CassaStorm (10 page)

“Yes, but in the meantime, my people are in grave danger,” said Enteller, thrusting his pointed nose closer to the screen.

“Prefect, some of my best men are in harm’s way, trying to find answers!” said Byron, slamming his fist on the desk. His reaction had the desired effect and Enteller leaned away from the screen. “I will let you know the moment I hear something.”

Without waiting for a response, his fingers came down on the keyboard. Byron closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. He needed to be more diplomatic with the prefect. The Tgrens were official allies with the Cassans now. The man deserved to know what was happening.

Why did I accept this position? Byron thought.

His computer beeped. Noting the message originated from the Nacinta, Byron answered at once.

“Commander Byron, I didn’t expect to find you still in your office,” said Commander Ganter, his brows drawn tightly together.

“I’m still here, Commander,” said Byron, leaning forward.

“Has your team determined the locations of the alien ship’s transmission?”

Byron glanced at his personal tablet. No new information had been uploaded in the past hour. “They’re still working on it. Any change in the enemy’s position?”

“No, and we’ve not detected any other ships in the area. The Litheron and Darentor are within range should anything new transpire.”

“We’re ready no matter what happens,” Byron said, asserting confidence he didn’t feel.

“We’ll keep you posted. And Commander,” said Ganter, his gaze dropping. “We received a transmission from Cassa that might interest you. A power drain near the city of Yare has led to the discovery of an unknown energy source beneath the waters of a local lake.”

“What?” said Byron, glancing at his tablet. Preoccupied with the alien ship, he’d failed to read the latest news from Cassa.

“I checked and it occurred the same time as your power drain.”

Byron leaned back in his chair. Simultaneous surges on planets residing in different solar systems?

“Damn! Why has no one on Cassa contacted me?” said Byron, tapping furiously on his tablet.

“I suppose they haven’t linked the two events together.”

“Idiots,” Byron mumbled, his attention on his tablet as he composed a message to High Command.

“You suspect a connection?”

Pausing, Byron flashed the commander a scowl. “Ever since we discovered the similarities between Cassans and Tgrens, our scientists have posed the theory that we were both seeded races.”

Ganter guffawed. “Do you really believe that?”

“If they discover an alien ship at the bottom of that lake, I will! As soon as I send this message to High Command, I’ll have my scientists look for a transmission aimed at Cassa.”

“Keep me posted,” said Ganter, shaking his head. “If that’s true, then this will rewrite history.”

“And then some.”

His mind mulling over the implications, Byron finished composing his message to the Cassan High Command. Reading the message once, he sent the dispatch.

Setting down his tablet, Byron leaned back in his chair. His hands curled around the armrests, taking comfort in the padded frame. After the events of the past two days, the worn chair provided a link to the familiar. If his suspicions proved to be true, then everything in his world was about to change.

Leaping to his feet, Byron grabbed his tablet
. Officer Mevine?
he thought as he strode toward the door.

Commander?

I believe I know the location of one transmission.

Uttering a cry, Bassan clawed at the weight restraining his body. He managed to toss it aside and cool air touched his skin. Feeling exposed, he kicked his legs and pushed his back against an unyielding surface. The confusing images ceased their attack on his mind and began to fade. Sweat dripped down Bassan’s face, stinging his eyes. Gasping for air, his chest heaved under his damp shirt, and he tried to get his bearings.

Bassan?

The sound of his father’s voice in his head caused Bassan to jump. He tried to respond but couldn’t form a coherent thought. His door slid open and Bassan uttered another cry.

It’s just me
, his father thought, moving toward the bed.

The light from the main room cast strange shadows in his room, making his father’s form just a dark silhouette. Bassan clutched at the bed sheets as his father sat down on the bed. The terrifying visions were gone, but his heart still raced.

Are you all right?
his father thought.

A hand touched his knee. The sensation sent a jolt through his body. The familiarity of the touch overrode his fear though, and Bassan threw his arms around his father’s neck. He gasped as strong hands pressed against his back.

You’re soaked!

He pulled closer to his father, too afraid to speak. The images no longer pounded terror into his head. It was just a nightmare, albeit a very vivid one. Eyes closed tight, he forced his mind to suppress all memory of the dream.

It’s all right
, his father thought. Bassan felt a hand stroke the back of his head and drew strength from the comforting touch.
Shh. Don’t wake your mother.

I woke you,
thought Bassan, afraid his father would be angry.

I just got home.

His father released him. Bassan grasped at his arms, afraid his father would leave him.

Bassan, I’m right here.
A hand stroked his head.
It’s all right. Just a bad dream.

His sight adjusted to the light. Bassan stared at his father’s face, surprised by the compassion reflected in his eyes. Those steel blue orbs were often so cold.

Better now?

Yes, sir,
thought Bassan.

Good. Now, let’s get you into some dry clothes.

His father helped Bassan change out of his drenched sleepwear. The air chilled his damp skin, and he eagerly wiggled into fresh clothes. His father retrieved the covers he’d kicked off the bed and tucked them around Bassan’s body.

Think you can go back to sleep now?

Pulling the covers to his chin, Bassan nodded.
Yes, sir.

His father smiled and leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead.
Sleep well.

Bassan watched as his father retreated from the room. The moment the door closed, his fear returned.

No, it was all a dream, he thought, pulling the covers tight around his chin. A bad really dream.

Inhaling deeply, Bassan forced his body to relax.

Drent approached Bassan during their break between classes the next day. “My father didn’t even come home last night,” he said. “Did yours?”

Bassan kept his chin down. “Yeah, but it was late.”

“Something is going on. I heard no one’s allowed near the alien ship right now.”

“No one?”

“No one! Something happened yesterday. Something big. And I’m sure it has to do with the power drainage. What do you think?”

