Nova

by Lora E. Rasmussen

  NOVA

  ☼

  THE DARK REACH WARS, Volume I

  Lora E. Rasmussen

  Nova, The Dark Reach Wars Volume I, All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright © 2014 Lora E. Rasmussen

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  NO PART OF THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR BY ANY INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, WITHOUT PERMISSION IN WRITING FROM THE AUTHOR.

  Credits

  Cover Art by: Phu Thieu

  Cover Layout Design by: Angie Zambrano

  Cartography by: Lora E. Rasmussen

  For my Grandparents, Poppie, Grandma Cahill, and Grandma Marcella.

  Thank you for the always ready hugs, evening story time, teaching me to read and to think critically, feeding my book addiction with monthly bookstore trips, and being the most supportive audience any child or adult could ever wish for.

  Acknowledgements

  Deepest gratitude to my dear friend and ever–ready sounding board and cheerleader, Michael. Thanks also to all of those who helped me reach this point in my journey, including: Mom (I miss you every day), Dad, my amazing sister Lindsay, Taj, Ian, Ada, Gwen, Stevie, Chelsea, Jan, Sunnie, Tasha, Daniel, Pam, and Chris. Most of all, thanks to my dearest love Cynthia, who in myriad ways, has supported me every day as I dove into (and frequently got lost in) the worlds of Nova and Ember, even though she herself doesn’t quite get the whole “Fantasy & Sci–Fi thing.”

  Table of Contents

  Galaxy Map

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  About The Author

  CHAPTER 1

  “Docking tube connection in ten minutes, Sir.”

  “Thank you, Jessica.” Jameson Sweetwater broke out of his exhaustion induced reverie with a low cough at his Second’s words, knowing that he would get a good broadside view right before the civilian transport cruiser connected to the other ship and his destination. The QS Excalibur glided into sight a moment later, a marvel of modern starship design. The frigate was roughly triangular in shape, powerful yet sleek, its royal blue and silvery–steel colored hull almost fading into the chill beauty of the darkness of space.

  When he was a boy, Jameson had wanted nothing more than to Captain a vessel like the Excalibur. As a young man, he had entered the Academy and after graduation, joined the Navy. He had served four tours aboard Ministry vessels, making Captain of the MS Zhou and eventually, Colonel. For forty years, Sweetwater had helped to keep the Aligned Ministry Systems safe within and without its borders. His life had been filled with celebrating, mourning, and bleeding with his fellow officers and soldiers during war; executing development projects, transporting critical assets, training, and patrolling during peace.

  Yet despite having what most would label as a successful career, after four decades of spent life’s blood and a lost marriage protecting and promoting Human interests, Sweetwater had recognized that the most effective tactic to make real change was to offer himself to his people in a different realm. Experience and soul–searching brought about the reluctant realization that the optimum means to serve was to wade through the muck–filled mire of intergalactic politics.

  Utilizing a keen mind and an exceptional record as a lauded war hero, at eighty–one, just shy of middle age by modern Human standards, Jameson had risen to the position of one of the two Human Quorum Delegates. As such, he was responsible for guiding all Quorum galactic policies and politics across dozens of systems and close to half a hundred worlds. Trillions of lives of all the known species were affected by his work with his fellow Delegates.

  It was a reality that had hit home with smashing shock the last several years, accounting for the near–perpetual state of exhaustion that he strove to keep hidden. It was rare for the energetic façade he laboriously projected on a daily basis to slip, a reality that materialized only for those few, stolen moments of quiet.

  Moments like this.

  As the QS Excalibur slipped from view and his own ship, the SS Tigen, lined up for docking, Jameson breathed in deeply. Staring out into the stretches of star–dotted space, he found himself longing for a time that in some ways was much less complicated. When his battlefield was a battlefield, when most days how well he did his job affected only a few hundred to a few thousand people. With a heavy sigh, Jameson rubbed his brow as all the worries he carried threatened to overwhelm, darting and flitting about in his mind like trout snatching afflies in the Tahona River near the city of his birth.

  The Margrom War had ended only two and a half years ago, and relations between the Human Ministry worlds and the Karukai Eternal Imperium were strained, to say the least, with border skirmishes being the norm. And of course, the difficulty of galvanizing the other Quorum Systems to prepare for the waking menace of the Karukai, lurking in the shadows and quietly waiting to strike as apathetic Systems strove to convince themselves that the Karukai only attack remote worlds “out over there somewhere.” That their children would be safe. Too many failed to recall the Karukai expansionist drive that comprised the very foundation of their society. Too many have forgotten the butcheries and swath of destruction enacted during Dark Reach Wars.

  Added to the Karukai threat was the standard politicking motivated by self–interest, not to mention other internal dangers like the radical group Genesis, screaming their anti–Arcatech bullshit for all to hear. That is, when they weren’t busy murdering scientists and bombing R&D centers in the name of salvation from technology.

  “Five minutes until docking tube connection is complete, Delegate.”

