The Deep Link (The Ascendancy Trilogy Book 1) (34 page)

Kriahm marches into the
Immtrelia
's bay, anxious to
learn of his spies' observations. Ayka follows him quietly.

The Semri-Ar he'd sent to spy on the human vessels experimenting
with those parasitic organisms emerge from their stealth capsule and take shape
before him. They have news, and Kriahm's spine tingles anxiously as he absorbs
it, tapping into their hyper-energetic brains.

The humans have begun experimenting on themselves, the
Semri-Ar reveal. They no longer seem interested in dominating the Totorkha or
fighting the parasitic organisms. They seem to be developing mutants that will
serve as weapons.

Just as Kriahm expected.

The humans are undeniably deconstructive, and once they
perfect this xeno-genic weapon, they will be a potential threat to the
Ascendancy.

And what has Amharr done about it?

Is he even serving the Ascendancy anymore, or has he given
in to these loathsome creatures and their vile nature?

Kriahm dismisses the Semri-Ar and leaves the bay. Ayka
follows closely, then rushes ahead. She's engaged in a heated discussion with
her first officer, Hresia, when Kriahm eventually joins them on the
Immtrelia
's
command deck.

"The merged human vessels are approaching the
Undawan
,"
she informs him. "It is currently standing by near an inhabited human
system."

"Are the humans on an intercept vector?" Kriahm
asks. "Do they intend to attack?"

"Uncertain. We believe they don't know it's there.
The
Undawan
is still cloaked, and it seems the humans' superluminal
flight technology doesn't allow them the detection of other vessels."

Kriahm blows out a sharp breath, venting some of his
growing anxiety. What could Amharr possibly be after? What is he doing? He
must
know.

"How can I serve you, my Lord?" Ayka asks,
apprehensive of his disquiet.

"Hail the
Undawan
," Kriahm says. "I
must speak to Amharr. This atrocious situation must end before it escalates any
further."

"Should we prepare for a strife?"

Kriahm considers it for a moment. "Yes," he
decides. "Use all you can to amplify your defenses. But do not bother with
weapons. We cannot engage the
Undawan
in open battle; we would be
obliterated."

"We have
very
able weapons aboard," Ayka
says in her singsong voice.

"I doubt they compare to the
Undawan
's
star-jets," Kriahm returns, indignant with her assumption that any
Yantulin technology could match Raimerian containment weapons.

"That's true," Ayka replies. "But star-jets
are built to obliterate. Our weapons are built to deceive."

Kriahm glares into her bright, fuchsia eyes.
"How?"

"We can feign the presence of impenetrable asteroid
fields, or spatial distortions. We can even pretend to be an entire fleet of
unknown origin and strength."

Kriahm scrutinizes the ever-surprising creature before
him. "Alright. Have your crew prepare to demonstrate their skills with
these 'weapons.' Wait for my orders first."

"With great pleasure, my Lord."

-

As the
Immtrelia
quietly falls into the
Undawan
's
wake, it envelops itself in a highly sophisticated stealth field. It propagates
a plasma cloud nearby, filled with debris and energy distortions, distracting
the
Undawan
's sensors. As predicted, the
Undawan
begins to scan
the cloud, neglecting to notice any anomalies in its own shadow. The
Immtrelia
thus approaches unseen and unchallenged, until it's close enough to allow
communication without employing the Raimerian technology. They're close enough
to make the
Undawan
's hull vibrate and relay auditory communication to
all its inhabitants directly.

Kriahm stands in the middle of the small command deck,
Ayka at his side, the rest of the crew lingering in the background.

"Ascendancy containment vessel
Undawan
,"
he thunders. "This is Kriahm, partner to your Dominant, Amharr. I request
that you respond immediately."

A low vibration penetrates the
Immtrelia
's
structure, as its relays adapt to the roar of the
Undawan
's broadcast.
Kriahm's heart stops as he recognizes the voice responding to him.

