The Mind Eaters 3: The Old Ones

By Ethan Somerville

During the Dark Time, Eridon was ruled by the Old Ones or Masters; fierce, but highly advanced reptilian beings. They managed to defeat a psionovore Colony, resulting in the release of Lothar SoulEater, and developed a device for use in case the void vampires returned, called the Chronosphere.

Fleeing Earth’s second psionovore invasion, General Cassidy and the SPACE team travel back in time to this bleak period of Eridon’s history in search of the Chronosphere. They believe this mysterious device will help them with their own fight, but locating it will not be easy.

Here the Masters have enslaved the Li Kari people and keep them mind-blind and naked. The Li Kari are forced to perform the lowliest of duties and often serve as food, entertainment and sacrifices.

The travellers have never faced adversaries like these. The Old Ones wear mindwave enhancing collars to boost their power levels and their priests, the original Nightbringers, maintain numerous open gates to the unholy Pit of Dark Flame.

In the travellers’ period Necronis the Unmaker has been defeated and banished, but here, in the Dark Time, He is very much present, active and extremely hungry for souls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Publishing
• Release date: Aug 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370016853

Ethan Somerville

Ethan Somerville is a prolific Australian author with over 20 books published, and many more to come. These novels cover many different genres, including romance, historical, children's and young adult fiction. However Ethan's favourite genres have always been science fiction and fantasy. Ethan has also collaborated with other Australian authors and artists, including Max Kenny, Emma Daniels, Anthony Newton, Colin Forest, Tanya Nicholls and Carter Rydyr.

Book preview

The Eridon Chronicles Book 11

The Mind Eaters 3

The Old Ones

By

Ethan Somerville

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Storm Publishing on Smashwords

The Mind Eaters 3 – The Old Ones

Copyright © 2015/2017 by Ethan Somerville

www.stormpublishing.net

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Chapter 1

The Timeship Stowaway

Rhys the Timeship hurtled back through time, swallowing years in seconds, and centuries in minutes. Even at top speed he knew the entire journey would take at least twenty-four hours, and necessitate a twelve-hour recharge at the end. He tried not to think about the Psionovore Armageddon they had just escaped – even his analytical computer brain shied away from the sheer enormity of what his small handful of occupants had attempted. He still found it hard to accept the horrific fate that had befallen his late programmer’s planet.

Had the CD been there, he would have been able to help Aldyon reverse time, the computer thought. They might even have succeeded in stopping the monsters for good. Then he realised that Rhys Kelly would never have consented to the use of the Dodecahedrons. They’d had enough trouble enlisting Omadon and Aidan. Although Aidan didn’t appear too worse for wear after relinquishing his Dodec. In fact Rhys had to withdraw his sensors from the room Aidan and Frank occupied. Just until they finished unwinding.

A few others seemed to be relieving tension the old fashioned way. It gladdened the electronic equivalent of Rhys’ heart to see Omadon and Charlotte wrapped in each other’s arms, making up for years of lost time. Con and Katarine were also cuddling, but Con had fallen asleep in Katarine’s arms before anything could eventuate. Katarine stroked his thick curly hair, but the omniscient Rhys could tell her thoughts were elsewhere.

As for Commander Graves of Lockout Security, he sat by himself in a small room, head buried in his hands. Rhys remembered how he’d screamed and bolted into the timeship at the first sign of the Dodec collapse. Had the computer possessed a stomach, he would have been nauseated at the thought of having such an abject coward on board. That sneaky old man would have to be watched very closely. Rhys recalled his telepathic conversation with Toralan. Although he had not been able to intercept it at the time, Toralan had revealed everything to him via the mindlink.

Rhys had to admit that Graves had served his purpose during the invasion. The timeship could tell he was having Dodec withdrawal symptoms by the way he kept shaking his head and moaning under his breath. Not even the knowledge that he had become Eridon, and lost all of his human aches, pains and ailments, could cheer him up. The computer decided to give the old bastard a break by activating the Mesmer function so he could at least have a rest. Being over sixty years old, Graves flopped back onto his bed and fell asleep almost as soon as the walls started strobing. Becoming Eridon might have granted him a few more hundred years, but he was still a Nea.

Rhys hoped the people they had left behind would be okay. He liked to think that since he was hurtling backwards along the temporal stream, time for Toralan and the rest of the SPACEmen had effectively stopped. He fixed an image of all those brave Eridons suspended in time, frozen forever until they returned with the Chronosphere – whatever the Hell it was.

Nebulous as Omadon’s plan was, it had to succeed. If it didn’t, Earth was doomed. Earth and Eridon. And all other planets that had evolved psykers. Rhys would have shivered if he could have.

