Midnight Eclipse

by Kalverya Johansson

  “Christian!” Argos scorned from up the stairs and the girls cringed at the hidden suggestion in that single word. Christian jumped and flew to Argos’s office, faster than anyone thought possible even by Excelian standards.

  Melanie began staring at Gothalia, “The only reason why he hasn’t fired you is because you’re of the Valdis clan and it’s connection to... Regardless, you’re a part of the Echelon. The Xzandian numbers are rising as are Alastorians. We can’t afford to lose anymore Echelon Centurions, as we could have a war on Earth soon.”

  “There is going to be a war not could.” Gothalia rebutted, not caring how rude she came across. Surely, she’d be given freedom to express her emotion even if a little?

  Red faced with anger Domitia reprimanded, “They’re close, the Humans I mean. They’re close to knowing our existence, it’s all over the surface news.” Gothalia remained silent. Her eyes travelled from one girl to the other, in contemplation. Her mind twisted with all the potential possibilities of how she could have trailed Numitora and how their fight could have played out. However, considering it now it’d all end the same way.

  She didn’t know what to say to Domitia, she had a point discretion was necessary to avoid any political conflict in the future, explain why missions had to be done in a certain way but she knew they needed to be completed as quickly as possible. The enemy was gaining an upper hand with time as their ally. She reminded herself it wasn’t her fault, but she knew when things dragged out unnecessary trouble always started. “I guess I’ll be a little more careful.” In that moment, laughter escaped L’Eiron’s lips.

  The Domitia and Melanie’s eyes narrowed on L’Eiron. Detecting this, L’Eiron quickly composed himself and attempted to hold back his snicker, “Sorry.”

  “What’s so funny?” Melanie questioned, with a dreary tenor.

  “Were you unable to believe her statement?” Domitia asked, with a single risen brow. Her tenor—inquisitive.

  “That’s not it.” L’Eiron managed, Gothalia could tell he was uncomfortable by this type of attention and she knew he was laughing at her.

  Still angry with L’Eiron, Gothalia glared at him who was bothered by the irritation on her face but didn’t let it show. He wanted to tell her the real reason for Numitora’s anger, but he figured she’d need to find out on her own.

  Gothalia swiftly twirled on her heel and quickly vacated the Central Building of the Cetatea, not even bothering to say “goodbye”—she was fuming, and she preferred everyone kept their distance until she calmed down.

  She felt the burn of the marks rising along her skin then stopped, I need to calm down, she thought, my anger must not get the better of me.

  Once calm she continued on, travelling the halls of the Cetatea, sombrely reflecting on everyone’s words. In the middle of tedious thoughts, Gothalia halted once more. She had a strange feeling they were hiding something from her, and she needed to know what.

  Beside her, a glass panel stretched along the wall, mirroring her brief empty gaze as she eyed the garden beyond, cradled beneath the bright blue sky and on the overhanging balcony. Without much thought, she turned her eyes from the balcony and continued further down the corridor, unaware of another pair of feet on approach.

  A gasp of surprise escaped her lips when she collided with a person she hadn’t noticed. Then, readily grumbled at her own ignorance.

  A deep masculine voice silenced her internal critique and she eyed his golden eyes staring into hers. She’d seen L’Eiron’s eyes before they were gold with a speck of brown, but these eyes were yellow laced with gold. They were stunning and very rare.

  “Are you alright?” the stranger asked, lined in russet skin. She stepped away from the man and out of his grip before apologising, “No problem.” he responded and straightened. His golden eyes regarded her critically and she wasn’t certain why but recognised symmetrical features and a strong jawline like Danteus. He was handsome but she worked to stray from such thoughts.

  The encounter was brief, with a lingering smile he moved around the corner and continued further down the hall. Gothalia’s eyes swept over the corridor behind her, staring at back of that stranger, she’d recognised him from somewhere, but she couldn’t pin-point where.

  Without much hesitation, she resumed down the hall and arrived at the Artillery and Combat Zone. The two double sliding doors she stood in front of, as per usual, required for her to scan her security card before the doors welcomed her presence and she entered.

  The Laboratory built with clean marble floors, lined by empty sterile tables and off to the side were untouched winding experiments that often flooded the laboratory.

