The Cosmic Artifact: Book 13 of The Evaran Chronicles: The Evaran Chronicles, #13

By Adair Hart

Universal breaches are usually not a good thing.

 

Evaran and the gang deal with an event that changes Earth's history. While investigating it, they come across the mention of a cosmic artifact. No one seems to know where it is or what it does other than it existed at one point.

 

One problem is that the cosmic artifact has been linked to the Gothlics, a brutal group that delights in torturing and killing anything they can get their hands on. They appear and mutilate everything, then disappear without a trace.

 

Another issue is that something has punched a hole in the universe. The Eight, a group of Palisin energy beings who oversee a federation with over a million civilizations, offer Murukhan, a half-Palisin alien, and his team the chance to join up with the gang to stop the Gothlics' threat and find the cosmic artifact.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adair Hart
• Release date: Aug 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201195823

Book preview

Contents

Title

Copyright Page

The Story so far

Evaran's Technology

Prologue

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Epilogue

Note from the Author

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Books in the Series

Title

Copyright © 2021 Adair Hart

All rights are reserved to the author. No part of this ebook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Editing done by Eliza Dee

Cover done by Tom Edwards

Interior design done by Colleen Sheehan

Proofread done by Jade Hemming

Published by Quantum Edge Publishing

www.AdairHart.com

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The story so far

- In The Arrival, The Evaran Chronicles prequel, a space- and time-traveling being known as Evaran rescues Jake Melkins and Kathy from a Seceltor slaver named Greecho. It is Evaran’s first adventure in the Milky Way galaxy and introduces him to Earth.

- In The Awakening, Book 1 of The Evaran Chronicles, Dr. Albert Snowden and his niece, Emily Snowden, are abducted by an alien race known as the Krotovore. They are rescued by Evaran and V, Evaran’s trusty mobile artificial intelligence, who drops them back off on Earth.

- In The Fredorian Destiny, Book 2 of The Evaran Chronicles, Evaran returns to check on Dr. Snowden and Emily, and they ask to travel with him. Evaran accepts. They then help Fredoria, a planet of human ex-slaves, become a full trade partner with the Kreagan Star Empire, the local galactic superpower in Earth’s region of the galaxy. Hampered by the industrialist Seeros and bounty hunters, they secure the Arkaron, a Kreagan relic, for the Fredorians to give to the Kreagan emperor.

- In The Purification, Book 3 of The Evaran Chronicles, Evaran and the gang fight the timeline invaders known as the Purifiers, a human-supremacist group led by the Overlord that tries to change Earth’s history.

- In The Time Refugee, Book 4 of The Evaran Chronicles, they tangle with Billozein, a rogue time traveler, while helping Jane Trellis, a time refugee who is pulled out of her timeline.

- In The Evaran Origin, Book 5 of The Evaran Chronicles, they discover Evaran’s origin and meet Levaran, another one of Evaran’s plane forms, while fighting the Time Wardens, a timeline-void race that hunts rift travelers.

- In The Shadow Connection, Book 6 of The Evaran Chronicles, they group up with Jake Melkins and the nonhuman community to defend Earth from the ambitions of Caltorus, a dimensional being that rules over a vast empire encompassing worlds in many dimensions.

- In The Human Factor, Book 7 of The Evaran Chronicles, they head to AD 10105 and deal with a ruthless AI known as Salazar, in addition to fixing the timeline.

- In The Cosmic Parallel, Book 8 of The Evaran Chronicles, they leap from parallel timeline to timeline in a trap designed by the Mortani, plane refugees who blame Evaran for their situation.

- In The Unification, Book 9 of The Evaran Chronicles, they travel to AD 514,723 to unify humanity while dealing with an extradimensional threat.

- In The Portal Effect, Book 10 of The Evaran Chronicles, they deal with a rogue time traveler who enjoys zapping people to the past and altering timelines.

- In The Time Cube, Book 11 of The Evaran Chronicles, they meet Dalton Kingston as they travel to the Horologium-Reticulum supercluster to deal with the ruthless Tenagrin Hegemony.

