Deadlock volume 3 of the Hellfire series, New intro to the book

Enjoy this opening and first chapter. The full story is out to download from www.amazon.co.uk/Christopher-Sharman/e/B00751DYE6

Deadlock

Intro

The Final Days of the Darkness War

Captain’s log Earth date 22.03.354 BC. This war against the Darkness is coming to an end and I fear as the final battle approaches we may still fall at the last hurdle. The crew of the Hellfire are all tired of fighting; but then we all know we are fighting to save our own futures and this war must end with the final defeat of this Darkness race. Even if none of us have ever even seen the enemy creatures we are fighting against, due to the fact that they stay hidden in the shadows and there ships. The Darkness have gathered all their ships, allies and weapons together for this final conflict and this battle will take place just outside of the Kaliens own solar system. Our fleet is in place but I know the risk to their home world and this has made me realise that the time has come to send Starlight and her family to our own time for safety. I know this means I will have to say goodbye to my sweet Starlight and that I may not see her again. But then I know it has to be this way, Log end.

‘Captain to the bridge.’

I moved over to the wall tannoy system and answered the call saying,

‘I’m on my way.’

With this I left my quarters as I grabbed my long command coat from my bed putting it on before I moved out into the Corridor.

I quickly reached the ship’s bridge and moved into the busy room where I was met by my first officer. He moved over to me handing me a tactical computer pad as he stated,

‘Captain, The fleet is in place and the Darkness forces will be here in under an hour. The Kalien Dreadnoughts have the experimental gateway ready and are waiting on your orders.’

‘Good then let’s hope this works or there will be nothing left to fight with. Now my friend; what about Starlight’s family?’

‘Their ship will be here in under five minutes Captain.’

‘Does she know what I have planned?’

‘No, but Chris are you sure about this. I mean you know what will happen.’

‘I don’t have any choice; besides I would not change any of the time we have had together over the years even if it means I will not see her again.’

I could see Andrew knew how much this was going to hurt me but then he knew I was right. But before he could reply Richards stated,

‘Captain Starlight’s family’s ship has just touched down in hanger bay one.’

‘Thank you Richards; let Starlight know they are here and tell her I will meet her in the bay in five minutes.’

I turned to leave the bridge just as Andrew grabbed my arm. I turned back to see the worried look on his face as he said,

‘Chris as your friend I need you to think about this. Can’t it wait until after the battle then you could look at this without the stress of this war?’

‘It’s too risky and you know it has to be this way.’

Andrew let hold of my arm just as Miller stated,

‘Captain the Darkness fleet will be within firing range in thirty five minutes and our fleet is requesting our next move.’

‘Tell them to hold for now. If this plan is going to work then we need to wait right until the last minute before we act. Andrew you have the bridge I will be back soon.’

I turned and left the bridge as I heard my first officer take control of the ship. I had waited long enough and as I headed toward the ship’s main lift shaft I found Starlight waiting for the lift. She turned around to see me and a smile beamed on her soft pale blue face as her wings fluttered lightly before she said,

‘Chris, what are you doing here? I thought you would be on the bridge.’

I moved over to her and gave her a huge hug before I kissed her on the forehead and replied,

‘If you are going to spend some time with your family then I wanted to say goodbye.’

Starlight stepped into the lift and I followed as I hit the button for the ship’s hanger level. The door slid closed and I starred at her for a moment trying hard to burn her image into my mind.

‘What’s wrong my love and why the sad face?’

I smiled at her as I replied softly,

‘Starlight you know this ship is not from this time, and that once this war is over we will be going back.’

‘Yes, but why does that make you feel sad?’

‘Well your family are here because I am sending them ahead with you.’

‘But I thought we were just going to somewhere safe.’

‘You are; there is no Darkness war in my time and your home world is safe. It’s just too risky for you to be here right now.’

The lift car stopped and we both stepped out into the corridor before we continued to make our way to the hanger bay.

‘I will see you again, wont I?’

She held my hand as she stopped in the middle of the corridor. But before I could answer Hudson interrupted saying,

‘Ah Captain, Starlight; the ship will be ready for the time jump in just five minutes. I just need to input the emitter codes and adjust the power levels so it will work. Then once this war is over we can get you two back together when our ships meet back up with each other.’

‘Great work Hudson and set the date and time to this date.’

I handed him a small computer pad and he left as he thanked me. Starlight smiled at me as she said,

‘Chris I will be looking forwards to seeing you again. Stay safe.’

I held Starlight’s hands as I looked at her while wondering how to say my next words,

‘Starlight, when you are in my time there will be a day you will meet me again, but I will not know you.’

‘What do you mean? We have known each other for nearly my whole life.’

Look it is your future so I can only say this. You will meet me; but before I have the Hellfire. I will need your help and you must promise me you will not tell me any of what is in my future.’

‘But why?’

‘Look it may change what time we have already had together. You will know it is me and your dad will not accept the young me as well, me.’

‘You are not making any sense. What do you mean?’

‘Do you remember when we met just as this war was starting?’

