“I'm not certain that would be a good idea,” Keja countered. Roth's return glare was not pleasant.
“I agree, Commander. Let's stop this now. Excellent work Keja, as always. You are all dismissed.” Huir's tone was final.
***
In all of her duties as Pe'Atchdi, Novia enjoyed her recent visits with Cyan and Shara'ari the most. So much had changed over the last six and a half Shola Si. Shara'ari had developed well in her transition from Corporate-sized to Earth human, growing nearly as tall as Cyan. They made their commitments to each other only a Shola Si later. Her Elvonian friends who stayed as well, Presley1625, Presley1490, Presley1567 and Presley1833 all began their own transformation when their Corporate supplies ran out after the first three Shola Si. They all grew very tall, but appeared healthy and still quite curious of everything, taking samples and readings from their equipment--especially now.
Novia saw Shara'ari waiting at the entry to their small cave inside the larger housing cavern. Shara’ari’s extended belly appeared even larger from the last visit, only a few days earlier.
“How are you feeling?” Novia asked as she stepped up to the entry. Cyan was busy clearing out the “Preslies,” as he called them, to make room inside for Novia’s visit.
“If feeling like I'm about to explode from the inside is correct--then, I guess I'm feeling great,” Shara'ari sighed. “Maybe a little more tired.” Cyan and Shara'ari welcomed Novia into their cave space. Lit from crystals throughout the walls and ceiling, the small space was very comfortable.
“As to be expected. Little one will be arriving soon,” Novia said, giving Shara'ari's belly a soft touch and visual examination from under her wrap. “The baby has not turned yet, but there is still plenty of time. One of the elder mothers will be stopping by soon to stand watch and help with delivery.”
“Is there any more that I should be doing?” Cyan caressed Shara'ari's shoulders.
Novia smiled with assurance. “Just continue to help her with her stretches to encourage the baby to turn. You are doing wonderfully. Everything will be fine.” The Presley's all watched from the entry, looking concerned as well. “You all are doing fine. Just be sure to give Shara'ari some space to be comfortable.”
“Have you seen Li?” Shara'ari asked. “I have not seen her with you as much lately. Is she feeling well?”
Novia nodded. “Li is often summoned by the Master Guardian defense instructor for demonstrations, as well as my tutelage with the rings, so she has been spending what little free time she has meditating deep in the caverns.”
“I had hoped she would be here when the time arrives,” Shara'ari said.
“Rest assured, Li will be here. She would not miss this important arrival,” Novia affirmed, handing Shara'ari a small pouch. “Here is an ointment for your sore back and feet, and I will visit you again soon.”
An expected elder mother, Mar'ya, arrived and brushed aside the Presleys like flies, entered and gave everyone a stern look. “This young mother-to-be needs rest. Everyone--LEAVE,” Mar'ya announced, mostly in the direction of the crowd outside the entry.
“But...” Cyan protested.
“You, young man, I will allow to stay. I will show you what needs to be done and when,” Mar'ya interrupted Cyan with authority. Novia nodded giving Shara'ari and Cyan one last look of encouragement.
The elder woman gave Novia a wink and a nod. “I've delivered many a young clansman in my time. She'll do fine,” she whispered to Novia with a tender touch to her shoulder in passing.
“I know. Thank you, Mar'ya, for coming,” Novia said stepping out.
“An honor as always, for my Pe'Atchdi.” Mar'ya bowed her respect.
*** Li placed her hand on the rough opening of a cavernous space deep within the mountain and far away from the clans. She had discovered this place not long ago and decided to try her hand with a much grander idea. A glow within the stone moved throughout like veins in a leaf, lighting the entire space. The hard-sharp edges of the rock began to soften and smooth, as a structure-like shape appeared where rough rock had been before. Soon, an archway, as though carved and polished, took shape leading into the large cave.
