Aeon Legion: Labyrinth

by Beaubien, J. P.

  The murmurs changed when the devices in Terra's ears activated. She could now understand the hum of conversation around her.

  Alya looked both ways before stepping out. “Let's try not to draw attention. I just want to get through timeport processing without being noticed.”

  Alya set out through the timeport and Terra followed closely behind.

  Terra glanced to another entryway near them. A man with insect eyes and chitin shells on his arms and legs stepped out.

  “An alien?” Terra asked.

  The bug-man whirled, searching with his insect eyes. “Where?”

  Alya tugged at Terra. “Not an alien. He is probably from Continuum Xi. They have a lot of biomorphic technology.”

  Terra wondered what biomorphic technology was as she continued to gawk at the sizable crowd. They made their way down an open area, moving towards a large pearl white structure ahead. Others entered and exited chambers like to the one Terra had arrived in. Many stood on the sidelines, either sitting on benches or chatting with others.

  “Stay close,” Alya said, surveying the crowd with a wary gaze.

  Terra followed while gawking at the colorful mob. Those with silver hair wore similar dress to Alya. They directed and assisted others. They all carried shieldwatches even if they didn't always wear armor.

  Those without silver hair or a shieldwatch were more varied. One man in an American Civil War Confederate uniform argued with a silver haired man. The Confederate soldier held an automatic assault rifle in his hand.

  “No. For the last time, you can't take it back with you,” the silver haired man said as Terra passed. It was the only part of the conversation she caught.

  A few paces away, a silver hair woman yelled at a man dressed in fine silk robes. He had an old wooden cart full of strange caged animals. Terra saw a Dodo bird along with many animals she didn't recognize.

  The woman scowled as she pointed at the animals. “Most of these animals are extinct or haven't evolved yet in your time. These are temporal invasive species! You can't take them back or they will devastate that time's ecosystem.”

  The man raised an eyebrow. “What's an ecosystem?”

  “This place is busy,” Terra said as they passed by the argument.

  “I hate the timeport during busy hours,” Alya said as they passed what looked like a dockyard to Terra. Several docked ships hovered in the air, looming over them like metal titans. “Time travelers must check in here before returning to their home time. We check them for cross-time diseases or illegal items. Timeships dock here as well.”

  Ahead, a metal building stood blocked off by a series of gates, each engraved with a Roman numeral. A long, slow line of people stretched from each gate. Alya grimaced as her gaze searched the gates ahead while shying away from anyone else with silver hair. She led Terra off to the side to get a better look. They stopped at a small overlook. While Alya searched for a gate with a short line, Terra looked up as a wide shadow passed overhead.

  A massive metal structure passed overhead like a boot might pass over an ant. It was miles long, stretching into the distance. When she looked out from the balcony, she paused, taking in the sight.

  A huge mechanical pillar stood in the center of the city. In the middle of the pillar, a bright blue orb of burning light hovered. Above the orb moved three huge hands that Terra guessed were miles long by themselves. One thick hand moved slowly while another shorter one held still. A third hand projected a row of blue light beams that shot over the city. This one moved the fastest and was the one that had just passed over them.

  Around the pillar and between the ring edges lay the buildings of the city itself. Terra had seen a city before during school trips, though she had never seen a city where buildings floated in the sky. Many buildings possessed a glass orb embedded in sides that looked like the glass face of a shieldwatch.

  In another part of the city, distant forested mountains stood. In the skies hovered saucer shaped aircraft that flew at a steady pace. “That explains so much,” Terra said as her eyes followed the strange aircraft.

  Alya tugged at Terra and pointed to a gate with a shorter line. Terra followed after stealing another glance at the city glimmering in the light.

  They waited at the back of a lengthy line. Terra took her eyes off the flying saucer in the sky to listen in on the conversation ahead. An old man stood at the gate. His leather clothing was in tatters and his hair unkempt as he spoke in a desperate tone to the gatekeeper.

  The young gatekeeper had a full head of sliver haired and a legion uniform like Alya's. He sat at a desk in front of the gateway. The silver haired man at the gate kept his eyes on a holographic disc projected above his shieldwatch face. His bored expression remained constant while the old man begged.

