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    Gus: Heroes of the League, #16
    Gus: Heroes of the League, #16
    Gus: Heroes of the League, #16
    Ebook396 pages5 hours

    Gus: Heroes of the League, #16

    By Frank Carey

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    About this ebook

    Gus spent twenty years finding things lost by others. Only one thing eluded him, redemption.

    Can his immortal friends help Gus find his way? Can Gus go full circle from the events on the River's Edge to redemption.

    Gus is the sixteenth book in Frank Carey's Heroes of the League series. 356 pages.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFrank Carey
    Release dateMay 5, 2018
    ISBN9781386551744
    Gus: Heroes of the League, #16
    Author

    Frank Carey

    Frank Carey has been formally writing and publishing works of science fiction since late 2013. Over the years prior, he had dabbled in various forms of writing including haiku poetry, but that all changed when he and his wife, Jo, decided to try their hand at writing and self-publishing. Since then, he has written and published a collection of flash fiction and short stories, two anthologies, a pentalogy, and a trilogy. All his work, to date, has been in the science fiction genre. Most of his stories take place about two centuries in the future when Earth joins the League of Planetary Systems. Many of his protagonists are strong females. He is an inveterate pantser who believes the story will go where the story wants to go. Frank’s background includes degrees in physics and extensive work as a scientific programmer and technologist.

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      Book preview

      Gus - Frank Carey

      CHAPTER ONE: Flashback

      Twenty years ago, aboard the Storen Trade Ship River’s Edge...

      It was deep into the ship's late shift as Gus finished his repairs on the ship's auxiliary control console. The River’s Edge was a good ship, but she was showing her age in places, especially the backup systems. A shipment of needed parts had caught up with them at the last port, and Gus wanted to get them installed before something original decided to take the long nap, thus his spending his off-time installing parts in the darkened engine room.

      One last check and I'll be able to connect you back into the system, Old Girl, he said lovingly to the panel. Gus was one of those Storens who personified every piece of equipment he came into contact with. His father, Nelson Curran, the first Storen space freighter captain to take his entire family into space, was a river Storen who felt that every machine had a river spirit attached to it to guide its user. His mother, Theresa Curran, also a mountain Storen a good eight inches taller than her husband, felt the complete opposite. To her, machines were nothing more than necessary evils that had to be tolerated.

      The sound of a blaster powering up interrupted Gus's musings. Come out of there, a rough voice ordered in Standard. Gus extricated himself from the console and found himself facing two spacesuited figures.

      Who the hell are you? he asked in the surly voice his father tried to teach him.

      The larger of the two intruders pressed a button on his sleeve, retracting his helmet to reveal a male, river Storen with dark tan fur marred by a jagged white stripe running down his forehead and the bridge of his nose. My name is Glant. Do as I tell you, and no one will get hurt. He nodded toward the wall-mounted view screen. On it was a feed from the bridge. Gus could see his family held at gunpoint by a group of nasty looking individuals.

      Gus looked at his captor. What do you want?

      Your pa locked-down the ship, and we need access to the forward hold. Release the computer and no harm will come to you or your family. You have my word.

      And if I refuse?

      You watch them die before I kill you myself. Then we take the ship to a boneyard and open the forward hold with a can opener.

      There's nothing in the forward hold except a crate of machine parts destined for Stora, nothing valuable to kill for, Gus pointed out. You do know who this ship works for, don't you?

      Yes, I do, and no, I don't care. Computer access! Now! he yelled. He stabbed Gus in the ribs with a blaster for emphasis.

      Gus thought quickly. Maybe if he tackled the other suited figure, Glant wouldn't fire. He looked at the viewer and knew his family would die if he tried anything. He made his first mistake. Computer, release, release, release, Gustav 5-8-7 actual.

      Working... All systems and locks released.

      Gus watched his father scream in anger. Glant reached over and turned up the volume so that Gus could hear his father curse his name in ancient Storen. In seconds, Gus went from son to nothing.

