Dark Horizon 2: Horizon's Edge

By Eric J. Kumik

“Sometimes when the chips are down, all you need is a wild card.”

Star Team Seven has lost more than just their ship, they lost their captain. Hammer has been transported into the past during the most pivotal moment in Earth’s history, the Gray War. What’s worse, is that Hammer could very well change the course of h

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Apr 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781648950209

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Eric J. Kumik

DARK HORIZON 2

Copyright © 2020 Eric J. Kumik

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Stratton Press Publishing

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in the work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-64895-019-3

ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-64895-020-9

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Then

Now

All or Nothing

Wild Card

Cerberus

The New Seven

Buckle Up

Time Drive

Out of Place

Nightmare 101

Improbable

Front Row

Shockwave

The First Choice

Game Time

Stormfront

Critical Situations

The Second Choice

Betrayal

The End Begins

The Third Choice

This is a huge shout out to my family, friends, and all the fans who kept me going! Sorry for the long wait, but slaggin’ glad to be back flying with all of you again!

Then

Tivex looked down at the package in her hands with curiosity. It was wrapped with strange, brightly colored paper and tied with a red ribbon. She cocked her head to one side and tried to make sense of why it was appropriate to give someone a gift for no other reason than turning another year older. As she understood it, there was a custom among the humans to celebrate this kind of thing, but it made little sense to her. Akonis didn’t celebrate birthdays; they celebrated accomplishments or good deeds. Although she was still baffled by human behavior, Tivex resigned herself to the fact that she and her parents were on their way to this birthday party, and she was determined before the day was out to better understand the concept. Her parents had explained that there would be other children her age there as well, and it would be an excellent way for her to interact with them. Tivex had originally been against the idea, stating clearly that she had far too much of that at school, but her father had closed the issue on her.

Tivex turned her attention from the gift and looked out the window. She saw the city of Odyssey passing quickly outside. She watched a myriad of trees, houses, and buildings come in and out of her view as the monorail snaked through them on its path. Tivex saw the spire of the Interstellar Exploration Corps coming up and watched the various people below hurrying here and there through the great archway entrance. A large hologram of a man wearing a yellow rocket ship necktie, coke bottle glasses, and holding a clipboard greeted them as they entered the huge complex. Tivex had ridden the monorail many times and had seen the IEC headquarters, although she had never been inside nor had she seen that hologram before. Tivex thought it must be a new upgrade to the center. She knew her father, Alor, was stationed here and had been since the High Council had gifted the humans with the spire shortly after what she knew to be called the Gray War.

Tivex shifted her attention to her father sitting beside her as they passed the complex. She noticed that when he saw the hologram, her father stiffened ever so slightly. Her mother, Xa’anni, leaned forward from behind them and put one of her hands on Alor’s shoulder. Tivex saw her father shift in his seat as he looked down at her. Alor gave Tivex a reassuring smile, though Tivex doubted it was genuine.

Tivex looked up at Alor. Father, why do you seem uncomfortable?

Alor looked back out the window, his smile fading slightly. Because I do not enjoy these long rides.

Tivex squinted at him. You are not telling me the truth.

How do you know?

Because you take these rides every morning, and I have never heard you complain about them, she answered.

Alor looked down at his daughter and smiled again. He ran one of his hands through her purple hair. You have a distinct gift of observation, young one. Perhaps it will serve you well in the future.

Tivex smiled back. You have not answered the question, Father.

It is because your father chooses not to answer, said Xa’anni, leaning in close. He is also tired from working so much.

Alor turned and looked over his shoulder. He nodded his thanks to his wife, but Tivex watched keenly, noticing he did not look back out the window. She resigned herself to the fact she was not going to get an answer. She looked back down at the gift. She knew what was inside but was still unable to grasp the concept. She turned around and asked, Mother, why is it that humans celebrate trivial things?

Xa’anni chuckled. It seems strange to you now. Have you not interacted with them in school?

Of course, however, I do not understand their behavior.

Humans are a very distinctive species, Xa’anni answered. They have such potential for greatness, but that trait is overshadowed by destructive tendencies. It was not long ago that they were at constant war with each other, constantly battling between themselves all because of an overinflated sense of superiority.

Tivex sent the gift down, turned around as best she could, and placed all four of her arms on the seatback. She loved it when her parents told her about the past, but she never understood why they would never go into detail about the Gray War. As Tivex understood it, very few people, human or otherwise, would talk about that time. Even in her history classes, the teachers did not explain the war the way they explained other things. Tivex said to her mother, In school, we have discussed many of them, except for the Gray War.

