Invasion: The Corporate Wars, #6

By R Thomas McPherson

For the last eight months, Rick has been preparing for the battle about to come upon him. He is standing on the edge of the abyss, not knowing what will happen. With an enemy fleet coming to destroy his home, can Rick protect the people he loves?

Find out in Invasion.

The final chapter of the Corporate Wars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Atlantic Industries
• Release date: Aug 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223831402

Book preview

Chapter 1 Room

Rick Had spent the last eight months preparing and planning for a battle he knew was coming. In his mind, the biggest problem was that he didn’t know what was coming and when. All he could do was prepare for any eventuality. It was something that Hobbs taught him, and he had never forgotten it.

Rick knew that there would be Croth battleships, but how many? He knew there was a blind spot in the back center of the ship just above the engines, but how could they use that effectively with smaller ships harassing them? It was assumed there would be support vessels, but how many and what would they do? Thang had been very helpful in planning the battle. He knew the Croth battle tactics, and the information was a great help. Still, it was the number of ships that worried Rick.

Wilson’s advisers had worked with Rossom to make an early warning system. Shuttles were placed as far ahead of the Rossom border as possible. The problem was that there were no guarantees that the fleet would jump into the vicinity of the scouts. There had to be a better way.

It was always assumed that Rossom would be the first corporation attacked as the fleet would be coming from that direction. Yet, that was a guess, and even Thang couldn’t say if they would bypass Rossom.

The information about the upcoming battle was made public; the corporate leaders felt that the people had a right to know. With the trial of Fields and Toupalev being made public, every population was now aware of the aliens, and humans were starting to get comfortable with the idea.

Rick found Jeff Ridges, a kind man. When the news was released, many people decided they didn’t want to be in the line of fire. Twenty to thirty families boarded cargo ships and headed into deep space with Ridges’ blessings.

Rick was surprised when Ridges announced he would help anyone who wanted to go. Rick was glad that Jeff was not a selfish man. He also seemed to want to save as many people as he could.

Most people didn’t want to leave their homes. Those that did were given all the assistance the corporation could help them with. It was a mass exodus, yet it was still a tiny percentage of the population. This gesture spread throughout the conglomeration. New colony ships were spreading out for destinations unknown to build new worlds. Who knew what would happen to them? Rick was glad that they had a chance to escape the madness that was about to happen.

With the help of Ted, Langston, and Jennings, maps were drawn up. Battle plans were made, and every preparation that could be made was.

Because of the Captain’s network, all hostilities stopped across the conglomeration when Hobbs and Ridges signed the peace treaty. Everyone seemed to understand that there was no reason to fight.

Ridges put Fields and Toupalev on trial for treason. Under the advice of Hobbs, they made the trial public as they did with Nash’s. Hobbs suggested it because he wanted everyone to know that it wasn’t Wilson who was causing havoc throughout the conglomeration. Ridges agreed to it because he wanted everyone to know that he was not the one giving orders.

Any hard feelings between the corporations vanished when they discovered who the real villain was. However, it did cause some mistrust in the Croth. That disappeared as soon as Hobbs said that This was a rebel alliance here to give us tech and help for the coming battle.

After the trial and the statement from Hobbs, everyone wanted to join the alliance. It seemed like Rick heard, ‘Stand together or die alone’ everywhere he went. It seemed like it was the new motto for the conglomeration.

It was finally going the way Rick wanted. There was peace as all the corporations worked together to prepare for the invasion.

Rick was sitting in his office on the Kronos, one of the battleships given to Hobbs by the alliance. He was going over the resources for the coming war: warship placements, resupply vessels, and others. Then the call came. Command deck to Director Thompson.

Rick hit the button on the comms panel. It was Ted, so he didn’t hesitate to answer it. Go ahead.

Sir, within the last three minutes, I have received two messages for you.

That got Rick concerned. Was this the fleet arriving early? From whom?

One was from John and the other from Mary. They both said the same thing. That you need to get to the planet.

They were in orbit around Braxis, so going was not a problem. Did they say why?

No, Sir, Ted said nothing more. If it had been anyone else, Ted would have questioned them before disturbing Rick. Ted knew these two people had done more for the war effort than anyone else. It was a matter of respect. If they said something needed to happen, then it was required, no questions asked.

Have Goliath have my shuttle ready as soon as I get to the flight deck.

Already done. Hornsby out.

