Spacestastic Mysteries
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Creator: Annagail Lynes
Science fiction Serial Audio Book
Synopsis:
The gripping podcast that takes you on a thrilling intergalactic journey filled with espionage, mystery, and cosmic crime-solving! In each installment, we delve into the captivating world of Annagail Lynes' science fiction novels featuring talented spies operating amidst the stars. Join us as we follow these daring agents from various interstellar agencies, entrusted with the crucial task of solving crimes and unearthing dark conspiracies that threaten the very fabric of space civilization.
Format: Audio Book
Continuity: Serial
Voices: Text to Speech
Genres: Science fiction
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Episodes:
Without Clearance - Episode 9 - How Well Do You Know...
Sat, 23 Nov 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one.
When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family.
Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger.
Without Clearance - Episode 8 - Are You On Board?
Sat, 16 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one.
When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family.
Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger.
Without Clearance - Episode 6 - New Revelations
Sat, 12 Oct 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one.
When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family.
As the walls close in, and with more lives hanging in the balance, Jessa must confront dark secrets from her past that were buried long ago. Betrayals come to light, trust is shattered, and the line between friend and foe blurs as they unravel a conspiracy.
With time running out and danger closing in, Jessa and Nate must race against an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to take down the family legacy. Can they solve the murder before it’s too late, or will Jessa’s past finally catch up with her in a deadly reckoning?
Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger.
Without Clearance - Episode 5 - Clues
Sat, 05 Oct 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one.
When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family.
As the walls close in, and with more lives hanging in the balance, Jessa must confront dark secrets from her past that were buried long ago. Betrayals come to light, trust is shattered, and the line between friend and foe blurs as they unravel a conspiracy.
With time running out and danger closing in, Jessa and Nate must race against an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to take down the family legacy. Can they solve the murder before it’s too late, or will Jessa’s past finally catch up with her in a deadly reckoning?
Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger.
Without Clearance - Episode 4 - The List
Sat, 28 Sep 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one.
When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family.
As the walls close in, and with more lives hanging in the balance, Jessa must confront dark secrets from her past that were buried long ago. Betrayals come to light, trust is shattered, and the line between friend and foe blurs as they unravel a conspiracy.
With time running out and danger closing in, Jessa and Nate must race against an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to take down the family legacy. Can they solve the murder before it’s too late, or will Jessa’s past finally catch up with her in a deadly reckoning?
Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger.
Without Clearance - Episode 3 - Not All Is As It Seems
Sat, 21 Sep 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one. When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family. As the walls close in, and with more lives hanging in the balance, Jessa must confront dark secrets from her past that were buried long ago. Betrayals come to light, trust is shattered, and the line between friend and foe blurs as they unravel a conspiracy. With time running out and danger closing in, Jessa and Nate must race against an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to take down the family legacy. Can they solve the murder before it’s too late, or will Jessa’s past finally catch up with her in a deadly reckoning? Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger.
Without Clearance - Episode 2 - Surprise!
Sat, 14 Sep 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one. When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family. As the walls close in, and with more lives hanging in the balance, Jessa must confront dark secrets from her past that were buried long ago. Betrayals come to light, trust is shattered, and the line between friend and foe blurs as they unravel a conspiracy. With time running out and danger closing in, Jessa and Nate must race against an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to take down the family legacy. Can they solve the murder before it’s too late, or will Jessa’s past finally catch up with her in a deadly reckoning? Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger. _______ Follow us on social media: Facebook - authorannagail Instagram - annagaillynesartist TikTok - ladyannagail Pinterest - annagaillynes You Tube - @SpacestasticMysteries Buy My Books at https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00JCOF67M/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=4106710e-b29f-4652-9c15-c10113268137
Without Clearance - What Do I Remember?
Wed, 11 Sep 2024 02:52:20 GMT
Colonel Jessa Masters, a fearless and seasoned Federal Agent for the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau (IIB), commands the SpaceVessel Liberty with unparalleled precision. Alongside her partner and husband, Nate Masters, a skilled investigator with a sharp intellect, she has faced some of the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. But nothing could prepare them for their next mission—a personal one. When a fellow federal agent is found brutally murdered aboard the Liberty, the crime scene is not just a professional setback—it’s a chilling threat that hits too close to home. As Jessa and Nate dig deeper, they uncover clues that suggest this murder is no random act of violence. It’s part of a decades-old vendetta, a sinister plot aimed at dismantling Jessa's entire family. As the walls close in, and with more lives hanging in the balance, Jessa must confront dark secrets from her past that were buried long ago. Betrayals come to light, trust is shattered, and the line between friend and foe blurs as they unravel a conspiracy. With time running out and danger closing in, Jessa and Nate must race against an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to take down the family legacy. Can they solve the murder before it’s too late, or will Jessa’s past finally catch up with her in a deadly reckoning? Without Clearance is a high-stakes, action-packed space thriller filled with twists, conspiracies, and a powerful tale of love and loyalty in the face of overwhelming danger. _______ Follow us on social media: Facebook - authorannagail Instagram - annagaillynesartist TikTok - ladyannagail Pinterest - annagaillynes You Tube - @SpacestasticMysteries Buy My Books at https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00JCOF67M/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=4106710e-b29f-4652-9c15-c10113268137
Who Killed Ben? Episode 14 - The Conclusion
Sat, 31 Aug 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Who Killed Ben? Episode 14 - The Conclusion Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world. As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage. As they follow a trail of clues that leads them ever closer to the truth, Jessa and Nate find themselves confronting dark secrets and powerful adversaries hell-bent on keeping the truth buried. With danger lurking around every corner and time running out, they must race against the clock to expose the sinister forces at play before they become the next targets. Follow us on social media: Facebook - authorannagail Instagram - annagaillynesartist TikTok - ladyannagail Pinterest - annagaillynes You Tube - @SpacestasticMysteries
Who Killed Ben? Episode 13 - The Visitor
Sat, 24 Aug 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.
As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.
As they follow a trail of clues that leads them ever closer to the truth, Jessa and Nate find themselves confronting dark secrets and powerful adversaries hell-bent on keeping the truth buried. With danger lurking around every corner and time running out, they must race against the clock to expose the sinister forces at play before they become the next targets.
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Who Killed Ben? - Episode 12 - The Showdown
Sat, 17 Aug 2024 15:00:00 GMT
Who Killed Ben? Episode 12 - The Showdown
Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.
As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.
As they follow a trail of clues that leads them ever closer to the truth, Jessa and Nate find themselves confronting dark secrets and powerful adversaries hell-bent on keeping the truth buried. With danger lurking around every corner and time running out, they must race against the clock to expose the sinister forces at play before they become the next targets.
Follow us on social media:
Facebook - authorannagail
Instagram - annagaillynesartist
TikTok - ladyannagail
Pinterest - annagaillynes
You Tube - @SpacestasticMysteries
Who Killed Ben? Episode 11 - Obligations
Sat, 10 Aug 2024 15:45:00 GMT
Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.
As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.
As they follow a trail of clues that leads them ever closer to the truth, Jessa and Nate find themselves confronting dark secrets and powerful adversaries hell-bent on keeping the truth buried. With danger lurking around every corner and time running out, they must race against the clock to expose the sinister forces at play before they become the next targets.
Who Killed Ben? Episode 10 - The Escape
Sat, 03 Aug 2024 15:30:00 GMT
Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.
As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.
As they follow a trail of clues that leads them ever closer to the truth, Jessa and Nate find themselves confronting dark secrets and powerful adversaries hell-bent on keeping the truth buried. With danger lurking around every corner and time running out, they must race against the clock to expose the sinister forces at play before they become the next targets.
Who Killed Ben? Episode 9 – Epidemic?
Sat, 27 Jul 2024 20:07:00 GMT
Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.
As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.
As they follow a trail of clues that leads them ever closer to the truth, Jessa and Nate find themselves confronting dark secrets and powerful adversaries hell-bent on keeping the truth buried. With danger lurking around every corner and time running out, they must race against the clock to expose the sinister forces at play before they become the next targets.
Who Killed Ben? Episode 8 - The Confrontation
Sat, 13 Jul 2024 19:54:34 GMT
"I believe you," I told Natasha who lay on her bed, reading a book. The old-fashioned kind with pages and a spine. The kind you could actually hold in your hands. I noticed that it was Holmes and Watson, a Sherlock Holmes' novel, that held Natasha's attention. "I believe you that you didn't kill Ben. You may have tried to lure my husband away from me, fooled me and Ben into thinking you were on the Freedom Alliance's side, but you are no murderer."
Natasha peered at me over the book. "But I did steal your husband away, Jessa. Just for one night–May 8, 2150. It was a wonderful night. He was the most gentle..."
He couldn't have. There was no way. Not on that date.
As I glanced at my ring, May 8–that was Ben and my anniversary. That was the week that Ben surprised me by taking me to his father's cabin in Northern Arizona. Yavapai County had a late unexpected snow storm that trapped us inside the cabin the entire week. Not that we minded. Somehow we found activities to keep us occupied. I smiled to myself, briefly reliving the events of that trip in my mind. That was the week we conceived Joshua. "Do you know what Ben's last assignment was, Natasha?" I paced back and forth in front of the cell. Not out of nervousness but to annoy Natasha.
"Jessa, our last assignment was–"
I shook my head, stopping in front of the cell. "Ben's last assignment was to investigate his partner. General Graham suspected that she was a double agent," I informed Natasha, whose face turned hot and pinched with resentment.
Before Natasha could say anything, I added, "You see, Ben started investigating you. When it was evident that you were working for the Crimson Fleet, Ben called me home. One well-placed call from me confirmed you were taking money from the enemy."
"You're lying," she thundered, putting down the book. Her eyes blazed murderously.
"The way I see it, you didn't kill Ben, but you know who did," I speculated, pacing again. For some reason, I thought better when I paced.
Who Killed Ben? Episode 7 - The Plan
Sat, 06 Jul 2024 17:00:00 GMT
"But I didn't kill Benji," Natasha shrieked, moving to the edge of the bed. "I swear I didn't. You have to believe me, Jessa."
When she realized we weren't buying her Lieutenant Colonel Polk act any longer, she referred to me as Jessa instead of Colonel. Although I found her shift in attitude quite intriguing, I knew I still couldn't trust her to tell us the truth.
"Then, my husband was murdered," I concluded; my breath became raw in my throat. I bunched my fists tightly. I wanted to do Natasha bodily harm. Again, I took a deep breath and resumed, "I have a source who says you have been exchanging our information for Crimson Fleet money."
Natasha steepled her fingers, staring at them. "Maybe I have. Maybe I haven't."
"You had the motive and the means to kill my brother," Nate ground out his words between clenched teeth. "Now if you don't tell us who killed Ben and why, you will be going to prison for his murder."
Who Killed Ben? Episode 6 - The Suspects
Sun, 30 Jun 2024 05:43:55 GMT
"CHIP, play disk," I instructed the computer.
When I saw Ben's face, I unconsciously ripped my hand away from Nate.
"Agent Benjamin Masters' Log, January 8, 2150...Agent Austin and I have infiltrated Bravo Ait without incident. We are in search of the crew of the Washington. So far we haven't been able to locate them. We, however, have happened upon a compound. It was pretty easy to make it past the guards. We entered the TravelTram, but before we pressed any buttons, the TravelTram plummeted ten or more floors," Ben told his computer, sitting in a large chair in the landing craft again.
Each log we viewed took place in that vessel. I deduced that Austin and Ben must have set it up as a Command Post.
Ben continued, "When we exited the TravelTram, we found ourselves in what appeared to be a deserted basement. Two men approached us. Austin pulled me into a nearby closet. From there, we watched the men enter what looked like a laboratory. It had test tubes, bunts and burners and a locked cabinet. Labeled bottles with a different colored solution in each filled the shelves upon shelves that lined the lab. After we were sure they were in the laboratory, we peeked through the window and eavesdropped on their conversation. They hovered over a set of plans."
Ben looked around as if he thought someone might be listening to his log. He had black circles under his red eyes. What had been keeping him up nights? The plans for the biological weapon? Or something else?
"'Once we finish this weapon, we will fill it with RY-987. We will put one of our agents on every Freedom Alliance StarVessel. Then poof! Every member aboard will be dead,' one of them–a fair-skinned, white-haired man with a British accent– told the two men we saw going in the room. Austin and I will continue to search for the missing Washington officers. Masters out."
Nate and I looked at each other.
"Now we know how Ben stumbled upon–" Something on the computer screen caught my attention.
