughts swirled in his brain, screaming at him that none of this was true. But, his heart drummed the truth with every hammering beat.
“I’m so sorry,” Chutt said finally. “I pulled her with me, but he shot me in the shoulder and I had to let go.” Chutt sniffled. “You ought to see my shoulder. The shot didn’t break the skin, but it burns like a gored vig. It’s going to leave a huge scar.” He sucked in a breath. “Anyway, I went back after they left the bar. I took Kora with me. I have her with me now. We’re in the vents near E5-6.”
Drake clenched his eyes shut. He forced his jaws to relax, and he fought to find words. “Stay there. I’ll get back there as soon as I can.”
“No. You can’t,” Chutt said in a rush. “They’re crawling all over the place. They’re killing or arresting everyone in Nova Colony.”
“Stay in the vents. They won’t find you there,” Drake said, in a robotic voice, thinking of how he could get back there without being caught. He wasn’t going to leave his sister behind. Chutt was still crying, and Drake realized the boy still needed his help. “It’s going to be okay,” Drake forced out. “Remember the cove by Hydraulics?”
“Yeah?” Chutt replied.
“Go there. There’s no way they can track you there.”
“But, I won’t be able to pull Kora that far.”
Agony stabbed Drake’s chest as he spoke words he’d never fathomed he’d ever speak. “Leave her. I’ll come back for her as soon as I can. You get yourself safe. I’m coming back for you.” And Kora.
“They’re coming back this way,” Chutt whispered. “I’ve got to go.”
Drake’s comm went blank, and he stared at it for many long seconds.
“Hey man, you okay?”
Drake looked up to see a dock guard watching him.
“You don’t look so good,” the man said.
Drake turned and strode away. He walked through the docks and outside. Playa’s icy winds could kill a person within minutes. He didn’t care. Instead of freezing to death, he found himself walking down into one of the city’s deep underground caverns. It was dark and cool, and smelled of civilization—reminding him of Nova Colony. He found a darkened area where a jagged rock formed a small crevice. He squeezed into the small space and leaned his head against the cool stone.
Then he wept.
He passed out, still wedged into the cold stone, at some point. When he woke, he wept again. A short time later, his tears stopped. It was as though Playa’s bitter cold helped form a frozen scar over his heart, numbing him to emotion.
Resolve girded his shivering body. He wiggled out of the crevice and stood. He pulled out the card Reyne had given him and entered the numbers on his comm.
The torrent marshal answered after several seconds.
“I’m in,” Drake said. “But I need a ship. I have to do something first.”
Reyne didn’t hesitate. “You can use mine. I’ll meet you at dock G-12 in thirty minutes.”
Drake hung up and headed straight back to the docks. He had a new mission.
He was going to take down the CUF once and for all.
But first, he had to put his little sister to rest.
About the Author, Rachel Aukes
Rachel Aukes is the award-winning author of 100 Days in Deadland, which made the Best of the Year list by Suspense Magazine. Her current series is the Fringe Series, a space adventure.
Over the past twenty years, she’s consulted across the corporate world and taught at a local university, warping the min
ds of both today’s and tomorrow’s generations. A licensed pilot, she can be found flying old airplanes over the Midwest countryside. She currently resides near Ames, Iowa.
Rachel has several releases planned for 2017, including three additional books in the Fringe Series.
Find Rachel online: Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Website
Books by Rachel Aukes
The Fringe Series
The Deadland Saga
The Forever Family
by J.N. Chaney
Somewhere in space, a little boy rode a beam of starlight, heading for the beach of a distant world. His name was Alisaar Reynolds and he was eight years old.
“What’s wrong, Allie?” asked a little girl, flying beside him. His sister, Edda.
“Nothing,” he said.
“You worrying about something? Mom said you shouldn’t do that.”
“I wasn’t!” he blurted out, and kicked his speed up to the next level. He flew by their destination, an unnamed beach planet, and into a nearby nebula. “Oops! Too far.”
“Allie!” he heard his sister’s voice call.
“I know!” he yelled back, and in an instant, he reversed.
The two children landed on the beach together, touching down on the dirt with a light step. “Race you to the water,” said Edda, grinning.
Alisaar gave her a stinky face. “I’ll beat you!”
They ran across the sand, leaving no footprints behind. As they dived into the water, there were no splashes, but they could still feel the wet and warm saltwater as it flowed through them.
“Hey!” came a woman’s voice from the beach.
Allie turned to see his mother standing there, waving at the two children. “Hey, Mom!”
She smiled. “Dad is on his way. You two enjoy yourselves.”
A moment later, a thin beam of light touched down on the sand like a small meteorite, dissolving into the shape of a man. Allie’s father appeared wearing shorts, sandals, and his favorite button-down Hawaiian t-shirt.
“Hi, Dad!” yelled Allie, looking at the basket in his father’s arm. “Are those burgers?”
“Sure are, son!” exclaimed his father, grinning his trademark smile.
Allie’s mother giggled. “You’re so ridiculous, Dorian,” she told her husband.
“Ridiculous?” he asked, acting shocked.
“You could have manifested a cabin with a gourmet dinner, but you brought burgers in a basket. It’s cute, the things you do sometimes.” She kissed his cheek.
“I’m nostalgic, that’s all,” he said. “Reminds me of the old days.”
“Oh, I know, sweetie,” she said, frowning. “Shall I call the children in?”
“If you like,” he answered.
Alisaar and Edda joined their parents on the beach, their clothes instantly dry when they emerged from the water.
As his mother gave him a wrapped hamburger from the basket, Ailsaar smiled and asked, “What are we doing today, Dad?” He peeled back the plastic wrapping and took a small bite, tasting the beef and cheese.
“I thought we could visit Venus. What do you two think?”
Edda made a face. “I don’t like it there. Can’t we go somewhere else?”
