Genation Insectivolk Wars

By Robert A. Hunt

The aftermath of Verticus’s Great War escalates to a series of insectivolk wars. In the midst of the chaos Grizz abducts his daughter Genny. Eddy Twilynia Tik and Lunna-Jay mount a daring rescue attempt. Both Eddy and Grizz do what they can to end the insectivolk wars. Their efforts redirect Tik, Antiotae, Twilynia and Lunna-Jay to a Morguldean space station where they make contact with a specific Morguldean named Kroyd and a thrustle-T who goes by the name Brazor. It is a battle of wits to stay ahead of the wild shapeshifting creatures of Genotia one.

After being stranded on the alien planet for years, Eddy and Twilynia have a son named Ordomus. Following a second abduction of Genny, Tik, Brazor, Ordomus and Genny are separated from the others. Evon leads them through Genation and time to return to earth of the past. A human family in Hawaii graciously take Genny into their family, but they are caught unaware of the deep ties she has to the far reaches of space and time.

When Grizz absorbs all the power of Genation’s red nebulous swirl and Eddy absorbs the complete energy of Genation’s blue whirl, they battle hand to hand in the greatest conflict of good and evil since God fought the Devil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert A. Hunt
• Release date: Feb 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005330200

Robert A. Hunt

Robert A. Hunt resides in British Columbia, Canada with his wife and five children. He is the author of the thirteen published titles, including the Genation series, Jasper series and Sasquatch stand alone Legend series and a fun short story. He enjoys writing adventurous tales like science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction They remain unpredictable with new perspectives and clever story twists that distinguish, Robert A. Hunt as an author.

Book preview

Prologue

Some readers of this series may have been thrown off by the birth of the main character at the beginning of the book, Genation: Earth Volk. It wasn’t easy for me to come up with this strange scenario as the reason for it isn’t explained until the beginning of this third book.

Though it is a bit of a spoiler, I think it is important to let you, the reader, know where my head was when I wrote it. In Genation: Earth Volk, you will read how Gastonish (the volk mother of Eddy Evon) gives birth to two babies. During the birth there is a lot of light and heat given off from the mother’s pregnant belly. Each of the babies are encased within a thin egg which is easily breakable, then the story goes on to explain how one of the twins died and was immediately taken away.

When I was studying up on aliens to find out what my aliens would be like, I read an interesting passage from the Bible; (Ezekiel 1:1-28) In particular; this passage of scripture mentions four living creatures and how where the spirit led, the wheels would go because the spirit of the living creatures was within the wheels.

To me this was an explanation of alien creatures and their spacecrafts, ie. the wheels. I tried to keep the Ornocks (aliens) of the story, true to the aliens of the bible, (Book of Ezekiel) and incorporate our modern understanding of alien creatures. (Ezekiel 1:16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels : They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.) from this passage, I wanted the spacecrafts to have the capability of joining and intersecting to become a larger craft governed by many Ornocks who were telepathically of one mind.

In the third book of Genation (Insectivolk War) Eddy Evon and his wife Twilynia Tianaira have a child together. When the child is born, Eddy is surprised. From his understanding of a volk birth, everything is going along correctly, there is a lot of heat and light, but when the baby is born, it is not born within a thin shell of an egg, but in a glowing molten surface of a flying spacecraft or Vorogon. The baby comes out of the flying organic craft of light and heat but the child is not a Volk, it is a Vornock the size of a squirrel, which is an evolved version of the sub species, Ornock. You see, the Volks and the Vornocks share very similar DNA so a Vornock species can be born of Volk parents. Volks and Vornocks are not very different genetically though they differ mostly by appearance.

This becomes something Eddy finds difficult to deal with because he was banking on having a volk son or daughter. ‘A Vornock son?’ Eddy looks at a Vornock and all he sees is an Ornock like the ones he encountered in his childhood from the past, 26 million years ago.

On the planet Verticus, Ornocks no longer exist, but Eddy sees Vornocks as the same equivalent even though they are not.

Previously

Genation

Earth Volk

Book 1

Two volks, one male (Mulunac) and one female (Gastonish), travel into the Genation nebula. On their way to their home planet of Verticus Mulunac is atomized while Gastonish accidentally ends up on earth. After being captured and injured by the military, she gives birth to twin male volks. One lives but the other does not.

The baby volk, Eddy, describes what it’s like to be raised in a highly secure government facility. There he is permitted to see his volk mother too. Later they are transferred to a secret man-made island where it is uncovered the volks are from the future… as in 26 million years in the future.

When Eddy reaches adulthood, he and his mother implement a plan to return to Verticus. Throughout this quest, Eddy teams up with his half-brother Grizz and must see their way through a harrowing, edge of your seat adventure.

Genation

Grizz

Rise of the Shadow-Knight

Book 1.5

The twin volk brother of Eddy dies shortly after birth, but the government wasn’t finished with him yet. They used the volk parts of the body to enhance five human newborns. These brothers were raised to be the U.S. military’s secret weapons.

GRIZZ and his four brothers are the government’s ultimate secret weapon. From the time they were born, each of them are enhanced with the body parts of an alien volk. Overcoming impossible odds, Grizz rises in the ranks and becomes a Shadow-Knight. Every next move is a battle of wits and fists to complete their mission and stay alive. Grizz’s first enemies are the nations of the world. After the demise of these brothers, the volk parts were surgically integrated into the last surviving brother who would be later known as Grizz.

After escaping the control of the government, Grizz goes solo and leads the punks of Cosmo City for a time until they too turn on him. Kiki Vixen becomes Grizz’s unlikely companion and between them a solid bond of friendship is forged, but the cost of combat is too high.

After teaming up with Eddy Evon, together they challenge the military who hunts them which forges the beginnings of an inseparable duo.

GENATION

Verticus

Book 2

After successfully venturing through Genation and a great deal of space, Eddy and Grizz reach Verticus. The world of the volks isn’t exactly as perfect as they expected.

