Snowbird

By YT Harris

Sedona was just twelve years old when she decided to leave Planet Earth... and venture "out there". Her adventurous spirit leads her on a wild ride - from stealing her dad's car and crashing it in Tahoe, to hitching a ride on a spaceship with two strangers.

On the other side of the galaxy she finds a new home with a specialised defender alliance of nine planets. Force 9 is the galactic watch dog, a garrison of guardians who promise danger, adventure, mystery and even romance. But first, she must pass the rigid testing process to become a sentinel. If she fails, she will be sent back to Earth.

Taye and Kethaan are two fly-boys who take pity on the stranded Earthling. One is definitely more keen than the other to bring her back to base as a potential recruit. But before she can even prove herself, she unwittingly discovers the source of a strange enemy which has been threatening the stability of the galaxy.

With non-stop action, awkward teenage moments and burning crushes in the midst of aerial combat missions and dramatic rescues, Snowbird will grip you until the very last word!

• Language: English
• Publisher: YT Harris
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9780473568573

YT Harris

When I was 13 years old, instead of doing my school work, I invented a world... a fantasy of spaceships, robots, bad guys and quirky characters. My works appeal to a broad range of readers from young adult to octogenarians. If you love all things Marvel, Voltron and Star Wars (with a splash of romance and a heap of adventure), you will enjoy my stories.Based in a solar system on the other side of the Milky Way Galaxy, my novels feature arse-kicking, no-nonsense female protagonists who love adventure and aren’t afraid to get their knuckles bruised. I hope you feel as much connection to them as I did when writing.I live in Auckland, New Zealand with my husband, two daughters, a cat, a bunch of fish and three budgies.

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SNOWBIRD

(Force 9 Book 2)

By YT Harris

Copyright © 2021 Yvette Harris, Elusive Design

ISBN: 978-0-473-56857-3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover images: stock.adobe.com ©designprojects ; Depositphotos.com ©Juric.P ©2daydesign

For Moz

PROLOGUE

Sedona was just twelve and a half years old the day she decided to leave Planet Earth. A day that had been uneventful, mundane, routine, boring. But something horrible was about to occur that would alter the trajectory of her life – a trauma which would spark a desperate need to escape home, and ignite in her a relentless obsession with out there.

That day in late summer, upon her return from school, she found her dad asleep on the porch in his usual posture – slumped in the broken wicker chair, hand dangling limply by his side, empty bourbon bottle lying on the deck winking rust-brown in the crisp afternoon sun. Not a breath of wind disturbed the warm air, there was no breeze to distil the sharp liquor fumes.

Dona? Dona is that you? his slurred voice followed her into the kitchen as she dumped her bag on the faded linoleum floor to make herself a snack. She closed her eyes and sighed as she heard the old wicker chair crackle and squeak as her father levered himself up. She had been hoping for a peaceful afternoon, but now all that awaited her were chores. A dejected shell of the man who had once pushed her on the swing as she giggled and squealed, the father who used to oil the squeaky front wheel of her tricycle and fix her broken toys. That man was now but a faded memory.

In he burst through the screen door, eyes focused menacingly on her face and as he staggered towards her, one foot became ensnared in her schoolbag. He fell forwards, his forehead clipping the edge of the kitchen bench with a muffled crack. The blow wasn’t hard enough to knock him unconscious, but it made him as furious as a kicked wasp nest. He let out an angry yelp, rubbed his injured head and scanned the floor for the ensnaring object. He spotted the carelessly discarded schoolbag at his feet, shoulder strap still hooked around his boot. He let out a low, rumbling growl. Oh no, not today. No, please, not today. Sedona turned and ran up the stairs to her bedroom, slammed the door and sat leaning against it as if her small body would offer any sort of barricade. Hyperventilating with fear, she listened to the uneven thump of her father’s heavy footsteps as they followed her. He threw his body against the door with a muffled smack, hands fumbling for the doorknob until he located it and managed to force his way in. Sedona scrambled across the room wailing. I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!

Undeterred, he lifted her up as if she was a scrawny alley cat and flung her face down onto the bed. Still in a daze, he unhitched the buckle of his belt and slid it out from the fabric loops of his pants. The all-too familiar ‘clink’ of the rattling metal sent Sedona’s heart rate skyward, her cheeks burning with shame and fear. She grabbed her threadbare teddy and buried her face in it as she waited for the burning sting of leather to connect with the bare skin of her back. But today he seemed too lazy or drunk to rip the tunic off her body. Even through the fabric, she knew the whipping would still leave blotchy purple bruises, but at least swimming season had ended so she wouldn’t be subject to more stares and whispers. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. One strike for each year of her age. She cried, pleaded, screamed and begged but it made no difference. His bloodlust would not be satisfied until it was finished, his drunken pain unleashed on her juvenile body. Finally, it was over. He re-threaded his belt and stomped out of the room, leaving his daughter sobbing into her pillow. It was an accident, Daddy. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.

