Ancient Fire

By Lee Emory

Aaron and Berina face far reaching challenges in this sequel to PERDITION. Aaron is struck with a debilitating illness that drives him to take a perilous journey with only his friend, Hooker, to accompany him. He has never faced such challenges as he faces now, a whole new cadre of life-threatening adventures and sometimes disappointing enlightenment about the people who brought him and his people to Obrone.

Berina has a dream to learn how to work on the SFTL drives and sets about to do that, only to discover a surprising roadblock in the form of one amorus Kronz. She finds the situation intolerable and the Kronz persistent and downright alarming. Now Aaron is headed off across the giant planet straight into the Ancient Fire, and his chances of survival seem dim indeed. She is torn in two directions, and has no idea the danger she faces that is ahead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Emory
• Release date: Sep 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452499307

Lee Emory

Lee Emory is the former owner of Treble Heart Books, Sundowners, MountainView Publishing and WhoooDoo Mysteries. Many, many books were published by Lee over the last 13 years. Shewill always treasure her years at the helm andis so sad to turn loose of her many fine authors.

Book preview

Ancient Fire

by

Lee Emory

Ancient Fire

Copyright © 2011 Lee Emory

All rights reserved.

Cover Art and Layout

Copyright © 2011 by Lee Emory

All rights reserved.

WhoooDoo Mysteries

(Science Fiction)

a division of

Treble Heart Books

Sierra Vista AZ

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The characters and events in this ebook are fictional and any resemblance to persons, whether living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

Ebook ISBNs :978-1-936127-64-1

1-936127-64-4

Author's Note

Aaron Gromar, former UFC Senator who'd lost favor with the new world order, is warden to Androneda Prison, a remote planet which takes five years to reach in a ship with FTL drive, but he is as much a prisoner as the inmates. He can never leave. Aaron is a strong man with a dark secret he dare not reveal as it would mean his death.

Apart from the occasional use of an isolation cell, there is no need for bars in Androneda's Prison. Staying alive from day to day is enough deterrent to misbehavior for most prisoners. That, and a device called Lobe-O. The only sure escape from this planet is death. It's been tried.

Berina Colchek is sentenced to life on Androneda, better known as Perdition (Eternal Hell). She's an assassin, inured to killing. The the one emotion, perhaps the strongest she feels, is anger. Her anger and hatred is directed at the Warden Gromar and all he stands for, but she soon discovers quite a different enemy facing her she never counted on. Perdition is everyone's enemy, and the struggle to survive its daily torments is a vital priority for staff and prisoners alike.

One thing is certain. If you're human, Perdition will either make you stronger or destroy you utterly.

This was the synopsis to PERDITION, a book I wrote a few years ago and it's been much too long since I was able to complete this sequel you have in your hand now. The story has moved forward and now Berina and Aaron find themselves on a new, sparsely populated planet that is far from anything the former Earthers experienced.

Obrone appears veritable utopia, its people benevolent in every way to the last man, but certainly Aaron and Berina soon learn nothing can ever be perfect no matter where you reside. Heaven notwithstanding.

Aaron's debilitating illness leads him on a inhospitable journey into an astonishing new role, and Berina battles with her past demons to reconcile herself to the possibility of Aaron's forthcoming role. She's not at all sure about it, or about her ability to cope with life here and what is expected of her. Ancient Fire is full of challenges and hardships, though far different than those Androneda threw at them.

I sincerely hope you will enjoy Ancient Fire. In the end, I pray you will feel confident that our current world will stop its slide in the direction of Perdition.

Sincerely,

Lee Emory

Table of Contents

Author's Note

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Epilogue

Dedication

To my husband and greatest fan, as always.

To my dear friend, Donna, always willing to lend a hand, or

talk about writing over lunch, or any time at all.

Chapter 1

Aaron Gromar stumbled off to bed. Pain cut through his skull as if caused by the swing of a rusty axe. His eyesight blurred until he could barely see his own hands. In the last six months, he'd suffered this recurring agony so many times he'd lost count. Human medics had treated him with a variety of pain relievers, but nothing worked; the pain waxed and waned as and when it would. Nothing specific, save the visions, seemed to trigger the episodes; in all his years, until now, he never suffered migraines, but he was unable to call them anything else.

Except migraines were treatable and he well knew it. Aaron began to wonder if he might be growing a brain tumor. He had no other theory.

He knew his fiancée Berina Colchek worried about him. His parents, Erik and Imitsu, worried, too, and yet no answer came to mind. The longer he lived on Obrone, the more restless he became. Some of the inhabitants of Obrone, the Kronz, saved Aaron and many others imprisoned on Androneda when the latter blew apart once and for all.

His stress level now reached an incredible high, yet he could not imagine a reason to feel so shredded, so ill at ease. The other thing which puzzled him, and drove him half mad at times, was every night since his harrowing escape from Androneda and his arrival on Obrone he saw--or perhaps dreamed of--a strange, compelling fire. When he saw the fire during the day, he could not call it a dream, per se. A vision, certainly it was. But sleep began to elude him more and more these nights. The unexplainable visions drained him, pulled him. Kronz artwork often depicted such a fire in all sorts of renderings from painted works to sculptures, but the visions were alive and moving in his mind, not stationary as in a painting. Many Kronz were artists and their works permeated all life, in all aspects, on Obrone.

As a race in the universe, the Kronz had come close to extinction, from all Aaron could determine, for there were but a few million left to inhabit their huge planet. He never knew such a benevolent race of people could ever exist. He would be forever grateful to them for his rescue of him and the prisoners in his charge.

Yet he arose each day feeling irritable and agitated from lack of sleep. His relationship with Berina suffered. They seemed to be growing apart before they could even begin to grow together.

