Secret of the Crystal - Omnibus Edition Books 1-3 (Time Travel Adventure)
Page 1
Secret of the Crystal
Omnibus Edition
Books
I, II, & III
by
Brian K. Larson
Book 1
Secret of the Crystal
Book 2
The Forge
Book 3
Destiny
Brian K. Larson
Published by Slipstream Publishing
Illustrations by Larkin Livesay Jr.
Copyright 2013 Brian K. Larson
Dedication
I dedicate this book to my loving and caring family who stood by my side through this entire process of writing this Trilogy…
…but above all else, besides God himself, My Wife Diana, who has been more than patient during this process.
I love you my sweetie kitten mitten!!
Table of Contents
Secret of the Crystal
Secret of the Crystal II – The Forge
Secret of the Crystal III – Destiny
Lexicon
Addendum: Time Travel
Sneak Peak
More Works
Secret of the Crystal
Brian K. Larson
Published by Slipstream Publishing
Copyright 2013 Brian K. Larson
Illustrations by Larkin Livesay Jr.
Secret of the Crystal Contents
Chapter 1 – Homecoming
Chapter 2 – The Banquet
Chapter 3 – Bant’tuuk
Chapter 4 – Amnesia
Chapter 5 – The New Rule
Chapter 6 – Relationships
Chapter 7 – Enemy of the State
Chapter 8 – Ensuing Paradox
Chapter 9 – The Zelinite
Chapter 10 – Healings
Chapter 11 – Armada
Chapter 12 – The Rune
Chapter 13 – Together We Stand
Chapter 14 – Broken Time
Chapter 15 – The Crystal Caverns
Back to the Top
Chapter 1 – Homecoming
Ackturra
Year: 2983
Jhahnahkan was on his way home. The ship’s navigation display, after so many years of showing destinations in star systems in the farthest reaches of the galaxy, now showed the familiar 12 planets of his home system. Ackturra was the fifth planet, and highlighted as their destination.
Jhan nervously fingered the edge of the black, calf-length cloak that he wore over his scarlet uniform, the traditional garb of the ruling elite of Ackturra. Born just minutes behind his brother Jhovahkan, his ascension to the ruling council was delayed only until the completion of his mission to the outer rim.
“Are you concerned about what is to come?” his second in command, Torvon, interrupted. After so many years together and under the stresses of their mission to find allies in their failing war with the Zelinites, Torvon knew his moods and concerns well.
“Concerned?” Jhan shook his head. “No. Not concerned. Just a little excited that I will finally have a crystal of my own… and all that it means for me and those who stand by me.”
“The crystals of Ackturra are our greatest treasure. Your family and the entire House of Sö’ has done well in protecting them from our enemies, and using them to our advantage for thousands of years in this war. I am confident, that once you finally join the High Council, we will enjoy even greater victories.”
“Torvon, you embarrass me with your praise.”
“It is well earned Captain. But, if it makes you uncomfortable, I will talk of other things.” True to his word Torvon changed the subject to one closer to his heart. “Will the Lady Tamika be present for your ascension?”
Jhan nodded. “Yes, I am certain that my little sister will be there. Would you like me to give her a message for you?” Jhan smiled as Torvon blushed slightly.
“Sir, I think you are toying with me. We both know that my admiration for your sister can never be more than that. The distance between our two houses is too great.”
“The distance between your house and hers is not that far. As the daughter of Councilwoman Luanren rather than my mother the High Priestess Ghaia, Lady Tamika may yet find a husband among the noteworthy members of the second tier.”
“Now sir, it is you who embarrass me with your praise.”
“You have done well on this very important mission Torvon. Make no mistake, I will give a full report on all your actions.”
“How do you think Lady Tamika, er, your sister, faired over the last twenty years?
“Ah, yes. It will be good to see my little sister again, and I am sure she is doing quite well,” pausing for a moment, “I wish I could say the same for my brother,”
“I understand, sir. Is there no way you could try to set aside your differences just this once?” Torvon asked, “This is a special occasion.”
Jhahnahkan sternly looked on, “Hardly a welcomed concept. My brother has been fighting my father’s proposed resolution since the day we came of age.”
“Everyone is for your appointment sir, except your brother. I am sure he will finally settle down and accept this.”
“Jhovahkan has strong support from the northern clan territory on Ackturra. I do not think this ceremony will go without some kind of spectacle.”
“Excuse me, sir,” the communications officer said. “I am receiving a transmission from the Ackturra approach control. They are requesting our ETA.”
“Helmsman, how much longer before we leave slipstream?”
“We will be dropping out of slipstream in fifteen minutes, sir.”
“There’s your answer.” Jhahnahkan smiled.
He turned toward the front of the bridge and looked forward over the bow of the ship. The slipstream’s light show was always amazingly beautiful. Gleaming blue and green colors spiral around the sleek cruiser’s forward glass.
“Ask them if they have heard from the Kalentun?”
