Betrayal Read online

  Rise of Man

  Book 3: Betrayal

  This book continues the story found in Betrayal

  By E. Wayne Stucki

  Copyright © 2015 E. Wayne Stucki

  All rights reserved.

  Distributed by Smashwords

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  This book is a work of fiction. All the events and characters portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents are purely coincidental.

  See these other books by E. Wayne Stucki available at your favorite ebook retailer:

  Ascendance

  Liberty

  Betrayal

  Constitution

  (upcoming)

  And if you are religious check out:

  The Sermon on the Mount: A Mormon Perspective

  from the same author.

  If you wish to learn more about upcoming books you can contact the author at [email protected].

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Prologue

  Twenty-four ships swept towards a star system from the depths of interstellar space. The vessels were arrayed in a spherical formation intended to protect the three massive colony ships and two dreadnoughts at its center. A rough outer shell of three battleships and a single cruiser flew at stable, relative positions to the capital ships while fifteen escort vessels moved around the formation in a synchronized pattern.

  Light from the distant sun glinted off hulls patched in haste where missiles and pulsers had blasted armor. Other areas melted and blackened by missiles detonating near the hulls, absorbed the light. Only the Colony ships sparkled with a uniform undamaged brightness.

  It was a meager force compared with the armada of over a thousand vessels that had set out years earlier from Fairen, the Kthpok home planet. All the space forces from all the Runs of Fairen had been consolidated into a single armada which was a major political achievement of a lifetime. The mission, so long ago and so far away, was to adjust the course of an asteroid that threatened their home with complete destruction.

  The armada’s mission was successful; the asteroid was diverted. But as this achievement was being celebrated a coup was staged by a creature which had been raised from its animal heritage by the Kthpok. Those creatures, known as humans had been taken in, educated, trained and put to work for the benefit of their Kthpok masters. The humans had planned well and seized their own ships then challenged the Kthpok. A cataclysmic battle between master and ungrateful servant began and stretched across the home system. Blasted, lifeless hulks, shredded debris and flash frozen corpses marked the path of their conflict from just inside the orbit of the asteroid belt, to Aris, the fourth planet of the system, and then into orbit around Fairen.

  S’Cinf, the far seeing leader of the L’Khast Run, had made preparations. As the leader of one of the planets superpowers he’d never trusted humans and wanted them extinct. While the fleet was going to divert the asteroid the L’Khast leader had colony ships constructed. They were completed just after word was received of the fleet’s success with the asteroid. Then, communications to the fleet were disrupted. Fearing the unknown S’Cinf had the colony ships stocked and crewed entirely with Kthpok loyal to him then left the planet. Probes placed near Fairen’s orbit allowed those in the colony ships to watch the battle between the human and Kthpok fleets. The battle lasted for days with neither side asking for or giving mercy. At last the fighting ended with the destruction of the Kthpok fleet and the flight of the battered survivors.

  All the surviving Kthpok warships were contacted by S’Cinf and ordered to form up around the three colony ships. The consolidated force traveled to the outer system to find momentary refuge among the moons of a gas giant. Once there the Kthpok crews swarmed over their vessels to evaluate their condition. The vessels that could be repaired received material and equipment from those ships deemed unsalvageable. There were also additional modifications. It’d been determined that with their armada destroyed the Kthpok could only flee. To remain would mean the extinction of the Kthpok people at the claws of the human animal. Drive chambers were upgraded with interstellar drives and reactors improved. To accommodate the long journey suspension chambers were constructed for the crews. Computer programs were prepared to oversee all ship board functions while the crews were in suspension. The computers were also expected to select the Kthpok’s new home.

  When the repairs and modifications were completed and before their enemy had found their hiding place the Kthpok went into suspended animation then left their home system. S’Cinf was determined to find a new planet where a rejuvenated Kthpok people could rebuild then return to recover its home. The atmosphere inside the ships was reclaimed and life support functions shut down to conserve on resources.

  Thus it was, after vast interstellar distances and centuries of travel, the Kthpok formation moved for orbit around a new sun. Long ago the leaders of the Kthpok had determined that the scored, blasted, and battered formation would remain well beyond detection outside the orbit of the outermost planet. From that safe location it could be determined whether or not the system was safe for the remnant of the Kthpok people to enter and colonize.

