Birth of a Goddess
Mark T. Bacome
Copyright © 2017 Mark T. Bacome All rights reserved.
ISBN-13:978-0-9852360-3-8 ISBN-10: 0-9852360-3-5
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Editing services by Jennifer Grace at:
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ii
DEDICATION
The entire Descendants series is dedicated to my wonderful wife and daughter Jacki and Amberlyn-
both of whom I love with all my heart and soul iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Birth of a Goddess has been twenty years in the making. The first ten years were just to get through what I had originally thought to be one book, and ended up being two: Descendants and Hereditary Evil, (1997-2007). I ended up taking roughly five years off of writing to try to figure out what to do next in the traditional book publishing sense. Once I discovered a way to go that was not so traditional and got the first two books published in 2012, I managed to write Body of Souls in only nine months, and published in time for Christmas of 2013. In a way I had “cheated,” since I had been going over the story in my head for the previous five years. In that sense the actual writing still went fairly smooth.
Birth of a Goddess was a little different. Once I finished Body of Souls, I took a little time off just to go over the series from the beginning, visualizing what I had always seen as “the end” to make sure it all fit together, (and made sense). With a little tweaking and a lot of discussions with a couple of my “sounding boards” Matt and Aaron, the last story pieces fell into place. Birth of a Goddess has taken nearly four years to complete, but really only about the last year and a half to write. All total for the entire series; twenty years. Wow, I suddenly feel old.
On that note; I would like to genuinely thank every one of you who have taken time out of your lives to read this series of books, and have had the patience to allow me to take my time to fashion a series ending that I believe everyone will feel is appropriate, and satisfying.
Thank you. v Special thanks to Nathan Inabinett for your keen eye and thoughts throughout the series.
Prologue
The latent message traffic came flooding in the moment they cleared the entrance and were on the top of the mountain. Alex didn't worry about connecting until she closed the canopy to the four-seater sled and Kutch was buckling in.
“Uh-oh,” Alex let slip.
“What's wrong?” Kutch asked.
“More like, what's right?”
“TELL ME!”
“I've just received a report from Presley1477 and
Presley1522--the Clans are sealed back inside the mountain--which they report as safe. Utahia stayed out and was fatally injured by-Cain?”
“CAIN? That can't be--he's, he's--”
“Got a new Earth human body!” Alex interrupted. “Utahia is dead?”
“That's what they are reporting.”
“Plunkgrease.” Kutch felt a tightness in his chest with that bit
of news.
“And--”
“AND?”
“And, the Department has put out an order for the immediate
apprehension of all Elvonian and associated personnel!” “PLUNKGREASE!”
“Just got message traffic from Toolkit too,” Alex added. “Great, now what?”
“Reed has picked up Toolkit and the Pods. They're going back
to Europa--Reed has a Department detention order on him to be REIMD!” Kutch felt stunned, trying to process all that was happening. “What about Li, do the Elvonians have Li?”
“No--she's sealed inside the caves with Novia and the Clans.”
Kutch felt as though he wasn't getting enough oxygen, and couldn't catch his breath.
vii “Honestly--if Cain does have a new host, and he's looking for Li--being sealed up in cave may be the best place for her,” Alex offered as Kutch glared back. “Uh-oh,” Alex slipped again.
“NOW WHAT?”
“I just got a sensor sweep warning for this area, we need to leave now!” Alex started the sled flight systems. The small craft lifted with ease. Kutch watched the top of the mountain disappear, but not before seeing Wya'Ming hunched over, and waving.
“Where can we go?” Kutch asked.
“I have a few places we can go, to make sure we're not being followed before we meet back with Toolkit.”
“Then what?”
“We hide until things cool down,” Alex suggested.
“HEY! You tricked me!”
“What?”
“If Li is safe in a cave, and I'm not going to be able to get her out, I might as well stay back with Proto!”
“No--it's not safe. We're leaving,” Alex argued.
“I've got no reason to leave--”
“You're going to help me find a way to stop this whole mess,” Alex insisted.
“I'm coming back!”
“Sure...when it's safe.”
“I may not wait that long!”
“When it's safe--then we'll BOTH return. We'll find Li.”
“And Proto--”
“And Proto,” Alex added
*** viii
Birth of a Goddess
ix x
Part 1
Sixteen holographic data collection spheres, three meters in diameter, each containing eleven billion to fifteen billion input data streams from Corporate and Duissis personnel, filled the dark analysis facility that was tucked away deep inside an artificial moon orbiting Saturn. Every sphere shimmered with a kaleidoscope of color defined by the individual stream of data collected, including internal telemetry, health stats, current retinal scans and thought imagery. The array of spheres and the realtime data collected and compiled by over a thousand AI's, gave the Department the most valuable and complete analysis ever documented in the history of Corporate Security.
