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 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.