Birth Of A Goddess

by Mark T. Bacome

  Cain knew his time would be limited to keep his operations covert, and implemented his prearranged search for an interstellar gate to entangle and form a connection, before Corporate Security could discover the search and shutdown another gate. Once coordinates and appropriate entanglement procedures were completed, he could set a known schedule of connectivity with the servicing AI, to continue the Interstellar Gate reactivation, and regular awareness updates, without further Corporate interruption.

  The Pleiades Primary and Ancillary Interstellar Gates were prime subjects on the prearranged search. Both had connections to major hubs, making Corporate Home Office, Mars only a few gates away. Cain input the appropriate data to the local Interstellar Gate and the connection was complete. Power-up procedures would be complete in just a few hours. Once through, there would be nothing to stop Cain's advance.

  ***

  Keja watched the latest data-stream on the holographic sphere. ::Patch an urgent connection to Director Huir,:: Keja ordered.

  ::Patching,:: Xria replied. ::Huir connected.:: ::The Interstellar Gate, Delphinus Major, has begun

  power up procedures,:: Keja reported.

  ::Isolate the gate once more,::Huir demanded. ::They are not connecting to the normally-entangled

  pair gate. We're still tracing his encoded destination. Until we find the destination gate, I cannot initiate any powerdown procedures,:: Keja explained.

  ::How were they able to entangle any new gate pairs?::

  ::Apparently they were still successful, exploiting the AI protocol channels weakness.::

  ::Why weren't the AI protocol updates discontinued, as ordered?::

  ::Director, all AI protocol updates WERE postponed-several minutes ago; however, the servicing AI in the Delphinus region has not responded properly.::

  ::ISOLATE THAT GATE NOW!:: Huir demanded.

  *** “He's powering the gate?” Reed asked to be sure he just heard Toolkit's report correct. “I thought the other end was no longer entangled with Cain's end, and would be uncontrollable?”

  “There's an encoded destination, I'm just getting the trace now,” Toolkit replied, as he maneuvered a small hand-held laser-stylus over various locations within his holographic readout of the data-stream. Alex and Kutch leaned closer to watch, as did Troy and Rhys. Toolkit gestured for everyone to give him some space.

  “Well?” Kutch asked the question he was certain everyone had.

  “Pleiades region,” Toolkit muttered to himself.

  “Pleiades? Pleiades what?” Reed asked.

  “Pleiades--” Toolkit moved closer to his work hovering in front of his face, as small servos whirred, adjusting the augmentations over his optical sensors for a clearer view of the intricate details in the hologram and the datastream within. “Ancillary!”

  “Ancillary? That has fifteen or sixteen gates at that hub,” Alex reflected with concern.

  “Twenty-two,” Toolkit corrected. “They've recently expanded operations.”

  “If Cain connects there, he'll have access to nearly any other major gate hub within Corporate. There's no way Corporate Security will be able to stop him!” Alex added to her concern.

  “Plunkgrease!” Kutch said under his breath to himself, but everyone in the room agreed.

  ***

  Part 3

  Deep in meditation, Li felt her surroundings change from the cavern she had created, to the very familiar brilliant white veil, enveloping all things in a place, not of the Earth. Faint shapes and distant whispers were the only evidence of the Tutela-Animus watching her, yet keeping their distance. The brilliant white surrounding soon gave way to another familiar place that was distant in space and time, as she sat cross-legged, arms stretched out across her knees, back straight atop a rise overlooking natural blue-silver pools of living energy--souls. The sun felt warm, shining down from the deep blue sky, and the soft lush, green grass felt cool and comfortable against her legs. A gentle breeze rippled the pools and caressed Li's face. This was where she had talked many times with Anaua, and saw the orbs, the energies of her family to come.

  In the distance, Li noticed a small child approaching--a girl, in a flowing white gown and long auburn hair glistening in the sun. She appeared to grow and age, until Li recognized the old woman Utahia, with her long, silver, braided hair, shawl, and walking staff--just as Li had remembered.

