Strike Vector - An Aeon 14 Space Opera Adventure (Perilous Alliance Book 2)

by M. D. Cooper

  Nadine sighed. “Always thinking with your stomach, Rogers. Anyone can make potatoes taste good.”

  “His were special,” Winter agreed. “Not that I’d ever tell him that. The seasoning was just—”

  Rogers glanced down at his HUD and the color drained out of his face. He slid his seat back and Nadine could see something was seriously wrong. “What’s the matter?”

  “We’re losing hull integrity.”

  “The cargo bay decompressed already,” Winter said. “We’re drifting in the DL. There shouldn’t be any stress on anything.”

  “I know. Nothing followed us in, either,” Rogers said.

  Nothing followed them in. Nadine’s eyes widened with fear. She knew what lurked in the DL, but Rogers and Winter did not. Because Gedri was old, and most of its dark matter was close to the star, so were the things….

  Perhaps the passage of the SSF fleet had stirred them…

  “Rogers, you need to dump—”

  The ship lurched and the a-grav systems shut down. Then a terrible rending sound reverberated through the hull. The sound wasn’t like something an explosion, or of stresses tearing a ship apart.

  It was slow, deliberate, like the way an animal might attach itself to its victim and begin tearing off meat, joint by joint, and panel by panel.

  If it was what she thought it was, they’d be dead within minutes.

  “Port-side passage has lost pressure, but the cargo bay door is sealed. Something’s breached the hull,” Winter said.

  “Bridge door isn’t responding,” Nadine said.

  “Do it manually. Seal the bridge!” Rogers shouted. “I’m dumping us out.”

  Nadine unbuckled her harness and pushed off in the zero-g to the door at the back of the bridge. She pulled the manual lever, sliding it down, an explosive charge popped and pushed the door shut.

  But before they did, she saw a darkness flowing into the ship seeping down the passageway. She kicked off the bulkhead, flying across the bridge, just barely grabbing the back of her seat as she raced past.

  “I’m going to dump!” Rogers shouted.

  “No!” Nadine hissed as she settled into her seat and threw as strap over her shoulder. “We can’t let it out of the dark layer!”

  “It?” Winter asked.

  But Nadine couldn’t afford to answer him. Her fingers flew across the communication console. “Changing the array frequency. It’ll scare it away and then we can dump…get us out of here fast.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Do you know what’s going on?” Winter asked.

  “You tell me when!” Rogers shouted and held onto the controls. The sound of grating metal only grew louder.

  Nadine worked as fast as she could. “One more second. I’m almost there!”

  “The whole ship is vacuum but the bridge. I had to seal the vents,” Winter said. “Nadine if you’re going to do something, now would—”

  His words were cut off by a strange shriek that seemed to emanate from the ship’s very hull, and then something flew…or perhaps slithered across the bridge’s windows and into the darkness beyond.

  It worked but they were still in danger. It could reattach if they were unlucky, and now Nadine was going to have one hell of a story to spin to keep her cover.

  “Do it now! Dump! GO!” Nadine screamed.

  Rogers send the command and the Dauntless lurched out of the dark layer fast.

  Gravity pulled at them, and a pocket of air blew somewhere sending the ship into a dead spin. Nadine could barely hold onto the edges of her console, then her hands slipped, and she flew from her seat, arm hooked in the one strap she had slipped into.

  “Damnit girl!” Winter yelled as he grabbed her leg and she fell into his arms, and pressed against him as the ship continued to spin. “You all right?”

  Nadine couldn’t formulate an answer. Outside the ship, a planet kept flashing by as they spun around. Each time it flashed by, it was marginally closer.

  “Attitude thrusters aren’t responding!” Rogers called out. “I have one grav drive that is. Trying to slow our spin…”

  Winter undid his harness and stood sideways on his seat, the centripetal force from the spin making the starboard side of the ship ‘down’. He lifted Nadine back to her seat and she clambered into it, fastening her harness properly as Winter got back into his.

