After the Earth Wars Read online
After The Earth Wars
Shana Rae
Copyright © Shana Rae 2010
This book is purely the work of Shana Rae who is to be identified as the author. This book is the work of fiction. All characters, names and events are fictitious. Resemblance to any persons living or dead is coincidental. Incidents or named places in this book are used fictitiously.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use, other than for 'fair use' as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the Author.
01
Early morning on Iosera, as Evahlia made her way to the Vaults she paused for a moment as she realised that today was the 10th anniversary of their arrival on the planet, and of Glevyn's death. As an Elder, and more importantly, Glevyn's granddaughter, Evahlia was expected to become leader of the LightStar Clan, but instead chose another Elder to assume the role.
Tarais had been Evahlia's lover for a while on Earth, and he seemed the most appropriate choice, though the rest of the Clan were reluctant to accept him, Evahlia insisted, all she wanted to do was lose herself in the knowledge stored in the Vaults.
Taking a deep breath Evahlia pushed the memories to the back of her mind, she had a lot of work to do and there was a meeting of the Elders at midday, Tarais had implied that there was a matter of the highest importance to be debated, so Evahlia knew she had to attend.
Evahlia was so deeply engrossed in her work that she didn't hear the bell summoning the Elders to the meeting hall, when it finally registered, she reluctantly logged out and secured the system before hurriedly running over to the Meeting hall.
Quietly opening the door, Evahlia slipped inside and seeing that Tarais was waiting, quickly sat down.
"Now we are all here…" Tarais paused and glared at Evahlia. "We have an important issue to discuss. I have been approached by Commander Ari Straken with a request for access to the knowledge. As you know, he is based on the Pentaugh space station in the military zone…" Tarais immediately sensed the unease that the mention of the military had caused. "He assures me that it is not in relation to a military matter, this is a private search he wishes to undertake. Personally I don't think we will be compromising our anti-military stance by agreeing to his request."
Evahlia promptly stood up.
"Isn't the Pentaugh space station also used as a research facility?"
"Yes, but as I said, he wants to undertake a private search, this has nothing to do with his work."
"Tarais, I think I speak for all of us when I say that it goes against our principles to allow any military on Iosera, even for personal reasons. We all know there is a major war taking place in the military zone, all the Clans want to see an end to the last remnants of Earth control. We have worked hard to earn the respect of the Clans, and I don't want to lose it. So I say we decline his request."
Tarais looked around the room.
"Do all of you agree with Evahlia?"
One by one, all the Elders acknowledged their agreement.
"You do realise that if I refuse him access, he may use his military position to issue an order. Instead of having just one commander to deal with, we may have an entire squad landing on Iosera."
"You seem to be in favour of allowing him access Tarais."
"Evahlia, I'm just asking that you think through the implications of turning down his request."
"If I knew what knowledge he wanted access to, I'm quite happy to gather the information and send it to him. That way he wouldn't have to come anywhere near Iosera."
"I will discuss that option with him and let you all know of the outcome. This meeting is over unless anyone wishes to say something?"
Tarais looked around the room, but everyone remained silent. He walked over to Evahlia.
"Come with me, I'm going to contact the commander and find out precisely what information he requires."
In Tarais' office, Evahlia sat down as Tarais contacted the space station.
"Commander Straken, I'm afraid we have to decline your request, the Elders unanimously agreed that we cannot allow any military personnel on Iosera. However, if you can provide specific details of the knowledge you are seeking, we can compile the information and forward it to you."
"I am very disappointed Tarais, I thought the policy of your Clan was to make the knowledge freely available. I wasn't aware that excluded the military?"
"With the ongoing war in the military zone, we have no choice Commander. But as I have already stated, if you can tell me what knowledge it is that you require…"
"I cannot be specific Tarais, that is why I need to do a search for myself…it is very personal. The only alternative is for you to send one of your Elders here so I can detail my requirements, I presume you can assure me that everything discussed will remain confidential?"
Tarais looked up at Evahlia who was shaking her head.
"Of course they will remain confidential Commander, I will go and talk with the Elders and contact you again shortly."
"Thank you Tarais."
As Tarais dropped the link, Evahlia stood up to leave.
"Good luck with finding an Elder willing to go on a suicide mission."
"Evahlia won't you at least consider it?"
"You're expecting me to go? Have you lost your mind?"
"There is no one else I trust as much as I do you. If I could guarantee your safety, would you go to see the commander?"
"And how do you propose to do that, our ships aren't armed and you're expecting me to fly into a war zone?"
"The IceWarrior Clan have accessed our knowledge many times, I'm sure they'd be happy to assist."
"I'm not sure they're any better than the military, the last time one of them was here, he was searching for information about explosives and weapons."
"So you are absolutely refusing to go?"
"Yes…why don't you go Tarais?"
