Wrath of the Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 8)

By Michael G. Thomas

Wrath of the Gods is the eighth book in the epic 'Nexus' series, part of the growing Star Crusades universe that chronicles humanity's first steps away from Alpha Centauri and beyond.

The opening battles of the bloodiest war in human history have been fought, and now the enemy spreads from world to world, exterminating all before them. This is no war for territory or resources, it is one of genocide. The valiant efforts of the Alliance, Helions, and Khreenk make the Biomechs pay a terrible price, yet still they continue onwards. Each of these massive assaults is being conducted from deep inside their fortified Arks, the command centers of the Biomech campaign. These vast behemoths combine the capabilities and firepower of battleships with the size and resources of entire space stations.

With trouble brewing between the Anicinàbe and Byotai, there are few remaining allies to counter this bloodthirsty invasion. Two more Biomech fleets make their way to the planets of Micaya and Libuscha, and the remnants of the assault force around Eos turn their attention on the dormant Black Rift. It falls to the heroes of the Great Uprising to rally forces from Mars to Hades to meet this challenge. Admiral Anderson and General Rivers assemble every combat unit they can find to fight the war. At the same time, Spartan and Teresa Morato solicit the aid of an ancient race, one that has even greater reason to bring down their old foe. Together they hope to assemble a mighty host in T’Karan, one that can unleash a counterattack and eradicate the enemy once and for all.
The 15-book Star Crusades series includes:
STAR CRUSADES UPRISING
Siege of Titan (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 1)
Tears of Kerberos (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 2)
Fires of Prometheus (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 3)
Battle for Proxima (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 4)
Fall of Terra Nova (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 5)
Slaves of Hyperion (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 6)

STAR CRUSADES NEXUS
Legions of Orion (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 1)
Machine Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 2)
Heroes of Helios (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 3)
The Great Betrayal (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 4)
Prophecy of Fire (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 5)
Call to Arms (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 6)
Battle for Helios (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 7)
Wrath of the Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 8)
The Black Rift (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 9)

These titles are also available as combined trilogies including:
STAR CRUSADES UPRISING: THE FIRST TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES UPRISING: THE SECOND TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES NEXUS: THE FIRST TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES NEXUS: THE SECOND TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES NEXUS: THE THIRD TRILOGY

For more information visit the official Star Crusades website. Keyword Starcrusader.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Swordworks Books
• Release date: Feb 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781909149458

Michael G. Thomas

Michael G. Thomas, is a writer, martial artist and military historian. He has written books on European martial arts and military history as well as Zombie Survival books and fiction. He is the co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Historical Fencing that teaches traditional armed and unarmed European martial arts. His specialist subject areas are teaching the use of the medieval two handed longsword and the German long knife in both the UK and other parts of Europe.He academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.

Book preview

Wrath of the Gods

STAR CRUSADES NEXUS, BOOK 8

By Michael G. Thomas

Part of the STAR CRUSADES series

Second Edition

Copyright © 2014 Michael G. Thomas

Published by Swordworks Books

The official Star Crusades website:

www.starcrusader.com

The official Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/starcrusader

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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CONTENTS

THE INTERSTELLAR NETWORK

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

THE INTERSTELLAR NETWORK

CHAPTER ONE

The Alliance spread its influence from one side of the galaxy to the other, but with the construction of the first long-range Rift came a desire to explore further. If one could travel over three thousand light years in one direction, then why not travel to other just as remote locations? Information recovered from the Biomech ruins of Hyperion and Hades showed that a vast potential network of Spacebridges between multiple Nexus could allow travel to every star within the vast Orion–Cygnus Arm. This area of space encompassed over a thousand parsecs across and three thousand parsecs in length and included the world of the Alliance, as well as Betelgeuse, Rigel, the stars of Orion's Belt, and the Orion Nebula itself. The construction and maintenance of such an enterprise would require the collected work of trillions of citizens and machines over generations to complete.