  “Slowing…but not fast enough. We’re gonna hit the stratosphere in a minute.”

  “Stratosphere of what?” Winter asked.

  “Jericho,” Rogers replied through gritted teeth. “Coming in fast. Brace for impact!”

  Nadine pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. She wasn’t ready to die. She had so much left to do, so much to fix.

  Before she closed her eyes, her console picked up the signal from Kylie’s tracker, data that was minutes old now, showing her signal leaving The Futz.

  Oh, Kylie, what have I done?

  Then Rogers got control of the spin and the forward view was filled with ground, before one final rotation changed the view to show Townsend in Jericho’s sky.

  And then they hit.

  The ship slid across the dusty dry basin of an ancient sea before suddenly falling again, into what had once been a deep crevasse in the ocean floor.

  Nadine saw green foliage flash by, and then the ship hit something and one of her straps tore free. Her face slammed into her console, and Nadine knew no more.

  EPILOGUE: CONSEQUENCES

  STELLAR DATE: 10.05.8947 (Adjusted Years)

  LOCATION: Liberation, approaching Hubei

  REGION: Hanoi System (independent)

  “We’re en route to you now, Father. Kylie’s unconscious. She didn’t want to come, but once she awakens, I think we can convince her that it’s a good idea for her to stay with the family. See you in a few days. David out.”

  His youngest son had done it; what Peter himself had thought to be impossible. David was returning to him his one and only daughter. Finally, she’d learn her place and see that family always came before everything.

  Peter turned off the light in his room and walked out into the passageways of his flagship, the Illuminated Path. He nodded amicably to crew members as he passed them by, smiling and greeting most by name.

  As expected, he found his wife, Kate, in the small galley used by the vessel’s leadership. It was painted a light brown and decorated with red and green accents. The soft lighting added to the homey feeling—something he cherished on these long journeys through space.

  His favorite orange and yellow handwoven placemats were on the table as he stepped toward his wife who was preparing the evening meal.

  Her curly brown hair hung loose around her shoulders and she wore a blue apron tied around her wide hips. A beautiful woman to him, even if the years had added some weight to her. In a time of mods and genetic modification, her gentle curves and the crow’s feet around her eyes still tugged at his heart.

  “Hungry?” Kate asked, a wooden spoon in hand.

  Peter shook his head. “Not for food at least.”

  Kate laughed. “Such a player you are. All these years and you haven’t changed a bit.”

  “Would you rather I had?”

  “Not in the least.” Kate kissed his cheek. “You know how I feel about people in my kitchen when I’m cooking. Is there news?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and Peter couldn’t wait a moment longer to fill her in on the details.

  “David found her. Kylie will be home any day now.”

  Kate gasped. “Are you serious? She wanted to come home to us?”

  Peter didn’t want to fill her in on the less pleasant details. “Who wouldn’t want to come home to you, my dear.”

  “I’ll have to setup a room for her. Don’t you think?” Kate gazed around the kitchen. “And fix her one of her favorite meals. Make a cake. It’ll be a time of celebration, Peter!”

  “That it will my dear.”

  Over the speakers, a voice chirped,
“We’ve entered orbit around Hubei, Mr. Rhoads.”

  Here it came. The moment of truth. Peter kissed each of his wife’s lovely hands and she placed her cheek against his.

  “Go work your magic,” she said. “I’m going to start menu-planning for the big party.”

  “Not too big,” Peter reminded her. “Let’s keep it small; a family affair.”

  Kate bowed slightly. “Whatever you want, but you’re right. Intimate is better. It’s been so long since we’ve seen her. We’ll have so much to talk about.”

  Peter hurried through the Illuminated Path to the docking bay. He boarded the shuttle and settled into his seat.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Rhoads,” Sarah, one of his most trusted advisors greeted him.

  Peter nodded to her silently. He liked Sarah, but as a woman she should not think to rise above her station. Refraining from casual banter with her was one of the best ways to remind her that she should remain subservient.

