Wings of Redemption (The Terra Nova Chronicles Book 3)

  Wings of Redemption

  The Terra Nova Chronicles Book 3

  by

  Richard Fox

  and

  Josh Hayes

  Copyright © by Richard Fox

  All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission.

  ASIN:

  Table of Contents

  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

  From the Authors

  Read THE EMBER WAR for FREE

  Read BREAKING THROUGH for FREE

  EMBER WAR UNIVERSE SUGGESTED READING ORDER

  Chapter 1

  Chief Warrant Officer Kit Carson couldn’t help but smile as the Valiant dropped below the thick blanket of clouds and took in the expansive deep blue ocean that stretched away from them to the horizon. The experience reminded her of her trips home to visit Mom and Dad in Houston, dropping low over the Gulf, mesmerized by the crystal blue water that stretched to the horizon. Of course, back then, she wasn’t standing next to three bronze-skinned aliens with strange, goat-like eyes.

  She gave Jena a sideways glance, expecting a similar expression, but instead, the Zeis woman seemed to be full of intense resentment, even anger. Her jaw muscle twitched under her bronze skin, long red hair covering one side of her face.

  “Now this looks like a place I can get to like,” Sergeant Nunez said.

  “I’ll say,” said Rachel Greer from her seat in front of Carson. “What’d you say this place was called?”

  “Yalara,” Jena said.

  “Yalara, huh? Well, you just tell me where I need to head, alright?”

  Pointing, Jena said, “There.”

  Carson craned her head to look over Rachel’s shoulder and spotted a string of green in the blue expanse. Even from this distance, she could see at least one of the islands was busy with air traffic. “You live on islands?”

  Nunez laughed. “From crazy robotic hell to island paradise in less than a week. I’ve been on worse missions.”

  Master Sergeant Jason West, the team’s senior non-commissioned officer, turned to the junior sergeant, glaring. “Sergeant, weren’t you supposed to be inventorying the kit supplies?”

  Nunez gave him a dismissive wave. “Eh, I got it taken care of, Sarge. The Hale kid’s all over that. Jumped right into it. You know, trying to prove himself and whatnot.”

  Dipping his chin slightly, West raised both eyebrows.

  Nunez hesitated for a moment, seeming to read the team leader’s nonverbals, then slowly nodded. “I should go make sure he doesn’t screw anything up.”

  “Maybe you should to that,” West said, nodding.

  Nunez jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to go supervise, so…” He turned and ducked out of the cockpit.

  “Sorry, Chief,” West said as Nunez pulled the hatch closed behind him.

  Carson shook her head. “Not to worry, Sergeant.”

  An alert chimed on Greer’s console and several message panels appeared on the pilot’s screen. “Looks like we’re getting pinged by some kind of ground-based traffic control. I’m getting flight vectors and landing coordinates.”

  “I’d suggest following them to the letter,” Jena said. “Port Control gets very unhappy if you deviate from their instructions.”

  “Heads up,” Oscar Lincoln said. The Valiant’s co-pilot pointed above and to the right. “Two bogeys at our three o’clock.”

  Two red-and-silver aircraft were settling into a flightpath mirroring their own. Beneath each forward-swept wing hung two rocket clusters, the angled tips capped with twin-barreled cannons. Their sleek design reminded Carson of pre-Ember War fighter aircraft.

  Escorts, Carson thought, frowning. Apparently, the Zeis were serious about their security, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. We’d probably do the exact same thing in their position.

  “I thought you’d already cleared us?” Greer asked. “Looks like someone wasn’t exactly convinced.”

  “Clearing us for orbital passage is one thing,” Jena said. “My family’s forces aren’t as considerate to strangers as planetary security. Especially now.”

  “Why is that?” Carson asked.

  “The political climate on Yalara is extremely tense right now. We are at a crossroads, so to speak, with two major factions pushing to overhaul our foreign policy. There are those among my people who do not wish to have any contact with any other species. They feel as though contact with others is tearing apart our cherished and sacred heritage. The Isolationists Party, which is heavily favored by the Royal Family, is pushing for a complete disconnect from the rest of the galaxy.

  “The Opposition, of which my family is a part, seeks to push our people into a more cooperative relationship with our neighbors. Especially when it comes to fighting back against the Pindiki and now the Ultari. Granted, they don’t exactly know about the new Ultari threat. We need allies just as much as your people do. That being said,” she paused and nodded to the fighters, “they are for your protection as much as ours.”

  “Our protection?” Carson asked.

  “When the Isolationists learn of your presence here, it will not go over well.” Jena pointed to the string of islands growing larger below them. “The port is on the far side of the main island, the large one to the left there.”

  Greer nodded. “Got it.”

  The islands reminded Carson of the Hawaiian Islands back on Earth: tall mountains covered by lush vegetation, sand-covered beaches, inlets and peninsulas, and tall, tropical trees. Several structures peeked out of the canopy, looking over the coast. A sensor station—a fenced-in compound filled with satellite dishes, antenna clusters, and relays—sat on the summit of the tallest mountain.

