“Easy, son. You’ve had a rough go of it, but you’re safe now and in good hands. We’re aboard the Ajax.” It was Correlli.
“You may not remember, but you’re suffering from a nearly fatal exposure to hard vacuum, and you’ve got a way to go before you’ll be back on your feet. But the doctors here assure me you’ll make a full recovery.”
“Thhhhhank… yihoo… Lootent,” Emerson managed. He wanted to express so much more, but his jaw and facial muscles throbbed with pain.
“Everything hurt?”
Emerson nodded slowly. Correlli tapped the call button and a medical automate slid quietly into the room to administer additional pain suppressors.
“That’s to be expected, unfortunately. Really, it’s quite a miracle you survived. If I hadn’t been there when I was...” the BLUE MONARCH trailed off. “Well, somehow I was and you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
Emerson closed his eyes and allowed himself to begin sinking back into that place of tranquil, undisturbed silence. Then two apprehensive thoughts sent ripples of concern across the placid waters of his mind. Where was his father? And where was Ashley? He kept looking for the answers and coming up empty.
“Lootenant… where… is… my…father?” he asked. Pain permeated every syllable, but he desperately wanted to ask the question.
“I’m sorry, Emerson, we don’t know.” When Correlli did not elaborate, Emerson exhaled slowly and slumped deeper into the supportive cushion of the med bed.
He looked up at the big man, who simply smiled back at him. Spying his shirt folded neatly on a nearby counter, he thought about reaching for it, but the BLUE MONARCH read his intent and grabbed it for him.
“I thhhink… I’d like… to be alone… nnnow... Lootenant.”
“Sure, Emerson. I understand.” Correlli patted him gently on his right shoulder. It still hurt. “I’ll be back later to check on your progress. Get some rest now.”
“I will.”
Emerson watched the BLUE MONARCH disappear through the sick bay bulkhead, then slowly opened the side seam pocket of his shirt. Amazingly what he sought was still there. He inserted the small data wafer into the arm-mounted datapad next to his med bed and began reading where it opened.
…a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, and suffering terribly.”
“Shall I come and heal him?”
“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
“Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour…
Emerson pushed the datapad away and closed his eyes once again. Thinking about anything made his head hurt even more, so he relaxed and let sleep overtake him. As he drifted into unconsciousness, the insignia from Correlli’s armored uniform floated before his mind’s eye: a blue and white crescent pointing upwards, balanced on a rod of iron. It created an indelible impression in his memory, and one last, vivid thought presented itself: He could no longer sit passively or be a pawn in the events happening around him. He would do something to stop the Triven, to fix his past mistakes and protect those he cared about.
Epilogus
Armand DeSoto sat on the divan in his darkened office, resting his feet comfortably on an ottoman and languidly swirling a scotch. Due to the time between supply runs, he rarely indulged, preferring to husband the limited stocks he had. But circumstances being what they were, now was an appropriate time. He savored the rich flavor, letting the golden liquor suffuse his senses while he stared at the message on his datapad.
* ALL PMC TERMINALS AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE MONITORED AND LOGGED *
From: First Director, PMC, Corporate Asset Defense and Security
To: Site Security Director, Armand DeSoto - Tantalus Station
Re: Residuum
Current operations status understood. Your priorities are:
Seal and destroy any remaining evidence of alien ships, structures, artifacts, etc. Forward all digital records immediately. THIS IS PARAMOUNT. To answer your query, ancillary sites remain dormant at this time.
Requisition all supplies and personnel to restore station operations ASAP.
Previously transmitted anomalous DNA and tissue samples show extensive genetic manipulation and bioengineering. Retain high-value subject in question through all means necessary, barring termination of any UNSA personnel.
An official letter of reprimand has been added to your dossier.
Confirm receipt and acknowledge.
T. Magnus
FD, PMC-CADAS
* * * END TRANS * * *
DeSoto swallowed another sip of scotch and carefully weighed his response as the elixir burned its way down. An official reprimand could jeopardize his career, but thanks to selective reporting, Corporate was not aware of all the facts... yet. So he would play the one card he had left. He tapped his wristcomm.
“Yes, Director?”
“Are we still tracking Doctor Avery?”
“Affirmative, sir. His ship is squawking loud and clear.”
“Brilliant. Thank you.”
Turning again to his datapad, DeSoto drafted a short message.
* ALL PMC TERMINALS AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE MONITORED AND LOGGED *
From: Site Security Director, Armand DeSoto - Tantalus Station
To: First Director, PMC, Corporate Asset Defense and Security
Re: Status
Directives understood and acknowledged.
A. DeSoto
SSD - Tantalus Station
* * * END TRANS * * *
That task complete, he opened a private, encrypted audio channel that went outside the PMC’s subspace transmission network. He took one more sip of scotch, then proceeded. A rasping, abrasive voice answered him curtly.
“Yes?”
“I have a job for you.”
“You know my fee.”
“Indeed I do. The funds have already been deposited in the usual account. This is, ah… an expedited request.”
“Understood. I’m at your disposal.”
“Smashing! Here’s what I need…”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Acknowledgments
I did not want to write this book.
Wait! Let me explain! What I should actually say is this is not the book I wanted to write now.
Originally I had a completely different storyline thought out and nearly finished when I was given new direction from our Diadem Studios leader, Brent Strandy. So, I had to start from scratch for Cerulean Rising – Part II. Suffice it to say, I was a little disappointed and actually more anxious about writing my second book than I was my first. Now I had set myself a precedent. Could I live up to my own expectations?
If I may be so bold, I know I have.
I am thrilled with where this story takes our characters and am excited to see how their plotlines will unfold in the future.
Again I want to thank my Diadem teammates for their encouragement, and my two very special friends for their editorial expertise: Andrew Rogers and Sarah Onofrey—my former Domain Group colleagues who also happen to be a writer and editor, respectively. They are exceedingly good at their crafts, and I cannot thank them enough for taking the time to edit and proofread my work. Any errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar are mine alone.
I also want to thank all my fans (especially my biggest one—you know who you are) who have eagerly awaited the continuing story of the BLUE MONARCH universe. And would you mind doing me a favor? After you’ve read this book, please tell a friend about it. Then post a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, or whatever social media you use. I value all of the feedback I receive.
Lastly, I must thank my wife, Darla, and all my saurian children for their continued love and support of
my literary endeavors.
Justin Sewall
Feb. 7, 2016
Seattle, WA
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