Darya Rising

By Daniel A. Roberts

Liberated from a primitive world, Darya leaves a throne of luxury for a new life among the stars. Warned of the perils from her friend and trusted mentor, she tackles the dangers without hesitation. Using black market technology and Elizabeth's knowledge, the adventure begins with much needed combat training on an incredibly hostile planet. 

Between the League of Free Worlds and the Fabrini Hive Empire, life as an outlaw is far from being easy. In order to make a living among the stars, Darya's goal in gaining a starship and recruiting a competent crew, turns into a unique challenge among the various life forms from all over the galaxy.

Since both major galactic governments have Darya and Elizabeth on a shoot-to-kill list, they need more than subterfuge and spy techniques to survive. New identities, new allies and a need for credits send them on a journey into Elizabeth's past crimes, collecting on old debts and favors alike. While the results are highly rewarding, the consequences for their successes are just as deadly!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel A. Roberts
• Release date: Sep 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516347742

Book preview

Chapter One - Atus Seven

EBONY EYES UNDER bangs of blue streaked auburn hair focused on the console screen.  They absorbed the digital text the same way a starving creature consumes much needed food.  A tight black flight suit kept her comfortable.  It regulated body temperature, kept track of vital signs.  The advanced outfit contrasted against near milk-white skin.  The pale complexion would take on the color of the example processed on the monitor's screen, just before it translated the information to the black market computer chip that was surgically installed into her head. 

Everything electronic that Darya currently owned needed to be purchased through the black markets.  Her race was a primitive species from a severely under developed planet.  A world that was under protection from technological influences from other space faring governments.  The punishment for removing her from the protected home world became one word long; death.  Exposure to advanced technology, higher knowledge and the overall galaxy, all carried the same penalty.  That also meant she was an outlaw.  Then again, so was the human woman who liberated Darya from a life of passive boredom.  Her only real friend in the galaxy, her trusted mentor. 

The confident soprano of her mentor's voice came back to haunt Darya's pointed ears for a brief moment.  You need a surname.  It's the system, how they define you.  I can't change the system, but we can perform a change on our end.  Make something up.  The tall shapely woman with golden hair was correct, of course.  Elizabeth Tanner, a renegade former general from the League of Free Worlds, owned the resources to teach Darya what she needed to know about her new life among the stars. 

Pale slender fingers switched off the informative computer monitor.  She sighed into the now blank screen, forever indebted to Elizabeth for waking her up to a much larger universe.  She swiveled the co-pilot seat to the front, giving her mentor a sidelong glance.  She was sleeping with her head back, getting some much needed rest. 

As Darya pondered the task at hand, she knew that her own people, the Sanego, never used surnames before they were married.  For Elizabeth's advanced lifestyle and form of survival, it was a must.  That's it.  Sanego!  She whispered to herself, I'm Darya Sanego.  That will have to do. 

Elizabeth smiled, but kept her eyes closed.  Her response was heavy with fatigue, but at a more normal volume.  Do you know which planet we're heading for, Miss Sanego? 

Atus Seven, according to the navigation computer, Darya rechecked the navigational system to make sure the planet was still highlighted.  While I mastered the coordinate system, the library still confuses me.  There wasn't anything about that world in the database.  I don't know which options I missed. 

None of them, Elizabeth explained, opening her vivid blue eyes at last.  She regarded her companion with a mixture of sisterly affection and stubborn discipline.  You did everything right.  There isn't any information about that planet, anywhere in the known universe.  It's unpopulated.  Highly avoided. 

Darya cocked her head.  Then why are we going there?

Training.  Elizabeth's smile faded.  You've been all over the galaxy in the three months we've been together, but the time has come where I need to stop protecting you.  You're going to get combat skills, with the experience to use them. 

