Seeds of the Pirate Rebels

by Gregory Johnson

  “No, Commander. I was admiring this temple. Yahweh was speaking to you, wasn't He?” Xanatos asked as they both heard a voice from deep within the temple walls.

  “Remove your boots, for you are entering Holy Ground,” the voice of Yahweh ordered them. Xanatos and Kingsley did as the voice told them to. “Tell Xanatos what I told you about my plans for the PRA vessels,” The voice replied as they placed their boots on the threshold of the temple. Xanatos removed his captain's cap and Kingsley kept her commander's cap on, as Kingsley relied Yahweh's message to Xanatos.

  “Who is the War Spy?” Xanatos asked as they carried their boots over the threshold of the temple and placed them on a ledge near the entrance.

  “You may place your boots back on your feet. The War Spy is still a child of mine. I have plans for the little War Spy,” Yahweh's voice spoke with concern.

  “I will do as you say, my Lord,” Xanatos replied as they placed their boots, speaking into his comm-unit, “Lt. Aidene, report.”

  “The Pale Dragon is receiving calls from the fleet and a distress call from Talyardians and Bowdoians. The War Lord Empire has ordered a full invasion force on Layardia and Bowdoia. The United Alliance is unwilling to aid the Cetearan Sector. What are we going to do, Captain?” Aidene replied on the comm-unit.

  “Take the Crimson Stingray and Shadow Hunter to Layardia. Take the Crimson Dragon and Crimson Sword to Bowdoia. Tell Aidene what I have told you,” Yahweh's voice ordered.

  “Yes, Yahweh. I will do just that,” Xanatos replied as he relied Yahweh's message to Lt. Aidene.

  “Sir, if this Yahweh said this to you, why does he send only two rescue ships for each planet that needs liberation from the WLE?” Aidene asked with disbelief.

  “I want the PRA to know that the LORD Yahweh is not only on their side, but will give them a swift victory against the WLE. Tell her what I have said,” Yahweh's voice replied as he relied Yahweh's message to Lt. Aidene.

  “Really, Yahweh is speaking to you in His Temple on third moon of Cetus. Whatever happened to the population of Cetus and her moons' populace that were there?” Aidene asked curiously.

  “The offspring of the Gemanites enslaved and annihilated the Cetaceans from the planet, but the Cetaceans from this moon escaped and formed the cultures on Layardia and Bowdoia. Yahweh warned the inhabitants of this moon of the invasion of this system,” Xanatos replied on his wrist comm-unit.

  “Wait a minute, the Gemanites have been extinct for three thousand years. How can an extinct race of intelligent beings have offspring? The Talyardians and Bowdoians look similar in appearance, but they haven't been a part of the United Alliance for that long. They have been separate races for fifteen hundred years. How then can the offspring of the Gemanites wipeout the planetary population and scatter that moon's population onto two different planets; the Gemanites were extinct fifteen hundred years prior to the Cetaceans demise?” Aidene questioned.

  “The Gemanites weren't destroyed by extinction, they were annihilated by their own creation,” Xanatos explained to Aidene the creation of the Atron Ascendancy, and then told her of the upcoming invasion of the Atron Ascendancy.

  “So, you're telling me that the Atron Ascendancy is coming to invade the entire

  United Alliance and WLE. What can we do about it? If the Atron Ascendancy is as formidable as you say; would the WLE not already know about them?” asked Aidene.

  “They know, but they refuse to say anything to the United Alliance. Until they can locate and annihilate the entire Atron Ascendancy, that would be the WLE protocol when unknown variables are in the way of universal domination. My mother taught me the ways of WLE when my father died and Lord Corvet'e was a full War Lord,” Xanatos sadly said, as he looked around the ancient temple.

  The ancient temple was massive and had many corridors that led to other chambers deep within the temple. Xanatos and Kingsley walked into a secret chamber about seventy feet above from the entrance chamber. Xanatos seen an engraved portrait of the universe as a humanoid body, as Yahweh designed it to be. Xanatos saw at the heart of the universe's center was a star that was the size of a heart, but with a speck on it. Xanatos rubbed at the speck on the portrait and the chamber's ceiling opened to reveal a open crate with six power gems of different colors and at the center of the tray a crystal white power gem.

  “What are they, Xanatos?” Kingsley asked with curiosity.

