Aurora Rising: The Complete Collection

by G. S. Jennsen

  Caleb: Oh, it was certainly memorable. And I said I’d had worse starts—not better outcomes.

  Alex: …Oh.

  Reporter: Some people are looking to you to be saviors of humanity. How do you feel about being asked to shoulder such a weighty burden?

  Alex: Annoyed.

  Caleb: It may be difficult to believe, but my job is at its core about protecting people. Not usually so many people at once, but…I’m glad to do it.

  Reporter: Ms. Solovy, do you want to expound on your answer?

  Alex: Look, I never asked to be a savior of anyone…except maybe him.

  Caleb: Thank you for that, by the way.

  Alex: You bet.

  Reporter: Ms. Solovy, your father died in battle during the 1st Crux War against the Senecan Federation. How has becoming acquainted with Mr. Marano and visiting Seneca affected your view of the Federation?

  Caleb: Alex, you don’t have to—

  Alex: No, it’s fine. My father died a hero. He gave his life to save others. I wish he hadn’t chosen to do so. But it had very little to do with who the foe happened to be.

  Yes, I hated Seneca when I was a child, because I was young and grieving and I didn’t understand anything. But what truly changed my mind about the Federation wasn’t meeting Caleb or even visiting what is a beautiful, extraordinary world. It was discovering an alien armada that intends to exterminate all of us. I guarantee you these aliens don’t give a [expletive bleeped] who’s Alliance, who’s Federation and who’s Independent.

  If we want to survive, we had better stop caring, too.

  Reporter: Mr. Marano, do you have anything to add?

  (Caleb stares at Alex a moment, a smile tugging at his lips)

  Caleb: How could I?

  Reporter: Ms. Solovy, does it bother you that Mr. Marano has killed people?

  Alex: You’re joking, right?

  Reporter: Not actually, ma’am....

  Alex: Wouldn’t you kill to protect innocents, or those you care about?

  Reporter: His file indicates he’s killed upwards of 250—

  Caleb: I’m not sure we should be—

  Alex: Most people suck, and a lot of them have guns. Next question?

  Reporter: Mr. Marano, why did you become an assassin?

  Alex: That’s the same question.

  Caleb: I’m not an assassin.

  Reporter: You have assassinated people though, yes?

  Alex: Caleb, you don’t have to—

  Caleb: If someone represents a threat to others, and my government determines they need to be stopped but can’t be reined in via conventional means? Then, yes, the decision may be made to kill them. Once the choice is made—rarely by me, though I won’t deny making the call when it’s the only option—‘assassination,’ as you call it, is the safest method for everyone. Frontal assaults and gunfights have a way of harming innocent bystanders, which is not something I want to do. Incidentally, they also pose a greater risk to me…and I do value my life rather highly.

  Reporter: That’s a bit arrogant of you, isn’t it?

  Caleb: Not in the slightest. It’s merely truth.

  Reporter: A lot of attention has been directed at your tumultuous romance, not all of it positive. Would either of you like to respond to the critics?

  Alex: I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is the future. We possess faster-than-light space travel and quantum communications—why would we have romance?

  (Caleb leans over and whispers in her ear)

  Alex: Okay, there might be a little romance.

  Reporter: Ms. Solovy, how does your mother feel about you dating a Senecan intelligence agent?

  (Alex doubles over in a fit of laughter)

  Caleb: Baby, I think that was an actual question….

  (Alex sits up, sucks in a breath, and resumes laughing hysterically)

  Reporter: Ms. Solovy?

  (Alex wipes tears from her eyes)

  Alex: I’m sorry. I have no idea what she thinks about it—or anything else for that matter.

  Reporter: You and your mother aren’t close, then? She is a very influential leader in the Earth Alliance military.

  Alex: So I’ve heard. Look, my mother and I don’t see eye-to-eye on, well, everything. It is what it is. Let’s just leave it at that, okay?

  Reporter: Very well. How grave a threat do you believe these aliens represent?

  Alex: It’s not the end of the world—but you can see it from here.*

  Reporter: I don’t understand.

