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    The Mind Eaters 2: The Chronopsyker
    The Mind Eaters 2: The Chronopsyker
    The Mind Eaters 2: The Chronopsyker
    Ebook410 pages6 hours

    The Mind Eaters 2: The Chronopsyker

    By Ethan Somerville

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    About this ebook

    The psionovore colony that attacked Earth may have been defeated, but their sister colonies, still lurking in the depths of space, learn of the destruction. They put aside their differences and join to destroy the Earth once and for all.

    They form a mass big enough to eat the sun.

    However this time a herald comes to warn the Earth. A remnant from an ancient colony wiped out many thousands of years earlier, Lothar SoulEater has been ostracised from his own kind and achieved sentience. He yearns to wipe out the rest of his race. He informs Cassidy and the SPACE team that this time one Dodecahedron won’t be enough. All Earth’s psykers will need to unite to create a psionic shell around the planet.

    Lothar also states that chronospyker – a psyker capable of affecting the flow of time itself – will have the power to defeat the psionovores.

    However, while Cassidy and the SPACE team work to track down a Chronopysker living in Australia, followers of the late Colonel Melville decide to stage a revolution.

    Now before General Cassidy can hope to unite the Earth’s psykers against the psionovores, he must first unite his own people.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStorm Publishing
    Release dateAug 3, 2017
    ISBN9781370737406
    The Mind Eaters 2: The Chronopsyker
    Author

    Ethan Somerville

    Ethan Somerville is a prolific Australian author with over 20 books published, and many more to come. These novels cover many different genres, including romance, historical, children's and young adult fiction. However Ethan's favourite genres have always been science fiction and fantasy. Ethan has also collaborated with other Australian authors and artists, including Max Kenny, Emma Daniels, Anthony Newton, Colin Forest, Tanya Nicholls and Carter Rydyr.

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      Book preview

      The Mind Eaters 2 - Ethan Somerville

      The Eridon Chronicles Book 10

      The Mind Eaters 2

      The Chronopsyker

      By

      Ethan Somerville

      SMASHWORDS EDITION

      * * * *

      PUBLISHED BY:

      Storm Publishing on Smashwords

      The Mind Eaters 2 – the Chronopsyker

      Copyright © 2014/2017 by Ethan Somerville

      www.stormpublishing.net

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

      * * * *

      Chapter 1

      The Warning

      Out in the dark reaches of space, in the vast emptiness between galaxies, dwelled the strange entities known as Colonies. Through senses encompassing different planes the Colonies scanned the universe for psionic traces – the energy they craved above all else. Distance had little meaning for these creatures - they existed outside such tiny dimensions.

      Not even the Colonies knew their own origins. Although their racial memories spanned millions of years, they did not extend back to the beginning of the multiverse. They did recall a time when the sky was bright with energy and proto-stars swirled in great clouds of gaseous ions; the planes been small and young in those aeons. But even then other creatures had existed, far older and more eldritch than they.

      Two Colonies had been destroyed since their mysterious birth, and they had taken their memories with them. Perhaps they had carried the recollections of creation - the remaining Colonies did not know. What they did know was that no new Colonies were being created to replace the lost ones. The creatures had no way of reproducing. They were a fixed species, part of the very fabric of the multiverse, and once they were gone there would be no more.

      Thus in their next great venture they would have to be doubly careful. The last Colony to perish had transmitted a brief message before its obliteration, but it was sketchy and ambiguous. However the Colonies knew that this particular entity had been on its way to devour the powerful psykers breeding on planet Earth. They soon worked out that everything had been going well for the Colony until a group of psykers banded together and destroyed it by collapsing a pocket realm around it. Not even a Colony could stand up to such intense dimensional tearing.

      The remaining Colonies were truly disturbed by this outcome. This was the second time powerful psykers from the Milky Way Galaxy had banded together to destroy one of their kind. And in the great scheme of things, only a few hundred thousand years had passed between each incident – mere seconds to these timeless creatures.

