The Quiet God (Earth Exiles Book 4)

By Mark Harritt

Mike and his team emerged from the Turinzoni military base victorious. Needing a new home and stronghold, they locate one in a warren of canyons far to the north. Their war isn't over, though. They continue to take the fight to the slavers, using the resources at their new base to track and strike out at the enemy. Soon, circumstances force Mike to reconsider the dangerous game he's playing. Dostori Rev, the slaver patron, has hired new, more capable mercenaries from out of system. The Sh'raithe mercenaries and Taectis, their shrewd commander, have been offered a substantial bonus to find and kill Mike and his team. With the clock ticking and the bonus on the line, the unrelenting Taectis will do whatever it takes to destroy them. Mike's extended family, the old Earthers, Matki's people, and the slaves that his team rescued, are safe in the canyons, but for how much longer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Harritt
• Release date: Jan 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463073988

Mark Harritt

Mark Harritt is currently an over the road Truck Driver who is frequently found at the end of a 400 to 500 mile day trying to peck out one to two thousand words on a new book. He’s an Army paratrooper with a background in intelligence operations. He spent six years in Iraq and Afghanistan, in uniform and out. Currently, his greatest challenges are black ice, lake effect snow, and uploading word documents to E-reader format, all equally treacherous endeavors. His greatest hope is to write stories that his readers enjoy.

Book preview

The Quiet God

This book is the fourth in the series, Earth Exiles. The first book is

‘On Distant Shores.’

Copyright 2016 Mark Harritt

Table of Contents

Title

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilog

Chapter One

Mike stood at the top of the compound wall, forty feet above the boneyard below, looking out into the forest. Strangely, staring out over the shattered bones of the monsters that had tried and failed to kill them, he felt nostalgic and a little sad that he had to say goodbye to this bastion against the monsters of this new world. It had taken them a month of cutting and hauling stone out of the cliff to build this wall, the huge mech armor suits doing all of the heavy lifting. It had been awe inspiring to watch the mechs drag the huge stones and manhandle them into place, Roberto cursing, cajoling and bitching until every stone was perfectly fitted into position. If there was a monument to Roberto, this enormous wall was it. It was a megalithic masterpiece that honored the skill and capabilities of his fallen friend.

He knew though, that the safety this wall projected was illusionary, the danger too great. Eventually the diabolic, monstrous Ancient or any one of a multitude of predators beyond the wall would find its way into the compound. Plus, with the eight-hundred-foot cliff wall surrounding the compound there was no avenue of retreat if the alien humans found them and attacked.

Still, with all the tactical problems the compound had, Mike wasn’t the only one that was hesitant to leave. Stability was something that none of the old Earthers had experienced in quite some time and leaving was a tough sell to most of them. Mike never got to experience being a parent, but after the past month, he felt like he’d gotten a taste of it. Who knew that a group of PhDs and doctoral students could whine, moan, and drag their feet like teenagers. Now he definitely knew what the phrase, ‘herding cats,’ meant. After what seemed like a lifetime in the military, that attitude was just not something that he was used to.

Still, after an intense session of triage and bickering, ending in intense butt hurt and heart ache, they’d come up with a plan and gotten it done. They had to leave a few things behind, like Dr. Humphreys’ desk. That thing was a monster. Hell, it had taken three trips alone to get the mechs out. Only two at a time would fit on the larger transport. Now, with their mini Marshall plan airlift done, there was only one last thing to do.

You ready? Everett asked.

Maybe. Where’s Leitz and McFarland? Did they get finished?

Everett nodded, I guess so. They loaded the null generator onto the transport and gave us the thumbs up.

Do you have any idea what they were doing?

Nope, and with the null generator, I’m not sure I want to ask.

Good point.

Ready to go?

Mike looked at Everett, then shrugged, Yeah, nothing else left to do here.

Everett inclined his head toward the back of the compound wall. Mike looked in that direction, then nodded, turned, and started walking toward the stairs.

