Dreams & Deceptions

By Richard Draude

Awake, Alone, and Angry

Twenty-five Colonial Periods locked in Cold-stasis has left Kalen MacKenna with only two possessions, a hellish nightmare, a reminder of the night his life changed forever, and a driving need to restore honor to his family name. Recovering from his long stasis confinement, and struggling to regain the use of his body, Kalen discovers that not even a heavily guarded prison is a haven from his enemies.. Alone and friendless, Kalen sets out to prove his innocence. But who can he trust? And how do you find answers to questions no one bothered asking over a quarter-century ago?

Recovering from his long stasis confinement, Kalen struggles to regain the use of his body. He soon realises even a heavily guarded prison isn't a haven from his enemies.

Kalen's release finds him alone, friendless and still in danger. He sets out to prove his innocence. But who can he trust? And how do you find answers to questions no one bothered asking over a quarter-century ago?

• Language: English
• Publisher: NewLink Publishing
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781941271025

Richard Draude

Richard R. Draude, an east coast baby boomer, found reading and early TV shows great ways to pass the time as a young boy in New Jersey. From the Hardy Boys to more serious mysteries and thrillers, he loved the excitement and adventure of the written word. Inheriting a love of old movies from his parents, he enjoys a wide range of TV and movie genres, and loves quoting lines and scenes from his favorite films. Richard has two of his five book series, The MacKenna Saga, published under NewLink Publishing

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Chapter 1

Like a rock through glass, his nightmare shattered and consciousness returned.

His body floated and quaked in an inky void.

The constant cold, bearable a short time ago, seeped deep into his bones, while his arms and legs burned. He opened his eyes, blinked twice and stared into the blackness.

Blind? Why am I blind?

Realizing he was lying on his back, he tried to sit up and discovered he couldn’t move. The profound quiet unnerved him.

Am I deaf?

He took deep breaths to calm himself, to clear his mind and remember, but his thoughts wouldn’t connect. Fear cramped his chest and cut off his breath. His heart pounded so hard, the blood pulsing through his veins hurt. The burning in his limbs intensified, as if someone had set them on fire. He arched his back in protest and opened his mouth to scream. The only sound he sensed, a weak, muffled croak.

Was that me?

Pressure on his chest pushed him flat. Something bit into his left arm. His mind swam, and all conscious thought ceased.

Awareness, like a foggy sunrise, pulled him back toward reality. His arms and legs ached. Any efforts to move them elicited only a weak response. Panic cramped his gut, while his shout for help produced another solitary croak.

Where am I?

He moved his hand but only achieved a small twitch.

Who am I?

He couldn’t focus his thoughts.

Why can’t I remember my own name?

Vivid images flashed through his mind, but like snowflakes in the palms of his hands, his thoughts melted away before he could grasp their details. A sudden roar filled his head and then subsided.

I hear voices. Someone spoke in a strange, yet somehow familiar language. I’m not alone!

Focusing all his attention on the voice, he listened to understand its speech, but the words remained jumbled and puzzling.

Where am I?

With sudden fury the cold and heat returned. His body convulsed and writhed. He heard more words spoken. The panic in their tone spiked his adrenaline. Something stung his right arm. A warm sensation flowed up to his shoulder and washed through his body. All thoughts and images ceased. He floated in a sea of warm velvet blackness and safety.

Then, like the inflow of a cold, relentless tide, memories flooded the darkness. His nightmare returned.

He inhaled the cool night air, scented with the earthy aromas of a late harvest season. With the top retracted, the wind blew through his hair while he guided their new Costos R Seven cruiser through his neighborhood.

Gliding up to his father’s home, he extended the struts, parked, and hopped out over the door. The instant his feet touched the pavement, a flash lit the night. The blast’s concussion hurled him backward. He landed hard, skidding across the street on his side and stopped in a crumpled heap. Stunned and unable to move, he watched in horror while flames engulfed his father’s house.

His mind drifted, the scene changed.

He lay in a hospital bed. A Roving Patrol officer questioned him about the incident.

The scene blurred and refocused. He found himself in an interrogation room, cringing while the officers shouted their accusations. Those accusations evolved into murder charges.

He attempted to redirect his thoughts, but the offensive memories came now of their own volition and rushed toward their terrifying conclusion. One scene melted into another. He saw himself in a courtroom on trial for murder, a crime of passion they called it. His lawyer hadn’t believed him and tried to make a case for ‘diminished capacity’. The jury convicted him of murdering his wife and his father.

The judge’s face flashed in his mind, and he heard the old man’s voice.