By the Light, I would hope not, said Alor.

But, Father, why not? It is not—

Alor turned toward Tivex with a fierceness in his eyes. Leave it alone, young one. It is too soon for anyone to be forced to remember anything about a nightmare let alone attempt to explain it to children.

Tivex felt her heart skip a beat. She had rarely seen her father become that angry that quickly. She watched as her father shifted in his seat again and dismiss her mother’s hand. He shook his head and stood up. Muttering something she couldn’t hear, Alor walked a few rows up and sat down on the opposite side of the monorail so he didn’t have to look at the hologram.

Tivex turned back to her mother with a look of shock. Her mother smiled and moved into the seat next to her. Xa’anni took all four of her hands in hers and said, Your father and his friends were all a part of that awful time. They, along with the entirety of what is now the IEC, suffered incalculable losses including the man represented by that hologram.

Tivex looked up into her mother’s beautiful dark, rust-colored eyes and asked, Who was he?

Xa’anni took a deep breath but could not hold her daughter’s gaze. Dr. Thomas McKenzie. We knew him all the better by his nickname, Z.

What happened to him? asked Tivex trying to dig for more answers.

He…well, he was…

Tivex watched as tears began to fill her mother’s eyes. Xa’anni let go of her hands and turned away, shuddering slightly. Tivex felt a lump growing in her own throat, feeling an empathy for her mother but also for being the one who caused her mother’s sadness. She placed both of her left hands on her mother’s back. Mother, I apologize. I did not mean to upset you or Father.

Xa’anni sniffed and turned back, taking Tivex’s face in her upper hands. No, daughter, you have nothing to apologize for. Someday, when the wounds are not so fresh and enough time has passed, we will tell you what happened. For now, let us focus on something bright. Are you excited for the party?

Tivex cocked her head and blinked. Excited?

Yes, this will be a new experience for you.

It will hardly be new to see Vincent and Jeffrey. I see them every day at school.

Xa’anni smiled. Yes, I know, but this is the first time in a long time that there has been a gathering of friends in such a manner.

Tivex wrinkled her nose. I just hope Vincent is more reserved than he is in school.

Xa’anni chuckled. Yes, from what Emma has told me, young Vincent is a very outgoing young man!

Mother, he has no propriety! He constantly jokes and chides with our fellow classmates and has gotten in trouble with the teacher as a direct result! And you should see him when we go outside for playtime! He has no problem going up to the shyest in the class and dragging him or her into some new, destructive game he made up. Mother, I swear, no one at school can keep up with him!

Xa’anni’s head fell back in laughter. It does not surprise me in the least to imagine the son of Nicholas and Emma Dorran being a handful!

But, Mother, it is one thing for him to act in such a manner, but the influence he has on Jeffrey? I shudder to think about the example Vincent is setting, said Tivex, shaking her head.

Xa’anni ran her upper right hand through Tivex’s purple hair. You have spent too much time with your father and me. It would be better for you to try to enjoy this time you have with the Dorran children rather than focus on the manners we have taught you.

Why?

Because you will never know how long the good times will last before you are unable to enjoy them at all.

Tivex looked hard at her mother and wondered why a simple statement could provoke such an emotional change. She watched as Xa’anni’s eyes were unable to hold her gaze before they began to glass over. Xa’anni turned away from her daughter and looked out the opposite window as they passed the IEC headquarters.

Not wanting to see her mother in such a state, Tivex returned her attention to the gift she had set down. She spent the remainder of the trip studying the colorful wrapping and wondered why it was so important to hide what was inside from the person receiving the present. Another one of the strange human customs she would now have to endure and undoubtedly not understand for some time. There were times, although not often, where she wished that she knew more about where she had descended from. Although she had been born on Earth, her mother and father often described their originating home world of Akonis. Sometimes, she thought it would have been easier had she grown up with more of her own kind, but there was little point in trying to change where she had been born at. And there were other times, like now, where Tivex allowed herself a few wandering thoughts about what that other world would be like. As Tivex understood it, Akonis was very different from Earth.

Bathed in the shimmering light of twin orange suns during the day and five orbiting moons at night, it played home to a very different landscape that what Tivex was used to on Earth. Her father once described the huge mountain regions, which reached tens of thousands of feet into the sky. The mountains were snaked below by beautiful valleys, which played home to a desert landscape so rich and fertile that Akonis was the only known planet to never have had a food shortage. The terrain of Akonis had been a worthy proving grounds for the ancestors of the Akoni who had been forced to evolve in tune with their surroundings. Powerfully built, they had developed four arms that had been useful when climbing or fighting. Due to the sometimes overwhelming and brutal heat from the suns or from their more savage days for hunting and camouflage, Akoni had a complexion that at first glance appeared to be made from the same rock that the mountains were made of but were incredibly soft to the touch. Over time, they had developed architypes that gifted them not only incredible patience, courage, and etiquette but also extreme dexterity and acrobatic skill, making them one of the most envied races in the galaxy. Tivex’s parents had promised her that they would take her to visit their home world sometime after the rebuilding on Earth had been completed, and she had been excited ever since.