  She recognised Arthur, cladded in his usual white laboratory coat marking notes on a clipboard he’d carry. “Arthur.” she greeted. At the sound of her voice, he watched her steadily and with mild curiosity. She smiled at him, then her eyes drifted to the petri dish on the table.

  “What brings you here?” His eyes lingered on the wall clock behind Gothalia before his attention fell on her.

  “I’m hoping you could help me. I’m after information about Numitora.” Gothalia requested, with a brief change of subject and an air that was welcomed by both. “I know it’s a bit of a stretch but why does she hate our people so much?”

  “What gave you that idea?” Arthur asked, careful to not give everything away just yet.

  “The anger in her eyes when she looked at me before she tried to kill me. It was brief but it was there. It was... pure hatred and nothing more. It reminded me of those times...” Gothalia wrapped her arms around herself not realising the reaction a reaction that hadn’t escaped Arthur as he glanced at the gesture.

  “Well for starters, did you know that Xzandian scales recoils under artificial sunlight?”

  “Wait... Xzandian’s have scales?” Gothalia inquired, surprised.

  Arthur’s brown eyes glinted in delight. “They do.”

  “That’s new.”

  “I want to show you something but first. To help you with your dilemma, have you ever heard of Midnight Eclipse?” he questioned, and held up a black scale, the size of the tip of her finger with long silver tweezers. Gothalia watched in wonder, as the light triggered a little rainbow halo. “You’ve never heard of it?” Arthur asked, his eyes watched a change in her expression.

  Gothalia shrugged. “What is it?” Gothalia inquired, her eyes never leaving the scale.

  “Apparently, it’s a weapon that has enough power to wipe out nations. Even, Excelians. A couple of weeks ago, there was a signal that had emanated its presence to the surrounding Reserves and the Xzandians. Explaining why they’re here. That’s why these scales that we know of are so important.”

  Gothalia raised a brow. “I’d like to think I’m pretty switched on but Arthur, I’m honestly not following...” Then shrugged.

  “Imagine a powerful weapon that wasn’t created by Human or Excelian hands but created by another race. One that may have existed well before Earth was even formed. That runs off of pure energy. Just like these scales.”

  “Look at what happens when I add light to it.” Arthur elucidated. He handed Gothalia a pair of dark goggles and instructed her to keep them with her. He set the scale in a petri dish with long thick tweezers and headed towards a door, she had seen on her way here. The door was lined in black and yellow tape around the door. A caution to keep everyone out. “This way.”

  When Gothalia entered the room and eyed the steel door accompanying a glass panel that divided the room. From what she saw, the room appeared to have a large glass pane that allowed her to look into the other room which she figured was used for dangerous experiments.

  Arthur opened the steel door, closest to her and headed into the other part of the room. He placed the scale on the table and quickly walked out. “Do you have your goggles?” Gothalia held them up. “Good. I’m going to set up the environment and I want you to pay close attention to the rainbow.”

  “Okay.” Gotha
lia pulled on the goggles.

  Arthur’s fingers glided over the touch screen as he played with a few dials on the transparent screen that sat on the glass panel.

  Then, the room lit up.

  As it did, she could make out the scale under the glowing light. The rainbow grew and grew until it was as large as the other room. Then within a moment, she felt a wave pulse through her and set her off balance. Once the light died down Gothalia pulled off her glasses and asked, “What was that?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to figure out.” he informed, his eyes on Gothalia. “Though, most of the research is done with Dr Legato and her team. I get to test it every now and again and see how much energy it can take or release in response.”

  “Because of the colour.”

  “Yes.”

  “So, we’re pretty much looking for something ancient black and from a different world?” she asked. Arthur moved through the steel door and over to the experimental area whilst carrying the black scale in a transparent dish. “Pretty much. Take a closer look,” he offered and held up the scale. Gothalia eyes squinted at the sight as they took in the small translucent rainbow lines.

  “What’s that?”

  “From what we’ve gathered they’re capillaries.”

  “What are capillaries doing on a scale?” she asked. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to have it underneath the scale?”

  “Normally that would make more sense but when it comes to new scales—the capillaries are on the top layer. Later they pull away under the scales to make way for new scales.”

  “That’s pretty cool.” Gothalia muttered, her mind turning at this new information.

  “I know right and just so you know these scales are not from this planet.” he added and turned away placing the scale back down. “Before I forget.” Headed back into the Theory Room. “This scale you found on that ship turns out to be a purebred scale.”

