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Earth Evolution Series: Volume 1
Earth Evolution Series: Volume 1
Earth Evolution Series: Volume 1
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Earth Evolution Series: Volume 1

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****For Adults Only****

Get the first 3 books in the Earth Evolution Series.
DESOLATION (Book 1)
RESISTANCE (Book 2)
ATONEMENT (Book 3)
In a world torn asunder by ignorance and violence, some will always revel in the chaos, preying on those just trying to survive. Heroes will rise from the ashes, and hope will come from the stars.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherKD Jones
Release dateFeb 17, 2017
ISBN9781943738397
Earth Evolution Series: Volume 1
Author

KD Jones

KD Jones has been a huge fan of both romance novels and science fiction novels since she was 16 years old. Her favorite television shows growing up were Star Trek and Doctor Who. When not writing, she can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, working on her hobby of photography, or spending time with her family.

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    Earth Evolution Series - KD Jones

    Earth Evolution Series

    Earth Evolution Series

    Bundle Volume 1 (Books 1-3)

    KD Jones

    Contents

    Desolation

    Prologue

    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

    Epilogue

    Resistance

    Prologue

    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

    Epilogue

    Atonement

    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

    Epilogue

    Best Selling Author KDJones

    KD Jones Book Series, Book List

    Earth Evolution Series Bundle Volume 1 (Books 1-3)


    By


    KD Jones

    Published by KD Jones at

    Copyright 2016 KD Jones


    All cover art and logo © Copyright KD Jones Publishing

    All rights reserved.

    All rights reserved:

    This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to actual persons living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations are strictly coincidental.

    This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book 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 reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit an approved vendor to purchase a copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Desolation

    Book 1 Earth Evolution Series

    Maggie James was sixteen years old when the Earth self-destructed. She’s spent the years since fighting to protect herself and the band of subway-dwelling misfits who took her in. Every day is a struggle to survive, and she’s seen the best and the worst of humanity. Hope seems lost until a tall, gorgeous hunk of a man from another world appears out of nowhere.


    Captain Liam Estros a soldier for the Drastan Nation who has been sent to investigate a mayday call over five years old. Believing the detour a waste of time, he doesn’t take the hunt for survivors seriously until he’s captured and taken hostage by a small human woman.


    In a world torn asunder by ignorance and violence, some will always revel in the chaos, preying on those just trying to survive. Heroes will rise from the ashes, and hope will come from the stars. Two hearts and two species. They must both overcome terrible odds to find love in desolation.

    Prologue

    Apocalypse is a frame of mind. . . . A belief. A surrender to inevitability. It is a despair for the future. It is the death of hope. - Jim Butcher


    This is freaking stupid! Maggie yelled out the window of her family’s car, stuck at a complete stop in traffic.

    It was hard to hear anything with the roar of the crowd all around them. They had been in the same spot for quite a while. Her father had left her with her mother and younger sister to try to find assistance. Ever since their state received the warning of possible disaster, people everywhere had been scrambling to get out of the main cities marked as targets.

    Margaret May James you will watch what you say! Her mother gave her a stern look.

    I didn’t cuss, I just said this was stupid. She didn’t think any of this was real. There was always someone claiming the end of the world was coming and everything was going to go to hell. Her father would say they were only trying to get people in a panic. But looking around at the traffic, still at a complete standstill, and the sudden mobs of people breaking into stores, it was making her question whether it might be real this time.

    Maggie’s father appeared, running back towards them, weaving in and out between the cars. Two soldiers in army uniforms followed close behind. Her father was Lt. Colonel David James, so this was a common sight.

    Look there’s daddy! Maggie’s thirteen-year-old sister Rachel called out as she leaned over onto Maggie’s side of the back seat.

    Get back on your side! Maggie shoved her back. Rachel was always trying to barge in or take whatever Maggie had. Since Maggie was sixteen and older she was supposed to overlook it, but it wasn’t fair how her parents always catered to whatever Rachel wanted.

