Legends of Origin 3: Creator Species

By Vanessa Finaughty

Liam and Arthean are trapped on a Harvester spaceship, hunted by the crew, when the rescue mission to save the mysterious Lenora Fairen goes horribly wrong. The ensuing events bring to light some disturbing information about the Harvesters – and their creators – and cause Arthean’s previously unfaltering faith to waver.

Information is scarce about the Vorsors, the species that created the Harvesters. However, the fact that a species as aggressive and bloodthirsty as the Harvesters are afraid of them is reason enough to worry Liam and his friends.

Unlikely allies are formed and new enemies made as Liam and Arthean embark on a new quest – saving their galaxy from the Vorsors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vanessa Finaughty
• Release date: Jun 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311075338

Vanessa Finaughty

Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, and still lives there with her husband of fifteen years, her baby daughter and plenty of furry, four-legged ‘children’. Her passion for the written word started her career as an editor and copywriter, and she part-ran a writers’ critique group for close on seven years. She's been writing ever since she learnt how, has always been an avid reader, and currently lives on coffee and cigarettes. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, life's mysteries and martial arts, of which she has five years’ experience. Review copies of all Vanessa's books are available upon request, and fans are welcome to email her at [e-mail] - she loves to hear any type of feedback and answers all emails personally. *** Please note that Vanessa uses UK spelling and grammar, which is not always the same as US spelling and grammar.

Book preview

LEGENDS OF ORIGIN

BOOK 3

Creator Species

Vanessa Finaughty

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Vanessa Finaughty

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’re 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.

Many thanks to:

My editor and friend, T.C. Southwell, for your input and editing skills.

My beta readers, for your valuable feedback: my sister, Samantha Dyer, and Liz Mills and Carlyle Labuschagne.

Last, but certainly not least, a special thank you to every reader who enjoyed the first two books in this series enough to purchase Book 3.

Table of Contents

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

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

About the Author

LEGENDS OF ORIGIN

BOOK 3

Creator Species

Vanessa Finaughty

If your God found you unworthy, would you accept judgement humbly or, given the opportunity, attempt to destroy your God?

"And we called them T’Acan and placed them in the Valley of the Falling Waves. We decreed that they should harm none lest their survival is threatened, for that would draw too much unwanted attention to the experiment. When they rebelled, we cast them out of the valley and hid it from all, then created a second species as punishment, to destroy them. Now, both species are out of control, creating abominations that must be destroyed before we terminate our creations."

Extract from a Vorsor geneticist’s notes.

Chapter 1

Liam MacAskill and the blond Tridorian monk, Arthean Kendan, materialised in some sort of storage room. The T’Acan spaceship they had just teleported onto hovered above a large continent on the planet called Kepler-22b – or Laridia, as the T’Acan called it. The too-familiar black walls and floors, with tadpoles of yellow, orange and red light streaking across the surface, greeted the two travellers. Tables of the same colours lined one wall, holding torture tools, with a door in the centre. The other three walls were draped in black sheets, covering what Liam assumed to be torture victims.

It reminded Liam of the room he’d found Arthean in not so long ago. He shuddered.

What now? Arthean whispered.

Liam adjusted the T’Acan translation device clipped to his collar. Now, we find Lenora, he whispered back.

Arthean glanced at the sheets.

I can do it, if you want, Liam offered, seeing how ill the monk looked.

Arthean shook his head. I’ll start on this side.

Liam watched his friend move to his left. After a moment, he headed for the closest sheet to his right. If they were lucky, they’d teleported into the same room as Lenora, like Liam had done when he’d rescued Arthean from a similar fate. She was probably behind one of the sheets, although Abbess Shyla had seen her caged in her vision. Liam hesitated before pulling back the first sheet. The last time he’d performed such a search, nothing pleasant had greeted his eyes. He shuddered again as images of dead or dying, mutilated beings returned to his mind.

Arthean gasped, and Liam released the sheet and swung around. The monk held back a sheet that had hidden the decapitated corpse of something unrecognisable. He dropped it as if it had burnt his hand, then moved to the next sheet. Liam turned and pulled back the sheet he stood in front of. He breathed a sigh of relief; an empty wall lay behind it. He continued along the wall.

