New Frontiers: Europa Trilogy

By Michelle C. Leigh

Who can she trust?

 

Hope quickly shatters as the citizens of Flora meet with a greater threat. Is there a traitor in their midst who is willing to destroy everything? MAK plans their second offensive. This time it seems unstoppable. So Alexandra is bringing the fight to them. Will she be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?

 

Tom and Emily discover a secret that explains everything, but will it come at too high of a cost?

 

Continue with the adventure in the last book of the trilogy as Alexandra discovers New Frontiers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle C. Leigh
• Release date: Jul 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798985945362

Michelle C. Leigh

I live with my partner in Minnesota where I enjoy the wonders of summer and learn to embrace the joy of winter.  Not always an easy task. Fortunately, snowshoeing on a frozen lake and looking into the night sky inspires me. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alexandra watched the glowing green filaments twist and bend in the artificial sunshine as if moved by a breeze. She knew the breeze was an illusion, but the power of suggestion made her skin prickle in the nonexistent wind. This made her smile as the children from her class danced around the large planters that mimicked a tree trunk. Their small fingers intertwined as the one in the lead pulled them around faster and faster until they crashed into each other and sprawled on the ground. They all squealed with delight and stood to start the game over again.

One more time, then we need to get to class, Alexandra yelled over the laughter. She knew she didn’t really mean it. She would let them run around until they got tired of the game. After all, running helped them get ready to learn, and Alexandra wanted them to pay attention today.

I thought you could use a refill, Melanie said as she poured coffee into Alexandra’s empty cup. Melanie’s long blond hair was tied up in a messy bun. She looked as tired as Alexandra felt. After returning the coffee carafe to the counter, Melanie joined Alexandra at her table. So, what do you think about last night? Melanie asked.

Alexandra rubbed her temples. The peace between the groups that live on Europa was filled with turmoil. The night before, there had been a shouting match with everyone wanting to get their point across. I think the lottery will be a good solution to deciding who gets to take the first shuttle and to allocate the apartments in the glam dome.

Melanie smiled at the slang that had been adopted for the apartments of the MAK security forces. The larger spaces and grass lawns were luxuries many had never had. Most of the glam apartments’ former occupants were spending time in the expanded jails in Flora, so their larger apartments were up for grabs. Families had a natural advantage in getting the nicer living quarters, as they received one lottery number for each member of the family. The shuttle had proved to be another issue. They didn’t want to break up families, but was it fair that one family could take more than one shuttle seat? After hours of debate, the group determined that the individuals recovering in the hospital would be given priority for spots on the return trip home due to possible medical issues that might have developed from their prolonged induced comas.

I bet you're exhausted. I know I am. Melanie sighed and took a long sip from her cup.

Well, I have them to keep me going today. But as soon as class is over, I plan to crash. Alexandra waved at the kids still running around the planters. One more time! she yelled.

Are you going to stop by the hospital on the way? Melanie asked.

Alexandra took a deep breath. I was planning to see how he’s doing. I hope he’ll come with us today.

Me too. He needs to get out of that room. His mom hasn’t said a word since Steve passed away. Melanie shook her head.

Has he talked to you at all? Alexandra asked.

No. I tried to get him to eat something last night, but I picked up the tray and brought it back here this morning; it hadn’t been touched. I’m going to take him one of the muffins today. He likes blueberries, right?

Alexandra smiled and retrieved a blueberry muffin from her bag. They’re his favorite. Let’s hope he’s hungry enough for two of them. Grabbing the two coffee cups off the table, Alexandra walked over to the counter to place the cups in the bin to be washed by the staff at the coffee shop later. She waved once more to the kids running around in the garden. Seeing that Alexandra had stood up, one by one they made their way over to her.

We’re going to stop by the hospital and say hi to Tucker, Alexandra said, forcing a smile.

I hope he comes with us today, the youngest student said as she took Alexandra’s hand. Her fingers looked so small.

I hope so too, Alexandra replied.

