Endpoint: Book 2: New Life

By JW Griffin

The Endpoint series continues as Ryan and Violet make first contact with a god-like mega-neutron star. The encounter draws them into a veritable star chamber and a questionable welcome. Using images from Ryan’s own memory, the otherworldly encounter conveys a message and a path to discover long-lost technology.

Meanwhile, the Daerk rampage drives on, and countless stellar structures fall to the Lumuera. Unchecked proliferation of the darkness creates an imbalance in the galaxy and draws the attention of other powerful, advanced species, each with uncertain motives.

From Ryan’s perspective, a curious gravity draws together a handful of survivors. As the number of aligned associates grows, Ryan and Violet make a shocking discovery, and even stranger alliances are forged. With a growing rebellion that includes outcasts and gangsters, the line between enemies and allies is blurred.

The deeper Ryan and Violet wade into this New Life, the more they come to understand the dangerous double-edge of their role. In a precarious dance between salvation and destruction, the battles to come will involve manipulating time and unleashing forces of pure power. To become a conduit of these forces and restrain their cataclysmic nature, Ryan must be prepared to sacrifice everything—even his own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JW Griffin
• Release date: May 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781733678469

JW Griffin

J.W. Griffin has often gazed up into the starry night and imagined a chance meeting someday in an off-world cantina. Convinced he was born on the right planet in the wrong time, he has to remind himself that interplanetary travel is not yet a reality. His coping mechanism is to write about the experience.With a penchant for otherworldly adventure, he is an avid scuba diver and former air cargo captain. Interests in anthropology and religion propelled him through a B.A. from Lewis and Clark College. He draws from these interests and writes with a desire to capture moments that transcend basic human instinct.J.W. Griffin currently resides in Oregon with his family and two rowdy Bouvier des Flandres.

Book preview

1

Recognition

How does one approach an unfamiliar Neutronian to determine recognition when the required proximity for contact would likely cause destruction?

Virginia

A solitary silhouette slumped and swayed softly in the small, dark cabin. Her personal quarters contained a rack, a tall metal wardrobe, and a desk at the foot of the bed. Two overhead lights were dimmed down to a burnt orange. Just above the point where the desktop mounted to the wall, a recessed accessory light cast a dim beam across the surface. A glow reflected off the face of the pixie-haired Centauri warrior as she sat with her head bowed over a tablet. A svelte, lithe neck craned to hold the long and slightly triangular face of Eschala Khattara Menduvalli. The outer edges of her almond-shaped eyes were upturned and separated by little more than an eye’s width. Large and protruded, they sat above high, prominent cheekbones. She squinted as her eyes danced back and forth, transfixed by the text. Slender fingers fidgeted over stubble at the base of her head. Fingernails sourced from perfect purple half-moon arcs extended out to jagged and varying short lengths. Embedded with recent grit and grime, her nails grazed lightly in a thoughtless racetrack over rough, healing skin.

The movement stopped as she squinted and tilted her head. Dark brown eyes edged with brilliant violet traversed the same line of text several times. Her thumb and forefinger came to her lips while her other hand clutched the loose cable knit blanket wrapped around her. Eschala’s gaze lifted as she disrupted the quiet. Virginia, are you present and available?

Always and with certainty, Khattara Eschala. How can I help?

I’m reading an entry in Ryan’s journal.

Yes, I have been reading along with you.

Of course. Eschala smiled. Can you help me translate the last paragraph?

Certainly. May I ask a question?

Smiling more widely, Eschala responded, I think we’ve already covered this. Technically, you’re asking two questions.

I do appreciate our banter, but, as of yet, I’m unable to create laughter.

In your own way, I think you just did. What’s your second question?

Why in English? Your reading rate is nearly five times faster in your native language.

Eschala’s smile faded, and she looked off through a portal into deep space. I think there are nuances in each language that more precisely carry the intended message. I don’t want to miss anything.

Is that the primary reason or the singular reason?