The Races of the Known Universe

ANS Dreadnought, Mars Orbit, 361 CC

Spartan ducked low and punched directly at her face. It was a fast, powerful blow, but even he wasn’t quick enough to strike Teresa. She avoided the attack by the narrowest of margins and yanked at his good arm. She pulled him off balance, and he stumbled forward, only to trip over her leg and spin over onto his back.

Come on, old man, you can do better than that! she laughed.

Spartan flipped himself back to his feet and just made it. He could feel his back creaking a little as he moved, and he groaned, much to his annoyance.

Spartan, get to it! said Khan further back in the training hall.

It was a modest area to practice, but more than enough for their purposes. Weights and benches filled a third of the space, but it was on the mats that Spartan had returned to time after time over the last month. His wounds continued to heal, but the damage done to his bones and memory was long-term. Even so, he’d used the time to build up strength and stamina to levels not far from before he’d been taken prisoner. He looked to Khan and shook his head.

You want some as well?

A dull impact cracked against his temple, and he found himself staggering to one side until he could right his balance.

Concentrate, this way, said Teresa.

Khan chuckled and looked to his right where Olik watched. There were another dozen marines, all watching with a mixture of awe and amusement. Teresa was their Colonel and commander of the entire battalion, yet on this ship she was sparring like any enlisted marine, and doing very well. Her speed and power was easily a match for the best of any of them even half her age. She moved around Spartan, her light form and perfect balance in stark contrast to Spartan’s brutish movement.

It’s good to see them together, said Khan.

Olik nodded slowly.

I saw what Teresa did on Prometheus. She is an insane commander. She takes risks and comes out on top every time.

Khan wasn’t quite sure if that was the complement Olik intended. He was a seasoned warrior just as much as Khan was, but he’d had far less experience of these two people than he’d had.

Spartan is much worse. You saw what happened down there when they worked together. Combined, they have the ability to rally anybody to their side and conquer entire worlds. They’re probably more effective than even the Biomechs in that way.

Captain Rivers was standing in the corner of the gymnasium and watching silently. He could hear what the two were saying, and with every word found himself becoming more and more uncomfortable. Colonel Morato was a proven asset, but this sparring with a civilian on board their flagship. It just wasn’t what he’d expected.

Oh, I see you, said Spartan with a roar.

Spartan planted his feet firmly and locked his eyes on his wife’s body. Like him, Teresa wore nothing but the physical training clothing used by all other marines. It was simple attire, a pair of long compression pants that fitted close to the skin and a short, close cut sleeved top. They were barefooted, and the tightness of the compression clothing emphasized every bump and curve in their bodies. Spartan and Teresa couldn’t have been more different. Where Spartan was broad and muscular, Teresa was short, toned, and light skinned. Neither looked a day older than their late thirties, due to a mixture of diet, fitness, and the best medical regime the Alliance could offer. Teresa caught him looking at her, smiled, and then ran at him.

Bit mistake, he said laughing.

She reached within a meter and then jumped out to the right. Spartan moved to block her, but she darted around to find the back of his elbow crashing into her chest and the back of his forearm against her cheek. The impact was hard and heavy, and it stopped her in her tracks. Spartan turned to face her, their faces just centimeters apart.

I told you it was a mistake.

A trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth, but she spat out a little more and shook her head. Unlike Spartan, she began to move about, her feet light and fast on the mats. Spartan lowered his center of gravity and lifted his arms, preparing for the next attack.

I don’t think so, Spartan. If I want you on your back…you’ll be on your back!

A few marines near Khan let out a few catcalls, but a quick stare from the monstrous warrior quickly quieted them down. As he looked back, the two were wrestling before Spartan finally slipped and crashed to his back once more. Teresa leaned in to lock his neck.

You see, she hissed.

Spartan didn’t give up though and locked his legs around her thigh, pinning her between his legs. She was strong but nothing of the level that Spartan was. Every marine was exceedingly fit, but Spartan had always been just that little bit bigger and stronger than the average. Try as she might, there was simply no way to power her way out of the situation.

And I said it was a mistake.

The two lay there, clamped together like some infernal machine with neither refusing to back down. Teresa pushed as hard as she could and instead fell down over him. As she lost her balance, she reached out and pinned both of his arms to the ground.