The timeship’s occupants gradually succumbed to their exhaustion, most falling asleep naturally. Only Frank, with the fate of the entire Earth resting on his broad shoulders, was too restless. After much tossing and turning, he slid across the bed so he was no longer touching Aidan, and pushed himself into a metabolic coma. An eerie silence descended, and Rhys allowed himself some precious downtime. Even so, he still remained dimly aware of what was going on. Sensors in the hall picked up some moving air, and idly he wondered why it had shifted where there were no vents. He ignored the incident until the Lounge door slid open for no reason.

Instantly alert, Rhys realised that someone had stepped into the Lounge. He couldn’t sense anyone – the recently refabricated chamber appeared totally empty! But looks could be deceiving. Luckily Rhys could see in several different spectrums. He tried each. Nothing. However he could still feel something moving across the room. It could elude his vision, but couldn’t deny that it was a solid mass and displaced air.

Because everything inside the ship was made from transplastic, containing billions of nanotech sensors that allowed Rhys to sense and shape it, there was very little he couldn’t experience. Even the lounge, on which the mysterious invisible entity finally plonked itself, contained millions of these invisible units.

I know you’re there, he informed the intruder in a soft voice. You managed to keep yourself hidden for a while, but I picked you up in the end. Show yourself.

The invisible person sighed. Okay – you got me. A tall, slender figure appeared on the lounge. He had soft blonde hair, cropped close to his skull, and was almost breathtakingly handsome. He wore a sleek black PsiForce uniform, tailored perfectly to fit his lean form. Had Rhys possessed arms, he would have folded them in disapproval.

I don’t like stowaways.

Lothar SoulEater gave his usual cheeky grin. Am I your first?

Rhys adopted a tone of long suffering. Yes. Now mind explaining what you’re doing here? I thought you deserted us as soon as the psionovores showed up.

Lothar looked pained. ‘Deserted’ is such a harsh word. I like to think I bade a tactical retreat. Anyway, it didn’t take me long to realise that your temporally aloof interior was a far safer haven than deep space.

Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t throw you back out into deep space?

Lothar gave a smile that could have warmed the heart of Genghis Khan. Because you’re a nice guy?

Rhys released two transplastic pseudopods from the floor and wrapped them around Lothar’s neck, yanking him from the lounge. Who told you that?

Lothar felt the carpet beneath him start to soften and dissolve. And I might actually be useful in the upcoming mission! he gasped.

Rhys paused. Lothar had already slid half way through the floor. I’m listening.

If your crew is going to gallivant around ancient Eridon, they’ll need someone who can actually look like a Master, not just impersonate one behind a crude mental illusion. I can speak their language, too. ‘Urglach gar h’drak’. I just said ‘How do you do?’ in the Old Tongue.

Sounded like Klingon to me. Rhys gave him one more squeeze for good measure, then let him go. He wouldn’t have thrown Lothar out. Not only was he programmed not to harm any of his occupants, but the psionovore traitor was right. His Disneyland cheerfulness might have been incredibly annoying, but he had the potential to be very useful.

Lothar picked himself up and dusted off his immaculate uniform. Thanks. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. He stuck out a hand to shake one of the pseudopods. Forming fingers it reached up to take his head, then whipped around behind him and slapped him across the back of the head. Then it retracted into the floor with its companion.

Oh har har! Lothar dropped back onto the lounge. If I hadn’t got bored, you’d never have picked me up, you know. I could’ve hovered in the hall for the entire journey.

You’re over a hundred thousand years old! How the hell could you get bored?

Lothar picked up a magazine from the coffee table, an ancient Earthian publication called Naughty Night Nymphs that Con had left behind. If I have nothing to do, and I know there’s no entertainment within a thousand clicks, I’ll just sit and wait patiently, but if I have nothing to do, and I know there’s a room full of books just a few metres away, then I’ll get bored, definitely.

I’m getting a headache just trying to think down to your level.

Lothar flipped through the magazine. That’s an interesting way to open a beer bottle.

Rhys withdrew before he snapped and tried to strangle the psionovore again.

Frank emerged from his metabolic coma with a convulsive jerk, kicking Aidan into semi-wakefulness. He sat up, shaking his head to clear it of cobweb dreams. When he remembered that he was safe on board Rhys the timeship, he took a deep, shaking breath and flopped back onto his pillows.

Jesus. Those comas take some getting used to.

Aidan could have easily closed his eyes for a few more hours, but he decided to wake up properly. He could tell Frank wanted to talk. But you feel better, don’t you?

I suppose. But no amount of unconsciousness will stop me from feeling like a deserter. At the world’s greatest hour of need, I bolted like a coward. Like that damn Lothar SoulEater. He scowled.

