The War of the Soulites Read online

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  Lyrical Press, Inc.

  www.lyricalpress.com

  Copyright ©2009 by Natasha Bennett

  First published in 2009, 2009

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  CONTENTS

  Highlight

  War of the Soulites

  Author Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  About Natasha Bennet

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  Back Cover Copy

  Renolds Osirus spent most of his life as an accountant. To his shock, his life-long dream of becoming a spaceship captain is suddenly granted, and before he can even celebrate, Earth is decimated by a race of mysterious and terrifying aliens. His new ship, the Vigilant, is transported to hostile territory.

  The Vigilant's first officer, Marcus Collingway, is a terrorist leader and a mass murderer. Long believed dead, he suffers the crew's wrath when he's blamed for the attack on Earth. As Renolds investigates, he exposes a complex web of secrets and lies.

  Now trapped on a crippled ship, can the captain and first officer work together to save the Vigilant from alien Soulites?

  Highlight

  "You can't stop the Soulites, sir. They own this galaxy, and you still have no idea what they are. Just think, it took only one of their ships to do all this. So take some advice. Surrender while you still can. Because the path you're on will only result in more death. For you and for your crew. You know nothing about us. We know everything about you. You can't even see us, unless we want you to."

  "I don't want a war. I just want to return home. Our presence here is an accident,” Renolds said.

  "Are you sure, Captain?” Neilson asked. “I'm guessing you don't even know the workings of your own people too well."

  Renolds didn't have an answer for that.

  "As for home, that it something you will never see again. You're in way over your head. The more you understand, the more you will wish you didn't.” Neilson sneered at him. “You're a broken man on a broken ship. There's only one chance for your crew."

  "And what would that be?” Renolds demanded.

  "Destroy the Vigilant with everyone on board."

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  War of the Soulites

  By Natasha Bennett

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  War of the Soulites

  Copyright © 2009, Natasha Bennett

  Edited by Emma Wayne Porter

  Book design by Emma Wayne Porter and Renee Rocco

  Cover Art by Renee Rocco

  Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  17 Ludlow Street

  Staten Island, New York 10312

  www.lyricalpress.com eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher's permission.

  PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Published in the United States of America by Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  First Lyrical Press, Inc. electronic publication: May, 2009

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  Author Acknowledgements

  Natasha Bennett would like to thank her family for their help and support, especially her mother, Nancy Bennett, for helping her edit the first draft. She would also like to thank the following people for their help and encouragement: her sister Amanda, her friend Corwin, and her father Richard Bennett. In addition, she would like to thank Campbell Orr for pointing out a few technical flaws.

  In addition, she would like to acknowledge the staff and editors at Lyrical Press for publishing War of the Soulites.

  Lastly, she would like to thank all her friends and coworkers for their support.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Prologue

  Current Year: 2820

  The Battle of Cedar Hill

  Very few people in the world could commit genocide without a hint of remorse. Marcus Collingway just happened to be one of them.

  Religion had been destroyed a lifetime ago, and he stood in one of the few churches still partially intact. Around him, the ground was littered with yellow paper, smashed benches, and broken concrete. Shards of broken glass poked through the rotten carpet, and the statue of someone forgotten lay in pieces in front of a pedestal. After NAVA had taken over, scientists had declared the concept of God as ridiculous. When a person died, they were simply gone.

  In the past fifty years, the government had wiped out all the houses, stores and buildings from the ground up, then refurnished them with steel and metal. Now the entire continent is one giant complex. The homes were designated crew quarters of personnel, the stores were online government commercialism, and the office buildings ... Well, the government really was just one massive office building where everything bought came from that company, including the air. NAVA was in charge of the entire population, officially responsible for global research, development, and recreation—everything. Yet they had left this church here, on a small hill overlooking the main headquarters as ... what? A symbol of its dying humanity?

  Marcus stood in front of the altar, observing the rosewood cross with mild curiosity, but not much else. He hadn't really given much thought to God or an afterlife. Marcus was a soldier, and his life was simple. If he died and NAVA was destroyed, then he would die happy.

  He could hear footsteps behind him.

  "Are you ready for this?” Nathan asked.

  Marcus turned around and smirked a little. “You know I am. Let's go."

  They both stepped across the soggy carpet and walked out of the small chapel. For years NAVA had dismissed the Resistance as nothing more than a scattered group of peasants. Now look at us, Marcus thought with pride. They were at NAVA's front door, ready to destroy them.