‘Yes of course; but what does that have to do with this?’

‘Well I had met you before and that is how I knew you. You will understand what I am saying when it happens.’

‘So will I see you again like we are now?’

‘I don’t know, but it is possible.’

‘Chris I don’t like this, it feels wrong. What are you not telling me?’

‘Look I have so much I want to tell you but can’t. Just remember there will be a choice to make and it will be your decision. It must be your choice and your choice alone. I know you will make the right decision. Now we must get you to safety.’

We moved through to the hanger bay and I could see Starlight’s mum waiting for her just outside of their small transport ship. We both moved over to her as her mum greeted us both with a friendly embrace, just as the tannoy announced,

‘Captain the Darkness fleet has stepped up its speed and will be within firing range in just a few minutes.’

Starlight looked up at me with a desperate look as she said,

‘I will miss you so much.’

‘Me too now go and be safe; I will see you again, now go while I finish this war once and for all.’

The ship Jolted as the red alert sounded and I knew I needed to be back on the bridge. I kissed Starlight once more before she left with her mother, and as the Kalien ship closed its doors before it started to take off. I quickly headed back to the bridge just as the ship jolted again while the tannoy stated,

‘Captain to the bridge we have a problem.’

I stepped onto the bridge to find the battle had started as I asked,

‘Is Starlight’s ship clear?’

‘Yes Captain and they have made the time jump.’

‘Great then what are we waiting for; begin the attack and let’s give them Hell. All of it.’

Chapter 1

Earth Date 12.08.2302AD

The Kalien cargo ship Enlightenment is journeying to a small Kalien colony within the Caridian boarders, with a shipment of shield generators and technical equipment meant for a low tech settlement. So they can better its defences during the ongoing war. The ship’s Captain called Talstead and his daughter Starlight are on the small bridge chatting about their next visit home, when the ship’s sensors alert them both to an explosion two sectors away. Starlight springs lightly across to the array of crystal like controls, running her hands over them until a holographic image is displayed in front of her, of the star system where the explosion has just occurred.

‘Father you should come and see this.’

‘Leave it alone; it is probably just a skirmish between the Plotations and the Caridians again. We are near their borders.’ He replied with a sound of un-interest in his voice.

‘No Father, this is from much deeper within Caridian space, and it looks like a small ship has survived.’

‘You know our race has opted not to take sides in this war. And after the war with the Darkness we are too few to start fighting again. They will make their way to a colony; we should let the younger racers find their own way in the universe.’

‘I know Father; but they are sending out a call for help and we could be there in just a few minutes.’

‘Starlight I said No, we cannot be seen to be taking sides with the military. Let it be my child.’

His words were firm but Starlight couldn’t just leave it until she knew the survivors were ok. She lighting sprung across to the other side of the bridge as she replied,

‘At least let me listen to the call for help; so I will know we are not leaving them for dead.’

Talstead shuck his head as he looked at her before he replied,

‘You are just like your mother; you can listen to the message, but that is all.’

Starlight fluttered her delicate looking wings with excitement as she moved two crystals. Suddenly the distorted voice of a man could be heard throughout the room and she listen with intent.

‘I repeat; this is the independent shuttle Pay-check, too any friendly nearby ship. We have escaped an exploding vessel and we have injured. Can anyone offer assistance?’

‘Father did you hear that?’

‘Yes, and if they are not military who are they?’

Talstead had concern in his voice; but he could see his daughter would not leave this alone, as she said.

‘Let me find out.’

‘No, I will do that my child.’ Talstead moved gracefully over to the ship’s main controls as he began to move crystals and wave his hand over various lights. He looked for a moment with a puzzled look about his face.

‘Well what is it?’ Starlight asked with excitement.

‘The shuttle checks out to be an Earth built ship; it has no weapons and a small crew.’

‘So we should help them right?’

‘Maybe; but I think we should find out what has happened first.’

Starlight smiled as again her wings fluttered while her father moved over to the communication console.

‘This is the Kalien transport, Enlightenment; what is your status and what injured do you have?’

A different voice could now be heard with a strong accent throughout the room as the voice replied.

‘Hi; my name is Andrew, our shuttle took a bit of a knock when the ship blew up. But that’s not really the problem. Our Engineer and Captain are both injured and need medical assistance. We have little aboard we can do for them, so can you help us?’

‘There is a colony just haft a sector away. They should have the resources you require.’

‘That colony will take us three days to get to, now the ship’s engines are damaged. What do you want me to do, let them bleed to death?’

Talstead cut the communication as he looked at his daughter.

‘So we are going to help them, right?’ she asked.

‘You will never forgive me if we don’t.’

Talstead reopened the communication channel before he replied,

‘We will be with you in just a few minutes. Please hold your position.’

‘Thank you; we are very grateful, Pay-check out.’

Talstead turned to his daughter as he said,

‘You had better prepare the healing room, I will tell Callter to ready our shuttle bay for the guests.

The full story can be downloaded from www.amazon.co.uk/Christopher-Sharman/e/B00751DYE6 enjoy