Stand or Fall (The Omega War Book 4)

by Kevin Ikenberry

  “I do, Guild Master.”

  “Wonderful. Now, please. Talk with Azho. I want you to leave within a week.”

  Jessica’s brow furrowed. “Not immediately?”

  “Captain Kurrang has asked to spend some time with you,” Rsach chittered. “Yes, he came back to the guild. I am most pleased with his decision.”

  Jessica grinned. “So am I.”

  * * *

  Jessica found Azho waiting for her in her quarters, lying on her bed with the disinterested look of most Earth felines. All he needed to do was twist around and lick himself to make the illusion complete. He yawned and stretched slowly across the bed. Despite being on the planet for five days, she hadn’t seen him more than a few minutes as he crept through crevices and explored the compound.

  “Comfortable?” she asked.

  “Your idea of comfort is problematic, Jessica. There are insects on this planet larger than I am. That’s hardly a cause for comfort.”

  Jessica closed the door behind her and took off her bandolier, hanging it on a hook near the door. She unzipped her coveralls and pulled her arms out, tying the sleeves around her waist. Her skin glistened from the constant heat and humidity, and the paltry air conditioning of her private quarters didn’t help much. Across from her small bed was a deep, uncomfortable chair. She grabbed a cold bottle of water from the small refrigeration unit and fell into the seat. Azho watched her, his golden eyes almost never blinking.

  After a quick gulp from the bottle, she frowned at Azho. “Guild Master Rsach said you won’t return to your home world.”

  “Depik don’t like being told what to do, Peacemaker.”

  “Why won’t you go?”

  Azho looked up at the ceiling, then back at her, his eyes sparkling with emotion. “My first response after learning what happened was guilt. As the feeling passed—much sooner than I thought it would—I understood we would not bow, and I wouldn’t either, but there was something more. Another option. After following you, I have learned we do not have to fight alone. There are others, like you, willing to fight the Veetanho. This is a concept the Depik never fully understood—we are not alone. Yet, I fear we’re bound to make the same mistakes all over again. I would rather die fighting.”

  “What if you could change it?” Jessica asked.

  Azho made a sound like an Earth cat hacking up a hairball. Jessica realized it was a laugh. “You humans are so idealistic.”

  “It sounds to me like you’re the one who’s quitting, Azho.”

  Azho brought a paw to his mouth, licked the fur and wiped it over his face. He looked at her again, his sparkling eyes set in a motionless face she couldn’t read. “Your point is well made. Maybe I should go. If our deeds have truly caught up with us, maybe we can change things.”

  Jessica took another sip of water. “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “I’m not convinced. Who’s to say we won’t be manipulated? The last thing we want is the pity of others. It’s better for us to go our separate ways and die than make the same mistakes all over again. I can’t be a part of such a world. I have a mind of my own, and it says to leave all this behind.”

  “Make it different.” Jessica cocked her head slightly and smiled at him.

  Azho snorted. “Not interested.”

  “Fine, the Peacemaker Guild Liaison needs you to go back. She will accompany you the entire way; you just have to get on the spacecraft and go.”

  Azho licked his paw and stared at her. “Who might that be?”

  “Me.” Jessica smiled.

  “Still not interested.” Azho yawned and looked at her, his bright eyes shining.

  Jessica reached into the lower right leg pocket of her jumpsuit, withdrew a coin, and flipped it at the reclining Depik. “I need you to go, Azho.”

  “That’s a cheap shot, Jessica.” The Depik looked at the token with a very distinct frown on his face.

  They stared at each other for a few seconds before she heard the coughing sound coming from the Depik’s throat. “You are a most curious creature, Jessica Francis. But for you, I will go. There are worse things coming if I do not. While I fear the Depik will be forgotten if we don’t do this, I also fear this war could destroy the galaxy.”

  Jessica smiled at her newest and most unlikely friend. “Not on my watch.”

  <<<<>>>>

  Acknowledgements

  We’ve come to the completion of my first trilogy in the Four Horsemen Universe, and I would be remiss if I did not thank Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy for bringing me into their family and giving me the keys to the universe. I’ve had a tremendous amount of fun with this trilogy and, as you can see, there are many stories left to unfold for Jessica Francis and her friends. We’re going to have a great time.

  Thanks to Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf for their comments and guidance regarding the Depik. If you’ve read their stellar novel Assassin, you can probably guess where Jessica will tread next, and I’m confident leaving her in their exceptionally capable hands.

  This book wouldn’t exist without the constant guidance and time of my beta readers—Mia Kleve and Mark Stallings. Thank you for making this book better at every turn.

  To the team at Seventh Seal Press, thank you for supporting, teaching, and empowering me to write these stories. I’m indebted to you all for your time, professionalism, and candor.

  Finally, to my family. Having the time to write between work, home, and all the things life has thrown at us is a blessing. Thank you for encouraging me and understanding the long nights at the keyboard. I couldn’t do any of this without you.