They looked behind each sheet quickly, both wanting the unsavoury job over and done with. Only one prisoner was still alive and conscious – a blue-skinned Zephlo woman who appeared virtually unharmed. It seemed the T’Acan had only just started on her, since her only wounds were a few cuts across her partially exposed chest, as if she’d been whipped. She wore a translation device behind her left ear, so the T’Acan had probably been questioning her – if she’d fitted the device herself, she would, no doubt, have chosen to attach it to her clothing, since it tended to pinch the flesh behind the ear.

There was no sign of Lenora.

Impossible, Liam muttered to himself.

Could she be next door? Arthean asked.

I suppose it’s possible. That’s not how it should work, though.

Maybe she’s inside a cage, like Abbess Shyla saw, or there are Harvesters in the room with her. You wouldn’t want to end up caged or materialise amidst a bunch of Harvesters, so the crystals would accommodate for that, wouldn’t they, since they work together with mental power?

Liam stared at the monk. I don’t know. He looked at the Zephlo, the same species as his new friend, Klarion, who was off somewhere in another galaxy, trying to rescue his daughter from the same enemy. He wondered if this Zephlo knew Klarion.

I think it’s a safe assumption, Arthean whispered.

It took a second for Liam to realise the monk wasn’t talking about this Zephlo knowing Klarion. He moved towards the door, but stopped when he saw Arthean striding towards the imprisoned Zephlo woman.

What are you doing?

We have to free her, Arthean stated matter-of-factly.

Liam groaned. He should have seen this coming. He was worried they would be discovered before they found Lenora, but he knew from past experience that it was pointless arguing with the monk. Liam went to the table holding the torture tools and selected the same instrument he’d once used to free Arthean, a pen-like tool with a thin hooked end. He used it to pick the locks on the chains spread-eagling the woman to the wall, and Arthean caught her when she fell forwards.

Can you walk? Arthean asked her.

She looked confused, either unsure of where she was or why two strange-looking aliens had come to free her.

Arthean shook her gently and repeated the question.

She lifted her head with apparent difficulty and looked him in the eye. I think so. She tested her legs. A bit wobbly, but I think I’ll manage, she said, then looked from Arthean to Liam and frowned. What…? Who are you?

There’ll be time for detailed introductions later, Liam said. Right now, we need to find a friend and get out of here. I’m Liam, and this is Arthean.

She nodded. I’m Tyria. Who is your friend?

Liam described Lenora.

A frown creased Tyria’s smooth brow. I’m not sure if it’s your friend, but one of your kind, fitting her description, was taken to be hunted.

Liam and Arthean exchanged glances. This would make the rescue considerably more difficult. Liam frowned. Why, then, had the crystal teleported them here?

As if reading his mind, Arthean said, Maybe she was running and the crystals can only take you to stationary objects or people, not moving ones?

Still… Liam shook his head. It should have brought us closer to her than this. Inside the hunting grounds, at least.

"Maybe we are close by," Arthean said.

Liam’s frown intensified. It didn’t make sense.

You used a teleportation crystal to get here? Tyria asked.

Liam nodded.

Then I think I know why it didn’t work the way you expected. The T’Acan have new technology that interferes with teleportation. They call the devices teleportation blockers.

So Lenora could be anywhere on this ship? Liam asked.

Tyria nodded.

She is on board, though, since the crystals brought us to this ship, right? Arthean asked.

It’s probable, yes, Tyria said.

Liam grumbled, I didn’t have this problem on the other T’Acan ship.

I told you, the technology is new. I imagine not all their ships are fitted with it yet, plus, they rarely share information with each other unless they stand to gain something from it, so it’s possible not all their ships have it.

Liam nodded. Now that we’re already on board, will the crystals be more accurate? he asked, hoping they’d be able to teleport home okay when they were done.

Maybe, Tyria replied, but I’m not too clued up on how it all works, so your guess is as good as mine.

I don’t suppose you know a Zephlo by the name of Klarion Kondrak? Liam asked, unable to restrain in his curiosity any longer.

Tyria shook her head. Sorry, no.

Liam was disappointed. Oh well. It was worth asking. He turned to Arthean. Ready?

Arthean nodded, then asked Tyria, Do you have a way off this ship, and somewhere to go?

She shook her head. No to the former and yes to the latter.

You can come with us if you want, Liam said, taking Arthean’s elbow. We can sort out where you need to be once we’ve rescued our friend.

Much appreciated, Tyria said, grasping Liam’s arm.

