Voyage of Truth- Part 2: The Purpose Awakening

By Dion Lack

Cover Illustration by Olie Boldador

Illustrations by Stan Ford

Voyage of Truth

Dion Lack.

Published by LackToast Entertainment LLC

Distributed by Smashwords

ISBN- 13: 978-0-9970333-3-5

ISBN- 10: 0-9970333-3-5

COPYRIGHT© 2014, LACKTOAST ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All proceeds from the sale of this book goes to Book Aid International, a library development NGO that exist to encourage literacy and access to books particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Praises to the almighty God

Thanks to my amazing girls Kaylee, Brookie, Dawnise and Twillz

Voyage of Truth is based off of stories

inspired by my late mother.

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CONNECT WITH ME

CHAPTER 1

Alone, on the highest deck of the Tamin, Dena follows the ocean ripples leading back to their home ship. Without a choice, she suppresses her regrets by watching the Arvelee sailing in the distance.

Locy returns to Dena singing off key, We did it and it was really hard. We snuck off the Arvelee without barter cards. She displays a series of comedic faces and finally pulls a smile out of Dena.

Dena smirks, but doesn’t reply. Locy lightly bumps her hip. Come on, Dee, stop staring at the ‘once was’ and focus on the ‘now’. We’re in a new chapter of our lives that needs our full attention.

I’m just still in shock watching the Arvelee.

Yeah, it’s called getting out of your comfort zone.

Dena sarcastically admits, Yeah and straight into a suicide mission aboard the Beverod.

Locy exclaims, Uh oh, are you having second thoughts now?

Why wouldn’t I? Dena retorts. You were right, what we are about to do is crazy. I can’t believe you let me talk you into this.

No, I can’t believe you talked me into this! I’m usually the one that’s bending the rules. But I’m a firm believer everything that happened these past couple of days was not a coincidence. Like the pills, you meeting Riti, and the captain’s prophecy.

Yeah, that is kind of eerie!

Eerie or predestined? Look, I’m not trying to sound all weird or anything, but something much stronger than Dena pulled me off the Arvelee and I got a pretty good feeling we will soon find out what.

Dena hugs Locy with one arm. You’re absolutely right.

The two mosey through the lofty Tamin hallways and admire the differences. From the arousing smells, their clothing and erotic decor used throughout the ship.

Dena sighs. I have to admit Locy, this ship is so beautiful. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before!

Probably because you haven’t seen it before?

Shut up! Dena quickly mutters. This ship got me curious to know what other city ships look like in our division. Like the Mershon or the Irgini?

Let’s do it. Let’s add all the ships we want to travel to on our way to the Beverod.

Deal!

Comically, Locy clears her throat. But first, you owe me food, if I’m not mistaken.

You are mistaken, because I won the bet.

~~~~

Kulinda adjusts her glasses and picks up Grae’s folder from the table. Theft, vandalism, card possession, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, simple assault and 4 counts of trespassing. Grae I don’t think you have much of a choice. I’m willing to make all this go away.

Grae shrugs. In exchange for what?

The mysterious woman smiles. To help us find Nulo?

Grae frowns. What makes you think I know where he’s at?

Because we’ve seen the two of you together and we know you’re planning something. All you have to do is find Nulo, wearing this tracking device and let us hear what he knows.

Grae decides to take advantage of her ignorance and begins to play along. He leans back in his chair and asks. And my name will be totally cleared, correct?

Kulinda nods. You have my word. You can even take your bag of stolen goodies along with you. Kunlinda throws it in front of him and unzips it to see everything still inside.

Grae rolls his eyes and lightly nods.

Perfect! Kulinda leans over with a key and unlocks Grae’s shackled wrists.

Grae slowly stands. But what if I change my mind?

Kulinda whispers, You can’t afford to!

Grae laughs, My life is filled with threats and that was one of the weakest. So you can take your so called blackmail and use it on someone else because I’m not setting up no one.

So be it. Kulinda backs away and presses a blinking button on her TDA.

Grae hears a stampede of Iota soldiers approaching outside the interrogation room and reaches for his bag. To his surprise, Kulinda throws exploding blue dust into Grae’s eyes.

Kulinda calmly exits and salutes him, It was a pleasure officer.

Argh! Grae continues to hold his face and tries regain his sight blinking. He scurries around the room and falls backward over a chair.

The soldiers are getting closer.

Grae lifts a stack of boxes in front of the door and stumbles upon a possible exit for himself. His sight is still blurry. Grae feels a small opening in a lower corner of the room. Grae grunts. My stuff.

Grae runs over to retreive his bag to find it has been taken again. He’s defenseless and the Iota soldiers are outside the door. Grae hides himself under the table and waits as the soldiers completely enter. He sits on his knees and watches their feet protrol the loft. Without warning, Grae yanks the last soldier off her feet and drags her under.

She yells, He’s down here!

Grae uses her arm cannon to fire at the others.

The remaining soldiers position themselves return shots but to only hit Grae’s captive.

Okay, I give up! Grae mutters.

The Iota soldiers closes in and continues to fire.

Desperately, Grae snatches a bomb off her vest and screams, Stay where are. I have a gernade and I’m not afraid to use it. Grae slips his finger inside the pin and repeats, I’m serious.

Grae hears, Cease fire!

One by one, they surrender their hands.

Grae slowly peaks up and crawls from under the table. He stands to his feet and backs himself towards the exit. Grae smiles, There you go, be smart. Let’s not be unessacessary heros. We can all keep our lives today. Nobody moves until I’m all the way down the hall, understood?

Grae reaches the doorway but backs his head into the barrel of an arm cannon.

Going somewhere buddy?

Grae reconizes the voice and sighs, Sultri.

Yup once again. Sultri kindly asks, Can you slowly take your finger out of the pin before I blow your brains out?

Grae drops the gernade and raises both of his hands.

Thank you sir. Sultri aggressively grabs Grae’s arm and says, Come with me. Kulinda has a surprise for you.