Aidan rested a hand on Frank’s muscular arm. You didn’t desert. When we return with the Chronosphere, everything will still be exactly as we left it – you need not worry.

"I know, I know, but I can’t deny this guilt. What must Mother Earth think? I’m sure she knows what I’ve done, and when we return – if we return – she’ll kick my ass into next week for leaving!"

No she won’t, Aidan assured, although he wasn’t sure what the great spirit of the Earth would do, because we shall succeed in our mission, and destroy the psionovores!

I’m glad you’re so confident. Frank rubbed his forehead, still suffering from a bit of after-coma fuzziness.

What good could you have possibly accomplished by staying behind, anyway? Aidan asked. We would have been back ere ye realised we were gone! Anyway,’ he stroked Frank’s arm again, We need your power with us."

Frank sighed as some of the tension left him. He liked the feel of Aidan’s fingers running softly down his arm. Fair enough, he said softly. Uncertainty still nipped at the pit of his gut. At least back on Earth he had been in control. Here he was at the whim of Omadon and the timeship. Like Omadon and his crew he had many adventures under his belt, but none of them had ever involved him leaving Earth – or its immediate atmosphere. I hope Omadon knows what he’s doing!

Aidan snorted.

That didn’t exactly inspire me with confidence!

No no, that’s not why I’m laughing! Aidan protested. Omadon may seem muddleheaded at times, but he always pulls us through. He makes the right decision at the right time, and is generally very…

Lucky?

Aidan grinned. Aye, he is extremely lucky. But don’t forget, we also have Charlotte, Con and Katarine on board, as well as Commander Graves. Some formidable intelligences."

Frank didn’t look convinced. I haven’t seen Charlotte or Katarine in action, and all Con has demonstrated any talent in is making smartass comments at inopportune moments! As for Commander Graves – I wouldn’t trust that prick to give me the time of day, let watch my back during a fight!

I cannot speak for Graves, but I assure you that Charlotte, Con and Katarine are very brave, resourceful people. I adventured with Charlotte through Delsaron’s parallel Earth, and she proved more than able to stand up for herself, and Con’s insane, but brilliant plans have saved our skins a number of times now. He developed a focal pentagram we could use against the Etiran Warlord Ofdrin, and ordered that we fire at Delsaron’s Crystal when he was still a Necronite. As for Katarine, there is no one more unfazeable. I would trust her with my life.

It still seems like a damn strange group to entrust with Earth’s future. Frank scratched his head and decided it was time to cut his hair again. It had stared to curl.

It is almost like old times. The only difference is that you are here now, instead of Kirsty.

Kirsty?

A small blonde Scottish girl Omadon rescued along with the others. She was my companion until Adelrid’s soldiers killed her. She wasn’t particularly bright, but she was brave and very kind. At times I miss her. She was a very calming influence on me.

And I’m not? Frank quipped.

"You have turned my life upside down! Aidan slipped his arms around Frank’s broad shoulders. You should let your hair grow like mine. I’m sure ‘twill be just as thick and curly."

Frank grinned. That’s what I’m afraid of! No Aidan – I’m sorry, but I just can’t see myself with girly hippy locks down to my ass!

Oh, you’ll pay for that! They rolled off the bed onto the floor.

Charlotte woke before Omadon, and busied herself with collecting all the clothes strewn across the floor, shaking the wrinkles out and folding them neatly on a chair. Then she crawled back into bed beside Omadon and woke him with a kiss. Good morning, Heathcliff, she purred, still perfectly at home with the human name Jalsad had given him all those years ago.

He blinked and focussed blearily on her fair, heart-shaped face. The weight of her cherry red curls had stretched them into ringlets that tumbled over her creamy shoulders and down her back. Even now she wore her late father’s Tompion watch around her throat. In all the years Omadon had known her, she had just grown more beautiful. He smiled up at her. Good morning Charlotte. He slipped wiry, but muscular arms around her narrow waist and pulled her down on top of him.

She squealed with delight at seeing Omadon so happy and frisky. It really did seem like he thrived on danger. I haven’t seen you this enthusiastic for a long time! she cried. Let’s hope it lasts.

"Let’s hope we last! If we don’t find this Chronosphere thingy we’re all dead."

That’s the confident Heathcliff I know and love! She planted a kiss on his lips. For a few minutes they writhed together on the tangled sheets, enjoying each other. Omadon realised just how much he had missed her during his long period of depression. How could he have let her slip through his fingers like that? One day he would have to do something about the dark demons that still troubled his soul.

