Ascension (Ascension Series Book 6)

by Ken Lozito

  "Yours is the first multinational team. How's that going?" General Sheridan asked.

  "They are still learning to work together, but militaries have a higher tolerance for working with people of different ethnic backgrounds than civilians do. There are still some prejudices, but given that there’s a common enemy, there haven’t been any problems stemming from those multinational prejudices. The crews know what’s at stake, General," Kyle said.

  General Sheridan swung his gaze toward Scraanyx. "I'd like to hear your opinion."

  "I can offer you a military perspective, but the issues you're dealing with may be better addressed by one of our scientists," Scraanyx replied, and General Sheridan waited for him to continue. "We understand that there’s been an enormous strain put on your species. It will take time for humanity to acclimate to all the changes being thrust upon their shoulders. Having said that, I will say that the Human race is highly adaptable and this is a strength that will serve them well in the future.

  “There are reasons we don't share advanced technology with species such as yours. Many of those reasons have to do with the fact that a species in your stage of development simply isn’t ready for the technological advancements we have available. The fact that we find ourselves in a position where it has become a necessity is a failure on our part and is a cause for shame. That's how most Boxans will view our actions here."

  General Sheridan looked at Scraanyx, considering. "The circumstances surrounding the meeting of our species weren’t ideal. We can all agree on that, but if we spend all our time looking behind us at the road that led us here, how can we move on? I've been in the military my whole life. I’ve fought in wars, and my world has been about achieving objectives with the tools I have on hand. Sadly, I've commanded soldiers to their deaths in the past, but now we need to defend ourselves from a new threat. This will challenge us, and we’ll only survive if we’re up to the task. Our potential survival will be due in large part to you and the other Boxans. You’re giving us tools and sharing your wisdom, but what we do with that is entirely up to us. I hope you can convey that to the other Boxans. Tell them that their trust in us isn't misplaced."

  Scraanyx bowed his head. "Before our arrival, your species was in the earliest stages of forming a global society. But there are many factions and each is afraid of being lost to the whole. This type of fear can sometimes spawn destructive tendencies and can take many cycles to work out."

  "You mean the enemy within?" Kyle asked.

  "That's a good description, but there are many of your species whose belief systems are designed to be at odds with each other. We recognize that these systems have been in place for thousands of cycles and were necessary for survival, but those practices must change if humanity is to reach its full potential," Scraanyx said.

  General Sheridan nodded. "Chazen has spoken to me at length about this. There are no easy solutions, and you're right—our differences are something we’ll have to work through. But all we need to worry about right now is what we can influence. We have the support of many nations, which has allowed us to accelerate our timeline for building our fleet and orbital defense platforms—”

  A comms channel opened from the command center and appeared on the wallscreen.

  "General Sheridan, we need you at the command center," the communications officer said.

  Sheridan stood up. "I'm on my way."

  Kyle walked next to Sheridan while Scraanyx followed behind them as they entered the command center. There was heightened activity, and Sheridan led them over to the command area. The main wallscreen showed Europe and Asia.

  "Sitrep," General Sheridan said.

  "General, there have been multiple nuclear detonations reported. We're confirming those detonations right now," Major Bailey said.

  Kyle's eyes widened as he saw that there’d been three detonations—one in Germany, one in the Ukraine, and one in Mumbai.

  "Were there any missile launches detected?" General Sheridan asked.

  Major Bailey shook his head. "None, General. We think they were detonated locally."

  "Okay, we need to get the major nations on the horn and give them our report. We have better equipment than they do down there. Time is of the essence. We don't want this to be a prelude to nuclear war," General Sheridan said.

  Kyle kept watching the screen for a new blip to appear in the United States. He focused in on Colorado where his family lived, but the blip never came. He blew out a breath, relieved, but it would look suspicious to the rest of the world.