- In The Evaran Impact, Book 12 of The Evaran Chronicles, they meet Sivaran, another one of Evaran’s plane forms, in another universe and help him deal with Wardax, a cosmic threat.

- This book continues their adventures.

Evaran's Technology

Torvatta—his disc-shaped ship that can travel through time and space. It is roughly fifteen feet tall by thirty feet wide. The interior contains six dimensional rooms, an open area with a semitransparent floor and sides, and a roof that can be transformed by hard holograms. A shielding around the Torvatta prevents most matter from entering.

Universal interface card (UIC)—a credit-card-sized device carried on his belt that allows access to most technological systems that do not have an artificial intelligence in them. It can also view limited information on biological systems.

Augmented reality interface (ARI)—an interface that only he can see around him.

Utility handle—a hilt-like device carried on his belt that can extend morphable matter in any shape, typically a baton or staff; can also fire repulsion, grappling, heat, mist, sticky globules, and stun beams.

Illumination orbs—small orbs on his belt that provide lighting and can hover.

Projection orb—an orb that allows projections to be sent to it from remote sources, such as Evaran’s ring or the Torvatta.

Ring—a ring that can provide holographic projection and scan.

Prologue

Captain Abrax’s catlike eyes narrowed as he surveyed the space tunnel his ship flew through. He served the Morokel Galactic Federation, or MGF, and had been assigned to escort a group of scientists through the strange portal that had popped up in MGF space. Although the room he stood in had no external windows, information and data was piped into his ocular augments. What appeared as an empty room to others was jam-packed with information windows showing many types of metrics.

Like most Tiskin escort ships, his ship was filled with the captain’s clan. Abrax enjoyed having his family and friends along and tolerated the MGF scientists and researchers. Even the very young came on this trip. Tiskins were nomadic by nature, and exploring space tunnels was in their blood.

Next to Abrax stood Gulukra, a prominent scientist and fellow Tiskin, whose white whiskers were common for someone of her age. She led the scientific group on board. Her orange-and-white fur stuck out where it could from her loose robe. Abrax appreciated Gulukra’s wisdom, and she was a good role model for all Tiskins. He might have followed in her footsteps, but his family had a history of commanding ships and exploring space tunnels resembling the one they were in.

You’re worried, said Gulukra.

Abrax growled. Something about this tunnel is off. It doesn’t seem to match other ones we’ve been in.

Gulukra purred. Relax. There’s no need for your fur to stand. Yes, this tunnel is new and interesting, and we’ll be the first living things to see what’s on the other side.

True. I think every Tiskin lives for that.

She patted his furry arm. You have Blatok Security Droids if something goes wrong. Your ship is powerful and fast and should be able to handle anything that comes its way. The Eight chose wisely. I trust in their wisdom.

Abrax’s eyes narrowed as he continued to stare at the portal tunnel’s walls. It looked like it was made of glass with a constantly shifting green liquid of various hues sliding around. Gulukra was right that there were Blatok Security Droids, or BSDs, on board. He had personally chosen and modified the ones for his ship. However, if they were activated, then that meant things were really bad.

An officer signaled to Abrax. There’s a strange anomaly appearing across the ship.

Show me, said Abrax.

He studied the screens that the officer flung his way. A strange orange mist floated in various rooms. Several of the ship’s staff were already investigating the glow wherever it went. A quick check showed all systems to be running optimally. It could be a side effect of being in the tunnel. That would not surprise him.

I’ve seen this before, said Gulukra. The slats in her eyes widened.

Where? asked Abrax.

She uttered a low growl. One of the ruins we investigated a while back. There was this glow, then Gothlic lords and their minions arrived.

They’re a myth, said Abrax. Stories told by the Gothlic church to convert followers.

Oh no…they’re very real. I’ve seen them, said Gulukra. Rare…yes, but they’ve been popping up more often as of late. However, their arrival is always preceded by a cloud like what we’re seeing, then they do what they do, then they vanish thirty minutes later. I’d activate your security now.

Abrax continued to study the strange mist across various rooms. He had heard of the Gothlic lords and their minions and even viewed supposed footage of their activity, but it was easy to fake anything digital. The Gothlic church disseminated the videos as proof that their gods had returned. Still, Gulukra was not one to spin tales.

