The Beginning of the End (Universe in Flames Book 4) Read online

“My name is Chase. You’re the fool and, mark my words, you’ll regret ever putting me in this position. I don’t think you fully realize what you’ve just done. I have a feeling you will though, and soon.”

  The fire in Argos’ eyes burned as a vein throbbed in his temple.

  “The next time we meet . . .” began Argos, but he let the words hang in the air.

  Chase remembered what Ares had told him before, that he had felt a great deal of fear within Argos, buried deep down. At this moment, and for the first time outside of combat, Chase also felt that fear in him.

  “You’d better pray our paths never cross again. We have unresolved business to deal with. I no longer care if this happens tomorrow or later in the future. But one way or the other, we have a score to settle, you and I. So long, Argos.”

  Argos didn’t answer, but Chase could still smell fear in the air as he left the Zarlack ship with Sarah by his side.

  C H A P T E R

  II

  On board the Iron Fire, Chase and Sarah walked from the cargo bay to the lift, on their way towards the bridge.

  “Are you alright?” asked Chase tentatively.

  “I don’t know. This all seems surreal, like a dream. Or a nightmare, more like it.”

  Chase softly exhaled. “I’m sorry for what you had to go through. It’s over now.”

  Her eyes widened.

  Chase felt uneasy and understood that she looked at him differently now.

  “You do realize what you’ve done, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I have put everything and everyone in the universe in jeopardy to get you back.”

  “How could you?”

  “I couldn’t lose you a second time. I . . . It would have killed me.”

  “I would never have agreed that you sacrifice Aphroditis for me. Did you ask yourself how I would feel about it before agreeing to do that?”

  “I must admit I didn’t. Aphroditis went into the machine willingly.”

  “Only because you asked for her help in the first place. And now the Furies will destroy everything.”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it”.

  “You’re just one Fury, Chase. They’re an entire race. You may have doomed us all.”

  The words felt like a blade slicing through his heart. She was right, of course, but his intentions had been good, driven by his love for her and the baby. Which made hearing her say them all the more painful.

  “I will not let this happen. If you believe anything, please believe that.”

  “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Chase. How could you risk everything for me?”

  Chase’s face grew darker. “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “And I love you too, but how can I be responsible for the fall of the universe?”

  He had put her in a tough spot and he knew it. “It hasn’t fallen yet. I won’t let it.”

  “I . . . I don’t see what we can do to prevent it now.”

  “We fight. We give it all we’ve got and trust that we will prevail.”

  “That’s not the Chase I remember.”

  “I don’t know how or why, but I feel different also. For the first time I feel like there’s nothing that cannot be accomplished.”

  “Look, Chase, I’m really glad you feel more confident now. God knows we will need that. But . . . the Furies, Chase, the Furies are back, all of them. The first time around they nearly wiped everyone out of existence. Most of the ancient races didn’t just disappear naturally, they were exterminated by these . . . creatures.”

  They entered the lift. When the doors closed Chase put his hand on her shoulder.

  “And this time we’ll stop them for good, together.”

  She brushed his hand away as nicely as she could.

  “I . . . I don’t know if I can do this, Chase.”

  “Give it time. This has been a very trying period for both of us.”

  “I don’t think you’re hearing me. I don’t know if there can be an us anymore.”

  Chase felt a growing pit in his stomach. “Surely you don’t feel this way?”

  “The truth is, I don’t know what I feel anymore. I’m sorry, Chase. Don’t misunderstand me. You’ve risked your life and I can only imagine what you’ve just been through to get me back.”

  “To get both of you back.”

  “Right . . . we . . .”

  “Will soon be parents.”

  “This is so much to process right now. I . . . I’m really lost.”

  “I know. I’m sorry for what Argos did to you. When I fired . . . When I destroyed the ship, when I thought you were flying it . . . You need to understand. The choice you’re wishing I had made now is the one I did back then. When I thought I killed both you and the baby, I died inside. I loathed myself for a long time.”

  “What changed?”

  “I’m not sure anything changed. I tracked down Argos and wanted to kill him. Revenge was the only thing that mattered to me back then. I didn’t care to live anymore. In fact, I thought killing Argos would be the last thing I ever did. But then, when I was about to deliver the final blow, he told me you were still alive.”

  She looked at Chase and tears filled her eyes.

  “It must have been really difficult for you to take that shot.”

  “It was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do, and I regretted it the moment I squeezed the trigger. Even though everyone around me told me to do it, to choose the universe instead of you and Chris, well . . .”

  “Why did you shoot, then? How did you find the strength?”

  “You told me . . . Well, your clone asked me to. With a really convincing tone and choice of words.”

  “It was Argos talking through my clone. But you should really take some comfort in the fact that, under the circumstances, I would have told you to fire upon me as well. It’s so strange to have memories of both my time in that tank and of my clone. I don’t know what’s real and what’s not.”

  “I know that now. But please try to understand how hard that was to do once. Doing it twice was just out of the question.”

  “I guess that’s true. Still, try to understand how I feel.”

  “I understand, trust me.”