Eschala looked up and smiled. You are very perceptive, Virginia. I’m not yet accustomed to you knowing before I do what I’m feeling. She nodded for a moment. Somehow, knowing his language makes me feel closer to Ryan. If he’s lost or in some kind of duress, maybe he’ll hear me in his own native tongue.

Are you still under the perception that he is somehow displaced?

Eschala nodded again. That’s the best way to put it. His connection isn’t gone, it’s just displaced. She looked down again to read the side-by-side translation Virginia provided. That’s what I thought it said. It’s curious how… She cocked her head and began again. We’re getting closer to the galactic fringes. When we do reach them, we could use a boost back to the known systems. Do you know how to initiate travel with the extended network of Neutronians?

I am unsure of the exact mechanisms or the source nature of the connection. In all my contact with entities other than the original sponsor Neutronian, the commander was always present initially and unlocked the stream. My understanding is that Ryan initially received some form of galactic recognition or invitation from the species. Perhaps subsequent segments within the next entry will provide additional detail.

---

Personal Record

---

CDR M. Ryan McBain

---

Date: Day One, New Life

---

So there we were, the four of us, on the fringes of our galaxy looking inward. Two Makers, a human, and a synthetic—all guardians. Each had taken an oath to block the path of invaders, even if it meant self-sacrifice. We failed on all accounts. I could feel a common thread of shame woven through us all—even through the elevated beings. Like a lingering stench, it wafted in and out of our consciousnesses. We were the joke, the sick punch line, and the endings of our respective species. We had been left to whimper off into some corner and perish. Instead, a curious gravity had drawn us together, and now, now we were found. Even though it was just the four of us, a power and a hope surged through me like I’d never felt before. Few things in the universe are more dangerous than a cadre of feral ronin cradling a grudge. Just over the horizon, I could feel a terrible rumble drawing nearer. So it was that I, the youngest among us, would forge the path to a higher sense of something larger at play.

Much work lay ahead, but first we would have to gain a key alliance. We needed the Neutronians so we could begin our focus on the most important component. My first lessons with the old man reinforced a universal axiom: Energy is life. All other necessities come second. Capturing, shaping, directing, and hiding energy were cornerstones to survival in a dangerous pool of pirates, thugs, and regional opportunistic forces. The Neutronians could provide us with a literal path to rediscover and gather source components.

I had thought gaining their cooperation would be an easy sell. My new Neutronian friend felt like family. She’d provided me with Violet, after all. I’d had favorable luck with other stars in past years, and I thought it was obvious that a common enemy was swallowing their kind. Also, they were elevated beings that shared some kind of connection; it was reasonable to suppose they would also share a common sense of survival. Given these preconceived notions, the first audience with them was spirited. If I’d known of their true power, I would have been far less lippy. I lived because they recognized me in some strange way; perhaps they knew of me from the Tereshkova contact with my beloved Sun. All others in similar circumstances would have been ignored and instantly destroyed in their presence.

---

Eschala’s head lifted, and she nodded gently.

Virginia spoke first. Without the type of recognition Ryan mentions in his log, it is unlikely that we would survive an attempt to communicate with a fringe Neutronian. All my prior contacts were initiated or introduced by Ryan. There is a certain paradox in this model. How does one approach an unfamiliar Neutronian to determine recognition when the required proximity for contact would likely cause destruction?

Eschala continued to gently nod her head. That’s a bit of a problem. It would be a major leap of faith. That is, unless you were traveling with someone who’s already been recognized and invited.

Are you indicating that a prior experience causes you to believe you possess galaxy-wide recognition by the Neutronians?

The Centauri smiled widely and nodded. Handy, huh?

Do you have a level of near certainty on your authorization?

Eschala chuckled. Yep.

If I possessed the capacity to laugh aloud, I believe this would be a moment when it would be appropriate to affect it with vigor.

Eschala laughed again. Yes, I agree. Locate the nearest Neutronian, and make haste for it.

I am slightly altering our course for the next and nearest.

2

No Man’s Land

After a few moments, the presence of hundreds of other Neutronians repositioned behind Ryan and Ellie.