      That didn't go well, Glant said as he reached over and tapped a switch. Gus made his second mistake. He froze as the Storen activated the Bridge airlock in emergency mode. Gus screamed and leapt at the pilot, but Glant calmly stunned him just as the lock opened and everyone on the bridge was sucked into the void. The last thing Gus saw as he slammed into a wall was the looks on his family's faces as they died in the cold vacuum of space.

      ###

      Gus woke up on the floor. Slowly, he sat up, his ribs on fire where they had impacted the wall. Slowly, he remembered what had happened. Standing up despite the agony of his injuries, he made his way to the console. Computer, crew status.

      One crewperson present in engineering.

      Full space scan to one light-year, he ordered in desperation.

      Working. Space is clear to one light-year.

      Bridge view.

      The Bridge was empty.

      Where are we?

      The computer reeled off a set of coordinates.

      System status.

      FTL scrammed. Real-space engines scrammed. Thrusters out. Life support on emergency power. Forward hold open to space...

      Stop. How long have I been out?

      One standard day.

      Think, Gus, what would Dad do? Computer, playback autolog starting twenty five hours ago.

      Gus watched the pirates—he was sure they were pirates—as they boarded the ship and killed the crew. The log continued, showing what happened after. Computer, stop playback. Record following and append to log.

      Working. Recording.

      Gus recounted what he remembered. I take full responsibility for this disaster, and  I offer my life in the hope that it is payment enough to see safe passage down the Great River for my family. As the only living heir, I designate my Uncle Stavros as sole beneficiary of all family holdings which I now control. Gustav Curran out. Computer, launch log buoy. Launch all EPIRBS. Activate emergency beacons. Standby for whole-ship shutdown.

      Working. Standing by.

      Gus made his way to the empty bridge. On the way, he made a quick stop at the infirmary.

      The Bridge was quiet when he arrived, there was no sign that over a dozen people had died here. Gus sat down in the pilot's seat and strapped himself in before swallowing the bottle full of tranquilizers he had retrieved from Sickbay. Computer, activate ship-standby, he ordered as consciousness slipped from him for the last time.

      ###

      As Gus fell into a coma, two figures appeared on the Bridge. One was a woman, tall, statuesque, with flaming red hair. The other had the body of a human body builder and the head of a hawk.

      We seem to be too late, the body builder said as he walked over and placed his hand on Gus's shoulder.

      Is he alive? the woman asked.

      Yes, barely.

      Then mitigate it! She ordered.

      Is that not interfering? he asked as his hand glowed.

      Zeus can ream me a new one later. Right now, we have to save the young Storen.

      Whole ship shutdown in thirty seconds, the computer announced.

      What is that? the beaked one asked.

      He set the ship to mothball itself until help arrives. Environmental controls lower the ship's ambient temperature to below minus forty Celsius and the pressure to just above vacuum.

      Can you stop it?

      Not for the whole ship, but I can for the Bridge, she said while examining a wall. Ripping off an access cover, she reached inside the wall. With a loud ripping noise, she tore out a module, crushing it in the process. That'll do it. Bridge environmental is on emergency standby and will stay that way until someone replaces that part.

      I can see why the others have never called you subtle, he said as he removed his hand. He will sleep now. You do realize that the three of us are bonded now.

      The woman nodded. As it was destined to be. She stopped and listened. A Starguard ship has picked up his beacon. It will rendezvous inside of a day. Will he be alright if we leave him?

      Yes. He will be fine.

      The woman walked around and placed her hand on the captain's control console

      Logs are taken care of. No one will know we were here. We should go. She leaned down and kissed the top of Gus's head. Sleep well, Gus. There is much for you to do.

      They were gone, Leaving Gus to his dreams.

      ###

      Starguard rendezvoused with the River’s Edge the next day. The medics found the empty pill bottle and marveled that the young Storen was still alive.