  Nathan was the leader of the Resistance, and Marcus was second in command. Nobody hated NAVA as much as Marcus did, and f
ew knew what was buried underneath the surface of NAVA, which channeled his hate. Nathan was twice Marcus's age and considered one of the most brilliant men alive. He had an equal passion to see NAVA end. Unlike Marcus, Nathan was imbued with a sense of patriotism. It was his charisma which had first formed the Resistance many years ago.

  They exited the church. Beyond them were hundreds of acres with dark, rolling green hills and the occasional cedar tree. Marcus took out a pair of infrared binoculars. In the distance he could see the approaching soldiers NAVA had sent. Behind them sat the citadel of NAVA headquarters. “I count thousands. Just like we thought."

  "We have two hundred,” Nathan remarked.

  The soldiers would reach them within the hour. It was close to midnight, and the sky was overcast. “Too bad they didn't bring more,” Marcus said. His light blue eyes burned with anticipation. “So, we stick to the plan, right? I go out to meet them?"

  Nathan glanced at him. It was a suicide to meet the enemy alone, but Nathan wasn't the least bit surprised. Marcus wanted to be the reason for the deaths of countless thousands, and hate had nothing to do with it. Marcus could handle that kind of responsibility on his conscience, whereas Nathan would regret it every day for the rest of his life. “Let's go meet our troops."

  Marcus nodded in agreement. They walked through the field and up another hill to where a large group of men and women stood waiting. They were people Marcus had known personally for a very long time. Now he might never see them again.

  Nathan must have known this too, for it was with sadness and pride that he spoke. “All right. You all know the situation. You all know the risks. The odds against us are great. Let's face it, when have they ever been good for us?"

  Some of the men around them broke into nervous laughter. Off in the distance he could hear the faint sound of stomping: NAVA soldiers.

  "Look, I don't need to tell you we're the good guys in this. The things NAVA has done over the years ... it's horrible. I also won't pretend and say everyone will make it through alive tonight. You deserve to be told better than that. Over the years we've been a family. I've never been prouder of this family than right here, today. If anyone here is afraid, just remember what we fight for.” Nathan was silent for a moment. “We fight for the victims who died in all those experiments. We fight for the millions of people wiped out for no reason. We fight to be free. We fight for a goddamn chance at a better life. Those are all causes to die for."

  No one spoke. After a moment a few men shook hands with Nathan. The women hugged and kissed him on the cheek. One by one, they departed.

  Marcus watched them go, remembering each face.

  Finally, only Nathan remained standing in front of him. The Resistance leader solemnly offered his hand and Marcus took it. With a clap on his shoulder, Nathan walked away to join the others. Eventually only Marcus was left alone on the field.

  An hour later, the soldiers arrived.

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  Marcus doused a small campfire, casting the whole field into darkness. For this to work, they couldn't see him too well. As the last drops of water spilled from the canister, he glanced to the right. NAVA's army was very close now. Each of them had a portable light attached to their wrist, lighting up the whole field with an endless blue glow. Thousands of men and women who wanted to take his life. He was almost worried.

  By this time, Nathan and the others were a good distance from the campsite, a fact that gave Marcus some comfort. He stood and grabbed a flashlight from the ground. He flicked it a few times toward the approaching army. A few seconds later the signal was returned. Marcus released a held breath. They wouldn't kill him right away, they'd maybe talk first. He tossed aside the flashlight and waited.

  Most of the army halted a kilometer away. A small group of soldiers walked toward the discarded campsite. They stopped just in front of Marcus and pointed their guns at him.

  "Where are the others?” one of them demanded.

  "Perhaps they've all fled!” another shouted. “We came all this way for nothing!"

  There were a few muffled chuckles. They must have known it was too quiet. A lieutenant general, who was apparently the leader, saw this and gestured sharply with a finger across his throat. “No. They're hiding somewhere. Close by."

  At this, several people turned as if expecting to be ambushed at any second. Marcus looked up, calculating. Nathan and the others should be in position by now.

  "Listen to me!” the lieutenant general shouted. “This is one last chance for all of you to lay down your arms and surrender! You know you're outnumbered! NAVA will treat all of you mercifully!"

  "No,” Marcus corrected. He stepped forward, and his face was completely sincere. “This is your last chance. Go back to NAVA while you still can. Before you and your men have to die."

  Everyone laughed. The lieutenant general turned his head. “Shoot him."

  By the time the lieutenant general finished speaking, Marcus was already gone. He pushed a button on a remote concealed in his hand. The cable against his back tightened, and catapulted him backward. Air whistled against his body as bullets flew past him. He reached out with his arm and snagged the sturdy branches of the tree he was connected to. A second later he ran up the massive branch and pushed another button on the remote.