Trying to start a new life for himself, Eddy meets his volk family. Grizz has nothing but difficulty adjusting. Because of the complexity of Grizz’s genes, he is forced to endure numerous rigorous testing. This was the very thing Grizz wanted to escape from earth. When he can take no more, Grizz breaks free. On the run and wanted as an extremely dangerous volk, Grizz is at large in the volk city and hunted by the vastly advanced robotic peace officers known as ‘the thrustle-T.’ This lands him in a situation of being expelled to a volk prison world.

Armed with volk weaponized technology and an army of prisoners, they infest Verticus wreaking vengeance upon all volks and challenging their superiority.

Worlds collide, the sun dies and Verticus is all but destroyed. Witness the ultimate catastrophic events when Grizz goes on an extreme rampage in the future of Genation. Leading an army from the prison world, he all but destroys Verticus.

Meanwhile, Eddy rises up to fight his wayward brother and protect all volks from his tyranny with a secret weapon of his own.

Insectivolks

Brazor and Kroyd

The Quasarious

Genny & Tik

Genation

Insectivolk Wars

Forward

THE AFTERMATH OF THE GREAT WAR gripped the entire planet, Verticus. This world was primarily inhabited by insects, volks and insectivolks. Twenty-six million years ago, Verticus was known as present day earth.

Volks, who were heavily muscled sentient beings, possessed thick grey translucent skin. These beings were locked in a perilous war against the Insectivolks. Though they were bipedal human-like individuals with two arms and two legs, these volks and insectivolks walked upright. They were heavily muscled and hairless with pure black eyes that were filled with knowledge and wisdom, but still a hunger remained with a boundless curiosity for all things.

After a great battle, Verticus became a war-torn planet. Along with the rest of the solar system, it was beaten almost to the point of no recovery. After the destruction of their unstable, red giant sun, only one hope remained; a new sun. The Great War had nearly destroyed this also, but the new sun, born from the gas planet Jupiter, radiated life giving light that provided a second chance to the old solar system.

Not far, circling the bright new center of the solar system was an old relative, Plusunto. This was what remained after Pluto had merged with the red giant which kept it from going nova. After evading obliteration, it continued to live on with a weak heartbeat of light, Plusunto lived on, but only as a burned-out dwarf star. Before the Great War the planet Verticus depended on a global brace to keep it a safe distance and trajectory around the red giant sun. Now, after the brace was destroyed, it was able to naturally follow its ecliptic path.

With the threat of the criminal Ganglioid renegades and the Skilougyze wraiths now behind them, one would expect a peaceful recuperation amongst the surviving volks, but this was not so.

Upon the surface of Verticus the Insectivolks gathered amongst themselves to reflect on the destruction of their beloved home world.

Over the years, volks had learned to co-exist with the giant insects of their world. Such a consuming species thrived in great numbers. The reproduction of these giant creatures had the potential to over populate the plane with ease. Volks and Insectivolks had to implement population control measures for the planet’s sake or all-natural resources would be lost. Insects were the dominant species of Verticus and many argued the insects boasted more rights than the volks did, for it was not legal for any civilian to kill, or even hurt, them. Only professional Insect Population Control Officers (IPCO) were allowed to do this within their systematic guidelines. Most volks were authorized to some extent to kill insects and especially if it was a matter of life or death. Insects that were killed were used to feed volks, mammals, reptiles and other insects. During the course of the great battle everyone fought with all their might to survive, but near the end of the battle, the volks were instructed to abandon the planet so they did what they could to escape. Most of all who remained on the planet were the insectivolks. They loved their home world so much they were willing to die for it.

Insectivolks were an altered strain of volk Geno. Though they appeared to be more insect than volk, they were originally volks who altered their DNA to accept insect characteristics. This method was supported and accepted as the insectivolk movement. Volks who obtained this transformation done to them felt stronger with enhanced abilities. Many wished to take the next step in their foreseeable evolutionary advancement and have the insectivolk population break away as their own recognizable species separated from volks. The only problem was, Insectivolks weren’t able to reproduce other Insectivolks. Insectivolks still gave birth to volks. A procedure was conceived which could possibly correct this.

A petition actively sought to make this procedure lawful and permanent. Through the news-wave all was in readiness. All that was left was a deciding vote. A couple had already become famous for giving birth to their first insectivolk child. Only adults were allowed to take the procedure and transform themselves into insectivolks so this child was also the first female insectivolk child.

Insectivolks were volks who altered their bodies to better adapt to their world. Because the insects were the dominant species, countless volks took various insect traits upon themselves through the altercation of their DNA cell structure. To upgrade one’s self as a volk, they would opt to take up and endure this transformation. As Insectivolks, volks lives were enhanced in almost every aspect. They also felt an innate spiritual connection to their beloved home world of Verticus.

Through such planet bonding, all insectivolks shared the same protective instinct. They believed if they were willing to adapt their bodies and remain upon the planet to give their lives for it, fighting to the bitter end, they had earned the right to inherit Verticus as their own planet. After all, the volks abandoned it. Through the baptism of battle, the planet Verticus now belonged to the Insectivolks and if any volk wished to challenge their claim and travel to their world, they’d have to alter their bodies to fit in with their race and become Insectivolks also.

After fashioning a confederate flag for their kind, the idea spread across the globe like an uncontrollable storm. The aftermath of the planet’s war was just what the Insectivolks needed to make their claim.

When volks returned to Verticus to re-establish their mighty cities, they were surprised to find they were no longer welcome. A law was passed recognizing the insectivolks as their own people and no longer as volks. Under new decree, the returning volks were required to become Insectivolks.

This infuriated volks throughout the galaxy. In their opinion, they were the original bearers of the planet. With grey hairless skin and bulging mammal muscles, the volks were in natural form. Why should we alter our bodies to live upon the surface of our home world? they asked.

Even the Primogenitor, Van Zanten, who was the owner of the planet, was no longer welcome back to his former position unless he committed his body to change. The Insectivolks were adamant about their choice and they vowed to take and protect their planet by force if need be.

A new war quickly manifested into being upon the battered surface of the volk’s home world. This new battle exhibited the potential of becoming worse than the last one, the Great War. At first, the volks just held back and sent their thrustle-T to the spiteful and arrogant insectivolks, but this didn’t work out as favorably as planned.

