Paragon's Fall (Homeworld Lost Book 4) by J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon

Author:J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon [Chaney, J.N. & Moon, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2023-08-12T16:00:00+00:00

I dashed through a shower and wished it was longer. What I really needed was a sauna and a hot tub. Maybe with a wet bar and a TV, a simple flat screen with no holographic projection. A slice of Earth nostalgia might speed up my recovery whenever I had time to chill between getting my ass kicked.

When I emerged clean, dry, and in a fresh uniform, Hash was at the small table near the kitchenette. Again, he had his hands clasped together and appeared deep in thought.

“Sorry that took so long.”

“It was literally five minutes,” Hash said with a slight smile. He stood, and we left to find Patricks and the rest of the UEDS mission. Scratch appeared out of nowhere and trotted beside us, tongue hanging out.

“You’re filthy and stink like Qurk sweat or musk or whatever,” I said.

“I left Scratch with Hops to calm the animal. He senses something is wrong on our homeworld,” Hash said.

“Looks like they must have had a hell of a time.”

Hash chuckled. “They are energetic, though I think it is time to get Hops some fresh air and a purpose. He has been moody.”

We reached the armory where all of the UEDS were examining a suit of Kayan armor. Patricks wouldn’t allow his people to use the ship’s technology until it could be reviewed by a United Earth science team and approved for implementation.

They all wanted a piece of it, I thought. Even the natural introverts in the group were coming out of their shells to geek out on the science of the living starship and what she could do.

“Can I have a moment?” I asked.

Patricks put down a tablet and crossed the room. “What is it?”

“Kayan is needed in Mavik Prime, this guy’s homeworld.” I hooked a thumb toward Hash.

The Mavik muttered something.

Again, I had remembered too late that the phrase big guy could be offensive, sort of like calling someone in the Reach a dick. That left one definition of what the word guy meant in several of this galaxy’s languages.

“Sorry, dude. It slipped.”

“You were being a dick. I understand.”

Patricks laughed awkwardly at our exchange, then shook his head. “Okay, I’m guessing this isn’t a trip my ships can make—or can’t make as fast as Kayan can.”

“That’s the gist of it.” I realized everyone in the room was watching us as they continued to work. They were brave professionals. If there was fear and doubt hidden behind their expressions, I couldn’t detect it. “I understand what it is like getting used to this place. New people. New technology. Everything you were taught growing up challenged on a daily basis—it’s a recipe for overwhelm.”

Patricks chuckled, then gripped my shoulder. “You did the same thing, but alone and recovering from wounds that should have killed you and no hope of ever going home.”

His hand felt comforting, like an expression of genuine camaraderie. I’d had commanders use the trick that made it feel like a showdown with a creepy uncle. This guy was a completely different officer than Collins had been.

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