The Colony (The Survivors Book Seventeen) Read online

  Jules tensed across the table. “That’s not necessary. It might be better if one of us remained at the Institute.”

  Nat’s son averted his gaze and downed the last of his coffee. “Okay. You’re probably right.”

  “So it’s settled. Jules and I will see what there is to see, and you get moving on this Tiprea investigation. Who’s making the trip with you?” Magnus handed his plate to the waiter.

  “Sergo was supposed to come, but he has the eggs to sit on, or whatever he’s doing. And Slate is off with Loweck in Light. I could ask…”

  “I am,” Mary said firmly.

  “Can you get away?”

  “Of course. That’s why we’ve hired so many resourceful people in the office.” Mary patted my hand. I could tell she was concerned and wanted to keep an eye on me, but this would also give us a chance to connect.

  “Okay. We have a plan.” I ate as the rest drank coffee, and we chatted about mundane things long into the afternoon. It felt like old times, with friends and family enjoying one another’s company. With the revelation of a strange new alien holding a picture of Jules, and my upcoming mission to Tiprea, everything was about to change.

  But for today, we were safe.

  ____________

  Despite the roaring heat at Terran Thirty, Jules was thrilled to be home. She’d only lived here for a year and a bit, but this was already somewhere she longed to be. It was her first taste of freedom as an adult, with her own room, and not constantly under the watchful eye of her parents. Even so, she spent most of her evenings walking after the sun set, or reading in her room alone.

  The weekend had exhausted her, and she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Who was this alien girl, and where had that picture come from? She couldn’t wait to leave and find out.

  Voices erupted in the hallway outside, and she walked to her room’s entrance, hearing a man and woman laughing. She pressed the door open a titch to find Dean lingering near his quarters.

  “I had a nice time.” It was the blonde. Jules knew she’d seen her before. Some daughter of a Terran Mayor. Jules thought Arvilla worked with Elex, and that was why she’d been invited to the wedding.

  “Me too.” Dean leaned in, kissing Arvilla.

  Fury consumed Jules, and she clutched the star necklace around her neck. She tore it off and threw it across the room. Her powers flushed, and she glanced at the green light emitting from her skin. Had it done that before?

  She realized her door was ajar, and she went to close it. Instead, she hit the handle, and the entire slab exploded through the hall.

  Dean and his new girlfriend stared at her, gawking in awe. A piece hung from a bent hinge and dropped to the floor. “They don’t make them like they used to.” The rage was gone, and she no longer glowed. Jules knocked on the wall as if to emphasize her words, and returned to the room.

  “I better go,” Arvilla said, before running from the dorms.

  Dean stood in the entrance, arms crossed. “Do we need to talk?”

  Jules was ashamed and couldn’t meet his gaze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your moment.”

  He brushed his hair back and stepped inside. “I wasn’t trying to flaunt it. She asked to come and see where I live.”

  “Smooth move, Blondie.”

  “What does that mean?” Dean’s voice rose.

  “She wanted to see your room. Give me a break!” Jules’ heart rate picked up, but her power’s rage was gone.

  “And what if she did? We’re all grownups. At least some of us are,” he said.

  They’d never actually fought, even during the breakup. Maybe this conversation was overdue. “You have no right to say that. You know how much pressure I’ve been under. Ever since I could talk, I’ve had this immense weight on my shoulders.”

  He calmed, dropping his chin. “Jules, you broke up with me, remember?”

  And she did. Her powers had returned. Papa was acting strange after being restored to life, and nothing felt normal. She’d waited a week, then two, but couldn’t risk endangering Dean. It was like she might shatter and take everyone she cared about with her.

  “I didn’t end things so I could see other people,” she whispered.

  “Then why?”

  Her being a Deity suddenly was too personal. A burden no one understood. “Never mind.”

  “Great. Close up like you always do,” he muttered.

  “I don’t have to explain myself to you!” Jules marched past him, shouldering him on the way down the hallway. She couldn’t stay here, not without a door. It would make her too easy to pester, since Dean’s room was by hers.

