Star Power

By Brett P. S.

Humankind had explored and colonized every sector with fleets of ships capable of folding space, thanks to massive Star Power engines. Intelligent alien life did not exist in the Milky Way, but who knew what threats possibly lurked across the dark space between galaxies? Regardless, humanity knew this: "At some point, a civilization will become capable of harnessing the power of stars. Those who do not rely on this 'Star Power' will be civilizations no more." - E.N.O. Federation Archives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brett P. S.
• Release date: Aug 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311038425

Brett P. S.

Brett Sawyer (1986), born in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, is an indie author who writes short stories & novellas, from science fiction to heroes. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2015 with a Bachelor's in education and currently teaches game design at Lake Land College. Short Change arrived at retailers in November of 2014, the start of a hero series where ordinary people gained powers over oddly specific domains, following the story of a shorter than average hero who can telekinetically manipulate small units of currency. Short Change is free on "smashwords.com/profile/view/BrettPS" and Barnes & Noble along with other samples and short fiction. Brett's popular releases in science fiction include "Dark Station" and "Tales from the Colony: An Interstellar Saga." Dark Station is a deep space thriller set aboard an abandoned orbital science station where Ben Gebbley and his crew secretly investigate the disappearance of the original staff before others come to claim the lost assets.

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

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

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

EATERS OF SUNS

At some point, a civilization will become capable of harnessing the power of stars. Those who do not rely on this 'Star Power' will be civilizations no more. - E.N.O. Federation Archives

Large, pale, white eyes gazed out into the dark of space, unaffected by the glare of a nearby sun. The celestial body was so huge that it nearly covered the viewport of the command center. T'ano was watching the body shrink day by day, as the nectar continued to drain from it. In the old days, from galaxies past, his kin would ignite it ablaze into a super nova, but new technology had arisen that could bleed a sun dry over the course of a few months.

Now, the star measured the size of a small moon. It was barely worth his time to occupy this system, but T'ano knew that every drum of nectar was precious. This galaxy was getting old, and the time to migrate was drawing nearer. He could feel the pressure of the collective underneath his exoskeleton. Their voices lurked inside his own mind as if they were his own, a thousand words to think at any given second. It was a test of his own will, to sift through the best and decide which became part of his own identity.

He'd heard of those who failed this test. The drones and otherwise servants who maintained the station, those who had lost their battle against the collective ... they were forgotten. T'ano would not become one of them, or so he swore to himself, but there was another danger as well. If he rejected the collective completely ... well, he would rather not think of such things. His implants served him well, for the moment.

T'ano, called out a cluster of voices from within his mind. Thousands. No, millions. No, even more had all chimed a single word that made the fluids in his head ache. It was a pale, monotonous symphony. T'ano stood up on his four legs and answered back.

We are the T'ano, he said through his implants in the same mechanical tone.

You, they began. We have chosen you to lead us in the Migration.

But, what of this sun? T'ano began.

The will of the T'ano have spoken! they groaned angrily.

We are in agreement.

Use what nectar you have to join us. We will lend you enough to cross the dark of space.

Have ... have we selected a new cluster? he asked.

Yes, they replied. It is rich in nectar, but full bloods now inhabit it.

Are they a threat?

Unlikely, but you must first assess their strength.

Understood.

The shock and lingering vibrations that nearly fried his implants shook him to the core. T'ano ... he would be the one to lead the fifth Great Migration. It was a great honor. Then, why did his hands tremble so much?

CHAPTER ONE

NEW ARRIVAL

Ever since the WOW signal, mankind's search for other intelligent life has been an effort in vain futility. And I don't believe we should be looking in the first place. We have a decent solar system. Let's at least try to clean it up before we think about mucking up somebody else’s. - E.N.O. Federation Archives

Kyle dropped his duffel bag and huffed for air as soon as he passed through the airlock chamber. It was a big station, to put it mildly, but having his bag in one piece was better than sending it through the blasted transport system. He looked up with beads of 85-degree sweat dripping off his face and felt the cool chill of central air conditioning blow across his cheeks and through his matted black hair.

Thank god for life support, he said with a sigh.

A few seconds passed before a large man with dark skin passed by the corridor entrance. He stopped and faced Kyle with a perplexed look as he scratched his head. The man was very tall, at least six feet. He wore a fleet uniform, and his badge was indicative of a senior commander, second to the captain. So much for first impressions, Kyle thought.

Can I ... help you? the man asked.

Um, he began, I ... I'm the new lieutenant. Just got assigned yesterday.

"Well, I wasn't informed of