"Benji," a dark-haired woman purred, draping herself on the arm of the chair Ben was sitting in. The date across the bottom of the screen read September 2, 2150.
"CHIP, stop disk," Nate charged the computer, grasping my hand again.
Who Killed Ben? Episode 5 - Was There A Moment?
Sun, 16 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT
This is the Spacestastic Mysteries Podcast. We are continuing science fiction, mystery author Annagail Lynes’ first novel in the science fictions series Jaguar and Peacock Series, Who Killed Ben?
Federal Agent and seasoned SpaceVessel Commander, Jessa Strazzer, emerges from the wreckage of a devastating accident that claimed the life of her beloved husband, Ben. Returning to her duties with a heavy heart, she grapples with grief and unanswered questions, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that shattered her world.
As Jessa sifts through the remnants of her past life, she stumbles upon a mysterious box of items left behind by Ben. Within its depths lies a chilling revelation: the accident that claimed Ben's life was no mere mishap, but a deliberate act of sabotage.
This is Episode 5 – Was There A Moment? If you have not subscribed, hit the bell to be notified of new episodes.
Transcript: https://annagaillynes803633422.wordpress.com/2024/06/15/who-killed-ben-episode-5-was-there-a-moment/
If you sign up for updates at https://tinyurl.com/lcsnovel, you will receive a free digital copy of Annagail's novel, The Last Chance Station, which is set in the same universe as The Jaguar and Peacock Series, but which follows the cases Colonel Alexandra Madrid solves with her partner, Tony Ashton, on a SpaceBase on the edge of space explored by the Freedom Alliance.
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Who Killed Ben? - Episode 4 - The Dinner Meeting
Sun, 09 Jun 2024 03:19:39 GMT
We ate in silence for the next few minutes.
"How are you handling all this stuff with Ben?" Nate picked up the pitcher of lemonade, pouring some into his glass.
"I'm fine." I handed my glass out to him. My hand--visibly trembled.
"No, you are definitely shaken." He filled my glass, then replaced the pitcher. He stared at me a moment before he added, "I don't remember the last time I saw your hand shake like that." His eyes narrowed in concern.
"You can be in trouble anywhere in the universe, and I would know it," I began, loading a forkful of spaghetti into my mouth. After I chewed it thoroughly, I continued, "Why didn't I have that same sense about my husband? Why didn't I know he was in trouble?" I picked up another forkful of spaghetti.
He scrutinized me for a moment before saying anything, sipping his lemonade. "He didn't give you any clues when you saw him before the accident?"
"He was very upset when I arrived home. He had an altercation with his partner earlier in the day, which led him to believe that she was working for the Crimson Fleet." I raised my hand to glance at the wedding ring Ben bought me. I couldn't seem to bring myself to remove it. For me, slipping off my wedding ring symbolized the death of my marriage to Ben. I quickly hid my hand under the table.Then I lowered my voice and confided, "I called Morgan Kramer, our agent in the Crimson Fleet Underground. I showed her the picture of Ben's partner. Kramer told me that three years ago, the Crimson Fleet started paying Austin for Freedom Alliance information."
A comfortable silence ensued for a few minutes as we worked on our spaghetti. Nate was the first to break the silence by asking, "How did Ben react to that?"
"How do you think he reacted? He was furious." I put my glass of lemonade to my lips, then set the glass down. "I only saw him that angry once before...when my father..." I reached behind my hair to finger the long scar on the side of my neck for the second time today. I kept the scar hidden. Every time I caught a glimpse of it, my stomach threatened to turn over. Not because of the abuse but because I didn't stop it. I let that man intimidate me, cut me down with his words and hurt me with his fists and knives.
Who Killed Ben? Series - Episode 3 - Who's In Charge?
Sat, 01 Jun 2024 15:00:00 GMT
"The Washington was a vessel similar to this one. At least three-hundred people should have been on board," Nate noted, giving me a look of uneasy puzzlement. "Three-hundred people can't just disappear. Maybe the Crimson Fleet took them as prisoners."
"Perhaps," I consented, steepled my fingers and leaned back in my chair. "But the Crimson Fleet's philosophy is the survival of the fittest," I went on, trying to explain my position. "So if the Washington had been in a battle. One that crippled them. Don't you think that the Crimson Fleet would have left the injured and dead crew members?"
"And if the Washington was badly injured, there must have been casualties." He folded his hands behind his head, narrowing his eyes speculatively. "If that's the case, where are they?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know." I intertwined my fingers and rested them on my lap. "I do think, however, that we should go through the remaining logs before jumping to any conclusions."
Nate slowly nodded his head. "Ben could have already found the bodies," Nate concluded, giving me a leisurely once-over. "In any case, it's going to be a long night."
Who Killed Ben? Series - Episode 2 - The Box
Sat, 25 May 2024 17:00:00 GMT
I lifted the flaps of the box. An envelope with the words "Watch This First" scrawled in Ben’s handwriting caught my eye. Picking up the envelope, I removed a small circular disk the size of a button from it. After pushing the disk through a slot on the side of the screen, I instructed the computer, "CHIP, play the disk."
My heart felt as if it had sunk into my boots when Ben appeared on the screen. He sat on the couch in our Base house. His dark-brown hair seemed longer than usual and definitely a lot messier. A full day’s growth covered his chin. From the redness of his eyes and the dark circles under them, I knew something had been keeping him up nights. Ben rarely worried, so if something was keeping him up, it had to be serious.
He began, "Angel, if you are watching this, I must be dead. Knowing you like I do, I know you are sitting behind your desk on the Liberty. You have thrown yourself into your work. You have been doing anything to avoid dealing with the pain."
I looked around, exchanging an amused look with Nate. I guess Ben knew me better than I thought.
"Angel, I love you so much," Ben maintained, casting me a sad yet involuntary smile.
It broke my heart just knowing that I would never hear Ben call me Angel again.
I smiled, putting my hand to the screen. "And I love you," I agreed; tears forming in my eyes. I missed him so much. The hole in my heart that he left when he died ached. I watched him on the screen of my terminal, knowing that my time with Ben ended when the disk did.
Ben paused for a moment to stare at his wedding ring, twisting it around and around his finger. The hunted look that I saw in his eyes made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Something was definitely wrong.
"I am in big trouble, Angel. I discovered that the Crimson Fleet have been working on a secret biological weapon. And they have made several attempts on my life and have threatened to kill you and Reggie. I don’t know. Maybe they have already tried to take you out."
"The accident," Nate whispered.
Who Killed Ben? Series - Episode 1 - The Beginnings
Sat, 18 May 2024 17:00:00 GMT
Just then, a bright light from an oncoming car blinded my eyes. Shielding them with my hand, I looked up at the road. A car barreled through the intersection, then sped up and made a beeline for our car. "Ben, watch out!" I heard a deafening crash as metal slammed against metal. A sound that echoed in my ears long after the event. Thrown forward, I felt my body sail through the window shield like a missile flying through a war-torn sky. Pieces of glass erupted over the hood of the car and on the street below. I landed face down a few feet away from the vehicle, lying in a bed of jagged glass. Even though every bone and muscle in my body ached, I lifted my head to look back at the mini-van. I saw Ben's dark head slumped over the steering wheel. When I heard the piercing cry of the sirens seeking us out, I collapsed back onto the asphalt. At that moment, everything went black.
The Lightyears Series - Episode 23 - The Showdown
Sat, 11 May 2024 15:00:00 GMT
“She foiled our gas and bombs on her vessel, so we are going to have to take more drastic measures. We are going to have to bomb her crew with her on it. She has always been the bane of my existence since she married Josh. He wasn’t supposed to marry her. We weren’t supposed to be family, but he fell for her. Why? I will never know. She is not that pretty, and she is so annoying.”
“Let’s go,” I told my people, leading them over to the Island Committee members’ table. When all of them looked at me, Jake and I flashed our badges. “On the authority of the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau, you are all under arrest.”
“For what? You have no authority to arrest us,” screamed the man who had pretended to be my father.
“Those humans who brought that Biodome to your planet also made Kilo-Ait…and Sierra-Wun for that matter a part of the Earth colonies pact,” I started, moving around the table. “That means I have all of the authority of Earth to arrest you for the genocide you unleashed on my people and are about to unleash on the people of Sierra Wun.” I stopped behind an empty chair, putting my hands down on it. “There is the matter of creating a disease, killing people with it, taking our people captive, killing people who you abducted, interfering with an investigation.”
Jake moved forward. “The attempted gassing and bombing of a Freedom Alliance MASH SpaceVessel.”
“You cannot prove anything,” the man said with grave deliberation.
“If I were in your position, I would hope that was true too. Unfortunately for you,” I revealed, holding up a chip, “I was recording everything I heard and saw in captivity. I knew the plot. I knew how you created the disease, how you knew the planet was going supernova. Your plot to kill the humans. Then my memory was erased. The fact that it was erased indicates that you know I am telling the truth. Too bad for you that I have the chip and remember everything.”
He stood up and grabbed my arm. “Then we are going to make sure you forget again.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 22 - Where Did It Go?
Sat, 04 May 2024 17:00:00 GMT
“I don’t know, but my instincts are screaming. It is not far-fetched to think they have a back-up plan. I am concerned that they have more ‘surprises’ for us.”
He nodded. “Unfortunately, I suspect you are correct.” He rolled up my arm and said, “It is your turn to take the cure.” I offered him my arm, watching him inject me with a syringe. I didn’t feel any different, but I reminded myself what I told everyone else, “It will take some time to start working.”
“As you have told all the other people who were injected today, you need to stay put for the next fifteen minutes to determine if you are going to have any reaction.”
Just then I felt the Lightyears being pushed. Jake and I exchanged a troubled look before my helmsman called over my CommLet, “Kilo-Ait exploded. I don’t know how you cause an entire planet to explode, but it did…and we got caught in the backdraft. We are lightyears off course. I will correct course and…Colonel, the planet disappeared. Our helm is not even reading that it ever existed.”
Jake and I exchanged another troubled look. “Helm, I want to take an alternative route back to where we should be. Science, I want you to figure out what happened to that planet.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 21 - The Oracle
Sat, 27 Apr 2024 17:00:00 GMT
“Why not? I thought that was the point--to find the cure. I found the cure. It works. I know that because I created it while in captivity.”
“That was not the point. You should be smarter than that. We cannot allow you human beings to destroy our planet and get away with it. You come to our planet and set up that monstrosity of a dome that houses humans like you. We lured you all here with that disease to take you out. Someone had to kill all you disgusting humans.”
I trained my weapon on her. “Aren’t you human?”
She shook her head and insisted, wrinkling her nose, “No, absolutely not. I and every member of the Island Committee are Quavetezhdan. We are the Oracle. The people who created this game to lure humans into our trap. Your people have gotten away with invading and stealing people’s land for centuries. It is time you stopped.”
“Except that you are taking out innocents. People, like me and my crew, who did not choose to inhabit your land and steal it. You are not as noble as you think you are. You are killing people because they stole your land. You are also killing people who did nothing to you.”
“You are the worst of them all. Your parents came here, heading that crusade to erect that Dome. That’s why we had to take them out, and anyone tainted by their DNA.”
“My parents are dead?”
She laughed a maniac cackle. “We reprogrammed the DiagnMonitors to read us as your parents. Then we lured you to our planet, mentally get into your brain…and then you married Josh, the only human we would have saved, to save that boyfriend of yours. We had to kill Josh because he kept protecting you and all his friends. We could not have that. You all have to die.” She produced a weapon and shot me in the chest. When I didn’t fall, she kept shooting.
I kicked the gun out of her hand and tackled her to the ground, just as more of her friends jumped down into the laboratory.
Jake jumped in and helped me battle the people.
The Lightyear Series - Episode 20 – The Parental Dilemma
Sat, 20 Apr 2024 15:00:00 GMT
As Doctor Winehart entered the room, a person with thick hair and skin darker than mine but not as dark as Jake’s, that sported a rugged jaw, cold black eyes, still outfitted in a cappuccino-colored jumpsuit, appeared in the room. He had not walked in. Just appeared.
Jake’s face hardened. He ran his eyes over the man before uttering, “What the-- What the actual hell? How did you just appear here? Why are you here? To freakin’ torture me some more?”
The man and I continued our conversation. Most of the exchange I knew instinctively.
“Let’s dispense with the small talk since we both know we have had this conversation before. You think that you are a match for me…you want to destroy us and the evidence on the planet…and you do not care who you kill in the process. You are going to kill the people on the planet and everyone aboard this vessel.”
