Tempest: Book Two of the Terran Cycle

by Philip C. Quaintrell

  The lightning increased overhead as the storm settled over the entire quarantine site. The thunder was deafening with the rain picking up and the wind howling through the cracks above. The water was beginning to pool at their feet as the lightning hammered the ceiling. Kalian could feel more of the mercenaries converging on their location.

  “Get down!” It was Li’ara’s turn to save Kalian now. They both dived to the ground as the largest Intrinium bolt Kalian had ever seen flew over their heads. The explosion drowned out the storm, its destructive energies obliterating the wall behind them. The Raalak’s heavy footfalls splashed through the water as every one of his four feet brought them closer together. This particular Raalak was a sight to behold. The top corner of his flat head was broken away like a rock that had been cracked open. His hard exterior was closer to gold than the usual pale grey Kalian was accustomed to. The armour seemed superfluous on top of what was already considered an impenetrable hide. More terrifying than his appearance was his weaponry. Either side of his head was a kinetic cannon attached to the armour plating running along his spine. The weapon he carried looked too heavy for any other species to lift, with a barrel the size of Kalian’s head.

  “Let’s see what you humans are capable of!” His voice could easily match the pitch of the thunder.

  “Run!” Li’ara dashed down the adjoining tunnel. Kalian stood his ground, firing every round of Intrinium he had. The bolts pinged off the armour, to the Raalak’s amusement who simply took the hit, laughing as he did.

  “Kalian, run!” Li’ara tugged his arm, pulling him to safety. They ran, firing blindly behind them as they ducked and weaved through the weapons fire that chased them. In a blur of movement Li’ara disabled a Laronian mercenary that had the misfortune to run into them. After breaking his arm, she swiftly retrieved her Terran hilt from the base of her back and activated the nanocelium within. The blade shot up through the alien’s rib cage and burst out of his collar bone.

  Kalian leant against the wall and checked his gun; the holographic display on the side told him he only had ten rounds left. “I’m nearly out.”

  Li’ara put her boot on the dead Laronian and leveraged the blade out. With a quick adjustment to the settings, the blade reduced in size, making it more suitable for close combat. They were both drenched in soaking wet clothes, stained with blood and dirt.

  “Maybe you should think about changing clothes.” Li’ara eyed the pocket on Kalian’s thigh. He chastised himself for not thinking of it sooner. Esabelle would have hit him round the back of the head by now. He was thinking like a human with the weapon in his hand.

  I am the weapon...

  The reaction was hard to see if you blinked. After slapping the device below his navel, the nanocelium erupted spreading across his body and converting his clothes like raw materials. Kalian felt the bold over-confidence that came with the exo-skeleton. It clung to his body like a second skin with the thin plates overlapping one another down his arms and over his chest. The intricacy of the design was beautiful in the typical Terran way.

  The weapon in his hand now had a very different purpose. He levitated it above his open palm before blasting it with a wave of electromagnetism. He felt the Intrinium become instantly charged like the engine of a star-ship.

  “Time to run?” Li’ara had seen this effect before.

  “Time to fight.” Kalian flicked his wrist down the tunnel, sending the makeshift bomb into a cluster of incoming mercenaries. The explosion was a spectacular display of colours that removed eight lives from existence. It suddenly dawned on him that these were the first lives he had ever taken. He had been involved in the deaths of Savrick and Lilander but he hadn’t actually been the one to kill them. Was this the consequence of having these abilities? Could he kill so easily without a care? To be evolutionarily superior was not to be God.

  But it was so easy...

  With a telekinetic field he protected them both from the shock wave and flying body parts. Kalian closed his eyes, using his extra sense to build the surroundings in his mind. An increased sense of smell and hearing added to his outward awareness that detected every particle within the maze. He could feel the air pressure change on his skin as the mercenaries dispersed the air molecules with their movement. The maze was now mapped out in his mind’s eye with every being inside it.