"Kalen MacKenna, having been found guilty on two counts of murder, by a jury of your peers, I will now pronounce sentence. You will be transported to the Great Southern Wastelands, where you will serve twenty-five years in Cold stasis. Take him away."

Pain jarred his body and he bolted upright. I know my name! His eyes popped open. They worked. He recognized the stasis tomb. His ears now functioned too. His voice assaulted them with screams of Jancee’s name.

Wait! Wait! Don’t! Someone pressed a hypo against his neck. An angry hiss followed and the world went black.

Wyndimere Colony2479th

Colonial Period Minkarst Space Port

Chapter 2

Forced Convictions

Mayla Santiago bit her lower lip and stared heavenward through the clear plexi-panels of the spaceport’s roof.

I hate this uniform!

She clenched her fists at the memory of the recent conversation with her uncle. After a moment her attention returned to her reflection in the panels. She pulled at the collar of her gray-blue uniform blouse and grimaced.

These pants make me look like a bovine!

A voice echoed through the empty waiting area. Combined Colonial Military Force shuttle on final approach.

He knows how I feel about leaving.

Mayla looked up at the shadow crossing the roof. The long, Delta wing shape of the shuttle, made its descent toward the spaceport’s isolated military platform.

He has never spoken to me like that.

Movement, reflected behind her, caught Mayla’s attention. A tall blonde-haired woman entered the waiting area. The woman stopped, leaned against a wall and stared at Mayla’s back. Mayla shrugged off her presence and returned her attention to the shuttle, now only meters above the terminal.

I am not going! He will just have to find another way.

The shuttle slipped into its berth.

Mayla returned her attention to the woman. No one knows about this shuttle. There is only one passenger, Uncle Neil. What’s she doing here at this hour? This doesn’t feel right.

Mayla straightened, pulling her shoulders back, the muscles in her body tightened. She slipped her hand inside her long uniform coat and loosened her weapon in its holster, then stopped herself. Oh, this is stupid. Grandfather’s theories have made me paranoid.

Lowering her hand, Mayla willed herself to relax. The shuttle touched down. She jumped at the hatch’s opening hiss. She let out her captive breath and bit her lip again. Peering over the security barrier on tiptoe, she recognized Neil’s tall trim figure when he stepped out of the tube leading from the CCMF landing pad. Uncle Neil! Uncle Neil, over here!

Neil saw her, smiled, and called out. "Mija."

Despite her ire, his greeting forced her smile. She never could stay mad at him. When he stepped around the barrier and moved closer, her eyes widened.

He walked slower than his normal crisp pace. His face looked care worn and his black hair, tangled and disheveled, not his usual squared away appearance. His father’s untimely death weighed on him.

He hastened up the walkway, reached up and embraced her. Mayla, how have you been?

I’m fine. Her smile slipped to a frown.

Let me look at you, he said, holding her at arm’s length. You get prettier every time I see you.

Uncle Neil, stop that. Blood rushed to her cheeks. How are mother and father?

They are well under the circumstances. The whole family is looking forward to your return.

Mayla narrowed her eyes and stared at her uncle.

Mayla, I am sorry for being so stern when we last spoke. He gave a weak smile and cringed.

You had no reason to yell at me. She thrust her lower lip out and stared at him with a wounded pout.

I was not yelling! He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. Sorry. I know you are not enthusiastic about leaving Wyndimere right after graduation, but I needed to get my point across.

Uncle Neil, what is the point to this? You are about to drag me all the way to Arriesgado Ventura based on grandfather’s vague conspiracy theory about the mining Consortium trying to undermine the Arrisian government. I cannot bring myself to believe it.

We should get something to eat. We can talk on the way.

Mayla brightened. That works for me. How much time do you have?

"The shuttle is scheduled to return us to the Initio Star in six standard hours."

Mayla frowned at his emphasis on the word us. I still need time to work out my refusal.

You can slip on board while the crew is busy with orbital and pre-flight procedures. Why do you ask?

"I discovered a new restaurant over in Kosti. I wanted to make sure you have enough time to get there and back."

Neil wrinkled his nose. We should go into Trieste. The trip is shorter and the Crystal Rose is always open.

Oh no, not that tired old pub of yours. Treating me to a decent meal before you dump me on that farming colony is the least you can do.

The Crystal Rose is quiet, nearby, and the food they serve is good.

Mayla made a rude noise. All your years aboard military ships has ruined your taste buds if you believe the food at the Crystal Rose is good. She hooked her arm in her uncle’s and pulled him close. Come on, Uncle Neil, live a little.