“You know too much. You and all your kind have got to die. You all could not leave well enough alone. No. You had to come here with your experimental BioSphere. You had to send your Think Tank here. We had to find a way to get rid of you. One of your people realized the power of those gold flecks, so we decided to come with our own experiments…and happened upon the disease. We spread it among the humans, trying to kill them all, but when that failed, we came up with a plan.”
“Why lure my people to your planet to,” I required, using air quotes, “cure this disease? You did not want it cured. You wanted it to kill all human beings who stepped on your planet.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 19 - Re-Do
Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:00:00 GMT
“It will until your hand has a chance to heal. It is going to take time to get used to it. I will bring it and the simulator to help you practice getting used to it in a couple of hours.” She looked back to Graham and then at me again. “I am staying on board until you and Doctors Morgan and Riley are recovered.” I remember this. I remember living through this before. Why was I reliving this?
I put up my hand and said with grave deliberation, “Graham, I have lived this before. I remember having this conversation, being in this bed, having this injury. This has been playing out like it did before, so I need you to do something for me.”
Graham closed the gap between the doors and my bed. He came and sat on the edge of it. “What are you talking about?”
“I have lived this before. I know what they are going to do next…and I need you to prevent it. I want Jake brought in here because we have to discuss what is going on between us…”
“I understand that. I will arrange it.” He gave me a sidelong glance and observed, “You look pale and tired.”
“I have lived this before. We found out too late and were about to evacuate everyone, but if we can stop it--”
“Evacuate? Why? What is going to happen that you are going to have to evacuate?”
“They are going to fill the entire vessel with gas. I need you to have my crew check for gas. I also want us to check Kilo-Ait and Sierra-Wun. I have reason to believe they are going to start evacuating because they want to destroy the evidence on Kilo-Ait.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 18 - Keeping Secrets
Sat, 30 Mar 2024 17:00:00 GMT
I sent the information over to Jake and asked, “Do you think this is possible?”
He studied the file I sent him. He looked over at me. “If this is right—and I am not saying it isn’t—if this is right, we have been looking in the wrong direction.”
“I don't know what made me believe that, but I know that I believed it wholeheartedly. Maybe the proof is somewhere in there, but if this is true, Heaven help these people because busted hand or not, I am going after them. How dare they do this?”
“I am right there with you on this.”
Just then CHIP announced, “Major Riley, Bernadette Riley is on the phone for you.”
“Put her through,” Jake said, giving me a troubled look.
“Okay, we are getting you out of there,” a feminine voice said that sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. “You are coming home, so I can take care of you. You and Zariah are coming to live with me. Kassidy has done nothing but get you into trouble. You know she married someone else while you were missing…and she had him killed. Did you know that? She is pure evil.”
“I am a grown man, Mother. I am not coming home to you…and either is Zariah…and you say one more bad word about Zariah’s mother, and I will cut you off. There will be no communication with me or Zariah if you continue this little tirade.”
“She has definitely brainwashed you into believing that I am in the wrong,” she continued, sniffling. “All I was trying to do was protect you and Zariah from her…and,” in between hysterical sobs, “now she has convinced you that I was trying to break you and her up.”
“Isn’t that we just admitted to when you said ‘Kassidy has done nothing but get you into trouble’? She did not have me abducted. She did not kill her husband. This disease did that.”
“Wake up, Son. She created this disease. She has caused all these deaths.”
“So, what who told you that,” he pressed, looking up at the ceiling. “The members of the Island Committee? Stephan? Philippe?”
“Who are these people you are talking about?”
“They are the people spilling the same garbage as you. She has worked tirelessly to cure this disease, but you know, go ahead and believe what you want, but I am not going to associate with you anymore. You are no longer welcome to contact me or my daughter.”
“They said they were going to kill her…that they were going to take care of her…but no, she is alive and well and ruin you and Zariah’s lives. That is unacceptable. She has got you brainwashed into believing that she is the golden child…and I am dirt under your shoe. Snap out of it, Jacob Aaron Riley! You say you are an adult, but you are not thinking with your brain. She is trouble.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 17 - Help Is On The Way
Sat, 23 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT
Just then my QuanPad chimed, followed by the decoded information from the chip. I backed it up and sent it to Graham and my attorney, who would send it to the people on my list if anything happened to me. I studied it for a few moments before gasping. “Oh my lands, if this is true… If this is true…this changes everything, and it makes so much sense.”
Jake demanded, looking from me to the QuanPad and back again several times. “What makes so much sense?”
I showed Drew and Jake the information that our friend Fireball decoded from the chip. Just then I felt the building shake, followed by a series of several explosions. The echo seemed so loud in my ears that I feared I would never have full hearing again. “We have to get out of here. They are trying to kill us. The only problem is I don’t know how we are going to get out of here. There are too many twists and turns and hidden rooms.”
Just then there was a huge explosion as the building started to collapse. We searched corridor after corridor for a way out. We felt the walls and ceilings crashing in all around us. I saw my life flash before my eyes as I felt as if I were an accordion being squeezed until the very life seemed to drain out of me. The levels above me crushed me into the growing rubble below. This was it. I didn’t know how I would get out alive, how I would get back to my children, to Jake. Would he survive? Would we both…? What would happen to Zariah?
As I closed my eyes, unable to keep them open any longer, I heard Adam’s voice, “Help is on the way. You will all survive.”
I didn’t know how that could be true, but I also knew that I probably lost the chip in the rubble, making the mission for nought. I did not know if the information transferred to Graham before the explosion. I only knew that this was not the first time they tried to take me out and would not be the last…as long as I kept in-- My mind became muddled. I could not think clearly before I lost consciousness.
“No, no,” urged Josh, “go back. It is not your time to join us.”
“I am not sure I have a choice.”
“Help is on the way.”
“But what kind of life is that going to be? Zariah will have to take care of her disabled mother.”
“You are going to be fine. Yes, you will have broken bones, and there will be a surgery, but nothing that is not fixable. Our children, Adam's children and Zariah need you--the only constant in their lives…and you need to repair things with Jake. Don't let your fears prevent you from being with him. You know you married me to keep him safe, but you and I came to love each other. I only want what is best for you and the kids--all of them…and you are not betraying me by marrying him.”
“Thank you, but I don't know how I am going to get out of here. I know you said we would survive, but--”
“Have a little faith in miracles and that those who have plotted against you will receive their just rewards…at your hands…in this case.”
“I don't know if I have any faith left. I had faith that we would save you…we didn’t. I had faith that we would find Jake, and we did, but I feel like things are never going to be right with him. I had faith that I would make it as a doctor and commander…and I did, but now, look at me.”
Josh insisted, “Everything is going to be okay. Hold on. Help is almost to you.”
“Is this good help or bad help? Is this help that is going to help me live? Or help that is going to make me wish I was…”
“Dani! Live again. You have not been living. You have been responsible. Going through the motions. Start living and have a little faith.”
“Shh! I’ve got you,” someone said in a soothing voice as they pulled me out of the rubble. Every inch of my body hurt, ached as if I had been run over several times by a semi-truck.
The Lightyears Series Episode 16 - The Memory Flood
Sat, 16 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT
For the next hour, Jake tried to talk to me, trying to make me laugh, get angry and forgive him. “Come on, talk to me, yell at me. Just talk to me,” he pleaded. I refused to give in to him. The next hour, none of us said anything until Jake looked around with curiosity. “I remember this place. We used to meet here when you could get away from Josh. I didn't remember that until now. I swear. We used to leave messages for each other somewhere in here.” He searched the tunnel carefully, moving his hand across the wall as we walked.
I didn't remember any of what he was saying. Maybe it was one of those implanted memories. I would remember if I had been here with him, right? I would remember sneaking away from Josh to meet Jake, right? What would we have said? What would we have talked about? Did we talk about the fact that I was marrying Josh to save Jake’s life? Did he convince me to do it? I didn’t remember any of it. If he was telling the truth, why did I not remember? Why did I have implanted memories and missing memories? Maybe Jake did too, I didn’t know. Why all this tampering with our memories? What were these people really hiding?
Five minutes later, Jake reached up into an exposed pipe and pulled out a stack of letters, and as he did, a chip dropped to the ground. I leaned over and picked up the chip. I slid it into the slit in the side of my QuanPad. When the information came onto the screen, it was encoded. “Of course, it is encoded,” I said in a low tone. I sent the file to my friend Fireball. “I sent it to Fireball to decode.”
“She speaks,” Jake quipped.
I rolled my eyes, pointing forward. We continued our trek until we reached a wall. I tapped it several times in an unique sequence before the doors slid open, then I motioned the group inside.
I touched the walls of the room, flooded by memories of fights and tender moments that occurred between Jake and me and me and Josh. I pulled out a blacklight device from my sleeve cuff. I turned it on and flashed it at the wall. I started at the left corner, recording the words that appeared. I remembered I wrote everything I found on that wall in invisible ink when the guards took my research, when they took my QuanPad because I tried to contact the outside world. It was as if it never occurred to them that I might want to go home, to resume my life. They gaslit me by telling me I was specifically chosen for this mission, that maybe I was not up to the task if I wanted to go home, that I was not as smart or as talented as they thought me to be. I remembered feverishly writing all my findings on the walls, the floors, whatever surface I could find. Did I find the cure? I felt as if I did, or was close to it when…when something happened. What happened that prevented me from…I remember being all caught up with the marrying Josh thing because they were going to kill Jake. I wrinkled my brow, getting a sinking feeling in my stomach. Did they know I found the cure or was about to and focused my attention elsewhere? Was finding the cure not their goal? I felt so weak in the knees just thinking about it that I grabbed the back of a nearby chair. Emotions and memories started to flood back with such vigor that I nearly collapsed under them, barely hearing Drew and Jake ask me if I was alright.
Suddenly the doors slammed shut behind us. Then the voice filled the room, saying, “You have returned to the scene of the crime sooner than anticipated, but we are glad you are all here. I’d like to welcome you to the start of the end for you all. Take me to your parents, and marry Philippe, and we will let the others go. You have forty-eight hours to make up your mind. If you choose not to, you and your companions are going to be eliminated. Your time starts now.”
The Lightyears Series- Episode 15 - The Gold Flecks
Sat, 09 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT
“What if the Island Committee actually,” Jake wondered, running his fingers through his hair, “brings people to the planet to expose them to the disease? What if they knew about the disease, but they purposely brought people to the planet who they deemed their enemies to expose them to the disease.”
“That would be intriguing, but the question is then why expose their own people to the disease? Like Josh? Either Josh did something to them or it was an accident.”
“If you think about it,” Drew chimed in, “all the people in captivity were humans…from Earth. Is it possible they have a vendetta against Earth? But why?”
“That is an intriguing prospect as well. What possible reasons could they have to hate all humans? What did we do to them? Do they hate a certain sect of humanoids and decided to kill them all? Or are they targeting certain human sects?”
Jake prompted, rubbing the kinks in his neck with his knuckles. “Since Josh was humanoid, is it possible they didn’t realize how it would affect human physiology until he was accidently exposed?”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 14 - The Theories
Sun, 25 Feb 2024 21:25:30 GMT
“What were you looking for?”
“The chip with my notes on it. I really didn’t think it would be here, but it was worth a shot.” I activated one of the terminals and hacked my way into the government database. “I wonder what they actually know…and what their intent is.”
“You are going to hack into their databases…as any good spy would. I am going to look around and see if I can find anything of significance.”
As I made my way through their firewalls, I managed to find a file with all of the Island Committee minutes in it. However, it was password protected. Managing to break the password, when the information ran across my screen, it was encoded. I worked to decode it when I felt something prick my arm, then I felt myself go limp and fall off the chair and into a puddle on the ground.
What seemed like seconds later, I blinked rapidly. I looked around and realized I was sitting on the couch of a fancy office. It sprawled the size of a quarter of a football field with a large oak desk and wooden, elaborately carved chairs in front and one behind. The walls were lined with shelves that housed old, dusty books and paintings. I’d been here before. I just didn’t remember when or why. Jake sat beside me.
“We meet again,” a voice whispered as he turned the chair around to reveal a dark-haired man with a goatee. His pale blue eyes—kind and with a hint of concern. “I am sorry I had to bring you here like this. The medication my guards gave you is harmless. I promise.” I ran my eyes over his harsh looking jaw with a scar on his left cheek. He was dressed in his standard black and white suit.
His name escaped my lips: “Stephan.”
“It’s me. You know I am not here to hurt you. I am here to help you and you help me. We can help each other. You know I would never hurt you…or your companion here.”
