Escape Velocity (The Black Star Chronicles Book 1)

by E. P. Wyck

  “What do you mean, little bird?” Bruce said.

  She rolled her eyes at the nickname before saying, “Imagine the news getting word of hundreds of gendercide fanatics being killed at the hands of men. You don’t think that isn’t fuel for their propaganda?”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Bruce said.

  “They will take that and make it their battle cry. It will help them recruit ten for every one we eliminate. Their movement is already gaining speed. We can’t help it more by killing them. We’re going to have to solve this problem,” Kali said.

  “You’re right,” Bruce said. “I’ll have a talk with some of my senior people and see what we can come up with. In the meantime, we’ve got to give our people a little rest while we can. The research team can pretend to be guards.”

  “Not happening. Sorry Bruce, but I am having them clear the ship of the bodies. I know it is gruesome work, but they’re not security experts. They’re going to need that ship, so they’re going to clear it of the dead. They’ll honor the fallen and move on,” Aleksandra said.

  “Understood, Commander,” Bruce said before leaving.

  Aleksandra waited for a few seconds before saying, “I appreciate your help with Bruce.”

  “He means well, but the thing is he doesn’t have the whole picture,” Kali said.

  “True, you know a lot about these fanatics. It is a shame you’re not coming back with us. I am sure it would do your reputation a lot of good putting them away legally,” Aleksandra said.

  “I don’t need the spotlight. Besides, you’ll need some positive spin for the loss of a ship and two crews, three if you count the cargo hauler,” Kali said.

  “Speaking of the cargo hauler, what about that girl you found?” Aleksandra said.

  “I know she isn’t ready to go back. Especially on the ship with the people who killed her father. I’ll watch after her and see if she has some family to return to after we finish the experiment. Maybe she’ll be useful,” Kali said.

  “Maybe. I just think she won’t want to be on the same ship as it all happened.” Aleksandra said.

  “Maybe, there are three cargo ships. Only one was active to pull everything out here. The others will be used to maneuver everything into position. I think she could stay on any of the others if necessary. Besides, she’ll have me,” Kali said.

  “Yeah, you kind of know what she is going through,” Aleksandra said.

  “I precisely know what she is going through. I can’t tell you how much of myself I see in her. To be fair, we had opposite reactions. She ran and hid, I ran and killed…” Kali said.

  “Fair enough, but still you must be able to help her get through it better than anyone,” Aleksandra said.

  “Hopefully. I know how upset I was when I had just lost my Father. I think she’ll be broken for a while, but that’s pretty understandable,” Kali said.

  “Yeah, I feel bad for her, even though she’s a Cherubim,” Aleksandra said.

  “I guess I still don’t get the rivalry between the classes,” Kali said.

  “It isn’t rivalry. It is superiority, nothing less, nothing more,” Aleksandra said.

  “They can do whatever I can,” Kali said.

  “Kali, you’re a Seraphim. You’re an apex predator. You have stealthy flight, the ability to hover, you’re stronger than all of the other classes. You literally use more of your brain than they do. We’re not all equal,” Aleksandra said.

  “I suppose I see your point, but it doesn’t mean we have to be condescending about it,” Kali said.

  “Perhaps, but usually ancient Seraphim put everybody down that wasn’t a Seraphim. Despite the fact that Cherubim and Dominion come from Seraphim, they don’t consider them of equal quality,” Aleksandra said.

  “I would love to stay and go over Empyrean History with you and all, but I should go check on Brooke,” Kali said.

  “Yeah, she needs you, little bird,” Aleksandra said.

  Kali sighed at the sound of ‘little bird,' and said, “I’ll see you before the Dawnbreaker disengages.”

  Aleksandra nodded goodbye, and Kali left to find Brooke.

  Chapter 41

  Brooke sat alone in a small room. Still, she didn’t feel at home despite the huge privilege of having her own space on a destroyer. She missed her father. She wished she stayed on Raze Prime with her mother.

  Her mother had no idea he died. How would she tell her? How would she tell her that she will never see her husband again? These questions swirling through her head brought tears to her already aching eyes.

  She wept into the folded crease of her elbow, resting her head on a desk. The heaves of the sobs began to make her stomach muscles ache. She thought of the last time they flew together.

  They had stopped planetside on Trinity before this trip. She had never visited before. He spent a small fortune for them to stay at the Enclave Resort. A hotel carved out of the inside of a mountain. The highest rooms had walkout decks.

  Patrons could fly from their decks and enjoy the expanse of the Olympus Mountain Range. The majestic views took her breath away. They glided on the eddies of warm air rising from the mountains for hours.