    She glared at her perfect little sister. She had blond hair, like their mother, but shared Maggie and her dad’s blue eyes. Other than the eyes, though, the two of them really didn’t look anything alike. Maggie was taller with dark brown hair. She wasn’t as thin as Rachel but had a more athletic build. She loved playing sports at school. She was always on the track team or the swim team, whereas Rachel was the cheerleader type. Their father did insist that they both take martial arts class to learn how to defend themselves and Maggie loved it, but Rachel complained the whole time.

    David, what’s going on? her mother asked.

    Everyone get out of the car! her father yelled as he reached for two bags in the trunk.

    David, we have more than that to take, her mother insisted, trying to pull out the hastily packed suitcases. Rachel had two full ones, but Maggie had just crammed stuff in her book bag. She figured it was all nonsense and she would be back home by tomorrow after all the chaos calmed down.

    Leave it, Melissa! We don’t have time for it! Her father grabbed her mother’s arm with one hand and a bag in the other. One of the soldiers picked up the other bag and the other one started clearing a path for them. Maggie’s mom took hold of Rachel’s arm and began pulling her with them. Rachel, of course, didn’t bother to reach a hand out to Maggie, which was fine with her. Their father gave Maggie a brief, stern look. Keep up with us, Margaret!

    Maggie rolled her eyes. She and her father didn’t really see eye to eye. Her mom said it was because they were so much alike, but Maggie didn’t see it. All she saw was a man who chose his military career over his family time and time again. Her mother accepted it without question, but Maggie didn’t. She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice she had fallen further behind her family.

    Keep up! her father ordered, looking back at her. But he didn’t stop to wait for her.

    The two soldiers were ahead of them, trying to clear a path. She tried to catch up, but people kept getting in between her and her family.

    Oof! Maggie found herself knocked down on the ground. Ouch! People stepped on her hands, forcing tears into her eyes. She pushed her way back to her feet. When she could finally see the place she had last seen her dad, her whole family was gone. She couldn’t see them anywhere.

    For the first time, panic filled her heart as she ran and shoved her way through the crowed. Dad! Mom! She couldn’t breathe. There were so many people, too many. Someone grabbed her and yanked her around to face them.

    Take shelter girl! an elderly man yelled.

    What? Maggie asked, wiping the tears from her eyes. She hadn’t realized she was crying.

    The nukes are about to hit. We have to take shelter! the man told her.

    Where? Where should we go? Will my family be there?

    The subway station is the only option left! Follow me! The old man began to move in the opposite direction.

    Wait! The subway entrance is this way! She tried to pull him the other way, but he was stronger than he looked.

    That way is too crowded to get through. We’ll never make it to the subway entrance in time! He stopped at a manhole cover. He had a crowbar in his hands, which she hadn’t noticed before. He glared at her. Help me lift this!

    What? I’m not going in the sewers! Maggie shook her head.

    You can stay and die then!

    His harsh words rang in her head. Die then! She didn’t want to die. She was too young to die. She hadn’t even had a real boyfriend yet. She bent and helped the old man use the crowbar to lift the cover and shift it to the side. It was so heavy, they were both straining, even working together. Once they had shifted it far enough over, they let it drop down to the ground. The old man wasted no time lowering himself down onto the small ladder. She followed him down, feeling like Alice in Wonderland following the rabbit down the hole. What kinds of crazy would she find down below?

    How far down is this thing? she asked him as they descended.

    The initial climb down is about fifty feet. There are more ladders. It could go as far three hundred feet down in some places. We shouldn’t have to descend that deep, though. But we need to travel as far as we can; fifteen miles from here would be best.

    Where to? she asked.

    They had been moving at steady pace, but the old man suddenly stopped. When we get to the end of this system, it should connect somewhere with the subway station, he told her, already out of breath. He paused for a moment before he continued.

    Fifteen miles? That’s a long way and it takes a long time. I run track at school. It could take four hours to reach it. She looked at his limping form and heavy breathing. Maybe a little longer.

    I don’t know where the bomb will hit. If we can get fifteen miles from the site, we should be okay. Our city isn’t a prime target, so there’s a chance that it will hit outside the city. We’ve got to go as far as we can before the bomb hits.

