Birth Of A Goddess

by Mark T. Bacome

  “From the data I've analyzed of their previous activities, as provided by Commander Roth, they have never been tempted with abundant resources before. I have no reason to believe they would change their tactics now.”

  Huir paused again. “Is that your evaluation of the Elvonians or the Earth humans?” Huir pressed.

  “With all due respect, Director. I still have no data to support Elvonian involvement. That scenario, coupled with their actions over the last six fiscal years, just doesn't make any practical sense,” Keja defended.

  “I will take your--belief, into consideration; however, I will continue to pursue actions with regards to Proxima Centauri. Dismissed.” Huir cut the holographic link.

  ::I need to pull my analysis and develop my proof,:: Keja said to Xria.

  : :Pulling for review.::

  *** Huir could see from across her work quarters, Roth's disdain for both Keja, and his opinions regarding the Elvonians, as she discontinued the holographic link.

  “You disagree?” Huir asked, already knowing Roth's answer from his disgusted expression.

  “The Elvonains will be heading to Proxima Centauri 1. There is a large ship’s facility there,” Roth explained.

  “There are hundreds of ships’ facilities within the Pleiades Ancillary Interstellar Gate Transport Hub, why would you believe they would not stop there instead?” Huir asked. She watched Roth's jaw muscles flex his displeasure at her question, and his lack of a suitable answer.

  “Send more Security Force shuttles to Proxima Centauri 1 ship’s facilities,” Huir ordered. Roth snapped to attention before turning to leave with a contented grin. “And to Proxima Centauri Gate--but do not engage at either. Monitor movements only,” she added. Roth stopped and looked back with a cold glare before turning once more to leave.

  *** The courtyard on the west side of Rubura's villa overlooking the Amazonis Sea, was shaded from the morning sun by the immense private structure. Still, the perfect place for a morning meal and conversation, Rubura and Anthony enjoyed the ambiance, as well as the cool morning breeze, before what was forecast to be another clear, warm Mars day. Anthony observed much of the landscaped plants throughout the courtyard in desperate need of care.

  “Since the Corporate Security Detention Order for all Elvonians was implemented, I have been at a loss for appropriate help with much of my villa upkeep,” she apologized.

  “Please, no apologies. I completely understand,” Anthony assured. “I very much miss my attendants and my own amenities.”

  “I must admit, I have never understood the Elvonians. No offense,” Rubura added.

  “No offense taken.”

  “How they can operate outside of Corporate and yet

  maintain such a high level of competence for such things as plant care--” Rubura stopped, realizing how rude her comments sounded. Her AI’s announcement that their awaited guest had arrived allowed Rubura a chance to excuse herself and hide her embarrassment. She returned with Diathon. “I'll leave you two alone,” Rubura excused herself again, still red-faced.

  Anthony stood and the two men greeted each other with well choreographed gestures. “I am honored that you would take time from your busy schedule to meet with me here.”

  “I always enjoy my visits to Rubura's villa, although they are not nearly as often as I would like,” Diathon assured.

  An attendant offered Diathon a seat and a sampling of the morning meal. “I am fine,” Diathon waved the attendant off.

  “Yes, I believe we are both fine now. That will be all,” Anthony waved off all of the attendants, and waited for them to gather the sample trays and leave. One started to remove the liquid refreshment container but Anthony signaled for her to leave it. “The yellow drink is rather refreshing this morning,” Anthony held the container to pour for Diathon.

  Diathon nodded and raised his glass for a taste. “Quite refreshing,” Diathon replied. The two men enjoyed the view and drinks in silence. After a few moments, Diathon set his glass down with a new sense of purpose. “Your proposal is rather bold, my friend.”

  Anthony took one last sip, then set his glass down as well. “The conditions demand it.”

  “Neither Vaudi nor the Galactic Board, would be able to assure immunity from Director Huir. You and your assistant would be subject to detention, you must realize this?”

  “Of course, that is why I request the dispensation.”

  “Self-immunity?”

  “There is precedence--”

  “Far-reaching, yes. But this would still require a unanimous consensus within not only the Galactic Board, of which I seriously doubt possible, but also Duissis--more importantly--Vaudi.”

  “If I assume the risk and the position of Mediator, in order to be the most effective, I must have full backing of both sides...and full autonomy,” Anthony pressed.

  “You believe you will be able to persuade Vaudi that this action will be in his best interests?”

  “Most certainly not. But if he believes Corporate is in an equally distasteful position, he might agree, as long as he feels there’s profit to be acquired.”

  “And what would you do about the problem of the Earth humans?”

  “With full autonomy over the affairs of the planet, that problem would no longer be of your concern or expenditure. I believe I will be able to formulate a solution acceptable to all parties,” Anthony assured.

  “Discussions would need to be kept in confidence. I am certain the Great Hall has been compromised-Director Huir seems far more informed than just through normal channels,” Diathon complained.

  “I am quite aware of the conditions,” Anthony replied. “I have been assured we are secure here at the villa. Rubura has offered this location for future discussions.”

  Diathon gave the courtyard a quick glance for a review. “I believe meetings can be arranged. However, the final decision will have to be recorded at the Great Hall.”