Shaking Tivex from her thoughts, the monorail at last pulled into the station where she and her parents needed to get off. Tivex gently grabbed the gift and walked through the sliding doors onto the platform. Around her passed a myriad of different races both exiting the monorail and entering it going to wherever it was they were headed to. As Tivex and her family walked across the platform toward the terminal station, Tivex saw a large family of Omarians, the fierce feline warriors known to have short tempers and incredible strength, hurrying toward the monorail. Behind them, casually walking as if they had not a care in the world were two Hydrons, beings that resembled humans in stature and movement only. Tivex watched the Hydrons with curiosity as their shimmering silver bodies reflected everything around them as if they were walking mirrors. She knew Hydrons had no physical features of their own but could morph their bodies to mimic anything around them. Some of the other races she knew as well as she attended school with them. The Sageves, the masters of technology who had no hair and black, soulless eyes that never blinked; the Yevon, reptilian in both form and appearance and of course; and the stunningly beautiful beings known only as the Angelics. Tall and flawlessly beautiful, Angelics had only recently joined the IEC in the last two years, and apart from their recent involvement, not much about them was known.

As they crossed through the terminal and came out onto the street, Tivex felt the warm sun shining down on her face and closed her eyes for just a moment. There really was nothing like the feeling of the sunshine on her face, and she felt a smile creep onto her face. Alor and Xa’anni walked ahead of her, both holding each other’s hands. Tivex carried the present and kept up with them remarkably well. After ten minutes of walking from the terminal, they turned down a street off the main strip, and Tivex saw all the different houses lining both sides. In this part of Odyssey, many different races made up the neighborhood, but Tivex could instantly tell which was which. Though she had known Vincent and Jeffrey for some time now, she herself had never been to their home. She knew her parents and theirs had met just before the Gray War broke out, and they and some of the others that had fought had remained intensely close ever since. Tivex attended school with some of the other’s children as well, but everyone being in one place together at the same time hadn’t happened for a long time.

When they reached the Dorran’s house, Tivex saw that it was nothing like she had imagined it. There was no great opulence to it, no grand mansion to house some of the greatest heroes Earth had ever produced. In fact, aside from it being two stories tall, it was not any different than almost any other dwelling on the street. Tivex cocked her head to one side as she could already hear the other children inside laughing and carrying on. Through the front window, she could see many of them with large smiles on their faces and bright colored orbs surrounding the table everyone was running around.

Mother, what are those? Tivex asked.

Xa’anni smiled down at her. Those are called balloons. I have not seen the likes since… And she trailed off.

Tivex could see her mother beginning to tear up again. Alor leaned in and kissed his wife’s cheek. It is alright, my love. It hurts me as well, but let us thank the Light for this happy day.

Tivex followed her parents up to the front door. Alor was about to knock when the door flew open almost by its own volition. Tivex was barely able to keep her composure when she heard the incredibly cheerful music playing through the house and saw at least three different children slide across the floor, screaming in laughter directly behind the person who flung the door open. Standing in the doorway was Vincent Dorran beaming as if he had just accomplished the impossible for the hundredth time. It took less than a fraction of a second for Tivex to see him coming as Vincent dove through the doorway and grabbed Tivex in a bear hug, "Hiya, Vex! It’s about time! You’re missing all the fun!"

Trying to catch her breath while attempting to protect the present from the total obliteration coming from the charging rhinoceros in front of her, Tivex croaked, Vincent, it is good to see you.

Vincent threw his head back and howled with laughter. Well, don’t just stand there! Come on! Come inside! We’ve got one killer game going on in here! Total Dorran classic! See? What we did was took all the pillows from around the house and threw them into the living room! Then Jeff and I waxed the floor so it’s like ice, right? What you do is take your shoes off and try to stay up the whole way! First one that does it gets extra cake later! Vincent grabbed her hands and pulled her toward the door. Come on! You gotta try this! And the best part? The best part is there’s all kinds of candy and soda and popcorn in here!

