The Mortalis: Beyond the Eternity: The Mortalis, #3

By Larry Cockerham

In eternity, there was no hurry.

Humankind is thriving and striving for the stars. Among them stand the Mortalis, flesh and blood beings who can live extensively by xulon, a life-preserving plant that gives health and vitality when ingested. Then there were the Ascended, immortal transcended beings that can reside in both the natural and supernatural elements. 

"For three hundred years we've enjoyed a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Without question, we would have continued enjoying the fruits of our labor, but human nature never changes."

It was three hundred years since the Mortalis first began colonizing other worlds across the stars. Stand with Marion, who is now the Supreme Galactic Commander overseeing five hundred colonies between eighty-six- star-systems and commander of an entire battalion of Black Warrior soldiers. Not a woman to be messed with (or to ask what age she is). It has taken much love, loss, blood, and tears to keep the alliance peaceful. Until new enemies threaten to destroy that peace.

"The enemy threatens to destroy our way of life. We cannot let this happen. Shortly we'll be boarding our transports and heading into battle. I will be there to lead you to victory. There will be no mercy because our enemies have shown no mercy!"
No prisoners. No begging. No mercy.

And in Marion's case – no control. 

"Oh, I remember everything… Every wound, every cut, every disappointment. I may heal physically, but emotionally the pain is still there."

Blood for blood. Especially when everything she's fought so hard for is in danger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Cockerham
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386659860

Book preview

The Mortalis:

Beyond Eternity

Book Three in The Series

Larry W. Cockerham

Copyright © 2016 Larry W. Cockerham

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1523308712

ISBN-10: 1523308710

Cover Art by The Cover Collection

http://www.thecovercollection.com

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or

mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any

information storage and retrieval system, without the author's

permission.

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious.  Any

resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to science fiction and space opera fans everywhere whose imagination knows no boundaries and hold eternity in their hearts.

Contents

1 A Great Loss

2 Strike Force

3 Battle Plans

4 Blood for Blood

5 Press the Attack

6 War Crimes

7 A New Front

8 Assault on Avera 9

9 Split the Fleet

10 Ware Home World

11 An Uncanny Resemblance

12 Rendezvous at Altera 9

13 Fortress Planet Lyca III

14 Terms of Surrender

15 A New Beginning

16 Suspicious Activity

17 Double Trouble

18 School Days

19 A Tragedy

20 Truth or Consequences

21 Back to the Future

22 The Rebel’s Liar

23 What’s Behind Door Number Two?

24 Rebel Base in the Uzara System

25 Headquarters on High

26 What’s My Line?

27 The Insurgency Continues

28 A Stitch in Time

29 A Twist in Time

30 Incident at Drauhnis

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

— Revelation 22:2 (KJV)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

––––––––

To my, wife, Diane, my fellow-helper and loving companion, and

to our children, Sharon, Barbara, and Emily, who inspire us each day.

1 A Great Loss

OVER THREE HUNDRED years had passed since the Mortalis first colonized other worlds.  It was the year A.D. 3496 and Marion was now the overall Supreme Galactic Commander of more than five hundred colonies located in eighty-six-star systems.

Her headquarters, located in the distant Benelux star system, was near the center of the boundaries laid out in the alliance.  She was in command of over two hundred thousand Black Warrior soldiers and seventeen system commanders.  It had been a time of trial, error, and sacrifice for everyone involved as they continued moving out amongst the stars. Until now it had been a time of peaceful coexistence with their distant neighbors, but that was about to change.

EXACTLY WHAT ARE WE talking, Commander? Sofia asked as she pulled out several large carry bags.

Sofia Marinov and Catherine Alice Leblanc were now part of Marion’s permanent entourage. They had been with her since the beginning and were some of her closest friends.

Sofia Marinov, with her long blonde hair and green eyes, was an outstanding cross-country skier.  In her native Russia, she had been a two-time Olympic gold medalist. 

Catherine Alice Leblanc, with her dark hair and blue eyes, was one of the most beautiful females in the battalion.  Her native home of Cote d'Azur was where she had become a first-class scuba diver. Both were in excellent physical shape.

We’ll be in the mountains, so take some warm clothing, Marion advised.  And your weapons. Always take your weapons.

Of course, Catherine Alice Leblanc answered as she looked around the living quarters for her hand-held phaser. 

Their destination was a large mountain village located just across the Acroá boundary line that was already a popular getaway. 

How long will it take us to get there? Sofia asked as they continued packing. 

About three days, Marion replied.

Is that all? Sofia asked.