Ryan tapped at the screen several times, narrowing down the various flight profiles. He nodded, made a final selection, and loaded it into the navigation system.

Commander, I see the profile you have programmed. I do not need to remind you that passing through a super neutron star, even at faster than light speeds, is problematic. Further complicating our chance of survival is the momentary cessation of speed and course change within the core. On what basis do you believe this will create a favorable outcome?

Ryan smiled and nodded. I feel good about this. It’s like this is what she wants us to do.

She?

Yeah. The old man and I were communicating with that supersized neutron down there—

Your basis for this action is from an extended spacewalk inside a highly irradiated cargo ship in which you had a conversation sourced from a hallucination?

Vision. It was a vision. There’s a difference, and yeah, we had a kind of a chat. It was more like a picture book really. There was a long pause. You still there, Vi?

Affirmative. I am having difficulty calculating and mapping outcomes using variables based upon the logic of your feeling.

Ryan smiled widely. Yeah. This’ll either be the beginning of something new or the shortest insurgency in history. Either way, it’s a path where both outcomes are consistent with our designs. Quantity of courage is the only thing holding us back.

My job, in part, is to differentiate between reckless abandon and heroic action.

That’s so funny; I’ve been told I have issues distinguishing those.

There is no humor in that confusion.

Ryan laughed aloud. Come on, Vi; that was a joke.

The appreciation of your wit is self-contained, as is the basis for your logic. In reference to our situation, I do not understand where we are currently in the decision process.

Ryan nodded. "We gotta go in there, Vi. That’s where our future lies. Trust in me. If not in me, ask the old man. You can math or something with him, right?"

I am attempting to confer with the Maker.

Ryan looked around for a few seconds and raised his eyebrows. He tapped his finger on the console and pursed his lips. Hey, how long’s this gonna take? Ryan opened his eyes wide and looked around. Vi, are you there?

I am still present and otherwise occupied.

Are you having a vision?

Negative. The Maker has provided appropriate variables, and using his quantum calculations, there is a basis of support for taking this action.

So you feel like we should go into the super neutron too?

I agree based upon a mathematical model, which is not the same as a feeling. There is a difference.

Ryan smiled widely and sat in the command chair. He took several large breaths as he looked out on the giant star, and Violet noted his heart rate increase. Before she could verbally confirm his intent to proceed, Ryan mumbled, We’re gonna do this; we’re gonna jump into a damn star. Nodding his head, he whispered, Audentes fortuna...

Commander, please say again?

I said, ‘let’s do this thing.’ Ready when you are, my brave friend.

Violet jumped into the core. Ryan woke to an omnipresent, blinding light. He brought his hand up to shield his eyes and realized he had no hand. After taking a moment to adjust, he could feel differing levels of brilliant light. Ryan was filled with joy when he recognized that the sphere of light just next to him was the presence of the old man. Just off and to his other side, he could sense Violet in the form of a second smaller sphere. Far brighter and further out was the Neutronian. She was enormous, and the brilliance of her presence was overpowering. Ryan couldn’t focus directly on her, but he did feel her attention come upon him. Just after, he felt a joyous welcome in her presence. He saw a visual image of velvety rose petals showering down and swirling all around him. He was reminded of the fragrance of roses from his home world. Ryan saw a memory from childhood when he had taken Aunty Belle’s hand as they approached the office of the school principal. Before he could formulate concern, he felt displaced to somewhere else.

When the sensation of movement stopped, the old man and Violet were still close by. They were surrounded by perhaps more than a thousand other Neutronians. Ryan couldn’t be sure; focusing on any single one of them was overwhelming. He felt something from the old man. It was a strange sensation, like a bitter twinge of sadness. When he turned his focus toward the Maker, he saw images. One was a picture of Ryan floating unconscious in Earth’s orbit during the Daerk attack, and the other was the glow of the old man near a yellow and orange planet. The next image was an animation zooming in on the Milky Way to a point near the core, where the yellow and orange planet came into focus. Ryan thought for a moment and spoke through his mind. We’re near your home? He could see an image of the old man clad in catcher’s gear, nodding, as one of the largest Neutronians came near. Ryan turned toward it and felt heat, as if he was being inspected by a blow torch. The energy from the being reminded him of an incident in his childhood when a grumpy neighbor had lost a certain pet after an ill-timed explosion.