  The happiness she felt then almost soothed her. A faint knock at the door caused her to dart up and wipe her eyes. After a couple of tries to dry her face, she thought, ‘Who am I kidding?’ and gave up.

  “Come in,” Brooke said with a sniffle.

  Kali walked in and her cheerful expression dulled at the sight of Brooke’s emotions smeared across her face. “I was going to ask how you are doing but, I think I know.”

  “Why did you come here then?” Brooke asked.

  “Because I know we need to talk and I think now is as good of a time as any,” Kali said.

  “I don’t want to talk,” Brooke said.

  “Well, I didn’t think you did. However, we still need to talk,” Kali said.

  “What is there to talk about? I couldn’t save him. He is dead. Is that what you want?” Brooke shouted.

  “Nope. I know you know what happened. I know you feel it was your fault. I am here to tell you that no matter how you feel you have to understand you didn’t kill him. You weren’t the one who took his life. You can’t blame yourself.”

  “Yes, I can.”

  “Sure, you can. But you shouldn’t. You’ll disintegrate if you do.” Kali said.

  “I won’t literally fall apart,” Brooke said.

  “You might. I know I felt that way.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “About thirty years ago when the gendercide started emerging, they targeted high profile Seraphim and came after my father. He fended off the first attack himself.”

  Kali continued, “Being the husband of Triumvir Genevieve he received significant security. After security was assigned to him, they took heavy losses saving him. Several more attempts resulted in more deaths. The guilt of those who died protecting him weighed heavily on him.”

  “What did he do?” Brooke asked.

  “One day they attacked our estate and he flew out and met them. He offered a peaceful option, and they killed him without saying a word,” Kali said.

  “That’s awful!” Brooke said.

  “I was in another room. My mother could have stopped him, but she didn’t. Once I heard the commotion, I tried to stop it, but I was too late. I ended up killing them all, though.”

  “I bet that made you feel better.”

  “Not at all. Their lives did not bring him back. It didn’t mean I stopped there, though. I continued on a rampage for years, chasing down every gendercide fanatic I could find. Death after death I still felt no relief. I blamed my mother. I blamed myself.”

  “You seem better now, what did you do?”

  “I accepted that it was not my mother’s fault; that it was not my fault. The fault belongs to the fanatics themselves. I still believe the movement must be stopped; however, I now believe there is a better way.”

 
“What way is that?”

  Kali told Brooke about her plans of sending the gendercide fanatics aboard the Dawnbreaker to Trinity. Their punishment should quell the fanaticism surrounding the gendercide and allow a better message to spread.

  Additionally, Kali and Brooke speculated for hours about who may have started the movement and how they should proceed to expose them.

  Chapter 42

  After several hours of gruesome labor, all the bodies and gore had been removed from the cargo hauler. Some of the battle damage remained, especially the damaged bridge.

  “How are we supposed to fly this thing now?” Ryn asked Aleksandra.

  “I believe you have spares attached to the cargo train. I’d suggest using them to maneuver this ship into place somewhere as your base of operations and use the others to position your equipment,” Aleksandra said.

  “So, you’re saying for the foreseeable future this ship is nothing more than a space station?” Ryn asked.

  “Pretty much, however from the sounds of it, you will have plenty of time to fix it waiting for that experiment of yours to finish,” Aleksandra said.

  “Indeed. I appreciate all that you’ve done, and I will certainly look you up when I get back to Trinity.” Ryn said.

  “Who knows where I’ll be then. I wish you luck with your project. I’d say see you soon, but we both know that isn’t the case,” Aleksandra said.

  Ryn smirked, “Very funny, Commander. Thanks again.” He extended his hand, and she took it, exchanging genuine gratitude and respect.

  Aleksandra moved to stand in front of Kali. “Little bird,” she said.

  “Commander…” Kali said.

  “I know you’re going to impress me the next time I see you. Don’t let me down,” Aleksandra said.

  “No pressure, huh?” Kali asked.

  “None at all. You will do fine, little bird,” Aleksandra said placing a hand on her shoulder. Kali looked up at her, and for a moment Aleksandra wished this young Seraphim had been her progeny.

  “You look, sentimental, Commander. Don’t let the others see it. Wouldn’t want your reputation to take a hit,” Kali said in jest.

  “Don’t worry, I can handle them. If you ever need anything let me know. I am sure I will have a chance to speak with your mother. I’ll make sure she knows where to find me,” Aleksandra gave her shoulder a brief squeeze before letting go.

  When Aleksandra turned to leave she almost ran into Novalie, “Commander, I am begging you. Please let me accompany the research crew. You don’t need my help on the communication station. You could easily manage the station yourself or teach another crew member to operate during superluminal travel.”

