The Survivors | Book 16 | New Lies

by Hystad, Nathan

  The recruits were up off the floor, and they groaned at the news.

  Magnus strode closer, arms at his sides. “We have to. We’re smart people, aren’t we? We can fix this issue. If the wormhole generator is broken, and the hyperdrive no longer working, then we’ll collaborate.”

  “Yes, sir.” The sound surprised Jules as the recruits stood in a line, saluting their leader.

  “Dean and I will go to engineering and see what kind of mess we’re looking at. Slate, can you and Sergeant Raron clear the ship? Check for any foreign frequencies. There’s a chance the Wibox left a surprise or two for us on board, and we don’t want to be caught with our pants down. Loweck, we need to hit the armory, in case they decide to return for more. And, Magnus, can you determine how they breached the docking bay and try to patch it?” Jules gave the list of orders, and everyone started moving, ceding to her suggestions.

  Magnus gave a few more orders, including checking the monitor feeds to track where Malir had gone during his absence. It was obvious he didn’t trust the Gretiol, and as much as Jules wanted to believe in his innocence, Dean had raised some good points.

  A couple of the recruits went to gather food and water; two more hit the medical bay to collect bandages and antiseptic pads.

  Suddenly, the ship felt unsafe, and she hated that the Wibox had overpowered them. They walked to the nearest elevator, and Dean stopped her before they entered. “Jules, are you okay?”

  His concerned expression was endearing. “You’re the one bleeding all over the place. We’ll stop at medical for a second on the way.”

  “That was scary,” Dean admitted. He was shaken up. “Why didn’t they kill us?”

  She shrugged. “They wanted Malir. That much was clear. Maybe they were following orders, and they’re more honorable than leaving us for dead.”

  “From what the Gretiol say, there’s little honor from the Wibox,” Dean reminded her.

  “I find it tough to believe a race that partakes in secret sacrifices. We need to get to the bottom of this. Sect of Memories? Have you ever heard of something like that?” The elevator let them off on Deck Five, and they walked to the medical bay, arriving before the recruits.

  “How are we supposed to keep track of all these secret societies?” Dean laughed, causing him to double over in pain.

  The lights turned on as Jules entered the space, and she sat Dean on a hospital bed. She cleaned the wound and placed a stitch-pad on his cut. This would have it healed within an hour. Say what you would about aliens, but humans had gained tremendous strides in the health care collaboration. The two Squad Nine recruits showed up, and Jules pointed the supplies out to them.

  “We have to talk to Karo, see what they’ve found on the Sovan.” Jules hoped there was more on the ancient beings.

  “What do you think an Ovalax is?” Dean asked.

  “I don’t know, but Cillen sure made it sound like being disavowed would be almost as bad as death.”

  “I wish Suma had come with us.” They lowered in an elevator, proceeding to Deck One.

  Being on such a massive warship with only a few people on it was odd. The corridors were silent, almost ghostly, and Jules caught herself jumping at any small noise.

  The hall leading to engineering stretched out in front of them, and Jules felt like it was expanding as they walked. They finally entered engineering, and Jules stared up at the giant hyperdrive chamber. The central wormhole generator linked to it, and dozens of thin blue tubes spread from above, penetrating various parts of the hull.

  “How will we figure this out?” She whispered the question but already knew the answer. Jules opened the schematics on the central console and began reading. Dean took the desk next to hers and did the same. They’d solve the puzzle, because they always did.

  ____________

  “Don’t worry, everyone. We’re not going to Exerli Two.” I cringed thinking about those monsters with their drooping skin, their tennis-ball eyes.

  “Then where?” Sergo asked.

  “The next closest portal,” I told him.

  “Maybe we should fly there,” Sergo added. “Remember what transpired last time we set foot on a planet? Actually, it seems to happen whenever you and I team up. Remind me to find a new travel companion.”

  “Very funny, Sergo. We can’t fly there. Not if we want to beat Regnig to Newei.”

  “Then just tell me where we’re heading.” Sergo glanced at Othus, the hairy being beside him. His pink nose snuffled, and he stood up, offering us some privacy.

