Logos (Link Book Three), page 1
Contents
LOGOS (LINK BOOK THREE)
Copyright © 2025
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PROLOGUE
PART ONE: THE FLEET
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
PART TWO: INCOMING
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
PART THREE: ALLIES
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
PART FOUR: ARRIVAL
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
EPILOGUE
The Survivors Books 1-12
Copyright © 2025 Nathan Hystad
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Cover art: J Caleb Design
Edited by: Christen Hystad
Edited by: Scarlett R Algee
Proofed and Formatted by: BZ Hercules
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PROLOGUE
Geneva, Earth
25 Years Earlier
“We wish our dear Ambassador Dunn safe travels in the next journey of his existence.”
“Through the stars we find our home,” the crowd of dignitaries chorused.
Terrance Cunningham watched the show. While the others stared at Dunn’s ashes being sent on a crash course with the sun, he viewed his opponents. Seven of them hadn’t signed the accord with the Diplomats, meaning they’d eventually have to be squashed. Cunningham wondered if he could wait them out, or if he’d need to force action.
Ambassador Dunn had accomplished a lot during his tenure as the head of the Diplomats, and Cunningham would miss their late-night meetings. He recalled the last such consultation only a week earlier, in which Dunn had passed him something significant. His eyes had gleamed when he released it into Terry’s palm. This is for you and you alone.
He’d nodded, blissfully unaware his friend and mentor would die soon afterwards.
The priest climbed down the platform, away from the lectern, and everyone’s gaze fell on Terry. Still not used to the robe denoting his promotion, Cunningham walked slowly, ascending the short steps until he faced the grieving collective. Two hundred people, each a leader of their own corner of the Sun Colonies. He’d unite them, or their efforts would be for nothing.
Terry clutched opposite wrists from beneath the sleeves and suddenly wished for a drink of water. “The passing of Ambassador Dunn is a solemn occasion, and I personally know how much he’d appreciate seeing you all gathered today.” A pause. “I’ve been named his replacement.”
A spattering of applause quickly died out.
“The time for borders has ended.” Cunningham gazed at the robot near the exit. The viewscreen showed them in Earth’s orbit, with their home planet far below. The existing borders appeared as the image shifted, then vanished one by one.
“We are still a sovereign—” A holdout from Eastern Europe stopped when Terry lifted a hand. A pair of Automatons marched closer.
“War is coming, and I cannot lead our people if we discard solidarity.”
The seven who’d rejected the Diplomats bunched together while the rest of the accord partners slid away.
“You’d kill us for speaking out?” a woman spat. Rumors mentioned an organization she was involved with. The Deniers. He couldn’t let enemies sneak behind his lines, not after Dunn’s admission on his deathbed.
“No, Madame, I wouldn’t do that.” The robots dismissed the group while his allies looked on with smug satisfaction.
An hour later, with the entire ceremony completed, Terry found himself in his new private quarters. The room had belonged to Ambassador Dunn only days earlier, though all evidence of him had been wiped clean.
Except one thing. He’d promised not to watch the device until it was official.
“What did you leave for me?” Cunningham killed the lights and snapped the projection on. A green shimmer appeared, displaying a recording of Dunn.
“We were visited three hundred years ago. What you’re about to see will change your life and, eventually, the lives of everyone in the Sun Colonies. It’s up to you to protect them. This began thirty years before we sent Excursion through the Link.”
Cunningham listened, his optimism shrinking with each passing minute. The technology for the ships, the detailed map of Ethos… it had all come from an outside source. But one thing was clear. War was imminent.
He freed his arms from his sleeves, rubbing the unmarked flesh. The buzzer sounded, and he ordered the computer to open the doors. In strode a thin Automaton carrying a silver case. It set the box down and flipped the lid, removing a needle.
“This will sting, sir. Would you like something for the pain?” the robot asked in a friendly tone.
“No. Get it done.”
The needle jabbed into his skin, and the process of receiving the same tattoos Ambassador Dunn had worn began. When it was done, the robot slathered a cream over the ink, then left.
He replayed the end of the final message from his counterpart, listening to the cautionary words on repeat.
When it’s time, you’ll know how to use the markings. Save the Sun Colonies. Save humanity.
Cunningham turned the device off and sat in the darkness. Through the porthole, Earth spun slowly as the Diplomats’ station circumnavigated the globe.
“I’ll do it in your honor, good friend.”
PART ONE
THE FLEET
ONE
Calvin Brooks found himself in a position he hadn’t asked for. He’d accepted the role as captain of Excursion because it was supposed to be a piloting job overseeing the mission to Ethos. Now, on the alien planet, he gaped at the thousands of soldiers waiting for his command.