Li stepped through, keeping her hand on the wall as the veins of light reached out across the ceiling. Stalactites reaching down from above, reformed into ornamental lighting sources, glowing bright. Everywhere the surface of the large room appeared as polished glass, including the floor. She stepped to the center of the room. This was the most elaborate work she had accomplished so far, and yet, she did not feel as exhausted as before. This room was a pale reminder of that place she had been with the Tutela-Anima and the great doorway. Li paused to remember the woman's incredible face, and beauty. A face she would never forget.
The room was well lit, so Li had some suspicion when she noticed a darkened shadowy area in one corner. She felt a shiver run down her spine upon her realization--Cain was close. She raised a hand, as if to push the shadow away, and the dark shape shifted position on the wall before dissipating.
*** Cain opened his eyes from his deep state of concentration. Instead of exhaustion, he felt energized. He had come close to her. He could feel her. He could see her form much clearer this time. Even the space that surrounded her was clearer. But none of what he saw made any sense. She appeared to be inside some kind of strange glass dome. Where could she be?
Across a table, Cain's short-blade sat where he last had worked on his new power of moving objects without touching them. With this strange sense of empowerment and energy, Cain attempted the exercise once more. He reached out toward the blade and concentrated to lift the WEP straight up. The blade rocked and shifted but did not lift. Cain reached again toward the blade, concentrating harder, and gripped the edge of the metal table with his other hand.
The blade again rocked, then shifted in position, but this time began to lift a centimeter or two off the table. Cain grew excited by his progress and lost his
concentration. The blade dropped to the table once more. He drew a deep breath and sighed as he looked down at the table near his other hand. The metal table had deformed, as though melting under the grip of his hand, yet remained room temperature. What is this?
Cain accessed the sensors in his necklace to examine the deformed metal. The analysis came back that the metal had experienced a molecular change from one state to another, then back again. The metal had turned from a solid to a partial liquid, then back to a solid--all without changing temperature.
Endless possibilities raced through Cain's mind. These new powers the Animus had talked about were appearing as predicted. The mechanics of all this still elluded Cain but he was determined to take what advantage he could.
*** The entourage was much smaller since working for Councilor Vaudi--only Presley1285 and Anthony--arriving via the Transport Beam system to the facilities of Corporate Home Office, Mars.
“I am currently attempting to arrange for meetings with various available Galactic Board Members,” Presley1285 announced as soon as Anthony stepped off the transport receiving pad.
“Quarters for our stay?” “Have been arranged and a transport sled is standing by.”
“We're not staying at the VIP quarters within Corporate Home Office campus facilities?” Anthony asked with concern.
“Our request has been denied,” Presley1285 replied. Anthony stopped and stared at his assistant in disbelief.
“Rank has been revoked,” Presley1285 affirmed with an apologetic tone.
Anthony sighed. “Our work here will be long and difficult.”
“Indeed.”
With their personal containers loaded onto the ground sled, they departed to their acquired quarters for their stay on Mars. Presley1285 helped to maintain Anthony's robes in the open top ground sled from the wind, as the AI pilot was having difficulty reestablishing the top shields. Luckily the Mars afternoon was mild with no chance of rain.
Anthony was feeling a bit homesick. Since leaving the Galactic Boar
d, he had not returned to Mars. His villa had been confiscated soon after his departure, as well as the suite at Arcquis Resort. The Elvonians were able to relocate the archive library from Arcquis to Toolkit's secured facility in Europa before the luxury suite was taken over by a new resident.
The assigned facility for their quarters was a middlemanagement facility for business-related travel. Anthony had known of such places, but never stayed in one. The thought never crossed his mind, but under these new arrangements, this was becoming the new normal.
Presley1285 checked with the facility management AI for check-in. “We have a guest--waiting.”
“Guest? Here?”
“In the common area.” Presley1285 gestured.
Anthony felt off-guard as he wasn't expecting a welcoming party. He entered the common area with genuine surprise. “Board Member, Rubura?”