We’ll be taking a larger shuttle with FTL capability, so it won’t take as long, Marion answered, stuffing weapons into her camouflaged bag.  Her railgun had been upgraded with night vision and thermal optics and her belt had a few more gadgets included. 

The newest addition was a 14th century Kamakura blade, a gift from her system commanders given to her on her six-hundredth birthday.

The Japanese sword, a katana, was carried in a highly detailed scabbard made of lacquered wood and was characterized by its curved, slender, single-edged blade. The sight of the weapon was foreboding, and under certain circumstances, could slice a man completely into.

Okay, everyone ready? Marion asked.

Yes, ma’am. Everything’s ready to go, Sofia replied with a chuckle as she and Catherine were both weighted down like two pack mules with supplies.

Marion stopped by the front desk and called for Commander Royce, the senior system commander.  Royce, you have the command.  We’re outta here.

Take care, Commander, Royce said as he watched the three trudge to the shuttle waiting outside in the courtyard.  Try to have fun.

Royce was the senior system commander located at Central Command in the Benelux System along with Marion. His light brown hair and doe eyes belied the reality of a tough-as-nails combat commander. He was Marion’s second-in-charge over all of the other sixteen system commanders.

Within minutes, they had loaded everything into the large shuttle and Marion set the controls to the distant star system.  Okay, ladies. We’re off.

AFTER THREE DAYS, THEY came out of FTL as they crossed the Acroá boundary. Soon they were approaching the small forest moon Adelphia. 

Commander, look! Sofia pointed to a distant flash.

Oh my God, that was a nuke! Marion shouted as she pointed to Sofia. Turn around and get us out of here.

The distinctive flash of the nuclear explosion could easily be seen from the shuttle as they approached the forest moon. The fireball from the explosion would create a temperature several tens of millions of degrees more brilliant than the sun. Everyone in close proximity would be instantly vaporized.

Commander, I’m picking up a lot of activity coming our way, Sofia warned, indicated by the small screen in front of her.  What now?

See if you can make that asteroid belt, Marion ordered as she grabbed the com-link.

They seem to be ignoring us and are headed for our northern perimeter, Catherine advised as she monitored the threat.

This is a Level One Red Alert...again, this is a Level One Red Alert, Marion announced as she sent a quick message to the Benelux Central Command.  We have a large contingent of unknown enemy warships crossing through this sector.

Within seconds the silence was shattered as a familiar voice broke in over the com-link. This is Admiral Fausset. Commander, could you give us their general direction?

I’m sending you their coordinates as we speak, Marion said.  No idea who they are or their intentions, but they just nuked the mountain resort at Adelphia, Admiral.

I’ll begin assembling our forces, Commander, Admiral Fausset advised.

Thank you, Admiral, Marion replied.  We’ll be there as soon as possible.

Another voice came in over the speaker. This is Royce. Commander, what are your orders?

Royce, have all of our system ground forces put on full alert and prepare for an imminent attack.

I’m on it, Commander, Royce said.

Admiral, could you get word to the commander of the Ware and see if he has any idea what’s going on? Marion asked.

As soon as I hear anything, I’ll get back to you, Commander, Admiral Fausset replied.

Marion looked over at Sofia and Catherine.  I had a feeling this wouldn’t last.

Why is that, ma’am? Catherine asked as she nervously eyed the scanners. 

Human nature, ladies, Marion informed.  I guess we need to be thankful for the three hundred years of peace that we’ve enjoyed up till now.

Now what? Sofia asked as she continued pushing the shuttle back home as fast as it would go.

What are they doing now? Marion asked.

They’re still moving for our northern perimeter, Commander, Sofia advised.

I wonder what they’re up to. Marion looked over Sofia’s shoulder at the monitors.

Commander, they seem to be crossing back over our perimeter, Sofia said.

Whoever they are, they’re in a big hurry, Marion observed.

Within the hour, Admiral Fausset came in over the speakers. Commander, I regret to inform you that the Supreme Commander of the Ware was at the mountain resort when it was hit.

Oh no, Marion cried.

Yes, I just talked to their second-in-command.  Seems that not only him but also Supreme Commander Thorn of the Oemne and Colonel Prateús of the Acroá were there, too.

Sounds like they’ve had this planned for some time, Marion replied.

They said it was a large contingent of Drauhn warships, Admiral Fausset added.  I’ve sent word to New Earth headquarters.  This will lead to a declaration of war according to the stipulations of the treaty.

Definitely, Marion responded.

