Rising Threat (Liberators Book 3): A Military Sci-Fi Thriller Space Opera Read online

the boy pleaded.

  She allowed him a glimpse of that future and his resistance drained away for a moment. “If not for your own future, then the future of those around you!” she argued. “The future of your friends and the loved ones who will need you.” As she made her final push to return him to his body she caught a glimpse of his destiny again, and those he would share it with. “You must endure, to help those others. It will only take one more cycle and you will begin to recover. Now you will live!” She felt drawn to a blue-eyed man that stood beside the mountainous individual this boy would become.

  She gave one final push and the spirit form disappeared back into the boy’s body. He convulsed on the bed, his vitals spiking.

  Doctors and nurses rushed into the room a moment later. These were no longer the vitals of a dying boy, but rather of a rebirth. Marda looked up at them as they entered, her vision clouded with exhaustion and by the energy flowing around her. She looked down at the agony on the face of the boy’s spirit form but ignored it as other spirits from around the hospital gathered about the room to watch.

  “Marda, let him go, girl!” Nilosa urged.

  “No!” Marda grunted back as she continued to hold his spirit in and the boy’s vitals spiked again before they stabilized. Marda looked back up at the hologram of the boy’s blood. The tailored bacteria were on the attack, killing the Kemtil. She continued to push and hold him. “Do your job bacteria.”

  All eyes turned to the screen as the bacteria began to multiply in greater numbers than normal, spreading out and attacking the Kemtil with incredible ferocity. Within pulses, the Kemtil count dropped to almost nothing. As his vital signs spiked one more time and then stabilized, Marda stumbled back against her grandmother.

  Marda looked up at the boy. His spirit form was gone. His aura however radiated from him, strong and powerful, as his chest rose and fell with each determined breath.

  “You have put him back,” Nilosa gasped turning to her granddaughter.

  Aldin knelt beside her as the doctors and nurses pushed him aside to examine his son. “Do you know what you just did?”

  Marda nodded, exhausted, a smile on her face. “Yes, I saved him.”

  “His life maybe, but you may have bound his soul to his body forever.”

  Marda looked first at Aldin, then with pleading eyes to her grandmother, her blood as thick as ice in that instant. “Is that true?”

  “If you did it wrong, yes. And, there’ll be no way of knowing. But some cycle when this boy dies you must be there by his side again. You will have to ensure that he will be able to pass beyond, and won’t be tied to his flesh for all eternity.”

  Marda felt a pit form in her stomach. Did I just doom this boy’s immortal soul?

  Aldin stood back up and laid a hand on his son’s foot while the doctors examined him from across the bed. “I thank you for saving my son’s life this cycle. I only pray that when the time comes for my son to die that he not be trapped.”

  Marda watched the vital signs again. They were weak but steady. “Have I really doomed him?”

  Nilosa shook her head. “The chances are slight. There has to be intent to permanently bind him, and I pray you did not want that.”

  Marda nodded and turned back to the monitor again before the doctors and nurses forced them from the room. If the boy was on the mend, then they needed to monitor him, and convince Father Aldin to resuscitate him if his hearts gave out again. Weak from her ordeal, Marda needed Nilosa to help her out of the room. Before she left she took note of the boy’s name on the hologram, A. Scotts.

  CHAPTER 2

  UCSB DATE: 1002.010

  Dorm Room 612, UCSBA-13, Star System: Classified

  The news broadcast zoomed in from a wide studio shot onto the attractive middle-aged woman on the left. “In other news, the Confederacy and Anulian Security Forces are pleased to announce the end of the Electrolite threat. As viewers may remember a few tridecs back, we reported on the discovery and capture of the spirit orb of the once queen of the Electrolites, Kamden Krain.

  “After the orb was sealed, skilled mediums were able to extract information regarding a meeting of the highest-level leaders of the cult. This meeting, over twenty-five annura after the death of their leader, was apparently in preparation for a new campaign of terror.