"This is Gra'Ylgam, elder of the Kolsamal flotilla in
command of this vessel. There are no Emranti left aboard. We no longer take
orders from you or any other Ascendancy
slaves
."

As the words settle, the nanites in Kriahm's spine ignite
their energetic frenzy, setting his skin aglow. Kriahm burns in brilliant fury.

Ayka shuffles uncomfortably in her flimsy plumage. Behind
them, the
Immtrelia
's resident Kolsamal steps closer.

"What is this farce?" Kriahm bellows.
"Where is your Dominant?"

"Nowhere you can reach," the treacherous
Siaaw
answers. "You have no more authority here."

"You will
obey
—"

"Leave," the Kolsamal growls. "Or I will
come over and shred you with my bare teeth."

Kriahm trembles violently, shock and outrage fusing into
an incontrollable outbreak.

Then the connection is cut. And he is left to stand in
silence.

Not having any
klaar
to discharge into Kriahm's
expelled energy refuels his nanites, locking him in a painful feedback. It
takes him several long moments to break out of the cycle, and regain the
ability to think clearly. Exhausted but still every bit enraged, Kriahm tries
to understand what has happened.

Ayka approaches him cautiously. "My Lord? Forgive me,
but do we have new orders? What shall we do?"

"I must find Amharr." Kriahm shudders from head
to toe. "Alone."

"Of course. I will equip our fastest insurgence
craft. Is there anything specific you need?"

Kriahm stares at her, considering, then storms out past
the smug Kolsamal. "Your best weapons."

Our xenomorphed ship enters Erano's dome without
opposition, and lands quietly on top of the Hub. As we exit, I see that our
roughly tear-shaped vessel is black and shiny, like a shard of obsidian glass.
That'd make a fitting name for it: the
Shard
. I smile to myself.

We descend the granite stairs into the Hub's reception
hall. Five Senators are awaiting us, two men and three women, a dozen heavily
armed guards standing behind them at parade rest. In their midst, dressed in
plain black suits and white shirts, a bald man and a middle-aged, short-cropped
brunette nod at us solemnly.

As we approach—Jade at my right, and Amharr slightly
behind me at my left—they all stare at us tight-lipped, some in horror, some in
awe. Except the bald-headed man; he smiles serenely, and winks at me.

"Cris," I greet him.

"Taryn." He reaches out to shake my hand.
"Welcome."

I squeeze his dry, cool hand, and frown.

"This body is borrowed," he explains. "It's
easier this way." He tilts his head, hinting at the people behind him.
Then steps aside and introduces the stern looking woman beside him. "This
is Governor Juliana De Luca. I believe you two have chatted previously?"

The Governor's handshake is swift and strong, and her gaze
direct. Decades of diplomatic training, I'm sure, but also an avid interest
that she can't conceal. "It's good to meet you in person," she says.
"I'm sorry about dismissing your—"

"Totally understandable. I wouldn't have listened to
some anonymous freak ramble about aliens either."

"Indeed."

I take a deep breath. "These are my friends, Jade
Brunwin, and Dominant Amharr of the Ascendancy's Onfeiad Sector Containment
Order."

Everyone before us finally dares to stare at Amharr: He
stands over two meters tall, silent and imposing, his starkly inhuman
constitution drawing anxious gazes. Not a single man or woman before us
succeeds in keeping a neutral face.

Amharr tastes the air around us, and lets out a strong
breath through the slits on his face. A familiar smell of ethanol and burnt
plastic spreads around us. Two senators cover their mouths, another steps back,
glaring fearfully at Amharr.

The Governor remains composed. Cris smiles.

Amharr's hypersensitive feelers arch forward around the
sides of his head. He clasps his hands before him in an appeasing gesture,
which, unfortunately, only I recognize. I won't waste any time explaining him,
though. Not now.

"We have a lot to talk about." I look to both
Cris and the Governor. "Where do we start?"