  “So good to see you, again.” Li greeted Utahia. “And you,” Utahia replied. “Although I sense a heaviness in your heart.” “I have grown strong, but I sometimes wonder if I will be strong enough.”

  “I have watched your progress. You have been learning well, the lessons from your Pe'Atchdi, Novia,” Utahia assured.

  “She has been a wonderful Pe'Atchdi and close friend. Yet I often feel uncertain, although I dare not let her see.”

  “Uncertainty is merely a lesson untested.” Utahia gave Li a hand to stand.

  “Spoken like a true Pe'Atchdi,” Li answered.

  “But that is not the true burden you are feeling now,” Utahia said. She began a slow walk toward a stand of trees not far from the pools of living energy.

  Li followed by her side. “Again, spoken like a true Pe'Atchdi.”

  “Share with me this burden you hold, that we may examine the weight on your mind.”

  Li stopped and turned to face Utahia. “I have grown such wonderful powers. I can form shapes from any material, I can see into the darkness without my eyes, I can talk with the creatures of the forest, I can take the lives of those same creatures with only a suggestion--I can do whatever I want, and yet--” Li paused.

  “And yet?”

  “I am surrounded by paths--all the paths--every path. I can see them all. Anything I do--everything I can do, could violate a path. Ultimately breaking some law of the universe.”

  “Yes, child. The laws of the universe surround us all.”

  “But I can change those paths--at will. I could make things better...”

  “You have. I watched you step in when needed many times. Most recently during the birth of Ghym'rid Re'alta,” Utahia asserted. “You looked into her path and the paths of those around her and made the choice to intervene.”

  “I can do that again. There is another--”

  “I know of whom you speak.”

  “So you agree?”

  “No, child.” Utahia shook her head. “He has a specific path--one that crosses many others. A path that should not be altered--even though you could.”

  “There has been no showing of the signs...”

  “Rest assured, they will, and very soon,” Utahia interrupted.

  “I can make sure that they do not,” Li argued.

  “That is not your decision to make.”

  Li released a heavy sigh of frustration. “Who decides these things? Who makes the rules?”

  “Ah, child--that is a burdensome question. I have prayed to Shola Rai many times for that answer--only to receive silence. I truly believe only a goddess can possess that answer.”

  “Well, maybe someday I will make the rules,” Li said.

  “Just remember, child--you have to live by the rules you set, and live with the consequences that follow.”

  “Once again--spoken like a true Pe'Atchdi,” Li answered with a grin.

  “But I feel that your questioning of the rule-maker of the universe, is not all that has weighed upon your heart,” Utahia winked, giving Li a squeeze on her forearm.

  Li stared off into the distance for a few moments, then gave a tired nod. “I feel him--Cain. He is like a shadow in the corners of my mind, and now, often a shadow in the corners of my place of meditation.”

  “He grows stronger as do you. I can see now, you two are deeply tied together in some way.”

  “I have felt that for sometime. Novia has tried to help, but I fear she will only get hurt. I cannot allow that to happen.”

  “Novia is your Pe'Atchdi--do not shut her out. She is much stronger than I believe you may understand.”


  “Novia is also a close friend. I could never forgive myself, if something were to happen to her--caused by me.”

  “You have seen her path.”

  “I have, to a point--but there is a place of uncertainty there as well.”

  “The uncertainty lies within your own mind. Hold onto your strengths and the uncertainty will fade.”

  “What if I fail?”

  “What if--another question for the universe. Maybe by then, you will be the one to change the rules--and answer that question.”

  *** Arrangements had been made and Anthony and Presley1285 waited outside the Great Hall, the main chamber for the Galactic Board meetings. Diathon and a small retinue followed close behind as they approached the large entry.

  “Diathon, my old friend, I am so very appreciative that you would see me, if for only a moment,” Anthony began the well-choreographed greeting.