  “Wait here.” Kalian knew Li’ara wouldn’t react well to that order. To avoid her stubbornness he sprinted through the rain with a speed she couldn’t hope to match. In one smooth motion he jumped into the wall to his right, stepping off with the agility of a cat before deftly hopping over the adjacent wall. With his increased strength the height was no problem, neither was the twenty foot plummet to the ground on the other side.

  Every step had been calculated perfectly in his mind, leading to the surprise he gave the two mercenaries below. Using his own weight, Kalian gripped the back of their heads, driving them face first into the hard ground. Both Trillik were dead before they knew what had landed on them. He could feel the life-force of eleven more mercenaries in the maze, including the Raalak.

  Being able to see them all meant the lightning flashes only served to his disadvantage now. The thunder could no longer mask their splashing steps from his heightened hearing. Two more came running round the corner without looking, too confident in their abilities to kill a primitive human. The air crackled and fractured around both of Kalian’s open palms. He had already started to convert energy, drawing it into himself like a black hole until his hands glowed brilliant blue. Organic plasma swirled in a torrent of raw energy like a god holding a star in his hands.

  The mercenaries got off two shots that were easily absorbed by the Terran armour across his chest. Using telekinesis to guide the super-heated matter, Kalian fired them at his attackers with the same velocity as any artificial weapon. The kinetic force propelled both mercenaries deep into the rock behind them. Their chest plates smouldered with an orange glow encircling the impact site. Kalian didn’t stop to see the effects of his power, instead rushing off further into the maze. He jumped over walls and slid through cracks with deadly intent as he hunted his prey.

  He decided to use speed instead of stealth in his next attack. A Laronian and two Shay were heading up the corridor away from him. With his speed he knew he could get to them before they heard his footsteps over the thunder. Kalian relished the thrill of running so fast and feeling the rain against his skin. In moments he was on his prey.

  Keeping in time with the thunder, Kalian jumped on the wall, hopping over the Laronian. In the same motion he brought his body down in front of them, using his grip on the Laronian’s head for balance. There was no time to react as he twisted the mercenary’s neck, killing him instantly. Without stopping, he spun on the spot bringing his extended arm to bear down on the throat of the closest Shay. The wind-pipe was sent into spasm, shutting off the airway and sending the alien into shock. The Shay staggered back and dropped its gun in favour of gripping its throat in hopes of some relief that would never come. The last mercenary had just enough time to aim its rifle at Kalian. Having already seen this scenario play out in his mind, it was a simple matter putting it into practice. Using one hand, he grabbed the end of the rifle and pointed at the choking Shay, just in time for the Intrinium bolt to end his suffering. To end it all Kalian side kicked the remaining Shay square in the chest. He flew through the orange membrane and cracked his head on the spiky rock.

  After some more acrobatics, Kalian found himself perched on top of a wall as he stalked a group of five mercenaries too scared to split up. They had obviously heard the deaths of their comrades and decided that sticking together would ensure their survival.

  They were wrong.

  Kalian looked at them and didn’t just feel superior, he knew he was superior. There were a number of ways he could dispatch the group without even leaving the top of the wall, but he wanted to feel bones break on his armour. He told himself it was because they were threatening Li
’ara’s life, and that he would do anything to protect her. But a voice deeper down told him it was because he liked it, the power. He tried to ignore the fact that it sounded like Savrick’s voice.

  With the flash of lightning he jumped high into the air, with the perfect execution of strength. He landed in the middle of the five aliens and unleashed every combination he knew. He was able to hit three at any given time as he twisted round his opponents, using them as weapons and shields against their own. Blood soon mixed with the falling rain, turning the puddles red. He felt bones dislodge under the force of his attacks as he sent each of them flying into the dark.

  “You are adept at fighting, human!” The Raalak stepped out of the darkened corridor, examining the dead bodies. “But you are no match for this...” He hefted the giant cannon, bringing it up to waist height.

  “Alright, let’s see who’s faster. Yours or mine.” Kalian eyed the cannon while bringing up his hand in a representation of a gun, using his index finger and thumb as he had done, playing as a child.

