The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes (20 page)

Chapter Twenty

EDF
Armstrong
High
Orbit
Tau Ceti 3
Monday, March
10
Earth Year 2155

Captain’s Log,
EDF
Armstrong
, Monday, March 10, 2155, James Hood commanding. I would love to say this mission to secure the colony at Tau Ceti was a success, but there are points that have proved it to be otherwise.

The remaining colonists are still on the surface, but they’ve been through a terrible ordeal. Commander Grange, the leader of the colony, is dead, and so are most of the
Cabot’s
leaders. What we believed was a malfunction of the Embrace units was instead the influence of a powerful creature the Cilik’ti called a Nelfarren.

We know very little about this creature, other than it feeds on fear. It introduced a powerful toxin upon a majority of the colonists to induce nightmares and sustain itself. Though we were initially told members of the colony had perished from a disease or attacks by dangerous wildlife, those stories were fabricated. In truth, hundreds of colonists were buried alive and kept in hibernation to feed this monster. Our Marines have returned to the gravesites and exhumed most of the bodies still in their cryochamber tubes for burial. A few of the victims are still alive and under medical care. The long-term effect from this toxin is rapid aging that has left many of the colony past middle age.

Creating a food source wasn’t the Nelfarren’s single goal. Commander Sanchez and his team discovered this creature was using Embrace units to brainwash captured Marines and turn them into weapons. According to Kree, our N’lan envoy, the Nelfarren are powerful telepaths. It’s been theorized by my chief medical officer that humans are immune to the Nelfarren’s abilities in the same way we can’t communicate with the Cilik’ti via telepathy. As we discovered on Cygni, the Embrace units change brain wave patterns and the colonists were made vulnerable. Under the thrall of this new enemy, the colonists did its bidding without their knowledge. After their arrival on the surface, several of Major McGregor’s Marines were captured and modified in the tubes by the Nelfarren to create an army under its will.

The colonists and Marines weren’t the only victims here. The discovery of Captain Lester Styles of the
Cestus
on the planet and working with the Nelfarren is a bitter pill for me to swallow. No matter what taint the Nelfarren could’ve employed against him, I hold fast to the belief that deep down he’s still my friend. Our sensors didn’t detect any ships leaving the system, but I know he’s out there. There isn’t anyone I would trust with my life more than him. We’ve both kept a close vigil over the years, watching and waiting for our old foes to return. I’ve often wondered when you stare into the darkness of space for so long, what happens when it stares back. Now I think I know.

As for the whereabouts of the Nelfarren, Commander Sanchez and Major McGregor believe it was destroyed in the explosion, and Kree agrees. Despite their assumptions, there’s no physical proof. Therefore I’m recommending a quarantine of the planet. The colonists wish to stay and continue their work, but other civilian landings should be restricted unless absolutely necessary. The world contains many dangerous indigenous life-forms, and even small trips across country aren’t without risk. Dr. Emma Gracen, the new leader of the colony, is confident the planet can be settled and a peaceful coexistence achieved. I admire her courage and want to give her the chance to make it happen. Our Marines will complete the colony’s defensive structures and bolster the camp’s energized fence to give them a sense of security.

The system is secure for now. The Qu’tan presence will likely deter any aggression from the Chi’tan or their allies, and I welcome their help. The
Armstrong
will stand guard as well until more ships arrive. Despite this colony’s troubled start, it’s our responsibility to defend it.

While I still hold hope that this colony will benefit Earth, reaching this planet isn’t safe. The Cilik’ti Shi council has dissolved, and conflict has broken out between rival factions. Kree believes the Chi’tan blame me and the N’lan for the council’s dissolution. They seem intent on striking us wherever they can. Their advanced warship has new weapons that Admiral Tramp...

* * *

Hood stopped the recording and placed his face into his hands. His mentor and beloved friend was dead. The blow was more difficult to bear than he’d realized. He couldn’t sleep, he wasn’t eating and nothing was going to help him get past it but time.

