Strike Force Retaliation: The Relissarium Wars Space Opera, Part 3: The Relissarium Wars Space Opera Series, #3

By Andrew Broderick

Theo is going back to his home planet, for the first time since its surface became a blackened cinder. 

A strange mineral named Relissarium, having the properties of almost infinite strength, has been discovered there. Whichever side can weaponize it first will dominate the other. The Yasta are already mining it, and the Carbonari must stop them. They are dropped onto Relisse, to blow up the mine. But, why is Karl, the double-crossing traitor, already waiting for them? And even if Theo and the team escape the ambush alive, can they stop the Yasta from obtaining vast quantities of Relissarium?

Don't miss Strike Force Retaliation, a new space opera adventure by sci-fi writer Andrew Broderick!

If you like epic battles, action-packed adventures, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, you will love The Relissarium Wars Series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Broderick
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393754381

Book preview

One

Crash! Theo awoke. What was the sound? His foggy mind struggled… yes, it was a wooden door slamming into a stone wall. Theo sit straight up in bed. His heart hammered in his chest. Flickering torches cast hideous shadows around his room in the Carbonari training barracks. Dark figures were moving towards him. Sleep still fogged his mind. He tried to cry out, but a hand clamped over his mouth. The salt from unfamiliar skin stung his busted lip.

Theo was hauled out of bed. The figures formed a ring around him, leaving no means of escape. Fear pumped adrenaline through him. He tried to struggle, but two different captors held his arms tightly. Theo thrashed, trying to rip himself free, but it was no use. Was the base under attack? Where was everyone else? As far as he could tell, the hallways were empty aside from his abductors and himself.

A large door, studded with infintium, loomed ahead of them. It was a door he had never seen before. Two of the figures moved forward to pry it open. The hinges moved silently. Theo was roughly rushed through the opening, into utter blackness. No torches here. He felt the hands that had gripped him so tightly release him, and he slumped to the hard floor. Theo’s fear turned to anger, and his mind quickly formed a plan of attack as his training took over. He drew back a fist, ready to punch into the dark at crotch level, hoping he’d disable at least one attacker. But a voice in the darkness stopped him.

Theo Jaiteoux, you have come into this organization claiming that you wish to serve our purpose. Is this still true? The voice was stern and female. Theo had a hard time locating the source, as the sound bounced from all directions.

What’s going on? Theo’s eyes, barely beginning to adjust to the dark, tried in vain to see anything.

One of the figures that had just released him hissed quietly in his ear. Just answer the question! The familiar irritation clicked in his mind: Cierra. Shit. And some relief. What had Cierra gotten him into this time? Some kind of Carbonari hazing ritual? He hesitated before answering the disembodied voice. Yes, that’s true.

The Grand Council has deemed you ready to take the second order. Do you accept?

Fear was mixed with anticipation. I do. Theo pushed away a momentary flashback to his wedding.

Very well. Step forward. The voice echoed around the room. It made Theo feel uneasy.

Suddenly, a flame blazed to life in the center of the room, blinding Theo. It seemed to be housed in a firepit. Arched above the flame was a metal sculpture of a pickaxe and a shovel. Behind the flame, he recognized the owner of the voice. Master Francesca moved forward closer to the light. Theo had seen her at a number of lectures during his short time at the base. Her presence radiated authority.

Theo, move it! Cierra hissed at him again. He realized that he had been staring instead of moving forward. Swallowing, he rose to his feet and stepped closer to the flame. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw all of his captors. The rest of the Strike Force Retaliation team looked back at him.

Master Francesca pulled out a small dagger, and held out her hand expectantly. Theo slowly placed his hand, palm up, in hers. The dagger bit into his skin, and few droplets of blood formed. Master Francesca flipped his hand over, causing the blood to sputter into the fire.

Your blood is now mixed with the flame of truth. May you always be a light in the universe, even in the darkest of times. The iron in your veins is the same as the iron that forged the pickaxe and shovel. May you always fight the injustice of the empire. The pickaxe represents the smashing of all that is cruel, while the shovel stands for the building of free communities, outside their rule. Just as carbon is a building block of life, you are now one of the building blocks of our organization. Master Francesca released his hand.

The rest of the Strike Force Retaliation team burst into applause behind him. Theo turned, and was enveloped in hugs. He couldn’t help but smile, pain be damned. This was his new family.

Master Francesca raised one, arched eyebrow. I hate to break up your celebration, but now that Theo has taken his second order, it is time for you to focus on the task at hand. Hubard is waiting for you all in the main lecture hall to update you.

We’ll head there now. Makram immediately snapped back into his business mode. He took his role as commander very seriously. Turning on his heel, he led the team towards the lecture room.

Here. Cierra passed Theo a small strip of cloth. Tie it around your hand. It’ll help keep the cut clean.

Thanks. Is it always like that?

Makram may have suggested a bit more theatricality. I think he’s still a little sore about you knocking him in the helm on the training field.