The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes
Read The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes Online
Authors: T.D. Wilson
The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes
By T.D. Wilson
Book three of The Epherium Chronicles
The battle for Cygni colony may be over, but for Captain James Hood and the crew of the
EDF
Armstrong
, the battle for humanity’s future has just begun. Hood’s defense of the remote outpost against the Cilik’ti aliens was magnificent, but without the timely help of an unlikely ally—a splinter tribe of humanity’s bitter enemies—the colony would have been lost and the
Armstrong
destroyed.
An uneasy peace has prevailed ever since. But as the humans prepare for a crucial meeting, a desperately needed Earth supply convoy is attacked under mysterious circumstances, with the lead escort cruiser’s captain disappearing even more mysteriously.
The fate of all of Earth’s new colonies hangs in the balance, and Hood is charged with protecting them against growing threats from all sides. When rebellion and unrest challenge the very leadership of the Earth Defense Forces, Hood may need to go it alone…and make the ultimate sacrifice.
71,664 words
Dear Reader,
This month I’d like to take a moment to thank all of you who
read, review and recommend. Word of mouth is so critical to the success of a
book, and we so appreciate not just those of you who write reviews on retailers,
review sites, and your personal blogs, but also those who have a love of talking
books, as I do, and recommend the things you enjoy to friends, family and fellow
readers in conversation, on social media, and at parent/teacher conferences
(yes, I’ve done this!). Thank you, you help us grow and thrive!
Speaking of books to review and recommend, I hope you find
something in this month’s lineup that inspires you. First, we’re pleased to
introduce two debut authors. In
Time Served
by Julianna Keyes, eight
years in prison have left Dean insatiable, and a decade apart isn’t enough to
stop Rachel from surrendering any way he asks. Don’t miss this sexy contemporary
romance debut!
For those who have longed for something different in
historical romance, Pamela Cayne delivers in
The Fighter and the Fallen
Woman
. In Victorian London, Lady and King, a prostitute and a street
fighter, are kindred souls, each trapped in their own hells. Both owned by a
ruthless businessman, they have no chance at love if they don’t first risk
death.
Also new to Carina Press this month is a brand new male/male
space romance series from author duo Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen set aboard a
Firefly
-esque freighter, following a cast of misfit super-soldiers
who have been through intergalactic hell and offering up a delicious and
unexpected reunion romance. Don’t miss the first book in the
Chaos Station
series!
For those who love revisiting favorite authors, HelenKay
Dimon’s
Chain of Command
is available this month. Special ops Marine
Sawyer Cain is ready for civilian life, trading danger for more stability by
opening a gun range with his friends, but first he needs the land and that means
going through Hailey Thorne…and nothing prepares him for her.
A drunken kiss between an out gay man and his supposedly
straight best friend awakens long-repressed feelings that neither man is able to
ignore in fan favorite A.M. Arthur’s
Getting It Right
.
Proving that all good things come to an end, we’re sad to say
farewell to urban fantasy series Monster Haven from R.L. Naquin. In
Phoenix
in My Fortune
,
Zoey must stop the terrifying Shadow Man from breaking
the ancient Human/Hidden Covenant and taking away all the Hidden in our world
forever—including Zoey’s family.
Hunted by a killer, Layna Blair knows trust isn’t a mistake
she can afford, but the six-foot-four Marine makes her an irresistible offer—her
freedom, his rules, no questions asked in
Impossible Promise
by Sybil
Bartel.
Author Kate Willoughby delivers another sizzling contemporary
romance in
Out of the Game
. Alex Sullivan may be the San Diego
Barracudas’ resident playboy, but he’s never forgotten his kiss with Claire
Marzano. When he sees her again at a teammate’s wedding, he can’t think of
anything but spending more time with her. Preferably naked.
Last, we wrap up two science fiction trilogies this month. In
The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes
by T.D. Wilson, Captain James Hood
and his ship, the
Armstrong
, survived the battle of Cygni, but the
victory at the new colony puts humanity in more danger both in space and on
Earth.
And from Timothy S. Johnston’s science fiction mystery series
the Tanner Sequence, described as Agatha Christie meets Michael Crichton,
Homicide Investigator Kyle Tanner is on an emotional journey as he hunts killers
in a society plagued by violence and brutality. Stranded on a disabled vessel
with a hostile crew that includes at least one serial killer, he must
rely on the love of a remarkable woman in order to decipher the clues and solve
the mystery in
The Void
.
Coming in April 2015: a hot erotic romance, two new debut
authors and the launch of a new male/male new adult trilogy.
Here’s wishing you a wonderful month of books you love,
remember and recommend.
Happy reading!