Official word on the attack against Admiral Grant that took Tramp’s life called it a murderous act by a lone gunman with known psychological issues. Hood knew Commander Jenkins well. He was a brilliant officer with a bright and caring nature. If there was any problem with Jenkins’s character or personal life, Tramp would have made every effort to rectify it. Whatever crap
EDF
Command was spinning about the incident, he didn’t like it. Perhaps Jenkins was mixed up in the unrest back home, but it didn’t track.

At least the callous strikes between rival groups at home had stopped. Nobody wanted the military to get involved in this, and martial law would cause more harm than good. Civilian transports and key hot spots for trouble were under close scrutiny. Tensions were easing for now, and he hoped it stayed that way.

Hood shut down the recording. He would finish his log later, but he’d make sure to omit Beckett’s involvement. The
EDF
Intelligence agent had already gloated about his ride to Hood’s rescue, but it hadn’t lasted. Beckett’s remaining operative on board the
Armstrong
was still missing. Even Lieutenant Greywalker had been unable to find him. The body of the other agent had disappeared from the Med Center morgue, and so had Beckett, who had left in unceremonious fashion on board the
Jeffries.
Hood was sure he’d stay in the vicinity. The mysterious stealth frigate was still out there, and so was Kadin Greywalker. Maya’s brother had climbed to public enemy number one, and Beckett would be determined to bag that prize.

His terminal beeped. It was Aldridge. “This is Hood.”

“Sir, the N’lan cruiser is here.” Kree had mentioned the N’lan had dispatched a cruiser to collect the alien. “Kree is waiting on the Command Deck.”

He nodded. “I’ll be right there.”

The elevator lift ride was long, but he didn’t mind it. He wanted to make sure he had on the right face. The lift door opened, and waiting to greet him was Major McGregor. “Hey! I thought you’d still be planetside helping the Hanno.”

“Bah,” the burly Marine replied with a healthy laugh. “They don’t need me anymore. We found another pack several kilometers on the other side of the
Cabot.
The new pack’s Alpha was hesitant to take them in, but my old friend’s family explained the situation, I think. I’m not sure, but I believe I got a dinner invite. Heh!” He laughed again. “Anything they offer has to be better than Commander Sanchez’s cooking.”

“Too true,” Hood joked. Sanchez had a history of cooking disasters, including a steak dinner bet with Mr. Whitaker before the ship had left Mars. To say the steaks were a little dry was kind.

McGregor waved goodbye and walked into the elevator lift.

Behind where he’d been standing was Kree, who seemed to be in a debate with Sanchez.

“I still don’t understand,” Sanchez said. “The thing that walked out of the darkness was one of the Chi’tan elite warriors. How did it get down there?”

“It didn’t, Commander,” Kree translated echoed in its monotonic voice. “The Nelfarren are shape changers. They can steal your worst fear, become it and strike. In the recorded history of the Shi, none have seen the true face of a Nelfarren. The Ku’lan may be the only ones, and their legacies have been purged.”

“Shape-shifters?” Sanchez asked with a derisive tone.

“Yes. Their abilities are limited. The Shi do not believe the Nelfarren can hold another form for an extended period of time.”

Sanchez turned to Hood. “Captain, I know what attacked us. It was one of the Chi’tan. That thing was in league with the Nelfarren or controlled. Seriously, shape-shifters? I think he’s still delusional.”

Kree twisted his head toward Hood.

“I think it’s best we agree to disagree on this one,” Hood told Sanchez. “There’s been enough crazy things happening, and nothing should be discounted.” He looked at Kree. “Before we go into another discussion about delusional nature, you asked to see me before you left.”

“Yes, this one has been given access to a cruiser to follow the beacons left behind by the remnant of the Ku’lan. Ut’liss had asked that a small number of your people accompany this one.”

The idea captured Hood’s interest, but he needed more details than just simply
come with me on my flying carpet.
“Why us? Certainly, the N’lan could follow the beacons better than we can.”

Kree provided a small bow. “True. However, humans have been studying the beacons, as well. You have unlocked one of the maps, and the Nelfarren are a threat to you.” He gestured to Lieutenant Wells. “This one would be honored if Lieutenant Wells undertook this journey.”

Wells’s surprised face lit up and her pleading eyes gazed at Hood. “Please, sir. I could bring real value to this mission.”

