Degeneration_Age of Expansion_A Kurtherian Gambit Series Read online

  “Felix faked his own death?” asked Julianna.

  “I suspect so,” Lance confirmed. “He has been on the fringe ever since, plotting and planning this all. I see it now. And whatever he is up to, it’s been a long time coming. I have a feeling he’s preparing to strike hard, so we need to be ready when he does.”

  “Fortunately, we’ve just added a Special Ops team to the crew,” Jack stated.

  Lance nodded approvingly. “That’s a good start. What you’ve done so far has secured our footing in this silent war. More than anything, we have to find out what Felix is planning. He’s damn brilliant and will certainly be hatching something that he hopes will knock our feet out from under us.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” Eddie said with conviction.

  “That’s the spirit, Captain,” said Lance. “Have your intelligence team dig for more information. Your new soldiers will come in handy when it’s time to fight, but don’t forget to use all your assets.”

  “Chester and Marilla are the best. They’ll work around the clock,” declared Eddie.

  “Good. In the meantime, I have a mission for you and the new Special Ops team,” said Lance.

  Eddie’s pulse quickened. “Oh boy! Whose ass are we going after?”

  “No ass-kicking yet,” said Lance, “but not to worry, there will be plenty of that soon.”

  Eddie smiled easily. “Yeah, I figured as much.”

  “I think,” began Lance, “that we should break in the new team with a humanitarian mission. Something that shows them what Ghost Squadron is all about. It protects freedoms when necessary, but more importantly, it restores hope.”

  The screen behind Lance changed to an image of a planet. “ArchAngel, your timing is spooky lately,” said Eddie with a laugh.

  Lance glanced over his shoulder. “That’s Kezza, where the next mission will take place.”

  “The Brotherhood has been disbanded, correct?” asked Julianna.

  “Yes, they have. Thousands of Brotherhood soldiers are being returned to Kezza in batches,” said Lance.

  “Then why is there a mission on Kezza?” asked Eddie. “It would appear that their problems have been solved.”

  “It would appear,” repeated Lance. “However, when the Brotherhood enslaved its military force, it took away nearly a third of the population, especially in the north. As has happened in many times of war, those who were left behind were expected to take on all the responsibilities of the society. Our reports indicate that manufacturing, farming, and construction all took a hit when most of the male population was enlisted in the Brotherhood.”

  Jack turned to Julianna and Eddie. “Ghost Squadron is about defending the Federation, but also it’s important that we help to rebuild—even those outside our borders. The Kezzin need our help.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” stated Eddie.

  Lance’s mouth spread in a flat smile. “The returnees will need time to adapt after their ordeal. Many were brainwashed into serving or, like Lars, threatened. There are several areas which could use our help rebuilding, farming or simply offering a helping hand. This mission will support this area,” he pointed to a portion of the northern continent on the map, “which has suffered due to Felix’s silent war.”

  “Lars is from the north, right?” Julianna asked Eddie.

  He thought for a moment, then nodded. “I believe so.”

  “I’m sure he will be anxious to assist your efforts, then,” stated Lance.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Omega-line Q-Ship, Planet Kezza, Tangki System

  It felt different to fly a full Q-Ship, filled with Special Ops soldiers. It felt good. The team was rowdy in the back, all of them pumped for the mission. After fighting Mamaths, a safe humanitarian mission was probably a vacation. That wasn’t to say that the work on Kezza would be easy. Julianna knew that after reviewing the reports.

  The north had suffered greatly, most of their crops for livestock dying and many of their buildings taking serious storm damage. Having lost nearly half of their population to the Brotherhood, they were underprepared for the annual storms. The females, children and elderly were given the burden of buckling down the infrastructure, which they did, but it wasn’t enough.

  The females did an incredible job of taking the extra responsibility of farming, production and general societal requirements. However, no population can flourish with only one sex. That was clear to Julianna after reviewing the reports. They both have their strengths and there is purpose between the yin and yang of every population. Take one and the other will suffer because the balance is off.