Darya tapped her temple.  I already picked up on Judo, gun safety and advanced marksmanship.  It's the reason you paid to have this chip illegally installed into my brain, which helps me learn so fast, it almost freaks me out.  Whatever I need, I can always upload it.  Just like you showed me.  Only advanced citizens of the galaxy were allowed the aided learning system.  Her status as an outlaw would have naturally denied her any access to the potent science, as well as alerting the authorities to her location. 

Wrong, Elizabeth carefully replied, shaking her head.  The ex-general's dangerously beautiful companion still had a case of mild naive innocence.  If she didn't change that soon, Darya could end up enslaved, extorted or worse.  Especially if the League of Free Worlds caught up and killed Elizabeth before she could finish giving her the proper training.  Having the knowledge is only half the battle.  You need experience.  You have to actually improve your reflexes, strengthen those muscles.  Knowing and doing are two independent things. 

I will get that on Atus Seven? Darya's smile danced across her lips.  That smile vanished with Elizabeth's next statement. 

What you will get is a butt-load of pain.  This is where life gets hard, sweetie.  She typed on the computer panel, giving Darya a once over glance before furthering her explanation.  In about two minutes, we're going to enter the atmosphere.  It's breathable, we won't need air masks.  Mark the time.  Six months from today, you're either going to hate me to the core, or love what I've done for you.  Regardless of how you feel, you're going to be one dangerous bitch in the end.  Just like me. 

Darya didn't mind Elizabeth's colorfully brutal vocabulary, it was how the tall blond spoke to the entire galaxy.  She recalled the dire promises of harsh times when Elizabeth first agreed to take her into outer space.  Living among the stars could wind up killing her, if she wasn't willing to learn what was necessary. 

At that time, Queen Darya of Central Avernus didn't care if she lived or died.  Both women suffered massive heartbreak from the same damnable man, back when her concept of life was only one planet large.  Drastic heartbreak became the unlikely bond that tied them together.  As they journeyed between star systems, landing on different worlds to conduct their business, their friendship grew.

Darya left her bitter past behind with utmost joy, abdicating a primitive throne of luxury without hesitation.  Now her mind was filled with hundreds of different worlds, with just as many alien species populating them.  She could go on a tour of the galaxy for twenty lifetimes and never personally see all the inhabited planets.  What she learned about the galaxy fascinated her to no end.  It consisted of two major powers who were more than happy to push each other around every so often, when it came to who controlled what among the stars.  Today, they are at peace with each other.  At least for now.  That wasn't always the case. 

The League of Free Worlds started on an average blue-green planet known as Earth, tens of thousands of years ago.  Elizabeth was originally from that world; her species known as Humans built a formidable space faring civilization.  The other supreme power that conquered much of the known galaxy developed from an insect-like species called the Fabrini.  They also recklessly grabbed up hundreds of habitable solar systems, forming what's now known as the Fabrini Hive Empire. 

When both sides met in the deepest sections of the galaxy, it wasn't a pleasant discovery with polite gestures.  They fought a terrible war.  Billions perished on both sides.  Centuries went by as opposing fleets slugged it out with high end weaponry. 

Contested planets developed their own dominate life forms while the war in space raged.  On one of those numerous, unnamed worlds, Darya's own people developed.  When both sides of the galactic war finally declared peace, an agreement was signed.  The first interstellar treaty formed between both superpowers, filled with laws, rules and the resulting punishments for violating them.

Any previously contested habitable planets that harbored an intelligent native species became 'protected' until they advanced into a space faring civilization on its own.  Neither galactic superpower was allowed to interfere.  That planet would be approached just as the new species explored their own solar system, to be given a choice.  Join the League of Free Worlds, or become a member of the Fabrini Hive Empire.  Or pursue a third option, considered by the wider galaxy to be unwise.  Stay independent. 

Being independent normally sounds like a great choice for the planet considering the selection process, but it also meant that the new space faring civilization would be left alone, to continue developing at its own pace.  To enroll in one of the galactic superpowers would result in a full sharing of advanced technology.  The new member world would get updated to the latest and greatest scientific discoveries.  Within a few short years, that new planet could be competitive in the galactic marketplace. 