  “I apologize that I am only afforded a few moments before we begin another session,” Diathon replied.

  “I will be brief,” Anthony promised. He waved Presley1285 away, as did Diathon toward his followers, so they may meet in confidence. “With all due respect, the situation regarding Earth and Duissis has become-embarrassing, to say the least.”

  “I agree, but we are bound by contractual

  arrangements--”

  “Yes, but to what end? And at what point do those contractual arrangements begin to redefine the original agreements, or at best undermine the entire contract?”

  Diathon had no answer and only released a deep sigh.

  “Deadlines are being missed now more than kept. Vaudi is not beyond taking more drastic steps to force Corporate compliance,”Anthony pressed.

  Diathon stopped his casual stroll and gave Anthony a hard glance. “IF this goes to mediation, debate and discussions could take many fiscal years--just to find and agree on a valid mediator. Vaudi would continue to be disallowed from the planets’ resources. The main issue of the removal of the Earth humans would stop until an agreement or mediation could be met!”

  “I completely understand. Vaudi and I are not in agreement with this possible option,” Anthony answered.

  Diathon relaxed his hard glare. “You know as well as I, we are conducting our responsibilities on this contract as quickly as possible. The Earth humans are extremely problematic.”

  “I know indeed. I feel a great level of responsibility for this whole mess,” Anthony agreed. “I often wonder who will stand up for those who appear to have no voice in this matter?”

  “The Earth humans have no voice on this matter. There has been, in fact, no place found for the Earth humans within Corporate,” Diathon confessed with some frustration. “They are uncooperative, and costly--a complete profit loss!”

  “But they are humans--that must be considered.”

  Diathon gave Anthony a strong look of skepticism. “Vaudi would disagree!”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “I would suggest you keep that opinion well hidden from your employer, my old friend,” Diathon proposed. “I must leave you now. Until our next encounter.” Diathon gave Anthony another choreographed salutation before entering the Great Hall with his retinue close behind.

  Presley1285 stepped next to Anthony after the entry to the Great Hall had closed and they stood in the hallway alone. “I have arranged for our transportation back to the villa,” Presley1285 spoke, but quietly gestured with his hands, confirming their internal and open communications were being monitored.

  Anthony nodded. “Very good. We shall depart immediately.”

  *** Huir gave Roth an approving glance. “That was a rather interesting conversation between Anthony and Diathon.”

  “Indeed. We may have found some leverage between Vaudi and Anthony,” Roth added.

  “You may not be seeing the larger scenario,” Huir

  suggested.

  “I believe separating Anthony from Vaudi's protection

  was very much your--”

  “Separation, yes. Isolation--even better!” Huir

  smirked.

  *** Within minutes, three Corporate tugs exploded from the sudden release of internal pressures, escaping through structurally-weakened hulls, via dissolved portions, directed from two Class D shuttles. In the same instant, the first of three Class C freighters eased through the Pleiades Ancillary Interstellar Gate, defying communication requests to cease all actions. Moments later, a one-meter wide, forty-meter-long tube of material disappeared from the propulsion system of a Galactic class freighter, attempting to leave through the same gate Cain's freighter was entering. The resulting explosion shifted the galactic freighter's position enough to allow space for the entering Class C freighter.

  Four Corporate Security shuttles approached from all directions, ordering all craft in the immediate area to cease all actions, as debris clouded the available space surrounding the Interstellar Gate. Outbound traffic was stacked up, adding to the tight maneuvering area available.

  After several agonizing moments to recharge the smaller transport beam internal power systems of the first Class D shuttle, another tubular cross-section of one of the Corporate Security shuttles dissolved, leading to the immediate evacuation of the pressurized internal ship’s atmosphere. The violent release, once more, tore at the superstructure of the vessel, causing a catastrophic failure of the propulsion system. The explosion distributed the material in all directions.