Tivex looked in exasperation at her parents. Alor and Xa’anni couldn’t help but smile at Vincent’s enthusiasm and shooed her inside. Trying to maintain her Akoni composure, Tivex almost fell over as an Omarian cub slid by her growling with delight followed by another human hot on his heels. Dropping the present on the floor from surprise, she watched as the cub flew into the mountain of pillows as the human somersaulted over it. Tivex shook her head as the cub, still lying on its back, could barely breathe as it was laughing so hard. The human’s head popped up from the top of the pile wearing his typical pasted-on smile as well as a pointed cone-shaped party hat, which was trying its best to control the wild locks of hair underneath it. The human looked over at the door. "Tivex! Hi! It’s about time!"

Tivex felt her own smile beginning to spread on her face no matter how much she tried to keep it stifled. Greetings to you, Jeffrey. I believe it is customary to wish you a happy birthday.

Jeffrey shook his mop of hair out of his face and rolled down the front of the pillow pile. Is this great or what? He scampered over the slick floor as best he could and grabbed onto Tivex before he fell. Tivex felt Jeffrey hug her with all his might and looked down at the gift and then look up at her. Holy smokes! You even brought a present?

Tivex, still unsure how to properly handle human affection, carefully wrapped all four arms around Jeffrey and squeezed slightly. She looked down. Yes, would you care to open it now?

Jeffrey beamed up at her. Heck, no! You can’t open presents till after cake, didn’t you know that? Besides, we didn’t even have the hot dogs yet!

Tivex’s eyes widened in horror. You are serving canine for today’s feast?

Vincent clapped Tivex on the back as he dodged another round of sliding children. Wow, Vex, you really need to get out of the library more! A hot dog is…well, it’s…you know what? Forget it! Just stick with me, and I’ll show you how a real party works!

Yes, said Tivex, letting go of Jeffrey. That is what frightens me the most.

Vincent rolled his eyes and groaned. Oh, lighten up, you’re here to have fun, remember?

Tivex nodded. Yes, about that, Vincent, I am unsure of—

Vincent shushed her by putting a finger to her lips. Shh, you’re gonna have fun, and you’re gonna like it even if I gotta to cover you in frosting to loosen you up!

Tivex blinked at the indignity. She backed her head up as she saw the good-natured fun flowing from Vincent as if it was a tangible thing. Reluctantly, and although she tried with all her might, Tivex couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from beginning to turn upward. She felt something slip into one of her hands and looked down to see Vincent had again taken it and began to lead her toward the back of the house as Jeffrey headed off to rejoin the sliding game. Tivex asked Vincent, Where are you taking me?

There’s some people here you gotta meet! said Vincent cheerfully.

Tivex took her hand from Vincent’s and tried to smooth out the wrinkles in her outfit. But, Vincent, I am not prepared to make an appearance. If I could just have a moment to compose myself?

Vincent stopped dead in his tracks and looked at her as if she had gone insane. What? Vex, you look great! Come on! He grabbed her hand again.

Tivex couldn’t quite understand why every time Vincent took her hand or said something other than his usual snarky comments, she felt a strange sensation. She couldn’t quite place it, but there was a strange, warming sensation, which began to spread in her chest. Tivex also noticed that although it was Jeffrey’s birthday and she truly enjoyed spending time with him at school, the fact that Vincent was paying her more attention than he was to his brother had a very flattering impact on her.

They walked down the hallway, and Tivex saw the kitchen was on their right and was directly across from what she knew to be the family room on the left. In the kitchen was a large group of adults, including her own parents, surrounding the center island talking. Vincent, wasting no time, raced her into the kitchen. Mom! Dad! She’s here!

The adults stopped talking as Tivex felt herself dragged into the room. She saw a human woman with red hair and shattering blue eyes stop whatever it was she was doing and walk around the kitchen island toward her with a beautiful smile. Well, well, well! This must be the one and only Tivex we’ve heard so much about.

Tivex felt her herself blushing. I am, um, rather, that is…I do apologize, but I seem to be at a loss for words.

Gotcha covered! said Vincent introducing them. Tivex, Mom. Mom, Tivex.

The woman smiled and took Tivex’s hand from Vincent’s, shaking it warmly. It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Tivex. My name is Emma.

Tivex shyly bowed her head. It is nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Dorran.

Oh, no, no, no! It’s Emma or Mom around here! said Emma sweetly.

Tivex nodded her head. Yes, ma’am.

There was laughter from the island as another man who had originally had his back turned toward her turned around. The man stood up and grinned at Alor. Yep, she’s your daughter alright!

Alor smirked back at the man. Indeed.

