Evolution: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Ghost Squadron Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  Julianna squinted against the bright sun overhead. She held her hand up to cover her eyes and looked at the area before her, which was full of huts and tall trees. Stepping forward, she lowered her hand so the group in the distance could see her face clearly.

  A human woman with long blonde hair braided into four sections stepped toward her. She was incredibly beautiful, as were all the people behind her, who all had light hair and tanned skin. Most, like the leader, wore long and flowing white robes. As she approached, Julianna noted the feathers the men had braided into their hair, and the beautifully detailed beaded necklaces and bracelets the women wore.

  “I am Alleira, the leader of this continent, which is called ‘Sunex,’” the woman said, spreading her arms wide to indicate the land where they stood. “You’re the one who sent the message?”

  “Yes. I’m Julianna, the Commander of Ghost Squadron. We’re here to assist you and protect you, and help you protect yourself,” said Julianna.

  A pained look crossed the woman’s face, suddenly making her appear much older than she was. “These savages have taken over the eastern half of Sunex, causing our people to retreat.” She pointed to the horizon, which arched oddly due to the planet’s small size.

  “Our surveillance shows they are moving in this direction,” said Julianna.

  The woman nodded solemnly. “Yes. They have a foothold on our eastern shores now, and we’ve been told to surrender or fight. They’ve promised that by nightfall there will be no other option for my people.”

  “There’s always another option.” Julianna regarded the beautiful landscape around her before returning her gaze to Alleira. “War creates destruction, which takes a long time to recover from. Although I can’t promise there will be no damage, my team has a strategy that we think will preserve your planet.”

  “We’ve asked the gods for a solution that suited our long-term growth rather than just saving us.” Alleira smiled, the expression transforming her face into something breathtaking. “I see that the gods answered our prayers with you.”

  Julianna offered her own smile, hers much subtler. “I have devices in my ship, and I need every able body to place them. I’ll explain exactly how it works once we get started. Is that all right?”

  Alleira looked at her council, each of whom nodded curtly, and turned back. “Commander, we will follow your lead. Our future is in your hands.”

  Stingray, Nexus, Tangki System

  The controls of the Stingray were just different enough that Lars had to check himself often as he flew the ship through the atmosphere of Nexus. It felt strange to wear his old Brotherhood uniform, but it was for a good purpose, so he didn’t mind. It didn’t give the Kezzin the same constricted feeling as it used to.

  “What’s your status, Carnivore?” asked Eddie over the comm.

  Lars leveled the controls as he fell in with a squad of Stingrays. His chest tightened as enemy ships flew around him, each occupied by a Brotherhood soldier.

  “I’m in formation, headed to the main base,” said Lars.

  “Very good.” Eddie sighed loudly. “I’m in position, and await your intel.”

  Lars let out his own heavy breath. It was hard for him to fathom that the Captain was sitting inconspicuously in the airspace over the Brotherhood’s base, Q-Ship cloaked as he waited to find out Commander Lytes’ location. As long as the Brotherhood didn’t suspect anything they wouldn’t turn on the sensor which would detect the Q-Ship, which was why Lars had to stay undercover.

  “Landing now on the eastern side of the base,” said Lars, looking out at the blue ocean in the distance. It was a beautiful location, just not for an enemy base.

  “Copy that, Carnivore,” said Eddie. “Be careful and stay in contact.”

  Lars directed the ship to the ground, taking commands from the crew who stood on the tarmac and waved each ship into a line. The dozens and dozens of Stingrays sat in rows. The Brotherhood definitely had the numbers, which meant the strategy had to be perfect if they were going to stop them. If Julianna didn’t pull off her end they’d be overwhelmed easily, and just as importantly, Eddie had to cut off the head of the Brotherhood beast.

  Copying the Brotherhood soldier who had parked next to him, Lars exited his Stingray and marched into line, following the long stretch of soldiers as they formed up. His breath caught at the sea of Brotherhood males, both Trid and Kezzin, but mostly the latter. The army’s numbers had exploded since he’d been a part of it.

