by Ciara Knight
BALANCE
Book III
The Neumarian Chronicles
By
Ciara Knight
Balance
Book III
The Neumarian Chronicles
Copyright ©2014 by Ciara Knight
All rights reserved.
Kindle Edition
First edition published May 2014
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover art ©2012 by Jeannie Ruesch
Edited by Cora Artz
Chapter One
Fear assaulted me. Time was running out. Ten minutes ago, I watched helplessly as a sniper shot my fiancé Ryder in the chest and then Lt. Briggs went down, and together they sank beneath the reedy shoreline.
The only reason I hadn’t lost control of my gift and blown us out of the water was because of the promise Ryder and I had made. If I lived to be two hundred, I’d never forget my panic and terror, thinking he was dead, and my sudden relief when I heard his voice in my head, agreeing to live so he could marry me.
Now fifty feet beneath the English Channel, I sat helpless as depth charges exploded around us. Only a few meters away from me, Raeth battled to control our tiny, bucking submersible as the bombs threatened to destroy us. The riptide’s pull assisted them and I wondered if it, too, supported the queen and her allied emperor.
My father, Harrison, stood, his gaze sliding over us. “Silent running.”
Silent running? I’d thought nuclear was silent.
Moving sideways, he worked his way forward to Raeth. “Wait for the next depth charge, then punch number seven, count to ten, hit number eight and sink to the bottom,” he whispered.
I heard a swoosh, then an explosion and seconds later another swoosh.
When he returned to his seat beside me, I asked, “What did you do?”
“Mandesa and her allies don’t know we’re nuclear. They think we’re using diesel. A fact we’ve kept well hidden from her. Raeth just released a tiny bomb and some scrap, along with diesel.” He rubbed his jaw. “We’ll wait until we’re sure they think we’ve sunk.”
It took five minutes, but reports came in indicating the emperor’s forces stopped aerial bombing and dropping depth charges. We waited another fifteen minutes, then began our creeping return to the SB-06.
I glanced at my father, Dred, Bendar, Fallon and Penton, all crammed into the shuttle, sitting knee to knee. Poor Dred looked like a twisted dreka beast in its burrowed mud home.
I knew they meant well, but over the past thirty minutes, their hovering and hollow reassurances had added to my stress. It was all I could do not to scream, Shut up and give me some breathing space or fry!
The smell of burning cloth drew my attention. My fisted hands glowed like burning embers and I realized our frying was closer to reality than threat. If I didn’t gain control of my fiery gift, I’d melt the shuttle and we’d all die.
I bit back a snort. Some leader of the rebellion I am.
I peeked at Dred, praying he hadn’t noticed. No such luck. His elbows rested on his knees, hands hung between them, but his gaze was locked on my flame-tinted hands.
He reached across to me, his fingers skimming my blazing knuckles, his eyes soft with pleading. “Don’t make me do it, pretty face. Don’t want ta hurt ya or shut ya down, but will ta save the ship.”
I closed my eyes, focused on my breathing, and willed myself to calm. The last thing I wanted or needed right now was Dred’s spear-like gift extinguishing my powers. My heart kicked into double time as I remembered the pain the last time he dampened my gift, making it inaccessible.
Shoulders slumped, he leaned back. “That’s it. Don’t want ya ta be on the floor screaming when I’ve gotta block ya gift.”
I shrugged. “If you think I’m losing it, do whatever’s necessary.”
Bang.
Clamps secured the shuttle to the docking bay of the SB-06 and I sat, watching water swish around the windshield, powerless to help the man I love.
Unbuckling my harness, I leaned over to avoid the bulkhead while I paced the small space.
My father tipped my chin up and stared down at me. “We’ll be in time.”
Blinking back tears, I pulled free and noticed everyone’s eyes were on me. I couldn’t afford to become emotional, not when so many counted on me. “Ryder’s still alive. I know it. But he’s buried in the reeds, wearing a slave collar and can’t heal himself. He’s dying. I know it. I can feel it. And you do, too.”