  Alex: There are a lot of things about these aliens I don’t know—where they come from, what their motivation might be, how their weapons operate, what their maximum FTL speed is. But I do know their technology is superior to ours, their forces are superior to ours, and they intend to kill most if not all of us.

  If we want to win, we’re going to have to fight a new war—not the 1st Crux War and certainly not this supposed 2nd Crux War. We’re going to have to be willing to take chances, try new approaches…even turn our entire concept of warfare on its head.

  Reporter: How do you propose we do so?

  Alex: Hell if I know. I’m not a military strategist and I’m certainly not a politician. But if we want to survive, we’d better figure it out real damn fast.

  Reporter: I imagine a large number of people in both the Alliance and Federation are working on exactly that as we speak. Who do you think stands the best chance of devising a solution?

  Alex: To be honest, there are so many people circling around this whole disaster, I can’t even keep everyone straight.

  Caleb: I just keep a cast of characters stored in my eVi. You should try it.

  (Alex looks sideways at Caleb)

  Alex: On that note, you want to get out of here?

  (Caleb grins)

  Caleb: Time’s wasting. We’ve got places to be and….

  Reporter: I’d like to thank Alexis Solovy and Caleb Mar—

  Alex: Alex.

  Reporter: I’m sorry?

  Alex: My name. It’s Alex.

  * Credit where credit is due: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Trailer

  Return to VERTIGO

  EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ADMIRAL MIRIAM SOLOVY

  * * *

  (This interview takes place immediately following the events of VERTIGO: Aurora Rising Book Two)

  EARTH

  VANCOUVER, EASC HEADQUARTERS

  Reporter: “I’m here today with Earth Alliance Fleet Admiral Miriam Solovy. First, allow me to congratulate you on the promotion. We haven’t had a Fleet Admiral since the early months of the First Crux War 26 years ago.

  What are your thoughts about stepping into the most powerful military role in the galaxy?”

  Miriam: “I’m honored the Prime Minister believes I am up to the task and determined to use the authority to ensure we defeat the Metigen invaders as quickly and completely as possible.”

  Reporter: “You were named Fleet Admiral in the wake of a number of momentous events. The last week has seen the reappointment of Steven Brennon as Prime Minister, the signing of a peace treaty with the Senecan Federation, the discovery of a widespread conspiracy—what people are already calling the ‘Aguirre Conspiracy’—to foment war with the Federation and the escalation of the war with the Metigens. How do you feel about all this?”

  Miriam: “How I ‘feel’ about any of it is irrelevant. This is a military institution, not a spiritual retreat. I think peace with the Federation was the correct choice, Prime Minister Brennon is the best man for the job, speculation on this conspiracy would do well to hold its tongue until the full facts are brought to light, and it’s past time for the war against the Metigens to escalate.”

  Reporter: “Well, um, thank you for your candor. Can you respond to rumors your predecessor as Chairman of Earth Alliance Strategic Command, General Liam O’Connell, was involved in the Aguirre Conspiracy and is currently AWOL?”

  Miriam: “No.”

  Reporter: “No, he i
s not those things, or no, you can’t comment?”

  (Miriam stares at the reporter silently until he shrinks deep into his chair.)

  Reporter: “Moving on…you indicated you approved of the peace treaty with the Federation. Is this a difficult stance for you to take? Your husband was a hero of the First Crux War and died in combat fighting against the Federation.”

  Miriam: “He was and he did.”

  Reporter: “And that fact doesn’t affect your view of the Federation?”

  Miriam: “If you continue to waste my time with irrelevant questions, this interview will be over far sooner than you intended. The Second Crux War was based on falsehoods and criminal manipulation. Once this was discovered, persisting with the war would be irrational, not to mention foolhardy. The fact all of humanity is facing a far greater threat against which we must be united if we are to prevail means the decision to end the war was absurd in its obviousness.”

  Reporter: “Some people disagree with you, maintaining that actions taken by the Federation before and during the war merit its continuation.”

