The Beginning of the End (Universe in Flames Book 4)

by Christian Kallias

  Keera opened her eyes slowly and tried to get up. “What happened? I thought I heard my ship’s alarms going crazy, or was it just a nightmare?”

  “I’m afraid not,” answered Chase, his eyes filled with concern.

  “What is it?”

  “I turned them off with my thoughts but while I was inside the Valken’s computer I glanced at our status.”

  “Which is?” interjected Sarah.

  “Not good. We’ve lost the jump engines, there’s multiple damage all over the ship and life support is barely at fifteen percent.”

  “So you can also control computers mentally?” said Keera, raising an eyebrow.

  Chase shrugged and attempted a smile.

  “Any good news at all?” asked Fillio.

  “Well, the communications array seems to be working so I’ve programmed the computer to broadcast a distress call, but we didn’t jump nearly far enough from Erevos.”

  “That’s just great. This day keeps getting better and better,” said Tar’Lock with a series of fast-paced clicks.

  Keera walked away from the group. “I’m gonna see if there’s a planet nearby. At fifteen percent life support we won’t last long in space.”

  Sarah followed her. “Wait up, I’m coming with you.”

  As the cargo doors closed behind her, Chase looked at his friends.

  “There aren’t any planets in range. I’ve checked.”

  Fillio held her neck and groaned. “Why didn’t you tell them that?”

  “Sarah’s pretty shaken up. It will help keep her occupied for a while.”

  “What do we do now?” asked Daniel.

  “I don’t know. Let’s see what we can repair on the ship.”

  “I’m on it”, said Ryonna, already entering commands from the nearest terminal. Fillio and Tar’Lock joined her.

  Daniel clearly had something on his mind. “What is it, my friend?”

  “Are we gonna talk about what just happened?”

  “You’re gonna have to be more specific. A lot happened today.”

  “The part about the Fury world appearing out of nowhere and the implications.”

  Chase broke eye contact. He was still unsure how to deal with that at the moment. The sheer weight of the consequences that this new development could have for everyone in the universe was simply too much to contemplate. He’d already had his share of Armageddon-like close calls to deal with lately, and right now all he was worried about was getting his friends back home safely. He couldn’t think about or address the bigger picture at the moment.

  “I don’t know what to tell you. Right now I don’t really want to debate this, so the short version is: it’s all my fault. But, like I promised Aphroditis, I’ll do my best to fix this.”

  “I don’t think is your fault.”

  “We both know it is.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, if I hadn’t agreed to help Argos the Furies would still be trapped in another dimension. We have no idea what the fallout of this will be.”

  “Well if history is any indicator, we’re looking at an extinction event, at least for any race other than the Furies currently living in this universe.”

  Chase clenched his teeth for a second. He was fully aware of this and it didn’t help to hear it out loud. But defeating his fears and darkness in his vision had given him hope that there must be a way to deal with all that.

  “We won’t let it happen.”

  Daniel beamed a wide smile.

  “What did I say?”

  “You said ‘we.’”

  “So?”

  “Well, it’s about time you realized you’re not alone in this.”

  “I guess I deserve that. I’m sorry for leaving the way I did back on Earth. I didn’t want any of you to get hurt.”

  “That’s a noble sentiment, but I think you’ve learned your lesson.”

  “I have. Without you guys we wouldn’t have survived the fight against the Titan, but . . .”

  “But if you hadn’t, things might have turned out different. That’s what you’re thinking?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s nonsense. You had no idea what the price would be for getting Sarah back.”

  “I’m not sure I would have done anything differently had I known. Not if it meant sacrificing Sarah . . . again.”

  “This is all conjecture anyway. You didn’t know, and what is happening now is done. So like you said, we’ll find a way to get Aphroditis back and send the Furies back to where they just came from. Together.”

  “No.”

  Daniel’s eyes widened. “What do you mean ‘no’?”

  “I mean trapping them in another dimension is not a viable option. This time we deal with them once and for all. The Furies must be wiped out, or they’ll keep coming back. Let’s make sure this is the last Fury war.”

  “Easy, tiger. We’re talking about the Furies here. Up until now we thought you and Argos were the only two remaining Furies, and that had already caused serious havoc. We’re talking about an entire planet of them bent on . . .” He let the words hang for a moment. “Well, I don’t know what they’re bent on, but I suppose being trapped for ten thousand years in another dimension hasn’t softened their resolve for universal domination and destruction.”

  “It hasn’t.”

  “Mind explaining how you know that? I was just assuming here.”

  “When the planet arrived I had another vision.”

  “Oh I see. Pray tell?”

  * * *

  Sarah sat next to Keera in the cockpit.

  “We haven’t been formerly introduced. My name is Sarah.” She extended her hand to Keera.

  “I know,” she said, beaming her a smile. “You’re all Chase talked about.”

  “He talked about me? Why?”

  “When I met him he was dead set on finding his brother Argos and killing him. I don’t know how much you know. Things went pretty fast in the last few hours. But Chase thought he had been forced to kill you.”