  When sensors confirmed the fleet was where it was supposed to be another instruction path was opened. Diagnostics on all vital systems in all ships was initiated. This was a critical period for the fleet because all systems had to be disabled for the duration of the tests. That included the defenses. Of course this was begun only after scans of nearby space had confirmed the total absence of any threat.

  As the data began to come in the main computer was programmed to pay special attention to the stellar drives. With all the survivors of the Kthpok race on board the twenty something vessels the drives were examined first and then readied for use. This would allow the force to escape if any danger was detected.

  After the diagnostics were completed the defensive systems were powered back up and slaved to the computer. The results of the computers examination was saved in a file for review by the crew when they were revived. Although short-range scans indicated there were no other vessels within striking distance the computer was given no allowances to reduce the level of readiness. The Kthpok would take no chances regarding their survival. Longer ranged scans were avoided in fear of drawing unwanted attention to the Kthpok if the new system was inhabited.

  With its first task of insuring the fleets continued readiness completed the attention of the computer was directed towards the system being orbited and its next priority. Habitable planets suitable for colonization had to
be located. High-powered telescopes were used for visual confirmation of planets in the proper orbit while other equipment scanned the visual and audio frequencies for any sign of technology.

  It took one complete transit around the distant sun for the requisite data to be gathered. This equated to almost two hundred years as the Kthpok reckoned time. As everyone was kept in suspension time wasn’t an issue for the computer. The data received from the meticulous research was used to plot and evaluate planetary orbits. Everything was compared to the parameters specified by the Kthpok when the fleet left its system.

  Surveys of two other, earlier planetary systems had provided only what the Kthpok crews would have considered bad news if they’d been awake. There were no habitable planets. This time, however, the computer logged good news along with the bad.

  The current system the Kthpok ships were orbiting consisted of twelve planets and two asteroid belts. Three of those planets were gas giants and two planets were in the designated life zone. In its vital statistics the computer noted that while the habitable planet closest to the sun was orbiting further out than the Kthpok home planet it appeared to have the necessary humid climate. That was due to the type of star. The next planet moving outward, number five, was also considered suitable but had a climate similar to the colder northern regions of Fairen’s only continent. The interpretation of all the data collected was that a potential new home for the Kthpok had been found. That was the good news.

  The bad news was realized when electronic scanning detected transmissions indicative of an advanced civilization. Broadcasts were picked up in many audio and video frequencies. There was no attempt by the computer at analysis of the broadcasts. It just logged what it had found. Items moving between planets or were in orbit around the two habitable planets were also observed. Another indication of and advanced civilization.

  Nanoseconds passed as new decision paths were consulted. This was the first time the computer had to deal with this particular set of problems. In the prior two systems that had been examined, the computer had not found a suitable planet for the Kthpok. When that happened the computer simply located another target star, the stellar drives were activated and the Kthpok force headed for the new destination.

  Although there was a planet or planets available for colonization in the current system a flag had been tripped. Prior to being put into suspension the Kthpok Point had specified that no sentient life forms were to be present. Or if they were present the natives couldn’t be technologically advanced enough to present a creditable defense. The humans had taught the Kthpok a very valuable and very expensive lesson: There was to be no competing species for the Kthpok. If an advanced native population was found the Kthpok would leave to find another unpopulated planet. But if the natives had a low enough technological level the Kthpok would eliminate the beings as should have been done with the humans when the vile creature had been discovered. The presence of broadcasts and vessels traveling between planets in the current system indicated that the natives were sufficiently advanced and wouldn’t be defeated with ease.

  Once the computer determined this system failed to pass the requirements for colonization the scanning equipment was reactivated. This time most of the instruments were pointed outward looking for another likely star system. While this search was being conducted the computer maintained a watch on the inner system. If there was any indication the Kthpok force had been seen by the systems inhabitants the computer would leave the system without a destination. The survivors of the holocaust had to be preserved at all costs.

  The ships swept through another complete orbit around the sun before the examination of the surrounding region of space was finished. Several stars were discovered that were similar to the home sun and, after a complex heuristic process; a new target system was selected.

  Still following its instructions put in place before leaving the home system the computer shifted the Kthpok fleet into the formation designated for interstellar travel. This time it was computed the journey would take decades to reach the new system so the whole evaluation process could be repeated.