“What did you have in mind?” asked Dad.
She thought for a moment. “What about the Museum?”
Alisaar’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yeah, the Museum!”
“Might not be a bad idea,” remarked Mom, looking at her husband.
“I suppose we could do that,” said Dad, tapping his chin.
Edda cheered. “Yes!”
“Well, then, shall we go?” Dad asked, motioning for the family to stand.
They gathered around him, each placing a hand on his body. Alisaar gripped his father’s shirt.
“Here we go!” exclaimed their father, and in a flash they were gone, a beam of light darting across the intergalactic void.
The Museum was on the outer edge of the Andromeda Galaxy. It only took a few seconds to get there, barely long enough to notice.
The family appeared before a massive tower, the only building on an empty world. Edda and Allie took off running toward the entrance doors, racing to see who could get there first.
Dad approached soon after, tapping the metal door with his knuckle, signaling the building to open. “Now, remember,” he said. “You can choose any program you want, except the grown-up sections. You can’t—”
The two kids groaned. “We know, we know,” they said together.
“You always tell us,” said Edda.
Allie ran inside with his sister, entering the giant foyer. There were halls leading in every direction, splintering off into various other areas, each with their own separate theme. The left side was made up of nonfiction: Ancient and Modern History, Philosophy, Logic, Psychology, Ethics and Etiquette, Religions and Mythology, Sports and Games, Education, Music, Fine Arts, Medicine, Technology, and many others. Within each of these halls, other branches existed, depending on the specific interest.
Entertainment was on the right half of the room, broken down into its own categories, including Comedy, Drama, Horror, Poetry, Fantasy, Western, Romance, Science Fiction, and many others.
“What are you gonna do?” asked Allie to his sister.
She wrinkled her nose, thinking. “Um, I want…” She paused, looking around at the different options. “Oh! I want Music!”
“You always choose that,” said Allie, groaning. “Don’t you get tired of seeing people sing so much?”
“No way,” said Edda, hands on her hips. “Elvis is the best.”
“Not better than the monkeys,” remarked Allie.
“Those aren’t monkeys,” said his sister. “They’re called…um…homer…um…”
“Homo erectus,” corrected their father. He placed his hand on Edda’s shoulder, beaming a warm smile at the two of them.
“Yeah, that,” she said.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather do something else, Allie?” asked his mother.
Alisaar shook his head. “I like watching them. They’re funny.”
His dad laughed. “Always the little scientist.”
Allie took off down the Ancient History hall, turning into the corridor marked Pre-History. He didn’t necessarily care for science or anything like that, but ever since his dad showed him these people—the homo erectus—he couldn’t get enough.
After a short walk, he found an entrance labeled Human Evolution. He was about to place his knuckles on the door to access the room when something caught the corner of his eye. There, just to the left, he saw what appeared to be a series of letters. A word, written on the wall.
HELLO
He stared at it. Had this always been here? He didn’t think so, but he couldn’t be certain.
No matter. He had monkeys—no wait, homo erectus—to see. Yeah, that’s right. Better get a move on.
Allie touched his hand to the entrance and it opened, revealing an empty room with blue walls.
“Command,” said a disembodied voice. It was Somnus, the natural-language user interface computer system for the tower and all its rooms. The way Allie’s dad had explained it, Somnus wasn’t alive like the rest of them, but a tool to assist in navigating the Museum. Even still, Allie liked to think of Somnus as a person in his own right.
“Hey, Somnus,” said Allie, smiling at the air above him. “You doing okay today?”
“I am operating within acceptable parameters. Thank you for your inquiry.”
“You’re welcome,” answered Allie, politely.
“What is your command?” asked Somnus.
“Can I play with the monkeys?” asked Allie. “Oh! I mean the homo erectus.”
“Command acknowledged. Program 1130-992 loaded. Please enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks!”
The walls of the room began to change, fading from a soft blue to a variety of other colors. The wall transformed into a solid two-dimensional image of a forest, becoming a
s clear as possible before finally expanding into the third dimension. The floor beneath Allie’s feet followed, with grass, stone, and dirt forming and rising. Weeds sprouted, and with them, trees. An entire forest appeared, stretching far into the distance, the walls of the room no longer visible. It was as though Alisaar had been transported to another place in a matter of seconds.
He smiled as he stood there in the midst of the woods, turning to see the light breaking through the leaves above. A bird cried from somewhere close, followed by—
An animal came rushing by, passing between the trees, kicking dirt. It looked similar to a human, but with a bit more hair on its body. The creature had thick eyebrows, a bulky nose, and a large forehead, too.
“Teddy!” called Alisaar to the creature, but it continued running, ignoring him.
A second later, another animal appeared, chasing after Teddy. It was a large black cat. Allie’s dad had called this one a leopard. It roared, leaping over a fallen branch, trying to reach its target. Fortunately, Teddie, as he always did, managed to find a small opening, squeezing beneath a boulder, and entering a cave.
The cat, whom Allie had taken to calling Porty, snarled and roared, clawing at the stone that separated him from his prey.
“That’s the way!” yelled Allie, giving Teddie a thumbs-up. Teddie didn’t notice the sign of approval, but such was always the case. Like everything else in this forest, he was just a simulation. The same went for Porty, despite his ferocity.
Allie watched as the large cat paced back and forth, occasionally pawing at the rock. Eventually, Porty resigned to leave Teddie where he sat. The events played out exactly the same as they always had.
Finally satisfied with his friend’s escape, Allie waved his hand at the sky. “Somnus, can I see the waterfall now?”
“Certainly,” said the program, and in less than a second, the entire scene transitioned into something totally different. The green and brown forest faded into a blue lake. The sounds of the woods disappeared, replaced by the splashing, gushing melody of a waterfall.