"Because I don't have as good a working knowledge of the Vaults as you do…and I don't have your gift of telepathy, that may prove invaluable."
"Do you think the commander would force us to assist?"
"Well you heard the conversation, didn't he sound annoyed to you?"
"Alright, contact the IceWarrior Clan and see if someone can escort me to the space station. And before you ask them, you better get some assurance that they won't be taken prisoner…or the whole deal is off. I'll be in my quarters."
Evahlia stormed out of the office before Tarais could respond.
When she got to her quarters, Evahlia sat down at her desk and accessed the main system in the Vaults and initiated a search for Ari Straken, there were the usual military records then she found something in the ancestry records. One of his ancestors was Kairina Duperry, a renowned psychic on Earth in the late twenty-first century, so it was possible that Ari was at the least an Empath and possibly a Telepath. He was also a specialist in neural engineering and on Earth had been in charge of a major research facility.
The more Evahlia read through the data, the more she felt an overwhelming sense of unease. Sensing that Tarais was approaching, Evahlia walked over to the door. She waited for him to knock before opening it. Tarais stared at her.
"Why do you always do that, you can sense I'm here, but you wait until I knock."
Evahlia put her hand on Tarais' face.
"Because it amuses me."
He gently kissed her hand.
"I spoke to the IceWarrior Clan leader, Pharran, he's agreed to send one of his sons to escort you to the space station, and I've had an assura
nce from the commander that your escort will be given clearance to land and won't be arrested."
"Pharran has two sons, twins, which one is escorting me?"
"Zareli, he's already on his way."
"I've only met Dumarrak, but I have heard that Zareli is the most aggressive of the two…oh well…"
"You're going in to a war zone Evahlia, Zareli seems an appropriate choice to me."
"Thanks for reminding me Tarais, now if you'll excuse me, I need to gather a few things together."
Tarais put his hands on Evahlia's shoulders.
"Any problems and you get out of there immediately understood?"
"I somehow think Zareli will make sure I do, I've never heard of an Ice Warrior taking no for an answer."
"Take care Evahlia."
Tarais gently kissed her cheek before leaving.
Evahlia fastened her cloak securely around her shoulders, then picking up her databook, left her quarters and walked over to the landing zone. Early evening was a beautiful time on Iosera, Evahlia always found it very calming. Sitting down on a seat, Evahlia pulled up the hood of her cloak, it was starting to get chilly. Then she watched the first of the stars appearing in the dazzling night sky as she waited for Zareli to arrive.
02
It was sometime before Zareli's fighter came into land. Pulling her cloak around her, Evahlia walked over as he disembarked. Zareli was much more muscular than his twin brother Dumarrak, and although he had the trademark shaven head, Zareli had retained a section of his hair on the top, plaited through with pieces of wire and leather.
"Greetings Zareli."
"Likewise Evahlia, you do realise that my fighter wasn't built for comfort, this could be a rough ride."
"As long as you get me to the space station safely, that's all I'm concerned about."
"That will not be a problem."
Evahlia followed Zareli on board and took her seat as he powered up the engines.
"Hold tight."
Zareli launched at speed, Evahlia understood why he'd told her to hold tight.
As they headed out into space, Zareli turned to face Evahlia.
"I've never met an Elder before, do you keep that hood up as part of your beliefs, or for the cold?"
Evahlia laughed. "For the cold!" She loosened her cloak and pulled back the hood. "Is that better?"
Zareli stared at Evahlia as she shook her long blonde hair loose.
"No, that's worse, how am I supposed to fly my fighter in a straight line now?"
"My looks offend you?"
"Hell no, I thought as an Elder you'd be old…you look stunning Evahlia!"
"Thank you Zareli, now to ensure that we don't crash, I've got to prepare some notes for my meeting with the commander. So I'll concentrate on those…you concentrate on flying, agreed?"
"I don't think I can concentrate on anything, I can't even sit comfortably."
Evahlia laughed as she activated her databook and started to make some notes. She could sense that Zareli's thoughts were not focussed on flying.
"I'm sure you'd like to try that Zareli..."
"What?"
"I should explain, I'm a Telepath."
"You were reading my mind?"
"I didn't have to, you were thinking very loudly."
"Shit…so you heard my thoughts about…"
"Yes, you have quite an imagination Zareli."
"Flying…concentrate on flying…"
Evahlia laughed. "That's better!" She returned to her notes.
"Do you mind me asking what you're going to see the commander for?"
"He wants some information from The Vaults, our Clan does not allow military on Iosera as you know. So I have got to find out what information he requires."
"He couldn't just tell you?"
"Apparently not."
"So why has Tarais sent you, surely it would have been more sensible for him to go?"
"Are you saying I'm not strong enough to cope?"