The Board Member stood upon hearing her name, as several personal attendants stood by to care for her every need. “Anthony, are you surprised to see me?” Rubura replied. Her long flowing white gown with copper and silver-colored accents stood out from the dull gray jumpers of her attendants. She had a matching copper and silver adorned headpiece, holding her silver-white, braided hair, pulled into a decorative bun--nothing like her usual subdued attire within the duties of Board Member.
“Always a pleasant meeting, but I had not expected to see you here upon my arrival.”
“My villa is not far from here by shuttle I only heard of your requests for meetings a few minutes ago, and I had my assistants track you down,” Rubura explained, as they embraced in a well choreographed manner for such public display. “You are not planning to stay--HERE? Are you?”
“This is the closest facility we were able to secure.” Anthony used his most humble and heart-felt demeanor. “Nonsense! You both will stay at my villa. I insist.”
“Our presence won't cause a bother?” Anthony kept his tone unpretentious.
“Of course not. Besides, this will give us a chance to catch up. I admit I have not been available over the last few fiscal years to assist with the removal of the Earth humans. My priorities have been held elsewhere.”
“Understandable,” Anthony continued the banter. This was a game he knew all too well, although many fiscal years had passed since his last encounters.
Rubura's attendants handled the personal containers and gathered everyone into the waiting shuttle with professional efficiency.
*** Cain removed a section from an internal bulkhead and deformed the metal piece in his hand. He attempted to reform the piece into rudimentary shapes, creating blobs at first. Cain's concentration was interrupted with internal communications through his necklace at the same time as K'nal Lluxi entered.
“We have received incoming communications from Corporate Security,” K'nal Lluxi reported.
“Impressive,” Cain nodded. “Your training through my
tutelage of the Corporate world has done you well. I too
have just received an internal report of this
communication from two Corporate Security shuttles.” Lluxi bowed. “Your orders, my Egal?”
“Your analysis of the communications?” Cain asked,
sounding sincere for once.
Lluxi snapped to attention. “My Egal, these Corporate
Security, have indicated that we will be surrendering our
ships and turning ourselves over for some REIMD
procedure.”
“Recommendations?” Cain asked, while continuing to
watch the metal in his hand reshape from a sphere to a
cube and back with fewer deformities each time. Lluxi watched from the corner of his eye, not willing to
stare openly at his Egal's actions with the piece of metal
in his hand. “Recommend--not complying.”
“And...”
Lluxi felt reassured with Cain's demeanor, and allowed
a tight grin. “Destroy their ships with the new WEP.” “Has the installation of the new WEP on the other
ships been completed?” Cain asked, off-handed. “Yes, my Egal,” Lluxi answered attempting to contain
his excitement.
“Navigate to appropriate range and begin training
sessions.”
“Yes, my Egal!”
*** Two Corporate Security shuttles had exited the Interstellar Gate, Delphinus Major, only two hours earlier before encountering six rogue vessels. Each of the rogue ships were operating without required beacon registries or authorization.
“Lieutenant Nori, one of the Class C Freighters has begun to approach,” Ensign Enian reported from his station in the lead shuttle. The Lieutenant was a fifty-year veteran shuttle officer and lead officer for both shuttles on this assignment. The operation to intercept the group of vessels on the Delphinus Major side of the gate, although certainly not a normal situation, was not expected to be anything more than routine. The occupants were malfunctioning and required mediation. REIMD would be the order of the day.
“Have they returned our communications?” Lieutenant Nori asked.
“No, sir. No communications of any kind,” Ensign
Enian replied.
“Very well, prepare a boarding team to transfer once
in range.”
“Yes, sir!” Ensign Enian turned to comply, but returned
to his station with curiosity.
“Ensign?” Nori asked, seeing the ensign’s odd actions. “Sensors indicate the approaching Class C Freighter is
powering up a transport beam generator.”
“Do they indicate their plans to board our shuttle?”
Nori asked.
