The Past Read online

  VanWest

  The Past

  Book 1 of VanWest Series

  Kenneth Thomas

  Copyright © 2020

  by Kenneth Thomas

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [email protected]

  FIRST EDITION

  Written in British English

  www.vanwestbooks.com

  ISBN: 978-1-8380561-1-7

  Cover design by Elementi Studio

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1 The Universal Games

  Chapter 2 Pytheas’s Labyrinth

  Chapter 3 Forewarned

  Chapter 4 The Doctor Knows

  Chapter 5 Time Travel Training

  Chapter 6 Leap to the City of Light

  Chapter 7 The Orchestra

  Chapter 8 Beware the Seductress

  Chapter 9 Leap into the Queen’s Nest

  Chapter 10 A Forgotten Friend

  Chapter 11 A Traitor and a Hero

  Chapter 12 To Serve the Universal

  Chapter 13 Back to the Cockroach Farm

  Chapter 14 Leap to Utopia

  Chapter 15 A Killer’s Love

  Chapter 16 The Past

  Chapter 17 The Failed Launch

  Chapter 18 Leap to Judgment Day

  Chapter 19 A New Beginning

  Read More

  Prologue

  The exponential growth of long-distance space travel at the beginning of the 22nd century caused Earth’s health to decline and its population to plummet. Radiation from spacecraft poisoned crops and caused many people to die, eventually leading to the collapse of Earth’s superpowers US and China. By the 25th century, all of Earth’s inhabitants were forced to either live deep underground or seek refuge in the cooler and less polluted Antarctic continent. Whilst most suffered terribly a few found it to work to their advantage.

  Oligarchs controlled large swathes of Antarctica. Acting as feudal overlords, they enslaved these refugees and forced them to undertake dangerous jobs to earn their keep, such as extracting rare-earth metals in hastily built toxic mines. Those convicted of even the pettiest crimes received a fate worse than the mines; a near-certain one-way trip to their deaths in lunar and asteroid work camps to gather the resources needed for the building of ever-larger space fleets and operations.

  Replacing the void left by the fallen superpowers the Oligarchs formed an autocratic governance, later becoming the Universal Council. The addition of high-ranking military officials and influential scientists to their inner circle extended their control and power. Their members began to refer to themselves as the ‘Elites’; virtually immortal thanks to major advances in stem cell technology, many are now hundreds of years old. Their fates, in the year 3000, a stark contrast to those of the downtrodden refugees, which they call the ‘citizens’.

  The Universal Council maintains their power not only through their highly advanced and well-trained forces of Space Army, Inspectors and Enforcers but also through the use of mass propaganda, surveillance, robots, forced famines and purges. Despite all this, opposition survives and, in some settlements, even thrives. The leading rebel group is the Natural Earth Alliance (NEA) who regularly launches skirmishes against the Council.

  Many are adherents to a new age religion called Utopianism: its teachings derived from a once-obscure 20th-century philosopher Hans Ashtar. His followers believe that he correctly foretold that any dream of a Utopian world would end by the 21st century due to the rapid advancement of technology and the immorality of machines, which changed human behaviour for the worse. These adherents see it as their mission to restore Earth to its late 20th-century self.

  The Universal Council reacts to the rise of Utopianism with an iron fist, using their forces to eradicate the adherents from their settlements. Employing their crack police unit of Enforcers as well as the Inspectors charged with interrogations and obtaining confessions to seek them out. Trained at the Universal’s academy located on Earth’s moon, and enhanced with bionics, these still mostly human Enforcers are skilled fighters and astute detectives. Even after graduation, they continue to train regularly with the best, and those ranked Captain or Major earn the chance to compete in the annual Universal Red and Blue Games.

  The Games serve as an important propaganda tool for the Universal Council to show off the might of its forces by pitting one hundred Blue team Enforcers against one hundred Red team Space Soldiers in a race to the finish.

