Baldwin's Legacy: The Complete Series

by Hystad, Nathan

  There was no mercy given. The Ugna had broken the Code, and there was no turning back.

  Brax chased the ship, the Finos cruiser flying along beside them. Both Concord allies fired until the sleek Ugna vessel was destroyed, and everything went silent in the vicinity of Nolix.

  Only then did she turn to Tom. “Welcome home, Admiral.”

  ____________

  Ven waited for Shu and the second flagship to dock before allowing himself to think of the next steps. He hadn’t had a chance to speak with Elder Fayle, and he hated that. He had so many questions for her that couldn’t be answered now. If Wylen learned about her transgressions, she would be dead within moments.

  The expedition ship was scheduled to arrive at the main landing pad near the Concord’s head office in twenty minutes, and Ven paced behind the glass windows, anxious for her arrival. First Officer Hanli had been with Fayle. She would have some details. Admiral Baldwin appeared to know more than he was letting on, but he promised Ven it was good news, and that everything would be solved.

  Ven didn’t believe that. He’d seen the Invaders near Earth. They were going to attempt to come to Wylen’s aid, and he feared if that occurred, the population of the Concord would end up slaves like the humans of Earth.

  Earth. He felt the need to return, to help the people, and he had been glad when Baldwin agreed that they would eventually do just that. After all, they were Founders of the Concord, even if they didn’t know it.

  He tried not to think about what he’d managed to do to that Protector chasing them in Sol. It had felt beyond his control, but he’d tapped into a river of the eternal Vastness. Was he a monster? Was he worse than Wylen? No man should have that ability, and he’d managed that without the use of En’or. He really wished he could speak with Elder Fayle about what was happening to him. Once they’d made the jump, the colors and dancing lights had stopped instantly. Even now, he felt good, strong and clear-headed.

  The expedition ship lowered, and a thrill ran through him when Hanli stepped off. Her hair glowed in the sunlight atop the high rise facing the massively populated city of Ridele. She was beautiful.

  He found himself pushing through the doors, stepping onto the roof’s landing pad, and striding toward her. Hanli smiled as she saw him, and he continued until he was close enough to embrace her. He took her in his arms, spinning around before letting her down.

  “Ven Ittix, what has gotten into you?” she asked, unable to hide a light laugh at his actions.

  “I am happy to see you, Hanli.” He glanced around, finding Captain Rene Bouchard and Commander Kan Shu filing out. “We have a lot to discuss. Would you accompany me for dinner?”

  She nodded. “We do. The Ugna are about to have their biggest challenge yet, and we need you to lead us down the right path.”

  “Me?” he asked.

  “Come. Let us dine. I have much to say.”

  ____________

  It was strange to return to his condo overlooking the city, and Tom already missed the comfort of the executive crew quarters on Shu. The city looked the same as always, like nothing had happened only a week earlier.

  Nolix wasn’t out of the woods yet, but they had time to regroup and make a plan against High Elder Wylen. Fayle should be on Driun F49, but Tom hadn’t received a message from her yet, making him worried about her well-being.

  The buildings reflected the bright sunlight, and he tapped the tint level higher as he observed the skyline. Maybe the city wasn’t so bad, but what was here for him? With Aimie gone… He should have checked on her. Asked if she was all right.

  He crossed the living room, tapping his tablet to life. He found her contact information and tried to reach her. He needed some closure.

  Her face appeared, and he found himself smiling despite the circumstances. “Aimie.”

  “Tom,” she said softly.

  He recognized the art behind her, and he squinted. “Are you at home?”

  She nodded, giving him a grin. “I couldn’t leave. Not without speaking to you first.”

  “I’ve been here a week,” he told her.

  “I know. I was… trying to figure things out.”

  “And have you?” he asked, seeing another call was incoming.

  “I have… I don’t think I should go. I made a mistake ending things with you,” she admitted.

  The other communication was from Rene. He’d scarcely heard Aimie.