“No, sir. The beam is pointing toward the other
security shuttle. Neither ship would have the capacity, sensors indicate well over one hundred Earth-sized human
individuals,” Enian replied with concern.
“Get a complete scan on all the vessels and patch me
directly on the inter-vessel communication channels,” Nori
ordered.
“Yes, sir. Channels open.”
“Rogue vessel, cease your operations immediately.
Stand down and prepare to--” The lieutenant was
interrupted as he witnessed a meter-wide cylinder shape,
precisely the width of the other Corporate Security
shuttle, dissolve, taking large portions of three crew
members and superstructure from side to side, breaching
the hull on both sides. The shuttle began an immediate
evacuation of atmospheric pressure to open space,
ripping internal compartments, tearing the structurally
compromised shuttle into several large pieces. Debris,
along with several contorted cocoons, drifted into the
black of space. The propulsion compartment failed proper
shutdown procedures, and soon after exploded, sending
more chunks in all directions.
“What just happened?” Nori demanded, trying to
recover his train of thought.
“Their transport beam must have malfunctioned,
taking a portion of the other shuttle. The rest just--just...”
Ensign Enian trailed off in disbelief. Other crew members
crowded the forward viewport to get a view of their own. “Return to your posts,” Nori ordered, still not sure of
all the details he knew he would be required to report.
“Channel open!”
“Open still, sir.”
“Rogue vessel, rogue vessel. I repeat stand down
immediately. You have malfunctioning equipment and are
endangering neighboring vessels.” Nori looked down to
the communications board for any sign of return signals. “Nothing, sir,” Enian reported.
“I can see that, Ensign! Start a streaming data-log to
Corporate Security. Make sure Commander Roth is
“Yes, sir. Starting data-log streaming, Commander
Roth has been flagged.”
“Rogue vessel, rogue vessel--repeat rogue vessel,
stand down, STAND DOWN!”
“Sir, their transport beam generators are recharging,
pointed in our direction!” Enian interrupted.
“Begin evasive measures! Back us out of range!” Nori
commanded.
“Beginning evasive measures,” the shuttle pilot AI
replied, as she began to turn the shuttle.
“STAND DOWN! STAND--” Lieutenant Nori's desperate
plea was interrupted as a twenty-five centimeter wide,
fifteen-meter long cylinder shape dissolved through the
middle of the shuttle, taking parts of five crew members,
two bulkheads and breaching the outer hull. The internal
atmosphere rushed to evacuate the ship’s internal
compartments, tearing out more support components and
further destroying the structural integrity. Splitting into
three larger pieces, debris along with partial and whole
cocoons spewed into open space, as the propulsion
portion of the disabled craft spun uncontrollably, before
exploding--obliterating everything left behind.
*** “Receiving urgent inbound data stream! Flagged for you Commander Roth,” the communications tech reported. “Transferring signal to you, sir!”
Commander Roth stepped back from his current diversion, wiping the mind of a malfunctioning Corporate employee. Her blank expression announced the completion of the first stage. She would be examined for any other physical issues before being reassigned a mind, or sold to Duissis for scrap. “Connecting,” Roth
announced. Azis2 channeled the data stream for analysis. Moments later, without warning, the signal was lost.
“Reconnect,” Roth ordered, annoyed at the disruption. “The signal isn't so much...disconnected, as it is simply--gone,” the technician's voice cracked.
“GONE?” Roth shouted.
::An overview of the data received indicates a catastrophic incident occurred,:: Azis2 answered.
::Explain,:: Roth demanded, lacking any patience.
::Command voice recording, telemetry, and AI system logs, along with retinal scans, indicate a malfunctioned transport beam, emanating from one of the rogue ships being pursued,:: Azis2 spoke with calm calculation. ::The first shuttle was destroyed with a large section of the hull removed by the beam. The second shuttle was destroyed by a much smaller, yet quite effective second transport beam, removing critical portions of the craft, and creating a hull breach. Precisely when the data stream ended.::
Birth Of A Goddess Page 8