  Julianna glanced at the men and women in the back of the Q-Ship. She felt that this balance had been achieved with Ghost Squadron.

  Eddie’s voice crackled over the comm. “Blackbeard to Carnivore.”

  “Carnivore here,” said Lars. He was flying the older Q-Ship. Eddie had received the honor of flying the newest Q-Ship, which was identical to the one Julianna currently flew. However, Eddie also had Hatch sitting next to him, critically watching his every move.

  “Where do you suppose the best place to land and set up camp is?” asked Eddie.

  “The mountain ridge ahead provides cover from the desert winds that will sweep in at night,” said Lars. “There are three nearby villages, so we won’t have to travel far.”

  “Sounds good,” said Eddie. “Lead the way, Carnivore. I’ll have the Black Eagles drop supplies south of here, which should take care of that area.”

  “That’s a good plan,” said Lars.

  Lars hadn’t displayed the slightest micro-expression of excitement when told about this mission. Instead the Kezzin had simply nodded. Julianna knew he had to be brimming with emotion, returning to his home planet after everything. She wondered if he’d crack now that they were setting down on the planet. She wondered if she would in his position.

  ~~~

  Eddie set the ship down so smoothly most would not have felt the landing.

  Hatch wiped one of his tentacles across his forehead. “I thought you were going to make widows of all my wives.”

  Eddie looked at the Londil in confusion. “That landing wasn’t up to your standards?”

  “You call that a landing?” asked Hatch. “I think ‘crash’ is more accurate.”

  Eddie smiled. “Great job with this ship. She flies like a dream.” He patted the controls affectionately.

  “It would have been another week without Knox’s help,” said Hatch and then his eyes skirted to the back briefly where Knox sat alongside crates of supplies. Did Hatch just give someone a compliment? Eddie thought, trying to cover his shock. If Hatch thought he’d been too nice, then he’d probably make up for it with a bigger critique later.

  Eddie unstrapped himself, popping up from his seat. “I’ll get this unloaded. The rest of you go off to do what you do best.”

  Hatch regarded Eddie with a skeptical expression, a few quips probably scrolling through his head. Finally, he slipped from the seat made especially for him and waddled for the exit. “Grab the tool box, Gunner,” he said to Knox, using the name the crew had affectionately given to him. He already had the bright yellow, oversized tool chest in his hands and an eager look on his face.

  “Fletcher’s team and the rest of us are going to do important stuff. But you two are here to offer the real help,” said Eddie, proudly.

  Hatch hesitated, his expression uncertain. “Well, thanks,” he finally said, reluctance heavy in his tone. “I still think you fly like a space chimp.”

  “Of course you do. I’ll work on it, Doc,” said Eddie, offering the mechanic a wide grin.

  ~~~

  Fletcher’s team had dispersed at once, spreading out to the closest villages, offering help to any who needed it. A goodwill message had been sent ahead of time and was warmly received. The Kezzin hadn’t always been friendly to humans, but suffering a great tragedy such as they had had changed things. There were still those who silently followed the
Brotherhood and the pirates who ransacked human ships. However, most of the individual Kezzin were like Lars and simply wanted to live a simple life without the violence and power plays. The Kezzin were simple, Lars had told Eddie. They enjoyed the sun, outdoors, family, and the hunt.

  Julianna approached Eddie with an uncertain expression on her face. He’d unloaded his supplies into the main area in record time. Well, record time for him. Fletcher’s team grabbed the water and building supplies, ready to take them to the remote villages. They’d make repairs and assist the Kezzin long into the night. It was good for them. It was good for everyone.

  “Why have you been giving me strange looks lately?” asked Eddie, crossing his arms on his chest and looking directly at Julianna.

  “Define ‘lately,’” she said. Her tone was serious, but there was a playful smile on her face. “I’ve regarded you with disdain from the beginning.”