  Chase took a step towards her, to take her into his arms, but she took a step back.

  “I’m sorry, Chase, please just give me some time here. In the last twenty minutes I feel like my entire existence has been turned upside down. I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  Chase swallowed hard and looked at the ground. He felt sad about how Sarah was reacting but it was understandable. This was not something that would resolve easily. Sarah would need time to process it all.

  “I should probably give you some space right now. So take all the time you need.”

  She brushed her hand on his arm and attempted to smile.

  “Thank you for understanding, Chase. I’m sorry if I seem distant at the moment. I still can’t believe any of this is real. I know this must be difficult for you, especially after all you’ve been through.”

  Chases nodded as the lift’s door opened to reveal the bridge and their friends waiting for them.

  * * *

  Argos looked at the Iron Fire from the bridge of his capital ship. A few seconds later about ten hyperspace windows opened and the rest of his fleet in the area entered Erevos’ orbit. His gaze was locked onto the Iron Fire as Laiyos’ shuttle entered one of its cargo bays.

  He could end his brother and his friends lives right here and now. All he needed to do was to give the order and they would be gone, just like that. But something at the back of his mind was telling him not to. What the hell was that? Why did he feel this way?

  What Laiyos had told him earlier hit him more than it should have. Was he afraid of his twin brother? Or was it something else that made him feel this way? Then again, he had given his word. His mission was accomplished, and there would be other occasions to end Laiyos. He had no doubts about that.

  H
is train of thoughts was interrupted when one of his officers addressed him. “Master, there’s an incoming holographic transmission from the surface.”

  “I’ll take it in my ready room.”

  “Very well, Master.”

  Argos entered his ready room and kneeled in front of his holographic projection area. A tall, red man stood with his arms crossed against his chest.

  “Well done, Argos.”

  “Thank you, Supreme Commander Arakan.”

  “Why is there an Alliance ship in orbit of Erevos?”

  “It’s my brother’s ship. He will be leaving shortly.”

  “Is he with us?”

  “I’ve asked him to join us but he declined.”

  “Then why aren’t you firing at his ship?”

  “I gave my word that if he helped me acquire the Pandora stone, he could take his precious Sarah and leave unharmed.”

  The holographic figure growled. “Kill him, now!”

  “But, Supreme Commander . . .”

  “Argos, may I remind you that you are ten years late? I should execute you on the spot for this failure.”

  “I have not rested a single minute in the last ten years from my efforts to bring you back here from your dimensional prison. Surely that must count for something?”

  “It does, and for your efforts, you will keep breathing. Now destroy that Alliance ship at once, or face the consequences. Arakan out.”

  The holographic transmission ended.

  Argos rose and made a fist so tightly that blood spilled onto his ready-room carpet.

  Ungrateful bastard. After everything I’ve done, how can he treat me this way?

  He walked back to the bridge, blood still dripping from his hand.

  “Target this ship . . .” Argos hesitated, his gaze fixed upon the Iron Fire. After a moment of silence, he completed the order. “And open fire.”

  * * *

  Ryonna took Sarah in her arms and held her tightly.

  “I’m so glad to see you again, Sarah. We’ve all missed you.”

  Tears formed in Sarah’s eyes. “Thank you, Ryonna, I’m glad to see you too.”

  Daniel approached Chase with doubts in his eyes. “Glad you’re both back . . . But where is Aphroditis?”

  “I had to leave her with Argos.”

  “What? And you’re okay with that?”

  “Far from it,” said Chase with a grave look. “But for the time being, that’s how it has to be.”

  “What’s this planet that appeared out of nowhere?”

  “It would seem this is Erevos, the home planet of the Furies.”

  This revelation sent an icy-cold wave upon the entire bridge.

  Ryonna took a step forward. “Weren’t the Furies defeated ten thousand years ago? What’s going on, Chase?”

  Tar’Lock clicked nervously.

  “I thought so too, but apparently bringing them back was Argos’ plan all along. When the Olympians defeated the Furies so long ago, with the help of the other ancient races, they decided to trap them in another dimension outside of space and time. Argos needed me to get hold of the Pandora stone as well as access to an Olympian to bring the planet back into our dimension.”

  “That’s the stone we got from defeating the Titan, isn’t it?” interjected Tar’Lock.

  Chase nodded.

  “Now what?” asked Fillio.

  “Now we have to find a way to defeat the Furies all over again,” answered Chase with confidence.

  Keera’s eye widened. “I know I’m new here, but do you realize we’re talking about the vilest and most dangerous beings that ever lived? How are we supposed to do that?”

  “Keera, I wish I knew, but we’ll find a way. We have to. We should get the hell out of here now that all these ships have appeared. It’s not safe here. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss all this later.”

  As if on cue the ship rocked as a volley of laser fire hit the plating of the Iron Fire.

  Chase lost no time and jumped to the captain’s chair, closed his eyes and took mental control of the ship. He raised the ship’s shields and activated the hyperspace engines, but they didn’t answer.

  “Son of a . . .”

  They all took their places at different stations and Sarah sat next to Chase.

