Battleground

By KD Jones

Earth Evolutions Series Continues

Faith Lincoln is a scavenger for her tribe. Her task is to go topside and look for viable food, even if she must steal it from the military trucks. She knows it is risky, but survival is war.

Captain Logan Coor of the Drastan Empire is assigned to root out why provisions that his people are supplying the Earthling colonies were missing. The last shipment was food, but before that, weapons were taken. Hungry animals do not take weapons, angry humans do. He is to stop them and put an end to their rebellious nature. It shouldn’t be that hard. They are an inferior race, after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KD Jones
• Release date: May 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005388492

KD Jones

KD Jones has been a huge fan of both romance novels and science fiction novels since she was 16 years old. Her favorite television shows growing up were Star Trek and Doctor Who. When not writing, she can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, working on her hobby of photography, or spending time with her family.

Book preview

Prologue

Faith - The Day My World Ended

It was a normal Thursday afternoon. They were walking home from school as they usually do. Felix hated having to watch over her, but he knew if he wanted to hang out with his friends on the weekends, he had to ensure his little sister got home safely. The neighborhood they were traveling through wasn’t the best.

She stopped to admire graffiti on the side of a building. It was a rainbow over a winding river. Not bad, she whispered. She reached for her drawing pad and pencil and quickly sketched.

Faith Olivia Lincoln! Get your ass moving!

Glaring at her older brother, she stuffed her things into her backpack. I’m going to tell Mom and Dad you cussed.

Great, but you have to get home first to do that.

As they crossed the street, they heard a loud sound. Then she stopped moving, but her body trembled. It felt like the Earth shook. She would have fallen if Felix hadn’t grabbed hold of her elbow.

What was that? she asked.

I don’t know. It’s too loud to be gunfire. Maybe bombs.

Faith looked up and gasped. Oh my God, Felix. Look at the sky!

She watched as streaks of fire skated across the blue above. Birds caught fire and fell to the ground. Alarms sounded. People were getting out of their cars to stare up. A car beeping its horn at them got their attention.

Hey! You kids need to seek shelter! a woman yelled from the driver’s side.

What’s happening? Felix asked.

 The news reports are saying it’s a nuclear attack. We have less than fifteen minutes to seek shelter.

Run, Faith! Felix pulled her along with him.

Run where?

He didn’t answer her but pushed her ahead of him. She shoved through the crowds of people now on the street. She did what her older brother Felix told her and ran like her life depended on it… because it did. Glancing back, she made sure that Felix was still coming. How did things go so badly, so fast?

The world was exploding all around. Those in cars were trying to get through the traffic, ignoring the laws. People not in cars were pushing and shoving one another. She tripped over something and used her hands to catch herself before hitting the sidewalk. Slowly pulling herself to her knees, she glanced back to see she had tripped over the body of an older woman.

Oh my God! Are you okay? She reached over to help the woman, rolling her over to her back. Blood was oozing from a gash on the woman’s forehead.

Get up, Faith! Felix pulled at her arm.

But I have to help her!

We have to help ourselves right now! he insisted, pulling her to her feet.

She was practically dragged over the top of the hurt woman. Guilt filled her. Felix was like a crazy person as he maneuvered them down the sidewalk.

We’re going the wrong way to get home! Faith yelled.

We will not make it home!

Suddenly, Felix stopped and looked around. He then took them toward a car abandoned partially on the sidewalk.

Get in!

What? We can’t steal a car! What would Mom and Dad say?

They would tell us to stay alive no matter what. Now get the fuck in the car, Faith!

She got into the passenger’s side and buckled her seat belt.

Felix snorted. Do you really think obeying the seat belt law is going to matter now?

I don’t know what else to do, she said with frustration.

See if the keys are in the glove compartment.

She opened the box and began pulling things out. Nothing! What do we do?

Suddenly, the back doors opened, and two teenagers jumped inside. Go, man! Get us out of here!

Felix glared at the guys. I don’t have keys!

The tall, skinny one leaned over the seat, reached under the steering wheel, and bashed the lower dashboard, breaking off a piece. Faith jumped when he suddenly pulled a pocketknife from his back pocket and switched the blade out. He cut some wires and touched them together. The engine rolled to life.

Felix turned to the skinny guy. Name’s Felix. That’s my sister Faith.

I’m Rooster and that’s Nox. Where are we going?

