Quantum of Destiny: An Interstellar War Story (The Essence Wars Book 4) Read online

  Quantum of Destiny

  by

  Paul Heingarten

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, events and situations in this book are purely fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright ©2020 Paul Heingarten

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Decatur Media

  New Orleans, Louisiana

  www.decaturmedia.com

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  The Essence Wars Series

  About the Author

  Other books by Paul Heingarten

  Keep up with Paul Heingarten

  Chapter 1

  Ellene Ballo wasn't someone who took threats idly. She leaned back in her chair and pondered the one she'd just received from Malone Stanton. As Hierarch, supreme leader of the Nara for over five decades on their home world of Grondia, she had come across more than her fair share of problems. Several individuals and groups wanted more Essence than they were given, and they weren't afraid to press any number of buttons on Ellene to make their wishes happen.

  But Malone Stanton wasn't the typical pusher who wormed their way in amid a threat of destruction that could easily be dismissed. Malone was a renegade who had big ideas, bigger plans and an even bigger mouth. Ellene knew the traditional Nara policy of ignoring the threat in this case wasn't going to be successful for long.

  Ellene recalled Malone was given every possible chance, maybe even more than the typical Nara dissenter. She debated inwardly though if the taking of Malone's wife and child from him overstepped her rightful bounds of authority.

  Still, the way Malone worked himself into his situation concerned her. As much as anyone who'd broken Nara law, Malone was first labeled a Violator and subjected to Disconnection, the procedure that altered a Nara's physiology to prevent them from reaching the dimension in which Grondia lay. Furthermore, Malone was restricted to a maximum-security prison off dimension in Ling Galaxy. Ellene mused they should've removed his voice; maybe that would've been the most appropriate punishment for him.

  Ellene gazed at another file on her console. It had grown steadily for a while, and it contained reports of Malone reaching Nara students in Instruction, speaking with them telepathically and encouraging them to break from the Nara procedure, steal equipment, whatever they could to help him. The incidents went from mild annoyance to serious threats in a short time. The Nara production of Essence had always continued, but Ellene knew, as much as these things happened more rapidly each passing day, the threat to Nara's purpose and the Galaxy at large was too big to ignore Malone Stanton, as much as some of her brethren preferred it that way. Besides, they had other challenges before them: Railen, the Omegans, the needs of the UA in general.

  She stretched her long slender limbs before focusing on her machine access. "Scan data for activities of Malone in connection with syndicates known and suspected."

  A hologram burst out and hovered above Ellene, and she watched the display as it morphed around her. Grondia was in close proximity to Ling Galaxy, and Ellene knew what Malone had been up to was focused there. Ling was vast, with plenty of civilizations, people, and more importantly, want, that someone like Malone knew how to work to his advantage.

  As Ellene spoke details about her query, maps came into focus with specific locations marked in jagged lines. Collections of fugitive photos along with news updates on various heists around the universe.

  Ellene's mouth formed a line as she saw the pattern whiz past her. Ellene still had a stubborn hope this was going to be a simple fix, where she quietly dispatched someone to take care of this thorn in her side.

  The system completed its assembly, and a flat male electronic voice gave the update. "Stanton, Malone. Convicted of theft of Essence approximately 25 cycles ago. Escaped from UA Penitentiary and at large for past 23 cycles."

  Ellene steepled her fingers and stared at the text that floated before her like a friendly aid who brought supplies hoping it pleased her. Malone had been a prized student in his day, one of the promising future Nara, and Ellene knew from back then how crafty he was. What she needed to find was going to take some work, as Malone was more than capable at covering his tracks.

  "Update, provide most recent news." Ellene wondered what else he'd have been up to that he'd made such a bold call to her and the rest of the leaders. Not only that; his ability to hold Essence himself across the dimension was a bigger threat.

  The electronic voice continued. "Malone has partnered with Gamma Network, a syndicate running a variety of lower-level front operations, smuggling, arms distribution. They have affiliated with Railen but not exclusively."

  "That figures," Ellene mused. The Railen were also outcasts of Nara, but unlike Malone, they chose the way of collective rebellion instead of personal vendetta. Many Railen were former Nara military. Once tasked with the homeland security of Grondia, home of Nara and repository of the Essence, they became weary of Nara policies and thought they were better suited to handle the Essence themselves. This of course met with a stern and quick exit from Nara, with Disconnection from their former home world.

  After a few minutes in thought, Ellene hailed Bates Rocke, head of Nara Security.

  "Yes, Hierarch?"

  "Bates, I'm looking for more details on Malone Stanton's activities of late. I'm getting more updates on these contacts he's been making."

  Bates paused on the line. Any news like this was a slam on Bates, and as much as Ellene liked letting her people know she always had her eye on things, in this case her concern overshadowed her enjoyment. "It seems, Hierarch, that Malone has been able to forge some access through the dimensional barrier, and he's targeting our youth."

