From the depths of space, two alien armadas convergeon a small solar system containing a shining gem called Earth. To one armada the planet represents a resource it can harvest, to the other an obstacle in its mission of revenge. Dade never gave much credence to extraterrestrial life until the day he was abducted. In an experiment intended to create a means of communication with Earth’s inhabitants, his memories are transferred to an alien conscript named Teela. As the probability of victoryin their pursuit of revenge falters, all hope rests on an unlikely alliance with the leaders of Earth. Using Dade’s knowledge and memories, Teela must rise above her humble origin to stop a mutiny, and arrange for communications with the hostile planet. However, she soon discovers she has received more than just his memories, and the success of the mission, and her continued survival, will depend on her ability to moderate the stubborn and unrelenting essence of Daedalus Rimes.
H.W. Lewis had a childhood fascination with the science fiction tales that appeared in comic books, on television, and in the Saturday matinees. After high school, he spent six years serving in the United States Navy aboard nuclear submarines, and has since worked over twenty-five years in the nuclear industry. He maintains that the concept of life beyond the confines of our planet is not only possible, but a reality for those adventurous enough to dream and write of the possibilities. H.W. Lewis has two adult children, and enjoys living on the Central Coast of California with his wife. He has finished writing his second book Daedalus Rimes, Afterdeath, and is now at work on his third in this series.
As soon as the wraps were removed, he lurched forward, feebly grabbing the creature next to him, his swollen useless hands holding it in a weak embrace. The electrical crackling sound of the alien weapons energizing caused him to freeze. The recent memory of that sound, the crushing impact of their discharge, and the shooting pains he felt even now in his chest and abdomen warned him of the agony he was inviting. The hum of the weapons seemed to come from all around. He was definitely not alone with this creature. The alien removed its hand from his shoulder and moved up to the wrist he was holding onto it with, not tightly, but very softly. It began to quietly purr again, while gently attempting to tug his arm from its shoulder. Dade could feel both the alien’s hand and shoulder were trembling.
It’s shaking with fear, I’ve frightened it. They may be trying to show me they mean no harm, and I’m attacking them. The memories of the events leading to his capture raced through his mind. Ruth said the alien ships started to attack each other, why would they do that? It didn’t make any sense, unless they were attacking the aliens that were attacking us. These aliens are different than the ugly little toads Bill and I had killed. Margaret had said we killed four of them when they boarded our ship. My God, what have I done? Dade thought, waves of doubt challenging the decisions he had made, arriving as an uncomfortable chill in the pit of his stomach, as they always did whenever he made a serious irreversible mistake.
Dade released his grip, and the alien set his arm back at his side while gently nudging him to lay back. Dade didn’t resist, his mind was drowning in thoughts of the possible consequences for attacking these creatures if, they had in fact, rescued them. And if they had, and were attacked for their trouble, why would they show him any kindness at all?
He felt the wraps being put back on, and instinctively struggled against them. The gentle touch and soft purring convinced him that no harm was intended, and he relaxed, allowing himself to be bound, resigned to accept whatever fate awaited him. The alien that had been touching him moved away, Dade could hear them talking in their animal like growling and clicking sounds. Something was placed over his face, not touching it, but close, surrounding his head and muffling the sounds in the room. A few minutes later he heard a hissing sound, followed by a bitter smell and burning sensation in his nose and mouth. A feeling like he was suffocating overwhelmed him, and he convulsed involuntarily in an effort to escape the source.
A soft dark pillow, further muting the sounds around him, enveloped his head and mind, the pain he felt disappeared into the creamy thick darkness that swallowed him into its warm embrace. A voice spoke to him from somewhere in the blackness that surrounded him, not a voice, but rather a thought. He felt weightless, without physical form, gliding through the black void. The voice was inviting him to follow, asking for his first thought.