Survival: Cataclysm in the Cosmos, #2

By Susan Draper

The highly anticipated second-in-series finds Hecate, Rhea's evil sister, imprisoned far below the surface of exoplanet Kapteyn b.  Her takeover attempt has been stopped dead in its tracks. Rhea instructs Arcturus to monitor every move she makes.  Will Hecate continue to scheme against her sister?  What are Zahra, Orion, and the orphan trio planning behind closed doors that could possibly upend the sacred tiers of power?

 
Meanwhile, Donovan remains on Earth with his trusted feline friend, Khan, who has contracted the virus.  Donovan reveals mind-boggling superpowers in a heroic endeavor to bring the vaccine developed in the United States back home. Sickened felidors, also stricken with a rogue virus, desperately need a fighting chance at survival. 

Artema, chosen by Rhea to head the newly-formed Centauri Council, continues to carry out the doctrines that felidors have lived by for eons.  Doctrines that demand the protection of the felidor race above all else.  This will prove to be immensely difficult, when alien life forms plan an attack.  Hurl through the universe with Cataclysm in the Cosmos-Book Two.  A twisted "tail" of epic proportions!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Draper
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201124816

Susan Draper

            Susan Draper blogged for seven years before self-publishing her first book,  Random Reflections:  Poems from a Hoosier Girl.   She recently branched out to write a middle grade/teen novella series and invites readers to partake in her writing journey, as she believes fantasy/science fiction genres can transport us to unlimited destinations! Susan has been happily married to her husband for close to forty years.  They have two wonderful daughters, great sons-in-law, and two beautiful granddaughters. When she is not writing she enjoys reading, running, tennis, golf, and her beloved Chicago Cubs. Sign up for email alerts on her personal website!    

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Release

Hecate lies on the cold floor of the platform. It will be a long time before she regains full consciousness. The eyes of her five heads twitch occasionally beneath lids laced with dark, spider-like veins and her chest rises and falls rhythmically.

Cassini lowers the dart gun, breathing a sigh of relief. He walks over to the four friends who are still imprisoned under wire netting.  Vinca, Xanadu, Iris, and Artema are itching to be released. The nets have prevented intellisensor communication and transportation.  They’ve been powerless to escape. 

Hecate was on the verge of penetrating the webbing and devouring them, but her all-powerful sister, Rhea, placed a protective barrier over the entrapped allies.

Cassini, we can’t thank you enough for your help.  Artema’s beautiful alabaster eyes twinkle with gratitude. 

Believe me, it was my pleasure.  Cassini begins to dismantle the nets around Artema, but she stops him.

Please, free the others first.  I’m fine waiting a few minutes.  As usual, Artema thinks of others before herself.

Xanadu, Iris, and Vinca stretch up to their full height after being released from the wire netting. Felidors can walk either upright on two legs or on all fours. It feels so good to move around again. They flex their claws a few extra times to ease the tingling.

The friends bump heads with each other, happy to be alive and well.  Xanadu rubs his shoulder against Iris’s which fills her heart with happiness. After Artema is released, she stretches her limbs and joins the others. 

Cassini, you have done a fine job. Everything has gone according to the plans we talked about.  Rhea’s benevolent voice fills the air again, although the felidors cannot see her.

Transport yourselves back to mission control after you speak with Donovan.  I will seal off the shaft that leads to Hecate’s lair.  When she awakens, she will be imprisoned here for an indeterminate amount of time.  Felidor guards will maintain constant surveillance.  They have vowed allegiance to me.

Cassini, inform Zahra and Orion that I have put a stop to their devious schemes. They must stand down immediately or they will suffer the same punishment.  All captives are to be released and returned to their families. 

I will go free them now and meet you afterward. Cassini gives a quick thumbs up to the four friends before turning into a whirling helix of supercharged particles.  After a few seconds, he is gone.

Artema asks her friends to send some comms from their sensors.  The messages come across loud and clear.  She knows that Donovan, who is still on planet Earth, has been trying to reach them, but Zahra’s nets shut down all transmissions.  She is worried about him.

Donovan is in no immediate danger.  You will be reunited with him soon.  Rhea’s kind voice soothes Artema.  Her trust in Rhea is implicit.

Suddenly, the intellisensor behind Artema’s ear receives the communication she has been waiting so long to hear. It’s Donovan. She smiles at the others and changes to speaker mode.

Can you please tell me what’s been going on? I have been worried sick about all of you.  Donovan’s deep voice is filled with concern.

It is so great to hear from you, Donovan.  Artema’s voice reflects the excitement they feel in being able to communicate with their friend again.  The five young felidors are extremely close to one another.  Artema has really missed him.  Do her feelings go a little deeper than friendship?  Perhaps. 

We’ve been unable to receive your comms because Zahra had us imprisoned.  Our sensors were blocked by wire nets that were thrown over us. 

Ugh, that infuriates me.  Donovan’s voice turns to anger when he learns of Zahra’s cruel tactics.  But how are you able to communicate with me now?

Remember when I told you about Rhea’s sister, Hecate?

Yes, you told us she was probably going to attempt an overthrow.

That’s exactly what she tried to do.  Zahra and Orion were in on it. We fell through the subterranean dungeon to Hecate’s awful lair. Luckily, Rhea protected us, or we would be goners for sure. Cassini came to the rescue. He followed us down and then shot a tranquilizer dart into Hecate's shoulder. She is still out cold.

Oh man, I’m glad Cassini took care of Hecate.  What are your plans now?  Can you guys help me come back?  I really need to see your faces again.

Cassini is freeing the other imprisoned felidors. Their families will be ecstatic.  Rhea has asked him to meet with Zahra and Orion.  I’m sure they’re both seething right now.  They had better get with it. Cassini will demand they restore your transport powers so you can come back. It shouldn’t be too much longer. I’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, know that we all miss you very much, my friend.

Same here. Talk soon.  Donovan ends the conversation and turns to Khan who stands nearby.

I hope you aren’t judging felidors by the way Zahra and Orion have acted.  Let me assure you, the rest of us are honorable citizens of Kapteyn b.  That orphan trio hasn’t acted much better, as you know.  I want to thank you again for defending me when they came to bully me.  I would have been outnumbered.

Donovan, I could tell when we first met that you were sincere.  Otherwise, you wouldn’t have risked getting stranded, which is exactly what happened.  Khan bumps his head with Donovan’s, and they begin their daily pacing of the cage, like they do every morning.  Side by side as friends and equals.

Yeah, I knew you deserved an explanation.  Over the eons, Zahra has forced felidors to invade alien societies with no explanation of what our mission was.  Every attempt failed.  You can’t hope to succeed without open communication.

Donovan pauses as the back door to the facility opens.  Anthony and Hannah enter and walk up to their cage. 

I was able to destroy the probe, Anthony confirms that the tracking device has been placed out of commission.

That’s great.  Thank you. Donovan and Khan approach the two employees