  “Please,” the old man said, his voice hoarse. “Give me citizenship. I'll be a good citizen! I swear. I have never broken any laws in the Temporal Accords! I need to become a citizen. I need immorality!”

  “I am sorry, sir,” the silver haired gatekeeper said in monotone. He did not look at the old man while he spoke, keeping his attention on the hologram. “The only way you can earn citizenship is if you join the Aeon Legion.”

  “Please!” the old man begged.

  “I am sorry, sir,” the gatekeeper replied, his tone still neutral. “You cannot enter the city nor can you become a citizen.”

  The old man looked down before walking off, dejected.

  The gatekeeper shook his head. “Crashing dustrunners,” he said, under his breath.

  The next man stepped up. He wore a white button up shirt with a dark jacket and trousers. “Excuse me, but I was told by the Aeon Legion that I am not allowed to visit my continuum's future.”

  The gatekeeper spoke in a bored tone. “If you had read the Temporal Accords when you registered your time travel device, you would have discovered that acquiring knowledge of the future is not allowed. You may inquire at the timeport office for permission.”

  “I did,” the man said, frowning. “They rejected my request. Instead, I want access to the Archives at the Aveum Academy.”

  “No,” the gatekeeper said flatly. “You don't have permission to enter the city, much less visit the Archives. If they won't let you time travel to your continuum's future, then they are not going to let you into the Archives.”

  The man rubbed his chin before he smiled. “I understand.” He turned to leave.

  “And don't try to time travel there yourself,” the gatekeeper added. “The Sybil will precog your attempt and you will find yourself thrown into a dark cell in Tartarus.”

  The man frowned, but walked off without protest.

  Another man approached. This one wore a strange bright yellow garb with edges of gold. He had several others with him dressed in less impressive clothes. Each carried an ornate box. Terra assumed these were servants.

  One of the servants approached “All hail Emperor Seres of the golden lands,” he said in a lofty voice. “He has come to this pearl city to purchase a shieldwatch.”

  The gatekeeper continued to read without reaction, save for a yawn.

  The servant frowned, but the Emperor did not react to the slight.

  “Where must we go to purchase a shieldwatch?” the servant asked.

  “We don't sell shieldwatches,” the gatekeeper said.

  The servant scowled and was about to speak when the Emperor stepped forward. He had a servant open one of the cases. Gold and jewels filled the box to the brim. “Perhaps the guard needs a gift so we may pass?” Emperor Seres said in a deep voice.

  The gatekeeper regarded the gold and then the Emperor with a flat look. He sighed. “You don't get it do you?”

  Emperor Seres frowned. “I am bribing you to do your job.”

  The gatekeeper scowled. “My job is to keep people like you out. Besides, no amount of gold or any other treasure is worth a shieldwatch.”

  Alya rubbed her forehead as the exchange continued to go nowhere. “I al
ways get in the shortest, but slowest line. Now how am I going to get through without too many questions being asked? A mask? No. They would check under it. Cut my hair? No. That didn't work last time.”

  Several silver haired soldiers passed. Unlike Alya, their uniforms were a dark gray color with a crescent moon patch on their upper arms. All carried aeon edges.

  Alya snarled, gripping the hilt of her aeon edge as the soldiers passed.

  Terra tensed, but the soldiers ignored them.

  One soldier approached the gatekeeper. “Got another delivery for Time King Endymion. Private collection this time,” He then touched the face of his shieldwatch before dragging the small holographic disc to the gatekeeper.

  The gatekeeper glanced at the holo before nodding. He then returned to reading his own hologram. “Go ahead.”

  Emperor Seres gestured to the armed entourage. “You let them through!”

  The gatekeeper sighed. “They work for Endymion. You don't.”

  One soldier stopped and stared at Alya.

  Alya kept her hand on the hilt of her aeon edge while regarding the soldier with narrowed eyes.

  The soldier then shook his head. “No. Can't be her. She'd never wait in line.”