Officer on deck! barked one of the Marine sergeants.

Major Terson, the second-in-command for the entire 39th Battalion walked in. He spotted them grappling on the ground and waited for them to finish. Teresa threw a quick look at him and then bent down and kissed Spartan quickly on the nose.

That’s it…for now.

He released her, and the two rolled apart. Spartan lifted himself up slowly on one knee while Teresa jumped up as though she’d only just started her exercise regime. She nodded to one of her marines who tossed her a towel. Teresa caught it with her left hand and wiped her brow.

Go on.

Khan and Olik moved to Spartan, who was finding it much harder to bounce back up.

What’s wrong, old man, you feeling your age today?

Spartan straightened his back and quickly wished he hadn’t. He tensed his facial muscles and powered through the pain. The doctors had done some great work with him, but nothing could alter the fast that the Biomechs had caused permanent problems with his limbs. He could even feel a numbing pain from his missing forearm. He looked at the artificial limb and found himself laughing. Khan watched him with amusement.

You’re going slightly mad, Spartan.

Spartan looked to him and angled his head while nodding.

You might be right. Hell, after what we’ve been through, you’d need to be. Right?

Major Terson moved closer to Teresa who was still wiping her brow from the exertions. A small pattern of blood on the towel marked where her lip was still bleeding.

Colonel, an urgent flashcom from High Command. The General is coming to Sol. He will be here in three days.

He noticed the blood and looked a little concerned. Teresa either didn’t see his expression or simply chose to ignore it.

Very good. Pass the word to the Captain. We’ll need to regroup at the Mars Rift shortly. The fleet will need to make preparations.

He nodded and then left as quietly as he’d arrived. Spartan and Khan both watched him leave the gymnasium, and three more marines took their place on the mats.

Three days, Spartan said in a questioning tone, Is that going to be enough time to finish?

Teresa shrugged.

We’d better go and find Z’Kanthu and see how he’s doing.

* * *

Z’Kanthu waited in the darkness deep inside the bowels of the ship. Try as they might, neither Teresa nor Spartan could ignore the increased security as they moved closer to the powerful machine. By the time they reached his temporary quarters aboard the ship, there were pairs of marines at every access point. He knew it was them before they entered the open door and into the large storage area. It was square in shape and outfitted with artificial windows on one side that gave the impression the quarters were located on the outside of the ship. It was a simple and yet effective way of creating the illusion of glass windows. A pair of Decurion machines waited like motionless sentinels on each side of him, their limbs hung down low and lifeless.

Spartan, Colonel. I heard Khan making his way here as well. Where is he?

Spartan approached and reached up to make contact with the machine’s arm. It was an odd custom, but in the last few weeks, the two had become much closer than any had expected. It wasn’t like the friendship between him and Khan, but closer than anything he shared with those in the Marine Corps.

He’s checking on his brothers. Their quarters are not much better than yours.

The Biomech flexed his limbs as if they were aching.

There is nothing wrong with what I have been given. Space is a luxury we do not have, especially with the work we’ve been doing. Time is much more of a problem if we are to be ready for what we are going to be forced to do. I suspect that is why you’re here?

Spartan looked to Teresa.

You know about the General? Teresa asked Z’Kanthu.

The machine said nothing, and Teresa knew almost immediately that she’d simply answered her own question by telling him. Z’Kanthu nodded but said nothing more.

Very well. Yes, we need to pull out of this area. The reports from the front are not good. Spascia is still holding, but Helios…

She found it hard to continue describing what was happening. Spartan placed a hand on her shoulder.

Z’Kanthu. You know how the Biomechs operate. They are launching ground invasions of all Helion worlds, but Helios Prime is something different. By the time they’ve finished, the world will be a sterile rock.

Yes, he replied.

Teresa looked up at him and shook her head angrily.

Yes? Is that all you have?

The machine paused, perhaps contemplating her question and then answered.

Yes.

Teresa looked down hopelessly and rested her head in her hand.