  The Space Soldiers are the most fearsome of the Universal forces, more machine than man, they are cyborgs. Though faster and stronger than Enforcers, their lack of human skills makes them ill-suited for deployment in Antarctica’s densely populated settlements. Less apt at differentiating Utopians from ordinary citizens, they risk far too high casualty rates. The Space Soldiers as their name suggests patrol space, monitor asteroid and lunar work camps in the solar system, and more recently, smaller trading colonies alongside the Inspectors. Their use has increased considerably in recent decades, causing some alarm amongst higher-ranked and older Enforcers.

  The Universal Red and Blue Games hold a great prize for its one victor beyond just prestige for their team: a fast-track to attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel and becoming an Elite as well as gaining much sought after privileges and opportunities like becoming an Elite guard to one of the Universal Council’s immortal leaders.

  Each of the last four years has seen a Red team’s Space Soldier win, and after each victory, they returned even stronger and more cunning. Their streak is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. Nevertheless, Captain VanWest, a recently promoted Enforcer, will be one of the contestants hoping to break it. Relatively young, he has earned his shot after only two deployments, the last being in the Antarctic settlement of ColaBeers. A lucrative, once troubled, area controlled by the powerful Oligarch, and its Mayor Bramsovica since the 23rd century. It was at risk of being overrun by rebels that is until VanWest outfoxed its NEA leader.

  VanWest was able to foresee her well-planned ambush, beyond simply a gut feeling: He could actually see his enemy laying her trap, leading him to call up extra patrol androids, who encircled the area and helped to capture her. Unlike her fellow rebels, she was not killed immediately. Instead, she was painfully tortured to reveal hidden locations before being executed in front of the citizens on ‘Judgment Day’.

  VanWest keeps his ability a secret from the Universal Council, never having felt quite at ease with who he is or with his masters. During his tours he has seen and done many a questionable deed in their name - all of, which were justified under the Universal Council’s commandments and the Enforcer motto of ‘the progression of man and the Universal’.

  His promotion to the rank of Captain gave him the chance to compete for this Elite prize under the tutelage of the Blue team’s last winner Colonel Cornelius, referred to simply as the Colonel. Strict and demanding, the Colonel has rigorously trained VanWest and his ninety-nine fellow Enforcers for every scenario that could possibly occur during the course.

  A man of few words, his mere presence intimidates. His hair short and white, his shoulders broad on a muscular frame, he glowers at all who dare to look him in the eye. Beyond being strong and tough, his edge is an unrivalled ability to adapt his tactics to changing situations and threats as he demonstrated when he won. Upon winning, the Colonel elected to become the guardian of the SCC-400, a super high-tech weaponised ship used to transport the highest-ranking leaders of the Universal Council.

  For his team to have a chance of winning, the Colonel has devised what he believes to be a game-winning strategy. Grouping his Enforcers into twenty-fiv
e specialist teams made up of four-man squads with complementary abilities and training each on how to approach a multitude of likely obstacles, which he hopes will increase the chance of at least one Enforcer being victorious at long last.

  This year the Universal Games are being held inside a magnetic dome on the mountains of Crete, the former Greek island situated in the incarnadine brine of what was once the Mediterranean Sea but is now a barren landscape with extremely high levels of radiation. The event is broadcasted to all the citizens of the Solar System; and although no theme has ever been exactly alike, each stage will be progressively more difficult and dangerous than the previous.

  Carefully choreographed, no competitor is shown to look scared or weak. With team communications kept from the citizens, the Universal Council wants to project an imperious facade showing how their Enforcers and Soldiers are able to overcome obstacles that no mere human can to build respect, win admiration, and intimidate any would-be enemy.

  Those on Earth tune in virtually with their 4D hologram form filling the stands. Awarded a rare day off to celebrate and pay tribute. This year’s theme, decided by a commission made up of Elites, is that of a neoclassical Romanesque and Greek course comprised of three arduous stages, divided by walls of green and orange light.

