The Ocoda Chronicles Book 1 Paladin Read online

  THE OCODA CHRONICLES BOOK 1

  PALADIN

  Daniel O'Connell

  Copyright © 2011 Daniel O'Connell

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 10: 1466236078

  ISBN-13: 978-1466236073

  DEDICATION

  To my Asawa Yovemyl

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I would like to recognize Rio Villegas and his art, which brought so much life to this Book, and to Mike Gaffey, Markham Scott, Jeff Cohen, Tamara Bauer, Charlene Copley, Rob Bocon, David Persons, Sabrina "Snazzzy" Viola, Jim "Dozer" Deming, Ray Terpeny, Neven Recchia, and the wonderful people of the Philippines

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE ATTACK

  Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered? Wondered what our forefathers thought when they looked out into the heavens? Did their ignorance go so far as to believe that the universe revolved around us alone, and that we were all so self-important that everything was created for the human race. Imagine . . . No. Don’t imagine. Better still, prepare for when those frail beliefs are finally confronted with the truth. We are not alone. Others out there believe the universe was created for them and they are prepared to take it.

  The year is 2075, April 9, at 3:45 am. The place is Houston, Texas, at NASA's Mission Control Center. An engineer sits at his control panel, drinking his coffee, trying to keep himself awake. The air conditioning is on full blast and keeps the air at a cool 65 degrees. The air is cold and stale, as our engineer struggles to stay awake to study the different geological structures on Mars, a task he has done every night for the past two months. He is using the newest and most sophisticated planetary probe ever built by the United States. This exploratory program has cost the U.S. more than forty billion dollars.

  The probe's advanced sensors and holographic imaging hardware have set the space program over budget for a decade, but any hope of colonizing the red planet depends on what this probe can find.

  The probe's scanner picks up an extremely powerful energy reading, from far above the atmosphere. The engineer jumps from his seat, spilling coffee all over himself and his control panel. He yells out in complete shock, "What the hell!" His supervisor looks over, noticing the outburst and then charges over. He angrily screams, "What the hell are you doing? That is a million-dollar holoscreen you idiot! If you damaged it, you will never work anywhere again!"

  The engineer still in shock at what he has just seen looks at his screen and points. "Look at that, sir." An image shows what appears to be an energy trail crossing the horizon of Mars’s upper atmosphere and heading off into the distant asteroid field.

  The supervisor asks excitedly, "Did you get any readings on what made this?"

  The engineer sits back down at his desk and punches a few buttons on his control panel. Soon there appears an image of a large metallic object just briefly passing on the edge of the probe's scanners.

  The supervisor's eyes go wide and his jaw drops. He says, "I have to make a call. Try to lock onto that thing’s trail."

  It is twelve days later. The control center is fully staffed with high-ranking military personnel and government officials, all watching as the probe finally moves into the range of what created the energy trail. As they maneuver through the asteroid field, the holocamera picks up movement and a sudden flash of light.

  The probe immediately focuses on a metallic object of immense size. More than one hundred and sixty meters long, thirty meters wide, and forty meters tall, with four large glowing orbs on its aft section. This unknown object turns quickly, and then there is a brief moment when this unknown object is pointing in the direction of the Mars probe. Suddenly, a blinding light flashes across the holomonitor. NASA loses all contact with its Mars probe.

  The room is in complete awe. Officials quickly get on their holophones, as the room is abuzz with what has just happened. The U.S. government will orchestrate a complete cover-up, and no one in the room will speak about what has happened. The world news agencies report that NASA has lost contact with the Mars probe.

  Four years later in Boston, Massachusetts, at Logan International Airport, the date is March 21, 2079. In the four years that have passed, the Earth's governments have spent more time hiding the truth than dealing with it, and today that misguided action will have devastating results. However, even though a darkness approaches, a small beam of hope is about to shine.

  "Caleb! Come help me NOW!" A beautiful American Filipina yells out, as she stamps her feet in complete frustration. She is holding suitcases and coats in one arm and a small girl in the other. A young boy holds onto her leg.