We’ve been given this time on the promise we would be able to bring assets to the war. The assumption being we were enlisting Earthsec forces, but you’ve seen how successful that has been.

I don’t think the volunteer unit is going to change the war, Spartan said ruefully.

The day before he was aboard one of the many requisitioned civilian liners being hastily converted for war. The reality was this just meant clearing out the unnecessary junk, fitting stowage equipment, and marking them up as Alliance vessels. Only a lucky few had been fully painted up, and even fewer retrofitted with point-defense turrets. Those they had recruited were a mixture of security staff, retired soldiers, and more than a few unsavory characters Spartan suspected would be as likely to steal and run rather than fight.

Maybe, but we do have over a thousand of them so far.

Spartan lifted the corner of his mouth in a crooked smile.

Oh, a thousand? Well, in that case.

Teresa shook her head in mock annoyance and looked back to the machine.

How many are left?

The aged warlord extended his hand and opened the fingers. A colorful hologram appeared showing a line of machines, each of them like him but different in minor ways. Some were larger, and at least one was multi-armed. All were massive though, and nothing like anything created by man.

Following our defeat, the last of our kind fled out here. This is the last one I have any information on, the rest scattered out into the blackness. They may have lived, but for how long and without assistance, he shrugged; at least it was his best impersonation of the human gesture he was capable of displaying.

The last of my kind should be buried deep inside this object you call Makemake.

The image of the other machine changed to the minor planet. It showed a cool, lifeless rock. The object had first been discovered back at the start of the twenty-first century and had never seen any interest from humanity’s colonists.

Yes, we’ve already landed mining machines on the dwarf planet. Based on the information you’ve given us, we should have results within six to thirty hours. That’s the problem; we have to move and soon.

Z’Kanthu looked at them both and then turned and looked out through the vast artificial windows. Like them, he would have known only too well that the windows were completely artificial. Yet even these fake windows gave him a view of something he hadn’t been able to look upon for so many centuries. He looked back at Teresa and extended his hand to show the imagery of his comrades.

Each of my brothers is worth an army to the cause. As you have seen, they were all buried along with their armies. Give me twelve more hours. There are things we can do to speed this up.

He looked out at the blackness of space, filled with the myriad of stars and objects.

Tell me about the soldiers. Do you have enough ships for them all?

Teresa looked to Spartan and back to the machine.

It wasn’t easy. Luckily for us, the casualties caused by the attack on Mars freed up an awful lot of civilian vessels. We’ve commandeered enough transports for all the containers you’ve helped us locate so far.

Spartan rubbed his chin while she spoke. Finally Teresa finished, and he stepped a little closer.

Tell me, old friend. Don’t you think it’s time we had a look inside one?

The machine looked away from the windows and toward Spartan. If he’d been human, Spartan might have expected some form of insult. Instead, he stood there motionless, like a statue.

Yes, we should examine one to be certain its contents have not spoilt. There are no guarantees that our procedures were infallible. Maintaining machines over such a period is difficult. Living matter is something even more…complex.

Spartan struck his arm.

If there’s anything your people are good at Z’Kanthu, it’s managing hybrid living machines. Let’s go and take a look.

Spartan was out of the door before he looked back and found the machine was still exactly where he’d left him.

What?

Again there was a pause, but finally the Biomech spoke.

The control system. I am…uncomfortable with the programming you have supplied me.

Teresa looked to Spartan, and he could instantly see the nerves coming to the surface. Spartan put his hands on his hips and looked at Z’Kanthu.

What exactly aren’t you happy with?

Z’Kanthu moved away from where he had been waiting and took two short steps in the direction of Spartan. It looked like he might simply walk through the man, but he quickly slowed in front of him.

The current system relies upon orders from a command figure that can be overridden by a Core transmission. It is a simple chain of command that has multiple levels of redundancy. What you propose…well…it is…

Spartan looked increasingly impatient.

What?

The machine lowered half a meter and then stopped. A gentle hiss and whine from his motors now being the only sound anywhere near them.

Dangerous.

Spartan nodded in agreement and then smiled.