Darya's original world wasn't even close to developing space travel.  To be discovered for whom she really was, would result in immediate termination.  She was too contaminated with technology, along with a brand new chip that delivered a higher education on demand, to ever be allowed to return to her original people.  Her old lifestyle of smothering comfort and royal authority as a Sanego Queen was long gone.  She didn't even dare visit, as there might be a law enforcement fleet in high orbit, waiting for such a dumb decision to happen.

Being a walking and talking target between two major galactic superpowers felt intimidating.  However, the galaxy was a huge place.  That helped considerably.  Among dozens of independent planets with their myriad needs, formed one of the richest, most robust black markets to feed stolen technologies to those who are denied it.  Of course, even the smallest gadgets and electronic components would have a high cost to procure them. 

As for right now, the gravity well of Atus Seven felt intense across Darya's body.  This peaked her curiosity a little.  Having landed on more than fifty planets in the last three months, she never felt this much grab before.  The flight suit helped to spread the pressure.  The nose of the craft turned a bright yellow as it entered the atmosphere, flickering the cockpit with a buttery glow through the transparent metal panels.  Darya turned her head, wondering if Elizabeth was also finding the extra pressure a little strange. 

Nope.  The tall blond tackled the entry into the atmosphere like any other hot ride down to the surface; it's a landing done without the aid of the on-board computer.  A half-grin twitched below a pair of danger-loving blue eyes, feeling the exhilaration of bringing several tons of electronics filled steel down to the surface without exploding.  The task completely consumed the human's attention.  Elizabeth actually looked like she was enjoying the extra pressure across her suit.

The ship leveled out, the horizon finally coming into Darya's view.  It was beautiful!  This was also the first planet they visited without a massive city looming up in the distance. 

An orange sun, distant rose colored mountains, a carpet of purple-like trees flowed under her at high speed, divided by a tropical stream.  It was also a good thing Darya knew to keep herself strapped in during the landing cycle.  If she hadn't been securely buckled into place by inertia clamps and an invisible anti-gravity mesh, the forward jolt would have turned her into paste all over the dashboard.  Braking from near light speed to subsonic flight could be fatal, if not done properly. 

The small ship made a vertical landing, the engines winding down the moment the skids touched pavement.  The landing platform was old, covered with algae.  The small landing base was abandoned, various outer and inner buildings in stages of disrepair.  Surrounding the decrepit buildings was dense wild tropics.  The massive trees and vegetation was so thick, visibility into the forest was less than a dozen feet.

Elizabeth popped open the hatch, glancing at Darya over her shoulders, who was still unbuckling herself.  Good.  She jumped down with a whoosh, bending only slightly at the knees from the impact.  She was happy to be here, it has been too long since she got a good workout. 

Elizabeth looked up at the hatch, still not seeing Darya making any effort to leave.  What's the matter, slow poke?  Jump down already.  We've got important things to do. 

You must be joking, Darya wildly exclaimed.  The top of her head finally poked up, her ebony eyes wide with effort.  I don't understand what's going on!  What's dragging on me like this?  I feel like I'm moving under water! 

Elizabeth fought back a harsh laugh, knew Darya was in for a difficult time, so she didn't want to make the taunts too abusive.  At least during the first few months.  What you're feeling is a little less than three times your normal gravity.  This is where we live for now.  You, my dear, need to get into tip-top shape.  That starts today, right now, this very second.  Come on, jump down. 

Darya's struggle against the higher gravity was almost comical to behold.  She pulled herself up into the hatch's exit, puffing with effort.  Her ebony eyes were large, quivering.  She went to swing her leg over the ledge, bumping it against the interior hull by accident.  Not just once, but three times.  She eventually grabbed her own calf to help it swing over the threshold.  Once she got both legs on the outside, she started to lower her body, knuckles turning white with her grip on the thick outer edge. 

