Ghost in the Dark (Galactic Axia Ghost Series Book 1)

by Jim Laughter

  Ghost

  in the

  Dark

  Book 1 of the

  Galactic Axia Ghost Series

  * * *

  Jim Laughter

  Tulsa, Oklahoma

  Axia Books

  1547 S. 78th E. Ave.

  Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112

  www.jimlaughter.com

  Dedication

  Dedicated to the adventurous spirit of children everywhere — may they never change.

  Cover background photo: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI) “light echo” illuminates dust around supergiant star v838 monocerotis (v383 mon)

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Axia Books

  1547 S. 78th E. Ave

  Tulsa, Ok 74112

  © 2019 by Jim Laughter

  All Rights Reserved

  Second Edition

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. All characters and concepts of Galactic Axia are the property of the author and may not be used in any other work by any other author without written permission by Axia Publishing and Jim Laughter.

  Foreword

  We are not alone in the universe. But you already knew that. It is the way in which we are not alone that is the question, isn't it? Of the billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy capable of nurturing life-sustaining planets, our sun out on a lonely spiral arm is not unique. Although a beautiful gem in space, our little planet Earth does not stand alone as nature’s supreme creation.

  Many billions of Earth-like planets orbit suns where life similar to humanity can exist. It stands to reason that of these billions of planets orbiting yellow suns, there are many civilizations in all stages of evolution ranging from early primate cavemen to deep space travelers. Many civilizations are younger than us and not as technologically advanced. But there are no doubt others that have existed for hundreds of thousands of years, perhaps millions, whose technology far surpass Earth in every way and who travel among the stars in interstellar ships. Some of them have visited Earth and influenced our cultures, intermingling with early humans and creating a new species – modern man.

  If you are expecting this book and others in the Galactic Axia series to be about silicone-based aliens that look like green Jell-O, or little gray creatures that abduct people in the night, you will be sorely disappointed. But on the other hand, if your mind is open to the unexpected possibility that whoever is out there is the more normal of the universe, and that we, in fact, are the odd ones, then hang on tight.

  Welcome to Galactic Axia, a benevolent commonwealth of planets spread across the galaxy and ruled by an absolute monarch on the capital planet Shalimar. And just like here on Earth, they have their military service, a branch of heroes dedicated to the preservation of peace. They stand ready to defend the Axia and the independent planets with their lives, and many times they pay the ultimate price for the safety of their citizens. You’ll meet a large number of them in this and other books in the Galactic Axia young adult adventure series. You’ll get to know them on a personal basis.

  The Axia only has one mortal enemy; a violent reptilian species called Red-tails. Conjecture has it that a Red-tail vessel crashed on Earth many millennia ago, giving rise to Earth’s mythical vision of red devils. Red-tails are heavy set with thick leathery red skin. They have vestigial horns protruding from their foreheads, and they have heavy barbed tails for balance. Red-tails invade from their home galaxy of Hadeous by means of intergalactic transit tubes that can transport hundreds of raiding ships at a time. They are always hungry and their planet is always starving. Their main quarry are humans.

  The humans of Galactic Axia (yes, they are our parent stock here on Earth) are not very different from ourselves. They have the same needs and wants as we do. They live their lives as we do, some in conflict and struggle and others in mundane routine. They raise their families, go to work and school, and have both triumphs and disappointments.

  Earth isn't the center of anything in Galactic Axia. In fact, our planet is closed; quarantined. Seeded with threatened species of plants and animals from other similar worlds for hundreds of thousands of years, it was later used as a safe place to exile criminals and malcontents. Watcher ships in deep orbit along with observers on the surface, stand vigil over Earth (or Sol-3 as they call it) hoping for the day when we’ll mature enough to be adopted into Galactic Axia society.

  The day will come when we’ll grow up enough to where we’re not a threat to civilization here or out there. We’ll abandon our nation-against-nation and religion-against-religion bickering and strife and learn to live together on this small orb in space. We’ll put away our weapons and stop spilling each other’s blood for ideals that mean nothing in the grander cosmic scheme of the universe.

  In the meantime, we are being prepared. This book and its companions are but one way that is being done. So journey on, dear reader. It is not by happenstance this book came into your possession.

  Chapter One

  In a blur of motion, the enormous black cruiser plowed through the formation of the enemy ship’s heat rays lashing out from every weapons port. Confused by this unexpected move, the Red-tail ships broke rank and tried to flee, only to be destroyed by the eager gunners on the cruiser. As the Axia ship swung around for another charge, a few enemy ships tried to regroup but all that did was concentrate the targets for the cruiser.

  Once again, it charged forward as deadly fire crisscrossed space. In seconds, it was over. The vanguard of Red-tail ships was destroyed, leaving the large cluster transport ship exposed.

  The captain of the cruiser eyed the prize. Nodding to his weapons director, she targeted the enemy ship’s power core. He enjoyed her grin as she triggered the torpedo on its deadly mission.