  Second Delegate Jessica Marn’s voice stopped the rattling spin of Jameson’s worries. He forced himself to relax, let the pretense of unshakable confidence that had become so quotidian, that most times even he forgot that it was camouflage, slip securely into place like a docking clamp. The people depending on him not only expected but deserved to see him project vitality and poise. And, he reminded himself with a small, genuine smile, all was not bleak. Both Humanity and the other Quorum races had survived and even thrived for over a millennium, overcoming more crises than a Zirgesh banker could count. Through the application of perseverance, dedication, and the talents of key individuals and assets, despite its many missteps, galactic civilization had prospered.

  Quorum Delegate Jameson Sweetwater straightened his formal white suit, unconsciously falling back on military presentation learned a life–time ago, and stepped out of his cabin to make his way several levels up to the docking tube and the Excalibur.

  It was time to once again apply one of the Quorum’s most critical Assets.

  *

  “Present!” One dozen marines quarter–turned, slammed their boots together, and saluted at the precisely infle
cted command. Jameson felt a genuine rush of pleasure at the military honor as he spied the two officers that stood at attention in full dress blue and black before Excalibur’s port docking tube exit.

  The shorter of the two by some two inches and the one who had vocalized the salute command, was a large man with skin the color of wet river–sand and eyes a rich, golden brown. His hair was a well–trimmed, short bush of spiky black. Despite the flawless uniform he was attired in, there was something about how he held himself that created the instant impression that if you were bright, you never wanted to tangle with this man in a bar. Perhaps it was his features, which included a scarred chin and a crooked nose that had obviously been broken in various fisticuffs on more than one occasion. Or maybe it was his rather impressive shoulder–span and heavily muscled torso and arms.

  In short, Commander Marcus Perez represented trouble for the foolish on two legs.

  Yet despite Commander Perez’s undeniable physical presence, in a way, he seemed to be somehow less than the officer that stood to his left, and it wasn’t because of the slim height difference. The other officer’s dress uniform was also immaculate, sporting the three large, upside down triangular pips and two short platinum chains of a Human Ministry Captain. Like Commander Perez, she chose to not wear her naval beret, exposing short dark hair comprised of wavy locks that spilled across a lightly tanned, smooth forehead. High cheekbones helped to frame arresting, wide–set eyes the color of a dark, stormy–blue sky. Those eyes crackled with palpable, almost kinetic energy as they steadily regarded Jameson moving towards her. At Jameson’s approach, the woman’s well–formed lips turned up in the slightest quirk, betraying her happiness at seeing him once more.

  When Jameson stopped two paces in front of the Captain of QS Excalibur, an elegant yet strong right hand snapped with quick, almost casual grace to her forehead in a formal salute. “Delegate Sweetwater, welcome aboard, Sir!” The Captain’s voice was surprisingly melodic, a steel and velvet high alto, inflection and enunciation perfectly precise, yet fluid.

  “Captain Serros, thank you for your welcome.” Jameson replied officially, then held out his hand with a smile. Rigid formality dispensed with, Serros took his palm in a firm grasp, her strength hinted at by sleek muscles tempered by innate consideration.

  “It’s a real pleasure to see you again, Captain Serros. It’s also good to see you, Commander Perez.” Sweetwater issued the last with a nod to the Excalibur’s Executive Officer.

  “The same in return, Delegate.” Commander Perez rumbled in his warm baritone.

  “And thank you for responding with such alacrity.”

  “If able, I always shall.” Captain Avara Serros responded with simple sincerity, then added, “Can’t wait to find out what made you leave Sigil and the pleasures of galactic politics to meet me in person, rather than using the Comm.”

  “Well, you Shields Operatives are hard to track down at times, even for old friends.” Sweetwater teased.

  Captain Serros raised one slender eyebrow at that, eyes focusing like twin laser beams for a moment before choosing to affably go along with his friendly evasion. “Well, SpecOps tends to be just a bit demanding at times.” She drawled.

  “Only too true, Captain.”

  “I’ve arranged for a comfortable dinner tonight at oh–seven–thirty in the Strategy Room; just myself and Commander Perez.” She stated, clearly having understood his quiet cue for privacy.

  “Excellent, Captain Serros. I look forward to it.” Sweetwater responded.

  “For now, Commander Perez will show you to your quarters while you are aboard.”

  “Very good.”

  “This way, Delegate.” Commander Perez motioned, and with a final nod to the Captain, Sweetwater followed the Commander towards the ship’s lifts.

  *

  “A truly enjoyable meal, Captain, thank you.” Delegate Sweetwater remarked, meaning every word. Their meal was all but demolished; Old–Terran style beef brisquette, potato mash, steamed greens, and coconut–rum pie, fare that was somewhat hard to come by during extended tours on a starship.

  “Well, Gaius can’t seem to pass up an opportunity to set a fine table, in contrast to my simpler tastes.” Captain Serros replied with a light laugh and a look towards her Steward, Major Bennet Gaius.