  “Of course,” Anthony agreed.

  *** “The data loss is too excessive, there isn't enough to pull anything useful,” the technician answered with nervous tension.

  “I do not except excuses! I demand results,” the Director shouted. “I want a complete transcript of all conversations and communications from that villa!”

  “I will dispatch a repair team to the area immediately to ascertain and correct the problem,” the technician replied.

  “A Galactic Board Member and a former member conversing without transcripts is bad enough! Two Galactic Board Members and Anthony--” Huir turned to the technician. “That--is unacceptable!”

  *** Anaua and Ayden held Anali between them as they watched Novia and Presley1833 examine Chichi.

  “Little boys often get bruises,” Novia assured. “I'm not detecting any fever--has he been eating well?”

  Ayden could see the worry in Anaua's face. “Yes-maybe a little more picky, but nothing too unusual.”

  “He's been tired a lot lately,” Anaua added, unable to hide the concern in the tone of her voice.

  Presley1833 waved one of their medical devices over Chichi as he lay quiet on his bedding.

  “I'm seeing some odd internal bio-fluid chemistry levels,” she said softly to Novia.

  “Odd? In what way?” Novia asked.

  Presley1833 shook her head. “I'm not exactly sure-they're just not--normal. I'll need to check our local databases and see if there are any references for these kinds of readings.”

  “Am I going to die now?” Chichi asked, with an open, child-like honesty. His innocent demeanor, in the way he asked such a stark question, was too much for Anaua and she broke down into tears.

  Novia smiled and wiped a stray, light-brown hair from Chichi's face. “We all take that great journey at some point in our lives--but I believe you have a long time yet, before worrying about such things.”

  “Okay. Can I go and play now?” he asked, showing no further concern.

  Novia couldn't help let out a little chuckle, as did Ayden
. “I would like you to finish the herbal tea I have made for you and take a little nap. Then go play if you like, later,” Novia instructed. “Can you do that for me, please?”

  Chichi nodded as he sat up just enough to take another sip of the herbal tea, before laying back down and closing his eyes.

  Novia watched a few moments as he kept his eyes forced closed. “Are you asleep now?” she asked rhetorically.

  Chichi nodded, then realized he had given himself away and grinned still keeping his eyes shut tight. Novia tried not to laugh out loud and pulled a cover up to his chin.

  Presley1833 sat with Anali as Anaua and Ayden walked out with Novia. “I will consult the rings and the Presleys will consult their equipment,” Novia explained.

  “Is he going to be all right?” Anaua asked.

  “I believe so. I understand your concern, he does seem a little pale, and possibly a little more tired than usual, but I don't think there is anything to be too concerned with. He may have been playing harder than usual. Let me know if he appears to be worse in the morning. I'll let you know if we discover anything,” Novia assured.

  *** The dark gray sky was a reflection of the vast, calm liquid Li had come to know as the Sea of Dying Souls. The air was cold, accented by the light breeze blowing across her face, as she watched the liquid withdraw, leaving behind the growing area of sand--the final stage of the transformation from a life energy to nothingness. She knew what she watched was merely a perception created in her mind, but the image was quite poignant, if not appropriate. The voices coming from the crystals in the cave on Earth sounded like Corporate programming code, and she had not thought of a connection to this place until now, as she stood near the liquid edge and listened close--these were the same voices.

  “These are Corporate programs, not Corporate humans,” Li voiced her realization. She had never noticed this before, then again, she had never thought to listen until now.

  “Yes. This new life energy comes from Corporate programming,” a soft familiar voice spoke with reverence. Li turned to see the entity she had come to know as the Guardian at the Gate, standing by her side.

  “I had always thought these were the souls of Corporate humans. I understand now why I have always been drawn to this place--I am like them,” Li surmised. “But why am I hearing their voices in the crystals in the caves?”

  “That would be the physical manifestation within your realm, of which this place is your mental interpretation within this realm. Life energy exists throughout many dimensions--realms, in varying forms.”

  “Why was this never explained to this extent before?” “The time was not right. The path you have created only now brings you to this place...this knowledge, with better understanding.”

  “So this IS my burden to correct--to fix these dying Corporate program souls,” Li assumed.

  “There is no path for you to choose. You must create the path that would take such a burden upon yourself.”

  “But this can be my choice, now--I am allowed?” Li bent down and scooped up some sand in her hand. A glow engulfed her hand and arm, penetrating the sand, which soon dissolved back into a liquid form, and dripped through her fingers. “I can save these life energies?”

  “You have grown strong--quite powerful in many ways, but this is still beyond your abilities. This will take a sacrifice involving more than yourself.”

  “You can show me that path?”

  “No one can show you that path but yourself. If this is the destination you seek, the path will rise up to greet you--be assured--but also, be aware--there is no turning back from this journey.”

  Li noticed a dark shadowy figure beyond the Guardian at the Gate, and she felt a shiver. “He haunts me at all places now, even here in the Other Realm,” Li sighed.

  “I feel your paths are joined.”

  “Cain wants to destroy me and I don't understand why.”

  “He seeks what he does not understand.”

