Evolution's Essence

Evolution’s Essence (Book Three of the Star Pirate
Legends)

Published by H. Lee Morgan at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 H. Lee Morgan

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Chapter 1

Frosty breath released from the vents around
the mouth of the dark faceplate where two of the six long holes
were displayed to the relatively small group staring at the rigid
armored giant. Expectation and a healthy dose of fear dueled in the
pit of Oliver Void’s gut. Through a neural crystalline chip
integrated in his brain sent images through ocular nerves to
display an image of a voluptuous woman in a risqué blue dress. The
projection of the artificial intelligence called Aquerril was
displayed making it appear as if she stood right in front of
him.

No one else did though.

Weeks earlier he established
a link to the central city computer of his long lost race before
raising the ancient and massive Solarian city from the heart of the
world of water recently names Mereddia. The link was created
through advanced and yet ancient technology that looked like
nothing more than a black metal forearm protective gear called a
vambrace. Humans called it a Multi-tool because the technology had
few limitations because it could make and do near anything the mind
wished, but the true name was Valek. It held near limitless
functions to create and after adding a Voidium cube to access
higher functions and the ability to store
vast
quantities of energy represented
in an orange oval on the inner forearm of the male version of the
Valek.

Female form of the Valek was a simple and
elegant bracelet that has an orange chain pattern.

Right now though, Oliver’s long range link to
the ancient sentient computer over sixteen hundred light years away
came through crystal clear in real time. No difference in time lag
over the extreme distance was only possible by use of hyperspace
over subspace.

He stood rigid for a moment, thick furry
armor beginning to transform into black and silver metallic plates
with razor sharp edges and spikes. The helmet smoothed, but
retained the six holes meant for more than aesthetics. At the first
sign of danger or thought of combat, the malleable armor
transformed into a battle mode of sorts. The Valek is connected
microscopic particles of itself in the brain so the wearer’s Will
and intentions created what is needed at any given moment,
sometimes in certain circumstances the program is automatic to
preserve the wearer’s life in dangerous circumstances.

“
Situation report,
Aquerril.” Came his deep baritone voice that was as impressive as
his stature at two hundred and sixteen centimeters tall and at
Earth Standard gravity weighed a hundred and seventy eight kilos.
His right hand fell naturally to the hilt of a cutlass for absent
reassurance as the surrounding group went absolutely still.
Listening.

Off to the side, Renee Void clutched her
right wrist, her own furry armor transforming into battle mode that
was more sensual, but no less intimidating than her husband’s. The
fur around her head changed to a clear film to reveal fiery red
hair, a freckled face on milky skin, but her chin, mouth and nose
remained covered in a type of surgical mask. Steam rushed from
vents with each exhale. She was his genetic Match, his mate and
lover for the rest of their days. She was no timid female
either.

Not by a long shot.

Around them were nine individuals. Three were
Hunters with two neuro enhanced avians. Hunters were a an elite
part of humanity who were all warriors that fought lethal enemies
the rest of humanity could not, not without vast numbers and
weaponry. They were always at the front lines of any battle and the
last to leave. They were warriors all and were trained on higher
gravity planets that made them usually more adapted for a wider
range of situations. Stone Callicko shifted his weight on the low
gravity of this current world and his companion Satellite, a
beautiful Falcon, held attention. Beside Stone, his mate Breena
mirrored the move unconsciously, laying a hand on a feminine, dual
edged rapier. Behind and moving around was Steven Metts and his
large Golden Eagle partner Visor. It was impossible to see their
expressions behind their Hunter armor which threw up a helmet made
up of small plates, electrically linked. The only thing to break up
the helmet of their type of armor were the eyelets. No mouth or
nose showed in the helmets.

Next to the Hunters was Andrea Loke and
Stephanie Menann wearing a skintight flight suit underneath
insulated coverings. Andrea had dark caramel skin and black hair, a
descendant of those on Earth who came from a place called India.
Stephanie Menann is a woman with long platinum blonde hair with
blue eyes and a soft tan over flawless features. Both were
archeologists searching for the greatest mysteries of the era.

Behind the women towered a giant of a man who
was unnaturally immense. A redheaded, beard braided Scotsman in a
thick cloak covered in fur. Underneath, he was just as insulated
from the icy cold around them. Peeking over a shoulder was a huge
claymore and a hip carried an axe. This giant standing two hundred
thirty centimeters tall was also Renee’s father. His fierce green
eyes though held a calculating mind of one of the greatest
scientists alive.

Pirate King Jake Dorgen.

Last person among them was the small man
Jacob Wrench who had been spliced to remain short of stature
because, to him, being small is a greater advantage for his love in
life as chief engineer among the Dorgenox crew.

Not really a person, but among them
nevertheless was a blonde AI of another lost city called Quelette.
But unlike other clothing styles, those of Ice dressed more
conservatively. Opting for warmer clothes for rather obvious
reasons. Other cities proved they wore clothes merely for artful
purposes to highlight sexual bodies.

Around them at the entrance to the abandoned
city of Ice was a sprawling city with houses shaped in a pyramid
style underneath a great glossy dome. Solarian people were the
first creatures to fly among the stars and they always belonged to
one of five types of ruling elements for government harmony. Fire,
Water, Wind, Ice and Terra. Each community believed in something
and at this very moment the group stood in a planet covered
entirely in ice and the city reflected the freezing temperatures
rather aptly. Each dwelling was literally made of frosted ice and
in the center of the city stood a citadel taller than all others.
It was a queen’s castle though it too was pyramid shaped. Each
Solarian city had similar building and layout patterns for
simplicity.

