Realms Of The Gods

by C. M. Kane

  Cassandra chuckled weakly. ‘I didn’t say there was no crew, Tae. You will have a crew of one thousand seven hundred and fortyeight people, all of who are in other sections of the ship.’

  ‘What? Where did they come from?’ Tae asked before she could stop herself.

  ‘Sometimes fate can be cruel,’ Cassandra said. ‘For all my vast powers of insight I never knew Hera was about to attack Tuvarna until it was too late, and once the attack started there was nothing I could do.

  I could hear their death screams in my mind,’ she said, her voice suddenly sounding haunted and very old. ‘Millions, Tae, all terrified, all screaming for help. There was nothing I could do, well, nothing until a small fleet of refugee ships managed to escape the attack. There were seventeen ships, carrying fewer than three thousand people. None of the ships were even capable of reaching the next habitable planet before their passengers died; they were slow and had no weapons capabilities, not even force fields. I watched as two of Hera’s Khopesh class destroyers headed for them. They could have destroyed them at any time but I sensed they wished to toy with them first, to build their fear before they finally killed them. For the first time in my life I reached out in rage with my mind. I managed to lock onto an older elven warrior in charge of one of the ship’s pulse cannon arrays. I made him turn open fire on the other ship pursuing the refugees, in the ensuing confusion the little fleet nearly managed to make it to the nebula; that was when Hera herself started to pursue them. With my new focus I managed to make two plasma hurricanes from the nebula sweep behind the little ships and head straight for Hera in the hope I could distract her and damage her ship enough to stop her. I could feel her hatred, Tae; she doesn’t even have the excuse of insanity to use. She has become just like her father. She has discovered a taste for killing, she now enjoys cruelty for cruelty’s sake. She knew it was me; she fired her pulse cannons just before the clouds enveloped her, she hit the smallest of the ships killing everyone onboard. The rest escaped into the nebula where she is still too scared to follow. She thinks them dead because she doesn’t know about this ship. I brought them straight to the safety of the Ouranos; they, or some of their descendants, have been here ever since.’

  Tae interrupted as another nasty suspicion entered her head. ‘You said she is like her father, what did you mean?’

  ‘Her father was Cronus,’ Cassandra said.

  ‘Well at least that explains her personality,’ Tae said. ‘She’s a vicious megalomaniac, just like her dear old dad.’

  ‘Unfortunately yes, and I was in charge of her latest victims. As their population slowly recovered, I had to figure out what to do with them. The ship was still rebuilding and I couldn’t send the refugees anywhere unless I knew they would be safe, and they are highly recognizable, as you will soon see. So I came up with the idea of the time bubble, for me it would fix two major problems at once if I had access to it. I had long disliked the Thalien caste system.’

  ‘Why? What’s wrong with the caste system’ Tae asked in confusion.

  ‘Thalien are born into their caste, it matters not how clever or brave you may be, or even if you are religiously inclined. Once you are born to a caste that is where you remain until death.’

  ‘But that’s just stupid; you’d miss out on people whose natural ability could be to lead, or to invent, or whatever.’ said Tae

  ‘Exactly,’ said Cassandra. ‘I had noticed that the Worker Caste in particular was becoming increasingly unhappy. I thought if I could somehow freeze the majority of the warrior caste it would give the workers time to develop and improve in different positions, that way when the Warriors were released they would, hopefully, have to accept those that had filled their place while they were asleep. It is one of my fondest dreams, but the time will soon be here when the distortion field covering them has to go.’

  ‘How did you do it?’ asked Tae

  She felt Cassandra’s smile in her words as she explained. ‘By focusing my thoughts on the ship and explaining in pictures, if you will, what I needed. Luckily the Ouranos did as I asked. I found several devices in my room one day, along with diagrams of how to turn them on and off. The largest one is what trapped the original Thalien warriors on Thall, it covers their entire training facility along with around two hundred meters extra around the outskirts, that where our ships have been parked. The other smaller devices allowed our ships to enter the distortion field, or bubble if you will, safely. Once the smaller devices were turned off the ships would then be trapped, the devices can only ever be used once; after they are turned off they automatically disintegrate. The bubble itself is designed to be one, giant sleeper. As I understand it, time is at a standstill within it, or moving so slowly we can’t comprehend it. I don’t pretend to know how the ship has done this, but I do know it stopped all building and repairs for over two centuries after, so the cost to it was great.’