    I don’t believe there is a . . . She was interrupted by a loud screeching sound. Everything around her, the ceiling and walls, shook and cracked. A blast of harsh, strong wind blew through the tunnel and knocked them both to the ground.

    Oh God, it’s happened, the old man said.

    What’s happened? Maggie covered her head with her hands to protect it from the debris falling everywhere.

    Desolation.

    1

    Five Years Later


    That’s right, bitch, you want some of this, you’re gonna have to give me a little something in return.

    Maggie stood stock still around the corner, listening to the exchange. Her friend Lily was trying get food rations from Harry the Tribe distributor, or as they called him, the shopkeeper. Harry was supposed to be in charge of making sure all the rations were distributed equally to all members of the tribe. Unfortunately, Harry was a complete ass, and definitely not interested in fairness. She had no idea why their previous Tribe Leader, Ben, had put this man in charge, or why her current Tribe Leader, Jerry, let him remain.

    I’m not going to sleep with you, Lily told him, shaking her head.

    Maggie moved closer so she could see them better. Lily had her little six-year-old son Thomas standing behind her. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Harry. Harry was a balding older man with missing teeth and was badly in need of a bath.

    Harry looked at the little boy and smiled with an evil glint in his eyes. Who said it had to be you that sleeps with me?

    You sick bastard! Lily pulled Thomas up in her arms. Harry stepped towards them, but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

    I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Maggie warned him. She was standing directly behind him and now moved just a little to the side. She directed Harry’s attention downward to the huge knife she had wedged up between his thighs.

    I didn’t do anything, Harry said, sweat beading on his forehead.

    Give Lily her rations.

    Fine! Just move the damn knife.

    Maggie nudged said knife up a bit further, pressing it firmly into his ball sack. If you ever talk to, look at, touch, or hurt any child in the Tribe, I will cut this all off and make you scream for hours. Then I’ll slit your throat. Do you understand me?

    You’re fucking crazy!

    I might be, but you’re a sick degenerate that needs to be put out with the dogs. Maggie removed the knife and tucked it into the side of her boot. Harry scrambled to get the rations, and practically threw the bag at Lily.

    They walked away, Harry grumbling and cursing after them. Maggie checked the bag to make sure that the right number of cans were in there. She was relieved to see there was a new bottle of vitamins. The tribe had lucked out a couple of years ago when they found a storage area full of medical supplies and bottles of vitamins and other supplements. People had been starting to feel the effects of lack of vitamin D.

    Lily looked at Maggie. Thank you.

    Maggie nodded. You would have done the same for me. We have to look out for each other.

    True. Lily agreed.

    We’re family! little Thomas said happily.

    That’s right, little rug rat. Maggie ruffled his curly hair. So why didn’t you wait for me to get back before you went for rations?

    Ben and his tribe came through, trading. I waited until they left. I thought this would be the perfect time to come down. Lily shot her a look.

    Tribes were what the subway-dwelling people called themselves, having organized themselves into many small groups of survivors living together. As far as Maggie knew, there were thousands and thousands of Tribes throughout the world, living underground.

    They were the rejects of Earth. When several countries had accidentally fired their nuclear weapons five years before, they had set off automatic launches worldwide. Some of the missiles were successfully diverted, but others hit their marks perfectly, devastating whole cities and towns. Others went off in the atmosphere.

    The world’s governments had been preparing for an event like this for years. Each country had invested in building underground bunkers, colloquially referred to as domes. Most of the major cities had one. Though the domes were supposed to be able to hold the majority of each city’s citizens, when the bombs finally did hit, not everyone was able to make it to a dome in time or, in some cases, even allowed inside when they did make it.

    That was where her father had been taking them that day five years ago. When the government issued the thirty-minute evacuation alarm, he packed them up and had them headed to the city’s dome, just outside city limits. When Maggie got separated from them, she would have died if it hadn’t been for the old man, Walter Marks.

    Maggie could still recall that terrifying journey through the sewers with Walter after he picked her up off the streets that day. She had followed him down into the sewers. Even though they had been deep below the surface when the bombs hit, they had still felt the impact. Walter had not only brought her down from the surface before the bomb hit, but he taught her how to survive in the subway stations. She remembered how it had been the day after the bomb hit.