      Previously the Colonies had banded together and journeyed across the galaxies to exact their revenge on the beings that had dared to murder one of their kind. But on their arrival they discovered that all the creatures had gone. Most had elected to dive into the dimension of a powerful being called Necronis the Unmaker, but a few had managed to escape to the stars and make a home on a new world. The Colonies considered following, but decided destroying the remaining Masters would not be worth their while. Their numbers were so greatly diminished that they no longer posed a threat, and as they evolved on their new world, Etiros, their psionic abilities faded considerably.

      But the human race would not be shown such leniency. The Colonies were determined to destroy them down to the very last man. And the Eridon Li Kari, who had seeded human culture with their powerful psionic genes, would be next.

      The time had come for the Colonies to restore balance to the Milky Way galaxy.

      The great beings, each as large as a moon, met in the vast, empty reaches of space. They remained apart for a period, held back by age-old differences. Usually each Colony had patrolled its own realm, sticking to a particular galaxy or cluster. They rarely communicated. In fact, the last time was when the Masters managed to destroy one. But each Colony could still sense the other, no matter where it was. When one died, its death sent ripples through the multiverse, so intense that all other creatures cried out in pain and fury. Revenge would unite them again, and they’d agreed to meet in a deserted region of space, thousands of light years from the nearest star.

      Eventually one Colony floated forward, extending a long pseudopod in a gesture of peace. It waited patiently, and then another spheroid creature drifted forward from the hovering multitude. It paused in front of the waving tentacle and allowed it to touch its teaming surface. Then it responded by sending out another tentacle, beckoning for others to come forward. A third Colony soon flew from the crowd, releasing pseudopods as it moved. Soon others followed, and all the Colonies began to join together. Gradually they formed a gigantic molecule-like structure hanging in space, as big as a star. No more would ancient memories be lost if one of their kind was destroyed. Now each Colony would retain the entire knowledge of the race. They might have been rivals in the past, but now they were one being, one mind.

      Gradually, as knowledge flowed faster and faster between the entities, the tentacles tethering them to each other shrank until the creatures were touching. Then their borders began to merge, and they absorbed into one gigantic Colony.

      They remained in that form for a long time, until the entire knowledge of their race was disseminated across every being. Then they split apart, forming back into individuals. They knew the power of the Whole, but they also understood the power of being separate entities. Even their units retained basic knowledge of the race.

      Now they were ready to take on the humans of Earth. They would recombine and swallow the planet whole if they had to.

      At approximately 03:05 on the morning of February 13th, 2185, a body suddenly appeared on the footpath outside PsiForce’s New York HQ.

      Gatehouse duty was mind-numbingly boring at the best of times, but the red-eye shift was the worst. The gatekeeper had been half asleep.

      When the body winked into existence, the soldier jumped, his heart pounding, and swore out loud. He unshouldered his rifle and pointed it at the still, supine form. He sent a telepathic message to his superior, jolting him out of a similar stupor.

      Cautiously the soldier approached the body. He noticed that it appeared to be dressed in the black psi-mesh armour of a PsiForce officer. In fact, a cap with the PsiForce symbol on it - a spread-winged eagle clutching two crossed lightning bolts – had rolled from the man’s head.

      It’s one of our guys! the soldier gasped out loud as he sent another message to his now wide-awake superior. He knelt, prodding the body with the muzzle of his psi-blaster. It didn’t move. Carefully, the soldier rolled it over and it flopped limply onto its back.

      Jesus, the soldier whispered, an icy sweat bursting out all over his body.

      The corpse’s face was twisted in a horribly familiar demonic expression. The eyes bulged, the mouth contorted in a final death-scream of unspeakable agony. The skin was a grotesque shade of grey.

      The Gatekeeper leapt to his feet and backed off, pointing his weapon at the body. But he knew his blaster wouldn’t help him if the thing that had killed this guy came after him. Nothing would.

