Equilibrium of Terror: Part 2 Read online

  Equilibrium of Terror: Part 2

  Splintered Galaxy Book Four

  Eddie R Hicks

  Equilibrium of Terror: Part 2

  Splintered Galaxy Book Four

  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

  Also by Eddie R Hicks

  Timeline

  Dramatis personæ

  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

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Afterword

  The Siege of Sirius Preview

  Splintered Galaxy Series

  Celestial Ascension

  Uprising of the Exiled

  Equilibrium of Terror: Part 1

  Equilibrium of Terror: Part 2

  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

  Derek Irons – EDF Colonel

  Diego Gomez – EDF–2 team leader

  Ella Lynn – EDF doctor and xenobiologist

  Gavin Chambers – EDF and ESV Winston Churchill fighter pilot

  Glenn Anders – EDF Brigadier General

  John Cooper – EDF–2 member

  Karen Park – EDF–1 member

  Rana Farhadi – EDF–2 member

  Sarah Vaughan – Chloe’s younger sister and EDF–1 member

  Tatiana Stepanovich EDF–2 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

  Simons – Bridge officer

  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

  Jyun – Marine

  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

  ESV Wilfrid Laurier

  Agatha Chevallier – CO of the Wilfrid Laurier

  Omar Patel – XO of the Wilfrid Laurier

  Fox – Rapier squadron member

  Harkin – Bridge officer

  Holms – Bridge officer

  Major Pedro “Wildfire” Montes – Rapier squadron leader

  McKay – Bridge officer

  Mikhailov – Bridge officer

  Vick – Bridge officer

  Hashmedai Empire

  Adena – Palace servant

  Delin – Scathing Hand bridge officer

  Di’aria Wintersembrace – Psionic breeder

  Gorar – Iekia’s bother and warrior

  Iekia – Guardian

  Iolysta Frosttouch – Former Archmage, Phylarlie and Noylarlie’s mother

  Jaumli – Scathing Hand bridge officer

  Kashiana – Palace servant

  Kroshka – Y’lin’s daughter, princess of the Hashmedai Empire

  Martop – Scathing Hand shipbo
ard psionic

  Moalin – Palace servant

  Nodevar Phantasms – Psionic Assassin

  Noylarlie Atonement – Archmage, Phylarlie’s half sister

  Onatiasha Ladyknight – Former personal guardian to Akeia and Kroshka

  Phylarlie Starchaser – Psionic assassin

  T’esih Ravencaller – CO of the Scathing Hand

  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

  Tetsuya Ishihara – Hashmedai Liberation Front member

  Radiance Union

  Ary Dienei – Former Radiance Navy officer, Marrea’s second husband

  Ary Faviea – Aryile political candidate

  Ary Gonvilei – Radiance council member, Aryile representative

  Ary Ienthei – Jainuzei’s son

  Ary Loryea – Attendee at party

  Ary Marrea – Jainuzei’s ex–wife

  Ary Queenea – Jainuzei’s daughter

  Gab Eicelea – Archaeologist

  Gab Marchei – Radiance council member, Vorcambreum representative

  Mil Armuzei – Radiance council member, Javnis representative

  Mil Coritea – Scholar

  Ure Byikanea – Radiance council member, Linl representative

  Ure Crimei – Radiance Union council viceroy

  Ure Kuei – Council Psionic

  Za Iey’liwea – Radiance council member, Rabuabin representative

  Za Vynei – Eicelea’s bodyguard

  Abyssal Explorer

  Gab Ueyei – CO of the Abyssal Explorer

  Ure Vaishea – XO of the Abyssal Explorer

  Ary Stolanei – Second shipboard psionic of the Abyssal Explorer

  Scholar Odelea – Radiance scholar

  Ure Karklosea – Lead shipboard psionic of the Abyssal Explorer

  Ure Ralenei – Abyssal Explorer rookie psionic

  Celestial Order

  Alisha Levesque – Hannah’s mother, Jazz’s ex wife

  Ary Jainuzei – Weapons Master

  Ary Veinea – Psionic

  Ary Vonei – Ranger

  Eeladen – Kroshka’s personal guardian

  Fahia – Celestial Order priestess, Hashmedai sect

  Gayir – Hashmedai Archmage

  Hannah Grey – The seer

  Kasidey Hawke – Double agent

  Levea – Abyssal Pelican officer

  Mil Cendarei – Acting Patriarch

  Mil Dargonea – Celestial Order psionic, third shipboard psionic of the Abyssal Explorer

  Neviana – Psionic ace pilot

  Ratix – Leviathan officer

  Torval – Assassins’ Guild master

  Ure Peluei – CO of the Abyssal Pelican

  Ure Wyuei – Abyssal Explorer doctor

  Yominv Crossblade – Admiral and Phylarlie’s estranged father

  Exiles

  Heurol – Exile

  Ure Katotea – Radiance R&D researcher

  Salvagers

  Captain Trin Rage – CO of the Dark Star

  Avearan Slaver – 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

  Chapter One

  Abyssal Explorer, Oyuri Orbit, Barnard’s Star system

  Chloe couldn’t remember how long she had watched the holographic projection in front of her, the one that showed an image of her DNA. It made her forget she was floating in zero-g, made her forget that there were other people in the infirmary watching, wondering what was going on. Her eye began to twitch rapidly, stress or lack of sleep? Probably both. Or maybe it was something else? After all she had been living a lie this whole time. She was not human according to the hologram but rather a Linl. Perhaps there was something about the Linl physiology she didn’t understand that was triggering the twitchy eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” Dr. Wyuei said. “I didn’t know what else I could say.”