  ‘I chose Thall for the specific reason for which I have outlined to you. I needed to trap the Thalien warriors to give the worker caste a chance to prove themselves, as an added bonus the Tuvarnan now have a safe place for their people to be … stored, if you will, until their people have a planet to live on in peace once again.’

  ‘When their population rises to a certain level I have Adam and some volunteers go to a shipyard of my choosing. Once there they steal a large troop transport, then they come back here and load it to capacity with their people. They then travel to Thall where they enter the bubble that has trapped the Warrior Caste and turn off their devices, effectively sealing them in. There are just over twelve thousand there now, in sixty ships. They are a very longlived but slow breeding race, but those that are onboard the Ouranos are at peace knowing that their people are safe from harm and awaiting the day of their release. They are recovering and have made sure they breed selectively to ensure genetic diversity within their species; through their efforts and sacrifice they have ensured their children have a bright future. On the down side we are now out of devices, but hopefully things will now change for the better now that you are here.’

  Tae was staggered at the scope of Cassandra’s plan for the Tuvarnan. She had effectively made a giant sleeper capsule where both the majority of the Thalien warrior caste, along with a large group of Tuvarnan now slept in safety and peace. She wondered vaguely how she was going to get them out of the bubble, after all, neither of the races could stay under there forever.

  ‘What about supplies?’ she asked.

  ‘To feed and supply all those onboard over the years we have worked out a system. When I sense it is safe they revisit Tuvarna and gather food to replenish our stocks. We have re-stocked the planet with larger animals like deer and cattle so we can supply our own needs easily. We also have an extremely large hydroponics system. Whist we are on the planet we also collect the power crystals that Tuvarna was once famous for.

  Adam occasionally sells some of the crystals on either Chem or Thall so we can buy what supplies we cannot gather. Since we began gathering the power crystals again, we have replaced all of the old smashed crystals with new ones in the Ouranos; well her repair robots have anyway, and we also have them sitting stocked in storage for either emergencies, or to sell if we are in need. No-one but you, Adam and I know that some of the Tuvarnan race is still very much alive.’

  Tae sat passively, unsure of what to say, she simply let Cassandra continue on while she mulled over what she was telling her.

  ‘They have worked out quite a few basics on how to run different sections of the ship with both my own and Adam’s help. The Ouranos has let them have some leeway, but they are eager to learn Tae. They are a good and loyal people and will make a fine crew, until the time when they find a world of their own to settle on. They won’t let you down.’

  ‘Please,’ Tae said, ‘all of this is …’ she waved her hands around, ‘well, I need to think.’

  ‘Of course; with all you have gone through today and then to suddenly have all of this thrust upon your should
ers. I will have Adam take you to a room so you can rest. I will also have some food sent to you, you must be hungry, and I have kept you here far too long. Forgive me, Tae, but I thought it best you knew everything. We will have more time to talk when you are fully rested.’

  Tae smiled weakly. ‘I don’t think I would know how to react to what you just told me no matter when or where you told me, but thank you for your honesty.’

  Adam entered the room. ‘We have a room waiting for you, Miss Rames, please follow me.’

  Tae stood. ‘I gather I’ll be seeing you again soon but, in the meantime, take care.’ Tae stopped and looked back at Cassandra’s body a moment before saying, ‘Just one thing before I go. Why tell me the history of the gods, why take the time to explain who they are and why they are here now?’

  She felt Cassandra hesitate a moment.

