The Pike Chronicles: Books 5-8 (Pike Chronicles Space Opera Book 2)

by G. P. Hudson

  “Silence!” said the green form, as sparks and what looked like arcing electric current shot out from its swirls. “Do not speak the name Cenobi before us! They are unworthy and unclean. They care only for themselves. Never compare us. How can such an arrogant, primitive beast be the foreseen?”

  “He has traveled to this galaxy. He bears the code. This much is clear,” said the red form, in a much calmer tone.

  “What is this code you keep talking about?” said Jon.

  “He is ignorant, and primitive. He cannot be the foreseen,” said the green form, sparks still flying.

  “I know. How about you don’t answer my questions, and you just call me names instead?” Jon said sarcastically.

  “Uh, Admiral,” said Miira, her eyes fearful. “Perhaps a more diplomatic approach would yield better results.”

  Jon took a deep breath. “You’re right, Miira. I’m sorry.” He turned back to the three Builders. “I apologize for my… um… my arrogance. I don’t know how much your visions have shown you, but my entire life has been spent fighting against alien subjugation. It is not that I am arrogant. It is more of a fierce independence.”

  “These are suitable qualities for the foreseen,” said the red form.

  “Perhaps,” said the green form, the sparks subsiding.

  “The code is a gift,” said the blue form. “As are the gates, and numerous other wonders. Before leaving your galaxy, we left behind fragments of ourselves, what you would call DNA, knowing that the foreseen would possess the very same fragments.”

  “Wait a second. You called me the foreseen. Are you saying that I have your DNA?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s my symbiont. Isn’t it? It has your DNA. The gift you left behind is the Great Pool on Diakus.”

  “He is perceptive,” said the green form. “He may be the foreseen after all.”

  “Thanks for noticing,” said Jon, instantly regretting the sarcasm. Thankfully, the Builders didn’t notice.

  “You are one with the being inside you,” said the red form. “Its code is your code.”

  “And that code came from you?” said Jon.

  “Yes. You are also part of us.”

  Jon was stunned. It was hard enough for him to swallow the rhetoric around being ‘of the Temple’ which somehow made him Diakan, as well as human. But now, the Builders themselves were saying that they shared the same DNA. He struggled to grasp what it all meant.

  “If I am the foreseen, then is it not your destiny to help me? I mean, why go to all the trouble of creating the Great Pool, and having me come all this way, if you aren’t prepared to help? Foreseen or not, I cannot defeat the Erinyie.”

  “He speaks true,” said the red Builder.

  “Yes, but is he prepared to serve?” said the green Builder.

  “The future is in flux. It changes as we speak,” said the blue Builder. “We must take action, before it is lost.”

  It was difficult for Jon to wrap his mind around their conversation. They spoke of the future like it was a possession they risked losing. It occurred to him that this future was his real leverage. The green Builder was worried about Jon’s humility, but would he risk the future over it? It certainly sounded like they put a lot of stake in their visions.

  The other two weren’t as concerned about his attitude. Two against one. Jon hoped it was enough. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t hurt to play ball with the green Builder for a bit, just to get him onside.

  “I beg of you, great Builders. Come back to my galaxy. Help us banish the darkness. Help us defeat the Erinyie.”

  The Builders stayed silent for a few moments, and then the green form responded. “We will help you. We will return to your galaxy.”

  Chapter 56

  The Great See’er grew increasingly concerned with the fluctuating visions before her. Turbulence had replaced order, and the future had been swept up by a raging torrent. Never, in all her years, had she experienced such confusion. The strings of prophecy had always been easily discernible, even in all their divergences. Yet now, those strings had frayed, leaving the future in tatters.

  The only vision with any clarity, was a portent of darkness and destruction. What could bring such a calamity upon them? She had seen Jon Pike’s journey. Had witnessed his successful contact with the Builders. By all accounts, her visions should be clear, and hopeful. Yet her sight only filled her with dread.

  She needed clarity. Needed to quiet her racing mind. She gazed about her chamber, and her eyes fell on the Great Pool. She had seen its origins, too. Strange that that vision would be hidden from her until now. She had always seen the Builders. She knew of their great crusade against the Erinyie. Knew that they had left the jump gates. So why hadn’t she known that the Great Pool held fragments of their DNA?

  The knowledge shed new light on much. Her visions, and long life. Diakus’s rise to power in the galaxy. Jon Pike’s abilities, and his great destiny. It had all been preordained. The Builders had foreseen it all, and had left behind the means, so that it may all come to pass.

  But the Erinyie had foreseen the events as well, and they had added their own influence. They had built up the Juttari, and helped them rise to power. More importantly, they did their part to manipulate the future, and alter the course of events. The Juttari invasion of Earth. The abduction of human children. The creation of the Chaanisar. The Juttari had done it all at the bequest of the Erinyie. All in the name of altering the course of events.

  The Erinyie had been driven from this galaxy long ago, and had to work in the shadows. If not, the Antikitheri could return and drive them away once more. So, they worked through the Juttari, with the long-term goal of one day conquering the entire galaxy.

