by Neal Jones
This is a work of fiction.
The characters and events described in this story are imaginary and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
©2011 by Neal Jones
"THE ERAYAN"
www.exxar1.com
Table of Contents
Prologue. 9
Part One. 30
Chapter 1. 31
Chapter 2. 56
Chapter 3. 79
Chapter 4. 96
Chapter 5. 115
Chapter 6. 134
Chapter 7. 153
Part Two. 181
Chapter 8. 182
Chapter 9. 202
Chapter 10. 225
Chapter 11. 240
Chapter 12. 257
Chapter 13. 276
Chapter 14. 296
Chapter 15. 315
Chapter 16. 333
Chapter 17. 352
Chapter 18. 373
Part Three. 392
Chapter 19. 393
Chapter 20. 413
Chapter 21. 431
Chapter 22. 453
Chapter 23. 476
Chapter 24. 492
Chapter 25. 510
Chapter 26. 528
Chapter 27. 562
Chapter 28. 583
Epilogue. 610
Appendices. 621
This one is for Christina.
Minomina!
SYNOPSIS
No one wanted another war.
Starbase Exxar-One was supposed to be a neutral meeting ground for representatives of the Chrisarii Alliance and the Interstellar Federation of Peace; a place to maintain the fragile peace, but it's now rife with conflict.
Commodore Marcus Gabriel of the EarthCorps Navy doesn't want the position of commanding officer. He lost his father and too many fellow soldiers to the war's frontlines. His Chrisarii EXO, Major Kralin Saveck, has his own reasons for despising his assignment. Neither of them is prepared for the conflict that lies ahead.
A rebel group of Chrisarii are attacking Exxar-One with raiders that are equipped with suspiciously advanced offensive technology. Queyn Vorik, the Chrisarii ambassador who was instrumental in Exxar-One's creation, is brutally murdered seven days after arriving on the station. All evidence points to a human suspect.
Meanwhile, the Jha'Drok lord emperor is on his deathbed, and it's up to his spoiled, conniving and ruthlessly ambitious son to follow through on his father's plans to invade and conquer the Federation. The whole operation just might succeed as long as everyone can stay distracted by the Chrisarii situation.
And then there's the unidentified alien object that's drifted into sensor range of a Federation listening post in the Ontaar sector, only a few light years from Exxar-One. Commander Decev, chief science officer, takes a team with her to investigate and they all disappear.
Political intrigue. Religious terrorism. Galactic warfare. Exploration of the unknown.
It's business as usual for the crew of Exxar-One.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the ladies in the IRC room at Oregon Trail Elementary School for being the first to read this manuscript and give me valuable feedback. They will be compensated with enough candy and crackers for their snack cupboard to last for years.
My family. My mom and dad, Chad, Rochelle, Caleb, Jeremy, Emalie, Grandpa and Grandma Birkey, Emily H., and my nieces and nephews. You all are my strength and my light. I love you.
To my friends. Christina, Jaime, Yesica, Christy, Jeni, and the staff at Oregon Trail. You all have supported me in one way or another over the years, and I am grateful.
Author's Note
The critics all say it's bad for new authors to open their books with an apology. But I feel I would be remiss if I didn't apologize to you in advance for the formatting of this book. I hope it looks okay, and I hope you don't have any trouble reading it, but I did all this formatting and uploading myself, and I'm new at this. So I'm apologizing now if paragraph indentations are weird or there's lots of blank space between pages and/or paragraphs. I did my damndest to get everything just right and make this reading experience as pleasant for you as I can.
Now that that's out of the way, let me thank you for purchasing this book. This is the first chapter of what I hope will be a lengthy series, at least 15 books, maybe twenty. So if you're like me, and you think that the best stories are the ones with a large cast of characters, lots of plot, plenty of action, and a healthy dose of personal – as well as epic – drama, then this series is for you. If not, I apologize, and at least you're only out a couple bucks. (We may meet again further on down the road. I have a couple other sci-fi series simmering on the back burners of my brain.)
So kick your feet back, flip to the prologue, and enjoy!
Prologue
____________________
( 1 )
Galactic Standard Date: 38-22408.07
(Earth Date: April 17, 2551)
The Jha'Drok battle carrier, Il T'Shrak, glided on a sea of stars, moving at half speed, her running lights illuminating a polished, ebony hull. Here and there, dotting the metal landscape, the lighted viewports shone like sparks from a white fire. The expansive bridge was silent, save for the occasional bleeps and chirps of the various computer systems which were monitored by the dozen soldiers currently standing watch. First Krin Elyn Nejra, commanding officer of the T'Shrak, stepped from the PTL, nodding to his tactical officer, Third Krin Esseld.