  The only good thing about the size of the army was that no one would recognize Lars and know he was the traitor who had helped Julianna and Eddie escape in the past. Once at the back of the formation, Lars released a breath he hadn’t even realized he had been holding.

  Now the real challenges began. The first was to find the Commander’s location, which would be inside the main base in a protected room. Protected but still penetrable, he thought. After that, Lars had to get out of there before he was sent into combat. Above all, he couldn’t be caught. The Brotherhood would not allow him to survive if they found out who he was and who he worked for.

  ~~~

  Eddie drummed his fingers on the controls as he watched the Brotherhood base from the air.

  “Are you nervous?” asked Pip from the overhead speaker.

  “No, just restless,” answered Eddie.

  “You’re nervous, based on the twitch on the left side of your face, dilated pupils, and fidgeting.”

  “Do you do this sort of thing to Julianna?” asked Eddie.

  “She likes it,” joked Pip.

  “How is Jules doing?” asked Eddie.

  “Jules is making progress with the natives,” said Pip, emphasis on Eddie’s nickname for Julianna. “They are setting the mock mines as we speak.”

  Eddie drummed his fingers absently. “I really hope this works.”

  “Is that what the Captain depends on when all preparations have been made and execution is all that’s left? Hope?”

  “Hope is always a part of the equation, no matter what stage we’re in,” said Eddie.

  He peered down at the base the Brotherhood had constructed seemingly overnight, which was comprised largely of temporary buildings and tents. It was hard to tell where the Command Center was located, and that was what Lars had to figure out. There would no doubt be traps, since Commander Lytes would know that Ghost Squadron had been on a hunt for information when he was discovered at Pistris Station. However, he was wrong if he thought they’d attack the Brotherhood base. That wasn’t going to happen with Lars on the ground. Only two people should pay for what the Brotherhood were doing.

  ~~~

  After a long speech had been delivered by Commander Lytes over speakers around the base, the soldiers were dismissed. Lars started forward with his line, and the males marched back to their ships, their orders having been given. He wanted to find it hard to believe that they had been instructed to shoot at the people of Sunex on this continent to force them back, but Lars knew better. The Brotherhood were often ordered to do despicable things, all for a stronger power which every one of them believed owned him.

  When the people of Sunex retreated they’d be surrounded and taken prisoner, and then the whole scenario would take place again and again until the planet had been subjugated by the Brotherhood. Or at least that was the plan Commander Lytes communicated to the soldiers, telling them this was a part of their destiny, and that their loyalty would be rewarded and their insolence punished.

  Lars sped past the Stingray he’d flown in on. He had no plans to fly off in formation and follow Commander Lytes’ orders.

  He hurried by a set of barracks, which was what he realized they were after peeking into the first building. The structures all looked alike, which he was certain had been done on purpose.

  “Soldier, what are you doing?” a Brotherhood lieutenant asked, causing Lars to halt.

  He straightened and saluted. “I was given orders to relay a message to the Commander, sir.”


  “By whom?” asked the lieutenant. His forehead had wrinkled in skepticism.

  Lars didn’t hesitate. “By the technical sergeant, sir.”

  The male narrowed his eyes. “By who?” he repeated.

  “By the tech—”

  “What is his name, Private?” the lieutenant boomed.

  Lars’ hand rose above his gun, but only slightly. “I was told to alert the Commander to a problem with the Stingray fleet.”

  “Why wouldn’t this have been sent over the radio to the Command Center?” asked the lieutenant.

  Lars hesitated now, choking on his next words.

  The lieutenant’s face turned a shade darker, and with less stealth than Lars he reached for his weapon, at which Lars yanked his pistol out of his holster and shot the male in the head. The lieutenant landed hard on his back with a shocked expression on his newly modified face.

