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    Aurora
    Aurora
    Aurora
    Ebook236 pages3 hours

    Aurora

    By Frank Carey

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    About this ebook

    A missing ship, a cranky first officer, and an intercom in the shower. What's a girl to do? Its another typical day in the life of Captain Aurora Clandish, commanding officer of the League Merchant Ship Chrysalis. This is the story of Aurora, her crew, and some new-found friends, as they make their way through the haunted space of the Elspeth Expanse. 170 pages/ 51,600 words.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFrank Carey
    Release dateSep 8, 2018
    ISBN9781386874355
    Aurora
    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

      Aurora - Frank Carey

      CHAPTER ONE

      2,000,000 years ago, give or take a millennium...

      General Nostro stood over the fallen body of King Maddox and said a silent prayer for his soul to whatever god was willing to listen. Countless months, countless battles, and thousands of lives both Chroma and Luma had led to this single moment. In a way, it seemed almost anticlimactic.

      Nostro reached down and removed the King's divine crown from his less-than divine head and examined it as he stood up and removed his helmet which he handed to one of his personal guard. Underneath was a typical Luma head—white eyes, white hair, and black skin with patches of gray.

      What of us, General? Murphy, son of Maddox and his eldest child, asked. Standing beside him were his sisters—Maddox's daughters—Nova and Parker. They looked like they were facing death which they might very well be.

      Smiling, Nostro handed Murphy the crown. He glanced down at the dead king. "He was not immortal. You are not immortal. Your subjects are the reason for your existence, so treat them that way, and if you don't like that, then find someone who does. He and his guards stripped off their armor and weapons then dropped them at the feet of the new king.

      Nostro, where are you going?

      Not quite sure, but definitely as far away from this place as I can get.

      Nostro, why don't you stay and help us? Nova asked.

      I have helped you. You three are going to bring our people back onto the path while I fade into the corridors of history. That is the way it works. You can thank me later.

      He walked out of courtyard with his guard following. Behind him, the three siblings stared at the pile of armor while reveling in the thought they were still alive.

      ###

      500 years later...

      Agnus was a planet blessed with rich farmland and oceans teaming with life. Far from the intrigue of the central worlds, Luma and Chroma worked together in peace as they worked the land and sea to feed their planet and the other worlds the necrue called home.

      On this typically beautiful day, a young Chroma woman, her skin white with random patches of color outlined by black, was out in the field buffering the estate from the dark forest that surrounded it...

      Yes, I know this is getting a little cliché, but your patience will be rewarded.

      The young lady—her name was Melody—bent down to retrieve a particularly beautiful specimen of an Agnusian daffodil when a roar filled the air around her. Startled, she bolted upright, then screamed. Standing in front of her in full threat display was an angry female bulnarg, its neck flaps fully extended while its massive, spine-encrusted tail swished angrily about.

      She froze, knowing full well that any movement on her part would cause the creature to attack. She heard shouting behind her as her family, seeing her predicament, was coming to her aid.

      The bulnarg pawed the ground as it prepared to attack.

      Suddenly, the air was filled with a high-pitched trilling followed by a series of short tweets. The bulnarg turned toward the source of the strange sounds. Standing there, holding a youngling bulnarg, its legs crusted with mud, was a Luma necrue, his skin black with patches of gray while his eyes and hair were stark white. The youngling squirmed with delight as he petted its head while murmuring to it. He looked up at the beast and made more soothing noises. To Melody's surprise, the beast walked over and nuzzled the young one, then the man.

      Your baby is safe. Now, apologize to the young woman you scared half to death.

      The creature turned toward Melody and gurgled.

      She's sorry for scaring you. She was just worried about her baby.

      What do I do? Melody asked.

      Smile and give a small bow.

      The young Chroma did as she was instructed. Satisfied, the bulnarg turned to the Luma who put the youngling down in front of her. The sounds of Melody's family were closer now.

      The Luma nuzzled the beast. You should go now and teach your baby about water-filled holes.

      The bulnarg raised her head and bellowed before she and her offspring returned to the forest.

      Thank you, Melody said as the Luma stood there unmoving. You saved my life.

      You stayed still. She would have gone back to her baby if those people hadn't made such a ruckus. He glanced at the approaching crowd. Your family?

      She nodded.

      Good, then you have the situation under control. Please excuse me while I pass out. With that, his knees buckled. She ran over and caught him before his face hit the ground.

      I need some help here! she yelled as the others arrived. She looked down at him and wondered what had just happened.

      ###

      Melody's father, Arlen, paced the spare bedroom as his wife, Aria, tended to the Luma's wounds. How is he? he asked.