  The Raalak looked at the hand in disbelief. “I think you knocked your head, human. But have it your way.”

  They both raised their hands at the same time but no weapon was fired. With a speed no gun could match, Kalian flicked his thumb sending a narrow, concentrated surge of telekinesis between the Raalak’s eyes. The hole through his head was clear to see as his incredible weight crumpled to the floor. Thick golden blood flowed out into the water.

  Kalian looked around at the dead bodies, the Raalak with a hole in his head. He closed his fist, the revelation of his power hitting him like an Intrinium bolt. It was survival, he told himself. Kill or be killed. Kalian rationalised that these were the only choices left to him, a position others had put him in. He was angry for a moment that he had been forced into using his abilities to this end. Esabelle had been teaching him how to use his powers, but she hadn’t taught him why he should use them.

  It didn’t take him long to find Li’ara again, though she was typically not where he asked her to stay.

  “Will you ever do as I ask?”

  “Probably not. Did you find a way out?” She was carrying a bulky rifle taken from one of the dead mercenaries.

  “Follow me.” Kalian ignored her looks when they passed the bodies surrounding the dead Raalak. He was impressed and ashamed of himself all at once.

  They soon found themselves on the surface, battling the elements. Flashes of Intrinium fire were visible in the distance in between the sporadic lightning strikes. The mercenary vessel had landed in the centre of the strip that led to the cave entrance. It had no markings or name stamped across the hull; it probably wasn’t even registered with the local A.I. hub. But how had it got past the Nova? He looked up to see Conclave ships breaking through the thick storm. They were too late. The ground was littered with the bodies of security personnel and scientists. None had survived the attack. Kalian’s keen ears picked up the sound of a cry from behind the ship, a Novaarian cry.

  “Telarrek!” He set off at a run, only half noticing Li’ara dispatch a stray mercenary with her rifle. His worst fears were confirmed when he rounded the ship’s protruding engine. Ilyseal crouched over the still form of Telarrek in the hammering rain.

  The holographic image of High Charge Uthor dominated the central space on the Gommarian Bridge. Captain Fey had never met a Raalak in person and was quietly hoping the emitters were exaggerating his size.

  “There must be something wrong with the comm, Captain, because I just heard you say that three Conclave citizens have been killed by a human, and that this same human has left your ship using stealthware technology.” Every syllable was like a rock-slide.

  The captain tried not fidget in her seat, but she was aware of the dried blood on the armrest that hadn’t been cleaned yet. “I’m afraid there’s nothing wrong with the comm, High Charge. We’re sending you the data now so you can see for yourself.” She gave Worth the nod to transmit.

  The Raalak appeared distracted for a minute while he reviewed the feed on his end. “How is this possible, Captain?”

  Having seen Garrett first hand she knew just how unbelievable it was. She looked around at the bridge crew and realised there were some present who didn’t even know what she was about to divulge. At this point she saw no other option. Garrett was loose in the Conclave and they had no idea what the cube had done to him. If only Kalian or Esabelle had been onboard, they might have stood a chance.

  “It’s time to lay all our cards out on the table, High Charge.” Uthor gave a puzzled expression at her terminology. “Something very dangerous has escaped this ship and we don’t have the freedom to track it down and make things right. There is a device on this ship that is not Terran in origin. In fact we don’t know its origin, or its true purpose. But we do know it’s capable of influencing any who come into contact with it. I believe this is what has happened to Professor Garrett Jones. The thing you see in that feed is not Professor Jones, but something monstrous and very old.” She gave Worth another nod and he transmitted all the data they had on the cube. “You should be receiving the information on it now.” Uthor’s stony expression gave nothing away. “There’s more...”

  She had thought long and hard about this while efforts were made to make contact with the High Charge. The Conclave was heavily based around trust, with every species divulging all their knowledge and history into a shared library. Captain Fey needed her people to have Conclave membership; it was the only viable future for their race. Perhaps now she could lay everything out and a real trust could be forged.