  “There’s only one person who may have information on Ovalax, and I use the term person loosely.” I checked our position and saw we were only five hours from arriving at the nearest portal world. It was listed by the Gatekeepers as having volatile weather systems, but that was all environmental. Storms we could handle. It was aliens with deadly motives I wanted to steer clear of.

  “You don’t mean…”

  “That’s right. If anyone knows, it’s him.”

  “Maybe we should go home. Let someone else make that trip. We’ve been gone for ages. Walo is probably losing her head. Don’t you think your family would like to see you?” Sergo often used them as bait when he wanted something from me, but I wasn’t going to bite. Not with our timeline so tight.

  “We’ll be home when we rescue Regnig in two weeks. They’ll manage without us until then.” I confirmed our course was set accurately and left Sergo to stew on being homesick. I found our new friends lingering in the kitchen. It was cramped with all five, but they seemed to be having a good time.

  Are we on schedule? Kallig asked.

  “We’ll land soon, then utilize the portal,” I told them.

  “What’s a portal?” Neemi asked.

  It took me a moment to remember that not everyone frequented ancient travel crystals. “There are a series of crystals connected across the galaxies that we can use to move between planets. Almost like a teleportation.”

  Neemi rubbed her forearms briskly. “And it doesn’t hurt you?”

  “No. They’re completely safe.” I didn’t mention all the issues we’d had with them, or the fact that I’d been visited a few times by other versions of myself and Lom of Pleva. I thanked the lucky stars he was dealt with because of Jules.

  Eretan Six stretched her four arms upwards. “Who created them?”

  I laughed. “It’s controversial. There were ancient ones that predated what the Theos constructed, but for the most part, they were responsible for building and fueling them. It wasn’t until recently that we uncovered how widespread the network was. Even Karo, my Theos friend, has a difficult time accepting that they could have all been created by his people.”

  “How are they powered?” Darem asked.

  “Good question. Unfortunately, I don’t truly know.” I remembered young Jules casually using her Deity gifts to revive the dying stones on the Theos homeworld. I missed her fiercely.

  “But you trust them?” Neemi looked more relaxed.

  “I do. And you will too.” I noticed a pot of coffee and smiled when I saw Othus sipping from a cup. The hair on his face dripped with liquid when he lowered it. “Mind if I get one of those?”

  Othus squeaked his response, and I heard the translation in my earpiece. “Please, allow me.” He grabbed another cup, filling it, and handed it to me black.

  Kallig peeked up with his big eye. When do we travel through this portal?

  “Soon. Please gather your things, and we’ll split the supplies in our packs. Darem, would you mind being in charge of that? Distribute them evenly with body weight.”

  “Are we not returning to this craft?” he asked.

  “I’m afraid not. I plan on using the portals for the rest of this mission. But don’t worry, we’ll take you someplace safe,” I told them. We’d stowed the sixth member of their ragtag group in the freezer after he’d expired, but I couldn’t bring his body along. I made a mental note to collect him when this was done.

&
nbsp; The five of them peered nervously at one another, and I could see the bond that had formed between them all: from prisoners of Jomm to friends. “When you’re on Haven, we’ll make sure you’re tended to. You each never have to worry about being alone again. Should you choose to return home to your people, that will be accommodated. If you want to work with the Alliance office team, my wife Mary would be happy to find a position for you.” I glanced at Darem, the tough Keppe, and knew he had scars on the inside as well as out. “Or you could join our Fleet. You’d be welcomed with open arms.”

  “What if there’s nothing left at home?” Neemi asked.

  “I can ask Rivo Alnod to help, if you’d like. She owes me one. Or maybe I owe her ten, but you get the picture.”

  Neemi perked up. “You know Rivo Alnod?”

  This is Dean Parker. He knows everyone. Kallig flapped his wings twice, and a feather flew into the air.

  “I understand that you plan to drop us off at first chance, but I have a feeling you’ll need some assistance, Dean Parker,” Darem said. “I volunteer to stay.”

