by James McEwan
Chapter 1
After having been missing in action for a year from his own dimension, Thaddeus Hammer was now standing in his own home pointing a pistol at the heart of a former associate. He looked down the sights of his antique Colt Commander and wondered why Sasha, the woman who showed up on his wedding night wreaking havoc in an attempt to capture him for Thorne and his black ops group, was now sitting at his table sipping wine with his wives. After all, it had been his twin wives, Fiona and Freya, who had beaten and tossed Sasha down the steps of the hotel on Nome, while sporting their ruined wedding dresses.
Sasha sat and stared at him, her gaze unwavering as she waited for him to make the next move. Thad, however, wanted greatly to end the woman right there and then. However, he trusted the twins had a good reason for having her in his home. It was his trust in his wives, and their body language that stayed his hand. He released the pressure that he had put on the trigger just as Freya yelled, “Thaddeus NO!”
Fiona was already in motion, as she stepped in front of him to block his shot. She gently placed her hand on his, “Put it away Thad, she’s our guest.”
Thad slowly lowered his pistol. Fiona removed her hands from his and then threw her arms around his neck, jumping into an embrace. She kissed him deeply, then pulled away to say, “Your alive!”
Freya nearly knocked them both over as she slammed into Thad with a hug, “Thank God, you came back to us.” She then took her turn kissing him.
The twins were so excited to see him that they nearly smothered him in kisses, and may have, had it not been for his mother, Admiral Amanda Hayes, who cleared her throat loudly, “Thaddeus… are you going to introduce us, or shall we do so ourselves?”
Thad flushed red with embarrassment, “Oh, I’m so sorry,” he paused to compose himself and with one wife under each arm made the introductions, “Fiona, Freya, this is Admiral Amanda Hayes, my mother.”
“Your what?” the twins asked in unison, as if they were of one mind.
“A long story, but yeah, I’ve found my biological mother,” Thad remarked with an affectionate smile toward her.
“Mother, these are my wonderful, and by the looks on their beautiful faces, extremely shocked wives, Fiona and Freya.”
“I am so very pleased to meet the both of you” Amanda said as she held out her hands to greet them; however, the twins bypassed her hands and went straight for a hug. Not expecting the exuberant response, she couldn’t do anything, but return their hugs.
Thad chuckled, “Sorry. I forgot to warn you. They’re huggers.”
“That’s quite alright. I rather enjoy hugs from family,” Amanda replied.
While hugging Amanda, Fiona suddenly noticed a quiet child with coal black hair and steel grey eyes standing in the shadows, waiting and watching. She released her hug, bent down, and scooped the girl up into her arms, “And who is this scrumptious little creature?”
Before Thad could answer, Ruby smiled, “Ruby.”
“Well hello there Ruby,” Fiona reciprocated.
“Ruby is my daughter,” Thad said, laying the second bombshell of information on them. That earned him a raised eyebrow and a look from the twins, which made him want to yell fire and run from the room. “Not like that,” Thad said to Freya, whose stare could burn a hole through the most hardened steel. “She was made in the program after I first left. Thorne used my DNA to make her as a replacement for me.”
This seemed to calm the storm a bit. Freya asked, “So if you’re her father, than who’s her mother?”
Amanda could see that Thad was struggling to find words that would not upset them, so she answered the question for him, “She was another operative of the program. A woman who was killed some years ago when her mission went badly. As far as the records show, she and Thad never worked together, and neither of them had any knowledge of Ruby.”
“Ahh, I see,” was Freya’s nullified response.
There was a brief moment of silence as the information was being processed. Ruby was the first to break it, “Are you my new mommy?” she asked Fiona who was still holding the girl on her hip.
“Oh honey, you are the luckiest little girl in the universe. You get two new mommies,” Fiona said, as she kissed her on the check.
“My turn sis,” Freya smiled at Fiona, who in turn passed Ruby into her waiting arms, and Freya showered Ruby with even more affection.
Thad looked relieved. Things were going better than he’d expected. Now that the family introductions were complete, Thad wanted to find out why Sasha was there, “You two will have plenty of play time with your new dolly, but right now I’d like to know why she’s sitting here, and who the hell he is?” Thad demanded, pointing first to Sasha and then to the young handsome blonde haired man sitting next to her.
“She’s here because she needs your help Daddy,” Ruby said.
Floored by the amazingly accurate answer, Fiona looked puzzled, “How do you know that sweetie?”
“You told me,” Ruby said as she beamed a smile at her new mommy.
“I did?” Fiona was even more baffled then before.
“I’ll explain later,” Thad said.
“She’s right though, Thaddeus. I do need your help,” Sasha paused and stood up from the table revealing a very pregnant belly. She looked to be almost full term, “And the man sitting next to me is the love of my life. May I introduce…”
“He needs no introduction,” Amanda said stepping up to the table, “How are you, your Imperial Majesty?”
He stood up and took Amanda’s hand, “Admiral, it’s very good to see you again,” he kissed her hand. “And please, call me Conall.”
She smiled, “Only if you call me Amanda.”