A sad expression crossed Mike’s face as he walked, Okay, maybe one thing left.

Everett turned to walk with him, What do you want to do?

Mike thought about it, then shook his head, Honestly, I’m not sure.

Everett contemplated the situation, then agreed, You’re right. I don’t know what we should do either.

They reached the stairs and started walking down. At the bottom, in the courtyard, there were four people, two of them with shackles on their ankles, their chains fastened to a bolt set into the rock.

Tom looked up at Mike and Everett, then turned his head, spit, and looked back at the two prisoners.

Joseph stood with his arms crossed. He looked up at Mike and sneered, So, you gonna kill us now?

Weitz looked up, startled. Evidently that scenario wasn’t something that he’d considered until Joseph brought it up. A look of terror filled his face, Oh, God no! You aren’t going to kill us!

Mike’s face was noncommittal as he continued to walk down the stairs, Honestly, I’m not sure what the hell I’m going to do with you two.

A look of terror contorted Weitz’ features, Please Mike, please don’t do it. I don’t want to die!

Joseph looked at Weitz with disdain, Pussy. Staring at Weitz, he pointed at Mike, You gonna give him the satisfaction of watching you beg?

Weitz turned and snarled at Joseph, Piss off! I never should have listened to you and Landberg. You bastards are the reason I’m in chains right now!

Joseph turned to Weitz. His large, muscled arms uncrossed, and his hands dropped to his sides and curled into fists. His next words were so quiet that Mike had to strain to hear what he said.

Watch it, little man. You piss me off, you won’t have to worry about Mike and the goon squad.

Weitz looked into his face and stepped back in fear.

Mickey’s deep voice rumbled across the courtyard, Hey Joseph, how about you pick on somebody your own size. Say me, for instance. Mickey thumped his right fist into the palm of his left hand while he stared at Joseph.

Joseph turned away from Weitz and turned toward Mickey raising his hands. He motioned for Mickey to come at him, Anytime you’re ready, big man.

Mickey grinned, popping the knuckles on one ham sized fist then the other.

Mike held up a hand, No, we aren’t going to play your games today, Joseph.

Mickey frowned like he’d just had his favorite toy taken from him.

Joseph turned back to Mike, What’s the matter, you afraid I’ll break him? Or would you rather fight me yourself?

Mike laughed, "Oh, yeah, that’s a good one. You break Mickey. Jesus, you have a good since of humor. And no, I don’t want to fight you today. I already fought you once. You, Murph, and Mitchem. I beat your ass then. I could beat your ass now. Hell, you even had pistols, and I still kicked your ass."

Joseph scowled at Mike.

We have to make a decision. What do you want to do, Mike? Everett asked.

Mike looked at Tom. Tom noticed and glanced at him before he turned his attention back to the pair, not wanting to take his eyes off of them, I say we shoot them both. We can’t trust them. They’ve already proven they’d turn on us. I sure as hell don’t want Joseph anywhere near Latricia.

Joseph made thrusting motions with his hips, Why not, Tom? You think she’d want a decent lay. Your skinny ass can’t be giving her what she needs.

Tom didn’t say a word, his steely gaze cutting through Joseph’s bluster. It slowly dawned on Joseph that speaking disrespectfully about Latricia might not be a good idea. Joseph shut up. Tom wasn’t a big man. He was whipcord thin, a few inches shorter than Joseph, and lighter by about forty pounds. That didn’t mean he wasn’t dangerous, though. Mike had seen him in action in South America. When the situation called for it, he was a wiry, tough, violent man. Mike would lay odds on Tom any day over Joseph.

Mike mulled over the situation. He really didn’t want to kill the two men. He didn’t want to take them with him, either. Tom was right. There was no way to trust them.

Weitz studied Mike’s face intently. Evidently he didn’t like what he saw. He fell to his knees and put his hands together, Mike, please, don’t kill me. I’m sorry. I lost my mind. It won’t happen again, I promise. Tears ran down his face.

