Unbearable Failure Read online

  Unbearable Failure

  ML Guida

  Buffalo Mountain Press

  Copyright © 2019 by ML Guida

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Madness Unleashed

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Also by ML Guida

  Chapter 1

  Vaughn, the Intrepid’s science officer, reviewed the same documents on the ship’s computer for the hundredth time. The screen turned blurry. He rubbed his eyes and exhaled a frustrated breath.

  The door to his quarters buzzed open. Dread crawled out of Vaughn’s cramped gut and crept up his dry throat.

  His older brother and captain, Tash, stormed inside with a scowl. His green eyes were dark and the scar on his throbbing cheek was white. He had bags underneath his blood-shot eyes. Strands of brown hair escaped from his ponytail and plastered to his red face. “Why do you have your damn intercom turned off? I’ve been trying to reach you.” His voice was less than pleased, meaning Vaughn was at the bottom of the food chain.

  Heat burned on Vaughn’s cheeks and his ears. He immediately turned off his computer. “I’ve been doing research.”

  Tash crossed his arms over his chest. “Still trying to prove that Dad was a yellow-bellied coward?”

  Vaughn yawned and stretched his arms over his head, pretending that his gut wasn’t about to explode. “No. Not at all. Dad’s a legend. He’s a star captain that everyone wants to be.”

  Tash cast his gaze over him. “You look like crap.”

  He shrugged. “I haven’t been sleeping. Neither have you.”

  “I’m a captain. It’s my job to get my people home safe. I’d like to know why the hell you believe Nucl?”

  Vaughn lowered his arms. “I don’t.”

  “Is that so?” Tash spun his computer and turned on the screen to reveal the last page Vaughn had been reviewing.

  Vaughn winced and avoided his brother’s accusing gaze.

  “Dad was a well-respected star ship captain for the United Planet Confederation.” He pounded his fist on the table. “He’s an admiral, for Shade’s sake.”

  “I realize that Tash, but I need to know. I can’t stop thinking about what Nucl said. His words and face have burned into my mind.”

  Tash narrowed his eyes. “Is this your idea of retaliation because Dad didn’t recommend you to be a captain?”

  Vaughn’s throat tightened. “No.”

  His brother’s eyes clouded over, and he turned away. “Then, you’re a fool. Nucl was completely mad. He betrayed his own people on Sutois.”

  Vaughn wanted to believe him, but the hair on the back of his neck itched and cold chills crept down his back. Always a sign that something didn’t add up. Insanity was just too easy to accept.

  His brother’s shoulders slumped. “I should have stopped him. It’s my fault our people died.”

  “Tash, there was nothing you could do.” Vaughn could still remember the screams, the horror, the constant death, and he shuddered.

  Tash cast him a lost look, then hung his head. “Dad would have found a way. I was the captain. I should have found a way to save my crew.”

  “You’re a great captain, Tash. Better than I’d ever hope to be. You did everything you could do.”

  Tash stared off into space as if reliving that horror. “Not everything. If Ysam hadn’t been there…”

  “It took more than a dragon to take down the Gogs, Tash. It took all of us.”

  Tash gritted his teeth, but didn’t argue.

  Vaughn remembered the day Tash had gotten that scar, how he tried to save a nurse from being dragged off. Tash was lucky he hadn’t been killed.

  Vaughn cleared his dry throat. “Why did you need to talk to me, Tash?”

  “The Czar Kronan has summoned you, me, and Rye.” Ryruc, who they called Rye, was their younger hot-headed brother.

  Vaughn frowned. “Why?”

  “Hell, if I know. I’m sorry if his highness is preventing you from crucifying Dad.”

  Anger flooded through Vaughn’s veins and his face turned red hot. “I told you I don’t want to crucify him. I’m trying to prove that he’s innocent.”

  He was so damn tired of having this argument over and over again with Tash.

  “Anything you find in those files could have been tainted by Nulc.”

  Vaughn met his hostile gaze. “Why are you so determined to hush any evidence?”

  Tash slid around Vaughn’s desk and hauled him out of the chair by his shirt. He was three inches taller than Vaughn and twice as brawny. “Don’t ever accuse me of doing anything improper.” He shook him. “Do you understand me?”

  Vaughn’s heart pounded faster, sending fear through his veins, but he found his spine. He shoved Tash’s hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  Tash went nose-to-nose with him. Vaughn’s bear growled, and his muscles grew thicker. They hadn’t had a brawl since they were cubs, but their deep breaths and stare-down gaze meant they were inches away from having a battle.

  Tash’s telicator beeped incessantly. He moved away from Vaughn. “Tash, here.” He growled his words.

  “Captain, this is Officer Knup. The Czar’s personal guard contacted us again. He seemed quite frantic.” His voice was urgent and nervous. No one wanted to take on Tash when his bear was ruffled.

  “Tell them we will be there within the hour.”

  “Aye, Captain. Over and out.”

  Tash shoved his telicator back in his belt. “Something must be wrong for Czar Konan to be so impatient.”

  A sense of foreboding settled in Vaughn’s bones. He flopped back in his chair. “What do you think its about?”