  Her name is Emily Ocoda, and the man she is calling out to is her husband, Caleb Ocoda, an American Filipino and former C.A.G officer in the U.S. Navy. Caleb, having just recently retired from active duty has started out in his new job, flying a private jet between Boston and New York City.

  Caleb took this job after fifteen years in the Navy so he could finally spend more time with his children, Domingo, age four, and Carla, age three. However, after today, that will never happen.

  Caleb laughingly replies as he rushes to help her, "Come on, you sexy pinay, I have to get to New York and you're going to make me late again." He smiles, thinking to himself. How did this crazy girl turn my entire life on its head? Nothing is the same, nothing is easy, and I have never been happier.

  Emily sarcastic smiles back, shakes her head, and answers, "You have plenty of time. Don't you dare make me rush, Caleb Ocoda."

  He smiles back, shaking his head in disbelief as he goes to help Emily strap Domingo and Carla into their seats.

  Then Caleb, along with his copilot and engineer, Valentine Arao prep the jet. Valentine, often called Val, is Emily's older brother and Caleb's best friend.

  Val smiles, "You know my sister Cale. If you make her wait god help you, but it's Ok, if she makes you wait."

  Caleb laughs, replying, "Yes, I know Val, I am married to that loko sister of yours."

  Emily huffs in annoyance and says, "Well Mr. Ocoda, we can fix that. I am sure you can find another Pinay to put up with you."

  Caleb rolls his eyes. "We're only teasing sweetheart. Geesh, you have no sense of humor!"

  After closing the flight door, the jet begins to taxi down the runway only fifteen minutes behind schedule. Eight minutes later, they receive their clearance, and the jet takes off. Flying at more than six hundred ninety mph, the jet reaches New York City in just twenty minutes, easily making up the lost time.

  Val looks over to Caleb with concern, saying, "Brother, you’re pushing these engines like you're still your alter ego, super pilot Paladin."

  Caleb smiles, "Paladin is retired friend. I'm just trying to make us on time for work."

  Hearing the name Paladin, Emily complains in annoyance, "Oh no! I don't want to hear that name again. Paladin is gone. He's just my slow poke boring husband, now and forever."

  "Yes, dear.” Caleb smirks. "Commander Caleb “Paladin” Ocoda is no more."

  A moment later, Emily calls out, "Cale, can't you drop us off at my parents’ house?" She giggles and then sticks out her tongue out at Caleb.

  Caleb smugly replies, "Yeah, sure, let me just land her on the street out front of your parents' house." Caleb rolls his eyes at his wife and then smiles as he shakes his head in disbelief.

  Emily annoyed by Caleb’s comment huffs, folds her arms, and turns away from Caleb. She playfully turns again, sticking her tongue out at Caleb once more.

  Emily giggles and begins playing with Domingo and Carla. Both children follow their mother's example and stick their tongues out at their father.

  Caleb jokingly responds, "Ok children, and I do mean CHI
LDREN! Don't make me come back there." Caleb whispers to Val with a devilish smile, "That will shut them up."

  Val laughs back in disbelief, "Yeah, sure it will Captain."

  Emily and the children all say, "Woooooh."

  Val then turns to Caleb with a laugh. "Sorry brother, I think you have lost that tough guy image."

  Cale shakes his head and sighs, "Yeah, looks like it." He looks over at his wife and children, smiling, as he realizes that his life has meaning outside the military.

  Finally, after being in flight for twenty-nine minutes the holocom gives Caleb his landing instructions at JFK's runway three. Caleb hastily lands the jet well ahead of schedule, allowing him fifteen extra minutes to escort his family to the street in front of the airport. Caleb walks with Emily and his children, grabbing them a taxi.

  Emily anxiously, asks, "Cale, you are coming back tonight, to spend time with the family?"

