Prophet: Tri-Empire, #2

By L. E. Thissell

Eight desperate Terrans escape from a brutal and ruthless enemy, and leave Earth far behind. Their safe haven welcomes them, until the Wind of Time blows through their lives. As they struggle to adjust to a new culture, and to a new people, their world is again shattered by a Galactic Prophecy that will not be denied. Billy is led by his vision into a future that he cannot escape, as enemies become comrades and friends become foe. PROPHET continues the saga as the rising tide of insurrection forces Billy to make choices that threaten to destroy the Tri-Empire civilization, and to risk everything to follow his heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. E. Thissell
• Release date: Dec 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224209002

Book preview

Out of the darkness of that great unknown ocean of space, without warning, came the invaders. Within days the Terran civilization was in ruins, the impressive armies, navies, and air forces around the globe erased from existence.

Pockets of resistance held for a few days, but soon the only survivors were small groups hidden in sparsely-populated areas. Almost all of Earth’s population was killed during these few weeks of slaughter, with only a few million humans captured and sent as slave cargo to the SSSouk’k home world.

SSSouk’k was what they called themselves. They were a lizardish-looking species, with little concern for any not of their own people. That not useful to the SSSouk’k was ignored or, more often than not, destroyed.

A small group of slaves, led by a vision-driven young Navajo teen, escape on a SSSouk’k freighter, leaving a devastated Earth behind. Their only hope is an unknown power, an empire called the Imperial Domain of W*Trik.

Part One

J’ko’k slowly began to realize a separation between filmy unconsciousness and hard vibrating reality. He slid his tongue out then quickly recoiled it as it contacted cold semi-congealed blood. The piercing pain between his frills was intensified by the jarring of the metal plate his head was pressed against.

J’ko’k slowly pulled his sprawled arms and legs close to his body and hesitantly pushed himself onto his back, where he lay panting for a few moments, his breath clouding in the frigid air. His sight wavered between dim and clear, but slowly the dimness subsided. Soon he could see with normal acuity, with only a slight wavering at the edges of his vision.

As his mind cleared, he was able to comprehend his surroundings. He immediately realized that he was in the entry hall of a cargo ship, and that ship was running at full power. With a stifled groan, he propped himself against the nearest bulkhead and took stock of his situation.

Hazy recollections began to coalesce, the memory rising from his bruised brain of that last frantic leap into the open hatch after the fleeing sun-slugs. A sharp stab of pain along with a bright explosion inside his head, then nothing.

J’ko’k’s restless tongue moistened his teeth. He could feel gritty dryness all through his throat and nasal membranes. He coughed, a dry rasping bark, wincing with the sharp pain in his throat. He looked around the small room, noticing the repellent red blood of the slugs splattered and pooled in various places on the floor. Large smears decorated the walls near, and the access of, the lift tube.

The lifeless upper body of T’k’lo lay against the outer hatch, his eyes bugged from the pressure that had burst him in two. J’ko’k quickly turned his eyes from the body and felt faintly nauseous when he realized that he had tasted his friend’s blood. He tried to stand and wobbled back to the floor.

He leaned back against the wall and, after a moment’s reflection, realized that he had no idea of what to do even when he would finally be able to stand. He had no weapon except his 'ks`o blade, and there were likely several, undoubtedly armed, slugs in the control pod. J’ko’k again tried to stand, but weakly fell back against the wall. Not yet, he thought.

He slowly ran his hands over his body, feeling and probing for wounds and trauma. Other than a widespread assortment of sore spots and scrapes, the only area that made him wince was the seeping gash on the upper left side of his head. J’ko’k tenderly fingered that lumped tear, trying to ascertain the level of damage. He finally sighed and let his arms drop limply into his lap.

The pain in his head subsided from a sharp stab to a duller throbbing ache. As the pain eased, his mind raced with thoughts of his next step. J’ko’k drifted his eyes idly around the entry hall as he thought; his eyes settled on the cargo hatch set into the ceiling. He uttered a stifled rasping growl. His only options seemed to be either get up soon and see what awaited, or freeze to death in the company of T’k’lo when the ship entered the Stasis flow.

As he regained some strength, he ran what he knew of these ships through his mind. He swiveled his head and shifted his gaze to the tube ladder by the elevator, then returned his stare to the cargo hatch. If I use the cargo lift, he thought, the slugs will see the signal when I start it. He let out a click of frustration; I have to climb.