  As he picked up the last of the flatware, Major Gaius looked archly at his Captain and commented, “Simple tastes? Says the Officer who just polished off three servings. Besides, food can’t always be just for the body’s requirements. After all, who wants to live on food cubes?”

  “A scored point.” Captain Serros answered with a sigh and a good–natured half–smile.

  “A double–point, I’d say.” Commander Perez quipped. “Any time you want to work for me instead of the Captain, you let me know, Ben.”

  “Alas, I cannot abandon my duty.” Major Gaius responded with mock regret. “If that will be all?”

  “Yes, thank you, Ben.” Captain Serros replied with a final appreciative nod.

  The Quorum Delegate, Captain, and Executive Officer all sat to attention when the Captain’s Steward exited the Strategy Room and the door swooshed behind him, as if that small sound was in some way a call to action.

  After a few moments of silence, Sweetwater cleared his throat and announced “Unfortunately, business can no longer be delayed. It’s time to speak about the official reason for my visit.”

  Captain Serros merely nodded, unsurprised, yet she did not prod the Delegate to begin. She waited with an outward calm that was decidedly at odds with the intensity of her eyes.

  “I’m here to brief you on a mission of great import to the Galactic Quorum of Aligned Systems as a whole, as well as more specifically, the Vosaia Consulate and the Human Ministry.” Sweetwater paused, running a caramel colored hand through thick, neck–length dark hair.

  To give the Delegate the time he seemed to need, Captain Serros commented, “That’s quite the list, Delegate.”

  Sweetwater offered an involuntary grin at her words and dry tone. “Quite. You can see why this is top priority and why Nova Squad is being tapped. According to Vosaia Intelligence, one of their STF agents has turned ethically… creative, shall we say, and brokered an exchange of cutting edge Arcatech with a currently unknown third party. You’re primary objective is to intercept the exchange at all costs. Secondary, to take the rogue STF Agent into custody. We want to know when she turned, who turned her, and who her contacts are.”

  Captain Serros absently rubbed at a faint, still healing cut under her left eye, pondering the Delegate’s words. “By ‘unknown third party,’ do we mean the Karukai Imperium, Genesis Group, or the Fosaki Matrix?” The Captain asked after a moment, keen mind immediately listing the Quorum’s greatest concerns without even being given the remaining data.

  “Well, as to that, the Quorum is divided.” Jameson replied, inviting Serros to attack the problem with a direct look reminiscent of the days he’d taught her at Paxen Academy.

  “It would be an odd play for the Fosaki; they persistently stay in their own systems.” Captain Serros pondered aloud, “Though in some ways, given their society’s mandatory synthetic enhancement application stricture, and obsession with genetic and cybernetic perfection, they’d be interested.”

  “Meaning it’s entirely plausible for the Fosaki to take extreme measures to obtain new Arca advancements.” Commander Perez commented, eyes narrowed in thought.

  “At the same time, covert sabotage and theft doesn’t fit their modus operandi at all. Of course,” Captain Serros added ruefully, “this is assuming we really even understand the Fosaki at all, which frankly, we do not. They remain an enigma that hasn’t reared its head since the genocide of the Ty–Lin four centuries ago.”

  “Precisely.” Delegate Sweetwater confirmed, voice grave.

  “Mm. The Genesis Group is far more concerned with the destruction of Arcatech than its use and exploitation, so of all our possibilities, I’d say they represent th
e least likely suspects.” The dark–haired Captain asserted, confidence rippling in her smooth alto.

  “Wish they’d hurry up and blow themselves up.” Commander Perez muttered, scorn evident.

  “No arguments there, Marcus.” Serros agreed, a familiar, crooked half–smile briefly playing about her mouth before utterly dissolving with her next words. “Which leaves us with the Karukai.”

  “Precisely; which leaves us with the Karukai.” Jameson Sweetwater affirmed.

  “Considering the implications, I can see why a Quorum Shield is necessary.” Captain Serros remarked.

  “Humph. Exactly. And… not only one Shield, but two.”

  Sweetwater could tell that his statement caught Serros by surprise. “Two?

  “Two? But Quorum Shield Operatives never really work together and last time I counted, there’s only one Shield aboard the Excalibur, and we don’t need another.” Commander Marcus Perez exclaimed, unable to help himself.

  “Thanks, buddy.” Captain Serros commented.

  “You know what I mean, Avara… Captain.” Perez rejoined, strong jaw taking a pugnacious pose. “Just, seriously, we’re Nova Squad. The whole point is to have a close–knit team of super–specialists that complement each other’s strengths and to avoid direct oversight. That’s why we get the job done when no one else can.”

  “We still follow Quorum orders, Marcus.” Avara remarked blandly, well familiar with her second in command’s passionate temperament.

  “As it is, I happen to agree, Commander Perez.” Sweetwater broke in. “However, it is because of the political implications that there are to be two.” Sweetwater’s gaze locked with Captain Serros, willing her to understand.