As much as he didn’t like giving up a member of his command crew, Hood knew she was the best candidate. “Very well. You can go.”

Wells squealed with excitement and started to gather her things.

“I’m going too.”

Hood spun at the sound of the familiar voice behind him. Outside the elevator lift stood Jillian Howard. Her strawberry blond hair was mixed with silver-gray. He knew Patton had cleared her from isolation, but there had been little time for them to talk.

“Jillian, you can’t be serious.”

She walked up beside him and caressed his cheek with her hand. “I am, James. I need to go too.” Her soft accent made him close his eyes and think of better times. She smiled at Kree. “I was a victim of the Nelfarren. If we’re going to find ways to defend against them, we’ll need a true test subject.” She snapped to attention. “I’m that person and I respectfully volunteer.”

Hood sighed. He couldn’t refute what she said, and she was right. They’d need a human who’d been susceptible to the Nelfarren as a test subject for any defense they found with the Ku’lan remnant. He nodded solemnly. “Agreed.”

Jillian snapped out of her strict stance, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. He knew everyone’s eyes were on him and he didn’t care. He grasped her around the waist and pulled her close. He was going to take his own advice he’d given Maya before and he didn’t care what anyone thought.

After a few moments, Jillian pulled back, and a respectful “Ahem” came from his right. It was Aldridge.

Hood’s arms dropped to his side. “You’re not leaving me too, are you?”

A bit taken aback, Aldridge frowned and shook her head. “No.” She handed him a data pad. “I have a couple of things that need your attention.”

There was a list of chemicals on the open file. Each corresponded with a company back on Earth. “What is this?”

“This list corresponds to what Commander Sanchez found in the cavern on the planet. I worked with Lieutenant Greywalker and cross-referenced them based on stockpile quantity and manufacturing corporation.”

“What are they used for?”

“Terraforming.” Her voice was even and serious. “Both Greer and Epherium had been involved in terraforming for years. Powerful people managed to move these chemicals to Tau Ceti in an attempt to terraform the planet.” Before the launch of the Epherium colony ships, the idea of altering a planet’s atmosphere to sustain human life had been a primary goal for the
EDF
. Several companies had experimented with the idea over the years. The time for the process to change a planet like Mars to a habitable world with a breathable atmosphere was estimated in the decades.

Hood threw her a confused look. “Terraform it into what? The planet was already habitable.”

“I have no idea.” She pointed to the data pad again. “If there was enough of these chemicals at each location on the planet, it could have been altered to anything they wished. I checked with McCracken. His people have no idea how this much material made it out here. There aren’t any shipment records, and we went back several years. We’re still investigating the other manufacturers.”

Aldridge’s information gave him pause. According to Sanchez, the Nelfarren had been shrouded in darkness when they’d encountered it, and the ionization in the atmosphere was filtering light. He had it. To survive, the Nelfarren needed to feed on fear and it shunned bright lights. While attempting to create a world to thrive, the Nelfarren had exposed a weakness, one that Hood was eager to exploit.

Aldridge stopped him. “There’s one more thing.” She held up the data pad. A dark image was silhouetted against the stars. Hood zoomed in and snarled. It was a ship, and he knew which one.

“I took these from the external camera feeds from the
Jeffries
just before she lost power.” It was the stealth frigate they’d been chasing. The one who’d attacked them in the asteroid belt and disabled the
Cestus.
“The Chi’tan weren’t responsible for our power loss during the battle. They were.”

* * *

Maya heard the knock at her door, but she knew who it was. “Come in.”

The door hissed open, and Sanchez stepped inside. He was holding a long, thin object wrapped in a towel. “I didn’t get a chance to give this back to you after the battle.” He unwrapped the towel, revealing her sword. “I had it cleaned and found a technician in Engineering who could sharpen it.” He set the sword on the rack mounted on the wall.

When he turned around, Maya was waiting for him. He was about to speak, when she put her index finger to his lips and shook her head. She leaned closer and kissed him slowly on the lips. This time she did it not because she was caught up in a mimic, but because she wanted to. His arms wrapped around her and she didn’t pull away.