by Saxon Andrew
Her mother sighed and took Kamela’s chin in her hand, “My dearest love, why are you being so obstinate about this?”
Kamela looked into her mother’s eyes and smiled, “There are some that are called to do something important in life.”
“You are not your Grand-father!”
“No, and he is not me. But he was called to be more than he was and I feel that calling.” Suddenly Kamela’s eyes narrowed and she looked at the door.
Her mother’s eyes also narrowed and she listened closely but heard nothing, “What!?”
Kamela stood up and hugged her mother as she stood with her, “I love you. Tell Father that I’ve always loved him and will miss him greatly.”
“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!”
Kamela walked out of the door and thought, “To my destiny.”
• • •
The Prophet’s Eyes emerged into normal space above the Kindred’s Planet and images of the surface began appearing on the main wall monitor. Essay stared at the images and could only shake his head in silence. Erica stared at them and finally said, “This is Holy Ground.” Essay nodded. “This is where the Prophet stole the Traugh Warship and came to Earth to change our destiny. Thank you for allowing us to come here, Poul.”
“I miss him very much, Erica.”
“What was he like, Poul?”
“Very much like the ancestor whose name you bear, Essay. He was witty, brilliant, and had the purest heart I’ve ever seen, except for when it came to the Traugh. He refused to die until they were all exterminated.”
“He died here, didn’t he?”
“Yes he did, Erica.”
“Can you show us where?”
The small warship flashed around the planet and assumed an orbit over a city that was little more than ruins. “This was the main Traugh Spaceport where the Traugh ruled the planet. The Halo Fleets arrived and blasted it into radioactive ruins.”
“Is it still radioactive?”
“No, Erica, there is a small residual radiation reading but nothing dangerous.”
“I’m going to take us down.”
“Essay, the Kindred are telepathic and know we’re here. I’m not certain we should violate their domain.”
“They’ll know our intentions, Poul, and recognize that we come here in admiration of one of their own. I think you should be the one to take us down.”
The Prophet’s Eyes left orbit and spiraled down to the surface. It landed just outside the ruined city and Erica stood up, “I’m removing my armor and going outside.”
“I’m going with you.” Erica nodded and they stood up and went to the port. They stepped out and walked over to the edge of the ancient buildings. They sat down and Essay sighed, “My ancestor loved the Prophet. He missed him for the rest of his life after the Prophet went home. He did so much for Humanity.”
Erica nodded, “He left us the Death Prophecies. They’ve kept us alive over the last century.”
Essay sighed, “His body is just inside the boundary of this city.”
“We should respect that and go no closer.”
“He’s no longer inside the city.” Erica and Essay’s eyes went wide and they whipped around. A young Kindred Female stood behind them smiling, “His body was taken and buried with honors by my community decades ago.”
Erica lowered her eyes, “I’m sorry if we’ve done something to offend your people by being here…”
The Female shook her head, “I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. You came here to take me with you.”
Essay jerked his head to Erica and saw her shock as he quickly thought, “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what you’re saying. Who are you?”
“My name is Kamela. The Prophet was my Grandfather. I’ve been waiting my entire life for a Human ship to come and take me with them. It’s time for us to leave before my family tries to stop me.”
“But…”
“This is not something you should question. We should leave now.”
Erica stared at Kamela and looked at Essay, “We should do as she asks.”
Essay shook his head in confusion and then stood up, “Come with us.” The three walked into the port and the Prophet’s Eyes lifted and flashed into the clear skies just before the assembly arrived behind them. They watched the small ship disappear and Kamela’s mother stared at the skies and finally smiled, “Go and find your life, my dearest love.”
She immediately heard, “I will. I love you.”
Kamela’s Father looked at his mate, “Are you sure about this?”
“No, but she is.”
• • •
The three walked on the bridge and heard Poul say, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!”
The young Kindred smiled, “Hello, Poul. My grandfather has told me of the many arguments he enjoyed having with you.”
“Grandfather?”
“Yes, Kam is my Grandfather.”
“Why are you here?”
“I have been drawn to this moment my entire life. Just as my ancestor before me.”
“But…”
“I don’t fully understand my purpose but I will find it eventually. I’m hoping you saved some recordings of him.”
“Oh we’re definitely going to get yelled at now.”
“Why do you say that, Poul?”
“How are you going to explain her, Essay?”
Essay chuckled, “You make a good point.”
The Kindred said, “I need you to show me the new enemies that threaten my people.”
“What?”
“There are other enemies that will threaten my planet. I need to see them now.”
“OH HELL NO!!!”
“What are you talking about, Poul?”
“Erica, she’s wants you to take her through the black hole and out to the Builder’s Galaxy.”
Erica looked at Kamela, “Is that right?”
“Is that where the new enemies are located?”
“They are.”
“Then you should take me there now.”
Essay shook his head, “I don’t know that we have the authority to do that.”
“If the Prophet asked you to do it, would you?”