He heard the door and knew it was Berina letting herself into his apartment. Aaron? Are you home?

In here, he groaned, the vibration from his own voice knifing through his head. The artwork covering his bedroom walls swam in front of his eyes, adding to his pain.

She appeared in the doorway of his bedroom. Oh, no. Are you in pain again? You are. You're as white as the moons.

Sorry. I'm afraid dinner's off tonight. I can't even see. And if I'm not an invalid, I'm the next thing to it. Can't see anything very clear but these fiery visions.

I'm so worried about you, sweetheart. And, well, the truth is I came to break our date tonight anyway. I'm needed up on the docking station earlier than I first thought. I'm all packed. Just came to say goodbye for a while.

Aaron clenched his fist into his bed coverings. Great. Just great. At least one of us knows what she's about.

With a deep sigh, she moved to sit on the edge of his bed. I feel terrible about this. I hate leaving you, especially when you're not well.

I hate your leaving me at all, but I'm doing my best to understand your passion for working on high tech Kronz drives. When will I see you again? It's pretty hard to have a relationship at long distance.

Berina's soft gray eyes shone with worry, sympathy and guilt. He shouldn't want her to feel guilty, but God forgive him, he hurt so much he was uncertain if he would even be alive to see tomorrow.

Aaron, at the moment a quality relationship isn't even possible due to your illness. I feel as if I'm deserting you and being terribly self-centered. I wish you could be happier here, darling. It's hard to understand what's happening to you. Obrone is such a beautiful planet. The air is pristine. The Kronz artwork is everywhere, the most breathtaking I've ever seen. Just look at your own walls. Have you ever seen anything more stunning, more soothing? Everywhere we go is magnificent to the eyes. The Kronz themselves are unbelievable, kind and generous. I like them, even though I know they are superior to us in every way. I've never dreamed of living like this, surrounded by such beauty and friendship. An entire planet that is so uncluttered with masses of inhabitants is mind boggling.

You do seem happy here, I'll admit. I'm glad. His voice sounded ragged even to his own ears. That doesn't mean I won't miss you after all we've been through to get here.

Berina rolled her lips together in thought. Aaron, I wonder if you would agree to meet with a friend of mine. You've met him before. It's Aseak of Abashon, one of the spiritual leaders. He's also a healer of great renown within the Kronz culture. If anyone can help you, I believe he can. Will you agree to see him? If so, I'll make arrangements before I lift off.

You think I need a cleansing something like what you went through? You think I'm ‘soul sick' as they call it?

I don't know, Aaron. I just can't stand to see you suffer like this. I'm worried. Let me ask him to come here. Okay?

He held her tight before she left, kissed her even though his head pounded without mercy. Heart sore and soul sick, a fine way to begin his new life after so many years of enduring the tortures of Androneda Prison and his exile from Earth's human population.

* * *

After Berina left, Aaron struggled to sleep, but could not. The pain gave him no rest this day. It seemed not long before he heard a signal from the door. He struggled up to answer the summons, having to feel his way there from the near blindness his headache caused. His legs rebelled against movement and he felt weak all over. At last he made it to the door.

Although the Kronz towered above him, the voice was softer, more soothing than many males of the same species, or humans, for that matter. Greetings, Aaron of Gromar. Berina of Colchek requested I come to see if I can be of help. I must say you do look ill. Let me help you back to your bed chamber.

I can't see you, but your voice sounds like Aseak of Abashon, as I recall.

Correct. We must move slowly for the moment. Your color is too pallid.

Once Aaron lay back on his bed, Aseak held his hand, felt his face and looked deeply into his eyes. Tell me exactly how you are feeling, if you can. Your future mate tells me you've been plagued with terrible pain now and again.

Aaron nodded his head, a slight movement. Never had headaches like this before. I don't understand why. I know you'll think I'm crazy, but I'm having visions. I get little sleep at all anymore. A man can't stay healthy like this. Any idea what's wrong?

Stoic, yet looking puzzled, the Kronz said, Describe these visions, please. They could be of vital importance.

Aaron shrugged. I see fire. It's so bright all the time, the flames are unlike any fire I've ever seen, but it's there. Behind the flames is…a wall or something. Though I see little else but the fire. Sometimes it's as if I'm falling into the flames. At night I wake after dreaming about it, sweating. Even in the day the visions hit while I'm awake. Pain and pressure starts right afterward. This is a debilitating pain, robs my sight, my strength. I feel so weak and yet something in me keeps wanting to stare into that fire. It is hard to explain. So weird.

The silver haired alien, Aseak, though appearing shocked and concerned, took both Aaron's hands within his very long fingers. He held them tight for the longest moment of silence. Aaron was not offended, but curious.

Aaron of Gromar, this is most significant. Most unusual. It seems you are being called to the Ancient Fire. In fact, you are the first human from Earth to experience this calling. But I must caution that it is both a great honor and grave risk.

The room spun in Aaron's blurry vision and he closed his eyes against the torment. I don't follow you.

Aseak hesitated before speaking. First, allow me to quiet your mind, as I did for your betrothed. He passed his beringed hand in front of Aaron's face and within a few seconds the pain began to subside. Better?

Much. How do you do that?

"Ahh, perhaps someday you will wear the Holy Spirit's ring and not only know, but be able to do the same for another in crisis. However, I fear I have a lot of explaining to do. Let me begin by pointing out a story from your Holy Bible, as I have read and studied it. When God spoke the Ten Commandments through the burning bush on the mountain, those commandments, which are often disobeyed, have remained with your Christian followers over the centuries.

"We Kronz possess a Holy Book as well, an ancient tome in our possession since the beginning of our recorded time. Its writings are older than your own, but that is no matter. Since your parents and others from Earth arrived here, we spiritual leaders have studied and compared your Bible to ours and found them to be much