      He's malnourished, and dehydrated, she replied. What are you going to do?

      I've asked Wilson to stop by and take a look. He knows everyone who lives in the valley. If this person is from around here, then Wilson will recognize him. He walked over to the pile of clothes the Luma had been wearing. Who is he and why is he here?

      For all I care, he could be the Destroyer. All I know is he saved our daughter. Now, it's our turn to save him, Aria noted.

      ###

      Well, I've never seen him before, Wilson said as he looked down at the sleeping man. He walked over and picked up the man's clothing. This feels military, but not like the stuff we currently use which is mostly fluff. This is war-stuff, cloth a real soldier would wear. He looked at a particularly long gash. This boy has seen action.

      There hasn’t been any action in hundreds of years, Arlen noted. We're at peace.

      Yes, we are. I think we need to kick this matter up a level.

      Murphy? You want to have Murphy to take a look?

      Why not? He and his sisters love this sort of thing. In all my centuries, I have never seen three more dedicated rulers...

      You called?

      Standing in the doorway was a tall Chroma male flanked by two equally tall Chroma females.

      Murphy? Nova? Parker? Arlen asked. But we didn't call...

      No, but Wilson's inquiry incited some interest. Is that him?

      Yes, My King... Aria started to say.

      Murphy, please. We work for you, he said while sitting down next to the Luma while his sisters did the same on the other side of the bed. Murph reached down and took the man's hand and squeezed it. Arlen, Aria, where are your daughters?

      They're working in the warehouse.

      I have a very large favor to ask of the two of you. It may not sit well with your daughters.

      Name it, Aria said.

      I ask that you adopt this man as your son. He needs a family. He needs people to call his own.

      Who is he? she asked

      Murph got up. His name is Nocturne, and he once stood between the necrue and the darkness. We've been looking for him for hundreds of years to thank him. Perhaps someday we will be able to do so.

      ###

      Aboard Trico Station fifteen years before present day...

      Nocturne lined-up the transcombobulator with its socket before slowly sliding it in. Once it was seated, he tapped a control next to the socket which activated the device. Well, Trebish, are we back in business?

      The Alturan deck hand ran a scanner over the unit. Yes, sir, Mr. Nocturne, we are in business.

      Good. Button her up, then tell the chief engineer when you're finished.

      Yes, sir.

      Nocturne! Get your ass up here! Captain Krebs yelled over the intercom.

      Aye, Captain, I'm on my way! Duty calls, Trebish.

      Aye, sir.

      Nocturne left the deckhand to his work and headed to the Bridge. On his way he met several members of the crew, fixed several problems, and defused a couple of situations. When he finally arrived, he found the captain, an older human male, waiting with Jacob Morley and a human woman. Hey, Jacob. How goes the career change?

      Jacob shook his hand. I'm short, buddy. Even have a ship squared away. In a few months I will be looking for crew. Know anyone interested?

      Several, I'll send over a list. Now, how about an introduction? Nocturne said with a nod of his head toward the woman.

      Aurora Clandish, this is Nocturne, the Chrysalis' second officer, the captain said. I've decided to hire Aurora as our XO.

      Finally! Congratulations! Nocturne said as he shook her hand.

      I've got to get back to work. Aurora, we'll talk later. Oh, and remember I need that incident report, Jacob said as he headed out the door.

      Nocturne, why don't you give Ms. Clandish the tour and introduce her to the crew?

      Aye, sir. This way, Ms. Clandish.

      They walked out into the corridor and headed forward. Been on a lot of ships? he asked as they made their way down a gangway leading to the forward hold.

      Some. Mostly I worked security, she replied.

      He stopped on a landing and looked at her. Understand something. They may not look it, but these people are family to me, and I'm very protective of my family. I can teach you everything you need to know about being the executive officer on a merchant ship this small. What I can't teach you is how to deal with people. You do anything to cause harm to my crew and I'll put you out a lock while we're in other-space. You understand?

      She nodded. Understood. Can I ask a question?

      Always, he replied as they continued downward.

      What the hell are you, Mr. Nocturne?

      Just call me Nocturne. Try as I might to stop it, everyone insists on using the title ‘mister.’ I have no title. I am just Nocturne.

      But what are you?

      I am a necrue. Specifically, I’m of the Luma race of necrue. There are white ones, called Chromas, with the white broken up into patches by black lines. A number of patches are colored as a number of my patches are gray. The patterns in both races are unique like human fingerprints. Speaking of which, what the hell are you? Your disguise is good, but you're not human.