Raeth tugged her earphones off and eased free of the pilot’s seat. I held my hand out for her, she took two steps and grasped my arm. I took in her dark brown eyes now red from silently crying as she piloted us away from Ryder, and my heart broke. He was her brother, her only surviving relative other than her uncle.
“W-we had to leave. T-too many soldiers. T-too much fire power.”
In my heart, I knew she was right. Yet, my soul screamed different. I’d only survive the impending war if I had Ryder at my side. He made the queen’s horrors bearable and kept hope alive within me. Not to mention the three of us formed the Triune, the only home for freedom.
Raeth leaned over the console and pressed a few buttons. “Clear,” she called and shuffled to the passenger hold, her metal leg refusing to straighten.
In all the chaos, no one had noticed how disfigured her appendage had become.
“Raeth, your leg. Can’t you—”
She shook her head.
Penton leapt up from the bench, slamming his forehead against the bulkhead. “Ouch.”
Raeth brushed a finger over the growing, red welt. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He arched an eyebrow at her leg, grinned then grasped her hand. “I’ve got a surprise for you. Something I’ve been working on.”
With a snicker, she asked, “A Penton special?”
Grimacing, his face flushed a deep crimson. “Stop saying that.”
I chuckled. “She’s right. And it’s true, you know. Your devices are going to be in history books someday.”
The crimson darkened to almost purple as he gazed down at Raeth. “Meet me at the lab. I need your help to finish what I’ve been working on.”
Dred shifted in the corner. “Move it, Penton. We’re waitin’.”
Fallon rose, “I second that. My nephew kinda needs me and my legs are going numb.”
Dred unlatched the top hatch. We climbed out, gathering in the docking bay, and were met by a crowd standing at attention.
“General Bellator, we’ve encountered a problem with the rescue mission.” said a lean female soldier with frizzy, orange hair.
Eyes narrowed, Fallon moved us aside, strode to the solider, and stared down at her. “Report.”
Her eyes widened and face paled as she wilted under his inspection. “General Fallon?” At his nod, she lost all her decorum. “Oh, my. You’re my hero. As a child, I heard legends about you,” she gushed, beaming up at him.
“Report, Lieutenant,” Fallon ordered. With a blink of an eye, his persona had morphed from caring uncle to badass commander. He sounded nothing like the sweet uncle I’d met back in the mining territory seven months ago.
“It’s the blue mist, general. The emperor managed to locate the queen’s stockpile of gas. He escaped with most of it and has released it, blanketing the entire city.”
“Dear God.” My father rubbed his temple, and for a second, General Bellator faded, leaving behind a man broken by great loss.
My stomach knotted. Our situation
had gone from bad to epic. But even so, we had to find a solution. I took a deep breath and stepped forward. “The mist won’t stop us. They think we’re dead, remember? So, they won’t expect the shuttle. The stealth approach worked once, it—”
Dred squeezed my shoulder. “I volunteer ta go with ya. We doc further out and hike to their location. I’m strong and can protect ya, pretty face.”
For a moment, relief flooded me, but quickly faded. “It wouldn’t work.” My heart squeezed tight. “Even with masks on, we risk contamination and we’ll be under heavy fire. If they’re…” I swallowed hard then continued. “They may be in bad shape. If so, it’ll take more than the two of us to get them back to the shuttle.”
My father shook his head. “That was before all hell broke loose in the city. Don’t think for a moment they won’t be watching the shoreline. The minute the shuttle’s nose surfaces, they’ll sink it.”
“There has to be a way.” With an entire platoon of soldiers watching us, I forced the desperation from my voice. “Ryder would never leave a man behind, and the mist wouldn’t stop him. He’d damn the consequences and rescue any one of us or die trying.”