  Eddie whistled, shaking his head. “Disdain? I didn’t realize I irritated you that much.”

  “Of course you don’t. You had a shit-eating grin on your face as you worked.”

  Eddie rubbed his hand over his lips as if to confirm the smile on his face. “Oh, was I grinning? I hadn’t realized.”

  “You always grin, but a bit more than usual today,” observed Julianna.

  “That’s easy. I’m excited to be here. It isn’t every day that we get to do something like this. Something that gives back.”

  “We risk our necks every damn day to fight bullies,” argued Julianna.

  Eddie shook his head. “But this is different. On those occasions we’re stopping the bad guys, but here we’re helping the good guys.”

  They looked out to where Fletcher’s team were spread out in different directions, off to help the Kezzin villages.

  “Yeah, I know what you meant. I was just giving you shit,” said Julianna.

  “I know. I can’t imagine it any other way.”

  “Imagine what?” she asked. “Me, giving you shit?”

  He grinned. “It’s my constant. What can I say?”

  Julianna pointed at Lar’s Q-Ship, which still sat closed up. “You think he’s coming out anytime soon or should we go in there and get him out?”

  Eddie’s eyes drifted to a large Kezzin who was approaching. He looked about like all Kezzin with their red scaly skin and pointy chin. However, this one had something different about him. “I think we’re not going to have to,” said Eddie.