  “Are you all right?” asked Eddie on the comm.

  Lars stared down at the body. “Yes. I…had to defend myself.”

  There was a sigh in his ear from the other end of the channel. “Okay, be careful. Good work covering for us.”

  Lars allowed himself a brief moment to press his eyes shut and ask for silent forgiveness for what he’d been forced to do, but his eyes sprang open a second later. He grabbed the male’s shoulder and dragged him between two buildings. The gunfire shouldn’t have been heard over the noise from the Stingrays taking flight, but might still have attracted attention.

  Once the male’s body had been hidden from view, Lars slipped back out from between the buildings and sprinted forward, ducking into each building he came to. At this point time was the most crucial factor. The siege would start soon, and the Commander would know that Ghost Squadron had intervened.

  Three males filed out of a building ahead, so Lars ducked into a shadow of a vehicle and crouched close to the ground. He tried his best to read the rank insignia on each of their uniforms from between the tires, which would tell him enough to make a useful assumption.

  “Do you believe what the Commander just said?” asked one of the males as they charged by. Soon they’d be out of earshot, and also too far away for Lars to read their ranks.

  “That after this we’ll be ready to attack the Federation? Yeah, it’s hard to believe,” said one of the other males. They continued to talk as they moved and their voices grew indistinct. Lars’ gaze fell on the building they’d just come out of.