      ###

      Gus opened one eye and looked up at the ceiling as the pain in his head attempted to crack open his skull.

      Ah, Mr. Curran. Welcome back.

      He opened his other eye. Ungh, he mumbled as his eyeballs seemingly cramped. He turned his head and saw a young Storen woman with a stethoscope around her neck holding his wrist. Is it working? he asked.

      She smiled. Why yes it is. I'm Dr. Narris. How do you feel?

      Like a truck ran over me. Where am I?

      Ventos Prime General Hospital. We were the closest facility. What do you remember?

      He stopped as memories flooded his mind. Why did you save me?

      Ever hear of the Oath of Minar? The humans call it the Hippocratic Oath. You know, the one that says I can't let you die?

      "Yeah, I know it. I think it starts with a line about first doing no harm. I think the log entry on the Edge made it abundantly clear that I'm already dead. All you've done is delay the inevitable."

      What are you talking about?

      My father disowned me. He blamed me for allowing a bunch of pirates access to our computer core, access which was used to space my family and a number of other pirates. Do you know who my maternal grandfather is?

      No, who?

      Kayleth Rennick, the last of the great warriors of the Mountain Storens. He feels most strongly that disowned Storens are a blight on the planet and should be dispatched with great alacrity.

      Narris stared at him. I thought those were tales to scare children.

      So did I, until I watched him do it at a family function when I was twelve. I promise you, his victim felt no pain.

      That's horrible.

      No, that's Granpa Kayleth when he's angry. So, I'm a dead Storen. Well, Doctor, how did you pull off such a miracle?

      I didn't... We didn't save you. When Starguard brought you in, you were in a deep sleep. They gave us the pill bottle. We assumed you had taken the whole bottle, so we pumped your stomach and injected you with two courses of nanorobotic scavengers. That's when we started scratching our heads.

      And such a pretty head. What was the cause of your consternation?

      You had thirty capsules of a tranquilizer formulated to knock out an angry Goranthi in your stomach for forty-eight hours before twenty-nine of them decided to start dissolving.

      What did you say?

      Mr. Curran, your heart and respiration should have stopped no more than ten minutes after you took those pills. Instead, you had a good sleep. The scavenger bots found nothing to scavenge, and I have a dozen pharmacologists pulling their hair out trying to figure out why you're alive. As for you family, I'm not quite sure what to do...

      Do nothing. Grandpa prefers to do his own wet work. Gus lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

      Oh, I almost forgot. You have two friends waiting for you outside. One's a human woman and the other is a not human male.

      Not human? What's that supposed to mean?

      You'll see. Call the nurse if you need anything.

      When can I get out of here?

      Soon. Now rest, she said, walking out. Moments later, two people walked in, a woman and something. Gus sat up and stared. The woman was a beautiful human with flaming red hair, a very rare color on his home world. The man—if you could call him that—had a muscular, human body—possibly a weight lifter—topped by the head of a hawk.

      What the hell are you? Gus blurted out.

      Complicated, the hawk-headed man said.

      Gus turned to the woman and stopped. Have we met before?

      "Yes, aboard the River’s Edge. I thought you were out at the time."

      You two saved me, why? How? Who the hell are you two anyway?

      She smiled. My name is Minerva, but you can call me Minnie. My friend here is Horus.

      Horus closed the door, then the two sat near the young Storen. A long time ago, a group of advanced, and very long-lived, beings came to this part of space. They interacted with the locals, helping them find their own versions of civilization. Eventually, these beings—call them immortals—moved on. Well, now they have returned, using the InterWeb and your ships to travel from planet to planet.

      For what purpose?

      To meddle, Horus said. We are quintessential busy bodies.

      I like him, Gus said. So what does this have to do with me?

      One of our kind is a soothsayer, a seer of possible futures. It is their opinion that you will be instrumental in determining the course of the future of not only the League, but another civilization as well.

