The Gods We Seek Read online

  Contents

  Copyright

  THE GODS WE SEEK

  Prologue

  VISITATION

  First Contact

  China

  Expansion

  INVASION

  Know Your Enemy

  Existential Threat

  Taking Flight

  STARBOUND

  Shakedown Cruise

  Proxima Centauri

  Everdusk

  Breakout

  Overgrowth

  THREADS

  A Very Large Haystack

  Treason

  The Jungle

  Unidentified

  HIDERS AND SEEKERS

  Breadcrumbs

  Gliese Eight Nine Twoians

  Alien Dawn

  Counterstrike

  The Museum

  REVELATION

  Sand Wall

  Void

  The Story Continues

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Acknowledgements

  Copyright © 2019 by Eric Johannsen

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental.

  FIRST EDITION

  r1.0

  THE GODS WE SEEK

  The Story So Far

  -= Begin spoiler alert! =-

  Book 1 - The Gods We Make

  The year is 2044. The United States and China are locked in intense economic competition when China’s scientists make a game-changing breakthrough: Commercial-scale fusion. The prospect of nearly-free, unlimited energy could make China the dominant world power.

  Sara Wells is Deputy Director of the National Security Agency, the youngest ever appointed to that position. The President tasks her with leveling the playing field through espionage. Sara juggles work and a thrilling new relationship with the quantum computing expert Jake Hayden. Unknown to her, Jake uses an artificial intelligence simulation of Sara to hone his charms and gain access to the many secrets Sara guards.

  Dylan Lockwood, a veteran NASA astronaut and former naval aviator, supports her intelligence work with a daring mission to infiltrate Chinese communication satellites orbiting Earth.

  A mysterious signal begins transmitting from Jupiter, one of clearly intelligent origin. NASA scientists pinpoint the source and capture a grainy image. The signal originates from a structure in low Jovian orbit, a structure that can only be of alien construction.

  Alien technology could allow the United States to leap past China’s fusion breakthrough. The race is on to reach Jupiter before China can.

  China soon discovers the signal and organizes their own mission. Sara’s NSA struggles to find an edge for the United States, while China’s spy agency attempts to derail American efforts. Both sides use politics, espionage, and artificial intelligence to speed their efforts. As the objective draws near, the AI begins to become sentient.

  Both crews arrive at the structure - a ship, named the Quadriga, long abandoned by its builders - and race to unlock its secrets.

  The American crew manages to control the Quadriga and return it to Earth, but not without provoking a bitter rivalry with the commander of the Chinese expedition.

  As American scientists study their new prize, an alien probe streaks through the solar system, slingshots around the sun, and crashes into Alaska. It nourishes itself on the mineral-rich soil, growing from a small sphere to a hulking, metallic worm overnight, and begins the journey toward an Air Force base in Anchorage…

  Origin Story - Ji-min

  Ji-min is the daughter of peasant farmers in near-future North Korea (before the events of The Gods We Make). As a tween, blight threatens the communal potato farm her family works and famine ravishes the hermit nation. When soldiers seize most of the crop, her father stands up to them. He is beaten and carried off by order of an army Colonel.

  Ji-min and her mother struggle to work their share of the farm, desperately poor neighbors upset they no longer carry their load. Her mother becomes sick and dies. Ji-min is unable to afford a proper funeral, unable to properly honor her mother, when a mysterious stranger appears. The woman, Unje, takes Ji-min into the mountains where they find a suitable gravesite and bury her mother.

  Alone at home, Ji-min’s neighbors conspire to send her to an orphanage in town so they can claim her house for their own children. A gruff soldier drives her over snow-covered roads and deposits her in front of the home. Ji-min discovers the orphanage has no more room, and the woman running it barely able to feed the children already under her care. She suggests Ji-min try the forest where, rumor has it, a group of homeless children have banded together.

  Ji-min is accepted into the group and befriended by a boy named Bae. They eke out a meager existence in the shadows of a failing town.

  The Colonel and his ally, Finance Minister Pak, worry that Dear Leader’s pointless bickering with the West is undermining their own wealth and security. They decide to act, setting a sinister plan in motion. They seize a UN grain shipment, convince Dear Leader the CIA tainted the food to undermine his authority, and use the ship to deliver a nuclear weapon into Seoul’s harbor.

  The government, horribly short of resources, orders the forest Ji-min lives in clear-cut to provide heating for the elite through the severe winter. She and her friends are forced into the city, where her best friend Bae suffers a horrific death. Shattered and sickened, Ji-min aimlessly wanders the streets, the shell of a human, waiting to die. She collapses in the snow and begins to freeze.

  Unje returns, lifts Ji-min from the street, and takes her home to heal her body and spirit. The mysterious stranger offers Ji-min a new life in South Korea and wields supernatural power to secret her across the world’s most heavily fortified border.

  Ji-min finds a new beginning in Seoul and develops a zest for life. She also develops the unexplained ability to understand what people say, and to an extent what they think, even if she doesn’t know their language.