  "Any idea what he wants?"

  "Typically, it's sabotage level stuff. I've interviewed several of the ones contacted, and it usually involves suggestions of them acting out, stealing equipment, things like that."

  Ellene said, "That's not all he's on for. He's also interested in Essence, as you are aware."

  "Yes, but he's not getting that through any kind of neural or telepathic access."

  Ellene leaned back in her chair. As much as Malone tried, she knew it was only a matter of time before even the dimensional barrier wasn't an issue to him as well. "Bates, I'm concerned about our position here. Malone is already corrupting the minds of our students, and that's how revolutions start. The more who think our work isn’t the utmost important, the more dangerous he grows. And if Malone Stanton is allowed to harness Essence for his own purposes, you realize what that means, don't you?"

  "I'm well aware, Hierarch."

  "Good, I would hope so." Ellene drummed her fingers on her console. Malone's moves weren't clear to her, but she felt he had something in the works, and it was time she put some plans of her own into place.

  "Double your watch on the student population, Bates. I want immediate notice of any Violators. I'm going to talk with Perdita Auer about the state of our military to see what can be done there. I say again,
I want to know right away if anyone has been contacted by Malone Stanton and especially if they are a Violator."

  "Consider it done." Bates said.

  #

  Ellene ended her call with Bates and watched the display a few moments longer, then swiped her hand, which closed the holographic display completely. Malone was a lingering concern for her, but not her only one. She was due to meet with some of the students in Nara Instruction.

  A Nara's childhood was free from any rigid training. As youth, they had chances to socialize and develop bonds with peers while under the watchful eyes of Nara elders. Family units provided organization and routine for the Nara, but all learning at early stages of life was done via parental guidance and social interaction.

  While there are no formal class activities for youth, all Nara from the age of 13 cycles, roughly 16 Earth Years, are brought into Nara Instruction by the process known as the Acquiring. This process allowed the Nara elders, with some input from the Ancients, to assess the Nara as they've been monitored from the early stages of their lives. The ultimate tasks for the Nara revolved around the production, handling, and distribution of Essence. Any part of that process involved a great number of Nara, and no part was without a certain level of risk.

  The duty of the Nara, and the reason for their existence, was handling Essence. The substance resided in an area of Grondia known as the Spring. The source of Essence had the appearances of a calm lake of water, with an effervescent glow about it. Essence was dealt with in two stages, processing and delivery. Both were equally important, each with their respective risks as well. Once a Nara passed the Acquiring, their training began. After they were initiated, they had to decide which path they took.

  Ellene put on one of her more imperial cloaks and strode out of her residence toward the Nara facility. The azure hue of the exterior of the Nara Compound greeted her as she took in a breath of the cool misty air. She turned for a moment to watch the temple of the Ancients, an adjacent building on the Nara Compound where the spirits of Nara who had passed from existence resided. The entities were a continual guidance to Nara, especially the Hierarchs.

  Ellene offered a demure bow toward the Ancient temple. "Guide my way," she said softly. It was part of her routine. The phrase was a customary one the Nara spoke toward the Ancients. While it was sometimes just a routine to Ellene, on that day, she felt a deeper than usual connection to the timeless mantra. Another lingering glance toward the Ancient temple and she was off to her day's schedule.

  As she walked past fellow citizens, they offered the customary greeting toward the Hierarch, a bow with the right arm across the chest. Ellene responded to the greetings with a polite smile or wave. Soon she found herself in the Headmaster's quarters, readying for her encounter with the future of the Nara.

  Iden Combes had been headmaster of Nara Instruction for at least 60 cycles, by Ellene's best estimation. When she assumed the position of Hierarch, he had offered his services to her for the transition, and they'd began a friendly contact. While they hadn't seen eye to eye all the time, she figured Iden to be one of those who would always give her the honest truth.

  Ellene reclined in the chair in Iden's quarters as he gave her the rundown on the class statistics to date: number of students in each path of training, the general progress, any problem areas. But Ellene wasn't as interested in the updates as she'd been before.

  After a few minutes of Iden speaking, she thrust a hand up, quieting him. "Iden, we've got a problem."

  Iden's brow creased. "What are you talking about?"

  "A problem with a name. Two words that shout a thousand details."

  Iden froze. He'd seen enough Nara Violators that he knew exactly who Ellene meant. Like many who knew what this name was, Iden hoped the mere avoidance of its mention was enough that it disappeared. "Malone Stanton."

  Ellene nodded slowly. "I had a most troubling contact with him a short while ago. I, along with leaders of the Railen and Omegans, was contacted by him."

  "What did he say?"

  "What he said isn't what concerns me. No, what concerns me is the fact he's evidently been able to harness Essence on his own in addition to reaching Nara students telepathically."