~Angela James
Editorial Director, Carina Press
Dedication
For my boys, who enjoy strange new worlds and admiring the stars as much as I do. And to Neil Armstrong, a man who never wanted to be called a hero, but inspired us to reach for the stars.
Dramatis Personae
James Hood, Captain,
EDF
Armstrong
Rafael Sanchez, Commander, Executive Officer,
EDF
Armstrong
Maya Greywalker, Lieutenant, Chief Security Officer,
EDF
Armstrong
Sienna Aldridge, Lieutenant, Tactical Officer,
EDF
Armstrong
Juanita Wells, Lieutenant, Communications Officer,
EDF
Armstrong
Arlen McGregor, Major,
EDF
Marine Corp
Terrance Whitaker, Chief Engineer,
EDF
Armstrong
Dr. Derik Patton, Chief Medical Officer,
EDF
Armstrong
Harrison “Wolfhound” Krieg, Lieutenant, Fighter Pilot,
EDF
Armstrong
Emma “Reaper” Thielson, Ensign First Class, Fighter Pilot,
EDF
Armstrong
Alex Toronaga, Sergeant,
EDF
Marine Corp
Harlan “Priest” Jarvis, Sergeant,
EDF
Marine Corp
Henry McCraken, Epherium Corporation
Jonathan Hood, Commander,
EEF
Magellan
Gina Hood, Researcher,
EEF
Magellan
Jillian Howard, Lt. Commander,
EEF
Magellan
Russell Tramp, Fleet Admiral,
EDF
Space Forces
Jared Martin, Petty Officer,
EDF
Armstrong
Kadin Greywalker, Lieutenant Commander, Fighter Pilot,
EDF
Armstrong
Raven, Lieutenant, Fighter Pilot,
EDF
Armstrong
Alistair Beckett, Colonel,
EDF
Intelligence
Arthur Grange, Commander,
EEF
Cabot
Emma Gracen, Researcher,
EEF
Cabot
Lester Styles, Captain,
EDF
Cestus
Isaac Turnbow, Lieutenant Commander,
EDF
Cestus
Cilik’ti:
Kree, Worker, Ota N’lan
Ut’liss, Chief Elder, Hal’ta N’lan
Chapter One
EDF
Supply
Convoy
Deep Space Route to
Cygni
Friday, February
21
Earth Year 2155
Two sleek Stingray fighters sliced through the expansive darkness and banked cautiously around the outermost transport of the supply convoy. In the deep, cold blackness of space, the scattered lights of the convoy offered little to pierce the darkness. Not even the Cygni star, still over a light-year away, offered much illumination.
The pilots of the fighters eased their crafts through the rest of the bulky and unarmed transports. Aided by the dim light offered by the ships, the veteran pilots surveyed each vessel for signs of damage from their long journey, while the convoy escorts’ scanners probed the bleak and endless expanse around them for hostiles.
After completing their sweep, the two fighters approached the lead ship of the convoy, a warship bristling with weapons and emblazoned with the name
Cestus.
The Earth Defense Force Chimera Class cruisers, like the
Cestus
, weren’t as large as the new Akita Dreadnaughts, but they could hold their own in a fight. And in this convoy, the
Cestus
wasn’t alone. Flanking the convoy of eight transports bound for the new Cygni colony were three other cruisers, each with their full complement of fighters.
Aboard the
Cestus
, Captain Lester Styles studied the readiness readouts from the other vessels. It had taken his small convoy almost two weeks to get this far from Earth. The
Cestus,
with its more advanced space-fold drive, could have cut down the time, but the transports’ jump capability was limited. The batteries on the transports were older and smaller. Since the transports were physically larger and when fully loaded consisted of more mass than the cruisers, they required a full recharge between jumps. Many of their engineers had already expressed concern over the number of consecutive jumps. Normally, the transports were expected to make one or two before reaching a station for maintenance.
The transports’ situation added to the list of Captain Styles’s concerns. During the entire mission, he’d been on edge, and it was obvious to him that his crew had noticed the change in his demeanor.
EDF
Command had labeled the transports’ valuable cargo as essential to the growth and defense of Earth’s new colony. The captain of the
Cestus
knew what the transports carried. He also knew what it would mean if they didn’t reach Cygni. Despite the additional travel time, Styles was determined to deliver their cargo intact.
EDF
Command wasn’t taking any chances with the success of this new colony. This convoy was the second fleet of ships to make the journey since Captain James Hood, Styles’s longtime friend and former academy bunkmate, had paved the way three weeks earlier with his ship, the
Armstrong
.
Styles admired his old friend. He’d been ecstatic the day he’d heard the news of Hood’s posting on the newest Dreadnaught. When the original Dreadnaught, the
Akita
, was first commissioned, Styles often wondered what it would be like to sit in command of one of those powerful vessels. The sheer size of the new ships was incredible.