  She could sense his gaze on her, but she didn’t check. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.

  Jules pushed through the residence’s exit, and saw a familiar man sitting on a bench.

  “Dr. Swan?” It was late, and he was in his usual tweed sports coat, complete with patches on the shoulders. He peered at her, as if he’d been expecting her to join him. He slid to the side and patted the wooden bench.

  “Jules.”

  “What are you doing up?” she asked. Her anger remained, but Swan had a soothing ambience around him. His voice was like a sedative.

  “Probably for the same reason as you,” he whispered. He watched the stars in the clear night sky. There was no light pollution at Terran Thirty, and Jules sensed the power of each distant glowing star.

  “I doubt that,” she replied.

  Dr. Swan crossed his leg, kicking one loafered foot up and down. “Did I ever tell you I was married once?”

  She shook her head, ashamed she knew so little about his life. He’d spent countless hours speaking to her about her own problems, but never spoke about himself.

  “She was enchanting. Her name was Angie. We were in love, I tell you. Yes, we were.” His voice was softer than usual, almost whimsical.

  Jules wanted to ask what happened, but she’d learned a lot from her sessions with the doctor. Instead, she started from a simpler place: pure curiosity. “How did you meet?”

  “I was a junior at college. She was a freshman, taking some high-level psychology courses. Above her prerequisites, it seemed. I had a big presentation, my most important one yet, and when I was finished with what I thought was a solid foundation for a brilliant new analysis, Angie tore it apart. She told the entire class the issues with my train of thought, and where the holes were in my theories.”

  “Were you outraged?” Jules asked.

  “At first. But she was right about everything. I asked her to meet me at the library, and she obliged. The rest is history.” He smirked, watching the sky.

  “What was she like?”

  “Angie was to the point. I was used to dating smart girls, but Angie was a tough woman. She loved to challenge me, but was also very caring. In the end, I think we both grew apart because we were too similar. That can happen to couples, you know. Start off as polar opposites, and as time goes on, you wear down each other’s sharp edges. But for us, we needed those to keep us moving ahead. We divorced after four years of marriage, and I never took the plunge again.”

  “And Angie?”

  “She remarried, and they have three children. He was injured in the Event, but he’s okay these days. They’re on Earth.” Dr. Swan was so open, and she wondered why he’d told her all this. “Today is our anniversary.”

  Now it made sense. “Do you miss being married?” Jules thought about Dean, and how empty she felt without him constantly around. Maybe she had made a mistake. She sat on the bench, sensing the pulsing power within her, and shoved it away.

  “I suppose. It does get lonely. But I appreciate my work, and love being at Terran Thirty for the Alliance. It’s remarkable talking to these other species. If I could tell that younger version of myself that I’d be holding sessions with aliens from other worlds, I wouldn’t believe it.”

  “Would you change anything? If you could go back and do it again?” Jules asked.

/>   Finally, he broke his stare with the night and looked her in the eyes. “No, I wouldn’t. I live here, Jules. Not then. Or there.”

  “That’s a relief.” It was late, and she was exhausted after the fight with Dean.

  “Thanks for the chat. You should get some sleep,” Dr. Swan said. “Will you be attending our session this week?”

  “I guess not. We’re leaving for Udoon Station.”

  “Then we’ll catch up another time. Is there anything you have to tell me before you go?” He still kicked his foot.

  Part of her wanted to explore her issues with Dean, and Papa’s odd behavior, but the doctor didn’t need that at the moment. “No. Everything is fine.”

  “Then have a good night, Jules. We’ll talk soon.” Dr. Swan slowly rose to his feet and walked away, the pad of his loafers nearly silent on the concrete.

  She watched the stars for a few minutes before heading to her parents’ room. It was empty, and she knew they wouldn’t mind her using it while her door was being repaired.

  Jules fell asleep, dreaming of a woman in space, floating with a bright rune beside her.

  Three

  “What can you tell us about these Tiprea?” Mary asked.