      OK, this is some psych test the doc is giving me, right? She wants to see if I've got a screw loose, WELL IT AIN’T GONNA WORK!

      You don't believe us? Horus asked.

      No, I don't. All that you've told me is on the log tapes, including my taking a bottle of pills. I can't believe a Storen doctor doesn't know about family honor and what it means to be disowned by a parent. Well, I do, and I know what the protocols are. Now, you two nice people get the hell out of this room and leave me the hell... He stopped when the door into the room became part of the wall as Horus turned into a small owl and jumped up on Minnie's shoulder, Meanwhile, Minnie's rather stylish jeans and blouse transformed into a gold armor top and white linen skirt with gold greaves. She literally glowed with the light of the sun as she stood there leaning against a very sharp looking spear.

      Gus passed out.

      Too much? she asked the owl.

      Maybe just a little, he said as she caught him, picked him up, and laid him back in bed.

      Slowly, he came-to. He looked at her, calmly. OK, I can admit when I'm wrong. You two are either gods or immensely powerful aliens. If the latter, please tell me you're not here to harm the League or its people.

      She knelt down next to him. Horus and I are here to teach you and guide you. We can no more harm the people you cherish then the river can run uphill. The three of us are bonded until the king says otherwise. She helped him back to a sitting position on the side of the bed. He noticed that Horus was back to Mr. Universe form while the door had returned, Meanwhile, Minnie was back in jeans and a blouse,

      Reaching into a pocket, she extracted a pendant on a silver chain. On the pendant was the likeness of an owl. This signifies our bonding, she said, placing the necklace around his neck. You can contact us through this. We can also stay inside it during your travels. We have much to teach you. Are you up to the task?

      He frowned as he decided. Yes, at least I think I am. He suddenly yawned, the room light glinting off his sizable canines. Damn, I'm suddenly so tired. He fell over, fast asleep.

      He needs rest, mistress, Horus said.

      She covered him with a blanket. Sleep well, young Gustav, for you have much to do.

      He was alone in the room, his only companions those who inhabited his dreams.

      CHAPTER TWO

      The sound of hammering broke the morning stillness as the cargo handlers prepared archaeological samples for shipment back to Alyson. Overhead, the unfamiliar stars of the Large Magellanic Cloud were giving way to the light of dawn.

      The planet—named Cerberus—was located only four light-years from Arctillus, home to both the Basili and Sokuhl refugees from the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Malroth, the original inhabitants of the planet. Found during a recent automated survey of the space surrounding Arctillus, Cerberus was the home of a once great civilization, one which had abruptly died out millennia ago. Not only was Cerberus rich with artifacts left by its previous occupants, the planet itself possessed an environment similar to that of Earth, Ventos Prime, and the Sokuhl home world, making exploration of its surface a shirt-sleeve affair.

      Standing off to one side were the survey team leader, Jarrus Miln, a Basili archaeologist from Arctillus, and Milo Toss, a Malroth xenohistorian. That's it, Milo, the hold of the mother ship is filled, and we are done with the survey. We break orbit in two hours, then it’s back to Arctillus.

      That's when the work begins, Milo commented. My team and I have months of work ahead of us before presenting our findings to the Historical Society.

      Tannith and her people are acting like kids in a candy store, Jarrus said, referring to Dr. Tannith Aymar-Scott, Society Chairwoman.

      And why not? The Society is being funded by the League of Planetary Systems, The Confederation of Planets, and Arctillus. Expansion is in the air, but it's waiting for people like us to make sure we're not trampling the past.

      Thank the Creator for that small favor. Remember the good old days when we had less than a week to survey a site before the earth movers tore it to shreds?

      Milo shook his head. I remember all too well. Times have changed, thankfully.

      As the two scholars talked, the handlers loaded the last crate into the shuttle’s hold. Finally, the captain walked over. Doctors, we're ready to go.