  Only the names of the stages, inspired by the Antiquities, have been released beforehand, giving a small clue on what to expect:

  Stage 1: Sprint through Jupiter (to Green)

  Stage 2: Pytheas’s Labyrinth (to Orange)

  Stage 3: Fires of Vesta (to White)

  With the exact details to be unveiled as the race progresses, it promises to be full of shock and gore for competitors and citizens alike.

  Chapter 1 The Universal Games

  The citizens’ 4D holograms light up the arena as they tune in for the most anticipated event of the year. An event like no other, the annual showpiece of the Universal Council is an action-filled course built to test its finest Space Soldiers and Enforcers. The prize for its one winner is the ultimate dream of many a man, woman and child watching today: the status of ‘Elite’ along with all its trappings.

  Their claps echo across the magnetic dome as the Blue Enforcer team enters. Captain VanWest is amongst those marching towards the team’s neon blue-lit starting grid. Slowing only to salute the team’s base commander Colonel Cornelius. Seated high above in the command tower readying to guide them to their first win in five long years.

  Upon reaching the team’s neon blue grid, the Enforcers crouch down, assuming a sprint take-off position with their hands placed in front and their left leg bent slightly further back than their right. Awaiting the arrival of their most formidable opponents the Red team’s Space Soldiers, the citizens continue to clap expectantly, albeit at a slower and more rhythmic pace than before.

  Beside VanWest are the other members of his four-man squad: to his right is his academy classmate Barys and left are Alpha and Kun-lee. Like him, they were all recently promoted to the rank of Captain after their last tour of ColaBeers as thanks for their successful expulsion of the NEA rebels from the mining settlement. All are rookies; thus they are ranked outsiders with only Alpha receiving decent odds of winning at 50-1 due to his distinction of holding the academy’s record in the 1-mile sprint - a distinction that perhaps earned him the designation of being their squad leader and, more pertinently, the right to finish first in the unlikely event that they all make it to the end of Stage 3. By comparison, VanWest’s odds, as calculated by the Elites of the Games Commission, are dismally low, 150-1. Past performance is said to be the biggest factor; and with these odds, he will exceed all expectations by completing Stage 1.

  All Enforcers are trained since youth under a system inspired by the stories of ancient Greece and the Spartan boys, which emphasises discipline, endurance and, above all else, duty, teaching all to follow a strict code of honour to one another. The Enforcers must never show fear and appear stolid no matter what. Whilst VanWest’s face does well to hide his anxiety, he has rarely felt so nervous. His heart beating faster and louder with every moment that passes, and his body cringing with every clap. He manages to retain his composure by staring straight-ahead and slightly down, away from those watching in the stands.

  Though VanWest aspires to gain Elite status one day and finish well, he’s neither cocky nor stupid. He appreciates the honour of just being a competitor. Even though he is in superb condition and fitness, he only does well to match that of his fellow Enforcers. His height of six-foot-two inches is average, well below that of the Space Soldiers due to emerge soon. Looking across, each contestant packs powerful frames and bulging biceps into their tightly fitted blue body armour, everyone looks formidable!

  Unlike the Space Soldiers, the Enforcers are an eclectic bunch. Barys, a straight-talking stocky chap, has distinctive purple eyes, and Kun-lee, with a perfectly tuned athletic body, has bright red hair. What unites the Enforcers is not their appearance but rather their fervent dedication to serve their masters, the Universal Council. Boldly written across their chest plates is their motto Pro Progressio Hominis et Universales, for the progression of man and the Universal, a derivation of the second Universal Council commandment. A commandment that has been used to justify many a morally questionable act.

  The Enforcers’ battle uniforms are identical except for their helmets. Each has been custom designed to feature an approved brand from one of its Elites. VanWest’s features the food brand logo InsectnOut, Earth’s largest food distributor, renowned for their freshly made and succulent cockroach burgers. The company is owned by a business family of Elites called the Huberts. Their gift of this most superior and lightweight of helmets is in part thanks to him having saved the head of their family from a deadly bombing during his first tour.