  “I think Dad had something to do with it.” Tash slowly unwound his fists. He flashed Vaughn a warning look. “For some reason, Dad believes in you even if you don’t believe in him. Drop this nonsense. That’s an order.” His harsh voice stung Vaughn’s pride, but Vaughn kept his mouth shut, refusing to start up the same no-win argument.

  Tash left without waiting for Vaughn to answer.

  “Shit, that didn’t go well.” Vaughn slammed shut his spiral notebook that he’d been taking notes on. He could have used the computer to keep track of his annotations, but he found by writing, he retained more information.

  He gathered his telicator, his transrecorder that he never went anywhere without, and his eruptor.

  The door flashed open and his younger brother, Rye, entered.

  “Doesn’t anybody knock,” Vaughn mumbled.

  “I see you’ve been pissing off Tash again. Mind telling me why?” He had their mother’s dark complexion and her thick black hair, but his temper was his own. Their mother was calm and serene while Rye was as calm as a charging creetees.

  Vaughn ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t get what happened on Sutois out of my mind.”

  Rye rolled his eyes. “You mean you still believe Nucl? The bastard tried to sabotage the Intrepid. Or did you forget that little tidbit?” His green eyes darke
ned and he let loose a guttural growl. As chief engineer, Rye considered the Intrepid to be his baby.

  Vaughn met his fierce eyes. “To be honest, I don’t know. But there was something in his voice, something in his eyes that I can’t shake. I need to know.”

  Rye shook his head. “So you’re going to disobey Tash’s direct order? You’re walking on thin ice, bro.”

  “He told you he was going to order me to stop?”

  “Yup. He’s madder than a seiver bug.”

  Vaughn headed toward the door. “I realize that.” His low voice was heavy with grief. He’d never disobeyed an order from Tash.

  Until now.

  Rye flashed his gaze over him and grinned. “But that’s not what’s only bugging you is, is it?”

  Vaughn stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Why do you ask?”

  “You’ve been starting fights with everyone ever since you returned from Earth.”

  Vaughn stiffened. “What the hell do you mean by that?”

  Rye laughed and slapped Vaughn’s stiff back. “See what I mean. What happened on Earth? Tash is too caught up in his own guilt to notice a change in you. But I’ve noticed.”

  Vaughn wanted to lie, but he was tired of holding back the other thing–a sweet blond with lavender eyes–that had also been robbing him of a good night’s sleep. “It’s Sandra Rotella.”

  “Okay, I give up. Who’s Sandra Rotella?”

  “She’s a scientist on Earth. I met her when I went to heal Walfea at that hospital in Colorado.” Vaughn stared up at the ceiling and sighed.

  Rye raised an eyebrow. “And?”

  “She’s my mate.”

  His eyes widened. “An Earthling? Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. She’s got the star on her wrist, but since she’s human, she has no idea.”

  Rye frowned. “Then why the hell are you here?”

  “Because of…” Vaughn couldn’t finish his statement.

  “Because of this damn obsession of yours.” His soft voice couldn’t hide his disappointment.

  Vaughn refused to banter with another brother. “Let’s go before Tash goes nuclear.”

  Within minutes, he, Tash, and Rye were all on the shuttle craft on their way down to Aria.

  Rye glanced at both of them. “Not talking to each other?” He shook his head. “I thought I was the one with the bad temper.”

  “Just fly the ship,” Tash grumbled.

  Rye entered Aria’s atmosphere and the shuttlecraft rocked back and forth. Heat flared off the wings, but Rye had no problem readjusting the craft to keep from burning up.

  Green oceans, majestic purple and blue mountains, and large land masses came into view. As they descended, the ship flew through fluffy white clouds.

  Vaughn smiled at the busy Capital city of Exalos. Some of the tension pent up in his muscles unraveled. Exalos was home. He missed the tall skyscrapers, brick houses, buzzing aircrafts, and busy roads. If he never saw another jungle, it would be one day too soon.

  Rye flew the shuttle craft to the landing pad. The ornate palace, Gancaster, was outside the city. Czarina Nonna liked her privacy.

  He glanced at Vaughn and grinned. “Looking to see if the Czarina is riding her pet forties Spartacus?”

  “No.” Vaughn’s ears burned hot. Nonna like to ride her beautiful fotite naked. He didn’t know why Czar Konan allowed this, because although fotites were elegant creatures with their elongated necks, silky bodies, and big yellow eyes, they could be unpredictable. If spooked, Spartacus could easily throw her and spear her with his long, sharp horn.

  Tash looked like he wanted to bash their heads together. “Let’s go.” Tash made his way to toward the shuttle door. “The Czar doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

  Guards waited for them as the door opened. Czar had sent his fastest airship that he considered his most prized possession besides his Nonna.

  A guard motioned toward the ship. “Czar Konan asks you to come immediately to the palace.”

  “As he commands.” Tash bowed slightly.

  “Why is he so desperate?” Rye followed.

  Tash glared, as if he’d just asked something sacrilegious.

