Operation Phoenix Book 3: Imperial Guard

By Don R. Budd

In the wake of the destruction of Bohina, the human survivors now face the dreaded Imperial Guard who seek the secrets of the human weapon. Who is friend or foe on their journey to Romasu while hunted down by the Emperor? It becomes hard to tell. Consequences of the past are affecting the present.

Jonathan and Jacob are on a journey that leads them to their destinies. Their paths are taking separate directions as they adjust to the formative years. Their personalities are determining which turn they take. Other things are making choices for them they cannot avoid.

The Want-to-bes finally have their chance to become enhanced. The day arrives but a wrench is thrown into the works. Will they ever be allowed to join the ranks of the Enhanced Troops? What do their destinies hold?

Will the humans ever reach Romasu? What is Vada? What is the common denominator of all these aliens? What is happening throughout the human journey? Can you put it together? Every journey has a quest/purpose. Look beneath the series's surface.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Don R. Budd
• Release date: Aug 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005135461

Don R. Budd

Don R. Budd studied Science Fiction and literature while studying for his degree in International Business at California State University at Sacramento. He has traveled and lived overseas in 14 countries. He has studied 20 languages and interpreted 11 of them while in the US Army. As part of his duties in Germany with Military Police Customs, he interpreted for NATO officers heading for the United States.He still enjoys meeting and corresponding with people around the world. Although his language skills have deteriorated over the years from lack of use, he still would enjoy corresponding with people from all over the world. So don't be afraid to contact him.PLEASE, NO SEXUAL PICS!! I DO NOT RESPOND. WOMEN WHO SHOW BREASTS DO NOT GET A RESPONSE. TOO MANY ARE PRESSING THEIR BREASTS INTO THE PICTURE. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO THIS BEHAVIOR!!PLEASE, DON'T KEEP TYPING ON SKYPE OR OTHER SERVICES AND NOT ALLOW ME TO RESPOND. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR GAMES, ESPECIALLY SEX GAMES. YOU WANT A RESPONSE, BE SERIOUS, NOT JUST TAKING UP TIME.

Book preview

The humans were on their way to Romasu when a ship the size of the whole human fleet pulled alongside the USS Washington. It had weapons of all kinds over much of its hull. It appeared to be the battlecruiser the humans had heard about over the radio. The cruiser kept pace with the fleet as it continued on its way.

Meanwhile, Samson looked up from his station. The ship is hailing us, sir.

Richards stopped his pace in front of the screens. Put it through. He looked back at the com station.

This is the Imperial Guard ship, Tusa. Stop and prepare to be boarded. A male spoke in Lorana.

All stop! The general looked from Samson to Russell.

All stopped, sir, Samson reported back.

Only the Washington dropped its shields as the guards appeared on the bridge. Richards walked to the lead guard, who stood in front of his troops.

The general stopped in front of him. What is the meaning of this? He sounded angry.

We know you have a weapon that destroyed the Bohinan homeworld. The guard glared at him. We demand you surrender it to us immediately.

We don’t have such a weapon. Richards bore his eyes into the guard’s eyes.

The guard was not intimidated. You will surrender it, or I will destroy your fleet.

Check for yourself! Richards raised his voice toward the guard. You won’t find such a weapon!

We will. The guard motioned to his men to start their search.

They searched high and low. The guards came to Rocky at his armory station. A guard held his weapon trained on him as another guard went over his station. He used a hand-held device to try to translate the names of the buttons and what appeared on the screen. But he could not make sense of any of it.

Frustrated, the guard looked at Rocky and put his weapon on the sergeant’s neck. What does this station say in Lorana?

Richards nodded to Rocky.

Rocky turned his attention back to the guard. The screen lists the different weapons available.

What are they? The guard pressed his weapon harder against his neck.

This is a phaser. Rocky acted as though he was nervous. This one is a tracking beam to pull objects along behind us.

Is it used to pull apart a world? The guard looked at him with a scowl.

No, only ships and small objects. Rocky looked at Richards. We don’t have that kind of power.

The next one. The guard looked at the screen again.

It’s a photon torpedo, and it doesn’t have enough power. Rocky would not make eye contact with him. He acted scared.

The next? The guard grabbed Rocky by the jaw and forced him to look at him.

It’s a … biological weapon. It releases germs to kill an enemy. Rocky glared at the guard. Next is a microwave weapon.

What’s that? The guard increased the power on his weapon.

There are no words in Lorana to use. Rocky looked worried. I can show you.

Do it! The man yelled.

Rocky pressed some buttons, and the guard’s radio beeped.

The guard took it from its holster. What is it?