After a few moments, the communication officer answered, “Sir, they say they have not received any transmissions from your brother, and his ship does not show up on any of their scans.”
“I know he is out there…somewhere. He won’t miss this ceremony. He will use this for his gain. He cannot do that if he is not present!”
The Telenian began to shimmer slightly with the slipstream drive beginning to slow. The light show began to fade, and the stars materialized in the front view.
“Sir, slipstream drive has disengaged.”
“Helm, steady with inertial dampeners, slow to one-half impulse.”
“Aye, Captain,” the helmsman, setting his controls to the commands, “Inertial dampeners stabilized. That should smooth out our ride as we transition back to subspace.”
“Open a channel to Ackturra approach control.”
“Channel open, sir”
“This is the captain of the Telenian… permission to approach standard orbit.”
The comptroller responded with a harsh voice, “Captain, you are clear to enter orbit. Please use planetary defense code alpha gamma seven-seven-two-three-niner.”
“Acknowledged. Alpha gamma seven-seven-two-three-niner,” pausing, he whispers, “Helmsman, ETA?”
“Thirteen minutes.”
Again, the comptroller responded with a harsh voice, “Roger that. Thirteen minutes. Will you require an escort to planet side?”
“Negative, I will be piloting my shuttle… alone... Telenian out,” Jhahnahkan acknowledged, “Tactical, scan the sector for my brother’s ship.”
No sooner than Jhahnahkan gave
that order, several warning lights began flashing and alarms sounded. The computer came alive, taking over the helm, “Warning, proximity sensors indicate a collision course… executing emergency evasive. Please stand by. Shields engaged. Course set,” the computer said in a deep-sounding, artificial voice.
The computer engaged maneuvering thrusters and rolled the sleek sturdy cruiser thirty degrees to the port side. The ship groaned with the gravitational pull from the planet. The computer fired rear thrusters, which sent the ship toward the large reddish planet.
“Sir, it’s Kalentun! He just came out of nowhere.”
“What the devil is he doing?” Jhahnahkan shouted, “Open a channel.”
“Channel open, sir.”
The tactical officer reported, “Sir, he has engaged ram shields and is moving to intercept.”
“Understood!” Jhahnahkan exclaimed.
“Sir, they are not responding to our hails.”
“Computer, engage attack pattern Jhahnahkan-2-3-1.”
“Course set and engaged,” the computer responded.
The Telenian pitched forty degrees and rolled to starboard swinging around the approaching Kalentun.
“Lock weapons on their reactor.”
“Weapons locked… Target acquired... Standing by….”
“Steady... Wait for my signal… on three.”
“Sir, they have slowed and powered down their ram shields.”
“Full stop!”
“Aye, sir,” the helmsman replied. Overriding the computer control, he brought the Telenian to a full stop.
The Kalentun slowed and came to a halt as the Telenian slid perpendicular to her, weapons hot and waiting to fire upon his brother’s flagship when the com channel began to come alive.
The com station began to activate, showing the view screen with the image of Jhahnahkan’s brother.
He was wearing his full Ackturrian military dress uniform of red and gold. His outer jacket covering was buttoned up his neck and his shoulders seemed a bit more broad than usual.
His black cloak flowed from his shoulders down his back to just above the floor. Jhovahkan showed off all of his medals, which were displayed on his breast.
“Brother! It is good to see you, my friend,” Jhovahkan said with a sheepish smile on his face.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?”
“Ah well, did I catch you off guard? My dear brother, you will need to be much more alert than that if you are to be flying with my fleet. You never know when someone might try to take you out. After all, with all these Zelinites infesting our space, they could have captured my ship and used her against you.”
“I’m not laughing. I was about to fire on a hostile ship. Having your ram shields up kept your reactor vulnerable. If anyone needs to be careful, it is you Jhovahkan.”
“Touché’ and well done. Well done indeed!” Jhovahkan laughed as he clapped in a rather slow rhythm. “I was hoping you would pass my little test. You see, I instructed approach control to not alert you of our presence.”
“I thought I smelled a rat when we came out of slipstream. I was wrong. I smelled you.”
“Oh come now, my dear brother,” he said, continuing his usual jovial bantering, “you don’t honestly think I would have rammed your precious Telenian, now do you?”
“Do not patronize me, brother!”
“There is no need to get testy with me. After all, our father is throwing a banquet in your honor tonight. It will be a simply marvelous and auspicious occasion celebrating your acceptance to the council. This should be a happy time for you.”
“I will be much more at ease once this ceremony is done and I have possession of my power crystal.”
“Oh yes, the power crystal. You will enjoy having that, this I am certain!”
The com channel opened again with the harsh voice of the comptroller. “Attention! We have a level 3 alert. Zelinite raiders are attacking two transports in sector one-one-six.”
Jhovahkan’s battle cruiser came to life, engines firing full thrusters as she swung around and began an intercept course toward the vessels coordinates.
“Brother, I will have you take point on this attack,” Jhovahkan said with sternness. “I want to see what you are made of. I will be close behind. Do not let these Zelinites get another transport!”