  All eyes, both human and Red-tail, watched the torpedo loop around for optimal approach. Finally aligned, it bore straight into the cluster ship’s core and detonated.

  The explosion filled the screen as the group of teens cheered wildly. Mr. Smithers smiled and glanced at the clock as he turned off the video equipment.

  “All right, enough fun for tonight,” he said.

  He turned to face the Adventure Scouts. Groans echoed around the meeting room. He was proud of his small scout troop and took their catcalls in stride. It showed the seriousness of these young people who came on a weekend evening when there were more enticing things to do. Now he hoped to reward them with a special treat.

  “As I mentioned to you last week, we have a special guest tonight,” he said after the youths had quieted down. “I asked him to come and speak to us, and maybe take some questions as well. We might run a little later if that’s ok with you. Alright?”

  By their nodding and expressions, he knew they were with him.

  “Ok Sam, Rick,” he said to a pair of teens near the door.

  Sam Shaw and Rick Sultemeier, both of them Adventure Scouts and assistants to Mr. Smithers, exited the room. In a few seconds, they returned with a strapping man in a sharp black uniform. When the man walked forward, gasps and whispers filled the room as the group recognized the black dress uniform of a Galactic Axia trooper. The room was very silent as the trooper-first stopped and stood
at the front of the room.

  “I know you understand how special this is to have Trooper-First Karnes here tonight,” Mr. Smithers said. “I’m going to let him have free rein on whatever he decides to talk about, and I encourage you to listen and ask whatever questions come to mind.” With that, he took a seat to one side leaving the trooper-first alone at the front.

  For the first minute, the trooper just stood there, relaxed but alert and surveyed the gathered youths. He knew he could trust these scouts because he knew Mr. Smithers, Sam, and Rick from a previous visit to this planet. He just hoped the surprise would not be too much for them.

  So this is the beginning, thought Karnes. This small select group of inquisitive minds and a few others like it around the planet were the beginning of the future for this little ball of mud in space. These young minds would be fed the precepts that would help guide this planet of teeming humanity into the commonwealth of planets called Galactic Axia.

  “Good evening, scouts,” he said quietly but with authority. “I realize this is a bit of a shock to some of you, but these are unusual times. I am Trooper-First Calor Karnes, and I am with the Galactic Axia Watcher Service overseeing this planet.”

  The tension in the room became brittle as many there realized that what they thought fiction was actually fact. Karnes decided that it would be best to put them at ease.

  “Let me start with a simple question. How many of you are familiar with the Galactic Axia series of books?”

  Hands went up all over the room.

  “That’s good,” he said. “Let me assure you that the real Galactic Axia is more exciting and more alive than you could ever dream.”

  A murmur swept through the group.

  “Alright, I need a volunteer to help me with a demonstration,” Karnes announced. “You!” he said, pointing at a boy of about fourteen in the second row. “Come on up here.”

  The boy came forward and stood at the front with Karnes. Looking toward the back, Karnes nodded at Sam who got up again and went out through the door. In a few seconds, he returned, followed by four more troopers guiding an alien creature bound in heavy chains.

  The creature was tall, well over eight feet. It had thick, leathery red skin and a long barbed tail. Two horns protruded from its cranium. When it opened its mouth, it exposed rows of razor-sharp teeth.

  The creature growled and struggled against the chains, pulling the troopers to the right, then hard back to its left. The scouts and their parents sitting in aisle seats moved instinctively toward the center of the row to escape the creature’s reach. But the troopers kept control of the alien.

  The Adventure Scouts recognized the creature as a Red-tail, an alien invader from the Hadeous Galaxy. They had read about these creatures in the Galactic Axia books, but up until now believed them to be fictional beings created in the minds of their favorite author.

  “It really does look like a devil,” a youth with bright red hair said. “I thought they were just making that up,” referring to the books that Karnes has alluded to.

  Trooper-First Karnes considered his reply. He knew he had to explain the reality of their mortal enemy, but he didn’t want to destroy any religious perceptions the scouts may hold. He also knew that regardless how twisted the concept may be, these creatures were worshiped in some cultures on this planet, which was one reason why opening up Earth to Galactic Axia had been so difficult. He knew religious paranoia was very prevalent on Earth.

  “From what we know of Earth’s history, we suspect a Red-tail scout ship crash-landed here many thousands of years ago,” Karnes said. “The surviving occupants could have given rise to the common myth of red devils that lurk in the shadows of many of your cultures.”

  Karnes glanced around the room, hoping his simple explanation helped appease the doubts reflected on the faces of several of the scouts.

  “Don’t ever think these invaders are gods,” Karnes said. “They are vicious, blood-thirsty monsters whose only mission is to destroy you and everyone you know.”

  The Red-tail turned toward the gathering of Adventure Scouts. They could tell by its very demeanor that if given the chance it would attack and kill them without mercy.