<><><>

Liam, Arthean and Tyria teleported into what could almost be a natural environment, save for the tadpoles of light Liam had grown accustomed to seeing in T’Acan spacecraft bathing everything in an eerie red, orange and yellow glow, like some sort of malevolent sunlight. Tall trees, thick shrubbery and large boulders surrounded them, and there was even what appeared to be the base of a mountain in the distance.

Arthean ran his fingers along the nearest tree’s branches. It’s fake.

Liam looked closer. Arthean was right. The plant life was all plastic. It made sense that it would have to be, for none of it would grow without some form of light, and there weren’t any growth lights that he could see.

I assume it makes the hunting more fun, Tyria said.

A shrill cry cut the air and beating wings overhead ruffled Liam’s hair. Half ducking, they all looked up. A golden-furred ryokin flew overhead. The thought of the majestic sabre tooth creatures being hunted angered Liam. He clenched his hands at his sides and sent an urgent message to the great beast.

We can free you. Are there others of your kind on board?

The ryokin must have sensed his bond with one of its kind, for its telepathic answer was immediate. I’m the last.

Tyria looked terrified.

Arthean patted her arm. Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you. His kind is sentient and a friend to all who mean them no harm.

The Zephlo didn’t seem convinced. The ryokin landed in front of Liam, and Tyria cowered behind Arthean.

Liam frowned. Ryokin could teleport, so why, then, was this one still captive? The thought of the T’Acan’s new device working against natural teleporting too gave Liam the chills.

The ryokin must have caught his thoughts. Something here prevents me. Even my calls for help bounce back at me in this part of the ship. What device do you speak of?

So the T’Acan’s new toy did mess with natural teleportation too, Liam thought, looking around. There was still no sign of Lenora. He was about to answer the question when the ryokin’s frenzied thoughts rushed into his mind.

Hide, the ryokin urged. The hunters come.

It took off again, and Liam followed without hesitation, with Arthean pulling Tyria along close behind. Behind a boulder, with the ryokin perched on a tree branch above, they waited for the T’Acan to pass. When they were gone, Liam looked around for Lenora, then asked the ryokin if he’d seen her. He had.

He knows where Lenora is, Liam said.

Arthean beamed. That’s great!

They followed the ryokin, whose name was Kelar, to the edge of the trees. Before them lay a vast expanse of what appeared to be desert sand. Liam frowned at it.

The T’Acan tell us that any who make it through that pass… The ryokin turned to look at the ‘mountain pass’ at the far end of the ‘desert’. …Will be returned to their home world, free. He paused. It’s fraught with traps. On the ground, concealed holes too deep to climb out of, and, above, dragons. Too many for only a handful of ryokin to defeat.

Death-breathing dragons? Liam asked.

The ryokin looked astonished. There’s another kind?

Liam shrugged. Lenora’s somewhere in there?

She’s fallen into a trap. I would have rescued her, but the dragons were near, and I have no death wish.

I don’t see any dragons, Liam said, scanning the ‘skies’. Where do they come from? Have you seen?

They appear from out of nowhere. Kelar locked eyes with Liam. The T’Acan must have found a way to make them invisible.

That can’t be good, Arthean said, sounding annoyingly cheerful. Can we get to Lenora? He turned to Kelar. And can you carry her out if she’s injured?

Kelar hesitated. Liam caught a glimpse of the ryokin’s thoughts before he blocked them. The majestic creature was sick of running and hiding. He wanted out, one way or another. It seemed his lack of a death wish came and went from moment to moment. The strain of being hunted was taking its toll.

You’ll make it to her if you follow her footprints in the sand. Once you’ve got her out, Kelar said, if she cannot walk, signal me. You’ll need to make a run for it, and it’s a long way to go with dragons breathing death down your neck.

Liam groaned when Kelar told them exactly where Lenora was. She’d hardly made it ten metres into the desert before falling into the trap. It meant the run to the pass would be a very long one… and, if the traps didn’t get them, the death-breathing dragons most likely would.

Wait. I teleported us here; I can teleport us out. I know you said you can’t teleport out of here, but you don’t use crystals to teleport. Maybe they will work.

Not from this part of the ship, they won’t, Tyria reminded Liam. Remember they have a new invention that blocks teleportation – no matter how it is achieved. It filters into other parts of the ship too, but the effects aren’t as strong. You probably didn’t arrive exactly where you’d wanted to when you teleported on board.

The ryokin looked at Liam, who nodded.

Then you’re stuck here.

But I teleported in, Liam said dumbly, unable to accept that he didn’t have an easy way out.

Tyria shrugged. It shouldn’t have worked.

