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  Vendell Rising: Vol 1

  It Begins With the End

  L.A. Warren

  JEM Publishing

  Vendel Rising: Volume 1

  It Begins With the End

  by: L.A. Warren

  Copyright © 2018 L.A. Warren

  VENDEL RISING: Volume 1

  It Begins With The End

  All rights reserved.

  This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this ebook ONLY. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, transmitted, or distributed in any printed, mechanical, or electronic form without prior written permission from L.A. Warren or JEM Publishing except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  Editor: Eanna Roberts (www.penmanshipediting.com)

  Cover Artist: Ellie Augsburger (www.creativedigitialstudios.com)

  Interior Design/Formatting: JEM Publishing

  Published in the United States of America

  JEM Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: NUMBER

  Created with Vellum

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my one and only—my amazing and wonderful husband.

  Without your care and support, my writing would not have made it this far.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

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  VENDEL RISING Series

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  THE END

  Prologue

  New Terra Histories by Malita s’Lissa s’vlor

  "To understand your enemies, you must first let go of your hatred. Only then may you forgive. Only then may you understand."

  May 31, 2136

  The day the Vendel invaded my world is a memory that never leaves me. It’s the day I lived. The day I died. It’s the day everything changed. I was defeated and broken. They destroyed me.

  I hated them. I didn’t want to forgive them. I didn’t care to understand them. All I wanted was my revenge. What I got instead was something I never imagined possible…

  Emperor Gregor Ulysses vlor’Malita claims to have our interests in mind, humanity’s interests that is, and perhaps there is a kernel of truth in that statement. Earth, as it turns out, is but a small fraction of humanity.

  But Saviors?

  How do you justify that to the dead? How do we, the survivors, wrap our minds around that? We live with the impossible loss of everything and everyone we knew, but more than the collar, or the boot steps which announce the inevitable arrival of my vlor’ master, one idea terrifies me.

  What if the Vendel are right?

  Are they, in fact, our saviors?

  This is my story and it begins with the end.

  Chapter One

  Sunday, January 30, 2035:

  Bubbly chatter permeated the sunny day as the last few miles of the three-day, sixty-mile, Walk for the Cure passed beneath Elise Comwell's feet. Excited chatter bounced from one person to the next, amplifying as it rippled through the crowd. No one complained of sore feet, stiff legs, or aching backs; they were all happy to be near the end.

  Two miles to go, Marybeth. For you. I did it!

  Her new best friend, Alice, a tall, platinum blonde with a pixie haircut, walked beside her. For the past three days, they had traded stories about Alice's mother's and Elise's sister's battles with breast cancer. They cemented a deep bond of friendship through their shared tragedies.

  "Where are your nieces?" Alice glanced over the heads of those walking in front of them. "I thought they were going to walk the last mile with us."

  Elise pointed ahead. "Tom’s bringing them. He didn’t think little Crista would last a whole mile. They’ll meet us in just a bit."

  "How’re they holding up?"

  "Crista doesn’t understand. She still thinks her mom will come home. Jenny and Sheila are trying to be strong."

  "It’s got to be hard on them, losing a mother at such a young age."

  Elise gripped Alice’s hand. "I think it has to be hard losing a mother at any age."

  Alice returned the squeeze. "It is. I miss my mom every day. They say it’s supposed to get better with time, but it doesn’t. Or, at least, it hasn’t yet."

  A lump formed in her throat. It had been less than two weeks since her sister had lost her battle with cancer. She stopped walking long enough to give Alice a hug.

  "I miss my sister. I still think she'll call me on the phone, or meet me for lunch, but then I realize she’s gone."

  Alice wiped at her cheeks. "Well, this is why we walk, right? To remember them?"

  "To raise money to find a cure." Elise smiled. "And to make new friends."

  "Yes, to finding the best, new friends." Alice glanced toward the finish line. "I think I see your little trio."

  Elise stretched onto tiptoe. At five-foot-three, she didn't have the advantage of Alice's six-foot frame to see over the crowd, but less than a hundred yards away her nieces waited with their father at the finish line.

  "Sheila! Jenny! Crista!" Alice called out, waving over the crowd. "We're over here."

  Elise's nieces ran toward them. Tom stayed behind, taking a knee and setting up his camera for the finish line shot. As the girls drew near, Crista launched herself into Elise's open arms.

  "Aunty El, Daddy’s going to take our picture."

  Crista squealed as Elise grabbed her under the arms and swung her in a circle. She propped Crista on her hip as she ruffled Jenny’s hair. At nine, Jenny was too cool for the public display of affection and gave a huff.

