Jericho Falling

  Jericho Falling

  The Fall of the Altairan Empire, Book 6

  Jaleta Clegg

  Copyright 2013 by Jaleta Clegg

  Smashwords Edition

  ©2013

  Please do not copy or distribute this book without the permission of the author.

  A complete listing of works can be found at http://www.jaletac.com

  Praise for The Fall of the Altairan Empire:

  Jaleta has managed to create one of the strongest female characters I have ever read.

  Well written, with an unpredictable plot and well-rounded characters.

  Fans of science fiction novels should love this book.

  I enjoyed the Priestess of the Eggstone and would recommend it for anyone seeking a fun 'Indiana Jones' style adventure through space.

  This is a good adventure series with strong male and female characters.

  This was a fun Sci-fi read, and I will be looking for the other books to read as well.

  For my children, who are willing to do the cooking and cleaning so I can write the next book so they can read it.

  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

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Author Note

  Chapter 1

  "Commander Tayvis, please, sit." High Commander Nuella waved at a chair.

  Tayvis sat in the indicated chair, back ramrod straight.

  "I'll come right to my point. What contact have you had with your commanding officer, Grant Lowell?"

  Tayvis took a moment to choose his words, glancing at Admiral Johnston, sitting to one side of Nuella's desk. "I haven't heard from him for over two months, sir."

  "And that doesn't make you suspicious?" Nuella leaned forward, clasping his hands and resting them on his desk. "Look, I know you don't like me, Tayvis. You don't work for me or my branch of the Patrol. You're here because you follow orders. Usually. Yes, I have read the reports about you. I like to know who I'm working with."

  Tayvis glanced at Nuella's silver uniform, contrast to his own black one. "If this is a matter for the Enforcers, Commander Maharta is in her office. She's the one authorized by Lowell to handle requests until he returns."

  Nuella waved his hand, dismissing the suggestion. "His absence is the problem, Commander. Do you know where Lowell is? Or what he's doing?"

  Tayvis shook his head. "High Commander Lowell doesn't confide in me. I'm one of his agents, not his keeper."

  "Don't lecture me about propriety. And don't hide behind it. You're a sector commander, not an ensign. Yes, you're young for the rank, but promoting you was one of the few decisions Lowell has made that I agree with. You're good, Tayvis. Very good. Which is why I've come to you."

  "What do you want, Commander Nuella?"

  "Straight to the point. I like that. Lowell's planning treason."

  Tayvis shook his head, a denial on his lips.

  Nuella stopped him, leaning forward to stab the desk with one finger as emphasis. "He's gone rogue, Tayvis. He's cracked, mentally. He dodged his last two psych evals. The one before that showed a growing paranoia and an increasingly agitated mental state. Tell me he hasn't been affected by his work. Tell me he's still rock solid. Make me believe it."

  Tayvis looked away from Nuella's measuring stare.

  Nuella nodded. "You've seen his erratic behavior. You know I'm telling the truth. That fiasco on Xqtl unbalanced him."

  Tayvis studied his hands in his lap. "What do you want me to do? Shoot him?"

  "Arrest him. Bring him back to Linas-Drias so we can get him medical help." Nuella sighed, tapping his desk with both hands. "I don't know how he deals with the stress of his job. Mine is hard enough, but undercover? I couldn't do what he's done."

  "You want me to hunt him down." Tayvis left it as a flat statement.

  "He's dangerous, extremely dangerous. For the good of everyone in the Empire, he has to be stopped before he carries this charade any farther. He thinks someone is plotting a coup. I can't even begin to guess how many lives Lowell will ruin. You know how persuasive he is, how convincing he can be. Look what he talked you into doing. Think of the damage he will do when he convinces others his delusions are the truth. He'll get them to kill for him."

  "Why me? Why not someone else?"

  Nuella pursed his lips, considering his answer. "I know you don't want to do this, Tayvis. I'm asking you to betray your commanding officer. Lowell inspires loyalty and I don't fault you for that. You should be commended. But, the truth is you know him better than anyone. You know how he thinks, where he'll go, who he'll talk to. You're very good at what you do. I'm asking you, for the good of the Empire, to find Lowell."

  "And kill him if I can't convince him to subject himself to treatment?"

  Nuella dropped his gaze. "If necessary, yes. The Empire is at stake. Our peace and stability. Lowell is too powerful. He could destroy everything." He looked back up at Tayvis, his face solemn. "You know I'm telling the truth. Admit it to yourself. Before it's too late. Lowell's insane. He has to be stopped and you know you're the best person to do that."

  Tayvis nodded, once, but he wouldn't meet Nuella's gaze.

  Nuella leaned back in his chair. "You'll have latitude to do whatever you feel is necessary. You have my full support. Admiral Johnston will provide ships, men, whatever you need." He waved at the Fleet Admiral sitting silently in the office.

  Tayvis stood, turning for the door.

  "One last thing, Commander." Nuella waited for Tayvis to look his direction. "Don't trust any of your previous associates. We don't know who Lowell may have contacted, what lies he may have told."