  “Anulian Security Forces, joined by a Confederacy Special Operations team, raided the Electrolite Compound. They captured the leaders of all five regional cells, as well as Kamden Krain’s second-in-command.

  “Anulian Security Forces are confident that they will soon arrest any remaining cult members that escaped capture. The apprehended cult members are being held under the Anti-Terror Accords without bond until their trial next tridec.”

  “Well that’s great to hear…”

  Blazer turned away from the news and muted the audio as the obnoxious male anchor picked up the next story. The report of the raid had been heavily censored, as usual. The redacted story provided enough information to keep the fear level low and satisfy the citizen’s ‘need to know.’ He was glad it wasn’t his job but he wondered how anyone couldn’t see through the holes and unanswered questions. He was happy that they hadn’t identified the units involved or the name of the kidnap victim. That would keep him and his sister out of the spotlight, and hopefully still keep their relation to Kamden hidden.

  He flicked off the viewer and turned to his desk. Above it, the Vaughnt Family Energy-Gatherer’s pistol hung in place of honor within its glass case. As a recovered family heirloom—and because there was no record of it ever being used to commit a crime—the ASF allowed him to keep it after the battle. He never intended to use it in combat again, but it was a great memento. The pistol design used far too much of his energy to be an effective modern combat weapon. In fact, he was surprised that it hadn’t drained him more.

  What I would have given to have gotten my hands on one of the other recovered pistols. The ASF had locked the rest away before he could get close to one. He would have loved to tear one down just to study it. He was sure he could figure out a way to improve on the design and enhance his own gun’s function. Maybe even find a way to build more. However, with the Electrolite threat ending so recently, the chances of getting his hands on one would be slim. Too many still feared that someone might resurrect the cult.

  — — —

  Standing in the kitchen, Marda looked over at Blazer as he contemplated the weapon on the wall, intense concentration etching his face. She had listened to the report too. Unlike Blazer’s military childhood, her upbringing had been in the Diplomatic Corps. She learned early on that listening involved not only what was said but also what was not.

  She was a master at reading between the lines of any report. That news statement in particular told her that the Confederacy revealed just enough to satisfy the public curiosity regarding the dangerous universe. The reason they’d held back more information seemed obvious; you’re safe and we’re watching out for you. It would keep all but the most dedicated data weavers from digging deeper. The Confederacy had learned that long ago.

  She continued to watch him in silence as he turned back to the news broadcast. He might try and mask it but his concern was evident to her. Time to test him. “If it’s bothering you that much, we can always pack it away into storage.”

  Blazer turned back to her, a quizzical expression on his face. “What?”

  She nodded to the weapon on the wall, her hands busy with dinner prep. “The pistol.”

  Blazer shook his head. “No, no, the pistol’s not a problem,” he replied with a forced smile. “I’m fine Marda. It’s just a lot to think about and take in. Our lives have really changed over the last couple of tridecs.”

  Marda understood that. It had been their first real mission, and they hadn’t even graduated yet. Even the near-term future seemed unsettled.

  It had been one thing to participate in their simulated final exam mission. Even though it had seemed real, at a deeper level, she knew that her life had never been in danger. But the real mission had been different. Knowing that had made her question everything she’d done during the mission. Every time she’d run from cover, it had cast doubts on whether or not this life was right for her.

  Marda’s blood went cold as a shocking visage of horror appeared on the news hologram.

  Seeing her face, Blazer turned and recoiled for a moment before turning the volume back up.

  “Sources within Confed have confirmed the recent sighting of unknown ships near opportune jump points into Gorvian-controlled space,” the reporter announced. A blurry hologram of a ship appeared beside the monstrous image of a Gorvian soldier.

  Marda’s history lessons about the brief conflict with the Gorvians prior to the war with the Galactic Federation came to mind, and she shivered again.