      The soldier heard running footsteps and turned to see his captain approaching at a jog, followed by a small squad. They surrounded the corpse, but as soon as they saw its face, they realised what had happened to it.

      What’s that? one of the newcomers asked, gesturing with the muzzle of his rifle at the body’s chest.

      The Gatekeeper hadn’t noticed it before, too shocked by the sight of the dead soldier’s face. But there appeared to be something pinned to the corpse’s chest. Carefully, he knelt and pulled it off. With gloved fingers trembling, he unfolded a small scrap of paper.

      On it was written simply;

      Be warned. They’re coming back.

      * * * *

      Chapter 2

      The Deadstone Explorers

      Deep beneath the largely uncharted Island of Glass, the Deadstone Explorers - as the expedition called itself - had discovered a vast subterranean chamber, undisturbed since the time of the Masters. Although the island throbbed with volcanic activity, this underground complex in the bowels of an extinct system had lain undisturbed for over ten thousand Eridon years.

      The Deadstone Explorers had uncovered possibly the greatest discovery since the ancient city of Lenth was unearthed and its secrets revealed to the planet. They had found solid evidence of what the Eridon Historical Society had always suspected; that the Masters had developed space-travel. The new theory doing the rounds of the universities, which postulated that the Etiran people were descended from Old Ones who had managed to escape Eridon before Necronis’ imprisonment, now didn’t seem quite so far-fetched.

      At the centre of the vast cavern lay a 100 metre-long spaceship, fashioned from an unknown grey metal. It was a sleek, elegant craft, designed for both atmospheric and space travel, with a pointed nose and swept-back wings. It looked far too organic for the rough, warlike Masters, almost like something the elfin Eridon Li Kari would design. Its landing gear had collapsed over time, and the ship lay on its belly like a wounded bird, the portside wing bent against the ground. A party of researchers had found an entry hatch in the starboard side of the machine, and were using heavy-duty heat-torches to cut away the corrosion around it. Unfortunately, the grey metal was very heat resistant, and the workers were grumbling under their breath as they worked. Even after ten thousand years, the stuff was still solid.

      A small woman in a blue jumpsuit stood at one end of the cavern, clutching a hand-held computer. She was far more interested in the spidery metal structure towering in front of her, shaped like a dodecahedron fashioned from wire. At each point was fixed a dusty transparent globe, or remnants thereof. In the structure’s centre sprawled a large skeleton that would have been at least two and a half metres tall if it stood up. It had a highly domed skull from which two elegant horns curled. Manacles enclosed the dead Master’s wrists and ankles, fashioned from the same weird grey metal as the rest of the structure.

      Eventually another person crept up to the small redhead and stopped beside her. She was considerably taller and more strongly built. Her hair curled in the same tight way, but was a soft golden brown rather than cherry red. Nevertheless the family resemblance was remarkable. Hira Sharella Delfay had her mother’s fair skin, delicate features and small hands and feet. Her willowy height and golden hair came from her father.

      They’ve finally managed to get the spaceship hatch open, she declared, touching her mother on a slender arm. Want to take a look?

      Not just yet, Sharella – I’m still too fascinated by this thing. What do you make of it? Charlotte Kingsley gestured at the bizarre, Gothic structure, crouching like a malevolent spider in front of her. I’ve scanned it, documented the structure of every material used in its composition, and studied it from every angle, but I still have no idea what the hell it is!

      Sharella shrugged her shoulders. I’m sorry Mum, but I’m a geophysicist, not an expert on the Masters’ technology! You’ll need to get one of the archaeologists to check it out. Unfortunately everyone’s over at the spaceship right now. A team has just gone in to explore it.

      Charlotte rubbed her small, pointed chin. I think as soon as I try to move this thing, it’ll break apart. Its infrastructure is still good, but whatever was holding it together has long since disintegrated.

      Sharella reached out a long-fingered hand, each nail painted a different shade of pink, and stroked one of the metal struts. What is this strange grey stuff? It must be pretty sturdy to have kept its shape for … what? Ten thousand years?