  “Blackbeard, I’ve found our target,” he whispered.

  ~~~

  Eddie landed the cloaked Q-Ship next to the building Lars had indicated, and he raised the tri-rifle before opening the hatch.

  “Tell Jules I’m going in,” said Eddie to Pip.

  There was a long moment of silence before a sigh came from overhead. “She said good luck, but that wasn’t what she meant,” said Pip.

  Eddie chuckled. “What did she mean?”

  “Don’t die,” said Pip morbidly.

  “Tell her not to worry. I’m bringing the big guns, and soon we’ll have Lytes sitting across the table in the interrogation room spilling all his secrets.”

  After another pause Pip responded, “Julianna says she’s not worried.”

  “Oh, well, that’s good,” said Eddie.

  “But Captain…” said Pip.

  Eddie paused before disembarking. “Yes?”

  “Just between you and me, she is.”

  “It must mean she cares,” said Eddie.

  “She says it’s because training your replacement would be a bitch,” said Pip.

  “Tell her not to fret. I can be replaced easily,” said Eddie.

  “Actually, you should know that General Reynolds picked you because of the incident in the Lorialis System. It wouldn’t be easy to find someone else who could have accomplished that,” said Pip.

  “I didn’t do anything any other leader wouldn’t have done,” said Eddie, recalling the long-ago affair like it had been yesterday. It wasn’t hard to remember, since it was often a part of a reoccurring dream.

  “Leaders are taught not to leave a man behind, but many do. They often say they are protecting the team, protecting the greater good. Few live up to that motto in battle, and most don’t go back to save soldiers considered doomed,” said Pip.

  “I made a promise to those men that I would sooner die than leave them behind,” said Eddie through gritted teeth. Pip was getting bolder, and he could understand why Julianna didn’t always appreciate it.

  “And you did almost die to save the two men,” said Pip.

  “Numbers aren’t really important. A person is a person, and each means something to someone,” said Eddie.

  “All I’m trying to say is that the General picked you for a reason, one not many other people can claim. You’re a man who does what he says he’ll do, even if you have to risk your life to keep your word. Julianna might joke, but she’d have trouble replacing you.”

  “Yeah, I’d like to think you’re right,” said Eddie.

  “It would take at least one, maybe two or three hours to find someone,” joked Pip.

  “Ha. Ha. You’re priceless.” Eddie stepped out of the Q-Ship, and the bright sun made him squint slightly.

  “Good luck, Captain Teach,” said Pip.

  “Thanks, Pip.”

  Soundlessly the hatch closed behind Eddie.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Nexus, Tangki System

  Julianna gazed at the lush green hills in the distance. Soon the Brotherhood would charge over the ridge to take the land behind her and its people.

  Well, they’ll try, she thought.

  She turned to Alleira, whose forehead glistened with sweat. The people of Sunex had worked hard for the last few hours, and this leader now held the remote switch Hatch had created.

  “You know what to do, right?” asked Julianna.

  With a fierce look in her eyes, Alleira nodded. “What if it doesn’t work?”

  “It will work,” Julianna assured her.

  “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Warrior of the Stars, but even the wisest of our gods consider failure as an option.”

  Julianna drew in a breath. She couldn’t tell Alleira that they were doomed if this strategy didn’t work. That the Brotherhood had enough numbers to take them all out. A commander didn’t lie, but they could choose which truths to tell. Courage in battle was more important than the weapons one held, and that proceeded from confidence.

  Pointing to the clear blue sky, Julianna said, “If all else fails, look to the sky. That’s where you’ll find hope.”

  Alleira nodded, her chiseled jaw strong. “Thank you, Commander Fregin. My people have never cared what happens out in space, but we’re grateful that there are protectors like you to help us.”

  Julianna offered one last smile before turning for her Q-Ship.

  Brotherhood Headquarters, Nexus, Tangki System

  Eddie spotted Lars in the exact location he said he’d be. The Kezzin had a weighted look in his eyes from the kill. Even in battle, when death was expected, the experience stayed with the person, and this was one of Lars’ former people, a Brotherhood soldier. Funny that they called it “the Brotherhood” when nothing could be farther from the truth.

  “You know the plan,” stated Eddie.

  Lars nodded abruptly.

  “Once you’ve completed your part, communicate the message to the Brotherhood,” said Eddie.

  “Will do,” said Lars, his voice scratchy.

  Eddie raised the heavy tri-rifle and a new focus spread through his mind as he led the way to the building they now knew was the Command Center. Gravel crunched under his boots, but in the middle of the base there was no one out. They were with the Stingrays, or readying to march forward. It didn’t matter, though. Wherever each Brotherhood soldier was, he’d get the message when the time came.

  Eddie cast a tentative look over his shoulder at Lars, an expression that asked, “Are you ready to kick some ass?”

&
nbsp; Lars rolled his shoulders back and this time nodded with true conviction.

  Eddie thrust his foot into the door caving it in, but it didn't break.

  “I was kind of expecting that they had locked and reinforced it. Actually, I was hoping they had.” He set the tri-rifle to demolition mode. “Stand back,” he said to Lars, who complied immediately.

  Eddie pulled the trigger and a large blast shot horizontally from the gun, tearing the door off and destroying the wall around it. He didn’t wait for the smoke and dust to clear, since that was what the forces inside would do. Instead he bolted forward, turning the controls on the tri-rifle to the “spray and stun” option.

  Over a dozen Brotherhood soldiers stood at the ready, many squinting from the dust. The Command Center was lined with monitors and computer stations, and in the middle stood Commander Lytes, his beady eyes narrowed on Eddie. Before he could spout a command Eddie fired the tri-rifle at the closest cluster of soldiers, and they dropped instantly, stunned. They appeared to be statues on the ground, stiff and motionless.

  “Surrender now! We have the building surrounded,” lied Eddie. Lars took his position at the Captain’s side, rifle at the ready and aimed at the Commander.

  He stood in front of a large console. On the screen was a digital map, and around it were several red buttons. “You’ve made a big mistake by coming here,” said Commander Lytes, his mouth puckering like he’d just eaten something sour.

  “You made a mistake by thinking that you could take over this planet,” said Eddie as he scanned the room. All the soldiers except for Lytes still had their guns pointed at Eddie and Lars.

  “It’s too late,” said Lytes. “This world is already ours.”

  “We disagree, so lower your weapons,” said Eddie.