Dark Stars- Firelight

by Matthew Tonks

  DARK STARS

  Firelight

  By Matthew Tonks

  mtonks.com

  Artwork by Garry Williams aka Yazgar

  yazgar.com

  Copyright 2019 Matthew Tonks

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Welcome to the beginning of the end.

  Welcome to DARK STARS FIRELIGHT, part one in a multi-story space opera,

  Zander Kane was once a trusted and highly decorated general for the United Federation, that was until the day Kane betrayed not only his own race, but his own flesh and blood to join The Dark Collective, so he could be with the woman he loved.

  Now he rides stardust and slipstreams, captaining the star ship Betha, fighting for the Dark Collective in hope of one day freeing the worlds from the Federations ruling grasp.

  Follow the adventures of Kane as he not only races through the stars, but also beyond them.

  For the dark does not just exist in between the stars, it is in them.

  Elsewhere…

  The explosion rips through the doorway, sending the very door itself across the room and into the wall opposite, as the smoke clears a figure steps through the breached threshold. His suit beeps several times, hisses loudly as hydraulic gears lock into place and then fall silent, leaving only the sound of air sucking in and out of his breathing apparatus. He surveys the rusted and decaying room with an almost desperate silence. Suddenly if on cue, the room moves as the ship itself takes a hit from outside. The figure casts a fevered glance behind him, and then turns back to the room. His eyes search with a renewed aggression, finally coming to rest on the remains of the ship’s captain, Zander Kane.

  He rushes to the body and starts digging through the dead man’s pockets, until finally he pulls out a silver key. Holding it high into the air in victory, he allows himself to laugh for a brief moment, before the ship lurches forward again as it takes another hit.

  He scrambles to his feet and out the door, quickly he rushes down a hallway as two huge black slug-like creatures crash through the walls behind him, flipping, twisting and turning their way towards him. He dares not look over his shoulder, as he powerfully strides down the corridor coming out into the ship’s lifeless cockpit. The creatures explode into the small room moments after him, filling the space with their gigantic forms.

  He hits the ground with a thud, feeling his right ankle give way. A hiss of aggression passes through his lips as he forces himself to his feet and runs forward. The things scream behind him, but their wretched cries have become like taking a breath to him now, which is another problem on its own. He runs towards another derelict ship almost identical to the first and forces his way in through the cargo bay door. Desperately he scrambles up through the supplies hold, out into the main corridor, and comes to a stop as he reaches a hatchway in the weapons room. He pulls the silver key from his pocket, and quickly places it into an awaiting lock. Sweat pours down his forehead and runs into his eyes, forcing him to tighten them as he tries unsuccessfully to turn the key. Smacking the lock in frustration, he mumbles a group of obscenities before he tries the key again, this time it moves but only a fraction before it becomes stuck once more. He twists and turns it aggressively in the lock, feeling it slowly begin to give way as the ship shudders with an impact.

  He freezes in place, knowing they are on board. He bites down onto his bottom lip, and tightens his shaking hands into fists, looking down once again at the key. He hears them charging through the cargo bay, he hears metal plates crash to the ground as they make their way into the corridor. He grabs the key once more, closes his eyes tightly, and twists. His heart skips a beat as the key turns, lights flash before him, and sounds of century-old hydraulics begin to fill the air as a spiral metal hatch slowly opens. He looks over his shoulder as the creatures burst into the weapons bay, he looks back at the doorway, and dives through in a panic. One of the creatures grabs his leg, screaming in terror he frantically kicks at it, and somehow manages to free himself from its grip. He scrambles to the control deck and slams his fist down onto the hatches override, then repeatedly punches the ignition switch as one of the things tries to fit its gigantic body through the ever-narrowing doorway. But it’s too late as the small escape capsule veers forward, shooting out into the deep, dark nothingness of nowhere, and he lets out a sigh of relief as he falls into the seat exhausted.

  His heart races a million miles an hour as the capsule arches upward, and then he hears it, like nails running along a blackboard. But it isn’t a blackboard, it’s the capsules outer hull. He leaps from the seat and presses himself up against the glass dome that covers a quarter of the small capsule, spotting it instantly, as it does him. Its talons dig deep into the side of the ship, then it rushes towards him.

  “What the HELL do I have to do to get away from you THINGS!” He yells as the creature screams its horrific cry while it pounds itself violently against the glass. Under the pressure of its blows the glass dome slowly begins to crack, as the small capsule continues to climb upwards into the vast, black, emptiness of space.

  The Middle, At the Beginning, Sort Of…

  The light blinds him, he looks up trying to shield his eyes, but his hands jerk back as glowing blue shackles tether him to the metallic cells surface.

  “Welcome back to the world of the living, Captain Kane, I thought you were going to rob me of the reveal,” a voice says from somewhere behind the light.

  “So, you’re High Lord Quinn,” Zander says through clenched teeth.

  “You don’t seem too surprised? Did I give too much away?”

  “Everyone knew you for what you were, and to be honest, I’ve always wanted it to be you.”

