Equilibrium of Terror: Part 1
Splintered Galaxy Book Three
Eddie R. Hicks
Equilibrium of Terror: Part 1
Splintered Galaxy Book Three
By Eddie R. Hicks
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Copyright © 2017 Eddie R. Hicks
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This novel contains scenes of graphic violence, explicit language and sexuality and is intended for mature readers.
No aliens were harmed in the writing of this novel.
Cover Art by: Deranged Doctor Designs
Contents
Splintered Galaxy saga
Foreword
Timeline
Dramatis personæ
Prologue
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
About the Author
Afterword
Splintered Galaxy Saga
Celestial Ascension
Uprising of the Exiled
Equilibrium of Terror: Part 1
Equilibrium of Terror: Part 2
Foreword
Hello everyone! Thanks for coming back for another action-packed installment of the Splintered Galaxy saga. This time around we’re going to be spending a lot more time in space and planets beyond Earth. As you might have guessed with the title name, this will be part One of a two-part book. I won’t lie, the story I had planned for this was so massive I had to split it up. So, sit back and enjoy the ride, this will be the beginning of the end of the story arc in the series. As always I’d love to read you feedback, if you enjoyed this book please leave a review here.
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Timeline
1944...Radiance Union discovers Earth and the human race.
1945... Radiance witness the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Radiance council votes to not make contact with humans. Scientific study is allowed to continue however.
2003...Noylarlie starts psionic training.
2008...Noylarlie becomes Archmage.
2009...Noylarlie given command of the Crimson Arrow, travels to Morutrin Prime.
2010... Onatiasha and her team travels with Kroshka and Akeia to Earth via a Hashmedai command ship, they materialize eight years later.
2010/2011...Noylarlie arrives at Proxima Centauri, and then embarks on journey to Epsilon Eridani.
2018...Hashmedai Empire invasion of Earth.
2027...Human refugees arrive at Alpha Centauri. Radiance fleet arrives at Earth to remove surviving Hashmedai forces. Radiance upgrades the human race, providing humans with advanced technology and medical advancements.
2027... Extrasolar Defense force (EDF) is formed to protect humans living in Alpha Centauri and future deep space worlds. Abyssal Explorer embarks on a thirteen-year journey to Barnard’s Star.
2028... The United Nations of Earth (UNE) is formed; humanity enters new golden age of space travel and exploration.
2030...Hashmedai Liberation front (HLF) slowly starts to come together worldwide after reports of mistreatment of Hashmedai left behind on Earth.
2032...Chloe and EDF-1 are recalled back to Earth to assist in cross training.
2033...UNE fleet of science and exploration ships leave Earth to explore the galaxy.
2039...Jazz, Kroshka, Phylarlie, Onatiasha and Zhinbryo awake from cryostasis upon arriving at Epsilon Eridani. They take the space bridge back to the empire.
2040...Chloe along with the EDF-1 arrive at Earth and awake from cryostasis. Noylarlie and Parcisei awake from cryostasis and make plans to travel to Earth upon learning what took place.
Dramatis personæ
Chloe Vaughan – Former EDF-1 team leader
Jake "Jazz" Johnson – Assassin
United Nations of Earth
Mariana Salamanca - President of the United Nations of Earth
Joseph Xiao - Vice President of Earth
Lex Terry - Uranus outpost crew member
Meifeng "Red Lotus" Lin - Hyperion Squadron CAG
Miriam König - UNE Psionic researcher
Mohammed Singh - UNE Fleet Admiral
Robert Landis - UNE General
Extrasolar Defense Force
Chris Boyd - EDF-1 team leader
Ella Lynn - EDF doctor and xenobiologist
Gavin Chambers - EDF and ESV Winston Churchill fighter pilot
Karen Park - EDF-1 member
Sarah Vaughan - Chloe’s younger sister and EDF-1 member
Tom Richards - EDF-1 member
ESV Sun Tzu
Linda Stone - CO of the ESV Sun Tzu
Todd - XO of the of the ESV Sun Tzu
ESV Winston Churchill
Martin Xavier - CO of the ESV Winston Churchill
Cassandra Benally - XO of the ESV Winston Churchill
Benson - Bridge officer
Cassie “Hijinks” Piller - Gladius squadron member