  Kyle stepped closer to General Sheridan. "General, I think we should put the orbital defense platforms on high alert in case any country launches an ICBM. We can shoot them out of the sky if we need to."

  General Sheridan gave him a long look. The ECF wasn't authorized to interfere in national conflicts. After a few moments, Sheridan agreed and gave the order. Kyle hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but they couldn't afford to have a global nuclear war right then.

  The orbital defense platforms were meant to protect the earth from an outside threat, but some of the countries that hadn't supported the ECF had raised concerns that the defense system could also be used against the nations of Earth. This situation was dangerously close to that scenario and getting out of control very quickly, but they didn't have a choice. If any country launched an ICBM, those missiles would be shot out of the sky.

  Chapter Seven

  Kaylan walked with Emma and Brenda on one of the outside paths near the Nershal complex, and Hicks met them along the way. The Nershals hadn’t built a capital for Selebus, but their complex was part of the most densely populated area on the forest moon.

  "No Zack today?" Hicks asked.

  "He's in the lab. Efren is with him," Kaylan answered.

  Hicks snorted. "All work and no play makes Zack a dull boy."

  "He certainly does throw himself at a problem," Emma added.

  "He's always been like that. Once he latches on to something, he'll stay with it until it's done," Kaylan replied.

  "I can appreciate that kind of tenacity, but everyone can use a break from time to time," Hicks said and gave Kaylan a sidelong glance. "It would probably be better if it came from you."

  "Is that two jabs for the price of one, Major? A little one-two?" Kaylan said and mimed jabbing her fists in a one-two motion as Hicks grinned. "He wants to go home, just like the rest of us."

  Hicks nodded. "Kladomaor told me that the Gresans and a race called the Napox have arrived on Selebus. Do you have any idea what to expect?"

  "The Gresans are a council race in the Confederation, but the representatives here are from a group that isn't in power. I don't know anything about the Napox," Kaylan said.

  They continued walking along the path toward the main building where they would be meeting the two new species. Kaylan could remember a time when the mere thought of this would have caused a fair amount of anxiety.

  "The Gresans are supposed to have a powerful fleet—not enough to take on the Xiiginns alone but supposedly enough to help the Alliance. When I asked Kladomaor about the Napox, he just said they’re very good at what they do," Hicks said.

  "What do they do?" Emma asked.

  Kaylan knew Emma wouldn't miss an opportunity to meet a new alien species.

  "He said they excelled at causing sabotage," Hicks said.

  "Oh. Are there any other species coming?" Emma asked.

  It had only been a few days since Ma'jasalax had encouraged the Nershals to communicate with other species that would be amicable to joining the Star Alliance.

  "They were the first to respond. Hopefully, they won't be the last, and I think it's interesting that they want to meet face-to-face," Kaylan said.

  "Why is that?" Hicks asked.

  "Meeting face-to-face isn't always convenient, but I wonder if they’re here because of the Boxans," Kaylan said.

  Emma frowned. "You might be right. There could be more going on here. They might have come to evaluate the
Alliance."

  "I don't know whether they’re aware of our existence or not. I don't think the Nershals would've shared that, so they may be surprised to see us," Kaylan replied.

  They went inside the building and were met by Ma'jasalax and Valkra. Ma'jasalax confirmed Kaylan's assumption that the Gresans and the Napox had no idea about Humans. She also warned them not to be too unsettled by their appearance. Kaylan tried to clear her mind of any preconceived notions of what to expect beyond the doors to the meeting room.

  The Nershals preferred to stand at their formal meetings. According to Etanu, this prevented meetings from going on longer than they truly needed to. As such, it was expected that if you were to participate in the meeting, you would be standing on the designated platforms. Off to the side there were benches that they could use to take their ease if needed.

  They entered the main meeting room onto a wide-open landing that circled around the main meeting area. Several staircases led downward, which reminded Kaylan more of a stage than any formal congressional-type meeting place. The hall, if it could be called that, was filled with Nershals and Boxans. Overhead was a massive circular skylight that allowed natural sunlight to enter the room, and Kaylan wondered if any of the Nershals would enter that way as well. She peered down to the central meeting area and stopped in her tracks.

