The Riddle (Alternate Dimensions Book 2) Read online

  The Riddle

  The Missing Queen (Bonus)

  The Ripple Effect (Bonus)

  The Lost Tiro (Bonus)

  The Plague (Preview)

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  The Riddle

  Alternate Dimensions Book 2

  Blake B. Rivers

  Copyright © 2017 by Blake B. Rivers. This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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  The Plague (Book 1)

  Chapter One: The Welcoming Party

  Almost cinematically, a shadow slowly loomed over us as we kept being pulled backward.

  “There’s gotta be something you can do, right?” I asked Viys’k. “Same last minute rewire or techno shenanigans?”

  “I can do a lot of things, but circumvent an illegal grade tractor beam in less than five minutes? That’s not on the list.”

  I flopped back in my seat, disheartened and frustrated. “Remind me to never play the lottery because my luck clearly sucks.”

  Janix let out a massively ill-timed chortle. “No kidding. Both of us spent our entire adult lives managing to evade capture, and this is the third time with you.”

  “That’s most likely because Andi is infinitely more valuable than either of you, on a mass scale.” Bajol said flatly. When he noticed the dark glares he was getting from the criminals, his eyes widened and he stammered out a response. “Ah, sorry, I did not mean to insult. I just meant objectively capturing and keeping Andi could be a life-changing event for anyone. Whatever is hunting her wants her dead, so it can do…whatever it is it’s trying to do.

  “The Council knows she exists and that she has impossible antigens, pathogens, and who knows what else in her body, and that someone is trying to kill her before they can capture her for testing.

  “Bounty hunters and opportunists such as Miya know there are enough credits in the reward for your capture to have them sitting comfortably for several years.

  “It makes sense that pirates would want in on the action as well. No doubt, they will hold us hostage in the hope of doubling the reward. Since the three of us are expendable, we’ll be killed off in timely increments to encourage facilitation on behalf of the Council.”

  I sat there, feeling worse and worse with each sentence. What was worse was that it all made sense. And if they knew I was somehow infected with the Kodadt Virus but still living–and more importantly, kicking ass–I would hate to think of how much worse it would get.

  Although it was hard to think of a way it could get worse than captured again and watching my only friends in this entire galaxy get murdered by space pirates.

  We fell quiet as we passed through the shielding of the hangar bay. Since we were still being pulled backward, it felt like we were being swallowed. I supposed that was fairly appropriate for how prey–which I was–typically felt. Like a bunny that had been running from too many sharp-fanged predators and had finally succumbed.

  I hadn’t even done much. What a waste. Pulled to another galaxy just to end up losing after roaming free for less than two days.

  Finally, our ship landed with a definitive thunk, and we just sat there, awaiting the charge that was inevitably going to crash into our door.

  But nothing happened.

  After five minutes or so, I started to get antsy. “Um…are we supposed to go meet them? I’m not sure how this whole being captured by the Space Age Black Beard thing is supposed to work.”

  “What does a black beard have to do with any of this?”

  “Never mind, not important. I’m gonna go out.”

  “What? No! Why would you do that?”

  But I was already out of my seat and heading toward the door. Before any of them could stop me, I slammed the button to slide the entrance open and lower the ramp. And what I saw once the barrier moved was pretty much the last thing I expected to see.

  “Uh, guys.” I called. “You’re going to want to come here.”

  I heard shuffling and grumbling–mostly from Janix–and the three joined me. I could tell they were cross, perplexed, and tired, but those expressions quickly shifted to surprise as they stood beside me.

  Waiting for us on the floor of the hangar was not a squad with weapons armed and ready. In fact, I don’t think there was a single gun in sight.

  No, instead, there was a small party of well-dressed aliens of various species, their arms filled with medical supplies.

  It was a seirr who stepped forward. “None of you are injured?” They asked in concern.

  “Um, no. But thanks.”

  The alien shook their bald head, clearly stunned. “When we heard there was somehow a kodadt attack, we feared the worst. This is a blessing from the waters if there ever was one.” They bowed. “I am Majoi, one of the first mates of this ship. I have been charged with your care while you travel with us. You may use the common language’s feminine pronouns for me if it conveniences you.”

  “Our care?” I murmured slowly. “So, we’re not prisoners?”

  There was a small laugh from the aliens gathered below us. “I can see how you could have come to that conclusion, but no, you are not our prisoners. You do have business with our captain, but she gave us clear instructions to make sure that you were healthy and whole before attending to anything in a more official capacity.” She bowed her head once more. “But if you are well and not too worn from the attack, I can take you to meet her now. No doubt she will be pleased that you are all intact and in possession of your limbs.” Her dark eyes flicked to Janix. “Well, most of your limbs.”

  “Hey, this is an old injury,” the mooreerie groused.