Chavez – Helmsmen
Derek Sutherland – Doctor
Electronic Versatile Entity (EVE) – Bridge Officer and shipboard AI
Forest - Bridge officer
Gordon Pike - Chief of medical
Grace Petropoulos - UNE Marine
Greg “Hammer” McTavish - Gladius squadron member
Jacob Miles - UNE Marine leader
Jessica “Aura” Davis - Gladius squadron leader
Lee - Flight deck officer
Lu - Bridge officer
Matsushita - ESV Winston Churchill Tactical Officer
Mike “Orbital” Fisher - Gladius squadron member
Shanuka Weerasinghe - Chief engineer
Sterling - Bridge officer
Yates - Bridge officer
Za Michei - ESV Winston Churchill shipboard psionic
Hashmedai Empire
Akeia - Y’lin’s son, prince of the Hashmedai Empire
Cinuia - Servant to Lord Hasiv
Delin - Scathing Hand bridge officer
Di’aria Wintersembrace - Psionic breeder
Eeladen - Kroshka’s personal guardian
Foroth Victory - Hashmedai General
Gorar - Iekia’s bother and warrior
Halesca - Escort
Iekia - Guardian
Iolysta Frosttouch - Former Archmage, Phylarlie and Noylarlie’s mother
Kezea - Servant to Lord Hasiv
Kroshka - Y’lin’s daughter, princess of the Hashmedai Empire
Lise - Escort
Lord Hasiv - Lord of the Hashmedai colony Taxah
Martop - Scathing Hand shipboard psionic
Noylarlie Atonement - Archmage, Phylarlie’s half sister
Onatiasha Ladyknight - Former personal guardian to Akeia and Kroshka
Phylarlie Starchase
r - Psionic assassin
Rezeki - Former Emperor
Sev - Servant to Lord Hasiv
Stukil Snowdrifter - Hashmedai Grand Admiral
T’esih Ravencaller – CO of the Scathing Hand
Tenery - Iekia’s bother and warrior
Veloshira Snapshot - Assassin, Jazz’s mentor
Y’lin - Empress of the Hashmedai Empire.
Zhinbryo Braver – Warrior
Hashmedai Liberation Front
Eupiar – Hashmedai Liberation Front hacker
Rina “Destiny” West – Hashmedai Liberation Front Commander
Radiance Union
Ary Delvea - Weiezei’s partner
Ary Dienei - Former Radiance Navy officer
Ary Gonvilei - Radiance council member, Aryile representative
Ary Hilemei - Radiance General
Ary Marrea - Jainuzei’s wife
Ary Weiezei - Gonvilei’s personal assistant
Gab Eicelea - Archaeologist
Gab Marchei - Radiance council member, Vorcambreum representative
Gab Rixea - Abyssal Justice officer
Gab Xeniei - Iey’liwea’s business partner.
Mil Armuzei - Radiance council member, Javnis representative
Mil Celei - Ranger
Mil Keilea - Armuzei’s wife.
Mill Henylea - Ranger
Ure Byikanea - Radiance council member, Linl representative
Ure Crimei - Radiance Union council viceroy
Ure Fiesei - Whisper agent
Ure Kuei - Council Psionic
Za Iey’liwea - Radiance council member, Rabuabin representative
Za Teyanei - XO of the Abyssal Steadfast
Za Vynei - Eicelea’s bodyguard
Abyssal Explorer
Gab Ueyei - CO of the Abyssal Explorer
Ure Vaishea - XO of the Abyssal Explorer
Alisha Levesque - Hannah’s mother, Jazz’s ex wife
Ary Stolanei - Second shipboard psionic of the Abyssal Explorer
Scholar Odelea - Radiance scholar
Ure Karklosea - Lead shipboard psionic of the Abyssal Explorer
Ure Wyuei - Abyssal Explorer doctor
Celestial Order
Ary Jainuzei - Weapons Master
Ary Parcisei - Celestial Order member, former Radiance ranger
Ary Senliea - Abyssal Pelican bridge officer
Fahia - Celestial Order priestess, Hashmedai sect
Gayir - Hashmedai Archmage
Hannah Grey - The seer
Kasidey Hawke - Double agent
Mil Dargonea - Celestial Order psionic, third shipboard psionic of the Abyssal Explorer
Neviana - Former Scathing Hand shipboard psionic
Torval - Assassins’ Guild master
Ure Dalhakei - Radiance Patriarch, religious leader
Ure Peluei - CO of the Abyssal Pelican
Ure Sinzihea - Celestial Order psionic
Yominv Crossblade - Admiral and Phylarlie’s estranged father.
Za Xyniea - Ranger
Exiles
Heurol - Exile
Ure Katotea - Radiance R&D researcher
Salvagers
Trin Rage - CO of the Dark Star
Wyngard Wisechild - XO of the Dark Star
Avearan Slaver - Crew member of the Dark Star
Bria - Dark Star Chef
Garif Risingdawn - Crew member of the Dark Star
No Affiliation
Danyal Aksoy - Dasht-e Kavir Crater Prisoner
Whigli - High ranking HLF psionic
Stoarior, Tym and Livie - Radiance Gods
Nivrui, Aviuheart and Emelia - The Goddesses
Prologue
ESV Sun Tzu, En route to Pluto, Sol system
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Commander Todd said, staring into his holographic computer screen.