  “The Confederacy has not seen any signs of the Gorvians since they retreated into Tre-Tian space over two hundred annura ago. These new sightings have disrupted trade throughout the sector and have left many wondering why the Gorvians have suddenly reappeared? Will they cut another swath of death across the galaxy, or will they disappear back into their own territory again?”

  Blazer clicked off the hologram and shook his head. “The Gorvians are back? Just what we need, thirty metra tall genetic horrors.”

  “I’ve spoken to spirits that fought in the Gorvian War,” Marda said, setting aside her knife and clenching her fists. “They said it was like fighting every duwn terror you ever had. You face one and then the next is something even more horrific.”

  Blazer smiled at Marda and changed the subject as fast as he could. “Ready to head back to classes next cycle?”

  She shrugged. Classes after real combat seems a little anticlimactic. “I suppose. Not that we have much of a choice.”

  They both laughed.

  “I don’t suppose we do,” Blazer replied. “Have you talked to the rest of the team?”

  “Gavit and Chris were the last two to get back this cycle,” Marda replied, sprinkling some pepper on their dinner. “But everyone seems raring to go.”

  Blazer nodded and headed over to the refrigerator to get drinks. “There’s a lot of scuttlebutt going around about our rescue of Jell though,” he revealed, opening the door.

  Marda picked up their plates and headed to their small table. “How many people know the truth?” she asked, not sure that she wanted to know.

  “Enough that we won’t be able to deny or hide it for long,” Blazer continued as he poured them each a glass of juice. “Should we finish off this bottle of Gimmel wine?”

  Marda considered that for a moment. Probably the last duwn we’ll have without needing to worry about a scramble mission. “Sure, how much do we have left?”

  “Two glasses’ worth,” Blazer replied and kicked the fridge door closed. To Marda’s amazement he had their cups of juice in one hand, and the wine bottle with their long stem glasses in the other.

  Marda set down the two plates as Blazer approached and then set down their drinks, pouring her a glass first. Such a gentleman. She took her seat a moment later, as did Blazer. “Is anyone giving our people trouble about it, the mission that is?”

  “Just the one that I know of, Chertsin,” Blazer replied, gazing at the meal, his appreciation easy to read.

  Marda rolled her eyes. “You know, I really thought he’d matured and grown.”

  Blazer sighed. “Not a chance. If I had any, I would bet every cemu I have that he’s going to be a major problem for us this annura. With all the squadron versus squadron exercises we have coming up, I don’t see how he can’t be.”

  “Just as long as he realizes who the real enemy is. Oh, and speaking of rumors. I heard one about how they might start sending teams out on actual low-priority missions.”

  Blazer raised a curious eyebrow in response.

  “There might be some truth to it. I mean they sent us out, and I remember a couple senior teams from our first annura who were sent out for extended periods too. When I asked about it they wouldn’t tell me why.”

  “I could see it happening, probably just domestic missions for most units. But we’ll just have to wait and see,” he replied, reaching across the table to take her hands. She took his offered hands, and bowing her head, recited the meal prayer, thanking the food items for their nourishing sacrifice.

  CHAPTER 3

  UCSB DATE: 1002.019

  Dropship TK-214, En route to CPV Lady of the Stars, Hollis System

  It was rare to find the main bay of the dropship shining with bright lights and this cycle was no exception. The Blade Force gathered around an unstable hologram near the forward bulkhead. Huddled around the image like a campfire, they watched their squadron commander, Tadeh Qudas, hover above the device. The signal was noisy and full of dropouts as his ethereal form continuously lost color or disappeared entirely in a hail of static. Despite that, the team listened and prepared their gear for the mission.

  Their armor was only partway on in some cases. Chris in particular stood there toweling the last of the water out of her hair, her wet swimsuit lying on the deck. Behind her, Bichard stood, waiting to fix her flowing locks.

  “This is an emergency operation. We didn’t have time to brief you prior to launch because of the short timeline.”