She knew he would try to make it up to her once he was sober. He always did. They would probably have pizza for dinner tonight, if he didn’t pass out again. The increasingly erratic fluctuation of his personality had her treading on eggshells day and night. The next morning (if he was even out of bed), he would be quiet and subdued, sipping an effervescent tonic for the hangover. In the afternoon he would be working late shift at the abattoir, so she would have the house to herself. At least that was something to look forward to.

In a time where smart machines did most of the work, her father was lucky to have a job at all. On planet Earth, millions and millions of people were unemployed, hungry, and homeless. His job was to keep the automated machinery in the abattoir running smoothly, but thanks to the relatively new high carbon emissions tax his job was constantly under threat. Meat was becoming increasingly expensive to produce, and thanks to the plant-based meat substitute products, there were fewer cows coming through the slaughterhouse. Many farmers were making the switch to crops instead of animals as the appetite of the consumer moved rapidly away from animal consumption to the new "’meat free meat’ , which was cheaper, healthier and tasted better.

*. *. *

The shadowy fingers of dusk had dimmed the light in her room by the time Sedona stopped weeping. She sat up on her bed, rubbed her eyes, blew her nose and fired up her antiquated computer. Her dad’s booze habit kept them just above the poverty line and nearly everything in the house was recycled, repurposed or a relic, including this machine. Their banged up old car wasn’t even a self-driving one. The vintage, non-autonomous Ford was only running because of her dad’s mechanical genius and ability to manufacture new parts with maintenance equipment borrowed from work. The battery cell had just been replaced for the eighth time, and it could power the car for thousands of miles without the need to recharge. Her thoughts wandered as she eyed it in the driveway from her dirty top-storey window.

One day.

She opened up a web browser and logged on to the GIP, Galactic Information Platform and disappeared into the fantasy of being light-years from this place.

One day.

CHAPTER ONE

Icy white snowflakes pierced the dark night, dancing in the beam of her headlights. The muted ‘thuds’ as they landed on the windscreen were a gentle comfort to Sedona as she weaved carefully along empty forest roads, far from main highways and their spying cameras. She must remain unseen, or her adventure would end abruptly, before it had even begun.

The straighter parts of the road were a tunnel of towering trees, branches heavy with snow. The wide path before her was paved in thick white like icing, the edge marked with heaped drifts. Inside her dad’s old car, hot air blasted the glass in an everlasting battle to hold back the fog; the stuffy heat permeating thickly and making her desperate for a gasp of fresh air. She dared take a hand off the steering wheel momentarily and flicked a button to bring the electric window down a crack. Slightly refreshed, she glanced down at the power gauge on the dashboard and swallowed a brief sense of foreboding. The battery was down to its last ten percent charge. Will that be enough? Maybe she shouldn’t have taken that huge detour to the Lake Tahoe region. But she couldn’t resist investigating a reported sighting of a Force 9 vehicle there . They might be here.

It was four years since the twelve-stroke beating she’d received from her dad, four long years of walking on eggshells, diligently keeping her head down so as not to provoke his rage. Long ago she decided to save every penny she earned designing avatar skins for online gamers – when it was enough, she would leave home and find her way Out There. She didn’t care which planet in the Galaxy she ended up at, as long as it was far away from this solar system.

Before her lifetime, humans realised they were not alone in the universe. In the year 2045, a stable wormhole opened up past Pluto’s orbit path, allowing trans-galactic explorers to discover Earth. Peacefully contacting and connecting with humans, these interstellar travellers introduced Earth to the rest of galactic life. Obscured by the Milky Way’s central black hole were another three solar systems, and a total of nine other planets inhabited with intelligent life. Sedona learned about them at school and quickly became obsessed. Trathosa, the source of the energy crystal which propelled every interstellar spaceship in the galaxy. Asvellah had a smaller population and subsequently spectacular untouched natural fauna and flora, similar to what Earth had been like hundreds of years prior. Nuetar was a densely populated cosmopolitan planet which stored a lot of the wealth of the galaxy in its many vaults and banking systems. Cytaria and Bara were the ’Wild West’– rough, desolate and dangerous. Sister planets Tatra and Lovire were similar to Asvellah with sparse population and stunning scenery. Pysan, historically the most sinister of the main system, furthest from the Three Suns. And planet Katac, previously uninhabited, which was now populated in one small area by the ‘United Nations’ of the Galaxy, Force 9.

