by T. M. Catron
“How so?”
Rance turned to him. “If the swords are magical, then it will give him the ability to wield more magic, correct?”
Solaris shook his head. “Magic is a myth,” he whispered. He studied Rance’s face for her reaction.
Shocked, Rance leaned back so she could look at him. “But you said—”
Solaris gave her a hard look. “I never told you one way or the other.”
“But all this time! And the things I’ve seen you do—”
Solaris sighed. He rubbed his eyes as if they hurt. “None of it is magic. It’s all done with technology that is so far beyond anything available to the average human that it might as well be magic.” Solaris removed his hands. He did look tired, drained, like the weight of the galaxy was on his shoulders. “I need to tell you this because it’s important to what happened in the museum.”
Rance’s heart did an excited flip-flop. Finally, she was getting some answers. “What kind of tech is it?”
Solaris didn’t say anything for a moment. The suspense was more than Rance could stand.
“Well?” she prompted.
“I told you I would explain, and I will, but it’s not something that can be told in a few minutes. The short version is that the Wizards get their power from an advanced manipulation of matter. But, it’s not a gift they are born with or the result of some secret ritual. That’s what they want the public to believe—it makes their jobs easier.”
“What is it, then?”
“We have technology implanted throughout our bodies. It’s not completely unlike the Zeus chip I just put inside your ear, but it’s surgically inserted at key points, and it’s much more powerful. It doesn’t interface with other tech. Instead, it creates tiny energy fields around us. The Wizards must learn to control it from an early age, and it takes years of practice and study. In the end, it feels like the energy is a part of our bodies, not a foreign material.”
Rance frowned. “Technology that creates energy fields around your body,” she repeated.
Solaris nodded.
“And it has to be surgically implanted.”
“Yes.”
Rance sighed in annoyance.
“What?” Solaris asked.
“I had just started to believe that maybe what you did was magic.”
Solaris grinned guiltily.
“Why did you take so long to tell me this?” Rance asked.
“It’s a closely guarded secret—if word of this tech spread, Galaxy Wizards would be hunted down, kidnapped, and killed for it.”
A chill ran down Rance’s spine, and she shuddered. “Imagine if someone like Pirate Kaur got a hold of it.”
“The Empire would erupt into chaos,” he growled. “Because Kaur isn’t the kind of man to sit on it. He’d make it available to all his commanders and captains. As long as people like him believe that it is magic, the Empire is safe.”
“There are plenty of people who don’t want to see it remain that way, not just pirates. What about the Nilurian Rebels?”
“They are a problem, too. Captain, I would prefer you don’t share any of this with the crew.”
Rance looked into Solaris’ trusting eyes. “It’s not my secret to tell,” she said. “But, what does this have to do with the Dioscuri swords?”
Solaris cracked his knuckles and looked over his shoulder. “I don’t know. The Dioscuri are a myth—the swords are, anyway. The devices inside my body are known as Stelltech. And they have nothing to do with an ancient Greek legend. The Galaxy Wizards have been inventing myths surrounding their magic for over a hundred years, enough to satisfy the curious, enough to keep the rumors floating around.”
“Then, the sword my mother found is a red herring.”
Solaris nodded. A muscle in his check flexed. “Imagine my surprise when Orion stole it and kidnapped your mother anyway. I assume he’s looking for the other one. It worries me, Rance. The legend is made up, so why is Orion willing to kill for those swords? And, getting away with the sword was more important than capturing me.”
“You really think he knows?”
“I’m sure of it.”
Rance didn’t have an answer for any of it, but a deep feeling of unease settled into her bones.
Solaris continued, “The Stelltech is made from a rare metal found far outside the Empire’s borders. I don’t even know what it’s called. And, paired with a special staff, it can manipulate spacetime for short periods. I wonder if those swords are made of the same metal. It’s the only thing that makes sense.” Solaris placed a hand on each of the captain’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “I had to save my staff from that reaper. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to do half of the things you’ve seen me do.”
Rance put a hand on his. “Why do you get so tired after you use it?”
“Because it harnesses the small electrical current within my body to charge. The more I use it, the more charging it needs. As it grows in power, my body’s natural defenses begin to recognize that it’s a foreign material. It sends antibodies to fight off the Stelltech. At least, that’s what I have come to believe. I didn’t have this problem when I returned to the Temple Station on a regular basis…”
Solaris hesitated. “Still mad at me about that reaper?”
“Yes and no. You did what you thought was best. But your life is more important than any weapon. I want you to know that.”
Solaris nodded. “I took a risk. It paid off.”
“This time,” Rance said, smiling sadly. She held his gaze a moment, then said, “What about your mad ninja skills? That’s not due to the Stelltech.”
“No,” Solaris smirked. “That’s all me.”
James walked by again on another round through the hold. He looked up, saw them sitting close, and rolled his eyes.
Rance frowned, still unsure about how to proceed with Solaris. She turned to lean against his shoulder again, trying to process all of the information. Now, she had more answers. And more questions.
The timing was off.
They were going to find Jane. Failure wasn’t an option. Rance would turn the galaxy upside down if she had to. She wasn’t sure the Five Sisters would yield any information, but they seemed like the best place to start.
The galaxy didn’t feel as safe as it had a few days ago, but as the captain watched her crew work and felt the warmth of the man sitting beside her, she knew everything would be okay. As long as she had breath in her body, she wouldn’t quit fighting. She wouldn’t give up. Her family—blood or otherwise—was worth it.
End Book 5
The Star Streaker crew will return in Legend of Xanthes.
<<<<>>>>
Author Note
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed this boxed set, please leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. And if you really loved it, tell a friend!
The next book in the series is called Legend of Xanthes.
Get it here.
In the meantime, you can get a free short story about Solaris when you become part of my new release newsletter.
To join the crew, go to tmcatron.com and enter your email address in the form.
Look forward to hearing from you!
~T.M. Catron
Acknowledgments
Writing is a solitary activity… until you want someone else to read it. It takes a team to get a book ready for publication, and I’m grateful for mine.
Thanks to Blake Gammons, who suggested the name ‘demidon’ to use for the reaper.
Credit for the names ‘reaper’ and Rapax trucilamia goes to Gavin Hanke, vertebrate zoologist, paleoichthyologist and proud member of the 501st Legion.
And a big thank you to my husband, who makes sure I never run out of coffee. Love you, baby.
Works by T.M. Catron
The Star Streaker Series:
1. Wizard’s Flight
2. Prometheus Rescue
3. Persephone Evasion
4. Legend of Xant
hes
Defiance, A Star Streaker Story (Prequel)
Fugitives’ Gamble, A Star Streaker Story
“Machinations,” Bluebeard Anthology
About the Author
T.M. Catron spent her childhood looking for hidden worlds in the back of her closet. When she didn’t find any, she decided to grow up already and write them into existence.
She’s the author of the space opera adventure series, Star Streaker. Although Catron primarily writes sci-fi, she enjoys a good story in any genre.
If she’s not watching Doctor Who or putting together Star Wars Legos with her son, Catron is imagining what trouble her characters can get into next.
Catron lives in Tennessee with her husband, son, and three spoiled dogs.
To connect with her, visit:
www.tmcatron.com
[email protected]
