Race Rivalry (Gate Ghosts Book 3) Read online

  RACE RIVALRY

  Gate Ghosts Book 3

  S. H. JUCHA

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

  Copyright © 2022 by S. H. Jucha

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Published by Hannon Books, Inc.

  www.scottjucha.com

  ISBN: 978-1-7375537-2-4 (e-book)

  ISBN: 978-1-7375537-3-1 (softcover)

  First Edition: January 2022

  Cover Design: Damon Za

  Acknowledgments

  Race Rivalry is the third novel in the Gate Ghosts series, which relates the stories of the descendants of Earth’s fourth colony ship.

  I wish to extend a special thanks to my independent editor, Joni Wilson, whose efforts enabled the finished product. To my proofreaders, Abiola Streete, David Melvin, Ron Critchfield, Pat Bailey, Tiffany Crutchfield, and Jwayne, I offer my sincere thanks for their support.

  Despite the assistance I’ve received from others, all errors are mine.

  Glossary

  A glossary is located at the end of the book.

  Contents

  1: Conglomerate

  2: Anomaly’s Surprise

  3: Harlyn’s Message

  4: Ceda’s Thoughts

  5: Hacker Hunt

  6: Julien

  7: Nira’s Offer

  8: Samuel’s Phase Two

  9: Phase Three

  10: An Unlikely Visitor

  11: Lisa’s Tour

  12: Teaching Moments

  13: Dome Foundations

  14: Lazama’s Revenge

  15: Deadly Encounter

  16: Vivian’s Reflection

  17: Disruptions

  18: Samuel’s Fate

  19: Council’s Surprise

  20: Evolve or Devolve

  21: Clone Demands

  22: Reflection’s View

  23: Who’s Signaling?

  24: Upgrades

  25: Imperium Appointees

  26: Numerals

  27: Story Time

  28: Nira’s Gifts

  29: Repair Intimidation

  30: Reflection’s Return

  31: Vortex Mysteries

  32: Alien Probe

  33: Densing Detection

  34: Double Trouble

  35: Jubilation

  Glossary

  My Books

  The Author

  1: Conglomerate

  KILMER, DAIMLER SYSTEM

  PURE POUR PLANET

  “We’re listening,” Miriamal said. She and other Beta One sisters had sailed to Kilmer aboard the Dominance to hear the requests of the assembled chairpersons.

  At Miriamal’s invitation, Chairpersons Lisa Dyehouse, Karl Denham, and Frank Allbers had joined the sisters aboard their ship.

  “We’re loath to make the announcements you request about the conglomerate’s formation and the alliance of our three mining worlds with your sisters,” Lisa said.

  Galena sent to Miriamal and Helena.

  Helena replied.

  Galena inquired.

  Miriamal sent.

  Using a human gesture, Miriamal spread her hands to Lisa to indicate the chairperson should continue.

  “The conglomerate’s purpose is expansion, but there aren’t many known wormholes left to explore,” Lisa said. “The most promising one is located close to this system. An investigation by your ship should quickly inform us of the worthiness of our enterprise.”

  Helena commented to her sisters.

  “If we discover a suitable system to exploit, we’ll expect the twin announcements to be made immediately,” Miriamal said.

  “Understood and agreed,” Lisa replied.

  “The journey will be swift through the anomaly,” Miriamal said. “However, we’ll rely on passive data accumulation. That will require time.”

  “You can reposition your ship through space extremely quickly,” Karl pointed out. “Why not move it close to any system you spot? That would severely decrease the monitoring time, wouldn’t it?”

  The sisters were careful to limit their vocal responses to the humans to soft chuckles. Whereas, they’d sent jangling and clashing sounds to one another.

  “We didn’t expect to discover your race when we exited the Satchel anomaly,” Helena replied. “Humans in this area of space have believed they were alone for many centuries, but the galaxy is crowded with hundreds of races. Traveling via the anomalies presents an increased possibility of discovering other races. It pays to be careful.”

  What Helena didn’t say was that the Omnians had encountered many a well-armed and dangerous race, and the sisters were ill-prepared to handle contentious encounters.

  “Can you estimate the amount of time the journey would take you?” Frank asked.

  Galena shared.

  Miriamal admonished.

  Galena replied. She was referring to her tendency to harshly verbalize her reactions to the humans, and Miriamal and Helena knew that.

  “Why are you inquiring about the length of time that we’ll be gone?” Miriamal asked. Rather than focus on Frank, she directed her question to Lisa.

  “We wish to sail with you,” Lisa replied.

  “We would hear why that’s important to you,” Helena said. To Lisa’s querying frown, she replied, “It’s not that you wouldn’t be welcome aboard the Dominance, but we wish to understand your motivation.”

  Galena volunteered to her sisters.

  “We’ll be risking our companies and our personal livelihood,” Lisa replied. “Much depends on what you find. We want to witness the discoveries not just watch imagery that you might record.”