Thad’s head was spinning, trying to take everything in, “You two know each other?”
Amanda looked shocked by the question, “Why shouldn’t I know the Emperor of the Terrain Empire? I am an Admiral after all. My rank affords me certain privileges, like a front row seat at his coronation.”
“Oh,” Thad said with his mouth open.
“Daniel!” Eve cried out as she entered the room and saw the captain.
“Eve,” he replied as she ran up to him and they embraced.
Now it was Amanda Hayes’ turn to be confused. She lifted an eyebrow at Captain Wesson, “Something you’d like to share Daniel?”
A little embarrassed at being caught off guard by Eve’s overly public show off affection, Captain Wesson replied, “Admiral, may I present Eve.”
“Admiral,” Eve said as she extended her hand.
“Eve, it’s a pleasure to meet the woman who has finally captured the heart of the toughest captain in the whole damn fleet,” Amanda said as she shook Eve’s hand.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Eve replied with a smile.
Thad still wanted answers, “Okay, now that everyone has been introduced, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?”
“You better sit down honey,” Fiona said while pulling out a chair for him.
Archie entered the room with chairs for the rest of the guests, “Sir, it is good to see you alive. Eve said you were back.”
“Good to see you too Archie. I see you have a new head,” Thad remarked as he observed Archie’s new human looking head.
“Yes, it suits me better.”
They were now all seated at the table with the exception of Ruby and Freya. “Ruby, why don’t you come along with me,” Freya said, “I think you’ll like what I have to show you much better than having to sit around listening to this bunch.”
“Okay,” Ruby giggled as she followed Freya out of the room.
Thad assumed she was taking her to the Holosuite to
play. He watched as the two left, before turning his attention back to the matter at hand. “So Conall, you must be the new Emperor. The last time I paid any attention to politics, Carlito Barros was Emperor. What happened to him?”
“Carlito is my father. About four years ago, he met a woman. He’d been lonely for years after my mother passed away, and this woman made him happy. Happy like I haven’t seen him in a long time. Anyway, he loved her so much that he didn’t want her to have to deal with all of the pressures that came with office, so he abdicated the throne. He now lives on a ranch in old Wyoming with her.”
Thad nodded in understanding, “And the controlling political party came to you, and asked if you would run for office.”
“Yes. My father had always been well liked, and was extremely popular. So, I rode his coat tails into office. At twenty years old, I became the youngest ever to hold the title. However, a lot of things have happened in the last four years, and I’ve discovered the hard way that the mantle of leadership is far heavier than I could ever have imagined,” Conall’s voice trailed off.
“I see. That still doesn’t explain how you came to be at my table. In fact, how did you even know about me, or to come here?” Thad asked.
“I think I can answer that,” Sasha said, piping up.
“That would be nice, since I was wondering how you fit into all of this,” Thad said with a hint of bitterness to his voice.
“He’s here because I brought him. We needed help, and you were the only person I could think of who was in any position to provide it,” Sasha began to explain.
“Why me?” Thad asked with obvious confusion.
“I figured you, of all people, would understand a person needing a second chance. Not to mention the fact that no one would think to look on this crappy little moon for us.”
“Well, there is that. Go on,” Thad’s tone was easing as she made her case.
“My last mission was to get close to Conall, and when the order was issued, kill him. However…”
Thad was beginning to fit the pieces together, “You fell in love with your target and refused the order, correct?”
“Correct.”
“I get that, but why did you have to run and hide? No one should have been coming for you. I mean, the organization was done, and as I understand it, Thorne is in the wind.”
Conall now took over the story, “We had to run because of the Nephilim.”
“The Nephlla…what?” Thad asked.
“The Nephilim, at least that’s what he called himself,” as Conall explained, Thad’s face contorted a bit in confusion, but Conall’s appeared stricken. “The only way I can describe him is as a dark twisted giant monster, and he had glowing red eyes!”
“A giant?” Thad couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Yes, a giant! He stood at least ten feet tall! He came to me late one night, while we were on vacation. We were at a grotto in Italy. Anyway, I had a nightmare where I watched this being snap Sasha’s neck. I woke up covered in sweat. So, I got up and went down to the lake to get some fresh air. That’s where I saw him. He was standing on the banks of the lake wearing a long black cloak, with a hood that covered most of his face. It was dark so I saw very little of his face, but what I did see, I will never forget,” he shivered as he retold his story.
“I thought I was still dreaming, but he assured me that I was not, and emphasized the point by grabbing me around the neck and lifting me off the ground. I was like a toy in his massive hands. He squeezed just enough to put me on the edge of blacking out.”
“What did he want?” Thad asked.
“He wanted my loyalty, he told me. He said he wanted me to do as I was told, and that if I didn’t he would make my dream come true. He told me that he would make me watch her die before he skinned me alive, and I believed him!”
“Nice guy,” Thad remarked.
“Not what I would call nice,” Conall replied. “Anyway, he said that the Nephilim were returning and that all in the universe would bend their knee and worship them.”
“Interesting,” Thad mumbled. “I take it you didn’t play ball?”