The hospital was busier than it had been the last time Alexandra visited. Or the time before that, when Melanie helped her escape after she had woken up from her prison of the induced coma. Every day, more patients woke up to find that the life they thought they had been living was only a dream. It was a good thing they had Melanie to help them. Alexandra didn’t envy them that journey back to reality.

Compared to the rest of the rooms busy with confused people yelling in frustration or crying in despair, the end of the hallway was quiet. Alexandra expected to find Tucker as she had found him the day before, scared, hiding beneath a cart, and banging his head against the wall. It reminded her of when she had first taken over the classroom. Each time she visited him in the hospital, she tried to draw him out, but he hadn’t budged. The only response to her soft encouragement had been the rhythmic thud of his head against the wall.

Alexandra dug into her bag and found the blueberry muffin. Holding it like a present in her hand, she rounded the corner. An eerie silence filled the small space.

Tucker, Alexandra called, thinking that he was hiding somewhere. She looked around the room, underneath the cart, and in the closet. Then she strolled over to his mother’s bed.

He needs you. I know you saw something horrible, but he needs you. Please pull yourself out of this. If not for yourself, for him, Alexandra whispered into her ear. Her body remained still. Alexandra waited for a moment, hoping for the littlest movement, the twitch of a finger or a flutter of an eyelid. Nothing. As still as death. Suddenly terrified, Alexandra placed a hand on the woman’s chest. To her relief, it rose and fell. Alexandra let out the breath she had been holding. Convinced that Tucker wasn’t hiding somewhere in the room, Alexandra left to join the group of children that Melanie had been entertaining in the hallway with a blood pressure cuff.

So, he didn’t want the muffin? Melanie observed, eyeing the remains of the muffin squished in Alexandra’s hand. She had forgotten about it during her search.

He wasn’t there, Alexandra said.

Well, I didn’t see him in the hallway, Melanie said while taking the mashed muffin and putting it on the cart with her other medical supplies. The youngest of the girls handed Melanie the blood pressure cuff the group had been playing with. Perhaps he’s waiting for you guys in the classroom? Melanie added.

Alexandra beamed, trying and failing not to get her hopes up. Okay kids. Let’s get going. Maybe Tucker will be there waiting for us. We are running a little late today.

When they arrived at the classroom, Alexandra turned on the lights. She had hoped to see Tucker sitting at his desk or hiding under the table like he had done the first days she was his teacher. The room was empty. As if reading her mind, the other kids suggested that they visit the algae, as Tucker had developed a friendship with the small creatures. That room was dark as well when they arrived. When Alexandra flipped on the light, the small brown algae swirled, pausing briefly in patterns that Tucker believed to be language. The worry in the eyes of her other students forced Alexandra to fake a smile.

He probably went to get something to eat and has already returned to his mom’s room. He’ll join us soon. How about we make him a card when we get back to class?

The chatter of small voices discussing how they planned to decorate their cards echoed in the corridors on the way back to the classroom. Few people remained in the subterranean dome of Flora, preferring to work above ground in the larger domes. Alexandra and the parents had decided to keep the classroom in Flora; it was a familiar place to children who had been through so much. Only the occasional loud pounding of the crew fixing the drill reminded them they were not alone.

Once in the classroom, Alexandra was glad to not have to focus on a lesson as the children busied themselves with the cards they were making for Tucker. A headache from the lack of sleep had started at the back of her head and was gradually working its way to the front.

Alexandra looked up as the doorway to the room opened. Marie? Is everything okay?"

Marie ran to Alexandra’s desk and grabbed her arm. You have to go to the jail now! I’ll watch the kids.

Why, what’s going on? Alexandra asked as Marie escorted her toward the door.

It’s Tucker. 

That was all Marie had to say. Alexandra took off running, her footfalls like thunder in the empty hallways.

Chapter 2

Alexandra felt as if she were running through cement as she hurried down the hallway toward the jail. She berated herself for not having thought of the jail in the first place, where the man responsible for shooting Tucker’s dad was waiting for the leadership of Flora to decide his fate. The night before, some had called for the prisoners to be pushed out into open space. Condemning people to death had not sat well with many who had battled the security forces of MurAdKo. Calmer heads had suggested that they let them stew in the cell behind bars until the group evaluated any other knowledge they may have. Then the conversation drifted to the shuttle and housing. They hadn’t returned to the fate of the prisoners in the cells who had been part of the group attempting to kill all her friends. Of course, Tucker would have been waiting to hear what was going to happen to the man who killed his dad. 