  “Tom, are you listening? I think we should talk.”

  “Head office is attempting to reach me. Let me get back to you, okay?” he asked.

  “Come over when you’re done. I need to see you,” she told him, and he ended the call, swiping Rene’s icon.

  “Baldwin. What are you doing for dinner?” she asked cheerfully.

  “You made it! With my ship too, I see.” He laughed.

  “Your ship? I highly doubt that. Admirals don’t have postings, haven’t you heard?” she jabbed.

  “Desperate times… et cetera.” He thought about Aimie’s invitation and her sad tone. It was the polar opposite of Rene’s friendly banter.

  “What do you say? Know a place we can have a few drinks and eat something good?” she asked.

  “Sure. I’ll ping you the details. See you in an hour?” he asked, and she smiled again, small dimples showing.

  “It’s a date.” Her image vanished, and Tom slumped into his chair.

  Aimie had asked him over, saying she made a mistake, and Rene wanted a date. Sometimes Tom felt like fighting an enemy was easier than navigating relationships. The outcome was always the same. There was one winner. With a relationship, the goal was to have both parties winning, at least until it inevitably went sideways.

  He took one last look over the cityscape and decided he’d take a shower. Maybe he’d have a better idea of who he was going to move on with.

  Epilogue

  A month. The modifications had lasted a solid month, but only because the past week had been spent running test programs. The Invaders took this stuff very seriously, but Lark knew the High Elder trusted them to return to Driun F49 as soon as possible.

  His own future depended on it. Luci’s and Seda’s, too.

  “Are we ready yet?” he asked Prophet, and she nodded.

  “It appears that we’re going to make the jump,” Prophet told him.

  The station outside of Saturn had started feeling cramped, and he was glad to return to the Protector. They wound their way to the bridge, and the Invaders hesitantly let him in. President Basher was present, and their ship was going to be the first to depart.

  The bridge was half the size of Constantine’s, but it was laid out well, making the available space feel like more than enough room.

  The crew was primarily composed of Invaders, while much of the ship’s crew were human. They always had their eyes averted, and they seemed to have a million unasked questions for Keen when they saw him walking through the halls in his Concord admiral’s uniform.

  “Course is set,” the captain, a lanky pale Ugna, told the president. “We are prepared to make the trip to Driun, sir.”

  “Good.” Basher glanced at Keen and waved him over. “Come here, Admiral. I look forward to assisting your cause.”

  Keen almost laughed at the words he chose, because nothing about this was his cause. But he stayed in character and smiled at the man. “And we appreciate it. You will be rewarded.”

  “Nonsense. We’re allies, and I’m eager to build our relationship.” The president turned to face the viewscreen. “Captain, hit it.”

  Keen pressed his eyes closed as they activated the Nek drive, and he heard the ship’s alarms chiming loudly before he braved to open them again.

  “What happened?” the president asked.

  The captain leaned over his first officer, checking the console. Lark stared out the viewscreen, seeing nothing resembling Driun F49.

  “Sir, we’re not at the proper coordinates,” the captain said.

  “The
n where are we?” the president asked.

  “We can’t tell. But our scans indicate we’re far from any known space,” he answered.

  “Reprogram it. There must have been a glitch. Get us to Driun!” The president stood, his posture full of venom, his voice echoing with rage.

  The captain slowly turned, his pale pink eyes watering. “I can’t. The star drive is dead.”

  Keen’s shoulders slumped as he peered in Prophet’s direction.

  “I think we’ve been sabotaged,” she said quietly.

  Lark had to agree, and wasn’t sure if that was such a bad thing.

  ____________

  Her shirt clung to her skin as she fell to the chair in exhaustion. Every time Treena thought about giving up, she pictured the Ugna coming for them and continued pushing herself. Her body was like the Concord, in a strange sense. She’d once been strong, powerful, and content. Then she’d been assaulted, her allies killed, but she’d survived. Now she was rebuilding, just as their alliance would.