      Charlotte scrutinised her computer’s tiny screen. As far as I can tell, it’s some sort of metal refined from deadstone.

      A deadstone metal? Sharella gasped. I’ve never heard of such a thing! She touched it again, and frowned. That’s strange.

      What?

      At first I thought it was simply vibrating because of us, but we’re hardly moving at all. Touch it and leave your hand there. It’s actually humming.

      Charlotte rested a hand on one of the struts. At first she felt nothing. Then a gentle, almost imperceptible throb pulsed into her. That is odd, she agreed. Why on Earth is it doing that?

      Sharella laughed at her mother’s expression, one of the many signs of her humanity. I don’t know. But I think the spaceship might be made of the same substance.

      Really? Charlotte continued to caress the hard metal. It wasn’t as cold as she had anticipated, and the strange vibration was oddly soothing. She glanced at Sharella, and felt a familiar sensation wash over her. Suddenly she realised that her psionic abilities had returned. Not in full, a mere ghost of their former selves, but enough for her to see her daughter’s mindshield. She had been without powers for so long that she had almost forgotten about them, reverting to the mind-blind human she had been back on Earth. Sharella – touch the metal again! Charlotte urged.

      Sharella obeyed, and Charlotte touched her mind.

      Can you hear me?

      Sharella jumped. I can! she gasped out loud. Then she answered telepathically. I can! Not as clearly as I should be able to, but enough to make out your intentions.

      Charlotte grinned. Obviously the Masters have managed to create a psionically active substance from deadstone! Something they could use down here where the very walls inhibited their abilities.

      Run that by me again? Sharella asked out loud. I can hear you, but you still sound like you’re a long way away.

      Charlotte removed her hand from the strut and looked up at her daughter. We’ve always been very wary of deadstone. We’ve never bothered to study it, save enough to fashion a few crude mind-control devices from it. But the fact of the matter remains – this entire island is riddled with deadstone, and its strange properties have been ignored for far too long. She gestured towards the dodecahedron. Obviously the Masters managed to develop an entire science around deadstone and its unique properties, and it’s high time we started exploring it as well. She glanced around the room, and then squared her shoulders and marched off towards the small knot of people gathered by the now open spaceship hatch. Sharella remained behind to ponder on the incredible discovery.

      Charlotte tapped one of the archaeologists on a shoulder. Excuse me, but if you’re not too busy right now, could you come with me to check this weird machine out? She pointed over her shoulder at the dodecahedron.

      I can’t leave now we’ve finally got this hatch open! the archaeologist protested.

      And now you’ve nothing to do but wait for the team inside to report their findings, Charlotte retorted. I’d really like an expert to come with me. She gave him her most winning smile, but he wasn’t convinced.

      We’re heading towards the bow now, came a voice from an old-fashioned hand-held communicator. We still haven’t found the engine room. The stern appeared to be completely taken up by those storage chambers.

      Charlotte took a deep breath. She had never liked waiting. We’ve found a fully intact Master skeleton, she added.

      The archaeologist’s blue eyes lit up like beacons. Why didn’t you say so? Lead the way!

      She escorted him to the metal structure. Sharella was kneeling beside it, still running her slender hands over the struts. They were smooth, as clean as the spaceship, and only bent slightly in places. Due to the degeneration of the other metal used in the contraption’s construction, she had managed to remove one of the intact globes. As Charlotte approached with Nea Kaltor Tarmargen in tow, she straightened and held out the orb. What do you think this used to contain?

      Charlotte took the ball as the archaeologist started drooling over the Master’s skeleton, marvelling at what a magnificent specimen it was. He had never seen one in such pristine condition.

      My computer did find some biological traces inside it, Charlotte explained. A few Li Kari DNA fragments, nothing more.

      So these could have housed genetic material?