Ryan could feel a force of repulsion and momentarily felt displaced again. Several other Neutronians came near and pulled Ryan back. Three in particular moved between Ryan and the grumpy blowtorch Neutronian.

The mass of energy and flashes between them caused Ryan pain. He could feel the old man move forward to shield him.

Strong and sharp, Ryan screamed out, Stop! Instead of hearing sound, he could see his own light pulsing. He focused hard on the memory of the Sun being consumed. He allowed himself to return to that moment and opened his mind to relive the profound sense of loss at seeing Her light disappear. The flashes from the others ceased, and he could feel their focus. Ryan understood that the audience could see through his memories. A rage from within bubbled to the surface, and he imagined the Octahedron consuming each one of the Neutronians present. Had he possessed arms, he would have pointed at each of them. A slew of more subtle flashes passed among the larger group. They were interrupted by the grumpy Neutronian. He showed Ryan images in the following order: a fly, a grain of sand, a stain slide of microscopic bacteria, and then Ryan shrinking in scale next to a Neutronian star.

Ryan focused on a visual of someone trying unsuccessfully to swat down a fly. He projected this imagery to the audience. He showed them a grain of sand blowing out and vanishing anonymously into a sea of dunes. Then he showed a bacterium on someone’s hand, then inside the being, and finally a sheet being drawn over the body’s head. Ryan imagined a clock ticking off next to their gathering while in the distance the Lumuera had taken the opportunity to begin consuming another star. He projected his vision standing in the palm of Dvarah’s hand. With arms extended, Ryan drew energy from all around him. Through his chest, the confluence of light erupted and consumed the Lumuera.

A moment of calm was followed by powerful flashes originating from all around him. The old man surrounded Ryan to protect him from the energy. Peering out, Ryan could see his sponsor Neutronian come near. He saw an enormous swarm of fragrant rose petals around him. For a moment, he could look upon Her, and in that instant, he felt the name Ellie. After a few moments, the presence of hundreds of other Neutronians repositioned behind Ryan and Ellie.

The grumpy Neutronian was quiet while many others continued to move toward Ryan. As the majority of their number voted in his support, Ryan felt the heat again from the grumpy one’s focus. The human winced from a slew of images and felt rapidly displaced.

Ryan woke with a start on Violet’s bridge. He rose too quickly with a spinning head and found himself back down on all fours. Nausea nearly overcame him, and his head felt as though it had split in two.

Commander? Commander, can you hear me?

Ryan waved a hand over his head. Ghah, standby!

The neural tissue in your brain is aggravated, and your serotonin levels are off the chart.

Alternatively squinting and opening his eyes wide, Ryan mumbled, Yeah, I got that.

Do you understand what just occurred?

Ryan sat back on his haunches and put fingertips to his forehead. Yeah. There’s no way you can look past feelings to explain all that with math.

Commander—Ryan—there was only math there.

Ryan shook his head. You tellin’ me you didn’t feel that grumpy old bastard coming after me?

I saw the waves of energy and the imagery between you, but I sensed no malice.

Oh, he was pissed I was there alright. If it wasn’t for Ellie and the old man, we would’ve been ejected before we could speak.

Who is Ellie?

Without looking, Ryan raised his arm and pointed out the forward portal to the nearby Neutronian. Her; She’s Ellie. I think She picked Her name right in the middle of that bender. She’s definitely a shining light. Ryan nodded and chuckled. I really like Her.

In the final moments, I saw imagery from the lead Neutronian. Do you understand them?

There was quite a bit. Let’s go through each one.

There was imagery focused around a particular species of insect. Were these creatures indigenous to Earth?

Yep, that was an ant hill. We saw a colony of ants. Maybe it means we’re supposed to work together like a colony? Or perhaps the Neutronians are like a colony; there were quite a few of them.