The man was tall. He moved with graceful manner and had a chiseled face. Tivex felt instinctively that this man commanded authority. He walked over to Tivex and stuck his hand out as well. Nick Dorran, Tivex. It’s good to have you here.

Tivex again felt her head bow down as she shook the man’s hand. Colonel Dorran, it is very nice to make your acquaintance.

Colonel, huh? grinned Nick with the same ferocity Tivex had seen in Vincent. Not anymore, honey. I’m officially retired. It’s just Nick now.

Not if I had anything to say about it, came another voice from the island, and if you would’ve listened to me, I would’ve had you in admiral status by now.

Tivex watched Nick smile and turn back around. Forget it, Mikey, like I told you before, my place is here now.

Waste of a damned fine officer if you ask me, said the other man.

Nick looked back at Tivex and winked at her. Don’t mind Master Admiral Soren. Now that he’s the big shot around here, he thinks he can forget this is a party and talk business all day long.

Tivex saw the other man stand up from his seat. Powerfully built with salt and pepper hair, Soren looked to have seen his share of fighting. He had piercing green eyes, which Tivex thought could burn a hole through plate steel if he wanted them to. Although he was in casual attire, Tivex noted that Soren’s appearance came off much differently that the others seated around the island. Soren walked up to Nick and grabbed his shoulder. I know, I know. Sorry, Nick, old habit I guess. Soren eyed Tivex carefully and finally stuck his hand out to greet her. Well, Ms. Tivex, I’m glad to know you.

Tivex felt her head bow even lower at meeting an IEC master admiral and shyly shook his hand. It is a true pleasure, sir.

Soren whipped his head around to Alor and Xa’anni. Why didn’t you tell me she was so big already? Has it really been that long?

Xa’anni nodded her head. You know as well as we do we should have done this a long time ago.

Not to mention the small matter of always putting the rebuilding of this planet before rebuilding our personal lives has always been a problem, sir, added Alor.

Soren shook his head and looked back at the others. My god, why didn’t someone say something?

We tried, huffed an Omarian seated next to Alor, his black, gray, and white tail twitching slightly as he adjusted the spectacles on his snout, but time is hard to come by when you let too much of it slip through your paws, sir.

Tivex saw Soren walk back to his seat and gulp a drink down quickly. I know that, Lokias. Still though, I guess…I mean, I didn’t realize how much we all needed some downtime.

Which is exactly why I retired, said Nick.

I don’t blame you, said the Omarian. I would, but I never got around to having a family, and besides, I need to break in your replacement.

Nick grinned. Kagen is a good man, Lokias, one of the best actually. He’s gonna run circles around anything I ever did.

I doubt that, said Soren. I’ve known Kagen since, well, you know, you were there. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good man, but he doesn’t have the heart you do.

Nick patted Tivex on her shoulder and rejoined the adults. Believe me, Mike, John has more tricks up his sleeve that you give him credit for. He can surprise you without you seeing it coming.

Why is Captain Kagen not here? asked Alor.

I have him off world right now, answered Lokias. He’s meeting with the Hydron and Sageve master admirals to get better acquainted with his new role. I’m not giving him admiral until I know for sure he can hack it.

Tivex nearly jumped when she felt Vincent squeeze her hand. Come on, they’re talking business again, and it’s gonna get boring really quick in here.

In proper Akoni fashion, Tivex nodded at the adults. It was very nice meeting you all, and I thank you for inviting my family and me into your house.

Emma smiled down at her and looked back at Xa’anni. Oh my god, she is just like you! Just a little shorter!

Xa’anni grinned with pride. Thank you, my friend, yes, Tivex is a blessing to us.

Emma looked at Vincent. Why don’t you take Tivex outside and show her your treehouse? I’ll bet she’d love to see that.

Mom! said Vincent with shock, trying to shush her, Are you nuts? The treehouse is for boys only! No girl’s ever been in there! That’s, like, that’s a violation of my civil liberties!

No, the violation is going to be me grounding you right now for not doing what I told you to do, said Emma with a dangerous tone in her voice.

For the first time since she had known him, Tivex watched Vincent back down. He dropped his head down and scowled, Yes, ma’am.

She’s still got it, huh? Tivex heard Soren ask Nick.

More than you know, Mikey, answered Nick.

Tivex was led out of the kitchen by Vincent, but right before they turned the corner to go outside, something caught Tivex’s eye. It was a framed photograph hanging near the entrance to the living room that she had missed earlier. At a quick glance, Tivex could see younger versions of her parents, the Dorrans, Master Admiral Soren, Master Admiral Lokias, and a few others she did not know standing