Rising of an Equinox (Cosmic Book 2) Read online

  Rising of an Equinox

  Cosmic Book Two

  Nicholas Lawrence Carter

  Copyright © 2021 Nicholas Lawrence Carter

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

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

  ISBN-13: 9781234567890

  ISBN-10: 1477123456

  Cover design by: Germancreative

  Printed in the United States of America

  Those sweet reviews

  Don't forget to rate and review the book on Amazon when you're finished, and I hope you enjoy the journey ahead!

  A special thank you to Corey Batts, Hilton Brannan, and Dorothy Taylor.

  For my mother, my hero.

  “She wasn’t a constellation. She was a galaxy.”

  Nitya Prakash

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Those sweet reviews

  Dedication

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  PROLOGUE

  PART I

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  PART II

  AWAKENING

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Afterword

  PRONUNCIATIONS: CHARACTERS

  PRONUNCIATIONS: TERMS

  Books By This Author

  Books By This Author

  Books By This Author

  Books By This Author

  PROLOGUE

  Weapon fire whizzes throughout the sky above them. It zooms about with fury passing by the structure they’re holding their position in. Every few seconds the building shakes from the impact of the blazing instruments of death. They suspect it will not hold much longer. For their squadron, marching straight into the heart of the enemy has been a long journey, and now they have arrived. Only a few dozen of them have survived this near-suicide mission. Their leader paces back and forth in the middle of the ruined room.

  For the citizens of Nirva, civil war has been on the brink for decades. Tension among the nine races has mounted with each passing year. The faulty government that is in place was destined to fail, and fail it has. Each race feels strongly they deserve an equal voice, and with the current regime, only the Rhunoc race is heard. Corruption abounds throughout the seemingly democratic infrastructure and all know it. This war was only a matter of time.

  The First Officer pacing in the middle of the room, who has now become a symbol of freedom and loyalty, is called Kuuya Kowheah. Once a middle-range officer in Nirva’s army, now to many of their kind, he is the face of the future.

  Kuuya and several other mid-level military officers have aligned with forward-thinking government officials. Together, they have designed what they feel will be the best form of a government structure for Nirva moving forward. A government that offers its citizens a real voice. A government that enables those it serves to decide their futures. Their cause has gained ground much quicker than they believed it would.

  The current regime responded forcefully, hoping to snuff out these would-be usurpers, however, their vicious onslaught served to only strengthen and widen this rebellions' cause. In mere months civil war has broken out. This rebellion has turned into a real threat to overthrow the regime and institute the new structure they so desire.

  “First Officer,” a soldier said, “let the scouts do their job. There is no need for you to be on the front line.”

  Kuuya remains in place, staring out of the broken section of the wall, his eyes scanning the battle-worn landscape.

  “What kind of a leader would I be, if I was not in the lead?” Kuuya said.

  “No one questions your heroism or your dedication to our cause, First Officer,” the soldier said. “You have nothing to prove to us.”

  Kuuya’s head turns to the side, the soldier coming into his peripheral vision, “And if we fail? If the regime does not fall? I will not be taken prisoner. I will be the first to give my life for our cause.”

  The soldier nods, the gravity of his leader stealing away his words.

  “My greatest fear,” Kuuya continued, “is that we fail, and future generations will endure the same infrastructure. That not only will they endure it, but that its grip will tighten.”

  “We will not let that come to pass.”

  Kuuya turns to fully face the soldier. “No, we will not.”

  CRACK! A section of the wall to the left shatters; finally giving way to the barrage of heavy attacks from their enemy. The support of the building shifts causing the roof to buckle in and slide towards the missing section of the wall. Kuuya leaps to the other side of the room and lands hard on the ground. His soldiers follow suit.

  “First Officer,” a soldier screamed from the ground, “this building will not last much longer!”

  Their attention turns to Kuuya. He pushes himself up off the ground. He sees their concern and he knows they must act now. He pulls himself to one knee, resting his arms on top of it.

  "Our time here has passed,” Kuuya said, “reinforcements are on the way, but we all know they are at least a day out. We have but one option, we continue, we fight. We charge straight ahead. That is the route they will least expect. The enemy lies just over the rise. We fight not only for us but for all. Even for those in power who have lost their way. As Nirvians we serve each other,” -his head bows, his eyes sweep the floor- “at least, that is how it was.”

  A short moment of silence lingers, then Kuuya rises to his feet. He swats away the dust and dirt from his uniform.

  “Today,” he continued, “we strike down those who oppose the very core of our beliefs as a society. Once more we shed blood so that the future will not. Their forces are weak. They were not prepared for a war of this duration.”

  He looks around at his squadron. With one finger extending out, his hand bounces in the air, “We were. They were not prepared for how many would rise to oppose their hatred. We were.”

  With their spirits rising again, the soldiers nod along with their leader.

