Condition Evolution 4 by Kevin Sinclair (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

“Sorry, have I misheard? Did you say Torax?” Ogun asked.

“That’s right,” Ember replied with a grin.

“I’ve heard of them even in our part of the galaxy, a notorious bunch known for causing quite the ruckus over here,” he chuckled. “Don’t they explode?” he asked with a wide smile on his face. It warmed my heart to see after the horror of his initial waking.

“They make awesome crewmates, and their abilities are quite special,” I answered. “We went on to recruit a number of Veiletians too.”

“They’re a race I am not familiar with, I'm afraid.”

“There are very few of them scattered across the galaxy, and those still free are very secretive. It certainly helps that they can go invisible, but that’s also why they’re highly coveted as slaves,” Ember offered.

“It is hard not be amazed and impressed. To go from the troubled position I left you both in, to building your own very specialist crew. I suspected there was something special about you both, even without your Potential score, Shaun.”

I noticed Jezai and Ialos cast quizzical looks at each other, but ignored them for now.

“There’s more. We added bounty hunters to our ever growing list of enemies. They were looking for Elyek, the Veilitian and you’d be surprised who picks up bounty hunting work these days. It turned out we just so happened to know these particular bounty hunters, the Thoth and Seshat no less. They are now part of our army, or company, call it what you like, known as the Uprising.”

Tears welled in his eyes. “You have the other humans? I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear that.”

“It was a happy day for us too, I can tell you. We’re so much stronger with them on board, and we had the opportunity to tender for well-paying mercenary work. Raise our profile and fund our future. And importantly for you, allowed us to emerge victorious from another battle with the Fystr!” She laughed when she said it and Ogun’s eyes sparkled at this point of the conversation.

“You beat them? Unbelievable. They were a tremendously powerful squad.”

“Yup, as usual they underestimated what we can do. They believed they were so much better and died because of it. And of course the awesomeness of the Uprising. We took their ships with your body on board. Then we...”

“Hold on a moment!” Ogun said loudly. “You can't skip over a major battle against 40 Fystr like that. How did you achieve it?”

“It was a sight to behold. Everyone worked in unison. If it wasn't for the Torax and Veiletians, it would have been a hugely different story, but everyone played their part. As for Heiliun, Shaun obliterated him outright,” Ember recounted.

“That’s not technically true, is it? Whilst I would’ve killed him, it was Havok who did the deed, but that’s a story for another day. Suffice to say, Ogun, it was a great bloody battle,” I added.

“While it warms my heart to hear, I should warn you that it is only a matter of time before they catch up with us. When they do, we are all in serious trouble. The fleet is now being led by Samire, of all people. Second only to the Emperor, and if he is involved, it means they will stop at nothing to contain us,” Ogun said, his posture dropping noticeably as his mind went to whatever he knew was coming our way.

“We always knew that we’d face a ton of them at some point. We’ll deal with it as best as we can when it happens.” I shrugged as I spoke.

“I’m inspired by your nonchalance, Shaun. Thank you for that. I must say, finding you with a little army full of life and confidence has given me hope that I've not had since we were on Earth. The burning question in my mind now is where exactly are we? I don't recognize these medics, and correct me if I’m wrong, but they appear to be human, possibly even Fystr. Have you offered amnesty to some Fystr? I confess to feeling disoriented with my mind reeling, trying to take it all in.”

“I'll finish my story then, shall I?” Ember said.

Ialos smirked at the exchange.

“So, back to the part where we rescued you. From there we joined the Empire's fleet to assist in the battle with the Dark Sector...”

“What is the Dark Sector? I am not familiar with that either,” Ogun interrupted, then had the good sense to look apologetic.

“This is where it gets ever more interesting. When Shaun managed to convince the entire Galactic Empire fleet to turn on us and attack, we had to move fast. Our beloved leader here,” she said, pointing at me over her shoulder with a smirk, “decided to fly us directly into the enemy lines. Honestly, if it had been anyone else who’d given that order, I would’ve knocked them out. But you know how he is. You learn to just ride the Shaun shit wave. So I sat back and enjoyed the ride. Turns out, not all Fystr agreed with suppressing their own people, and the ones who didn’t scarpered far from the Fystr occupation to the furthest part of the galaxy. Here.” She grinned as she delivered the news she knew would shock him.

Ogun’s jaw dropped. “That's not possible.” His head swung to Ialos. “Is this true?”

“What your friend says is true, although I was not around at the time we relocated. I am only four thousand years old.”

I let out an involuntary snort at the casual, I am only four-thousand-year-old statement, then checked out my feet when everyone looked in my direction.

“You would be better served asking Jezai.” She gestured at him. “He was there for the great departing.” All heads swiveled to Jezai, who looked no bloody older than anyone else in the room.

“Yes, Ogun. I was indeed there when we left the Empire, and I can promise you that not all Fystr at the time were power-crazed.”

Ogun had a look of