There’s a rarely used subway station. We might find shelter there.

Sounds like a plan. Let’s go, boss.

That was the end of one life and the start of a new one. The world changed forever.

Chapter 1

Logan - 8 Years Later

What is this about? Captain Logan Coor of the Drastan Empire asked as he sat next to his fellow warriors in the ready room.

Not exactly sure, but I bet it has something to do with these humans.

Great, what have they done this time? Logan asked in frustration.

We’re about to find out.

All the warriors stood at attention as Commander Estro stepped into the room. Here was the commander every warrior in the Drastan Fleet worked to emulate. This male had worked his way up the ranks, raising three sons, all with strength and honor. 

If Logan could have picked a father, it would be Devlon Estro. Unfortunately, his own father was a faithless and shameful male. Ven Coor was a dishonorably discharged lieutenant of the Drastan military, who abandoned his mate and only son to join a ship of marauders going around stealing and killing for money. 

His last image of his father was when he was ten. His mother had begged him not to leave. 

Please, Ven. Stay with us, Elanor pleaded.

Ven laughed. Stay with you? You’re not even my true mate. I’m tired of settling. I’m tired of taking orders from ineffectual leaders.

Father? Logan said.

Ven spared him a look. You’re on your own, Logan. Be your own male. Then he turned and walked away. It filled him with heartbreak but also anger. How dare Ven abandon his mother! He deserved whatever the gods threw at him for being untrue.

His grandfather was nothing like that, full of honor and highly respected. That was why Logan was accepted into warrior training. He had to prove himself once he was in. It meant never saying no to a superior and always taking risks his fellow warriors wouldn’t. It took a lot of hard work, but he slowly built his reputation as someone who could be relied upon to complete a mission and do his duty for his people. He had done what his father told him to do, be his own male—a much better male than Ven had been.

Warriors, take a seat, Commander Estro said.

Everyone sat and waited quietly.

We’re still a ways from being relieved and allowed to resume our return to our own home world. We have made efforts to provide medical help to the humans and extended provisions for food, technology, and weapons to them.

There was mumbling among the warriors. Many didn’t agree with giving humans more advanced weapons after seeing firsthand what they could do with their own primitive nuclear bombs.

Settle down, warriors! I understand how many of you feel. But we cannot in good conscience leave humans without a way to defend themselves. They are vulnerable. Relax. The weapons were only replications of their latest achievement before their world was nearly destroyed. No nuclear weapons, just handheld guns with primitive bullets.

One warrior behind Logan spoke up. Sir, what do we get back from the humans? Besides a few mates?

Everyone was silent. Commander Estro and his sons had all mated with human females. They appeared to be happy, but Logan had spent no real time with the females to know if they were suitable. He had only dealt with human males who lied and showed very little loyalty to their own people. He doubted the females were any different.

I understand those who may question the humans, but we aren’t aiding them in order to get something in return. Our people have always assisted those in need over the centuries. Don’t forget there was a time when Drasta had to be rebuilt and there were others who assisted in that. It is a privilege and an honor to help those who are in need.

Logan nodded his understanding. Sometimes a warrior had to do things they may not necessarily agree with but did because he believed in the good intentions of his superiors. As his grandfather once told him, each male must follow what he believes is right and will one day have to answer to a higher power for every decision and every action. 

"So, make sure your actions are for the good of others," his grandfather Logar said.

He wasn’t as religious as his mother and grandfather. Logan had seen too much as a warrior and his own experience with his father proved there was more people in the universe that was bad than good. At least, he’d seen worse. His friend nudged him in the side to get him to focus.

"We received reports of shipments sent from our stock ships to the Brooklyn Dome being intercepted. Dome Leader Colonel Winstead believes that local tribes are stealing the supplies. In case there is anyone here not familiar with tribes, when the nuclear weapons were dispersed on Earth, only a hundred in each city were allowed into the domes. The rest of the humans had to find shelter wherever they could. Many survived by living in the underground transit system. The humans in the subway formed groups they call tribes."

How many tribes are near the Brooklyn Dome? Logan asked.

Unsure. Dome Leader Winstead claims there are three but there could be more. I am going to assign a small team of my best warriors to go to the Brooklyn Dome to investigate these missing supplies.

Are we expected to stay in the dome? Warrior Marque asked.

