Star Runners: Mission Wraith

Chapter 1

1

Lieutenant Austin Stone halted when he saw his reflection on wall in Tarton’s Junction. Polished silver buttons on his flawless Tizona Dress Blues glistened under the corridor’s light. He gazed at the shiny wings on his chest and thought about what it had taken to earn them, from the Gauntlet to the Battle of Atlantis.

He leaned back, letting out a long deep sigh.

Every old wound stretched as if they tore open. He closed his eyes, sights of the burning forest and laser bolts flashing in his mind. Since his return to Earth, nightmares had deprived him of sleep. They were always the same. He was under fire, helpless to save those he loved. Sometimes, it was his mother, Eileen, screaming in the woods as Phantoms killed her. Other times, he was alone in the Trident fighting incredible odds.

Every day since Atlantis he’d felt a deep and sickening sense of dread. He should be dead. He shouldn’t have survived. The thoughts brought a tinge of acid to his tongue.

As a group of graduating Star Runners passed behind him in the hallway leading to the auditorium, Austin stepped closer to his reflection. His freshly shaven face looked lean, eyes lifeless. His shoulders, once toned and muscular, had thinned. He looked different, older.

Shaking his head and clearing his throat, Austin brushed a piece of lint from his uniform and turned sharply. Three recruits came around the corner. They laughed and joked but silenced once their eyes fell on Austin. In one movement, they backed against the wall and saluted.

“As you were,” he said, offering a crisp salute and marching past.

The recruits turned and continued in the opposite direction.

“That was him,” one whispered.

Austin smiled and shook his head.

He had arrived on Tarton’s Junction three hours ago. Captain Ty Braddock had assigned him temporary quarters so he could clean up for the graduation ceremony. Austin managed a quick, forty-minute power nap to stave off fatigue.

The Tizona class he started with would be graduating today. Among the Tizona squadron graduates who’d trained on Tarton’s Junction, David Keller, better known as Bear, would be finishing up flight school along with his friends Skylar “Cheetah” Kincaid and Gan “Toad” Patro. After the ceremony, they would all be Star Runners. Soon, they would receive their assignments and be shipped off across Legion space.

He reached the auditorium doors and paused. At this very spot, Josh Morris had surprised Austin following his orientation. It was the first time they had seen each other since Josh left for college.

Broken by the Tyral Pirates, Josh was no longer the same friend from his childhood. Austin remembered the times they would hang out without any worries or enemies. Now undergoing therapy, Josh would spend a couple weeks trying to rebuild his life. It would be much longer before his friend would feel normal again.

Austin sighed and strolled into the auditorium. It was buzzing with activity. The stage was in the center of the circular room, illuminated by a bright light. Uniformed officers in Tizona-blue, Lobera-hunter-green, Excalibur-red, and Tarnex-black filled the area. He veered through the crowd, avoiding eye contact with other officers. He wanted to keep to himself. He grew weary of talking about the Phantoms, and Atlantis—tired of thinking about it—and wanted to enjoy watching his friends graduate.

The lights blinked as the auditorium filled. On the far side of the room, Skylar and Bear walked in with other Tizona recruits. Skylar looked around. She found Austin and smiled. He took two of his fingers to his forehead and offered a brief salute. The recruits sat as the room built to a roar of conversation and laughter. Austin watched his friends, wishing he could have graduated with them today.

Standing on stage like a statue with his hands clasped behind his back, Admiral Tolan Gist surveyed the room. Beside him stood a polished, obsidian podium. His eyes locked with Austin’s for a moment. Gist nodded and continued looking around.

“Seat taken?”

Austin turned. “Captain?”

Jonathan Nubern raised his hand when Austin started to stand. “Sit, sit. I know you’ve had a long trip,” he said with a smile. “They told me to sit with you.”

“What? Who did? How did you get here?”

“I flew,” Nubern said, grunting while he sat. “Took a flight a couple hours after you. Just arrived a few minutes ago.”