You can bet your ass it’s dangerous. I want this Core concept removed once and for all. The only way these soldiers can fight for us is if their loyalty is without question. If they can be reprogrammed at will, then the Biomechs will always have a way to take them back.

But this solution, it will give the Thegns complete autonomy. They could turn against your own armies, or even against your commanders.

Spartan now understood the machine’s concerns.

No, that’s not it, is it?

He stepped close to the Biomech so that his face almost touched his scarred metal armor. At this distance, the machine could have killed him by simply crushing him against the wall. He said nothing though. Teresa looked to Spartan as confused as she’d been a minute earlier.

What do you mean, Spartan?

He looked to her and then nodded to the doorway.

He’s worried that if we give them the ability to choose their own fate, they will use it to turn on their enemy. The one enemy that has spent their entire existence killing, mutilating, and torturing them.

Biomechs, Teresa said under her breath.

Spartan looked back to Z’Kanthu.

Somehow, I don’t think they’ll care too much about this rebellion of yours. They’ll want revenge against you, Dersna, and any other Biomech they can find.

The machine made a few odd noises before speaking

That is one of my concerns.

Spartan smacked his artificial left hand down onto the metal plating.

Then we’d better make sure they understand what’s at stake.

He then moved through the door with both of them following him. Spartan was sure he could sense one last question. He looked over his shoulder to see the machine walking just a few meters behind.

What?

How can you be sure of their intentions?

Spartan moved on and indicated toward the pair of red armor clad Jötnar waiting on each side of the wide passageway.

Almost every one of the Jötnar was constructed by the enemy for one purpose. After capture, we removed the programming of every single one of them. Any born since have been clear of the command system of your people. Do you know what we’ve found?

Z’Kanthu shook his metal torso from side to side.

They are the most loyal, trustworthy, and brave soldiers in the Alliance. But even more than that, they have a hatred that is bone deep for anybody that would attempt to enslave or control them again. It’s why they are such formidable fighters.

Why are you telling me this?

Teresa laughed.

Because these Thegns have the potential to be more than just cannon fodder for your wars. They could be an asset to all of us, just like the Jötnar proved to be.

The two humans walked ahead, and Z’Kanthu trailed behind, trying to imagine what kind of universe it would be if the Thegns had free will. No matter how many different ways he looked at the problem, every single one ended up with him and his kin dead.

* * *

The storage hold on the port side of the ship was large, easily big enough to house four Maulers and all their assorted paraphernalia. Instead, this section of the ship was being used to store a number of the special containers collected from the other dig sites throughout the Kuiper Belt. Each was the size of a Cobra, one of the small Marine shuttles. They were rectangular and surrounded by a lattice of armored ribs that protected whatever lay inside. Two-dozen marines waited at their posts along the two entrances, as well as around the containers themselves. Z’Kanthu moved closer to the unit and placed both his hands on top.

Wait there, do you know what is inside? Teresa asked.

The machine looked back at her.

This one carries the markings of On'Sarax. She is one of the youngest of the rebels. We fought together at the Battle of Fire where seventy of our brothers held the line. It was a major victory for us, but not for long.

On'Sarax, a female? Spartan asked.

Z’Kanthu looked at him, his machine eyes glowing bright red.

Yes.

He pointed to the other containers.

There are more of them bearing her mark and those of her bandon. They will contain the warriors, but it is this one that contains her.

He then looked back to the container and twisted two of the bars to reveal a hidden panel. He reached inside his chest and withdrew a pair of smooth cables and pushed them into the unit. Dots of color moved back and forth from the container to him. This went on for almost a minute before the colors flickered and died. Z’Kanthu rose to his full height and stepped back.

Well, is that it?

The machine remained completely still.

Watch.

They waited, and for what seemed like an eternity nothing happened. Then a gentle hiss and clunking sound spread from one end to another. One of the ribbing bars turned and dropped to the floor. The others followed until all of those on one side had broken away. More noise came from the container, and then the entire panel on the side tipped over and crashed to the ground with an almighty crunch. Two of the marines moved from where they were watching, both with their weapons raised to their shoulders. Teresa lifted her hand and sent them back.