  “Not much,” I said. The room was mostly empty, but a few of us were present for the planning meeting. Normally, Sarlun would have been involved with something this important, but he was hiding from me.

  Sergo buzzed in his seat. “I really don’t like this.”

  “Like what?” I gazed at Karo after he cleared his throat.

  “You don’t have to approve of everything Dean does,” Karo reminded the Padlog man.

  “All you know about Ebos is what Ovalax told you. It might be a bunch of lies. He didn’t seem very honest to me. Devouring people as a hobby.” Sergo’s mandibles clicked.

  “I was told that the Tiprea once lived on Earth, then traveled to Ebos. We’ve been looking for new colonies to spread out our Alliance members, and this is promising. Ovalax suggested the location may be vacant, providing us a head start on infrastructure.” I was excited to be moving again, traveling to another adventure. Maybe it would do my mind some good.

  “I’m coming,” Sergo said defiantly.

  “No you’re not,” Mary informed him.

  “And why is that?” he demanded.

  “Because your wife is carrying your children!” Mary bellowed.

  “No she isn’t. She’s already laid the eggs. I do most of the carrying now.” Sergo bumped something under the table, and his eyes went wide. “See?” He scooped up one of the eggs and held it to his chest. “Aren’t they cute?”

  I chuckled, but Mary didn’t seem to find the exchange amusing. “You’re going to bring them with us?”

  “Us?” Sergo asked.

  “That’s right. Mary’s coming with me.” I relaxed as Mary took her seat again.

  “I still think…” Sergo stopped as I pointed at him.

  “This is not a dangerous mission. It’s a Gatekeeper assignment, okay? We’ll drop in to Rylan, fly to Ebos, see what there is to see, and return home. With the new drives, we figure we’ll return in two months.” I glanced at Mary to confirm if this was right, and she nodded.

  “Give or take.” Mary smiled at me. I was excited for the two of us to take this trip together. Two months on a journey with Mary was just what the doctor ordered. We could talk about my complications since my…

  I stared at my hands, unable to even think the word, but I forced myself to. Death. I had been dead. No one said as much, but I could see it in Jules’ eyes every time she glanced at me. She seemed on the verge of tears when we were around one another. Everything was different, and I wanted it back the way it was. She was my princess, and I was her… Papa.

  “Why not use the portal to Rylan?” Sergo asked.

  “We want to take the Cyclone,” I reminded him.

  “It would cut the time down, but I guess I don’t get a say. Karo, what about you?” Sergo asked the tall, white-haired Theos.

  He steepled his fingers and shook his head. “I’m afraid I won’t be going either. We’re so busy at the Academy, and Hugo’s staying with us. Ableen is working at the Alliance offices in downtown Haven while Mary’s out. Can’t be done.” Karo peered at the screen on the wall.

  “Thanks for taking care of Hugo and Maggie when we’ve been away. We genuinely appreciate it,” Mary told him.

  “Think nothing of it. We love Hugo like he was our own. Plus, the kids adore having a younger brother around to pester. I have no idea how much trouble they’d be getting into if Hugo wasn’t keeping them focused on graduating,” Karo said.

  “That’s right. They’re finished this year. Any plans for afterwards?” I searched the room for coffee, and saw the carafe along the windowsill.

  “Baru wants to work out of Shimmal,” Karo said.

  I poured the coffee, and peered out the pane of glass at the city of Haven below. My head started to pound, and I saw a reflection that wasn’t mine. It was Baru, Karo’s son. He was clutching his throat, gasping for breath. Then it was gone. I shook it off and cleaned up the spillage. “Maybe tell him not to rush into it.” I didn’t know if I’d seen his actual demise or not, but I wasn’t willing to risk it. “I’m not sure he’s ready.”

  “I think he’s doing well…”

  “Just be careful. The Gatekeepers are under intense scrutiny these days.” I sat down, and Mary frowned at me.

  “By whom?” she asked.

  “Me. With Sarlun going rogue, I don’t know who to trust.”

  “You worry too much, Parker,” Sergo said.