Gulukra’s gaze bored through Abrax. I’m being serious. You need to activate them.

Fine, said Abrax. He interacted with a floating window and activated the BSDs.

Nothing happened.

He tilted his head, then tried to initiate a security alert.

Silence.

We’re exiting the tunnel! said an officer. Our engines have stopped!

A chill ran up Abrax’s spine. They had exited the portal and were flying toward a planet with large masses of water and a sprinkling of land. They would not be able to fly away, but maybe they could guide it to a less-than-disastrous landing. There was also the potential threat of the Gothlic lords and their minions, although nothing had registered yet.

The solar system they entered had one sun and several rocky planets along with some gas ones. It did not register as a known solar system. Wherever the tunnel exited, it was far beyond known space.

Plot a course to a safe landing! said Abrax.

Yes, Captain! said the officer.

Abrax examined the line that had been plotted. With their engines out, they still had isolated thrusters they could use. The shielding was on the fritz, but the design of the ship could handle planetary entry.

Look! said Gulukra, shoving a data window in front of Abrax.

His fur rose as a bipedal alien in tight black clothing materialized. Chains, hooks, and rods poked through the skin and clothing at various points. It looked tortured, but it stood as if everything was okay. Next to it were two large creatures that had massive legs. The creatures were hunched over and possessed powerful arms, but he could see that the monsters could stand if they wanted to.

A Gothlic lord and two fleshreavers, said Gulukra.

Abrax swallowed hard as the Gothlic lord shot out a fleshy tendril with a spiked ending. It impaled a worker, who was then lifted. The lord then proceeded to skin the worker alive. Abrax growled. The Gothlic lord had killed Daramin, one of Abrax’s clan.

Other workers tried to flee the room but were hunted and smashed into the deck before being brought back to the lord.

The Gothlic lord looked up at the video feed. In a deep, gravelly voice, it sneered and said, We’re here.

The window went blank.

Abrax pinned his ears back. The Gothlic lords were capable of disrupting systems. With them now in various parts of the ship and no BSDs to assist, it would be up to him and his security force to contain them. He had never fought a Gothlic lord or fleshreavers, so he was not even sure if energy weapons would work. One thing he was sure of was that Tiskins did not back down from a fight.

He pointed around the room. Activate fortress protocol. He motioned at two nearby officers. Inform the others…and be careful.

The Tiskins placed both fists facing each other on their chest and said in unison, Yes, Captain!

Abrax walked over to a panel in the wall, and after a few taps on a nearby console, it opened. He pulled out a small energy pistol and tossed it at Gulukra, who awkwardly caught it. For himself, he chose two clawed blades that went over his wrists. He also had his energy pistol. Other officers grabbed various energy weapons and began to set up a defense near the only entrance to the room.

Not much can survive a Gothlic assault. I escaped the one I saw from before, but barely, said Gulukra, ducking behind a workstation.

Abrax adopted an aggressive stance. We’ll survive. You said they’re here for thirty minutes?

Gulukra nodded.

We’ll be planetside by then, assuming we haven’t blown up, said Abrax.

She aimed her pistol forward. I’m concerned about how they were able to appear here inside a space tunnel. Maybe it had something to do with that.

We can figure that out later, said Abrax. He growled. Assuming there is one.

Chapter One

Dr. Albert Snowden loved getting the chance to talk with unique beings like Kantris, an ancient shape-shifting Outsider. He was the head librarian of the Wild Haven Institute library, and he looked at ease in his white robe with a blue-and-silver collar sitting behind a large desk. A metallic belt hung across his waist, and his fair skin and white hair added to the lightly colored overall appearance.

Lord Vygon, the ancient vampire, had mentioned Kantris to Emily on the previous adventure. She had been eager to meet him, so Dr. Snowden accompanied her. He did not mind getting out of Columbus, Ohio, for a while and making the trip to upstate New York. It was September 7, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., roughly three weeks after their last trip with Evaran, which had dealt with a rogue cosmic entity.

The massive office they were in was populated by packed bookshelves. Light rays danced through large windows and the smell of apples permeated the air.