  Miriam: “Those people are incorrect.”

  Reporter: “I’ll, uh, let them know. Your daughter, Alexis Solovy, was recently cleared of involvement in last month’s bombing of the EASC Headquarters building, but she has yet to make a public appearance.”

  Miriam: “My daughter isn’t known for her public appearances, thankfully. In any event, one isn’t necessary. The bombing was perpetrated by the conspirators, a fact I’m grateful has come to light.”

  Reporter: “In an interview she and Senecan Federation intelligence agent Caleb Marano gave to this service several weeks ago, she hinted her relationship with you is not a close one. Care to comment?”

  Miriam: “Not particularly.”

  Reporter: “Why not?”

  Miriam: “It’s outside the agreed-upon scope of this interview. Also, it happens to be none of your business.”

  Reporter: “Do you know her whereabouts at this time?”

  Miriam: “Why would I tell you that?”

  Reporter: “Well, given the—”

  (The door opens and Colonel Richard Navick walks in. On seeing the reporter, however, he turns to leave.)

  Reporter: “Colonel Navick, please stay a moment. I’d like to ask you about the revelations surrounding the Aguirre Conspiracy.”

  Richard: “I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation. Admiral Solovy, when you have a moment I need to speak with you.”

  Miriam: “I’ll drop by as soon as we’re done here. Which will be quite soon.”

  Reporter: “Colonel, we were just discussing David Solovy and his tragic death.”

  Miriam: “No, we weren’t.”

  Reporter: “You were a close friend of Commander Solovy, were you not?”

  Richard: “Yes, I knew him since university. He was like a brother to me.”

  Reporter: “Given that, how do you think David Solovy would feel were he to learn his wife, his daughter and his best friend have all betrayed his memory by allying with his killers?”

  Richard: “Excuse me?”

  (Miriam depresses a button on her desk.)

  Miriam: “Security, this man’s access to EASC grounds has been revoked. Escort him off the premises and see he is not allowed to return.”

  Richard: “Permission to punch him, Admiral?”

  Miriam: “Best not. It would get blood on the floor, and I was finally beginning to settle into the new office.”

  Return to TRANSCENDENCE

  INTERVIEW WITH CALEB MARANO AND NOAH TERRAGE

  * * *

  (This interview takes place following the events of TRANSCENDENCE: Aurora Rising Book Three)

  EARTH

  DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

  TWO MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE METIGEN WAR

  Reporter: “Excuse me, gentlemen—excuse me. Do you have a moment to answer a few questions? For the public?”

  (Caleb Marano glances over his shoulder as he and Noah Terrage pass the man on the street.)

  Caleb: “Sorry, we’re in a hurry.”

  Reporter: “Please, I’ll only take a minute of your time.”

  (Caleb stops and turns around. With a visible sigh Noah joins him.)

  Caleb: “All right—a minute. As in one.”

  Reporter: “Thank you. Agent Mar—wait, it’s ‘Mr.’ now, isn’t it? You resigned from Senecan Federation Intelligence after the end of the Metigen War.”

  Caleb: “Yes, that’s correct.”

  Reporter: “What were your reasons for doing so?”

  Caleb: “They’re classified, like much of Division and all of my work for it.”

  Reporter: “And you, sir. Noah Terrage, isn’t it? You’re the clone of Lionel Terrage, the CEO of metals manufacturer Surno Materials.”

  Noah: “That’s the rumor.”

  Reporter: “As a clone, would you like to share your thoughts on the ethics of so-called ‘vanity babies’?”

  (Noah raises both hands and takes a step back.)

  Noah: “A thousand ‘no’s.”

  Reporter: “You haven’t followed your father into the family business—instead you’re a reputed smuggler.”

  Noah: “Hey, smuggling’s a noble profession!”

  (Caleb stares at Noah deadpan, evoking a groan in response.)

  Noah: “What I meant to say was that I’m a trader. I trade in goods. Goods which aren’t illegal.”