When Neil grimaced, Mayla laughed and dragged him toward the exit. Turning the corner, she found the blonde staring at them. Her light green eyes remained fixed on Neil. The hair on the back of Mayla’s neck prickled. They passed her and stepped out onto the windy public concourse. Mayla looked over her shoulder. The blonde hurried from the terminal, jumped into a cruiser parked at the curb and sped away.

Mayla returned her attention to her uncle.

Is something wrong? Neil said.

No, Uncle Neil. She sniffed the air. "Smells like rain.

Weather scans show a storm moving in from the west. Neil hailed a transport. The next vehicle in line glided up to the pickup zone and they climbed in.

Mayla took the rear facing seat. She gave the driver instructions, closed the privacy panel and decided not to say anything. She could see no possible connection between the woman’s appearance and her uncle’s return.

Their driver headed out of the spaceport.

From her shoulder bag Mayla removed a brush and ran it through her thick, auburn hair.

Neil inhaled and smiled. Ah yes, your brushes.

Is there a problem? Mayla said. The conditioner in the brush relaxes the tangles.

I know. Neil laughed. It fills this stale transport with the scent of fresh cut flowers and I think you forget how it lingers in your hair for hours. His smile faded and he cleared his throat. Mayla, I know my father may not have proved his theory. However, his death reinforces my belief that he had a line on important information.

You do not believe his and Clark’s deaths were accidental? She slowed her strokes.

No, I do not. Neil stared out the window at the passing buildings. Clark was a good man. The reports of pilot error are false. I have my own team examining his flyer’s wreckage. They are looking for evidence of tampering.

You never told me why he contacted you in such a panic. What was that all about?

He told me he uncovered the reason for the murders of Russell MacKenna and his daughter-in-law. He believes members of the Arrisian Central Council were involved. Your grandfather also believed someone is influencing subtle changes to their laws governing mining.

Mayla finished with her hair and returned the brush to her bag. When she looked up, she spotted the blonde’s cruiser pull in three vehicles behind them.

Mayla, you seem distracted. Is there something wrong?

She continued to stare out the rear window. Uh, no, Uncle Neil. She changed the subject. The Arrisians settled Arriesgado Ventura a hundred years ago! Can you think of one reason why anyone would try and destroy their government now? Why would any of the Council members be trying to get around the Arrisian Constitution?

Revenge.

Revenge? Mayla tore her gaze from the rear window and stared at her uncle. Uncle Neil, do you know how crazy that sounds? No one carries grudges that long. Anyone great grandfather or Shawn MacKenna insulted is long since dead.

I am not talking about Shawn MacKenna or Arturo Santiago’s insults. When the Arrisians settled our world, they went against two thousand years of control the Governing Quorum maintained over colonization. People like Shawn MacKenna and your great-grandfather proved how unnecessary the Governing Quorum’s ‘Theory of Ordered Colonization’ is to the colonial movement.

The transport made a sharp right and Mayla glanced out the rear window, the cruiser followed.

Every one of the eight colonies that followed, used the Arrisians’ example to settle and organize their own planet. Their success has weakened the Quorum’s control. Even among colonies settled with Quorum guidance, many in the Colonial Congress are speaking out in favor of Quorum disbandment. Neil turned to look out the window. What is so blasted attractive back there?

Mayla could no longer ignore her instincts. She loosened her weapon in its holster.

Mayla, what is going on?

I’m not sure.

She turned and opened the privacy panel.

What can I do for you, Captain? the driver said.

Mayla glanced at the driver’s ID displayed on the panel above the windscreen. It showed his name as Jason Lynch. This is going to sound like a strange request, Jason, but I want you to take the most indirect route you can through the city.

Jason laughed. Not so strange, Captain. Are you worried about that cruiser following us?

You noticed it too?

I spotted a cruiser illegally parked at the terminal. It left before us and now that same cruiser fell in behind my transport a few minutes ago.

Mayla slipped her iden-disk into the receptor and keyed in a payment of two-hundred credits. I have to be sure they are following us. If they are, we will need to leave you before we reach Kosti. When I tell you to stop, no questions, just stop. After we get out drive away fast, understand?

When the record of Mayla’s fare appeared, Jason glanced down at the screen. That’s not necessary, Captain.

Yes, it is. Do you understand what I need you to do?

I’m retired from the service, Captain. He looked into the rear viewer, his brown eyes intent. I know how to follow orders. He gave her a little salute and sat up straighter in his seat.

Mayla shut the privacy panel and faced her uncle.

