The Omcri Matrix

by Deborah Chester

  “Thank you. But—”

  “Well, Major? Don’t keep her in suspense forever. You’ve had your surprise. Now fill her in!”

  Haufren’s grin faded slightly. He shrugged, looking discomfited. “We made a deal, remember? I, er, have a little influence in the service. I persuaded the admiral to intercede personally on your behalf.”

  She stared at him in bewilderment, not daring to say what she thought. No major, however good, had that much influence.

  “She doesn’t believe you, Haufren. Better spill it all.” Vance laughed at Haufren’s expression and quirked a bushy eyebrow at Costa. “Excuse me, Lieutenant. Buck cadets aren’t made too much of around here no matter what their past record is, so you’ll have to prove yourself all over again. But you’ve made a good start by bringing home two of our best. Make us commend you; that’s all we ever ask.”

  Smiling, he returned her salute and walked away.

  “Well?” demanded Costa as soon as he was gone. “Haufren, you must explain this! I can’t believe you actually managed it. How did you? I feel as though I’ve been quarantined for the past six days since I woke up.”

  “You have. Checks had to be run on your records. Negotiations made and—certain transactions.”

  “For me?” She blinked. “Am I that valuable?”

  “Probably not,” he said dryly, while she flushed at her own unintentional arrogance. “But you see, I keep my end of bargains. My so-called influence has to do with that legend—”

  Her eyes widened. “You mean—”

  “I am the direct descendant of the founder of the Rangers,” he said with an embarrassed shrug. “The tradition of the corps values that more highly than I care for. So I rarely use the influence I have around here.” Haufren raised an eyebrow at her. “I don’t often recommend cadets, but you’ve proved yourself in my book. I think you’ll find that Silta and I stick by those who save our lives. Besides, we can’t afford to let people of your caliber stay on backwater planets.”

  “Major,” she said, struggling to hold down her excitement, struggling to find the right words to thank him. “I—”

  “Call me Brith,” he said with a smile and stuck out his hand. “We’re all on the same team now, Costa. I think we work pretty well together, don’t you?” He laughed, crushing her hand in his. “Don’t worry, saving the universe never gets to be an ordinary job. Now cut line, Lieutenant! Get moving! Report to the library and start studying double-time. My team goes out on basic maneuvers in two weeks and if you want to be on it, you’d better know those manuals inside and out! Clear?”

  Grinning, she snapped a salute, tossed him her cane, and raced out with a whoop.

  More from Deborah Chester

  The Children of Anthi

  In the grand tradition of Dune, an epic of adventure and survival on a dying world.

  Omari has violated every sanction of his world to hijack the Forerunner and blast his way through a black star to reach the Uncharted Zone—and freedom.

  But on Ruantl, a toxic world lit by a black sun, Omari found himself hostage in an underground citadel deep beneath a radioactive wasteland. Here the enigmatic high priest and his horde of black-robed barbarian mutants guard an army of crystal caskets—and plan a bloody rebellion to save their race from extinction.

  To survive, Omari has one chance. But does he dare undergo the ultimate sacrifice and become one of the CHILDREN OF ANTHI?

  Requiem for Anthi

  In the grand tradition of Dune, an epic of adventure and survival on a dying world

  The world of Ruantl is nearly dead, its waters tainted and its land scorched by a poisonous black sun. Members of the Galactic Space Institute have crossed into the Uncharted Zone, eager to strip Ruantl of its gold and gemstones. They will not—and cannot—be stopped. Not by the few survivors of a dying race.

  But one ancient lord is ready to fight back—even if he must reawaken the mighty goddess Anthi herself.

  The Omcri Matrix

  In the Planet Patrol, Costa was the best. The smartest, toughest, most ambitious officer in the ranks. Until the day the Omcri—a deadly alien force of faceless assassins—kidnapped the Kublai of Drugh, killing Costa's patrol but leaving her alive.

  The brass think Costa has sold out. And now she's on the run, desperately trying to clear her name. Her search for the truth will lead her from the back alleys of her own planet to the savage dangers of unknown worlds—and finally, into the dark heart of the Omcri Matrix.

  Time Trap

  In the 26th century, chaos threatens to overwhelm civilization—but the historians on staff at the Time Institute are determined to change things for the better. Through first-hand recordings of the greatest events of the past, they hope to reawaken the modern-day populace and restore its zest for achievement. The trouble for the Institute is that saboteurs have infiltrated.

  The trouble for time-traveler Noel Kedran is that his mission lands him in the wrong place and century.

  Medieval Greece is little more than a way-station for European knights headed for the Crusades. All but forgotten, this small pocket of history is awash in treachery as Greek bandits, French knights, and Constantinople's diplomats battle for supremacy. Caught in their clash to rule Greece, Noel fears that any alteration to the course of history could destroy his own time, until he meets a stranger who is his mirror image. This twin, as determined to destroy the future as Noel is to save it, will take both Noel’s fate and history into his own hands.