He waited for a brief time, then again tried to stand. This time he was more successful. J’ko’k stood wobbly and weak, but was able to hold himself up as he leaned against the bulkhead. His legs quivered as he slowly shuffled, right palm splayed onto the cold metal, to the ladder leading upward.

He paused for a time, regaining his strength, his forehead pressed against a rung and his eyes closed. His tongue twitched and slithered in his mouth, darting quick involuntary forays from between his lips and then quickly drawing back.

J’ko’k finally lifted his head, opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He held it for a moment and let it out with a whoosh. He reached up and grasped a higher rung with both hands and placed a foot on the first rung from the floor. Slowly, he thought. If you fall you might not get up again.

The first step was tentative; he pulled himself up and stood with both feet on the ladder, his arms wrapped around the rails. He waited for a moment and decided that he was strong enough to climb the rest of the way. He lifted himself until he was resting just below the hatch. After another short time to recover, J’ko’k grabbed the hatch handle and twisted it to Unlock.

He grunted as he pushed against the hatch; its weight was almost more than he was able to lift in his weakened state. He chittered in self-focused anger when the lid rang out with a loud clang as it fell onto the metal floor. Echoes reverberated throughout the hollow space. With a grimace he lunged through the hatch and sprawled on the deck, panting. His eyes twitched with the pain that was rekindled by his fall.

Again J’ko’k waited, until the pain eased and his limbs quit trembling. This time, even though slowly, he was able to lift himself to his feet and stand surveying the large dark cavernous hold, nearly empty except for a small assortment of secured crates and stored containment gear along one bulkhead. He spied the quarters hatch across the way and nodded. After a moment’s contemplation, he gingerly stooped over the hatch and quietly shut it, relocking the lever.

J’ko’k took a deep breath and then padded silently across the hold.

∞

The battered and weary group of humans sat silent as the ship hummed and vibrated its way through the void. The moon had dropped behind them just a few short minutes ago. Brian fiddled with various knobs and switches, trying to figure out more than the most rudimentary controls. Among other things, he finally figured out how to change the camera views that were displayed from outside the ship; he transferred images to the large wall screen. Icons with SSSouk’k references showed the position of planets and other bodies throughout the solar system.

Look, he exclaimed, swiveling around to face the others, we’re leaving the solar plane and heading almost straight out! He looked around, then realized that no one was listening; all were blank-eyed and moving stiffly, numbly, as they tried to ease and treat each other’s wounds. Besides himself, only Red was alone. He was hunched over the screen in front of him, eyes closed.

Dread realization hit home; these people had just been through an ordeal that may have cracked their sanity. This isn’t good, he thought. Brian softly turned back to the sensor panel, his mind racing. Moving traces caught his eye. Ships were chasing them, and catching up. Indecision paralyzed him; do I tell them, or just ride it out? He thought for a moment and then turned toward Red.

Hey, Red. Brian waited a few moments, then stood and took a step to stand behind him. Red, he repeated quietly. He gently pushed Red’s shoulder.

What? Red’s muffled reply was lifeless, his eyes still closed.

We got problems, it’s not over yet. Brian spoke in a near-whisper. Red opened his eyes and leaned back to look at Brian. Ships are after us, maybe three. And they’re catching up.

Red’s eyes cleared and he straightened on his stool-like chair. Where are they?

Just a sec. Brian reached over and moved a couple of slide controls. A different image sprang onto the wall screen. Right there. He turned to the screen and pointed at three symbols near three small moving dots. They’re fast, Red.

Red glared at the specks bleakly, then sighed. Tell ‘em, he said loudly. He sat heavily back on to the chair, and stared at the main screen.

At the tone in Red’s terse statement, Sue, Ed and Amy turned to look, concern awakening on their faces. Billy was oblivious, gently stroking Lisa’s hair. She lay unmoving, still unconscious.

Gene reached out a hand and nudged Billy’s knee. Hey, something’s up.

Billy paused, his hand on Lisa’s cheek, and shifted his gaze to look at Brian. What’s goin’ on, he queried. His eyes were dark and blank, his voice flat.

We’ve got three ships on our tail, Brian replied, looking around at his companions. And they’re coming fast.

Oh, Sue gasped in despair. Ed hugged her close, his face desolate.

Red stood and turned to face the group. It was a long shot from the first, he said. We should’ve never made it past the first few minutes. He paused and shook his head, then lifted it in determination. But we’re not dead yet. He turned to Brian. "Is there anything we can do?"

Brian sighed. Nothing I can see. He waved around the bridge. This ain’t no fighting ship; it’s a freighter.