      Yes. Charlotte turned the ball over, noticing small holes in its surface. Something tinkled to the ground and she knelt, picking up a small metal plug, made from the same grey metal. She found it fitted perfectly into one of the holes in the globe. There was a small hole at its centre. A cable could have come out of this, connecting the globe to … some other part of the device.

      Look at the way the Master is strapped in, Kaltor exclaimed, trying to worm his way through the poles so he could examine the skeleton more closely. Could this thing have been some sort of prison?

      Charlotte shrugged. You’re the expert.

      I’ve never seen anything like this before! Kaltor struggled under a strut, and it came loose from its moorings, clattering to the floor.

      Be careful! Charlotte shouted. Aren’t you people supposed to use brushes or something?

      I just wanted a closer look at the skull. Gently Kaltor turned it over. Both women noticed a plug stuck in the bone just in front of the ear canal. It was larger than the one in the orb. Carefully he pulled it out, and it came easily. It ended in a needle made of the same dull grey metal. Inserted directly into the temple, he mused. The Masters used the same points of maximum energy collection as we do. But they preferred electrodes inserted directly into the brain rather than soft pads attached to the skin.

      Ewww, said Charlotte, suddenly overcome by her old human squeamishness. You mean this machine is some sort of psionic devoice?

      Kaltor didn’t want to commit himself. Could be.

      A commotion at the spaceship roused their attention, and Charlotte and Sharella hurried back to the group assembled at the hatchway. Somehow Kaltor managed to extricate himself without wrecking any more of the dodecahedron, and hurry after them.

      The scientists were abuzz with excitement; someone had just discovered that if they touched the grey metal with bare flesh, their psionic abilities returned. All the Eridons outside found that they could telepathically communicate with the party inside if they touched the body of the spaceship. Old-fashioned hand-held communicators hit the concrete as Eridons rejoiced in being able to join minds once more. Charlotte moved in beside Sharella, pressing the palms of her hands against the metal. It was almost warm to the touch, and throbbed beneath the active minds joined with it.

      They received telepathic images from the exploring party; soft, fuzzy around the edges and distorted, but far better than crackling words from a com unit. The Eridons really had to focus on what they were receiving – the party seemed to be kilometres away when in reality they were only a few metres.

      The leader of the Deadstone Explorers, Nea Tamir Kaltash, now escorted a small group of five through the narrow, labyrinthine passages of the spaceship. At his side was Kara Raia Nuraman, hired for her military skills and survival training. She held her blaster at the ready, although she doubted anything would jump out at them from this dead ship. Anything living had long since decayed to dust. She had a torch attached to her helmet, and it cut a swathe through the close, misty darkness, leading the way for the others. A couple near the back carried chromic-crystal photo-cells that reflected their moods; bright pink anticipation mixed with the occasional streak of blue fear. Once the whole ship had been secured, they would be able to split up and carefully explore all the chambers they had only cast cursory glances over.

      As they passed from storage areas to sleeping quarters, galleys and recycling plants, Tamir grew increasingly concerned. They had almost reached the bow and still not found any sign of the ship’s engines. Where were they? If they were up here, then they would have to be pretty small! Tamir tried to theorise what kind of propulsion units this craft would have as they crept through the dusty darkness. Would they be hyperspace or FTL drives? Or warp engines? Or something else entirely?

      Tamir and Raia finally reached the door to the cockpit, which was closed. Raia nudged it with the muzzle of her blaster, and there was a dull thud. The door appeared to be heavily reinforced. What was in here? Tamir waited while Raia pressed a gloved hand against the door and pushed. Nothing happened. Raia slung her gun and pushed at the door with both hands, then her shoulder. Still nothing. Tamir joined her in searching for a handle. Maybe they would have to call the cutting crew in.

      Then Raia found a handle set into the door near the wall and hooked her fingers into it. She pulled, but it refused to give. Tamir slipped in beside her. Had Raia been able to access her powers fully, she could have combined telekinesis with her natural strength. As a soldier, she was quite powerful in that area. But they had to rely purely on physical power. Finally the door gave with a mournful squeal, and ground back on a degraded track. They managed to haul it open enough so Raia could unlimber her weapon and squeeze through. A heavy hiking boot stepped down onto a floor thick with dust, and it puffed into the air like smoke. Motes danced in the thick beam of her helmet-torch. As she moved further into the room, every step sent the powdery substance exploding into the air until the room was filled with it.

