Chronicles of Aria Prime, Episode One

By AJ Reissig

An Interstellar Tale of Survival...
The year is 2285 and it has been ten years since the bloody interstellar war with the Karakan Empire. Earth and her allies enjoy the peace, and an interstellar migration to colonize the galaxy is under way.
The PCS Trident, one of Earth’s heavy cruisers, is on her final voyage. The mission: transport equipment and colonists to the settlements on Alpha Ceres. On route, the Trident is viciously attack by Karakan battleships, disabling long range communications and faster than light drive. Stranded millions of miles from the nearest friendly outpost and without communications, all hoped seemed lost.
Colonel Christopher Nash, commander of the Trident, makes the bold decision to navigate his crippled vessel to Aria Prime, the only habitable planet within range. Not much is known about Aria Prime, but probe data suggest a primitive planet inhabited by a people stuck in the medieval era. Once on the planet surface, the crew and colonists of the Trident begin a struggle for survival. Everything is in short supply, and much of the advanced technology of the 23rd century has been rendered useless. As physical labor replaces mechanization, unrest grows.
Nash journeys to the nearest native settlement, where he befriends the diminutive tillers. Unfortunately, these people are under constant attack from a marauding race known as the drogs. Nash quickly puts an end to the drog’s looting, and offers the tillers protection in exchange for free trade and information on the local lands. The tillers agree, but will the offer be the catalyst which spawns a war in this medieval land?
Chronicles of Aria Prime is an edge-of-your-seat Sci fi thriller that blends a multitude of science fiction genre. The adventure begins as a tale of interstellar travel, but quickly morphs into a space opera. Once on Aria Prime, the story takes on elements of sci fi fantasy, and post-apocalyptic survival. This fast-paced novella is the first in the Chronicles of Aria Prime serial.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AJ Reissig
• Release date: Sep 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781939489005

AJ Reissig

AJ Reissig lives in New Richmond, Ohio with his lovely wife Christina and children. Born in 1973, he grew up in the small river town of Moscow, Ohio. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a background in chemistry. After spending several years as an analyst in manufacturing, he began to pursue writing as a part-time freelancer. His hobbies include gardening, woodworking, home improvement, and anything outdoors.Following the mantra of writing what you like to read, AJ writes political fiction and science fiction novels. His first novel series, FreedomRedux, revolves around a United States of the future that is governed by a totalitarian regime that is bent on world domination, and those who wish to restore the United States to the nation that the founding fathers intended. In 2011, he started the political blog FreedomRedux to express his libertarian political beliefs. In 2012, he founded Freedom Notes Press, LLC to publish political novels.In 2013, AJ began his venture into science fiction with the novella series Chronicles of Aria Prime. Combining elements of both sci fi and fantasy, the story revolves around an earth ship transporting equipment and colonists to the settlements on Alpha Ceres. On route, the vessel is attacked and forced to crash land on the planet of Aria Prime. Once on the planet, they find a world stuck in the medieval era, filled with creatures of fantasy.

Book preview

Chronicles

of

Aria Prime

Episode One

Published by AJ Reissig

©2013 AJ Reissig. All Rights reserved.

Edited by Todd Barselow

Smashword Edition, License Notes

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

Prologue

"So what do you think of the Wolverine, Colonel?"

Colonel Christopher Nash gazed at General Henson seated across the desk from him. Half-squinted, icy blue eyes peered back. The older officer had a face that spoke of decades of hardship. A scar ran from chin to temple, nearly splitting the man’s face in two. The scar was accentuated by a network of fine lines and rough stubble.

A first-rate ship, sir, Nash replied. "I’ve been on her a few times in the past week. She makes the Trident seem like a relic. Bigger guns, more powerful engines—"

Neptune and back in two minutes, last engine test.

"—and a lot bigger. The bridge and crew quarters are huge compared to the Trident."

The general chuckled. "Remember the quarters on the Excalibur?"

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Nash’s mouth. "How could I forget? Me and Foreman shared a room that could barely fit two bunks and a desk. Excalibur was built for combat, not comfort."

Henson nodded his head. The chuckle faded and his face returned to its usual, ice-cold demeanor. So what’s up, Chris?

