Invasion: Vitalis, #5

Vitalis: Invasion

By Jason Halstead

©2014

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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www.novelconceptpublishing.com

5699 Applegrove

West Bloomfield, MI 48324

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Cover art © 2014Willsin Rowe

Astronaut by Marcus Ranum

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Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

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Jason Halstead’s website: http://www.booksbyjason.com

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Be sure to check out these other Vitalis stories from Jason Halstead:

Vitalis (Vitalis, book 1)

Vitalis: Resurrection (Vitalis, book 2)

Vitalis: Provenance (Vitalis, book 3)

Vitalis: Genesis (Vitalis, book 4)

Vitalis: Invasion (Vitalis, book 5)

Vitalis: Chrysalis (Vitalis, book 6)

Vitalis: Communion (Vitalis, book 7)

Chapter 1

The boy burst through the open door, nearly catching his arm on it as it slid open at maximum velocity. He was panting and grinning as he ran through the house and slid to a stop before his father’s open office door. He yanked off his goggles and hat and shouted, Dad! I’m Superman!

Uh huh, Dirk Montessori said. He turned from the advertisement he was designing and smiled down at his son. I haven’t heard you talk about him in a few years now. I thought you got too old for my goofy old stories?

Michael shrugged and then held out his hand in a closed fist. He opened his mouth when the lights dimmed and went out. They both felt a vibration that passed through the house and disrupted the 3D holo pictures on Dirk’s desk until it passed. Michael frowned and said, Yeah, well, maybe. But you gotta see this!

Dirk was already on his feet and looking around. The lights came back on and his displays brightened as they automatically switched off their battery reserves. We haven’t had a quake in over forty years, he muttered.

Dad, that’s what I’m trying to say!

What? Dirk asked absent-mindedly. You think you did this with your newfound superpowers?

No, but whatever crashed did!

Whatever crashed? Dirk asked. He rushed to the door and peered out as it slid open in front of him. Just in time, a shockwave rattled the artificial trees and plants in the yard and washed over him with enough force to knock him back into the house. The lights flickered again and then came back on. What the heck was that?

That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Michael said. I was playing and I saw all these things falling. Like shooting stars, but they were burning up. They spread all over the place and it looked like one curved through the air and came straight at me! It hit the big tree and punched a hole through it then smashed into the ground and dug a hole! It was really cool. Kind of scary, I guess, but then it was just really cool.

Michael, slow down! Dirk said while picking himself up. He held up his hand and looked through the door to see some of the fake trees in their yard were knocked over or broken. The same was true of his neighbors’ yards too. Everyone’s houses looked all right, but they’d all been built to withstand the storms that sometimes raged across the Earth. He turned on his son and frowned. Okay, sounds like some space trash fell. Must have been big to hit that hard. I hope nobody got hurt.

Uh, I don’t think it’s trash.

Why not? he asked his son.

Dad, look at this.

Dirk turned and looked down at his son’s outstretched arm. He’d opened his fist and his palm was facing up. In it, he held a crystal that contained a mottled pink and green light glowing from within it.

I think it’s kraptonite!

Kryptonite, Dirk mumbled. And that made Superman weaker, not stronger.

I feel stronger, Michael said.

Dirk shook his head. You probably shouldn’t be touching it. Put it down and we’ll—

The comm system in the house chirped with an incoming call. The lights flashed red, indicating a priority message. Dirk held his hand up to stop his son and address the house’s computer systems. House, answer.

The nearest display flashed to reveal his wife’s short brown hair framing her Slavic face. He could see she was in their car. Dirk, Michael! Are you okay?

We’re good. What’s going on? The power flickered and I just got hit by something when I stepped outside.

I’m on my way home now, she said. The news says it’s a nuclear-powered satellite and that the orbit decayed. It hit somewhere between us and the coast and they’re evacuating everyone to Bend due to potential radiation poisoning.

Dirk turned to stare at the strange crystal in Michael’s hand. We’ll meet you somewhere—just tell us where.

No, I’m coming to you, she insisted. I don’t want to risk missing each other in the chaos.

Dirk frowned and nodded. Okay, we’ll hold tight. How long?

Traffic’s getting crazy. Give me an hour.

Okay, we will. Love you, Leona.

I love you, Mommy! Michael said while waving with his free hand.

I love you guys too. Stay safe!

Dirk and Michael turned to look at each other once the call ended. Their eyes fell as one to the crystal. Radiation? Michael whispered. That’s bad, isn’t it?