  “I feel I will be forced to understand only through his destruction--or he will destroy me. There seems to be no other way.”

  “You are life; he is death. You are light; he is darkness--this is the way of the universe, you must understand these truths. There cannot be one without the other. Know his weakness and use his strengths.”

  “I fear he is becoming as strong or stronger than me, even with these powers I have been developing,” Li admitted.

  “Yes, he has become quite strong. Embrace those who would destroy you, that you might garner their strengths to help lighten the burden you wish to bear.”

  “You are suggesting that Cain would help to save these life energies?” Li turned and gestured over the Sea of Dying souls. After she heard no reply she turned again, to see the Guardian at the Gate was gone. Only the dark shadowy figure remained some distance away.

  *** Cain watched with curiosity. He was able to see a vague image of what appeared to be a woman, standing next to a very bright object, alongside a vast ocean of some strange liquid. He could hear her voice, but was unable to discern individual words or phrases. Then, without notice, the bright object disappeared, leaving the woman alone. There didn't seem to be anyone else around; however, Cain heard other voices, corporate in nature, as he attempted to approach.

  The woman turned, as though she were looking directly at Cain, then dissolved from view. Cain tried to stay and investigate the source of the voices, but was pulled away from that strange place once the woman was gone. She could be no other person but--Li. He could feel her mind!

  *** K'nal Lluxi waited for his Egal to acknowledge that he had entered his private quarters. The scrap materials the Egal had requested were ready and on standby to be delivered via the internal transport beam buffers. The Egal was sitting on the corner of his sleeping platform, eyes wide, but otherwise motionless. Lluxi had made the mistake once before, believing the Egal was aware of his presence while in this state of concentration and nearly paid with his life. From now on Lluxi was quite comfortable to wait.

  Cain drew a deep breath as he blinked his eyes, taking into consideration his current location--his private quarters. From the corner of his eye he noticed K'nal Lluxi, waiting patiently. “Speak,” Cain ordered.

  “The material has been sorted and is ready to be delivered to your quarters as requested,” Lluxi snapped to attention and reported.

  “Very well. Any further interference from Corporate Security while I was--busy?”

  “None, my Egal. The security ships have retreated as

  we near the next gate,” Lluxi assured.

  “Retreated?”

  “Yes, my Egal.” Lluxi was receiving his updates via his

  necklace connection to the ships systems and

  communications.

  Cain felt this to be in error, and checked the status

  updates himself, through his own necklace connection.

  Lluxi was indeed correct. All Corporate Security ships had

  been left very much behind.

  “The gate has been cleared of all traffic as well,” Lluxi

  added. “They appear to be expecting our arrival.” Cain could feel the skin on the back of his neck

  tighten. He didn't like anyone to 'expect' anything,

  particularly dealing with any personal action to be, or not

  to be, taken. “All stop!” Cain ordered across his necklace

  connection. ::K'nal Ja'Nier--::

  ::My Egal,:: Ja'Nier replied across the necklace

  communications from the trailing Class C freighter. ::I'm sending new coordinates for your ship. Proceed

  to gate sixteen, Sirius B.::

  ::Orders upon arrival?::

  ::Destroy the gate and any ships in the area,:: Cain

  explained. ::Do not return until completed!::

  ::It shall be done, my Egal!::

  “What of our status here, my Egal,” Lluxi asked. “We wait for Ja'Nier's return--leave now. I wish to

  occupy my mind otherw
ise,” Cain ordered, as he activated

  the transport beam buffers and a large pile of metal

  debris appeared in the center of his personal quarters. Lluxi dared a sly glance at the debris pile, snapping to

  attention once more before leaving. His curiosity,

  however, was not worth his life to ask the Egal any further

  questions.

  *** Keja walked through the holographic display. He was certain the key would be in the details of the anomalous signature found from the mass casualties at Delphinus Prime Station. The signature was tied to the nonCorporate coding, and the same signature was discovered to be tied to current events at the Pleiades Ancillary Interstellar Gate Transport Hub.

  ::Xria, try to clean that signature once more, please,:: Keja requested. ::These layers seem like interference.:: Keja pointed with a laser stylus to areas of the signature that appeared to be cluttered.

  ::I have been able to separate more of the layers. They do not appear to be interference now,:: Xria clarified. ::Pull my signature up for comparison.:: Xria complied

  with a basic image of Keja's signal signature. The image

  was much cleaner, less cluttered with fewer layers. ::Look

  here--simple, clean--::

  ::Color coding the layers for ease of visual,:: Xria

  announced.

  ::Breakdown the layers in color on the anomalous

  signature.::

  ::Color coding now.::

  The image became a rainbow of color and Xria was

  able to pull the colored segments apart for an exploded

  view.

  “Amazing,” Keja felt compelled to utter.

  Xria high-lighted the areas of Keja's signature for

  comparison. ::Here are the known parts--this green

  segment is my interface with your neural network,

  forming a distinctive imprint from within your brain. I

  have found several, in varying degrees in this anomalous

  signature,:: Xria explained while manipulating the

  holographic image of the anomalous signature to clarify

  the view.

  ::Several? How can that be?::