When we return to Eridon, Charlotte purred as she trailed her fingertips down Omadon’s smooth chest, "and we will return because failure is not an option, you should try to return to your old job as psionics instructor."

Oh, I haven’t taught at Saren Academy for so long!

I’m sure Jalsad will give you a glowing letter of recommendation. And it’s not like you’ve forgotten all your mentalist skills!

What about my ambassadorial duties?

These days? Few and far between! I doubt they’ll interfere with your teaching. All the Etirans seem to do is fight amongst themselves! And don’t forget - I’ll just be down the hall in the geopsionics department.

Omadon smiled. You’ve convinced me. I doubt I could return to Meljana’s old warehouse, anyway. I heard they were finally going to demolish those buildings to make way for more landing platforms.

Charlotte rose up beside him, tossing ringlets over her shoulders to bare her large round breasts. Good boy. Now let’s see … how shall I reward you?

When Con woke, he was acutely embarrassed at falling asleep like a little kid. Fortunately, Katarine stirred a few minutes later, and they were able to complete what they had started. Then he stretched all the kinks out of his body and started hunting for his Marvin the Martian boxers. Eventually he found them under the bed. Katarine slipped on a plain white Kamryte robe and tied it around her slender waist.

I’m friggin’ starving! Con rubbed his belly. I could eat a horse, hooves and all! How do you feel, Kat?

The tall, slender woman secured her copper coloured hair with her old fashioned Viking headband. I must admit, I’m pretty hungry as well.

Then let’s go! Con headed for the door.

Con! At least put some pants on!

He paused at the door. Why? I always walk around here in my shorts!

We have some mixed company aboard.

Con frowned, torn between free and easy, and the constriction of clothes. He sighed. Okay. It would stop Aidan perving on me, I suppose! He started gathering his things together. What d’you think of Heath’s idea? It was almost insane enough to be one of mine! You reckon we can track down this Chronosphere thingy?

I certainly hope so, because the alternative is too horrible to think about!

Con shivered. Yeah. I honestly thought we were gonna make it back there. When we were linked up with all the other psykers, I could almost feel those things’ fear as the others started layin’ into them. And when those psibombs went off… He whistled. They sent a shockwave right through the Earth!

It was the most amazing feeling, being a part of something so huge, Katarine agreed. We may have all been joined, able to sense each-others’ thoughts and feelings, but we were still individuals. It really was the best of both worlds.

Con raked his fingers through his thick, tangled curls. I’m still having trouble wrappin’ my brain around what happened. D’you think that maybe we just took the first step towards a unified Earth?

Yes. I think I know what happened. And to tell you the truth, it’ll make our team’s job a lot harder.

Con stared at her. Excuse me?

Katarine spread her slender hands. "Look at what happened, Con. Through his Dodecahedron, Frank managed to unite nearly all of Earth’s psykers. For one brief moment we all experienced each other, we became a single unit, a collective consciousness, a one. Every psyker reached out and touched each and every other psyker on the planet. She took a deep breath. Kamrys started the ball rolling when he revealed to the Eridon Li Kari people that they all possessed psionic powers. But several hundred Eridon years passed before all the Li Kari realised their full potential. When the last isolated pocket of people came into their abilities, the entire race underwent a transition like what we just experienced, only it was slower, more controlled."

You saying all Eridons joined like that? Con gasped.

"They’re still joined, only because they have been linked for so long, the collective consciousness has become a collective unconscious. All Eridons are aware of it, but don’t let it interfere with their normal lives. However it still serves to protect them."

You’re kiddin’ me!

Katarine shook her head. Where do you think Eridon’s force field comes from? The power needed to create an artificial shield of such strength would quickly drain all the sources on the planet. Eridon’s field is powered by the collective unconscious of the entire Li Kari race.

Jesus! Con whistled. I never knew that!

Katarine smiled sweetly and ruffled his untidy hair. We each have our different interests, Con. I might know a lot of Eridon history, but wouldn’t know the first thing about stardrive repair.

I see now. But what did you mean about the SPACEmen’s job becoming more difficult?

Well, now all of Earth’s psykers are joined, they have effectively become one psionic nation. Individual groups may continue to have differences, but they can no longer deny that they’re joined. We can no longer focus on any one group, like PsiForce or Lockout. We have to deal with the lot, which will prove a very daunting task, since this new psionic nation has no leaders or infrastructure or even any idea in which direction it’s headed.

Con rubbed his temples. Shit. We’ll have to be pretty damn careful, won’t we?

She nodded. Somehow we need to get all the leaders of all the major groups together for one enormous meeting on neutral ground.

Sort of like a psionic United Nations, eh?

