The Long Way Home (The Planets, Book Three)

By Michael Cairns

'The Avengers meets Magician, The Planets Series is superhero conflict on a global scale...'

The Gate is Open
Earth is Under Siege
The War has Begun

Whilst Eris and Jupiter remain on Earth to fight the invaders, the rest of the Planets have travelled through the gate to Halcin, home to the Unseen.
Their aim: To take the fight to the aliens and end the war before it begins.
But nothing is ever that simple.
An old friend makes a reappearance and a new enemy raises the stakes, and all the while, time is running out for the people of Earth.
With the fate of the human race in the balance, the Planets must succeed. Failure means nothing less than the annihilation of everything they know and love. But first, they have to get home, before there is nothing left to return to.

Experience the colossal conclusion to this part of the Planets saga by clicking 'buy now' and finding The Long Way Home...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Cairns
• Release date: Dec 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781909699205

Michael Cairns

Michael Cairns was born at a young age and could write even before he could play the drums, but that was long ago, in the glory days - when he actually had hair. He loves chocolate, pineapple, playing gigs and outwitting his young daughter (the scores are about level but she's getting smarter every day). Michael is currently working hard on writing, getting enough sleep and keeping his hair. The first is going well, the other two...not so much. His current novels include: > Young adult, science fiction adventure series, 'A Game of War' 1. Childhood dreams 2. The end of innocence 3. Playing God 4. Breathing in space 5. Escape 6. Gateway to earth > Urban fantasy super-hero series, 'The Planets' 1. The spirit room 2. The story of Erie 3. The long way home >Paranormal horror post apocalyptic zombie series, 'Thirteen Roses' 1. Before (Books 2-6 due for release in spring)

Book preview

Part One

Brave New World

The Planets

The New World

Neptune

They stepped through the portal and stood on another planet. The bright sun welcomed them, the warmth on their faces an oddly familiar feeling in such an alien place. Behind them the dark of the European night seemed far away, unreachable. The gun fire and chaos they had left behind was silenced.

Neptune staggered, her mind working overtime to deal with the reality of what was happening. They'd had weeks to prepare, but she could have spent years and not been ready. She could feel the moisture in the air and it calmed her. It wasn't home, but some things were the same. She looked around, desperate for familiar sights, anything that would make this place less alien.

They stood on a huge flat expanse of concrete. The only interruption to its mundanity was a tower of dark metal, square and squat and drab. Double doors lay open on the side facing the gate and Mars stomped straight towards them. Neptune headed in the other direction, towards the edge of the plateau. Nearing the edge, she gasped and stepped back.

Guys, you wanna come look at this?

She watched them as they made their way towards her. Mars and Uri were on a knife-edge, every muscle tensed and eager. They were in full combat suits, blue so dark it was almost black and masks covering their faces. Pluto was less keyed-up, but just as anxious, glancing around as he walked. His mask was down and she imagined the amazement and overwhelm on his face matched hers to a tee.

Venus was the only one apparently unfazed by the situation. She strolled at her own pace, slight smile on her face as she looked around. As per usual her suit was unique, a deep shade of red and just a little more figure-hugging than the rest. Neptune grinned to herself; different world, alien race, but some things never change.

She grinned even more broadly when Venus's eyebrows rose and her mouth opened as she caught sight of the view. They'd all reached her by now and the Planets stood in a line, looking out over a different world.

The concrete they stood on was the top of a tower that reared up from the ground to rise aloft high above a city. Fine white clouds brushed past just below where they stood and beneath them she could see the tops of skyscrapers. Even further below lay streets, tiny lines winding around and about, reminiscent of the chaos of London or Paris. The city stretched for miles, but beyond it she could make out the green of countryside, and beyond that, white and pale grey. The scene was almost bizarrely normal and familiar, and a touch disappointing. She'd expected all sorts of things, but not this.

It's... kinda normal. Uri said exactly what she'd been thinking.

The Planets laughed, but Pluto looked all business. I don't think it's a bad thing, folks. The more familiar everything is, the easier our job will be.

I get that. I was just kinda hoping for flying cars or dragons or something. But hey, a new world, I'm not complaining...

Uri, my love, I've got to side with Pluto on this one. As much as I'd love to see dragons, I'm quite happy with air we can breathe and gravity and food we can actually digest.