“How did you know it was me,” I asked him, searching his eyes.
“The Island Committee has spies everywhere around you, but I am the only one who sees how useful it could be if you and I worked together to solve this. I am the only one, outside of Josh, who helped keep you safe while you were here.” He turned to Jake. “You are Doctor Jake Riley. I am Stephan. No, I am not after her. No, we have never been sexually involved. No, I am not going to hurt you or her.”
When I caught Jake’s shocked face, I smirked. “Stephan forgot to tell you that he is telepathic, which is how I really suspect he realized we were on the planet.” I turned to Stephan and said, “Have your skills developed beyond the planet yet?”
Stephan shook his head. “Not yet.”
“I am glad that your telepathic skills don’t reach to our MASH vessel.”
“I couldn’t read you until you entered the café. I can tell, emotionally, that you are being drained by finally meeting your biological family. Your brothers and sister and I grew up together, but I didn’t really get along with the boys and Josh. I had a huge crush on Brianna though. I didn’t realize they were your family until recently. I am not sure about your parents though. They have never really liked me.”
“I am not sure about them either. I am wondering how it is that they are still in here. Everyone else was either killed or released with a return date. How did my parents and my siblings get to stay alive in this place?”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 13 - Hidden Places
Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:00:00 GMT
“We are on someone’s radar,” I told Jake. To Zebby, I said with grave deliberation, “We are in the SpaceCraft we brought here. Outside of me running a high fever, we are fine. The question is who knows we are here.” To Jake, I requested, “Please contact the Lightyears. Tell them we are alive…and that we will be back as soon as we can. Then could you call Zariah and Graham and tell them we are fine?”
“I am so glad that you are okay. You are my best friend.”
“I know. You are mine too. I am sorry they scared you, but we are fine for now. We removed the tracking devices under the tattoos they gave us while in captivity.”
“We need to wrap this up quickly because these people are set on killing you.”
I shook my head. “It is going to take as long as it takes. You know that. We are not going to back down. The fact they are trying to convince people we are dead is a telltale sign they are up to something…and do not want people coming to find us.”
“Let me talk to the rest of the group and see what we can do to speed this along.” Once she disconnected the call, Jake walked over to me.
“Everything is alright. Graham said that they have people investigating the scene right now and that they have had people from Kilo-Ait try to interfere with the investigation.”
“That is because the people on Kilo-Ait know we are not in that SpaceCraft…and that if the Freedom Alliance investigates, they will discover that our DNA is not present in the vehicle.” I stood and paced in front of the bed. “I have no idea who knows we are here, but someone knows. We have to be careful, but the fact that they are trying to convince people we are dead indicates that they do not want people to come look for us…or maybe they do not want people to find out what they are hiding. I don't know why but I feel like I have to find the lab I used to work out of.”
“You think whatever they are hiding might be in there.”
“That or maybe the truth of how this disease started is in that lab. The lab was extremely guarded…and they had to know who was coming in and out at all times. I feel like whatever we need to solve that case is in that lab. It’s like there is a memory in my mind that I cannot bring into focus.”
He nodded his head and decided, “Okay.”
I pulled up the center of the East Hemisphere of Kilo-Ait on my QuanPad. I showed it to Jake. “So, if I remember correctly, and it has been awhile, but I believe the laboratory is in the University building over here. It is a hidden laboratory…like the one I had built into the Lightyears.”
“You had a hidden laboratory built into the Lightyears? Where and for what reason?”
“It is in my office…and so that I could work on IIB cases. I specialize in medical cases like this one…so it stands to reason I would need a lab. I put it in my office, so I could work on my cases, but still could hear if people were in my office or the waiting area.”
“I can see that. Do you remember where the hidden laboratory is at the University?”
“Yeah, I believe it is top floor, in the back, through the storage rooms.”
“Then let’s go.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 12 - Sitting Ducks
Sat, 10 Feb 2024 17:00:00 GMT
“What reason could that be? You willingly married another man, had relations with him and produced two children.”
“I told you…I don’t remember.”
“I think you do. I think you just don’t want me to know. I think that—”
“You think I am telling you that I don’t remember because I am covering up the truth?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, what? I have no trouble keeping information I do remember from you. Why would I make up the fact that I don’t remember the other reason I married Josh?”
“I don't know. Why are you?”
“Stop it! Stop badgering me about why I married Josh. I cannot change the past. I cannot change that I did it for you. Just stop badgering me.”
“You did it for him,” questioned Brianna, easing me around to look at her.
“Did I say that? I don’t know why I would say that.” Then I grabbed my head as it started to pound.
The Lightyears Series - Episode 11 - The Memories
Sat, 03 Feb 2024 16:00:00 GMT
“I have been better than you two, it seems. I have not been captured while I have been here. I am glad to see you are both in disguise. They will come after you if they know it is you.” She looked to Jake. “They will kill you, but,“ she persisted, glancing over at me, “they want her to fulfill tradition.”
“Fulfill tradition,” Jake repeated.
She nodded. “If you marry one of their sons and have children with him, and he dies, tradition states you are to marry the next brother. They want her to marry their son. They are going to force it. They don’t want their grandchildren to be raised by anyone not of their family.”
I rolled my eyes. “I will not have my children raised by them…nor will I marry Philippe. Josh was the sane one in that family.”
“They have their spies all around you. You need to be careful because these spies are giving them intel on you…and they have killed the people who have not returned by the deadline.”
“What do you know about this disease? Have you found any evidence that it has originated from here?”
“You are going to want to talk to Hunter Mayfield. He is at the University and is one of us. I have set up a meet for you and him tomorrow morning at 0900 hours. I will send the location and the codeword to your QuanPad.”
“I appreciate that. Has he been researching it for awhile? Something in my gut wants to test the soil on this planet, but I don't know.”
“I’d trust your gut,” she agreed, catching my eye. “I don’t know how it is possible to transmit it through the soil from one planet to another, but go ahead. It would be a great use of your time while Jake and I get re-acquainted. He has always had a thing for me. Remember when we…behind the mountains five years ago.”
I raised my eyebrows, giving Jake an amused look. “Really now?”
Jake shook his head and insisted, “I did not knowingly sleep or kiss anyone while I was here. If something happened between you and me, Kasia, I was either out of it or it was non-consensual.”
“You are telling me that you don’t remember our relationship, our son, that you said you loved me…and that I was the only one you ever loved?”
“I would never willingly do that to Dani.”
“Kasia! Tell him the truth.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Okay, okay, I was trying to see how loyal you are to her. We have never been together nor do we have a son.”
Jake seemed relieved, then wondered, “Are you trying to find out if I am loyal because you are her friend or because you are interested in breaking us up?”
“She is trying to find out how you are going to handle it if Philippe starts throwing those accusations around. We need to know any indiscretions they can bring up on you. Me? I don’t care and don’t want to know. That is none of my business, but Philippe—he is going to be cruel and vicious like his father—and is going to make up information to discredit you.”
“We are in disguise. We are safe from all that.”
“These people have their ways…we just have to make sure we are ready for anything.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 10 - The Trip
Sat, 27 Jan 2024 17:00:00 GMT
“And that brings us back to Project Sierra-Lima-Tango because as a part of it, a team was assigned to Kilo-Ait to observe. Their observation station was hidden in one of the mountains until there was a magnetic storm that caused some of the residents to see flashes of the observation station.”
“Like when you are at home during a thunderstorm and the power is out and you see flashes of the room when lightning strikes,” Jessa wondered, looking at me.
“Exactly. At that point, the Quavetezhdans investigated and attacked the observation station. That is when my team and I were brought into do our own investigation and tend to the wounded. Unfortunately, that is the mission that got me captured.”
Jake questioned, wrinkling his brow, “Does that mean your children are half-Quavetezhdan?” I shook my head. “Charlie and Spencer’s father was adopted. He was pure Earthoid. His biological parents were killed in a SpaceCraft accident. I’ve wondered if that is why his adopted parents were not as broken up when Josh died.” I put my hand up. “However, just for your knowledge, Quavetezhdans are transformers.”
“Transformers,” Tony questioned, then rubbed the muscles in his neck.
“Transformers—in that they are able to change form. I have only seen them change from their natural appearance to humanoid, but it is possible for them to have more forms.”
Nate posed, “So, how do you know that Josh was not Quavetezhdan?”
“A DNA test and there are certain instances that a Quavetezhdan cannot transform or stay in a transformed state—one is when they are sleeping and the other is in more intimate settings.” Everyone was silent for a moment. “I understand we are saving everyone inflicted by this disease, but I find it hard to care about a race of people who tortured me in such horrific ways. I will, of course, but I find it difficult.”
Zebby spoke up, “Of course, you do, but you are not going to want to make that trip to Kilo-Ait anytime soon. There is a bounty on your head of one trillion dollars to bring you back there, so they can kill you.”
“Where did you hear this from?”
“One of our team members on Kilo Ait. He said he overheard it at an Island Committee meeting as he is posing as one of their guards.”
“Okay,” Jake stated, looking over at me, “so going to Kilo Ait is out of the question.”
I shook my head and said with grave deliberation, “No, we are still going.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 9 - The Emergency Meeting
Sat, 20 Jan 2024 17:00:00 GMT
I ate a few bites before I answered, staring at the food, “You know how there are snipers in war?” When he nodded, I continued, “They were killing people, making me watch, and they held me back from helping them. I could have at least saved some of them.”
He put down his burger and lifted my chin. “That's horrible. Especially to a doctor.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Thank you for confiding in me.”
“That's only part of what happened. They wanted me to create diseases that would take out populations. Diseases that looked like normal ones, so no one would suspect.”
“Did you--”
I picked at my ziti while holding his gaze. “Create this one? No, this one was sloppy. It is supposed to blend in. This one has hallmark signs that it was humanly engineered.” I ate a piece, then sipped my soda before I continued, “When Josh contracted it, I worked hard to try and save him. I brought in every expert I knew…and still couldn't save him.”
Jake picked up his burger and took another bite of it. “But you are saving people’s lives by that therapy you discovered.”
I nodded, then whispered, “But it will not be enough. It will never be enough to atone for all those lives that I was forced to let die.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 8 - The Return Date
Sun, 14 Jan 2024 05:51:37 GMT
“Colonel Kassidy, this is Henrick Balsam. I have some information I think you might find interesting. I knew your late husband Josh. I grew up with him and Peter on the Island. Peter, Adam and I were not as free as Joshua, of course, but the kids who were trained in useful skills like engineering or medicine were able to leave with the understanding that there was a return date. If you didn't return, you would be executed. Adam not returning got him killed. Peter and my return date is in six months. We need to figure out who these people are and to stop them.”
“You think that the leaders of the Island--Josh's family--is behind my brothers death?”
“It is run by a committee of people. Josh’s family is the only members we know, but we don't know the mastermind…or who ordered the hit, but yes, I do believe that the Island Committee killed Adam because he wouldn't return. I know that they use this University to work on hush-hush projects. One of which I believe is this epidemic you are investigating. I am sending you what I have to collaborate my theory. You comb through it and see if we have anything. If you have any questions, let me know.” Then the line went dead.
I moved my way out of the room and back down the hallway to see Jake coming toward me.
“We had to put the Wheaton family on your cocktail of medications for the disease,” Jake advised me, turning me around, helping me to negotiate our way out of the Hospital maze. “We had to get it under control. Apparently, most of the patients we worked on have it.”
“I am not surprised.” Once we finally made it out of the Hospital, he led me to the TravelTram. We took it to the Food Court. Sitting at a corner table in the back, I punched a baked ziti with a soda into the terminal screen embedded into the table. Jake typed in his order.
Then he looked at me and smiled. Taking my hand, he whispered, “We did well in there today. What did your source say?”
“He thinks the Island Committee had Adam killed because he didn't return by the date they told him to. Peter and my source have six months to return to captivity or be killed. We have to solve this by then because I know that I didn't want to meet my family, but now I want to get to know my brother and sister and their families. If we can help them stay alive and shut down the Island Committee…oh my lands, what if…”
“What if?”
“What if they killed Josh? He was a kid of a member of the Island Committee, but apparently his father was only one of the members. I was led to believe that Josh’s father was the head guy, but that may not be true. Nevertheless, he was my way out of that place.”
The android server who was a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman dressed in black slacks and a long-sleeved, white shirt interrupted our conversation with our meals. She slipped a burger, which lay on a pillow of fries, in front of Jake before setting down a soda. She put my ziti and soda near me. Then she scurried off to the kitchen. Jake and I shot each other an amused glance. “I told them that we need more varied types of androids to serve in the Food Court. They cannot all look like her.”