Yet as soon as they entered the city it was
warmer than outside the tunnel they drilled down the ice to
reach.

Aquerril, to Oliver’s vision, inclined her
head to say “Master Void, the Corrupted One is doing as you
suspected. He is attempting to steal my core, but your measures are
working for the moment. I must request aid. All current attempts to
subdue him are proving ineffective, but he cannot breach my core’s
defenses, but is using an incomplete Valek in attempt to rewrite
your protocols. My calculations are certain that it will be
impossible to breach.”

“
Has he noticed the field
generator yet?” while asking the question he established a link to
Renee, Jake and Stone’s, who just received the implant after now
becoming a Class Ten user of Psionics, neural chips. The link
displayed the same image he saw of the AI in a thin blue dress that
covered her breasts and nether regions and had listened especially
what he heard from her.

“
Negative. He is too
occupied at the moment trying to sneak and rewrite without being
detected by human security the individual known as Jake Dorgen
commissioned to safeguard my city and core.”

“
Best news so far. I can’t
trust it’ll last… Aquerril, initiate Firewall parameters seven
through five hundred thousand fourteen. Divert all nonessential
power to your core and defenses so the city is undamaged in the
upcoming confrontation and alert Mereddian officers to leave the
area. Password is Serpent’s Bane.” Meanwhile Oliver didn’t need to
try to connect to the thoughts of his Pride. Looking like ligers on
Earth, only thrice as large and far beyond deadly, the Pride was
part of him and so was he to them. Nova, King and leader of the
Ligers signaled his group via a mental telepathic link to run back
to the drilled hole. They ceased running a perimeter to keep Beasts
away. At their insane running speed they basically flew on the low
gravity to gather together and look up into the clear sky. Oliver
used his mind to see literally through their eyes to
multitask.

“
Password accepted.
Beginning protocols.” There was a two second pause before her lips
began moving. “Program loading successful. The Corrupted One has
taken notice… Defenses are holding against the bombardment. Castle
lockdown successful. Transmissions blocked. Recording and
establishing trace from initial communications… teleportation
detected and rendered inoperable inside city limits. Evacuation
proceeding at optimum level for human civilians… Corrupted One has
resorted to offensive measures and killed eleven
humans…”

“
I authorize forced
teleportation in the citadel. Don’t let anyone else die, Aquerril.”
He ordered.

“
Yes, Master.”

Jake Dorgen said in his natural Scottish
brogue “Lad, are ye ready?”

“
We’ve been training ever
since he caught Oliver with his pants down.” Said Steven Metts
readying his red lance and double balled flail. “Orders
Captain?”

Being captain of the Dorgenox crew as well as
leader of the Hunters aboard the ship put Jake in charge. “Capture
if at all possible, kill if necessary. Brenna, ye remain here with
us in event Beasts find our hole and decide to pay a visit.” The
black woman nodded and moved to the nano-wall that was solid and
took position. “Lad, are ye doing what I think ye are?”

“
I need eighty three more
seconds to calculate stellar drift for the jump.” He admitted
because mentally he was using the Pride’s eyes staring up at
different angles of the stars. Oliver took in their twinkling
position, adjusted for stellar drift because current visuals of the
stars were literally of the past and he needed to accurately
account for distance between the ice planet labeled IC-99-VCX and
Mereddia. Oliver’s mind was far superior to human and computers,
able to technically process information faster and calculate
multiple scenarios without using instinct that isn’t as precise. It
was a requirement to use his version of the Valek that could be
used to instantly teleport anywhere in the universe.

“
You lads have one minute
for a warm up.” Jake said to those on the right.

Visor and Satellite flew off their companions
as the muscular men turned to each other and began to brawl.
Pummeling each other harmlessly due to their armor absorbing the
impacts, but they warmed their blood. Stone was the superior
fighter, but Steven was tenacious.

Renee though closed her eyes
and mentally felt out her closest and most loving friend,
Sparky.
“Take care is Isabella. We’ll be
back soon.”

“
The plan established for
this mission is sound. Do not take unnecessary risks.”
Came the sage mind of her Drake
companion.

“
We’ve been training for
weeks to do this. Sorry you cannot come.”

“
I understand my limitations
better than anyone. Be careful.”

“
Not to worry. My overgrown
idiot will not let this bastard slip away this time. Hold on,
something’s happening.”

“
Master, I’m being attacked
by several fighters outside the atmosphere.” Aquerril said
calmly.

“
Give me a
visual.”

The image of the woman altered to a scene in
space where twenty tactical black fighters fired constant streams
from cannons releasing stored Psionic energy. The beams of
blue-white light cut through the atmosphere in an attempt to break
the city’s shields. Each ship was personal and no larger than
standard issue Marine fighters, but the shape wasn’t registered on
the public database nor on government his allowance as an Elder
Hunter permitted. He glanced at the captain who shrugged, not
knowing that model either. Still, the fighter’s weapons were hardly
considered a nuisance to the city’s defenses Oliver managed to keep
active when needing to keep humans from learning to use technology
far beyond their natural advancement. It was tricky, but his idea
kept the defenses strong, but offensive capabilities and weapon
systems were destroyed so humans could get close to the watery city
without being barred.