The bridge crew of the UNE flagship, ESV Sun Tzu diligently performed their duties as the ship dropped out of sub light speed toward the location of a faint distress call. UNE Admiral Linda Stone stood with her hands behind her back as she stepped toward Todd. His eyes and face were in complete shock upon witnessing what remained of a deep space defense platform. He spun in his chair to face the tall black woman and asked. “This encounter makes it the what?”
“Eighth, the eighth time this month,” Linda said. “Any signs of survivors?”
“None, but I’m detecting debris from what appears to be a Hashmedai scout ship.”
At least they put up a good fight before getting overwhelmed. “Alert the fleet, and send a message to command.” Linda gave the order then stood next to the bridge’s central hologram. A three-dimensional map of the solar system was being projected emitting soft white and blue light as an eighth red colored ‘x’ appeared on it. She placed her hands on the console generating the hologram, gazing at it for several seconds then spoke. “The Hashmedai Empire is back, we all knew this day would come.”
Chapter One
Silver Raven, Interstellar Space
A proximity alarm combined with a call to battle stations alarm shrieked and echoed throughout every section of the Silver Raven. Nobody could hear it, at least not right away as the crew aboard was resting quietly in their cryostasis pods, Jake “Jazz” Johnson being one of them. The Silver Raven’s automatic revival systems kicked in, reviving Jazz from his pod. His eyes slowly opened as the glass tubular pod swung open. All he could see from the mist that escaped in front of his eyes, was flashing red lights.
“Good morning.” He grunted as he sluggishly left the pod, like a new born hawk cracking out from its egg. If it wasn’t for the weightless environment, he would have slammed into the cold hard floor. It took about five or six seconds for his head and vision to correct itself before he positioned his body to face the exit. A tug on a nearby handle bar helped propel his body out as he made his way to the cockpit on the upper deck.
He sighed after floating past the lounge into the cockpit and white mist exited his mouth. Deep space was the only thing that could be seen through the forward windshield other than the tiny red dwarf star in the distance struggling to emit light. He sat in the pilot’s chair as his dark hands reached outwards to enter a string of commands into the computer terminal in front of him.
“Can you like, shut that noise off?” Destiny said as she floated into the cockpit to join him. Like Jazz, there was a hint of fatigue in her voice and movement, as she sat in the chair next to him.
“That noise means we’re ‘bout to get fisted,” Jazz said. “How good is your Hashmedai?”
“Nowhere near the level of yours,” she said as she slowly brushed her floating ginger hair backwards and away from her face.
“Word, tell me what those screens are saying while I figure out how to fly this boat.” He continued to push buttons not knowing what half of them did. She did something similar at her post. “Hold up, why are you awake from cryo?”
“This is your ship, you tell me!”
“Only myself and Veloshira are supposed to be awakened during an emergency like this,” he said. “Computers must have taken a shit.”
“I may or may not have taken Vel’s pod,” Destiny said. She activated a holo screen displaying updated sensor data. Jazz was certain she loaded the screen by accident. “Okay red dots are bad, right?”
His head peered at the newly displayed tactical information. A central blue dot representing the Silver Raven remained stationary while a red dot approached from the side, dropping out of sub light speeds. He leaned in closer to read the text hovering above the holographic red dot. “Oh, fuck me. Radiance patrol ship.”
“We’re doomed,” Destiny said. “Want me to revive Vel?”
“Yeah,” Jazz said, then reconsidered seconds later. “Scratch that, they might just wanna talk.”
“You sure?”
“About them talking? Fuck no, they might ice us when they get into weapons range.”
“I meant Vel.”
“Oh uh,
we’ll leave her for now, if they want to talk they’ll probably freak out if they see a Hashmedai woman in the cockpit with us.”
“I see where you’re going,” she said. “We humans look like Linl.”
“They’ll never know the difference.”
“Except for that fact that we don’t speak their language.”
“I can speak Rabuabin, close enough!”
An automated beep played from their computer terminal, adding to the noise of multiple alarms blaring. Jazz shut down the alarms and red flashing lights. If the Radiance ship wanted to talk, they’d need to project a ‘we’re cool’ vibe, alarms tended not to project that kind of image.
“What does that mean?” Destiny asked.
The beep kept repeating. With the alarms now silent Jazz could make out what the noise meant. “It’s an incoming transmission. Put on ya best Linl face.”
Jazz’s finger tapped a flashing button triggering the appearance of a large projection. Within the hologram he saw the bridge of a Radiance cruiser. A Javnis wearing a grey jumpsuit sat in the captain’s chair speaking in the Radiance language. “Abyssal Steadfast tarn blan vessel tarn seckilack sel orig speaking to?”
Jazz’s knowledge of the Rabuabin language only allowed him to understand a fraction of what the captain had said. “We are just a merchant ship looking to, uh trade and sell rare supplies,” Jazz said in Rabuabin.
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