“Sound General Quarters! Shields up! Helm, set intercept course at maximum speed,” Jhahnahkan commanded.
“Aye, sir, shields up. Course set and laid in,” the helmsman replied. “We will arrive to the battle sector in thirteen minutes.”
“Tactical, charge all weapons. This is going to be stimulating.”
As the tactical officer prepared his console, he smiled with joy. “I will much enjoy taking down these raiders. It has been far too long since they dared a hit so close to Ackturra.”
Jhahnahkan said with a calm, yet commanding voice, “Patience, my good man. You’ll get your opportunity. We will be victorious!”
The Telenian began to speed way from Ackturra and overtook his brother’s ship.
“I will see you after the battle, my brother,” Jhahnahkan said slowly rubbing his hands together. “You can clean up the Zelinite mess I will be leaving behind.”
“I look forward to seeing how well you do. Just remember, I am watching and will intervene should you begin to fail,” Jhovahkan scowled, leaning closer to the view screen, raising his left eyebrow.
“You wish. Perhaps I will finally convince you that I am worthy to fly the Ackturrian flag,” he said before motioning to the com officer to cut the channel.
“Sir, we have confirmation on the scanner. There are two Zelinite raiders. They have engaged the transport ships,” the tactical officer alerted the captain. “Sir, are we going to ram them?”
“That thought had crossed my mind,” Jhahnahkan said, stroking his chin, “We have never used our ram shields in a real battle before, so let us put them to the test, shall we?” Standing from his captain’s chair, Jhahnahkan turned to his tactical officer and gave the signal. “Engage the ram shields! Helm, bring us to ramming speed. I want to hit them dead center.”
“Aye, sir,” the helmsman shouted, “With pleasure.”
“Steady, everyone! Tactical, target the second ship and begin firing on my command.”
“Weapons online… Target locked. I will attempt to disable their engines and weapons.”
As the Telenian sped closer to their target, an eerie quiet ensued upon the bridge crew while they concentrated on each of their assigned tasks.
“Sir, we have visual. One minute to target. They are turning from the transports and heading away.”
“Keep on target! Do not let them get away!” Jhahnahkan ordered, sitting back in his captain’s chair. He gripped the sides of the chair’s arms, “Steady... Steady...”
The computer chimed in, “We are on a collision course. Please provide authorization for ramming condition.”
Jhahnahkan responded, “Jhahnahkan ram authorization niner-niner-two-three-five.”
“Authorization Jhahnahkan niner-niner-two-three-five confirmed. Brace for impact.”
The crew’s Automated Restraint System or ARS, held the crew firmly in place while the computer counted down the seconds to impact.
Jhahnahkan thrust his arm with his index finger extended, “Fire!”
The Telenian closed in on the Zelinite ship, “Impact in 3, 2, 1.”
The sleek design of the Ackturrian battle cruiser, with its streamlined pointed front end, and reinforced by the ramming shields, acted like an ice pick to the Zelinite raider, splitting its hull in two. The sound of the impact echoed throughout the decks of the Telenian. Chunks of metal and debris flew past the conning tower of the Telenian, striking the forward view screen as the ship passed through the other side of the raider. The resulting impact caused the ship to explode into a million pieces.
Their weapons fired at the second Zelinite ship as they passed through the first. The weapons v
olley struck the raider, hitting their engines causing them to lose attitude control and begun to spin uncontrollably.
“Bull’s-eye,” Jhahnahkan shouted, “Nice maneuvering.”
“Sir, the other ship is disabled,” the tactical officer gleefully reported.
“Return shields to normal. Bring us around and approach the second ship.”
Jhahnahkan barked several more orders to his crew and asked for a damage report.
“Sir, all decks are reporting in. We have taken minor damage to our lower decks but nothing significant. No hull damage and all systems are operational,” the communications officer replied.
“Very good,” Jhahnahkan said, “Tactical, what is their status?”
The tactical officer turned to his captain with a concerned look about him, “Sir, I am getting readings of a power surge from their core. They are in overload!”
“Helm, get us outta here! They are going to blow it!”
“Aye sir! Reversing course... Coming about and increasing speed.”
“Maximum shields to the rear! Come on now, move it, move it, move it!”
The Telenian engines fired full thrusters as she began to speed out of range. The Zelinite ship ignited into a brilliant light as the ship exploded.
The resulting shock wave caused the Telenian to rock and sway back and forth.
“Sir, shields are holding. We are at safe range. No additional damage detected.”
“Open a channel to the transport lead ship.”
“This is captain of the Telenian of the Ackturrian fleet. Do you require assistance?”
The com crackled static as they waited for a reply. “Repeat, do you need assistance? What is your condition? Please respond.”
“This is the captain of the Khateal. We’ve taken significant damage and have a few casualties, but we have maintained hull integrity. Our other transport ship is in good shape, and they can tow us the rest of the way.”
“We will dispatch five fighters to escort you to your port. Do you need anything else?”