The Beginning of the End (Universe in Flames Book 4) by Christian Kallias Page A

baby.”
    Sarah stayed silent and put her arms around her slightly bulging belly. “But I’m only a few months pregnant. How is that even possible? And how do you know the name of my baby?”
    “Chase told me you would name your child Chris.”
    “We didn’t even have that conversation . . .” She looked at Chase, her face still filled with tears.
    “I saw him in a vision, and that was his name.”
    “This is just too much. So . . . we’re having a boy then?”
    “Looks that way.”
    “I’m exhausted.” She turned towards Ares’ golden aura. “Why is that?”
    “I think Chris channeled some of your own energy as well. You should probably rest now.”
    “I’ll rest when we’re out of this. That ship isn’t destroyed. We may want to finish the job first, and I don’t mean you,” said Sarah, pointing an accusing finger at Chase.
    “I couldn’t do anything at the moment even if I wanted to.”
    “Good!”
    Ares took a step forward. “You may want to resume your posts and get the jump engine back online, because the shit is about to hit the fan,” said Ares, pointing towards the cockpit.
    Keera jumped back to her seat and Daniel joined her on the co-pilot seat.
    Clearly disabled and unable to fire any of its main weapons, the Zarlack destroyer had sent a squadron of starfighters to intercept the Valken .
    “Shit, we’re in no shape to take on a squadron of ships,” said Keera, while trying in vain to restore the shields. “Dammit, they’ll be in firing range in less than a minute.”
    Ryonna pointed towards where Chase had blocked the plasma fire. “What’s happening there?”
    A dark sphere blacked out the stars. Purple lightning burst around the sphere as it grew.
    “We should get the fuck out of here,” said Ares. “This is a tear in space and time. It will most likely destroy this system within minutes.”
    Chase’s face grew somber, but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. He knew there was a good chance this would happen when he used his powers this way.
    “We’re out of here, then. I’m redirecting any ounce of juice to the sub-light engines,” said Keera.
    The Valken turned around and flew away from both the growing anomaly and the incoming wave of fighters.
    The anomaly grew in size exponentially, and then it exploded on itself, creating a black hole that started sucking in everything around it. The incoming starfighters were the first to be affected by the gravitational pull, and for a moment it looked as though they were stuck in place. But then they started spinning uncontrollably and were sucked in towards the center of the still-growing black hole.
    The Valken , which had traveled a sizeable distance away, started shaking and losing speed. Its engines moaned as the gravitational pull grew stronger.
    “This is not good!” shouted Keera.
    “No shit,” answered Daniel. “What’s that?” He pointed at a newly blinking control.
    “That’s an incoming communication. Patching it through.”
    “Starship Valken , this is the EAD Destiny , do you require assistance?”
    “Commodore! Boy it’s good to hear your voice, sir,” answered Daniel.
    “We’ve tried locating the Iron Fire , but it’s beacon stopped transmitting. We were scanning the surrounding systems when our long range sensors detected the Valken ’s signature. What’s your status, Commander?”
    “We need a lift, ASAP. We’re about to get sucked into a black hole.”
    “On our way. We’ll micro-jump near your coordinates.”
    “No!” interjected Chase. “Commodore, don’t jump here.”
    “Chase, it’s good to hear your voice. I’m listening.”
    “From the force of the gravitational pull I’d say it’s too dangerous for the Destiny to approach within tractor-beam distance.”
    Keera keyed in commands on her terminal at impressive speed.
    “Chase is correct, sir, the Destiny ’s mass is way too big. You’d be sucked in before you had time to approach us. Looks like the Zarlack