“If it isn’t my favorite ladies in all of the worlds,” I told them.
Jules took my hand. She was growing so fast. Another six months had passed, and she was over three now. Soon enough, she’d be heading to the Gatekeepers’ Academy, making friends, becoming a teenager… fending off boys’ advances. I admired my little girl, and was glad I still had time before all of that happened.
“They’re all waiting. Are you coming?” Mary asked, and I nodded, waving Sarlun to the doors.
Sarlun was on stage, letting everyone know that the dinner started in two hours, and that they could use the next while to settle into their assigned dorm rooms.
We pushed through the doors and headed outside into the courtyard. The sun was bright, and the fountains were on, flowing water making calming sounds as we strolled over the cobblestone walkways toward the landers at the far edge of the school.
“What do you have up your sleeve today, boss?” Slate asked as we approached. Loweck was beside him, wearing casual clothes. Everyone here was in shorts or jeans, t-shirts and polos. I peeled off my Gatekeepers uniform, revealing the shorts and tank top underneath. It was nice to be out of uniform and among friends.
“Well, gang, we have something very important to show you all.” I pointed at the landers. Magnus and Natalia entered first, with little Dean and Patty in tow.
“Papa, can I go?” Jules asked, wanting to take the lander with Patty inside. They were thick as thieves these days.
“Sure, honey. We’ll see you in a few minutes,” I told her, and Mary and I followed Loweck and Slate into the next lander. Sarlun ran up and jumped inside, still in uniform.
“The others meeting us there?” he asked, and I nodded while Mary took the pilot’s seat.
Slate was suspicious. “What’s this about? I’m your best friend, Dean. Can’t you give me a hint?” he asked.
“You’ll see in a few.”
Mary lifted us off and followed behind Natalia’s vessel until we crossed the low peaks, then settled back to the ground. The whole trip only took ten minutes, and I stayed behind in my seat as the doors opened, letting Loweck and Slate go first.
“This is impressive,” she said, smiling at us from outside.
“Boss, you have to be kidding me,” Slate said.
“What do you think?” Mary asked as we emerged from the lander. Magnus and Nat were coming over, staring at the huge object half a kilometer away.
“How did you do this so fast?” Magnus asked, unable to hide his excitement.
Another lander was already here, and Suma and Rivo came from inside, joining us. Terrance and Leslie arrived a minute later, and when I was sure everyone was here, I finally spoke.
“This is Horizon. Admiral Yope was gracious enough to donate a Keppe exploratory vessel to our cause, and we’ve already begun the modifications. It’ll be ready in a year,” I told them all.
“Ready for what?” Magnus asked.
“For Captain Magnus to take her out. And for anyone interested in joining to come along for the ride,” I told him.
“Cool,” Magnus’ son, Dean said, making us all laugh along.
“Cool is right,” Slate said. “What do you say, Loweck? Want to come along?”
She set her hand on Slate’s forearm and nodded. “I’m in.”
Suma’s snout twitched. “I’m guessing the Horizon is going to need some teachers. What do you say, Dean?”
I smiled. “It’s not my call. I’m a passenger,” I said.
Slate raised his eyebrows. “Does that mean…?”
Mary took this one. “We’re coming too.”
Nat beamed at this.
“I’m in too.” This from Rivo, the small blue Molariun girl.
“You guys are going to have a great time, I know it,” Leslie said. “Terrance and I will be staying here.”
“And I’ll remain on Haven at the Academy, helping it succeed,” Sarlun said. “Take care of my daughter, will you, Dean?”
“Of course,” I said. “Who wants a tour?”
Everyone raised their hands, and we headed toward the giant exploration vessel we’d call home in a short year’s time.
Continue the adventure with The Survivors Book Nine
New Horizon
The first human exploration vessel has been manufactured. All it needs is a mission.
Horizon is a state-of-the-art vessel, a hybrid born of Keppe technology and human innovation. Magnus accepts the role of captain as the new ship is launched on its maiden voyage. Dean’s thrilled to take a back seat on the adventure, but things don’t ever work out as planned for our hero.
As Horizon heads into unknown space, they search for a way to reverse the miniaturization of an entire world in their possession. With recent attacks on Haven, the crew is on edge as they encounter a strange new space station, and witness one of the V-shaped invaders docked on arrival.
Join the newly formed crew of the flagship Horizon as they learn to work as a team and halt a looming invasion from happening on Haven.
New Horizon is book nine in the best-selling Survivors series.
NEW HORIZON
Gone Girl meets X-files in this Sci-Fi Thriller
Cloud Lake is a hotspot for UFO sightings.
Jessica Carver may have encountered one the night she disappeared.
This is her story.
Reporter Eva Heart is sent to Cloud Lake to write an exposé on flying saucer sightings, a subject she is extremely familiar with.
Nearly twenty years ago, Eva, then known as Jessica Carver, went missing, only to appear a week later, confused and frightened. A man went to jail for the crime.
Now Eva must face demons from her past as she meets both old and new friends along the way. Will her real identity be exposed? Can history truly repeat itself?
Join Jessica as she discovers the truth about her childhood in Lights Over Cloud Lake, the newest novel from the author of the best-selling Survivors series.
LIGHTS OVER CLOUD LAKE
The Earth Fleet has known of the Watchers for years, unwilling to share the knowledge with humanity. Now it might be too late.
Hidden away from the Fleet, one man is creating a new colony ship destined for the other side of the Rift, but he’s missing a few pieces.
Three other people have varied paths to get there. Ace goes from the streets of Earth to the Fleet training facility on the moon. Flint, an ex-Fleet pilot, must decide if a job is worth his life, and Wren, imprisoned for a secret project years ago, is given hope as an unlikely ally whispers words of escape in her ear.
Their journeys lead to Councilman Jarden Fairbanks, who knows of the impending invasion, and has prepared. All they can do is wait for the Rift to open once again, and see what’s on the other side.
Rift joins an ensemble cast facing immeasurable obstacles. If you enjoy space battles, prison breaks, androids, and aliens, buried under a shroud of mystery, this book is for you. Try it today!
RIFT
The Gatekeepers (The Survivors Book Eight) Page 23
