“Uh, yes, indeed it is a test,” said Jerut.
Tengur grasped the gem with both hands and closed his eyes to focus. The cybernetics on his shirtless body glowed blue, and a spherical object inside the gem emitted a bright light. A light continued to shine long after Tengur let go of the gem, and when he opened his eyes, there was shock on his face.
“Excellent work,” said Jerut.
“Sir, that trance…the Radiance gods—”
Two bolts of plasma burned through Tengur's head, sending his lifeless body spiraling backward in zero gravity, filling the room with orbs of blood and burned flesh. Jerut holstered his plasma pistol, a devious grin on his face.
………
US President William Steward sighed as he sat in his chair in the President’s Emergency Operations Center, where he was meeting with high-ranking generals and Secret Service agents. It was located in a bunker deep below the East Wing of what remained of the White House. Word quickly spread to him regarding the failed mission to nuke the advancing Hashmedai forces currently laying waste to Nevada.
“They are fully aware we’re going to hit them with nuclear weapons, sir,” said General Freeman.
“The only reason the ship we took out over the Pacific worked is because the nukes were launched from subs,” Chief of Staff David Tanner said.
“We’ll have to launch them fast before they can shoot down the missiles,” President Steward said. “How are other nations fairing?”
“Russia has been silent recently, England managed to shoot down a swarm of fighters, and—”
Freeman’s back burst into flames, causing everyone in the room to draw pistols. A Secret Service agent placed the president on the ground and laid his body on top of him as a shield. A woman dressed in black and with blue hair appeared from the shadows, slashing the throats of everyone in the room in a matter of seconds. Steward couldn’t quite figure out how she did it, as too much blinding blue light was flashing uncontrollably.
President Steward felt warm thick liquid spilling all over his back as he lay on the floor. The liquid poured across his face. Blood. Yet he felt no pain. The Secret Service agent who had protected him was nearly sliced in half across the chest. The president slowly got up, pushing the lifeless corpse aside to discover he was the only one left standing. Not even the assailant could be seen…until she materialized behind him. She shoved him onto the desk as she climbed on top of him, aggressively spinning his body around to face her.
His arms flailed back and forth in an attempt to break free from her trap. She merely pinned his shoulders to the table with her palms, while her tongue extended to lick the side of his neck. “What the hell do you want?” he asked as she grinned at him.
A hologram loaded above him. It depicted an image of a man with blue skin and black hair, and he wore the same black outfit as the woman. The man in the hologram raised his arm. In his hand was the severed head of Russian President Mikhailov. This is a message, President Steward thought. The Hashmedai are assassinating world leaders.
Why she hadn’t bested him, however, remained a mystery to him as her hand slipped down his pants and her tongue explored the surface of his lips. His final memory was a plasma dagger exiting the right side of his temple, sending a small plume of smoke into the air as the flesh around it burned. She continued to lick his face and play with his manhood as if nothing had happened.
………
Captain Ueyei was joyous upon hearing the change in the situation. Not only did the Radiance Union confirm that a fleet of ships from Lejorania would be coming to assist and uplift humanity, but much of the Hashmedai fleet had changed locations and now orbited only half the planet. The time to move and assist the dying population below was now.
“Helm, take us into orbit opposite the Hashmedai fleet,” Ueyei ordered.
“Right away, sir,” said Ensign Gab Overaea.
An incoming message notification flashed on Ueyei’s chair terminal. He accepted it, and a hologram of Xyniea appeared. “Speak,” he said.
“Captain, what are the chances we can take human refugees aboard the Abyssal Explorer?” she asked.“It will take eight years for the Radiance Union fleet to arrive. The Hashmedai have more than enough power to wipe out Earth’s population long before that.”
“Yes, that thought did cross my mind. The Abyssal Explorer didn’t take on a full crew when it left Lejorania. We can take a few hundred or so—maybe a thousand if we really push it—but no more than that.”
“There are areas the Hashmedai haven’t hit yet, so let’s try to save as many people from these areas as we can.”
