Embers: The Galaxy On Fire Series, Book 1

by Craig Robertson

  “Why are they petrified of us, Jon?” I asked him coolly.

  “Petrified? Does that go with your lost in space crap? You love those flowery words, don’t you, boy?”

  “Why are they afraid?”

  “Because they damn well should be. I’m here to save and preserve Azsuram. I swore an oath to do it, and I am. You,” he wagged a finger at me, “took a pity-party nap, so I had to, you lazy-assed weakling.”

  Never been called that before, especially by myself. I had a mind to knock him out.

  “Why are they afraid of us?”

  “I needed to instill an iron discipline if we were to win, to survive. These Australian cattle dogs are serious. You don’t know that because you were literally asleep on the job, but they’re tough.”

  “Australian cattle … no. You mean border collies. They look like collies, not cattle dogs,” I protested.

  “What’s the difference, Uncle Jon?” asked Mirraya.

  “The difference is I’m more correct and he’s less correct.”

  “And you’re more a piece of work, ya dumb fuck,” snapped Uto.

  “I’m beginning to understand their fear. I,” I patted my chest, “am leaning to despise and pity you?”

  “Ain’t got time nor interest, sweet cake,” he replied. “I have a war to not lose. What assets do you bring to the table beside those Deft?”

  “These children are not assets. They are my friends, and they travel under my protection.”

  Everyone in the room except poor Fashallana ran out in a panic.

  “Childhood’s officially over as of now. I need them. What else you got?”

  “I have an Adamant officer I’m only too glad to unload. Garustfulous is back in my vortex.”

  “Garustfulous. Holy shit, you’re lucky 'cause you sure ain't good. I can use him too. And a vortex. It’s not as fast as my ship, but I can use him too.”

  “Her. And you might want her, but she’s mine. You don’t even have command prerogative to operate her. Look, I’m here to help. I swore an oath too. But I’ll not take orders from you or kowtow to your tantrums.”

  “You ’bout done, Bozo the clown?”

  “Mirraya, Slapgren, up. We’re out of here.”

  “You’re free to go, because a coward and a traitor I don’t need. Everything else stays. And, for your 4-1-1, I don’t need wires in my hand to operate a vortex. I can use my magic.”

  “His what?” gasped Mirraya.

  “Somewhere along the line he learned how to do magic.”

  “Not somewhere, you prune pit. From a Deft brindas. What do you think I need the kids for? Deft are hard to come by. Thanks, loser.”

  “What’s a brindas?” I asked no one.

  “The highest master, the greatest priest or priestess. There is one only every thousand years,” said Mirraya with reverence.

  “If I can get the kids doing magic, we might just win this war.” He chuckled humorlessly.

  “The children may or may not help. It’s up to them, and it’s up to me. You will not dictate—”

  I froze. His eyes were closed and his lips moved silently. He was conjuring magic. I’d seen him do it before.

  I deployed my fibers and grabbed the desk. I slammed it into him as hard as I could. He flew against the wall and crumpled to the ground. But his feet began skidding the floor to gain purchase so he could stand. Crap.

  “Out,” I billowed to the kids. I sprinted behind them, pushing them to the car. On the way out the door, I tossed a soldier at the Evil Jon, his new name, his new well-deserved name. I hit the accelerator and dust flew everywhere. I headed to the forest, to be out of sight. I had no clue how the magic worked or its limitations, but I was hoping he had to see us to hurt us.

  As I turned a sharp corner, I glanced back. He was still in the hut. Snap decision. I fired a laser shot above the door. It collapsed pleasingly. I sped up.

  At top speed, it’d take us thirty minutes to make it to Stingray, twenty-five if I drove like I loved to but shouldn’t because it was too risky. I didn’t see his ship, but it had to be close. He knew what direction we were going, so he’d catch up well before we were safe. Crap.

  I spun the wheel hard and plunged into the forest. I swung wildly around trees and boulders. The kids were barely able to hold on. After a minute, I slammed on the brakes and we nearly flipped. It was a blast.

  “Look, kids, he’s going to catch us. I can’t let him own you. I want you to change into pareck. It’s a local coyote equivalent species.” I showed them a holo with my handheld. “Calmly and carefully make you way back to Stingray, but do not, I repeat do not, approach her. The Evil Jon will be there. You’ll have to make do on your own until it’s safe enough for us to regroup. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Uncle Jon,” said Mirraya. “We can do it. Don’t worry. It’ll be a game for us. We do it all the time as children.”