  “Air traffic control must be a nightmare,” Greer said.

  Several more aircraft appeared in the sky surrounding the islands, small shuttles, and larger transports, maintaining holding patterns, moving in for landings, or taking off.

  “Most of the daily operations are controlled by computers,” Jena explained. “It allows our operation to run substantially more efficiently than if it were run by Zeis controllers. Despite the Isolationists’ opposition to working with other cultures, they don’t seem to mind appropriating their technology. Regulos automation and AI routines are the best in the galaxy.”

  As they passed over the mountain, the spaceport came into view—an expansive installation spread across several square kilometers, with large terminal buildings, landing strips, and wide parking areas. The tarmac was lined with hundreds of various-sized aircraft. In the center of the compound, the air traffic control tower loomed over everything, standing easily 150 meters tall. The entire complex was surrounded by fencing several kilometers tall, and security towers were positioned every fifty meters, armed with long-barreled machine guns and spotlights.

  A long, horseshoe-shaped terminal sat at the end of the tarmac, the complex flanked by rows of aircraft hangars and lon
g, rectangular warehouses. Seemingly endless lines of ground cars and cargo haulers moved through the clusters of buildings, delivering supplies and Zeis to various destinations within the complex.

  “Lot of security for a spaceport,” West said.

  “A necessity, I’m afraid,” Jena said. “You’re going to set down right there.”

  Greer nodded. “Yep.”

  “Why a necessity?” Carson asked, growing slightly irritated at the woman’s tendency to leave out seemingly important details. “The same reason those fighters are out there?”

  “Not quite. As I said, the fighters are for you. Everything else is for the caldryls.”

  “The what-ryls?” Lincoln said, looking over his shoulder.

  “Caldryls,” Jena repeated. “They don’t like it when we encroach into their territory. Especially during mating season. Not to worry, we aren’t in any real danger out here. They’ve already begun their inward migration and are well within the preserve now. You’ll want to set down right over there.”

  “I see it,” Greer said.

  Their two escorts peeled off as Greer brought the Valiant down into the spaceport proper, turning the ship to face the main terminal building. Several groups of people were moving away from the landing pad, while a small convoy of vehicles was moving across the tarmac toward them.

  More protection? Carson thought as the vehicles moved to encircle them, though the convoy looked more like an arrest team than a protection detail.

  Carson put a hand on Greer’s shoulder. “Keep the engines warm until we find out what we’re dealing with here.”

  “I wouldn’t advise that,” Jena said. “My influence with my father’s security cadre will get us only so far. They are loyal to him and him alone. They will take what I say under advisement, but ultimately, they answer to him, and who knows what security protocols he’s put in place in my absence.”

  “Honestly, Chief, it wouldn’t matter anyway,” Greer said. “The engines have been under a lot of strain as it is. The FTL drive needs some TLC.” She patted the console.

  “My people can have a look if you’d like,” Jena offered. “They are very knowledgeable in the technology. I expect they’ll look past the Ultari origins. Knowing you stole from those scum is another point in your favor.”

  “Couldn’t hurt,” Greer said. “I’m no expert. I can only go off the instructions the engineers left me, which—I’ll be honest—isn’t much. Roy considers himself a miracle worker, but even he has his limits.”

  “Don’t let him hear you say that,” Lincoln muttered.

  Carson gripped the back of Greer’s seat as the Valiant settled onto her landing struts. “Do what you can, but stay ready to launch regardless.”

  “I’d like to keep Elias on board, if that’s all right,” Greer said. “He’s almost as knowledgeable about Valiant’s systems as Roy is.”

  Carson nodded. She didn’t like the idea of leaving the boy behind, but the pilot was right. The boy was smart—too smart even—not to mention that he didn’t add anything substantial to the team. In fact, he’d require babysitting more than anything, so leaving him here meant one less person to keep track of.

  “He can stay,” Carson said. “Just make sure he doesn’t go running off anywhere.”

  “He’ll be on a tight leash, Chief.”

  Outside, several Zeis security guards were dismounting their vehicles and forming a line near the back of the ship. All but one held a rifle, barrel down and ready. They wore black uniforms trimmed in green, complete with tactical helmets and vests. The detail’s commander stood two paces in front of the rest, armed with only a pistol on his hip.

  “Hell of a welcome party,” Carson said, nodding at the formation through the viewport.

  Jena nodded. “Shall we?”

  Carson turned to West. “Have the team gear up.”

  Jena paused, a concerned expression spreading across her face. “You won’t need weapons here, I assure you. My people will protect you.”

  “No offense, Jena,” Carson said, “but we’ve heard that more than a few times and it generally turns out to be wrong. My people are professionals—you have nothing to worry about. But given the few encounters we’ve had since arriving at Terra Nova, I’d feel much better keeping our gear with us.”

  Jena considered her for a long moment, as if weighing the possibilities of prohibiting Carson’s team from carrying. “Retrieve your kit,” Jena finally told her.