  “I . . . I have these memories. In fact, it’s really troubling. I know they’re not really mine, but I remember them as if they were. I know everything my clone has done.” Sarah’s expression darkened.

  “Boy that must feel weird.”

  “It does. I’m sorry, you have better things to do. I just needed some time away . . .”

  “It’s okay. You can help me figure out our next move.”

  Sarah looked straight ahead at the stars while Keera fiddled with her controls for a while.

  After a long silence, she looked back at Sarah. “It’s none of my business, but I’ve never seen someone so much in love as Chase.”

  Sarah attempted to smile but her expression changed almost instantly and tears flowed from her eyes.

  “I’m sorry. You may not want to discuss this. Please excuse my big mouth.”

  Sarah put a hand on Keera’s. “That’s okay, you don’t need to apologize. I’m just lost. I have trouble reconciling what happened, you know? There are a thousand thoughts overwhelming me at the moment. I . . . I don’t really know how to deal with them.”

  “That’s understandable. I know I’m a stranger, but if you need to talk, don’t hesitate, okay?”

  “That’s very sweet of you, thanks. How . . .?” she stopped.

  “How do I know Chase?”

  Sarah nodded.

  “We partnered to try and catch Argos. I’m a bounty hunter.”

  “I see.”

  “Look, I don’t want you to get any ideas. I’m not interested in Chase.”

  “That’s alright. Like I said, I’m very confused right now.”

  “Still, if you don’t mind me saying, why aren’t you back there with Chase? I’d think you’d want to be in his arms right now. In your position that’s all I would think about.”

  “I have a really hard time forgiving him for what he did.”

  Keera’s eye widened. “Forgiving? What does he have to be forgiven
for?”

  “Putting my wellbeing before that of every living being in the universe, for one.”

  “Chase had no idea that helping Argos would bring back the Furies. How could he? We all thought they were long gone.”

  “Still, he had to know that whatever Argos wanted him for would be nefarious.”

  “Look. Perhaps you should put yourself in his shoes for a little while. I’ve spent a good portion of time with him these last few days. When we met he was just a shell, his mind and heart broken. For just a second try to imagine if you were the one firing on his ship and killing him for the greater good. How would you feel?”

  Sarah thought about it for quite a long time. “I guess . . .” was all she could answer.

  “Look, it’s none of my business but I’m gonna tell you what I think anyway.”

  “You seem like that type of person.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you’re direct, that’s what I mean.”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess I am. Understand this. When I met Chase, he was just a way for me to cash in on the gigantic bounty that was on Argos’ head. But before I knew it we became friends. He’s an amazing guy, and I’m not just saying that because he saved me from being raped.”

  Sarah swallowed hard. “What?”

  “Shortly after we met I had a—how to put it mildly—an unfortunate encounter with an old business partner. He tried to abuse me sexually. Thank the Olympian gods Chase arrived in the nick of time.”

  She smiled. “He does that a lot.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Save people at the eleventh hour.”

  “So doesn’t that say a lot about him?”

  “It does. And you’ve given me a lot to think about. Thank you Keera.”

  “Anytime. Just remember, he did what he did because he loves you. I’m not sure anything else really matters at the end of the day.”

  “It will if the universe pays the price for that love.”

  Keera stayed silent. Sarah was uncomfortable being the indirect reason why they were in their current situation.

  “Any luck finding us a planet in range?”

  “Nope. The Valken’s sensors are not working at their peak efficiency, but there doesn’t seem to be anywhere in range we can land my ship.”

  “Can we repair it?”

  “As far as I can tell, whatever can be done is being taken care of by your friends.”

  “As far as you can tell?”

  “One of them is interfacing with the Valken’s system from the cargo bay’s console. They’re attempting to restore more power to life support and to restore the jump engines.”

  “Should we help?”

  “Whoever is attempting repairs seems pretty skilled. Perhaps we could boost the sensors sensit—” She didn’t finish her sentence before a rapid, repetitive alarm sounded from her console. “Oh crap.”

  “What is it?”

  She activated the internal communications. “Chase, get up here stat!”

  “What is it, Keera?” repeated Sarah.

  “We’ve got company.”

  “Friend or foe?”

  Keera’s look towards Sarah said it better than any words could.

  * * *

  In the rear of the Valken, Chase had finished explaining his vision to his friends. Fillio didn’t seem to be feeling well and he took her to one side for a chat.

  “You’re alright?”

  “I’m not sure. I feel really tired of it all.”

  Chase recognized that mood. “Wanna talk about it?”

  “Sure. I don’t really know where to start, though.”

  “Perhaps you could tell me what has you worried.”

  “What doesn’t these days? You know?”

  Chase nodded.

  “We’ve been fending off one attack after another since as long as I can remember now.”

  “I can relate to that.”

  “Yet the Furies getting back means it will be even more fighting, more death and destruction. When will it end, Chase?”

  “I wish I could say soon. But I’m just realizing the real battle has yet to begin.”

  “I don’t think I have the strength for that one. Perhaps I should resign.”