  "Is that a Gresan?" Emma asked.

  "Yes," Ma'jasalax confirmed.

  It was a good thing Zack hadn’t come with them because she was quite certain that once he saw an actual Gresan he might've run away, screaming. Kaylan's neural implants enhanced her vision, and she took a closer look at the Gresans. They had thick, hairy bodies with two appendages in the front that seemed to function as arms. They stood on four legs and were similar to what she expected a spider would look like if it were five feet tall. The Gresans had four dark eyes, and one of them looked up at them.

  "I think I'll stay up here and watch," Brenda said.

  "Oh come on, it's not going to eat us," Emma admonished.

  "It looks like it has armor plating on its back," Hicks said.

  The plating was octagonal in shape and each piece was part of an intricate pattern.

  "Not plating. They look like scales that have ossified," Emma said, and Hicks shook his head in confusion. "They grow them. We’ve seen them on reptiles. I bet the Gresans have a very interesting lineage. Fascinating."

  Brenda held up her hand and cocked her head to the side. She was already moving away from them. "Nope, I know when I've hit my limits. I'll stay right here."

  While Kaylan had never been a particular fan of spiders, she couldn't exactly stay up there with Brenda.

  There was a group of Gresans gathered on the far side of the floor. The entire group suddenly turned toward them as Kaylan and the others followed Ma'jasalax down the staircase.

  Hicks leaned in so only Kaylan could hear him. "I know we're supposed to be tolerant, but that thing gives me the creeps, too."

  Kaylan agreed with him but she wouldn't say so. "Imagine what they think of us."

  "They look like they might want to eat us," Hicks said quietly.

  As they closed in on the central meeting area, they noticed another group standing to the side. They were brown, fuzzy creatures who were about three feet in height, completely covered with fur, and their facial features reminded Kaylan of a hamster. The hamster-looking species had horns protruding from each side of their heads that rounded in on themselves, resembling a ram. They had small, dark eyes that watched them with keen intelligence. Their movements were quick, and Kaylan was willing to bet they spoke even quicker.

  Hicks stayed by her side, and Emma remained behind her as she approached the central meeting area. Kaylan noticed that Kladomaor, along with several of his soldiers, had positioned himself between the Humans and the Gresans.

  As governor of Selebus, Udonzari would be overseeing the meeting. He gestured toward one of the Gresans, whose scale and hair patterns were quite a bit more complex than those of the others with him.

  "Battle Commander Solek of the Gresan Army and Aenok of the Napox, I would like to introduce to you Kaylan Farrow of the Human species," Udonzari said and introduced the others.

  There was the barest acknowledgment from the Gresans, and the Napox seemed to acknowledge this new information by cocking their heads to the side. Kaylan assumed this was their way of nodding an acknowledgment.

  Councilor Essaforn and Ambassador Dulrad joined them and thanked the Gresan and Napox representatives for joining them.

  "The reason we invited you to this meeting was to discuss the Xiiginn control of the Confederation," Udonzari said.

  Solek shifted all his feet so he could look at the Boxans. There was a chattering noise, and it took Kaylan's translator a few moments to catch up. The Gresan was speaking about the Boxan war with the Xiiginns.

  "You want us to fight our own species so you can achieve vengeance against the Xiiginns," Solek said.

  "We’re not interested in vengeance. We want to stop the Xiiginns from controlling the Confederation," Ambassador Dulrad said.

  Solek and the other Gresans all chittered at once, and the sound echoed around the large room despite its many occupants.

  "You're right," Kladomaor bellowed. "The Xiiginns have taken much from us and we do want retribution for that, but the preservation of the other species of the Confederation is at the heart of our war with them. After all these cycles you must have finally realized that the Xiiginns can control your leaders."