The Insectivolks were so powerful and quick they were able to destroy any thrustle-T who opposed them no matter what instrument or vehicle of destruction they implemented.

The volks became unsure of themselves and their own abilities.

The Insectivolks were just too strong. Going down to the surface to negotiate or fight Insectivolks became a sure death sentence.

It was not easy for, Van Zanten to find brave volks who were willing to put their lives on the line to take the planet back by force and when ‘the perpetual platoon,’ (Highly trained volks to become the next thrustle-T command squad known as the thorogrid knights,) were all killed, the situation became far worse than anyone could imagine.

Volks fighting insectivolks was like a senseless genocide that wasn’t worth the effort, but to surrender the fight meant volks would have to surrender their planet too. Fighting Insectivolks was like trying to take back their planet from themselves. The volks knew, if they just left the Insectivolks alone, the planet Verticus would thrive once again and function peacefully.

What was one planet to the volks? They inhabited countless other prime worlds. It was decided no one else had to be killed over this matter.

In time, only Primogenitor, Van Zanten felt so strongly about the matter to do anything about it. As a final attempt to win his planet back, he was about to transform himself into an Insectivolk. Deciding to refuse to lower himself to the insectivolk’s level, the situation made Van Zanten deeply bitter until he hated them.

How dare they steal my planet?! With such deep despise for the Insectivolks, his closest companions ended up isolating him and speculating if the renowned, Van Zanten’s thoughts had; ‘…become utterly consumed with ways to deal with such varmints? Has the situation twisted the mind of this prestigious volk and warped his vast knowledge spanning years of experience?’

The insectivolks heard about Van Zanten’s struggle and insisted he become an insectivolk himself. They assured him Verticus would be promptly returned to him as soon as the transformation was completed.

This didn’t sit well with Van Zanten. Verticus was a broken planet now and to restore it would take a lot of effort on everyone’s part. As time drew on, Van Zanten grew more bitter as the matter consumed his thought and ate him up inside. If not for mere principal alone, ‘It’s my planet! The Insectivolks are stealing it from me.’

Sending for aid from the species known as Morguldeans, who saved the volks from the possible aggressive take-over of the Ganglioid renegades and Skilougyze wraiths, Van Zanten found he was too late as they had already returned to their place of origin within the Genation nebula.

The Morguldeans told Van Zanten, ‘This is a matter of genocide between your own people and must also be resolved amongst yourselves. We don’t wish to become involved in every discrepancy of your species.’

Though no one seemed interested in assisting the Primogenitor, Van Zanten vowed he’d never let his planet go.

Staged within a planetary home, cruising across the surface of the next largest satellite of Verticus, the moon of Epitomevert, the smaller inhabitable planet, Van Zanten peered out at his planet in the sky. He was not used to looking at Verticus from such a distance even though he had been doing it for months. He tried to live in disguise and fit in with the commoners of Epitomevert. As far as he could tell, the Insectivolks weren’t interested in taking over the moon, at least not yet.

Epitomevert was a small version of Verticus with a breathable atmosphere, water, vegetation and volk inhabited cities. Only most of the volks had moved on so very few remained.

Chapter 1

Log Home

THE SUN WAS JUST AS HE REMEMBERED it when he was a boy. The same warmth, the same glow, but it was not the same sun.

Leaning back on a large chair carved from a single log, Eddy marveled at the glowing gas planet Jupiter as it radiated heat and light. He opened his thick muscled volk arms to the morning and drank in the new sun’s rays as the wind whipped at his face.

The great gas giant had been ignited and set ablaze and not far away, a smaller soft bluish white glow came from the dwarf star of Plusunto which used to be known as the sun or ‘Big Red.’ The light of the solar system’s new sun now warmed Eddy’s face.

Eddy, an average looking volk was hairless and grey skinned with a massively muscled physic unlike anything a human could hope to emulate. What made him unique was that he was raised by humans in the time of present-day earth.

At the center of the grand wooden deck, grew a tall, gnarly, but healthy tree. The trunk of this tree was three times wider than the tree he once knew of as ‘the old wise one.’ This tree was longer and its narrow branches came down from the top like water from a fountain or a weeping willow. This strange tree was more twisty, knotted and thickened at the large knuckled joints that gave it a character all its own. A swing hung from forty-foot-long ropes that reached way up into the canopy above. This swing was a favorite place for Twilynia.

Eddy’s wife moved graciously and he compared her to his version of a celestial being. Unlike other volk women, or wovolks, she exhibited blue eyes and remained the most beautiful wovolk Eddy had ever met. She had spent long hours on the deck. Often, she would move to and fro, swaying with long cathartic glides on the swing. Her sertz induced self-examinations which did little to console her troubles. Looking back, she realized there was nothing that could’ve prevented the war. I was fated to take place.

Eddy rocked forward and stood up from the log chair before lumbering forward to the robust railing. Looking over at the land as it passed under him, he gazed out upon the destruction of the planet. The result of war and hate both sickened and amazed him. In the sky he observed the huge planet of Verticus. It was about to sink beyond the horizon. Eddy couldn’t believe he was on Epitomevert. When he grew up on earth he knew the planet to be the moon. He worked so hard to get here to this place and time. It always astounded him to stand upon the surface of a planetary home and gaze at his favorite planet.

Twilynia had earned this planetary home which was, in every respect, a small planet. It coasted silently over Epitomevert’s surface at an altitude of a thousand meters.

Eddy maintained a difficult time letting go of his human history and way of life. He craved to have a human element still a part of his life, especially at his home. Upon the surface of Twilynia’s planetary home, she was gracious enough to let Eddy build a log home of his design. Eddy built his home at the edge of a lake. Though the planetary home was round, it had a center of gravity just like Verticus, but this gravity was manufactured and exclusive to the planetary home.

The log home was a replacement to Eddy’s original log home on Verticus. It was destroyed during the Great Battle against the Skilougyze wraiths and the Ganglioid renegades. Leaning on his sturdy railing, Eddy rested while his sertz, Evon, fed information via a news-wave into his mind.

Eddy’s blocky little sertz looked like a little robotic housefly from a distance. Maintaining square edges and no wings, its two eyes glowed red and moved up and down when it talked, like a puppet.