Nejra couldn't sleep. These bouts of insomnia were becoming more frequent, and the Jha'Drok was starting to wonder if he was coming down with something. He didn't want to pay a visit to Doctor Ataan if he could help it. The old man would just prescribe some medication whose side effects would be worse than the insomnia. So, instead, Nejra chose to walk his ship, claiming to the night watch that he was performing a surprise inspection.
He crossed the bridge, exchanging a glance with Second Krin Morlak, who had risen from the command chair, expecting his superior to ask for a systems status report, or an update on their arrival at the Graun starbase. But Nejra motioned for Morlak to sit, not breaking his stride as he entered his ready room. He walked behind his desk and looked down at the empty surface. Except for his computer terminal Nejra's workspace was immaculate. The first krin was a man of order and neatness, almost to a fault. It was one of the qualities, in his opinion, which had cemented his position as the commanding officer of a battle carrier.
He sat and activated the terminal. There was only three communiqués in his mailbox. One was a letter from his wife, Chiann, and the other two were from First Krin Treva, commanding officer of the Graun starbase. Nejra was about to open his wife's letter when his commlink beeped.
"First, our long range sensors have detected something that you'll want to see."
Nejra's scowl deepened. Whatever it was could wait until morning. But, after a moment's deliberation, he decided to oblige his second-in-command. He rose, tapping the link. "I'm on my way."
When Nejra stepped onto the bridge, he immediately turned his gaze to the forward viewscreen. Displayed there was a large metal ring, and after checking magnification rating that was displayed in the lower corner of the screen, the first krin realized that the actual size of the object was at least five times larger than his warship. It was utterly featureless, its surface smooth and unblemished. Its color reminded Nejra of the sky during the summer storms in Siverll province on homeworld.
"Report," he ordered.
"Sensors are unable to penetrate its surface," Esseld replied. "It's stationary, no indication of exterior propulsion systems or power sources."
"All stop." Nejra moved to his command chair, feeling a need to sit. His walk had succeeded, as he was now fatigued and ready for bed. "Try hailing it."
The communications officer, a female third krin, complied. After a minute of silence, she frowned, glancing towards the viewscreen. "No response."
"No change in the object's status," Esseld added.
"Continue hailing it on all frequencies, in all languages. Dispatch a probe."
His crew obeyed, and Nejra settled into his chair, fighting his exhaustion. After a few minutes, he decided it wasn't worth it. He rose, turning to Morlak.
"I'm going to bed. Continue monitoring the object and take no unnecessary action. Notify the Graun starbase that we'll be delayed. I'll see you in the morning."
Morlak nodded. "Yes, First."
Nejra exited the bridge, yawning once the doors of the PTL had closed. This small diversion was a welcome change of pace. The Il T'Shrak had been mapping this uncharted sector for several weeks now, further cementing the first krin's belief that he was being punished. His last speech to the Imperial Senate had apparently struck a nerve. The T'Shrak was a state-of-the-art battle carrier, armed with the latest offensive weaponry and defense arrays and manned by almost seven hundred officers and infantry. This crew was trained to fight in a war, not analyze sensor readings and label star charts.
This had bothered Nejra at first, but now he was pleasantly surprised by the security of the daily routine which this type of mission entailed. If this was the senate's way of punishing him, so be it. All he had back home was his wife, no children. Chiann was used to her husband being gone for long periods, and Elyn's time of service was almost at an end. He and Chiann had enough in their savings account to ensure a comfortable retirement.
As the first krin entered his quarters and removed his uniform jacket, he gave no more thought to the alien object outside the ship. Had he remained on the bridge for another few minutes, he would have seen firsthand what happened when the probe got close enough to the ring.
He wouldn't have slept at all that night.
( 2 )
Seven hours later, Nejra returned to the bridge, refreshed and reenergized. He felt much better than he had the last several mornings, and his first task after waking up was to read the letter from Chiann. She had included photos of the latest addition to her flower garden, a Tolekk fire rose. The first krin smiled at the sight of his wife on her knees in the dirt, her face streaked with loam, grinning for the camera. He ached for her, suddenly realizing how long he had been out here, how much time had passed since their last night together. As Nejra stepped onto the bridge, he reminded himself of the number of days left in his time of service. Perhaps Morlak was right. Perhaps the first krin should not deliver anymore speeches to the senate.
The second krin rose from the command chair, and he handed Nejra a compad.
"Good morning, second."
"Good morning, first. We received some very interesting telemetry from the probe last night, right after you left the bridge."
Nejra took the pad, perusing the report. He was startled by the words, but didn't show this. Instead, he looked at Morlak and requested to see the telemetry.
"Of course," Morlak replied, motioning to one of the backup science stations at the rear of the bridge. "It's ready to play at your command."
The first krin walked to the console and activated the screen, then inputted a command. In the center of the alien ring a blue energy field suddenly appeared, activated by the presence of the probe. The tiny sensor drone crossed the event horizon, vanishing into the writhing vortex. The field dissipated almost immediately, scattering into nothing like dandelion seeds carried off by a violent wind. The playback ceased. Nejra frowned, turning to the forward viewscreen. The ring was still present, the image magnified several degrees. It was silent and still, waiting for another traveler to bid entry beyond its port. The first krin glanced at Morlak and held up the pad.