  Of course, visions had a way of becoming clearer as time passed. Long ago, the Antikitheri and the Erinyie both foresaw events, but they didn’t know details. So, they did their part to manipulate those details. The Erinyie took the direct approach, the Antikitheri a more passive one.

  The past was clear, the future in upheaval. It was too much. She felt as if the chamber’s walls were suffocating her. She needed air.

  Stepping toward the exit, the giant carved doors bent to her will, and moaned as they slowly swung open. The Great See’er walked past the priceless paintings and sculptures, each depicting scenes from Diakan history, and through another set of doors, out onto the long, Temple bridge.

  The powerful mountain winds swirled around her, but they failed to calm her as they had before. She felt more uneasy. Finally, she knew why. Even before the shadow fell over her, she saw the catastrophe that was about occur. At that moment, the only thing she could do was look up, and witness the harbinger of their destruction.

  The sky above her had turned black, filled with the impossibly large body of an Erinyie warship. It descended steadily, ignoring the many Diakan warships attacking it, until it came to rest above Mount Tos. Above the Great Temple. Above her. The darkness had come to Diakus, and the See’er knew now that whatever future awaited the galaxy, Diakus wouldn’t be part of it.

  As the blinding silver beam shot forth from the Erinyie vessel, the Great See’er knew that the same event was taking place across the planet. Armageddon had come to Diakus.

  ARMADA

  Book 7 of The Pike Chronicles

  G.P. Hudson

  © 2018

  Chapter 1

  Consul Elvira Kang studied the holographic simulation of the battle between her ships, and the strange human vessels. She still found it hard to believe that these puny creatures could so easily defeat a Dvorkan Imperial squadron. At first glance, her warships outclassed the alien ships in every way. Yet the humans possessed wondrous technology, and that very technology ensured their victory.

  She suspected that the humans had advanced propulsion systems. Kang hoped the capture of that tech would win her favor at the Imperial court, and get her off this desolate rock of a planet. An assignment on one of the more civilized worlds would have been ide
al. Unfortunately, she miscalculated.

  The humans did indeed have advanced propulsion technology. Technology they had adapted to their weapon systems. Analyzing the battle now, it was clear that her squadron had little chance. Even worse, rather than gaining Imperial favor, she now had the abysmal duty of explaining how she lost so many ships.

  Kang considered just telling the truth. She did have evidence to back up her story. But then she would need to explain why she hadn’t initially reported her suspicions. Central Command would think her greedy, and incompetent. Not only did she try to claim all the glory for herself, she also let the aliens get away, depriving the Empire of their scientific advances.

  Wearily, she rubbed her temples. They would take everything from her. Her command. Her rank. Even this miserable planet. All the privileges of her status would vanish. Her entire life flipped upside down.

  As she sat there, licking her wounds, the face of one of her subordinates suddenly replaced the battle simulation. Captain Keen. She narrowed her eyes at the man, already chewing on several enticing punishments for this brash interruption. She hadn’t lost her status yet. Might as well take advantage of her power before it was gone.

  “Forgive my intrusion, Consul Kang, but a fleet of alien warships has just appeared in this system,” Keen said uneasily.

  “Have the humans returned?” said Kang perking up. Could this be a second chance?

  “We don’t believe so. These ships are a different configuration, and they are not responding to hails.”

  “I see. How have you responded?”

  “Planetary weapon systems are on alert, and all available ships are taking defensive positions.”

  “Are our ships cloaked?”

  “Yes, Consul. The aliens do not know our numbers.”

  Kang pulled up a secondary display and gasped as she tapped into Captain Keen’s feed. Hundreds of unidentified alien warships approached the planet in a clear battle formation. These ships were not human. They were more alien. Somehow sinister. There could be no doubt about their intentions. “If they have not responded by the time they reach weapons range, you are authorized to open fire. I will advise Central Command of our situation and request reinforcements.”

  “Understood. Keen out.”

  Captain Keen’s face vanished from the holographic display, leaving the feed of the alien fleet hovering over Kang’s desk. Kang made a quick copy of the feed, and sent it to her superiors at Central Command, along with a request for assistance. Unfortunately, she knew that help wouldn’t arrive in time. Their forces were woefully outnumbered to do anything more than delay the inevitable.

  Kang opened a second comm, and the face of her personal assistant, Shun, appeared. “Yes, Consul?” said the mighty Dvorkan who doubled as her bodyguard. A former member of the Imperial Special Forces, Shun was a formidable obstacle for anyone trying to harm her.

  “Get my ship ready. We’re leaving the dome immediately,” she said.

  “May I ask our destination?” said Shun.

  “The bunker. This planet is about to come under attack.”

  Her assistant remained stoic. Calm. “Leave it to me.”

  While the domed cities made this planet habitable, they were a terrible place to be in times of war. There were fortified shelters under the domes for the civilian populations. In the case of a breach, the shelters would ensure their survival. For people like Kang, however, there was a secret off-site command bunker. Once there, she could coordinate a planetary response.

  Kang rose from her desk, gathered her things, and headed for the exit. Outside, she found Shun waiting by her ship, its engines already powered up. Kang and Shun boarded, and the craft raced away. Once safely in the air, Kang issued a general order, requiring all civilians to evacuate to their respective bunkers.