Feeling responsible for the current condition of Verticus, Eddy was certain, if he hadn’t returned to this world, it would still be a peaceful planet.

Evon never stopped reporting information. Through the little robot, Eddy could socialize and contribute through an immediate form of global telepathy. While he reflected on his own thoughts and opinions, his sertz continued to relay information to him from the background. As a volk, Eddy asserted the capacity to multitask and follow several sources of information at one time. Now, he was especially interested in what Evon relayed from the sertz central collective. Volk’s from all over the galaxy also followed the updated news-wave feed, even if only a fraction of their attention was focusing on the information. All volks shared the great span of up-to-date information regardless if they were volk, insectivolk or vornock.

Vornocks were a subspecies resulted from the inter breeding between volks and alien humanoid lifeforms.

Throughout time, the systematic telepathic updating of information eventually affected every individual at some capacity or another and allowed everyone to move forward and progress at an equal pace. Working and living together as one, promoted everyone to give to one another unceasingly.

Now, however, were difficult times and trade was greatly disrupted between species and groups.

* * *

The great tree grew out from the center of the deck. Imagining his cousin, Tik swinging through the branches, Eddy was reminded of how he never saw his funny insectivolk friend very much anymore since all of the political problems arose. It was a goofy form of racism, because essentially, though the differences were vast, insectivolks and volks were exactly the same race. To Eddy, it was like trying to lawfully pass a bill that people with tattoos were a separate class of human. The same could be said for the racism which plagued the history of the humans of earth as well. Eddy just couldn’t get it.

Letting his gaze drop to the impossibly deep gorge below, he began to focus on the activity therein. This old crevasse was formed way back when Epitomevert was a lifeless orb of dust and moon rock. Never imagining he would ever end up living on the moon, Eddy was certain it was only a matter of time before the insectivolks claimed this world too. Far off in the distance below, he detected the twinkling lights of the city Niviopolis. Shaking his head, Eddy couldn’t help but go back in his memory to a time when human beings ruled the surface of Verticus, and Verticus was known as earth, twenty-six million years ago. Lately, thoughts of humans occupied Eddy’s thoughts more than ever, even when he lived among them.

Perhaps this was due to the new baby. Eddy still couldn’t believe it, ‘Grizz and Lunna-Jay had married?’

Eddy closed his eyes and let his head tilt back as he drew in a deep breath of air. Memories played through his mind with perfect clarity. He could recall every detail of any poignant moment and it sent waves of emotions through him.

Lunna-Jay told Grizz; The enlightenment of God was revealed within me. It decreed that we were meant to be. We were destined to have a child.

Eddy would never forget the day when Lunna-Jay contacted Twilynia and told her she was about to give birth.

Lunna-Jay suspected the baby might carry some human traits as Grizz was the father. She had requested to have Eddy present at her time of giving birth because he was an expert in humans.

Eddy and Twilynia went to a semi-restored Velenod Atmos Fortress to be with Lunna-Jay along with some other family members. When the baby was born, Eddy, along with everyone else, was surprized to find it was a girl and completely human in appearance.

Lunna-Jay loved her pink little baby and never let her out of her sight. She found her extraordinary and fascinating, but it was so delicate and susceptible she was worried she might break her. Lunna-Jay had some difficulty coming up with an appropriate name for her newborn, but when Eddy suggested, ‘Genny,’ (Spoken like; Jenny.) it just stuck.

Eddy told everyone it was a very human name, but he never told anyone his main reason for choosing this name was the shortening of the name; Genation nebula.

Genation was still on his mind, like a shadowy presence that never left him.

After mentioning that the baby was the first human born from a volk, Eddy then added, This is also the first human of its kind in this world. This concept aroused his interest.

No, Eddy, Grizz was the first human. This little girl is the seventh human of Verticus. came a surprising statement from a resuscitation practitioner (volk doctor). Something roared in the background. Eddy found the noise familiar, like the kind of roar he had heard from Grizz, but the roar was different and definitely not Grizz’s.

This would be impossible as Grizz had perished in the Great War.

Seventh? Eddy questioned, What am I not being told? These were matters that further stimulated his curiosity.

The volk resuscitation practitioner continued to explain, You’ve heard from your sertz news wave of a new furry creature here at the Velenod. Well, the mentioned creature is here.

Taking up an inquiry that he gained no hope to profit from, Eddy went down the hall to investigate and discovered a full grown grizzly bear was imprisoned there. From the DNA of Grizz’s heart this creature was recovered and recreated. It is a primitive version of a bear. The resuscitation practitioner explained. The bears of Verticus were much smaller than the grizzly Eddy was looking at. On Verticus a bear was extremely endangered and about the size of a house cat and not so vicious. To the volks, a bear of earth was a savage dino-bear-asaurus.

From the sampled DNA of human flesh, claimed from Grizz’s body, Eddy could see the humans that were created. He was appalled by the sight of the five humans. They seemed scared and unsure of where they were. Eddy immediately thought back to when he was a child growing up in the captivity of the humans who were always watching and studying him. Here it was in reverse, but it was happening all over again.

Do you plan to keep these humans here forever? Will they ever be set free into the world of volks to live full lives? Eddy asked from a spike of emotion. His eyebrow muscles raised as he awaited what the practitioner would commit to. Eddy had an inkling he wasn’t going to go his way.

When Eddy caught the true answer by telepathic means, he realized raising the humans in protective custody was indeed the preferred plan so Eddy shouted a negative reply. My daughter will not be raised like this! Everyone gave Eddy the strangest look. Eddy knew what he had said, but he only said it as a result of the connection he felt he had with the human newborn.

Twilynia felt very awkward about her husband’s strange outburst. Later, when they locked eyes, she asked Eddy, Would you be interested in having children of our own? You do realize you’re not the father of this girl.

Eddy responded by saying, This isn’t why I referred to the newborn as my own daughter. he began strolling away from her.

Twilynia fell in beside him as she subtly explained. I understand what you’re going through. I too feel a connection to my sister’s child. We’re relative to one another and my sister and I are twins.