  "Don't tell me my job, Commander Nuella. I'll bring Lowell back. But I hope for your sake, you're telling the truth. Because if you're using me in a political game of your own—"

  "He's targeting the Emperor's cousin, commander. You're under my command as of now. I'll sign the official papers as soon as my secretary processes them."

  Tayvis stalked from the office, every line of his body expressing his distaste and anger at the betrayal Nuella asked of him.

  "Will he perform?" Admiral Johnston asked after the door closed behind Tayvis. "He's just as dangerous as Lowell."

  "Not quite as dangerous. He still listens. See that he gets what he needs. And, Johnston," Nuella waited for the other man to stop shuffling papers, "make certain those assigned to help Tayvis are loyal. To us. I don't know what game Lowell's playing but I'm not about to let him win."

  "Commander Tayvis will be watched closely. With any luck, we'll bring them down together." Johnstone rose to his feet.

&n
bsp; Nuella smiled. "That would be the best outcome, yes. But I'll settle for destroying Lowell and his network."

  Chapter 2

  The night air of Verrus was warm and thick with the perfume of night blooming flowers. I'd decided to walk, to enjoy the smell and to have a few moments alone.

  Not that I disliked my crew, quite the opposite. Jasyn was the sister I'd never had. Clark, her husband, was a close friend. Jerimon, Jasyn's brother, I could do without, but at least he no longer believed we were destined to be soulmates. That was the crew of the Phoenix Rising, my ship.

  I wanted time alone to nurse my bruised ego. I'd been registered with the Independent Traders Guild. I'd fought hard for that qualification. They'd ripped it away after the last mess I was involved in. They frowned on piracy charges, even if I was framed. I was kicked out, permanently.

  The letter, formally typed on thick paper and hand-delivered that morning, had ruined any hopes I might have entertained about my future with the Guild. Without their backing, few companies would hire me to haul their cargo. I could sign on with one of the Gypsy shipping companies, but that would mean giving up control and I couldn't let that go, not after I'd fought so hard for my freedom. I shoved my hands in my pockets and thought about possibilities. Lady Rina, Jasyn's something great aunt, would hire us. But I didn't like the strings she attached to her help.

  The streets were dark, even though it was still fairly early in the evening. I walked through a section of rich homes. On Verrus, they were walled compounds shutting out the rest of the world. Ornate doors and entryways were the only breaks in the high walls. I saw very few other pedestrians.

  My other option was even worse. I could accept Commander Grant Lowell's offer to work undercover for the Patrol. Technically, on paper, I did work for him. It simplified the legal questions about my involvement with Targon on Xqtl. He hadn't tried to enforce that paper. Yet.

  I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going or the people around me. Verrus was a peaceful place, with a very low crime rate.

  The stranger came from nowhere, darting out of a shadowed doorway to grab me. I reacted without thinking. I blocked his arm with my own while swinging my other arm around in a roundhouse blow that should have knocked him sideways and let me get free.

  He ducked, my fist just missing his ear. He grabbed my arm, but didn't attack the way I expected. He dragged me around until the moonlight showed my face. I was more puzzled than afraid. He wasn't trying to hurt me. He looked desperate. He wore a shipsuit, a plain gray with no ship patch or other identifier.

  "You have to help me," he said, his inflection turning it to a question.

  "Help you do what?" I tried to pull my arm free. He clutched it tighter.

  "I don't know," he answered, face twisting in frustration. "I know your face. I don't know how or why."

  "What ship are you from?"

  "Ship?" He shook his head. His hand tightened on my sleeve. "I don't know. I can't remember. There was something." He patted his pocket, hand trembling as he searched.

  I was running out of patience. I didn't want to get mixed up in someone's problems. I didn't want anything to disturb the peace I'd managed to find over the last three months despite my issues with the Guild. I wasn't going to get what I wanted.

  "I know your face," he said, more frustrated and desperate than before. "You're the only one I know to trust. And I can't explain why." He felt in his breast pocket. His expression changed to relief. "This will help."

  He pulled his hand out and opened it. A delicate strand of gossamer gold drifted across his palm. Crushed and bent in his hand was a creature made of jewels. Paper thin wings that shimmered pearlescent blue and a tiny body of gold reflected the moonlight. I stopped pulling away. I recognized the jewelry, I had three cases of similar necklaces in my hold that I hadn't gotten around to selling yet. It fluttered, broken and bent but still so delicate it tried to dance on the slightest breeze.

  "Payment of the debt is required," he said, in a voice not his own. I looked up sharply. He swayed, eyes half closed as if in a trance.

  "What payment?"

  "Protect Jericho," he said in that strange voice. "Seek the retreat of the Silver Lady."

  I heard footsteps approaching from around the corner. His eyes snapped open, he looked behind in panic. If there was more to his strange message, I wasn't going to hear it.