“Did they say why?”

“Orders are orders.” He tapped Austin’s shoulder. “I’m glad I’m here, Lieutenant. This should have been your class, after all.” He turned to Austin. “How are you?”

“How do you mean?”

Nubern studied him. “I’m concerned about you, son. The Legion has people…experts to help cope with extraordinary circumstances like you have been through. Your career thus far has been, well, unusual.”

“I’ll be all right.” Austin inhaled, staring back at the stage. “Plenty have been through more than me. I don’t need any help.”

“That’s what I thought you’d say,” Nubern said, his voice low.

A bell sounded, and the interior lighting blinked twice more before dimming.

“Here we go,” Nubern whispered.

Gist stood at attention. “My fellow officers, I would like to welcome you to the awards ceremony and graduation of our most recent recruits,” he said in the same deep voice from Austin’s orientation. “This is a time-honored tradition for the Legion Navy. A tradition dating back to the days of the Galactic War when our brave forefathers fought off the invaders despite overwhelming odds.

“Today, we gather to honor the accomplishments of a new generation of Star Runners who will safeguard the future of our Galactic Legion of Planets. They will be charged with carrying on the tradition of the very first Star Runners, the brave souls who first charted and settled our space so many years ago, when the goal of spaceflight was exploration and knowledge, not battle and war.”

His face grew dim as he looked at his hands.

“I wish I could say you new Star Runners will have the chance to study the stars, to explore the cosmos and protect our Legion worlds, both dark and capital, from the great expanse beyond the Fringe. But a cloud has appeared on our horizon, the cloud of war. Tensions with the Zahl Empire are higher than they have ever been.” He shook his head. “I fear your training will be put to the test much sooner than we ever thought possible.”

Gist stepped behind the podium. “Today is unique. This is the first class during my tenure to have seen combat before their graduation, so this makes an already special day even more so.” He pointed to the graduating Star Runners and stared back at the crowd. “This group helped defend Earth, a dark world and, as a result, perhaps saved the entirety of Quadrant Eight. For that, they deserve our respect and appreciation.”

He clapped. The auditorium joined in, filling the room with booming applause. Skylar turned back to look at Austin. He smiled, remembering the times she’d helped keep his sanity during the days in the academy back on Earth. Look where we are now, he thought.

“There’s something else we’re here to address,” Gist said, pulling a Tizona-blue case out from beneath the podium. “Two Star Runners, especially, helped prevent Earth from falling to terrorists. They served without question or concern for their own well-being. They continued fighting against incredible odds, even when three of their comrades had fallen. This is a testament to not only the Tizona Squadron but to the Legion as a whole.”

Austin’s palms began to sweat. He glanced at Nubern. “What’s going on?”

“I have no idea.”

He looked back to the stage, watching as Gist touched the top of the case and it opened to reveal a shiny metal object. He couldn’t see any details from where he was sitting. His throat constricted and his pulse raced.

“Captain Jonathan Nubern, will you please stand?” Gist asked.

Nubern did as instructed, standing uneasily at attention.

“Lieutenant Austin Stone, will you please join him?”

Austin stood, his face red, perspiration collecting at the back of his neck.

“I want everyone to look at these two Star Runners,” Gist said, enunciating each word with precision. “This is what we all should strive to achieve. These two Star Runners defended the Atlantis Port with no hope of reinforcements or relief, and they held out long enough to allow allies to arrive. They showed uncommon valor under fire, and we should all be proud of them. Gentlemen, will you please come to the stage?”

Nubern turned and stepped into the aisle. Austin followed him, his legs feeling like rubber. He felt every eye in the room on them as they descended the stairs. A bright spotlight followed as they marched across the platform.

“On behalf of the grateful citizens of the Galactic Legion, both dark and capital, I am presenting both of you with the Distinguished Constellation of the Star Runner.” Gist stepped forward carrying the case. “You have my gratitude, the gratitude of the people of Earth, and the respect of all of your fellow Star Runners. Please turn and face your comrades.”