A woman’s voice came over the speakers in Lorana. Sir, the temperature is rapidly rising aboard ship. The controls are getting too hot to touch!

He looked at Rocky again. Did you do that?

Wimi. Rocky nodded. I did.

Stop it! The man demanded.

Rocky pressed the buttons again.

The woman’s voice came again. It’s cooling down now.

Understood! The guard looked at the radio. What’s the next one?

I’ll show you. Rocky pressed a button, and several Marines appeared around each guard with their weapons drawn.

The guards lowered their weapons as Rocky collected them.

Richards walked to the guard. Now that we have your attention, what is this really about?

The guard looked at him smugly. We know you have a weapon that can destroy a planet. Where is it?

We don’t have one. Richards insisted.

I don’t believe that. The guard looked over at Rocky. You were present whenever something exploded.

That’s not true, Richards replied. Many things have exploded over the years.

While the guards were preoccupied with Richards, Rocky began to press buttons. Then he stopped and looked as if nothing happened. The guard looked at him. But Rocky just stood there. He looked back at Richards. His radio beeped again.

He answered it. A female voice came back. Our systems are shorting out. You better get back.

He glanced at Rocky. What did you do?

Nothing. I’m just standing here. Rocky became defensive.

The guard said something in an alien language, and the guards all vanished.

Richards walked around some Marines and went to Rocky. Okay, you can get rid of them.

The Marines vanished.

What did you do? The general looked at Rocky.

I just made things go ping-pang-pong all over their ship, Sir. Nothing major. It will take them a few hours to get things running again, Sir. Rocky grinned at him with pride.

It’s stuff like that that will make them think we have a secret weapon even more. The general started to turn away.

Should we continue? Captain Russell stood from his chair.

No, we’ll wait for the all-clear. He looked at the captain and headed toward him. "I don’t want them to know we had anything to do with their malfunctions.

Aye, sir! Russell started to sit again as Richards reached him.

They both sat and waited. Before long, Richards became antsy. Rocky, send ALFs to their ship and see what’s happening over there.

Yes, sir! Rocky began to press buttons.

They watched the screens to see the guards run about as they checked circuits. As they did, sparks flew, and smoke billowed out of compartments, other guards put out the fires. They spoke in an alien language.

Can you get a translation? Richards looked at Samson.

I believe so, sir. Samson started to press buttons. After a while, he looked up. This is the best I can do, sir.

The voices came over the speakers in broken English. They this did think I. The lead guard spoke with another guard.

How? The other guard looked confused. They nothing did, right?

They we believe want. The lead guard started to walk away. We them must let them not getaway. They something know.

The lead guard walked away, and the other one went about his repairs. A third guard came with an electronic tablet. He showed it to the other guard, who nodded. The third guard left.

Suddenly, there was a big explosion followed by smoke and multiple smaller explosions in various circuits. Then, the lights went out, and emergency lights came on. The guard was upset and frustrated by all this.

A male voice came over the speakers on the screen. What happened? Report?

I know not what. The guard stopped his work. I work it on. I, you know let.

The guard continued to work as more minor explosions and puffs of smoke occurred. He dodged the sparks as he worked. He reached in and pulled something, and the lights came back on. He backed out of the circuits and stood as a woman came to him. He turned to her. Their discussion was not loud enough to hear. Then, the two left the area.

Is there something else of more importance? The general walked to Samson.

Samson put up a view of the bridge as their captain took in reports of the repairs. The discussions were not explicit. Then, a man rushed in and went to the captain.

Captain, I you need know. We us watch someone. The man stopped next to him.

Can you clear up the message? It’s confusing. Richards stood in front of the comm station.

Sorry, sir, but there’s nothing more I can do. Samson rechecked his station.

Sounds like they’ve detected us. The general turned to Rocky. Call our ALFs back.

Yes, sir! Rocky pressed some buttons.

Then, Richards listened to static as all the video feeds from the ALFs ended. He turned back to Samson.

Do you have another way to observe them? He put his hands on the console.

No, Sir, sorry. Without some cameras there or some ALFs, there’s nothing we can do. Samson continued to monitor space and transmissions.

Suddenly, the guards returned. The general turned to them. The lead guard stepped forward.

What did you do to our ship? He came to Richards with his weapon drawn.

We did nothing to you. Richards was nose to nose with the guard. We could not have done anything. You were here at the time.

You could have done it still behind our backs. The guard bore his eyes into the general’s eyes. This one did something. He turned to Rocky. He controls the weapons. He could have used a weapon against our systems when we were not looking.

You’re paranoid! Richards became angry. He did nothing.

We shall see. The guards and Rocky vanished.

The next thing Rocky knew he was in a room with just a table and three chairs. He walked about the room as he checked for a possible exit or a camera.