  I wanted to ask questions, I wanted to call the Patrol or the local police and have them deal with him. But I owed a debt, to the fluttery woman who had made those necklaces and given them to me for reasons of her own. I was unclear about why or exactly how I'd come to owe it but I didn't have time to ask questions.

  Three men came around the corner, dressed in black. Moonlight glinted off the muzzles of projectile guns. Run first, ask questions later, my mind said. I agreed. The stranger kept his hand twisted in my sleeve, tugging me into motion away from the men. I closed my hand over the winged creature as we broke into a run.

  A shot ricocheted off the wall next to me, gouging a hole in the plascrete. I dodged, pulling the man with me into the next street.

  Ornate doors were the only break in the smooth walls. Trees occasionally showed over the tops of the walls. They were too tall to jump and too smooth to climb. There was nowhere to hide, no cover, no convenient alleys. Our only chance was to run faster than the men chasing us, whoever they were.

  The stranger gasped, breathing hard, as if he'd already been running much too long. He slowed, limping with each step. This was my chance to leave, my chance to avoid being tangled in whatever problems he had. If people were chasing him and shooting at him, I didn't want to be involved.

  He slowed more, leaning on the smooth wall with one hand, holding himself up. Lines of pain shadowed his eyes. His dark hair was unkempt, looking as if he hadn't had it cut for a long time. He'd come to me, asking for help. I couldn't leave him with men shooting at him. I wouldn't be able to live with myself afterwards. My curiosity would drive me mad wanting to know who he was, why he had the necklace, and why he came to me. I had a thousand questions for him that would have to wait.

  "We need to hide, unless you can make it to the port," I said.

  He looked blankly at me. He wasn't going to be able to run to the end of the street, let alone all the way to the port. I tugged him into a doorway deeper than most. I pushed him into the farthest corner. He sagged against the wall. His breathing whistled raggedly. His pursuers rounded the corner. I pressed back against the wall next to him. He made an effort to stifle his breathing.

  His pursuers moved slower as they searched. I felt behind me, my hands running over the intricate carving that covered the inside of the doorway, a wooden fantasy of trees hidden under the arch. The carvings were only a few inches deep. I squeezed back against the wall and tried thinking about invisibility.

  The stranger started crooning. His eyes were half closed. His hands lifted as if stretched by invisible bands. The crooning rose in pitch. The men hunting us took off running down the street, away from us. He leaned on the wall, his eyes closing. The lines of exhaustion in his face were deeper.

  I took his arm, intending to help him away from the wall. He collapsed against me. I reached for my com. I could call Jasyn, she was back at the ship. He stopped me, clutching my hand. His grip was powerful, strengthened by some great need. He locked his gaze on mine.

  "Give," he whispered. His eyes changed, lost the bewildered look. They flashed silver in the moonlight.

  He drew energy from me, tingling from my hand into his. I pulled back reflexively. He kept his grip on my hand. He took a deep breath, straightening. I blinked away sudden dizziness as he let go of my hand.

  "What did you do?" I demanded.

  I watched the look in his eyes fade. He blinked, lost and confused again.

  "We have to go." He peered around the doorway, looking for his pursuit. Desperation filled every move.

  "Go where?" I rubbed my hand.

  "I don't
know." He sagged against the wall in despair. "I don't know," he repeated. He rubbed his face. "I can't remember. It's all there, and I can't open it."

  He was crazy, I decided. But he had men with guns after him. They weren't shooting tranquilizer darts.

  "My ship isn't far," I said. "It's safe there."

  "Nowhere is safe." But he followed me into the street.

  We hurried through the residential district until we reached the busier market district. He walked beside me as if he belonged there.

  I suppressed a shudder of premonition. It couldn't have been real premonition, I'm as psychic as a rock, at least on human scales. I'd been in enough trouble before, though, that I could smell it. This man reeked of trouble.

  What else could I do? I held the necklace in my hand, the edges of the wings digging into my palm. I wasn't going to get very involved, I promised myself. I'd keep him safe until I could contact Lowell. Let Lowell deal with him and his mysterious behavior. I'd let him go and be satisfied, even if I never learned who he really was or why he was running away. But what had he meant by saying he knew my face? Why had he come to me? Who had known I was here? Had someone planted him?

  I glanced at him, new suspicions forming in my mind. Was he really as helpless and desperate as he looked? I saw the strain in his face. He glanced at me, met my eyes. His were light brown, as scared and guileless as a child's.

  I looked away, my suspicions melting. Either he was the best actor I'd ever met, or he was really in trouble. The delicate necklace felt like a lump of lead in my hand.

  The gate to the landing field stood open. The guards on duty looked bored. They screened those entering and leaving, but not too closely. I was glad it wasn't a closed port where everyone who entered or exited had to have hand scans for identification.

  The man glanced behind us. I tugged his hand to get his attention. I shook my head, hoping he'd catch my warning. Act scared and people will be suspicious. Act normal and they tend to ignore you.

  The port guard looked me up and down. He consulted his handcomp. "Captain Dace, of the Phoenix Rising. Who's he?" He gestured at my companion.