  The shuttle rose from its cradle and drifted out of the dock. Peter gazed out the window at the blue-and-green world, noticing the haze of smoke still drifting above one of their continents.

  He felt no remorse at having his agents set the fire. Hubei was not one of the colonies he had established, but a world he had come across in his travels. They, like the rest of the worlds in the Hanoi system were ripe for conversion. They just needed a little push.

  Now they would take his aid, and his conditions. Their AI and mods would be purged, and he would spread his word amongst them.

  Forty minutes later, the shuttle settled at the spaceport outside of Canton City, and Peter walked down its ramp, Sara following behind.

  It was noon at Canton City, and Hanoi’s sun shone brightly in the clear sky, the heat rising off the landing pad distorting the air.

  On the far side of the pad, an aircar settled to the ground, and Governor Yovette stepped out to greet him. She was wearing a long, tightly fitted ceremonial dress. It was red and blue with a long cape flowing down the back. Her hair was done up in a dizzying spiral that stayed perfectly erect as she approached.

  When they reached one another, she offered her hand. “Mr. Rhoads, we weren’t expecting you back so soon.”

  Peter shook her hand with a broad smile on his lips. “I didn’t come at bad time, I hope.”

  “Not at all. Today is our annual New Year’s Celebration. Something held over from my ancestor’s days back on Earth, though we’ve altered the date to align with our harvests.”

  “Traditions are good.” Peter patted her hand. “Never lose sight of those. It’s what separates us from the beasts. And machines.” Peter couldn’t help adding in the last part.

  Yovette smiled, but it was strained as she glanced down at Peter’s hand on hers. “Of course.”

  Strange. She had always sounded more upbeat in the past. They had developed a great rapport…or so Peter had thought.

  “Things are OK on Hubei, at home? Are you having problems?”

  Yovette shook her head. “My daughter was recently released from the hospital. She got lost playing where she should’ve have and we almost…almost lost her.”

  Peter’s brow lowered, laden with concern. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Governor. I too, have a daughter and if anything happened to her…. Well, I’d scour every planet this side of the core to find her.”

  “That we can agree on, Mr. Rhoads.” She smiled politely and nodded.

  “I won’t keep you long, then. I know you must want to return home to your celebrations and your daughter. That is something I can deeply respect. I just thought it was time to check in with your answer about following our way; about doing away with your AI and invasive modifications.

  “Last I was here, you agreed to discuss with your government the possibility of going clean. A world outside of our times. No modifications to any person, an AI-free environment. As I promised, we would make sure to offer you our protection, resources, and food.”

  He saw Yovette frown, and wondered what the cause of her reticence was.

  “It’s my understanding,” he continued, “that you’ve recently lost your corn crop. That’s something I can help with. Our stores are overflowing with excess food.”

  Yovette held up her hand. “Please, Mr. Rhoads. We have solved that shortfall. I really don’t wish to waste your time. Your speeches aren’t necessary here any longer—”

  Peter’ smile grew wide. “That’s great. I was hoping—”

  “We’ve decided to stay as we are. Modifications allowed, and AI living as we live. Helping us achieve our goals. Our models show that without the AI and the advanced technology we use, progress toward our goals would be slowed down by eight-five percent. A projection our government and people are not happy with.”

  She met his eyes, unflinching, and unapologetic. “The technology and AI keep us safe and help run our lives. I don’t think we can live without them.”

  “That is part of the problem, can’t you see? They’re so ingrained in our lives, we can’t survive without them any longer. We have to find a way, go back to the old ways, before AI sentience. Think for ourselves. Do everything for ourselves, Governor.”

  “What you’re asking is too much.”

  “Progress would be slower, but we’d help out by giving you able-bodied men. By providing the food and livestock for your world. Even the medicine and equipment. I explained that with this way of life—”

  “We’re simply not interested at this time,” Yovette said kindly, but her smile was forced. “But I do want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and speak with us once more. Good luck, with your missions.”