  Caleb, confidently replies, "You can count on it." Caleb gives her a quick kiss continuing, "I have to bring the jet back here to New York tonight anyways for some routine maintenance after I drop these corporate stuffed shirts off back in Boston." Caleb thinks to himself. She is an incredible woman. He hugs his children, kisses Emily once again, and waves to them as their taxi drives off. Just across the street, and unnoticed by Caleb an oddly dressed couple stares intently at Caleb. They then quickly jump into a cab and follow Emily and the children out of the airport.

  A few minutes later, Caleb returns to the jet where he can see Val tinkering with the port side engine. Oh boy, here it comes, my lecture on beating on the engines again.

  Val, frustrated, turns to Caleb and says, "You know brother, you shouldn't push this jet like it's one of your old Navy fighters.” Val sighs, continuing. “Now this engine is acting up, the oil pressure is down fourteen percent. Geez Cale! You're not Paladin super pilot of the Navy anymore, the big wigs will not like buying a new engine because you're hot rodding their company jet around."

  Caleb thinks to himself with amusement, Val's thoughts are always being the caretaker trying to make sure everything goes well, and he is always trying to fix everything. Industrious and smart, along with his simple approach to everything just amazes the hell out of me.

  Caleb, unconcerned and smiling replies, "Well, brother, if your sister could actually be on time for a change, I wouldn't have to hot rod the company jet now would I? Val, please, you need to stop bringing up my Navy call sign, you know how much she hates it." Caleb laughs as he looks out across the runway, "The jet is scheduled for routine servicing this week anyways. I planned on flying it back here tonight and then spend some time with the family."

  Val sighs in disbelief. "Brother, I think my sister's bullheaded nature has rubbed off on you."

  Caleb pauses for a moment, leaning against the jet and still looking out across the runway, he asks, "You sure you don't want to come with the kids Val?"

  Val, still focused on the engine answers, "Can't Cale. I have to bring the kids to the Doctor tomorrow. It took us a month just to get all three kids' appointments at the same time."

  Caleb sighs, replies, "Well, you know Emily, she is going to nag and complain that you didn't come back with me."

  Val laughs, saying, "Yeah brother, she loves to complain. It's been one of her favorite things to do as long as I can remember. I had to listen to it for 21 years until you married her. Now it's your turn, Cale."

  The two continue laughing as they wait for the corporate executives to board.

  Caleb is finally able to take off 26 minutes later. They quickly reach a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet.

  After several minutes into the flight back to Boston, the holocom suddenly comes alive with reports that a huge fireball from the sky, possibly a meteor, has destroyed the city of Berlin. However, before either man can react to the news, a follow-up report claims it was London. Caleb and Val look at each other in complete disbelief when a third report comes in on the com that it was Paris.

  "What the hell!" Caleb snaps angrily. "Which city is it? Can't these jackasses report the right city? It's simple enough to say which city was hit. Goddamn jackasses, everyone wants to be a news broadcaster!"

  Twenty minutes later, as they circle Logan airport, they wait patiently for landing instructions. Caleb and Val continue to listen to reports of the different cities in Europe being destroyed, one after the other, as they circle waiting for permission to land. Caleb thinks to himself. What the hell is going on? This isn't a freak accident; we're under attack by someone.

  Val surprised, suddenly yells out, "Cale! We got something big coming in on the radar, and its right above us!"

  Caleb quickly looks everywhere above and asks, "Where? Val, give me a vector. What is it? Where is it?"

  "It's coming from directly above!" Val yells, "It's heading towards the heart of Boston, and we're right in its path, and Cale, its fast, really fast!" Val immediately looks over his instruments again and makes a decision. "Cale, listen to me." Speaking clearly Val says, "Take heading three-three niner now."

  Caleb speaks over the radio to the passengers, "Everyone buckle in we have something heading towards us.” I gotta get us out of this now. Please God just one more time, let me see my family again.

  Caleb, a highly decorated and skilled pilot maneuvers the jet away from the incoming object at top speed. Then out of nowhere, he sees something right next to his window, a blue glowing orb. In an instant, he says in alarm, "What the hell is that?"