  The Kezzin had an expression that Eddie recognized. He was in confused disbelief. From the front of the Q-Ship, the alien could be seen. That’s probably why a moment later the hatch finally opened and Lars stepped out, looking at the Kezzin like one does an old friend.

  ~~~

  Hiraeth. That’s the word that had been streaming through Lars Malseen’s head for the last year. He was certain when the Brotherhood took him that he would never return home, or that Kezza would never exist like it was before. The word, hiraeth, he’d run across while reading, nearly falling to his knees when he looked up its meaning. “Homesickness for a place to which you cannot return, that maybe never was.” Nostalgia didn’t quite fit when Lars thought of Kezza. It didn’t accurately describe the doom and regret he felt. Hiraeth, though…that word nailed it.

  But here he was at last. Against all odds, Lars had returned. And before him was the face he’d thought he’d never see again.

  “Dequan…” Lars choked on the name. The sun silhouetted his brother, casting him in dark shadows. Still he recognized that face. He’d know it anywhere.

  “Lars,” said Dequan, halting.

  The brothers stood fifteen feet apart, unmoving. It had been nearly impossible for Lars to come out of the Q-Ship. He feared that his brother had been enlisted or harmed. He feared the worst. Not coming back to Kezza was almost easier than returning, after all this time.

  The brothers stood fifteen feet apart, and Lars remained in place. He couldn’t move. What if this were a dream? He’d dreamt this a thousand times, only to wake up and realize that he wasn’t home and maybe never would be.

  Dequan moved first. He strode forward with his head tilted like he wasn’t sure he was seeing his brother correctly.

  “Brother, you have returned. I knew you would,” said Dequan when he was only a few feet away.

  “I’ve wanted to for quite some time, but there was work to be done first. I couldn’t come back until the Kezzin were safe from the Brotherhood.” Now that Lars had started talking, it felt like he’d never stop. He wanted to bound forward and embrace his brother, but something still kept him rooted in place. Lars knew exactly what it was. It was his own fear. His own regret.

  Dequan was regarding him like he was an alien. He was regarding him like he was different. Wrong, somehow. That’s what Lars had feared. And here it was. The rejection.

  “Did the Brotherhood…” Lars’ question trailed away.

  Dequan shook his head. “No, they didn’t take me. I took the family to the mountains. We hid there, just as you told us to do.”

  Lars let out a breath of relief. “I’m glad for that. The battles were brutal. Many Kezzin were killed.” His mind flashed to the lieutenant that he killed on Nexus. To the many Kezzin he had been forced to fight in defense of the Federation.

  “You escaped the Brotherhood. That’s what your letter said,” said Dequan.

  So he had gotten the letter. Had he pieced the rest together?

  “Yes, and I joined Ghost Squadron. We fought the Brotherhood.” Lars gestured toward Eddie and Julianna, who stood in the distance. Both looked away quickly, as if they weren’t eavesdropping on the reunion. “It is because of the captain and the commander that the Brotherhood was disbanded and many Kezzin have returned home.”

  “You fought the Brotherhood? You fought your own?” asked Dequan.

  Lars heart sank. He wanted to jump back into the Q-Ship and fly away, never to return to Kezza, but instead he dropped his gaze to the ground. “I did what I had to for the greater good.”

  “Did you kill Brotherhood soldiers?” asked Dequan. He had always challenged Lars, always pushed him until he told the truth. It had been like this since they were young.

  “I did what I had to for the greater good,” Lars repeated.

  Dequan let out a heavy sigh. He covered his forehead and eyes with his hand, covering the new stress on his face.

  “Yes, Dequan, I killed my own. I had to. I know you must hate me. My race will never accept me, but—”

  “I don’t hate you,” said Dequan in disbelief. He dropped his hand, shaking his head. “I respect you more than ever, Lars.”

  “You do?” asked Lars, confused. This wasn’t how he had expected it to go.

  “Because of you and Ghost Squadron, our people are free,” said Dequan, his tone overflowing with conviction. “Most wouldn’t have escaped the Brotherhood. Only you did, as far as I can tell, and I know of no one else who would fight his own people to free them. You did what you had to because you, Lars, are an incredibly selfless person. You could have run or hidden, but instead you stood up to the leaders of the Brotherhood in order to bring them down.”

  Lars’ mouth dropped open. His throat was suddenly dry, and his eyes couldn’t blink. “You understand, then?”

  “Perfectly,” said Dequan, “and I couldn’t be prouder of you, brother.”

  Suddenly Lars’ feet unstuck from the ground, and he nearly lost his balance. He wrapped his arms around his brother. This was the moment he couldn’t believe would happen—and yet it had, here and now. Lars pressed his eyes shut, breathing deeply.

  Maybe you could go home…and find that your heart had never left.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Village of Gazer, Planet Kezza, Tangki System

  “Here’s your problem,” said Hatch, pulling a long bolt out of the top of a combine. The Kezzin around him all nodded like this made perfect sense. In the distance the crops that fed the herds had been almost completely decimated. Apparently, the s
torms had been the first assault and then a fungus took out most of rest of the field. The pastures were filled with Kezzin and humans who were trying to replant it.

  Hatch wiped the grease from his tentacles with a rag, then stepped down from the machine. “How’s the irrigation system?” he asked Knox, who was bent over with his head inside a box buried in the ground.

  Knox straightened up with dirt on his nose and cheeks, and smiled. “Let’s find out. Are you ready?”

  Hatch pinned two tentacles to his sides and deflated his cheeks. “No, I’d like to melt in this heat for a few more hours.”

  “Oh, okay. Never mind, then.” Knox laughed.

  “Go on. Let’s see if you’ve learned anything I taught you or you’re as obtuse as the crew on ArchAngel,” said Hatch.

  “But if it works then all those in the field will get wet. Shouldn’t we warn them first?”

  “You’re real confident, aren’t you?” asked Hatch.

  “Well, no. It’s just a precaution,” said Knox, his eyes dropping to the dry ground. “I’m sure it won’t work. Not the first time at least. I did everything you told me to do, but I probably screwed something up.”

  “Then you have nothing to worry about and no one will get wet. Go on then,” said Hatch, urging Knox by waving one of his tentacles in the air over his head.

  Knox nodded, reaching into the box. He flipped a series of switches. Then he stood up and looked out at the field with uncertainty. Nothing happened. As if confirming his suspicions of failure, he nodded. “Yeah, I figured I hadn’t connected the—”