It hasn’t been easy for Twilynia and Eddy to have Lunna-Jay living with them. Whenever they looked at Lunna-Jay they would see how Grizz had taken advantage of her all over again. Since she gave birth to the child though, Eddy has had a lot of conflicting feelings.

The female newborn was so beautiful; perfect really as far as humans go. She quickly became the center of a lot of debate amongst volks because she was something they hadn’t expected or seen before. Eddy had thoroughly inspected every inch of the child inside and out and though it baffled him, she appeared to be 100% human.

With dark hair and eyes, Genny soon became the center of the home. Eddy knew Tik would be fascinated by the child and would’ve seen telepathic images of her through his sertz like everyone else.

Though the birth of Genny was big news, news of the rising insectivolk war was a building concern.

Turning, Eddy noticed Twilynia along with her twin sister, Lunna-Jay. They stepped out of the open wooden doorway.

Lunna-Jay cradled the tiny pink bundle in her arms and her smile was so bright and cheerful, she gleamed with happiness. Tilting her head to look down at her baby, Lunna-Jay looked up at Eddy and smiled as he carefully approached her. Marveling at how beautiful she was with her newborn baby, Eddy reached down and softly pulled the blanket down to get a better look at Genny’s amazing face again.

Twilynia spoke softly, Eddy, you could have explained to me what a human looked like to great detail, but never would I have imagined they could be as beautiful as this.

Lunna-Jay held her baby closer to her warm body.

The child was precious and just hours old. All cleaned-up with a content look of being, Genny was lost in her own content world of dreamland.

‘What do babies dream of anyways?’ Eddy wondered. The distant universes were crowded with the vivacity of sparkling stars and endless possibilities. The baby appeared even tinier in the arms of the eight foot tall volks. She was just a little fragile girl, with radiant pink cheeks. So tiny in her mother’s arms, five pounds three ounces, Eddy thought of her as delicate as a flower.

Not sure how he’d feel about Grizz’s child until it was born, Eddy found he loved her as though she were his own. When his eyes settled upon her, he beamed with pride. Because Genny was his thread, Eddy felt an immediate connection with her. She also connected him to a familiar world… his past… a time and place he once called home.

According to the results of many tests, the baby, Genny was 99% human.

Lunna-Jay was permitted to keep the baby with her at Eddy and Twilynia’s home for the first night, but by morning it was to be returned for further study.

A human child was born. As thorough as volks were at retrieving and disclosing information over the news waves. Eddy would’ve preferred no mention of the child’s real father, Grizz. Nevertheless, details of the child’s true father were known publically which only complicated Lunna-Jay’s life all the more. Despite the interest volks had in the insectivolk war, news of the human baby, Genny, spread like wildfire.

‘It feels like it was just yesterday,’ Eddy recalled, ‘when I was the talk of every volk’s sertz through the news wave. A great commemorative party was made in my honor. Volks hailed me the hero of the Great War for bringing the Morguldean Golden Armada. They eliminated the invading Ganglioid renegades along with their allies, the Skilougyze wraiths. Not only was I finally accepted into my home world, I was lifted on high by it.’

Telepathically, Eddy relived other great stories of volks who survived the war along with memories of those who didn’t survive. Some stories weren’t very flattering at all but each and every volk who was impacted by the Great War had an opportunity to telepathically share their experiences. Their emotions were the most compelling part of every story as they too could be projected telepathically with astounding clarity. There was no shortage of stories as sertz were submitted, read and events collected. Each volk who contributed was recognized and honored. One could spend a life-time reviewing the records and many volks did devote their time to it, but it was dangerous. For as dreadful as the war was, it had the capability to consume one’s mind and the thrilling infatuation would easily crumble into moments of pure sorrow.

The reality that volks were capable of such horrific episodes only reminded everyone that their rich and wonderful past was now their history. Rebuilding what was lost would be a long road ahead, but insectivolks were determined to build everything back even better than it was.

It wasn’t long before Eddy’s popularity diminished. The birth of Lunna-Jay’s human child became the focus of volk interest all the way to other worlds. Life found a way through constant attempts to manipulate the DNA of insectivolks until finally they had the breakthrough they were looking for. Insectivolks could reproduce and have insectivolk off-spring. Up until this moment, insectivolk couples gave birth to volk babies. Now, the insectivolks could push to be recognized as their own species.

Lunna-Jay, Eddy and Twilynia set up a counter message from their sertz. It activated for any volk who attempted to contact them and it read; DO NOT DISTURB US WITH VISITATIONS. WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CURIOSITY FOR OUR HUMAN CHILD. EVERYONE WILL WANT TO WATCH HER GROW. WE INTEND TO SCHEDULE OUR TIME WITH THE PUBLIC IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.

As remarkable as Genny was in the eyes of the volks, Lunna-Jay simply perceived a vulnerable baby in her loving care. She had a natural instinct to protect her child.

Eddy, who was now a volk of importance and stature, along with his wife, Twilynia, could see and understand Lunna-Jay’s need to get away and escape the curious volks. Eddy’s eyes darted from volk to volk as he studied their faces. His popularity continued to grow, not only for his time traveling reputation, but for saving Verticus from being taken over by the Skilougyze Ganglioid criminals. It was recognized that he was the only volk who the Morguldeans would’ve obeyed.

Tik’s popularity also became the center for much attention, however, despite all this he too was left homeless after the war, as was everyone who had a home on Verticus at the time of the attack. Eddy wasn’t sure how Tik was living these days on Verticus. Every inch of the planet was affected by the devastation of the war.

With a protective field reality established around the planetary home along with stationed thrustle-T guards, Lunna-Jay continued to have an uneasy feeling of vulnerability.

Eddy watched Twilynia as she took a step back to get a better view of Lunna-Jay. When she turned back to look at Eddy for a moment, he found her longing expression alluring and attractive. Conscientiously, he regarded her with a gentle smile.

Her sister stood with her child in her arms in front of the back portion of their new log home.

Enjoying the warm summer nights and the sounds of the huge crickets as they sang and the winged insects who buzzed about near and far, they would’ve seemed soothing if they weren’t the size of automobiles and houses.