Uri stuck her tongue out at Venus and turned back to the view. Seconds later she span back around, a huge smile on her face, one hand pointing out across the city. Neptune followed where she pointed and saw between two of the buildings what looked like an enormous locomotive. The front was a rounded dome of glass that led back to one gigantic carriage, many times larger than a train. It hung in the air, attached to both buildings by skeletal walkways, across which rushed hundreds of people.

That's a space ship, that's actually a goddamn space ship. Hah! Uri jumped on the spot, clapping her hands together in excitement.

Mars finally broke his silence. You are such a geek, aren't you? I forget every now and then, but there's really no escaping it.

C'mon guys, can't anyone else get excited about this?

Neptune laughed, amazed at the sudden change in Uri from battle-ready warrior to excited tomboy. She patted her on the shoulder. I'm excited too, really. I'm just, you know, better at hiding it.

Uri gave her a look, but only held it for a moment before squealing in delight and turning back to what Neptune had to admit did look suspiciously like a space ship. As they watched, the walkways disconnected and folded up to hang down the sides of the building. The craft moved slowly away, looking even more like a train as it turned side-on. It pulled up next to another skyscraper and slowed as arms rose from the building to attach themselves.

I think it is actually a train. This must be rush hour, goodness, isn't that brilliant?

Uri turned to Pluto, disgust on her face. Okay, now you've completely ruined it for me. We've just seen an honest-to-god spaceship and you're telling me it's the 6:45 to Penn. Thanks, Pluto, really.

He grimaced and shook his head. Sorry to spoil the fun. Speaking of which, we need to get going. We've got another twenty eight minutes, give or take, before the next group of soldiers come through. Let's get out of sight.

The view was forgotten as the imminent threat of danger spurred them away from the edge. Mars leading, they dashed towards the steel tower that beckoned them with open doors. Within lay a huge staircase that ran down to a wide landing. Neptune glanced around, seeing strangers in every shadow. Where was everyone?

The landing was dominated by two sets of double doors. They were open, displaying enormous lifts, each capable of holding 40 or 50 people,. They were, from the looks of things, the only way of getting down the tower. Fire exits apparently weren't a priority.

She stood in the middle of room, watching her team-mates struggle with what they had to do. Sorry guys, I don't think we have any choice.

They turned to her, Mars's face making it quite clear what he thought of being trapped in a lift.

Okay, we have no choice, I can't argue that, but we do it sensibly. We take two lifts, half in each. Uri, you take the sky route. Get down there before us and see what we're going to meet when we hit the bottom. Try not to get spotted. Mars finished speaking and glanced guiltily at Pluto. Their leader merely shrugged and nodded.

They made their grudging way into the lifts. There were no floors, just two buttons. Holding her breath, Neptune pressed the lower and watched the thick doors rattle closed to trap them inside the lift. There was a slight jerk then they dropped, fast enough that her ears popped.

Uri

Uri flew out into the sunshine. She headed straight off the tower, resisting the urge to fly to where another of the huge train-like craft was disgorging its commuters onto one of the blocks.

Instead she hugged the tower, sinking slowly downwards. The outside was a mess of struts, sometimes wrapped in sheets of corrugated iron, but more often exposed to the elements. They still looked new though, the tower hadn't been up for long. The struts made it easy for her to blend in and she descended quickly.

The other buildings rose to meet her and she realised just how tall the gate tower was. The skyscrapers they had seen from afar were as big as anything back home, looming giants of glass and concrete. They were remarkably similar to back home, actually, aside from the airlock doors that looked like some weird growth bulging out halfway up.

Lower still and other buildings came into view. These were less familiar, flat-roofed and far more interesting in shape. They were five and six storeys and sprawled in odd layouts, like arms of a maze. There was no particular plan and each place sat in its own plot at its own angle. The buildings were surrounded by grass, broken by occasional parking bays occupied by large cars.

She again resisted the urge to shoot over and find out whether the cars had wheels or wings.

She did a slow circuit of the tower, scanning as she went. It was surrounded by concrete in a huge disc of grey extending 30 or so metres in all directions. It was met by only one road, many lanes wide and entirely free of traffic. Actually, not entirely free. Heading towards her were three colossal trucks, each towing what looked like cattle transports many times bigger than those back on Earth.

Damn. Mars, Pluto, you hear me?

The rough static was interrupted by Pluto's voice. Yes, Uri, we've got you. Everything alright out there?

We're okay right now, but it looks like the next group are already heading this way. They're moving slow so we've got a few minutes. How you getting on?