  “You could say that it was all a big joke,” Chloe said.

  Stolanei’s hand reached out to comfort her from behind. “Major—”

  “Don’t call me that,” Chloe said as she shrugged his hands away.

  “What do I call you then?” Stolanei asked.

  It was a good question. Physically she wasn’t Chloe, she only possessed her memories. She was Vaish a Linl Whisper sleeper agent, but couldn’t remember anything about Vaish’s life, just a bunch of disjointed memories that came to her as visions. Chloe Vaughan would have to do for now, Vaish wouldn’t be right as she herself still don’t know who this woman was, and Major Vaughan? Fuck that. She felt she didn’t deserve such a title in this situation.

  “Get some rest,” Chloe said to Stolanei. “You heard the doc, your head nearly exploded back there.”

  Chloe began to move her body toward the exit of the infirmary. She saw Karklosea, the Abyssal Explorer’s lead shipboard psionic in her wounded state stare at her with an odd look. I Don’t know why, Chloe thought to herself as both she and Karklosea were officially of the same species. There was however someone who looked like Karklosea in the visions she had. Vaish and Karklosea, they must have known each other in the past. Karklosea should be smiling then. An old friend and fellow member of her race is among the crew now.

  “Where are you going?” Stolanei asked.

  Chloe stopped before the door and said. “The Captain needs to know he’s dealing with a fake, better that info came from me rather than anyone else.” Chloe gestured toward Wyuei. “Doctor, come with me.”

  “I was just going to do just that,” Wyuei said. “I’ll meet you on the bridge. I got to grab some important stuff first.”

  The sliding doors of the primary elevator parted, unveiling a fully staffed bridge crew whose feet were glued to the floor via psionic gravity. Not bad considering its main psionic team wasn’t present. Karklosea and Stolanei were still too weak after the incident planet side and Dargonea showed her true colors, she was a member of the Celestial Order and secretly masqueraded as loyal member of the crew. A solo rookie psionic named Ure Ralenei manned the psionic work station. Chloe could tell the young man was unsure of what he was expected to do as he smiled at her with a ‘don’t mind me’ look.

  “Captain, we need to talk. Its urgent,” Chloe said to Gab Ueyei while he sat in his captain’s chair.

  He tilted his Vorcambreum head upward toward Chloe’s face smiling. “The gods must have both of us on their minds as I need to talk with you too.”

  The two of them moved to speak in private in his office below the bridge, visible from the transparent floor. Ueyei walked toward his desk after he stepped off the spiral staircase and said. “As you might have remembered, I mentioned that Karklosea was reviewing the Explorer’s manifest in hopes of flagging crew members who might have links to the Celestial Order.” He picked up a data pad that rested on the top of his triangular desk. “With Karklosea in her current state I was wondering if you could take over reviewing that data, she was onto something before you all went to Oyuri.”

  “I’m not sure you want to trust me with that kind of information right now.”

  “Why is that?”

  Disturbing vibrations passed through the ship. It was enough to cause the data pad on the desk to rumble and eventually fall off. The lights began to flicker, and chatter on the bridge became intense as everyone paid close attention to their terminals.

  Something wasn’t going according to plan.

  “What the hell?” Chloe said.

  The two stormed up the staircase back on to the bridge. The rumbling grew stronger and Chloe nearl
y lost her balance as her feet hit the glass-like surface of the bridge’s floor. She heard a few computers shut down due to lack of power as the strange power fluctuations continued to make their presence felt.

  “Report!” Ueyei said as he climbed back into his chair.

  “Losing power all over the ship, engine room is not responding,” an officer said. “We’re venting atmosphere from the engine room!”

  A hologram appeared in front of Ueyei displaying the extent of the damage. The rear sections of the ship where the engine room was located pulsed rapidly with red. “My gods.”

  “There’s a hull breach . . .” Ralenei said. “Something ripped that section of the ship apart.”

  Chloe saw Wyuei, and a ranger armed with a magnetic rifle, step off the elevator. About fucking time he showed up, she thought.

  “Not something,” Wyuei said as he revealed the reason he took so long to come up. “Someone.”

  The ranger raised his rifle and its targeting scanners acquired targets for its wielder to shoot at. The bridge crew. The magnetic pistol held in Wyuei’s hands did the same. Dargonea wasn’t the only order member hiding amongst the crew.

  “Get down!” Chloe shouted as she grabbed and flung Ueyei’s four-foot body off the captain’s chair.

  Her timing was impeccable. A hail of bullets from the two shot out, flying above their heads as they hunkered down. Most of the bridge crew weren’t as lucky, their bullet ridden bodies collapsed to the floor. The carnage turned the bridge’s immaculate transparent surface into a bloody mess with random body parts sprinkled across it. Some crew members hid behind their chairs and terminals in a panic, a natural urge for self-preservation that proved to be futile in the end. Magnetically accelerated slugs punctured their cover and their bodies behind it within seconds. Those that were out of sight from the dual gunmen were quickly hunted down one by one by Wyuei.