Dirk frowned and admitted, Buddy, I’m no scientist but I went to college and took enough science classes to know that’s not any kind of nuclear power source humanity has ever used.

Oh, uh, is it safe? Can I keep it?

Dirk rubbed his chin and shrugged. I guess, but if you start feeling funny you let me know, okay? Dizzy, sick, whatever.

Okay! Michael said and grinned. I’m going to go tie something around it so I don’t have to touch it.

Dirk nodded as his son dashed off to his bedroom. He turned back to the wall display that was set to look like a window and saw the haze in the air to the west, where the ocean was just past the Cascade Mountains only a few kilometers away. Satellite my ass, he muttered.

Chapter 2

Palowitz, I don’t want to hear it! Major Hillstrom barked. This is your third offense and the second time you’ve received a written disciplinary action. I’m knocking you back to private first class and you should be thankful to the lieutenant here for sticking his neck out for you. Otherwise I’d have your ass busting rocks up in Carnadine for the next forty years. As it is, if you screw up again, Lieutenant Grant’s ass is getting docked too.

Argus felt his neck and shoulders trembling from the strain he was putting them under. He didn’t even attempt to look up at the tall lieutenant standing beside him. It would have pissed the major off and probably pulled a muscle in his back or neck.

One other thing, Major Hillstrom growled. If you ever make it to sergeant again, it’ll be because you spent some quality time beneath the general’s desk and there’s nothing I can do to stop you. Now get out of my face! You’re a disgrace to the uniform!

PFC Palowitz snapped off a salute and spun around before he secured his UV goggles and marched out of the office. Grant followed and kept walking beside him without saying a word. They made it outside before the lieutenant spoke. Argus, I’m sorry, I—

Shut up, Palowitz snapped.

Arron frowned and was about to snap back when he noticed the newly demoted private’s attention was directed to the sky. He followed Palowitz’s gaze and stopped walking, his mouth gaping in shock.

Now that’s some shit you don’t see every day, Argus mumbled.

What the hell is that? Grant asked.

An alarm sounded on the base, preventing any further introspection. Both men took off running towards their assembly post. They got separated but Argus fell in with his platoon while they continued to watch the sky rain fire to their west. They felt the large impact and weathered the shockwave that dissipated to little more than a light gust of wind and a gentle patter of dust that fell past them.

The Terran Coalition Army soldiers fell silent while the blast passed over them. Once it was passed and nothing else fell from the sky, their voices rose. Argus heard men asking and demanding answers. A few cried out in worry over family and friends. He remained quiet but kept glancing out the door at the sky and then towards the other door where the brass would come through.

His wait lasted long enough for the other soldiers to begin to quiet down. First Sergeant Vanderbeen walked through the door first and snapped in his no-nonsense voice, Officer present!

Every man and woman in the room lurched to attention and faced the door. Lieutenants Grant and Baker, the latter with her hair pinned up, stepped in first. Major Hillstrom followed and barked out, At ease.

There was an audible sigh as the soldiers relaxed and let out their breaths. Hillstrom climbed up onto the small stage in the room so he could see everyone. Argus fought the urge to scowl at the officer.

Listen up! Hillstrom shouted. Word from the navy is that there was some sort of accident with a research vessel in orbit. It collided with some space debris and lost control, then came down our way. First and Second Platoon, your job is to work with local law enforcement officers and guide civilians out of the area. And by out of the area I mean we are evacuating all the way to Bend. I know some of you have had some trouble with local LEOs in the past but remember we’re on the same team here.

A large map of Bend appeared on the display behind him. A glowing red line appeared that allowed for a one hundred fifty kilometer radius from a flashing yellow and black warning symbol along the coast where the earthquake of 2056 had finally pushed the westernmost part of the United States out to sea. What remained above water was obliterated by the massive earthquake and resulting tsunami. It was rebuilt and turned into a massive island industrial complex that would soon house the Earth’s government as it became the founding member of the Terran Coalition. About the same time, the subduction plates that northwestern American sat on finally snapped and dropped the coast almost three meters down while the coastal cities were moved close to forty meters towards the ocean. That tsunami wave was over twenty-five meters tall and it swamped what remained of the coast. Mother Nature got greedy and kept most of the land underwater.

Third and Fourth Platoons will be helping with containment and confinement of the crash site between the Cascades and the ocean. We have been told there is a radioactive threat from this impact and that’s the reason for the evac. You will not be in danger yourselves unless you are physically at the crash site. Hillstrom paused to let his eye blaze a scorching path through the assembled soldiers. He hesitated when he saw Argus and then moved on. These are our people; move them quickly and safely. Now fall out! You roll as soon as you’re ready or thirty minutes, whichever comes first.