      Tamir followed, his heart pounding. He could feel the excitement of the scientists riding his mind. By now the air was so thick he coughed, and waved a hand in front of his face. Unfortunately that only made it worse. Raia’s light spread out in the gloom. Should have put on a breather, Tamir thought as he backed up against the wall behind him and unhooked the photo-cell from his belt. It flashed an anticipated purple, but it failed to help him make out any more details.

      There was a metallic clang as Raia kicked something. She swore. Over here, Tamir! she called, waving an arm. She appeared to be no more than a shadowy outline in the dust. Carefully Tamir picked his way over to her.

      The strange metallic sculpture seemed to leap out of the dimness. Tamir jerked back in horror. The thing looked oddly familiar. It was shaped like a dodecahedron, and there appeared to be a spherical globe set at each point. When Raia’s light passed behind one, Tamir realised he could see through it. Just. It was coated was dust.

      Shine your light down there, Tamir urged, pointing into the middle of the structure.

      Raia obeyed. Dust swirled in the beam, and Tamir made out something grey lying at the centre of the contraption. It looked like a skeleton. With a jolt, the scientist realised he was looking at the same object that was lying on the concrete outside. Raia’s light moved around the cockpit as she continued to explore the rest of it.

      Tamir, Sharella, Kaltor and I believe the dodecahedron could be some kind of psionic device, Charlotte’s voice sounded in his mind, distorted by the deadstone walls, but clear enough. The Master seated inside is connected to it by electrodes implanted in his temples.

      I’ve found the remains of a computer, Raia called. It’s up the front of this room, and running down the walls on either side. It could be a navigation-computer.

      So where by the Pit are the engines? Tamir cried.

      Maybe the dodecahedron is the engine, Charlotte suggested.

      What? Tamir froze, Charlotte’s suggestion hitting him like a douse of ice-water. But that’s impossible! Imagine the PK level you’d need to lift a spaceship this size, let alone propel it through space!

      Maybe the dodecahedron is a mindwave enhancer.

      Tamir stared at it again. Then he swore.

      Look at the shielding on the door you came through. You can bet your life the rest of the room is protected the same way, probably to keep the force of the pilot’s enhanced mindwaves from interfering with the rest of the crew. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about. I’ve had more than enough experience with mindwave enhancers!

      Tamir directed his next comment to everyone present. I think a group of you should go and study the dodecahedron outside. We really should figure out how it works. If Charlotte is right, and it is indeed a mindwave enhancer, then it is strong enough to give a psionic the power to fly a spaceship – maybe even break through to hyperspace … or warp spacetime.

      Outside, Charlotte removed her hands from the grey metal and took a deep breath. Her heart raced and her temples throbbed. She felt like she was suffering from a bad hang-over, even though she hadn’t felt the need for an alcoholic drink since leaving Earth. Communicating with Tamir had taken a lot out of her and she needed to sit down. She trudged back to the expedition campsite and found a folding chair to flop into. Sharella joined her a few minutes later, and for a few minutes they watched the scientists gather around the dodecahedron outside the spaceship.

      So – if it is a mindwave enhancer, how do you think it works? Sharella asked.

      Charlotte raked splayed fingers through her masses of thick red curls. I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with the deadstone metal.

      And the disembodied brains that used to be housed inside the orbs, a familiar voice interrupted.

      Charlotte spun in her chair to see three figures walking towards her. She recognised Con, Katarine – and her love, Omadon. She had to rub her eyes to clarify the image, in case her eyes were playing tricks on her.

