Nexus shard the aternien.., p.1
Nexus Shard (The Aternien Wars Book 8), page 1
NEXUS SHARD
THE ATERNIEN WARS BOOK #8
G J OGDEN
Copyright © 2024 by G J Ogden
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
These novels are entirely works of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Illustration © Tom Edwards
TomEdwardsDesign.com
Editing by S L Ogden
Published by Ogden Media Ltd
www.ogdenmedia.net
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Off Duty
Chapter 2
The last meal
Chapter 3
Secret rendezvous
Chapter 4
We will make it work
Chapter 5
Peach Pie
Chapter 6
Starliner Fleet
Chapter 7
Ships of the line
Chapter 8
Smai Tawi
Chapter 9
Dune City
Chapter 10
The waiting game
Chapter 11
War Games
Chapter 12
After Action Report
Chapter 13
Operation Serpent
Chapter 14
Chaos Rising
Chapter 15
The Aftermath
Chapter 16
Whistlin' Wyatt
Chapter 17
Mistaken identity
Chapter 18
Sub-level Five
Chapter 19
Last stand
Chapter 20
Bad acting
Chapter 21
The Miners Arms
Chapter 22
Confusion and chaos
Chapter 23
A God’s Revenge
Chapter 24
The Cavalry
Chapter 25
See you soon
Continue the story
Also by G J Ogden
About the Author
ONE
OFF DUTY
Carter Rose pressed his hands to his hips and inspected his quarters on Fort Thunderbolt. A team of cleaners, both human and robotic, would see to it that the suite was showroom-fresh for its next occupant, but he still liked to leave things as he’d found them. The bed was made, the paintings and photographs were dusted and leveled, and the bedside clock was in the exact same position it had been when he’d taken possession of the room, five years ago.
The few personal effects that he’d placed in the suite all fitted into a single box. Most of it was taken up by his vinyl record player and selection of records, but there were also pictures of Kendra Castle and Rosalie Moss, his old Master Engineer and Master Medic from the Galatine. He bent down and picked up the photograph of Kendra. It was a holo image that Amaya had taken of her after Carter had got the crew back together. Carter recalled that Kendra had never been a fan of having her image captured, but in this instance, the joy at being reunited with the other officers from the Galatine – her family – shone through.
Carter smiled, and Kendra seemed to smile back at him, and for a moment, it was as if she was still alive. Then the memory of her brutal killing at the hands of Master Commander Damien Morrow asserted itself in his mind with the authority of a klaxon blaring in the middle of the night. He tried to push the memory away, but his mind had decided to play a cruel trick on him, and instead of Kendra dying in his arms, he was holding Carina.
Carter’s instinct was to drop the photo back into the box and shut the lid, but he didn’t. He’d already spent too many years shut away in his forest moon cabin, closed off from the rest of the galaxy, a society that had spurned him. He hadn’t managed to escape then, and he wouldn’t even try now, suspension be damned. Whether he wore the uniform or not, Carter would do what was necessary to safeguard the Union. That was his sworn duty, a contract that no one could tear up; not the Admiral, not even the President.
As he stood in his quarters at Fort Thunderbolt, ready to leave them for the last time, Carter understood more clearly than ever that his obligation to the Union was a burden he carried reluctantly. His heart was with the Old Aterniens, to whom he had not sworn an oath, yet he’d felt more at home in Monique Dubois’ enclave than he ever had in the sterile military base.
Carter recalled something that the God-King Marcus Aternus had said to him at the beginning of the second war. “I offer you the chance to fulfill your potential, amongst those who appreciate your uniqueness,” Aternus had said. “Human beings despise you. To them, you are merely a disposable tool. You know this in your heart. But amongst the Aterniens, your post-human qualities are revered. You would live a life of purpose and respect. You would be valued.”
He had been tempted even then, but duty had compelled him to refuse the God-King’s offer. Carter had believed, perhaps naively, that the second war was a second chance, an opportunity for him and those like him to finally be accepted by humans, but he knew then that this would never be the case. Duty still obligated him to fight for the Union, but his heart compelled him to fight for the God-Queen of Old Aternus.
Carter kissed his fingers and pressed them to the photograph of Kendra Castle, before gently placing it into the box and sealing it. JACAB had been watching him the whole time, and the gopher’s red eye was wide and mournful. Because of their unique link, the intelligent machine could intuit what Carter felt, but it went deeper than that. JACAB was far more than his command bot. He was his friend and loyal companion. The volleyball-sized machine knew him better than anyone, perhaps even better than he knew himself.
“I think we’re ready to go, buddy, don’t you think?” Carter said, turning to JACAB and patting the machine on his head.
JACAB warbled and pointed to Carter’s tunic with one of his metal arms. Carter frowned, realizing he was still wearing his Master General battle uniform.