Liam scowled. Well it did. Why didn’t you tell us this earlier, before we got ourselves stuck in here?

I was a bit out of it, in case you have short-term memory problems. Tyria returned the scowl.

Liam ignored her and turned back to Kelar. You don’t think the T’Acan will stick to the deal if we make it through the pass?

Kelar snorted. Do you?

No. Liam scowled again. Then it’s impossible. We’ll all end up in traps or killed by the dragons. He glanced up for a moment, then asked Tyria, How do the T’Acan get in and out when they come to hunt?

They wear devices that counter the effects of the teleportation blocker. They teleport in.

Perhaps one was in use nearby when we teleported, Arthean offered.

Could be, Liam said thoughtfully. Maybe we hijacked it without realising. He thought for a moment. So if we could capture a T’Acan, we could use its device to teleport out of here.

So we don’t go for the pass, Arthean said. We grab Lenora and then go T’Acan hunting.

From behind Arthean, Tyria murmured, The hunter becomes the hunted.

<><><>

The group reached a thicket of trees and Liam placed Lenora on the plastic grass. The teenager’s long brown hair fanned out around her face, making her appear so fragile that even looking at her might cause her harm. He wondered if she was astral travelling at that moment. Regardless, she was currently oblivious to the leg she’d broken falling into the trap.

Liam contemplated Abbess Shyla’s vision, the one that had brought him to Lenora’s rescue in the first place. The abbess had said that Lenora was in a cage, shackled and gagged, in her vision. Did that mean she would have to be rescued a second time at some point in the future, or had she been caged before their arrival? He made a mental note to ask her when she awoke.

Liam and I should capture a T’Acan, Arthean said, surprising Liam. Kelar, you should stay here to guard Lenora. He paused. Can we place her on your back, in case you need to flee?

I should go, Kelar protested. I can scout ahead. It’ll be harder for them to catch me.

None of us can carry her and run at the same time, Arthean argued. If the T’Acan come, you’re her only chance of survival.

Kelar ruffled his feathers and huffed.

I’m coming with, Tyria said, finally stepping out from behind Arthean.

The ryokin eyed her.

I think it’s better if you stay here, Liam said. She opened her mouth to object, but he continued, "If the T’Acan find you guys, they’ll have to split up to follow you and Kelar. It’ll give you both a better chance of survival if they catch you."

Tyria glowered, her cheeks turning vaguely purple. I’d rather be doing something productive, she insisted.

Please, Liam said. We freed you of your chains and we’re going to help you get out of here. Just let us do this our way, okay? We don’t ask for much in the line of gratitude, but if you want to repay us, let’s save time by agreeing to do this our way.

Tyria sighed, her cheeks returning to their usual blue. Okay, but you’re only allowed to play that card once.

Deal.

Sensing Kelar’s agreement, albeit reluctant, Liam placed Lenora on the ryokin’s back, making sure her legs fell into the natural grooves along his sides. His skin flaps closed over her legs to prevent her from falling off.

Right, Liam said. Let’s get moving. He nodded at Kelar and Tyria. See you soon.

<><><>

Liam followed Arthean discretely, keeping behind bushes and boulders as much as possible. The idea was to let a Harvester find Arthean, then Liam would shoot it from behind. It felt cowardly, but it was the best way to ensure success without injury. They risked being outnumbered and shot, though, since they had no way of knowing if the Harvesters hunted alone, in pairs or in parties.

Arthean wondered why God would allow them to be trapped like this. Your God is a Harvester, a nasty voice screeched in his mind. No, he argued with himself, my God is the Creator of All, the one who created the Harvesters’ creators.

Arthean took a deep breath. He had to stop doubting, before he lost his place of wellness in the afterlife.

<><><>

Just when it seemed there were no T’Acan hunting right then, a broad-shouldered specimen stepped around a tree just ahead. It started when it saw Arthean walking boldly in the open, then its lips twisted in a malicious grin and it raised its weapon. Without hesitation, Liam raised the gun the Templar Knights had given him, aimed it at the T’Acan and fired. Arthean ducked and the T’Acan fell. Liam raced past the monk, put another bullet in the T’Acan to make sure it was dead, then scanned the trees for signs of more. When he was sure the T’Acan had been hunting alone, he knelt next to the corpse. A triangular pendant hung from its neck on a leather cord. It was silver, with what looked like a rose quartz triangle in its centre. A search of the body revealed nothing else that might be the teleportation blocker, so Liam took the pendant and hung it around his neck, where it clinked against the clear quartz pendant Vareck had given him. Liam hoped the two crystals wouldn’t interfere with each other’s functioning.