Mike was pissed. He shook his head, Dammit. Look at us, he motioned to the six of them. We’re the last of our people. The last thing I want to do is kill two more of us. He paused to jab his finger at them, You drove us to this. You were family, for God’s sake. You betrayed everyone.

He glared at Weitz, And you. You’re a brilliant man. You’re an amazing programmer, but somehow, you always manage to piss off everyone around you.

Weitz nodded, contrite. He spread his hands in supplication, I know, I know. I’m sorry. It’s Randall. She drives me crazy. She teased me for years. I . . . I thought she would choose me when she dumped Mitchem.

Joseph laughed. Weitz glared at him, then turned his attention back to Mike.

Mike studied Weitz just as intensely as Weitz had studied him seconds before. Weitz thought he saw the expression on Mike’s face soften, Please Mike, don’t kill me.

Mike grimaced as if he had a bad taste in his mouth, but he’d come to his decision, Okay. We won’t kill you. But we don’t have a choice. We have to leave you here.

The expression on Weitz’ face changed quickly from relief to fear. He glanced over at Joseph. An evil grin slipped on to Joseph’s face.

Weitz shook his head, and looked back at Mike, Mike, please, you can’t leave me here with him. The guy’s crazy. If you leave me here with him, it’s the same thing as a death sentence.

Joseph laughed, What’s the matter, you little pussy? You afraid you’re going to wind up being my bitch.

That statement made Mike reconsider. He studied Joseph. He knew that Weitz was right. He didn’t think that Joseph would rape Weitz, but killing him? Mike knew that would probably happen pretty quickly. Still, after everything that had happened, Mike couldn’t rule out the rape scenario either. Mike couldn’t leave Weitz here.

Mike nodded, Okay, you got it. You can come with us.

Weitz’ shoulders slumped in relief, Thank you, Mike.

Tom shook his head, He’s playin’ you, Mike.

Mike thought about it, Maybe. We’ll keep an eye on him when we get back. He looked back at Weitz, jabbing his finger at him, This is your last chance. You screw this up and I’ll personally put a bullet in the back of your head. One thing, though, Weitz. There’s no way you’re ever getting close to a computer again.

Weitz looked down at the ground. In a small voice, he acquiesced to Mike’s conditions, It doesn’t matter. I’ll do anything. It doesn’t have to be computers. I won’t go anywhere near computers. I can help Mitchem. I’ll help him butcher animals. I . . . I’ll clean toilets, dig ditches. I’ll do anything.

Joseph watched Weitz, then shook his head, Crying like a baby. Don’t you have any balls at all?

Mike made his decision, Get Weitz out of the shackle. He can come with us. Joseph stays here.

Weitz’s tears increased as he realized he was going to live. He blubbered and sniffled as he covered his face with his hands.

Everett looked at Mickey and nodded. They pulled their pistols and covered Joseph. Tom took out a set of keys, Hey Weitz, catch.

Weitz looked up and saw the keys flash through the air. He tried to catch them but ended up dropping them on the cobblestones. He scrabbled to pick them up. He grabbed them and fumbled at the lock on his shackle. He unlocked it and quickly scrambled away from Joseph. As soon as he felt he was clear, he stood and walked to Tom, handing him back the keys.

Tom grabbed the keys, then looked at Mike. Mike nodded.

Tom threw the keys to Joseph. Joseph grabbed them out of the air with one hand.

Mike spoke, catching Joseph’s attention, I’m going to warn you now. If you try to unlock yourself before we get on the transport, I’ll put you down like a mad dog.

Joseph looked surprised, You gonna let me live?

Mike nodded, We’re going to let you live. You never got the chance to hurt anybody, but you aren’t coming with us. I don’t trust you. Since Matki’s people are with us now, it wouldn’t be wise to bring you. The last thing I need is for you to rape one of their women. They’d kill us all. Still, you’re one of us, one of the last homo sapiens left. I’m not going to have your death on my hands.