    How long can we survive down here? She looked at Walter in concern.

    Honey, with the right supplies and tools, we can survive indefinitely. I worked for the subway transit system for near on thirty years before I retired. I learned a lot of stuff during my time with the transit. Did you know that most of the major cities with subway systems keeps miles and miles of subway tunnels closed and unused on purpose? They’ve been doing this for years.

    Why would they do that? she asked him.

    Storage, Walter said simply.

    I don’t understand.

    From what I understand, each major city has domes built in case of a nuclear fallout one day. They stocked up their domes, but the world’s population has been growing so fast, they weren’t sure it would be enough. They shut off parts of the subway system to use for storing more supplies. All we have to do is get to a subway tunnel that was recently active, then follow the tunnel until we find a section closed off.

    How long will that take?

    A couple of days.

    We’ll die before that! Maggie said in concern.

    No, we won’t. We will get thirsty, though. The sooner we can get to an active tunnel the better. An active tunnel system should have power. It’s all run on solar energy, after all. The city’s been trying to go green. There’ll also be water fountains that are supplied from well water half a mile below us. He put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. We’ll survive this. I promise.

    It took them three days to find those closed sections. Walter had told the truth about the sections being used for storage. They weren’t the only ones to find the storage tunnels. People fought one another over the supplies. Many people died. Some gangs formed that stole, terrorized, and killed people.

    Walter told her that there was safety in numbers. He insisted that they find a group to join. As different groups came together and broke off, they became known as the Tribes.

    Walter was valuable to their tribe because he knew the subways system better than anyone. He knew that there were even more storage sections to be found. He even told them there was one section that should lead directly beneath the dome, but he didn’t have a clue how to find those.

    The Tribes used the subway cars as housing. Maggie shared her car with Walter and Lily and Lily’s six-year-old son Thomas. She and Walter had met Lily and Thomas the first day they reached the main subway tunnel. She was holding her then one-year-old son in her arms as he slept. Lily was twenty-five years old and married to an air force pilot. The day the nukes were launched, her husband had called her and told her to try to get to the dome. But she didn’t make it that far before she had to take the entrance to the subway station.

    Maggie and Walter invited Lily and Thomas to live with them in their subway car. They would offer support and safety to one another. Having Walter live with them added a certain measure of protection. Not that Walter, being a much older man, was much protection, but he did have respect, not to mention an old army blade that he kept close by and was good at using.

    He was also the one to find the supply area with all the weapons the government had stockpiled. He refused to tell anyone but Maggie where it was. He went there only once and brought back an M4 rifle, two double-action revolvers, and a semi-automatic pistol. He gave the leader of the Tribe at the time, Ben, the semi-automatic pistol, he kept the rifle for himself, and he trained Maggie well on how to use her revolvers.

    Six months living in the subway was hard on Walter. He was already sixty-eight years old and couldn’t move around without it hurting. Maggie remembered the day she came back from scavenging for the Tribe and found him. Lily wasn’t home yet and Maggie was surprised to find Walter still in his bed. He had died in his sleep. His health had been slowly deteriorating since the day the bombs fell, but she felt like she had lost her family all over again.

    Maggie sometimes wondered if there had been foul play involved. There were others who were jealous of Walter for knowing about all the supply areas. When she found him dead, his shotgun was gone. She took his knife for herself and gave Lily one of her handguns, even though Lily wasn’t very good with a weapon.

    Walter dying was a catalyst for another event in Maggie’s life, one that changed her irrevocably. Without a man living in their subway car home, Maggie and Lily became easy targets for the other men in the Tribe. They had to take turns watching over one another and Thomas. But no matter how careful they were, it was impossible to be careful enough. Maggie learned that lesson the hard way.

    The tribe designated certain areas with water fountains as places where people could bathe. The women and children went separately from the men. One horrible night four and a half years ago, Maggie had gotten there late for bathing and thought she would just wash herself quickly. Ben, their Tribe leader, had snuck up behind her and attacked. He kicked her gun out of reach and beat her until she couldn’t move or fight him anymore.