For months, Sedona had pored over digital road maps – designing the best route to avoid the main roads. Switching her phone off and removing its battery so as to remain untraceable, she planned to take the back roads to L.A. where, like myriads of other young adults who had gone before her, she hoped to find her big break – not in Hollywood, but a ticket to the other side of the galaxy. Her obsession with space and her plan to escape her dad’s control were motivation to learn how to drive, sneaking into his car whenever he had fallen into a drunken stupor. Now, she was well on her way to the Nasa Lunar Centenary Museum where she had to find her way off the planet.

Beneath her grip, the steering wheel occasionally lightened as she navigated the icy bends. She eased her foot off the accelerator, wishing she’d followed her instincts to stay the night in the last town where she had stopped at the library to use the public access computer and get an update on the Force 9 sightings. What had pushed her onwards? Was it the derelict looking men vaping outside the only hostel? No. It had been the urgency to pursue the vehicle reports. She had been so excited at the prospect of off-worlders nearby, she stubbornly refused to stop and rest. But now, driving through deepening snow in the middle of the woods, chasing patchy information that the off-world car had gone this way, she lamented her recklessness. What the heck am I doing?

The jarring intro of a song she loathed suddenly blasted through the crackling speakers. Damn it, why didn’t I take that one off the USB? Skip track, she voice-commanded the inbuilt stereo, but nothing happened. Taking one hand off the wheel, she flicked on the interior light and momentarily took her eyes off the road to investigate. But when she looked back again, a surge of adrenalin rushed through her system and she screamed. A dull brown deer stood right in her path, motionless, its eyes glowing in the beam of her headlights with an ethereal green shimmer. If she swerved, she might lose control. But even if she braked, she would plough straight into it. "Move!" She muttered as she pumped the pedal, slowing the car, but the doe did not budge. As she bore down on the creature with imminent impact, she made a split-second decision. There might be just enough room to get past. The car seemed to float beneath her grip as she yanked the steering wheel to the left, then overcorrected to the right. The light-footed animal bounded away as her car fishtailed, slid sideways and spun into the drift of snow on the berm. An explosion of white chunks erupted around as she crashed through to the other side where a steep bank swallowed her. The airbags deployed, punching her in the side of her face as the car flipped and ricocheted off trees, mercilessly tossing her inside the cab, smashing her skull back against the headrest. Finally, it rotated one last time before slamming into the solid trunk of a snow-laden fir. As the short-lived tumble came to an abrupt halt, the branches let go of the delicately balanced powder with a soft ‘whump’, and partially buried the vehicle, its unconscious driver slumped against the rapidly deflating airbag.

* * *

Did you hear that bro? Taye cocked his head and listened. It was rare to hear any vehicles at all this far off the beaten track, but that definitely sounded like the noise of metal panels being violently crumpled.

Hmpf, Kethaan muttered, glancing up from his magazine. He fumbled for the remote and switched off the decades-old TV unit. Yeah I heard something. Sounded like a car losing it.

We should go check it out, it sounded pretty close.

Yeah, I guess. There was no urgency in his voice as he stood up, stretched and wandered over to the coat rack to retrieve his backpack. Methodically, he made a mental inventory of its contents. First aid kit, water, emergency blanket and a torch. Damn, should have packed a stretcher.

Always the pro, Taye stood up and made his way towards the cabin door. I didn’t think you were going to need all that crap on this trip.

Kethaan smiled as he pulled on his woollen hat. I know better than to leave without it, especially the way you board. I think you’re the last person on Earth who doesn’t wear a helmet up there.

Ha! But you know how tough I am. Taye grimaced as he slid his foot inside the wet snowboard boot.

Sure. Let’s find out how hard you have to crack your skull before your brains spill everywhere.

So you admit I have brains! Taye slipped into his puffer jacket and fumbled with the zip.

Kethaan shook his head as he cranked his boots tight and stepped out into the freezing night air. His friend was reckless, but good company.

They kept a steady pace as their footsteps crunched up the long drive to the gravel road, the thick white layer of fresh snow glistened in the moonlight like powdered diamonds. I think it came from that way, Taye pointed to the right, and they didn’t have to walk far before they saw messy tyre tracks and a gaping hole in the drift. Standing at the top of the steep bank, their eyes followed the beam of light from Kethaan’s powerful torch as it rested on freshly splintered wood, and then glinted on a piece of metal far below. There.

Here goes, Taye exhaled. Thought I’d done enough hiking through snow for the day. You and your off-piste shenanigans.

Kethaan flashed a rare grin. You loved it.

They waded, stumbled and slid down through the deep powder until they reached the wreckage. Taye wasted no time in wrenching the driver’s door open, revealing the lifeless form of a young female. A trickle of fresh blood ran down the side of her face, leaving a wet patch on the fabric of her jacket. He whistled. Ouch.

Kethaan whipped off his glove and placed his fingers on the girl’s neck, detecting the steady rhythm of a strong pulse. She’s alive. He removed his hat and gently pulled it down over her head.