  “They look like power stones of unique origins,” said Xanatos, as he closed his eyes to feel their unique power. “The Cetaceans were entrusted with these stones from the heavens by Yahweh Himself. They were left here by the Bowdoians' ancestors to hide them from the Atron Ascendancy. They are information gatherers and they can give Yahweh's creation their knowledge and protection against the Atron Ascendancy's invasion,” Xanatos translated the message from the power stones.

  “The power stones have a consciousness, but they are objects of nonliving matter. How is this possible?” Kingsley asked.

  “Yahweh created these seven Cetus Stones to be intelligent for the purpose of learning if His creation is ready for Yahweh's knowledge, as a whole united universe,” replied Xanatos, as he opened his eyes. “We need to make a base camp outside the Temple of Yahweh. This place is too great and holy for us to use as shelter and base of operations. This is a place of worship, not to be used as a staging arena for the war,” Xanatos bowed to the Lord in respect, and left the temple the way he came with Kingsley following behind him.

  “I agree with you, Xanatos. The last staging arena was an old temple, but it was disgraced by Grand Admiral H'Ackre-Limwin when she used it as your base of operations. Now, the WLE has destroyed it. Yahweh showed us His mercy by allowing us to this ancient temple,” Kingsley replied as they began their return to the Pale Dragon.

  “Karen, we have to back to the Lord's Temple,” Xanatos suggested with a hint of a smile.

  “Why? The ship is right there. Is there something we forgot there?” Kingsley asked, without noticing Xanatos' grin.

  “The Lord asked us to go back, for a special event that we must attend together alone,” replied Xanatos, as he saw just how radiant she was.

  “What are you talking about? Why you looking at me that way?” Kingsley asked with curiosity, as she dawned on her what he was asking of her. He reached his right hand toward hers. Tears of joy flowed from face, as she grabbed his hand and he guided her into a warm embrace. “Of course, I will join you in the Lord's temple,” She blushed, as they kissed each other tenderly before they walked back into the temple.

  “So much for the Argoni laws,” Xanatos joked. She smiled at the comment. The Dragonling custom was simple to follow. Xanatos could hear Kingsley's thoughts, as they reentered the temple to be in Yahweh's presence again. Kingsley was suddenly struck with all of Xanatos' thoughts. Yahweh spoke with a loud thunderous voice. I accept this unity of this Argoni and this Dragonling as one body. No one and nothing will come between these two forever and ever. This is My will, so says the Lord your God.

  “Thank you, Yahweh. I will treasure her always,” Xanatos stated to the voice that united the two them and to Kingsley, as he kissed her hands.

  “Thank you, Yahweh. I will never let him leave my heart,” Kingsley promised the voice of Yahweh, and Xanatos, as she kissed Xanatos on the lips.

  “Now, we can go return to the Pale Dragon and inform the crew of the news that Yahweh has for the PRA fleet,” replied Xanatos, as they left the temple again and headed for the Pale Dragon.

  30 - Aboard the War Shadow, in orbit of Layardia

  Corvet`e couldn't believe what his eyes saw on the viewscreen, so he checked the sensor readings to confirm it. The PRA is here all right, but from the looks things, it will be swift victory for the WLE. The Talyardians will lose their confidence not only in PRA but in Valient as well. Corvet'e smiled as he ordered the War Dragon, Shadow Draconic, and Warrior's Pride to attack the three PRA warships. One of the PRA warships looked like the Shadow Hunter.

>   “On your knees, Samuel Hackman!” A voice ordered Corvet`e from entrance of the Main Bridge. Corvet`e looked at the entrance to find Righteous Breastplate standing there.

  “Righteous Breastplate? You can't order me around on my ship, and that's not my name,” replied Corvet`e, as motioned to the security officer to shoot Righteous Breastplate. The security officer was about to do as instructed by his captain when Righteous Breastplate raised her gaze at the security officer. The security officer trembled at her gaze, as Corvet`e reached for the control panel to freeze the Valient Knight once again.

  Suddenly, Corvet'e could no longer reach for the control panel. He was frozen in the command chair, with his hands glued to the arms of that chair. The security officer was now on his knees, bowing to the Valient Knight.

  “You will not freeze me or my brothers again. Now!” Righteous Breastplate said with authority in her voice, “on your knees!” She barked, as she released him to bow to her.