  Rye only shrugged. Unlike Vaughn, he didn’t cower in the shadow of the great commander of the Intrepid. But then he was the youngest of two great space bears and had to have a spine to survive.

  The ship whizzed past the city at ultra-speed. Five minutes later they emerged from the airship. Vaughn shielded his eyes from the light reflecting off Gancaster Palace. The three-tiered palace looked like it was made of glass and in the shape of a diamond, but the walls and windows were stronger than Titanium. No one could see inside unless the Czar wished it.

  The three of them walked in silence into the palace. Their footsteps echoed across the glass tile. Usually the palace was filled with laughter and lively conversation, but the only sound Vaughn could hear was his pounding heart.

  They glanced warily at each other.

  Something was seriously wrong.

  Rather than leading them to the great room, the guards turned down a corridor that led to the Czar’s and Czarina’s private chambers. A balloon of dread swelled in Vaughn’s gut. This was getting weirder and setting Vaughn’s nerves on edge.

  The guards led them past the large living room area that had three couches, a fire place, and a wooden bar filled with every spirit on Aria and Earth. Czarina had a palate for the wines of Earth.

  A picture window framed the Ontarian Mountains. Purple and white clouds hovered over the tall peaks. He missed going camping up there. Sometimes he needed time alone to get away from the scientific community. Sometimes he just needed to have fun.

  The double doors that led into the Czar’s and Czarina’s master bedroom was wide open and crowded with doctors; all with grave faces, talking in hushed voices.

  “She won’t survive.”

  “She has days, not weeks.”

  “The czar will be lost without her.”

  Nonna was on the bed, her skin paler than the white pillow case. Her face looked strangely stretched across her face as if she were in pain.

  Czar sat on the bed, holding her hand.

  “Konan.” A doctor put his hand on the Czar’s shoulder. “They’re here.”

  The Czar turned around. His matted hair hung in his eyes. He’d a reddish-brown stubbled beard around his normally clean-shaven face. Dark shadows were under his blood-shot green eyes. “Good, you’re finally here.” His voice was drained, as if it took all his energy just to utter those four words.

  Tash bowed. “Your Highness. What happened?”

  “Nonna has been stricken.” He shut his jaw tight and pain flared in his eyes. He was struggling to remain in control.

  Vaughn took a step closer. Her face was flushed with a fever, and her limp brown hair stuck to her red cheeks. Her dull green eyes were sunken into her head. She struggled to breathe. Her tan skin had deep lines and was dry and dusty. She looked as if she had been left out in the sun too long, and all the moisture had been sucked out of her pores.

  “She’s severely dehydrated,” Vaughn interrupted.

  “You think I don’t know that?” Konan’s voice spiked to frustration and he ran his hand through his hair. “She can’t absorb water.”

  A tall gray-haired doctor that Vaughn didn’t recognize handed Vaughn a transrecorder. His tired green eyes said he hadn’t slept in a week. “I’m Dr. Veko. We’ve run tests. For some reason, her body is rejecting Bregalite.”

  Vaughn scanned the report. “Without it, she can’t absorb water.” He frowned. “You think it’s poison?”

  Konan growled, his bear threatening to burst out. “Yes. We believe the Kamtrinians were responsible.”

  Bitterness tinged Vaughn’s mouth and burned his gut. The damn Kamtrinians––every time they turned around they reared their ugly heads.

  Tash swore under his breath.

  Hate flashed in Rye’s eyes.

  “Bu
t we don’t understand how they got past our defenses.”

  Dr. Veko glanced nervously at him. “For some reason, all the women are affected. Unfortunately, the young and the old have died––”

  “Died,” Rye jumped in. “You mean children?”

  Dr. Veko nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately. I have never seen anything like this. None of our medicines work.”

  His face ashen, Tash yanked out his telicator. “All of the women?”

  “Yes.”

  “Intrepid, this is Tash. Come in.” His hard voice had a hint of panic that meant he was about to sprint out of there if Knup didn’t answer immediately.

  “Captain, this is Knup. I read you.”

  “Under no circumstance allow any women to come down on Aria for shore leave. The women down here have been exposed to a poison that is killing half the population. Do you understand?”

  “Aye, Captain. All shore leave will be cancelled for the women.” Knup’s voice was less than thrilled, but ever since Sutios, Tash was hypersensitive about protecting his crew.

  Vaughn didn’t think Tash could relive another horror of watching his crew be decimated and being powerless to do anything. But then who could?

  He handed the transrecorder back to Dr. Veko. “Cronor. You need the mineral Cronor.”

  “Cronor hasn’t existed for over hundred years.” Czar headed over to Vaughn. He put his hands on Vaughn’s shoulders. “You’re the brightest scientist on the Intrepid. All of our hopes and our women’s lives lay in your hands.”

  Beads of sweat broke out all over Vaughn. He wasn’t a hero. “I don’t understand.”

  Konan squeezed one more time. “I’m commissioning you and your brothers to retrieve Cronor. All of our lives depend on it.” Once Konan issued a command, it was a law. To disobey would warrant torture.

  Vaughn drew on his bear strength and buried his instincts. He put on his best scientific face. “Have you contacted the Confederation?”