  “It’s your right to do so and nobody will think less of you if you do. But I won’t lie to you, we’d be losing one of our best wing commanders.”

  She attempted a smile. “Look at me rambling when you must feel responsible for the current situation.”

  This stung his heart. She noticed. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Please forgive me, Chase.”

  “You don’t need to apologize. You haven’t said anything I didn’t know or acknowledge myself.”

  “Yet it was unfair saying it out loud.”

  “Think nothing of it. I’m more worried about how you feel at the moment.”

  “I’ll be fine. Perhaps it’s just the lack of sleep. I can’t remember the last time I slept soundly for an entire night.”

  “I can help you with that.”

  “How?”

  “Well, I can easily put you to sleep. The more my telekinetic and telepathic powers grow, the more I understand how the different regions of our brains work.”

  “That’s handy. I might actually take you up on that once we get back to Earth, if you can spare the time.”

  “For you I’ll make the time.”

  She shot him that same look of affection she had given him when they were closer back at the academy. But it made Chase slightly uncomfortable now.

  “Thank you, Chase.”

  “Anytime, buddy.”

  “Buddy?”

  “Well . . .”

  “Say no more.”

  Chase bit his lip. That hadn’t been very tactful. He knew from her call right after the fifth fleet had rejoined the Earth Alliance that she still had latent feelings for him.

  Then again, his mind was filled with so many questions, so much anxiety about what was to come next, that he hadn’t stopped once to think how others felt about the situation, or even the feelings they might have towards him. Was he being selfish? Clearly the last few months had taken a toll on his friend and he hadn’t noticed.

  Daniel was looking at the two of them strangely. That’s when Chase realized that he liked Fillio.

  He sent him a telepathic message. Come and keep her company, will you? She really needs someone to talk to and I can think of nobody better than you.

  His expression changed and he smiled as he approached them.

  “I got to check on a few things,” said Chase, aware how obvious he was being.

  But it didn’t seem to bother Fillio. “Alright, thanks for the talk, Chase.”

  “Anytime.”

  Daniel sat next to Fillio and a few minutes later he had managed to put a smile back on her face, and even to make her laugh.

  Ryonna sat next to Chase. “I’m not the right person for fixing this jump engine.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do fine, Ryonna. How are you? Besides the repairs, I mean?”

  “Better than you, obviously.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Have you forgotten how empathic we Droxians are? You’re broadcasting your emotions at the moment. They seem to be all over the place. Plus, after all this time I like to think I’m starting to get to know you.”

  “Right. I’m okay. Just overwhelmed by it all.”

  “I think that’s the general consensus at the moment.”

  Ryonna gazed over at Daniel and Fillio when she saw Chase doing so.

  “They’re cute together. They’d make a nice couple.”

  “I agree. I can sense his love for her.”

  “Yeah, me too. I’m not sure how she feels about him, though.”

  Chase wasn’t either. Did she still have residual feelings toward him, which could prevent her from seeing Daniel in the same light as he was seeing her?

  His train of thought was interrupted when the
speakers came to life. It was Keera. “Chase, get up here, stat!”

  “Now what?” said Chase, running towards the cockpit.

  C H A P T E R

  IV

  Onboard the Zarlack destroyer, Miseo stood at the viewport on the bridge as the ship exited hyperspace.

  “Scan the area for any energy signatures,” said the Fury to nobody in particular.

  “A medium-sized craft’s signature has been detected on long range sensors.”

  “Vector the ship towards it, and as soon as we’re in range, fire with maximum firepower.”

  “Shouldn’t we try to capture them?” said someone on the bridge.

  Miseo looked at the crew. “Who said that?”

  A Zarlack got up from his console and took a step forward. “I did . . . Master.”

  “Why do you think we should capture them?”

  “From the sensor data we have on the ship, it seems badly damaged. They are basically disabled. Perhaps their passengers could be of more use to the Fury alive than dead.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “First Officer Zin’Dran, Master.”

  “Are you aware of the concept of an order, First Officer?”

  “Of course, Master, and I apologize if I—”

  He was cut short when he started levitating towards the Fury. He flailed his limbs, trying in vain to get back to the ground.

  “Please, Master, I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

  Miseo looked at the officer and his eyes glowed with an intense, bright-red hue.

  “I don’t know how Argos did things around here, but I think a little demonstration couldn’t hurt.”

  A wave of energy shot upwards from Miseo’s feet and sent his short hair dancing atop his scalp, as his aura shined brightly on the bridge, giving every console and bulkhead around him a red tinge.

  The officer, realizing his life was about to end, flailed his limbs and tail even more, but soon he felt an invisible force applying pressure on every one of his muscles, restricting his every move. He tried to speak, to implore the Fury for mercy, but his wind pipes refused to obey him. Soon his floating body was mere feet away from the Fury.

  Another officer rose from his console and intervened. “Please, Master, spare his life!”

  Miseo’s ruby stare adjusted and looked at the second lizard man. He released his telekinetic grasp and First Officer Zin’Dran fell to the ground in front of Miseo.