That is a potential meaning to the visual representation. In that light, how would you interpret the end of that visual segment? The imagery showed the creatures in the process of attacking others in a swarm and taking resources back to their enclave.

Yeah, that didn’t seem consistent with the energy or tone of the Neutronians. Hey, did you see that brilliant red and green sea slug?

Was that the submerged creature?

Yeah, they carry their lungs outside the body. Do you think it means we’re somehow exposed?

Perhaps. The creature appeared to be foraging.

Yeah, they’re interesting critters. They absorb what they eat; it changes their color, and they use what they consume to create energy. Ryan thought for a moment, recalling the visual, and his head shook gently. The imagery showed the creature growing to a grossly abnormal size. The one in the vision was like the size of a bus, and it definitely looked menacing. They normally don’t keep growing like that. I don’t understand that reference.

Perhaps these images are statements of caution.

The next one sure was. That was a memory from my childhood. Hadley and I were out on a frozen pond, or at least we thought it was. The ice dipped down toward the center. Once we stepped on it, we started to slide at an accelerated rate down toward the middle. No matter what I did, I couldn’t stop. Turns out the center was thin, and I ended up falling through. Ryan tensed his cheek. So they’re telling us that we’re on thin ice. Great insight. Tell me something I don’t know.

Did the final series also depict other Earth creatures?

Yeah. I kept seeing various predatory animals hunting and killing prey.

Did you understand the manner in which the motion of the imagery momentarily froze?

Yeah, that was a reference to someone taking pictures. On my home world, humans enjoyed observing the activities of wild animals in their environment. Typically though, that wasn’t exclusive to moments of attack or death.

Was this monitoring a passive activity?

What do you mean?

Did humans become involved or influence the behavior of animals? Did humans stop the predators?

No. I think I know where you’re going with this.

This reference is likely tied to the Neutronians lack of active involvement in the matters of other species. In my entire archive, there is no mention or reference to a single engagement or communication with a Neutronian.

I get the sense that big grumpy bastard wasn’t real excited about involvement with us.

It does appear that these stellar entities are governed by a collective voice.

Maybe. Why do you think that?

The majority of the beings repositioned behind our group. Also, the largest leader did not terminate us.

Ryan raised his eyebrows. Yet. He didn’t terminate us yet.

3

More Time

At point blank range, five swiping deathblows pierced nearly every compartment from bow to stern.

Ryan was sitting at a console on the command deck when the background color shading in the room turned yellow. What’s up?

Violet spoke up. Proximity alert; ship approaching.

Ryan tapped on a console and pulled up the image of the approaching ship. It’s another Paavi cargo ship. No worries. Ellie is a common gravity sling for merchants and passenger transport. We’re in a low enough orbit; they shouldn’t see us.

Second echo! This one is rising out of a lower orbit on an intercept for the Paavi vessel.

Ryan’s eyes grew wide. Daerk.

Confirmed; how did you know?

A guess. With a hand over his heart, he took a deep breath. They were here lying in wait. How did we miss them before?

Unknown. It is possible they entered orbit on the far side.

Any indication they’re aware of our presence?

Negative. Knowing their nature, it is likely they would have attacked us earlier had they known of our presence.

Ryan studied the console and watched the approaching Paavi ship. His head began to shake. What are you doing? God’s sake, alter course!

Say again, commander.

The Paavi, they’re not altering course. They’re headed right into the Daerk. Ryan rubbed his shoulder and pinched his brows together. No, no, no! This is not good.

Commander, your heart rate has increased dramatically. What is your status?

Disturbed. Ryan popped up and took three steps before doubling back. He paced for several seconds and continued to look back at the monitor. He panted, trying to catch his breath. Teinoh.

Is your condition associated with the incoming Paavi vessel?

Ryan’s palms were clammy and his throat dry. Yeah. This is how they murdered my family. He remembered the deafening sound of enemy fire hitting the Walach family ship. Ryan winced, thinking about the violent jarring that had thrown him across the engineering compartment. He mumbled hoarsely, I…I can’t be there again.

