The Spectrum Force Volume Three by Heather Ray (ready player one ebook txt) 📕

could be intensified if the spheres were moved closer together. Usually, a great deal of space hung between spheres in the Grid, enabling a small number of spheres to protect a large area. The energy field created was only a sensor shield… a ship could pass through without even knowing it. That was its purpose: a silent alarm to warn the protectors, without alerting the invaders.

With a few adjustments to the spheres, Spectra managed to create a more forceful barrier. It wouldn't be a physical wall, blocking invading ships from entrance. But the sheer energy would be enough to disrupt the navigational and weapons systems of a smaller ship. Just like the original design, the spheres were indiscernible from space debris, and the energy shield undetectable, unless a ship passed through.

There were serious drawbacks to consider. First of all, in order to protect Earth, the Sphere Grid would have to skirt close to the atmosphere, below the orbit of the Throneship. That created the possibility of manmade satellites coming in contact with the shield, and shorting out. It wasn't a terrible setback, as the vast majority of machines sent from Earth were unmanned, but it could alert the science organizations to a foreign presence.

Also, the Sphere Grid would be very limited in power. Spectra had to walk the line between keeping the energy invisible to detection, yet powerful enough to disrupt a ship. The balance she had reached did keep the energy invisible, but as a consequence the energy output was considerably low. It would be enough to disrupt a few scouter ships, but if the Throneship itself decided to descend into the atmosphere, or if numerous scouters passed through at once, then the Grid would shatter.

Finally, the Grid would only disrupt mechanical devices, meaning any magical invasion wouldn't be deterred. Granted, the vast majority of soldiers didn't have the ability to magically transport themselves, but a few of the onboard mages might.

Spectra had taken a considerable amount of time measuring the risks, and had deemed them acceptable. The chances were slim that the Denebians would take any action without Phaedra's presence, and if some lieutenant were brave enough to make a visit to Earth, there was an obstacle to hinder him.

Provided, of course, the Sphere Grid worked as planned. Which wasn't guaranteed, since it had never been tested.

"The more I delay, the less likely I'll be able to help at all," Spectra reasoned, rising from her seat. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, and the number ten appeared on the screen.

Ten minutes until the Sphere Grid activates… plenty of time for me to get into a Starglider 30, and get passed the atmosphere.

She hurried from the bridge of her main ship, and slid into the far smaller short-range vessel. It was designed as an escape pod, but fortunately it included a reinforced hull capable of handling a two-way trip through a Hyperspace Portal.

Please let me not be too late!

Chapter Thirty-Six

Gaius remained in the corner of the dark room. Before Phaedra's unexpected visit, he had been shrouded in a deathly, choking absence of light. Now, a bar of vibrant blue shed light throughout the small chamber, glowing steadily… as it shrank.

"Once the blackness engulfs the blue, your time is up. I suggest you spend the next few hours pondering just how devastating it would be to watch the only person you love die painfully right in front of you."

Even though he hadn't intended to, he found his mind wandering along very similar lines. He stared at the too-blue light, slowly swallowed by the blackness encroaching upon it. And as he watched, he thought of Hemera.

Hemera had such eyes. Radiant blue, bold and bright and wondrous. His own eyes were a cold, crystalline shade of the same color. Hemera's eyes were warm, with a touch of mischief, dazzling intelligence, and whole-souled devotion. His were cool, calculating, and dedicated. Not to a person, but to a cause.

A just cause, he knew. The worthiest cause. Save the universe. Save countless lives, both the living and yet unborn. Help restore order to the chaos the Denebian Empire had unleashed for the past six thousand years.

All it cost were the lives of the people he actually cared for.

It was wrong to weigh lives against each other. The value of one life… any life… was equivalent to the value of another. Despite the pull of his heart, he could not weigh one particular life above others.

Even if it were Spectra. Even if it were Hemera before her.

Of course, his reasoning didn't dull the sharp pain that stabbed his soul. Nor could it quiet the burn of his conscience. He could not surrender the Diadem, even for Spectra; though he knew he would be forever broken if he lost her.

Although… he had lost her love thirty years ago… as he lost Hemera.

That could not be helped. He simply couldn't

have participated in the Krylian Wars. He was light years distant, and there were so many other great warriors at her side, he wasn’t needed. If he were, the High Father would have summoned him. On Edenia, he was desperately needed, by the remaining Midjinari, and by the Diadem itself. But for all Hemera loved him, she never needed him.