The auditorium burst into applause, cheers, and whistling. Gist slipped the silver medal held in place by a blue silk ribbon around Austin’s neck. As the admiral moved to Nubern, Austin glanced down at the intricate medal. The shiny surface depicted a silver constellation in the shape of a sword.

Despite the bright lights blinding his complete view of the auditorium, Austin saw the first rows of the audience. The graduates filled the sections on his left, but he saw medical personnel to his right.

His jaw dropped, uncertain if what he saw was real.

His mother sat in the front row, her cheeks damp with tears.

“So, then this guy dumps Lieutenant Zyan into the cockpit with me,” Nubern laughed, pointing at Austin. “We all know how big the trainer Trident actually is, so we’re crammed in there like lykers. Somehow, he manages to pilot off that dust ball of a world, get us back to Legion space, and avoid the Tyral Pirates while he’s doing it!”

Austin smiled at Major Nubern, his mentor and friend, telling the story of Flin Six. “Major” would be difficult to remember. He had always referred to Nubern as “Captain.” The awards ceremony had concluded with Nubern being promoted. He couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.

Star Runners raised their glass in Austin’s direction. He felt his face warm as Mom squeezed his shoulder.

The mess hall was filled with food and decorations in celebration of the graduating class. A Tizona-blue cake the size of a large round table was placed against the viewport in front of the nebula’s glow. Champagne glasses sparkled as they were filled with bubbling liquid.

The embellished tale continued recounting the time Austin had saved Nubern and Lieutenant Ryker “Scorpion” Zyan. His mind wandered to the sight of the alien trees and powdery dirt on the dusty world where he nearly lost his mentor…and Ryker.

“Seriously,” Nubern said, staring at his glass for a long moment, “I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for this young man. Words are, ah, hollow whenever I think of how I can thank him.” He wiped at his mouth. “The bottom line is that it is something I cannot repay. To Rock, best wishes for a long, happy career.”

“To Rock,” the crowd said in unison.

People dispersed, launching into private stories of tours and events around the galaxy. Austin watched Skylar and Bear embrace. They laughed and reveled in the moment, joking with other Star Runners.

With his successes, Austin had transcended his class. By graduating early, he had lost this camaraderie with all his classmates.

He drained the glass and turned back to the viewport. The nebula Josh had described as the “dark cloud” washed the room in its familiar purple and pink tint. It had seemed so alien when he first arrived, exotic and foreign like it symbolized all his new life had to offer. He peered into the colors, the sounds in the room dissipating around him.

“It is beautiful,” Mom said softly, stepping beside him. “You were right.”

He pressed his lips together, his mind on the uncertain future.

“I’ll be shipping out in a couple hours,” she said, placing her hand on his shoulder.

Austin looked at her. She had cut her hair shorter to conform with Legion regulation. She wore a crisp white uniform with a silver shield patch on her shoulder signifying she was part of the Legion Medical Service. Eileen Stone would soon depart for her new adventure with the Legion. He exhaled slowly.

His involvement with the Legion had nearly cost her life. When mercenaries attacked them in North Georgia, he had wondered if it would be their last day. Kadyn had collapsed into a bundle of nerves, burying herself out of sight. But, Mom fired back at the mercenaries despite the odds. She had fought at his side, never before shooting a weapon until that day. Nubern and his transport had arrived just in time. Otherwise, Austin would have lost more than his mother and friend.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said, grinning as she turned to face him. “Any idea where you’re going?”

She beamed, leaning closer to him. “We’re going to the Fringe. We will be out of communication for a while.” She eyed him. “I hope that’s okay with you.”

He nodded. “I can’t believe we are both leaving.”

“This is all because of you and your hard work. You deserve this.” She glanced down at his uniform. “Other mothers at work back home had sons and daughters who served in the military to protect our country. They swelled with pride but always seemed a little reserved. I never understood why until now. I’m proud of you—your father would have been proud of you. You’re not only serving our country but our entire planet. But…I also want you to be safe.”