“Where are these places?” the captain asked.
“I will transmit the locations to you now.”
“Good, I’ll have transports dispatched.” The hologram vanished, and a new one appeared that projected Gengei’s image. “Commander, good news—we’ll be in range to pick you up shortly,” the captain informed him. “The Hashmedai fleet has moved to the other side of the planet’s orbit.”
………
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Knock it off—we’re not out of this yet,” Jazz said to Chidorli and some other psionic named Whigli.
Jazz floated within the cold confines of a small Hashmedai transport ship high above Earth’s orbit. Onatiasha, Zhinbryo, and Kroshka all came along for the ride, thanks to Phylarlie’s newfound friend, who was embracing and licking Chidorli’s neck as she returned the favor. Don’t need to be Hashmedai to know they were lovers who go way back.
Jazz turned to Phylarlie and asked, “Are they gonna start fucking?”
“I couldn’t care less,” she replied, bitterness in her voice, before floating to the cockpit. There was jealousy in her body language.
Jazz followed her into the cockpit. Before he could inquire, he saw a horrific sight of Earth from the cockpit’s front window. Eastern Europe, half the Middle East, and chunks of Asia were glowing red. Western Europe was scarred with black craters, along with Japan and northern parts of Russia. He was speechless at the destruction. Phylarlie, too, looked on, holding onto a ceiling handlebar.
Kroshka’s slender hands slid across his shoulders to console him. “Jazz, I am so sorry about your world,” she said in a soft, soothing tone.
“I still don’t understand why this had to happen to my people,” said Jazz.
Phylarlie broke her silence. “I have an idea why.”
“Really now?” Onatiasha had overheard and floated into the cockpit with them.
“Jerut and Himton were part of a secret society.” She paused before continuing. “Whigli was a new recruit, but he recently betrayed their group.”
Onatiasha crossed her arms and said, “That could explain why the command ship suddenly turned its back on us. I presume there’s more?”
“Their plan was to trick the empress into declaring war on the humans by having Akeia and Kroshka killed and blaming it on the violent nature of humanity.” Phylarlie turned to Kroshka. “I’m sorry, Kroshka—Akeia is dead.”
Kroshka covered her mouth with her hands as if she were trying to contain all the terror and grief and emotional pain flowing through her body. The news overwhelmed her to the point where she couldn’t react, so she merely floated in the same spot.
“So that’s why they attacked?” Jazz said. “Because they think humans assassinated him?”
“Kroshka was believed to be dead as well, which is why it’s imperative we return to Paryo at once,” Phylarlie explained. “We must prove to the empress that Kroshka is not only alive but also that humans are innocent.”
“What else do you know about Jerut and Himton’s group?” asked Onatiasha.
“Himton is dead. It seems he had some doubts about the existence of the Radiance gods, so Jerut had him killed and took the command ship’s master codes. He blamed his death on the recon team, and you are all branded as traitors,” explained Phylarlie.
“That doesn’t make sense. We are opposed to the idea of religious beliefs, esp
ecially the Radiance gods,” said Onatiasha.
“That’s the thing—Jerut believes in them, and my theory is that there are others out there like him,” said Phylarlie.
“So it sounds to me like Radiance are controlling his group,” mentioned Jazz, “or they’re working with Radiance.”
“Oh, and…” Phylarlie spun her body around to face everyone. “The masters in the Assassins’ Guild work for them. Two Hashmedai assassins—Nodevar and Lettielia—take on special contacts that aid Jerut’s associates.”
Jazz's face scowled at those words. “Are those—”
“Yes, Jazz, the same ones who attacked you when we first met. They’re also responsible for Akeia’s demise,” said Phylarlie.
Jazz turned toward Kroshka, who wept with no tears. “We gotta get you home,” he said to her.
“Agreed, but not in this ship,” said Onatiasha.
“Why the fuck not?” Jazz asked.