My father stared at me for a moment then said. “The SB-06 is our only hope. We’ll need the council, upper Europe and us working together to pull this off. Given the emperor’s mist attack on the city, they’ll help us or perish.” My father adjusted his supply belt then fixed his gaze on the lieutenant. “Send an encrypted message to Captain Paulson and request he draw the emperor’s forces into battle away from the city. We’ll assist with the attack. Then message the council. Provide them with Ryder and Briggs’ last known location. Tell them to get our two wounded and all others to shelter. Between all of us, we’ll be a match for the mighty emperor.
At my father’s words, the melancholy looks on the soldiers’ faces vanished and they gave a rousing cheer. Their faith in my father’s plan eased some of my dread and my jaw unclenched. Gradually, the yellow hue faded from my heated skin and its usual fleshy tone returned. The last thing Ryder and Briggs needed was for me to have a true meltdown. “Thank you,” I managed.
My father’s eyes narrowed on me. “I have to rescue him, so I can kill him. No way are you getting married at your age.”
“But—”
He held up his hand, palm out, and shot me a glare before stalking out of the docking bay.
At Fallon’s roar of laugher, I faced him. “What?”
“Never thought a young woman would tame my nephew, the hot-headed playboy. Marriage? My head’s still spinning on that one. Although, I have to admit, if there’s one girl who could turn his cold heart to mush, it’d be you. Your mother certainly had a way of turning your father every which way.”
“My mother?” The overwhelming desire to learn more about the parent I lost at a young age and wanting to focus on rescuing my fiancé almost tore me apart. My future won and I left the past behind—for now. “Never mind, we’ll talk later.”
Fallon quirked a half smile, the Arteres dimples warmed my heart. “I look forward to it.” He grasped my shoulder. “We’ll get him. I promise.”
“Thank you. Not just for your words, but for treating me like family from the day we met.” I toyed with the handle of my blaster. “Up to that point, you and Raeth were the kindest people I’d ever met, besides Bendar, of course.”
Fallon’s eyes narrowed as he watched Bendar shuffle after Raeth and Penton as they headed for the lab. His smile thinned into a firm line.
“I thought he was your friend. I know he’s small and talks funny, but he saved our lives back in the Mining Territory. Remember?”
“I remember. It’s not that.” His hand slipped from my shoulder and he backed away. “We best get to the bridge if we plan to rescue Briggs and that crazy nephew of mine.”
We boarded the lift and moments later, exited onto the bridge, a literal beehive of activity.
“Bring in the remaining shuttles,” my father ordered.
One of the cadets saluted. “Yes, General Bellator.”
Another cadet sat at my station, her fingers grazing over the magnifier. Moving to her side, I tapped her on the shoulder. No way was a rookie manning my station while we fought to free Ryder. “You’re relieved of duty.”
The girl with dark hair pulled into a tight bun, spun in her seat, and scanned my uniform. “You can’t give me orders.” She returned her attention back to the viewfinder.
“Last shuttle approaching, sir.”
For a moment, I thought about yanking her from the stool and throwing her to the ground, but that would ruin the limited rapport I’d built with the rebels. Not to mention it would confirm I was the spoiled little princess they believed me to be.
“Is there a problem, lieutenant?” my father asked.
“She ordered me to abandon my station, sir,” the girl said, her voice filled with indignation.
“I see.” He signed a halo pad then returned his attention to us. “Corporal Semara Bellator, are you emotionally prepared to man your station despite the current situation?”
It wasn’t hearing my rank that unsettled me. After all, as the Triune, all three of us carried the same status, as did Penton, the rebellion’s Weapons Master. No, it was hearing my father’s last name attached to me. Before escaping Mandesa, I’d always been referred to as Princess Semara or by Mandesa’s family name, Valderak, which was also my mother’s maiden name. Silly really to be bothered by my last name, but it was one more change in a long line to get used to.
“Yes, sir.” I straightened my shoulders and forced my gaze from my station.
“Good, then standby.”