So, Lord Vygon mentioned you to me, said Kantris in a calm voice while gesturing at Emily.

She smiled. Yeah. Since my uncle and I are long-lived, Lord Vygon and I discussed publishing papers two hundred years from now and how odd it would be. He then said I’d be like you.

Kantris steepled his fingers. He is wise.

Dr. Snowden raised a finger. How do you contribute without being noticed?

Very carefully, said Kantris with a smile.

The group laughed.

But in all seriousness, I go through established scientists and give them knowledge as needed, said Kantris. There’s no need to mention my name in the papers.

Dr. Snowden bobbed his head. I guess that’s easy when you have the resources of the Earth Ward.

Kantris grinned. And the Helians before that.

Plus you’re in the Immortal Order. I’m sure that helps.

Kantris’s eyes widened. Oh…uh…what’s that?

Dr. Snowden furrowed his brow. "The Torvatta has you and thirty-nine others listed in the Immortal Order, along with several events they were involved in. With an organization like that behind you, it’s no wonder you got a lot of information."

"The Torvatta…Evaran’s ship. Of course, said Kantris. We’ve kept our order secret for hundreds of thousands of years, but it seems nothing escapes the Torvatta."

Well, Evaran did some of the legwork in observing too.

Kantris rubbed his chin. "It would seem anyone with access to the Torvatta would have this information. Lord Vygon surely does, as would Inspector Dalton Kingston of the Earth Ward."

Probably, said Emily. We know you’re a secret society, so we won’t tell anyone.

Kantris chortled. This is not quite how I expected this conversation to go.

"Probably not. On another note, you’ve been around for a very long time, I heard. When did you arrive on Earth? The Torvatta doesn’t have a full record."

Kantris studied her. When I came…there were multiple species of humans.

Dr. Snowden’s eyes narrowed. Are you referring to Neanderthals, Denisovans, and potentially other branches?

I am.

Emily drew her head back. Then that would put your arrival somewhere around two hundred thousand years ago!

Kantris’s eyes sparkled. "Close enough. How far back does the Torvatta have records of us?"

About ten thousand years, said Emily. That’s so cool you’ve lived for so long. I guess since you can shape-shift, that made it easier to blend in. Lord Vygon mentioned you could camouflage yourself.

Yes, but I’m glad we’re in this age now. History is not as romantic as it might appear.

Emily played with her ponytail. I bet. Did you travel to various places a lot, or stay in one place mainly?

As you travel with Evaran and can time travel, I probably shouldn’t tell you where I’ve been, although it seems some of our travels have already been documented, said Kantris.

Dr. Snowden wrinkled his brow. If we had met, you’d have known already.

You’re quite right, said Kantris. I could never tell you, though.

Time travel, said Dr. Snowden, shaking his head.

He winced as a familiar feeling washed over him. The last time he had felt it was when a timeline update had occurred. His heart raced. He and Emily could reappear in a new timeline that might have environmental issues. They could even appear in a mountain or deep underwater.

Emily doubled over. I feel it too. We don’t have much time!

What’s going on? asked Kantris.

Timeline update. Past has been changed, said Dr. Snowden, hopping up. We’re temporally shielded, so we’ll appear in the new timeline.

Kantris stood. How can I help?

Dr. Snowden shook his head. You can’t. You’ll disappear with this timeline.

That’s disconcerting.

We have to get topside! said Dr. Snowden. If we resolve whatever this is, we’ll be back in a moment.

All right, said Kantris.

Dr. Snowden and Emily bolted out of his office. The strange sensation got stronger, and Dr. Snowden knew the timeline update was imminent.

Emily opened her PSD. Evaran! Timeline change.

Evaran displayed as a holo face. "I have your position, and the Torvatta is going to low orbit. It will travel back in time twenty minutes and appear near you from your perspective once you exit the Wild Haven Institute, assuming the update does not occur first."

Dr. Snowden gulped. They were still a few levels underground, and the sensation got stronger every step he took. I don’t think we’ll make it before it hits!

"Perhaps not, but know that the Torvatta will be near wherever you pop out to in the new timeline. I would suggest you form a cube from your PSD and get inside it. Raise your helmets."

