The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes (5 page)

He needed time—time to dissuade Lieutenant Wells from her research. If he couldn’t, would he risk sabotaging her progress? What would Jillian Howard think of him then? She was his first and closest human friend.

He lowered his head and shook it slowly from side to side. His whole world was in an upheaval. He wanted it to be simple again, but there was no turning back now.

“Ota!” The words thundered inside his mind, and he staggered backward.

“Answer us, Ota!” He heard several voices echoing the command. The N’lan Hal’ta elders were calling to him in unison.

He buried his worries and thoughts regarding the beacon deep in the recesses of his mind and opened his thoughts to the leadership of his Shi. “This one hears you, great Hal’ta elders. Do you have a response to this one’s message from Captain Hood?”

“Captain Hood’s troubles are his own, Ota,” a single voice answered. It was Ut’liss speaking to him now and her voice was stern and serious. “The N’lan have new matters that outweigh the need to find a single human vessel.”

Ut’liss’s next words froze his blood. In shock, he dropped his data recorder. A clang echoed in the room as the device struck the metal floor, and the elegant crystals inside shattered into tiny pieces.

Chapter Five

EDF
Dreadnaught Armstrong
Orbit Above Cygni 4
Saturday, February
22
Earth Year 2155

Maya Greywalker stood outside the starboard fighter bay, watching the
Armstrong’s
gravity web pull the last of a group of Stingray fighters inside. Once the bay repressurized, she entered the spacious bay and headed for the fighter on the far side.

She noticed the canopy of the Stingray open and a tall, slender man in a helmet and
EDF
flight suit exited the fighter. As she approached, a deck crewman attached a ladder to the fighter’s left side.

The pilot climbed onto the ladder and slid down the outer rails, landing in a hop on the deck. He spun to face her and removed his helmet. The man was slightly taller than Maya and his light-skinned face was lean and muscular. His short-spiked brown hair seemed unblemished by its time in his helmet, but it was his eyes that were the most striking. They were a luminescent blue, exactly like hers.

“Sis!” the pilot exclaimed and spread his arms wide for a welcoming hug.

Maya slipped in closer to him and his arms enveloped her. “Good to see you, Kadin.” She relaxed in his embrace. No matter how many times she saw her brother, his greeting and warmth toward her was always the same.

Kadin pulled back and held her by the shoulders. “Look at you. Chief Security Officer on one of the Akita Dreadnaughts.” He started to laugh. “I told you your worth would be recognized.”

Maya sighed. “Admiral Grant needed me here. I already had a security command. Of course, you would have known that, had you actually responded to my messages over the last six months.”

Kadin held up his hands in defense. “I know, I know. Things have been busy as of late, and I haven’t had time to catch up. Building a new elite fighter squadron takes a lot of effort.”

Maya crossed her arms in front of her. “So, I’ve heard.”

“Hey, I wasn’t dissing you. Honest.” He waved his hand over his head toward the pilots who’d just exited their craft. “Here, let me introduce you to them.”

The other members of Kadin’s squadron walked over and formed a semicircle behind him.

“Maya, I want to present the Phantoms, my latest project for the
EDF
.”

Maya scanned the faces of the pilots in front of her and recalled the data from their personnel records she’d received a few days before the attack on the
Cestus
. Kadin’s new squadron consisted of the best pilots ever to fly
EDF
fighters, but had left the service to pursue other interests. Most, like Kadin, were test pilots with corporations like Epherium or Greer, but all were former students of Kadin’s at the
EDF
Academy. “Glad to meet you all. We’ll have you settled in soon.”

Kadin put his arm around the shoulders of the female pilot next to him and pulled her close. “This is Raven, my wingman.”

Maya regarded the woman. The pale-skinned female pilot was a few centimeters shorter than Kadin. She had long, straight black hair, much longer than
EDF
regulation for pilots, and her eyes were ice-blue, almost white.

The woman extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lieutenant,” she said in a voice that was deep, but vibrant. “Kadin has told me a lot about you.”

Maya accepted her hand in a firm handshake and then shifted her eyes to her brother. After a few moments, she realized this woman was more than just his wingman and friend. She listened to her brother’s heart rate. It was elevated, and she could see the tiniest beads of sweat beginning to form near his hairline. He was nervous. Even during their youth living on Mars with their father, Dr. Julian Greywalker, Kadin was always the confident one and seemed the most at peace with his abilities.

Kadin met her eyes and gave a quick wink.

Maya wasn’t sure about the meaning, but she didn’t dwell on it. She offered a curt smile to Raven. “Nice to meet you too.”