  Her happiness is shattered when Minister Pak’s plan comes to fruition - a nuclear weapon detonates, obliterating part of Seoul and trapping Ji-min in a subway.

  Minister Pak kills Dear Leader, blames the nuclear attack on the fallen despot, and takes credit for ending that regime. He leverages the chaos following the attack and Korea’s strong desire for reunification to make himself the richest and most powerful man in Korea.

  Ji-min’s strange power comes to the attention of NSA Deputy Director Sara Wells, who evacuates Ji-min from the wrecked city via private jet. On the way back, Ji-min discovers a letter left for her from Unje, which concludes: “I have faith in you. Faith that you will grow into an adult with real power to change the world.”

  -= End spoiler alert! =-

  Prologue

  Somewhere in the cosmos, two voices conversed.

  “The malignants are here,” Anael said.

  Sariel hesitated. “Humanity is not ready.”

  VISITATION

  Arrival

  Sara stepped onto the balcony, breathing in the cool, salty Chesapeake air. A full moon, perched low over the bay, bathed the docks and sailboats below in silvery, ethereal light. Any minute now. Just stay calm. She slipped back into the warmth of her earthy, candle-lit home. The flames lent the room a soft, pleasant glow and the faint scent of cinnamon drifted through the air. Cozy. It will be a cozy evening. Sara caught herself in a mirror. She wore a smart, white silk blouse. That won’t do, not for tonight. She pulled it off, donning a roomy, brown-and-t
an sweater instead.

  The door chime rang.

  Sara checked her clothes. Remember to enjoy yourself. She opened the door.

  Jake stood there wearing a black sweater, a white windbreaker, and a beaming smile. “Sara,” he said, his eyes darting over her body and settling on her eyes. “You look beautiful.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close then pressed her lips to his, months of longing released in a flash of ecstasy.

  He wrapped her in his arms, held her tight, and returned her passion. “I’m glad you missed me, too,” he said.

  “I did.” She bit back a broad grin.

  Jake stepped inside. “That was the longest six months of my life. Half a year away from you.”

  “Half a year playing with alien technology in Area 51,” she said. “I’m sure it wasn’t all bad.” Half a year apart right after I let you in. So much lost time.

  “I didn’t mind that part,” he said with a chuckle. “That’s the only lure in the world able to lead me away from you.”

  “You have to pursue your passion,” she said.

  “You are my passion.” He held both her elbows.

  “That, and alien toys.” Sara’s trademark smile formed on her lips.

  He released her and rubbed his stomach. “Where should we go tonight? I’m famished.” A wolfish grin tickled the corners of his mouth.

  “Nowhere.” A coy smile brightened Sara’s face. “I made us dinner.”

  “Kale salad with hand-harvested rain forest fruits?”

  Sara punched his arm. “Don’t worry, it’s not that healthy. You’ll enjoy it.”

  They sat on her comfortable, synth-leather sofa.

  “Wine?” Sara asked. She poured them both a glass of rich, deep-red Bordeaux.

  “Here’s to a whole weekend together.” Jake raised his glass.

  Sara toasted him. We could skip the small talk, skip dinner.

  “What?” Jake tilted his head, a smile building.

  Am I that transparent? “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I’m glad, too.” He leaned in to kiss her. Ding. Ding. Ding. An oven timer interrupted his advance. “Smells great.”

  “Lasagna. It even has meat.”

  “Organic, free-range, hand-massaged beef?”

  Sara shot him her best wry smile. “Dining mode,” she said to the room. The couch raised up several inches. The coffee table became taller, and its surface widened. When Sara stood, her side of the couch slid back a few inches. She brought over a salad from the refrigerator and served them both. “Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper meal without kale in there somewhere.”

  “Of course,” Jake said.

  He shot her flirting glances as they finished their appetizer. She blushed at each one. By the time she served the main course, Sara felt warm and toasty.

  Jake gulped down the lasagna.

  “Don’t they feed you in Area 51?”

  “Sure, they do. Stale sandwiches and cold pizza, mostly. Nothing as delicious as this.”

  Sara picked at her food, eying his empty plate. Eying him. Keep your cool. It will happen soon enough. “Dessert?” she asked.

  Jake patted his stomach. “Let’s let our food settle?”

  “Cleanup!” she commanded with a cheery voice. A household robot emerged from a nook and removed the plates. “Comfy mode.” The couch and the table reverted to their original configuration.

  Jake reached for his wine glass.

  Sara reached for Jake. She pulled him in, kissed him on his lips, cheek, neck. Her hand shot under his shirt, probing his toned back and shoulders.

  He held nothing back. Jake ran a hand from her hips to her knee, then back up her inner thigh. He kissed her neck and ear. He cupped her breast, kneading it in rhythm to her gentle sighs.

  She sat on his lap, grabbed both sides of his head and pulled him toward her bosom. Her hands explored his arms and shoulders, his passion multiplying her own. Waves of ecstasy rolled through her.

  Jake pulled off her shirt and deftly removed her bra.

  “Yes,” she said, her words a quiet gush in his ear. “No!” Her body stiffened.