Had she needed him that day? Did she cry for him when the edge of the Prince's blade sank into her flesh, permanently severing soul and body?

Her death crushed him… but he had a glimmer of consolation. She had died, along with dozens of others in the climactic battle. But the Denebians were defeated. Kryl was saved, thanks to their efforts. Thanks to her

effort.

Hemera donned her armor knowing her life was in jeopardy. She had chosen the life of a Warrior of Light, though her battlefield was slightly different than Gaius'. She had chosen to shed her blood for the lives at stake. He had chosen to shed his for the weapon that would eventually stop the bloodshed.

And though they were separated, he knew she was at rest. Her blood won life for the two billion inhabitants of Kryl, and all the planets their technology would have massacred in Denebian hands.

But he could not so easily reason Spectra's death.

If Phaedra were true to her word, Spectra would die because of him. He could not be blamed for protecting the Diadem… she would never hold that against him. But, he sent for her. He asked her to come to either help him, or carry out his mission in his stead.

I never should have summoned her,

he mourned, his unblinking stare drinking in the radiant blue that rapidly dwindled. She hasn't even spoken to me for decades… yet she would come for me. And I have sacrificed her… for nothing.

Spectra would not die fighting. She would not die to save a planet, or a system. She would die because she was foolish enough to try and save him

.

He didn't need to summon Spectra. He could have used the Ireli sphere to contact Luminus… perhaps he could have dispatched the Star Riders. The High Father knew the value of the Diadem, in a way most others could not.

Yet in his moment of need, he reached for Spectra. He wanted her to witness his sacrifice. He wanted her to understand how important the Diadem was. He didn't leave because he didn't love them… the Diadem was just that

important.

He wanted… to say goodbye.

She never forgave him for Kryl. He couldn't depart this world knowing she still hated him.

"Poor Gaius, you look like you've just lost your best friend. Or... worse?"

Ice eyes slid from the gentle blue glow to the harsh red gaze that flashed with... something.

Was she jealous, perhaps, that he could love again? Or mirthful, for having caused him yet more

pain. Or... perhaps... conflicted, for doling such pain.

He would like to think the latter; that Phaedra was incapable of being so unbearably cruel to feel no remorse for the damage she would do. But, he was no fool.

Ice eyes slid back to the comforting blue. "I believe I still have seventeen minutes left."

Unsurprisingly, the blue light vanished from existence, leaving only darkness, and the crimson eyes that burned his skin. "Your seventeen minutes are now up."

"I see you've grown impatient in your old age."

She glared at him. "And you've apparently grown suicidal."

He heard her heels tap against the floor... closer to him.

"The Diadem."

"We've already danced this dance," he reminded her.

"Would you let her die?"

Silence. Then: "Yes."

His tone was mournfully accepting, which threw gasoline on the fires of Phaedra’s frustration. Her patience was thinning into nonexistence.

"What is it that hurts you more, Empress? That I refuse to surrender the Diadem, or that I am refusing you

?"

Her fists clenched... yet he could not see them. "You cannot hurt me at all, Traitor. But I can hurt you... hurt you beyond imagining and recovery."

"I can live with pain. And you... you will live with failure. Both for losing the Diadem, and losing any hold you ever had on me."

He heard the flight of fabric, and then a sharp sting drew moisture to his eyes. He rubbed his cheek instinctively, marveling at her outburst. She slapped me!

The act of a spurned lover... not an Empress punishing a traitor to the throne.

"This is your last chance," she warned, her voice a venomous hiss, "If you incur my wrath, there will be no end to your pain! You will suffer, lost in the throes of anguish, fever and hallucination, until you ultimately die! Tell me, Lord

Gaius... do you recall the Blight?"

His breath caught in his throat. He did remember the infamous Uqarian disease from his studies on Denebia.

Why is she changing her threat? Could it mean Spectra is... safe?

His heart soared at the prospect, but he cautiously kept his tone neutral. "Yes, I recall. And your threats will not swerve me, Phaedra."

The way he spoke to her, with scorn and malevolence... the way he spat out her name, like it tasted bitter on his tongue... made her snap. With fury billowing in her soul like the heart of a star, she stormed out of his prison, and marched down the hall.

The guard positioned outside the call trembled when his gaze met the crimson rage of the Empress' eye.

"You," she growled, snatching the collar of his uniform, "Find Mor'se, and send him to my chamber with the Blight."