“It’s a transport, designed for ship-to-planet flights or ship-to-ship. The closest space bridge is ten light-years away, and this ship simply can’t handle a journey though space that long.” She fixed in on the sight of the command ship floating above the North Pole. “We’ll need a ship from the command ship. Anything will do, as long as it isn’t a transport.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard,” said Phylarlie. “They still believe this transport to be friendly. We just need to request to dock with a corvette, take out the crew, and fly off before they send another destroyer after us.” She then asked Jazz. “Which leaves one remaining thing—what will you do?”
Jazz took a closer look at Earth. “All my family were on the East Coast when this went down. If it looks as bad as what I’m seeing here, I doubt any of them survived. I got nothin’ else on this burning rock. Hannah and Alisha are the closest I have to a family now. I ain’t leaving without ’em.”
“Then let’s bring them with us,” suggested Onatiasha, smiling. “We’re going to need all the help we can get. You, Alisha, and Hannah can live with us in the empire.
Jazz’s gaze remained locked on his burning blue world. “I’m down with that.”
………
Rio de Janeiro, Addis Ababa, Munich, Perth, Mumbai, and Los Angeles all became targets for refugee extraction by the Abyssal Explorer. Thousands in each of those cities gathered in hopes of boarding the transport ships taking people lucky enough to be selected. People were chosen based on a list provided by Xyniea, but the official story was that selection was random. Once Xyniea’s list was complete, people would be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Word about the limited space was kept secret to prevent widespread panic.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center was the primary location in Los Angeles for refugees to catch a ride up. Los Angeles was also one of the first cities to send people up, since much of Telinei’s research originated there. Securing Telinei's work aboard the Abyssal Explorer became priority.
Alisha hung up her hotel room’s phone, relieved. She looked up at her husband and smiled for the first time in a while. “That was Dianna Lee. She said the Radiance Union was looking for us.”
“The Radiance Union? Us?”
Tears of joy dripped down her face. “They want to take us aboard their ship—all of us.” The two embraced. This news lifted their spirits. “This nightmare will be over,” she added.
“Mom, are you OK?” Hannah asked from the other room.
Alisha entered the other room where Hannah rested on a bed while the music playlist on her cellphone loaded a new song to play, “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones. Alisha reached her arms out to give her daughter a hug. “Honey, guess what—we are going on a trip to space!” Alisha said. Jason followed her into the room.
“To space?” asked Hannah.
“Yes, Hannah.” Alisha’s index finger pointed to the ceiling. “High up in outer space, away from the bad aliens.”
“We should take Jazz with us, Mommy.” Hannah’s statement caused Jason to roll his eyes, and Alisha’s heart sank.
“Hannah, listen…” It was hard for Alisha to put into words what needed to be said about Jake’s fate. Even after the divorce, Hannah asked about him almost daily. “Jake was on the East Coast when they came.” She paused, as she hadn’t really thought about this subject until now. Facts are facts—he’s probably gone. Had I known that was going to be our last conversion—and he promised to see a doctor too. “He’s a fighter, so he’s probably just trapped, but sadly he can’t come with us, dear.”
“Yes, he can, Mommy. He’s alive.” Hannah gave that cute smile Alisha loved. “He’s coming to talk with us.”
Worry filled Alisha’s mind. Did she somehow call him up? “Hannah, what are you talking about?”
Alisha and Jason instantly focused their attention on the corner of the room where there was a sudden flash of blue light. Jake and a woman from another world stood before them. She was a Hashmedai, no question. The sight brought terror and confusion to Alisha’s mind.
“Whoa! What the hell!” yelled Jason. He stepped toward Jake in an aggressive manner.
“Whassup?” was Jake’s only response—typical.
“Jake, what the hell? Why are you with a Hashmedai?” Alisha's question was a fair one. Hashmedai were wiping out humanity, and he just magically appeared in their hotel room with one.
“I can explain, Alisha,” said Jake.
Jason interjected, taking on the role of the brave husband defending his family. “You can explain later, after you leave my family alone!”