  Blazer nodded in understanding. He’d been in the middle of his spacecraft design class when both the macomm in his hand and his micomm implant both ordered him to report for immediate deployment. The rest of the team had all been called from their classes as well. “What’s the op, sir?”

  Like Marda, Blazer could tell it was a true emergency. The lack of the telltale tingle on his forehead and back of his neck drove the point home that he wasn’t wearing a neuro-interface helmet. He had begun to recognize that sensation as part of his abilities as an Energy Gatherer. In a similar way, Marda’s abilities as a medium helped her to recognize when they were in the simulation. He couldn’t be sure if the others had realized it yet or not. Their emergency launch from the academy should have been proof enough. This was a real mission, and he intended to bring them all back alive. This time, unlike on Anul, he would be in command, not Tadeh Qudas.

  “It’ll be a delicate operation compared to most. Hostage rescue.”

  Blazer considered that. Their rescue of Jell qualified as a hostage rescue. Missions such as this however allowed little time for planning. He didn’t like that they’d be heading into the situation blind. Their intel on the nature of their enemy and the hostages themselves would be minimal at best.

  “Last cycle the Civilian Pleasure Vessel, CPV Lady of the Stars, intercepted a distress signal in the Hollis System. Per stellar-transit regulations, they changed course to investigate and came upon the wreck of a Class Three Exploration ship.”

  Blazer, Arion, and Bichard exchanged quick looks. Class Three Explorers, though little larger than their dropship, were used by the Mapper’s Guild to chart new jump points and set up temporary jump buoys. The robust ships were also popular with resource prospectors because they were able to land and take off from medium gravity worlds unaided.

  The academy must have an opportune jump point to the Hollis System, Blazer realized. Their ship had traveled through there once before during their first cruise with the Mapper’s Guild. It was a dead system. The civilization that had once thrived there had wiped itself out in a nuclear war millennia earlier. For some strange reason, that made it popular with certain tourist groups.

  “The crew members of the stricken ship were brought aboard after they’d docked. They were in poor health. Their craft appears to have run afoul of an asteroid, taking out the main engines and damaging the reactor. Everything had seemed normal when they were first brought aboard. A few hects later, however, they began to act irrationally. They took the liner’s medical staff hostage before attempting an escape. Being unfamiliar with the ship, they wound up in the main dining hall and sealed themselves in with the majority of guests present.”

  Zithe regarded his commander with a skeptical glare. He’d been in the middle of a test review when the call had come in. “Sir, this does not sound like our kind of operation. This sounds more like something for a hostage negotiation team.”

  Even through the malfunctioning hologram, Zithe backed away from Tadeh Qudas’ cold gaze. “A negotiator is already on site. You are there to provide backup and a contingency assault force. Should the need arise, you will breach the room and eliminate the hostage-takers.”

  Blazer shot Zithe a hard look and turned back to Tadeh Qudas. He felt unsure of how to proceed here, his study of hostage situations inadequate. “What do we know about the HoTak?” Blazer asked using the standard term for hostage-takers.

  “These HoTak are our own people, a Mapper’s Guild crew to be precise. What caused them to seize the ship we don’t know, but the senior negotiator on site is trying to determine that as we speak.”

  “Could they have gone space happy?” Mikle asked from the dropship’s flight deck. “I mean those guys are out there for a long dang time, and if they’d taken damage, that might have caused them to snap right?”

  Arion shook his head. “No. Initial survey crews are top of the rock in the Guild. They’re conditioned to deal with bad situations and survive without losing it. Something else must be going on.”

  “That was the negotiation team’s assessment as well. I am threading you the data we have on them now. Keep a close watch on the situation. We don’t want anyone to die if we can avoid it.”

  Tadeh Qudas telling them to try not to kill seemed like a contradiction to Blazer. How do you breach and assault without killing anyone?

  A light on the projector turned blue, Blazer tapped it, and the personnel files of the crew linked to their micomms. “Understood, sir, we’ll review and have a mission plan in hand before we dock.”