  Reporter: “I’m sure. Mr. Marano, eyewitnesses report that on the final day of the Metigen War, you crashed a private vessel through the two Alliance frigates and the Alliance cruiser which were attacking the Federation colony of Krysk.”

  Caleb: “That did happen.”

  Reporter: “Then you singlehandedly fought your way through the cruiser and murdered Alliance General Liam O’Connell.”

  Caleb: “It wasn’t singlehandedly. Noah helped.”

  Noah: “I punched a guy.”

  Caleb: “And ‘murder’ is such a negative word. I brought a permanent halt to his illegal and unsanctioned slaughter of Federation civilians.”

  Reporter: “When we last spoke I called attention to your record, which indicated you had killed over 250 people. This event more than doubles the number of deaths attributed to you.”

  Caleb: “Sir, you have no idea just how high that number really is. But as long as the number of lives saved as a result of my actions is higher, I sleep well at night.”

  Reporter: “Interesting. You’re engaged to Alexis Solovy, the daughter of Earth Alliance Fleet Admiral Miriam Solovy. Does she have concerns about your bloody past?”

  (Caleb laughs.)

  Reporter: “Is that a ‘no’?”

  Caleb: “I’ll just refer you to her response the last time you asked the question.”

  Reporter: “When’s the wedding?”

  Caleb: “That’s also classified.”

  Reporter: “No, really—when’s the wedding?”

  (Caleb raises an eyebrow at Noah.)

  Caleb: “He thinks I’m kidding.”

  Noah: “Have you met Miriam Solovy? He’s not kidding.”

  Reporter: “I have, unfortunately. Very well. Inside sources are claiming the Alliance and Federation militaries used a new, powerful and dangerous form of Artificial, in contravention of both governments’ laws, in order to defeat the Metigens. Can you confirm this?”

  Caleb: “How would I know? I was on Krysk during the final battle, remember?”

  Reporter: “Your fiancé wasn’t, though, was she? She was onboard the Alliance flagship dreadnought EAS Churchill.”

  Caleb: “Which means you’ll have to ask her that question. A piece of advice? I wouldn’t recommend it.”

  Noah: “Time check, Caleb.”

  Caleb: “Right. If you’ll excuse us, we have someplace we need to be.”

  Reporter: “One last question—rumors are circulating that during the War you and Ms. Solovy traversed the portal in the Metis Nebula, where you encoun
tered not only the Metigens themselves, but the dragons in their service.”

  (Caleb smirks and begins walking away.)

  Caleb: “You know, that’s almost crazy enough to be true. Have a good evening, sir.”

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Thank you so much for reading AURORA RISING: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION. Sharing the story of Aurora Rising with you has been a tremendous honor and privilege.

  Hearing from readers, whether it be through email, social media or reviews, has been a joy and a terrific encouragement on those tough writing days.

  Now I have one request: consider reviewing Aurora Rising and telling others about it. Reviews are the lifeblood of an author’s success. They help to influence potential readers and shape a book’s reputation, and just a few words go a long way. Share the books on social media or in your favorite forums, or simply tell your friends about them. You have my sincere thanks.

  A complete list of my books and where to find them can be found at www.gsjennsen.com/books.

  Visit www.gsjennsen.com to explore concept art and other media and get the inside scoop on Aurora Rising and the upcoming sequel trilogies, Aurora Renegades and Aurora Resonant. Subscribe to the website to stay up-to-date on all the latest news and be the first to know about special announcements and new book releases.

  You can always email me at gsjennsen@gmail.com with questions or comments, or find me on a variety of social media platforms:

  @GSJennsen

  Facebook.com/GSJennsen.author

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  I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope you continue to enjoy the world of AURORA RISING.

  *

  Find G. S. Jennsen’s books on Amazon

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  When she was two years old, G. S. Jennsen informed her parents that she would be learning to read now. When she was four, she brought the dinner-table conversation to a screeching halt by inquiring as to what they knew about the nature of infinity. The rest is history. A long, convoluted history that wound across the United States and back again—and back again—through a shocking variety of windowless libraries, windowless corporate boardrooms and windowless engineering labs.