When Darya hit the ground, she went straight down on her butt, groaning from the impact.  Those perfect lips on that pretty pale face opened up.  Out flew a list of obscenities that would make any evil deity from the religion of your choice blush with envy.  The foul worded list ended with, and I don't think I can stand up in this bullshit gravity! 

Elizabeth's grin wouldn't go away.  Turn over onto your knees.  Get them under you, push up, and before you know it, you'll be standing. 

On my knees? Darya exclaimed, feeling the indignation coursing through her veins. 

On, as I said, your knees, Elizabeth confirmed, a little more sternly.  Move your bones.  Now. 

Darya's effort was a sight to behold.  Consider what it's like to wake up with your arm numbed from a lack of blood flow because you slept on it wrong.  It's floppy, heavy feeling.  Coordination suffers a great deal.  Unlike that arm tingling episode, Darya was afflicted in every single fiber of her body.  Fighting extreme gravity was nothing like fighting mere weight.  There would be no relief on any ounce of muscle, tendon or bone.  The whole body was either forced to adapt all at once, or break down and die.  Darya wasn't the type of woman who would break down and die.  She was a natural fighter, and it showed here. 

By the time Darya finally got herself upright, it wasn't at full height.  She was pissed off just from the effort it took to stand.  One shoulder was slightly lower than the other.  She was hunching over, similar to some twisted circus monkey who didn't know she was a beautiful woman in a black flight suit.  The poor posture was common for a person's first time in such high gravity.  That would need correcting. 

Put your feet side by side, Elizabeth barked, her practiced military voice hammering at her lone recruit.  Straighten those shoulders.  Straighten that back!  Up with that chin!  You heard me, up!  What's the matter with you?  Going to let something as insignificant as gravity kick your rear end all over the landscape? 

Darya struggled to do as ordered, but that last question burned a fresh wave of anger across her spine.  She felt her body click into the proper posture at last.  No. 

What did you say?

I said no!  Darya's shout echoed off the nearby dilapidated buildings. 

Elizabeth stepped up close to Darya.  Her vibrant blue eyes locked with those hard ebony disks.  She beheld an image of startling beauty in a remarkable face, battling the unseen elements of a hostile, new world.  Good, Elizabeth mildly praised her.  Keep that anger.  Let it focus you.  It'll help your ability to adapt.  Behind you are seven identical buildings.  Only pick one of them.  Any will do, there's no differences in their contents or age. 

Darya turned, her visible effort to keep a good posture easy to see.  Oh come on now, she finally said when she got a good look.  You don't mean for me to stay in one of those horrible places, do you?  There was no understatement in her assessment.  The metal structures really did look like they were rusted enough to fall over with a good shove. 

Us, Elizabeth corrected her.  You're going to pick a place for us to stay.  No, I'm not kidding.  I will show you where the storehouse is located.  Inside, you'll find buckets, scrub brushes and mops with plenty of cleaning chemicals.  I want one of those field bunkers in presentable condition on the inside, before the sun goes down.  From the looks of it, you only have five hours.  Get to work. 

Darya tried to find the lighter side of her predicament.  Between us, we might finish in time. 

No, Elizabeth warned her.  Not we, just you.  Get cracking. 

The angry glare from Darya masked another list of obscenities, Elizabeth was sure.  She gave the petite woman a taste of discipline before, just a little, while preparing her for the hardships down the road.  Three months into getting things ready for this very moment was no easy task.  Now it was make or break time.  This was the start of a major trial, on a planet where Elizabeth herself was once trained for black-ops warfare. 

This particular facility became abandoned, forgotten more than a decade ago, with all old military objectives completed.  No military organization was ever tempted to use it again, especially since the program was known to kill a percentage of fresh recruits.  Elizabeth was a survivor.  She knew Darya was a survivor as well, which was the only reason why she felt the need to do the training here. 

Now it was just a matter of time and colossal effort. 