  Alice wrapped an arm around the shoulder of Elise’s eldest niece. At ten, Shiela was going on twenty-one. Elise waved to Tom and gripped Crista's hand, ready to end the agonizing walk.

  The cellphone of a walker behind them sounded. Another rang ahead. Two phones buzzed on either side, and then the warbling tones sprouted like weeds, drowning out conversations. A symphony of ringtones rolled through the crowd, bringing with it a rush of silence.

  Elise exchanged a confused look with Alice.

  Bubbly conversations popped and fizzled. Nervous whispers erupted and then died out to form an oppressive silence.

  "Aunty El," Crista cried, "why have all the people stopped walking?"

  Alice pulled her cellphone out and thumbed it on. She punched at the screen and then point
ed a shaky finger to the sky.

  "Spaceships." All color drained from Alice's face.

  "What?"

  An image of five ring-shaped objects filled the screen.

  Tom raced toward them. His camera swung around his neck. He pumped his arms and devoured the distance with his long strides.

  "Did you hear?" He held up his cell phone. "Girls, are you okay?"

  Elise's gaze swept to her nieces. Crista clutched her sisters' hands, terrified of the silent adults. Jenny and Sheila stood to either side, their young faces scanning the crowd, confused and scared.

  Elise kissed Crista's head and lowered her voice to a whisper so no one else could hear. "Don't worry, your great-grandpa should make an announcement soon."

  Crista's eyes lit up. She whispered back, "Grampy Chuck?" Her little hand squeezed Elise's. "I wanna hear what he says."

  Tom gathered Sheila to his side. Crista stared at him, not understanding what was going on. Jenny reached for her father's hand and he pulled her to him, sheltering and protecting his daughters.

  Tears streamed down the faces of those around them. More than a few sobbed. Some looked skyward, eyes alight with anticipation. She was proud of her nieces, who didn't cry, and faced the sky with intelligent eyes.

  Elise followed their gazes skyward, but there was nothing but blue sky and puffy clouds overhead.

  "Elise!" Alice tapped her arm. "Director Comwell's going to speak."

  Alice had no idea the famous family connection Elise could claim, and she hoped to keep it that way. True friends were hard to come by when the most powerful man on Earth was your grandfather.

  Elise pulled Crista into a hug and lifted her into her arms. Tom gave her a thankful smile.

  "Let's listen to the news."

  Alice shifted the screen for Elise and Christa while Tom held his for Jenny and Sheila. The girls pressed close and hugged their dad.

  The news anchor recapped. "Breaking news: The Global Corps Space Agency has confirmed a fleet of ships appeared in the space between Earth and the Moon."

  "Aunty El," Crista whined, "I can't see."

  Alice made a quick adjustment and turned up the volume.

  The clipped voice of a woman continued. "So far, there has been no contact. We'll break for an announcement from United's CEO, Charles Comwell."

  The face of the richest, most powerful man alive filled the display. Warm eyes radiated calm while his measured words entranced the world.

  "Citizens of Earth, for that is what we are. We have been headed toward one unified global identity for decades. We are Citizens of Earth. And…" He leaned forward for effect. "We have visitors." Comwell’s charismatic smile fixed in place while the full impact of his words sank in.

  Elise looked up from the tiny screen. Those around them stared at their phones, fingers wrapped tight, heads bowed, spellbound by her grandfather's words. His calm and confident voice could soothe any crowd. Where she expected panic, his words brought peace.

  We have visitors. Such a simple phrase. It made her feel safe, not scared. Only, his wink was too practiced and his voice too smooth. Something worried her grandfather.

  Alice breathed out a sigh. "It's going to be okay." Her cheeks regained some of their color.

  Elise shook her head, amazed as always by the effect her grandfather had on others. As a testament to his charisma, at the end of his announcement, those around them whispered reassurances to one another. They stood, hugged, tightened their shoelaces, and walked. Not to the finish line. Everyone had given up on the Walk for the Cure. There were bigger issues to deal with as people headed home to discuss the life changing news.

  Perhaps upon realizing she wouldn't get her finish line picture, Crista cried. "What about our picture?"

  Alice glanced toward the end of the race where the event organizers were packing up. "I'm game to finish this."

  She gave Alice a sympathetic smile. A five-year-old didn't care about aliens from outer space. All Crista wanted was a picture of crossing the finish line for her mommy in heaven.

  "Come on, let's do this." Elise winked at her youngest niece who grinned back with enthusiasm.