Erica looked at Essay and he looked up and rolled his eyes as he said, “I guess but you’re not the Prophet.”
“No, I’m his direct descendent and I have his spirit. I have been called to take part in what’s coming and I must see these new enemies.”
“How did you know there’s more than one?”
Kamela looked at Erica, “I sense their presence. Please do as I ask.”
Essay looked at Erica and sighed. He looked up and said, “Poul, have you recorded everything since our arrival on the Kindred Planet.”
“I have.”
“Put the recording in a message probe and launch it to the Admiralty.”
“Essay, surely you’re not going to do this.”
“Poul, I won’t if you can explain to me how she knew we were coming and was waiting for our arrival.”
“Did you walk to the ruins?”
“I did, Poul.”
“That’s a three day walk. You left before we decided to come here.”
“It was necessary that I be there.”
“Essay, this is beyond my ability to explain.”
“Then load the probe and do as she asks. I’ve been given the command of this vessel and I can’t allow myself to be timid in making good decisions. I suspect both Erica and I are here for a reason and I’m not going to allow self-doubt to paralyze me.”
Poul asked one more time, “Are you sure about this?”
Essay looked at Kamela, “No, but she is. That’s enough for me to take the risk. Load the probe, send it to the Admiralty, and take us to the Builder’s Galaxy.”
Erica looked at Essay, “Now I know why you’re in command.”
Essay looked at her, “Why is that?”
“Because you are like your ancestor. You do things that most would fear to do. I don’t
know if I could have made this decision.”
Kamela smiled, “It was you that chose to bring me with you. You are more than you think.”
Erica smiled as she felt the vibration of the probe being launched. A moment later, the Eyes activated its stardrive and she saw the black hole in the center of the Milky Way growing on the main monitor. “Poul.”
“Yes, Kamela.”
“You’re named after my great Grandfather. The name fits you.”
There was a long moment of silence and Poul then said, “Thank you for that.”
Kamela nodded and stared at the monitor as the black hole grew larger by the second. A third chair came out of the floor and she sat down in it. She smiled at the wondrous view of the universe on the main monitor.”
• • •
“ADMIRAL CONNOR!!”
Steve nearly jumped out of his chair as he looked at his panel and saw Amy, “What? What’s wrong!?”
“Essay and Olivia have taken the Prophet’s Eyes through the black hole in the Milky Way to go to the Builder’s Galaxy!!”
“WHAT!?!”
“They’ve sent a probe and you need to see the recording they sent!”
“Send it to my panel and notify Ali and Gabby about what’s happened.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Steve saw the green light illuminate and he pressed the button and watched the recording. He felt his heart beating wildly in his chest. His only son was in danger! He listened to the discussion and then replayed it. It ended and Gabby appeared on his panel, “WHAT HAS YOUR SON DONE WITH MY DAUGHTER!?!”
“Have you viewed the recording?”
“NO!!”
“Do that and call me back!”
Steve ended the contact and ten minutes later Gabby, along with Ali, appeared on his panel. Ali said, “I apologize for our initial response, Sir. But what are you going to do about this?”
“What do the two of you think I should do?”
“Dispatch some warships to support them.”
“I notice you’re no longer saying they shouldn’t have gone.”
Gabby blew out a breath she had been holding, “Admiral Connor, I must believe you are as frightened as we are.”
“I am but I am not sending warships to support them.”
“Why not?” Ali Asked.
“You’ve been to that galaxy numerous times on the Eyes. Sending warships makes their discovery more likely than allowing them to go alone.” Ali looked at Gabby and she nodded. “We have the best of us on that vessel and I’m forced to believe that they’re there for a reason. I don’t understand what’s happening but I’m just like Poul, I can’t explain how this happened and until I can, I’m going to allow that Kindred Female to call the shots. Do you disagree?”
Gabby sighed, “No, Sir, I don’t.”
“Then start praying and let’s look for them to return safely.” The monitor went dark and Steve punched his communicator button, “Admiral, step up the preparation of the fleets. I want all our forces armed to the teeth and get them out in formation outside the Milky Way.”
“Does that include the Carrier Group?”
“It does!”
“Yes, Sir.”
• • •
Timmy heard the alarms go off as his crew rushed to their battle stations. Cam appeared on his panel and Timmy asked, “What’s going on, Sir?”
“We’ve been ordered to the Ordinance Station to fully arm the Carriers. We will then be jumping outside the edge of the Milky Way with the Essay Fleets.”
“What’s happened?”
“Evidently Fleet Admiral Connor is of the opinion that the Builders will be arriving ahead of schedule.”
“I thought we had another three months, Sir?”
“So did I but something happened. Get your ship moving and carry as many missiles as you can stuff in your inventory. I’d suggest loading up all your Attack Fighters before you fill the armories.”
“Yes, Sir. I’m on my way.” Timmy punched his panel, “Admiral Bell, get your ship moving with me!”