  “That’s not an option. We’ve discussed this Novalie. Say your goodbyes and get to the bridge of the Dawnbreaker. That is an order,” Aleksandra said.

  “Commander, we could use a good communication operator. Especially if we’re going to set this up a command station,” Ryn said.

  “I understand Ryn; however, it is not my place to permit her to be reassigned. I am not in the business of reassigning crew of ships that belong to the Triumvirate Maximus,” Aleksandra said.

  “I thought this ship belonged to the Razians,” Ryn said.

  “Indeed it does. However, it is tasked by the TriMax,” Aleksandra said.

  “Which means as the ranking Seraphim aboard a Razian vessel you’re permitted to transfer crew to aid my crew which reports directly to the TriMax,” Ryn said.

  “I see. You may be correct; however, we have suffered significant losses, and I need all the help I can get,” Aleksandra said.

  “I understand. Perhaps it is just not possible,” Ryn said.

  “Commander,” Kali said, “There has to be a real reason why Nova can’t come with us. I mean she doesn’t do anything during superluminal travel.”

  “Precisely why I need her. She will be able to pull security over the prisoners. If I let her go with you, I will have one less person to do that, and I can’t afford to let even one person go. The rosters for guard duty are stretched thin. It will be an arduous journey to Trinity, and unless I want them to figure out we can’t contain them I need every person from my crew to pull security,” Aleksandra said.

  “That sounds rather final, Kali, I am sorry,” Ryn said.

  “Don’t worry about it Ryn,” Kali said. She walked to Novalie and embraced her. During the embrace, they exchanged a few inaudible words.

  The End

  Thank you for reading Escape Velocity! Without you this book wouldn’t be possible. I hope you enjoyed it. Please share the book with your friends and family. If you have any questions or comments please stop by www.facebook.com/likeepwyck and send me a message.

  Special Thanks and Considerations

  To my wife: I cannot thank you enough for taking care of things so many times while I typed away. You have encouraged me, motivated me, and dragged me along sometimes kicking and screaming to get this book published. You are the love of my life and I am so grateful to have you in my life. Hopefully, you will continue to push me and I will publish many more.

  To Matthew Peterson: On a moment’s notice, I knew I could count on you. It didn’t matter if I needed to sort out a plot hole, brainstorm, or just pick your brain; you were always there. I will always be grateful to you for the many hours we spent working through the story. Thank you, my friend!

  To Tracy Holmes: Next to Matt, you were my go to person. You read so many drafts, revisions, ideas, test chapters, and more. I don’t think I would be the writer I am today without you. Thank you so much!

  To Sam Perry: I absolutely appreciate the insight you’ve provided. You’ve given me fresh perspective on technology and other ideas in the book. Without you, I would have not have dared to push the envelope. Thank you!

  To Ashley Miller: Thank you for all of your time and effort editing my book.

  To Randolph Lalonde: I don’t think you will ever know how much you inspired me to chase my writing dreams. I will never be able to thank you for allowing me to use your Spinward Fringe Facebook Group to ask for beta readers. This gave me an awesome group of people who love the genre and helped mold me into the author I am now. Thank you, Sir!

  To Peter Brewster: Thank you for taking a chance on this indie author. I can’t tell you what it means to me to conduct interviews with you on your podcast, Getting Published. I look forward to seeing where we both go from here. Best of luck to you, and thank you so much!

  To Jim Monkman: Thank you for your help with understanding Latin.

  To so many others who along the way took the time to read a rough draft, or test section. Without your feedback, I would have never been able to polish the book enough to publish it. You have been invaluable to my process. I hope I can continue to lean on you as I move forward as an author. I know I may not list everybody, but here is a list of those who helped in one way or another:

  Emilie McDonald

  Matthew Clark

  Stephanie Hatten

  Jessica Betts

  Kyle Beem

  Mariana Martyniuk

  John Polich

  Jenn Faughnan

  Faye Kirwin

  Fran Dorricott

  Donna Atkinson

  Dawn Kurtagich

  Zoe Ashwood

  A.C. Jaiden

  Violet Iverson

  Jeff Mueller

  Craig Moyle

  Shirley Jarvill

  Daniel DeVauld

  Heidi Martinez

  Pamela Wisniski

  Steven Speulda

  Kasey Johnson

  Wayne Best

  Ellen Truitt

  Kal Brigger

  Sunny Ashcroft

  Sherry Nitz Billie

  David Haskins

  Ben Volante

  Nial Cooper

  Bruce Avants

  Danny Phillips

  Steve Smith

  Neil Caldwell

  Tye Clements

  Micah Brown

/>   Michiel de Lepper

  Chriscella Oliver

  Stephen Bath

  Beckey Marie