  Iden's head bowed. Malone had once been a most promising Nara, a bright student full of remarkable potential. But a brilliant mind faced a huge number of possibilities, including ones that used their remarkable abilities for destruction. Iden remembered Malone's swift progression and handling of tasks with the Essence that students several cycles ahead of him struggled with. Iden only ever admitted to himself that he once considered Malone as a possible replacement for himself when he was ready to relinquish his position. But all that promise and potential was lost when Malone chose his eventual path.

  "We should've seen his threat much sooner, before he became what he is now,” Iden muttered, his head still downward.

  Ellene rose slowly. She placed her hands on Iden's hunched shoulders. "Old friend, we've been deceived. Malone has taken the power of his ancestry, and with his diabolical mind he has betrayed all Nara. That doesn't mean, however, that I plan on letting Malone Stanton have any more victories."

  Iden's head raised slowly until his eyes met Ellene's. "What do you intend to do?"

  Ellene's eyes narrowed sharply. "I'm not discussing that now. Just know I will give this a lot of thought. And, while you have done an admirable job in your cycles here, know this... Violators make their choices because the stewardship of their direction hasn't been watched closely. That stewardship begins here, under your watch. I say to you, Iden Combes, get your institution in order. The flagrancy of Violators is a mark upon the Nara, and if these transgressions aren't kept in check, I will be looking at you to pay the price, along with your core of instructors."

  "Yes, Hierarch."

  #

  Random students were selected out of Nara Instruction to meet Ellene as part of an interview process. While it originated in Nara tradition, Ellene tailored the practice so it kept her feelers into the school, and any students with potential for higher assignments, like potential Hierarch candidates for future generations. Traditionally, this took the course of an informal conversation, but over the cycles Ellene had learned how to pull out certain details from a student by what they said, and in some cases, what they hadn't said at all, at least verbally.

  Leaving Iden's quarters for a more public area, she set herself up on one of the large class halls in the Nara Training Center. The rooms were auditorium style, with a large holographic display at the focal point of the stage. To the side of the display tech was a series of chairs, set up specifically for Ellene's meeting.

  As she waited for the students to be brought in, Ellene wondered if she'd be able to tell if any of them were contacted by Malone, and just what was his criteria for reaching them. Was it completely random, or had he chosen a certain aspect? She figured any students selected for Essence Delivery service would be of great interest to him. However, the fact he'd gotten a piece of Essence had her wonder if the very students responsible for producing Essence were his main target.

  Ellene reclined in a comfortable seat on stage, where an instructor normally presided over a class. A free chair waited alongside her as a stream of randomly selected students were brought in. Questions were mainly standard until an answer provoked a non-standard response, and Ellene jumped into the conversation like a ride down a river rapids, savoring all the unexpected jolts and turns that went with it.

  She was nearly done for the day when a set of bright eyes amid a deep auburn mane of long hair made her pause. The female was led to the open chair by Nara Guards, just like the others, but Ellene felt off for some reason.

  The student gave the customary bow to Ellene before sitting, then crossed her legs and offered a polite smile, waiting for Ellene's process to begin.

  Ellene extended her personal data screen, which displayed the student's information. "Sarika... Tholl."

  "That's correct, Hierarc
h."

  Ellene gave a slight nod in response. She then perused Sarika's student and citizen file for a moment. Clearly, whatever had caught her off guard was in there somewhere.

  But after two minutes of searching, Ellene was no closer to the answer than when she began. "So, tell me, what do you think about your training so far?"

  Sarika shifted a bit in her seat. "Well, it's fascinating. I've always wondered how the Essence orbs were made. My parents used to tell me stories, but it's kinda obvious they were just trying to get me to go to sleep back then."

  They shared a laugh. Ellene closed her data screen, then eyed Sarika. "For some reason, I'm feeling something about you. It's as if I've seen you before or something."

  Sarika's brow creased. "N-no leader, this is the first time we've met. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you could mean."

  Ellene clenched her jaw. Sarika's response wasn't out of insolence, and Ellene knew she wasn't being combative. She decided to press on through the questions.

  "You mentioned Essence Production. What aspect of that have you enjoyed the most?"

  "Oh, the delivery, of course. Being on the teams that send the orbs to the Galaxy."

  "That's quite dangerous, you know. We've got plenty of safeguards, but there are people out there who are doing everything they can to get to us."

  "I know that. But getting Essence to the worlds that need it and keeping life existing in the Galaxy is worth the risk."

  Ellene marveled at Sarika. Her eyes were as bright as any new student, a young Nara full of hope for what she could bring. Ellene couldn't help but feel a little melancholy over the spark in Sarika's eyes and tried her best remembering a time when she felt that same zest for the Nara. She loved her position and her job of leading and guiding the Nara, but she had to admit her cycles had stolen some of that vigor she once had that was now staring back at her through Sarika's gaze.

  "Sarika, you've been by far the most interesting student I've spoken with here today. There's no doubt in my mind you'll be a fine addition to the team, and if Delivery is what you want, I suspect it will be yours in very good time."