Maya wanted to find out more about this woman, but she let the issue drop. Her ears detected a familiar set of footfalls entering the bay and coming closer. When the person reached her side, she turned her head toward him. “You’re late, Commander.”

Sanchez shook his head. “Don’t remind me, Lieutenant.” Maya could tell from his voice that he was annoyed. “I’ve just spent the last hour going over efficiency improvements on the reactors with Mr. Whitaker. Why that man has to make everything a production, I’ll never know.”

Maya rolled her eyes, and Sanchez changed the subject. He scanned the group of pilots in front of him. “So you’re our replacement squadron. I’m Commander Raf Sanchez, the
Armstrong’s
XO and the current Air Boss. I have quarters assigned for you and I need to you to get situated as soon as possible. I wish I could give you a larger welcome, but your first briefing for patrol detail is in one hour.”

Kadin and the rest of the pilots stiffened into attention and saluted. “Phantom Squadron reporting for duty, Commander,” Kadin shouted.

Sanchez returned the salute. “At ease.”

Maya’s brother took a step forward. “Lieutenant Commander Kadin Greywalker, retired.”

Sanchez shook his hand and gazed into his eyes. He stared for a few moments as if in thought, but a smile soon formed on his lips. “I’m glad you’re here. Two of our squadrons suffered significant pilot losses after the battle with the Cilik’ti. We needed to rotate many of them home and combined the rest. I know you’re a long way from home, but bringing you and your people on board will upgrade our readiness and combat effectiveness.”

“We’ll do our best, Commander,” Kadin replied with enthusiasm.

Sanchez took a brief glance at Maya then turned back to Kadin. “Lieutenant Commander, your training record for pilots is exemplary. I’m the interim Air Boss until we get a replacement, but I’d like you to conduct an assessment of our existing squadrons.” He shook his head. “Frankly, I’m swamped and could use the help.”

“I’d be honored, Commander. Thank you.”

“Good. I’m glad that’s settled. Have your people gather their things and meet the deck officer by the bay exit. He’ll provide you your living quarter assignments.”

With a warm smile, Kadin let Raven go, along with the other members of his squadron, and then gestured to Maya. “I forgot. I have a gift for you.” He climbed back into his fighter and returned with a small black rectangular case. He handed it to her. “Jared wanted you to have this.”

Maya eyes darted from the case back to Kadin at the mention of Jared’s name.

“Evidently, our dear brother has started the preliminary work to revive father’s research. He’s made several trips back to the old lab, looking for materials that could help. He found odds and ends, a few more data cartridges and even video footage.”

Maya studied the box and traced her hand over the top edge. It was smooth and cool to the touch. On the front was a small electronic latch with a fingertip scanner. “Thank you, Kadin.”

Kadin gave Sanchez a curt smile and sprinted off to rejoin his squadron.

After he left, Sanchez pointed to the box. “Aren’t you going to open it?”

“When I’m ready.” Her voice was soft and wistful. The old wounds of her family’s past were still painful. As much as she was thrilled Kadin had presented her with a gift, she wanted to open it in private, where she was prepared.

“Well, I need to get back to the Command Deck. I’ve got a readiness drill scheduled in thirty minutes.”

A loud commotion erupted behind them near the bay door. Maya turned and noticed the source. The two squadron leaders from Rook and Delta Squadrons, Lieutenant Krieg and Ensign Thielson, had arrived to greet the Phantoms and their former instructor.

“I think they’re going to fit right in.” Sanchez laughed as he watched the pilots celebrate.

Maya smiled in agreement. It was good to have her brother here and see him happy, but there was an odd feeling she sensed about Kadin. His mannerisms and body language were still the same warm, loveable Kadin, but when she looked in his eyes, he seemed distant. She couldn’t explain it. When they were younger, he’d always been so focused on the here and now. It was that focus that made him a great pilot.

It had to have been the news of Jared restarting their father’s research. She tapped the box again with her fingers and could feel herself back in the lab on Mars with her father. Not as a child, but as the woman she was today. She could see his face so clearly now. Excitement and sadness flowed through her at the same time.
It’s only a dream.
Telling herself the truth didn’t make her feel any better. She reveled in the past for another long moment before she let the image go, then tucked the box under her arm and followed Sanchez out of the bay.