The
EDF
had needed a ship like the Akita Class Dreadnaughts for years. Styles knew it took a special type of leader to grasp the reins of a ship like that. When the
EDF
brass came to interview him for the
Armstrong’s
post, Styles gave them a polite rejection. But he made sure to nominate James Hood. There wasn’t a better captain in the entire
EDF
fleet, even if Hood didn’t believe it. Hood always had a true sense of humbleness. He didn’t shy away from anything, but he wasn’t brash and he certainly didn’t wear his confidence on his sleeve. So many young and passionate officers had come bursting out of the academy, fighting and clawing over anyone in their way just to get a command. They’d all wanted to take on the galaxy if need be, only to see their bright lights extinguished in an instant. But Hood saw things in a different way. Perhaps that was why he’d still been alive to assume command of the
Armstrong
.
Styles had once been a member of the young and foolish. Experience, a little luck and an old friend, who’d pulled his proverbial butt out of an impossible situation, had helped to realign his way of thinking. There were still plenty of young officers out there trying to prove themselves and maybe one day work up to one of the new Dreadnaughts, but Styles felt comfortable in command of one of the smaller Chimeras. Even before the latest tech upgrades, the
Cestus
was a powerful warship. In Styles’s mind, she was fast, efficient, compact and deadly. She was perfect in every aspect. He knew every inch of his ship and he knew his crew. But they were more than just a crew; they were family and trusted each other with their lives.
A tall, young officer walked up beside Styles and looked at the jump status screen. “Captain, the last remaining group of our fighters has been cleared to dock. Once they’re on board, we should be ready to jump,” the officer stated. “Should I inform the other ships, sir?”
With a calm finger tap on his terminal, Styles switched his station’s monitor to the external cameras near the docking bay. The last two fighters from his squadron’s patrol were already in position to dock. The bay’s gravity web ensnared the first fighter and hauled it inside with care. Styles nodded and turned to his new XO. “Very well, Mr. Turnbow, let’s get this convoy underway. Inform all commands that our final jump will commence in five minutes. Secure us for jump.”
Lieutenant Commander Isaac Turnbow had only been on the job as the new XO for the
Cestus
for a short three weeks, but Styles was impressed with his knowledge and leadership ability. Turnbow was young, but so had Raf Sanchez been when he’d held the post aboard the
Cestus
. Now, Commander Raf Sanchez was the new XO aboard the
Armstrong
.
For almost two years, Styles had taken Sanchez under his wing. He’d seen the man grow into a strong and capable
EDF
officer. When Styles had nominated him for the XO post on the
Armstrong
, Hood hadn’t been surprised in the least. In fact, he’d embraced the idea with wholehearted support.
After the lean, raven-haired Turnbow turned on his heel and headed to the nearby communications station to alert the other ships, Styles returned his attention to the status monitors. He accessed one of transports’ files on the screen and opened the manifest. The
Tanner
was a modified troop carrier, and her cargo pods were packed with Marines who undoubtedly held sour dispositions. After being cooped up in that cramped area on a dreary transport for almost two weeks, he would be too.
Styles liked ill-tempered Marines. They were good in a fight, and the
EDF
may well need them soon. War was coming. Even in the cold nothingness of space and light-years from Earth, Styles could taste its bitter foreboding. His contacts in
EDF
Command’s inner circle believed the same. He’d been briefed on the latest defensive fleet deployments. Movement of that much hardware in a rapid short order wasn’t just a show of strength. The fleets were supplied for lengthy campaigns. He’d seen the horrors of war and it wasn’t an experience he was willing to endure again. The
Cestus’s
captain just hoped he was wrong.
The troops his convoy was transporting were to be part of a permanent detachment for the new human colony. The remainder would serve as reinforcements for those assigned to the
Armstrong.
Hood’s ship had carried two full brigades of Marines to Cygni. Its mission was clear: make contact with the first of three colonies created by colony ships launched almost twenty-five years earlier by the Epherium Corporation—colony ships that had all but been forgotten until a few months ago. Once contact was made, Hood was to determine the colony’s viability and defend it until a lifeline from Earth could be established.
But Hood’s mission and the hope for new and viable colony worlds for humanity had run afoul. Earth’s old foe, an insectoid alien race known as the Cilik’ti, had discovered the
Armstrong
and attacked the new colony at Cygni. The attacking Cilik’ti forces had easily outnumbered the
Armstrong
and the colony’s Marine defenders.
Despite the odds, Earth’s forces had prevailed in the battle, but at a terrible cost. Casualties among the Cygni colonists and Marines were high, and the damage inflicted by the Cilik’ti was extensive, especially to the
Armstrong.