  "VAL!" Caleb yells, "What is that thing?"

  Val quickly looks up from his instruments, answering, "What, Cale? I don't see anything."

  The blue orb moves off at a blinding speed towards the incoming fireball that is just now coming into sight.

  Caleb, looking around finally sees the blue orb again, and yells, "There it is Val, it’s heading towards the fireball. It's moving like a missile." Come on man look up, I'm not crazy, look.

  However, before Val can look the fireball explodes, sending a massive shock wave and debris towards the jet.

  Val terrified, yells, "Cale!"

  Caleb doesn’t think he just reacts. He dives the jet wildly spinning and twisting, his adrenaline pumping hard, as he tries his best to avoid the debris from the exploded fireball. However, as good as Caleb is, there is just too much debris, the jet is hit and takes serious damage to its left wing and engines.

  Val panics, yelling out, "Cale! We lost power to the port side engine. I'm trying to restart it!"

  Caleb holds the jet in a 30-degree pitch, still plunging the plane towards the deck below. With some incredible skill, he holds the jet together. The jet shakes violently, like its being pulled apart as Caleb rapidly descends.

  "Hold tight!” Caleb yells, "I'm putting her down now!" We're not going to make it! That wing is going to rip off!

  Val terrified yells, "Cale! That's no runway! That’s the interstate!"

  Caleb turns his head to Val, and asks, "You have an alternative brother?" Caleb suddenly notices that the jet is stabilizing. "What is going on?" Surprised, he questions, "What's holding this plane together? It seems to be getting tighter!"

  The plane dives hard to the interstate below. Caleb lowers the landing gear, and brings the crippled jet in for an emergency landing on the interstate highway, just outside of Boston. The crippled plane stops amazingly short within only a few hundred yards of travel down the interstate.

  What's even more surprising is that Caleb avoids hitting any traffic on one of the busiest interstate. Just then, the damaged engine and most of the wing fall off from the plane.

  Caleb, shaken up screams out in complete frustration, "What the hell is going on?" This is insane, what the hell is happening?

  Then Caleb realizes the situation and says aloud, "Oh my God, Emily!"

  Val quickly starts to evacuate the plane, as the holocom in the cockpit rattles off that there are more of those fireballs heading all over the upper hemisphere of North America.

  Caleb gr
abs his holophone and calls Emily. Her image quickly appears in front of him. Emily is holding Domingo in her left arm, she smiles happily, "Yes Darling."

  "EMILY!” Caleb, panicked yells, "Get your family out of the city right now!" Caleb says under his breath "Run girl! Please don’t ask me why, just do it, please!"

  Emily now confused answers back, asking, "What darling? What's wrong? What's going on?"

  Caleb hears people in the background saying. "Look in the sky. What is that thing?" Someone else yells out from behind Emily. "OH my god!"

  Emily is now terrified and calls out to Caleb, "What is going on Cale? What is that…?”

  Caleb panicked screams, "Get out of the city now. Run! Noooooooooo!"

  The line goes dead. Emily's image disappears as a massive explosion in the far distant horizon appears.

  Caleb collapses to his knees as emergency crews arrive on the scene of his crippled jet.

  The following day news reports come from all over the world. The Earth's governments are in complete turmoil.

  Hundreds of millions lay dead or missing in the rubble left after the devastating attack. It is easily determined to be a coordinated attack, but no one knows who or what has attacked the planet. Panic, riots, and fear dominate the entire globe.

  Four more additional days pass, as all the world's military remain on high alert. Many countries have imposed martial law to control their panicked population, as they try to retain some form of civility.

  The world news agencies report that the cities of Berlin, Paris, London, Dublin, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Beijing, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg have all been destroyed and the list continues. In just twenty-four hours, many of the world's major cities lay burning. It is estimated that more than one hundred million lives were lost in this brutal attack.

  Rescue crews search the devastated ruins of these cities in hopes of finding any survivors. There are very few. Some barely cling to life, as others are so horrifically scarred that they defy any reasonable means of identification.