Soon, said Z’Kanthu.

Dust now surrounded the unit as more panels and sealed layers of thin metallic film ripped away, and a dark shape moved. Spartan wanted to move ahead, but the sounds coming from inside did little to encourage help. Finally, an object appeared, a machine-like leg little different to Z’Kanthu. The metal object touched the floor and tapped it. Another quickly followed, and then with a crunching sound the machine pulled itself out from the container and lifted itself up to a height not far short of Z’Kanthu.

Wow, we have a second one, said Teresa.

Z’Kanthu approached and stopped two meters away. Both machines faced off like a pair of metal demons. This new one was shorter and much broader in shape. Its legs were of the same design, but instead of two arms, it carried two on each side, both hanging down low to the knees. There was no obvious head, but a single blue lamp flickered as it began to speak roughly where a face would have been. The two spoke for nearly thirty seconds, and then they turned to face Teresa and Spartan.

This is On'Sarax. She is my old master at arms and my teacher in the ways of war.

* * *

Spartan, Teresa, and Major Terson walked quickly along the starboard access corridor. The ship was busy now as marines moved about carrying equipment for the new arrivals. There was a palpable sense of both urgency and danger every minute they stayed out here in Sol. The passageway was wide enough for four marines to pass along and lit by a series of floor and ceiling strip lights at regular intervals. On one side were short, full-width windows that showed a clear view of the empty space further away from Mars. Like all the windows on the ship, they were artificial, yet they served the purpose.

Look, Teresa said.

She stopped for a moment and pointed out of the window. Spartan saw the shifting patterns of darkness, as the stars seemed to dance. All three of them knew what was coming, but a young private further down the corridor stopped and watched in surprise.

What the hell is that?

Another marine coughed to get his friend’s attention. The man looked at the three senior officers and straightened up before continuing toward them. Spartan smiled at the man’s surprise and looked back at the shifting colors.

He’s early, isn’t he?

Major Terson checked his secpad.

Yes, by a few minutes at least.

The color shifted one last time before a kaleidoscope of color announced the activation of the Rift. In a single flash of light, a Spacebridge of just over four light years was created between Mars and Terra Nova. It was the miracle of science that had given the Alliance the ability to spread far and wide with minimal effort or resources. Instead of what they were expecting, a twenty-one ship civilian convoy entered the system. Teresa looked almost disappointed at their arrival. These were a mixture of freighters and passenger liners that traveled together for mutual protection. All were privately owned and decked out with a bizarre assortment of livery and insignia marking out their owners and interests. The only ships to stray from this were the two Liberty destroyers moving with them as escort. It was a timely reminder of the situation transport vessels now found themselves in throughout Alliance territory.

Well, I guess this means things are starting to get back to normal, said Spartan.

Major Terson tensed his brow and frowned.

This is different though. Until now, it’s been rare for Alliance ships to make this trip. Earthsec are pretty militant about looking after their own territory.

You don’t say, muttered Spartan.

Major Terson looked at him, tensed a little, and then looked to Teresa.

Sending Alliance ships in as escort is a clear message from Terra Nova. In the past, we’ve had to clear a flight plan well in advance with Earthsec. Why do I think High Command just sent these through without clearance?

Great, said Teresa, so Terra Nova is flexing its muscles.

Spartan watched the shapes of the ships with a mixture of annoyance and curious fascination. He could already identify some of the markings from Euryale and Kerberos.

Those ships have been around the block a bit.

He then looked back to Teresa and the Major.

I don’t really get it. Earthsec is something that had significance maybe before the Rifts. Now we are linked together by a matter of days, or hours in most cases. Sol is part of the Alliance, so why the hell do we let something like this even exist?

Teresa looked almost as surprised as the Major.

Well, the Alliance has an agreement with Earthsec. They operate semi-independently but under the protection of the Alliance.

Spartan shook his head and continued on forwards. He looked at the ships as they activated their thrusters and moved into high orbit around Mars. With the planet now