Darya's lumbering shamble towards the building on the far right wasn't considered exaggerated in any sense of the word.  Elizabeth followed from a small distance, watching, waiting to see if the petite woman would collapse to her knees or not.  Yes, the tall human blond felt the gravity as well, but she was also far more used to this type of training environment.  She enjoyed making it look easy to move around, to walk straight.  To prove to Darya that the feat was possible.  A goal that could be reached. 

Darya located the chemicals, bucket and mop.  She went to the spigot, turning the handle with effort.  Long dormant pumps hissed to life.  Solar powered capacitors were always charged, in use or not, to be utilized for moments like this one.  The brackish water gushed at last, nearly knocking the bucket from Darya's hands.  A gallon of water would normally weigh around eight pounds.  On Atus Seven, it weighed roughly twenty-two pounds, give or take a few ounces.

By the time the sun was starting to set, there was enough clean sheets, dust free chairs, glistening table tops and clutter free flooring to make a night's sleep somewhat comfortable.  The one clean bunk bed all but called out to Darya, the plush mattress promising a collective field of relief for every tired fiber in an aching body. 

Elizabeth didn't say a word until this very moment.  I have the bottom bed.  You're getting the top bunk. 

Darya knew why in a split second.  She would have to climb in this hellish gravity before her body would be allowed any measure of restorative rest.  Great.  Just great.  Even though the small metal ladder helped, the epic journey to the top was something Elizabeth wished she could have video recorded.  The comical fight up four steps would have made for months of entertainment between them in the future.  As for right now, Darya wasn't in the mood for humor.  Far from it. 

The old mattress creaked under her weight.  Darya went spread eagle, breathing heavy in the dim light of the bunkhouse.  Her pointed ears were sensitive enough to pick up the soft giggle from Elizabeth, who was still watching from below.  The ex-queen was happy she learned of the Earth born rude gesture when they first started flying through the galaxy.  With effort, Darya gave her mentor the middle finger.  The one digit salute only produced a harder giggle from Elizabeth, who decided to get into the bottom bunk at last, as Darya didn't offer any further conversation about their new training grounds. 

The entire frame of the bunk slightly shifted as both women tried their best to get comfortable in the high gravity environment.  After several minutes, sleep finally arrived.  It approached as a black mental avalanche, descending upon Darya quickly, squeezing away reality into a deep, dark dreamland.

Chapter Two - Nightmares

MORNING CAME WAY too quickly for Darya's liking, but she was also glad the damned dreaming was over.  She wasn't normally claustrophobic, but the nightmares she endured had its disturbing effect upon her.  She dreamed that she was buried alive.  Another dream flickered into existence, that she was getting smashed by a falling wall.  Then she was buried alive a second time, but with clay-like dirt.  Now with her eyes wide open, she could still feel the pressing weight of the dirt.  Only Darya knew better.  There was no heavy dirt.  It was the freaking gravity of Atus Seven. 

Elizabeth's voice came to her from across the bunkhouse, near the kitchen area, where Darya scrubbed the previous night.  Did you sleep well? 

No, Darya replied, glad that her flight suit was designed to help her withstand the unusual gravity.  As much as she didn't want to take it off, she also wanted to get a hot shower before eating anything. 

Nightmares? 

How did you know? Darya cocked an eyebrow while staring at the ceiling.  She wasn't ready to tackle getting down that ladder yet. 

Until your brain adapts to the extra gravity, it will give you some vivid nightmares.  She moved something, the clinking of pans could be heard.  Get up.  The longer you lay there unmoving, the slower your muscles will respond.  I'm making breakfast.  Eat something, then we start training. 

I want a shower first.  I feel icky. 

No, Elizabeth ordered, more casual than stern, I promise you'll be much happier with that shower after we're done training for the day.  There's no sense getting all sweet smelling just to sweat it away five minutes later.  Move it.  Don't make me come up there and yank you off that mattress. 