Red opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a muffled clang, barely heard through the deck. Everyone looked at each other in consternation. Every mind leaped to the same conclusion – there were SSSouk’k on board with them.

Billy’s face tensed in anger and he stood, life flooding back into his eyes. He checked his holstered pistol and then reached down and grabbed his beamer. All right. Let’s go see what made that noise. He turned without another word and stalked toward the elevator tube.

Red moved without hesitation. He picked his beamer up from where he had dropped it next to his chair and shifted the pistol in his belt. Do what you can, he said to Brian. Well? he asked, looking at the others. As soon as he had spoken he turned and followed Billy.

Gene eyed Ed, Sue and Amy from his couch. Give me a gun, he said, and go on. We go down fighting, or we live. He shrugged. I’ll watch Brian’s back if it comes to that. He frowned. C’mon, he said forcefully. It’s too late to quit now!

Amy leaped at his command, and rose to her feet. She picked up the weapon that she had dropped when they had taken off from Earth. She walked over to Gene and grabbed his beamer that Red had put on the floor nearby earlier, and handed it to him. I sure hope you don’t have to use that. She shifted her own weapon and walked after Red.

Ed turned to Sue and pressed his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes and sighed and held her for a moment. He then kissed her forehead and stood. Stay here, he said. Back up Gene if it comes to that. Sue nodded silently and picked up her beamer, but remained sitting, fear strong on her face. She watched as the others entered the lift.

Brian shook his head slowly. Wow, he muttered. He turned and began to study the control panel, desperate to find something, anything, to help them escape.

The four entered the elevator and then turned to face the hatch. Red reached out and pressed the down arrow. The door slid shut and the elevator dropped for a moment. They readied their weapons and stood in a curved line, every beamer facing the hatch, fingers tense on the firing knobs as the lift slowed to a stop.

∞

J’ko’k was nearly halfway to the quarters hatch when the lift access behind him unexpectedly slid open, spilling light out into the gloomy hold. He spun and then went rigid as he stared at a line of slugs aiming weapons at him. He gawked in shock for a few moments and then straightened. He shifted to face them squarely and lifted his muzzle. He refused to cower before slaves, even if they held death in their hands.

The four humans stared in surprise as the hatch slid open and illuminated a lone SSSouk’k walking away from them, yellow blood smeared down his face and onto his Clan-sash. The long-muzzled being twisted around to face them, but quickly recovered and straightened, facing them arrogantly.

Everyone seemed frozen, not a muscle twitched for long seconds as the Terrans and the SSSouk’k stared at each other. The entire hold was open to view; there were no other SSSouk’k in sight.

Billy suddenly raised his beamer and pushed it slightly toward J’ko’k. His intention was clearly to shoot. Red twisted at Billy’s motion and pushed up the barrel with his left arm. Amy, standing on Billy’s left, moved uneasily, trying to watch them and J’ko’k at the same time. Ed’s eyes never left the SSSouk’k. They struggled briefly until Red leaned in and stared in Billy’s eyes.

Billy! He raised his left hand, palm out and gripped the beamer with his right hand as he faced Billy. It can’t hurt us. No more.

Billy’s lip curled, but he relaxed and let the beamer fall. Fine. You deal with it, but one twitch I don’t like, it dies.

Red nodded. I understand, Billy. You know that. Red dropped his hands and turned to stare at J’ko’k who remained still, staring back. Red step forward into the hold and stopped. Amy, go to the left. Billy, right. Keep your eyes open. He nodded toward the SSSouk’k. Ed, you step over a little and watch this thing from the side while I go see what’s going on with it. He took a deeper breath and let it out. OK, let’s do this.

J’ko’k watched this interplay with fascination; no SSSouk’k would have ever struggled, or even disagreed, with another SSSouk’k in front of another species. He fully realized that the big slug had just saved his life. The other one, the k’kra-faced one, emanated hatred more intense than any he had ever experienced before. He turned his gaze to the big one as it approached.

Red moved closer to J’ko’k until he was about ten feet away. He stopped and stared into the yellow eyes, which returned the stare. He kept his beamer steady on the reptilian chest. Can you understand me?

Hyes. Sm`a’ll.

Red nodded. The spoken words were hard to understand, but were recognizable. J’ko’k cocked his head sideways and then straightened. His frills danced in controlled agitation, to his dismay, and his tongue quivered and darted.

Why are you here?