Minister Black was near the front, the younger cloned version of him just as wily and cunning as the man who’d nearly died in his aged body. Beside Calvin was Captain Sanya Levine, who hung three feet back with poise. Her confident posture made him stand taller.
Drones floated overhead, catching the moment for posterity, though Calvin couldn’t help but think it might be for nothing. They didn’t have a lot of information on Hiphol. Yes, they had a single vessel, captured after it had followed Calvin through a wormhole from Pathos to Ethos, but so far, the hull had proven impenetrable. They couldn’t tell if the enemy ship was inhabited, or if the Hiphol had sent an autonomous craft.
Sanya stepped forward and tapped him on the shoulder. “Cal, they’re waiting.”
Calvin coughed lightly and gave the cluster of soldiers a slight nod. Behind him, the colony loomed in the backdrop. Considering the construction had only begun a few months earlier, the progress was incredible. Robots and machines operated around the clock, building structures and quarrying future sites.
While their fleet had five thousand of the fifty thousand colonists in their ranks, more would be used in supplementary roles, and all were informed they might need to join the efforts if things escalated. It was Calvin’s job to prevent that. They had to keep the battle far from Ethos, or risk everything they’d fought for over the last three hundred years.
Calvin had a speech prepared, but it lacked intensity. Jane had edited his original down to half the size, claiming extraneous words were the devil’s work, laughing as she said it. The encouraging messages floated in his mind, but he dismissed them, no longer wanting to play it safe.
“We are at war.” His voice started off low, but the volume increased as the drone feeds adjusted. Some soldiers shifted uncomfortably, while others grimaced. Conflict wasn’t for the faint of heart. “The Hiphol will come, but how they intend on facing us is unknown.” He pointed to the distance, where the overpowered craft was being guarded by ten armed Automatons. “The only thing we can control is ourselves. As of today, your training is a full-time job. Your life is forfeit, given to the Sun Colonies.”
He'd heard a similar speech before the Solar War, and hadn’t understood how true that was until much later.
“If you require anything, your squadron’s commanders are free to speak with Captain Levine.” He motioned to her. “If it’s important, I’ll hear about it.”
Darius Black stayed motionless at the front of the crowd.
“The colony on Ethos is a direct reflection of what we’re defending back home. When we protect Ethos, we shelter Earth. Your families are ignorant of the potential danger. Don’t let them down.”
At the mention of Earth, the mood changed, and Calvin noticed more frowning faces. Good, he thought. Get angry.
“That will be all.”
Calvin moved, and Sanya replaced him at center stage.
“Follow your commander’s orders. I want every squadron in orbit today, doing at least five trial runs. You will record the results, and remember: I’ll be reviewing your progress each night. Colonel Baker is in charge of the orbital strikes,” she said. “Dismissed.”
The squadrons broke apart, and he observed the grounds with her while it emptied out. “Did you ever expect this to happen?”
Sanya brushed dark hair behind her ear. “Not in a million years. I’m glad you accepted the position.”
As if I had a choice. “Desperate times…”
“They admire you as a real-life hero they’ve heard stories about since childhood.”
“Thanks, now I feel like an old man.”
“You’re not, but remember, most of these recruits are twenty. These were kids during the war, and your image was everywhere.” Sanya grimaced. “The man behind the Mercury Massacre. You single-handedly ended the conflict.”
“That’s not true.”
“No, but to their impressionable minds it is.”
“She’s right.” Black came out of nowhere. He looked exactly like Darius in the old propaganda photos of the Excursion crew before they’d departed. It was tough for Calvin to consolidate the man here with the white-haired old codger from their previous trip to Ethos. “Nice work, Admiral.”
The three of them viewed the empty square, where the soldiers had stomped the grass flat. “Five thousand sounds like a lot, but do we stand a chance against the Hiphol Cadres?” Cal asked.
“We’ll be ready.” Black checked his Slab. “We’re almost in. Care to tag along?”
Cal’s curiosity took over, even though he had a thousand tasks to complete by dinner. He’d promised to meet Jane at the officer’s mess in two hours, and he couldn’t be late again, or she’d stop believing him.
“Let’s go.”
“Catch you later,” he told Sanya while a fighter lowered to the ground, settling near the stage.
The cockpit hatch opened, and Colonel Barker tossed a helmet at Sanya. “You coming?”
Sanya shrugged and caught it. “Why don’t I grab my own J-1E and we’ll have a friendly competition?”
“Sure, if you don’t mind losing.”
They flew off, with Black gazing after them. “She’s good, but no one can replace you, Admiral. Together we’ll do big things.”
“Yes, sir.” Calvin wanted nothing to do with Black or his deceit, but there was little choice, and the Fleet Admiral knew it. Cal would do anything to prevent an invasion of the Sun Colonies, and that gave him no power when it came to Black. He’d spent his entire life taking orders from someone, so what did it matter? Once a soldier, always a soldier.
