The Ocoda Chronicles Book 3 Ronin Read online

Abe recalling the event becomes embarrassed and so aggravated he says, “Fine, touch the damn thing.”

  Carla, finally unobstructed reaches her hand out and touches the device. The moment she touches it a blue light envelope’s her and the device, instantaneously a holoimage appears of a well-known man he speaks, “Hello my Little Flower, I’ve missed you.”

  Carla is frozen in an emotional overload as she looks into the image of her father.

  CHAPTER TWO

  CALEB

  The image of Caleb hovers above the mysterious device having recently been powered by Carla’s touch. Abe is in total astonishment, as the holoimage moves off the table and begins to speak, “You must be Abraham. It’s good to see you have grown up so well.”

  Carla in tears and barely able to speak asks, “What the hell is this?”

  The image replies, “Well Little Flower this is hundreds of years of my life placed into this device. This device is supposed to help you learn your powers properly, and how to protect yourself and the people of Earth against the T-Challa and the Meli.”

  Abe in total disbelief quickly analyzes the situation and asks, “You’re an interactive program similar to Caviler and Templar, but I’m guessing on a much more considerable degree?”

  The holoimage smiles and says, “Well, I see all that X’ena knowledge I gave you Abraham wasn’t wasted. Yes, you’re right Abraham, but the device is a lot more complex than what you have ever seen to this point in your life. I left this device with the First Ones. It was to be given to Carla after her twentieth birthday.”

  Carla a little more in controlled asks, “Why after my twentieth…. Forget that, where are you Papa?”

  The holoimage replies, “Just like your momma Little Flower, impatient to a fault.”

  Abe laughs, saying, “Tell me about it.”

  The holoimage looks over towards Abe smiling. It continues, “Carla, this is only an interactive program, with as much information that I had up until the time I gave the device to the First Ones. They are thousands of personal messages for you, which are keyed to specific events or questions you may ask. Therefore, to answer that question I would have to say I don’t know where I am at this time, now for why I waited until after your twentieth birthday… Well, that has to do with your Papa Jacks.” The image halts as it powers down.

  Carla grabs the device and yells, “NO! Come back to me please!” Carla drops to her knees in tears completely distraught.

  Abraham, seeing Carla upset, approaches her cautiously. He gently puts his hand on her back, saying, “Carla I think I know why it shut down, and I think I can get it to power up again.”

  Carla, clearly upset continues crying and says, “It doesn’t matter, it’s not him. It doesn’t know where he is, or where my mom is. I’m all alone. This entire stupid thing is just another senseless training program.”

  A voice from the back of the room speaks up, “I’m sorry Carla- I saw the last few moments of the message.” The voice belongs to Val

  Val walks over to Carla. He sits down on the ground next to her, saying, “I know you don’t understand everything your father did, but I can tell you he is the greatest man I have ever known. Everything he does is for a reason and you my Little Flower. You are his greatest reason.”

  Carla, still sobbing leans into her Uncle as Abe holds her hand.

  After a few minutes, Jackson and Qui Shi finally arrive. Slightly upset Qui Shi asks, “Carla what were you trying to do?”

  Carla, continues crying and says, “It’s from my father Mama Qui Shi.”

  Jackson goes over the device and looks at it. He places his hand on it and the device reactivates. The image of Caleb appears, saying, “Hey Jacks, if you’re seeing this then you succeeded in preventing Carla from facing the T-Challa Queen. However, I have put multiple safeguards on this device so in order for it to work you must authorize this program to continue.”

  Jackson confused asks, “Why wouldn’t I allow her to have contact with this device, especially if it’s from you?”

  The holoimage replies, “The device has multiple safeguards incorporated within it to prevent Carla from knowing too much about the alternate future, and in the use of her powers, so if you choose to authorize the device to continue she will be exposed to all that information and knowledge.”

  Qui Shi reluctantly says, “Andrew as much as we have tried to shelter her from this alternate future, I know she has read the minds of many that already have that information.”

  Jackson frowns and says, “Ok, I give permission for the device to continue.”

  The holoimage lights up the room as the room is transformed into a holobased illusion. The device then says, “Carla I know you feel alone and for that I’m truly sorry, but hopefully your mother and brother are with you.”

  The device pauses before continuing, “The next few things I’m about to talk to you about may be difficult for you to accept, but you need to know the truth. In an alternate timeline, you were forced into an early confrontation with the T-Challa Queen. You successfully killed her. However, you released a creature called the Meli. This inter-dimensional parasite feeds on negative psychic energy, so pain, suffering, and sorrow, feed it, making it stronger. The creature is a very powerful psychic being, which has many unique powers unlike anything you may have seen, including the ability to place pieces of itself in any living creature. Those pieces see everything as if the Meli is there. The Meli will try and learn all it can about you and then it will try and possess you Carla.”

  Qui Shi concerned asks, “Why does this Meli want Carla so badly? Why can’t it leave her alone?”

  The holorecording replies, “Carla is the most powerful psychic mind in the galaxy she has no true rival. The Meli wants her power. In the alternate future, it must have tricked her, possibly deceiving her with an image of her mother or me imprisoning her mind and possessed her body. The Meli used Carla’s power to dominate the entire galaxy and far beyond.”