      With a final look around the landing area, the three survey team members boarded the ship. As it took off, no one aboard noticed the figure watching them from a nearby copse of trees.

      Once the shuttle and its occupants were out of sight, the figure stepped out into the sunlight before taking a device out of its clothing. Danyr, this is Nero. They're gone, Boss, he said into the radio. He was tall, thin, with a long face and ears to match. He was dark in color with pale blue eyes and three pony tails. He looked bored.

      Are they coming back?

      They plan to. Something about months. They have to present their findings to something called the Historical Society. What the hell is a historical society anyway?

      A bunch of people interested in the past. We, on the other hand, are interested in the Tegan future. Set a perimeter sensor and get back to the ship. We have a lot to do before our friends from the League of Planetary Systems return to pillage this place.

      But Boss, I thought we were here to retrieve a weapon.

      We are, Nero, but it never hurts to kill two fliers with one bullet. Now, get your ass back here. We have work to do.

      Yes, Danyr. As you command. He placed the radio back in his vest before heading back through the ancient streets to where the ship was hidden.

      He arrived at a clearing in a large copse of trees which had taken over part of the ancient city. There were no life sounds—no birds, no insects, no life—except for the wind which made its way through forest. Nero hated it here. He preferred someplace a little less dead. Using his radio once more, he made his arrival known. "Liberty, this is Nero. I need a door, please."

      A hatch and a ramp leading up to it appeared near the middle of the clearing as the stealth field surrounding the ship was adjusted. With a last look around, Nero entered the ship.

      Welcome back, Nero, the second in command said as the hatch closed behind the scout. You've got about ten minutes before Boss Lady's briefing.

      Thank you, sir, Nero said as he headed to the mess for a bite and a cup of brew. He didn't realize how hungry he was until the aroma from the mess hit his nostrils. Being an insurrectionist wasn't an easy life, but the grub was fantastic.

      A chime sounded as he sat down with a hand meal and brew. Attention. This is Danyr. The leaguers have departed, so we can begin our search for the weapon. Somewhere on this planet are the remains of a ship and a weapon system of indescribable power. You have been briefed on what we are looking for. You will be assigned to search teams until further notice. The fate of the Tegan race is in our hands, so failure is not an option. Danyr out.

      Nero wolfed down his meal before getting seconds. The search looked to be a long one, and he didn't need to be slowed down by hunger.

      ###

      Three months of searching turned up nothing. What started as a quick in-and-out mission, turned into a long, drawn-out quest, and Danyr was not happy about it.

      How hard can finding a wrecked ship on a dead planet be? she yelled as she threw her stylus down on the table.

      Ma'am, part of our problem is the material these buildings are made of. It interferes with our scans, the first officer explained. This has slowed us down considerably. We only know that a ship carrying the weapon had a problem and the survivors landed on this planet and were never heard from again. It's a big planet and its mostly covered by ruins containing a high concentration of a material that blocks scanning.

      Nero hurried in. Ma'am?

      Yes, Nero, what is it?

      The captain just got word that a ship carrying a League archaeological expedition is on its way here from Arctillus. ETA is two days.

      A full expedition?

      That's what he says, ma'am.

      She looked at her first officer. Quinto, what do you know of the League?

      A collection of over forty planets with species as varied as snowflakes in a storm. Hell, some of them fly and at least one breathes fire. Their tech is about three decades ahead of ours, especially space drives and instrumentation.

      Their scanners?

      I'd kill to get my hands on one. I hear they can even tell if something isn't from this universe.

      Excuse me?

      They've proven the multiverse theory and have had dealings with beings from one of the nearby verses. All their current scanner models can detect energy signatures from other verses.

      And they ask permission to visit our planets?

      Boss, no offense, but not everyone is a conquering barbarian. How the hell do you think they got so many planets to join their League?

      I'll believe it when I see it, she said. My experiences leave me jaded. So, do you think these archaeologists have these scanners?