Rick’s mind went into action. It had been the calm before the storm. It seemed like the storm clouds were not on the horizon but above his head. If John and Mary wanted him, then something was going on. But what could it be? He felt an urgent need to get to the flight deck.

As Rick opened the hatch to the flight deck, Goliath saw him, ducked into the shuttle, and prepared for departure. As he crossed the flight deck, Rick thought himself fortunate to have such a good pilot.

Securing the hatch, Rick said, Get me down to the Firebase.

Ted must have already given Goliath clearance because he was already heading out of the flight deck and into space. Again, the thought came to Rick that he was a very fortunate man. He wondered if any other Directors ever felt that way about the people who worked for them. Rick corrected himself, people who work with me. To him, it was a collaboration, not a dictatorship.

Sir, said Goliath. I have something I need to tell you. I received a message right before the Admiral put me on alert.

This needs to be clarified for Rick. If Goliath was telling him this, it must be necessary, but with the confusion of the last few minutes, Rick couldn’t think of the significance of his statement. From whom?

Muraha. All it said was for you to get to the planet. I was just about to call you when the Admiral contacted me. He told me that I would be taking you to the planet.

Rick was stunned. He hadn’t heard from Muraha since the Corporate wars ended. That was seven months ago. Whatever would cause her to break the silence must be of grave importance. None of the sources took things lightly. Rick would have said it was a local problem if it were just John and Mary. Add Muraha, and this was a situation of galactic proportions.

When we get there, I want you to come with me. If Muraha is involved, I think it is something you should know about. As an afterthought, Rick said, I need a gravity suit; I forgot to bring one.

That’s okay, Sir; I have one in the back compartment. I keep it there for this reason. I remember the last time you tried walking around the planet without a gravity suit. He laughed. I had to carry you home.

Rick went to the back and pulled out the gravity suit. As he started to put it on, he said, You are a good man, Tim. Rick rarely used his given name. When he did, it was to show respect and friendship. Goliath seemed to understand this, so nothing else was said.

Rick was geared up by the time they landed. He could feel the planet’s gravity pulling at him, so he adjusted the suit to a comfortable level and opened the hatch. Mary and John were waiting for him.

Rick bypassed the social graces and said, Okay, what is the situation? He knew that he was being an Atob, but with the urgency, he didn’t think anyone would mind.

Something you need to see. Mary was very A to B as she turned and led the way. She led the way down a long tunnel. They came close to the end before she spoke again. We were opening up areas of the temple to protect the telepaths among our guests when we came upon this. Mary stopped at the end of the tunnel and put her hand on the wall.

It seemed to be resisting Mary’s touch. The vortex would start like it usually did and then disappear. She tried several times, but still, it would not open.

Rick had a hunch, maybe if he asked politely? He put his hand on the wall. We need to see what is inside that room. The wall quivered under Rick’s hand, but then the vortex opened.

Rick went in, followed by Mary, John, and Goliath. Rick was astonished at what they found.

The room’s walls were not the bright no-light they found in the rest of the temple. They were black. This was the darkest black Rick had ever seen. It was the exact opposite of the rest of the Firebase. These walls absorbed the light. They were pulling all the light from everything from everywhere. The first thing that came to Rick’s mind was a chamber of evil.

Chapter 2 Markings

Rick knew without knowing how he knew that this was the center of this structure. It all came together now. The geologist on Horse said a core was put on the planet, and the Methane-Hydrate formed around it. Horse and Braxis had the same rips on the worlds, and Langston noted that was because of the soft landing. This is what was put here, but by who and why?

John said, This is what I wanted you to see. He pointed to the back of the room.

There was a writing of a kind Rick had never seen before. It was pulsing with the same green as the crystal Methane-Hydrate. It looked as if the characters were scratched into the wall. Rick got the feeling that it was in pain. It reminded him of the pictographs he had seen early in human history. Can we translate this?

Given time, we can, said John. All I can tell you right now is the creature’s feelings as this was written. These were the writings of the prisoner. I feel that the evil one wants to free the others.

Others? How many are we talking about? This caused fear in Rick.

My guess is four. These symbols down here, John pointed out what he was talking about. I get the impression that they are planets. One of Fire, Ice, Water, and Thunder.

As Rick realized what John meant, he was hit with a stab of guilt. He was responsible for releasing the Fire creature. And Collier was responsible for the Ice. That means there are two more temples. Do you know where they might be located?