  The lights near the entrance flicked on, and she glanced over at the doors, seeing none other than Conner Douglas moving toward her. He tended to have a swagger when he walked, but today, he seemed slower, a little withdrawn as he approached her.

  She was inside the R-Emergence offices in Ridele and was grateful for her continued access, despite the fact that Aimie Gaad had opted out and disappeared to some other world. Treena couldn’t blame her, not after the threat of an internal attack on Nolix. Then there was the whole Tom break up to deal with, along with the fact that her company was built on blackmailing and extortion.

  “Conner, come for a run?” she asked from her seated position.

  He stared at her, a smile reaching his eyes. “I don’t think so. But I do have something important to ask you.”

  She patted the chair next to hers, and he obliged. “What is it?”

  “I love working with Rene, I do, but this is going to be one intense battle we’re about to face. I… I’d like to join the crew of Constantine.” He averted his gaze, fidgeting with his hands.

  “But I have a full bridge crew, Conner. You know that. And Shu is going to be an integral part of our success too,” Treena reminded him. She thought there might be another reason; a more personal one she didn’t want to discuss presently. She was still too unsure of herself, lacking confidence in this healing body, to allow someone like Conner into her life.

  “I thought you were going to say that. Are you keeping Commander Teller on staff?” he asked.

  She nodded absently. “I am. He’s a good officer, and he brings an old but wise mind with him. He has a knack for war, and I’m afraid we need that.”

  “Please don’t tell Captain Bouchard about my request. I… Maybe when this is over, and the Ugna have been dealt with? Then we can work collectively?” His hand landed on top of hers, and a spark coursed through her. When was the last time anyone had touched her skin while she was out of her android body?

  “I’ll consider it. In the meantime, what do you say we go find something to eat? I just need to freshen up,” she said.

  Conner perked right up. “You’re coming as you?”

  His question was innocent, and Treena laughed. “I’d like to get used to it. Does it bother you if I leave my android at home?”

  “Quite the opposite. I’m glad you’re feeling better about things. I think you’re… I think you can pull it off.” He smirked and moved for the exit, while she veered off to the showers.

  She entered, seeing her reflection in the mirror. She was filling out. She was strong, and she would be ready for the upcoming war.

  Treena let the water cleanse her worries: her trip to Sol, her fear of what was to come. She pictured Felix when she closed her eyes, water pouring over her face, and he smiled, telling her it was time. Time to move on. Time to take ownership of who she was. Time to be happy.

  ____________

  “What are we supposed to be doing?” Carl asked, pacing the room.

  “What do you mean? We’re waiting,” Jun told him. She was most comfortable in this big city. Brandon was the opposite. After years on their small Mars colony, Ridele was something from a dream, or a nightmare.

  All the noise, the people. The aliens. He felt so sheltered after being told there were no other races outside of the Invaders and humans.

  “Do you think they’ll really help us?” Kristen asked.

  Brandon nodded. “Sure they will. Because we have something they want.”

  Val stood, moving for the door to their suite. The Concord had been kind enough to give them the entire top floor of a skyscraper, and Brandon felt like a king relaxing amidst this opulence. Part of him was appreciating the luxuries, despite his trepidation at being in such a populated area.

  “Ven Ittix,” Brandon said as the man entered the room. He was just like the Invaders, but now he wore his Concord uniform, his yellow collar denoting his rank on Constantine. They’d been fed so much information over the last month, it was hard to keep it straight.

  “Hello. Admiral Baldwin suggested you had something that might prove beneficial to us,” Ven said, entering the room. A man was right behind him: white hair, light green skin, his eyes slotted and yellow. He wore gloves over his hands, and he smiled handsomely at the gathered humans.

  “I’m Doctor Nee.”

  Brandon stuck his palm out, and the doctor stared at it. He took the glove and shook hands with him.

  “You don’t shake hands here?” Brandon asked.

  “Not many risk contact with a Kwant,” Nee said with mirth in his voice.

