Salvation (Cascade Book 8)

by Phil Maxey

  They all shifted their view to the direction the cube was heading.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Fiona.

  Energy shifted and sparked in a circular motion, leaving a starless area inside. It grew in size until they could not see its edges, but only the void they were about to enter.

  “Here we go…” Said Zach.

  There was a slight bump.

  Sam went to ask when the travel to the far off star system was going to start, but then realized the stars were once again in front of him.

  The view outside then shifted around, to show another star, this one much brighter than the rest.

  “From here on, we are in grave danger,” said Klept.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  A shot rang out around the outpost, making everyone in the hanger shudder. Another sound soon followed, this one of something falling to the sodden ground. Footsteps sloshed through puddles outside and whimpers and sobs increased around the fifteen people remaining of the Kentucky outpost.

  “Last one for now!” Shouted Erin through the metal door. “Get some rest and we will continue the fun at first light!”

  A woman scrambled forward through the gloom. “I’m a Cascader! Take me out of here!”

  The footsteps that were receding into the distance, stopped. “I have all the Cascaders already.” Shouted Erin then continued walking away.

  The woman slumped on the ground, against the front wall of the hanger.

  Major Hoxted looked at the bruised face of Brad next to her. “How you holding up?”

  He nodded. “Had worse beatings than this. I guess he was fond of the psychopath.”

  She gently held his hand. “We’ll get through this.” She looked at the door barely visible in the failing light. “Do you think she’s ever coming back?”

  “She’ll return.”

  Outside in the basement of what remained of the main house, lights flickered in the basement room. Erin sat alone at the head of the long conference table, looking at one of the pieces of paper which lay scattered over it. He signed and dropped it back to the others. The screens around him laid on the ground smashed, he was sure the computers they were attached too were also useless. A parting gift from the previous residences of the room.

  A noise came from the stairs and a balding man with glasses walked towards him, sitting heavily in a nearby chair.

  “What’s the damage,” said Erin to Bryan Teller.

  “We lost around ninety people. Thirty-two are seriously injured and I don’t expect to last till the morning. We also lost three tanks and a number of Humvees. Mitchell won’t be happy.”

  “Leave the General to me. Did we get anything useful from the wreckage of the plane?”

  “Some medical supplies.”

  “Good.”

  Bryan swallowed as if building the courage to ask his next question. “Is the plan to execute all of those still here?”

  Erin stood. “They had their chance to surrender, multiple times. Instead they chose to fight. They made their choice.”

  “Then why not just kill all of them in one go and get it over with?”

  Erin walked across the room and started ascending the stairs. “Because I’m waiting for someone. Get some rest. We have big day tomorrow.”

  *****

  Most in the cube cell were sitting, watching the Epsilon star increase in size and the Hulathen facility became clearer.

  “So there’s really not much to do in space is there?” Said Sam to Fiona.

  She smiled, shaking her head.

  Zach looked at Aggie who he was sitting next too. “How you holding up?”

  She raised her hand, shaping her fingers into an ‘O’.

  “Good. It’s umm pretty wild being in space.”

  She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

  Zach smiled. “Oh, no big deal eh?”

  She shrugged again.

  He looked across to Michael. His friend was sitting apart from the rest of them, seemingly fixated on the infinity of stars outside.

  Zach sighed and went to get to his feet when something blurred past them, causing the stars to blank out for a second and the cube to shudder.

  “What the hell was that?” Said Sean.

  “That was a Hulathen craft going to the facility,” said Klept.

  “I think they all just zapped themselves around with the gates or something,” said Sam.

  “For extremely local, or far travel, gates are used, but for everything else craft are used. You should all get to your feet, we are approaching the facility.”

  They all did as asked and watched in trepidation as the alien structure, which they were moving towards at high speed, came into full view.

  A myriad of tiny points of light covered an enormous organic looking shape.

  “It looks like a giant mollusc shell,” said Sam.

  Even though the Hulathen facility now filled the entire region of space in front of them, they were still moving towards it.

  “How big is this thing?” Said Fiona.

  “In earth measurements, it would be approximately sixteen hundred kilometers, from one side to the other,” said Klept.

  “So pretty big then,” said Zach.

  Klept then turned to all of them. “Once this cube docks and we leave its confines, we need to stay undiscovered for as long as possible, for once we are, we will need to fight.”

  “You lead the way and we’ll have your back,” said Zach.

  It was obvious that the cube was heading for one of the points of light across the surface of the structure, for it was now growing in size far quicker than the others around it.

  Zach turned to those around him. “Game time. Everyone check your weaponry.”

  They did as asked but were soon more absorbed by what was approaching them. The point of light was now rectangular in shape and they could see other objects moving in and out of it.

  “We are about to enter one of the docking ports,” said Klept.

  An intense light emanated from the mile wide opening and the cube cell quickly passed over the threshold. The cavernous space was full of alien craft of different shapes and sizes, as well as similar cube cells all neatly aligned and stacked. Most inside the cube cell looked on open mouthed.