  The consular craft sped toward the edge of the city, and the dome enclosure. Kang pulled up a feed of the battle now raging in space. Her blood ran cold. The enemy possessed unfamiliar shielding technology, that diminished the effect of the formidable Dvorkan weapons.

  She cringed as the first Imperial warship blew apart, followed quickly by another, then another. As their defenses crumbled, the battle became even more lopsided. To their credit, the Dvorkan ships adapted, managing to destroy a few of the enemy ships. They could focus their combined firepower until the shields collapsed. But it wouldn’t be enough, and the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

  The Dvorkans had long desired a return to their age of glory. From this encounter with this new enemy, however, Kang feared that they might enter a new age of slavery instead.

  Chapter 2

  The Builders, the Antikitheri, stared back at Jon, three sets of large eyes appraising him from the shroud of their swirling vortexes. They had agreed to Jon’s request for help. They would return to the Milky Way galaxy and chase off the Erinyie. Jon had gotten everything he had come for, but something nagged at him. These beings were practically immortal. Did they understand time in the same way as humans?

  “When exactly will you return to our galaxy to help us?” said Jon.

  “We have said we will return. Why do you seek additional assurances?” The green Builder’s swirling form crackled with energy as it spoke.

  “I am not questioning your intent. You said you will come, and I accept that you will keep your word. I am merely concerned that time does not hold the same urgency for you, as it does for us.”

  “It is a temporal inquiry,” said the blue form.

  “He is linear,” said the red Builder.

  “It’s not just that I am linear,” Jon added. “Our lifespans are short. If you take too long we may all be dead by the time you return.”

  “It is a selfish question,” said the green form. “He fears for his existence. Strange that this base creature is the Foreseen.”

  “We will assist your species,” said the red Builder. “Is that not what you seek?”

  “Yes, but not just my species. There are many other species affected by the Erinyie’s intervention.”

  “All will benefit from our assistance,” said the red Builder.

  “Our species will benefit when you decide to act, but what happens in the meantime? Are we just supposed to suffer?”

  “You have shown that your species lacks humility, Jon Pike,” said the blue form.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You are irreverent,” the blue form continued. “Even now, as you stand before the Builders of your galaxy, you show disrespect. We were there when your world took shape. We watched as the first of your species took their first breaths. Do you even fathom who it is you stand before?”

  Jon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I fathom who you are. I get it. You want me to kiss your asses. You think I should worship you like the Freen do. But you forget something. I have your DNA. You said so yourself. If you are gods, what does that make me? Some kind of demigod? Am I Heracles now?”

  “Silence!” said the green Builder, violent electrical sparks arced outwards from his rapidly swirling form. “His insolence knows no bounds!”

  “Admiral, I do not think it is wise to anger them,” whispered Miira, the giant blue Dvorkan scholar.

  The red form remained thoughtful. “He is insolent. That cannot be denied. Yet, neither can we deny the fact that he is the Foreseen. That he is of the Antikitheri.”

  “That does not permit his behavior!” said the green form, sparks still crackling all around his vortex.

  “He will learn,” said the red form. “Our children will teach him.

  “Look, I really don’t mean to be disrespectful,” said Jon. “I know how powerful you are, and how long you’ve been around. But my species has suffered greatly already. You’ve been gone from my galaxy for a long time. The Erinyie have not. They’ve built up a powerful race known as the Juttari. This race enslaved my species for five hundred years. We’ve had to fight for our freedom. We’ve fought for everything we have. Fighting is all my species knows.
To expect us to suffer for a few more centuries is intolerable. We need your help now, not a hundred years from now.”

  “Their species is worthy,” said the red Builder.

  “Is it enough?” said the green Builder, the sparks subsiding.

  “Unknown. The temporal curve is in flux,” said the blue Builder.

  “Okay, I don’t know what any of that means,” said Jon. “Are you going to tell me when you will help us?”

  “You are the Foreseen, Jon Pike,” said the red Builder. “Your galaxy’s future is yours to mold.”

  “I don’t understand. What about the Erinyie?”

  “The Erinyie are for us.” The red Builder held Jon’s gaze for a moment, then vanished.

  “What just happened,” said Jon, looking around the bridge. “Where did they go?”

  “I believe your audience with the Antikitheri is over,” said Miira.

  “But they didn’t answer my question.”

  On the viewscreen, the monolithic Antikitheri warships began to disappear. Moments later, the Freen commander appeared again on Jon’s comm. The birdlike creature watched Jon silently with those creepy black eyes.

  “Why did the Antikitheri leave?” Jon said to the Freen commander.

  “The darkness has retreated.”

  “I see,” said Jon, wondering why everyone in this galaxy seemed so strange. “What happens now?”

  “We seek only to serve.”

  Jon took a deep, calming breath. “Yes, I understand. You serve the Antikitheri.”

  “The Antikitheri have told us that you are the Foreseen. That you are of the Antikitheri. It is a great honor to be in your exalted presence.”

  “Really?”

  “Please forgive my earlier transgression. I was ignorant of the truth.”