The technology had been employed by the medical division for many thousands of fiscal years--collecting and analyzing health data. Director Huir had devised this retooled version in her efforts to locate Elvonians. Six and one-half fiscal years, and still the only known Elvonian whereabouts were Presley2945--former Galactic Board Member, Anthony, and his personal aide—Presley1285, now under direct Duissis Council of Twelve diplomatic protection.
Each sphere was also under the direct supervision of a twelve member security team, assigned to maintain an overall visual analysis of the ever-changing color patterns. The patterns shimmering throughout the spheres could determine changing conditions, and situations, including thoughts and feelings not only within a regional area, but also the mindset of large portions of the population across several regions.
; Ensign Tangh, lead officer for Sphere Team Four, noted an odd shimmer developing at one of the outer reaches. Taking a laser-stylus, he touched the region of the sphere and enlarged the area for closer inspection. The shimmer could be seen to react more like a pulse-wave emanating from a singular point. Ensign Tangh took his laser-stylus and enlarged the area further. A large black spot appeared. Other members of Tangh's team took notice of the strange dark area.
::Central Analysis, this is Sphere Team Four, Ensign Tangh, I have an anomaly to report,:: Tangh relayed over internal communications.
::Sphere Team Four, Ensign Tangh--this is Central Analysis, Keja--report.::
::I have a--black spot. Looks like a complete data
transmission loss,:: Tangh attempted to explain. ::Location?::Keja asked.
::Sphere four, 13.26.27.58 N, 178.34.52.10 W,
131.33.25.02 C,:: Tangh answered.
Keja pulled up a replication of the coordinates on a
local view. The black spot was already beginning to
dissipate and refill with reassigned data streams after the
loss of signals. Keja ran a replay of anomaly from the file.
The spot had originally appeared quite rapidly. ::I have pin-pointed the location,:: Tangh announced.
::It appears a communications hub, Delphinus region-
may have gone off-line. I have a total loss of input from
approximately two thousand individuals and several
thousand system programs.::
::I concur. Contact the closest security team to
investigate,:: Keja ordered.
::Yes, sir!::
*** At the furthest reaches of the Delphinus region, lay the transportation and communications hub, Delphinus Prime Station, six hundred and forty-two hours travel at point zero-four percent light speed, from the Interstellar Gate, Delphinus Major. Other than through traffic, connecting regions and a small local gas and mineral mining operation at planet HD196885ab, there should be no reason for the small gathering of ships to be parked in close orbit around Delphinus Prime.
Cain could see the glow receding back to his hand from the corner of his eye as he gazed from the navigation station of his Class C freighter to the serene, peaceful grace of the Delphinus Prime Station that was set against the black backdrop of space. The purpose of this visit lay across his feet--two Elvonians relieved of their life energy. Their lack of knowledge added further frustration to the last seventy-eight months of searching the mapped regions of Corporate. These two, over the last several months, made a total of eight Elvonians found-each one more like an offering to satisfy a craving that only created a stronger desire. None of them had any knowledge as to the whereabouts of Li, or of any current Elvonian operations.
Silence across the necklace communications with his K'nals and Caps signaled the final phase of their stay at the station. The screaming had stopped and the Trupes had begun the meat collection and processing. Twentytwo hundred and fifty-three Corporate and Duissis subcontractor personnel were found on board the station when Cain and his Trupes arrived. Only two were pulled from the station alive. Their lack of usefulness would soon change once processed for food. Cain signaled his personal aide, and the man pulled the two dead Elvonians from the navigation station without a word.
This operation involved the most Corporate and Duissis sub-contractor casualties in one stop. Being a remote space station helped since there was no escape for the fairly small population stationed on board the remote platform. Rations for the crew would be plentiful for some time, although Cain was beginning to feel the same as his Trupes regarding the Corporate humans--they were small and stringy. All the Corporate synthetic chemicals in the food made the tiny humans less palatable, and was probably the cause for the strange affliction of tumors that had started not long after the Algra-loaf from Drelund ran out years ago.
Cain eyed the newest growth, only four days old, across the back of his left hand and arm, now several centimeters long, and a few centimeters tall and wide. The fast-growing lump was filled with a matted mass of flesh. Cain took out a short-blade, activated the plasma field surrounding the blade and ran the edge along the growth, slicing the material from the back of his hand and wrist with skillful ease. The growth dropped to the deck with a trail of smoke. Cain inhaled, enjoying the smell of burnt flesh and examined the newest addition to his collection of similar scars covering his body.