      It was her turn to stop. The doc said no one could see past this skin job?

      Coran doctor?

      Yes.

      They always say that. We necrue have vision beyond vision. I'm guessing you're either surna Craynar or Katalan.

      They hit the bottom of the stairs where they found a number of crew members entering and leaving the forward hold. He led her inside.

      What's a Katalan? she asked.

      He pointed to two women working a pulley. Both were felinoid, but one had a tail. The one with a tail is Jersey Synch. She's a Katalan, a member of the League of Planetary Systems. The one without a tail is a surna Craynar. She hails from the Consortium, a political entity similar to the League but much smaller. I predict the consortium and League will become one in the not too far future.

      She gaped. He gently spun her around to look at him. You're from the Craynar homeworld, aren't you?

      She nodded.

      Stasis chamber?

      She nodded again. How do you know about the homeworld?

      I know that its sun went nova three-centuries ago. I visited there a very long time ago, before your six races stopped hunting one another. You see, I am very, very old.

      How old?

      At last count, over 2,000,000 standard years, give or take a millennium.

      And the Consortium?

      They've been around awhile, and yes, they have a population of colonists who hail from the Craynar homeworld, only they don't know it was destroyed. He suddenly smiled at her.

      What?

      It's your lucky day.

      How so?

      Because I am officially your companion. Come on, Ms. Clandish. I have much to teach you.

      CHAPTER TWO

      Present day...

      Aboard the League Merchant Ship Chrysalis, things were going as they always did. The on-duty crew was working while the off-duty crew ate, slept, and relaxed. Up on the Bridge, First Officer Nocturne sat in the center chair and watched the bridge crew go about its business in its usual efficient manner.

      Mr. Nocturne, we have an incoming message from the LTS Sheba. It's Captain Morley, the operations officer said.

      Put him through, Megs.

      Hey, Nocturne, how are things spinning in your part of the verse?

      Quietly, Jacob. We haven't heard from you in a few days. Any problems we should know about?

      Nope. Oh, Urania and I got drafted by Space Patrol.

      You're such a kidder... He stopped when the screen came to life with the image of Jacob standing next to Urania. Both were wearing Space Patrol Jackets emblazoned with their names on their left breasts. Damn. What happened?

      Long story which I will gladly tell you the next time I see you in port. Hey, I'm calling to ask if you heard anything from Captain Muskov? He wanted to talk about something he found in the expanse, but I got tied up for a few days. Now, I can't reach him.

      Let me check. He looked over at operations and saw the communications officer shaking her head. Megs, see if you can raise the Potemkin.

      Aye, sir, the young Halcyon said as her hands flew across her board. Potemkin, this is Chrysalis, please respond, over. More adjustments. Potemkin, this is Chrysalis, please respond, over. She frowned. Nothing, sir. I had the system reroute the message through civilian, merchant, and military repeaters. If Potemkin can respond, she would have.

      Dammit. Megs, get Aurora up here. He looked up at the image of Jacob. Rescue mission?

      Not yet. The Potemkin hasn't been overdue long enough...

      What the hell is going on? A tall, half-dressed, human woman with impossibly long, blond hair, demanded as she ran onto the bridge, the pendant around her neck threatening to take out the eye of anyone unlucky enough to be near her.

      Hey, Aurora. The Potemkin might have gone missing, Jacob replied.

      Hey Urania. Urania waved back. Jacob, where the hell have you been? And why are you two wearing Space Patrol jackets. And what do you mean Muskov and the Potemkin might have gone missing?

      Nocturne explained while she finished dressing.

      Shit. I hate the expanse. The whole damn area is haunted.

      This from one of three acknowledged experts on the Elspeth Expanse.

      Who are the other two, sir? Megs asked.

      Captain Muskov and Doctor Nebulon Blyst, Jacob explained. Aurora, what's your next port of call?

      Trico Station. We'll be there in about two hours.

      OK. I'll meet you there.

      Thanks, Jacob. See you soon. Chrysalis out. Well, the day is shaping up to be interesting.

      Ma'am?

      Yes, Megs?

      The point of origin of that message was Orinoco station. That's at least three days out from Trico.

      Thank you. I told you, Nocturne. An interesting day.

      ###

      Jacob Morley was waiting for them when they debarked the Chrysalis. Nocturne, with me. Cred!

      Yes, Captain, The Chrysalis' Canuran second officer replied.

      You're in charge. Get the old girl unloaded then track down our next contract.

      Aye, ma'am, Cred replied. Top of the morning to ya, Captain Morley.

      And a good day to you, Mr. Docksheed, he replied. "Coming

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