The two lieutenants barked out some final orders on assembling and deploying but Palowitz barely heard them. He moved with the others and made his way to gather his gear and join the other men of his platoon for the excitement. Radiation without protective gear didn’t make sense. They were a stryker company, light combat vehicles and walkers, but even if the vehicles and powersuits were protected, they would be in and out with civilians.

He scowled and shook his head. It would have been better if Hillstrom had tossed him in the brig; at least then he wouldn’t have to put up with how everybody would treat him after his latest demotion.

Chapter 3

Kimber screamed as the first bloody head pushed free of the gash she’d sliced in her abdomen with the crystal. The green radiance from the scattered crystals made the blood-covered bulge that began to emerge look monstrous. The infant tore the cut wider and breathed its first breath of air. A small cry escaped its mouth and then it stopped and turned its head. Kimber’s sobbing subsided as she watched with the fascination of a scientist at the birth of a new species. Her children.

What was that? a gruff voice asked. The sound of metal bending and crashing against metal followed, followed by cursing and swearing.

Kimber twisted her head but couldn’t see around the ruin of the cargo hold. Water splashed against the gaping hole where the door had once been, courtesy of whatever weaponry the TCS Navy had used to try to shoot the Independence out of space before it could breach Earth’s atmosphere. She’d tucked herself into a spacesuit that was too large and wedged herself among the Vitalian vegetation she’d grown in the hold. It kept her safe when the hold depressurized and somehow the crystals that were scattered around the hull had reacted to the heat from reentry and protected her from the extreme temperatures.

The crash into the lake had left her wedged and broken, though: her arm, several ribs, her pelvis, both legs, and her lower back. The life inside of her, she’d protected. That was what mattered the most.

Now that life was climbing free of her and looking around as though it could understand its surroundings. Her firstborn looked human, complete with wisps of reddish hair matted to his head. He pulled itself onto her chest with shaky hands and legs, his mouth open in search of food. Tears ran down Kimber’s face. Her son was alive! She’d succeeded!

What the hell is going on in here? Klous barked when he broke away some of the outer branches that had been baked by the heat of reentry. He stared down at Kimber and her son, and then his eyes went to the bloody hole in her belly as a second hand appeared.

Kimber winced at the pulling sensation. Her second child, this one a girl, lifted herself out and rolled off. Kimber tried to catch her with her broken arm but the limb wouldn’t respond in time. The girl-child ended up beside her and struggled to sit up.

Klous, they’re alive! Kimber whispered. And so advanced! Human children can’t see or have muscle control like this. And teeth! They have teeth!

This why you been dodging me? Klous growled as he stared at the children.

Kimber ignored him and reached out with her good hand. She held the sharp crystal in it and guided it underneath the umbilical cord of her son. Help me, she hissed to Klous. Tie the cord.

With what? Klous asked. He looked around and then back at the infant. Is this—are they mine?

I’ll cut it long enough you can tie a knot in it, she said. She moved the razor-edged crystal and parted the flesh, letting a fresh, dark blood ooze out onto her.

Klous cursed and jumped in. He grabbed the oozing cord and knotted it, and then straddled her and moved the girl up so the red-headed scientist could cut her cord. Klous tied it and settled her in next to the boy. He noticed both of them were staring at him with an unnatural calm.

There’s a third, Kimber gasped. Is it okay?

Klous frowned and glanced down at the tear in her belly. He frowned and looked back up at her. Seeing a strange gleam in her eyes, he dropped his gaze back to her abdomen and reached out to pull her skin aside. Kimber hissed as he peered inside her using only the light given off by the crystals to guide him. He frowned and slipped his hand inside her, feeling the slippery heat of her blood and womb until his fingers touched against something hard.

Klous pulled a third infant and the remains of the placenta out and stared at it. The third was another boy, this one smaller than the other two. He lay still in Klous’s hands. The one-time bandit slapped the infant on his butt but it did no good. The infant was stillborn.

Klous shook his head as he met Kimber’s fevered gaze. Two out of three—I guess you did good.

Another tear fell from her face and she twitched her head. She breathed as deep as she could and grimaced before letting the air out. Something crushed me when we landed—

Crashed is more like it, Klous said and set the dead baby down on the surviving Vitalian vines.

I’m sorry, little one, Kimber