Cutter: The Saga of Nick Vixel

By Frank Carey

Once King of the planet Lepora, Nick Vixel was now a simple miner and master gem cutter living in Lone Tree, a small town in mid-west North America. His plans to open a jewelry shop are interrupted by reactor overloads, a visit by a child he didn't know he had, and his sister arriving to put an end to him once and for all. Then the fun really starts.

Cutter is another story from the Parthenon universe, a story of hope, perseverance, and success in the face of impossible odds.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Carey
• Release date: Mar 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393911128

Frank Carey

Frank Carey has been formally writing and publishing works of science fiction since late 2013. Over the years prior, he had dabbled in various forms of writing including haiku poetry, but that all changed when he and his wife, Jo, decided to try their hand at writing and self-publishing. Since then, he has written and published a collection of flash fiction and short stories, two anthologies, a pentalogy, and a trilogy. All his work, to date, has been in the science fiction genre. Most of his stories take place about two centuries in the future when Earth joins the League of Planetary Systems. Many of his protagonists are strong females. He is an inveterate pantser who believes the story will go where the story wants to go. Frank’s background includes degrees in physics and extensive work as a scientific programmer and technologist.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

King Sklara sto Vixel—what few friends he had called him Nick—looked out in disgust at the fleet of warships searching for him amongst the dead star's asteroid belt.

I wonder if they told Captain Turlock of the change of plans, Nester said. Nick looked to his left and saw the massive sapient robotic life form leaning against the command chair. Unlike Leporan robots with metal skin, their skin, though silver in color, was supple and soft, and they wore Leporan attire. In their case the two beings wore standard ship coveralls with their names emblazoned on the left breast above the Vixel family crest. Their most striking feature, though, was their chevron-shaped eye which resembled a glowing red V stretching across their faces.

Probably not, Raster opined. Since this is a family matter, he and the fleet couldn’t get involved anyway. They’re just here to witness the transfer of power.

Nick, tell me one more time why you decided to give the crown to Ostara? Megas said through the intercom system. Megas was the same species as Raster and Nester, but was a creature of space, a living, sapient, robotic starship stored in a special hangar located at the center of a much larger hull.

I tired of all the bullshit from the council and her. The planet is in a period of peace and prosperity, so now is a great time to get out of the game. Unfortunately, I missed the part where she wanted me dead, not just exiled to Tirari. Nick said.

So, Nick, what now? Nester asked.

The four of us are going to take a little trip just as soon as we deal with these idiots.

And where would that be? Nester asked calmly.

Our original destination, Tirari.

There was a momentary silence.

With the fleet lobbing missiles at us? Megas asked.

I have a plan, Nick said.

And when did you come up with this plan?

When I heard Ostara's plans to kill me. I must have done something to really piss her off.

Care to tell the rest of the class this plan? Nester asked.

We need to convince them that we no longer exist.

And how do we do that?

Megas, old friend, can you use a spoofer to fake an engine imbalance? You know, something that would cause a core breach?

Sure. Why? the ship answered.

Load a display warhead in one of our stealth missiles, then launch it into the fleet and have it park near Ostara’s privateer. When I give the signal, activate the spoofer, then target us with the missile. Make sure the missile drops its cloak just as it leaves it’s parking spot.

So, it looks like the privateer launched it! Raster said.

You want them to think the missile will detonate the engine core, Megas said. Yeah, I can make that work, but it'll take all our ordnance.

Nester turned a shocked look at Nick. Boss, we have a lot of ordnance. We can easily mimic a nova.

Perfect. The system we're in is devoid of life and the star is a nova remnant, so what better way to go.

We need the fleet to believe we're about to explode. Turlock will get the fleet out of here the moment he detects the overload. Siegfried is smart and protective of the people under his command. Megas, set it up, then open a channel.

Give me a second... Channel open, Megas reported.

You bunch of flaming idiots! Nick yelled as he got out his seat and glared at the images of his family. If Mother and Father were here, they would be launching missiles. I listened to your transmissions as you flew into the system. I thought you were going to legally take control of the throne like I did, then send me to Tirari, but no, you decide to stage a coup and kill me. You know how much firepower Megas carries. You know I could have killed you all with a wave of my finger. What the hell are you thinking?

His nephew, Ren, started to say something, but stopped when Nick raised a finger. Have I given you permission to speak, Whelp?