Mike waved to encompass the area behind the compound wall, There’s plenty of room and food for you here. You won’t be happy, but you’ll survive.

You comin’ back for me? Joseph asked.

Mike shook his head, This is the last time you’ll ever see us.

Joseph glared at Mike, Well, fuck you then.

Mike returned the stare. Joseph didn’t back down. His eyes didn’t shift from Mike’s. It was bluster and Mike knew it. He held all the cards and Joseph didn’t. Mike turned to the team, Let’s go.

Tom turned and pushed Weitz toward the shuttle. Weitz’ tears slowed, and he tried to wipe them away as they crossed the ground to the ramp. As they walked into the shuttle, Tom pointed at one of the seats and Weitz hurriedly sat down, afraid if he did the wrong thing they’d leave him behind with Joseph.

Mike looked back at the compound wall. Joseph’s lonely figure stood there for a moment until everybody was on the shuttle. Mike watched him kneel down to take the lock off the shackle, and then he stood up, walked over to the steps, and sat down to watch the shuttle take off. Mike sat down and Joseph disappeared from sight as the shuttle rose and the ramp door closed.

----------------------------------------------------

The Dostori Rev was deep in concentration as she studied the girls before her. Ten girls faced her, hands clasped in front, eyes down at the ground. Chidea, Dostori Rev’s servant, stood behind the girls, mirroring their pose. To the side, two male servants stood, waiting for the Dostori Rev’s choice. Om Varee watched as she examined each one of the prepubescent thregari locals, looking for blemishes. She stopped at one, considered her for a moment, and then casually dismissed her. She slowly paced back and forth, weighing her options. She studied one girl intensely, then walked over to her, put her finger under the child’s chin, and tilted the girl’s head until she could look into her eyes. Dostori Rev nodded and stroked the girl’s cheek with her finger, yes, this one will do nicely.

She smiled at the girl, and hesitantly, the girl smiled back at her, not understanding the danger she was in. She snapped her fingers and pointed at the girl, Take her and get her ready for me.

Chidea nodded, As you wish, Dostori Rev.

Chidea moved forward to pull the girl aside. She motioned for the two men to take the others out of the chamber. As they herded the girls out, she fell in behind them, her hand firmly on the arm of Dostori Rev’s selection.

Finished, Dostori Rev turned back to Om Varee, I love them at that age, so sweet and tender, untouched by life’s hardships, innocent of the world around them.

She waved toward a chair, Sit.

He inclined his head and moved to the chair and sat down. She picked up a glass of wine, took a sip, and then moved to the chair opposite him. She took a deeper drink, then ran her finger around the rim, Have you found them yet?

He hesitated, then shook his head, No, we haven’t, Dostori Rev.

What about your agents?

Again, he shook his head, According to the report that the Lord Caon filed before his, ah, demise, they found the remains of the three pilots and two mechanics. Those assets are no longer available to me.

She stared at him, long enough for him to feel uncomfortable, So, you’re telling me that they have pilots as well?

They have to. If they killed the three pilots, they’d have to have someone capable who could fly the transports.

She sat musing, processing the information. He watched her stroke the rim of the glass. She was amazing, mesmerizing, tantalizing. She was every man’s fantasy, no matter what hominid race they belonged to. He had to force his desire for her to the back of his mind. He watched as she took another drink, noting the delicate actions of the muscles in her long neck as she swallowed.

She looked at him, noticing his attention without acknowledging it, They have resources then. She looked forward, her teeth clenching with anger as she spoke, Where . . . did . . . these . . . people . . . come . . . from? She took a deep breath before she spoke again, I don’t understand how a force big enough to kill four hundred men and destroy my base can’t be found. Have you sent out the trackers?

He nodded, Yes, Dostori Rev. We’ve sent out both the biologicals to sniff them out and men to track them down. Neither were successful. The men who were tracking them said the trail ran cold, disappeared.