Hey Snowbird, can you hear me? Taye bellowed in his native English laced with an Antipodean accent.

She’s unconscious, not deaf, Einstein. Kethaan grasped a small hand-held diagnostic scanner and hovered it slowly over her body, inspecting the display for signs of major trauma. Satisfied there were no spinal fractures, he unclipped her seatbelt and gently lifted her limp body out of the seat and lay her on the ground. There he checked her pulse and breathing again before scanning the rest of her body. Looks like she got off lightly. He rolled her onto her side and draped the foil space blanket over her, then had a quick look at the car. I thought all vehicles were self-driving now?

There are still some of these old heaps around. Taye pushed the front of his beanie up and scratched his forehead. I guess some people are too poor to upgrade. Or maybe they just like to drive themselves.

Weird, though. She looks too young to be way out here in a vintage car at night. He knelt down and shoved the medical gear back into his bag. Let’s get her back before she freezes.

You can carry her.

You’re such a douche. She probably only weighs, like, a hundred pounds. Kethaan sighed as he hoisted the girl up and adjusted his balance, and started walking.

Guided by a GPS unit, they found their way back through the trees and it wasn’t long before they were in the warmth of the cabin, wondering what to do with the girl who lay unconscious before them on the threadbare sofa.

She’d be kind of cute if she wasn’t covered in blood. Taye stood with his back to the open fireplace, rubbing his freezing cold hands. You want a drink?

Only if there’s a shot of whiskey in it. Kethaan knelt down and began to tend to her injuries. No, I’ll be OK.

She’s lucky to be alive, right? Taye raised his voice over the noise of the boiling kettle. She could have been mashed on a tree. Looks like the car missed them all.

Yeah, lucky. Ripping open a sterile wipe from his well-stocked kit, Kethaan peeled back the wool hat to inspect the inch-wide gash on her forehead. Wishing he had packed surgical glue, he cleaned around the wound and applied a couple of strips to close it, then covered it with a larger dressing. Slowly he ran the scanner once more over her head, neck, torso and then along each limb, carefully inspecting the images and reading a more thorough injury report. Looks like she’s avoided serious cranial trauma. She’ll still have a nasty headache when she wakes up. Looks like she’s hurt her wrist too. Broken ulna, cracked radius.

Whatever you say, K-dog.

Kethaan didn’t have the right equipment to splint the injury properly, so a sturdy bandage would have to do until they could get to the town medical centre. He dragged a wooden dining chair across the floor and sat down, resting her wrist on his thigh while he set about expertly wrapping it. He then took a tiny syringe, flicked it with a fingernail and slowly injected the contents into a vein.

What was that?

Painkiller for when she wakes up. There’s not a lot else we can do for her now. He stood up, draped an old moth-eaten wool blanket over her and stifled a yawn.

Taye padded across the rough-sawn timber floor, steaming mug in hand, and looked down at the girl. Will she be okay? Do you think one of us should stay awake to keep an eye on her? Make sure she doesn’t die in the night or something?

Nah. She’ll either bite it overnight or you can introduce yourself to her in the morning. I’m off to bed.

Unsure if his friend was serious or not, Taye laughed. You’re so caring!

Relax. A wry smile crept across Kethaan’s lips. I’ve got her hooked to a monitor. It’ll wake me if she flatlines.

*. *. *

Kethaan woke early in the morning and after checking the news and weather on his comm, he wriggled out of his sleeping bag, swung his legs over the side of the top bunk and dropped to the floor, landing softly as a cat. He pulled on his jeans, threw on a long-sleeved t-shirt and hoodie, and tiptoed from the room.

The air in the cabin was slightly chilly so he grabbed a poker and stoked the near-dead embers of the fire then threw a couple more logs on, watching as tiny glowing sparks danced and floated in the soot-blackened hearth. A draught whistled through the crack under the door and he heard the rustle of pine needles as the wind picked up outside. He loved the Earth snow, there really was no place like it in the galaxy, but not on a day like this. Good job we’re off home today, the lifts will be shut up there anyway.

He walked over and looked at the sleeping girl on the sofa. Her chest gently rose and fell as she slumbered peacefully, her spiralling brown curls fanning out in a halo around her head. She was so slight that her body almost disappeared into the couch under the blanket – you could have been forgiven for accidentally sitting on her. He knelt down and did a quick scan of her vitals. Satisfied she was okay, he padded across to the kitchenette and brewed himself an extra-strong cup of tea. Once it was ready, he threw in some sugar and a splash of milk, then sat at the small wooden table and picked up a dog-eared snowboarding mag. He was only a couple of pages in when a slight movement from the corner of his eye distracted him. She was awake.

CHAPTER TWO

A throbbing pain had woken Sedona, radiating from forehead to neck, and down into her shoulders. She blinked and tried to focus on her surroundings. Warm and cosy under a