Crosses

By Daniel Troy Dickson

Picking up immediately after their last adventure we find Amelia and Olivia facing a new challenge.

Without government oversight, they must find themselves before they attempt to stop a galactic war. Like all of us, they fear and accept the future for what it is... unknown. The only thing they know they can count on is each other... till t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel Dickson
• Release date: Apr 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087876436

Book preview

Dedication

Dedicated to my best friend. Friendships, true friendships are hard to find. If you are lucky enough to have a best friend, never let them go.

Creators

© Daniel Dickson

I hope you enjoy it this as much I as did writing it.

Daniel Dickson

San Diego California

Instagram: @dtdninja

Cover Design by Nolan Yalda

nolanyalda.com

Table of Content

Dedication

Creators

Table of Content

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Part II

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Part III

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Part I

One

Where are they taking her? Those ass-leaks better not destroy her. Olivia had genuine concern in her voice.

On the viewscreen we could see the OAsis being hauled up and airlifted.

There’s a shipyard not far from here. They’ll begin repairs as soon as possible. Till then, I suggest we develop a solid exit strategy. There wasn’t much else I could do to ease her concerns.

The room the Hlysnan brought us into was much like the last, creamy white smooth lines with a small mound and a computer. Standing across from them, the weight of my new mission, if you will, was starting to have an effect on me. Olivia was bent over the viewscreen ensuring the OAsis made it, the Hlysnan assisting her. Olivia was looking more and more concerned with each second.

The exit strategy is to get the OAsis up and running, then get off this rock. Hlysnan, these are how most of our plans are made. Also, what’s your name? The Hlysnan is a title. What’s your actual name? I was doing my best to have some sort of conversation.

She looked up from the viewscreen. I guess I’ve only ever gone by the title. Where I’m from there is no need for a name.

Wait, what? How the fuck do you not have a name and where exactly are you from again? That was a bit unclear earlier. Olivia had a point, but now was neither the time nor the place.

O’, we’ll question her later once we’re off this heap of a planet. Let’s just start with a name. If you don’t have one, we’ll just give you one. How about Hana?

The Hlysnan squinted, Yeah, I like the sound of that.

Their arms were crossed over one another at the computer and they seemed to get along well. Olivia demanded to know when our ship would be ready, concerned they were going to break her. While Hana, excited to help, showed her what the crew was doing to the OAsis.

Are we just supposed to hole up here in this room till it’s done? I’m sure our faces are plastered all over this place. We are going to need food and a place to crash soon.

Ah yes, that’s the Amelia I know, always planning and seeking out the best strategy. Unfortunately, we cannot leave this building. You are right, you two are most wanted, and there is very little I can do about that. There are sleeping quarters in the back. We will have to go and search the other floors of this building. Neither the Senator nor I have a need for food or sleep so there is no kitchen here.

She stood and looked up at me. I didn’t know what she was expecting, but it looked like she wanted me to say something. Without saying anything or crossing the room, I understood what she wanted from me.

O’, we still have comms, I’m gonna take Hana and find some food. Monitor the OAsis and alert me if anything comes up.

Olivia, still chewing some gum, looked up. You got it, Cap. Oh, and if you could see if you can’t get me some macaroni and cheese. Ooo! Or chicken strips… Oh! and if you do find chicken strips, see if you can’t get some BBQ sauce.

You’re such a child sometimes. Is there anything else I can get you, Highness?

She blew a bubble and popped it loudly. Nope, that’ll do. Thanks, Ames. She smiled and went back to her screen.

Grabbing the foisted assault rifle, I checked and cleared the chamber, pulled it over my shoulder and cinched it tight.

Let’s move, O’ needs to be fed. But I need to ask you a question. Hana, how do you protect yourself?

Throughout the Senate realm I am known only as the Senator’s wife. I should have no problems moving through this building. We had it evacuated once you two… arrived. Actually, I am beloved by the people. There is no need for me to protect myself, as there is no danger.

I see, well, if you're gonna be riding with us, you’ll need to be armed, so take this.

Bending down, I untied my dagger and sheath and handed it to her. She protested a little, then understood that I wasn’t backing down and took it.

She led me down a short corridor silently, lit only by emergency lights emanating from the floor. Pressing a panel on the wall, she brought me to a bedroom. It was a massive master, with a shower and a single huge bed.

Olivia will love this. I take it this was your bedroom. I laughed. She’ll want to share the bed.