  Below him the entire field lit up with a brilliant green glow. It was an extremely fast-acting toxin that would disperse within a couple of minutes.

  Marcus climbed upward and opened the black duffle bag waiting in the branches. He took out a gas mask and breathed in a few deep breaths. Below him the NAVA soldiers shuddered and died. Marcus watched the countless deaths, feeling no satisfaction in what he had just done. It was necessary, but there was no escaping the fact that thousands of lives were now gone because of him. He really was a terrorist, a mass-murderer.

  The remaining soldiers started to regroup. Marcus glanced down and noticed that the green clouds had disappeared entirely, casting the hilltop into darkness once more. Taking off his mask, Marcus used the pair of binoculars to spot Nathan in another tree. “Fire!"

  Marcus took out an assault rifle from his bag and fired. The rest of the Resistance followed. They had the high ground and the NAVA army didn't.

  Marcus wanted the battle to be over in minutes, but his hopes were soon dashed. Off in the distance he could see a glint of light. He lifted his binoculars and spotted a soldier talking on a radio. Swearing, Marcus jumped down from the tree and ran toward him.

  To his left, a soldier moved to intercept him when a bullet to the neck stopped the man cold. Nathan was providing covering fire. Marcus signaled in sign language for trouble before resuming his run. Within seconds, he was in range and took out his handgun. Two shots, and the radio exploded. The radio operator-maintainer glanced around in dazed astonishment.

  This was no time to be civil. Marcus shot him once in the kneecap. The radio operator cried out in pain and grabbed his leg.

  "What did you tell NAVA?” Marcus demanded.

  The radio operator didn't reply. Every few seconds he would take gasps of air but stared at Marcus with stubborn determination.

  Marcus knew he should pull the trigger again. But he met the eyes of the older man and just couldn't do it. Not to an unarmed man.

  "Marcus!” Nathan shouted behind him. “What is it?"

  "I'm not sure,” Marcus admitted as he lowered his weapon. “Probably a call for reinforcements or—” He glanced up when he heard a sudden loud crackle. Something had launched from the NAVA citadel. A missile of some kind. “Overhead!"

  Nathan turned. “Scatter!” he shouted. “Run!"

  Everyone on the field scurried for cover, including the NAVA soldiers. Marcus ran as fast as he could, but he was too close to the blast radius. All of a sudden someone elbowed him in the head, and Marcus was thrown down. A body flew on top of him as the ground exploded.

  Marcus opened his eyes to the smell of burning flesh and heat dancing near his face. There were at least thr
ee charred bodies lying on him, all NAVA soldiers. One stared at him with lifeless eyes. Marcus resisted the overwhelming urge to shove the bodies aside and instead, moved them off slowly. He removed a gun from a soldier's belt and clicked the safety off.

  The entire area had been decimated. Off in the distance, he could hear gunfire and shouting. Marcus lifted his head and saw people running toward him. NAVA troops. Reinforcements from the city had arrived in the hundreds.

  Seconds later, the entire battlefield lit up with gunfire. Marcus fired his gun at a woman to his right. The reinforcements were very close, and he was on the front lines, with the Resistance too far behind to help.

  Marcus twisted his wrist beacon and aimed. A line of green light zoomed in on a NAVA blue uniform. He fired, and the soldier exploded in two. Marcus did the same for three others before his weapon ran out of power.

  Two soldiers headed right for him. Marcus crouched down and fired his gun five times. Both soldiers fell before his gun clicked empty. He tossed it away and ran toward the bodies. A quick glance told him the other soldiers were still far away. Quickly, Marcus unbuttoned a soldier's dark-blue NAVA jacket and put it on. He stood and grabbed the rifle from the ground. “I killed one of them! There's only a few more left!"

  The other NAVA soldiers nodded and ran right past him.

  Suddenly he felt a solid hand on his shoulder and was face-to-face with the lieutenant general, commander of the enemy army. “Good work, son."

  Marcus swallowed nervously.

  With a grin, the lieutenant general examined the fallen soldier and booted him over. A blond-haired corpse stared lifelessly at both of them. The officer looked up at Marcus, and his eyes suddenly narrowed.

  Marcus was already on the move. He smashed the butt of his rifle against the man's head. The lieutenant general reeled backward. Marcus took out his knife and slit the man's throat. As he fell, Marcus grabbed his rifle and fired at the soldiers who had run past him. He killed fifteen before his gun clicked empty. Marcus ran up the hill, still holding onto the rifle. It was time to turn the tables. He spotted another radio and ran toward it.