The Cilik’ti had deployed one of their mammoth mother ships to lead the assault on the colony. The huge alien vessel had seemed nearly indestructible. During the course of the battle, the powerful ship had forced Hood and the
Armstrong
to the brink of retreat from the colony.
Styles remembered the shock he’d felt after reading the report. A Cilik’ti mother ship had shown itself only once during the war, and it was never engaged in battle. Hood had needed a fleet to take that thing down. Command was surprised the
Armstrong
had lasted that long during the fight, but not Styles. If anyone could tangle with a giant like that and find a way to win, it was Hood. Of that, he was sure.
But Styles’s surprise wasn’t limited to the presence of the Cilik’ti mother ship alone. According to the report, moments before Hood was to order a retreat, a second Cilik’ti mother ship had arrived in orbit. This new Cilik’ti force had not only intervened, but defended the colony and the
Armstrong
from the first assault force.
In his report, Hood claimed the entire battle was an ancient Cilik’ti rite of honor, and the first group had violated it. The details of this so-called honor rite weren’t explained in the report, but now, nearly three weeks later, Hood’s saviors were acting as defenders of the colony. Talks of a new alliance with the aliens had even surfaced.
Personally, Styles thought the whole idea was a load of bunk. Where were these grandiose Cilik’ti honorable ideals when they’d been annihilating whole human outposts during the war? Millions of lives lost, and no one ever knew why? The Cilik’ti invasion had taught Earth and humanity painful lessons. The Cilik’ti were relentless, and it took everything the
EDF
had to finally drive them off. Despite the lack of contact with the aliens until now, most of the
EDF
had been on constant alert for any sign of their return. Perhaps Earth’s people may have forgotten what had happened, but for warship captains like Hood and Styles, the memories were still fresh.
Styles didn’t trust this new friendly group of Cilik’ti one millimeter. He was doubly certain
EDF
Command didn’t either. Before the battle, Admiral Tramp had strategically positioned forces to assist the colony, should Hood’s showdown with the Cilik’ti at Cygni turn into a major renewal of their previous conflict. Now that the battle was over, those resources were already working on repairing the colony and the
Armstrong
from the damage. The old man was smart. Styles had to give him that.
Styles just needed to get these reinforcements and supplies to the colony to ensure its defense. Relying on Earth’s newfound Cilik’ti allies was wrong, plain and simple. If one group of Cilik’ti had attacked the colony, he was certain more attacks would follow. The more he thought about it, the more his mind pounded with the images of the war. He had to talk to Hood when he arrived at Cygni. Perhaps his old friend could sort it all out for him. Frankly, he needed reassurance that the whole situation wasn’t about to go to hell.
“Captain,” Turnbow called from the
Cestus’s
communication station.
The voice of his XO brought Styles back from his brief reverie. He closed the manifest display of the
Tanner
and turned back to his XO. “What is it?”
“Sir, the
Elliot
has informed us they have instability in their space-fold drive. Their engineer says he has it locked down and should be ready to jump with the fleet. All other ships report ready for jump on your order, sir.”
“Very well,” Styles said. “Inform the
Elliot
we’re the jump tail. We’ll stay with them until they’re clear. Assure them repair teams will be ready to assist if they encounter any problems.” Styles had rotated the fail-safe ship responsibility to the other escorts during their long journey, but for the final jump, he’d called his own number. With the fleet this far out from an established base and the stronger potential for a hostile encounter, it was an easy choice.
The convoy jump countdown descended inside a minute, and Styles could see the other ships of the convoy begin to power up their space-fold drives. He opened a shipwide comm channel. “Everyone, this is the captain. One more jump, people. Let’s do it by the numbers. We are fail-safe and will jump once everyone is clear. Styles out.”
Everyone on the bridge watched the translucent blue energy encircle the other ships on their station monitors. Styles initiated the jump order, and ships began to disappear in blue flashes, starting with the other cruisers. All the transports initiated their jump and followed the cruisers to Cygni. The
Elliot
was the last one to disappear.
Styles smiled as the bulky transport vanished in a successful jump event. “Alright, Mr. Turnbow. All our charges are clear. Let’s join them at Cygni. Initiate jump.”
“Aye, sir,” Turnbow acknowledged and pressed the key on his terminal to initiate the
Cestus’s
space-fold drive. A translucent blue haze quickly enveloped the cruiser, and its luminesce steadily increased as the space-fold drive reached its critical jump stage.
Styles braced for the jump event, but microseconds before the drive could complete its cycle and catapult the cruiser to Cygni, the jump envelope collapsed, sending a backwash of energy from the drive rippling through the ship. Waves of raw energy surged into systems on the
Cestus’s
bridge. Sparks erupted from overloaded systems, forcing the command crew to take cover. After the initial surge, the power to functional terminals warbled and slowly faded out.