  Another soldier looked to his gawking comrade. “See something?”

  “No,” he said, turning to go. “Just a Silverwind lookalike.”

  Once the soldiers passed, Alya relaxed.

  Terra felt her tension return. She worried Alya may have lied to her, assuming this person was Alya.

  The Emperor straightened his garb. “I will bring my armies to this city if I am not allowed through.”

  “Now I'm scared,” the gatekeeper said in monotone. He sighed after seeing the lengthening line. When he saw Alya, his eyes went wide. He shot up before standing at attention. “Centurion Silverwind! I am so sorry, I didn't see you there!”

  Seres frowned as he looked over the line, trying to see who the gatekeeper had spotted.

  Alya pinched the upper part of her nose and sighed. “Well. I suppose it can't be helped,” she said before motioning for Terra to follow.

  “How may I assist you?” the gatekeeper said, still saluting with a fist over his chest.

  “At ease,” Alya said. “No need to be so formal.”

  “It's my honor,” the gatekeeper said as he relaxed. “Centurion, you may go right on through. No need to bother yourself with checking in.”

  “I know, but I have a guest,” Alya said as she gestured to Terra. “I need someone to grant her clearance to enter the city. Also she needs a shieldwatch.”

  The gatekeeper looked to Terra and nodded. “Right away, Centurion Silverwind. Is she a new squi–”

  “Just a friend,” Alya interrupted. She leaned in close and spoke in a hushed tone. “I want my presence here off the record. Understand?”

  The gatekeeper nodded, keeping his own voice low. “Understood. Legendary Blade business no doubt. You have my full discretion,” he said before turning to Terra. “Bag please.”

  She handed the gatekeeper her bag.

  The gatekeeper froze the bag in midair. It hung there encased in a glowing translucent sphere. “You may retrieve it in a few hours at processing. Hand please.”

  Terra held out her hand. The gatekeeper grabbed one of her fingers and touched it to a device he drew from his belt.

  “DNA cataloged,” came a female voice from the gatekeeper's shieldwatch. “Welcome to Saturn City, Terra Mason.”

  “Go ahead and bring her to processing,” the gatekeeper said, smiling. “You're clear to enter.”

  “Thank you,” Terra said as she followed Alya while trying to ignore the glares of those who had been rejected from entering the city.

  As soon as Alya walked past the gate, the gatekeeper shouted, “That was so infinite! I got to meet the famous Silverwind. It's not everyday you meet a Legendary Blade!”

  Alya groaned as she rubbed her forehead.

  Emperor Seres pointed to Alya. “Oh? Why does that cur get special treatment? Is it because she has your silver–”

  The gatekeeper whirled, grabbing the Emperor by his garb and lifting him off his feet. His face twisted into a snarl as he spoke in a low tone. “Listen here you worthless dustrunner. That woman, Alya Silverwind, is one of the greatest heroines of this city. She has saved Time a hundred fold. You owe her your life many times over and you will show her your respect.”

  Terra gawked until Alya drew her away. She followed Alya past the gateway and into Saturn City. At least I know that's the real Alya, Terra thought.

  Once they were clear of the gate, Alya sighed. “At least I got through before a mob formed this time.”

  Terra was going to ask Alya a question when a man came running around the corner. He wore the same armor as Alya and stopped in front of her, out of breath. He then looked up at her. “It's true! You are here! Silverwind the Legendary Blade!”

  Alya's gaze darted around, looking for a quick exit.

  “Please make me your squire!” The man said while he struggled to draw himself up after what Terra guessed was a lengthy run.

  Alya pursed her lips while still searching for a way to exit with grace.

  “I have passed the Labyrinth with good marks,” the man said with a desperate edge to his voice. “I can secure recommendations from my instructors if needed.”

  Alya gritted her teeth. “Listen, I am sure you are re–”

  “Please!” the man begged. “I would do anything you requested! I know everyone wants to be your squire, but I would be exceptionally dedicated.”

  “You’re famous?” Terra asked, staring at Alya with a wide gaze.

  “At attention,” came a man's voice.