  “Why does your captain want to see us?” I asked, still wary of a trap. What was that saying? Imprison me once, shame on you. Imprison me twice, shame on me. Imprison me thrice, time to think of a new decision-making paradigm? Yeah, something like that.

  “That is her business, and hers alone.”

  Great, cryptic answers. My favorite. “All right then. By all means, lead the way.”

  “Of course.” The seirr bowed once more and turned to lead us out as we walked down the ramp. I realized that she was being incredibly trusting, giving us her back as she was. It would be so easy for us to jump her and try to wrest control of the ship.

  Thankfully, none of us were stupid enough to actually attempt that. It was clear that some sort of peace offering was being laid on the table right now, and although I didn’t know why or what the conditions were around it, I wasn’t about to set that very olive branch on fire.

  Compared to the last ship we were on, this tour was much more glamourous. Everything was shining, chrome, white, or teal and looked like it belonged on the set of a blockbuster movie. I realized this was the first time I was able to actually take my time and stroll along while looking over a beautiful ship. There was no running for my life, or throwing up, or giant monsters chasing us. Just a pleasant running explanation of what and where certain things were by our guide.

  I noticed we began losing the rest of our entourage as we traveled along, until we reached an elevator that Majoi had to punch several codes into then scan her retina. The remaining few bowed and dismissed themselves, leaving the four of us with the lone pirate.

&
nbsp; Well, this was certainly turning out to be nothing like I expected.

  “After you,” she said, standing to the side and gesturing us in.

  We exchanged looks warily, but complied. Despite the welcome pleasantness, we were still on edge. After all, no matter how polite they were to us, these people had used a tractor beam to involuntarily pull us on board. I just hoped the captain had an explanation that made sense and this wasn’t yet another fake out.

  Majoi continued her tour guide speech as we shuttled upward. When the elevator eventually stopped, she punched another two codes in then scanned her fingerprint before they slid open.

  Once more, I found myself surprised by the big reveal.

  Instead of an opulent pirate’s quarters filled with spoils of raids and only the finest of things, I saw a rather sensible work area. There were several holo-arrays set up, each displaying information, and two desks on either side of the room. Sitting huddled over one of the desks was a slight figure, who I almost thought was decoration until I saw them breathe.

  A table stood in the center of the room, and I was pretty sure it also had holo-projecting capabilities for planning strikes and other maneuvers. Standing at that table was a towering seirr dressed in dark, leathery clothing, with a scar running down the side of her face.

  “Captain,” Majoi said with a tilt of her head, “your guests sustained no injuries and are ready to speak with you.”

  The seirr’s full lips broke into a wide grin, and she lifted a thick, muscular thigh to rest on the table as she leaned toward us. “Not a single booboo from a kodadt attack? Color me impressed.”

  Her smile was bright, and charming, and I felt simultaneously pulled in and on edge. This woman had Venus flytrap written all over her, and I needed to remind myself that often enticing things had very, very sharp teeth.

  “Thank you,” I said, trying not to sound uncertain. “And while we’re grateful you were ready to treat any possible bumps and bruises, we were kind of hoping we could head back out onto the road. We have a lot to do, and clearly, we’re all of sound mind and body, so…yeah.”

  “Oh, really?” she murmured, her almost-glowing green eyes amused as she eyed us over. “And what exactly is it you have to do?”

  “You know, the usual. Break the law, get in trouble, survive kodadt attacks. Nothing too exciting.”

  She laughed, tilting her head back. “What an exciting agenda. And here I was, little ol’ me, thinking that you would want to know why I brought you here.”

  “Oh…right.”

  Viys’k sighed, apparently deciding I was done being the spokesperson for the group. Secretly, I was relieved. Sure, I loved a snarky comeback as much as the next guy, but my diplomacy skills were definitely taking a hit from knowing next to nothing about the political and social climate of the galaxy I was in.

  “What do you want?”

  The captain’s face crumpled into a pout. “What do I want? Why do I have to want anything?”

  “You’re a pirate. You always want something.”

  “Well, that is a terrible generalization.” The seirr tilted her head to the side and looked at me, eyes shuttling up and down my body. I crossed my arms self-consciously, not sure if I was being given an overly-flirtatious once over or being sized up by a predator set on skinning me alive. At this point it was fifty-fifty. “What if I just wanted to help?”

  “Name one pirate in the history of anything that’s wanted to help just for the sake of help.”

  “True,” she replied with a shrug. “So, maybe I do have a little motivation. Word is spreading all over the galaxy of this mysterious human that the Council of Six wants oh so badly, and maybe I couldn’t help but want a peek at the one they’re calling Fire Skull.”

  “Really!” I objected before I could stop myself. “That’s the nickname that sticks? Ridiculous.”