"These readings are indicative of a wormhole."
"Yes," Morlak agreed. "It's reasonable to assume that this ring is some kind of artificial wormhole."
"Has the probe returned?"
"No. We launched a second probe, and its telemetry was the same as the first."
Nejra crossed to his command chair, mulling over his options. There was no indication that the ring would be going anywhere anytime soon. A beacon could be launched, and a science vessel would be along in few weeks to investigate this further. But the more Nejra considered it, the higher his curiosity rose. If this was a wormhole, where did it lead? How far was it to the other side? This could be a significant find, a massive step forward in the manifest destiny of the empire. It was very likely that dozens of alien civilizations lived beyond this portal, a plethora of worlds whose riches and people would expand the power and the might of the Jha'Drok Emperium.
And yet, if there was a species who had succeeded in creating artificial wormholes, they already had an advantage over the Jha'Drok. Perhaps the civilizations beyond this threshold might not be conquered so easily. The Emperium had already been through one prolonged and costly war in Nejra's lifetime. Their conflict with the Interstellar Federation of Peace had not ended as planned, and in fact, the empire had been forced to surrender a third of its star systems when a truce had finally been declared after almost two decades of fighting. Ever since, the Emperium had become torn, divided against itself by the significant and devastating defeat. Many argued that there had not been a defeat at all, merely a stalemate. The Senate and the Lord Emperor, however, disagreed. All of their time in session was now consumed with finding ways to expand the empire's territory, no matter the cost. Nejra had stated his objection to this during his speech to the senate. Shortly after, he received new orders. The paragraph was short and to the point: go chart the unexplored territories. But it was the unwritten words which Nejra understood: Do not return until you have proven yourself a true patriot. This is your last opportunity.
Nejra considered all this some more and then seated himself in the command chair. "Helm, take us forward, full thrusters. Set a course for the center of that ring. Once we've crossed the event horizon, cut our thrusters and allow the gravity field to propel us. Tactical, bring all weapons and deflector screens on line. Signal blue alert."
The bridge crew responded swiftly and without objection. This course of action was not a surprise, nor was it unwelcome. Over the last several weeks, and especially during his nightly walks, Nejra had seen the sideways glances, heard the whispers from soldiers who thought they were out of earshot. His crew would never openly rebel, but it was clear that they were dissatisfied with this assignment. There was nothing in the uncharted territories, no star systems worth conquering out here. Long range probes and sensor nets had already determined this. There was no need to send a ship, much less a battle carrier. They were being punished for the actions of their first krin, and they resented him for it.
As the energy vortex grew in size, filling the forward viewscreen, Nejra fixed his gaze upon the center of it. He felt a small measure of excitement at the thrill of taking a step into the unknown. His eyes flared with anticipation, and he never once gave a thought to whether or not this might be the last moment of his life. There was not enough data from the probe to determine if it had been destroyed by its trip through the vortex, or if there was anything but an empty void on the other side.
The bridge became washed in the azure brilliance of the energy field, and Esseld immediately activated a visor which materialized over the viewscreen to dim the brightness. There was one last burst of light as the Il T'Shrak crossed the threshold, and then the warship was sailing through an ocean. Ribbons and currents of multi-colored energy swirled and writhed around the starship, the gravitational forces propelling it forward like the wind beneath the unfurled wings of a great bird-of-prey. The journey was finished in a matter of seconds, and, after another flash of brilliance, the stars appeared once more. The T'Shrak sailed from the mo
uth of another ring, its color and lack of physical features making it identical to the one they entered moments before.
Nejra stood. "Report."
The tactical officer completed a quick scan, calling up several readouts. "No star systems or planetary bodies within sensor range."
The helm officer, a third krin who had transferred to the T'Shrak just before its assignment to this sector, glanced over his own readouts. "I'm unable to determine our current position. The navigational database can find no recognizable phenomena which correspond to known star charts."
"In other words," Nejra said dryly, "none of you have any idea where in the Lords' names we are."
"Correct, sir," the tactical officer replied.
"Helm, pick a direction and plot a course. Maximum speed."
( 3 )
It was another eleven hours before the Il T'Shrak arrived at a binary star system. There was two inhabitable planets, both very large, though sensor scans of the surfaces indicated that no one had populated those worlds in a very long time. But what had been left behind – both on the planets' surfaces and in orbit around them – stunned Nejra and his crew, almost to the point of utter disbelief. As the first krin listened to the reports from his officers, he became more and more certain that his punishment was about to end. As he dispatched science and tactical crews to explore the discovery, he began to assemble a new speech in his head, one that he was sure the Senate would be very eager to hear.