As Alexandra turned the corner to go into the jail, Danny wrapped his arms around her, preventing her from bolting into the room. His brown eyes conveyed panic despite his pretense of calm.

We need to talk to you before you go into the room, Danny said, letting her go. He held his arms out to his side in case Alexandra decided to push through. Please tell me you’ll listen.

I’m listening. What’s going on? Is he okay? Please tell me he didn’t do something stupid.

Danny shook his head. I need to know that you’re listening, okay?

Okay. Talk already, Alexandra said, forcing herself to stay put and not run into the room.

Tucker took some of the explosives we had been using to protect the tunnel his dad had led him up. We had locked them up, but Tucker figured out the combination to the lock.

Alexandra focused on what he was saying and tried to keep her tears and emotions in check. Tucker needed her to be strong. Please let him be okay. Okay, what do I need to do?

Danny looked at her. He started to say something, then seemed to change his mind. We need to keep Tucker calm and disarm the explosives that he has engaged to blow up the cell.

How do I disarm them? Alexandra asked.

Gabe joined them. I have everyone evacuating Flora and the mining dome. I’ll seal up the entrance to the office dome. Are you sure I shouldn’t be the one to . . .

I can do this. Remember, I hooked up the explosives when I snuck up to the surface, Alexandra said, taking Danny’s hand. Tell me what you’re thinking. 

You understand how dangerous this is, right? A break in the wall . . . Danny started.

Yeah. If I make a mistake . . . well, I just can’t make a mistake, Alexandra said, trying to shake the vision of Tucker getting caught in the explosion too. 

Someone needs to be up top. I’ve kept it quiet, but after all that people have been through, they are a little freaked out, Gabe said.

You go. If something goes wrong here, I know the structure of Flora better than anyone, Danny said.

Alexandra tried to ignore their comments and was relieved when she saw Evans. A large tool belt crossed his shoulders. He shifted his weight and let the tool belt fall at Alexandra’s feet. 

Who’s in there with him now? Alexandra asked.

Melanie. So far she’s been able to get him to wait for you. 

Alexandra nodded and turned toward Evans.

Evans kneeled and took a wire cutter from the belt. He used a piece of harmless clay to demonstrate how Tucker had connected the wires. I’d be impressed with his knowledge under other circumstances, Evans said, connecting the pretend bomb. He went through the steps as Danny wrote them down on a pad for her to use as a reference. Alexandra practiced cutting the wire, but each time she tried her hands shook so badly that the wire cutters touched the other wire, closing the circuit.

You have to concentrate, Evans barked at her. 

Hey, I’m trying. You’re making me a nervous wreck staring at me. Just give me some space, Alexandra growled back at Evans.

Evans took a deep breath. Listen, if someone is going to kill you, it’s supposed to be me, not some cute kid.

This broke the tension and made Alexandra laugh. The next time, she was able to get her hands in and cut the wire without touching anything else.

Okay, he’s getting more upset. I think you’re going to need to get in there to talk him down. If he pushes the button in his hand, he’s going to close that circuit anyway, and then . . . Danny said.

Alexandra put her hand on Danny’s lips. Stop, I don’t want to think about it.

Alexandra, I . . . Danny started, but she stopped him.

Tell me later, Alexandra said. She then took the tool belt and the notepad with the instructions and crept into the room.

Relief flooded Melanie’s face when she saw Alexandra.

Okay. It looks like Ms. Alexandra is here like you wanted. So I’ll let you two talk, Melanie said, wiping her brow and walking toward Alexandra. They touched each other on the shoulder, and while they didn’t say anything, when their eyes met, Alexandra understood. Then Melanie walked away.