Nho ha’ve. J’ko’k clicked in quiet frustration at his lack of comprehension. Sm`a’ll. Musht..., J’ko’k struggled to find the right concept. Musht sm`a’ll.

He means you must talk slow, and he doesn’t have many words. Ed’s soft statement pulled J’ko’k’s eyes for a moment, then he snapped them back to the big one.

All right, answered Red. He thought for moment, and then pointed at J’ko’k. Why here? His words were slow and clear.

J’ko’k tilted his head again for a moment. He lifted a hand and pointed to the gash on his head. Hit.

Ed stepped up next to Red. I think he’s the one I smacked before you dropped the hatch.

Red. Red shifted his eyes to Billy. Me and Amy will go check out that door over there. Billy pointed to the quarters hatch. He’s probably alone, but we need to know.

Red nodded. Yeah. We’ll wait right here. He turned back to J’ko’k and held his hand toward him, palm out. Do not move. After a moment, he continued. Do you understand?

Hyes.

Ed.

Yeah.

I’ve got this. You should go let the others know what’s going on.

Ed hesitated. You sure? There might be more.

Ahh, I think he’s alone. Anyway, Billy and Amy are over there. Red motioned toward the two as they neared the hatch and then shifted his gaze to Ed. The others need to know.

All right. Ed put a hand on Red’s shoulder. Don’t mess around; if it even blinks, kill it.

My thoughts exactly. Red lifted his voice. Billy! His voice echoed in the empty space.

Billy and Amy stopped and turned toward the three figures. Yeah, Red, answered Billy.

Ed’s going back up. I’ll be right here. I think this lizard will be a good boy. He stared at J’ko’k. It better be. J’ko’k understood the menace in the big one’s words, even though he barely understood the words themselves. His ear tufts danced and then tightened to his head.

Billy waved, then he and Amy turned and approached the hatch.

OK, Red, see you pretty soon. Ed stepped back into the lift and closed the door.

When the elevator door opened onto the bridge, Ed stared into two beamer muzzles pointed at him. Gene and Sue quickly pointed them down when they recognized him. Brian cast a quick look his way, then turned back to the control panel. Glad it’s you.

What’s goin’ on, Ed? Gene’s quiet query pulled Ed’s eyes from Sue, who was staring at him out of a pale, fear-stricken face.

There’s a SSSouk’k down there. Looks like it’s alone, but the others are making sure.

"What in the world is it doing there? Sue’s voice was high-pitched with anxiety. Is Amy all right?"

Ed held Gene’s gaze for a moment and then turned to Sue, and walked over to her. She’s fine. The lizard’s hurt; I think that’s the one I hit when the hatch dropped. He put a gentle hand on Sue’s neck. She’s fine, he repeated soothingly.

Sue closed her eyes and a sob escaped her lips. I don’t know how much more I can take, Ed. She leaned forward and pressed her head against his chest. I’m about done. Her voice was muffled against his shirt. She let the beamer drop to the floor and she clutched him tightly. The sob turned into gasping moans. I’m so scared. Ed never answered; he just closed his eyes and pulled her tight against him.

Gene watched for a moment, and then returned his attention to the lift door.

∞

J’ko’k watched the big one, silent and alert, as the big one watched him. His mind raced as he evaluated his situation. Stasis, he thought. They know nothing of this. They must be ready, or I will die with them.

Ha`k’l.

Red stiffened at J’ko’k’s comment and narrowed his eyes. He knew SSSouk’k well enough to recognize ‘Slave,’ when he heard it. For one moment he had a strong urge to shoot the beast where it stood. After a moment he relaxed slightly and waited.

J’ko’k motioned with his hand. Hyou, he motioned at Red, himself and then around him. Ah`gu’k. He clicked in frustration. Nho... He growled again. Ah`gu’k, he repeated, pointed at Red and then tapped his own chest. He tilted his head and watched Red carefully.

Red pondered this for a moment. The lizard was concerned, very concerned. He had learned how to recognize at least this from his time of captivity. Don’t move, he thought. All around us, me and then his heart, don’t move. A glimmer of understanding began to beckon within his mind. This time when he narrowed his eyes, it was more thoughtful than menacing. J’ko’k kept silent, recognizing the change.

∞

Billy pulled the hatch open as Amy stood ready, shivering slightly from weakness and pain. Her wounds were beginning to take a serious toll on her. Billy stepped in and stopped, scanning the room.

The space behind the hatch was dimly lit, an aisle stretching almost twenty feet from the door, where it ended in a bulkhead. Several secured bunks were placed on each side, with a larger space at the far end. This was obviously a crew’s quarters.