Neil had his weapon out. Would you mind telling me now what is going on?

Mayla looked past Neil out the window at the cruiser. A woman came into the waiting area before your shuttle landed.

The blonde, yes, I saw her. I wondered what she was doing in the terminal at that hour.

Did you happen to notice her watching you when we walked out?

Neil looked over his shoulder. No.

She followed us out, got into a cruiser and left. Now that same cruiser is about fifty meters behind us.

Are you sure?

I am sure it is the same cruiser, and so is our driver.

Jason made two right turns, the cruiser stayed with them.

The driver sped up, weaving his way through traffic. When the cruiser fell behind, he made a sharp left, then a quick right. The cruiser disappeared from view.

Halfway up the block Mayla slid the privacy panel back. Stop!

Jason brought the transport to a jarring halt.

Neil slid the passenger door open and he and Mayla bailed.

Go! Mayla yelled.

Jason sped away.

Mayla and Neil crossed the street, slipped into the shadows between buildings and waited.

After a few seconds the cruiser came into view.

Twenty meters up the road lights flared to life. Another cruiser came at the transport head on, then stopped, blocking the roadway. Three women jumped out of the vehicle, weapons drawn.

Mayla watched from her hiding place as Jason guided his transport between the two vehicles. He careened onto the empty sidewalk, and ran his vehicle in close to the building. She winced at the sharp sound of composite scraping stone filling the night.

Two of the women fired, while the third caught up to the vehicle. She reached out, grabbed the passenger door, yanked it open. They’re not in here!

Jason’s transport rebounded off the wall, slipped past the second cruiser and sped away.

The blonde’s vehicle raced past Mayla’s and Neil’s hiding place and stopped. She jumped out and shouted, Why aren’t you chasing him?

Mayla pushed deeper into the shadows.

A muffled, heated conversation followed. When they finished the blonde threw her hands in the air and screamed. Spread out and find him and whoever the woman is with him. Kill them both. She pointed to the buildings. They can’t have gotten far on foot. I don’t want that drone getting off-world. The women fanned out along the street.

From behind her, Neil whispered, If you had any doubts about your grandfather’s theories, this should clear them up.

Mayla ignored Neil’s dig and checked her weapon. What do we do now?

We contact the shuttle, get up to the Initio Star and out of this system.

This is a blind alley, we cannot go this way, Mayla said, pointing over Neil’s shoulder.

Off to the west a flash of lightning illuminated the sky and the first drops of rain hit Mayla’s hand.

Neil touched the comm unit behind his ear. Initio Star, shuttle seven, this is Commander Elano, over.

Peering out of the shadows, Mayla checked on the women searching for them. A pair crossed the street and headed toward the alley. Uncle Neil, we are going to have company!

He grabbed her arm, and led her down the alley. Halfway to the dead end he guided her into the deep shadows beneath a staircase. Stay here, he said, then disappeared into a dark alcove across the way.

Mayla strained to hear his whispered conversation with the shuttle, but gave up and returned her attention to the alley. The scattered raindrops turned into a light drizzle. Two silhouetted figures started toward them, stopping every few feet to check the dark corners.

Neil’s sudden appearance beside her startled Mayla and she jumped.

He whispered, Turn your uniform coat inside out. I will cover you while you distract them. And Mayla, try to keep the noise down when we take them.

If you insist. Mayla flashed him a grin.

Neil narrowed his eyes. I insist.

After making the change, she staggered out of the shadows toward the women.

Stop where you are! one woman, dressed in a black, skin tight jumpsuit ordered.

Mayla let out a long tearing cough and stopped. Help me! Her voice pleaded, pinched and high-pitched. They hurt me!

Who hurt you?

Please help me. Mayla limped closer.

Who hurt you? The second woman demanded.

The man and woman who ran past me. Mayla turned and pointed down the alley. They shoved me to the ground!

Where did they go? The second woman took a step toward her.

Help me.

The first woman pointed her weapon at Mayla. Where did they go?

Th—they went into that building, third door on the right. Mayla said, pointing toward a building at the far end of the alley.

The two women shoved Mayla aside and moved past her. Mayla released her coat and drew her weapon. Stop where you are.

The women halted and turned.

Neil stepped out from the shadows. Without a sound he closed the gap between them. When the woman to Mayla’s left raised her weapon, Neil clicked his tongue. Tisk, tisk, now that is a really bad idea.

She froze and turned.

The other reached for her ear.

