Awakening: The First Tale of the Trine (Trine Series Book 1) by D.B. West Page B

that it would open into a star. Once we had the coordinates of the Abbadon’s world, we opened the other end into their sun, and allowed the plasma to annihilate every living thing present. We console ourselves by saying ‘oh, they were better off dead’….but I know the truth. We didn’t even try. We took one look into the heart of pure, unapologetic evil, and rather than try to even save one innocent, we scorched them from the universe. We don’t even know if some of the species they had enslaved are out there somewhere, or if we committed multiple acts of genocide that day.”
    Aki bumped up against Orak, rubbing his shoulder on his agitated companion. “We cannot judge what our ancestors did too harshly. This was centuries before we were even born, and the war had drug on for ages.” Addressing the Director again, Aki said, “This is the Tragedy we honor, that ended the Abbadon’s presence on your world. They had countless colonies unfortunately, and were not entirely destroyed. After witnessing our peoples’ determination to see them brought low, they did finally agree to negotiations. A treaty was forged, protecting any sentient species from contact by any of our kind. Your world, and others, were declared ‘hands-off,’ and you were to be allowed to develop and discover on your own. That treaty has held for centuries.”
    “Until today,” Orak growled. “When Zion forced open the Bore and stepped foot on your Earth.”
    “You’re telling us there are multiple extra-terrestrial species who are aware of Earth, who have actually been here, and were kept at bay by a treaty? A treaty that you have now broken? Not only that, but you announced your arrival by blowing up a hospital and murdering dozens of American citizens?” Director Spencer demanded.
    “The murderer you seek is named Zion,” Orak said. “While my Trine was outside the Bore facility, Zion commandeered the aether engine. My father tried to stop him, and we attempted to answer his distress call and avert this disaster. We could not get back in time to prevent him from coming through, so we followed him with the intent of dragging him back through the Bore immediately. The Bore requires intense concentration to maintain, however, and my father was not able to sustain it long enough, or close it normally. The portal collapsed, causing the explosion. We could not find Zion in the rubble, so we attempted to stabilize the area and help the wounded. If you dig him out of that wreckage, do not trust him. My people will come for him, and we will do anything we can to help you deal with the aftermath of his actions.”
    “We have taken this ‘Zion’ into custody, and will be speaking with him shortly. Do you have any idea what could have motivated him to do something like this?” the Director asked.
    “I don’t know,” Orak growled. “What he has done is inexcusable, and he will face the harshest punishments for this crime. The only thing that even seems feasible is that he did this intentionally, in order to rekindle the war with the Abbadon. Near the end of the last conflict, his Trine was captured by the creatures. Zion was the only survivor.”
    “His Trine? Were they soldiers, or…?” Director Spencer left the question open-ended.
    “No,” Orak replied. “His Trine were what you would think of as ‘medics.’ His Trine was his wife and his daughter. This was before my birth, but I am told the manner of their death was gruesome, even for the Abbadon. Zion was one of the voices that pushed for the Tragedy to be unleashed, and has since lobbied for aggressively pursuing the remaining Abbadon and exterminating their race completely. He may have come here knowing that they cannot resist the temptation your species presents. If they do reappear, it would allow him to continue pursuing his vendetta. Ask him your questions, and if Aki or I can clarify anything, let us know. We regret this situation, more than our limited grasp of your