You are not there. You are currently the captain on the command deck of a fully operational battle platform, and we are with you. Commander, state your orders.

Something very old moved in and among the shadows of Ryan’s memory, and his head lifted. His mind stretched far back in time. The glare of the Sun outlined the back of an older boy who had just shoved Hadley to the ground. Ryan recalled sailing through the air and striking the back of the boy’s head. Small curls formed at the edges of his mouth. There’s always one on each playground.

Commander, please augment and repeat.

What’s your tactical analysis of that Daerk corvette?

While I do not have detailed schematics, power output values, or specifics regarding standard weaponry, I do have a general sense that we hold an advantage over them.

You sayin’ we could take ‘em?

Affirmative. Handedly.

Ryan’s smile blossomed full. Thank you. Swing us around and accelerate down into a lower orbit. Make way around this arc here. He traced a route in the nav system around Ellie’s northern pole. With increased speed, we’ll rise up and ambush them out of the glare. See how they like it.

Understood. We are already in motion.

It’s been awhile. Ryan paused and nodded. "Prepare for hostile engagement. Implement combat configuration Anshra-two. Just to confirm, that’s the one at point six light and weapons configured for short range melee, right?"

"Affirmative, confirming Anshra-two. Fast, tight, and ferocious."

Ryan spoke through a tight cheek. Yes, she was. He flexed his fist and tried to conjure strength from her memory. Plot an intercept to that corvette. Make it nearly a collision, inside fifteen hundred meters. Let’s come up under her from the stern. As we pass, I’ll lase them with a strafing cut. As we egress off their bow, I want you to launch a barrage of ship-to-ship missiles the moment we’re past. Launch them forward. When they’re eight lengths off our bow, have them cross and reverse toward the target. I’d like a superlight micro-jump just before they pass back by us. Take us out a third of a standard astronomical unit, swing us around, and jump us right back into tight orbit with Ellie.

All decks rigged for red, power distribution configured as directed, target package confirmed, and the array is nearly charged. Commander, even if automated, the velocity you have cued will diminish the accuracy of the photon rake as we pass the Daerk corvette.

Leave the speed to me. Where’s that Paavi transport now?

The Paavi ship has taken fire and has multiple hull breaches. There appear to be at least three hundred beings on the vessel. I believe they are trying to get down lower to Ellie’s surface.

Looking down at the console, Ryan saw the Daerk had taken position above the transport. His head ticked nervously, and he remembered the blast on the Walach ship that had rendered him unconscious. The Daerk were raining fire down on the disabled vessel just like they’d done before. Ryan remembered the limp weight of Teinoh’s hand and the moment he had left his brother lying in the passage. The memory physically jarred Ryan into the present. Stop it. Ryan blurted out. Stop it right now!

Commander?

Time to target?

We are accelerating. Thirty seconds to intercept.

Sparkling orbs continued to rain down off the Daerk corvette and into the defenseless Paavi.

We’ve gotta get there quicker. Redirect more energy to propulsion, or we’re gonna lose ‘em.

Augmenting, but it will diminish the power of our fire. It may tip the engagement in favor of the Daerk.

Do— Ryan’s focus was captured by a bright flash as the Paavi ship came apart.

The transport has been destroyed.

Noooo! Goddamn you!

Commander, our position is revealed. The corvette is pivoting around.

Continue. Prepare to engage. These bastards are dead.

We are coming into range. They are firing!

Two sparkling balls of energy emerged from the corvette’s forward cannons.

Evasive!

Ryan drank in a long, slow breath and closed his eyes. Just like before on the ballfield, his mind focused and pressed down on the moment. He could feel the old man’s presence right behind him. Rattled and damaged, his soul buffeted through the wake of so many memories of loss throughout his lifetime. He pushed through the chop of his past and into the smooth clarity of the moment. His presence became singular and cold, like a mako shark closing in. Ryan felt a sensation of compression as time dramatically slowed around them.