  Showdown

  Unable to return to the 26th century, historian and time traveler Noel Kedran struggles to repair the sabotage that keeps him ensnared in time's web. His evil twin Leon, created by the anomaly, works just as hard to prevent Noel from escaping the trap. Each attempt to go home lands Noel and Leon in a different era. Now, they're in the New Mexico territory in the year 1887—a harsh desert land plagued by lawless bandit raids, border wars, and fierce Apaches.

  Although determined to preserve the fabric of history, Noel soon finds himself involved with the perils facing a ranching family. The ranch has been burned and a young girl abducted. If Noel can't find a way to rescue her, the altered time stream will change the future forever. That's exactly what Leon is hoping for. Which means that sooner or later, the two of them must have a showdown.

  Pieces of Eight

  In his attempt to return to the 26th century, historian and time traveler Noel Kedran is transported back to the Caribbean in 1697, where black-masted ships rule the treacherous seas and murderous pirates kill without mercy.

  Stalked by enemies—including his evil twin, Leon—Noel fights to prevent a human sacrifice that could change history, and to stop his twisted twin before he destroys them both for a few glittering, golden pieces of eight.

  Restoration

  In his attempt to return to the 26th century, historian Noel Kedran is transported, alongside his evil twin Leon, to the squalid streets and royal palaces of Restoration England—and into the blazing heart of the Great Fire of London.

  Amidst the inferno, Noel will distinguish himself as a hero, whose only hope is to get home to his own time. To do so, he will have to outwit the treacherous, equally brilliant Leon.

  But how can any man hope to outwit himself?

  Turncoat

  A time loop drops historian and time traveler Noel Kedran into the Revolutionary War—and into a deadly battle with himself. While America fights for its independence, Noel wages a desperate struggle against his evil twin, Leon.

  Leon's plan is to assassinate George Washington and change the course of the Revolutionary War. If the plot succeeds, history will be as warped as Leon's mind. Now it's up to Noel to defeat the British army, and his own worst enemy—himself.

  Termination

  In Renaissance-era Italy, as rival houses of nobility use deception and murder to gain power and wealth, historian and time traveler Noel Kedran struggles against the machinations of his evil twin, Leon.

  Thrust into sixt
eenth-century Venice, Noel arrives just in time to step into a trap set by his mad double. Sentenced to torture for a crime he didn't commit, Noel attracts the interest of a sorcerer who wants the mirror-image twins under his control. He will plunge Noel into a shadowy realm of terror, madness, and death.

  There's only one person Noel can trust to help him survive—the very twin who has pledged to destroy him.

  Reign of Shadows

  Caelan E'Non is the son of the land's most powerful healer, and is naturally expected to follow in his father's footsteps. Except Caelan feels a burning desire to blaze his own trail—and possesses a magic he does not understand.

  Elandra Albain has been raised as a servant in her father's house. Her sister, Lady Bixia, has been pampered and spoiled, and is thought to be destined for greatness. But Elandra has a destiny all her own.

  For as long as Caelan or Elandra can recall, Emperor Kostimon has ruled the land. For nine centuries his life has been sustained. But this wondrous immortality stems from a bargain with the very source of evil itself—from the dark lord Beloth. Now, as Kostimon's tenth and final lifetime begins, the shadow god is growing restless.

  And so begins the REIGN OF SHADOWS.

  Shadow War

  For nine centuries the Emperor Kostimon has sat upon the Ruby Throne. The dark lord Beloth is responsible for his eternal existence. And what the shadow god has bestowed, he can easily take away...

  As the aging Kostimon awaits the crowning of his empress, Elandra Albain, forces of evil conspire to destroy the kingdom of Imperia. Whispers of treason come from those closest to the emperor—including his own son.

  Pure of spirit, Elandra remains untouched by the shadow god—but she senses his return. With darkness descending, Elandra finds her destiny joined with another's.

  Possessing the magic of a healer and a warrior's might, Caelan E'non has risen from lowly slave to champion gladiator. And when the dark lord and his minions overtake the castle, he will find Elandra's life—and the future of the empire—in his hands.

  Realm of Light

  After nine centuries—and ten lifetimes—the Emperor Kostimon is dead, and darkness sweeps the land. The emperor's young widow, Elandra, has fled the shadows of war with her champion, the warrior Caelan—the man she has grown to love.

  But is the emperor truly dead? Or can the power of the shadow god bring him back? Elandra must make a fateful decision—to fulfill her destiny on the throne, or to follow her heart. And the warrior Caelan must stand and fight—for his life, for his love, and for the entire kingdom.

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