  “What’s a Kwant?” Carl asked.

  “It’s my race. Our skin is poisonous to the touch. But don’t worry, the glove protects you.”

  Brandon let go and peered at his palm before wiping it on his pants leg. “Executive Lieutenant, can we help you with something?”

  Ven nodded and stepped further into their suite. “I heard something when going over your transcripts. You had an Invader on the rover, and you stopped him from using his powers. How?”

  Brandon glanced at Val. She was the expert, and she lifted her arm. “I’ll tell you how we do it, but we need something in return first.”

  He saw Ven and Nee share a look, and the Concord Ugna’s lips closed tightly before he nodded once. “What do you seek?”

  “Earth. When this is over, we need your help to free our people.” Val had practiced this, but her voice still cracked.

  “I would say that is a fair trade,” Ven told them.

  “Do you have the power to ensure the bargain is completed?” Brandon asked, suddenly wary. It was difficult to put your trust in someone that resembled your oppressors.

  “I do not, but I have already been informed we will be assisting your race,” Ven advised them.

  “Good. Val, please give them the sample,” Brandon said, and the woman left the room, returning with the vial in her grip. She hesitantly passed it to Doctor Nee.

  “Inject them with this, and it cuts them off for at least a half hour per two cc’s.”

  “Thank you. This might aid our cause.” Ven moved for the door.

  Brandon darted ahead, blocking his exit. “I want to help. When will the battle begin?”

  Ven met his stare. “It’s already begun. A long time ago. But we may be seeking new crew for the replica vessel we’re fitting. I’ll speak to Admiral Baldwin.”

  “This Baldwin. Is he the real deal?” Kristen asked the Ugna.

  “The real deal?”

  “Yes. Is he a good man?”

  “Of that I am sure. He is the best man I know,” Ven said.

  “Same here,” the doctor agreed.

  “Good.” Brandon stepped aside, letting them leave. The thought of joining a crew in this strife was enough to energize him, and from the grins on his friends’ faces, they were thrilled at the idea too.

  ____________

  Elder Fayle strode through the underground corridor, wishing the lights were
brighter. She nearly tripped on a jutting rock and caught herself on the damp wall. Water dripped from the ceiling, splashing on her forehead as she waited near the hidden doorway.

  It finally slid open, revealing a far different interior than surrounded her now. A group of ten Ugna soldiers waited inside and rushed her into the room, shutting the door behind her.

  “Elder. We’ve been awaiting you,” Gar Ellix told her. He was broad-shouldered, physically stronger than any Ugna she’d ever met. The perfect man to lead their revolt.

  “I assume you have eyes on the High Elder?” she asked.

  “We lost contact with Roe two days ago,” he advised her.

  Elder Fayle stiffened. “Do you think she was found out?” If they were going to win this internal war, they needed to track Wylen’s position at all times.

  “She is strong, her barriers tight. I don’t suspect she was discovered, but Wylen is on the move. The remaining fleet has departed Driun F49,” Gar said.

  “When?” Fayle wiped her brow.

  “Shortly ago.”

  “Do we know where they go?” Fayle asked him.

  “It appears as though they’re proceeding to Tebas.” Gar crossed his thick arms and turned his head to the side, as if speaking the very name of the secret Ugna training grounds caused him pain.

  “Tebas. It leaves the manufacturing plants at Obilina Six free for attack. Gather the forces. Send word to our network. Today, we break our thousand-year oath of the Ugna and fend for ourselves.” Elder Fayle glanced around the room, seeing screens along the walls, chairs lining desks, and twenty eyes staring at her, their owners standing proudly at her words.

  “Very well. We are honored to be the first to see you as you now are, High Elder Fayle,” Gar said, though Fayle guessed the title would be short-lived. Ven Ittix would wear the crown soon enough, but she’d keep it warm for him.

  “Come. There is much to do.” She walked past Gar and took a seat at one of the consoles, sending a message to her contacts throughout the cities above on the surface of Driun F49.