Temporarily. I don’t think Dome Leader Winstead is telling us everything. There has to be someone within the dome giving the tribes the arrival dates and times of the shipments.

What makes you think that? another warrior asked.

The theft is happening on specific dates and times? Logan suggested.

The commander gave him an approving nod. Yes. At first, it appeared to be random with food, clothing, and medical supplies. Now the thefts are only occurring with shipments of weapons.

Logan shuddered to think about these destructive humans getting their hand on Drastan weapons. In order to stop this, he would have to do something he never thought he would do. He would have to spend time with the humans.

Sir, I would like to volunteer to lead the team that goes to the dome, he offered.

Commander Estro smiled. You were my first choice, Captain Coor. You can pick three warriors to be part of your team. You leave in ten hours.

We’ll be ready, sir.

*****

Shortly after Commander Estro dismissed the warriors, Logan was called for a private video conference with Commander Drake Bond. It was known that this commander was not fully supportive of the Drastan efforts on Earth. Logan thought the meeting had to do with his mission. 

Sir.

Captain Coor. I understand you have been assigned a mission on Earth.

I cannot discuss my mission with you, sir, Logan told him.

I don’t need you to tell me the details. I have clearance and am fully informed.

Then why did you call this meeting? I must prepare to leave in less than six hours.

I want to discuss some concerns I have about this mission.

You should address them with Commander Estro. Logan wasn’t sure how he felt about this meeting behind his direct commander’s back.

Commander Estro is a fine commander and male. He is honorable. However, I believe his judgment may be compromised due to his and his sons’ mating with Earth females.

Again, these concerns should be taken up directly with Commander Estro.

Commander Bond raked a hand through his heavily salt and pepper hair. I’m not asking you to act against your assigned mission.

Then what are you asking of me?

All I ask is that if you come across evidence that the agreements between the humans and Drastans are not being met appropriately, to let me know. If humans are building a resistance to attack our people, I want to know.

What do you want to use this information for exactly?

If the agreement is not being upheld, or the humans are planning to attack our people, then it is best for our people to withdraw our aid and leave this planet to deal with their own survival. It is my belief that humans and Drastans are not meant to mix.

You can’t mean to split the mated pairs. Logan wasn’t a fan of humans, but he had seen the Estros with their mates. They were very loving. Many Drastans expressed a desire to meet a human to mate. He wasn’t one of them, but he would support those who sought such a pairing.

Of course, I would never deny someone’s claim to a mating. But if the gods intended for our people to mingle with this species, shouldn’t there be more mating than what we have seen?

Logan couldn’t argue with that. It was a sound argument. Only a handful of mates were paired off. I won’t go against my original mission. But if I find something that is a threat to our people, I will pass that information on to you.

I knew I could count on you, Captain Coor. Dismissed.

Logan saluted the commander before leaving. He had a terrible feeling that this mission, which should have been straightforward, just got more complicated.

Chapter 2

Faith

Why are you picking up that dirty broken thing?

Faith ignored the other woman as she stood and brushed off the dust from a shard of porcelain plate. On the bottom, which was still intact, she could make out the words Fine China. It had a nice floral image, pretty. It couldn’t be used but she could clean it up and place it in her small collection.

It was silly to collect these broken pieces of a past that would soon be forgotten. But that was the exact reason she started the collection. She wanted to remember the beauty that Earth once held. The day the Earth was nearly destroyed by nuclear weapons, she had visited the local art museum. It left a big impression on her.

Faith had always dabbled in sculpture, painting, drawing, and even animation. She preferred painting to everything else. To take a blank canvas and build color upon color until something amazing appeared, well, there was nothing like it. Her art teacher encouraged her to pursue it because she was gifted. Her parents wanted her to go to college to become someone practical like a teacher or a lawyer, but they did allow her to take art courses on the side. They didn’t fully understand that finding beauty in things made her the happiest—which she was still doing to this day.

Leave it. It’s useless.

She glared at Cary. No one appreciated art like she did. Cary was just like the others in her tribe. If you can’t eat it, wear it, or trade it for something you can eat or wear, then it was useless. Ignoring what the other woman said, she placed the dish in her personal satchel. 

The other woman snorted with irritation. She took pleasure in giving orders. Look under those beams over there. Stop dawdling.

Again, she glared at Cary who acted like she was in charge whenever the guys weren’t around. Technically, Faith should be in charge since she was