  “We all do,” Eretan said.

  I appreciated their support, but I didn’t expect Ovalax and Fronez to be simple adversaries. “Let’s reach the portal and decide how to proceed, okay?”

  This seemed to put them at ease, and I left them to talk amongst themselves. I smiled, content they had a chance at freedom.

  The next few hours went by in a flash, and we arrived at Soph ahead of schedule. Forked lightning spread across the skies, visible from space, and we located the region with the portal. It was experiencing heavy storms, but I guessed the area rarely saw any respite from the weather system.

  Sergo started to direct us closer to the planet. “We’re going to risk it?”

  “We have to. The portal is close to the surface, near what the Gatekeepers on record described as a bowl of hillsides. We land by the bowl and make for the portal. We’re in and out.”

  Sergo buzzed a laugh. “I don’t know why I always believe you, Parker. Do you actually buy in to your own confidence?”

  “Almost half of the time.” I grinned at him as he descended into the atmosphere. We were instantly bombarded by the excessive jet stream, and our ship oscillated, spinning out of control. The inertia dampeners worked their magic, and Sergo managed to steady us as he cut quickly for the surface.

  “It’s not much better down here,” he muttered.

  Our destination was closing in on us, but all I saw was a body of water. “Where is it?” I scanned the area, trying to spot an island or anything resembling a bowl in the hills. When I didn’t find one, I sent a series of probes to investigate, ordering two into the water.

  Kallig waddled up to the bridge, stopping beside me. Should we be concerned?

  “We’ll be fine. We’re working on locating the portal.” I watched the probe feeds as we hovered directly above the portal on the radar map. And there it was, below the surface by a good one hundred meters.

  “Why can’t this ever be simple?” Sergo pointed down. “Want me to…?”

  “It’s our only option. We’ll have to open the ramp underwater and swim to the portal one by one.”

  Sergo didn’t pause. He guided our Kraski ship into the water, lowering until we spotted the ring of the bowl the Gatekeepers had mentioned. Clearly, this planet had experienced a flood since they’d made the notes forty-nine standard years ago.

  The portal was intact, the stone glowing with a soft green light, reminding me of what Jules’ eyes used to look like. Thinking about my family made me long to return home, but not without Regnig.

  Four pillars encircled the gateway on a raised stone platform. “We can anchor a rope to the post and use it to bring us in.”

  “Now you’re thinking, Parker. I thought you’d make me swim over there. You know Padlog don’t like the water,” Sergo said while the vessel settled to the ground a few meters from the portal’s platform.

  “I’ll go first.” I rose, unstrapping from the seat, but it was Othus’ squeaks that stopped me at the exit.

  “Allow me, Dean Parker. My people are raised in the water until we grow hair.” Othus’ hands planted on his hips. He stood as tall as his short stature would extend.

  “Okay. Othus is up. We have to enter the cargo hold, seal her shut, and use breathing apparatuses.” We didn’t have enough EVAs, and none fit Othus or Neemi, nor Darem, who was on the opposite end of the size spectrum.

  The entire process took thirty minutes, and we were ready to disembark our vessel. We threw the energy shield up around the ramp, and Othus grabbed the rope, clutching it in a hairy grip. I gave him a thumbs-up and pressed the door seal. Water rushed in, pressing against the energy barrier, while Othus fought the incoming force and slithered away like an eel, carrying the rope with him.

  The portal was close, the glowing stone a beacon through the wavy water. It was too difficult to see Othus in the darkness, but he tugged four times, letting us know it was secured.

  Neemi had breathing tubes in her nose, with a compact oxygen cartridge strapped to her. She followed Sergo to the exit, and on the count of three, we removed the energy barrier, flooding the cargo hold. My armored suit was tight, and Sergo and I flipped our lights on, beams shooting from our helmets into the murky cabin.

  Neemi went first after Sergo clasped a carabiner to the rope and to her harness. She tugged on the cord, moving through the water toward the portal. Eretan Six was next, and she went slower, more cautiously. Darem glanced at me, my lights causing him to squint. I had to shove him forward. He’d mentioned he wasn’t much of a swimmer, but once he started going, he made quick work of the distance.

