Among The Ether
The Invasion of Issa
C.R.ALLAN
Copyright © 2020 C.R.ALLAN
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN- 9798676379193
For Jenny
I
The intense light of the blue star began setting over the eastern mountains. Stretching shades of green and blue across a purple sky, easing a long day to an end on the planet Issa. Jacob sat on a swing in a small wooded park across the street from the five-story apartment building in which he lived with his mother and younger brother. Slowly rocking back and forth on a swing, Jacob watched his five-year-old brother Alex play at the park with other kids his age. Being sixteen years old, Jacob was often responsible for his younger brother after school while their mother was at work at the local hospital. However, looking after Alex never bothered Jacob, he adored his little brother and enjoyed spending time with him.
The autumn air blew cold and carried the scent of snow from the north as it picked offleaves from the nearby trees, tossing them gently throughoutthe evening air. Jacob watched as the shades of orange and yellow leaves danced in the gentle up-currents. The evening light faded giving way to the bright streetlights, adorned on dull metal poles, that lined the neighbourhood roads. Teros, the larger of Issa’s two moons, rose over the western horizon casting its soft violet light across the landscape. Jacob stepped off the swing and began making his way over to the play structure where Alex was still playing with the other children.
“Alex, it's time to head back home,” called Jacob.
“Awe, ten more minutes?” Alex quickly responded, as if predicting his brother's actions.
It was always ten more minutes Jacob thought to himself, however, he did not mind, he enjoyed being outside more than cooped up in their small two-bedroom apartment. Jacob stood at the perimeter of the playground, balancing on the small retaining wall that divided the river stones that filled the play area from the grass of the park. Jacob watched as other children where called and collected by their parents, eventually only leaving Alex alone on the playground.
“Okay... let's go,” said Alex, complaining he was starting to get cold as he hopped of the bottom of the slide.
Walking towards Alex, Jacob noticed his brother stop in his tracks. While looking up Alex pointed at the sky behind Jacob, saying “what's that?” With a look of curiosity on his face.
“Teros,” Jacob replied with certainty, as he turned around to look in the direction Alex was pointing.
Jacob stared up towards Teros, as he noticed a thin outline of a ring make its way slowly across the disk of the bright moon. Jacob, perplexed, continued to look at the strange object with both fear and confusion as he tried to figure out what it could be. As the ring continued across the sky, illuminated by the light of Teros, Jacob saw small parts of the object breaking off. The smaller objects scattered into the darkness of the star filled sky, before shining brightly as they streaked across the sky. Burning as they descended through the thick atmosphere, the falling objects spread out in all conceivable directions. Frozen with both fear and wonder, Jacob watched as one of the objects began descending rapidly towards him and Alex.
“Run!” Yelled Jacob, as he grabbed Alex by the hand and pulled him along.
Running through the park, parallel to the street, Jacob headed the same direction he noticed several other people beginning to run. The object grew louder as it approached from behind them, culminating into a deafeningly sharp eruption of sound, as it passed brightly overhead, high in the sky. Eventually disappearing into the distant darkness.
Forced to his knees by the force of the sound wave generated by the object, Jacob covered his ears with both hands. Attempting to drowned out the painfully disorientating ringing that began to overtake him, he pressed hard against his head unsuccessfully ending the painful torrents of escalating tones that came over him wave after wave.
Among the pain and confusion, Jacob looked franticly for Alex. He could see people scattered throughout the street and park, covering their ears as they stumbled around in a disoriented stupor. Finding Alex lying curled up crying on damp grass, Jacob stood up and tried to make his way tohim. Losing his balance and stumbling out towards the street, Jacob lost his footing over the curb of the sidewalk and crashed down onto the rough pavement. Forcing himself to his feet again he staggered over towards Alex, collapsing to his knees next his brother from the effort needed to keep his balance long enough to navigate the short distance.
Pulling Alex towards his chest, Jacob placed his bothers head on his shoulder. Holding Alex tight, as the five-year-old sobbed and shook with pain and fear, Jacob scanned the vaguely lit area around him. With the ringing in his ears, eventually diminishing into a low humming sound, he now was able to hear the muffled sounds of people screaming and running towards him. Noticing an old man, draped in a hood and tattered cloths shouting at him from opposite side of the street, Jacob strained to hear the man's words
“Get up and run... they’re coming... They are taking people... they are taking everyone... The end is near... The end is near!” the old man shouted and muttered as he continued down the street past Jacob.
Suddenly, Jacob saw a flash of light out the corner of his eye, followed by a loud percussive sound. Jacob turned around to see smoke filling the air under