Actually, the Senator and I shared this bedroom. We decided that since we looked like husband and wife, we should try it all the way through. I have to say, I didn’t care for it.

Then you weren’t doing it right. Obviously, if you just laid there wide awake, it would be awful.

Shutting the door behind us, we continued down the hall.

There should be a staff galley one floor below us. There’s a small staircase just down the hall. But talk to me, I am sure you have questions. What’s on your mind? You’ve been relatively quiet.

The hall was longer than she made it seem, and hunger was really starting to strike me. Look, I’m too hungry and too tired to talk. I want Olivia to be a part of any existential talks we have. Let’s eat, sleep and get off this boring ball of mud.

Without pausing she said, I find it interesting that you and Olivia call planets rocks and whatnot. It’s such a simplistic view, almost humorous.

You understand humor?

I understand that others often make jokes and those jokes cause them to laugh and feel moments of happiness. I don’t think I’ve ever felt it, but I can see how someone could find that to be humorous.

Oh, okay. So, you don’t understand humor. Got it. At this point, I just wanted to know how close we were to food.

The climb down the stairs was quick and dark. We entered a large staff lunchroom, finding tables with food on them and some misplaced chairs, as if everyone left in a hurry. The scent of people and old food still wafted through the room.

Heading back to the galley, there were tons of stuff to eat. Nothing from Earth, although I looked for anything resembling macaroni and cheese. I found clear packets of something called Zuplletts. They were in a brown-green sauce and looked like maybe noodles were in there as well. There were some bread rolls, cheese and some tea, all of which I stuck in a box I found in the back.

On the way back, there was silence. Not awkward, just silent, till I broke it. There is a childlike innocence about you. You specifically said you weren’t a god, but clearly you have godlike qualities. And yet you have no real idea of what makes up life. At the same time, you understood enough to decide to take, what I’m guessing, is a huge risk.

She paused in the hall in front of me, then kept walking, heading back to Olivia.

You’re right, Amelia. There are many things I know, and I suppose from where you see me, I can be looked upon as a god. I promise, you and I are not that different. At least, I don’t think so. You two have already taught me so much in the short time you’ve been here. I dismissed the Senator to allow some time for me to fully assess what it is you mean. I’ve only ever been who I am, never once considering that I was much different.

Across the room, Olivia just stared at us. Whatcha two talking about? Did you find macaroni and cheese?

I’ll let you continue explaining to me how you’re not a god later. But for now, we’ll concentrate on getting out of here. Olivia, sweetie, I didn’t find any macaroni and cheese. You’ll have to make something out of whatever this is. I said, holding up some food packets.

Sliding the box across the table, her eyes got wide as she started poking through it. She pulled out a piece of bread and started to gnaw on it.

With crumbs falling out of her mouth, Olivia managed to speak. Hey Hana, is there any way I can send these instructions over on how they should be putting the OAsis back together? I’ve typed them here, and I really think they’re going to need me.

Those are the best engineers and technicians in all of the Senate. I assure you they will put your ship back together properly. Hana held her ground.

Fuuuck nooo! I don’t give a good goddamn who these mindless morons are! Now either I go down there, or you give them my instructions.

I see. Very well then. As Hana crossed the room, she pulled a small piece of bread out of the box and nibbled on it while transferring the instructions to the people working. She placed the bread on the side of the desk. Before I could blink, she was gone. Suddenly, we could see her walking through a small door off to the side, going over the instructions with the workers. A blink and a half later, she popped right back, standing next to us and picking up her piece of bread.

So… wait? How the hell did you just do that? In Olivia’s defense it was an excellent question. Hana made it look impressive and effortless.

I am not sure if I can explain the mechanics behind it, and I only say that because I don’t know. I simply think of being somewhere and I am. I can’t take anyone or anything with me. The clothes you see me in are a part of my existence in this universe.

Olivia was just staring, mouth open.

I started pacing. Hold on, so your clothes are a part of you, meaning you’re not made of skin and bones like we are?

Not in so many words I am made of simple carbon, of which I can reorder their shape and structure. When I travel, I simply put these carbon particles in the new space within the same configuration. The expression on her face gave the impression that she was struggling with her conversion of thoughts to words.

As fascinating as this was, I wondered if she’d ever appeared in my life in another form.  So, can you change your appearance?

"Yes, I suppose I can, I chose this appearance several millennia ago. But also, I feel like changing my physical appearance would be disingenuous. I need people to be able to trust me so if I go around shifting, I fear this will bring about and