Mars got there just before Pluto. Well, Uri, the tour guide is keeping us in suspense, so it's difficult to say, but can I just let you know how wonderful the view is here.

I'm glad you're having fun, Mars, that's great to hear. Do you think the guide might be keeping schtum because he likes seeing that look of frustration on your face?

Silence greeted her for a moment before Pluto replied, the now-familiar edge back in evidence. I'm glad being on an alien world, surrounded by our enemies and with a mission vital to our race's survival, hasn't changed either of your abilities to be annoying.

Outside and unseen by Pluto, Uri mimicked the lifting of a handbag.

Uri, are you sure it's soldiers? Pluto asked.

Big trucks filled with guys in uniforms? Yeah, I think so.

Dammit, why are they here so quickly? Scout the perimeter and find us somewhere to hide the moment we're out. Let me know when you've got somewhere.

Aye aye, Captain, as you wish.

She flew away from the tower towards the nearest buildings. There were plenty of places to hide among them and after glancing through a few windows she decided they were empty. She cracked open a door and slipped inside.

Uri climbed to the top floor and watched out the window as the trucks rumbled closer. Pluto, you hear me?

Go ahead.

Turn right straight out the lift. First building you come to, I've opened the door. But you'll need to be quick.

Thanks, Uri.

The comms went dead and she turned back to the window. It was going to be close.

Neptune

Inside the lift, Mars paced, hands tapping against his belt or checking his various additions and weapons. Every now and then he'd pause, exhale loudly, stare at the doors, then continue pacing. Neptune leant against the wall and folded her arms. Honey, can't you save your energy or something? I'm feeling a little sick watching you.

Emerging from his reverie with a start, he grinned sheepishly and stared down at the ground, letting out a deep breath and shaking his shoulders.

Sorry, just a little, you know, on edge.

Hey, it's fine, I'm feeling a touch nervous myself. I just think it might be a plan to save the pacing till you've got somewhere to go.

Mars squatted, leaning his back against the lift wall and closing his eyes.

Venus

In the other lift, Venus watched Pluto in much the same way, a smile creasing the corners of her mouth.

You know, sweetheart, we can do this.

He stopped and looked at her, eyebrows raised. This?

She spread her hands wide, gesturing at the doors of the lift. This world, this mission. This is what we were created for and we have the skills and the experience to do it and do it well.

He'd stopped completely now and looked at her, brow furrowed. Do you really think so? If the creatures we have met so far have been children, what are we going to meet here? How are we going to manage when we have no safe place to go, no way out?

She crossed the lift, took his hand in both of hers and shook her head. The plan's simple. We find them and work out exactly what we're up against. Then we take them down, one at a time. We did it in New Hampshire and we've got better since then. More to the point, we're capable and resourceful and we don't really have the choice of failing, so let's decide that we're going to succeed now and move forward on that basis. Sound good?

His frown eased and he gave her a wan smile. I can't say that it sounds exactly good, but I'll go for it in the absence of anything else. Aren't you just a bit worried though?

It was her turn to smile. Of course I am, but we don't have much choice. We knew we were on our own coming here. But let's be honest, we've always been that way. And until the last year or so, we've been completely alone. Now I'm surrounded by a group of people I genuinely trust. Yeah, I'm worried, but I still wouldn't want to be The Unseen, not with us coming at them.

His smile was wider now.

Uri

The trucks were closer still when the first lift opened. Mars and Neptune emerged onto the concrete.

Uri, where are you?

First door on the right, sweet-cheeks. Make it fast.

The two of them came running across the wide open space. She hopped from foot to foot, tapping her hand on the window sill as her eyes flitted between them and the trucks. They ran beneath her window, round to the door and she let out the breath she'd been holding.

The second lift landed and Pluto and Venus strode out. Pluto stared down the road at the trucks and broke into a run, taking Venus with him. Uri watched helplessly, throat constricted. There had to be someone on the trucks who'd seen them. She ducked her head, waiting for the inevitable shot.

They reached the house and Uri punched the air. Hell yeah, how did we manage that?

Pluto's heavy breathing came through the comms. Let's just be happy we did.

They gathered in the kitchen downstairs. That was closer than I'd have liked. Pluto checked his watch. The gap was far shorter that time. I wonder if time moves differently here?

Does that really happen?

I don't know. But we're on an alien world, so I'm open to anything. He gave them all a weak grin. However, we're all here and in one piece, so onto the next stage. Based on what little intel we've got, we think it's safe to assume the Unseen will be gathered in the population centres. So we head into the city and find them. Uri, you're up top keeping tabs. Everyone else, with me.