    He had whispered, Be nice to me, Mags. He held her down as her hurt her. She screamed but no one came to help her. He wanted to drag her back to his subway car and keep her there. But had she managed to reach the knife hidden under her clothes. She cut the side of his face. While he was distracted, she took his semi-automatic and hit him in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. She grabbed her clothes and limped her way back to her subway car. Thomas was asleep but Lily was waiting up and she had her gun nearby.

    Lily treated her wounds and then went to get some of the other Tribe members. Maggie was thoroughly embarrassed to have to tell so many people what had happened to her. She couldn’t even look at Corey, the boy she had been crushing on since she and Walter joined his tribe. He was so hot with red hair and the warmest brown eyes. He was twenty years old, but she was only sixteen and a half and he looked at her like a little girl most of the time. She didn’t want to see how Corey would look at her now.

    The tribe brought Ben forth to question him. They had a hard time believing her. Ben had been a strong leader, not always fair, but he got the job done. He was blond haired and considered attractive by most of the women in the tribe. Ben tried to deny it what he had done claiming that Maggie pursued him. But the evidence was stacked against him. He had been found naked on the floor of the bathing area, with Maggie’s blood all over him and the floor. The Tribe had no choice but to find Ben guilty of the assault.

    There was only one form of punishment in the subways: banishment. He was stripped of his supplies and weapons and left with nothing. But Ben didn’t leave alone; he convinced a group of friends to leave with him.

    She wished that had been the last she had seen of Ben. But he came back periodically with his own little rebel tribe to trade supplies. Maggie always made sure that she, Lily, and Thomas were protected whenever he showed up. Ever since the attack, Corey would come by their subway car to check up on them, and he tried to be nearby whenever Ben was in the vicinity. Despite her initial shame and embarrassment, Corey proved to be a true friend to Maggie.

    She did her best to put the incident behind her. However, every time Ben visited and traded with her tribe, it not only reminded her of the innocence he had stolen, but also of the deeper scar left on her soul, the loss of her child.

    The assault had resulted in her ending up pregnant. After the shock of realizing she was pregnant wore off, she came to want the baby. It was a part of her, almost like having her family back with her.

    So there she was not quite seventeen and pregnant. She didn’t know anything about having babies. She was scared beyond belief. She had been three when Rachel was born. But as the baby grew in her womb, she felt a deep connection and began looking forward to holding her little one. But five months into the pregnancy, she miscarried. It had been a little girl that she named Darla. She only got to hold her baby once in her arms, but she would hold her in her heart and soul forever.

    She was grateful for Lily, Thomas, and Corey. They were there for her and kept her going when she would have given up. She learned hard lessons but ones that were essential to survival.

    Subway living was a hard life, but they found a way to not only survive, but to survive as a family. That didn’t mean a day went by she didn’t think about her mom, dad, or even Rachel. She wished she could have been a better sister when she had had the chance. That chance was gone now. This had become her life and she was going to make the best of it.

    Maggie’s thoughts brought her back to her conversation with Lily about Ben. How long were they here for this time?

    A couple of hours. Looked like they found them some more weapons.

    Shit! Did they bother you? Maggie quickly checked Lily and Thomas over to make sure they were okay.

    I didn’t really see Ben, but Taylor stopped by the sub car. Taylor was Ben’s right-hand man. He wasn’t as bad as Ben, but there was a ruthlessness about him that Maggie didn’t like.

    Taylor wanted Lily. Every time he was in the area, he stopped by and tried to convince her to leave with him. Lily had spent some time with him before the whole incident with Ben, but when Taylor chose to follow Ben, Lily ended things between them. Maggie always felt bad about that, though Lily swore she would have ended things anyway. Taylor might have wanted Lily but he did not want Lily’s son Thomas. That was a done deal for Lily. She wouldn’t give up her son for anyone.

    Did he try anything?

    Lily shook her head. He just talked. He wanted me to leave Thomas with you and come away with him.

    God, he’s an idiot. How many times does he have to ask and hear you say no before he finally gets it? Maggie said, shaking her head.

    I know. He honestly thinks I would leave my son for him. He’s delusional.

    Well, he is friends with Ben, so his mind frame is questionable.