  “Enough of this, Righteous Breastplate! You will stop this nonsense!” Master Malsvir ordered with an icy tone in his voice. Corvet`e ran to his War Master's side in a fast hurry, as Master Malsvir struck Righteous Breastplate with red biokinetic energy from his hands.

  Righteous Breastplate flipped in the air and landed directly behind the War Master. The War Master's energy blast hit the control panel of the Main Bridge and it was fried instantly. Corvet`e roundhouse kicked Righteous Breastplate in the face to protect his War Master. Righteous Breastplate felt the sting of the War Lord's kick, but she refused to show it.

  The War Master was thrown telekinetically by Righteous Breastplate into the fried control panel. The control panel was destroyed from impact, as the last of the sparks of life from the control panel hit Master Malsvir hard. Master Malsvir noticed his amulet was glowing with evil energy from Dracetus himself. Master Malsvir started to wobble a bit from the blow he received from Righteous Breastplate.

  “No, don't... leave... me,” Master Malsvir said weakly, as the Amulet of Basilisk shot a beam of pure evil energy at Righteous Breastplate. Righteous Breastplate placed a telekinetic barrier around himself and the power beam bounced off the barrier and hit Corvet`e. He was empowered by the blow from amulet. Master Malsvir started turning pale from the evil leaving his body and soul. Suddenly, Master Malsvir was paler than a ghost, as arms were swaying back and forth and he was leaning forward.

  “My Emperor, are you alright?” the helmsman asked, as Corvet`e looked at Righteous Breastplate with crimson eyes and the evil energy transferred from Master Malsvir to Corvet`e along with the Amulet of Basilisk. Corvet`e grinned as Righteous Breastplate looked at the former War Master's now turned to ashes and was gone.

  “Oh, I am bright as rain, Lt. Helfere. This body is weak in the faith, but I will change that. Long live Dracetus, may Basilisk turn our enemies to stone,” said Corvet`e, as the amulet glowed navy blue at Righteous Breastplate. “I am War Master Corvet`e and the new leader of the War Lord Empire,”

  “Yes, Emperor Corvet`e. We are at your command,” Lt. Helfere replied humbly, as the entire bridge crew bowed to their new emperor. Righteous Breastplate was appalled by this and caused the War Shadow to lose helm control without any body movement at all. The War Shadow started drifting toward the other Argoni Battle Cruisers and fired on its own sister ships from the flotilla. Righteous Breastplate had a pure white aura, as she was firing on the Argoni Battle Cruisers.

  The Battle of Layardia was now in favor of Yahweh and PRA with the destruction of the Argoni Battle Cruisers and the Shadow Hunter and Crimson Dragon joining the battle to aide the Talyardians. The Argoni Quickstrikes and Sphinx Diablos were attacking the Shadow Hunter and PRA space fighters from the Argoni Battle Cruisers' fighter bays. The Shadow Hunter fired at the Argoni Quickstrikes with its new heat-seeking zotium torpedoes.

  The Argoni Quickstrikes were destroyed by the torpedoes as they were heading into Phantom Space. The Talyardians were launching their space fighters and light attack freighters to aide the Pirate Rebels and Yahweh in the battle. The Argoni Battle Cruisers were almost all destroyed or disabled from the unexpected attack from Righteous Breastplate. The other vessels were in retreat or in the heat of the battle firing at the Pirate Rebels' space freighters and Talyardians' space fighters.

  The War Shadow was the only Argoni Battle Cruiser with minimal damage to its hull. It was not firing at any vessel at the moment. The tactical officer on board was analyzing his display board and found that the weapons systems were offline.

  “What have you done, Righteous Breastplate? The fleet has lost and now, you will perish,” Master Corvet`e stated, as he drew his Argon saber and charged Righteous Breastplate.

  “Sir, all weapons systems are offline,” the tactical officer reported to his War Master.

  “I am aware of the weapons systems' situation. Fix it, now,” Master Corvet`e ordered as he tried to carve Basilisk's name in Righteous Breastplate's chest. Righteous Breastplate jumped out of way and drew a sword from thin air to block the next blow.

  “Curse you, War Master Corvet`e. May Yahweh bless the youngest son of Samuel Hackman. May Yahweh curse Basilisk and all that belongs that demon,” Righteous Breastplate swore to Corvet'e, as she sliced off the Amulet of Basilisk from the neck of Corvet`e.