  Sergo waited for me near the edge of the ship, and I grabbed the airtight pack, hooking it to a ring on my armored suit. Once that was ready, I hauled on the cord, shooting forward. The others were huddled near the portal, not letting go of the rope, and I arrived, making room for Sergo on the platform.

  The portal table was intact, and I glanced around, wondering if there were any creatures to raise concern. I wasn’t going to wait to see.

  I found the symbol for Traro Belli and ensured we were all within the crystal’s perimeter before tapping the screen. Green light burst from the stone, temporarily blinding me, and a moment later, I felt the shift in gravity, the lack of underwater pressure on my suit.

  We all stood in Traro’s portal room, dripping on the wooden floor. It was rustic, with lengthy wide planks cut from local trees, nailed into a subfloor with fat nails.

  Sergo removed his helmet, clutching it under his arm like a football. “I haven’t been here before.”

  “Consider yourself lucky. There’s nothing left but the Guardians.” I unclicked my helmet and left it near the corner of the room.

  “What’s a Guardian?” Neemi asked.

  “Traro was once a hospitable world, with thriving health, economy, and trade. Until a meteor struck, killing three-quarters of their population. They determined it was purposely sent by a rival trade partner. The people, their actual name long forgotten, hunted down that man and brought him here, vowing to watch over him until he died,” I told them. They gathered around, Darem cautiously observing the door with a pulse rifle in his hands.

  “Did he die?” Sergo asked.

  “He did, but by then, others had heard of their fortress, and trade continued. They would be given whatever they needed to survive from other worlds, but in exchange, the people of Traro had to do something.” I waited, seeing if anyone was following along.

  Eretan Six was the first to clue in. “They hold people captive?”

  “That’s right.” I noticed Kallig trembling, and I didn’t think it was from the cold.

  Will they keep us? he asked.

  “You’re safe with me. Don’t worry about a thing. You’re my crew, okay?” I made sure they realized they were in no danger on Traro.

  “Understood.” Darem nodded, and the rest joined him.

  Neemi glanced towar
d the exit. “What are we doing here?”

  “I need to speak to someone that might be old enough to remember this mysterious being on Newei. I won’t go in without more information, not when the life of my friend Regnig is on the line.” I headed for the exit, and one last question hit me before I left.

  “Who do you know that’s awful enough to be under the watchful eye of the Guardians?” The question translated from Othus. He shook some of the water from his body, splashing Sergo.

  “Someone we encountered a few years ago. His name is… the Collector.”

  Fifteen

  “Can we run that again?” Magnus tapped on the containment field’s glass casing.

  Jules hit the button, and the blue energy pulse coursed from the generator into the narrow tubes. “I think that does it.”

  “Okay, looking pretty good to me. You kids… you two did a wonderful job.” Magnus looked proud as he watched the light spread on past the tubes and into the hull.

  The two of them were alone in engineering, and Jules stifled a yawn. “Thanks, Magnus. Sorry for being so bossy earlier. I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.”

  Magnus laughed. It was a comforting, familiar sound, even if the man that used to make the noise was dead. “You’re the one who brought me with her across the dimension. I thank you every day in my prayers.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. At first, I was upset. Angry, even. Not at you, but with life. You have to realize, I knew an entirely different reality from this. It was almost like my past had been erased. My Natalia, my Dean, my Patty. All gone. Replaced with imposters. But over here, I was the real imposter.” Magnus came and sat beside Jules at the central console. The bright glow of the drive cast its light over them.

  Jules smiled at him. “You aren’t a pretender. You’re still Magnus.”

  “I know that now, but I wasn’t in the best frame of mind. You looked at me and read my soul, and were positive I wouldn’t last long. So that’s why I thank the universe every night before sleep. You saved my life. And your father may have put me in charge of training a fleet of Alliance partners, but you…” He tapped her on the back of the hand. “You’re the future of this entire Alliance Fleet.”