This log home was much larger than the first one Eddy built. It was filled with the new sweet scents of woodland pines as a pile of timber kindled in the fireplace. These were the most welcome and pleasing aromas of the planetary home as far as Eddy was concerned. Breathing in the scent, he was reminded of simpler times with his mother on earth. The memory lingered and caused him to grin with pleasure.

After designing this abode with Twilynia, Eddy stood back and gauged his handy work. The monumental size of the home overwhelmed the view of Lunna-Jay and her newborn baby.

Twilynia snuggled into Eddy’s wide, solid chest. She tried to capture the essence of the moment like a perfect snapshot in her mind. "Just look, Eddy, I’m taken by the way Jupiter’s sunlight is reflecting off the log house and the way Verticus glimmers far off overhead. Just over the tree tops, you see, to the left of the house there is another planet that gives off a soft blue glow. ‘LittleBlue,’ can you believe we used to call it ‘Plusunto?’ It is the newest member of the solar system. This planet is the result of the sun, ‘BigRed’ and the ice planet, ‘Pluto,’ combining to form one new world to protect the rest of the solar system from a possible super nova and we were here when it happened. We can tell our children what it was like, and their children and their children."

Eddy chuckled, Hey, don’t get too far ahead of yourself, but you are right. We have survived one of the biggest historical events this world will ever know. Walking near to a table next to the in-deck, swimming pool, Eddy looked up at the gleaming massive orb of Verticus as it reflected light from the new sun. Upon the table was a large selection of food.

Twilynia was putting the final touches together on the table. Please sit everyone. This is a very special occasion. she proclaimed, "Let’s welcome our newest little person to the family, Genny."

Everyone gladly lifted their drinks with a victory cheer of, Rhoa-Ha! they drank to the newborn human child in her honor.

Tik’s golden staff transformed into a robotic stick bug, then a compartment opened and his other, smaller sertz climbed out. This cyborg of an insectignat relayed a synthesized audible message, ALL INSECTIVOLKS ARE TO RETURN TO VERTICUS FOR THE TIME BEING. AS LONG AS VOLKS ARE NOT PERMITTED PASSAGE TO THE PLANET VERTICUS THEN INSECTIVOLKS WON’T BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE. ANY INSECTIVOLK WHO IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS DECREE IN THE NEXT HOUR WILL BE SOUGHT OUT AND FORCED TO BECOME VOLKS AGAIN.

It was quite a mild order compared to what most volks expected. Everyone looked at Tik as he took a couple steps back and said, "Well, it’s been ((-Klikt-)) fun. We’ll have to do it all again soon. Leaning toward Eddy and Twilynia, he pointed his knobby green finger at them, You’ll have to get ((-Klikt-)) busy so I can return to the next baby party." He laughed a high pitched rapid series of chirps before disappearing over the ledge.

No one was certain if such an opportunity would come again, and if it did, would it be anytime soon?

* * *

The majority of the volks believed the insectivolks were partying and living it up with their predictable irresponsible reputations on the surface of Verticus. Volks were forbidden to go to the planet and see it first-hand. There, they would’ve found quite the opposite was true.

Genuinely, the Great War was over, but salvaging what remained proved to be an unthinkable clean-up job. The death toll was insurmountable and there were no visible survivors of the countless Skilougyze wraiths or Ganglioid renegades who invaded their world. The enemy had been rendered braindead before they died. No more would the Skilougyze wraiths or the Ganglioid renegades have their forces united to inflict their envious hatred and tyranny ever again.

The Morguldeans turned the broken Terraforming drone into a tomb of dead infestivourse. The surface of Verticus was also littered with a great number of the dead. The blood of good and evil saturated the soil and polluted the waters.

The great cities that once populated prevalent areas had ascended into the infinite canvas of deep space. An unfortunate few who decided to lift off too late, were utterly decimated upon the planet’s surface. Only ashen forms remained that would soon dissolve and dispersed to the winds.

* * *

A barren wasteland of death and destruction; the surface of Verticus, just yesterday it seemed, was known as the home world of peace and prosperity. Now it rolled over like a dead world, steaming hot with dusty ruins. Bodies of the dead were strewn everywhere; volks, insectivolks, vornocks, Skilougyze wraiths and Ganglioid renegades were piled in heaps awaiting mass burials. Such were the dead that they captured tense expressions and had stiffened into the animated state of rigor mortise.

Amongst these were an endless variety of vehicle size insects and the remains of hideous infestivourse, all in ruin. Large structures of sky bound cities, orbiting structures and Velenod Atmos Fortresses lay in broken mounds in various places. All of these things littered the ground for distances as far as the eye could see.

Across the entire planet’s equator were the broken remains of the great brace. This was once needed to keep the planet a safe distance from the previous unstable red sun. Spacecrafts, towers and planetary homes had not only crashed to the ground, but became half mixed into the soil and rock when mountains moved across the surface of the planet like great tidal waves.

Oceans and other water bodies were still in the process of collecting together and becoming new water bodies. Plants were challenged to start over and grow again. Not one tree was left standing. Mercy was scarce during the Great War.

Amongst the insectivolk survivors, colonies were newly structured and a new way of life for the planet was beginning to take shape and gain ground.

Volks were discriminated against and forced off world. Spacecrafts awaited them if they wouldn’t agree to transfigure their bodies into insectivolks.

With the intent to institute a message of control to the public, Insectivolks unlawfully and physically beat a volk near a crowd so their actions would be seen and reported. Waving new insectivolk flags of victory and dominance, the insectivolks claimed to have secured sovereign powers over the planet Verticus.

"This is our ((-Klookate-)) world now!" one beetle-like insectivolk proclaimed.

Legally, the planet still belonged to Primogenitor, Van Zanten who recently tightened the laws to the maximum degree as he developed a total distaste for insectivolks. To him, they were a contingency of wild thugs.

The individuals responsible for volk beatings were swiftly brought to justice. The thrustle-T were deployed. They swooped down to the planet’s surface and hauled the guilty insectivolks to Epitomevert. Here the accused were appropriately disciplined for their actions and forced into chambers that reversed the effects of their insectivolk bodies. They were changed back into volks.