Before she could activate her comm, Mayla moved a step closer and hit her with a quick jab in the throat. She collapsed to the ground, clutching her throat and gasping for air. Neil moved in and disarmed the other woman. Who is your leader and why are you after me?

The woman stared at her gasping companion and didn’t respond.

Neil jabbed her with his pistol. Answer me!

The woman glared at him. That’s none of your business. All you need to know, drone, is we’ve sealed off this area. You two won’t live through the night.

Want to bet! Neil hit her in the face. She collapsed on top of her companion.

Mayla snickered. I thought you said you never hit a lady.

"That is no lady. He pointed and said, Fix your uniform."

Mayla turned her coat right side in, bent over and with another quick jab, knocked the first woman unconscious. She pulled their comm units from their heads, stomped on one, fit the other behind her ear and listened. I think they are looking for these two. Now what? We will never get out of this alley unnoticed.

We are not going out into the street. Neil pointed down the alley. We are going up. I spotted a ladder on the wall of that four-story building. We can wait on the roof there until a shuttle arrives.

Mayla checked the alley entrance again. How long?

It should be there by the time we reach the roof. They moved toward the alley’s end.

Neil stopped at a ladder. You first.

Near the outlet, a light blazed to life.

Mayla slipped her weapon into its holster and scrambled up the ladder.

The light swept the alley scanning the ground and walls. Hurry! Neil said.

The drizzle turned into a steady rain.

Two meters from the top, Mayla slipped on a wet rung. She paused to regain her footing and the light focused on her position.

Neil fired.

Two energy bolts whizzed past Mayla’s head, exploding against the parapet wall behind her. Mayla locked her arm around the ladder, pulled her pistol, aimed at the beam, and squeezed the activator. After her second shot the light went out and all firing ceased. She scrambled up, jumped over the wall, turned and took aim. Uncle Neil, I’ve got you covered.

Neil’s hurried footsteps echoed up the ladder. He tumbled over the wall and lay on the deck. When he didn’t stand, Mayla looked down. He clutched his left shoulder. Uncle Neil, what is wrong?

A shot blasted a chunk of the wall loose and nicked my shoulder. I will be fine. Neil rolled onto his side and looked skyward. What is taking the shuttle so long?

Mayla knelt down and pulled his uniform coat open. Blood seeped through the shoulder of his uniform shirt. Uncle Neil, hold this.

He took her weapon.

Pulling her uniform blouse out, she tore part of the tail off, and opened his shirt. This will require closure. She folded the cloth and pressed it against his wound. This is going to hurt.

Between clenched teeth Neil sucked in his breath and said, It does.

She tore another piece of her blouse, threaded it under Neil’s arm and tied it over the make shift bandage.

Neil sat up, buttoned his shirt and touched his comm unit. Shuttle seven, this is Commander Elano, what is the hold up? While he listened, Mayla stood and looked over the alley. There is no sign of them now. She tried to hear their pursuers’ plans over the stolen comm unit, but all chatter had ceased. A quick scan of the ladder assured her the base remained clear.

What is your ETA? she heard Neil ask. "The Captain and I are under fire. No, don’t send a squad, we don’t need the attention.

Is there a problem, Uncle Neil?

The shuttle has a defective collector. We are on our own. Neil looked over the wall and searched the alley. I’ll keep them busy. See if you can find another way down.

Mayla scanned the open, flat roof. On the far side she spotted a small structure with a door in it and a skylight to its left. She headed for the door, but stopped at the skylight and looked down through the wet plasti-panel. A lightning flash illuminated the floor ten meters below with nothing but clear air between there and the roof. She moved to the structure and made a quick scan of the door. My hand pulsar is useless against that heavy door. Blasting the security lock will set the emergency bolts.

When the rain grew steady, Mayla looked up at the night sky and shook her head. It had to rain tonight. Puddles formed on the flat surface and water dripped from her hair. A quick check of the building’s front proved useless. The access door and the ladder provided the only other egress from the roof.

Neil fired off three shots.

Moving to the opposite side, Mayla checked the space between buildings. The other building, two meters away, stood a story shorter. In another flash of lightning, she spotted a ladder’s handrails on the far wall. The night grew quiet, Mayla ran back to Neil’s side. What is going on?

They stopped firing. Do we have a way down?

Building security has locked and alarmed the skylight, and it is at least a ten meter drop to the floor. The roof door has a security lock on it and our pulsars won’t cut through it. We will have to get to the next building before—

From the roof opposite their position, weapons’ fire blasted the wall near their heads. They hunkered down and waited until it slowed.

What did you say about a roof?

"We are going to have to jump across