"With the most urgent matters," Cris replies.
"Protecting what we fought so hard to achieve. But first, if the Madam
Governor doesn't mind, I'd appreciate a minute with the two of you alone."

The Governor nods and leaves us, the Senators and guards
following close behind. Jade looks to me, then rolls his eyes and follows them
out. Cris, Amharr and I are now alone in the large, marble-tiled hall.

"I thought
you
took over Erano," I say.
"Why is De Luca still here?"

"She's the rightful Governor of the colony,"
Cris says with his typical, unmistakable smugness. "I'm just... a
counselor of sorts."

"The power behind the throne."

He smiles, but doesn't say anything. Instead, he looks at
Amharr, absorbing him with curiosity and no trace of discomfort. "You are
truly phenomenal." He steps forward to offer Amharr his hand.

Amharr leans forward, inspecting Cris curiously, and
reaches for his hand. Even before their fingers meet, a bright electric arc
whips between them, snapping loudly in the large hall. They keep it alive for a
couple of seconds, then part again.

Cris grins keenly. "Magnificent! The technology
embedded in your nervous system is beyond my wildest dreams. And the way you
use it—"

"That's great and all," I interrupt them—maybe a
little jealous of their mutual fascination, "but shouldn't we be
discussing Erano's defensive capabilities? General Hurst will be here in just
five days."

"Of course. In a moment. The reason I wanted to see
you alone is to... well... Could you ask Amharr if he'd allow me to sample his
nanotechnology?"

"He can understand you," I deadpan. Then I
realize it doesn't work the other way around.

I look at Amharr. He glances at me briefly, then refocuses
on Cris. His voice sends low vibrations through the marbled hall, crawling up
my marrow.

"This entity possesses a vast knowledge and
intelligence, but it is not alive. I do not trust it."

"We should indulge it," I say, eliciting a
curious gaze from Cris. "For now."

"For now," Amharr repeats.

He lifts his right hand, and a small drop of smoke, then
liquid, forms at the tip of a finger. He makes it levitate and soar into Cris's
outstretched palm.

Cris nods deferentially. "Thank you."

"Can we move on, please?" I press.

"Of course. Is there anything I can do for you,
before we dig into more tedious matters?" Cris looks at us both.

I'd like a room with a heavy lock on the door, please,
thanks
.

I shake my head. "Amharr's nanotechnology helps him
adapt to our conditions for now, and I don't need any— Hm. Can you track
someone down for me?"

"Just give me a name."

"Waylen Preston."

Cris doesn't even blink before answering. "His was
among the first synets I checked. He seems to have left Epsilon Eridani in an
unregistered ship, eighty-six minutes ago."

Son of a bitch
. "Where to?"

"Alpha Centauri, but it could be a detour. No way to
be sure."

I let out a long, exasperated sigh.

"I'll find him for you the moment he taps into a
datasphere," Cris says. "It's only a matter of time." He studies
me a moment longer, then resumes staring at Amharr with unveiled fascination.

"Alright." I make for the door, Cris and Amharr
falling into step with me. "Let's make this victory of ours count."

Did you enjoy
The Deep Link
?

Please consider
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. Reviews are
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And if you're eager to see what Taryn and Amharr face next, the
sequel is already
available for
pre-order
!

The Prime Rift

The
Ascendancy Trilogy Book Two

Taryn has risked everything to free the first human
colony from the tyranny of the TMC. With the help of her mind-linked ally, the
alien warlord Amharr, she has finally succeeded.

Now Taryn must free the other colonies too, before the
Ascendancy's world-crushing ships reach human space.

But when she needs him most, Taryn must let Amharr go,
or their Link will kill him. The others who stood by her side have seemingly
turned against her. And the sadistic TMC General Hurst, who craves the power of
Taryn's Link, is now hunting her down.

With time running out, Taryn is about to face her
greatest challenge yet, and she must do so alone.

Pre-order
The
Prime Rift
now on Amazon!

Release date is December, 20th 2015.

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