Ren shook his head.

Nick looked at his sister, Ostara. I can't even look at you. I knew you were ambitious, but I never thought you were this stupid. She tried to say something, but he raised a hand. I need to calm down.

Where the hell are you? Ostara demanded.

Nick killed the connection. Megas, start the show. Make it look good. Let's put the fear of death in them.

This is going to be interesting, Nester said as Megas chuckled. It's show time!

###

Aboard the Battle Cruiser Norstra, Admirals Terytch and Keng stared in shock as Megas suddenly shimmered into view. Instead of appearing like a wraith from the mists, the big ship appeared in fits and starts with much arcing and flashing. It then sat there as if unsure what to do next.

Science Officer, Captain Turlock yelled. What the hell just happened?

Sir! Megas's main engine core has a problem. Its energy readings are in flux. Shields are down. Stealth is down. Sir! His entire arsenal is armed.

Dammit. Weapons Officer, tie-into his maintenance network and find out if those weapons have their safeties activated.

Working... Safeties are off, sir. Captain! A missile has targeted Megas. It’s point of origin seems to be Lady Ostara’s privateer.

Type and yield?

It reads as a one megaton nuclear device. The computer calculates it's targeting the engine room.

Engineer! If it hits?

We don't want to be here, sir. Between the energy released by the core breach and the ordnance detonation, we'll be lucky to find a piece of rock bigger than a pebble.

Communications! Signal the fleet to leave this area at emergency speed, then call the Megas and offer the king assistance. Weapon's Officer, who fired that missile?

I have narrowed it down to twenty ships. Unfortunately, I cannot narrow it down any further due to interference being emitted by Megas.

Captain, no reply from Megas, the communications officer reported.

Impact in fifteen seconds, the science officer informed them.

Blast and damn! Helm! Get us out of here, the captain ordered.

We can't leave here until we're sure he's dead! Ostara yelled.

The captain watched as the three offspring and two admirals backed away from her. Turlock nodded toward the helm. Get us out of here, maximum speed.

Aye sir!

First Officer!

Sir!

Have the launch bay prepare a scout ship for Lady Ostara...

How dare you...!

Milady! General Keng warned. Leave it.

He’s insolent!

He’s captain of a Leporan ship, Keng continued. Which means he outranks admirals, queens, and princes, so declared your brother and the rulers before him. Captain Turlock could have you thrown out an airlock if he so desired. I suggest you repair to your cabins and stay there until we return to Lepora.

She looked at the captain and saw something frightening in his eyes, so she turned and beckoned her children to join her as she walked off the bridge. The captain looked at the admirals. What the hell were you thinking, sirs?

The admirals looked at him. Nick wanted out, and those four agreed. Ostara then ordered her ships to destroy Megas. We were ordered to keep silent under pain of death, Terytch said. I take it she didn't tell you about her change of plans?

Turlock shook his head. Shittin, stinkin politics. You two were once crewdogs. What the hell drove you to become politicians?

Terytch looked at Keng. The pay is better.

Get off my bridge...

Captain, we're getting the probe's transmission, the science officer report.

What probe? Keng asked.

I dropped a probe the moment we arrived in the system. It was supposed to record Nick being sent to Tirari. Instead, it recorded his death. The captain sat in his chair. Communications Officer, put the probe's transmission on the main viewer.

An image of the star filled the screen. Magnify.

The system zoomed in on the Megas as ships around it disappeared into hyperspace while a missile tracked toward it. At first, nothing happened when the missile hit. Without warning, Megas turned into an expanding globe of light which expanded then dissipated, but not before taking out thousands of asteroids and turning the star into a cloud of ionized gas. Megas was gone. A fitting end for King Nick, Turlock said. He slowly turned to the two admirals. For your sakes, I pray that the four morons measure up to the standard he set.

Is that a threat, Captain? Terytch asked.

Why yes, it is a threat. Security!

Two beefy guards wearing armor silently went to attention with their hands going instinctively to rest on their weapons.

Show these politicians to their state rooms and make sure they stay there until we return to the planet. The two guards slapped their right palms over their hearts before turning their gazes on the admirals.

We're going, Keng said as he and Terytch hurried off the Bridge with the guards following close behind.

Turlock waited until they left before standing up and walking into his day room. He closed the door, then poured himself a drink before sitting down at his desk to close his eyes and think.