~~~~

Dena and Locy begin to pass an amenities room and Locy pounces on Dena’s back. Oh my goodness, look how huge their swimming pool is!

Shh! Dena whispers. We’re supposed to blend in, remember? Act normal, as if this is our home.

I’m sorry, but how can you not scream at the sight of that bubbling pool and spa?

Dena double-takes and reads the sign. Does that say the steam room has massaging seats?

Yes, it does.

Locy and Dena press their faces up against the tinted glass with all professionalism forgotten. They gaze through courtyard recreational options and begin to plan out their night.

This is paradise! Locy shouts. And I’m never going back to the Arvelee!

Me neither, so let’s make a truce.

Locy frowns. A truce?

Yeah, a sort of toast.

I’m not stupid; I know what a truce is. I was asking because a truce and toast are two different things.

Dena shrugs. Okay, whatever. Let’s make a deal, an agreement, okay?

Locy sighs. But now you got me all worked up for a toast. And we all know the requirements for a toast are glasses filled with drinks, which I sure could use right now.

Ugh, you are really ruining my moment.

Yeah, because at this very moment, we don’t have booze in our hands. But don’t worry, there’s a bar right over there we can grab a bottle from.

I’m done with this conversation. Now I’m back to my truce.

But a truce is an agreement with an enemy?

I know! Dena extends her hand and says, I need for you to agree you won’t open your mouth until we get to the Beverod.

I’m not agreeing to that.

Dena stomps back down the hall. Locy follows after her, apologizing. I’m sorry, Dee, I was just playing around. You’re officially the boss and I’ll do whatever. Now say what you were going to say.

Nope, the moment’s gone.

Locy cries, So you really don’t want me to talk? That’s almost impossible.

Before Dena can answer, she hears foreign voices slowly approaching. Dena quiets Locy by drawing her attention towards the upcoming voices. Suddenly, three Tamin officers appear from the corner and each courteously speaks to the girls. Locy breaks protocol and flirts with bouncing eyebrows and puckered lips.

Dena holds her chest and watches them until they reached the end of the hall.

Locy slaps Dena’s arm. Did you see the one on the left? Oh, he was gorgeous. I almost exploded when he waved at me.

You see? This is why I want that silent truce, so you won’t get us both killed.

What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything.

Dena mocks her. But what if Mr. One-On-The-Left had stopped to talk to you? We would’ve been caught because we don’t speak Tamin.

Is this my fault? Must I remind you that you’re the one who lost our cards in the first place? Dena rolls her eyes and heavily grunts, walking away from Locy.

~~~~

Paxo’s TDA vibrates and reads, Still no word on Nulo! He types, Copy, please keep me updated if you hear anything. Paxo enters the PGR and checks the jumping numbers displayed. He flicks a bunch of tiny switches to reactivate the mezzanine power and grunts, I hope this helps somewhat!

Director Arooni re-enters the room and asks, I thought you said the Arvelee would soon be back in motion? How are there still Variables pirating on my boat?

The power outage affected our rear thrusters, which automatically sunk the hull at a forty-five degree angle, and we’re way below standard knots.

Speak normally, Arooni demands.

Paxo sighs. We are treading a little under twenty knots instead of sixty-five.

Are you kidding me? This ship is a floating buffet.

I know!

Arooni stares at the ship’s monitor and demands, Call in the next scheduled shift of commanders and let them know they’ll be starting early.

Okay, but our TDAs are really blotchy right now. They’ll soon be manually rebooted from our cell towers, though.

What else can possibly go wrong?

All of a sudden, two maphletes rush in with boxes and drop them at Paxo’s feet. We found a few more of these on B deck.

Arooni asks. What are they?

Paxo reaches inside the box and pulls out one of the mysterious blinking cubes. Holds it up and says, We don’t know, but in our pursuit to find Nulo they keep finding them hidden all around the Arvelee.

Arooni grabs hold and rotates it. Could they be bombs?

That’s what I thought at first, but there wasn’t any sign of explosives. Paxo discreetly pulls Arooni to a back closet and whispers, But, I think we’re being recorded.

Arooni looks around and mouths, By whom?

Paxo points to the ceiling, insinuating the mysterious Iotas.

~~~~

Dena has now traveled to a soldier’s deli adjacent to the arena. She stays hidden and skims through the line of Tamin pedestrians hoping she’ll find Riti, her missing companion. Dena knows without the cards she doesn’t stand a chance making it onto the Beverod. Dena whispers, Please be here.

Locy sneaks up behind Dena and tickles her sides. Hey.

Dena jumps and says, "Why would you do something like that? You almost scared the life out of