  Colorado Springs, CO

  June 22, 2018

  * * * * *

  About Kevin Ikenberry

  Kevin’s head has been in the clouds since he was old enough to read. Ask him and he’ll tell you that he still wants to be an astronaut. A retired Army officer, Kevin has a diverse background in space and space science education. A former manager of the world-renowned U.S. Space Camp program in Huntsville, Alabama and a former executive of two Challenger Learning Centers, Kevin works with space every day and lives in Colorado with his family.

  Kevin’s bestselling debut science fiction novel, Sleeper Protocol, was released by Red Adept Publishing in January 2016 and was a Finalist for the 2017 Colorado Book Award. Publisher’s Weekly called it “an emotionally powerful debut.” The sequel, Vendetta Protocol, is due for release in September 2017. His military science fiction novel Runs In The Family was released by Strigidae Publishing in January 2016 and re-released by Theogony books in 2018. Peacemaker, Book 6 of the Revelations Cycle, was released in 2017.

  Kevin is an Active Member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and he is member of Pikes Peak Writers and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. He is an alumna of the Superstars Writing Seminar.

  Titles by Kevin Ikenberry

  “Peacemaker” – Available Now

  “Honor the Threat” – Available Now

  “A Fistful of Credits” – Available Now

  “Runs in the Family” – Available Now

  * * * * *

  Connect with Kevin Ikenberry Online

  Learn more about Kevin Ikenberry at:

  http://www.kevinikenberry.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkevinikenberry/

  Twitter: @thewriterike

  * * * * *

  Connect with Seventh Seal Press

  Get the free prelude story “Shattered Crucible,”

  join the mailing list, and discover other titles at:

  http://chriskennedypublishing.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriskennedypublishing.biz

  * * * * *

  The following is an

  Excerpt from Book 11 of The Revelations Cycle:

  Assassin

  ___________________

  Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf

  Now Available from Seventh Seal Press

  eBook, Paperback and (Soon) Audio

&
nbsp; Excerpt from “Assassin:”

  Deluge closed his eyes and let the taste of spiced Khava explode over the inside of his mouth. It burned its way over his tongue and down into his belly, filling him with heat from the inside.

  “You like it?” the Besquith trader growled. Deluge opened his eyes and looked up at the hairy alien. Besquith were not known for their charm, and this one seemed a representative member of his race in that department. It had somewhat beady eyes that glared at Deluge as he sat on the trading counter. Doubtless, the trader would have preferred for Deluge to remain on the floor in his bipedal stance. However, that didn’t make sense in the Hunter’s mind, given the immense difference between their two heights. Far better that he should spring to the counter and sit like a civilized being.

  It wasn’t his problem if his movements were too quick for the Besquith to track. Nor was it his problem if that fact made the other being nervous. Though Deluge had to admit it was amusing.

  “I do like it,” the Hunter said. “Your batch has a very good flavor.”

  “I have more,” the Besquith said. “Five credits gets you the whole fish.”

  Deluge slow blinked at the outrageous price, and let his mouth fall open in his Human smile.

  “And what would I do with a whole fish?” he asked. “Especially at that larcenous rate?”

  “Larcenous?” the Besquith growled, its voice dropping lower. “Are you calling me a cheat?”

  “Larceny means theft. Technically I’m calling you a thief,” Deluge said. “But I suppose your language may not have such subtleties.”

  He didn’t, truly, mean it as an insult. The Besquith didn’t seem to care. It let out a low snarl and bared its teeth, then lunged at Deluge, snapping his teeth a hair’s breadth from where the Hunter sat.

  Or more accurately, where the Hunter had been sitting.

  Because, of course, Deluge was in motion as soon as the Besquith started his lunge. He drove his powerful hind legs against the firm surface of the trading counter and leapt up into the air. A quick twist of his body allowed his front claws access to the large, pointed ears that sat atop the Besquith’s head. He dug his claws into those sensitive ears and used them as a pivot point to anchor his leap. His lower body flipped up and around to the point where his back claws could grab on. One caught the alien’s throat, just above the jugular, and the other hovered scant millimeters from the being’s vulnerable eye.

  “Hunter, your pardon.”

  The voice that spoke was Besquith, and female, unless Deluge missed his guess. It was also smooth and laced with respect, unlike the nervous, aggressive tone of the one he now had by the ears. That Besquith was busy whimpering in pain and fear as Deluge wrenched its head around so that he might look at the newcomer.

  The newcomer stood in the curtained doorway at the back of the booth. She wore the rich silks of a wealthy Besquith trader, and the grey about her muzzle spoke of some experience. She inclined her head as Deluge met her eyes.

  “I greet you,” Deluge said. He didn’t want to be rude, but he rather thought that in this particular situation, he might be excused the use of an abbreviated hello. “Welcome to our negotiation.”

  “I am Jhurrahkk” she said. “I am the alpha for our people here on Khatash. You hold the life of my pup in your claws.”