Tucker sat in the center of the large room underneath the table where the Flora group had met just days ago to discuss the attack from MAK forces. The four cells were full of people who had obviously been a part of the group that infiltrated Flora, armed and ready to kill. Now they leaned against the bars, waiting. Tucker seemed so small sitting on the ground underneath the table with his arms around his legs, hugging them close to his chest. On the ground was a button attached to wires that led to an explosive wrapped around the legs of the table. Alexandra eyed the setup as if it were a snake. Tucker’s work was impressive. As Evans had explained, Tucker had wrapped the wires in such a way that a larger hand couldn’t get between them to cut the main wire.

Alexandra then turned her gaze to Tucker, who rocked back and forth underneath the table. He looked like the small boy she had first met in the classroom banging his head against the wall.

Thanks for coming, he whispered. Alexandra nodded and slid underneath the table on her stomach so as not to accidentally bump anything and connect the wires.

Great, they sent in another babysitter, one of the men sneered from inside the cell.

Actually, I’m his teacher, Alexandra said, faking a smile.

So are you going to convince this little brat to not blow us up? Blowing us up means he dies too. I’d die happy knowing that the blast would compromise the structural integrity of Flora. The irony. A little punk kid is what takes you down.

No, actually, I’m going to help him figure out a way to activate the switch remotely while my friends reinforce the walls to protect the mining shaft, thus protecting Flora, Alexandra snapped back. She knew it was a lie, but her hatred of the men in the cells made her want to be able to blow them up. Without thinking about it, she suddenly had a plan.

Can you get us some sheets? I don’t want to work with these assholes staring at us, Alexandra yelled from underneath the table.

The men in the cells eyed her uncertainly. 

You deserve to die, don’t you? After all, you killed innocent people and planned on killing more.

She’s bluffing, the man said.

Really? Are you willing to bet your life on that? Oh wait, you don’t have a choice, Alexandra said with a sweet smile on her face. Tucker looked at her with a wide grin.

Moments later, Danny came into the room carrying four bed sheets and some tape.

Don’t worry. I’m not going to press the button now, Tucker said confidently. Ms. Alexandra is going to show me how to press the button, so I don’t get hurt.

Danny shot her a look and gently shook his head. Alexandra knew what the look meant. She tried to toss him a don’t worry look, but Tucker’s eyes were fixed on her face. She just hoped that Danny would trust her. She had no intention of anyone dying that day. But she knew that if she tried to talk Tucker out of blowing up the man who killed his father, he would just entrench into his commitment to press the button. First, Alexandra wanted him to think that he didn’t have to. She wanted Tucker to let down his guard a little, so she could find her way to the gentle boy she knew was underneath the shell of hate.

Once the sheets were in place, giving them privacy, Alexandra opened her notebook. She turned past the pages of directions of how to disarm the bomb to a clear page. There she wrote, Now we can talk.

Tucker looked at the notebook, skeptical of her intentions. Then he took her pen and scrawled on the page, I want them to die. Especially the man who shot my dad. I hate him. I don’t care if I get hurt, I just want them dead.

Alexandra didn’t argue that point. Truthfully, she wanted them dead too. But wanting someone dead is different from actually killing someone.

So, if we put this lever here as it loses sand, it will gradually apply pressure to the switch. Then, boom, Alexandra said. Tucker looked at her. She quickly jotted down on the paper, Play along with me. This made Tucker smile.

Yeah, boom, he said and giggled. 

You can’t kill us, the man behind the cell said, but the bravado from his voice was gone.

Sure we can. Heck, we’ll be heroes, Alexandra spat back.

Yeah, they’ll have a party for us. You guys are monsters, Tucker yelled from underneath the table.

The man didn’t respond. The others in the cells around them were quiet. Then another man started begging, Please don’t kill me. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, they made me.

Alexandra wrote in her book, Are you sure you want to do this?

Yes! I hate them, Tucker wrote back.

What do you think happens when the bomb explodes? Alexandra asked.

This made another man whimper, Please, I don’t want to die.

I can’t let you do this, Alexandra wrote. I promised your mom that I would look after you while she’s sick. So, I’ll press the button if this is what you really want. I can’t break a promise.

If I don’t kill them, they’ll get away with it, Tucker wrote back. It’s not fair.