  ‘Because their past is our past, Tae, their history is ours. You have to know what they went through to get here, and why. To know them is to give you a greater understanding of what motivates them and why they do what they do. All our futures are tied to theirs, whether we like it or not. Always remember, truth is never something to fear, it takes away our blinders and allows us to judge more clearly; it helps us with any decisions we may have to make.’

  Tae nodded to herself. ‘Yes, I think I see. Despite being bought up amongst cruelty and wanton destruction they not only escaped, but they went about creating something amazing, a galaxy teaming with life; unfortunately they brought a small part of what they fled with them; Hera.’

  ‘Yes, you do see, thank you Tae.’

  Tae nodded again and left the room with Adam.

  Cassandra watched her go silently. She had told Tae the truth, but not the whole truth. Cassandra knew it was imperative that Tae comprehend how cruel and destructive the gods’ ancestors were; she just didn’t know why. For some reason that future was dark to her, and that frightened her more than she cared to admit. Adam led Tae back down the corridor, turning left at the next juncture he took her to the first room in the new hallway.

  ‘I thought you would like to be close to the turbo lift and hangar Miss Rames,’ he said, smiling at her knowingly.

  ‘Thank you, and please, call me Tae.’ Tae said with a small smile.

  Entering the spacious room she found herself pleasantly surprised at her accommodation. The room had a large sleeping pallet in the corner, piled high with bright pillows and a large colorful quilt. A table with a water jug and glasses, along with two comfortable highbacked chairs sat under the large com-screen on the opposite wall. A small comdesk sat beside her bed. Adam moved to a robe on the other side of a doorway into what Tae was sure was the bathroom.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind but I have taken the liberty of supplying some fresh clothes for you if you should wish to refresh yourself. I have chosen the designs based on what most of the woman onboard seem to wear; I hope you find them satisfactory. I have also ordered some food for you from the mess, it should be here shortly. In the meantime is there anything else I can help you with?’

  Tae stared at him wordlessly. Her mind was near overflowing and the headache she’d had now returned with a vengeance. She shook her head.

  ‘No thank you, Adam. I just need to be alone for a bit. I need to think, to try to get things straight, but please accept my thanks, you’ve been very kind.

  Adam nodded and smiled. ‘If you wish to shower or sleep I can tell the mess hall to leave your food and drink on the table, if that’s all right.’

  ‘That’s perfect.’ Tae looked at him with relief. The last thing she needed at the moment was more talking.

  Adam nodded again then turned and walked out the door. Lifting his com-watch to his lips he began issuing instructions as he left. When the door finally closed behind him Tae walked over to the bed, grabbed a pillow, and sat down hugging it.

  She was only vaguely aware of the tears that streamed unchecked down her face.

  Chapter 22

  Brohan went through the list of names several times. He never asked if Tark or Mara if they were sure because he knew they were. He had watched them as they compiled the list he had asked for, both of them had been deep in thought, discussing things with each other as they remembered them. After the Sergeant had his leg patched he refused the med-techs advice to go to the infirmary. Instead he had sat with the lieutenant going over records for the last ten years, ever since he had joined the WLE; Tark had gone back nine. When they finished their job they called Brohan over and handed the compad to him.

  ‘There are three lists,’ Tark said. ‘The first one has thirtyseven on it that are not in the cells, they are all warriors neither one of us would trust. The second list is of seventeen warriors that we are unsure of, but they are known friends and associates of the warriors on the first list, as well as those you currently have in the cells. The third list is of fourteen that have transferred out over the time we have both been stationed here. We have no idea where they went.’

  He paused a moment, frowning in thought before continuing.

  ‘I have also included the satyr, Hod, on a separate list by himself; he is Commander Shivons adjutant. I have placed him on there simply because there is something about him I do not trust. I have no evidence whatsoever for my assumption and, as far as I can tell, he has never put a hoof wrong, but every time I am around him my instincts tell me to be on guard. As you seem to know much of my race you will know we are raised to trust our gut, as you humans call it. Well, my gut tells me not to trust him.’