    I was worried at first that he wasn’t going to leave and I was going to have to shoot him or something. But then Corey stopped by and it pissed Taylor off enough that he finally left.

    Corey came by? Why?

    He knew that Ben was around and he was worried about you. He’d do anything to protect you, Lily told her.

    Maggie shrugged. He’s just being a good friend.

    Honey, that man has the hots for you bad.

    What? Maggie blushed. Once, a long time ago, she had a crush on Corey, but after what happened with Ben, she didn’t think about men that way at all. Corey only thinks of me as a little girl.

    Lily snorts. He sees you for the woman you are now. Don’t you notice him watching you whenever the two of you are in the same place?

    I . . . She didn’t know what to say.

    Lily smiled and pointed ahead of them. See what I mean.

    Maggie looked up and there he was, leaning against the side of their subway car with his arms crossed. His red hair was shoulder length, but he kept it tied back. He was taller now, about six feet three inches, and despite the thinness to his frame, he still managed some nice muscle definition. Of course, everyone in the tribes was on the thin side. Corey Nash was still the best looking guy she had ever seen, before the bomb or after the bomb. He smiled at her and she felt the heat rise in her face again.

    Like I said, he has the major hots for you, honey, Lily whispered.

    2

    Captain Estro, report to the command deck immediately!

    Liam sighed as he turned off the showerhead. He stepped out of the shower and dried off. He quickly donned his dark uniform and stepped out of his bedroom to find his younger brother Kyle lounging on the couch.

    Uh oh, brother, what did you do this time?

    Nothing, Liam insisted as he straightened his uniform and left his family suite. He strutted down the ship’s corridors to the lift that would take him to the command deck. He wasn’t in so much of a hurry that he couldn’t take the opportunity with a couple of passing female cadets, though.

    Good evening, he said with a wink. They giggled but kept going. He paused to admire the view.

    Captain Estro, the Commander is awaiting you.

    Liam turned to find Lt. Commander Jalen standing behind him. I am on my way, Lt. Commander. He followed his father’s second-in-command to the lift. What’s this all about?

    That’s for the Commander to explain, Jalen replied primly. I was just told to come and get you. They didn’t say anything else as the lift carried them to the top level of their Drastan Battleship.

    Liam wondered how long this tour would last before they headed home for some down time.

    He was on board the same ship with his two brothers, Jared and Kyle, under their father, Devlon, as the Commander of the ship. None of them got along with their father, so he wasn’t sure why all three of them were on tour with him. The latest tour had lasted almost two years now, and they were all ready to get off this ship.

    The lift stopped on the top level. The Lt. Commander escorted him down the corridor. Halfway down, Jalen stopped beside a door on the right, which opened automatically. Inside, Liam’s father was waiting for him, arms crossed over his chest and a disappointed look on his face.

    Captain Liam Estro reporting in as requested, sir, Liam said.

    What took you so long, Captain?

    I was in the shower, sir, Liam said, standing in front of his father with his legs apart and his hands folded behind his back.

    At ease, Captain. His father turned to look at his computer screen. What do you know about this solar system here? He pointed to the screen.

    Liam came forward and looked at it. Not much. I try to do a brief search on each solar system we pass through, but this one is not very advanced, technology-wise. From what little I could find, the solar system is called Sol. There are eight planets in the solar system and they share one sun. The only life forms detected were on the third planet from the sun, called Earth. The Earth people have done minor space exploration within their own solar system, but nothing of consequence.

    Well, we’ve recovered some recordings from this Earth. One is a mayday call. His father motioned for the Lt. Commander to play the recordings.

    This is the president of the United States. We are issuing an emergency mayday to anyone out there who can help. All the world’s nuclear weapons have been deployed. We have very little time to get our people to shelter and we hope at least some of us will survive. If you get this message and are able to offer any kind of assistance, we would be eternally grateful.

    His father turned to face him. There are over twenty more of these recordings recovered and translated, all in different languages, with designations from all over the Earth.

    What’s the problem? Let’s go help them!