  Each member of VanWest’s squad has elected to equip themselves with the same three items on the Colonel’s recommendation: an energy shield, a laser sword, and rifle over a jetpack and sling belt of grenades. Though in Stage 1 these items will not be active, they could be tremendously useful in Stage 2, Pytheas’s Labyrinth.

  The rising sound of heavy footsteps signals the Red team’s arrival. Their steps accompanied by a chillingly monotonous and repetitive military chant of ‘Universal’ as they proceed past their command tower, saluting their base commander and last year’s winner Lt. Colonel Omega, to take position at the team’s neon red starting grid. The Space Soldiers are noticeably taller and stronger looking, their biceps bigger and shoulders broader.

  The Soldiers’ body armour holds a different Universal commandment than the Enforcers: Nibus Perdere Universalis Synodus Omnium; a fearsome warning that translates as ‘to destroy all those who defy the Universal’. By appearance, it definitely looks like they are programmed to do so, their faces metallic and heads bald, expressionless and hollow, with beady eyes that stare forward menacingly red - none look quite human each weirdly alike.

  Being cyborgs, none have a helmet or a mask as they are able to withstand the contaminated and putrid air still prevalent even inside this dome, this the air of equatorial Earth in the year 3000. Only a few things tell them apart: their unique collection of scars, which they proudly bear on their faces, and the symbols engraved on their shoulder armour. Other than that, only their base commander, Lt. Colonel Omega stands out, sporting thicker and brighter red shoulder pads than the rest.

  The loud booming voice of the Games announcer cuts through, ‘Citizens! Welcome to the Universal Games 3000! Join me in hailing our leaders, the Universal Council. All Salve the Universal, all Salve thee’. Prompting the citizens to start a succession of loud and slow claps, chanting ‘Universal, Universal, all Salve thee’! Eager to see what is about to be unveiled.

  Gasp! A bright light illuminates the Games’ first stage, Sprint to Jupiter. Lying in front of the competitors is a mile-long sprint through a swamp towards a gigantic twenty-foot tall bronze statue of Jupiter, the Roman King of the Gods. It stands imperiously before a temperamental
volcano that shoots up large plumes of ash, darkening the skies above the magnetic dome.

  This is one mean looking stage! Clearly intended to separate the fast from the slow. As VanWest surveys the course, his earlier nervousness turns to that of fight and survive. He lifts his right knee up and poises his feet, ready to jolt forward, in expectation of the countdown. And, touches his amber stone pendant tied around his neck for a second for good luck. An item he has done well to keep safe, for it’s frowned upon for Enforcers to have personal items such as this.

  A low screak rings through his ears, his Moggle X lenses activating, with instructions on this course and a message from the Colonel. The message scrolls across, 00:10:00 To Complete to avoid disqualification, confirming this short stage is focused on speed. As the instruction finishes scrolling the ceremonial horn sounds, signalling for the countdown to commence. VanWest edges his foot onto the gridline as 5 projects high above, its bright green colour contrasting against the black smoke billowing out from the Volcano.

  A new clap starts, in sync with the countdown, ‘5’, ‘…4’, each reverberating in his head, ‘…3’, VanWest heartbeat fastens, ‘2, 1’.

  ‘Run Enforcers! RUN’!

  Colonel Cornelius yells through the Blue teams’ communicators as the countdown hits zero, propelling VanWest forward into the shallow and muddy swamp in front. An obstacle that the Colonel has trained the Enforcers well for.

  VanWest finds himself momentarily paralysed, not so much by the sticky mud and freezing water as the whole bewildering spectacle around him. Barys pulls his arm, gesturing him to follow his lead. Together shifting their plasma rifle’s butt from side to side, as if an oar of a canoe, VanWest regains his speed and composure. As he progresses through, a new obstacle appears, the ground gives way to sinkholes, forcing him into a series of leaps to avoid the same fate of several other competitors being sucked down. Unscathed, and a little out of breath, he reaches the rest of his squad, which, to his relief, have all made it thus far.