Violet aggressively pitched the ship from side to side to avoid enemy fire. While his body was displaced into the seat restraints, Ryan’s mind was rock solid and secure. Though his eyes were closed, he saw outside through the old man’s presence. The corvette was just beyond and passing by in slow motion. He targeted weapons batteries, portals, and—expressly—the command bridge. Ryan fired and fired and fired, so many times that he exhausted the available energy in the photon laser array. In real time, a frenzied kaleidoscope of light pulsed and shimmered off Ryan’s new ship. The reflections danced and flashed across the command bridge. For years, Ryan had been buried under a paralyzing shale of fear and loss, but as the ship passed by the corvette, the Terran’s eyes shot wide open. In that instant, he saw the leading edge of dozens of explosions emanating from the corvette. He let go of the moment and felt a lurch forward into real time.

Ryan gasped for air as Violet declared, Missiles away.

Ryan watched as three missiles streamed off ahead, crisscrossed in front of them, and reversed direction, coming back head on. Just before Violet jumped the ship, Ryan looked back again at the badly damaged corvette. Several fires were jetting out into space. He could see debris scattering off the hull, and the ship appeared bent in the middle.

The missiles landed on target just after they emerged from the micro-jump. As Violet came around, Ryan squinted away momentarily from the flashes. When the light diminished, the majority of the Daerk vessel had disintegrated into many smaller fragments. The largest remaining segment was the aft engine section.

Ryan brought up a tight fist, and his torso clenched. Yeah! Screw you! Not so bad. Vi, they can be beaten!

The moment was interrupted by a separate flash off the starboard side. Another Daerk warship entered the space, and this one was a much larger frigate. She’d rolled in hot and begun firing on them the moment after entering. Violet was already in the cycle back toward Ellie and jumped just before incoming fire could touch them.

Daerk frigate entered the system!

Saw that.

The margin of superiority is smaller with that ship. It is unknown if we possess the power to survive an engagement with it. Logic dictates we should depart at once. I recommend jumping through Ellie for any other Neutronian destination. Would you like me to initiate a jump?

Ryan mumbled, More time.

Say again, commander?

Time. We need more time. We need to conceal our strength and our identity. It’s far too soon for them to know of us. Just after saying the words, Ryan felt displaced, as if the old man had physically run into him. He could see in the ballpark, but for the first time, it happened while he was awake in normal space.

Commander, it is no longer safe here. We must retreat. What are your orders?

Ryan could see the old man and turned toward a noise coming from the outfield. The Daerk were streaming through and rushing toward them. The image flipped quickly to that of the old man separating into multiples of himself and throwing balls at Ryan. Except this time, instead of balls coming toward him on the mound, he could see that it was the image of fire coming from multiple images of Violet. Ryan nodded. This is a little different than catching a few balls. He immediately saw the old man wagging his finger.

While his gaze was locked on the old man’s stare, Ryan heard the voice of his wise military academy commander, Sa Bom Nim Cho, echoing from his memory: …The best actions are the ones that do not gather notice from others. Subtlety and patience are benchmarks of perfection in the art of subterfuge… Then he heard his own voice loud and clear when he had spoken to Alpha squadron so many years ago: Trust me.

Ryan could see images of Daerk ships attacking Earth, and then the old man showed him images of millions of connected Maker souls being destroyed in the attack on his own species. He could feel a heat and a bitter pain from the old man.

OK. I get it, and I do trust you, but what would you have me do?

Commander, please say again. We are exposed. The Daerk are plotting a matrix on us. Enemy fire imminent! Should I jump?

Negative. I’m having a vision with the Maker. He wants us to…

Commander?

The old man was right in front of Ryan. His stare piercing, he leaned forward toward the human. Ryan looked down and saw the rifle on the ground. While he looked at it, it multiplied into five copies. Ryan nodded. OK then; we take ‘em. The old man smiled and nodded. He snatched the inside of Ryan’s forearm like an aerialist on a trapeze. Instantly, Ryan could see and feel multiples of himself and the Maker. They were centered on the axis where their arms interlocked. Ryan felt shaky, dizzy, and loosed. The old man squeezed his forearm, and Ryan breathed in deeply.