Jake raised the Privacy Wall around us, so no one could eavesdrop. “You think that Josh’s father would order a hit on his own son,” he returned to the original conversation, picking up his burger and putting it to his mouth, “that he did not have enough clout to save his son? And through this disease? Adam was killed in an explosion, wasn’t he? And why would they kill your sister-in-law and a lot of innocents?” He took a bite of his burger.
Lightyears - Episode 7 - The Visitor
Sat, 06 Jan 2024 22:17:11 GMT
“Josh is dead? He was Adam and my best friend growing up.”
“Two years ago. He died of the disease. The one we have. I don't know if you know this, but he and I married to get me out of captivity. I was there for six months too…and he took a liking to me. It gave me an advantage in negotiations to release our parents, then Josh died.”
“Do you have kids beside the one with…” He gestured toward the hallway.
“My oldest daughter is Jake's, but Charlotte and Spencer were Josh's, and then there is Adam's kids. What about you?”
“I have two boys with my wife Sarah. They are twelve and thirteen—Ethan and Liam. Our sister Brianna is married to Brett and have four children—two girls—Hope and Francesca and two boys—Logan and Samuel. Of course, Adam was married to Aubry and had Max and Zac.”
“How does the birth order go? I am presuming I am the oldest.”
He nodded. “You are, then me, Brianna and Adam. I still cannot believe our younger brother is gone. I could not believe you took in his children when you never met him or them.”
“The Freedom Alliance couldn’t find anyone who was family, so they crossed the kids’ DNA with anyone in our intergalactic databases, and I matched them. They are a part of my family now, so I will not give them up without a fight.”
“No one is asking you to.” He tilted his head to the side to look at me. “You thought I would come here to take Max and Zac away from you?”
I nodded. “I have people fight me for everything I have, including my children, so…”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. We are not uprooting them again. At this point, after their parents died, they need a stable environment.”
“I totally agree.”
“What is the deal with that Jake guy?”
“It is complicated. He and I met in high school. We were engaged. I kept putting off marrying him. We had Zariah, had a big fight and then he has spent the last ten years in captivity while I raised Zariah who is now fourteen.”
“Do you still love him? It is obvious he is still into you.”
I nodded. “However, a lot has happened to me in that ten years too.”
“I know all this must be overwhelming for you…and you are going to want a DNA test to confirm what I am saying. I am also thinking you are going to want to speak with all your contacts to collaborate my story.”
“Spoken like a true Federal Agent. I just have to give the information to my Clue Club sisters. We will know who you are by tomorrow night at the latest.” I didn’t see any signs of worry or anxiety. “Jessa is the heir to the IIB. Alex is an empath. Zebby is my best friend. All of them have my back.”
“Does Jake know you are IIB?”
I nodded. “On my current case, he is my partner. I don’t usually take on partners. I find they slow down the process because I have to run everything by them, but I don’t mind working with Jake on this one.” I sipped my drink before admitting, “Yes, I will want a DNA test, but I will also do a thorough background check. I don’t trust easily.”
“I don’t blame you. I am that way too. I think it comes with the job. I am here for a few days, so where do I bunk?”
“Let’s see—”
Jake called over the music, down the hallway, “He can stay in one of the rooms on my side of the quarters.”
“He wants to observe you,” I advised Peter, pointing toward Jake’s side of the quarters. “As long as you are on the up and up, you should be fine. Jake is good people, but he cannot stand people to hurt the ones he loves…and he loves me.”
He moved off the barstool and headed down the hall.
Once Jake got Peter settled in, he moved back down the hallway and came over to me. I put my hand up. “I am going to take the fingerprints from his mug and run them. I am going to test his DNA and run it against mine. We are going to give his name to our contacts…and we are going to make sure he is above board.”
The Lightyears Series - Episode 6: No Disrespect
Sat, 30 Dec 2023 22:54:54 GMT
“I didn’t break up with you. We had a fight…and we needed time to cool off. We would have worked it out eventually.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think we would have. I don’t get over people telling me that they never loved me…that no one ever could love me…that I was way out of your league, that I was nothing but white trash.”
“What are you talking about? I never said any of that. I would never say any of that.”
“CHIP, play JRBU.”
Jake’s voice played, “Jordana, I am relieved that things are out in the open. I am glad you know now that I have never loved you. It was fun slumming with you, but how could you think I would ever love you? I was just getting back at my parents for divorcing. I could not love white trash like you. You will never amount to anything. No one will ever love a girl like you who sleeps with other men and passes someone else’s daughter off as mine. We are through, and I hope you get all you deserve.”
Jake’s eyes widened. “I know that sounds like me, but I did not say any of that. I don’t know who faked my voice to send that to you, but it was not me. You have to believe me.”
“It matches your voice print.”
“Then someone patched together parts of my voice, but I did not say that nor could I ever. How could you ever think that I would say that?”
“We had that fight, and then the next day, this was left for me. As angry as you were, it made perfect sense that you would want to stick it to me and hurt me.”
“Which is why I don’t understand why you kept it.”
“Because proving that recording wrong became my sole mission in life outside of work and our daughter.”
When I saw the stricken look on his face, I said with grave deliberation, “I am sorry. I tricked you. I knew I would know by the look on your face whether you sent it. You clearly didn't. I didn’t think you did because we have a connection…and I could not reconcile the connection with that recording, but who knows? You could have been a talented actor. Again, I am sorry.”
“I am relieved that you really didn’t believe I sent it. The question is who did because I take issue with someone making you think I don’t love you…and never have. That is absolute rubbish. I loved you before you ever loved me. Who would send that to you?”
“Oh, I don't know. Maybe the person who got a DNA test done on my daughter…and once she found out that Zariah was yours, tried to prove I was an unfit mother because I travel the galaxy with her in tow, so she could take my daughter and raise her. I have had Child Services investigate me so many times that they banned her from filing any more complaints against me.”
He stared straight ahead. “My mother.”
“I don't know for sure, but she is an Engineer and has the ability to put that recording together…and she is the person in your family who hates me. I don’t think she liked you dating a white girl, but that is neither here nor there. She is the only one who caused me trouble about Zariah after you were captured.”
“I don’t understand her interest in torturing you and Zariah. I cut them out of my life when they made me choose you or them. I chose you.”
“I don't know. It is possible it is not her, but who else would want me to believe that you never loved me…and that no one would ever love me…”
“The fact that she tried to take my daughter away from her mother is a problem whether or not she was the originator of that recording. I am starting to see why you are hesitant to be with me again.”
“I am surprised that you still would want to be with me considering that bombshell I told all of you.”
Lightyears Series - Episode 5: Project Sierra-Lima-Tango
Sat, 16 Dec 2023 22:46:26 GMT
She looked over to me and asked, “Project Sierra-Lima-Tango?”
I asked, “How much do you know?”
“It is actually Intel that has come across the President’s desk…”
I turned to Graham and decided, “This isn't working because if there is Intel on her desk., it is over. I believe we need to rethink this. I say we bring everyone in on it…maybe together we can solve this.” He thought about it for a moment. “Do you have to discuss it with anyone? Leland? Rueland? Bradley?”
He shook his head. “Bradley told me to handle this any way I see fit… and, unfortunately, I think you are right. You want to bring them up to speed?”
I took a deep breath. “I will give them the abbreviated version. I cannot, I will not, relive the details.” I turned to Jake. “I am sorry, but you will see why we cannot be together.” I moved my eyes to Jessa. “Can you get Nate?” With Alex, I asked, “Can you get Tony?”
A few minutes later, Nate and Tony came into view. They both waved at Jake, greeting him. Nate, the dark-haired, brown-eyed Lieutenant Colonel of the Liberty, expressed, “I am glad to see you home safe and sound. We need to do a guys’ night or weekend.”
“I agree,” Jake responded, “and you are invited too, Tony.”
I saw Nate's nose wrinkle. There was no love lost between Jessa’s husband and partner, Nate, and Jessa's childhood best friend, Tony. I internally laughed. If I wasn't about to bare my soul to these people…and risk losing my friends and Jake forever, I would have laughed aloud. I cleared my throat. “Graham and I have been keeping secrets…that is our business, I know, but we did not disclose what we knew to keep people safe.” When all eyes were on me, I revealed, “There was a couple who came to us eight years ago, claiming to be my parents. DNA proved that claim to be true.”
Jake required, “You know where your biological parents are?”
“You have to understand why we did what we did--”
Lightyears Series - Episode 4: Standard Protocol
Sat, 09 Dec 2023 13:00:00 GMT
Jake turned me around and demanded, “You want to tell me what that nonsense you were spilling back there was about?”
“It wasn’t nonsense. You have no idea what I have been through…and yes, I want to tell you…but like I said, it is a part of an ongoing investigation. I am not allowed to speak of it.”
“I bet your pal Graham knows about this.”
“Yes, because he is in charge of the investigation…and you know that he and I are very close friends since our high school days. He is happily married with two children.”
We sat and ordered our food through the screen in the middle. “I am sure that Graham was able to get you through this little crisis,” Jake expressed, gesturing to me, “of yours.”
I put my hands over my face and took a ragged breath. I removed them and locked eyes with Jake. I said with grave deliberation, “It is taking all my strength not to go off on you right now, to hit you, to break ties with you forever. I understand that you don’t get that what I have been through could be anything of significance because you just see the dead husband and the two additional children, so you figure my life was rosy. It wasn’t. It isn’t.” I rolled up the sleeves of the turtleneck under my Woodland fatigues, showing my arms to him. “And I have the scars to prove it.” I pulled down the neck of my turtleneck.
“Danny, those are burns.”
“Very good, Doctor Riley. Now can you stop acting like you are the only one who has the corner on trauma? I will never be the Danny you need and want, so stop trying to make me into her. I wish I could be her, but she died about eight years ago.”
He raised the Privacy Wall and voiced, taking my hands, “I’m sorry I didn’t realize. I’m sorry for what you have been through, but you are still Danny. You are still my Danny. I see it in your eyes and in your heart. The burns—I don’t care about them. You will always be beautiful to me.”
“I am having the rest of them removed. The doctor is coming in a couple of days. I just want to feel pretty for the first time in years.” I shook my head and remarked, “I know that is vain, but—”
He gave me a sidelong glance. “Josh didn’t tell you—”
I looked away and then moved my eyes back to Jake. “I don’t want to talk about him. To suffice to say, it wasn’t his style. I just want that one thing that I can control—to get the burn scars on my arms and neck removed. I had them all over my body…I was in recovery for months. I don’t think they expected me to survive. It is the only time your mother was nice to me. She took Zariah in until I was well.”
“You said they didn’t expect you to survive. The doctors?”
“No, the people who did it to me. Unfortunately, they have never faced the consequences of their actions…and I am starting to doubt they ever will.”
“It does not matter what you have been through. I will be with you through it all. All I have dreamed of for the last ten years is getting back to you…and telling you how much I love you.”
“There are a lot of things I have been involved with…that when you find out about them you are going to be angry…but will you promise you will let me explain why I had to do what I did, why Graham and I did what we did.”
Just then he lowered the Privacy Wall as the waiter came over with our food and drinks. The waiter set a soda and BLT in front of me and a soda and burger in front of Jake. Once the waiter left, he raised the Privacy Wall.
“As a Section Chief and General, I respect Graham—”
I put half of the BLT to my lips. “You should. He is one of the youngest officers to make General in the Freedom Alliance.”
He nodded, lifting the burger to his mouth. “The three of us were close friends in high school. I was always envious of how close you two are. It was like if I wasn’t in the picture, he would have stolen you away from me. I figured it would have been Graham you married and not some random guy.”
Lightyears Series - Episode 3: What Used To Be
Sat, 02 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT
"Jordana," a deep, baritone voice greeted, “how much does your partner know?”
“Hello to you too, Father,” I returned, then I dropped onto the corner of the bed. “Nothing. He knows nothing. I have to keep it that way to keep everyone safe. Isn’t that what I agreed to when you came to me eight years ago?”
“Yes, it is,” the familiar feminine voice interjected. “We are just making sure you remember that.”
“You know, you two are acting like I owe you. I don’t owe you. I am the child you didn’t raise because you were in hiding, but you managed to raise the others. I am helping you…and I have been through hell trying to keep you safe. If there is anything worse than hell, that is what I have been through…and you two are here acting like enforcers.”