They took two minutes to get their breath back before heading into the city. Uri went straight up until she hung above the buildings, eyes scanning back and forth. They made good time, her teammates running careful paths between the buildings.

Soon the landscape began to change. The residential became warehouses and what looked like long, low manufacturing buildings. The spaces between them were narrower and the Planets were forced to clump together to get through. Uri flew past the buildings and found an empty space, like a car park, on the other side.

Pluto emerged into the open space and shrank back into the alley, giving the others time to catch up.

Anything to report?

Nothing up here. In fact, I can't see anybody around at all. I don't want to use the word graveyard, but...

The Planets came out from the alley and dashed across the car park toward the next set of buildings. The city was closer now, the huge skyscrapers towering above her, and her stomach did cartwheels. They were about to enter an alien city.

The Planets reached the next buildings and headed through the narrow alleyway, coming out into a courtyard. Uri saw something, a glint in the sun that she was already dismissing as rubbish when it moved.

Shit, guys move, move!

The Planets scattered, heading in all directions across the courtyard. Mars ran back toward the alleyway and stopped abruptly. Soldiers were emerging from behind and inside the buildings, and within moments, close to a hundred of them surrounded the Planets.

Uri heard a roaring sound and dropped from the sky, landing hard on the roof of one of the buildings. Two craft, plane-shaped but with boxes strapped to their underside, glided down to land within the courtyard. The Planets and some of the soldiers staggered back from the blast of the engines. As they touched down, doors in the container boxes split open, vomiting out more soldiers who spread out and hunkered down, guns trained on the Planets.

Uri froze. In only a few seconds they had become hopelessly outnumbered by the aliens. No one was shooting yet and she figured if they wanted them dead they could have done it by now, so maybe getting in a fight wasn't the best route to take. More importantly, they didn't know she was there. Every fibre of her being screamed for her to go and join her team mates, but she needed to be more than that.

Pluto, what's the plan? Uri said

He didn't look up and she silently thanked him. We've got a choice, fight or wait and see. I'm happy to fight, but I'd rather hold fire and see what's going on...

He trailed off as a door opened in the hull of one of the ships and a stairway thumped to the concrete. A huge man sporting a shaved head emerged and clumped down the steel staircase onto the concrete. He strolled toward them.

Mars coughed and rubbed his head. Why does he look so familiar?

His question went unanswered as the man spoke, his voice thin and weak. So we meet again, though I don't suppose you remember me. He chuckled to himself. I must say, I am rather impressed you made it here. Coming through the gate was a stroke of genius, one we never thought you'd dream of. Just the idea of four people invading a planet is ludicrous, particularly since you can have had no idea what you'd find here. Such a pity you were spotted leaving the tower. And you were doing so well.

Uri slid herself slowly back from the edge of the building, keeping low. Score one: The Planets.

The tall man seemed to be waiting for a response and when none came, looked vaguely nonplussed. The beings who run this world, whom you call The Unseen and we know as The Lords, have requested your presence. I cannot guarantee exactly when they'll see you, they're rather busy at the moment. He gestured with a casual wave at the tower, smile back in place. But don't worry, we'll ensure you are made comfortable while you wait.

He stepped closer, until he was near enough to speak quietly. Uri strained to hear his sibilant, tired voice through the comms.

Can I also stress that the soldiers around you are drones, helpless just as the rest of Halcin's inhabitants are to The Lord's instruction. They are entirely dispensable and have no control when it comes to, well, anything really. Should you desire a fight, you are welcome to one, but you will all die, eventually. And if you fancy your chances with the group gathered here, we have plenty more where they came from.

He gave them a slow, conspiratorial smile and stepped back. The soldiers came closer, cautious at first then aggressive as they realised the Planets didn't intend to fight them. Each was grabbed and bound, hands behind backs, and stripped of any weaponry. They were shoved together into the box that hung below the tall man's landing craft and the door slammed shut. The man jumped back up the ladder and into the craft. Seconds later it rose and headed past the tower.

It was now or never. She had to follow if she wanted to catch them. But it was broad daylight and there were thousands of soldiers and another of those ships. She could probably outfly whatever came after her, but she had no idea about their firepower. Right now, they had no idea she existed. Swearing, she lay flat on the roof and watched as the craft carrying her team mates disappeared across the city.

