Evolution’s Essence (Book Three of the Star Pirate Legends)
Published by H. Lee Morgan at Smashwords
Copyright 2015 H. Lee Morgan
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Chapter 1
Frosty breath released from the vents around the mouth of the dark faceplate where two of the six long holes were displayed to the relatively small group staring at the rigid armored giant. Expectation and a healthy dose of fear dueled in the pit of Oliver Void’s gut. Through a neural crystalline chip integrated in his brain sent images through ocular nerves to display an image of a voluptuous woman in a risqué blue dress. The projection of the artificial intelligence called Aquerril was displayed making it appear as if she stood right in front of him.
No one else did though.
Weeks earlier he established a link to the central city computer of his long lost race before raising the ancient and massive Solarian city from the heart of the world of water recently names Mereddia. The link was created through advanced and yet ancient technology that looked like nothing more than a black metal forearm protective gear called a vambrace. Humans called it a Multi-tool because the technology had few limitations because it could make and do near anything the mind wished, but the true name was Valek. It held near limitless functions to create and after adding a Voidium cube to access higher functions and the ability to store vast quantities of energy represented in an orange oval on the inner forearm of the male version of the Valek.
Female form of the Valek was a simple and elegant bracelet that has an orange chain pattern.
Right now though, Oliver’s long range link to the ancient sentient computer over sixteen hundred light years away came through crystal clear in real time. No difference in time lag over the extreme distance was only possible by use of hyperspace over subspace.
He stood rigid for a moment, thick furry armor beginning to transform into black and silver metallic plates with razor sharp edges and spikes. The helmet smoothed, but retained the six holes meant for more than aesthetics. At the first sign of danger or thought of combat, the malleable armor transformed into a battle mode of sorts. The Valek is connected microscopic particles of itself in the brain so the wearer’s Will and intentions created what is needed at any given moment, sometimes in certain circumstances the program is automatic to preserve the wearer’s life in dangerous circumstances.
“Situation report, Aquerril.” Came his deep baritone voice that was as impressive as his stature at two hundred and sixteen centimeters tall and at Earth Standard gravity weighed a hundred and seventy eight kilos. His right hand fell naturally to the hilt of a cutlass for absent reassurance as the surrounding group went absolutely still. Listening.
Off to the side, Renee Void clutched her right wrist, her own furry armor transforming into battle mode that was more sensual, but no less intimidating than her husband’s. The fur around her head changed to a clear film to reveal fiery red hair, a freckled face on milky skin, but her chin, mouth and nose remained covered in a type of surgical mask. Steam rushed from vents with each exhale. She was his genetic Match, his mate and lover for the rest of their days. She was no timid female either.
Not by a long shot.
Around them were nine individuals. Three were Hunters with two neuro enhanced avians. Hunters were a an elite part of humanity who were all warriors that fought lethal enemies the rest of humanity could not, not without vast numbers and weaponry. They were always at the front lines of any battle and the last to leave. They were warriors all and were trained on higher gravity planets that made them usually more adapted for a wider range of situations. Stone Callicko shifted his weight on the low gravity of this current world and his companion Satellite, a beautiful Falcon, held attention. Beside Stone, his mate Breena mirrored the move unconsciously, laying a hand on a feminine, dual edged rapier. Behind and moving around was Steven Metts and his large Golden Eagle partner Visor. It was impossible to see their expressions behind their Hunter armor which threw up a helmet made up of small plates, electrically linked. The only thing to break up the helmet of their type of armor were the eyelets. No mouth or nose showed in the helmets.
Next to the Hunters was Andrea Loke and Stephanie Menann wearing a skintight flight suit underneath insulated coverings. Andrea had dark caramel skin and black hair, a descendant of those on Earth who came from a place called India. Stephanie Menann is a woman with long platinum blonde hair with blue eyes and a soft tan over flawless features. Both were archeologists searching for the greatest mysteries of the era.
Behind the women towered a giant of a man who was unnaturally immense. A redheaded, beard braided Scotsman in a thick cloak covered in fur. Underneath, he was just as insulated from the icy cold around them. Peeking over a shoulder was a huge claymore and a hip carried an axe. This giant standing two hundred thirty centimeters tall was also Renee’s father. His fierce green eyes though held a calculating mind of one of the greatest scientists alive.
Pirate King Jake Dorgen.
Last person among them was the small man Jacob Wrench who had been spliced to remain short of stature because, to him, being small is a greater advantage for his love in life as chief engineer among the Dorgenox crew.
Not really a person, but among them nevertheless was a blonde AI of another lost city called Quelette. But unlike other clothing styles, those of Ice dressed more conservatively. Opting for warmer clothes for rather obvious reasons. Other cities proved they wore clothes merely for artful purposes to highlight sexual bodies.