“You haven’t had to live an assumed life because--”
“That would have been easier…I have been through the physical, emotional and mental wringer because of this. I have scars inside and out. Jake knows nothing about you. He, however, is investigating who is sending the threats, so it is a matter of time before he tracks you down…and I am not going to stop him. Once he finds out I knew and kept it from him, any reconnecting he and I seem to be doing is going to be out of the question. I am going to stick to our official case and figure out the cure for the disease that killed Josh.”
“You act like we are forcing you to help us. We are your biological parents. It is your obligation to help us.”
“It is those kind of statements that make me want to just walk away, but I have too much invested in you two. I will see this through to the end but not for your sakes. You two have proven that living this life as other people has made you bitter. I am doing this for my children and Adam’s children. They need to know their grandparents, but the people you have presented to me over these last eight years are not people I would willingly associate with if you were not blood related to me.”
“We are your biological parents. Show us some respect,” the man retorted.
“I tried, but you two have been nothing but entitled and selfish. You don’t know me…you have no idea that Jake was the greatest love of my life before he was captured…and I was forced to marry Josh. At first, you two were fine, nice people who I was enjoying getting to know, but I don’t know what happened. You switched into these people…who are controlling, manipulative and threatening. Something happened. I just cannot remember what.”
“You are so ungrateful…we have done so much for you,” the woman said.
“Umm…what have you done for me? You gave birth to me—that’s it. Any birth parents could do that. What you have done for me is get me involved in this whirlwind of deception trying to save you.” Just then I heard, “Incoming Wounded.” I hurriedly said, “I have to go” and disconnected the call. I had no intention of going to help with the wounded. Graham made it clear that I was to take time off…and that’s what I intended to do.
“Danny,” Jake said over my CommLet, “I am going to take care of the wounded with the other doctors who are not part of the skeleton crew…afterward, maybe we can have dinner or lunch, and I can brief you about what happened with the wounded.”
“I have to eat. I cannot stop you from meeting me at the Food Court or in my office.”
Just then the computer system announced, “General Graham will be arriving later today to tour the Lightyears…and he would like to talk with you.”
“CHIP, tell General Graham, we will be ready.”
The Lightyears Series – Episode 2: The Secrets Within
Sat, 25 Nov 2023 17:06:57 GMT
"You do understand that I may have to find your biological parents, right? You have always been so against it."
"I think I have a right not to want to meet people who abandoned me at six months old and then go on to have at least one son that, from all indications they raised. He was younger than me."
"You do not have all the facts. You have no idea what happened."
I narrowed my eyes. "I didn't end up in foster care at six months old. I didn't have to learn to fight at an early age to take on kids who bullied me. I imagined it all. I see."
“That is not what I said.”
“You didn’t have to. You made it abundantly clear with what you did say. I don’t care the excuse. I don’t care if it is an excellent excuse. I still grew up in a foster care system that was not kind to me. A foster care system that did not care about the children they were sworn to protect. That’s why I couldn’t allow my nephews to grow up in that environment. It is not their fault. Just like it wasn’t mine.”
“But--”
“No. I don’t care if you find them. That’s up to you, but I don’t want to meet them.”
“What about our daughter? Doesn’t Zariah get to meet them?”
“First of all, you are acting like they are still alive. They might not be…and when Zariah is eighteen, she can decide for herself, but I do not want to meet them. That is my choice. I was in the hospital alone when I was ten because I broke my skull. I almost died when I was twelve because I was hit by a car. I have been an adult for many years, and they have never tried to find me.”
“Maybe they can’t. Maybe they are being held captive like me.”
I asked with grave deliberation, “Are you sure? Are they being held in the same facility as you were? Is that why you are insistent that I see them?”
He shook his head and replied, “No, but I think you should confront this part of your life, so that you can be whole, so you can know your history.”
“I’m not whole because I do not know my parents?”
“I am not saying any of that. Why are you being so sensitive? That isn’t like you.”
“I am not. I want to know why you are forcing this. You are just like everyone else in my life who thinks they are doing me a favor by trying to find my parents or my family.”
“Dani! I am trying to help you.”
“Are you? Because people who know their parents say that. In the last decade, I had to endure five, count them five, sets of people who claim to be my parents because of the meddling people in my life. None of which turned out to be my parents. I don’t want to meet them. That is my call.”
Lightyears Series - Episode 1: The Introduction
Sat, 25 Nov 2023 17:02:21 GMT
Close to an hour later, General Graham observed over my CommLet, a wrist-worn communication device, “Dani, you sound tired. Now that all of your crew has arrived. I am giving you and the skeleton crew that has handled all the incoming wounded over the last week three days off. I have already arranged it. No command duties. No surgery. But you can work on your next IIB assignment.”
“Which is?” I pulled the baked ziti out of the oven.
“You have to promise not to tell me you told me so.”
I placed the ziti on the potholders on the counter. “We have some kind of evidence that the disease that killed Josh was man-made.”
“Yes, but I am assigning you a partner for this one. I am only looking out for you. I am afraid that you might become obsessed again. He should have arrived by now. He is your new Chief Surgeon. Since you are working three jobs, you are limited to only practicing medicine when you have incoming wounded, but seeing as you are a MASH unit, that could be a majority of the time.”
“Jake,” I decided, leaning with my back to the counter.
“Jake.”
“He is already here. I have already spoken with him.”
“How did that go?”
“About how you would expect. We broke up right before he was captured. You should have seen the hurt in his eyes when he realized I got married…and widowed. He wants things to go back to what we were before. I don’t know that I can do that. Too much has happened to both of us.”
Graham answered, “Just take it one step at a time.”
Before I could answer, I heard the doors chime, signaling a visitor followed by “Daddy!”
“I’ve got to go. I am suspecting Jake has arrived for dinner.”
“How did that happen?”
“We can talk about it later.”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 25 – The Conclusion
Sat, 11 Nov 2023 18:21:46 GMT
A group of people burst through the doors and screamed, “IIB!” This gave Tony and I time to knock the guns out of the people’s hands.
The people who jumped from the access tunnel try to run past the group, only to be seized by them. Tony and I helped the group disarm the people and cuff them, leading them all in a single file line to the Brig.
It took quite a while to process them and get them into cells.
Tony and I watched from afar. “I was a little afraid you were going to kill that guy,” Tony mentioned. “You were gripping his arms pretty tightly. It looked like you went into your own world.”
I continued to feel all the emotions and memories of the prisoners. I felt disconnected. I heard what Tony said, but I couldn’t respond. The memories and emotions paralyzed me. I could not move and lowered to the ground. I heard my father in my head: “Hang in there. I am rounding up every Indigoid on this SpaceBase, and we are going to join and fix this. I promise. Stay calm, and we will be right there.” I heard Tony screaming out my name and calling Drew. I fell to the ground, writhing, as I listened to the memories of Zeitverschidetes and those they killed. My stomach sickened as I listened to horrifying, graphic memories of how my own people were murdered in cold blood over land.
I felt Drew put a DiagnMonitor on my arm. Then I heard my father scream, “Drew, get out of the way.” Then I felt a ton of people touch me, smothering me underneath them. Slowly but steadily, I started to return to normal. Once I nudged the people off me, I sat up.
“What happened,” I questioned, looking around at my father, sisters and children staring at me.
“We need to get you out of here,” my father instructed, helping me to my feet. “I will explain outside of here.”
Drew followed me and my family out into the hallway. My father explained, “She is an uber-empath…and she was absorbing all the memories and feelings of the Zeitverschidetes in there. So much that it was short-circuiting her gift, but more than that, it was killing her. I brought all the Indigoids I knew together to absorb some of that off of her. I have only seen it happen two other times. I watched her grandmother, my mother, die because we did not know what to do to help her.”
I reached out and touched his hand. “I am so sorry.”
“We named you two after her,” he told me, then looked to Alli. “Her name was Alexandria Allison Madrid. Allison was her mother’s maiden name.”
“For the first time, I actually feel a part of this family,” Alli admitted, darting her eyes around the group, “because we worked together to save one of our own.”
“Aunt Alli, you are family…and once we know about family, we do not abandon them,” Samantha told her. She looked back at Drew and asked, “Papa, you can check on Momma and Sophie now.”
Drew moved through the crowd and selected several options on the screen before assessing, “They are both fine. I am, however, taking her away for the weekend to somewhere other than here. Alone time--just her and me.”
“Isn’t alone time how we got Sophie in the first place,” I questioned, then noticed Ethan. “Hello, ol’ friend, I am surprised you couldn’t have saved me on your own since you are an uber-empath like me.” I couldn’t feel anything from him. I rose my eyebrows. “I am still affected by them. Not as much. Why don’t you seem to have any signs of distress? Why can’t I feel your emotions?” My eyes widened in alarm. “Oh hell! They turned you into one of them!”
“What do you mean turned him into one of them,” Dad required, staring at me. “Are there Indigoids that have been turned into Zeitverschidetes?”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 24 – The Memory Overload
Sat, 04 Nov 2023 21:39:34 GMT
“I met your father. I shot him because he tried to shoot my unborn child,” I advised Zane. When she turned to me, I added, “He was in surgery. He is expected to recover, but he has guards posted at his Hospital door, who are going to escort him to prison when he is recovered.”
"Thank you," Zane and Alli whispered as if they said it aloud, they would jinx it somehow.
"I don't feel good," Zane revealed. She caught my eye and asked, "Can one of your doctors check me out?"
Drew agreed, gesturing her to sit, "I can. Just let me get a DiagnMonitor.". He disappeared. She looked at me for clarification as she sat. "He is my Chief Medical Officer…and my husband, Dominic's Dad."
When Drew returned with a DiagnMonitor, Zane held her arm out to him. Drew put it on her and fiddled with the options. "You are perfectly healthy. You are just going through the Revantio, the six-month healing period Indigoids go through every seven years that are a result of the atmospheric disturbances of India-Seven. You are half Indigoid and half Zeitverschidete. I am guessing Kane is Zeitverschidete."
"As far as we know. Who knows at this point,” answered Alli. “This Revantio thing. Indigoids go through it every seven years?”
I nodded. “And it is when you gain powers or your current ones strengthen.”
“But--”
“No, you do--you both do. It is just that for most people they don’t see them until they are between twenty-eight and thirty-two. Unless you are an uber empath because, for Ethan and me, it was always a gift we knew we had.”
Alli nodded. “It was so fricken annoying.” She turned to Zane and explained, “I would be quiet because I was upset about something…and she would ask if I were okay. I would say I was fine, but she would say no you are not. I feel that you are upset about something. I just wanted to be upset without her knowing about it.”
“She has learned to navigate better now,” Drew responded, moving closer to me. “If you are upset, she will let you be unless you bring it up.” Drew put his arm around me.
“Alixxea,” I heard Papa say in my head, “I need to see you right away.”
“You just got out of surgery,” I told him. “Rest first, and I will come see you in a few hours.”
“No, now! And bring Allison.”
I turned to Drew and required, “What room is our father in? He is demanding to see Alli and me now.”
“He needs to rest.”
“I get that. I told him that, but he wants to see us now.”
Drew motioned Alli and I toward the hallway. He took us down one corridor, then another and another until we reached Room 916. He moved into the room with us. “Jack, you need to rest. You cannot be having heart-to-heart conversations with these women until you have rested for at least an hour.”
“Drew, back off,” Papa screamed. “I need to talk to them before anything happens to me.”
I walked over to Papa and put my hand on his shoulder. “Papa, nothing is going to happen. Drew said you are going to recover.”
“Yes, but you two need to know that those people were killed because of me.”
“What the hell,” I demanded, crossing my arms.
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 23 – The Showdown
Sat, 04 Nov 2023 21:35:07 GMT
“To rescue my father. Because he was married to an heir to the Supervisor Seats, he has a tracking device embedded in his skin. I had General Graham read it, so we are going to rescue him.”
“How do you know he is in trouble?”
“He is on India-Seven.”
“Maybe he decided to return home.”
I shook my head. “He is in a prison on India-Seven. A prison that has not been in use for twenty years because it is extremely dangerous. Not only is the air bad but there is a lot of damage. It is unstable and can collapse at any moment.” I pointed to Tony, then Drew. “You two are coming with me. “Meet me in Hanger Bay Alpha in fifteen minutes.” I stood. “I am going to gather the equipment we will need--shovels, gloves, rope. Drew, bring two mobile DiagnMonitors. Alli, can you watch the kids? They are pretty self-sufficient. And, Dominic will be home from the Academy later tonight. He says he is bringing a surprise. I hope this is not another girlfriend…or that he is going to be a father. I love the boy, but he is too girl crazy for my tastes. He has always wanted to follow in Drew’s footsteps and be a doctor. I am just afraid something is going to get him off track.”