  Tom released his older girls, giving a smile to Alice. "Hang on. Let me get in position." With a glance at Elise to watch over his girls, he jogged back to the finish line, took a knee, and set up for the shot.

  She hoped her fears were misplaced, but an urgency to prepare for the worst tugged at her. Forcing one foot in front of the other, Elise tried to find some sense of normal. They crossed the finish line and Tom snapped their picture. Crista squealed and leapt into her father’s arms.

  "We did it, daddy!"

  If only things were as easy as appeasing a five-year-old.

  Chapter Two

  Wednesday evening, February 2, 2035:

  Very much out of place, Elise fidgeted in the foyer of the Social Complex of Global Corps Headquarters, amidst hundreds of the wealthiest men, women, their spouses and leaders of the world's nations. Smiles filled their faces, portraying an eagerness she didn’t share. Dread cut a deep pit in her stomach instead.

  Her grandfather had shared the reports in the few days leading up to tonight. Aliens had been out there all along, exploring and colonizing space, while the rest of humanity hunkered down on Earth. And, if what her grandfather said was true, they were eager to strike up trade. An interesting twist to the greatest news story in history, and another reason to be excited: the aliens weren't alien at all, but human cousins who’d left Earth two thousand years ago. They had returned in peace.

  Christopher Columbus said the same to the American Indians, the Spaniards to the Mayans; but look how that worked out. No more American Indians. No more Mayans.

  A quick look had her thinking she was overreacting. Nobody appeared nervous, and these were the movers and shakers of the world. Even the scores of unobtrusive security men lining the walls stood at ease.

  She bit her lower lip, pensive and uncomfortable. If what Gramps told her was true, the Vendel left Earth two thousand years ago. How they accomplished that feat had not yet been shared with Earth's leaders. She had grilled her grandfather after his initial talks with the Vendel. He seemed just as perplexed by their unwillingness to share and made it clear he intended to fill in the gaps when they opened negotiations. She hated not knowing and didn't have his patience for diplomacy. It felt all wrong.

  The crowd circulated within the vast chamber, waiting. A string quartet played in a small alcove and the beautiful music drifted above the general hubbub to settle gently on the assembled crowd. Stiletto heels sounded a constant clickety-clack on the fine Egyptian marble, and the swish of silk added its counterpoint to the symphony in play. Round and round, the important people of the world smiled and waited for the arrival of aliens.

  "Elise!"

  She turned at the sound. Her grandfather strode towards her and deflected the constant stream of people determined to block him from his goal. He carried two champagne flutes, one already half empty.

  He approached and gave a bow. "My lady, may I present you with your birthday drink?"

  "Why, thank you."

  Technically, she'd turned twenty-one the day of the charity walk, but he'd been busy with the Vendel and they hadn't had a chance to celebrate.

  "Sorry to keep you waiting." Concern flashed in his aqua-green eyes, a Comwell signature trait passed down for generations.

  She kissed his cheek. "You're an important man, Gramps. People need to talk to you."

  His smile stretched and crinkled at the corners of his eyes. "And you’re a very lovely young lady, whom I'm happy to have as my date for the evening."

  With the deaths of her parents and her grandmother several years ago, she'd taken on the official duties of his social escort once she'd turned sixteen. It'd been a novelty at the beginning and quickly turned into an onerous chore. Tonight, with the prospect of meeting aliens from outer space, the novelty factor was back in full play. It'd been a long time since s
he'd looked forward to one of these events.

  She took a sip and gestured to the crowd. "Are you sure this is a good idea? Putting everyone in one room makes little sense. We’re painting a big target on our back."

  Her grandfather placed a hand on her shoulder. "Relax, Elise. If they'd wanted to, they could've killed us a hundred times over already. That they haven't is promising."

  "But shouldn't we be prepared? Just in case?"

  His mouth twisted into a frown. "I know it's difficult for you to accept, but we have no choice but to play along. So far, they've negotiated in good faith. They understand the culture clash their return will cause, and they have a plan to mitigate it."

  "Really?" She looked at her grandfather with a new sense of respect. "I keep thinking of what happened to the natives when America was discovered, or the indigenous Australians…"

  He laughed. "Good analogy, but we're prepared."

  "I hope so." Despite his assurances, she still worried.

  Dale Armstrong, Global Corps Space Agency Director, and hopefully her new boss if she was selected for the deep space mission to Jupiter, joined them. He sported GC Space Agency's signature black dress uniform with Commodore pins on the shoulders.

  "Elise, you look stunning," Dale said. He kissed her cheek. "That color brings out the green in your eyes."