  “Aw, sorry, darling, do you not like the name?” She winked at me, and if this was a different situation, my knees definitely would have gone weak. Was I a xenophile? I was beginning to think I had a definite thing for the otherworldly. “Don’t worry, I’ll call you whatever you like.”

  “Uh…thanks?”

  “We’re getting off track here,” Janix said, stepping between us. Not that it helped. He was so short, even the tops of his wild hair couldn’t interfere with our line of sight.

  “Right. Sorry, I’m always distracted by beautiful fugitives.” She tilted her head back in another throaty laugh. “Anyway, I’m sure you all know the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So, I thought perhaps I would find this great and mysterious woman and offer her a partnership of sorts. You go about the galaxy, wreaking whatever havoc it is you wreak to make the Council want you so badly, and I help make sure they stay off your back. Of course, if you stumble across anything truly profitable, I wouldn’t say no to being included in the chance to reap the rewards.”

  I felt some of her glamour fade at the revelation. “Seriously? You brought us here for some sort of thieves’ team up?”

  “Andi, cool it.”

  “No, I will not cool it. Is there, like, a single decent person in this galaxy, or are you all assholes, who only care about gain?” I marched right to the end of her table and leaned over it. “We’re not looking to make trouble for anyone, Council or otherwise. We have a very specific mission, which involves saving this entire solar system, so you guys can keep up your petty, materialistic squabbles. So, if you don’t mind, we’d like to be on our way because we care about something other than our own pocketbooks.”

  There was silence for a moment, and I could feel the latent disappointment of my crew at my back. But I didn’t care. I was tired of all this tip-toeing around and mollycoddling of greed. I had stuff to do, and I wanted it to get done, so I could go home and stop being chased by a homicidal, shapeshifting, monster-summoning cloud of doom.

  “Thank you, Arq. You may go.”

  But it wasn’t the captain speaking. I blinked, and looked around to realize the figure at the desk had turned to face us. She was a half-kin, and even tinier than I had first thought. All of her features were incredibly fine and pointed, a sharp difference between the aquiline features of the full-bloods I had met. She had blonde hair that was pulled into two buns atop her head, and faint, lilac markings covering her face and visible body.

  The captain whirled to face the slighter half-alien and bowed before quickly walking to the back of the room and walking through a door.

  “What…what just happened?”

  “I am sorry for the ruse,” the half-kin said, sliding out of her chair and walking to where the captain had just been standing. Except I was getting the feeling that that captain hadn’t been the captain at all. “But I am sure you understand that is it best to keep my identity somewhat of a mystery, being the most wanted woman in all of the system.” A small smile alighted on her features as she looked up to me. “Well, second most wanted now.”

  “Wait,” Janix said, obviously as shocked as I was, “you’re telling me that you’re the leader of the most feared and powerful group of outlaws to run through the entire Council?”

  “Yes. I take it from your tone you are incredulous. Is that because I’m a woman, a half-kin, or because of how I look? No matter the reason, I assure you that I could have you killed five ways from Sunday before you even take another breath.”

  The mooreerie’s smile was broad as he answered. “Nah, that’s fine. Just consider me pleasantly surprised.”

  “I understand the spectacle,” Bajol said, bringing us back to the task at hand. “But perhaps now you will explain why you actually brought us here?”

  “Oh, that part’s actually pretty simple. I do want to help you, but not for the reasons my decoy listed. If I’m correct, you’ve been having dreams, haven’t you, Andi? Of dark places and people that you can hear, but not quite see?”

  I nodded, eyes wide. “How do you know about that?”

  She smiled a dazzling grin. “I know, because I’m on
e of those people. Granted, I haven’t been able to make myself heard in quite a while. I believe the creature that hunts us is interfering with our ability to commune in this universe.

  “Wait, what’s going on now?” Janix interrupted, but I held up my hand to stop him from derailing the conversation.

  “So, you…you’re a–”

  “‘Stranger’, is what we like to call ourselves. Actually, it was Jyra who coined the term if I recall correctly. I helped this reality through a Great Choice many years ago, and we were supposed to have generations of peace. But now, I fear another choice is coming again.”

  “Choice?” I echoed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Apologies, I forgot for a moment you know next to nothing of what is actually going on, despite being our best line of defense in the past few years. Perhaps we would all like to retire to my lounge area where we can discuss this at length. Exposition is always best done in a comfortable position, I believe.”

  I was a bit shell-shocked as I stared at her. Somehow, after running desperately from place to place, I had stumbled across someone, who would finally tell me everything. Maybe I didn’t have the worst luck after all.

  Chapter Two: Once Upon a Time in Space

  I shifted on the lush couch I had settled onto, trying to get comfortable, but I was too antsy. The captain–the real one this time–was looking at me intently. After several seconds of her intense gaze, I cleared my throat.