  Quinn laughs, “Zander, you amuse me as always, you sho…”

  “All this is going to get you nothing, so you might as well save your jaw for The President of the alliance. I’m sure he’s expecting you soon, but me, I’m tired of your voice, so for once listen when I say shut up.”

  “Don’t be foolish Zander, there are many things we, I can offer you. A warrior of your skill could rise higher than many who already sit on Balmires cabinet. Divulge the location of your pathetic priestess, and join me my friend, toge….”

  Zander laughs, “You think I’m that stupid? I’d never give you the information you’re after. There’s a reason why only a few are chosen to know where she resides, and I’d die first before I tell you. Besides my friend, the man you were, he died at the battle of the fallen star. This thing you make yourself out to be now, whatever name you choose to call yourself, is not even close to who you were.”

  Quinn moves from behind the light, his crimson red uniform shimmers, while his hairless pale white skin glows, making his empty black eyes seem like holes to another world. “I remember fallen star, many of your race died that day, as did mine. But we all made choices, mine was for me, yours was for something else, something stupid. But just so you know, so you understand my dilemma, it does pain me to hear you say those words. I had hoped you would join me here, in the glory of the darkness. Maybe you need more time, perhaps I shouldn’t be so hasty to convert your allegiances. Not when we have a day or more until we reach the citadel.”

  “Don’t waste your time! Balmires and his kind will soon fall, we’ll bring justice to the worlds and end what his people ha
ve done.”

  “You’re a fool, they had their chance to be free, but instead all they did was waste it on war. Before his ascension, their petty wars between themselves raged for centuries, hate prospered, and death reigned. Under Balmires rule the wounds have begun to heal over, to create a universe of one, cleansed of the blood that your pathetic dreams are soiled from.”

  “They were your dreams as well once upon a time, far better dreams than to have the whole galaxy enslaved under one rule, that takes away worlds beliefs, forcing them to follow one way of life, making them believe. And if they reject it, if they call for their ways to continue, you crush them, you destroy their worlds, hunt their people down and kill them like dogs. Now, old friend, tell me how that’s a better way!” Zander yells as he pulls against his bonds once more.

  “I’ll admit it, I was blind like you, like the rest of your people. But then I saw the light; I saw we were the ones causing death and destruction, taking innocent lives for a cause that is rotten, blind, worthless, and full of faults. Perhaps it is better this way, perhaps my dream of you being able to see the true power, the true way, is something that is just that. A dream,” he says nodding his head to the side, as two similar uniformed men rush towards Zander, pulling him to his feet as Quinn raises a blaster. “I’m disappointed we could not continue this friendship. But know this, when news of your death filters back to your people, they will panic, and then we will hunt them down, one by one, and kill them all, as….” He stops and tilts his head, his black eyes widen with curiosity, as Zander smiles. “What amuses you? Do you not realise that today is the beginning of the end? We have won and you, you the great Captain Zander Kane, will die.”

  “I’m smiling because you think I was stupid enough to come alone. Stupid enough to trust you after Baxter Ten,” he says, as a blaster bolt rips through Quinn’s head. The two guards have no time to react as shots cut them down as well. “It took you long enough,” Zander says as two figures dressed in golden suits of armour shimmer into existence.

  “I had to wait for the right moment,” a female voice says.

  “Why? So you could prove yourself right about him?” Zander says as they release his bonds. “Where are the others?”

  The two golden armoured figures look at each other, then at Zander, “We are all that is left, the others,” she says, lowering her head. “The others are no more.”

  “What? How?”

  She looks down at Quinn, “He wasn’t alone, there was another.”

  “What you’re saying doesn’t make sense, how’s that possible? Who?”

  “It is unknown, I’m still trying to get my head around it all, but the time for speculation will have to wait. If we are to finish this, we must move quickly for time is running out.”

  Zander picks up Quinn’s blaster and checks its power cells, “I always knew this was going to be a one-way trip.”

  “So did I,” the two armoured females say in unison.

  “It’s easy for you to say,” he says as he presses himself up against the metal doorway.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” She says, as the two golden warriors stare at him.

  “Exactly what it’s meant to mean. For you, it’s not really a one-way ticket is it? You’ve got hosts scattered across the universe, it’s not like you don’t have an out.”

  They both look to the ground quickly, and silence follows. Zander feels an uneasiness come over him, as he casts a quick glance over toward them. “Gadamrie, what aren’t you telling me?”

  They look up at him, their eyes seem dimmer than he has ever seen them before. “Back on Betha, before the destroyer appeared out of the wormhole, you asked me where I was, and I never, I never had a chance to tell you. But I was, somehow, I-I…” Her mouth moves nervously, trembling almost, and he reaches out to her, gripping her centuries-old armour tightly.

  “Somehow what?” He asks softly.

  “Somehow someone found me, all at once. I-I, I felt them, their cries-my cries, then, they were no more.”