  “What’s going on?”

  “The hyperspace engines have been damaged. We can’t jump out of here. Brace for impact.”

  A volley of torpedoes and more laser fire pounded the Iron Fire’s shields. Chase used all his concentration to avoid as much fire from the enemy fleet as he could with some pretty fancy evasive flying, but there were too many and the shields were lowering at an alarming rate.

  “That snake bastard. He told us we could leave.”

  “And you believed him?” asked Ryonna.

  Chase didn’t answer, even though he knew Ryonna was right. “Tar’Lock, take Keera to engineering and try to repair the drive.”

  “I’ll go with them,” added Ryonna.

  “You two,” said Chase, looking at Daniel and Fillio, “take your StarFuries and provide the fleet with alternative targets.”

  “You want us to do what?”

  “At this rate the shields won’t hold long enough for us to repair the hyperspace engines.”

  “Chase, what will two StarFuries do against a fleet of behemoth-class ships?”

  Chase’s mind raced. They were right. As good as they were, they were vastly outnumbered and this was one fight they would never win.

  “We have to do something!” shouted Chase in frustration.

  “Chase, can’t we outrun them?” asked Daniel

  “The Iron Fire took too much damage from that first volley.”

  “Alright, we’ll get to our fighters, but I doubt it will make a difference.”

  That gave Chase an idea. “No, you’re right, it won’t. I have a better idea.”

  Chase took mental control of the StarFuries and launched them at once.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting the hell out of here and buying us some time.”

  “But you just said we couldn’t outrun them with sub-light speed.”

  “We’ll jump out of here.”

  “Chase, you’re not making any sense. We can’t jump.”

  “The StarFuries can.”

  “So shouldn’t we be on board them instead of having them out there?”

  “They will open the hyperspace windows.”

  “Chase, the StarFuries are too small. The Iron Fire will never be able to ride inside the corridors they create.”

  The ship rocked and half the people on the bridge crashed to the floor.

  “If you have a better idea I’m all ears, but right now I can’t think of anything else.”

  “This is suicide.”

  “Perhaps not. I’ll try using my powers to widen the corridors.”

  “Can you do that?”

  “We’re about to find out.”

  Chase heard Ares in his mind.

  No, Chase, you must not use your powers in space.

  I have to. If I don’t we’ll all die here and this was all for nothing.

  I don’t think Argos wants you dead. The fact that he disabled your engines and didn’t go full power on his first attack is suspicious.

  Nevertheless, we’ve seen firsthand how he treats his prisoners. I’m not surrendering. But I agree, something doesn’t add up. I can feel it. I don’t think he’s acting of his own volition. But in the end it doesn’t matter. We have to try something.

  I hope you know what you’re doing.

  Chase didn’t answer. Not only didn’t he know what to say, but he had no idea if his plan was even within the realm of the possible. But it was the only way to escape the immediate threat.

  He sent one StarFury to fly in front of the Iron Fire, while the other vectored towards the armada, trying to catch some aggro and to test a theory. As expected, Argos started firing on the starfighter, which made little sense
since it was absolutely no threat. Was Argos acting against his will by attacking them? He felt no deception from him when he promised to let them go, so this sudden change made no sense. Perhaps it had something to do with the Furies. Nevertheless, Chase had battled with Argos’ forces for long enough to recognize that he wasn’t using the full power of his fleet at the moment and his strategies seemed weak at best, as if he didn’t want to destroy the Iron Fire.

  “Shouldn’t we be dead already?” asked Sarah.

  “Yeah, something is up. I don’t think Argos wants the Iron Fire destroyed. He must be putting on a show, trying to convince the Furies he is at least trying. So let’s give him a good one.”

  “That makes no sense. Why would he fire on us but try to spare us?” asked Daniel.

  “You know what, I think I’d better ask him.”

  “You’re gonna do what?”

  “I’m going to ask him.”

  Chase reached for Argos in his mind.

  What do you want, Laiyos? said Argos when he felt his brother within his mind.

  Why are you holding off? But, most importantly, why did you start shooting at us?

  There was no answer.

  They asked you to, didn’t they? said Chase

  Yes. I hate when I need to break my word. I promised you would be able to take Sarah and your unborn child out of here. I owed you that much for your help today.

  Glad you think so. So what’s the plan here?

  Why aren’t you out of here already?

  Your first volley took us by surprise. Our shields were down and it disabled our hyperspace engines.

  Chase detected a little compassion behind the words of his brother and it really troubled him. Even though he understood the pride behind keeping one’s word, it was Argos, after all. Why did he care so much? They were still arch enemies, after all. Or were they?

  Let me ask you something. You really wanted me by your side, didn’t you?

  I don’t know what you’re talking about, brother.

  Don’t play coy. We’re the only ones talking here, so you don’t need to appear tough for anyone else. I felt something when I left your ship. I thought it was fear but perhaps it was something else.

  Get a grip, Laiyos, you mean nothing to me. Like I told you, I just don’t like being told what to do, especially if that means breaking a promise I’ve made.