  When it was confirmed each ship was in its proper place in the new formation another command was sent to initiate the final warm up of the stellar drives in preparation for launch. At the same time a countdown began to mark the time to the escape window for the new system. With less than an hour to go before launch a signal was received by the flagships computer from the Deliberate, one of the other two colony ships.

  Electrons flashed over immense lengths of wire and intricate equipment as the new data was processed. At first the countdown continued while the message was evaluated. Then the departure was aborted. A catastrophic problem had been encountered.

  The computer issued new commands and the formation shifted once again. It powered down the drives and maintained orbit around the distant sun to wait for new instructions. Equipment which had been on standby for almost a millennia was activated.

  Chapter 1

  S’Cinf, the lone surviving Run Point for the Kthpok people, stalked down a corridor of his colony ship. There were no tapestries or art to break up the monotony of the white walls and light grey metal floor. Only an occasional sign marking a corridor or vital room broke the stark whiteness.

  As the leader for what little remained of the L’Khast people… S’Cinf paused and shook his head at the thought. He didn’t lead just the L’Khast anymore. Among the fleet were Kthpok all over the world including from the Ch’Kar and the L’Mong Runs. Once they were from competing Runs but now… Now, they were all members of an endangered species looking for a home.

  According to the ship’s chronometers it’d been close to a thousand years since he’d gone into suspension. His foot talons extended in agitation, leaving bright scars on the metal deck to mark his passage as he resumed walking. A thousand years of traveling between stars and, if what he’d been told was true, they still hadn’t found a suitable planet for their new nest.

  When he reached an intersection S’Cinf paused once more to look down the adjoining corridors, his long neck swinging back and forth. In better times he’d’ve seen security personnel posted at regular intervals in all directions. The sentries weren’t just an ostentatious demand to feed his ego or something to insure his security or to keep the adoring crowds back. They were a traditional honor for his position as Run Point. He gave a slight shake of his head. Even his customary entourage of aides and staff were missing which was a sad commentary of how far the Kthpok had fallen.

  Cold air coming from an overhead ventilation grill caused a shiver that started just behind his head, traveled down the scales of his long neck, gained momentum as it passed over his light gray torso and ended with a vigorous shaking of his long tail. The Run Point snorted and resumed walking. The first thing he was going to do after this meeting was over was have the environment adjusted. It was too cold by almost twenty degrees. He could feel the heat being sucked from his feet by the metal of the floor.

  After walking the ships corridors for another ten minutes looking for a particular conference room the Kthpok leader was beginning to get frustrated. Although he’d spent months in the ship prior to being suspended he’d only gone from his quarters to the Center Room or a nearby conference center. He hadn’t bothered to explore what lay beyond those areas. There was too much work to do getting the fleet ready to leave the Nest system.

  Even with the number of Kthpok revived being kept to a minimum P’Mar could have provided him with a guide when the meeting had been announced. Instead S’Cinf had been given instructions of how to find this particular room. A sudden flick of his tail slammed into a nearby wall. He was the Run Point, for shell’s sake, not a tourist.

  S’Cinf was about to stop and retrace his path back to the Center Room where he could order the admiral’s death when he came upon a particular sign over one of the doors in the corridor. He’d found his destination at last! At his approach the door panel slid aside to let a gust of comfort
ing warmth escape into the corridor.

  The Kthpok leader quickly moved into the room and paused for a moment to let the door slide shut behind him. A casual glance revealed this room was just as devoid of decorations as the corridors outside. There was a brief urge to stretch his tail out to its full length and luxuriate in the heat but he suppressed it. He had more important business to attend to. After the brief moment of hesitation he left the area of the door and moved around the table placed in the center of the conference room to reach the position which was his by right.

  The short walk through the room gave him enough time to take note of the other Kthpok assembled around the table. At one end of the table was Fleet Admiral P’Mar. But the other four Kthpok sitting around the table, two on each side were strangers. Two were outfitted as scientists, one wore the trappings of a technician and the last was an engineer.

  “Now,” said S’Cinf as he settled onto his perch at the head of the table, “I assume that everyone’s here?” He looked over at the Fleet Admiral who gave a confirming bob of his head. “Very well then, we’ll begin. From what I’ve been told we are not orbiting our new planet nor are we on course to such a planet.” Once again the admiral bobbed his head. “Since this is outside the parameters outlined before leaving our home system I want to know why we’ve been revived, wasting vital resources.”