“No, I didn’t. I dislike being threatened, but threaten my loved ones and I’ll do anything to protect them,” he gave Sasha’s hand a squeeze. “Things were quiet for three months after that, but then my Minister of Galactic Affairs came to me with a series of directives to sign. They included things like an enormous expansion of my military forces, and a redeployment of those forces that made no sense, as well as other things that just didn’t fit into our current way of doing things. It looked like I was ordering the preparation for a galactic war.”
Amanda entered the conversation, “That would explain the recent build up in the Terrain forces throughout the galaxy.”
“Yes, exactly. My source back home has informed me that he forged my signatures on the directives, and even now Earth is preparing for war,” Conall picked up a glass of wine and took a long sip.
Conall put his glass down and continued, “It showed me that he had been compromised and was working for the Nephilim. I had him arrested for crimes against the Empire. I was going to have him interrogated, but before that could happen; he was found dead in his cell. His neck was snapped with so much force that his head was nearly torn off.”
“Rough way to go,” Fiona commented.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Sasha said as she picked up her own wine glass to take a drink.
Thad raised an eyebrow, “Should a woman in your condition be drinking that?”
Sasha frowned a bit, “Not to worry, it’s not the real thing. It’s that synthetic stuff with all the taste, but none of the fun.”
“Thaddeus, how could you think I would ever endanger a baby,” Fiona said with a hurt look on her face.
“Sorry my dear, I wasn’t thinking,” he replied hoping that would smooth it over.
“He’s a man darling. They rarely think before shooting off their mouths,” Sasha said, getting her dig in.
Thad was starting to consider shooting something else off, when Conall continued to relate their story. “After the murder of the minister, my security was tripled; however he wasn’t the only traitor. With the help of others in my government, a Fabian hit team was given access to the Imperial Palace. We had just turned in for the night and I was near sleep when they struck. Sasha, four months along, came out of our bed like a lioness. Before I could call for my guards, she had killed three of them. Colonel Grunt, who I believe you met outside.” Thad nodded, “Well, he must have heard the commotion because he burst through the door and killed the last would be assassin.”
Sasha swirled the red liquid in her glass, “Total amateurs. They sent a four-man team to kill two people. They were sloppy and careless, which I’m grateful for. Never the less, I expected better from Fabians.”
“They were just the first wave of attackers though. When they failed, two more attempts were made on my life. When those attempts failed, a coup was arranged, and my own little sister led it. Her forces were a mix of traitors and hired Fabian thugs. They hit the Palace hard and fast, quickly overwhelming the security forces. Colonel Grunt and his men barely got us out alive, and we’ve been on the run ever since.”
“That was just over four months ago. It took us that long to sneak our way here. You can’t imagine our disappointment when we learned you were missing and presumed dead,” Sasha chimed in, wrapping up their story.
“How touching,” Thad said. He understood her change of heart, love does funny things to people, but he still had problems trusting her.
Archie and the other service bots served dinner and poured more wine. “Easy Thad. They’ve been through a lot, and I seem to remember someone else getting a second chance a few years ago,” Eve chided him.
Amanda, who had been quietly listening to the story spoke, “A lot of parts of the puzzle are starting to come together.”
“What do you mean?” Thad asked.
“Well, for a whil
e now the Federation ship yards have been turning out ships as fast as they can produce them. The Marines have been swelling in number almost overnight. It seems that who or what ever this creature is, he’s pulling a lot of strings to coerce the human governments to prepare for some immense war. While I was on Nova Texas, I heard rumors of the same kinds of preparations being organized by the RepCom.”
“If that’s true, then it seems that war is on the horizon, but with who and why now?” Captain Wesson asked, joining the conversation for the first time.
“It’s a very good question Daniel,” Amanda said while the wheels in her head were turning.
“This is all fine and good, but what does any of it have to do with me? And what exactly makes you think I can do anything to help?” Thad asked.
“We came here looking for your help to find and take out this Nephilim. It’s the only way my family will ever be safe,” Conall replied.
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the only one I can even fathom who has the skills necessary to do it. Sasha’s good, hell she’s amazing, but from what she tells me of you…, well as she puts it; you’re better, the best she’s ever seen.”
“Sasha said that? Hmm, I’m surprised,” Thad said, giving her a quick glance.
“Thaddeus, whatever we were in the past, please let us leave it in the past. I’ve changed. I learned how to let go of a lot of the hate and anger that we were taught. And I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t really believe you were the best chance for us and my unborn baby,” Sasha said with an intensity that made Thad believe her.
Thad sat quietly taking it all in. Conall spoke softly, “Thaddeus, as you are not a citizen of the Terrain Empire I cannot order you to help, but as a man who is in fear for his family I implore you. Please, if there is anything you can do to help.”
“You make an impassioned case. You must understand however, that it’s been a long time since I’ve been home, and all this is a lot to take in. I would like some time to think about it,” Thad said as diplomatically as he could.
“I understand. I thank you for letting us into your home and hearing us out,” Conall said.
“You’re welcome. However,” Thad paused to look at Fiona, “I have a feeling I wouldn’t have had the choice to turn you away.”