"Nothing, sir. I’m excited and honored to take command of the Wolverine."

Huh-uh. Don’t bullshit me. I know when something’s bothering you. What’s the deal? Out with it.

Nash stood, walked to the office window, and stared into the darkness of space.

"I’ve been the CO of the Trident for ten years. She’s become part of me. And now she's going to join the mothballed wing on Moonbase Five. I feel like the kid who’s leaving home for the first time, or who just lost his best friend."

I can respect that. I know what it was like when they put this star on my collar and I took over base operations.

Well, at least I don’t have to worry about that happening to me.

No, the general said through clenched teeth. For better or for worse, Command only promotes Academy graduates to general officer.

Nash faced Henson once again. That’s fine by me. Last thing I want is to pilot a desk like you. Sir.

I thought you’d say something like that, the general said while rubbing his chin. Probably right, though. Space cowboy like you would go nuts in a place like this. He tapped his index finger on the desk. "How’s prep for the final mission of the Trident?"

We’ll launch on schedule, Nash replied as he sat down. Not a lot of prep needed for a mission like this.

I know. Running supplies and colonists to the settlements on Alpha Ceres isn’t all that exciting, but it’s an important mission. Command’s top priority is to populate the outer ring.

Which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense with how sparsely populated Earth is.

I don’t disagree, but we both have our orders.

Nash nodded. "Sir, unless there’s anything else, I need to get back to the Trident. Four second lieutenants reporting for duty at eleven hundred hours."

Kids from the Academy?

Yes, sir.

Better get moving then. Dismissed.

Nash stiffened and quickly rendered a salute. After the general returned the gesture, Nash spun on his left heel and headed for the door.

Colonel Nash.

Sir?

Good Luck.

Thank you, sir.

Chapter One

Transmit your message again.

Colonel Christopher Nash ran his hand through gray-flecked brown hair as he leaned back in the command chair of the PSC Trident.

Yes, sir, replied Signaler Theresa Stanton. She thumbed a setting on her console. "Freighter Stingray, this is the Pegasus Stellar Coalition cruiser Trident. We have received your distress call and are standing by to assist with engine repairs. Please respond."

Nash looked around the small, hexagonal shaped bridge as he waited. From his central command chair, he could see every workstation with a simple twist of the head. Directly in front of him sat the pilot and signal stations. To his left sat the weapons console, and to the right the research and executive officer’s stations. He drummed his middle finger on the armrest of the command chair as he continued to wait.

The silence was broken by the sound of the conveyor doors opening. Nash turned to see Major Dara McBride, executive officer of the Trident, stepping out of the conveyor and onto the bridge. Even after having her aboard for six months, Nash’s heart skipped a beat at her appearance. Born in Dublin and of average height, she had extreme curves that the officer’s uniform was ill-equipped to handle. Her face displayed lofty, curving cheekbones and a dimpled chin, while thin eyebrows arched gracefully over her deep set viridian eyes. Per regulation, her wavy, cinnamon-colored hair was pulled back tightly.

Have we heard anything yet, sir? she asked as the conveyor doors closed with an industrial hum and clunk.

Nothing, Nash replied. Their comm system had better be down, because I’m getting tired of waiting for a response.

Oh, but I so love helping freighters that didn’t pack repair parts for their engines, echoed a voice from the bridge’s starboard side.

Both Nash and McBride turned to see Captain Drew Davenport, the ship’s research officer, sitting cross armed at his station. The dark-skinned Australian grinned, baring white teeth.

Nash shook his head. Davenport, if you weren’t so good at your job, I’d transfer your comedic ass to another ship.

Davenport continued to grin. Lucky for me, you’re the only colonel in the Coalition who will put up with me.

Yeah, Nash replied. Well, why don’t you drop the comedy routine and scan the freighter for bio signs?

Yes, sir.

McBride closed her eyes and shook her head. She turned her attention back to Nash. Sir, I just came from deck two, and the colonists are complaining about our little detour.

Nash sighed. Well, they’re going to have to get over it. I can’t ignore a distress call because four hundred colonists are in a rush to get to Alpha Ceres.

"I tried to impress upon them the importance of