Violet, something’s happening.

Affirmative. I am receiving coding changes from the Maker. I do not understand what this means. It represents radical changes in navigation and propulsion. These changes will require extensive analysis and simulations.

Negative, no time. Load it; load the code.

Commander, what is happening?

Something powerful. I feel it; it’s coming.

What is coming?

Evolution. Nothing that came into this system is leaving the same way. We’re takin’ this frigate down. Death imminent. Energize weapons; bring all power reserves online. I need everything we have. I have weapons and helm. I need you to regulate power and engine output.

How is this going to work?

I’m not exactly sure.

Commander, is this going to work?

Yeah, pretty sure.

I am having difficulty modeling out a successful outcome.

There was a slight garbled distortion echoing in Ryan’s voice, as if he was transmitting across a great distance. Violet, lock in with us. Trust the Maker. Depend on me. Believe in us! Ryan took a deep breath and his head twitched. Pursing his lips and squinting, he mumbled, Pecca Fortiter.

Commander, say again.

Together we’re more—much more. We’re a force, and it all starts today. Believe in us!

Ryan was surrounded with another childhood memory. Winds kicked up, and the sky dimmed to a dark yellow. Debris swirled up and around and clattered through the air. He could hear the thunderous roar of the approaching twister, but this time he wasn’t fleeing into a storm cellar. In this moment, the rotation was spooling within his soul, and he faced up toward it. There was an incredible and exhilarating power growing tighter and faster. With the wind howling around him, Ryan closed his eyes, opened his arms, and let go.

The twister in his mind was a mile wide, and this EF5 was his own. As the rage swirled around him, the presence of the Maker came completely over him. Ryan felt a tremendous balance and focus through the old man. Though his eyes were closed, he could see the Daerk frigate in the space ahead. As energy rushed through his soul, he could feel Violet. Everything hung still in the initial moment of battle, and the pause was a familiar comfort. Even with a savage enemy preparing to fire upon them, there was a peacefulness in the captured millisecond.

Ryan saw a glow forming on the forward batteries of the Daerk frigate. The coding from the Maker allowed Violet to jump the ship into an altered multi-dimension. The old man winked and squeezed his grip. Like a cobra rising tall and spreading wide, Ryan could feel his presence fan out into separate and multiple instances. The Daerk were briefly aware that their target had instantly grown from one to five. Time compressed further, and Ryan advanced around the aggressor. In his mind’s eye, Ryan felt as though he’d straddled the enemy vessel. Five different versions of Ryan and Violet traversed from the bow toward the stern mere feet above the Daerk vessel.

Ryan’s mind screamed, "Rrrrraking fffffire!" A single concentrated beam of heavy energy emanated from five symmetrical sources and sliced deep down the length of the frigate. In real time, the confrontation was over instantly. At point blank range, five swiping deathblows pierced nearly every compartment from bow to stern. On the far side of the engagement, Violet returned to normal space and time.

Ryan groaned and sputtered as he tried to stand. A crimson trail trickled from his nose, and the whites of his eyes were shot with blood. Coughing, he fell to his hands and knees. Goddess. Ryan winced from the piercing head pain and lay on his side in a fetal position. Vi, we just…get us— Ryan’s body began convulsing, and Violet noted hemorrhaging in multiple areas of his central control organ.

He woke on the baseball field. The old man was there donning catcher’s gear. Ryan stared at him for a moment before he plopped down on the side of the mound with his head hung low. The Maker pulled up his mask, jogged out to him, and bent down. Ryan looked up. They’re still gone.

The Maker cocked his head.

Your people, my people, Violet’s people—they’re all gone. It didn’t change anything. It didn’t bring any of ‘em back. Ryan’s head dropped, and the Maker sat down next to him. He put his hand on the human’s shoulder and gently squeezed.

No matter what we do, there’s no going back.

The old man pursed his lips and nodded.

They sat there for a moment before the human nodded. "We sure stuck it to those