  “This time it’s not a game. EJ is nuts, and he’s good. Never let your guard down. Now go. I’ll …” What would I do? “I’ll leave a note right here, under that tree, telling you where to meet me. Check every now and then, but not too often. Our safe word is … football. If you’re talking to me ask for the word. If I can’t give it to you, it’s EJ, you got that? No. football’s too obvious. Forget football. Gamorian Guard. Gamorian Guard is our safe word. Repeat it back to me.”

  They did separately.

  “Now go. I love you both. Take care.”

  They jumped out.

  I hit the gas and didn’t look back. Silently I said a prayer. I’d dumped the only two beings I loved, the only two things I cared about, alone. Alone in a war zone being pursued by a ruthless maniac who’d use them like tools without regard for their safety. I could not have felt worse.

  As I wildly dodged tree after tree I reflected. I’d met the enemy, and he was me.

  To Be Continued…

  GLOSSARY OF TERMS

  (Numbers indicate which book in Galaxy on Fire the term was first used.)

  Al (1): The ship’s AI from Jon’s initial Ark 1 flight. He kept it with him until his dying day and then it elected to hang around. Good AI!

  Al Jr. (1): The pet name Jon gave to a low-level AI aboard the Adamant mothership that aided his escape.

  Blessing (1): Vortex Cragforel gifted to Jon.

  Brindas (1): High master of Deft tradition and psychic ability.

  Command Prerogatives (1): The thin fibers Jon extends from his left four fingers. They are probes that also control a vortex.

  Cragforel (1): Friendly Deavoriath Jon met after he first escaped the Adamant in the far future.

  Deavoriath (1): Three arms and legs, the most advanced tech in the galaxy, and helpful to Jon.

  Deft (1): A shapeshifting species from the planet Locinar.

  Draldon (1): One of Jon's step-children when Azsuram was being established. The name was widely reused in the future.

  Gendo and Proclamate Hegemonies (1): Ancient civilizations of Disulpf, inside a globular cluster of stars.

  Garustfulous (1): Wedge Leader Garustfulous the second Adamant Jon encountered after Mercutcio. He was held captive in Blessing/Stingray.

  Hirn (1): A dialect of Kaljaxian.

  Locinar (1): Home planet of the Deft.

  Membrane (1): Space-time congruity manipulator. A super force field.

  Mercutcio (1): Lead Adamant Jon first encountered. Commander of Triumph of Might

  Midriack (1): Adamant’s personal guards. Very deadly, no sense of humor. Avoid them!

  Mirraya (1): Deft girl Jon rescued from detention.

  PEMTU (1): Personal exotic matter transportation unit. A super way to enter here and end up anywhere, instantly.

  Quantum Decoupler (1): A most excellent weapon that pulls the quarks apart in a proton. The energy released is amazing.

  Oowaoa (1): Home world of the Deavoriath.

  Quep (1): Insect like sentient who woke Jon up on Exeter while looking for scrap.

  Rostalop (1
): Mirraya’s favorite food. Comparable to a cow.

  Sapale (1): Jon's Kaljaxian wife from his original flight to find humankind a new home. At first just her brain was copied, then, eventually, she was downloaded to an android host. Travelled with the corrupted Jon Ryan from an alternate timeline.

  Stingray (1): Name Jon used for the vortex Blessing.

  Toño DeJesus (1): The creator of the android Jon became and his lifelong friend.

  Triumph of Might (1): The massive spaceship Mercutcio ruled. Jon first met the Adamant there. It was, in part, an extermination ship.

  Ungalaym (1): The planet where Jon went to steal a ship. Populated by humanoids.

  Vortex (1): The cube shaped spacecraft of the Deavoriath. They move by folding space-time.

  Vortex Manipulator (1): The intelligence inside the vortex. Not actually an AI, but similar.

  Xenox (1): the language of the Deavoriath.

  Zar-not (1): A melding of a Deft's mind with that of a copied animal.

  And Now A Word From Your Author

  Who Doesn't Love That?

  Thank you for continuing your journey through the Ryanverse! Keep on going with Flames, BOOK TWO of the GALAXY ON FIRE Series. It will be released shortly after Embers.

  Along with this series, please check out The Forever Series. Beginning with The Forever Life, Book 1, learn Jon's backstory and share his many incredible adventures.

  Along with joining by reading, hop aboard the bandwagon. Follow me at Craig Robertson's Author's Page on Facebook. Partake of the conversation and fun. Best of all, sign up for my Mailing List. That way you can abreast of news and new releases. You'll be so glad you did. Please do leave me a review on Amazon. They’re more precious than gold.

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  There you can learn about me and my other books. The fun will never stop.

  The remainder of my unrelated, stand-alone novels are listed at the front of the book. I love them all, so they must be wonderful. Hey, why did you just snicker? Anyway, they are my early works. Check them out if you're so inclined.

  Craig