  Jackson concerned asks, “Wouldn’t her symbiot just refuse to follow such an evil creature as this Meli?”

  The holoimage replies, “Carla's symbiot is unable to refuse any command given to it, anymore then Paladin can refuse the orders of Caleb.”

  Carla, still upset, asks, “How much of my father do you know?”

  The device responds, saying, “Carla your father spent the better part of nine hundred years on this device it has answers for as many questions as you can possibly ask. It also has hundreds of thousands of personal recordings your father left for you. These recordings will only activate when certain conditions are reached.”

  Carla asks, “There is an extreme sect amongst the Tof who took mom, how do I get them to release her?”

  The device goes through its database, responding, “Carla you have asked a question for which this device does not have a clear answer for, so it will make its best attempt at answering. Your mother is in danger or trapped, and is being held by someone and you need help in locating her.”

  Jackson interrupts, saying, “We have tried for years to locate her, but the Tof government refuses to help us.”

  The device spools for a moment and says, “Carla you have the power to find her if she is conscious, just as you are able to locate me in the same manner. We will begin training today on how to use your power.”

  Jackson cautiously says, “We should wait till morning for her training to begin”

  The device responds, “As you request Jacks.”

  The device shuts down as Jackson looks up to Qui Shi and says, “Carla, we want to discuss this device before allowing it to start training you. Is that understood?”

  Carla annoyed pleads, “Papa Jacks I’m an adult, and I need you to start letting me develop into the person I’m meant to be. I’m not human. Let me start my training, so I can find my parents.”

  Qui Shi upset says, “Carla, let us discuss this first please. We will talk more in the morning.”

  Carla disappointed walks out of th
e lab. Emotional, she begins to run as Abe begins to chase after her. Carla, however, can easily reach speeds of over eighty miles per hour and as such, Abe quickly loses sight of her. Then young Abraham hears his father behind him sternly, asking, “And for you young man. Just what are you doing, sneaking into the lab like that? Do you know just what could have happened?”

  Abe looks down the empty corridor and turns his head back, saying, “Sorry sir, but sometimes it’s just hard for me to say no to her.”

  Jackson pauses, as he thinks to himself. Cale always said they would find each other. I should have seen this coming.

  Jackson and Qui Shi head back to their room, as Qui Shi reluctantly asks, “Andrew, are you going to let that device show her how to use her powers?”

  Jackson takes a deep breath replying, “Qui Shi I understand completely your concern and I probably agree with you as a parent, but we’re at war with a race that has already killed over hundred million humans. They’re not going away. According to our latest intel, they have spent the better part of the last decade advancing and increasing its military might to levels we can’t even perceive. If Carla doesn’t start to get herself into the game, we may lose her and our son.”

  Qui Shi saddened asks, “So you choose to allow her to sacrifice herself in order to save us all. Is that how you excuse your decision?”

  Jackson sighs and replies, “Being the leader sometimes means sacrifices must be made, and Qui Shi, it was her father, not me who put her in the position. It is his wish that she fulfills that commitment. Not mine.”

  Qui Shi crying says, “Doesn’t make it right Andrew.”

  Jackson lowers his head and says, “No, it doesn’t Qui Shi, no it doesn’t.”

  On the other side of the complex in a restricted area, Carla sits by herself. She is hovering some ten feet from the ground as she reaches out with her mind as far as she can, trying to locate her mother, a chore that she has tried for years to do but without success.

  She is so intensely searching, that she is unaware of Abe entering the room behind her. He sits down and watches her.

  Carla focuses her mind entering her psychic world. She is unrivaled and unstoppable in her psychic form. For years, she has had Qui Shi show her how her powers work. Tonight, she once more moves her mind to the Paladonian moons. A feat she has done hundreds of times before.

  She looks into every mind that she can, trying her best to learn about her family and where they may be. However, this time she meets someone unexpectedly.

  “Hello Child.” The voice comes from a small furry animal that appears to be very much like a teddy bear. This creature moves cautiously in the psychic plane.

  Carla, remembering that her father said the Meli uses trickery to attack people in the psychic plane, immediately puts up her defense fields, and prepares to fight, saying, “Stay away. I know what you are.”

  The small creature says, “No, child, you don’t. You think I’m the Meli that vile creature that possess the T-Challa Queen. I can tell you I am not that foul thing. It doesn’t have the power to reach the Paladonian system. I live here in this system. My power is also limited unlike yours, I cannot move beyond this system and remember child, it was you have that come here. I am not there on Earth.”

  Carla confused asks, “You live on one of the Paladonian moons?”

  The creature joyfully replies, “Yes child, I do, and I have been watching you for many years as you have searched for your family.”

  Carla emotional asks, “Do you know where they are please?”

  The creature sadly replies, “No, child, I have not seen your father in over a thousand years, as for your mother and brother, if they were brought to this system they did so in stasis and as we both know all too well, unless we are right next to them we cannot communicate with them. Least not while in stasis.”

