INFINITY’S END:

  INFINITY’S END BOOK 9

  ERIC WARREN

  Part of the Sovereign Coalition Universe

  INFINITY’S END – INFINITY’S END BOOK 9

  Copyright © 2020 by Eric C. Warren All rights reserved.

  Book design and SCAS logo are trademarks of Eric Warren Author, LLC.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means electronic, mechanical, printing, photocopying, recording, chiseling into stone, or otherwise, without the written permission from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. For information regarding permission contact the publisher.

  Cover Design by Dan Van Oss www.covermint.design

  Content Editor Tiffany Shand www.eclipseediting.com

  Table of Contents

  Quote

  The Sovereign Coalition Series

  Special Offer

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  29

  30

  31

  32

  33

  34

  35

  36

  37

  38

  39

  40

  Epilogue

  GLOSSARY

  The Claxian System

  Map Key

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  “Our history is not our Destiny.”

  - Alan Cohen

  The Sovereign Coalition Series

  Short Stories

  CASPIAN’S GAMBIT: An Infinity’s End Story

  SOON’S FOLLY: An Infinity’s End Story

  Novels

  INFINITY’S END SAGA

  CASPIAN’S FORTUNE (BOOK 1)

  TEMPEST RISING (BOOK 2)

  DARKEST REACH (BOOK 3)

  JOURNEY’S EDGE (BOOK 4)

  SECRETS PAST (BOOK 5)

  PLANETFALL (BOOK 6)

  BROKEN LINKS (BOOK 7)

  MEMORY’S BLADE (BOOK 8)

  INFINITY’S END (BOOK 9)

  The Quantum Gate Series

  Short Stories

  PROGENY (BOOK 0)

  Novels

  SINGULAR (BOOK 1)

  DUALITY (BOOK 2)

  TRIALITY (BOOK 3)

  DISPARITY (BOOK 4)

  CAUSALITY (BOOK 5)

  Special Offer

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  CASPIAN’S GAMBIT!

  1

  It was funny. Nothing looked different from this angle. Despite the fact all of it was different; alien in the truest sense of the word. Evelyn Diazal stared out at the vista. Were it not for the purple glow of the planet suspended before her in the blackness of space, she wouldn’t even be able to tell she was far away from the stars of her home. This wasn’t what she had once known as Coalition space. Nor was it the frontier of the Sargan Commonwealth or the non-aligned worlds. No, she was deep within Sil territory, in orbit of their home planet, one she had set foot on not more than three weeks ago. She hadn’t expected to see it from above or to leave the surface alive. But somehow she had managed to convince the Sil governing body, otherwise known as the Sanctuary, that humanity was worth saving and they had agreed to assist in their fight with the species known as the Athru. She’d felt the thrill of victory when she’d been up on that stage, addressing their arrogance and watching the gears turn in their heads. To confront a species that had for so long discounted the human race, as nothing more than a nuisance to be ignored, and force them to acknowledge their mutual problems had been a significant accomplishment. She understood what Cas had felt when he came back from Zenfor’s ship, victorious.

  Evie stymied herself. She shouldn’t feel pride at a time like this. As soon as she glanced down a surge of guilt ran through her, the casket before her reminding her despite all her success, it had come at too high a cost. Evie reached out and placed her hand on the top of the casket, its cold metal contrasting the warmth of her skin. She would do anything to take back her actions, to turn back the clock and fix it all. But despite all the advancements of science and technology, going back in time just wasn’t possible. After it had first happened, she had wanted to return to how things were before, back as if nothing had happened at all. But now all she wanted was a chance to go back and tell Laura she was sorry.

  Evie drew in a deep breath and placed her other hand on the casket, leaning over it as a tear fell from her eye. She didn’t try to hold them back, nor did she sob uncontrollably. She allowed them to come and coat the top of the casket. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” she whispered. “But I hope somewhere you know how sorry I am. And…I hope, on some level, you’re proud of me. I think I loved you more than I was even willing to admit to myself, and it took you being gone for me to see that.” One more moment. That was all she needed. Though, if she was honest with herself, she would never truly be able to grasp the fact that Laura was gone. Part of her would always be with Evie, living on in her memory somewhere. The brief time they had together was etched in her mind as writing was carved into stone. Evie would persist, but it would be in honor of Laura; she wouldn’t let what happened destroy her. Because it would…if she let it.

  Evie glanced around at the empty cargo bay. This was the same place they’d held the ceremonies for Blohm and the others, and they had been packed houses. But she had wanted this to be a private ceremony. Laura hadn’t had many acquaintances or friends on the ship as she had only been aboard a short time. And maybe it was selfish of her, but anyone else would be here just out of politeness, not because of their feelings for Laura. The truth was Evie had been putting it off. It had been difficult enough re-acclimating herself to the ship and the crew after everything that had happened, but now, seeing as they were on the brink of war, she wanted to make sure Laura had a proper send-off before there was no one left to honor her memory.

