Void's Psionics

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “What of the animals?”

  “Heartiest hairy Beasts I’ve ever seen, Papa. Yes, I’ve established they are in fact Beasts. The predators are all A-Rank though we’ve never run across them till now. Their biology is fascinating. They have a special gland that is so thick that when they lose all their thermal energy the gland produces a chemical that literally unfreezes their undamaged cells. They are a fascinating Beast, but we need to keep away from them and the other lesser Beasts. They are well camouflaged and without an aerial scanner you could be standing on one and not even know it. Besides, they are built for traveling long distances in minimal time on the lesser gravity. They practically fly, Papa.”

  “Thank ye, Lass. Ye did well. What of the city?”

  Oliver came over, holding Isabella all bundled up. “It’s as expected. Normal sensors can’t find it, but my micro-drones found it buried under three kilometers of solid ice. The city is made of ice, like Mereddia’s water city, but I recommend boring a twenty five degree angled hole to the surface using lasers so I can get hold and pull out huge cylinders.”

  “Are ye sure that is a wise idea, Lad? Zerika wasn’t too kind when we dug a chunk too close to the city.” Captain Dorgen reminded.

  “I’m well aware of the risk, Captain. It is a risk I believe will have the most minimal reaction from the city defense. If the heated lasers melt only ice, I believe it won’t be seen as a threat compared to me using a Kinetic Stream.”

  “True.” Jake nodded. “And I agree. I’ll get Jacob to create a laser system to do just that. Not weaponize the lasers. Perhaps we’ll get lucky.”

  “Don’t jinx us, Papa.” Renee teased and her father chuckled. “We’ll dock in an hour or so.”

  Two days later the expedition team stood on the planet behind Oliver. The Pride and cubs were out running the perimeter to make sure no tundra Beasts got near. The area selected was further from all signs of life in a two hundred kilometer area, but best not to take chances. Everyone was bundled warm and wore masks as the air was too cold to breathe without freezing the lungs. Without informing their armor, Oliver and Renee’s attire altered into woven fur that locked all bodily heat so they were nice and toasty compared to the others.

  Currently deep red lasers were spinning round and around in a perfect circle, melting ice into instant steam after attempting to make water just froze back near instantly. The ring was ten meters wide and every hour Oliver summoned his power to pull several hundred meters out at a time. The lower gravity helping out. Cutting took another nine hours before coming within two hundred meters of the city where Oliver called the laser off and removed the last core.

  Isabella and David were watched after by Jessica while the parents were working on the planet.

  Sleds were made and sat on before being pushed down into the tunnel. Nearly everyone threw their arms up and screamed in enjoyment for the long ride down the smooth incline.

  It was a complete rush and having Renee cling to his arm for dear life was an added bonus.

  The heated skates eventually angled out to make excellent brakes and they slowed down right to the end. “Jacob, is the tube undamaged?”

  “Yes. It unrolled like a charm.” The little man admitted as he unrolled more and flung it right to the wall. “Pump is working too. How long though is the question. My equipment wasn’t meant for this level of wet and cold.”

  “I’ll make it quick. Captain?”

  “Ye just get to it. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure no one gets wet or fears for a collapse.”

  Oliver lifted his left hand and created a sphere of electricity that became superheated plasma that he pushed into the ice and watched it melt on contact. The hose sucked up the melt and the steam that turned back into snow collected on Jake Dorgen’s barrier thrown up over everyone and the three large sleds. Oliver walked, trying to keep a steady angle.

  In just several minutes came a woman in a thick snowy gown. “Master, cease your approach.”

  Her sudden appearance right in front of his face was a moment before the ball exploded, but he managed to let it safely seep back into his body and get dumped into the vambrace. “Don’t scare me like that.”

  “My apologies, Master Void.” She curtsied. He and the others saw she was by far the most concretively dressed AI they had ever come across. Her clothes hugged her slim body and her platinum hair was done up in a delicate bun, enhancing her neck and pointed ears. “I merely wish to see you do not push further and endanger everyone by forcing me to defend myself.”

  “Quite alright.” Renee said as she came up to his side. “What is your name?”

  “I’m known as Quelette, Mistress Void.”

  “Quelette, we would really like to enter the warmer city if you do not mind. Can you lead us to an entrance?”

  “You have but to ask. Please, follow me.” She turned and suddenly the solid wall of ice began parting for her roughly the same as the one they had made. Only the angle was different. They were forced to take sharp left.

  Dragging the sleds they arrived at an enormous black nano-wall. The AI merely gestured to it.

  Surprisingly Renee said “It’s warm.” As soon as her bare hand pressed on it beside Oliver’s.

  “I’m glad. My hand was sweaty and it would have hurt when it froze to a surface.” He smiled and rushed everyone inside before the wall solidified again.

  Andrea was off like a bolt to the nearest dwelling and going right in so fast it gave everyone a chuckle.

  Oliver said to the team “I’m going to go get the fourth piece of the puzzle. You all just warm up.”

  “We’ll meet up soon lad.” Jake said as he walked off after his beloved.

  Before Oliver took another step his vambrace vibrated and a face he hoped not to see appeared through the chip so he could see her said “Master, the Corrupted One has been detected on my sensors. He is coming for me.”

  The AI Aqurril had just pleaded for his aid.

  The story concludes in the search of the universe’s greatest untold mystery in Evolution’s Essence

  Be sure to read other books by this author:

  Balancer’s Cycle

  Balancer’s Soul

  Changer’s Blood

  Keeper’s Knowledge

  Harmonizer’s Evolution

  The Item Trilogy

  Untamed Gift

  Furion’s Trials

  Ra’van

  Death Incarnate Saga

  The Grin of Prophecy

  Familiar’s Ancient Throne

  Laugh of Destruction

  Ascension of the Warlock

  Empress’s Endgame

  Spirit Guide Saga (Coming Fall of 2014)

  Forgemaster

  Wrath of Flames

  Atavism of the Ifrit

  Star Pirate Legends (Coming Fall of 2015)

  Cutlass Sharpened

  Void’s Psionics

  Evolution’s Essence

  The Fey Files (Coming Fall of 2016)

  Banshee’s Calling

  Feeding Frenzy

  Harpy’s Plea

  (TBA)

  Harsh Realms (Coming Fall on 2017)

  Contact me:

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