  “I am Deluge,” he answered. “Your pup was rude and attacked me. His life is forfeit on my planet.”

  “This is where I propose we begin our negotiation.”

  * * * * *

  Get “Assassin” now at:

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079YTRLFN/

  Find out more about Kacey Ezell, Marisa Wolf, and “The Revelations Cycle” at:

  https://chriskennedypublishing.com

  * * * * *

  The following is an

  Excerpt from Book 1 of the Kin Wars Saga:

  Wraithkin

  ___________________

  Jason Cordova

  Available Now from Theogony Books

  eBook, Paperback, and Audio Book

  Excerpt from “Wraithkin:”

  Prologue

  The lifeless body of his fellow agent on the bed confirmed the undercover operation was thoroughly busted.

  “Crap,” Agent Andrew Espinoza, Dominion Intelligence Bureau, said as he stepped fully into the dimly lit room and carefully made his way to the filthy bed in which his fellow agent lay. He turned away from the ruined body of his friend and scanned the room for any sign of danger. Seeing none, he quickly walked back out of the room to where the slaves he had rescued earlier were waiting.

  “Okay, let’s keep quiet now,” he reminded them. “I’ll go first, and you follow me. I don’t think there are any more slavers in the warehouse. Understand?”

  They all nodded. He offered them a smile of confidence, though he had lied. He knew there was one more slaver in the warehouse, hiding near the side exit they were about to use. He had a plan to deal with that person, however. First he had to get the slaves to safety.

  He led the way, his pistol up and ready as he guided the women through the dank and musty halls of the old, rundown building. It had been abandoned years before, and the slaver ring had managed to get it for a song. In fact, they had even qualified for a tax-exempt purchase due to the condition of the neighborhood around it. The local constable had wanted the property sold, and the slaver ring had stepped in and offered him a cut if he gave it to them. The constable had readily agreed, and the slavers had turned the warehouse into the processing plant for the sex slaves they sold throughout the Dominion. Andrew knew all this because he had been the one to help set up the purchase in the first place.

  Now, though, he wished he had chosen another locale.

  He stopped the following slaves as he came to the opening which led into one of the warehouse’s spacious storage areas. Beyond that lay their final destination, and he was dreading the confrontation with the last slaver. He checked his gun and grunted in surprise as he saw he had two fewer rounds left than he had thought. He shook his head and charged the pistol.

  “Stay here and wait for my signal,” he told the rescued slaves. They nodded in unison.

  He took a deep, calming breath. No matter what happened, he had to get the slaves to safety. He owed them that much. His sworn duty was to protect the Dominion from people like the slavers, and someone along the way had failed these poor women. He exhaled slowly, crossed himself and prayed to God, the Emperor and any other person who might have been paying attention.

  He charged into the room, his footsteps loud on the concrete flooring. He had his gun up as he ducked behind a small, empty crate. He peeked over the top and snarled; he had been hoping against hope the slaver was facing the other direction.

  Apparently Murphy is still a stronger presence in my life than God, he thought as he locked eyes with the last slaver. The woman’s eyes widened in recognition and shock, and he knew he would only have one chance before she killed them all.

  He dove to the right of the crate and rolled, letting his momentum drag him out of the slaver’s immediate line of fire. He struggled to his feet as her gun swung up and began to track him, but he was already moving, sprinting back to the left while closing in on her. She fired twice, both shots ricocheting off the floor and embedding themselves in the wall behind him.

  Andrew skid to a stop and took careful aim. It was a race, the slaver bringing her gun around as his own came to bear upon her. The muzzles of both guns flashed simultaneously, and Andrew grunted as pain flared in his shoulder.

  A second shot punched him in the gut and he fell, shocked the woman had managed to get him. He lifted his head and saw that while he had hit her, her wound wasn’t nearly as bad as his. He had merely clipped her collarbone and, while it would smart, it was in no way fatal. She took aim on him and smiled coldly.

  Andrew swiftly brought his gun up with his working arm and fired one final time. The round struck true, burrowing itself right between the slaver’s eyes. She f
ell backwards and lay still, dead. He groaned and dropped the gun, pain blossoming in his stomach. He rolled onto his back and stared at the old warehouse’s ceiling.

  That sucked, he groused. He closed his eyes and let out a long, painful breath.

  * * * * *

  Get “Wraithkin” now at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0RGYZS.

  Find out more about Jason Cordova and “Wraithkin” at:

  http://chriskennedypublishing.com/imprints-authors/jason-cordova/

  * * * * *

  The following is an

  Excerpt from The Replicant War:

  The Replicant War

  ___________________

  Chris Kennedy

  Available Now from Anticipation Press

  eBook, Paperback, and (soon) Audio

  Excerpt from “The Replicant War:”

  Noah pulled the drone off his shoulder again. “There’s not much juice left in it,” he said, “I had hoped it would recharge more by now, but I want to get a last look.” The drone flew off.