Q-Gates by S. H. Jucha

Author:S. H. Jucha
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Hannon Books, Inc.
Published: 2021-01-07T22:00:00+00:00

21: Tech Dilemma

“Apparently, your presence was required,” Julien said to Alex.

The message from Jess Cinders was received mere minutes before Hector’s fleet exited its transit into Crimsa space.

Having been updated by Julien on the outpost’s gate accomplishment, the safe arrival of the Tripper, and the detonation of the moon without loss of life, Alex leaned into the couch and expressed a self-satisfied smile.

The others, which included Renée de Guirnon and Tatia Tachenko, knew Alex was presenting a façade.

Before reaching Omnia from the World of Lights, Alex began experiencing headaches. Medical cleared him of any physiological problems. That left only one influence — his dreams.

Renée shared with Julien and Tatia that she wasn’t receiving images, as she usually did, while Alex and she slept.

Nonetheless, Alex’s headaches worsened. He became irritable and unable to rest unless given a soporific.

One evening, Renée noticed that Alex had entered the refresher nearly a half hour ago. She found him sitting on the floor, and he was staring into space.

“I’ve seen horrible things,” Alex whispered. “Humans and SADEs are in trouble. A ship is lost. A moon or planet explodes.”

“Our fleets are safe, my love. Where are these events going to happen or have they already taken place?” Renée asked gently, kneeling beside him.

“I think they’re in alliance space,” Alex replied quietly. His stare didn’t shift, as if he was visualizing them.

Renée left Alex in the fresher. She urgently sent for Julien and Cordelia, who came on the run.

“We’re transferring from the Freedom to the Our People, and Hector’s fleet will be making for Pyre,” Renée ordered.

“Alex?” Julien inquired.

“Yes,” Renée responded, with a hand slash. She wasn’t prepared to supply details.

“Who transfers?” Cordelia asked.

“Alex, Julien, Tatia, Z, Miranda, and me,” Renée replied quickly. “We transfer in a quarter hour. Make arrangements, Cordelia.”

A traveler shot from the Freedom to the Our People to deliver its six passengers. Immediately, the two fleets separated. Cordelia led Alex’s fleet onward to Omnia, where the Freedom would undergo extensive repairs at the Sardi-Tallen Orbital Platform. Then Hector’s fleet changed course and sailed for Pyre.

Just before the exit into Pyrean space, Tatia regarded Alex and his contented smile, “Julien, have the events that plagued Alex already happened?” she asked.

Julien knew the admiral wanted a timeline comparison between the start of Alex’s headaches and whether the horrendous visions had actually taken place. The SADE regarded Alex, who nodded his assent, which indicated he wanted to know too.

“We transferred to this city-ship before the Tripper would have made Pyre,” Julien replied. “I must search the freighter’s log to determine the time difference. However, we were well on our way here when the dome’s auxiliary power supply destroyed the moon.”

“Then it’s more likely that these are prescient visions and not something else,” Tatia remarked.

“Are you worried, Tatia?” Alex asked. His tone could have been politer. “Concerned that I might be developing the ability to know of events around the galaxy after they’ve happened but before we’ve received notification? Well, why not? Maybe I’ll start growing a second head.

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