  “Lieutenant Laura Yamashita,” she whispered, “You have undertaken a journey we all must face one day. May it be helmed with a steady hand, a vigorous heart, and a sharp mind.” As she said the final words of the typical Coalition discharge for a comrade who has died in the line of duty, the doors to the cargo bay opened and closed behind her. Without turning, Evie ran her hand over the casket one last time, then pressed the sequence of controls on the wall to eject the casket into open space.

  Evie sensed the other person stop a few meters away, keeping their distance. Evie watched as the casket floated away from the ship, an auto thruster on the back making sure it was far enough not to be caught in the ship’s tiny, but still present, gravitational field.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  She wiped her eyes one more time before turning around. “It’s no interruption.” Caspian stood before her, a solemn look on his face.

  “We’re getting ready to start in a few minutes and he insisted you be there.”

  Evie furrowed her brow. “What time is it?” She glanced over at the comm panel and her stomach fell. She’d been in here over two hours. “I’m sorry, I lost track of time.”

  “Trust me, I know how it is,” Cas replied. “Are you okay? You don’t have to be there. I can tell him—”

  She shook her head. “No. I promised.” She glanced over her shoulder one last time at the casket which was now nothing but a gray dot in the distance, blending in with all the stars. “At least she’ll have a good view.”

  He nodded. “Thislea is beautiful, I’ll give them that. I had no idea. Zaal has been running every scan he can think of to collect all the astrometric data from this sector. You never know when or if we’ll get another chance.” He paused a moment. “Do you think we should hold the ceremony for Captain Greene here as well? While we have the time?”

  “His directive was explicit. He wants to be returned home. Which means we owe it to him to get his body back to Earth.”

  Cas scoffed. “If Earth is still there. Until we get eyes on it, I’m not about to believe all the hearsay. We don’t know—the Athru could have gone in and blown—”

  She put her hand up. “I know. But we have to hope that didn’t happen. Even with the invasion, there’s a possibility there could still be survivors, fighting back from within. An underground resistance.”

  “I don’t know, Evie. The Athru are thorough in their extermination techniques. How long have we been back and the only other humans we’ve seen have been from Samiya’s group?”

  He was referring to the fifty or so refugees they’d come upon after returning from open space, commanded by his old shipmate, Samiya Gysan. Finding them had been a blessing as they had been short on crew at the time, but he was right. Ever since they hadn’t seen another human soul. “They’re out there. We just have to find them. We’re not the last. Hear me?” Cas gave her a begrudging acknowledgment. It was the best she would get.

  Evie glanced over to the bit of cloth she’d brought with her to the cargo bay, laying at an angle on one of the engineering containers. Though she’d been dreading and anticipating this moment, she couldn’t help but feel like she should just leave it there and never come back in here again. Though, someone would inevitably find it, try to take it for themselves or return it to her. And that was the last thing she wanted. “Do you think his patience will hold?” She nodded to the cloth. Though it was what was wrapped inside the cloth that was the subject of her interest.

  Cas eyed it. “Are you sure about this? There’s no reason to rush—”

  “I’m not rushing,” she said. “I’ve had weeks to think about this. And every time I keep coming back to the same conclusion. It needs to be done.”

  Cas stepped out of her way. “Another two minutes won’t make a difference.”

  Evie walked over and picked up the piece of cloth, which was an old uniform, from the crate she’d laid it on when she’d entered. She’d used the uniform because she couldn’t bear to touch it again. The thing was cursed, and she didn’t want any more of its dark energy leaking out and through her. She took the shroud over to the matter recycler and deposited it into the shelf. It made a loud clang when it hit the grate inside. Through the window Evie stared at her family’s broadsword with a seething hatred she reserved for only the most atrocious of acts. And the sword had been the instrument of all the destruction in her life. It was time to be rid of it. She reached up to tap the recycler button and noticed Cas’s hand moved to stop her, but then he pulled back. He was more of a sentimental person than she was; she no longer had any need for this weapon and was glad to be rid of it.

  “Does Esterva know?”

  His question stopped her hand millimeters from the button. She pulled back. “She wouldn’t understand.”

  “Have you asked her?”

  Evie cursed him under her breath. Esterva, her mother, had told her the true history of the sword and how it had come to be in Evie’s possession. She would want Evie to keep it because it was Evie’s one connection to her deceased father. But that had been a toxic connection, and Evie was quite literally cutting it out of her life. “It’s not hers. It’s mine…to do with as I please.” She tapped the button.

  The chamber glowed white and the sword began to disintegrate, atom by atom. In under thirty seconds there was nothing left, not even a mote of dust. Evie felt a giant weight leave her shoulders. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Finally,” she whispered, glancing at Cas. “Okay. We better get moving. He’s not going to be happy if we have to keep making him wait.”