“What’s going on, Sir?”
“I’ll tell you when we arrive; now get moving.”
• • •
Gabe kissed Janell and hugged her tightly, “Keep me a warm place.”
“You know I will.” Gabe ran out of the house and boarded the fleet shuttle hovering three feet off the ground. It blasted into orbit and Janell knew that this was not a drill. The war was coming. She held her children and prayed for their safety as well as Gabe’s.
• • •
Gabe arrived at his Flagship and saw that it was already armed and moving away from the Ordinance Station. The shuttle flew into the landing bay and he ran toward the tubes, “Chester, what’s going on?”
“Admiral Connor thinks the Builders will arrive ahead of schedule. He wants you to take your Essays and form up outside the Milky Way with the other Fleets and Carrier Group.”
Gabe jumped in a tube cart and it accelerated away at high speed. It came to a stop and he lept out and saw Jock waiting for him, “Sir, the other ships are being armed and will join us as soon as they complete the process.”
Gabe ran on to the bridge and dove into his Command Chair. He pressed a button and Amy appeared on the monitor, “Do you know what’s spooked the Admiral?”
“It appears another Prophet has appeared and Steve thinks that has happened for a reason.”
“Prophet?”
“I’m sending you the video. Heinrik will be joining us in thirty minutes.”
The monitor went dark and Gabe activated the recording. He watched it and blew out a breath as he fell back in his chair. Now he understood. He would have done the same thing. This was starting to get really spooky. “Jock, where are we?!”
“Twenty more minutes, Sir.”
“Order the Fleets that completed arming to not wait to make the jump. We’ll meet at the assigned coordinates and form up once everyone arrives.”
“Sir, the Carriers will arrive an hour after us.”
“I’m not surprised. It takes a massive load of munitions to arm them.”
“All of them had training rounds and they have to be off loaded before they can be fully armed.”
“Are you sure they’re only going to take an hour?”
“They’re firing all the training rounds out of their launchers and the Attack Ships are also disposing of their training munitions. Their reactors are being recharged and that is what’s slowing them down.”
“I think we have some time. I don’t think anything is going to happen before the Prophet’s Eyes returns. Make sure every ship understands that I want them fully armed and that I’ll personally discipline any vessel that isn’t.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Gabe looked out of the viewport at the Carrier docks and shook his head thinking, Boy those ships are huge! He looked at his panel again and said, “Jock take us out when the ship is armed.”
“Yes, Sir.” Ten minutes later, the stations hanging in space above the Ghost Colony disappeared and the Dream Catcher accelerated toward the Milky Way. The Flagship arrived at the assembly coordinates and emerged into normal space. Gabe watched the monitor as the giant warships began coming out of their stardrives into normal space and falling into formations.
Gabe turned and pulled up the recordings of the Builder Forces arrayed against the Black Ships. His fleets were vastly outnumbered by both of the aggressive civilizations. He needed to use them wisely and husband his vessels. But he knew that he was not going to attack either of them until it was unavoidable. The Death Prophecies would be followed.
“Gabe.”
He looked at his communication console and saw Amy, “Yes.”
“Do you know how we’re going to handle this?”
“Not really.”
“Why does that not worry me?”
“Because we’re not going to do anything to slow the Builders down from going to Andromeda. We’ll only intervene if they decide
to set up shop in the Milky Way.”
“Do you think they’ll do that?”
“They might but I suspect some of those gravity towers around the black hole will make a run for Andromeda and the Builders will decide that is where they need to go.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“So do I, Amy. So do I.”
Chapter Eight
The Eyes came out of the black hole in the Carand Galaxy and accelerated at an impossible speed away. Kamela looked at Essay as they exited the galaxy and said, “You have more than just two enemies. That galaxy has numerous adversaries in it.”
“We know but we’re technologically superior to them.”
“Being technologically superior to them doesn’t mean you can defeat them if they unite against you.”
Essay tilted his head and looked intently at the young Kindred Female, “I really think our new warships can handle them.”
“And what happens if more than a thousand of them decide to ram your vessel?”
Essay looked at Erica and she shrugged not knowing how to answer the question. “I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
“Ok, if you say so.” Kamela was silent for a moment and then turned back to Essay, “One of those species is preparing for their civilization to be invaded.”
“Which one?”
“The one that calls themselves the Carand.”
“How are they doing that?”
“They’ve moved huge numbers of their population on a giant asteroid and moved it to the side of the galaxy away from the galaxy we’re moving toward. They’re also hiding a large number of their warships.”
Essay shook his head in disbelief, “You made that determination that fast?”
“My species is telepathic and I’ve learned over the years that my mind is different from the others.”
Erica sat up straight and turned towards her, “Different in what way?”
“I seem to be able to hear what needs to be heard.”
Erica frowned, “I don’t understand.”
“I heard the being that is leading the effort to survive the coming war among trillions of thoughts. My subconscious seems to be able to find the important things that need to be heard.”