  “Coming from the guy demanding to be present on a simple mission.” I drank some of the coffee and wished it was warmer. “Back to business.”

  “Do we have any other information about Ebos?” Karo asked.

  I scrolled through my files. “We ran a full search, and nothing popped up. Regnig had a few mentions, and we used the library’s upgraded parameter scan, but it wasn’t much help.”

  “We think the Tiprea were human?” Sergo petted the egg in his grip. It was the size of a football, with gray veining along the ivory shell.

  “I don’t think so. They were on Earth before us, or that’s how I understand it.”

  “That’ll be easier to digest. Imagine the backlash if we discovered the Tiprea were our ancestors, and they abandoned us? That would disrupt the entire sapiens evolutionary concept,” Mary said.

  “Hopefully, we’ll find out. What about Jules’ mission?” It had been a few days since we’d left the wedding, and Jules was safe at Terran Thirty. The fleet was coming together, and I’d heard there were plans to construct another five warships like Outpost. Some were already under way.

  Mary switched the image on the screen with her tablet. “Same as before. Alien girl drifted in. She had this image in the cockpit. They’re still attempting to revive her from stasis, but so far, they haven’t had any luck.”

  Karo leaned closer. “But she’s alive?”

  “That’s what we’re told.” Mary sighed and closed the program. “I think they’ll be fine. Magnus will be with her, and they’re training more of the crew.”

  “Maybe we should postpone our trip to Ebos until they return,” I suggested.

  “No. I’ve already arranged for the time off, so we’re doing this. Tomorrow.” Mary had spoken, and I nodded my agreement.

  We decided to call it a day, and Sergo walked out of the meeting with my wife, discussing baby names.

  “Dean, can I have a minute?” Karo asked.

  “Of course.” I stayed seated, and he retrieved the carafe, filling our cups. “What’s on your mind?”

  “My mind is not under question. Yours is.” The cryptic message was unlike my Theos friend.

  After the recent vision of his son dying, I wanted to be anywhere but cramped in this office. “Can you spit it out?”

  Karo’s hair was tied into a ponytail, and his gaze locked with mine. “Dean
, I’m not stupid. I can see something’s bothering you. Perhaps you can discuss it with someone.”

  I glanced at the door, which was closed, and decided I could use a set of ears. Specifically with a man I trusted with my life. “Nothing leaves this room.”

  “Fine.” He interlaced his fingers over his chest after returning to his seat.

  “Ovalax didn’t quite die.”

  “We knew that. He was put into the Shandra Valincin.” He was talking about the sphere portals we’d uploaded Ovalax into using Fronez’s technology.

  “That’s not what I mean.”

  Karo had a bewildered expression but caught on quickly enough. “You’re saying that you…”

  “I’m not saying anything. Ever since I was killed by him, I keep having visions,” I told him.

  “That’s what happened at Suma’s wedding.”

  “Right. I can’t stop them, and they come at the most random times. What I said about Baru…”

  “What did you see?” Karo whispered.

  “He was choking.”

  “And do these predictions come true?”

  “I have no idea. For all I know, he infected me.” I rubbed at my temples, feeling better at the reprieve.

  “What does Mary say about this?”

  I pursed my lips, opened my mouth, and shut it again.

  “You haven’t told her?” Karo sounded incredulous.

  “With Jules regaining her controversial powers, and her breakup with Dean, then the pressures of Mary’s office, I…”

  “Dean, you’re kidding yourself. None of that should have prevented you from informing Mary of these ailments.” Karo was right, but I still didn’t want to hear it. “Where is the portal with Ovalax?”

  “It’s safe,” I assured him.

  He looked disappointed that I didn’t tell him the location, but I drank another sip of coffee. “You’ll speak with Mary?”

  “Yes. On the trip.”

  “I’ll work on it from here. At the library. Regnig is planning to visit while you’re flying to Ebos, so we’ll nail down anything we can.”

  “Good luck finding a similar case,” I muttered.

  “All we’ve been through, and you still doubt your allies?” Karo rarely grew angry, but I could tell from his eyes that his patience was running low.