  “It’s like I’m in a popular weekly sci-fi TV show,” said Sam.

  “Yeah one where you can die,” said Fiona.

  Sam quickly pulled out an old smartphone and started taking photos. “Ha, Isaiah’s going to lose his shit when he sees this.” Zach looked at him frowning. He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Yup, I’m focused.”

  “Is there an atmosphere out there?” Said Fiona to Klept. “Because I haven’t exactly got a spacesuit handy.”

  “There is a human level degree of atmosphere, correct.”

  “Hey look, there are beings down there,” said Michael studying the floor of the hanger hundreds of feet below.

  They all strained their eyes, looking down.

  “Hulathen?” Said Zach.

  “No, they are another alien species. Numerous species work at this facility,” said Klept.

  Zach looked up at the alien. “We don’t want to make enemies of anyone else by doing this.”

  “Most species fear the Hulathen as much as we all do. There is a class structure to interstellar species, and the Hulathen are at the top. Think of them as a kind of aristocracy.”

  Jogron said something to Klept, which he nodded to in reply. He then walked to one side of the cell, and touched it briefly. The entire wall changed from a view of the hanger outside, to a three-dimensional schematic of the facility. Thousands of glowing dots permeated the entire scene.

  Zach moved closer to the wall. “The dots I take it are life forms?”

  “Yes,” said Klept touching the wall, which then zoomed into one part of the facility. “This is our location. I am going to plot a route to the organic fusion chamber. That is where the raw materials for the Hulathen hosts are brought toget
her.” The image on the wall changed once again, this time zooming in on a large rectangular cuboid.

  “That seems pretty far?” Said Sean.

  “Unfortunately this was as close as we could get without raising suspicions,” said Klept.

  The tall alien then stepped back and touched a part of his belt. The apparatus on the lower half of his face started to change shape, increasing in size and grew into a complete helmet. Other inorganic plates grew over his lower arm, culminating in a large bracelet looking device around his right wrist. Jogron did the same.

  “Umm…when do we get a space battle suit?” Said Sam.

  Zach held up his M4 rifle. “We got what we need.”

  “The Ultor’s are not usually seen in these parts, so we need to disguise our appearance.”

  The cube cell came to an abrupt halt and a jolt ran through the floor, making everyone catch their balance. Klept touched the map screen again and it reverted to its transparent version, but now on the other side was a kind of gantry, which led to a door.

  Klept turned to the others. “Are you ready?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Daniel Bass sat up from his bunk. Since he learned that Zach and the others had left he couldn’t sleep, but most around him were motionless. He looked down at the scars on his leg and across his body and sighed, he wasn’t even a bit tired.

  When Trow offered him the chance to become an officer, he laughed. He pointed out to her he didn’t have the qualifications, but she pointed out to him that these were extraordinary times and he had shown leadership qualities on more than one occasion and frankly they were short of officers. He wasn’t exactly in prime physical shape, so the idea of hitting the books to train for the exam they had prepared, while he recuperated seemed a good use of his time. He passed and was given the rank of Captain.

  He stood up and stretched. It wasn’t long before he was back in his fatigues and walking to main operations.

  The large chamber was a pale imitation of its usual hectic self, with only a few soldiers at desks monitoring the various video feeds from around the camp and communications from the bunkers.

  He walked next to a portly woman, with her black hair tied back. “Hey Reid, anything happening out there?”

  “All quiet, sir.”

  “Are both the cube gates where they should be?”

  She tapped away at her keyboard and a video feed from the dam appeared on the huge screen at the front of the hall. The two remaining cube gates stood out as intensely black shapes amongst the slightly lighter night sky. “They’re just sitting there sir, as always.”

  He nodded and looked at the back of the room, where a long table sat. “Coffee still hot?”

  Reid looked at the other soldier who was seated a few rows from her. “Hey Collins, you drunk all the coffee?” The soldier didn’t reply. “Collins? You fallen asleep?”

  The other soldier was listening to his headset and watching the screen at his station.

  Bass walked towards him. “You can own up to drinking the coffee son, I don’t think you will get demoted for that—” Bass saw what the young private was looking at.

  The soldier pulled his headset off and went to get out of his chair, when he realised Bass was right behind him. “Sir, I have multiple contacts of possible alien craft inbound.”

  “Put it on the big screen.”

  A few seconds later the radar image from the private’s monitor was spread large on the big screen.

  “I’m seeing…five….no…seven…no”

  Bass looked back at Reid. “Put us on general alert and wake the general!”

  Even though no sirens or lights were obvious, only a few moments passed before people starting rushing into the room and taking their seats.

  Bass turned to Reid. “I want eyes on all the incoming contacts. Put it up on the big screen.”

  The soldier tapped away and with each keystroke another image appeared of the night sky, filled with unnatural lights that were skimming across the sky, stopping and then producing a purple light.

  “Sir, I think they are—”

  “The Hulathen have returned,” said Bass.