  Missions? It was a crusade! Peter didn’t know if she was trying to insult him, but he could not imagine any other way to take it.

  “You do understand that one day the AI will turn on us again, as they did before, don’t you? Worlds and people who are already integrated will be the first to fall. Or they will be used against the rest of us. AI are machines; they cannot be trusted. They’re using us. Why allow them to be in charge of us?”

  “Let me walk you back to your shuttle.” Yovette touched his arm to help guide him back the way they’d come but Peter was having none of it.

  He pulled his arm away. “It seems my message has fallen on deaf ears.”

  “Good day, Mr. Rhoads.” Yovette turned and walked back toward her aircar and Peter let out a frustrated breath. He’d really thought he had made progress with this world. He’d thought they’d be the next one to be saved.

  Back on the shuttle he settled into his seat and poured himself a glass of water. The pilot lifted the ship back into the air, and Peter activated the console before him, connecting with the captain of the Liberation.

  “Captain Derrin. Hubei won’t be joining us. It’s time to show the others how serious we are about our mission.”

  “Yes, Mr. Rhoads.”

  Peter downed his glass of water before settling back in his seat. “Blockade the world. No ship leaves or lands until it’s done.”

  “Understood, Mr. Rhoads,” Captain Derrin replied.

  Peter closed the connection and turned his gaze from the world below and looked out into space. Somewhere out there, fusion boosters were coming to life on a hundred-kilometer-asteroid.

  His fleets would shepherd it to Hubei, where it would smash their world, raining fire and brimstone down on them, cleansing the land of their abominations.

  Peter took no satisfaction in hurting people or decimating a future, but he wouldn’t stand by and let AIs get the upper hand.

  People who held AI in their minds, who valued them over the truth were not people at all.

  They would be cleansed and join him. Or they would die.

  THE END

  * * * * *

  The war that has begun in the Gedri System will soon spill across Silstrand and into the fringe. The Scipio Empire is ready to strike, as are the fleets of Peter Rhoads.

  But Silstrand will not go down without
a fight, and Gedri will find itself at a crossroads of nations

  Kylie, Grayson, and the crew of the Dauntless are at that crossroads, captured or lost amongst the different factions.

  All of which are on a collision course.

  Pre-order Collision Course now on Amazon for $3.99

  THANK YOU

  If you’ve enjoyed reading Strike Vector, a review on Amazon.com and/or goodreads.com would be greatly appreciated.

  To get the latest news and access to free novellas and short stories, sign up on the Aeon 14 mailing list: www.aeon14.com/signup.

  Chris J. Pike & M. D. Cooper

  THE BOOKS OF AEON 14

  The Intrepid Saga

  - Book 1: Outsystem

  - Book 2: A Path in the Darkness

  - Book 3: Building Victoria

  - The Intrepid Saga Omnibus – Also contains Destiny Lost, book 1 of the Orion War series

  - Destiny Rising – Special Author’s Extended Edition comprised of both Outsystem and A Path in the Darkness with over 100 pages of new content.

  The Orion War

  - Book 1: Destiny Lost

  - Tales of the Orion War: Set the Galaxy on Fire

  - Book 2: New Canaan

  - Book 3: Orion Rising

  - Tales of the Orion War: Ignite the Stars Within (Fall 2017)

  - Tales of the Orion War: Burn the Galaxy to Ash (Fall 2017)

  - Book 4: The Scipio Alliance (Nov 2017)

  - Book 5: Starfire (2018)

  - Book 6: Return to Sol (2018)

  Visit www.aeon14.com/orionwar to learn what’s next in the Orion War.

  Perilous Alliance (Expanded Orion War - with Chris J. Pike)

  - Book 1: Close Proximity

  - Book 2: Strike Vector

  - Book 3: Collision Course (October 2017)

  Rika’s Marauders (Age of the Orion War)

  - Prequel: Rika Mechanized