Katarine grinned again. Sort of. We’ll chat to Omadon and Frank when we get a few spare minutes, and hopefully when we return, we’ll have a plan for Toralan. But right now I need breakfast. Are you coming?

Con yanked on a shirt and pair of trousers. Shit yeah!

The first person to actually emerge from their room was Commander Harrison Graves. Shock at falling asleep so suddenly jerked him out of bed before he was completely awake. It took him a few seconds to remember his location. He lifted gnarled hands and pulled them through his hair. His snowy locks had always been long, forming little curls behind his ears, but now his hair reached his shoulders, and felt a lot thicker and healthier than he remembered. He ran a hand over the back of his head, where the long hair had been carefully combed over a bald spot – and encountered the down of new growth.

What is going on here? he asked out loud.

When you became Eridon, your hair started growing to its natural length, Rhys answered. Graves jumped, looking wildly around in shock. It’s me – Rhys. I’m the computer, remember?"

Oh yes – of course. Graves pulled his fingers through his hair again, trying to calm down. Dreams of ultimate power still scampered around his mind. How long will my hair get?

It’ll probably hit the back of your knees in about a week. I suggest you learn how to braid it, or it could prove a problem.

Jesus! What about if I cut it?

It’ll just grow back. If you keep cutting it, it’ll slow down eventually, but I understand that Frank still has to shave his head every week or so.

Graves dropped his hands. So – we’re really travelling back through time now?

Yes. We should arrive at our destination in about seven hours. Would you like to shower and wash your clothes? I have such facilities on board.

That would be nice, although I don’t feel as dirty as I should. D’you have any food on board?

What would you like? I can replicate just about anything.

Graves’ eyes gleamed, and he rubbed his bony hands together. Excellent!

Rhys thought he looked just like Mr Burns from the Simpsons, right down to the bony nose and snaggleteeth. Let’s hope he doesn’t turn out to have the same diabolical personality, the computer thought darkly.

When Graves finally entered the Lounge with his huge tray, he found Lothar SoulEater sprawled on his back reading a Harry Potter book. He almost dropped his garlic snails, baked duck, Caesar salad and slab of chocolate mud cake. What the hell are you doing here?!

Lothar shook his book. Reading. What does it look like?

I thought you ran away!

Lothar sighed as he sat up, slid a bookmark into his volume and closed it. Here we go again!

If you want to throttle him, be my guest, Rhys suggested.

Graves set his tray down on the table and folded himself into a chair. Truthfully, the impossibly cheerful psionovore scared him, but he wasn’t about to admit that to anyone. Hadn’t he just helped to wipe out a good percentage of his kind? He decided it would be best to ignore it. Unfortunately, Lothar slid into a seat opposite, and proceeded to watch him intently while he ate, offering snippets of completely useless trivia. Rhys withdrew before Graves lost his temper and started throwing things.

The computer checked on the others and realised they were starting to wake. However it would be a while before anyone emerged. By the time Omadon entered the Lounge an hour later, Graves had finished his feast and Lothar had returned to his book. At first the Eridon failed to notice him.

Did you sleep well? Omadon asked politely.

Graves simply grunted. His wonderful breakfast had been completely spoiled by that annoying shapeshifter, and he was no longer in the mood for company. Omadon simply shrugged and set his own tray down. Charlotte joined him after a few minutes, and she did spot the languid psionovore. She gaped in horror until Omadon followed her gaze.

"Rhys – when did you pick up that hitch-hiker?" Omadon gasped.

I didn’t. I must admit he snuck aboard, and now we’re stuck with him.

Lothar got up and sauntered over. He let me stay because I explained how useful I’ll be in the upcoming mission.

Only if our upcoming mission is to annoy as many people as possible, growled Graves. Charlotte snorted.

I’ll explain everything when the others show up, Lothar continued.

You’d better, Omadon told him pointedly. "Because I for one still don’t trust you."

Con and Katarine joined the little group about ten minutes later, followed by Frank, then Aidan. The man who had been an eighteenth century pirate, member of the original Crystal Crew, nightclub bouncer, Etiran ambassador, space raider and advisor to General Cassidy had needed at least ten minutes to comb and braid his hair. Con snickered behind a hand as Aidan entered the room without a single strand out of place. Frank had telepathically warned him that Lothar was on board, so he didn’t baulk like some of the others.

I thought we’d finally gotten rid of you, was all he said as he slipped into the last spare chair at the table.

Lothar beamed a beatific smile. I’m very hard to get rid of.

Kinda like herpes, Con muttered under his breath. Charlotte snorted again, and Katarine elbowed him in the ribs. Omadon smiled as he reminisced over old times. Unfortunately he couldn’t dwell on the past for too