He faced the front, but I felt his gift surge into my mind. Stand down. You don’t want to make a scene. If she can’t handle it, I’ll give you the station. However, with you risking your life every five minutes, I need trained people on this ship.
Seriously? I opened my mouth then closed it. No one disrespected the general on the bridge, not even his only daughter. Fine, I’ll standby, but if she screws up, I’m taking over.
I’d expect no less from my daughter.
His words tickled the back of my mind. All those years dreaming of my father, never once had I imagined us here. He a general, me engaged to be married. And then there was the rebellion.
“Captain Moroana confirms position of the Emperor’s ship. Captain Paulson has engaged the enemy.”
So, Mart earned the commission of captain of the Freedom after all and now fought as an equal by Paulson’s side. Good for her. Bad for Paulson if he wanted her heart.
“It’s time for us to stop crawling along the ocean floor. Time to debut the SB-06.” With a smirk, my father settled in the captain’s chair and pressed the com button. “All hands to battle stations and switch to airship mode. It’s time we rebels showed Mandesa and that Asian emperor who they’re fighting.”
A second later, the silent crew—Arc trained and readied for this mission, some since they were children—assumed their positions. Beneath their cool professionalism, I felt the zing of their anticipation and understood it. This was their chance to finally implement their training, prove their worth, and avenge their murdered loved ones.
As the lieutenant lowered her face to the viewfinder, I spotted a long, white scar above the hairline that zigged down her neck and disappeared under her collar. She wasn’t a rookie. Like all of us aboard this ship, she’d suffered injuries. Not one person on the SB-06 had escaped the queen’s wrath. No, not queen…Mandesa. Father was right, she didn’t deserve the title.
“What’s your name, lieutenant?”
“Scott,” she mumbled, aggravation spilling out of her.
I watched for a few minutes as she shifted in her seat, cupping the viewfinder around her eyes. Leaning closer to her ear, I said. “The view finder’s difficult to see through when your station illuminator is on. It’s something I learned on my second voyage aboard the Freedom while serving in your position.”
She r
eached above her head, flipped off the illuminator, and leaned back into the viewfinder. “Thanks. You’re right, it makes a huge difference.”
“I’m happy to help.” Anything to rescue Ryder. I leaned against the bulkhead behind her. My knees weakened at the thought of him dying, or worse, inhaling the blue mist.
He’ll be okay, my father reassured me. He pressed the com button. “Engineering report.”
“All engines are go.” The voice caught my attention. Harold. The man who helped us escape the Freedom when the council demanded Gordon turn us over to them.
One of my many spies, my father said, using his gift to read my thoughts, who’ve watched over you and protected you all these years. I know you believe I abandoned you. Perhaps in a way I did, but I always had your back, even aboard Mandesa’s ship.
I fought to keep my mind clear, to ignore the twisting of grief in my chest for all the years we’d lost. Yet if I hadn’t been left behind on Mandesa’s ship, Raeth wouldn’t be alive. Forcing myself from a past I couldn’t change, I focused on now, this minute, and the rescue of Ryder.
Tremors rippled through the ship as its thrusters fired and the floor rumbled beneath my boots. A roar of the engines, followed by a thruster burst, launched us from beneath the waves and shot us into the sky.
“Switch view to full screen,” my father ordered.
With shaking hands, Lieutenant Scott flipped the lever and an image of the ocean materialized in front of us. Millions of bubbles and churning water covered the view.
“Switch to front view,” I urged Lieutenant Scott.
The screen stuttered and rolled, refocusing on a vast ocean and sky. We winged left then right as we sped over the cliffs of Upper Europe. In a matter of minutes, we’d be in range. Surging over forests, wreckage, and death, we reached the river. “Magnify. Check sensors.”
“Sensors not responding, sir. Too much interference,” a man shouted from the left side of the bridge.
My father stood and moved toward the screen. “Must be jamming us.”
Click, click, click.
Lieutenant Scott rotated the magnification nob, revealing a heavy blue layer of mist.