  “That has always been our advantage!” Kuuya exclaimed.

  A small cheer bursts forth from the squadron.

  “Rise up and lift your heads!”

  Their arms pound the air.

  “For we are noble, we are just, and we are the necessary few that will bring peace and unity back to Nirva!"

  Feeling reinvigorated, his soldiers jump to their feet. They pick up their weapons and hold them high into the air, a raucous frenzy bursting out among them. Kuuya nods along with their shouts. He lets out a deep scream of passion. His soldiers cheer louder. He slaps his hand on the shoulder of the one closest to him. Their cheering continues for a short moment, then Kuuya hushes them.

  "Their front lines are in our sights. We topple them and we have won. We defeat this last line of misguided souls and we will return Nirva to its foundation. We restore the Tribunal, and this time each race sits. Nine judges for the nine nations of Nirva. We are t
he spark that lit the flame and today we become the flame that burns the regime! Are you prepared to shape the future?!"

  Jumping up and down, their blood pumping with purpose, his soldiers scream in unison. “YES!”

  "Are you prepared to die for the future?!"

  Louder than before they once again scream together. "YES!"

  "Then we move now, and we bring change with us!"

  Kuuya Kowheah raises his arm into the air quieting them once more. He looks over his soldiers to give one final command.

  “When we approach the rise, I will raise the Arc. No matter how many there, we cannot be defeated up close!"

  He pulls the impact visor down on his helmet and screams in a rage of passion. His soldiers join his battle cry. He leads them through the tattered section of the wall and toward their enemy. The rise is a short distance ahead. A platoon of enemy soldiers populates the peak of the rise, raining down heavy fire toward them.

  As Kuuya and his soldiers charge, he pulls a small, oblong device from the satchel attached to his gear. He holds the device high up in the air and presses a button on it. Upon activation, the device deploys a dark orange arc that extends enough distance on either side of him to shield himself and his soldiers. This device is referred to as an Arc and it serves many functions. The timing of deploying a charge is crucial as each function can only be used once before it requires a significant recharge period.

  This orange barrier around them is an impact shield, protecting them from enemy fire. Unable to be penetrated for several moments, they rush up the rise. The regime's forces did not expect this. The shield is not a technology that is used very often, and most platoons and squadrons are not outfitted with one. Nevertheless, they continue to fire upon the approaching squadron. Just as Kuuya is within arm’s reach of the nearest enemy soldier, he deactivates the Arc and reaches out. He grabs the enemy and pulls him close. As he pulls the enemy to him, Kuuya plunges a long and gleaming crystal dagger deep into the enemy's chest, then shoves him back while retracting the dagger.

  Kuuya's soldiers point their daggers and charge. The squadron impales enemy soldiers along the front line of their mounted attack. Kuuya reactivates the Arc, though this time the Arc is a deep purple. The second line of enemy soldiers fires their weapons at Kuuya and his squadron. The Arc reflects the enemy fire. The discharges from their weapons return with the same furious vigor they left with, rendering most of them dead.

  Many of those that are not killed by the reflection of their fire are still hit by the discharges, incapacitating them, and ripping limbs from their bodies, leaving large holes all over them.

  Kuuya and his squad race with reckless abandon down the other side of the rise and toward their enemy. Kuuya holds the Arc high into the air once more. Unsure of which charges Kuuya’s Arc still has, one of the opposing leaders screams for his soldiers to cease firing. Kuuya activates the Arc causing a dark blue wall to appear in front of them. It resides there for only a moment before emitting a blinding flash of light at the enemy. This light disorients the enemy forces and emits an electromagnetic pulse that renders their weapons inoperable.

  Giving their opposition no time to react, Kuuya and his squadron bound upon them in a blaze of violence. Their crystal daggers swing back and forth, glistening under the dim light of the setting sun. Gurgled screeches fill the air as blood and limbs leave bodies. Kuuya Kowheah screams over the pounding cries of war.

  "Fire on the back lines!"

  He and his soldiers raise their weapons, blasting the discharges past the line of soldiers in front of them and toward the ones in the back; the ones starting to recover from the Arc's light burst. The enemy soldiers fall by the dozens. Kuuya and his team fight as the battle-hardened instruments of war they have become. Their shots do not miss, and their daggers do not hesitate. Each attack is placed with nearly flawless execution. They mow down the backline of their enemy within moments.

  Kuuya raises his arm again, ceasing his squadron's fire. He shouts his orders to them once more.

  "They cannot contend with our force. Incapacitate the rest. Enforce surrender and bind them down."

  They loom over the battlefield, fully outmatching their opponents. They fire upon the remaining enemies, aiming for legs and arms to down them, giving mercy to those that refuse Kuuya and his team's offer for their surrender. A few short hours later and this battle has been won. The regime’s last line protecting their base of operations has been toppled. Kuuya and his team will now wait for their reinforcements before taking the next charge to ensure victory.

