Change by Design Read online

all to hear.

  It was founded by a navigator who fell in love with the beauty of the planet. He strived to make this location his home and build the lavish Xenonian mansion in old traditions. He married his wife and they had several children. One was recanting the story when the building shook.

  Kei stood up, noticing the familiar feel to the movements. “Everyone find cover.” She called as loudly as possible. Panic set in around her. Guests started running in all directions. Kei looked at the hostess, who was standing not far from her trying to direct everyone to safety. “Do you have a place to hide them?”

  The stout older woman glanced at Kei, “I can get them out of the way, but I can’t hide their life signs or promise we won’t be discovered.”

  “Don’t worry about that part. I’ll confuse them. Do you have a shield generator?”

  “Yes. Through that door.” She gestured through a large double wooden doorway. “It’s on the far wall. The power source is in the center.”

  “Good. Get everyone near there. Have them huddle close. I’m going to adjust the frequency.” Kei ran ahead and into the room. Quickly locating the generator, she modulated the frequency to alter the life signs. Hoping to confuse the invaders, she knew there would be no way to hide the building from view with the shield. Instead she opted to do that herself.

  As the room filled, she went outside. Some tried to stop her, but she knew if she didn’t get where she was most central, she’d never be able to cover the whole mansion. Without hesitation, she moved to the second floor stairway and focused on the images of the trees around the building. It shook again as the forest was fired upon. She remained focused and undeterred. After several minutes she could hear people outside the mansion and she looked out the window. Ven soldiers appeared marching past the building, not seeing it. A sly smile crept across her face, knowing she was hiding the building and its occupants from a vile enemy, successfully.

  Another hour passed and the area grew quiet. Her head was aching, but she knew she had to remain focused until the danger was gone. Finally the hostess emerged from the shield generator room and approached Kei. “They appear to be gone, but it looks like you’ll all be my guests for a while. They took out the transport in orbit.”

  Kei frowned, “I see.” She blinked slowly, then again and a third time, releasing the psionic image around the building. “Do you have communications?”

  “Yes, but they are older and only work from time to time.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll make them work.” Kei rolled her neck and focused her eyes, ”Where is it?”

  “In the same room. It’s the only real technology room we have here.”

  Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly, “Okay. Everyone should settle for a while. I’ll see what I can do. Why isn’t the military stationed here?”

  “It was part of my father’s agreement when he purchased the rights for the moon. He didn’t want any military located on the surface or in its space.”

  “So this is a prime target for amalgamation or Ven experimentation.” She shook her head. “No defenses, no support resources and no way of properly shielding this place. I don’t know how you’ve not been targeted before.”

  “Father said that the natural surroundings would protect the area. Until today, it has.”

  Kei looked at the woman, “Well your father was only right for a while. I’ll get to work on your communications device.” She walked back into the technology room and located the machine with the communications panel. After some adjustments she got a connection to the nearest ship in the Xenonian fleet. She advised them of the situation and made them aware she was there in an unofficial capacity, and then requested assistance getting the civilians from the moon.

  Days passed and the Xenonian colonial fleet arrived in the system. Some ships took defensive positions, others entered orbit around the moon. The civilian guests were evacuated to ships preparing to return to Xenonia.

  Commander Kei Salin was activated the moment she stepped on the ship. She was asked to offer an official report. As she completed the report, she omitted the specific detail that her alterations to the shield generator did not avoid a surface search. A military engineer upgraded the technology room and updated their communications to include distress signals as well as programs for enhanced reach. At Kei’s recommendation, they also included a cloaking device.

  While en route to Xenonia, the ship remained busy scouting for the Ven who attacked the moon and transport ship. Kei was called upon several times to help protect the civilians who were not formally trained for combat. Something about the events moved her to evaluate her intended plans. She found the week long trip back to the home world motivating. It gave her a new appreciation for where her skills could best be used. Unsure how to move onto the ships, she reported back to her military chain of command the moment she was home.

  She was informed that her chain of command would contact her in the morning, regarding her desired change. Kei went to bed that night with a renewed drive. One that took her from the life she’d lived for the last decade. One that moved her to action.

  Morning came earlier than expected. A notice from her door woke her when someone arrived. Wrapping herself in a bathrobe she opened the door to find Private First Class Dak Palrion and two additional soldiers. She stepped from the doorway and let them enter. Kei offered them breakfast and beverages to which they declined. “Alright, what brings you to my home this early?”

  “The beginning of your new career.” He handed her a data tablet with her new orders. “You are hereby the first official member of the Enpassants command structure.”

  Confused she looked at him, “What is an Enpassant?”

  “It’s a chess move that allows a pawn to capture an enemy by crossing lines on the board. It's also the name given to the psionic ship.”

  Kei looked between the two soldiers with PFC Palrion. One held a rank of Lieutenant Commander and another the rank of Lieutenant. Both remained silent while the conversation was held. “What are you trying to pull?”

  “Let’s evaluate a couple of things, Commander Salin. You protected the people on the moon from the Ven. That’s not a small feat. Nor is it something that could have been accomplished given the technology you had at your disposal.” Palrion spoke with certainty, “Additionally, a handful of the civilians have testified there was a foot inspection of the surface, by the Ven. One even indicated they walked right by the building.”

  Kei shifted uncomfortably on her feet.

  “You know the penalty for not providing a thorough and complete report?” The Lieutenant Commander with Palrion questioned her.

  Dryly Kei responded, “Yes. I’m aware.”

  “Are you also aware that not disclosing a change in your health condition that could affect your military position is a violation of your oath to the people of Xenonia?” The Lieutenant folded both hands behind her back as she spoke.

  “Yes. I’m aware.”

  “We’re not here to give you grief or allow these things to become issues in your record.” Palrion interjected.

  “That’s not how things sound. I already entered my resignation from the design team. I will not resume that duty or anything related.”

  “You’re not being asked to work planet side any longer. You’re being asked to oversee the final preparation and launch of the first vessel in the psionic fleet. On board will be a shop in which you will work with the chief engineer in the development and betterment of the psionic vessel.”

  Hesitantly, Kei clarified, “You’re giving me a space side duty assignment?”

  “Yes. You’ll receive a command position on the ship, in a position you recommended be implemented. With one condition.”

  Kei’s lips turned down, “What?”

  “Correct your report. Acknowledge use of your psionic lobe, and accept the position as the first commissioned officer in the psionic corps.” Palrion paused, “Please help me get the psionic corps off to a s
olid and proactive beginning.”

  “That’s three conditions.” Kei looked at the trio in the room, “You’re all psionics aren’t you?”

  Palrion responded, “You already know I am. Lieutenant Commander Phips is a mild telepath and Lieutenant Seft is an untrained teleporter.”

  Kei Salin pulled the robe tight around her, and shifted her weight. Her gaze moved between each of the three. She lifted the tablet and reviewed some of the information. “Are you sure you want to make this choice? Are you sure I’ll have the authority I’ll need to make design alterations in service?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you confident this will not change during launch, or in service?”

  “Yes. You will have what you need, including the support from your direct chain of command.”

  Commander Salin smiled, “Then we should celebrate.”

  A confused look passed between each of the soldiers between her visitors before Palrion inquired, “What are we celebrating?”

  “New beginnings. The corps and mine.”

  Available Xarrokian Books

   

  Birth of an Empire: The Beginning

  Consequences

  Xenonian Origins Series:

  Below the Surface

  Change by Design

  Mind Tricks

  Through Anguish

  Glimpses

  Memories of Hel

   

  Coming Soon:

  Birth of an Empire: Homecoming

  Learn more at https://Xarrok.com