We can make them think they’ll blow up for a little while. Then they will stand trial for what they have done. But please don’t be like them. You’re better than that, Alexandra wrote back. 

Tucker sat, rocking and thinking about it. Alexandra didn’t press; instead, she allowed him time to think. She hoped that he would choose to let them go.

Tucker picked up the notebook. After a deep breath, he wrote, You would kill them for me?

I would kill them and die for you, Alexandra wrote back without hesitation. As the words flowed through the pen, she knew they were true. Somehow, the little boy who banged his head against the wall had wiggled his way into her heart. As Tucker read the words on the paper and rocked back and forth, thinking, she reflected on what that really meant. In that pause, when the seconds on the clock stretched, she understood the concept of love. It was automatic, like a reflexive response of the knee struck by a rubber mallet. She couldn’t have stopped saying she would die for Tucker even if she had wanted to hold back. Now it was out there. Alexandra hoped it was enough.

Tucker stopped rocking and searched her face. His young eyes bore into hers, searching for the slightest hint of fraud. But he couldn’t find it, because it wasn’t there. Alexandra meant what she said. Maybe she couldn’t save the men in the cell, who were all guilty of murder, but perhaps she could save Tucker. Not just his life, but the disease that can penetrate a heart when one kills when they didn’t have to. 

He took the pen and wrote, We can let them go. Then he reached out and hugged her tight. His small arms gripped her with a power she couldn’t explain. She wiped away the tear that escaped her eye.

Good, we’ll let them go, she wrote with a shaking hand.

But can we pretend to scare them first? he scrawled.

Alexandra smiled. Say whatever you want, but then you need to go, she wrote back.

I’m going to make a ball out of your bones so I can kick it around every day! Tucker yelled at them. Then he climbed from underneath the table. He looked at Alexandra, who smiled back. As soon as he was clear, she pulled out her tools. Her hands were steady as she worked her way through the tangle. She had already succeeded in saving Tucker from himself. After that, the wires didn’t seem as scary. With a snap, she disabled the bomb. 

Chapter 3

H ere. Don’t say I never gave you anything, Evans said, putting a glass of wine in front of Alexandra.

Wow. My own personal waiter. Alexandra smiled.

Please don’t make me regret being nice, Evans replied.

To what do I owe the pleasure? Alexandra asked as she winked at Melanie, who sat across from her.

The bar was full of people enjoying the opening of a wine barrel that had been tapped for the occasion of the lottery drawing. Danny was sitting next to Alexandra but had only said a word or two to her, as he was busy answering the same question to half a dozen different citizens. Alexandra marveled at his patience. Evans sat next to him, and at the end of the table was Gabe. He was also being bombarded with people asking him questions.

You did good today, Evans said.

I’m sorry. I didn’t get that. Here, say it in my microphone so I can play it back to you. Alexandra pretended to hold a microphone by Evans’s face.

Okay, I’m done being nice, Evans barked.

There, that’s more comfortable for everyone, right? Alexandra smiled. Seriously, thanks for bringing me a glass of wine and showing me how to disarm it.

Evans put the device that Tucker had made on the table. Gabe picked it up and examined it closely. Wow. He’s a smart kid. Look at the subtlety of the wiring. I’m surprised you . . . He then looked at Alexandra, who had gasped when he picked up the object.

Put that away, Melanie said, eyeing Alexandra, whose face had gone from rosy from the wine and banter to pale white.

Gabe shoved the object into the inside pocket of his black overcoat. I can look at it later, he said, reaching for his glass of wine.

It was impressive work for anybody, but especially for a kid, Evans said.

Enough already! Melanie grumbled.

It’s okay. I think I’ve had enough celebrating. Besides, I don’t want Evans’s head to explode from being nice to me. Alexandra forced a smile and stood up from the table. In truth, she felt exhausted, as if a wave of fatigue had suddenly washed over her.

Are you sure you don’t want to stay for the drawing for a place on the shuttle? Melanie asked, touching her hand. I know it’s important to you. 

You let me know the names, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow morning for coffee, Alexandra said and stood. The room spun slightly around her. Whether it was the wine or the stress from the day,