    The problem is these recordings are about five years old. We don’t know if there’s anything remaining of Earth or its people. We will be entering the Sol solar system in less than twenty-one hours. I am assigning five teams to investigate each of those areas where the recordings originated. You will be leading one of the five teams.

    Liam stood straight and pulled his shoulders back. Finally! He was going to do something more than be a glorified pilot. Who will be on my team? He wouldn’t put up with anyone goofing off.

    Each team leader will get to choose his own team. But I’m putting Kyle with you for the first two investigations.

    What? No way. Not Kyle. Liam shook his head.

    His father narrowed his eyes at him. Yes, Kyle. He needs to learn how these searches go. I may need him to lead a team if need be and I want you to make sure he is ready for it.

    I’m not a damn babysitter. Sir.

    You are a captain for the Drastan Fleet and are required to assist in training our soldiers, his father reminded him.

    Yes, sir, Liam answered with an air of resignation. Is the whole fleet coming with us to Sol?

    No. I’m sending the fleet on to Drastan. It will be just our battleship.

    Is that safe, sir?

    I don’t want to waste the whole fleet’s time on something that might not pan out. I’ll send them home while we investigate. If we find anything, I’ll contact Drasta for reinforcements.

    How long do I have to prepare my team?

    You have one hundred and twenty hours to select your team and to prep them. I don’t know what we’ll find when we arrive. It could be all gone, or we may have a serious containment issue to deal with. No matter what, I want our men ready for it.

    We’ll be ready. Liam was dismissed. He headed off the command deck. He already knew which men he would select to be a part of his team: his old flight crew. They were eight of the most trustworthy soldiers he had ever known… and then there was his younger brother Kyle. His father must be trying to punish him or something.

    Kyle was wild and uncontrollable, not a good combination for a soldier. Liam sighed. He would practically have to put a leash on Kyle to keep him in check. Harder said than done. He needed every member of his team to be on guard; there was no telling what dangers they could be facing. He wished his mother was still living to help corral her wayward child.

    His mother had been a very caring person, a mediko on their home world. She believed so passionately in saving lives, he used to wonder what she ever saw in his father, since he was a military man who had taken many lives in battle. They were complete opposites. But she had truly loved his father, from what he could see. They were not hala asawani, a love match, but they did love each other well enough to have three sons.

    Liam entered the suite he shared with his father and brothers. Kyle was still on the couch. He looked up and smirked.

    How much trouble are you in? Kyle asked. He seemed very eager to hear the details.

    This was a military discussion. I am going to be heading a team in a few days time.

    Why are you heading up a team? Why can’t I lead a team? I’ve been training hard! Kyle complained.

    Grow up, Kyle. You’ll be with me on a few of those missions. If I sign off, you’ll be able to take over a team. But I need to see you taking orders before I feel you can give them.

    That is crap! I don’t need my big brother babysitting me.

    Liam sighed. It was always the same argument with Kyle. He was angry with their father because he never sent him on missions on his own. Liam understood his father’s hesitance; Kyle was the baby, after all. Despite their father’s overprotectiveness, Kyle and their father did not have a close relationship.

    Liam felt it was partly because Kyle looked so much like their mother. She had died shortly after giving birth to Kyle. They almost lost Kyle as well, but the medikos on Drasta worked for days to keep him alive. Their father wasn’t there for his asawani’s passing, but he stayed on Drasta until Kyle was released from the private Med facility.

    The loss of their mother left Liam and his older brother Jared devastated. They saw their mother in Kyle’s little face and wanted to protect him. They were all guilty of babying Kyle too much. He needed to be able to prove himself as a man and as a soldier.

    It was not my choice either, brother. So do us both a favor and keep it professional so it will only be two missions together and not five.

    Fine, Kyle huffed.

    Where’s Jared?

    In his private office, like he always is.

    I need you to call my old flight team together for debriefing tomorrow morning at oh seven hundred.

    Kyle perked up some at having been given a task. Yes, sir!

    Liam growled at him as he walked down the hallway to the study that had been turned into a medical research lab by his older brother Jared. Liam and Kyle had both gone into the military like their father, but Jared followed in their mother’s footsteps and became a mediko. He was one of the best on Drasta and could

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