  The chains firmly held the alien, but the scouts could tell that it possessed enormous strength, probably more than the four troopers together. However, one of the troopers held a device in his hand that none of the scouts had ever seen before, but from their knowledge of Galactic Axia books, they knew what it was--a disabling ray that controlled the motor functions of anything the trooper trained it on.

  “Originally, I was going to run through some basic primer stuff we use with new planets, but instead I’d like to show you just a little bit of the real Axia. I see you recognize our guest,” he said, nodding toward the Red-tail.

  The creature glared back at Trooper Karnes. It apparently knew he was talking about it. A young boy sitting near the aisle raised his hand.

  “Yes?” Karnes asked.

  “I thought Red-tails were fictional aliens, not real ones.”

  Karnes shook his head.

  “No son. Red-tails are very real. We captured one exactly like this one right here on your planet after it crash-landed into a lake near Gunnison, Colorado.”

  “But that’s not too far from here!” the boy exclaimed. “Why wasn’t it on the news?”

  Trooper Karnes smiled at the boy.

  “Lots of stuff happens that isn’t on the news, son. You can be sure your government and other governments around the world suspect that Earth is being watched from outer space, but it’s not public knowledge.”

  “But why?” the boy persisted. “You’d think the world would want to contact an advanced civilization. You could help us with so many of our problems.”

  “That’s only true to a point,” Karnes answered. “Then again, it could be very dangerous.”

  “Dangerous?”

  Karnes motioned toward the Red-tail.

  “This fella is from an advanced civilization too. They have ships that traverse great distances, even traveling from one galaxy to another in a matter of hours instead of centuries. They have technology that helps them destroy entire planets and wreak havoc all over the universe. With this in mind, what do you think would happen if he or his friend from Gunnison could have gotten a message out to his fleet that he’d found a planet populated by humans and other warm-blooded creatures?”

  “I suppose...”

  “You don’t have to suppose,” Karnes cut in. “You can be sure there would have been an invasion fleet in orbit around Earth within the next year and you’d all be in trouble.”

  The scouts all looked at the alien standing subdued in the middle of the room. The creature bared its fangs at them, and a low growl emitted from it. Karnes could tell that a number of the scouts were clearly uncomfortable. Then without an apparent order from Karnes, the trooper with the restraining ray disabled it.

  The creature stood there glaring at them unrestrained for a moment then fell harmlessly to the floor, causing the scouts on the front row to scoot back.

  The scout standing at the front with Karnes kicked the creature and felt the soft rubber material give way under the pressure of his foot.

  “It’s a fake!” he exclaimed. “It’s not real at all!”

  The scouts in the front row moved forward as if they’d been pushed from behind. They all wanted to get a closer look at the alien laying on the floor. Karnes walked around in front of the alien and stood between it and the scouts.

  “This remote-controlled dummy is a tool we use to train troopers on the proper procedures to capture and restrain a Red-tail,” Karnes said. “Believe me when I say you don’t want to be in the same room with a live one, and we’d never endanger your lives for the sake of a simple demonstration.”

  “So they’re not real?” the scout in front asked.

  “Oh, they’re real alright,” Karnes assured the boy. “Real enough to tear you, me, and everyone in this room to shr
eds with its bare claws.”

  A scout near the back of the room raised his hand.

  “Yes?”

  “So are you saying the stuff we read in the Galactic Axia books is real?” he asked. “All of it?”

  “No, not all of it,” Karnes answered. “The author has certain creative license. But on the whole, it’s pretty close.”

  “But how would he know this stuff?” the boy persisted. “It’s not like he could have been there.”

  Karnes smiled at the boy.

  “You’d be surprised how many Axia citizens live right here on Earth. We’ve been watching this planet for a long time. Of course, we don’t call it Earth. We call it...”

  “Sol-3,” the boy finished Karnes’ statement.

  “That’s correct--the third planet from the star Sol.”

  “So are you saying the man that writes the Galactic Axia books is an alien?” the boy continued. “That he’s not from Earth?”

  Karnes nodded.

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. But don’t let that get out. We wouldn’t want to blow his cover, would we?”

  “Heck no,” the boy answered. “He’d be in trouble, and we wouldn’t get any more books either.”

  A ripple of laughter swept through the room.

  Trooper Karnes reached into his jacket pocket and removed a notebook that he handed to Mr. Smithers.

  “I’ll leave this with Mr. Smithers so you can get copies later. It’s just general information about the Axia that you won’t find in the books.”

  Another scout, a girl this time, raised her hand. Karnes pointed at her.

  “Is Empress Ane and the royal family real too?”

  “She sure is,” Karnes answered.

  He paused a minute and thought. His face lit up with an idea.

  “Have any of you ever heard of a ship called the Mary Belle?”

  Most of the group nodded their heads.

  “Then you know the Mary Belle is the private ship of Empress Ane of Galactic Axia, and that Mary Ebilizer, daughter of one of our leading computer scientists, is her captain and pilot.”