C’mon in, he said quietly, looks like a bunk room.

They warily walked through the space, checking both sides until they reached the end, and were standing in a small common area.

It’s warm in here, spoke Amy. A lot better than out there.

You’re right, answered Billy. I hadn’t realized that.

You know, she continued, it’s a lot colder out there than when we started.

Billy nodded. Yeah. He thought for a moment. Maybe we should be getting back. He looked around. There’s no more lizards.

Red watched J’ko’k closely, neither attempting any more conversation. J’ko’k tried to suppress his anxiety, but Red noticed the agitated activity of the lizard’s tongue and frills. This in turn increased his own concern. Something, he thought, is definitely not right.

Billy and Amy re-entered the cargo hold, shut the hatch and walked over to them. Crew’s quarters, said Billy tersely. Nothing there.

Red nodded, then pointed at J’ko’k. This thing is getting pretty shook about something. He related what J’ko’k had said and done, then ended, so I think there’s something about what the ship does, and he’s not happy about being here.

Do you feel how cold it’s getting in here? Amy motioned around. There’s frost on the walls.

Billy nodded. Let’s get back up there; we’re done here.

What about that? Red motioned toward J’ko’k. I say we tie it up and take it along.

Billy’s lip curled again, but he just nodded abruptly. I’ll watch, you tie. He stepped closer, and trained his beamer on J’ko’k’s chest. "Please do something, he hissed. J’ko’k stiffened, his nasal flap tight. He stared at Billy, but never moved. Don’t forget his knife."

Red stepped behind J’ko’k and pulled the knife from its sheath. He considered using the Clan-sash, and then relented, remembering the incredible reaction when Billy had done that to Sk’kosk’k. Might as well just kill him now if I do that, he thought. He quickly used the knife to cut a sleeve from J’ko’k’s tunic, who stood rigid during that Dishonor. Red slid the blade behind his belt, and tied J’ko’k’s arms, pulled painfully tight, behind him.

All right, he said, then pushed J’ko’k toward the hatch. Let’s go.

Amy pushed the recall button for the lift. When the door opened, Billy shoved J’ko’k face first against the back wall and then pressed his beamer into the SSSouk’k’s gray neck. J’ko’k froze into place, not even his tongue moving. His tufts were clamped tightly against his skull. None spoke as Red pushed the Up arrow. They remained still until the door opened onto the bridge.

Billy and Amy stepped off of the elevator. Amy walked, limping, to Ed and Sue, who quickly eased her down to a couch. Billy, also limping and weary beyond measure, went over to Gene and Lisa. He sat heavily and locked eyes with Gene. He looked at Lisa, still in the same position as earlier, and laid a hand on her upper arm.

Red gripped J’ko’k’s shoulder and pulled him around, pushing him lightly onto the bridge. J’ko’k quickly scanned the pod, recognizing the weariness and poor physical condition of the slaves, their slumped postures screaming defeat to his heightened SSSouk’k senses. His frills quivered. These, he thought, these slaves did all that damage. He clicked in frustration. Pain blossomed, and he ducked his head, as the big one thumped his wound.

Shut up, Red said mildly.

J’ko’k stiffened at the insult, and then relaxed. The decision has been made. Wait and see where the star shines. Red grabbed his arm and led him to a couch, distant from the others, and pushed down on his shoulder, until he was sitting on it.

The whole episode had only taken about ten minutes, from echoing clang to the unexpected sight of a bound SSSouk’k standing with the humans. Brian continued to feverishly search out functions and readings, trying desperately to learn and apply anything that could help the escaped Terrans stay that way, and stay alive.

Red felt drained, emotionally and physically. He walked over to Brian and stood behind him, watching. He glanced at the big screen and noticed that the three ships were now much closer. He leaned over Brian and put a hand on his shoulder. Where we at? he asked softly.

Brian paused and looked up at him. We’re almost out of the system and accelerating, but those three are almost on us. He sighed quietly and waved around. This thing has no guns or missiles or beams; nothing at all to fight with as far as I can see. He shook his head. "I don’t know what they’re going to do, or can do."

That lizard was acting strange down there, like it knew something that we don’t about what’s going to happen. It wasn’t very happy about it. Red quickly relayed what J’ko’k had done and said.

Brian twisted to look at the SSSouk’k. I’m going to talk to it. He stood and walked over to the couch upon which J’ko’k was now reclining.