  His eyes widen with terror, and he relaxes his grip. “My god, are you telling me you’re all that’s left? How could someone know that sort of information? How could…”

  “I don’t know, but someone found out, and they infiltrated my core collective without my knowledge, they located all of me, and then in one finely orchestrated attack, wiped them all from my mind’s eye.”

  He slumps backwards, his mouth open, his eyes glazed over. “W-Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Everything happened so quickly, I had no real time to process what was taking place, and the mission was our primary concern. My life, it still blossoms, all be it not as bright, but I still live my love.”

  “Did you know the attackers?”

  “They all said the same thing in unison before they attacked, tell The Priestess death comes for all who oppose The President.”

  Zander feels his throat knot up, as he struggles to swallow the dry mouthful of air.

  She reaches out to him and touches his face. “Don’t. We both knew one day our lives would be….” but she doesn’t get to finish her words as a shot rips through her head.

  He sucks in a deep breath and stares into the eyes of the other, as she swiftly raises her blaster towards him. He stares at her lips, lips he had kissed a thousand times or more, lips he had once thought were the softest things he had touched in all the worlds, lips that now look far from inviting. As he stares, she slowly opens her mouth, and as they lock eyes, he knows what words would come out.

  “Death to all who oppose The President!” She says.

  “What the hell is going on?” Zander says nervously, as he quickly glances at Gadamrie’s lifeless body on the ground and then, back up at her.

  “Rebellion my love. Too long have you all run free over this universe, destroying all the good that has been done by the united federation. You must all be put down like the sick cattle you are,” she says as she thrusts the blaster to his forehead.

  “This can’t be happening, you’re a collective of one mind, how can you be separate? Ho…”

  She forces his back to the wall of the metallic cell and presses up against him, her blaster still firmly against his skull.

  “You know nothing of what I am, what she was. We were never a collective of one, we were a collective of many. She the alpha, and I the omega, but now I am all, and you are nothing!”

  “STOP!” A voice screams inside her head.

  The room fades into darkness, and she stands naked, alone.

  “I killed you! YOU ARE GONE! How can you still be here!” She bellows, spinning around in the darkness.

  “If you are here, then so am I. We coexist, one with the other,” her voice echoes from the darkness. “I had forgotten you were there. It had been so long since you spoke to me, I thought you were a dream, or maybe part of my madness. But…”

  “I am the MADNESS!” She screams. “SHOW YOURSELF COWA… AAKK!!” She feels something grip her throat and lift her high into the air. She struggles for breath, tearing at her invisible attacker.

  Zander falls to the ground, raising Quinn’s blaster once more, his finger trembles over the trigger as he stares at the body of the woman he loves more than breathing. Nervously his finger begins to pull back on the trigger, and he closes his eyes tightly.

  “Stop my love, it is I,” she says.

  His eyes spring open, releasing the trigger, and he lets out an exhausted breath, “W-W-What just happened?”

  “I promise I will tell you everything in time, but for now we must concentrate on getting out of here, together,” Gadamrie says reaching a hand towards him.

  Zander looks up into her dull eyes, then back to her hand, sucks in a deep breath and clutches it. She powerfully pulls him to his feet, and they embrace tightly.

  “Who was she?”

  “Someone I forgot about,” she says.

  He pulls her away, and they stare into each other’s eyes. He searches hers quickly, u
ntil he eventually smiles, satisfied the woman before him is indeed his lover. “Are you going to be okay?”

  “For now, but we must hurry.”

  “Sin, do you have a link?” Zander says out loud.

  Static pierces the air, and then fades away. They look at each other, and he runs a hand through his hair, as static once again erupts, this time followed by a robotic voice. “Affirmative Captain Kane, the link is complete. How may I be of assistance?”

  “Help us find a way off this sardine can,” Zander says quickly.

  “I’m sorry Captain Kane, I do not understand the term, ‘sardine can’?”

  “For crying out loud Sin, just find us a way off the ship, and fast,” He says quickly.

  “I will endeavour to complete your request Sir, should I include a scenario that involves rescuing Mister Touvler?”

  “Touvler’s alive?”

  “As far as I can tell from the information I have managed to upload from the destroyer’s database. He is being held several floors below you, awaiting execution. High Lord Quinn has sentenced him to death once the ship reaches the citadel.”

  “How long do we have?”

  “We are almost a day away from th… zzzeedfffzzz….”

  “Sin?” Zander calls out. He waits for a few moments, before glancing over to Gadamrie, his face wrought with worry. “SIN?” But still no reply comes.

  “We must leave, before we find ourselves in a far graver predicament,” Gadamrie says, clutching his arm.

  “NO! I can’t leave him, not if he’s still alive. We go down, try to find Touvler, hopefully re-link back up to Sin and then we get off this crate,” he says with a smile as he presses one of Quinn’s dead hands against the doors activation-pad. Seconds later it slides open, revealing a sea of federation soldiers waiting for them. Standing at the end of the hallway behind the soldiers, with an evil smile on his face, is High Lord Quinn.