"No…but…"
"Watch your thoughts Zareli…the reason I'm going is that I'm responsible for the maintenance of the vaults, I'll know if we have the information the commander needs. And of course I'm a Telepath."
"Are all of your Clan Telepaths?"
"I'm the only one, but everyone is an Empath in varying degrees."
"Ever thought of hiring your services out?"
"What for?"
"Well we could use your insight with some of our business deals…to know if people are being honest…"
"I'm sure you have your own way of dealing with people who cross you."
"True, we're believers in brute force."
Zareli grinned at Evahlia who was immediately aware of just what levels of violence Zareli was capable of. She quickly went back to her notes.
"You didn't like those thoughts did you Evahlia?"
"Not particularly."
Zareli checked the scanners.
"We'll be entering the military zone shortly, you won't have to endure my twisted mind for much longer."
"Except on the return journey, unless you're planning on abandoning me on the space station."
Zareli laughed.
"Depends if you're going to make it worth my while…"
Evahlia glared at Zareli.
"That was not the agreement."
"Well it was worth a try, don't panic, of course I'll be taking you back to Iosera."
"You do have a twisted mind Zareli."
"Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment…well it looks like we've got a welcoming party…"
Evahlia looked out of the window and saw a large cruiser approaching them. Zareli slowed the fighter down as a communication came through.
"You have entered the military zone, this is restricted space, state your business."
Zareli activated the comms.
"My passenger has a meeting with Commander Straken on the Pentaugh space station."
"Please confirm your identity."
"I am Zareli of the IceWarrior Clan."
"If it wasn't for your passenger I'd be tempted to blow you out of the galaxy…but it appears I have orders to allow you passage through to the space station. I'm sending you the code you'll need for docking, proceed."
Zareli turned to Evahlia.
"You'll have to fly with me more often, it appears you're my good luck charm."
Increasing his speed, Zareli set a course for the space station.
03
As they approached the Pentaugh space station, Zareli sent the ID code he'd been given. He received instructions to proceed to the docking bay, once they had landed safely, Evahlia stood up to leave.
"Are you staying here?"
"Yes Evahlia, I was given strict instructions to stay on my fighter."
"I'll try to be as quick as possible."
"There's no rush, I'll get some sleep while you're gone."
Evahlia put her hand on Zareli's shoulder and briefly linked to his mind.
"There, that will give you something to dream about."
Before Zareli could say anything, Evahlia quickly disembarked and found a guard waiting for her.
"Please come with me."
As Evahlia followed the guard down the corridor, she grew increasingly uneasy, the feeling of death and destruction hung heavy in the air. The guard stopped outside a door and pressed a button on a panel. The door opened and he gestured to Evahlia to go inside.
Stepping into the room, Evahlia looked around. She saw the commander standing by a window staring out in to space. He slowly turned to face her, dressed in a black military uniform, he was almost as tall as Zareli, with jet black hair swept back from his face. Evahlia didn't like what she was sensing, it immediately made her put up her guard.
"Evahlia, I hope you don't mind our meeting taking place in my quarters. I wanted to be sure we wouldn't be disturbed. Please, take a seat."
Cautiously, Evahlia sat down on the edge of a chair as the commander sat down opposite her.
"That is what I am hoping you can tell me. Let me explain. I am currently working on a top secret project, a new breed of soldier. He needs to be not only very strong and powerful physically, but also mentally. I want them to be enhanced with psychic abilities."
"With all due respect commander, that won't be possible unless they're naturally gifted in the first place."
"That is what I thought, but then I remembered there were some experiments carried out on Earth involving implants that effectively rewired the brain to make a CyberTelepath. That is the information I want you to find."
"You could have asked me that without me coming all the way here, and I thought it was something personal you wanted me to find."
"All our research here is personal to me, and I couldn't ensure we had a secure connection. That isn't all I want to ask, I believe you are a Telepath aren't you?"
"How did you find out that information?"
"Tarais told me when I asked who was coming to see me, it was essential I did a full background check. We're talking about very sensitive information and…"
"You want to ask me to work with you on the project don't you?"
"Yes Evahlia, your insight will be invaluable, you'll know how to train the CyberTelepaths as if they were naturals."
"Commander, the answer is no. The belief structure of our Clan is based on peace, not war. What you are asking me to do is train soldiers to fight with their minds. I'm sorry but I don't find that acceptable." Evahlia stared at the commander. "Can't you train them yourself, or don't the military know that you are a Telepath?"
"So I wasn't the only one who did a background check, but I am not a Telepath, I'm barely what you would call an Empath. And you really have no choice but to assist me Evahlia, your Clan are not exempt from military jurisdiction."
"What are you implying commander?"
"I could, if I choose, make Iosera the base for my CyberTelepaths…"
"Does Tarais know you want me to work with you?"
After the Earth Wars