Children of the Starry Sea by Joe Vasicek

Author:Joe Vasicek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, adventure, space opera, military sf, telepathy, space exploration, space, colonization, galactic empire, far future, frontier, conservative, family saga, space fleet
Publisher: Joe Vasicek
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Isaiah

The speeder’s engine shuddered ominously as Isaiah landed beside a high mountain lake above the treeline. Considering the damage they’d sustained, it was a wonder that they were still flying at all. Thankfully, the altitude was high enough to pick up a radio signal from hundreds of klicks in any direction, and they had a clear view of the sky in case they needed a tightbeam to one of the communications satellites.

As soon as they touched down, he let out a long breath. Without realizing it, he’d been hunched over the piloting controls, his arms and back tense with anxiety. The speeder’s last remaining engine could have given out at any moment during the flight and sent them falling to their deaths. They weren’t safe yet, of course, but at least they hadn’t died in a fiery wreck.

After they’d all masked up again, they climbed out of the speeder and onto the rocky lakeshore. Isaiah’s feet had barely touched the ground before Salome threw her arms around him.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe you came for me!” If not for her breathing mask, she might have actually kissed him.

“Uh, yeah,” Isaiah said awkwardly. He’d been focused for so long on the rescue and subsequent getaway that he hadn’t spent much time thinking about what he’d say to her when it was done. Reva chose that moment to speak.

“Your father is out there, too. I believe the main rescue party is less than five hundred klicks away at the moment, though it’s been several hours since we were last in touch.”

“That’s right,” said Isaiah, grateful for the talking point. “So hopefully we won’t be stranded here for long.”

Salome gave a carefree laugh. “That’s fine. I’m sure we can set up a tightbeam with Zarmina Station if we have to.”

“Actually, we can’t.”

Both of them turned to face Reva, whose expression was grim. Oh, yeah, Isaiah thought, suddenly remembering what she’d told him about the Hameji invasion. He’d been so focused on the rescue that he’d completely forgotten.

“What do you mean?” Salome asked Reva, looking at her as if she’d lost her mind. “The communication satellites—”

“Are in geostationary orbit, I know. The problem is not with anything on our end, or the comms network itself, but with Zarmina Station.”

“What do you mean? What’s wrong with the station?”

“Isaiah, you should tell her.”

“Tell me what?” Salome asked, frowning at him.

He took a deep breath. “A lot of things have happened since you were kidnapped, Salome. A little less than a day ago, our system was invaded by a fleet that calls themselves the ‘Hameji.’”

“The ‘Hameji’?” Salome asked. “But what are you—”

“Zarmina Station is now totally under their control,” said Reva. “They have achieved orbital supremacy over this planet and have probably occupied New Jezreel as well.”

“What the hell are you talking about!” Salome asked, her fists clenched. To Isaiah’s surprise, she glared at Reva as if she were a genuine threat.

“Whoa,” he said. “It’s okay. Reva is a friend.”

The hell she is! Salome seemed to all but glare at him.

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