The insectivolks were out raged, however they also backed off with words like, "We do not want to take over Verticus through ((-Krickety-)) violence. We welcome Primogenitor, Van Zanten to return to his planet and rule it once again, as an insectivolk."

This greatly troubled, Van Zanten. Always they expect me to become a dirty insectivolk! Well, that will never happen! He knew if he ruled his own planet as an insectivolk, he’d be surrendering a lot more than a little power. They’d also expect him to continue making decisions under their control. Van Zanten was a bold volk with a strong constitution. He would bend his will to no one.

* * *

Days later, within a newly formed insectivolk village of Nectorius, Tik worked hard alongside his insectivolk people and his old friend, Antiotae. Tik fancied her above the other females even though he refused to admit it.

She wore a dressed of green and brown with copper trim.

Tik had never seen her dressed quite like this before but it was still certainly her style. On her head, she still wore her polished black helmet with the same insectular design carved on it. Her long black tail extended from the back of her head and the tip of it dragged on the ground and waved about when she walked like a wagging tail. Her hips swayed with a strong attitude and swagger that Tik adored.

After stroking her armor-like insect skin that gleamed with two shades of green, Tik looked into both of her golden eye clusters of honey-drops.

She puckered her full lips as Tik leaned in close to her. When they kissed, their mandibles accidentally locked together making it difficult for them to part. When they did manage to pull themselves apart it was with a sudden jerk. Their antennae bent backwards, then bounced and wavered back in place to droop forward again.

Rubbing their mandibles together more gently this time, they smiled at one another. They hoped to get over their interlocking troubles one day, but for the moment it was bearable and worth it to them.

Working quietly and diligently, countless surviving insectivolks continued to dig through the remains of broken structures. They created various heaps of junk as everything was sorted. Injured and trapped people were freed and cared for.

Tik and Antiotae were an effective team as their sertz healed the injured who no longer had a sertz and brought them up to speed on the insectivolk’s intensions.

Treated insectivolks were released into society, but volks who refused to transform themselves were rounded up and collected by the thrustle-T before being delivered to Epitomevert.

Tik and Antiotae were mostly interested in a certain area of what was formerly known as ‘The Brace.’ They lived in the rubble like everyone else. Junk was cobbled together with a lot of attention to safety and supports. No one wanted anyone else to wind up hurt. Insectivolks inspected one another’s dwelling so they could meet each other’s needs. Treasures were hidden amongst the waste and there was an overabundance of food, at least for the short term.

In this particular section of the brace, an insectivolk couple announced the birth of their new babies. Though it was half a dozen eggs, it was a long awaited breakthrough that was made. The children of the couple were born from eggs and they were insectivolk. Here was another example of natural insectivolk births. The babies were insectivolk and it was a miraculous global sensation. Though this wasn’t the first time this happened, it was no less an occurrence that hit the news-wave and spread like wildfire.

Everyone demanded to know how this was done. The couples described how a close friend of theirs, also an insectivolk, was carrying out experimentation to unlock the suppressive gene and allow such a developmental pregnancy process to be possible. As insectivolks, the couples still carried the same DNA cell structure and reproductive organs as volks, but to be able to change this was more than just a miracle, it was a dawn of a whole new era; the era of the insectivolks.

Lining up for their own treatments, Insectivolks regarded themselves as the next evolutionary step of volk kind. They were not only stronger than volks, but they believed they were smarter too.

"It is time for a ((-Kitiklic-)) change! they shouted over the news waves, Insectivolks are the future of Verticus and the volks will have to join us or disappear from our planet and become a ((-Kitiklic-)) thing of the past!"

Swept up in the excitement of the insectivolk’s celebration, it wasn’t long before Tik and Antiotae were married with hopes of having insectivolk children of their own. Unfortunately, most of Tik’s family were volks so they were unable to attend their festive espousal merging, so the ceremonies mostly consisted of her side.

As they settled in, Insectivolks grouped themselves together in their own tight knit towns, which were soon referred to as colonies. These colonies looked like rounded pyramids on the planet’s surface, but they were actually only the tips of the icebergs. Rooted deep underground, the insectivolk cities grew into intricate underworld structures amidst a warren of tunnels. Within these maze-like passages were colonies and they thrived.

Amongst them lived little needy scavengers known as insectignats. These were four inch tall bipedal insectivolk-like beings who lived like rats or cockroaches in the shadows of the cities.

As time went on and volks tried to weigh the good and the bad about the insectivolk problem, Eddy and Twilynia decided they too wanted to go to an establishment where they could transfigure their bodies into insectivolks.

This conclusion was a very difficult one for Eddy to reach. All his life he loved being a volk, but when Twilynia was convinced that being an insectivolk would enhance their lives greatly, he began to listen. Nevertheless, it was always a huge leap of courage for Eddy. It was much more complicated than deciding on a body piercing or something. His entire body would change including his bones.

On the day they were going to have the procedure done, Eddy and Twilynia had to take a shuttle to Verticus’ surface. All volks were welcome if they agreed to transform at customs and agree to remain on planet for as long as might be needed to support their cause.

Eddy said imploringly to Twilynia, I wonder what we will look like after the operation is completed.

They looked at different insectivolks walking past them down the isle of the shuttle. They also accessed other positive advertising images of the insectivolk lifestyle. After doing this, Eddy and Twilynia looked forward to what their new lives would be like.

Lunna-Jay sat next to Twilynia. She had her baby, Genny with her. Lunna-Jay wasn’t interested in becoming an insectivolk yet, but she wanted to see them when they became insectivolks and say good-bye. There was no telling when they would all see each other again.

As fate would have it, Van Zanten, in disguise, sat next to Eddy and Twilynia on the shuttle. Eddy immediately recognized Van at first glance, but it was obvious that he was in disguise. Eddy met him before at the end of the Great War. At that time Eddy was the one in disguise. His intent was to keep the image of Tartarian alive to inspire the troops.

Van wore a small thin devise over the surface of his scalp to block any telepathic frequencies. Eddy examined how the wires attached to little white pads that were half embedded into the skin of his forehead.

In an attempt to start a little small talk, Van asked Eddy, So, are you on your way to Verticus to become insectivolks?