  ◆◆◆

  Kuuya removes his Master's helmet and sets it down on the table next to him. His bald amber head does not shine inside these walls as it does under their blue star. Being bald is a trait of the Nirvian military, as all soldiers keep their head and face hairless, an air of commonality among the many races that comprise the military. Non-military Nirvians allow their hair to grow. Different lengths and tones abound throughout the races of Nirva.

  It is a lonely life being the Master of Nirva's army. He made the conscious choice to focus on his position and ignore other parts of his life. Many years ago, he led the rebellion to victory that instituted a more fair and just government. He has given his life for Nirva. This does not bother him. He knew what would be asked of him and accepted it fully. He has allowed very few to get close to him. This is why his proposal to cut off communication with Cashari causes a stir within him.

  The nine Judges of the Tribunal filter in and make their way to their designated seats. They sit in large, bulky half-cylinder structures gated in front of them by a massive clear divider, separating them from the one in the middle of the circular room. The one who stands before them is Master Kuuya Kowheah; the leader of their united army. Master Kowheah is of the race Rhunoc. Of the nine races on Nirva, the Rhunoc are the most abundant. They are very militant; a trait they share with the Hedha of Cashari, which proved to be a great common ground between them. Because of this, the Rhunoc make up most of the army on Nirva. While they are militant, they are not imposing on the other races. A trait instilled into them by Master Kowheah himself.

  Each Judge within the Tribunal is a member of each race, guaranteeing a fair representation on the Tribunal. Nirva is run through a democracy in which the Tribunal puts forth motions and the citizens vote on them. The citizens also vote for the Judges of the Tribunal as well as promotions for military personnel. All citizens of Nirva are tied into their government and participate. It has become a very honored tradition.

  One of Kuuya Kowheah's duties as Master is to inform the Tribunal on matters concerning military procedures, as well as to put forth motions of military focus to be voted on. On this day, Master Kowheah has called upon the Tribunal to gather to discuss his opinion on their current peace treaty with Cashari. The nine Judges of the Tribunal have all taken their seats. One of the Judges motions to Master Kowheah.

  "Honored Judges of the Tribunal,” Master Kowheah began, “this is a gathering I fully regret having to request. I recently learned that our neighbors, Cashari, have entered an alliance with the Ancient Conquerors. These unknown entities have a name; the Neiremyy. From what we know of the Ancient Conquerors many among us believed them to be a myth. It is with great regret that I must inform you that they are not a myth. They are indeed quite real, and they have visited a system not far from our own. This news has brought about a great sense of fear within me.”

  Master Kowheah pauses for a moment, allowing his words to sink in among the Tribunal. He surveys them to study their reactions. A palpable sense of concern has risen in the room.

  "In all the stories we have heard about the Ancient Conquerors, the Neiremyy, they have no allies. They make no truces, and they help no other after their own. All we have ever known of them is their propensity for destruction and their subjugation of entire systems. They are in Cashari, and there can only be one reason for this, it is for domination. What happens when they learn of us or the Vix
system as a whole? The Naluit system? We have a duty to our own to protect them. I cannot in good conscience recommend we continue to engage with Cashari for any reason. Therefore, I am here today to put forth the motion that we nullify our treaty with Cashari and immediately disconnect any further communication.”

  His eyes graze the floor for a moment, his face becoming rigid and cold.

  “I have grown quite fond of Meish Ataan over the years. One of a select few that I would call a friend. I long to hear Ataan's side of this story, but I am fearful of what he might say. I do not wish to lose this friend, but I fought for the betterment of Nirva. I will be damned if I allow any outside influence to corrupt what we have built. I lay this motion at your feet to relay to our own. I believe it is paramount that we move as swiftly as possible on this matter."

  The Judges engage in hushed whispers among themselves. Master Kowheah awaits their response, his stance never swaying. The Caeralee Judge, the most minor race among the Nirvians, bows her head to Master Kowheah. He returns the gesture in kind.

  “Esteemed Master Kowheah,” the Judge said, “you do not believe that any manner of a continued truce will be possible with Cashari?”

  “Honored Judge, with the presence of the Ancient Conquerors, I do not believe it is wise to entertain the notion.”

  “You understand that with this recommendation coming from yourself that it is all but guaranteed that Nirva will follow your wishes? You are aware of the weight put behind your words?”

  “More than any I am, Honored Judge.”

  “What will be the solution should Naluit refuse to break the treaty with Cashari, or perhaps even worse, any of our allies in Vix?”

  Master Kowheah’s brow dips, a gloomy dissonance washing about in his eyes.

  “I fear there can only be one solution,” said Kowheah, “the one none among us want to hear, but the only one that will state our conviction; war.”