Around them at the entrance to the abandoned city of Ice was a sprawling city with houses shaped in a pyramid style underneath a great glossy dome. Solarian people were the first creatures to fly among the stars and they always belonged to one of five types of ruling elements for government harmony. Fire, Water, Wind, Ice and Terra. Each community believed in something and at this very moment the group stood in a planet covered entirely in ice and the city reflected the freezing temperatures rather aptly. Each dwelling was literally made of frosted ice and in the center of the city stood a citadel taller than all others. It was a queen’s castle though it too was pyramid shaped. Each Solarian city had similar building and layout patterns for simplicity.
Yet as soon as they entered the city it was warmer than outside the tunnel they drilled down the ice to reach.
Aquerril, to Oliver’s vision, inclined her head to say “Master Void, the Corrupted One is doing as you suspected. He is attempting to steal my core, but your measures are working for the moment. I must request aid. All current attempts to subdue him are proving ineffective, but he cannot breach my core’s defenses, but is using an incomplete Valek in attempt to rewrite your protocols. My calculations are certain that it will be impossible to breach.”
“Has he noticed the field generator yet?” while asking the question he established a link to Renee, Jake and Stone’s, who just received the implant after now becoming a Class Ten user of Psionics, neural chips. The link displayed the same image he saw of the AI in a thin blue dress that covered her breasts and nether regions and had listened especially what he heard from her.
“Negative. He is too occupied at the moment trying to sneak and rewrite without being detected by human security the individual known as Jake Dorgen commissioned to safeguard my city and core.”
“Best news so far. I can’t trust it’ll last… Aquerril, initiate Firewall parameters seven through five hundred thousand fourteen. Divert all nonessential power to your core and defenses so the city is undamaged in the upcoming confrontation and alert Mereddian officers to leave the area. Password is Serpent’s Bane.” Meanwhile Oliver didn’t need to try to connect to the thoughts of his Pride. Looking like ligers on Earth, only thrice as large and far beyond deadly, the Pride was part of him and so was he to them. Nova, King and leader of the Ligers signaled his group via a mental telepathic link to run back to the drilled hole. They ceased running a perimeter to keep Beasts away. At their insane running speed they basically flew on the low gravity to gather together and look up into the clear sky. Oliver used his mind to see literally through their eyes to multitask.
“Password accepted. Beginning protocols.” There was a two second pause before her lips began moving. “Program loading successful. The Corrupted One has taken notice… Defenses are holding against the bombardment. Castle lockdown successful. Transmissions blocked. Recording and establishing trace from initial communications… teleportation detected and rendered inoperable inside city limits. Evacuation proceeding at optimum level for human civilians… Corrupted One has resorted to offensive measures and killed eleven humans…”
“I authorize forced teleportation in the citadel. Don’t let anyone else die, Aquerril.” He ordered.
“Yes, Master.”
Jake Dorgen said in his natural Scottish brogue “Lad, are ye ready?”
“We’ve been training ever since he caught Oliver with his pants down.” Said Steven Metts readying his red lance and double balled flail. “Orders Captain?”
Being captain of the Dorgenox crew as well as leader of the Hunters aboard the ship put Jake in charge. “Capture if at all possible, kill if necessary. Brenna, ye remain here with us in event Beasts find our hole and decide to pay a visit.” The black woman nodded and moved to the nano-wall that was solid and took position. “Lad, are ye doing what I think ye are?”
“I need eighty three more seconds to calculate stellar drift for the jump.” He admitted because mentally he was using the Pride’s eyes staring up at different angles of the stars. Oliver took in their twinkling position, adjusted for stellar drift because current visuals of the stars were literally of the past and he needed to accurately account for distance between the ice planet labeled IC-99-VCX and Mereddia. Oliver’s mind was far superior to human and computers, able to technically process information faster and calculate multiple scenarios without using instinct that isn’t as precise. It was a requirement to use his version of the Valek that could be used to instantly teleport anywhere in the universe.
“You lads have one minute for a warm up.” Jake said to those on the right.
Visor and Satellite flew off their companions as the muscular men turned to each other and began to brawl. Pummeling each other harmlessly due to their armor absorbing the impacts, but they warmed their blood. Stone was the superior fighter, but Steven was tenacious.
Renee though closed her eyes and mentally felt out her closest and most loving friend, Sparky. “Take care is Isabella. We’ll be back soon.”
“The plan established for this mission is sound. Do not take unnecessary risks.” Came the sage mind of her Drake companion.
“We’ve been training for weeks to do this. Sorry you cannot come.”
“I understand my limitations better than anyone. Be careful.”
“Not to worry. My overgrown idiot will not let this bastard slip away this time. Hold on, something’s happening.”
“Master, I’m being attacked by several fighters outside the atmosphere.” Aquerril said calmly.
“Give me a visual.”
The image of the woman altered to a scene in space where twenty tactical black fighters fired constant streams from cannons releasing stored Psionic energy. The beams of blue-white light cut through the atmosphere in an attempt to break the city’s shields. Each ship was personal and no larger than standard issue Marine fighters, but the shape wasn’t registered on the public database nor on government his allowance as an Elder Hunter permitted. He glanced at the captain who shrugged, not knowing that model either. Still, the fighter’s weapons were hardly considered a nuisance to the city’s defenses Oliver managed to keep active when needing to keep humans from learning to use technology far beyond their natural advancement. It was tricky, but his idea kept the defenses strong, but offensive capabilities and weapon systems were destroyed so humans could get close to the watery city without being barred.