The Planets

Earth, Earlier

Mars's call came through to the hotel where they had set up camp only a few days earlier. Despite the tension that made the room feel like a bomb shelter, his shout emerging from the comms still came as a surprise. From where she lay stretched out on the bed, Venus could hear the disbelief in her team mates' voices as they rushed around and gathered their gear. They had known it was coming, but still there had been an undeniable cynicism about the whole thing.

Which was understandable. They had seen some amazing and bizarre things, particularly in recent months, but a gate opening to another world was another level up in the weird-shit stakes. But here it was and if Mars's vaguely hysterical announcement was to be believed, it was going to be well worth seeing.

Smiling serenely, she swung her feet off the edge of the bed and stood. The rest of the Planets gathered outside her room in the lounge area, fidgeting and checking their equipment. She was glad to see Neptune leaning casually against the sofa, watching the others with a bemused look on her face. Glancing over as Venus came in the room, she raised her eyebrows and grinned. Venus replied with her own smile and shrugged. She cleared her throat.

Ladies, gentlemen, please, please.

The others stopped in their preparations to look at her.

We're about to do what no other humans have done. We are about to visit an alien planet, an entirely new civilisation. We've recently become the only hope for mankind, more so than previously, and we have a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. We've been in this hotel for four days and in that time every one of you has checked and rechecked every piece of equipment you own, as well as anything else you could find. You are as ready as you are ever going to be, so please, can we face the impending insanity with something approaching decorum? If they knew what was happening, the world would be watching, so how about imagining that they are and start acting more like superheroes and less like kids whose parents have just unexpectedly pulled into the driveway, hmm?

Uri cackled and threw herself down onto one of the sofas. Pluto looked at her sheepishly, straightened up and made his way over to the door. Pulling it open he gestured to the others.

Shall we?

They crushed together on the viewing platform, eyes glued to the enormous hole in the night sky. The thin band of crackling green energy that circled the gate seemed almost normal in comparison to the bright blue sky that spilled light into the dark night.

Mars shimmied down and headed off toward the road, Uri flying high above. He had the strangest sense of deja-vu, though couldn't figure out where from. A half hour later he was pulled off the road, half a mile back from the base and waiting for the others. They soon scrambled into the back of the people carrier he and Uri had just liberated from some be-suited Schalktenstein natives. Safely ensconced inside and congratulating Mars on finding a vehicle with blacked-out windows, the Planets headed into the base.

Mars stared wide-eyed as they approached the entrance. Pluto had got his memory back courtesy of Jupiter, but to him this was all new and the massive cowling set over the gate resembled a mouth more than anything else. Sweat trickled down his neck and he resisted the urge to slam on the accelerator and charge through. They drew closer and closer, bunching up with the other cars until they crawled along. The shadow of the cowling fell over them and he held his breath.

They passed through the entrance with barely a wave of the guard's hand and found themselves in what felt like one enormous set of barracks. Row upon row of low buildings marched away in both directions. The entire base was dominated by the gate, an alien structure thrusting up from a colossal space near the far wall. Mars let out a long breath and rubbed his neck.

It became increasingly obvious why they weren't being paid more attention. There were people everywhere, cars and bikes crisscrossing in front and behind them as they made their slow way through the traffic. The overwhelming majority of people they saw were dressed in dark grey and green uniforms, helmets with frosted masks obscuring their faces. They were short, perhaps five and a half feet tall at the highest, though more commonly around the five feet mark.

He was looking at aliens and not just one in a basement or military base. This was an army of them. Somehow he thought they should be more impressive. Or at least taller. Still. They're all aliens.

Yes. A bit of a let down if I'm honest. Venus patted his shoulder and flashed him a smile.

Uri looked from one to the other, frowning. Are you sure?

Pluto pulled her to the window, motioning as a squad of soldiers trotted past the car.

Do they not look any different from humans to you?

Uri gasped and sighed, almost at the same time. Then she turned to Pluto. To be honest, no they don't. I mean, they're a bit shorter, but so's the entire population of China and they're human, so how do you tell?

That's a fair enough point. I suppose us being in a base designed and created by alien beings, heading toward a giant tear in the fabric of reality through which millions of alien soldiers are supposed to be emerging is what gave it away.

Everyone in the van stared at Pluto, Neptune with a huge grin on her face. Pluto, honey, that sounded almost like sarcasm. Good work and keep it up.

Uri thumped him on the arm but grinned along with the others.

"Uri does have a point