No, I don’t. All I can tell you is the feelings. They want to dominate all lifeforms.

This made Rick think of Collier. One of those beings was in him. He was headed for the conglomeration. All right, I want to get a linguistic team in here. I need to know what that says. Until they arrive, seal this room and don’t let anyone near it. Let’s keep access down to as few people as we can.

Rick felt strange as he left the room with Goliath behind him. Like the ghostly hands of the room were pulling at his soul, trying to keep him there and corrupt him. Now he understood why the temple didn’t want to open the door to let them have access to the room. It was as if it was trying to protect the people who now inhabited it. He felt a heaviness that had nothing to do with the planet’s gravity. Something about this place made him feel unclean.

The further away he got from this room, the better he started to feel. Rick knew it was an evil left behind by a creature that should never have been freed.

With the corruption that invaded his soul, Rick understood why Muraha had told him to save as many as possible. Collier was coming. One of those things was in him. The hate in that room was a weak echo of what was with Collier. Ted once said Collier would rule this sector or watch it burn around him. Rick felt that the burn option was not only possible but probable.

Collier believed that people were to be used and then discarded. Now that he controlled the Caltaire, his contempt for humanity would destroy everyone. What worried Rick the most was what Collier knew; the creature knew. It made Rick wonder if the plans to use the Methane-Hydrate for protection would still work?"

The art of war was the art of concealment and deception. In the coming battle, Rick knew about the Croth because of Thang. How to fight them, and what to do. How much would they know about the Humans because of Collier? Rick had to assume that each side had a general knowledge of the enemy. The real question was who would do the unexpected. Rick didn’t know if they were going to win the battle. Even if they did, what would be the cost?

All this went through his mind as he returned to the shuttle. Once they arrived, Rick said, Let’s return to the Kronos. I want to get as far away from this place as possible.

Yeah, I know what you mean, said Goliath.

The sullen sound of his voice made Rick look up at him. The usual happy-go-lucky look on his face was gone. A glimpse of sadness replaced it. Rick had been so self-absorbed in his feelings that he hadn’t even considered how the room might have affected his pilot and friend.

Without a word, they got into the shuttle and took off. The further away from the planet they got, the better they felt. Yet there was still a lingering effect from the room. It was like Rick left the happy part of himself in the room.

He looked at Goliath and said, I think we should go to Shangri-La after this is over.

I think you are right. That place has a soothing effect on the soul, said Goliath as they landed.

It was almost time for dinner. Nancy would be expecting him soon. Go get some rest. Hopefully, we can shake this off. Whatever this is.

Yes, Sir. Goliath still sounded depressed but gave a weak smile.

Rick left Goliath at the shuttle and headed for his quarters. As he walked in, Nancy was cooking dinner. Good, I’m glad you’re here. I heard you had one of your excursions to the planet and wasn’t sure I would see you soon.

Rick walked into the kitchen. He said nothing as Nancy was chopping vegetables and stirring pots. It took her a moment to realize Rick was not acting like himself. She stopped what she was doing and said, What’s wrong.

Rick shook his head and said, Bad day.

Nancy stood momentarily, then turned everything off on the stove and set it aside. She turned Rick, pointed him to the living room, and gave him a little shove. Once Nancy sat him on the couch, she said, Okay, what happened?

Rick told her about the chamber of evil and its effect on him.

Do you know what the writing said?

Partly, John told me what the creature felt as it carved it into the wall. He got the impression that there were four of those things. The strange thing was that I got three messages to go to that place. All of them knew that it was a room of evil.

Three? said Nancy. You only mentioned John and Mary. Who was the third?

In the eight months since Rick was at Shangri-La, he had never told Nancy about Muraha. Unless you were there and experienced it for yourself, telling someone about it would get you branded as crazy. Only three people that Rick knew had been there. Hobbs, Goliath, and himself. Was it time to trust Nancy with this gift, or was it a curse? You are going to think I’m crazy, but... Rick told her how and why he met Muraha, the world mind. She was giving us information during the Corporate wars, but I hadn’t heard a thing from her until today.

Why do you keep saying she and her?

Because everyone I know who has seen her, she has appeared as a woman. She used your form when we talked.

Okay, we will circle back around to that in a minute. If this is a mind that has the power of a planet, don’t you think she sent you there for a reason?

Well yeah. Rick thought about that. Muraha was very careful about the information she gave out. What