      Oh, I'd bet a week's pay they have them and other tools we can only dream of. Considering the fees they've been paying the Tegan government just to land here, those scholars probably have iridium-plated faucets in the ship's heads.

      Danyr tugged at one of her ponytails—due to her highborn status, she had four of them, all with gold rings tying their ends. I've got an idea.

      Yes, mistress?

      Archaeologists find things, right?

      That's a little simplistic, but yes, they find things...

      We're heavily armed, right?

      Ma'am, we can't shoot them!

      We're not going to shoot them. We'll just convince them to find the ship for us.

      And when they're finished?

      Maroon them here while we get the hell out of town with the weapon. A rescue ship will be sent the minute they're declared overdue. Meanwhile, we go on to phase two of our project before the Tegan government is the wiser.

      Boss... Danyr, we can't shoot these scholars. They have nothing to do with our problems. They've come here to learn, then share that learning with us.

      Why do you think I'm going to shoot them?

      Why are you the only female on this planet? Why is it only Nero and I make it a point to interact with you? The men love you like a mother and will die for you in a heartbeat, but you scare the shit out of them. You're a Tegan female, the fiercest of all warriors. It is expedient for you to kill every one of those scholars, so why wouldn't you?

      For now, at least, it suits my purposes, Brother. Maybe all those tutors father hired to teach me civilized manners got through to me. Besides, what threat could a bunch of scholars be to a group of armed insurrectionists led by a mad Tegan female?

      What are your orders, mistress?

      I want you and Nero to come up with a plan to convince our scholarly friends to help us with our cause. Use as many of the boys as you see fit. You got that, Nephew?

      Yes, mistress! Nero said while bringing her tea.

      Nero, are you afraid of me?

      Nero looked at Quinto, who shrugged a reply. Yes, ma'am, but no more than I love you as my aunt.

      Good. Now, both of you, get to work.

      Yes, mistress, they said in unison before leaving her to formulate a plan.

      Males! she noted as she sipped her tea.

      CHAPTER THREE

      Sheila woke to the smell of breakfast as the light of the breaking dawn peaked through the bedroom window. Kiddo, I hope you like to eat, she said while rubbing her growing baby bump, because your dad loves to cook.

      After a brief stop at the loo, Sheila made her way downstairs. Stopping in the living room, she flipped on the League News Network where Madge Renfrew was reporting on the latest archaeological finds in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Love the bow, Madge, Sheila quipped. Madge, the League’s most popular newscaster, was known for wearing colored bows around one or more of her three eye stalks. Today, the young Alturan had chosen a lovely coral-hued ribbon for her center stalk.

      Sheila made her way to the kitchen where she found her husband, Dr. Kellen Matu Hardy, dressed in a ruffled apron and bunny slippers. She stopped and just stared at him.

      What? he asked while dishing up a plate of food for her. Around him were plates of cooked meats, eggs, pancakes, waffles, fruit, a carafe of juice, and a pot of coffee.

      I can't get past the sight of a two-meter-tall, winged dragon wearing an apron and bunny slippers. Are you trying to make me fat? she asked while she surveyed the banquet.

      A timer chimed. Kel bent down, then reappeared with a pan filled with fresh-baked scones. Yes. Sokuhl ladies are notorious for not eating properly during pregnancy. I want to make sure both you and our child are healthy and remain that way.

      Shaking her head at her husband’s doting, she grabbed a scone, singeing her fingers in the process. Don't you use oven mitts? she asked, noticing that he held the pan with a bare hand.

      Naw. Being a fire-breathing Basili has its advantages. Marmalade?

      Yes, please, she replied while taking the jar from him. We really need to thank the Earth ambassador for his planet inventing these things. She bit into one and purred.

      "Did I tell you one of my recipes is being featured at Lucien's Bake Shop at the Cube?"

      "Congrats! I'm not surprised. It's like you and the prince are having

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