An orange-skinned man entered the room. Rocky walked to him.

Why am I here? He checked the man over.

The man walked to the table. You know about the weapon that destroyed Bohina and the Ladorma Tower. I am here to get the information out of your mind. How would you like to do this, Humana? Easy or Difficult?

Rocky stepped up to the man and put his hands on the man’s throat. The man started to grow more muscular as he ripped out of his uniform. He put his hands on Rocky’s throat. Rocky let go. Then, the man let go of Rocky.

After a short stare down, the man sat. I will get the information I want. You can’t stop me for long. I will get you to think about it.

Rocky sat across from him. So, we have a mental stare down. I know how to control my thoughts.

But, you have not dealt with a telepath. The man put his massive arms on the table and leaned toward Rocky. You are thinking of the weapon.

Nimi, I am not. Rocky leaned toward him and put his arms on the table. You will have to do better than that to get me to think about a weapon that does not exist.

The mental stare down began.

Contents

CHAPTER 2 Interrogation

Richards paced before the screens. As soon as he turned around, Rocky appeared in front of him and slugged the general in the mouth. Rocky’s expression suddenly changed from anger to shock. Richards checked for blood and noticed a steady drip, drip, drip into his hand. The general held his hand against his mouth and left the bridge.

I didn’t mean to hit him! Rocky looked at the others on the bridge. I was trying to hit a guard!

Everyone, except Samson, went back to their duties. Rocky looked around, and when he gazed on Samson, the big guy crossed his arms and glared at him.

He went to Samson. Samson, you know I would never intentionally strike the general.

Samson’s glare seemed to burn through him. Then he spoke. What happened on the Guard ship?

I was locked in a mental stare down with an Orangan telepath, who was trying to get me to think about a weapon that doesn’t exist, Rocky stated his case to Samson.

And? Samson waited for more information after Rocky paused.

He was making me live different scenes trying to get me to think of the weapon. It was kind of like now. His expression changed. You won’t get me to think about the weapon! He yelled at Samson. I won’t play your game!

Samson stared at him, emotionless. Then, he became the telepath. The bridge became the interrogation room again.

You are strong-willed. But you can’t hold out forever. The man leaned back as he draped an arm over the back of the chair.

You keep saying that, but you keep failing to get me to think of a non-existent weapon. Rocky leaned back and mirrored the man.

Maybe, but persistence always wins. He chuckled. He stood and walked to the door. We’ll try again later. He left the room.

After a while, a Marine appeared in front of Rocky. Don’t worry! We are watching what’s going on.

You shouldn’t be here. The Guard may have this room bugged, and a telepath may be outside. Rocky leaned toward the Marine as he whispered.

Don’t worry! There’s no cameras or listening devices here. The Marine tried to reassure Rocky.

We can’t be sure. Rocky looked around. They’re trying to get me to think of some weapon we used to blow up Bohina. How am I to think of a weapon that doesn’t exist?

I don’t know. The Marine sat across from him. He looked around. Maybe you should ...

The door started to open, and the Marine vanished. The man walked in and came to the table. He sat. He had a new uniform on and was his standard size again. He just looked at Rocky.

Well, are you going to say something? He looked sternly at the man.

I’m just waiting for you to think of the weapon. He began to scowl at him. Be careful! I might win. He smiled.

I don’t think so. Rocky put a fist on a hip as he leaned back.

You just had a visit by an ALF. The man put his elbows on the edge of the table. What is an ALF.? A Soldier? Ah, Wimi! He was a special kind of Soldier. What kind? Nimi, you won’t think of it. It’s a special weapon. Wimi! Now, you’re thinking of him. ALF stands for Artificial Life Form. He’s not real. That’s how he was able to come without detection. But, when he was here, I could hear your thoughts.

You have it all wrong! Rocky took his fist off his hip and pounded it on the table.

The man jerked back with his eyes big, and his mouth hung open.

Now, I see! You can’t read through anger. Rocky leaned toward the man. I can block you. Let’s see if you can get the information now.

You can’t stay angry forever. The man relaxed. You’ll come around. Your friends can’t take you back. Nimi, they can’t."

Ah, Wimi, they can. Rocky insisted as he scowled at the man.

Your temper is calming already. The man put his hands behind his head. I can wait. However, you need to eat soon. In a weakened state, you’ll talk.

Don’t count on it. Rocky kept an angry disposition.

As you can see, I can also put thoughts into your mind. That’s unusual for an Orangan. But, some of us develop more than others. He put his hands down on the edge of the table.

Rocky suddenly pushed the table into the man without warning. It knocked the man backward and caused him to hit his head hard on the floor, so hard his head bounced twice. He checked the man and found him dead.