“I will, Mom. Don’t worry.”

She tilted her head and smirked. “With what you do? Yeah. I won’t worry a bit.”

“So, do you know what you’ll be doing?” he asked, trying to change the subject.

She shook her head. “No specifics. I finished the basic orientation and now my training will take place on board a medical frigate. Some of the outer planets have been dealing with an epidemic or so I’m told. I’m going to be in training for at least another year. I’m told that means I will be shadowing another officer onboard the Benevolent. I have lots to learn.”

“The Legion trains its officers well,” Austin said. He reached out and grabbed her hand still on his shoulder, thinking of all the time she’d supported him after his father had passed. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”

“I can say the same about you.”

He embraced her, the nebula shining beyond.

“Eileen,” Nubern said softly, “would Austin care to join us?”

They parted to see Nubern stood a few feet away.

Austin glanced at his mother. “Join you?”

“Yes,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Jonathan—the major—asked if I would care to join him for dinner before I ship out on the Benevolent.”

He blinked. Dinner? Nubern and his mother?

“It is the least I can do,” Nubern said with a slight bow. “After all, this is the mother of the Star Runner I recruited who ended up saving my life.”

“Twice,” Austin cut in. “I saved your life twice.”

“Twice,” Nubern said with a slight grin. “I thought asking the mother of that particular Star Runner to a quick dinner before we both head off to our new positions was called for.”

“Where are you going?” Austin asked.

“I’m heading up recruitment efforts for all of Eight, so I will be traveling the entire quadrant.” He gestured to Austin’s mother. “Would you like to join us?”

Austin stared at his mother. She straightened her uniform and studied him. Mom having a meal with another man seemed odd. He looked back to Nubern.

“I think that’s a great idea, but I really need to leave as well,” he said. He reached out and shook Nubern’s hand. “Take care of yourself, sir.”

“And you,” he said, clasping Austin’s hand.

Nubern offered his arm to Eileen. “Shall we go?”

Austin watched her take Nubern’s arm. She raised her eyebrows as she looked at her son.

“I’ll see you soon, Mom,” he said.

Nubern escorted Eileen from the mess hall. Austin lingered at the viewport as the crowd dispersed. Mom’s new life had begun.

“Well, there he is—the hero of Atlantis!”

Austin laughed, turning to face Bear as he strutted across the deck.

“You had a part to play in that little event, Lieutenant,” Austin said.

“Maybe.” He wrapped his bulging arms around him, squeezing hard enough to cause Austin to lose his breath. “They aren’t calling me a hero, though.”

“Yeah,” Austin coughed as he tried to catch a breath. “Who said that?”

“Everyone,” Skylar said, walking toward them. She ran the last couple steps, throwing herself into his arms. “Hey you!”

She pressed against him and held him close. Austin hugged her back and laughed.

“I just saw you on Atlantis yesterday,” he said.

She parted, their eyes locking. “I missed you.”

“Ah, yeah, so anyway,” Bear interrupted, his weight shifting from one foot to the other, “I keep hearing about how you saved the day, man, like we had nothing to do with it.”

“When has the scuttlebutt ever been right?” Austin asked.

“True ‘nough.” Bear smiled, placing his hands on his hips. “You did a hell of a thing back there, man, seriously. I know Tyral Pirates fly like dumb animals, but they outnumbered you like what—forty to one?”

Austin recalled the sky igniting in laser bolts over the Pacific Ocean, the pressing dread filling his consciousness. The F-18s from the United States Navy had saved him, saved all of them. How many pilots had died saving Atlantis, protecting a place they didn’t even know existed? How many families would receive vague notification of how their loved ones had perished? A sick feeling twisted in his gut with the way Bear looked at him.

He wasn’t a hero. He’d simply survived. And, he didn’t think he did anything to earn the silver medal hanging around his neck.

“I’d rather not think about it,” he whispered, his mouth dry. “I—I don’t know.”