  The second Class C freighter entered the busy Pleiades Ancillary transportation hub behind the first one, as Corporate tug operators attempted to pull staged freighters away from the ongoing series of explosions and chaos. More unexplained cases of dissolving material from tugs, freighters and Corporate Security shuttles continued to cause massive destruction around the Pleiades Ancillary Interstellar Gate.

  A third Class C Freighter stayed close behind the second through the gate, as all three glided through the debris field protected by local force fields, pushing the wreckage out of the way. The nose of a Class A stretched Super Freighter appeared, from the darkness of the other side of the Interstellar Gate, in succession behind the third Class C Freighter. The longer, larger freighter would need far more room to clear the gate.

  A tug operator saw the large ship arriving and attempted to make room by clearing the damaged staged Galactic Freighter out of the way. The tug’s grappling beam managed a partial connection, but the weakened superstructure soon gave way under the pressure. The resulting tear in the breached portion of the craft caused a cascading release of internal atmospheric pressure throughout the length of the vessel. The catastrophic failure, dragged the tug and remains of the Galactic Freighter into the direct path of the Class A stretched Super Freighter while still passing through the Interstellar Gate.

  The unexpected change in the calculated mass within the ring of the Interstellar Gate, due to the slow-motion collision between the two large freighters, began a chainreaction of events. The resulting collapse of the energy field creating the connection within the Interstellar Gate, slammed the gate energy field closed, causing the Class A stretched Super Freighter to explode and destroy both ends of the gate. The energy release pushed hard against the three Class C Freighters, although they were able to maintain control. The second of Cain's Class D shuttles was caught too close to the explosion and was destroyed in the mayhem. Shock waves from the disaster flowed throughout the Pleiades Ancillary transportation hub and beyond.

  *** “Thirty-two Corporate Security Officers, forty-seven Interstellar Gate personnel, fifteen tug operator AI pilots and crew, on last count,” Keja reported from his holographic image in Director Huir's office.

  “All injured?” Huir asked.

  “All missing, presumed dead,” Keja corrected. “That is not counting the passenger manifest from the Galactic Freighter that collided with the Class A stretched Super Freighter and destroyed the gate. That number could exceed twenty-five thousand.”

  “Huir ordered the gate CLOSED!” Roth affirmed,
showing little patience for the report or the person providing it.

  “They were able to bypass our commands and continue to operate the gate,” Keja relayed.

  “Where are they now?” Huir interjected.

  “Current calculations, indicate they are still within the Pleiades Ancillary transportation hub,” Keja answered.

  “That's all? Within the Pleiades Ancillary

  transportation hub?” Roth fumed.

  “The amount of debris clouding the space within the Pleiades Ancillary transportation hub, coupled with the lack of accurate registry beacons on the suspected ships, has rendered precise information unavailable at least, and unreliable at best,” Keja reported.

  “Shutdown the remaining gates, immediately,” Roth ordered.

  “There are twenty-one more gates within the Pleiades Ancillary transportation hub. The resulting chaos from shutting down--”

  “I DON'T CARE! THEY SHOULD ALL BE SHUT DOWN!” Roth demanded.

  “As much as I would agree, Commander, the Galactic Board would not allow such an action,” Huir intervened.

  “The BOARD? WE NEED TO--”

  “You can send more Corporate Security shuttles to contain them to the Pleiades Ancillary transportation hub area. There will be no need to involve the Board--at this time.”

  “I do not believe sending more Corporate Security vessels will--”

  “I would require a moment alone with the

  Commander, ” Huir interrupted Keja. “You are dis-missed. Keep me informed of any new developments.”

  “Yes, Director!” Keja's holographic image dissolved.

  “Commander, there are opportunities available here, given the information we only recently acquired, regarding Anthony,” Huir said with dry ease.

  *** Kutch followed Alex into Toolkit’s darkened workspace. Reed, Troy and Rhys were already huddled around the holographic image of several data-streams, as Toolkit worked various locations with his laser-stylus. “What's the latest?” Kutch asked.