The Razerus XIII stood anchored in space, thousands of light years away from Nathan and the others aboard the Wrath. It was a testament to Ruveran technology and ingenuity. The Razerus was so vast, it had to remain outside of the solar system it was built from to make sure it didn’t affect the orbits of the planets. They could potentially be drawn to orbit it because of its huge gravitational pull. Too large to be called a space station or even a space realm or world, it was just Razerus, the one-of-a-kind impenetrable domain and home of the Ruveran Empire.
Dacian Velkas stood and looked out over his achievement. He was surrounded by the bustling members of his command and control center. He was enjoying it, even with all the frenetic activity around him. Currently, there were eighteen Breakers docked, seven of which were being loaded for an attack on the outer world of Cenari. That fledgling world had no idea what was on the way.
He smiled. It was always exciting right before a world got taught their lesson.
In the reflective glass before him, he could see his long beige robe. This day. he had gone with the red-and-black sash to symbolize the impending attack on Cenari. His long white hair, thick for a man in his early sixties, hung down his back. His eyes, like those of all full-blooded Ruverans, were a sparkling orange. His smile was crooked and still on display for the moment. Apart from his heart, he was strong and prepared to continue his reign for many years to come. This was his universe. He was the master.
He thought about going to his private office to watch the attack force depart. He could pour himself something strong, perhaps a gin, and relax. He really needed something to keep his spirits up after Render’s terrible failure.
Speaking of which…
A familiar ship cleared Razerusspace. The dark-red craft started its entry course into docking. His light spirits turned dark when he realized what he had to do. His work was never complete—especially when dealing with incompetence.
Dacian turned from the glass of the window, and one of his men was immediately there, bowing. “Sir?”
“Ready my ship.”
The faceless soldier scampered off.
Just as he made to follow, a radio operator stopped him and bowed respectfully. “Master Velkas, I have a troubling report.” The operator tried his best to keep his composure near his leader, but it was difficult when his master smelled so strongly of overused cologne and dust.
Dacian motioned for him to continue.
The operator proceeded without pause. “Breaker IX just called in with a status report.”
“Out with it…” Dacian said patiently. Since Render had lost his latest endeavor, the Void Star, to the Eckelions, he’d been sending everything he had to find out where it had gone. They tortured an Eckelion to death to get the name Cleph’thera, and then they had to find out where the Nymarian was and go after him.
“They say the Nymarian’s ship crashed into a planet, Aquaria.”
Aquaria? One of the worlds they had identified as having a secret Elysian base? Hadn’t he sent a Breaker to destroy that world?
The operator continued as he processed. “Well, Breaker VI rifted the planet as directed, though it seems the Nymarian was on board a new craft that got away in time. The two Breakers have conflicting reports of what occurred after, but they both say that the rogue ship escaped into an energy ribbon that they are both combing through.”
That made enough sense, Dacian mused. “Who rescued the alien? Was it the Elysians?”
The operator paled. “We don’t think so. There is one aboard that has been linked to the Elysians, but it doesn’t seem that it is an Elysian craft. Its manufacture has been tracked to Earth. And if the vitals-check they performed are correct, the captain of the ship is Nathan Sutherland.”
Dacian coughed unintentionally. He grabbed the report from the operator’s hands. Sure enough, it had a list of the names and aliases, and Sutherland’s was there. It was a small universe indeed.
“Ready three more Breakers and have them prepared to launch in the next twenty-four hours!” he barked.
“Aye, sir.” The operator took off and soon disappeared.
He stood motionless for a moment and let the information find its proper place for use. It kept going back to Sutherland.
He was still alive.
Dacian flicked his hand, and a retinue of guards appeared to accompany him. They left the command center behind and walked down the secret, heavily guarded halls toward his private docking station.
Black as deepest space, sleek and sharp, his ship stood at the ready. It just looked dangerous as was its intent. The side of the ship boasted a placard, on which was engraved the number of worlds that had been destroyed, enslaved, beaten, or otherwise broken underneath the heel of Ruvera. He would have them add another “I” to the “XXXVII” for the world of Aquaria.
He scaled the steps and took his seat in his private quarters. His mind flashed back to the last battle with Earth before he ordered its destruction.
The war with that world had been a humbling experience. They had crushed so many others, it seemed that Earth would be a walk in the park, so to speak. But they fought hard, they never quit, and they were stronger than Ruvera.
The last battle had him commanding the remaining ship in their fleet. It was nothing like the Breakers were now, but it was a decent ship—and it was breaking apart in the attack.
And then the thing that changed everything happened.
“Sir, the rift cannon is online.”
Dacian Velkas ordered its first target.
The cannon exploded with a single blast. Earth took the hit and, for a moment, seemed to absorb the shock. But seconds later, it burst and disintegrated into dust. Then, with the force of the outward explosion, it pulled into itself and was gone forever.
The Royal Air Force of Earth drew back, most likely in shock, allowing Velkas to escape. They had no idea how close they had come to defeating the most powerful empire the universe had ever known.
Now with the lessons he had learned eight years ago, Ruvera would never be vulnerable again. Dacian had used the rift cannon to usurp his father and rule Ruvera. He brought countless worlds under his thumb and used them to build his unstoppable armada.
So it was interesting to him that the leader of the attack that almost killed him was still alive and somehow involved. Maybe he should have ordered the attack of those worlds known to harbor Earth’s survivors. Too late now. He wondered if the old captain had any idea what he was getting himself into.
-o-
Render disembarked the sharp blood-red ship. The flight crew followed after, sullenly. There was worried talk among them. Letting an Eckelion strike force overwhelm them and losing the valuable object their leader, Master Velkas, wanted was embarrassing to them and the empire—especially after all the work it took to recover it from that primitive Salarian world, Vale.
Render watched Dacian’s ship enter the docking bay and land next to them.
His guards came out first, and then the pale, wrinkled face of their leader appeared. Judging by the look on that face, he wasn’t too pleased.
Dacian saw Render go down on one knee as he approached. No amount of bowing would soften his punishment. Dacian ignored the assassin and walked past.
He stood before everyone else, Render’s crew.
“Ruvera hasn’t been successful because of failure. It is successful because we crush the weakest links out of our organization.” Dacian continued to eye the worried faces unable to make eye contact with his disapproving glare. “So that can only mean one thing, I’m afraid. We are at an impasse. A parting of the ways.”
The crew looked from one to the other, scared and confused.
“But there is one thing we’ll all learn from this.” He motioned for his armed guards. “We’ll see which one of you can hold his breath the longest.”
There was a short scuffle as the crew was apprehended and led away. The airlock wasn’t far, and soon, their bodies were floating outside the ship.
&nbs
p; “Render.” He looked to his assassin.
Render rose back up.
“You are lucky you still are still of some use to me. Let this be a reminder to you should you decide to fail again.”
Render didn’t answer; just nodded once.
“Well, do you still have the Salarian you captured?”
“Yes, sir,” came the robotic reply.
“Good. Something came out of this absolute failure. Anyway, we have things to discuss. An old friend of yours has become involved with our situation. Someone you know well. I’m sure you remember the son of Scott Andrews?”
Render passed a hand along the scar that ran underneath the dark helmet from the wound that had mangled and transformed it into the disfigured living robot that remained.
“Yeah. I thought you’d like to see him again.”
Dacian led the way back to his private ship. There was much to discuss.
Chapter 6