They headed back to where they’d left the others in silence, this time slipping in between trees and behind boulders when they heard the T’Acan’s heavy footfalls approaching. They stopped just short of the clearing when they heard gruff T’Acan voices. Liam was glad he wore the T’Acan translation device. Two T’Acan stood over Kelar, who lay unmoving. Lenora sprawled nearby, still unconscious, and Tyria was nowhere to be seen.

I’m telling you, she’s not supposed to be here! the taller T’Acan said.

The other said, That’s impossible. There must be a glitch in the system.

There isn’t. I checked.

We’re wasting our time. Let’s shoot her and go after the other one.

The taller T’Acan’s bone collar flared in what Liam recognised as agitation. Look at her. She’s been questioned, and by the looks of her they’d hardly started. They’ll want her back. He gave his companion what Liam imagined was a pointed look, three eyes narrowing. Alive.

Fine. But I’m not taking her back. It’s my off time and I’m enjoying the hunt.

The two T’Acan stared at each other for a moment, then the taller one said, So we agree, we didn’t see her.

The second T’Acan nodded, and they moved off without a backward glance at Lenora.

When they were out of sight, Liam hurried to Lenora’s side while Arthean went to Kelar, presumably to check if the ryokin was still alive. Lenora stirred when Liam rolled her onto her back, then slipped back into unconsciousness. Liam made her comfortable and went to stand behind Arthean, who sat on his haunches next to the ryokin.

He’s dead, Arthean whispered, running his fingers through his short blond hair.

A twinge of sadness went through Liam, then anger that such a wondrous being should die hunted like an ordinary animal. He swallowed bile. He would have died here eventually anyway. His words felt as hollow as they were. It was no consolation when the ryokin had died so close to freedom.

Arthean swallowed. We should rescue Tyria.

Liam scowled. Why? If she hadn’t run away like a coward, maybe Kelar would still be alive.

Arthean rose to his feet and returned Liam’s scowl. I doubt it. He glanced down at the ryokin, then back at Liam. They’re hunting – they wouldn’t announce themselves. It’s probable that Kelar being shot was their first warning of danger.

Liam sighed. They couldn’t leave Lenora alone, and going after Tyria carrying the unconscious teenager would slow them too much. They’d never catch up. He sighed again, fingering the triangular device that would enable them to teleport to freedom. It was tempting to just leave. They had what they’d come for. There was no reason to stay on board.

It’s the right thing to do, Arthean said.

Liam remembered what Lenora had told him just a few months ago: one cannot always discern ultimate right from wrong, but one must always make the choices that feel right.

Unfortunately for them, it didn’t feel right to leave Tyria to the T’Acan hunters. Besides, Liam wanted to know why the T’Acan were questioning so many species – what was it they were looking for?

Liam groaned, rubbing his forehead. I’ll go. You stay here with Lenora. Maybe try to hide her a little better.

Arthean nodded, looking unhappy at being left behind.

Liam removed the triangular pendant from around his neck and gave it to Arthean. "Put this

Reviews for Legends of Origin 3

[Alex James · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Creator Species is primarily about the monk Arthean, whose faith in the Creator of All is tested. The doubt and fear of the Harvester aliens’ power has tainted him. Now, more than ever, the desperate and impulsive Arthean needs the support of his bold and confident friend Liam if he is to remain strong and faithful.

I was pleasantly surprised at the return to the amazing Tridor Monastery, which gave more scope for visually imaginative description. I enjoyed the presence of the new characters, even if I didn’t feel a connection with all of them. The pilot Blake’s sense of humour was a good contrast to Arthean’s sulkiness. I also found the Harvester aliens to be more sinister, devious, and interesting.

Half way through the story there was a good build-up to a mini-adventure into the catacombs, with debate, maps and interaction. All of a sudden, a particular informative conversation explained what I felt was too much at once regarding the Harvesters’ fears and plans. I also thought the adventure went in circles sometimes when the main characters would remember some fact they had initially forgotten the first time.

About 80% through, there was a really absorbing and energetic debate about the origins of aliens and humanity. From there, the energy and the action completely captured my imagination with new ideas and concepts. Creator Species is definitely worth the read. It is an enjoyable continuation of the series, and I certainly want to read Legends of Origin 4!