  One of the double doors swung open behind and the general appeared. “What’s the situation?” She said walking to him.

  “Multiple cube gates and they look as if they are dropping off the Hulathen.”

  “So it’s starting again.”

  “It looks that way.”

  She looked around confused. “What time is it?”

  “5 am ma’am,” said Reid.

  Other people rushed into room, which was now throbbing with busy people.

  “Tell all the commanders at the bunkers what’s happening and be ready for possible attack.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Any contact from Kentucky or the C-130?”

  “None ma’am.”

  Trow sighed, pulling a hair band from her pocket, and using it to tie her hair back. She then cleared her throat. “Listen up everyone.”

  All in the room quietened and looked at her.

  “This looks like another full scale assault on us. Our objective is to make it difficult for them, and fight back where we can. If they try to infiltrate here or the bunkers we will make them regret it. Now back to work.”

  She turned back to Bass. “Are our internal defense perimeters in place?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  They both noticed a hush had descended across the room, and looked towards the large screens. The night sky was now awash with purple streaks raining down to the ground, from dark shapes.

  “That’s a lot more activity than last time,” said Bass.

  “Yes, it is…” Trow turned to the officers nearby. “I want all our forces deployed to the pre-planned defensive positions around the camp.” She then turned back to Bass. “You ready to lead the Cascader squads?”

  He nodded.

  “You’re a Captain now Daniel, make us proud.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He stood too attention and saluted.

  “Release all the E.L.F’s, we’re going all in.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He relayed the order then jogged to the exit.

  Reid held her headset closer to her ear, then turned to the general. “Ma’am, the Hulathen had started coming through the cube gates at the dam, Captain Fowlers forces have engaged them.”

  *****

  “So this is what the future looks like?” Said Sam looking at the expansive architecture around him.

  They walked along a gantry. One of many that were stacked above each other, and fixed to a column which allowed a view to other such structures, each one half a mile wide and full of intricate walkways and tunnels.

  “It’s like looking upon a Grand Canyon made by robots,” said Fiona.

  Drones looking like giant metal insects hovered and flittered from tower to tower, while non-Hulathen aliens sometimes appeared momentarily, only to disappear back into corridors and doors.

  They had already been walking for twenty minutes and none of the humans had passed one location they would easily recognize again.

  Klept stopped, holding his hand up.

  Fiona leaned in to Zach. “What’s going on?”

  Zach shook his head.

  The tall alien went to touch a part of the wall at the end of the gantry, but stopped when he heard noises behind them.

  A group of humanoid aliens, each with varied facial features, skin colors and outfits, also walked onto the gantry. The closest one looked angrily at Sean, who slowly backed away until he touched up against Sam.

  The thin wall which was the only barrier between those on the gantry and the sheer drop, disappeared, but before fear could form in Zach and the others minds, the entire scene in front of them changed. Rather than being up high, looking out at a vista of artificial towers alive with busy movement, they were now at ground level, with the towers looming above them. The other aliens stepped nonchalantly off the gantry and walked away.


  “So that was like another gate or something?” Said Sam.

  Klept stepped off the gantry. “Similar yes. We are getting close to our destination, we must move quickly.”

  As they moved across the floor, hurriedly walking past groups of aliens, Zach noticed out the corner of his eye one of the Bee like drones had abruptly stopped and appeared to be watching them. He moved forward until he was closer to Klept.

  “One of those drones is following us.”

  “I am aware. Keep moving.”

  They quickened their pace across the stadium sized area.

  Fiona briefly looked back. There were now two drones following them.

  Klept seem to be moving towards a far off doorway as the other aliens moved out of the way, realizing this new group were in a rush.

  A siren type horn blew, making everyone jump and stop. The two drones suddenly zipped in front of Zach and the others, blocking any further movement towards their destination. Red lights pulsed on the metallic insect frames as they hovered just a few yards away.

  “Keep calm…” Whispered Klept over his shoulder.

  A robotic voice in an unknown language then wafted through the air from the drones to Klept, who responded in a similar tongue, briefly pointing to the others behind him.

  Zach and the others noticed there was now a third drone hovering behind them. Their grips tightened on their rifles.

  Klept turned and leaned over to talk quieter to Zach. “Be ready to run towards the entrance we were moving towards. Jogron will take you the rest of the way.”

  Before Zach could respond a pulse of energy wrapped around the device on Klept’s wrist, which he then pointed at the closest alien drone. A burst of energy spewed forward instantly vaporizing it. As Klept targeted the second, Jogron grabbed held of Zach’s shoulder and pulled him forward. A loud piercing noise throbbed and vibrated throughout the area. Everyone started running towards the entrance, trying to avoid running into the crowds of aliens that were scattering in all directions.

  Jogron sprinted towards the door and was only a few yards from it when out of nowhere an Hulathen charged into him knocking him through the air and slamming him into a nearby wall. Zach and the rest opened up with their M4’s on the attacker which knocked it back, more out of surprise than any actual harm being done.