Hoping he didn’t come across too rudely, Eddy asked, Isn’t that the only reason volks are allowed to travel to Verticus?

Shifting in his seat awkwardly, Van seemed like he was about to just keep to himself when he gave pause to add one last question. Turning to look directly at Eddy, he asked, Why would the two of you beautiful volks want to have such a procedure done to yourselves?

Eddy opened his mouth and was just about to explain his reasons when Van recognized him, Hey, aren’t you, Eddy Evon; the hero of the Great War?

He’s the one and only. Twilynia put in with a prideful smile.

Eddy let out a breath and whispered conspicuously, You’re Van Zanten. I recognized you right away, but I find it curious why a renown public figure as yourself would feel the need to travel undercover.

Baby Genny began to cry in her mother’s arms. Twilynia took the child and tried to calm her with gentle bouncing, but it was no use. She kicked up such a fuss the other passengers began to squirm, plugging their ears with their antitragus and tragus muscles. When Twilynia passed Genny to Eddy, she quieted down immediately. This was no surprise. There seemed to be a special bond between Eddy and the child.

Van Zanten showed an interest in the human child, Genny; Could I hold your incredible daughter please?

She’s not exactly with us. Eddy answered, but Van insisted. Eddy glanced down the row at Lunna-Jay. She nodded her acceptance with a smile, so Eddy returned her nod and relinquished Genny to Van’s big volk hands.

Genny began to cry again. Van tried to quiet the baby by bouncing her on his knee, but it only made matters worse.

Leaning close and keeping his voice low, Eddy asked Van, Why’re you here, in disguise?

Van was about to answer until they noticed the other passengers had turned in their seats and were looking at him. They too wanted to know his answer. Van waved his hand at them with a sheepish smile before he said, Mind your own conversations. which was what volks commonly said. Van passed Genny back to Eddy and the girl was quiet again. Then Van handed them similar devices like his own to be worn on their foreheads to protect and block their minds from telepathy. Lowering his voice to a whisper and leaning in close to Eddy’s ear, Van said. "Listen, I have had it with these insectivolks. I was against the idea of altering our volk forms from the beginning. The technology applied, to alter a perfect body of a volk was always intended for volks who wished to adapt to a foreign planet’s surface environment. This is what I stand against more than the reason of power and control. There is no reason for a volk to become an insectivolk. They claim they are better equipped and adapted to Verticus because it is an insect world, but this is not true. I recall what you said once, Eddy. It solidified my outlook. You said, ‘Where I come from, your past, insects do not dominate, mammals do, and before them it was the reptiles. You don’t seem to follow me. I’m talking about dinosaurs.’ Of course volks never heard of dinosaurs. My point is this hasn’t always been an insect world. You and I, we are the real deal. Our volk bodies are the original and perfectly designed for our home world. Now the insectivolks have achieved insectivolk bio DNA whereby they are now able to reproduce as insectivolks. Where will volks like you and I be if insectivolks manage to reproduce like insects? Do you really want to contribute to losing what it means to be a volk? Do you really want to be an accomplice to killing off such a powerful creature? Maybe you should think about what you’re doing before they find a way to make the procedure irreversible. Did you know they are working on that right now? They’re protected under law and you know how many insects have had to perish to keep them from over-running the planet. Insectivolks will breed in mass numbers where they will be forced to infect, yes, infect other worlds to no end. The volk population will diminish and mark my words the insectivolks will realize the errors of their ways and want to become volks again. You know as well as I do. When a volk becomes an insectivolk then under-goes the reverse procedure, they’re never quite the same again. Van Zanten looked at Twilynia, knowing she was a steward of a Velenod. I’m sure you’d agree. We shouldn’t mess with the perfection of God’s creation."

Twilynia was stunned. No one needed telepathy to see that. For her, Van Zanten’s message really hit home.

Eddy cut between them by leaning forward, So what do you suggest we do? As far as I can tell, insectivolks already vastly out number volks and they haven’t been reproducing yet.

That’s exactly what I’m saying, Eddy. We don’t have much time left. You’re correct, we haven’t seen insectivolks reproduce like other insects yet, and they haven’t spread to other planets either, but it’s my plan to eradicate all insectivolks from my planet very soon. Under my new law, no insectivolks will ever walk the surface of Verticus again. I will make it a ‘volk only’ planet; the center home world of the volks. Already, I’ve taken critical steps to implement my master plan. I have a certain invincible and unstable volk who’s sure to drive the insectivolks off planet. My part in this grand scheme is to provide a distraction to get my invincible and unstable volk to get past the security and start his mission.

Who is this invincible and unstable volk? Eddy asked skeptically. Eddy knew if such a volk existed it would’ve been known to him during the Great War. Van Zanten opened his Romstrunn and an image appeared of Grizz.

Eddy gasped, This cannot be. Grizz perished in the Great War.

You’re mistaken, Eddy. You and I both know, no body was recovered. You and your Morguldeans couldn’t destroy him so now he works for me.

Eddy had to sit back and think about this. He didn’t consider it possible for Grizz to ever survive, but apparently, he did. Eddy thought about Lunna-Jay and the baby and a burning sensation of hate began to brew within him for his brother, Grizz... his half brother. So, why tell me about this distraction of yours? Why tell me anything at all? What makes you think I won’t try to stop you?

Because Eddy, not only will you help me to reclaim Verticus, it’s too late for you to stop me. Van Zanten revealed a small device in his hand with a single button. When he pressed it, a series of explosions went off.

Herding Eddy, Twilynia, Lunna-Jay and her baby into a bright spacecraft, the three volks quickly escaped the destruction.

Inside the new craft, Eddy and Twilynia marched on either side of Van Zanten as they made their way to the navigational pit. Lunna-Jay was only a few steps behind. Stopping at a sleek window port, Lunna-Jay and Twilynia peered out. They expected to see the shuttle explode, but there didn’t appear to be very much damage at all. In the windows along the side of the insect looking vessel, the sisters could see volks inside shuffling about.

I disabled their craft temporarily. Van Zanten told them. "I’m not a monster you know. It was an effective method to get you all to board my