A beep from the intercom interrupted him.  He tapped a button on its front panel Go for Turlock.

Sir, you have an incoming message marked eyes only and encrypted.

Pipe it here, Sid.

A red light on the side of his terminal signaled Turlock needed to input a security code as part of a voice print. Open link, authorization Turlock four seven actual. Go for Turlock.

Hey, Sig, how's my favorite captain doing?

Turlock spewed liquor across the desk. When he cleared his lungs, he yelled, Computer! Full security lock!

Security lock engaged.

The captain looked at the screen and saw Nick sitting in his command chair between Nester and Raster. Below them, was a slowly spinning, transparent, MegasComm logo. My King? You're alive?

Alive and well. Did everyone get out in time?

Turlock glanced at the fleet tote board. All the chicks are heading back to the nest. Nick, I didn’t know...

I figured. That’s why I hid the missile near Ostara’s privateer.

How the hell did you fake that explosion?

I used all the ordnance I had aboard. How did it look?

You blew the star out like a candle on a holiday cake. So, what now?

I'm going to do what I was supposed to do: retire to Tirari. Can I ask a favor, Old Friend?

Name it.

Don't tell anyone you've seen me. I want the world to think me dead.

As you wish, My King. I shall carry your secret to my grave. He stopped. Sir, I didn't know she was going to pull this shit until you called earlier. The fleet is in an uproar.

Thanks, Stan. As for my sister... She and her offspring get to run Lepora while Alto and the council watches closely. You and the rest of the population should enjoy the show while you can for I think the Vixel Dynasty is about to come to a timely end.

Thank you, My Liege. It has been an honor to serve you.

And it has been an honor to have you as a friend and guide. I hope we meet again. Well, we got to go. You take care.

I will miss the four of you. Good journey all. Turlock out. The captain stared at the screen, then raised his glass in a salute for his friend and his king. To King Nick Vixel. Long live the King!

CHAPTER TWO

The mighty telescopes and sensors of the Megas watched as the ordnance they left behind detonated. A donut-shaped shock wave tore through the system, leaving rubble in its wake. Even the system's stellar core wasn't spared as it was turned into an expanding cloud of debris.

Do you ever do anything small? Nester asked.

Go big or go home, I always say, Nick replied. Set course for Tirari. Time to go visit the folks.

Didn't your father swear a vengeance against you? Nester asked.

Yes, he did, Megas noted. I distinctly remember him calling you a worthless get before yelling something about getting even with you for stealing the throne of Lepora from him.

Yeah, he was really mad. I think he had to hold your mother back while she cursed the day she gave birth to you, Raster added.

In fact, I think a goodly number of Tirari citizens would like to see you dead or not shed a tear at the news of your demise, Nester added.

You three worry too much. I am loved by one and all. Get us to Tirari, Megas.

Setting course. Engaging engines. ETA: one hour, Megas reported.

Nick got out his chair and headed to the exit. I'm going to my cabin to freshen up. You three keep an eye on things.

Nick, do you prefer oak or pine? Raster asked.

I don't understand the question, he replied.

Do you want an oak or pine casket?

Just a plain urn for my ashes will do, he said as he stepped off the Bridge.

What the hell is up with him? Raster asked. He should have chewed my head off for that crack.

This thing with Ostara threw him. He didn't see her betrayal coming, and now he doubts himself, Megas said. I'll talk to him. You two keep an eye on things.

Raster sat down in the captain’s chair while Nester leaned against the side. 'Keep an eye on things,' he says, Raster noted. What the hell else is there to do in an empty, mile-wide warship run by a self-help guru?

###

Nick stepped out of the shower, then walked over to the full-length mirror to take a self-assessment. He saw a fit, middle-aged Leporan with a nick in one of his foot-long ears and several scars bereft of the white fur that covered his body. For all intents and purposes, he was a muscular humanoid rabbit sans cleft lip and whiskers coming from his nose. Instead, he had a full beard and long hair ending in a ponytail, both with patches of gray amongst the white. Poser, he muttered while he toweled dry.

What's bugging you, Nick? Megas said from a robot body leaning against the shower stall wall. Long ago, he had stopped noticing Megas’s voice coming from seemingly random bots and computer systems, sometimes several at the same time.

"Where the hell did I go wrong? Those four idiots had the keys to the kingdom. Just legally