  She went on to explain how Esabelle had saved them from the remaining Gomar and her own history with Savrick. She left nothing out, detailing the Rem-stores that housed the last of the Gomar onboard. Uthor stood patiently through the whole confession as she tried to clarify the role ALF had played in the creation of mankind and his presence at the Outpost. Even her knowledge of the Outpost was sketchy, but she knew enough.

  “This cube, it is on the Gommarian right now?” Uthor finally asked.

  The captain thought it was strange that this was his first question, but perhaps he was just prioritising immediate threats. “Yes. I’ve placed extra guards on it. No one will be getting near it, I assure you.”

  “You should have told us these facts a long time ago, Captain. I will speak to the Highclave as soon as possible.”

  “There’s one other thing, High Charge. Our navigation system informs us that Garrett is heading to the Trantax system, but I have no idea why.”

  Uthor froze for a second before reacting. He turned away, looking at someone on his end. “What is the closest vessel to Trantax IV?” they didn’t hear the reply. “Send a priority one. Use my array. They are to abandon whatever course they are on and rendezvous with the Nova.” He turned back to Captain Fey. “Captain Fey, you will be receiving new coordinates momentarily. The Gommarian will travel to this location immediately without delay.” That was an order. Before she could reply the image blinked from existence.

  “They’re gone, Captain,” Lieutenant Worth said.

  “Where do the coordinates take us?”

  “Deep into the Ch’kara system from the looks of it.” Worth expanded the data. “Ch’ket. We’re going to the home world.” There was some excitement in his voice before he remembered their circumstances. The captain could see the thrill of leaving Novaarian space and seeing a new alien civilisation, but she couldn’t take her eyes off her blood soaked chair.

  “Set course, maximum yield.”

  Naydaalan placed his foot on the chest of the last dead mercenary and pulled his spear free. He dropped to his knees at Telarrek’s side.

  “I have failed you, father...”

  Kalian was scanning the Novaarian’s body with his Terran senses. Telarrek had taken a shot to the right of his chest and another to his left leg, but he was still alive. Even the rain couldn’t keep the wounds from glowing with the heat of the Intrinium. Blood trickled onto hi
s charred skin and down his robes.

  “You could never fail me, Naydaalan.” His voice was laboured, each word giving him pain. “Protect him,” Telarrek gripped his son’s hand. “Protect them all...” He lost consciousness after that. Kalian could still feel the life in him, or what was left of it.

  “We need to get him to a Medder, now!” Kalian was already using his abilities to open the cargo bay on the Dawnlighter. He met Li’ara’s eyes and told her it wasn’t good with a look.

  Ilyseal stayed with Telarrek in the med bay while Naydaalan piloted the ship at high yield, narrowly avoiding the incoming security ships. It wasn’t long before the shining red hull of the Nova was in view.

  “Dawnlighter to Nova, requesting emergency landing, we have injured onboard. I repeat we have injured onboard.” Telarrek’s blood was coming off Naydaalan’s hands on the console.

  “This is Nova, Dawnlighter. You have permission to land. Med team standing by. We’re sending security teams down to the surface as we speak. From the looks of it you’re lucky to have even survived.”

  “How did they even get past you in the first place?” Naydaalan sounded pissed.

  “We don’t know, Dawnlighter. The Charge is kicking up a storm trying to find out. Your landing bay has been highlighted for you. You can’t miss it; it’s next to the human vessel.”

  The three of them exchanged curious glances.

  “What human vessel, Nova?”

  “It landed a few minutes ago. Distress signal. We weren’t even aware they could leave that monster of a ship.”

  “I’m sending over our diplomatic codes, Nova. Let your Charge know we have humans onboard. They travel with the authorisation of the Highclave.”

  There was a long pause on the other end.

  “Acknowledged, Dawnlighter.” The comm went dead after that.

  “Why do I get the feeling we’re not welcome?” Li’ara said.