Dostori Rev frowned, Possibly aided by our two aircraft.

Om Varee crossed his hands in his lap, Possibly. There is one strange item, though.

She turned her head to look at him, and what’s that?

He spread his hands, It appears that the enemy used one of your biologicals to attack Caon Verjon’s men.

Dostori Rev paused as she lifted her glass to take another drink. She lowered the glass of wine, and stared at him intently, What?

He cleared his throat, Ah, it appears that they used one of your larger predators to destroy most of Caon Verjon’s men. The tracks were unmistakable. Plus, it looks like the same predators were used as a diversion at the compound.

They’re using my own creations against me?

He nodded, It appears so, Dostori Rev.

She stared toward the open door that led out to the landing, deep in thought. Her eyes blinked and she looked back at Om Varee, It seems that our enemy is more resourceful than I thought.

Om Varee caught the usage of ‘our’ in her sentence, and inwardly, he felt relieved. It seemed that she still considered him to be a useful asset. That meant that he wouldn’t have to worry about the assassins anytime soon. He knew that would change if she learned of his machinations against her. Hopefully he would be able to conceal his efforts until he completed his assignment.

Wheels within wheels was the only way that he could describe his life. Since he’d been found and rescued by his master, Om Geral, on the streets of Mirimvir trying desperately to stay ahead of the slavers and rape gangs, he’d been trained in the subtle arts of espionage and sabotage. The Ts’ii brotherhood had a definitive goal on this planet, and it was up to him to see it through. Hopefully, if he could complete this assignment, it would lead him further toward his ultimate target.

He nodded, yes, Dostori Rev, it would appear so.

She sighed and leaned back into the plush chair, Go ahead, tell me what we lost at the compound.

He interlaced his fingers, They have one thousand rifles with one thousand rounds for each. They took fifty pistols, with five hundred rounds for each. They took five hundred blocks of explosive. They took enough rations to feed four hundred men for thirty days. Raw materials that we brought back from our active mines were taken. They took tools, computers and other miscellaneous items that are too numerous to describe. I can have a list drawn up for you.

She waved her hand, indicating that she had no interest in the list, Why were there so many rifles and munitions there?

It was the Lord Caon’s order. It was for the increased operations that you authorized. He wanted to create a depot so that incoming soldiers would have the equipment waiting for them when they arrived.

Her face tightened, and her knuckles turned white as she held the glass, The fool. I’m glad I had him killed. She looked at Om Varee, You said something about the transport that was left behind?

He nodded, Yes, the controls were destroyed. Thankfully, they couldn’t get inside the sealed drive to do any damage there. The transport can be repaired.

She motioned for him to continue, What else?

He spread his hands, Well, they slaughtered the entire staff. And, they took the slaves with them, to include the remains of the experimental subjects.

She leaned toward him, her eyes narrowing, Why would they do such a thing?

Om Varee shrugged, Some cultures honor their dead.

She settled back into her chair, Strange.

He inclined his head, Perhaps.

He could tell that she was restless. He watched as she stood up and walked toward the sunlight streaming through the open door. She made a flicking motion with her fingers, And they’re still out there somewhere. Her figure was alluring as the sun silhouetted it through the robe’s diaphanous fabric.

He took a deep breath, aware of his increased heartbeat, I would think so. There have been no smugglers that we are unaware of. We track all of the smugglers and their cargo, even the ones that think we don’t know about them. There’s no way for these soldiers to get off planet.

She turned toward him, So we can find them? Destroy them?

He nodded, Possibly. The continent is large and those mountains are rugged. We would need to allocate more resources to the area.

She smiled, We?

He inclined his head in deference, You, Dostori Rev.

She stood, one arm across her body, one holding the wine glass. She pointed at him with the hand holding the wine glass, What do you suggest?

He stood up and clasped his hands behind him, Well, I wouldn’t hire anymore Turinzoni. They’re incompetent in the forests.