  "We would not accept you back into the Confederation," Solek said.

  Kladomaor didn't respond but instead looked at Ambassador Dulrad.

  "We would, of course, accept the decision of the Confederation after the Xiiginns were removed from power," Ambassador Dulrad said.

  "Why should we trust you? The Xiiginns may be ruthless, but they didn't lie to us," Solek said.

  "That's not true," Kaylan said, drawing everyone's gaze toward her. "The Xiiginns lied to everyone. Did you know they were controlling your heads of state with their compulsion ability? Or did you only just suspect it after the Boxans were ousted from the Confederation?"

  Solek's black eyes all focused on Kaylan, and it made her more than a little uncomfortable.

  "She speaks the truth," Ma'jasalax said.

  Kaylan noticed that the others on the platform seemed to immediately calm down when Ma'jasalax spoke. They were aware that she was a Mardoxian priestess.

  "We respect the words of the Mardoxian," Solek said.

  "Then you should respect Kaylan's words since she is Mardoxian Blessed," Ma'jasalax said.

  Solek's harsh gaze swung toward her again and Kaylan forced herself to meet it. The Gresan then turned toward Udonzari. "What is it that you would have us do?"

  "We’ve formed an alliance with the Boxans and the Humans. We want you to join our alliance against the Xiiginns. They've become too powerful," Udonzari said.

  A text message from Athena appeared on Kaylan’s internal heads-up display.

  ::Commander, there’s an incoming transmission from the Gresan ship.::

  Kaylan glanced at Solek and noticed that some of the Gresans were chattering among themselves.

  ::Are you able to translate it?:: Kaylan asked.

  A few moments later the translation appeared on Kaylan's display. Kaylan stifled a gasp as she read it. Ma'jasalax glanced at her.

  "Is there something you'd like to add?" Udonzari said to her.

  "The Confederation is assembling an armada to liberate Earth from the Boxans. They’re going to attack Earth," Kaylan said.

  Udonzari's gaze widened. "How could you know this?"

  "The Gresans received the communication from their ship just now," Kaylan said, then immediately wished she hadn't.

  "You spy on us. Is that what this alliance is supposed to be? How did you intercept our communication? Have you infiltrated our ship systems?" Solek demanded. "I will learn the truth."

  Multiple specie
s started speaking up at once, and Kaylan felt her cheeks redden. It took several minutes for the Gresans and the Napox to calm down, but eventually Udonzari was able to restore order.

  "Ambassador," Ma'jasalax said to Dulrad, "I think Solek is right and we need to be honest with everyone here if we expect this alliance to move forward."

  "I don't have clearance to share what you're asking me to share," Ambassador Dulrad replied.

  Ma'jasalax considered this for a moment. "Then please extend my apologies to the High Council, Ambassador."

  Ma'jasalax went on to explain how the Humans had come to be part of the Alliance. She even included information about the Drar and how the Boxans had been searching for them. Solek was keen to learn how a primitive species like the Humans were able to intercept their communications and decipher them. This led to the disclosure that the Athena had been enhanced with Drar technology, and that new information brought Kaylan and the others under further scrutiny by the other species. They asked many questions about the Athena until Kladomaor strongly suggested that they move on since the Athena's capabilities had no bearing on whether they would join the Alliance.

  After the meeting, they went outside. Kaylan glanced at Hicks. "I really screwed this up, didn't I?"

  Hicks glanced at the others for a moment before looking at Kaylan. "There’s a lot of history here that feeds all of these prejudices, but yeah, you've just painted a huge target on the Athena."

  Kaylan shook her head. She knew better than to blurt stuff out, but she couldn't afford to dwell on it for long. The Xiiginns were assembling an armada, and they had to find a way to warn Earth. Even if this alliance stuck together, what could they do against the massive fleet the Confederation was assembling?

  Chapter Eight