Bear stood in silence before placing his hand on Austin’s shoulder. “I understand, brother. I do. I’m, well, I’m proud to say you’re my friend.”

“Thanks.” Austin smiled. “Congratulations on graduating flight school.”

“Congratulations on earning that,” Bear said, pointing at the medal. “Come a long way, man.”

“Yes,” he said, glancing at Skylar. “We have.”

Bear held his gaze. “Anyway, my freighter’s heading for home in a bit. Gotta enjoy my leave while I get it, right? Hope mine’s a little less eventful than yours.” He looked at Skylar. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Skylar watched Bear leave. She turned back to Austin, her grin revealing her perfect teeth. She wore bright red lipstick and a touch of makeup. Her blonde hair was pulled back tightly in a perfect ponytail slightly touching her collar. She had pressed her Tizona Dress Blues to the point there was not a wrinkle in sight. She looked professional and impressive, but also beautiful.

Austin looked at the deck. “Congratulations, Sky.”

“I can’t believe we’re done.” She peered at the nebula. “We’re Star Runners. I can’t even sit still. Do you know I woke up six times last night? I don’t think I slept more than thirty minutes.”

She took a step closer to the viewport, her hands interlocked at her belt. Austin watched her, remembering the girl who ran faster than anyone else at Tizona Academy. He swallowed, his stomach turning. His nerves rattled at her presence. He knew she waited for him to say something.

“I know it’ll be dangerous,” she continued, “but I’m having trouble reminding myself of that. It’s all so exciting. I never thought this would happen when I was first recruited. We’ll get stationed on another planet or maybe a carrier. It’s all so crazy.”

“It is.” He looked out at the nebula, watching as two patrolling Trident fighters passed by the viewport.

“Austin?”

“Hmm?” He watched the Tridents, the position lights twinkling as they prepared to land on Tarton’s Junction.

Skylar gently pulled his chin to face her, her fingertips smooth on his skin. She looked at him, studying his face.

“Have you decided?” she asked.

His pulse quickened. “Decided?” he asked, even though he knew what she meant. He felt like a coward.

She sighed. “Where are you going? For leave. You can come with me. I promise we can do whatever you want. After all we’ve been through, I thought you’d like to see my home. We could swim in the ocean, make each day last a lifetime. If I’ve learned anything since I arrived at Tizona, it’s that life is too short.” She framed his face with her hands. “We might be transferred to other sides of the galaxy, so I thought this would be fun for both of us.”

Austin softly pulled her hands away and squeezed them. “You know you mean the world to me, right?”

Expression drained from her face, the muscles falling flat. “Okay.”

He paused. “I couldn’t have made it through the Academy without you—without your friendship. I wouldn’t have made it through Tarton’s Junction.” He looked at her. “When I heard your voice during the Battle of Atlantis, I’ve never been happier.”

She bit her lip. “Then why won’t you come with me?”

“I just…I can’t. We have to follow the path in front of us, right?”

Skylar looked at him and scowled. “She’s very pretty, Austin. But she’s not one of us.”

He tried to think of something to say.

“If that’s your choice,” she said before he could reply, “I can’t stop you. But she will never know you the way I do. She’ll never care the way I do. She’s a career officer—that’s all that matters to her.” She covered her mouth with her hand and stared at the deck.

His stomach soured. “I think you’re wrong about her.”

Skylar pressed her lips, shaking her head. “I’m not.” She kissed Austin’s cheek. “I’ve loved you since I saw you outside the window…arriving late to the Academy. I love you still.”

“I don’t know what to say, Sky.”

She gazed at him, her eyebrows raised, then backed away. “Then don’t say anything at all,” she whispered.

Frowning, she released his hands. She turned sharply and hurried toward the corridor. Just before she turned the corner, she placed her hands over her face and disappeared down the corridor into the sea of Star Runners and Legion staff.

He turned back to the nebula one last time, a lump forming in his throat.