  A familiar red icon flashed in her ocular implant. An urgent national security development demanded her attention.

  “No, no, no, no, no!”

  Jake sat up straight, holding Sara by the hips. “Take the call,” he said.

  “Elena, this had better…” Sara’s expression went from outraged, to stunned, to mortified. The sexual tension evaporated. She stood and paced the room. “This is bad.” She started half-naked toward the door before pivoting to grab her shirt.

  “What happened?” Jake asked.

  “We need to get to NSA headquarters. I’ll explain on the way.”

  #

  Sara’s Audi waited out front, the doors folding open as she and Jake dashed toward it.

  The car scooted through her neighborhood then hurled into highway traffic, advanced sensors and artificial intelligence ensuring safety despite the speed. Other vehicles moved out of their way, allowing the auto-pilot to race toward NSA headquarters at Ft. Meade. In a crisis, key government officials were afforded the same priority as emergency vehicles. This certainly qualified.

  Sara put on a news feed, the video playing on a large display centered in the dashboard.

  “…no official statement yet.” A camera showed a massive, worm-like… creature? Machine? The thing towered fifteen meters over a runway. It smashed through the last building still standing at an airport, then arched erect, its chrome-like body reflecting the setting sun. Sparks of dark-red light traced complex patterns over its surface. It cast a long, twisting shadow toward the east end of the runway. The video’s caption read, “Anchorage, Alaska Under Attack.” The news woman’s voice said, “For those joining us, a massive object of unknown origin is destroying the runways and buildings at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Local police…”

  The video feed ceased. After a few seconds, the reporter’s image appeared. She stood on a rooftop, the airport behind her in the distance. Her hair was disheveled and her voice shaky. “We’ve lost the signal from our drone.” She glanced to the side and touched an ear. “We have a feed from a camera outside the post office on Lindberg Avenue, right next to the primary runway.” The video showed the thing burrowing through the concrete runway, pockmarking it. An unmanned military attack quadcopter was visible through dust and haze, its nose stuck in the ground, its starboard blades idly spinning. The port side rotors were shattered.

  “That thing. It’s not from Earth, is it?” Sara asked.

  Jake absently shook his head, his gaze distant.

  “Have you seen anything like it while studying the Quadriga?”

  “No. Nothing like it.”

  The mechanical worm stopped digging. It perched in one of its tunnels, half a kilometer from the camera, with what might have been its head poking out. It peered around, menacing, as if awaiting a fight.

  The wait was short.

  Something fast, kinetic, struck at the creature.

  “It looks like… looks like a mini-gun,” the reporter’s voice said. “The sort of weapon used in Iraq and Iran. It’s dated. I guess it belongs to the National Guard.”

  A thousand rounds of ammunition snaked down at the target in a fifteen-second burst, like lava spitting from the sky, casting an eerie, orange glow. Dust and shadows lent the creature the appearance of a twisted Halloween nightmare.

  The bullets missed. All of them. Their paths deflected left or right, the glowing tracers wrapping around their target, pulverizing the ground behind it. Another burst of fire struck at the worm, then a third.

  Sara grasped Jake’s forearm, her knuckles white. “This is bad.”

  “Yep,” Jake said.

  The news reporter continued, “The attack… the attack did not seem to inflict any damage. This is amazing. Thousands of rounds, not a single hit.”

  The sun touched the Bering Sea casting exaggerate
d shadows over the destruction. The worm hunkered in its hole, motionless.

  Minutes passed as the reporter repeated what little she knew, somehow making each iteration sound fresh.

  The camera shook and went dark.

  The view switched to another camera, a few kilometers back from the airport and hundreds of meters up. A dust ball half the length of the enormous main runway billowed up from around the creature.

  The reporter sounded rattled. “That explosion, I don’t know how it came across over our sound equipment, but it shook the city. It thumped your chest. We lost the feed from the post office.” She touched her ear. “What’s that? I understand we have a replay of the last few frames of the video.”

  The camera feed from the post office appeared again. The creature was motionless. Then, a searing beam of energy shot up from it at an angle toward the east. The top right of the next frame showed a fireball, then blackness.

  “Did that thing shoot down a bomb or missile?” the reporter asked. “Pentagon officials still have no response. Local police have no comment, other than to keep back. We’ll update you as soon as we have more from D.C.”

  The Audi pulled up to NSA headquarters.

  “I’m here if you need me,” Jake said. He hugged her inside the car. “You better get moving. We’ll catch up later.”

  Sara cradled his cheeks in her hands. “I’ll call you when I can.” She slipped out of the car and ran toward VIRCOM, the virtual communications facility designed for top-secret collaboration. The room where the fate of the world would be decided.

  #

  Jake pulled a thimble-sized translucent cube from his pocket and set it on the dashboard of Sara’s car. “Call Dr. Tanner,” he said. The tiny device scanned his face and iris with a low-power laser. Within seconds, Chad Tanner’s torso seemed to occupy the dash, the cube recreating the image in Jake’s retina with controlled bursts of laser light. “You’ve seen it?” Jake asked.