“Ten seconds!” Oliver shouted and both Stone and Steven broke off the fight and ran over, removing their gauntlets to use a bare hand to touch his armor. Visor and Satellite latched their talons on his spiky shoulder pauldrons and Renee took his free hand an instant before he teleported to the planet’s surface.
Still staring up at the stars were twelve giant felines already covered in armor standing eerily still. Around them were their cubs that stood knee high, but didn’t have a blue collar that holds their armor yet. Oliver added his own eyes and it shaved another four nanoseconds to the calculations. “Got it!” he yelled and as he did the Ligers instantly lined up, biting the tail of the one in front. Nova, biggest and smartest, leaned lower and clamped his vicious maw on Oliver’s leg just as the Valek pierced hyperspace and signaled the exit end of Oliver’s calculations were clear of debris. A translucent bubble spread around the group and when it held everyone who touched him, they crossed the barrier of space in an instant.
The ice planet disappeared and now nine hundred kilometers below was the ocean world of Mereddia. Like a glistening blue gem dotted by sparse floating islands always adrift on warm currents.
Renee took stock of the situation in the high and thin atmosphere to use her chip to augment natural vision and zoom. The chip integration allowed her to focus in on distant areas by shedding peripheral and using advanced computing software to render visuals the naked eye was unable to. With it, as they fell to the planet, she caught sight of the continuous beams of lethal firepower and nudged the minds of others to look. They did and she said mentally “I’ll cripple the fighters. You guys nab the bastard.”
Oliver’s mind calculated she had a zero percent chance of injury compared to those beams. Her power was inferior in the known universe by one single person and her personality was of an individual who kicks ass first and asks questions if she can put the individual back together. He didn’t worry this time, she was more than capable of ripping stars apart.
Seventeen unknown fighters weren’t an issue.
He nodded.
Renee grinned maliciously before letting go of her lover. Though her mind was geared to biology over technology, the bracelet Valek had its own teleportation too, but was limited to distance equivalent of a standard habitable planet of ten gees. But hers is used by intuition over technical. With will alone she surrounded herself in a thick electrical barrier using her inner power and moved instantly below the fighters.
Multiple beams made impact, but paled in comparison to her spherical defense. Her mind reached out and using the pilots’ surprised minds by appearing out of nowhere, she used her naturally gifted telepathic mind to seize all of theirs in an iron grip and take simultaneous control. The shock of her sudden arrival was the key because that momentary slip in concentration was all she needed. She mentally forced them all into a deep sleep and disengaged the weapon systems to use telekinesis on the ships and flew them all towards the city of water.
Teleporting inside the city was impossible at the moment due to the lockdown, but arriving just outside wasn’t an issue. Oliver and the others appeared in a remote corner of the largest ancient city thus far discovered and let go of everyone just outside the pier where some
ships docked and floated. All around were hundreds of flying individuals holding firearms. Some people with a low Psionic ability were swimming in the sea after being forcibly removed from the citadel. Others were being rescued by shuttle.
Ligers let go of each other, their armor changing into wings with a jet turbine situated to either flank. Stone and Steven let go too, flying under their own telekinetic power and put their gauntlets back on. Then Stone removed the great battleaxe suspended across a broad back over using the azure hatchets hung at either hip. Steven readied his lance and flail. Visor and Satellite flew ahead, fast as their wings could carry them.
A bright flash of Psionic energy was seen only by Oliver’s eyes as he drew a round shield from underneath the cape flowing behind the shoulders. It was indigo in color and held over the right forearm. Being left-handed, he naturally drew the cutlass into it. It was solid black, but in his grasp the lethal curved blade sparkled with seemingly tiny flickering stars randomly. It had a knuckle guard and was a singlehanded weapon. The single edged blade being a full meter long and perfectly balanced. His amber eyes naturally saw the flow of Psionic electrical energy and with the flash followed a ripple showing the sheer magnitude of the user trying to escape. The sprawling city literally was made of pure water, but had stone roads and foliage. But mainly the theme was water-based technology. Just because the city was liquid didn’t mean it wasn’t solid. It was, but retained pure water characteristics.
Many plans were made regarding how to deal with the ‘Corrupted One’, a lethal and deadly adversary who nearly killed Oliver recently. With help by the AI Aquerril after the initial confrontation with him, she explained he was an illegally created individual who was made by the theft of highly gifted humans, spliced into a single entity and mixed with Keptl spores and Beast DNA. He was near as fast as a Solarian and had tremendous power, but wasn’t slated to live long. This Corrupted One has already stolen the cores of two cities and destroyed them after being given information beyond human understanding. Now he was here trying to do it again, but this time preparations were made and he fell in a trap laid weeks earlier by a much more gifted tactical mind. Now came the hard part.
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