  “Curse you, Righteous Breastplate,” Corvet'e rebuked as Amulet of Basilisk fused the War Master's chest. “You will never win. We are one. Basilisk will never yield to defeat. He has a new host and we will succeed,” Corvet`e gloated.

  “You will retreat from this battlefield, Corvet`e, or Yahweh will destroy your entire Empire. Is that clear, Corvet`e?” Righteous Breastplate threatened as she vanished from sight.

  “What are we going to do, Emperor Corvet`e?” asked Lt. Helfere, as the War Master looked at the lieutenant and bowed his head.

  “We will not let Valient destroy Basilisk's dream. Retreat!” ordered Corvet`e. The War Shadow and the remaining Battle Cruisers left Talyardian Space, after they collected their remaining space fighters.

  31 - In orbit of Bowdoia, aboard the Shadow Hunter

  Horde launched his vessel's complement of Personal Space fighters and armed shuttles was handling battle station very well for a small freighter. He ordered his new tactical officer to fire zotonic torpedoes and energy beams to be charged. The new zoton energy beams were ready to fire at any enemy space fighter within range. The Crimson Stingray was already launching its Sphinx Katarns and their new Talyardian Scimitars to engage the WLE.

  The battle was about to begin when Horde saw the Shadow Warrior was turning its cannons on the three other Argoni Battle Cruisers. The Argoni Battle Cruisers' captains must have been frozen in shock from one of their own fleet firing on them.

  “Commander Kodah, target the nearest Argoni Battle Cruiser with zoton torpedoes. Fire at will,” Horde ordered as the Shadow Hunter began approaching the Argoni Battle Cruisers.

  “Aye-aye, Sir,” The Rularian Commander replied as she fired at the War Heretic.

  The War Heretic was hit on its ghost-drive engines and two of the zoton torpedoes blasted through the Main Bridge. Bodies of the bridge crew were being vented into space, before the emergency force-shields turned on. The ghost-drive was ready to blow the War Heretic to bits. The sensors on the Shadow Hunter showed that one more zoton torpedo will destroy the War Heretic. The Tactical Officer fired at the ghost-drive primary core and the War Heretic exploded.

  The space fighters were engaged in their own dogfights when the WLE space fighters started to retreat back to their hangers from where they came. The PRA space fighters decided to disengage from their dogfights but stand their ground.

  “Sir, General Pland of Crimson Squadron is reporting that the enemy space fighter squadrons are all retreating back to their cruisers that came from. He is standing by for new orders from you,” the Talyardian Communications officer reported to Horde. Suddenly, the three Shadow Hound-Class Freighters decloaked near the exit vector that the PRA would have
taken if they lost the battle. The three Shadow Hound-Class Freighters fled the system, as the WLE space fighters were heading toward their cruisers. The WLE space cruisers fled the system without their space fighters docked in their fighter bays. “Sir, you have an incoming call from the Pale Dragon.”

  “Send it through,” Horde ordered as the view screen showed Xanatos' image.

  “The WLE has withdrawn from the Cetacea Sector, the day is Yahweh's,” replied Xanatos, as the crews of both vessels cheered for victory.

  “Where do we go from here?” asked Horde as he looked to Xanatos for incite.

  “Our new base is on Cetus' third moon five miles from the ancient temple of Yahweh. I will see there,” ordered Xanatos, as he cut the communications.

  “Helm, set in a course for the third moon of Cetus at Phantom 4, so we meet with the rest of the PRA Fleet,” ordered Horde.

  “Aye, Sir. Course plotted and set,” replied the Centaur Helmsman, as the Shadow Hunter left real space and headed for Cetus' third moon.

  32 - Aboard the War Shadow, on the Main Bridge

  The view on the view screen was of Argon Space and the Royal Shipyards orbiting Argon and her four moons. The crew of the War Shadow was happy to be out of the battlefield and back in WLE Space. Corvet`e was pacing back and forth on the deck, as they entered real space.

  “Contact the Royal Shipyards, at once. I must find out how the new Shadow Hound-Class Freighter Mark II is progressing,” Corvet`e ordered the communications officer said.

  “Yes, my lord,” the Sphinx officer replied. She contacted Royal Shipyard 3 to check on the designing and construction of their new weapon against the PRA and the Pale Dragon. The technician on the viewscreen was not happy to receive any calls from the War Shadow.

  “What do you want, Lord Corvet`e?” the Rularian technician replied impatiently.