  It took ten minutes to get the team suited up, then Jena led them down Valiant’s rear cargo ramp and onto the tarmac to meet their hosts.

  The male at the front of the group stepped forward, one hand on the handle of his pistol, his form-fitting uniform showing off an impressive muscular frame. “Cleric Jena, we weren’t expecting you back so soon and definitely not in this…fashion.” He cocked his head to the side, looking over the humans behind Jena. His eyes narrowed as he seemed to finally see Carson and her team for who they were. “What are they?” he asked in a slow, careful tone.

  “They are my concern, not yours, Charing.”

  Charing held her gaze for a moment, as if he were contemplating arguing, then his eyes fell on Jor and he gave a disgusted snort. “I see you’ve completed your mission.”

  “I did, and now I require transport to the Tubes and priority transit clearance home.”

  The alien hesitated. “I’m not sure that I can allow—”

  “Where is my father, Charing?”

  “Proctor Yentl is dealing with important business off planet at the moment.”

  “I see,” Jena said. “And what business is he seeing to?”

  “I don’t think that would be appropriate to discuss in present company. Perhaps if we could speak privately? I can arrange for your guests—”

  “No,” Jena said, interrupting him. “We will speak at the compound. My guests are coming with me. Their ship needs maintenance and repairs. I will have Guber and his team out soon to begin work with her crew. I want you to make sure they are unmolested and uninterrupted. Is that clear?”

  Charing hesitated for a moment, then said, “Yes, Cleric, but your father’s restrictions…”

  Jena motioned to Carson. “This is Chief Carson and these are her cadre. While they are on Yalara, they are under my protection and council. All Cleric rights and privileges are extended to them—that should satisfy my father’s restrictions.”

  Charing hesitated again then nodded. “Protect the Hearth, Cleric.”

  “Protect the Hearth.” Jena mirrored his nod.

  Charing turned and whispered to one of the guards behind him and the alien turned and started talking into a handheld comm. Several more moved to the trucks, pulling away from the tarmac and heading off.

  “Everything all right?” Carson asked Jena so only she could hear.

  “Things are just…delicate for my people at the moment. Fortunately, that has nothing to do with your presence here.”

  Carson raised an eyebrow. “It feels like you’re leaving out a lot of pertinent details.”

  Jena shook her head. “I’ll explain more when we are safely within our compound. Even here, in this secured space, there are eyes and ears that I do not trust.”

  The guard Charing had spoken with returned and said something in his superior’s ear. Charing nodded and met Jena’s gaze. “A pod has been cleared for you and your guests. It’s standing by in the depot for your immediate use.”

  “Thank you,” Jena said, starting for the trucks.

  They climbed into the back of a large personnel transport with an open top and settled onto benches on either side of the bed. Carson took a seat near the back of the truck as the rest of her team found their seats. Jor, the Zeis male Carson and Jena had rescued from a group of Pindiki smugglers, and Jena sat next to each other opposite Carson. Jerry Hale, the newest member of their team, climbed into the truck and found himself without a seat.

  “Better hold on to something, boot,” Nunez said, grinning
.

  Jerry moved to the front of the bed and put his back to the cab. “Better view this way anyway.”

  Nunez grunted.

  The truck gave a high-pitched whine as it came to life and soon they were rolling across the spaceport, leaving the Valiant behind. Ten minutes later, they were pulling up to a large terminal, where groups of curious Zeis looked up at them as they passed. The building reminded Carson of the major hyperloop terminals between Los Angeles and Las Vegas before the Xaros invaded.

  Above them, several clear tubes crisscrossed each other, entering the terminal from several directions and all coming together at a central platform that spanned the entire terminal. Metal hatches capped the openings of the tubes, creating an airlock inside the tubes that the pill-shaped capsules cycled through before gliding into their slot on the platform.

  The trucks dropped them off at the base of a wide metal staircase, which took them up to the platform. Several guards from the security detail had rushed ahead, clearing the way to a waiting capsule.

  Carson scanned the platform as they crossed, taking in the hundreds of Zeis surrounding them, watching the strange new visitors with more than a little curiosity. Several held devices that Carson realized had to be cameras of some kind and were recording the group as they neared the capsule. Beside her, Jor kept his eyes on the floor, using his hands to hide his face and muttering under his breath.

  The capsule’s upper half was all windows, held in place by a thin metal framework that allowed its occupants to see out in all directions. A partial glass floor ran down the center of the capsule and benches sat on either side, including the front and back.

  Without bothering to explain, Jena took a seat at the back of the capsule, then waited for the rest to enter.

  “What is this?” Birch asked, putting a hand on one of the interior windows. “Some kind of hyperloop?”

  “I’m not sure what a hyperloop is,” Jena said, “but this is how we get around on Yalara. It’s much faster and more…discreet than flying. Especially now.”

  The hatch closed silently behind them as the last of their group stepped on. A small hiss announced the capsule was sealed, and a moment later, they started forward.