Victoria and Alli said in unison, “I want to go with you.”
I rubbed my eyes and asked, ‘Hook, do you want to come too? You might as well since you might prove useful in getting us into this prison. I never thought I would be breaking into a prison. I have broken out when I have been held captive.”
Hook threw up his hands and decided, “Why not?”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 22 – The Revelation
Sat, 21 Oct 2023 20:40:00 GMT
“I don’t know if you can. I don’t know anything about you, but I have an expert on her way that has been studying you…and we can figure out if that is an option. However, I doubt that is going to stop you from killing people. How can we solve the real problem? What is your issue with Indigoids? With humanoids? What did we do to you?”
“Your people–you time travelers have traveled back in time and every time you do, you kill our people.”
“How is that possible? I time traveled, and I set the timeline straight, but I did not eventually kill any beings. Does the mere act of traveling back in time kill your people?”
“More of our people die every time you all time travel.”
I wondered, “Is that true? Or is something else going on?” When I saw the contorted look on Drew’s face, I added, “I don’t mean I don’t believe you. I just mean that maybe your people died because of some other phenomenon that happens at the same time we time travel. I don’t know, but I am willing to help you out and figure this out, so your people stop dying. I assure you I did not know–”
“We know you didn’t, but people on the Supervisors who do know are not doing anything about it. That’s why we are killing them. They are intentionally ignoring the problem.”
“I would feel terrible if that were happening to my people, if I brought up a problem and no one was doing anything about it…but can you see this from my point of view? My mother was killed when I was five because of what we believe was probably one of your race possessing my father. My father can potentially be killed as well, or at the very least spend his life in a brutal prison camp because he is the one who pulled the trigger.”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 21 – The Expert
Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT
I dashed to the window. I didn’t see anyone. Then I heard it again. “Jack, no! I am not giving up being a Federal Agent just because you do not like it. I may have to marry you to keep our seats on the Supervisors safe, but I do not have to give up my life for you. I had these children, and I take care of them. You wanted them, but you do nothing to care for them, now, do you?”
“You are the most ungrateful person I have ever met. Your parents wanted you to marry me, so you wouldn’t marry that man you were engaged to…and ruin your life. You have to serve on the Supervisors in order to keep the seats…and instead you are–”
“All I needed to do was produce heirs with you. I did that…now I am going to take my children and divorce you because you don’t care about me or my children.”
“Our children…and I will sue you for custody.”
“Not because you love them. Because you are using them as pawns because you are hurt. You have been insufferable. When we first married and when we had the children, I thought that I could stay married to you, be a Federal Agent and raise our children. My adoration even turned to love, but now, I don’t know you anymore.”
“You can’t raise those children without me. You can’t even stay alive without me. You are just a pathetic excuse for a human being who needs to be rescued in order to keep the Supervisors’ seats.”
“Frankly, I could care less about those Supervisors’ seats. I care more about my parents. This is a big deal for them, but I do not need you to raise our children. I can stay alive without you. I don’t want my girls being raised by you, to think they need a man, or anyone for that matter to rescue them. Alex, I know for sure, already knows better than that.”
“She is already a little brat like you.”
“I am leaving you. I am taking the kids with me.”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 20 – Identity Crisis
Sat, 07 Oct 2023 15:54:16 GMT
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 19 – Identity Crisis I shook my head, retrieving my 9mm from my secret compartment. “I am not going anywhere with you because I am not Alli, but, I am also telling you now, neither my twin or my niece Zane are going anywhere with you. I am not the twin to mess with.” I held my gun on him. “If you do not turn around and walk out of here on your own, I am going to make it difficult for you to walk out of here of your own volition.” I trained my 9 mm on him and cocked it. I felt the fear mounting in him. “You cannot even shoot a gun,” he told me. “You have never even held one before.” “You are thinking of Alli because this twin has held a gun and shot a gun many times since I was nineteen. And although you are trying to put on that I-am-not-scared attitude. I know you are. I sense fear in you…and I know you know exactly who I am…and I am guessing you were sent in here to take me out.” I shook my head. “Sorry. That is not going to be the case.” He tackled me, knocking me into the table. I pushed him off me, propelling him into the counter. I straightened up and moved toward him as he came toward me. We looked like two lions sizing each other up in a cage. I saw Johnny out of the corner of my eye, catching my 9 mm before it hit the ground. Kane knocked me to the floor. He punched me. I punched him. He kicked me, and I kicked him across the room. I stood, retrieved the gun from Johnny and came toward him as he got to his feet and charged me. “You need to stop pretending you are Alexandra. You are in over your head,” he said, charging me. “You are not going to be able to take me down.”
________________
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Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 19 – The Upheaval
Sat, 30 Sep 2023 15:00:00 GMT
“After I confront him, I am going to kill him. I was raised without a mother because of him. I saw it his memory. I think something is wrong with our connection though. I tried to get a hold of him, but I am not connecting.”
“Don’t you think that is because you are so angry? I see it radiating off you.”
“I don't know. Maybe. I just have to know why he did it. Why did he kill my mother?”
“Jack killed your mother,” Johnny demanded, raising his eyebrows. “He has accused me of killing her for years, and it was him? He killed her? How do you know?”
“I saw it in his memory.”
“Yes, but,” Drew injected, holding my gaze, “we do not know if he is the real Jack…and we don’t know if he was possessed by one of these beings…and if the being killed your mother and not your father, how are we going to prove it? It would be Jack who pulled the trigger.”
I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm, realizing Drew could be right. It could have been a being that killed Momma in my father’s body. “You could be right, but I just had a disagreement with her a few minutes ago…and it is still fresh.”
“Disagreement with your mother,” Johnny posed, eyeing me. “About what?”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 18 – The Parental Confrontation
Sat, 23 Sep 2023 17:44:51 GMT
“I think it was a tall, dark-haired man whose hair is severely brushed back, long in the back, who possesses an Anglican nose and harsh features like he’d been in the sun too long, who killed her.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I keep seeing him in my dreams, coming after me with a gun. The dreams only started since I came on board. That’s not quite true. I had them periodically, but now I am having them every night.”
“Sounds like Momma is trying to get you to remember who killed her.”
“I always felt jealous of your relationship with her. You and her were closer than her and me.”
“Al, we were five when she died. She loved us all the same.”
“No, you and her had a special bond like you just understood her more.”
“You got more attention from her.”
“Because I was sick a lot. She called you her Princess…and you told her, ‘But, Momma, I don’t need a prince to rescue me. I am going to be my own hero.’” Alli gestured around the room. “And I guess you did that…and a hero for other people from what I’ve heard.”
I feigned a smile. “It is all a part of my jobs. I love to help other people. I love to stop criminals. I love solving crimes and commanding the LVN.”
"I need your help," I heard my father's voice in my head.
I rolled my eyes and returned in the same manner, "Do you now?"
"Alixxea Camry Madrid! Don't you give me that attitude!"
"You didn't want to help me before because there were imposters running around, claiming to be Alli and me. Do you remember her now? Or is your mind still blocking her like mine did? Do you even remember Alli? Or is your mind still foggy about her existence? And hers was about us? I am trying to understand why you want help now.”
“Because people are after me, of course.” I felt fear and desperation from him.
________________
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Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 17 – The Aftermath
Sat, 16 Sep 2023 17:19:51 GMT
“I have no idea what you are talking about. I do not know any Renata Camry.”
I feigned a smile and then answered, “You might want to tell your face that because your face said you do know what I am talking about…and that you know who Renata Camry was.”
“I know a Reyaxxa Camry--the bane of my existence,” came her response. Her face contorted.
“Same person,” I advised, cocking the weapon. “What did you do to her? Did you kill her?
“Even if I did, I wouldn’t admit that…and the galaxy is better off without her…and they would be better out without you.” A Security guard came over and eased me off of Reid and took her into custody.
“Colonel, we are not able to open the Hanger Bay doors to let SpaceVessels onto the Base,” came Major Restock’s voice over my CommLet.
“Colonel, we are not able to open patient’s doors or control the DiagnMonitors,” I heard Drew say over it.
“Colonel, we are not able to keep the doors to the cells locked,” I heard Major Garcia say.
“How is that going, Reid,” I questioned.
“I’ve ran into some complications,” she admitted after hemming and hawing.
I joined all the lines and announced, “Hold on, I will fix it.” I moved under one of the workstations. How did I see him do this before? I opened the bottom panel and pressed several numbers into the keypad, then I replaced the panel. I pulled myself off the ground and then danced my fingers over the workstation for a few minutes before I started hearing, “It is fixed” from Drew, Garcia, Reid and Restock.
Just then I felt something strike me over the head. Someone pushed me out of the chair and onto the floor as everything went black around me.
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) - Episode 16 – The Drop-In
Sat, 09 Sep 2023 08:04:00 GMT
The hairs on the back of my arms stood. I could sense fear and terror coming from my crew. I turned my terminal so I could see what was occurring in Command Central. I saw my grandparents and several other prominent members of the Supervisors storming Command Central, holding weapons on the Command Central crew. My grandfather said in a low voice, “We are in charge. The Freedom Alliance is out. We are in charge of this SpaceBase now. You will do as you are told, or we will kill you.”
“Okay, we need a plan of attack,” I maintained, then called General Graham to apprise him of the situation. I followed that with calls to my senior staff members who were not in Command Central. After that, I put alerts on the crewmembers’ QuanPads that made them aware we knew the happenings in Command Central and were devising a plan. I waited for the Senior Staff to arrive, then showed them the footage. “Now, we have intel that these could be beings that are hosting another race that can shift themselves to look like other people. You all were on board when this occurred ten years ago…so I do not have to explain these beings…or explain how dangerous they are.”
Lieutenant Colonel Jade Scott, my first officer, a dark-skinned woman with curly, black hair framing her oval face with thin eyebrows and deep, chocolate-colored eyes dressed in a light green muscle shirt and jeans, remarked, “I remember they killed Colonel Franklin.”
Major Isaiah “Zay” Mitchell, my Science Chief, a tall man with a long face with a square jaw and Anglican nose agreed, “They sealed the doors to Command Central as they are doing now…and turned off the life support system. They locked us out of the computer system.”
“That is why I have gathered you here. We need to come up with a plan to fix this problem before it gets to that extreme. First, I need Engineering to prevent them from locking us out. I don’t care how you do it, but we have to remain in control of the computer system.”
Strange Phenomena (SpaceBase LVN Novel II Series) – Episode 15 – Friend or Foe?
Sat, 02 Sep 2023 18:52:40 GMT
I pursued the list and realized the connection. “There is this old story. I don’t know how true it is, but it seems there was a serial killer who killed people on the Supervisors by inhabiting their bodies. I don’t know how true that is, but I remember the story going that they kept killing the person, and when they thought he was dead, he would come back to life and kill again.”
“What does that have to do with this list,” required Tony, tapping his fingers on the journal pages.
“These are all people whose family members were supposedly killed by this serial killer,” I revealed, looking over at him. “My mother’s aunt and cousin were allegedly killed by this person…and it is possible this Sophie, who was best friends with Momma and Aunt Juls, was killed by this serial killer as well.” I continued to run it over the latter pages. Her last message on the very last page. Save Yourselves. They are coming.
“Who is coming,” Tony questioned.
I turned and stared at him. “Does she state who ‘they’ is? I guess we are going to have to do our jobs and figure that out.”
SpaceBase LVN II Series - Episode 14 - What's In The Journals?
Thu, 31 Aug 2023 05:45:00 GMT
"You and my mother were engaged? Did you know she was an Indigoid? Can you tell me about her? My father never speaks of her."
"I met her in my homeroom class the first day of my freshman year. I thought she was so beautiful. She had this long--"
I called up a picture of Abby on my QuanPad and turned it around to face him. "This is my sister."
Johnny gasped, putting his hand over his mouth. When he regained his composure, he admitted, "She looks like your mother." He frowned. "Do you see her like Lucky Star sees Ben and Cougar?" He referred to Jessa as Lucky Star. When he saw me nod, his violet eyes took on this hunted look. "Please tell her I'm sorry. My wife thinks I have never gotten over your Mother. I didn't understand. I didn't understand why she had to marry him, why she would honor the arranged marriage they set up for her. She tried to tell me that she was Indigoid and that she was from India-Seven where her family had been on the Supervisors for centuries."