All right!

I got this, said Emily. She ended the communication and tapped at her PSD.

Dr. Snowden’s breathing increased as the sensation got stronger. He did not recall it feeling as strong before. It had started as a tingle, then a semitransparent metallic curtain had swept across everything.

Emily spawned a sealed eight-by-eight cube around her with a large doorway facing Dr. Snowden.

Dr. Snowden’s pulse accelerated as he saw the curtain. It swept faster than he could run, even with him focusing, which usually slowed down things around him. By the time he managed to get one leg and one arm—the one holding the PSD— inside Emily’s cube, he had been encased by some type of concrete. Thankfully, his helmet allowed him to breathe, but it was dark, and he could not move.

Hold on, Uncle Albert! said Emily.

Dr. Snowden felt her grab his PSD from his hand. His heart raced as his claustrophobia kicked in. This was a nightmare.

Relax, said Evaran, his face appearing in the inner faceplate. "The Torvatta is over your area, but if we melt down to you, it will destabilize the structure you are in."

Yeah, don’t do that! said Dr. Snowden.

Emily will use your PSD to form a pickaxe and chip you out of your current location and into the cube, said Evaran. "Once done, she can form a door on the other side. The Torvatta has scanned your area and located a nearby open space. We will land and come to you."

Okay, said Dr. Snowden, gulping and closing his eyes for a moment.

The chipping sound he heard reassured him, and Emily’s avatar showed her working like a madwoman.

What…uh…does the surface look like? asked Dr. Snowden.

An abandoned city now in ruins, said Evaran. Observe.

Dr. Snowden focused on the images of a city that nature had claimed. The city itself resembled a solid plate with towers rising out of it. Tunnels ran between the buildings. However, whoever had lived there had not done so in a while.

Towers were exposed and collapsed tunnels were everywhere. Vegetation had moved in, and half the city was covered in it. His eye did catch the life sign readings that showed that there was still something alive, but he did not think they were the builders.

After ten minutes, he could wriggle his right shoulder.

You still okay? she asked.

I will be much better once I’m out of there.

Okay, hold on.

He breathed easier when she had chipped enough away that he could move into the cube. His muscles relaxed, causing him to grimace. He must not have realized how much he had been exerting them.

Emily helped him sit. You’re okay.

Dr. Snowden lowered his helmet and gulped down a big breath. Okay, that wasn’t fun.

Sure wasn’t. She went to an interface on the wall.

A moment later, the doorway changed sides.

Emily began to work on clearing a path.

He admired her tenacity. Even after expending all that energy to get him out, she was at it again. He hopped up and gestured at her to hand over the pickaxe.

You just rest, said Emily.

He shook his head. I’ve been in one position for too long. A little exercise would do me good.

Oh, now you want to exercise, she said, playfully swatting his arm.

He grabbed the pickaxe and then focused on chipping away on the right side. It would take some time to go through, and he wished he had vibrating nanobots like Kess, his evolved girlfriend half a million years into the future. At least they were alive, and Evaran and V knew where they were. He glanced over at Emily, who smiled at him. He was glad she was there. With determination in his eyes, he concentrated on creating a tunnel.

Scene Break

Emily took a breather when she was a quarter of the way to the open area. Dr. Snowden had started the tunnel out, and she had pushed it even farther, but her energy was being sapped. If there had been two PSDs in play, it might have helped speed things along, but Dr. Snowden was beat, and her PSD was being used for the cube enclosure. Twenty-five minutes had passed, and she wondered if they would need to raise their helmets to conserve oxygen.

I have an idea, said Dr. Snowden, peeking into the tunnel.

She wiped some sweat from her brow. Shoot.

Check to see if there’s a grinder pattern, sort of like what Kess, Dalton, and Bob did to that wall in Korkorus.

Emily remembered that Korkorus was an alien fortress the gang had breached. Kess, Dalton Kingston, and Bob, a unique being who could mimic anything, had joined them, and they all had the ability to chew through walls. Half of Kess’s body was made up of nanobots, so she had easily used them to munch through. Dalton’s nanosuit could vibrate and Bob could create a wall with miniature grinders on it.