  Brohan nodded and looked at the small compad.

  ‘Thank you. I will see Commander Shivon immediately and ask for these people to be put in cells for questioning. In the meantime I would like you to check the occupied cells and make another list of who needs to be released. I want the warriors who have born this outrage freed as soon as possible.’

  Tark nodded and stood.

  ‘Before you do though, please take Sergeant Mara over to the infirmary before he collapses,’ Brohan said, looking at Mara’s pale face.

  ‘And thank you both for your help. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve spoken to Shivon to get that last list.’ He turned and left.

  ‘What do you think of him?’ Mara asked as he watched the tall, greyhaired warrior leave.

  ‘I like him.’ Tark frowned, puzzled at his own feelings. ‘He is not what I expected, and for that I am grateful.’

  ‘You like someone?’ Mara stifled a groan as he stood to go to the infirmary. ‘These are strange days indeed. But then again he did just say an Island prisoner rescued Lord Loki, so I suppose anything’s possible.’

  Tark stared at him with a raised eyebrow. ‘We had better go before you faint, Mara. The last thing I need is to have to carry your heavy thalien arse over to the infirmary.’

  He wrapped his arm around Mara’s waist and helped the injured man to walk; both men were now silent as they became lost in their own thoughts.

  *****

  After a perfunctory knock Brohan strode into Shivons office. A satyr sat quietly in a corner at a small comdesk; the commander himself sat behind a huge wooden desk looking thoughtfully at a companel, tapping in commands every so often.

  ‘Commander Shivon,’ he began, ‘I need a word, if you wouldn’t mind.’

  Shivon looked up from what he was doing, traces of weariness showing on his pale pink features.

  ‘Go on,’ he snapped.

  He was still smarting over the chat he’d had with Elite Commander Tannan that morning. He had been left in no doubt whatsoever that whatever Commander Brohan wanted, he was to make sure he got. Either that, or the Elite Commander would make it his personal business to make sure that Shivon spent the rest of his days in the mess halls of Velchonos slinging hash for Lord Vulcan’s workers.

  ‘Alone,’ said Brohan.

  Shivon looked over at the satyr.

  ‘You may wait in the other room, Hod, I’m sure you will have more than enough to occupy your time there.’<
br />
  Hod saluted. ‘Yes, Commander Shivon.’ He turned and clattered out, leaving the door slightly ajar.

  After he left Shivon turned to glare at Brohan ‘So, what do you wish to talk to me about that could not be said in front of my aide?’

  Brohan slid the compad over the desk to him.

  ‘I want everyone on the first two lists put in the cells immediately,’ he said. ‘I will also be getting a list of people who I will want released shortly. The third list I will need to find out where they were transferred to, sooner rather than later.’

  Shivons eyes widened as he scanned the list. ‘You can’t be serious; my adjutant is on this list?’

  Brohan heard the faint buzzing noise of a zap gun being switched on behind him. He dropped into a crouch, turning and drawing his knife in one swift motion. The satyr had crept quietly back into the room and was now aiming the small gun at his head.

  ‘Hod!’ Shivon shouted, momentarily distracting the satyr from his target.

  Brohan threw his knife. It hit the satyr between his two hearts, severing the major artery that supplied blood between them. Hod looked down at the large knife protruding from his chest, a comical look of surprise on his face, and then he dropped to the floor without uttering a sound. Brohan walked over and pulled out his knife, cleaning it on the satyr’s jacket before re-sheathing it. He picked up the gun and examined it closely.

  ‘I’d get on that list immediately if I was you, Commander, and for all the gods’ sake try to be discreet or you’ll have another bloody massacre on your hands.’

  Shivons face paled as he nodded. ‘Yes sir.’

  He looked at the compad with the names. ‘I’ll have the vampires and elven in section two take care of it, none of them appear to be on the list.’

  He went straight back to his companel and started issuing orders. When he was done he looked back up at Brohan.

  ‘Why is this happening?’ he asked, his face a mask of shock and dismay.