Darya growled, but did as she was told.  Her challenging ladder experience went just as she suspected.  The extra gravity made sure each move became an effort of epic proportions.  By the time she got to the floor with her feet, she would have sworn there was an invisible blanket trying to force her to the floor.  Well, there was, but that was beside the point.  She needed to fight back, and she did so without further hesitation. 

The approval in Elizabeth's eyes when she watched Darya walk into the kitchen with the proper posture almost made the smaller woman grin.  She fought off the triumphant feeling, noticing right away that Elizabeth wasn't in her flight suit any longer.  The tall blond from Earth wore a green-gray patterned jumpsuit.  Another jumpsuit lay folded on the table next to a yellow pile of steaming stuff that was supposed to be breakfast. 

Elizabeth didn't give her a chance to ask.  The bed has sensors in it.  While you slept, it measured your dimensions, allowing the computer to make this training outfit for you.  It's twice as light as your flight suit, so that will help a little.  Sit.  Eat up, we have a big day ahead of us. 

What is this stuff?  Darya picked at the strange yellow substance with her fork.  It didn't look like any of the vegetables she normally got to eat.  She wasn't a vegetarian because of a picky personal choice, her entire people ate nothing but fruits and vegetables as part of their normal diet.  Eating meat was revolting to her entire species, but this yellow pile of stiff goo didn't look like any meat she knew. 

Scramble, Elizabeth cryptically replied.  Just eat it.  It's filled with protein and energy giving nutrients.  See?  I'm having some myself.  She scooped a forkful into her mouth, giving an expression of bliss.  Of course, such a move made Darya extremely cautious. 

That means little to nothing with you humans, she slightly retorted.  If it breathes, you'll kill it and chew down all of its meat.  My people can't do that, as you well know. 

Your people won't eat meat, not can't.  Elizabeth gestured to Darya's plate.  Besides, you know what cooked meat looks like, and that's not it.  I'm serious, you'll need the energy.  Eat the scramble.  By this time tomorrow morning, you'll be shoveling it down your throat while looking for more. 

Darya put a wad of the stuff called scramble into her mouth, ready to spit it back out if it owned any of the dark tastes of horrific roasted flesh.  She only experienced the hideous flavor once in her life, when Ryan fooled her into thinking she needed to eat a single bite to appease a ritual that didn't exist.  It made her vomit, which is something he knew would do to her.  That damnable man was lucky that he wasn't around right now to punch.  He practically stranded himself on her backwater home world on purpose, devoted to somebody else.  Good riddance!

So yes, Darya knew what meat tasted like.  The yellow stuff didn't harbor that heavy, thick flavor that was previously saturated with disgusting blood.  It was a curious sensation, a strange flavor she didn't have any memories for, but then so did most of the vegetables she tasted from other planets.  Just as Elizabeth promised, it wasn't some type of disguised flesh. 

Not bad, Darya finally announced.  She gestured to the folded jumpsuit in between bites.  Why is it that color?  The blotches on it look terrible. 

Elizabeth shared a small grin.  So the predators in the jungle will have a hard time seeing you.  There's a trail we need to follow, one that isn't overgrown anymore.  I've been up longer than you know. 

I guess so, Darya replied, not even the least bit curious.  She ate more scramble, wondering just what type of program Elizabeth had in mind on this hellish world.  Unfortunately, she found out just as she finished her breakfast, not more than a few seconds after putting on the jumpsuit.  At least the foot coverings for the outfit felt sturdy, if not comfortable.  The Earth word on the insoles translated nicely through her installed mind chip.  Sneakers. 

Let's go.  Elizabeth beckoned to Darya, wearing a smug smile as she left the bunk house. 

What is that? Darya couldn't help asking.  The moment she stepped out into the bright orange sunlight, she noticed the large android that Elizabeth was fiddling with, floating with ease from a wide metal base.  Anti-gravity modules were welded to the bottom.  The sinister looking hunk of metal owned two forward protruding stiff arms that came to a dull point. 

We're going to run, Elizabeth explained cryptically.  "I'm programming our dimensions, body heat signatures and