“Good spot,” he grunted.
He removed his comp-slate first, testing the device one last time on the off-chance he’d received a message from Carina, but the device was cut off from the network; another useless tool, like him. Then he used the controls in the collar of his uniform to loosen the two-piece nanofiber garment before removing the tunic, folding it neatly, and placing it on top of the box.
Carter opened his small suitcase, which, despite containing all his clothes, was no larger than carry-on baggage. From it, he removed a pair of cargo pants and a hardy corduroy shirt. Rooting around, he found his boots lurking beneath another bundle of shirts, which were almost identical to the one he’d just removed.
“I’m going to miss this nanofiber uniform,” Carter commented while slipping off his boots and pants and placing them neatly on the box, too. “Next time someone points a gun at me, be sure to remind me that I’m not wearing it.”
JACAB nodded and duly noted the request. Carter’s skin and muscles may have been tough enough to repel a bullet, but it was preferable for the nano-mechanical fibers of his battle uniform to soak up the damage instead. He would no longer have that advantage. Carter got dressed then was about to zip up the suitcase when he spotted his beard-trimming kit. Rubbing his chin, he realized that it had been some time since he’d given his wiry bristles a once over.
“It’s always preferable to look your best when you’re about to be shit-canned,” Carter joked, waving the grooming kit at JACAB before heading into the bathroom.
JACAB warbled sadly, then followed and watched as Carter set out the tools on the side of the basin. Because of his augmented physiology, a regular beard trimmer simply didn’t cut it. He’d tried the best available on the market, and the blades had been dulled beyond usefulness after only one or two uses. Instead, Carter had taken to using work tools that had been designed by Kendra from Longsword alloy. The wire snips were particularly effective and Carter enjoyed the sound of the trimmed hairs hitting the porcelain sink, like iron filings being sprinkled onto a metal tray.
Beard trimmed, Carter replaced the snips and picked up a metal comb, also made specially for him by Kendra, from the same metal that comprised the Galatine’s hull. He combed his hair then his beard and slid the comb back into the grooming pouch, before pressing his hands to the edge of the basin and staring into his own reflection. Like Kendra, he didn’t particularly enjoy seeing his own image, but the man reflected in the glass looked younger than he remembered. Master Medic Lyra Vega had worked her magic on him and the effects had been lasting. Ancient scars were either gone completely or faded to almost nothing, and the worry lines around his eyes had been smoothed out despite the worry itself remaining.
Yet, while he looked younger, he no longer felt it. The hope that had swelled inside him at the beginning of the Longsword II program, for a better and more inclusive future for post-humans, was gone. He was back to being a weapon, useful when needed but treated with apprehension when not. This time, however, he’d become something that he’d never been before – a scapegoat. Yet if that allowed Carina and the crew of the Ascalon to continue the fight in his absence, then so be it.
Closing the grooming kit, Carter tossed it
“Ready to face the music, buddy?” Carter said to JACAB, who warbled sadly again.
Carter put his arm around the machine, feeling worse for his gopher than he felt for himself. He then stepped out onto the training square and soaked in the atmosphere of the base. The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the noise of hundreds of boots stomping in time with one another. Transport ships were coming and going with alarming regularity, bringing reservists from all corners of the Union to the base in preparation for an offensive that seemed inevitable. The serpent god, Apophis, had struck at the very heart of the Union, and the combined forces of the nine planets would respond in kind.
The bullish warrior in Carter wanted to believe that they had a chance. He wanted to believe that the new ships and weapons they’d developed over the last five years could break through the wall of Star Cannons that protected New Aternus, but he knew it wasn’t so. Apophis had fortified his planet against just such an assault. From within the high walls of his castle, the new God-King would lash out and consume the nine worlds of the Union, one by one, until none remained. The hard truth was that attacking New Aternus was folly, and Carter had to believe that Admiral Krantz and the Secretary of Defense understood this too.
The walk along the edge of Parade Square was one of the loneliest Carter had ever made. Out of uniform, no one knew who he was, so he was spared the usual anxious side glances and whispered conversations that followed awkward, hurried salutes. That was something, at least, he figured. A small mercy.
Reaching the designated building, Carter had to suffer the ignominy of being buzzed into a facility that his rank had given him free access to previously. That he had to sign the visitor’s book and be issued a pass was a further insult.
Forgoing the elevator to avoid being stuck inside the car with anyone else, Carter took the stairs to the top floor and worked his way through the corridors to his old office. A woman stood by the window, and Carter almost apologized for his intrusion before realizing that it was the Admiral. She was wearing a pastel blue summer suit instead of her uniform, though her hair was still tied up in the same regulation bun.
“I don’t think I’ve ever known it to feel quite so tense,” Krantz said, without turning to greet Carter as he entered. “We’ve been through some bad times, but this is different. This feels like do or die.”