* * *

The tantalizing aroma coming from the covered dinner plate on the desk filled Hood’s quarters. His aide, Mr. Martin, had delivered it moments ago, but he wasn’t hungry. Hood ignored the plate and continued to scroll through the pictures displayed on his terminal. He was amazed at how many pictures there were of him and his friend, Lester Styles. They’d been the best of friends from day one at the academy. Whenever he had a problem or success, Styles was the first person he would call. He wished he could ask him what to do know. Hood was positive Styles would just tell him to eat and stop moping.

He sighed and pulled over the plate, peeking under the lid. It was one of his favorites, meat loaf and a large helping of green beans. How could the chef sense when he needed comfort food?

Hood picked up his utensils and cut a small slice of the meat loaf. It tasted so good, but before he could swallow it, his terminal chimed. Jillian was calling again. He’d already answered four of her comms in the past hour. He realized she was checking on him, but he needed time to think and rejected the call.

Before he could finish half his plate, his terminal beeped again. Jillian’s ID was labeled for the call, but this time it was marked urgent. He pushed the plate away and opened the channel. “Hood here.”

“James, where the hell have you been?” Jillian’s face and voice both held a level of concern and frustration. “I’ve been trying to get you for over twenty minutes.”

“I know. I just needed a few minutes of downtime.” He forced a smile. “What do you need?”

“It’s not what I need, but Kree. I’m here in his quarters on the secured terminal. He has important information, but will only give it to you.” Jillian stepped out of the way, and the larger Cilik’ti stepped into view.

“Okay, Kree. What do you have to tell me? Have the N’lan agreed to help us search for Captain Styles and the ship that attacked the
Cestus
?”

“Captain Hood, this one regrets that no answer from the N’lan Hal’ta has been given concerning your request,” Kree’s monotone translator device stated. “However, this one has been instructed to inform you of other developments. Great Ut’liss and the other Hal’ta elders have emerged from their meeting with the Council of the Shi. This one...” Kree paused and turned his head away from the screen.

Concern erupted in Hood’s mind. “Kree, what’s wrong? What did the Council have to say?”

Kree whirled back to the screen. “The Council is no more,” he declared.

The words hit Hood like a rail gun blast. “What do you mean, no more?”

“After the N’lan presented the results from the K’rveen on Cygni, the Chi’tan declared them invalid. The N’lan and other Shi leaders challenged them to accept the results or risk surrendering their leadership in the Council. A spirited debate ensued, and the Chi’tan presented evidence claiming the N’lan interfered in the cleansing. Despite many Shi refuting the Chi’tan’s claim, the Chi’tan refused to accept the outcome. In response, the Chi’tan and many of their allies have broken away from the Council.”

Hood sat at his terminal, stunned by the news.

The translator globe turned a slight shade of red, and the weight of Kree’s words was heavy and serious. “Captain, factions are forming. Rivalries that once were decided in Council debate may now be negotiated in combat. There has not been an upheaval in the Council of the Shi since the days of The Lost Shi and their eventual eradication. Great Ut’liss is not certain, but she believes many of the Shi are already on the brink of war.”

Hood swallowed hard. “Kree, I don’t have any great words to tell you other than I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for our stand here at Cygni to cause such a backlash with your people.”

“There is no fault on your part, Captain. The Chi’tan and their lack of honor have caused the Council to implode. This one wishes that wisdom and calmer words could mend what has been broken.” Kree paused for a moment. “But this one fears it is already too late.”

“Nothing is too late, Kree,” Hood countered. “If we give up trying, we accept that possible future as inevitable. Mind-sets can be changed, and dialogue and diplomacy can work. If it didn’t, my people would have blasted each other back to the Stone Age years ago.” He shook his head. “The process doesn’t always achieve the desired outcome, but it doesn’t keep us from trying.”

Kree nodded his large triangular head in agreement.

“Kree, I need to speak to my people and update them of these new developments. Is it possible to have a new dialogue with Great Ut’liss? I’d like to keep the information flowing between us.”

“Great Ut’liss has already affirmed your wish, Captain. The N’lan have gladly accepted the role of guardian for your people in this system. The N’lan’s stance on the result of the K’rveen is firm.”

Hearing Kree emphasize his people’s position gave Hood a heightened level of comfort, but the Chi’tan had plenty of allies, and nothing was immune from harm. It was one of the true revelations in life, a fact Hood had learned the hard way. “Thank you, Kree. I’ll be in touch soon. Hood out.”

He closed the channel and took a deep breath. His mind was racing and he needed to settle down. First the
Cestus
and now this. Both were serious body blows. If he was in a boxing match he’d be looking for the right uppercut that would send him reeling, but he was sure it wasn’t that simple. It never was.