  Carla, now becoming very concerned asks, “Who are you?”

  The unknown creature replies, “You are very much like your father Little Flower, always caring for others more than for yourself. Most people would’ve asked who I was first before asking about their reasons for being here. You are very much your father’s daughter and child; you may call me Allie.”

  Carla still very suspicious, asks, “I know this isn’t your true form. I can feel the deception, so what are you?”

  Allie reluctantly replies, “I’m sorry child, but I’m forbidden by your father to tell you who I am, at least not until certain events have come to pass. Now child, should you try to use your powers to find out my identity I will have to go into hiding, and I can ensure you child that you will never find me, so please don’t push the subject about who I am, please.”

  Carla still curious, asks, “Ok, but can I ask how is it you knew my father, especially over a thousand years ago and still be alive today?”

  Allie replies sadly, “No, child, you cannot, so please let’s focus on finding your family ok?”

  Carla annoyed, asks, “Then what can you do to help me find them?”

  Allie replies, “We have our people placed throughout the Paladonian and the Earth systems. Your father was very careful to hide his location, and he has timed his return upon certain events taking place, until then you must wait. However, as for your mother and brother, I know very little of this Tof sect that took her. They have hidden themselves somewhere far away from the rest of the Paladonian’s. They look at your family as gods, even though it is against your father’s prime laws. They worship him and your family. They must have taken them far away from us.”

  Carla suspicious, asks, “How do you know this?”

  Allie replies, “Because I watched them as they prepared. I saw how they planned to take them, but I couldn’t see where they took them. As I have told you before the Earth is too far for me to see, I do not have your strength of the mind child. I am truly sorry, but all I can tell you about those who left to save them from the T-Challa attack have never returned to the Paladonian system since.”

  Carla still very inquisitive about Allie secretly begins to pry into Allie’s defenses. Carla is psychic without equal, although her power may be unmatched, her skill is still lacking as she tries to sneak around and see whom Allie really is. However, Allie catches her and scolds her yelling, “Carla! If you attempt that again, I will have no choice but to leave, and I can never help you. Please stop that.”

  Carla frustrated asks, “How did you see me? I was very stealthful. Only my father would have caught that probe.”

  Allie replies, “Your father taught me Little Flower. Nevertheless, I must go now, but I will contact you again should we gain any additional information on your family.”

  The psychic avatar vanishes in a flash of light.

  Carla, feeling dejected, pulls back to her body. She lowers herself down to the floor and surveys the area seeing Abe waiting for her.

  Abe, noticing her movement asks, “You were in there for a while. Even for you that was a long time. Have you found anything this time?”

  Carla confused asks, “What do you mean?”

  Abe nonchalantly says, “I know you come here all the time. You always come here to look for them and I know you can search as far as you want to, and you can look in anyone’s mind to read their thoughts. I also know that you have done this every night since your powers became strong enough to let you and I know every time you do this you get angrier and even more upset.”

  Carla now annoyed at Abe asks, “Why are you watching me Abe?”

  Abe lowers his head and says, “Your father put a lot of things in my head Carla. I may not have all your powers, but I do understand them better than anyone, except for mom.”

  Carla lowers her head and sits down next to Abe, saying, “No Abe, I still can’t find them, but thanks for understanding.” Carla thinks to herself. He’s always been here for me. He always helps me no matter how much trouble he gets in for doing it, and I treat him like such a toad.”

  Abe reluctantly replies, “It's ok Carla, you’re my
best friend, always have been.”

  Carla hugs him and says, “Always will be too.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  APPLE OF MY EYE

  The following morning, Carla and Abe head out to the lab, where Val, Qui Shi, and Jackson, wait for them.

  Carla sees them waiting and asks, “So have you made your decision Papa Jacks?”

  Jackson looks over to Qui Shi and says, “Carla, you have been like our daughter since the day we have met you and although we are not your parents. We always thought of you as our own, but the man who put you in this position is your father and he is perhaps the greatest man I have ever known, and if he says it is time for you to learn how to use your abilities, well then, I see no reason to prevent it.”

  Carla happy says, “Thank you Papa Jacks. Thank you Mama Qui Shi.”

  Carla runs down to the lab as fast as she can. She rips through the lab quickly finding the device, having been left just where it was last night. She grabs it up and runs down to the training room at her maximum speed of over eighty miles per hour. Once there, she sits down and opens the device. It activates and the image of Caleb appears, saying, “Hello Little Flower, you have no idea how much I miss you. This is an actual recording of me so it will not interact with you as the program does. I set this recording up to activate when you were alone. Carla my child, it’s been some seven hundred years since I last saw you and not a single moment goes by without you in my thoughts. I’m hoping everything I’ve tried to do has changed the future I witnessed, but regardless of what worked and what didn’t. If you’re seeing this, you have lived past your twentieth birthday untouched by the Meli.

  Carla, you really have no idea how much I missed you, and I promise you that I will see you one more time. I’ve put things into place to make sure that happens. Now my child I need you to use this device and to focus on what it will teach you. You are the best and perhaps only hope of defending the human race against a possible future that could easily result in its extinction.”