I’m waiting on more information from the Oemne commander.  According to the chatter, they’re all massing their fleets and ground forces for an offense.

Do we know anything about their—

Commander, I’ve got two fighters moving this way, Sofia announced.

Let’s see. Marion leaned over Sofia and could clearly see the two unidentified craft swiftly moving in their direction.

"Okay, maybe we can make that old abandoned outpost...there," Marion announced as she pointed to the small planet quickly coming into view on the scanner.   Let’s see if they can keep up.

I think they’re keeping up, ma’am, Sofia replied nervously. 

They must have realized that they missed one. Marion chuckled, now knowing the reason for the hit on the mountain resort.

Who is that, ma’am? Catherine asked, turning to Marion.

Me, Marion replied as she looked at Sofia and Catherine. They were trying to take out all of the top commanders in one fell swoop. Send the coordinates of our location to Admiral Fausset.  We’re going to need some help here.

I can see the old fort now on our scanners, ma’am, Sofia advised.  But they’re catching up to us fast.

Stay steady, Marion ordered.  Soon they were breaking through the lower atmosphere and dropping to fifteen hundred meters, the two fighters right behind them.

They’re locking on to us! Sofia yelled.

Hold steady. Marion could see the old fort in the distant valley coming up fast. Try not to give them an easy target.

Sofia was trying every evasive maneuver she could think of but the large shuttle was no match for two advanced fighters.

Soon they had locked onto the shuttle again and fired.  Smoke billowed out of the back of the craft.

There! Marion shouted, pointing to the inner courtyard.

We’re going to crash...everyone hold on! Sofia warned as she aimed for the center of the courtyard.  As soon as the nose of the shuttle hit the ground, it plowed a furrow all the way to the front of the main office.  The shuttle came to a halt; the rear of the craft was engulfed in fire.

Everyone out! Marion ordered. Ready your weapons and follow me!  They entered through the broken down door of the old main office and searched for somewhere they could make a stand.

As Marion looked out the window in the distance, she could see the two fighters lining up for a run on the large shuttle that was already consumed in flames.  Then a large explosion blew the craft into a thousand pieces.

The two fighters landed to the right of what was left of the burning frame of the shuttle.

Here they come, Marion announced as she readied her hand-held phaser.  Fire on my command.

Four of the Drauhn pilots had split up and were working their way toward the front of the office.  Suddenly one called out, Commander, surrender now and you won’t get hurt.  We have you surrounded and more fighters are on the way.

Marion shook her head.  She knew they only wanted to find out their location.  She motioned for Sofia and Catherine to move farther down the hallway.  The old fort had collapsed in places and it was difficult to maneuver through all of the piles of debris. 

There was a flash, followed by another.  They had burst into the main office and were firing down the hallway.  Marion fired back.  Sofia and Catherine were also defending their positions. 

Soon they could hear more fighters landing and four more Drauhn joined the fight.  Marion, Sofia, and Catherine had their backs to the wall as the main hallway collapsed, blocking any way of escape.

Marion could see the fear in the faces of her two friends as they tried their best to hold their own.  Catherine was hit mid torso and fell lifeless to the floor.  Sofia tried to find a pulse but shook her head. She was gone. 

Marion suddenly felt a blow to her left hand.  The pain became unbearable.  The rage welling up inside could not be contained as her emotions turned her eyes black with anger.

Marion reached down and turned on her cloaking device.  Leaving her phaser, she reached behind her head and slowly drew out her blade. 

Flanking the first three Drauhn fighters, she plunged the blade through the middle of the first and with an upward motion, split the enemy fighter in half.  The second she quickly beheaded and the third she sliced completely into. 

Once the other enemy fighters saw what was happening, they were stricken with fear and ran out of the building to their fighter craft. 

Soon she could hear them leaving.  The pain returned as Marion looked down to see that her left hand had been severed at the wrist.  She was covered in blood from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. There was no time to think of that now, so she quickly sought out Sofia and Catherine.

She’s gone, ma’am, Sofia cried as she looked up through tears.  She fought with everything she had.

I know, Marion acknowledged as she looked down at the lifeless body of Catherine. 

Your hand. Sofia gasped at the bloody stump. 

Listen. Marion could hear several craft approaching and landing near the entrance.  As she peered out of one of the openings in the collapsed ceiling, she could see that it was her people.  It’s about time, Marion thought as she slumped to the floor next to Sofia.

2 Strike Force

AFTER THREE HOURS OF surgery, Marion opened her eyes to a totally white, no frills room.

Where am I? Marion asked as she looked around the sterile