  The legionnaire who petitioned Alya stood at attention as another man approached.

  Alya grimaced as she turned, but smiled when she saw the man walking towards her. The man wore the same armor as Alya though it had a good many more emblems and medals. He stood half a head taller than either Terra or Alya. While he shared Alya's tanned skin tone and silver hair, his dark eyes contrasted with Alya's sky blue irises. Terra noted he had a handsome face with a good smile. His ridged stance made him appear more professional when contrasted with Alya's graceful motions and playful demeanor.

  The petitioner gasped.“Strategos Orion. Two Legendary Blades in the same place!”

  “Orion,” Alya said as she smiled. “I am surprised to find you out. Prometheus finally let you out of the office?”

  “I wish,” Orion said as he stood in front of her. “I'm on an errand as usual.”

  Terra wondered why neither saluted the other. It didn't seem very military to her.

  Orion turned to the petitioner. “Young man, would you do me a favor?”

  “Anything for a Legendary Blade!” the petitioner said with eagerness.

  Orion smiled. “I need a team to focus on analysis of sensory data from the Edge. They require a few more members and I think you will work as a last minute addition.”

  “Yes sir! I won't disappoint you!” he said, smiling before turning to Alya. “Silverwind, I have sent you my contact information. Please consider taking me on as a squire.”

  Orion turned to Alya as the petitioner departed. “Rather odd, Alya. Usually you escape such petitioners.”

  Alya smiled. “Thanks, Orion. I'm grounded at the moment. I will take care of that soon enough. Why are you here?”

  “A temporal anomaly drew me out of the office,” he said. “Did you see anything odd while out in the Edge? I know you were returning from a personal trip.”

  Alya shrugged. “Nothing strange. Why?”

  Orion held up his shieldwatch before reading a holo projected over the glass face. “We had an energy spike that seemed to...” he trailed off when he noticed Terra. His smile vanished.

  Terra raised an eyebrow.

  “Who is that?” Orion asked in a low tone as he faced Alya.

  “Oh. Well. Um...” Alya said, looking off to
the side.

  “Did you find another squire? How did the Sybil not precog another Qadar?”

  “Not so loud, Orion,” Alya said in a soft tone. “I don't want another riot.”

  Orion frowned, gesturing for them to follow. “Come with me.”

  Alya scowled, but followed and Terra trailed behind wondering if she had done something wrong. Orion entered a nearby building before leading them down a hallway. It ended in a dead end with a metal archway built into a wall. The wall then faded away, leaving the archway open. Terra stared in amazement as they entered an empty room that, to Terra, looked like an interrogation chamber.

  “Don't start with me, Orion,” Alya said as soon as the wall faded back.

  Orion shook his head. “Good Aion! You could have at least warned me.”

  Terra poked the solid wall or rather what she assumed was a door. It remained solid.

  Alya sighed. “And you're starting.”

  Terra stood to the side. She raised a finger. “Um. Excuse me?”

  Orion crossed his arms, still staring at Alya. “How many years has it been since Kairos? Nearly a century?”

  Terra's arm fell to her side. “A century? You're that old?”

  Alya turned her back to Orion. “Don't talk about Kairos like she's dead.”

  Orion's expression softened. “I'm sorry, Alya. But she's been missing for over a century. You need to accept she's gone. Regardless, you need to give me warning when you chose another squire.”

  Terra raised a hand. “Excuse me. I have a question.”

  Alya turned her side to Orion. “If I want another squire then what business is it of yours? I don't need your permission. Regulations allow it.”

  Orion raised his arms in frustration. “Crashing End, Alya! Last time you found a squire, a month later we were overrun by Faceless.”

  Alya faced Orion, stamping her foot on the ground. “You talk like it's my fault the Faceless tried to kill everyone!”

  Terra sighed. “And I'll guess I will just stand here and talk to myself.”

  Orion raised a finger. “And the one before that, we were drowning in Manticores!”

  Alya shrugged. “Coincidence?”

  Orion's eyes narrowed. “Name me one squire you found that didn't precede some huge crisis.”