      But the three were still walking towards her. They all appeared to be dressed in baggy black cargo pants tucked into lace-up boots, and shapeless shirts that hung down to their thighs. Oh my God, she whispered, lifting a trembling hand to her lips.

      Sharella was faster to react. Daddy! she squealed, perfectly at home with the human expression. She sprang to her feet and closed the distance between herself and Omadon in an instant, leaping into his arms. He caught her and hugged her close.

      Charlotte scrambled to her feet and hurried after her. Suddenly, shame consumed her for not informing him that they were leaving for the Island of Glass. How could she have left such a quick message for the dean to deliver? She could have at least told the poor man in person!

      But as he released Sharella, Charlotte realised that the old, morose Omadon was gone. His emerald eyes were alive with passion, his cheeks rosy with excitement. Something had drawn him out of his self-pitying brood, the melancholia she’d no longer been able to stand.

      Charlotte! he gasped, and grabbed her in a powerful embrace. I’ve missed you so much! I’m so sorry! He buried his face in her thick curls. I’ll never fall apart like that again, I promise.

      Shhh, she soothed, It’s all right. It’s my fault too. I should have explained where I was going.

      They held each other for what felt like a delicious eternity.

      Now where have I seen something like this before?

      They released each other to the sight of Con with a big, cheeky grin spread the width of his broad, olive-skinned face. Charlotte had to smile. His hair was a bit longer, his face a bit leaner, but he’d hardly changed.

      How did you find us? she gasped.

      How do you think? We combed the island in hovermode, looking for you! When we finally spotted the base-camp outside the opening to that lava tube, we realised where you’d gone. No wonder we couldn’t detect you telepathically – this place is thick with deadstone. Omadon took a deep, shaking breath, aware that his words were tumbling over each other like children struggling to get out of a classroom at bell-time. We have so much to tell you. We’ve been on an expedition too.

      Really? Suddenly Charlotte experienced an irrational flare of jealousy. Where?

      Earth! cried Con. You should’ve seen it, Charlotte! Half-destroyed by nuclear war, half-controlled by fascist psycho psi-cops – it was a total freakshow!

      Charlotte folded her arms. Well, I would have come, but I didn’t appear to have been invited.

      Omadon spread his hands in apology. Charlotte – I wanted to go looking for you, but Ranados… Suddenly, his face fell and he looked down at the toes of his scuffed army boots. But Ranados didn’t want to waste any more time. It was his expedition. As it turned out, it took us days to track you down from the timeship.

      Charlotte looked around, but saw only Omadon, Con and Katarine. Ranados? The new head of the HEHMT? What happened to him?

      One of those nutcase psi-cops killed him, Con explained. Aidan was with us too, but-

      Charlotte clapped a hand over her mouth. Don’t tell me he died too!

      Con quickly shook his head. No. He stayed behind to advise the… He struggled to remember, General Cassidy, the Secretary of Defence!

      Charlotte dragged her hair back, and then started fiddling with the old fob watch around the neck. I think one of you had better start at the beginning.

      You know what I’m like with long stories. Omadon deferred to Con and Katarine. Con opened his mouth to launch into a lurid tale of soulless psychic soldiers, astral-plane travel, weird spirit creatures and psionic vampires from space, when Katarine cut him short.

      I shall explain. She gestured towards the campsite. Let’s all sit down first.

      Good idea! Charlotte gasped.

      Con glared at Katarine. You will only confuse everyone, she told him telepathically.

      Con pouted, but he stayed quiet as they all took seats at the campsite. The rest of the scientists were still milling about outside the spaceship, and a small party had surrounded the dodecahedron on the concrete.

      Katarine took a deep breath and began. Charlotte and Sharella listened with their hearts in their mouths as she described a mission to Earth to find out what its half-castes were up to. Apparently they were starting to congregate in the United States of America, and pooling their resources. After collecting everyone from their various residences, Rhys the Timeship set off for Earth. The party managed to infiltrate one of the psykers’ bases, disguised as tourists, but they were eventually discovered. Aidan and Ranados, trapped at

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