Emily flicked through the patterns and used the search functionality. After perusing a bit, she came across a disc-shaped circular structure with odd teeth on one face. The other face had a rod that extended out of the PSD. There were a bunch of metrics she did not understand, such as boring depth and spindle speed. However, she understood that her PSD could spin the object, and it would munch through anything up to a certain level.

She held up the grinder to Dr. Snowden. I think this might work. I wonder why Evaran didn’t suggest that?

Dunno. It doesn’t look like it’s meant for accurate removal. It’s more of a borer. Give it a shot, he said.

Emily focused on the nearest rock ahead of her and placed the grinder on the rock wall. After pressing a button on her PSD, the grinder whirred into motion and rotated at dizzying speeds. She braced herself and pressed forward.

Speckles flew away as the grinder effortlessly ate through.

Yeah, liking that, she said, raising her helmet. It does take some strength to hold it in place, though, but nothing I can’t handle. Also need my helmet up to keep dust out.

Looks like it’ll work, then, said Dr. Snowden.

Her helmet slightly buzzed. She raised it and then saw Evaran’s and V’s faces appear in the lower right of her inner faceplate.

V and I have landed and are on our way to you. Due to the environment, it may be a while, said Evaran.

It’s cool, said Emily. Uncle Albert suggested a grinding device, so that’s what I’m using now. We should reach that open area in no time.

Analysis. It will wear you down, said V.

Emily sighed. I know, but I’d rather be out of here.

I understand, said Evaran. I would have suggested a grinder, but it requires a lot of effort to wield relative to a pickaxe and is not as accurate. The main thing is that it sounds like you are safe for the moment. We will contact you once we are closer.

All right.

Their faces grayed out. If anyone other than the gang had encountered this situation, they would have probably died. It put into perspective how lucky Emily was. While she had talked with Evaran, she had made a lot of progress on the tunnel.

Dr. Snowden tapped her shoulder. I can do it for a bit. That device will make it a lot easier.

You sure? she asked.

He eyed her.

She grinned and handed over the PSD, then went to the cube and sat down. Her muscles relaxed. She did not realize she had been tensing them unconsciously the whole time. Then again, it was not every day that a timeline change dumped you into the middle of some rock. The exertion from chipping out Dr. Snowden and then working on the tunnel was catching up to her. She grimaced as she laid her head back against the wall.

Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Snowden joined her. I’m just about through. However, there’s a metal wall or something.

Thick? asked Emily.

Nope, and I already cut through some of it. Figured you can pull your PSD in now, and we can go together, he said. He moved into the tunnel.

She hopped up and stood next to him, then reached over to the PSD interface. A moment later, the cube pulled back into her PSD.

Imagine if we didn’t have PSDs, she said, shuddering while gazing at the open area.

Let’s not. C’mon, he said.

They ground through the remaining metal wall, then stepped through. It was dark, and her sensors showed that oxygen made up thirty-five percent of the air. The ground, walls, and ceiling were covered in vegetation, but she detected metallic floors underneath.

This tunnel is perfectly rectangular—well, beneath all the vegetation, said Dr. Snowden.

Yeah, and higher oxygen…which means if there’s any bugs, I’m sure they’re bigger than normal.

He laughed. You and your bugs.

A chattering sound echoed out.

What’s that? she asked with wide eyes.

She focused and tried to sense if anything was around, but nothing registered. However, the chattering had begun to rise.

Umm…Evaran, I don’t think we’re alone down here, said Emily over comms.

You are not, said Evaran. The city is essentially a large rectangular block with horizontal tunnels carved out in a grid pattern. It would make an ideal place for many living organisms.

Emily grimaced. Yeah, and probably big bugs.

"Perhaps. V and I have landed on what appears to be a landing pad. I am sending you a layout of the area per the Torvatta’s scans. There is a vertical shaft not too far from where you are. You can use your flying platform to ascend, assuming it is safe to do so. If not, we will clear any obstructions."

Emily studied the bizarre city. Although it was in a ruined state with parts of it missing, the main square pillars were still intact for the most part. The massive