She nodded, Yes they are. You don’t have to worry about them. I won’t renew their contract. They’ll be gone in the next six months. Still, I need someone to replace them.

He held out his hand, and turned it, as if offering her something, If I may give you a suggestion?

You may.

Keep the Turinzoni. Use them for what they’re good at. They can continue the slave runs. They’re cheaper to use than another force would be. Plus, they’re useful here in the city. Then, hire an elite group of soldiers to conduct operations against the enemy.

She considered the idea. He could tell she liked it. She nodded, Agreed. That will keep my costs down on this operation. The Turinzoni are effective slavers.

"Brutal but effective. The only thing they’re good for," Om Varee thought.

Do you have a recommendation for me?

He looked at her, Kurkratik?

She laughed, Oh, Gods no. I want to destroy these soldiers, not turn the place to an uninhabitable wasteland. I don’t have that kind of platinum lying around, either.

He nodded, How about the Fustglol?

She shook her head, Good suggestion. Very effective mercenaries. Also, too expensive. Besides, they’ve been hired by one of my brothers to conduct operations further towards galactic center.

He spread his hands, Those are the best in this arm of the galaxy.

There aren’t any others? she asked.

He shook his head, Not that I know of, Dostori Rev.

He hesitated before his next suggestion. He had to structure the pattern of the inquiry so that she wouldn’t suspect that he was trying glean information, You could do an orbital bombing campaign. That would destroy all the thregari in the region. You could target all the villages. After that, it would be easy to destroy any that remain.

She frowned, No, that wouldn’t be a good idea. I have other . . . concerns in the area.

Concerns? Should I know about them? he asked.

She turned her face so that she could study his. Her attention was fierce as she stared into his eyes. For a moment, he thought he’d overstepped his bounds, but then the intense scrutiny shifted and she shook her head, No, I’ll let you know when that time comes. She turned to face the sunlight again.

Her body didn’t hold his interest as intently as it had moments before, wheels turning in his mind. He thought he knew why she didn’t want to bomb that area, and why she didn’t want him to know. She was playing her cards close to the vest, but he had his suspicions.

"I know what your secret is, Dostori Rev," he thought. We’re here for the same reason.

He had a very good idea why the Dostori Rev settled on this planet. The split with her brothers against their father had started quietly, although split was probably an understatement since it had since built into a world rending war between the two factions.

The stories he’d heard about her father, the Dostori Vastiv, were multitude, some closer to the truth than others. One common thread ran through the mythology, though. Dostori Vastiv had been a nobody, an asteroid miner who’d stumbled onto ancient tech and ancient knowledge. Now, he was the most dangerous man in the galaxy, willing to burn entire planets to keep his hold on his decaying empire. Dostori Vastiv held the galaxy in his hand, politicians and men of power ready to do his bidding for the crumbs he allowed to drop from his table.

His starships bridged the great voids of interstellar space to tens of thousands of inhabited planets across the galaxy and his wealth, power, and influence was immeasurable. He’d waged war against solar systems, murdered and assassinated hundreds of thousands to ensure that he held a stranglehold on the tech that propelled his starships. His political servants were well paid to ensure that the rules favored his corporation and holdings. He sat like an immense, bloated spider at the center of a galactic web of intrigue and murder.

Om Varee knew that the Dostori Rev and her brothers were in danger of losing this war with their father. They needed to negate their father’s technological advantage. Om Varee was sure that they were trying to locate ancient tech to do so.

Om Varee contemplated the Dostori Rev, Your father will be very upset with you if he finds out.

Om Varee brought his attention back to Dostori Rev. She sipped from her glass, continuing, So no, orbital bombing is out of the question. I want to destroy the vermin on this planet. I don’t want to destroy the areas they live in.

Om Varee inclined his head. This time to acknowledge her directive, I understand your concern. I will investigate other options for you to consider.

She turned to study Om Varee. There was