He stood and listened at the door. With no sound, he left the room. He headed down a corridor to another place. Rocky attended and then opened the door. Inside he found food dispensers and ordered a meal. He quickly ate his fill and drank some juice. Later, Rocky left the room.

As Rocky continued down the corridor, he came up behind a guard and choked the guard unconscious and dragged him into a utility closet. There he found a cord to tie him up and a rag to gag him.

Rocky was soon back in the corridor and came to a junction. Neither way showed any more promise than the other. So, he went to the right. The Marine went to a map on the wall which was in Lorana and some strange language. He located a communications center just down the corridor from his present location. He headed toward it.

At the door to the comm center, Rocky listened. There was a lot of activity inside. He waited while the sounds moved away from the door. Then, he snuck in and hid behind a wall of computers.

He listened to the conversations but could not understand any of it. He peeked around the corner and watched as people worked on repairs while others monitored the earth ships.

As he watched, the lead guard spoke to the general via a big screen.

What weapon? The general crossed his arms. You keep speaking of a weapon, but we keep telling you we have no such weapon.

You do have it! The lead guard pointed the finger at the general several times as he yelled.

If we had it, what would stop us from using it? Richards rocked back and forth on his heels.

We would have other ships hunt you down like Kuka. He stepped toward the monitor.

Rocky looked around and found a lever with a flame picture. When the coast was clear, he went to it and pulled it down. Immediately, the sprinklers started to spray everything, and the alarms went off. People scurried about like rats as explosions began in the computer banks. People tried to stop the bombings and sprinklers.

Soon, the sprinklers were turned off, but not before they destroyed the comm center. The lead guard yelled at his people, who continued to scurry around.

A man whispered into his ear. He whispered back. Then, the man went to various people and whispered to them. They, in turn, did the same. The people began the search for something. They searched everywhere but came up empty-handed.

Rocky walked down a corridor. He came to a door and listened. After he checked his surroundings, he opened the door, snuck in, and hid behind a low wall. The people were of various species. They spoke Lorana.

He noticed a large screen with workstations arranged like that of the room he saw on the alien bridge. He hid behind some containers and listened to the conversations. But he could not separate all the chatter. He could only understand bits and pieces of the discussions.

Most were on operations of the ships, but one dealt with an escaped alien, which must be him. The more he listened in to that conversation, the more he realized they were closing in on him. Several guards started to walk toward the containers. Rocky kept an eye on them. As they came closer, Ricky moved toward a cabinet and hid behind it. However, he could not shelter enough.

Come out here! A guard ordered as he looked at Rocky sternly.

Rocky stood and walked to the guard.

The guard put handcuffs on him. We’ve been looking for you. Come with me! the guard took him to the ship’s captain. He stopped in front of the captain. Here’s the Humana.

The captain looked him over. Well, you certainly caused a problem. You left quite a mess in the comm room and a dead interrogator.

Rocky only looked at him.

What, nothing to say? The captain looked at a guard. Take him to Teslo and stay with him. I want answers!

Wimi! The guard led Rocky out of the room.

Soon, they entered a room with another Orangan interrogator.

The guard sat Rocky down. The captain wants answers about the Humana weapon.

Understood. The interrogator stood from his desk. He came around and stared at Rocky. You think you can block my probes of your mind. Think again. I can get you to open to me.

Rocky cringed in pain as he held his head. He rocked back and forth as the pain increased. He screamed out in agony.

You can stop the pain by opening your mind to me. The interrogator sat on the corner of his desk. There’s no need to suffer so. Just open up, and the pain will fade.

Rocky continued to rock and scream in pain. He seemed to fight the probe even more. The Marine turned side-to-side as tears started to run down his cheeks. However, the harder he struggled, the higher the pain level went.

This battle kept up for some time. The offers to terminate the pain preceded more struggle and intense pain. Eventually, Rocky started to relax and calm down. The tears stopped. Then, the proposals stopped.

Humana! The interrogator shouted as he leaned toward Rocky. You can’t block me.

Wimi, I can. Rocky glared at him. You have limits.

You have limits and will reach them long before I do. Teslo straightened.

I doubt that. Rocky leaned back in his chair.

The lights flickered. The guard and the interrogator looked around. Even Rocky looked around as the lights went out. They were out for just a second, but when they came back on, Rocky was gone. The door was open. The two men looked around in wonder.

Contents

CHAPTER 3 Glass Ceiling

Rocky found himself on the bridge of the USS Washington. What happened? He stood before the large screen.

We brought you back. The general walked to him from the comm station. We needed to find a way back. Sorry for taking so long.

"They’ll come looking