The Carriage arrived, blowing grass sideways as the thrusters turned vertical. Black entered first, and Calvin observed the bustling colony when they were above it. Hundreds of people helped raise a wall, heaving on ropes attached to pulleys. The latest residence would house another thousand colonists within the week, with three other identical structures in various stages of completion. Beyond them, five of the colony ships were landed, taking up vast acres. Excursion Two was next to them, but closer to the burgeoning city. The remaining five were strategically placed, holding dozens of fighters around the Ethos solar system. The Link wasn’t presently live, meaning no one could come and go without somebody activating it, but they were on the lookout for signs of any new wormholes.
At least they’d have a warning should one appear near Ethos, since it took weeks to navigate using the Link.
The Carriage flew toward the triangular Hiphol vessel and dropped them off by rover a short distance away. The fence was barely perceptible where an impenetrable sphere encircled the ship, designed to keep people out and the enemy in.
William Trellis waved at Cal. “I figured out how to breach their shields. These things are incredible. Whatever they’re hiding in this ship must be important, because they didn’t want anyone to access it.”
The shield shimmered blue as the rover passed by, and once inside the hidden dome, the air felt electric. Will’s crew was comprised of ten engineers and technicians along with Thodoros, the robot who’d lived in Orbitus, near Phobos, for the last three centuries. They lingered halfway up the ship, floating on a large platform while an Automaton used a cutting tool on the dark hull.
Darius Black stalked to the lift, waiting for Cal and Will to join him. Cal touched the handrail as it rose, and soon the contraption clicked into place. They were two hundred feet in the air, near the massive alien thrusters that had been damaged in the initial attack. The stench of solder, grease, and metal filled his nostrils. The panel was dark gray and seemed to have woven itself protectively over the gashes the fighters had cut into the hull.
“I thought you breached it,” Black said pointedly.
“I did, but only a fraction of what we need to enter the ship,” Will told him.
“I don’t appreciate having my time wasted, Trellis.”
“Sir.” Will grinned and showed them a Slab. “The drone is ready.”
“What drone?” Black hissed.
Will gestured to the hull and poked a finger in. “This is the opening.”
Calvin pressed his eye to the hole, seeing a hint of light on the other side. “How can you get a drone in there?”
“Nano-drones aren’t ideal, but it’s the only thing small enough to work.” Will held a tiny circle on the tip of his finger. “The feeds will be grainy, but the sensors can tell us some important details, and—”
“We’ll know if anyone’s alive,” Black finished.
Will lowered his hand near the hole, then released the drone. He quickly typed on the Slab, playing the live feed from the minuscule camera. It moved where he directed it, and they huddled in to watch.
Will read the results on the edge of the tablet. “The air is breathable, if you can believe it.”
The feed showed the drone emerging into a large space, then venturing into a corridor. It soon encountered a closed door, with no means to pry it open. Will guided it backwards, then up a vent shaft, deeper into the craft. The interior was white, reminding Calvin of the Hiphol towers on Ethos and their cloaked cities.
A map formed in the background, giving them a sense of the enemy vessel’s layout. But so far, no alien lifeforms were visible.
“I see something,” Black whispered, and snatched the Slab. The view changed as he slid the bar, finding a moving figure.
“It’s…a Locus.” The alien strode down the long hall, and they trailed him to another room holding twenty more aliens. Some had uniforms; others wore cloaks, and they all turned toward the drone when it entered.
“We’ve been compromised!” Will tried to take the tablet back, but Black held firm.
“I have to see them.”
The Locus they’d followed into the circular room swatted at the drone as if it were a pesky fly, and the feed ended.
“Double your efforts. We must get in and learn why the Locus are in a Hiphol ship!” Black ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Cal gave Will a sympathetic look. “Nice work. We’re close.”
Lights flashed in the sky, and Calvin peered up, recognizing signs of the fleet’s training in orbit. If the Locus were behind the recent visit to Pathos, did that mean they’d been lied to by Kelleg on Yezon, or were these Locus part of a Cadre?
“Don’t worry, Admiral. We’ll have answers soon,” Will promised him while Black stormed to the lift.
“Meet me at my office in an hour,” Black told him when they were near the colony. “And bring Atticus to translate when we have a captive.”
Calvin sighed when the new fleet admiral left and sent a message to Jane. Dinner would have to wait.
TWO
“We can’t just fly to Zenoh and land by the mines!” Valentina shouted.
Luke paced the cramped bridge, struggling to think of his next move. He was a man of action, but within enemy territory, he had to be patient, or they’d end up dead before finding the human survivors. They’d entered Hiphol space ten days earlier and still hadn’t decided their next steps.