There was no doubt in Cain's mind that this little operation at Delphinus Prime Station would raise some attention deep in the recesses of Corporate Security. Not that any attention from Corporate security was any concern for Cain--in fact, maybe now was the perfect
time? Cain took one last glance at the silent station before retiring to his personal quarters on the freighter main deck. Once he received word from his K'nals and Caps that the meat collection and processing were completed, Cain would send the departure coordinates to the rest of the ships--three Class C freighters, two Class D shuttles and one Class A stretched Super Freighter, picked up only a few months ago. The size of the Super Freighter helped to relieve much of the crowded and cramped feelings the Trupes had been experiencing since leaving Earth.
Cain's personal quarters were a converted crew recreation lounge, providing far more personal space, and the only area with appropriate head-room. Several sleep cubes had been combined to provide a reasonable sleeping platform, although nothing like what he had at Drelund. Far more memories of Drelund flooded Cain's mind than were from personal experience. Dravon's consciousness and memories remained like a firm foundation of a life long ago. More so than even Hyak's memories and sometimes more than his own. Cain allowed the memories from Dravon's past--faces, places, thoughts and feelings, to all flow like a river, taking some of the day's frustrations with them. Cain took the moment to lay down and close his eyes.
*** The sensation was quite familiar--traveling a great distance without effort or time. Upon arrival, a thunderous
rumble echoed into the distance across the dark landscape. Another flash of lightning from above highlighted the surroundings and give shape to the closer dark masses. Cain's sight adjusted after a few moments as a dark smoky mass he recognized as his Animus approached.
You have been neglecting your training, the Animus complained directly into Cain's mind.
“I have been searching--”
You have be wasting time! Kyrios will not maintain his patience with you forever.
Cain held his tongue. One thing he had learned over the last several months, arguing with the Animus was futile, and often painful.
Y ou seek, but you do not know how to focus your search, the Animus explained. Cain could feel his frustration boil into anger.
USE your frustration...use your anger to focus your search. Train your mind and the rest will follow.
“My search is impeded by the wall--that barrier the Others have placed to protect Li,” Cain complained. In that instant they both stood by the great barrier.
Yes. But you fail to understand the properties of this barrier, the Animus said in a condescending tone.
Cain turned to the great crystalline wall. There was a dark spot that remained from his last encounter and Cain threw his fist hard at the same spot. He screamed out in pain as he held his fist against the wall with all his strength in an effort to push through. At the same time the crystalline wall pulled energy from Cain's hand and arm like an electrical circuit being shorted. After a few moments, Cain was forced to pull his hand away from the pain.
Y ou act foolishly, Cain, the Animus admonished. You do not possess the strength to break through that barrier, anymore than Kyrios himself.
Cain glared at the smoky mass, then pointed at the dark spot on the wall, now larger and darker than before. “I can--I will!”
***
Keja's recent appointment to Central Analysis, on the Data Sphere collection project for Director Huir, was a welcome change that brought him back to data analysis, his primary fiel
d of expertise. No more field work--no more hiding his identity or ulterior motives--all of which were quite nerve-racking. Xria gathered and presented the requested data in Keja's mind.
::Please present externally,:: Keja requested. The internal visual felt crowded, and Xria populated a large visual projection in Keja's workspace. The anomaly seen earlier by Sphere Team Four was not an isolated event after all. Keja manipulated the data views, separating the individual instances of similar data drop. The latest was by far the largest of the seven anomalies--the first happening nearly seventy fiscal months earlier. ::Xria, pull
all related data from each of these seven similar anomalies.::
::Pulling.::
Data outages within the data collection system were not unusual, but traceable to a specific malfunction--a known cause. Log files, reports and witness input accounted for all except these seven.
::Presenting data requested,:: Xria announced as the large external visual layered with more data. Keja touched the side of the projection and pulled the visuals out into a three-dimensional view, spreading out each part for inspection. Although all of this presentation could have been accomplished internally, Keja enjoyed physically walking through the maze of information.
::I find this rather interesting, Xria,:: Keja pondered. ::Aligning by date/time, I believe there are some intriguing similarities--a possible connection. The first being the strange disappearance of a Class D shuttle and all aboard--seventy-three individuals, including their AI's and six shipboard system AI's, including the shuttle pilot. The data collection loss was sudden and with no apparent cause. No wreckage reported at the last known position.::
::I see no correlation,::Xria argued.
::Here--:: Keja pulled a data cluster over. ::A missing
Super Freighter and all on board. Six crew and AI's, three ships operations AI's including the pilot and one hundred and thirty registered passengers and their AI's, along with over six trillion metric tons of cargo.::
::The cargo was reported adrift in the Alpha Lacertae quadrant two months later,:: Xria explained.
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