  Cas smiled. “I’m not sure I’m ready.”

  Evie returned the gesture. “I don’t think anyone ever truly is.”

  2

  The doors to the ship’s refurbished bar stood in front of them but Caspian Robeaux hesitated. He hadn’t been back in here ever since they’d returned from open space—not because he was afraid of what he might do—but more because he’d been so busy. This had been Martial’s realm. Without him, it seemed…emptier somehow. The past few weeks had been calm, what with the Sil on the ship helping to upgrade their systems and Evie allowing herself to be subjected to more of their tests. They seemed obsessed with finding out the perfect combination of genes that created her from the human and Athru DNA. Esterva had kept her part in Evie’s creation quiet, not wanting to get involved in their scrutiny. Cas hated her for that, because had she been willing to step forward and take some of the brunt of the Sil’s requests, so much wouldn’t fall on Evie’s shoulders. But that was an internal family matter and it was best if he stayed out of it. Getting involved in her business again wasn’t a good idea.

  “Just get ready,” Cas said as he and Evie stood shoulder to shoulder. “He’s in rare form today.”

  “Oh, Kor,” she replied. “You know it’s times like this when I’m really glad I’m not the captain anymore.”

  Cas grumbled. She’d gotten out of this by the skin of her teeth. Evie was still the one who should take part in the ceremony since it had been her idea and her promise in the first place. “You know, I could always order you—”

  Evie jolted forward so the doors opened for them, revealing the crowd of people. “Too late,” she hissed back at him. They entered the crowded space which was beyond capacity. Had Box invited everyone?

  “About time!” Box yelled over the din of people talking and milling about through the space. “You would think with limited lifespans humans would be more efficient about the use of their day.” Cas watched Evie disappear into the crowd with a grin on her face as the rest of the people in the bar turned to look at him. “The most important day of my life and you’re running to the altar with sweat on your brow and a guilty look on your face. Out flirting with the bridesmaids again?”

  Cas felt his face go hot. “You’re not getting married!” By Garth, he hated it when Box did this. Especially in front of the crew. Cas shot a look at Saturina, who was standing off to the side with Ryant, both were doing their best to conceal their smiles.

  “You’re right. This is much more important.” Box moved to the front of the group. “I’m ready.”

  Cas sighed and walked up to the machine, pulling a small medallion from his pocket. The room quieted around them. Box stood in front of him with his chest puffed out, as much as that was possible for a machine, and his eyes blinking in a pattern Cas recognized as genuine pride. It was the same sequence Box used to blink when he’d done a spectacular job piloting the Reasonable Excuse, or getting them out of one of their skirmishes with the Sargans.

  “Mr. Box.” Cas did his best to sound sincere. “Because of your bravery and heroism in the face of imminent peril to yourself, and for the acts performed aboard this ship that saved the lives of your fellow crewmembers, I hereby present you with the Coalition’s Medal of Honor. May it inspire others to follow in your deeds.” Cas held out the sparking medallion. It was silver with gold inlays with the symbol of a star in the middle. “Congratulations.”

  “Put it on me,” Box whispered, though he didn’t do much to lower the timbre of his voice.

  “No, put it on yourself,” Cas hissed.

  “Put. It. On. Me,” Box hissed back.

  Cas huffed, reached up and placed the medallion in the indentation Box had created on his superstructure. It magnetically locked onto his person. “Ohhhh, yeah. That feels sooo gooood,” he moaned. “Take it off and put it back on again.”

  “I hate you,” Cas said, as audible laughter came from the crowd.

  “No one can do it like you can, Captain,” Box replied.

  Cas turned to Evie, who had her hand over her mouth. “See? This is why you should have done this.” He turned and stomped over to the bar. There wasn’t anyone behind the counter, so Cas hopped it and grabbed a bottle of scorb. He glanced up to Box admiring his medal. Other members of the crew had come up to him, giving him their congratulations. Cas even saw Ronde among the crowd, who wore a genuine smile and took Box’s hand. Cas shook his head. He never thought he’d see the day.

  He put the scorb back and instead pulled out the bottle Laska had introduced him to. After eighteen years it was bound to be even better than he’d remembered. Cas poured a drink then cleared his throat, raising his glass. “To Box, may we all strive to live by his example.”

  “To Box!” the crowd replied, those with drinks raising them. Cas couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t think he’d ever seen the robot so content. He stood in the middle of the crowd, beaming, while everyone around him cheered.

  Zenfor stood on the far side, stoic as ever. She wasn’t joining in the cheering, but he thought he could see the smallest upturn of her mouth.

  Saturina approached the bar, her short, silver hair bouncing as she did. Cas had come to love that bounce, especially when it was walking toward him. “That was very gracious of you.”

  Cas shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. It was better than he remembered. “I figured he deserved at least one good day. And we have to take as many of those as we can get.”

 

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