“We’ve faced similar trials before,” Carter grunted, moving to the Admiral’s side and pressing his hands to the small of his back. “We’ll come through this one too.”
The Admiral nodded, though it was unenthusiastic. The two officers stood side by side in silence for a few moments longer before Krantz finally turned to face Carter. Her attention was then drawn to JACAB, who was loitering behind him, trying to stay out of sight.
“JACAB, please report to maintenance for a refit then place yourself in storage,” Krantz said.
JACAB bleep-warbled, then hid behind Carter’s back and blew a loud digital raspberry. The Admiral rolled her eyes.
“Honestly, you two are as bad as one another,” Krantz said, and her comment was met by another raucous electronic snort.
“It’s okay, buddy, do as Klara asks,” Carter said, turning to his gopher and resting a hand on the robot’s spherical shell. “Besides, hasn’t KACEY been saying that you need a new anti-grav motivator and ocular sensor?” JACAB’s red eye narrowed, but the robot nodded. “There you go then, it’ll be for the best,” Carter added, trying to sound enthusiastic despite the thought of losing JACAB filling him with fear. “We’ll be back together again before you know it.”
JACAB warbled and nodded. Then, to Carter’s surprise, the bot flew at him and hugged his muscular shoulder with his metal arms. Without his battle uniform, the pressure of the gopher’s grip was like being pincered by a king crab, but Carter didn’t flinch or pull away. JACAB finally released him then flew to the door before turning back and blowing one final raspberry at the Admiral before flying away.
“Don’t worry, I’ll see to it that he’s looked after,” Krantz said, her tone reassuring. “HARPER will fix him up, and he won’t experience the passage of time while in storage.”
Carter nodded, then saw JACAB exit the building below the window. The bot looked up, and Carter’s heart sank. He raised a hand and waved, and JACAB waved back before continuing across the parade ground, forcing reservists and trainees to dodge aside for fear of getting bowled over like ten-pins.
“So, are you all set?” Krantz asked as if enquiring whether Carter was packed and ready for a vacation.
“What little I own is in my old quarters, along with my uniform and comp-slate,” Carter replied.
Krantz nodded, then her eyes washed over Carter’s chosen outfit, and she frowned.
“Good lord, Carter, those clothes are older than I am,” she complained. She was speaking as Carter’s friend, not his commanding officer. “I’m surprised that moths haven’t eaten them.”
“No moth would dare,” Carter grunted, smoothing the front of his corduroy shirt, which he admitted smelled a little musty.
“They would be doing you a favor,” Krantz said, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe we can get you something a bit fresher before you ship out.”
Carter laughed. “A shopping trip is hardly what I had in mind for my first day suspended from duty.” He regarded the Admiral’s crisp suit. “Though it looks like you’ve already hit the stores in town. This looks good on you.”
The compliment was genuine, and Krantz accepted it graciously and without embarrassment. Carter wondered quite what it would take to embarrass the mighty Fleet Admiral Klara Krantz, but determined that it was best for all concerned that they never find out.
“I take it that you have no immediate plans?” Krantz asked.
“Not unless you fancy reinstating me and giving me back the Galatine and my old crew?” Carter asked.
It was a whimsical question, though Carter couldn’t help but hold out a tiny sliver of hope that the Admiral would agree to his impossible request.
“You’ve managed to cause me enough trouble without a ship, so that wouldn’t be my first choice, no,” Krantz replied, not only refusing the request but twisting the knife too. “But since you’re at a loose end, you can come with me.”
Krantz wheeled about, then headed for the door. Carter scowled at the back of her head. He’d arrived expecting some sort of formal procedure to culminate his suspension before being marched off the base by armed guards.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Krantz said, realizing that Carter hadn’t moved.
“Honestly, I was expecting a squad of troopers to walk me out of the gates,” Carter admitted. “Either that or a firing squad.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Krantz replied, with another eyebrow raise. “Now, let’s go.”
“Go where?” Carter asked.
“To the Jalapeño Junction, of course,” Krantz replied as if the answer should have been obvious. “It’s lunchtime, and I’m hungry.”
Carter’s head was in a spin. “I mean, I love a good taco as much as the next man, but considering my name is mud, surely you don’t want to be seen with a pariah like me?”
“Don’t worry, the place is closed for a refit, so it will only be you and me,” the Admiral answered, impatient to leave.
“And you trust the staff?” Carter asked.
“The staff are on paid leave during the refit, but I managed to find someone who is not only discreet but also a good cook,” Krantz said. “Besides, I thought you wanted to request something from me. This will be your last chance for a while, so I suggest you make it good.”
Carter shrugged, then looked at his dowdy old clothes. “We still have to reach the restaurant, and half the people in Churchill City work at this base.”