"I suspect that would be hard, considering the only thing comparable to it on Earth is being royalty. Did Lord and Lady Camry know about you? I know they were none too please when I married an Earthoid. I created interspecies children."
"She was going to leave that life for me, but I didn't let her because family is family and preserving the seats was important to her family."
SpaceBase LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 13
Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:44:25 GMT
“Erika was in prison at that time, according to your mother.”
“Wow! Maybe she had Momma killed. What exactly do we know about her?”
“We know she is a princess from Romeo Ait. She is a part of their royal family. However, she decided to live among the commoners.”
“Interesting because her race is supposed to have originated on India-Seven. However, that aside, what do we know about Romeo Ait?”
“From what I have heard, the royal family of Romeo Ait are not human. They are of a race that kills time traveler.”
“Yes, Zeitverschidetes. They are fighting us on India-Seven because they say their race was there first. I don't know whether it is true, but--
Tony injected, "I suspect how her people ended up on Romeo-Ait from India-Seven and what happened with that would be a good place to look."
"I think that is a good idea," Johnny agreed. "Whatever happened there is going to lead you to why your mother was targeted by this Erika person."
"It will also explain why she threatened to kill me in every timeline. Johnny? Do you believe in time travelers?"
"I supposed I have to since I am speaking to one," Johnny responded, "who apparently remembers her adventures while time traveling."
"I do. It is a new gift since we are in the Renavatio period. Graham and I have discussed that it would not be ethical to use information from any of my gifts in investigations. They are going to make it an IIB standard. I feel like they are tying my hands. I see their point, though. How do we explain how I got the information?"
"I see their point too, but I wonder if there are ways to use your gifts to steer you in the right direction, then use traditional sleuthing methods to prove it."
I nodded just as Tony provided, "Romeo-Ait is home to the Zeitverschidetes."
I replied, giving Tony the side eye, "Which makes me wonder why they are trying to claim India Seven. They are not even close in proximity. I am curious now."
"That's nothing. So far there have only been reports of Zeitverschidetes on those two planets. The royal family has a court member with the name Quentin Richardson Torrington."
"You think he might be Mister QRT?"
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 12
Sat, 12 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT
“I do, but I was only five when she died. Speaking of my partner, though, Tony Ashton is also sitting in on this conversation. What can you tell me about my mother and your last case? From what I understand it was about the murders of Charlotte Darling and Henry Dikes?”
“Yes, that was our last case, but I also fail to see how that got her killed.”
“The case we are working is the Aurora Asher murder case, which we believe is connected to Charlotte Darling, Henry Dikes and Griffin Black’s murders. All were on the Supervisors…and were killed we suspect for their secrets. The fact that the Supervisors have gone into hiding tells me are on the right track.”
“I have to agree with you because Darling, Dikes and Black were hiding some definite secrets. Darling and Dikes were cheating on their spouses with each other and had several secret love children. Black was involved with their murders. Asher, I am not sure what her deal is, except I suspect she has either been involved with your grandfather or that she was somehow involved in Darling and Dikes’ murders.”
“Unfortunately, I feel like Lord Camry, my grandfather, was involved too if Asher was. I feel like they are hiding something…and I suspected it was something surrounding a murder. The question is why are all these people involved with their murders…if they are.”
“I don't know anything about your grandparents, except that they have not been on the same page with each other since Renata was killed. I know that I was on vacation that week. I knew, in my gut, that something was going to happen. She talked to me that morning and said she was going to meet a contact that she only referenced as Mister QRT. I told her to wait until I got home later that day, but that turned into a fight about how I didn’t think she could do her job, which was not true. I thought she was an amazing agent.”
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 11
Sat, 05 Aug 2023 17:20:19 GMT
“Alli, all my resources are at your disposal. I know you don’t know me or my family, but I really do care what happens to you.” I tilted my head to the side and insisted, “I don't know how empath you are, but my daughter and I are uber-empathic, so I am hoping we don’t scare you.”
“I was raised human. I was raised that being empathic was being too sensitive.”
“You weren’t, by any chance, raised by Erika, were you?” I pulled up a picture of Erika on my QuanPad and handed it to her. When I saw her nod, I touched her arm. “She almost married Dad…and we were raised by her in another timeline…and she told me the same thing. She is not human. She is a Zeitverschidete. Her race kills time travelers…and she has threatened to kill me in every timeline. I am sorry if you had a good relationship with her. That was my experience.”
“No, I didn’t have a good relationship with either one of them. They controlled everything I did. I couldn’t go outside and play. I couldn’t go to sleep at friend’s houses. They made me marry Kane. They ruled by fear, manipulation and gaslighting. The fact that I belonged to another family, that my memory was erased to prevent me from remembering my real family—it makes sense now.”
“And it was perfect because we were drugged too, so we weren’t looking for you. I wish I would have just remembered. I always thought it strange that after Momma died, Dad would not talk about her at all. From what I’ve heard from the Camrys, they tried to fight for custody of the three of us, but—’
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 10
Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:26:12 GMT
I looked to Drew, then to Tony and back again several times. “Alli is coming here. I suspect it is the real Alli since she remembered our secret language, which we told no one. She remembered an instance from our childhood…and said Momma came to her. She says she is in trouble, and these people are taking over our identities…she wants us to hide her out and help figure this out. I told her my doctor husband will do a DNA scan when she arrives.”
Tony countered, “It could be a trap.”=
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 9
Sat, 22 Jul 2023 19:16:34 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 8
Sun, 16 Jul 2023 02:38:40 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 7
Sat, 08 Jul 2023 18:00:26 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 6
Sat, 01 Jul 2023 23:31:01 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 5
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 19:46:16 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 4
Sat, 17 Jun 2023 20:55:52 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 3
Sun, 11 Jun 2023 00:23:34 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 – Episode 2
Sat, 03 Jun 2023 20:28:20 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
SB LVN Series Novel 2 - Episode 1
Sat, 27 May 2023 19:23:50 GMT
Colonel Alexandra "Alex" Madrid is the commander of the Last Chance Station, which is how her new partner Tony Ashton referred to SpaceBase LVN. It was the place the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau sent their troubled Federal Agents. One of the members of the Supervisors, the ruling body on India-Seven, the planet Alex is from, has been murdered...and it is somehow connected to Alex's mother's murder. How are they connected, and what family secrets will Alex uncover during the investigation?
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 27
Sat, 20 May 2023 17:02:56 GMT
Set in 2150. Jessa commands the USS Liberty, a StarVessel, the flagship of the Freedom Alliance, at the front of the war with the Crimson Fleet. It is the classic war of good versus evil. Jessa also solves crimes in space. Join us on her adventures with her partner, Nate, to rid the universe of evil one bad person at a time.
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 26
Sat, 13 May 2023 17:36:09 GMT
Part of the Jaguar & Peacock science fiction series, set in 2150. Jessa commands the USS Liberty, a StarVessel, the flagship of the Freedom Alliance, at the front of the war with the Crimson Fleet. It is the classic war of good versus evil. Jessa also solves crimes in space. Join us on her adventures with her partner, Nate, to rid the universe of evil one bad person at a time.
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 25
Sat, 06 May 2023 17:44:33 GMT
In the Jaguar & Peacock science fiction series, set in 2150. Jessa commands the USS Liberty, a StarVessel, the flagship of the Freedom Alliance, at the front of the war with the Crimson Fleet. It is the classic war of good versus evil. Jessa also solves crimes in space. Join us on her adventures with her partner, Nate, to rid the universe of evil one bad person at a time.
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 24
Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:45:18 GMT
Jaguar and Peacock's Mission? To find out who is trying to overtake the Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau. Jessa discover it is linked to a case that her and Nate worked before, but she has no memory of it. She learns that Nate and good friend Fireball have been keeping this from her for years. Everyone who knows Peacock knows she does not do betrayal well. Will this spell the end of Jaguar and Peacock's partnership?
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 23
Sun, 23 Apr 2023 03:51:33 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/04/22/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-23/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 22
Sat, 15 Apr 2023 21:38:12 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/04/15/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-22/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 21
Sat, 08 Apr 2023 20:12:30 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/04/08/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-21/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 20
Sat, 01 Apr 2023 18:41:25 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/04/01/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-20/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 19
Sat, 25 Mar 2023 19:07:05 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/03/25/episode-18/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 18
Sat, 18 Mar 2023 19:22:10 GMT
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Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 17
Sat, 11 Mar 2023 23:31:42 GMT
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Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 16
Sat, 04 Mar 2023 20:08:44 GMT
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Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 15
Sun, 26 Feb 2023 02:58:27 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/02/25/jaguar-peacock-novel-22-episode-15/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 14
Sat, 18 Feb 2023 19:01:44 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/02/18/1150/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 13
Sun, 12 Feb 2023 03:54:11 GMT
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Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 12
Sat, 04 Feb 2023 23:19:17 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/02/04/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-12/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 11
Sat, 28 Jan 2023 20:58:04 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/01/28/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-11/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 10
Sat, 21 Jan 2023 18:59:14 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/01/21/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-10/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 9
Sun, 15 Jan 2023 00:19:34 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/01/14/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-9/
Jaguar & Peacock Series – Novel 21 – Episode 8
Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:25:15 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2023/01/07/jaguar-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-8/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 7
Sat, 31 Dec 2022 17:33:20 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2022/12/31/jaguar-peacock-novel-21-episode-7/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 6
Sat, 24 Dec 2022 23:32:42 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2022/12/24/jaguar-peacock-novel-21-episode-6/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 5
Sun, 18 Dec 2022 18:43:41 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2022/12/18/jaguar-peacock-novel-21-episode-5/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 4
Sun, 11 Dec 2022 18:37:34 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2022/12/11/jaguar-peacock-novel-21-episode-4/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 3
Sun, 04 Dec 2022 19:04:06 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2022/12/04/jaguar-peacock-series-episode-3/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 2
Sun, 27 Nov 2022 19:56:35 GMT
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://annagaillynes.com/2022/11/27/jaguar-and-peacock-series-novel-21-episode-2/
Jaguar & Peacock – Novel 21 – Episode 1
Sun, 20 Nov 2022 22:08:09 GMT
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Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:18:58 GMT
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Sun, 06 Nov 2022 20:18:34 GMT
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Sun, 30 Oct 2022 18:33:28 GMT
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Sun, 23 Oct 2022 21:59:58 GMT
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Sun, 16 Oct 2022 22:41:14 GMT
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Sun, 09 Oct 2022 19:57:13 GMT
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Sun, 02 Oct 2022 20:45:10 GMT
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Sun, 25 Sep 2022 18:30:49 GMT
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Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:40:05 GMT
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Sun, 18 Sep 2022 04:45:53 GMT
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Mon, 05 Sep 2022 03:10:54 GMT
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Sun, 28 Aug 2022 20:36:07 GMT
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Fri, 26 Aug 2022 02:43:13 GMT
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Fri, 19 Aug 2022 02:31:21 GMT
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Tue, 16 Aug 2022 06:08:00 GMT
Spies solving crimes in space. Colonel Alexandra Madrid returns to SpaceBase Lima-Victor-November, which she commands, to discover her good friend Ethan Locke has been murdered. The Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau, which she worked for too, assigns her and her new partner Ethan's murder case. Only what is unraveled is like nothing Alex has ever encountered before.
Fri, 12 Aug 2022 01:34:57 GMT
Subscribe to be up-to-date on the events of SpaceBase LVN. Spies solving crimes in space. Colonel Alexandra Madrid returns to SpaceBase Lima-Victor-November, which she commands, to discover her good friend Ethan Locke has been murdered. The Intergalactic Intelligence Bureau, which she worked for too, assigns her and her new partner Ethan's murder case. Only what is unraveled is like nothing Alex has ever encountered before. You can also read the adventures of SpaceBase LVN or buy my other books at http://www.annagaillynes.com
Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:32:20 GMT
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Thu, 04 Aug 2022 19:47:15 GMT
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Wed, 03 Aug 2022 02:23:54 GMT
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Thu, 21 Jul 2022 20:00:04 GMT
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Sat, 16 Jul 2022 03:24:41 GMT
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Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:46:30 GMT
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Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:45:15 GMT
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Thu, 23 Jun 2022 22:49:19 GMT
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Sun, 19 Jun 2022 00:53:05 GMT
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Thu, 09 Jun 2022 22:41:23 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:44:06 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:42:20 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:41:06 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:39:10 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:33:16 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:31:22 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:26:15 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:24:00 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:17:55 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:14:14 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:07:07 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:05:15 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:01:47 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:00:28 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 10:58:56 GMT
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Mon, 06 Jun 2022 10:54:58 GMT
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