Bassan kept walking, unable to form of a suitable answer. He hadn’t picked up anything in his father’s thoughts last night. His only memory of the evening centered on the horrible dreams that invaded his head.

“Hey!”

A hand came down on Bassan’s shoulder. Startled, he stopped and stared at his friend.

“What’s wrong with you today?” Drent demanded, his nose wrinkled as if in disgust.

Shielding his thoughts, Bassan shook his head. “Nothing, I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Oh,” said Drent, dropping his hand. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”

“I just did.”

Free from his friend’s grasp, Bassan trotted toward their classroom. He heard Drent’s exclamation of surprise, but didn’t stop. Clutching his computer tablet to his chest, he entered the room and scanned the rows. One end seat remained in the last row and Bassan hustled to claim it. Feeling a sense of relief, Bassan sunk down in his seat. He wanted to avoid further questions regarding his lack of enthusiasm. Drent wouldn’t understand.

When his classes ended for the day, Bassan felt his mother’s touch.

Bassan, I’ll be there in a few minutes. We’re going to see your great uncle
.

Anxiety gripped his chest.
Yes, Mother,
he answered out of obedience.

He’s doing better and would very much like to see you.

Bassan sighed and stepped outside to wait for his mother. He liked his great uncle. He’d worried when he found out Orellen had been injured in the attack. Picking up on the images in his mother’s mind, Bassan knew what to expect when he saw his uncle in person. He could handle the experience. It was viewing the city of Ktren in ruins after the attack that bothered him.

He said little as their transport navigated through the security checkpoint, pretending to be engrossed with his studies. When the city began to fly by the large windows, Bassan stole a quick glance. He didn’t see any damage. Feeling brave, he continued to watch the sandstone buildings as the transport passed through Ktren.

They rounded a corner and Bassan’s spirits sank. A row of buildings, reduced to rubble, lay strewn across the road. Men and women were working to remove the broken sections, piling the smaller pieces of stone on a large cart. Were there people in those buildings when they collapsed? The thought sickened him.

The transport came to a halt outside a large building. Bassan followed his mother inside and up a flight of stairs. Holding his computer tablet to his chest, he took a deep breath before entering his uncle’s room.

Uncle, I’ve brought a visitor,
his mother thought, stepping aside so the occupant of the bed could see him. Bassan moved closer, his gaze on his uncle.

Good to see you, my boy,
his uncle thought.

Bassan paused at the foot of the bed.
Good afternoon, sir
, he thought, trying not to stare at the bandage around the man’s head. At least no blood was in evidence. He didn’t fare well around blood.

I swear you look more like your father every time I see you,
his uncle thought.

Bassan nodded, aware of the similarities. His mother touched his face, her fingers prompting him to look up at her.

I think it’s a good thing,
she thought, winking at Bassan. His mother’s hand dropped and she turned to face her uncle.
We can’t stay long. The base is still on full alert. And I have a briefing this evening.

I wonder who I’ll stay with tonight, Bassan thought, his shoulders slumping. The only time he saw his room now was when he went to bed.

Have the locations of the transmission been discovered?

His uncle’s question caught Bassan’s attention. He focused on his mother, eager for the answer.

I believe they’ve narrowed down the sources
, his mother thought, placing her hands on her hips.
I’ll know more tonight, but one was indeed Cassa. A ship similar to the one residing in our mountain was discovered buried at the bottom of a lake on Cassa.

So after all this time they’ve finally found a connection between our races?
his uncle thought, his uncovered eyebrow arching.

It could be more than just a connection.

I always wondered if we were from the same stock.

Bassan’s fingers tightened around his tablet. Were Cassans and Tgrens really the same race? Was the merging of the two races less strange than his classmates suggested?

Uncle Orellen’s gaze shifted to Bassan.
And you are living proof, my boy.

Glancing at his mother, Bassan offered a hesitant smile, still trying to conceal his excitement. If the two races were indeed one and the same, then perhaps the other children would view him differently. The seven children of Cassan-Tgren pairings wouldn’t be considered second-class citizens anymore.

They departed a few minutes later. The return trip through Ktren’s streets didn’t even register with Bassan. His mind mulled over the news, eager to inform the other children. He and Drent wouldn’t have to fight for the respect due the sons of high-ranking officers. His friend always chided him for not playing the commander’s son card more often. Well, Bassan was ready now. The next boy who teased him for being a half-breed…

“Bassan?”

Startled by his mother’s voice, he spun to face her. She frowned, her eyes troubled.

“Do the other children give you a hard time because you are half Tgren?”

Bassan stared at his mother, unable to move. He hadn’t meant for her to hear his thoughts. Despite the jabs from his classmates, Bassan never wanted his parents to know he endured teasing on account of his mixed heritage. It wasn’t their fault. He needed to be stronger and fight back.

His mother placed an arm around his shoulders and pulled Bassan closer. He allowed his mother to hug him, pretending indifference even as he reveled in her soothing thoughts.

You are to be proud of your Tgren heritage,
she thought, her hand stroking his head.
We may not be as advanced as the Cassans as far as technology is concerned, but our mental powers are stronger. And since your father possesses abilities beyond the average Cassan, you’re probably ten times stronger than the other children.

Bassan had never considered that possibility.
You think so?

You are due for testing soon. I’m confident those tests will reveal traits similar to those your father and I possess. Which means you will be stronger than any of those Cassan children.

Pulling himself free, Bassan stared up at his mother, his heart full of hope.
I’ll be stronger?

His mother smiled and stroked his cheek.
Much stronger.

Then why can’t I shield better?
Bassan thought, still bothered his mother had heard him.

You’re good at shielding,
his mother thought, a laugh escaping her lips
. I’m just very good at listening for my son!