Jake subtly grinned at Jason. “Look, pal, I don’t know you, so fuck off.”
The word “fuck” triggered Alisha to clasp her hands over Hannah’s ears. “Jake, please, Hannah is here!”
“It’s OK, Mommy.” Hannah shrugged off her mother’s protection. “I can go into the washroom for you all to talk.” Unfazed by what was going on, Hannah did just that—she ran off into the washroom. Probably for the best, since Jake had a way with words when he was upset…and Alisha was no better.
Jason stood his ground. “Buddy, seriously, just get out.” He did not realize he was dealing with an unmovable alpha male.
“You need to chill out. I’m here to help you all,” Jake assured.
“You’re with a fucking Hashmedai, Jake!” yelled Alisha.
If it were just Jake alone, Alisha would be calmer…but a Hashmedai along with him? What if it attacks? What if it is manipulating Jake? This was all too much for her right now.
“If y’all can seriously chill the fuck out, I can explain,” Jake reiterated, frustration augmenting his voice.
“You’re standing next to a murdering race of aliens. Just leave us alone!” Jason busted out, his voice now the loudest.
Jake upped the ante, making his voice even louder while jamming his index finger to Jason’s face. “That alien behind me helped save my life, so don’t fucking tell me they are all murderous and don’t fucking ask me to leave again! I’ll fucking see myself out whenever I damn well please!”
Silence filled the room. Jake was Alisha’s second ex-husband, but that no-bullshit stance—she missed it. It had made her feel safe at night. Jason, as nice as he was, lacked that verve.
“Now can you just stop and listen to me for a few minutes?” Jazz insisted.
………
Gengei’s transport came to a stop as it docked inside the Abyssal Explorer’s main hangar bay. Both its doors swung open, enabling Radiance Union medical staff to float in and escort the wounded human soldiers and refugees off to the infirmary. Fortunate for them, the union had been studying the human race for decades and were quite versed on human anatomy—never mind the fact that humans and Linl were almost identical.
Gengei remained strapped to his seat as Chloe floated toward him. “So where does this leave us?” she asked.
His saw that Chloe, Sarah, Sanders, and Odelea were the only ones who remained aboard. “My people will be transporting refugees to our ship. You are free to stay abo
ard. I will be heading back to your world to bring up more survivors.”
“Then we’re going back with you,” said Chloe.
He closed all four of his eyes, as he wasn’t in a mood to argue. “As you wish.”
“I want to go back as well.” It was Odelea.
“Odelea, you have done your job. A warzone is no place for a scholar, however,” said Gengei.
“Resting in cryo will not help the situation, either.” She had a point. All research, science, and exploration teams had by now been placed in cryo to conserve resources. The Abyssal Explorer was carrying out rescue and combat operations, and scholars had no place in such matters.
Chloe added, “Having another of your kind who speaks our language will be useful. Just bring her.”
Gengei removed his seat belt, enabling his weightless body to float upward, and said, “Very well…but first let us rest up. I have not had anything to eat in a long while.”
Chapter 19
Chris fell out of his hospital bed at Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center at Nellis AFB, where he was recovering from wounds suffered at the hands of that Hashmedai girl back at the Groom lake black site. He had spent much of the global conflict recovering rather than out there with his brothers-in-arms kicking these alien assholes off the planet. Chris personally felt he was good to go, but the doctors insisted he rest up a few more days. But now the fight had come to him…and everyone else in the Vegas area.
The windows of his once-tidy room were shattered, and debris from the ceiling came crashing to the floor as a series of massive explosions rumbled the whole region. He was knocked out cold—his last memory was watching the news from the bed. Now he pulled his aching body off the floor, noting of a lack of medical staff moving about.
Exiting his room revealed why—bodies were everywhere. Many were missing body parts or badly burned to death. The Hashmedai are here. Looks like getting knocked out saved my ass. The Hashmedai had probably mistaken him for a dead body and moved on to their next target. This put him in a tight spot—he was alone, enemy units might be out there, and all he had was this useless hospital outfit.
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