Free Sullivan Saga 3: Sullivan's Watch by Michael K. Rose

Silvanus to their new home on Faris, but Frank Allen had visited and Sullivan had left before that could be done.
    Kate looked into the corner of the room where Allen had appeared. They had been standing by the window shortly before that, planning their new lives. She had thought all of this was finally over, that he would finally be able to keep his promise to her. But as before, something bigger than either of them had taken him away.
    Kate still didn’t know what that thing was. It had something to do with the aliens who had been involved in attacking the parallel Earth Frank and Rick had visited, but beyond that, she only knew that Frank had told Rick he needed to get to Earth. She only knew that he was gone again, possibly in danger, and because of the distance between Earth and Faris, she would not know for months if anything happened to him.
    Kate got up and walked to the window. She looked out on the wooded area behind the house. A large oak tree—this wood was a recreation of an Earth forest—stood at the edge of the property. It was big enough for a tree house, a swing. She could see it so adorned in her mind’s eye and imagined the shouting and laughter of children coming to her through the open window.
    Kate felt a slight chill. She moved to close the window but paused. The air outside was warm. The chill was coming from within.
    She spun around and saw a mist gathering. She backed against the wall and waited. As the mist took the form a figure, she could see that it was in the shape of a man. Finally the face of Frank Allen formed and solidified.
    Kate smiled. “Frank!”
    Allen smiled back. “It’s good to see you, Kate. But I can’t be here long. There’s something I have to tell you.”
    “What?”
    “Do you have much food in the house?”
    “Some. Why?”
    “Go to the store; buy as much as you can. The aliens Rick told you about… they’re moving more quickly than I anticipated. Liz is probably pushing things along because of me.”
    “Because of you? I don’t understand.”
    “Because I’ve found a way to stop them. Liz and the other entities want to see all planets inhabited by humans destroyed, or at least fragmented beyond recovery, before I have a chance to do anything.”
    “What’s happening, Frank?”
    “Earth is under attack. The animalistic creatures Rick told you about are wreaking havoc on the ground while the aliens are doing their best to destroy Earth’s defenses. They lost the first battle, but more are coming. And they’re opening up wormholes on the other planets, too, sending the creatures through to spread panic and keep the other planets’ defense forces away from Earth.”
    “They’re coming here, aren’t they?”
    “Yes. They can only sustain so many wormholes at a time, but they’ll get here eventually. I want you to buy food and water, Kate. And get some lumber to seal up the windows and doors. Do you have a weapon in the house?”
    “Yes. Several, actually. Rick saw to that.”
    “Any energy weapons?”
    “No. Solid projectile.”
    Frank frowned. “The suits the clawed aliens wear are a kind of armor. If it comes to it, you’ll have to fire at the exposed parts of their bodies—their arms and legs and mouths—but only a shot through the mouth will kill them.”
    Kate nodded.
    “If you see any other kind of alien… the weapons you have won’t hurt them. Hide or run.”
    “Thank you, Frank. I will.” Allen looked momentarily distracted by something, and Kate held out her hand to him. “Before you go, tell me about Rick.”
    “Rick is okay. He’s on Earth.”
    “Why did you need him?”
    “Because I knew I could count on him to do what needs to be done. But I’ve just discovered something interesting. My connection to him—our friendship—is stronger than the entities anticipated. Of all the people in the universe, he has the best chance to succeed because I’ll be there to watch over him. And I will, Kate. I will do everything in my