  “Which means?” she asked before answering herself, “The person who attacked the ship was an Xzandian.” Arthur nodded.

  “So, then what does an Xzandian have to do with this Midnight Eclipse.” He held up an object. I was large in size and curved in the centre.

  “What is it?”

  “A fragment of some kind. It appears to be a puzzle. Rumour has it they’re spread throughout the world. Sometimes, people have them and sometimes they don’t know what it is—it could be used as nothing but a decoration.” Gothalia grinned at the statement and exited the laboratory thanking Arthur for the demonstration before heading out of the Cetatea. However, he’d asked something of her in return for this information and it wasn’t something she had expected.

  8

  WHEN NOEL-LEN ASCENDED THE BUS.

  Silence attended.

  He moved passed the other soldiers and to the back of the bus. Settling down, he closed his eyes relishing in the moment of peace and relaxation. Before his dark eyes opened and shifted out the tinted window. He scanned the Australian landscape, with an expression of disinterest but his eyes lingered over the colours that glowed in response to the golden rising sun.

  He enjoyed freedom.

  The blue-winged kookaburra has after it had landed on a high branch before flying away. Noel-Len wouldn’t have noticed the goanna moving around the base of the gum trees, that is if he hadn’t been taught to be observant. Regardless of how, sharp his eyes were he never saw any kangaroos or rock-wallabies.

  “Hey!” Michael greeted, from the seat in front of Noel-Len. This surprised, Noel-Len he hadn’t noticed Michael until he felt his sore muscles than he understood.

  “Sup,” Noel-Len replied. Even he’d known Michael and Caprice since high school. He hoped Michael would talk about a topic that would allow him to think about Caprice. “Did you enjoy that?” he asked, hoping the conversation would distract his mind.

  Michael shook his head, “Not really. I mean I understand that the Australian terrain is perfect for stamina and muscle control but come on, I have a hangover, and the first thing I have to do is exercise. I just want to sleep.”

  Noel-Len glared at his friend, “Maybe you should have thought of that yesterday.”

  “You can’t talk, and besides I wanted to catch up with Caprice.” Noel-Len fell silent and studied his friend with a blank expression. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her, and it’s been even longer since you’ve seen her. So, I figured it would be good to catch up. Not just that, she said she needed a break from work and her crazy ex, so I figured why not?” Michael caught the reminiscent expression on his friend’s face but was unable to hide his own, guilty one. “What’s with the face?”

  Noel-Len glanced away, “Nothing.”

  “Mind if I sit here?” another familiar voice asked. Noel-Len acknowledged the woman at the edge of Michael’s chair with a brief nod, Leandra Jones. She was the only other woman in the Commando division.

  Noel-Len recalled Corporal Kypreos’s words a few months back; twenty years ago, there were no women in the Special Forces but given the past terrorist attacks, he said that the Australian Army had put one woman through a rigorous test. With expectations exceeded, the military passed the idea to allow women in the Special Forces but with the entrance level higher than the men’s minimum.

  So, in short terms, Noel-Len knew this woman would be able to outrun him if they were under fire, something he felt relieved to know. “No. Go ahead,” Noel-Len said, gesturing to the seat beside him.

  “You don’t have to ask,” Michael teased as he leaned over the back of his seat. “I’m quite certain he would love to be in the presence of a woman.”

  Noel-Len glared at Michael, “Why don’t you ... Shut. Up?” Private Jones regarded Noel-Len with a raised brow and a steady gaze, before her hazel eyes coasted to Michael’s arrogant mien.

  “Make me.” Michael replied with a sinister smile. He’s enjoying this how uncomfortable this makes me, Noel-Len thought, annoyed but forced a smile in place of it.

  “You two are the same as ever,” Jones smirked, recognising the pun.

  “And that my friend is what makes us so ... special.” Michael boasted, and Noel-Len rolled his eyes at his friend’s stupidity. While Leandra, in turn, shook her blond head before sitting down beside Noel-Len, quickly spiking up a conversation with Michael. Moments later, the bus started, and the group was on their way back to Base.

  When Noel-Len’s squadron returned. They slowly assembled from the bus with the expectation to report to the southern section. The unit of Commando soldiers steadily enthused through the busy barracks, their eyes scanning their surroundings—assessing their environs for imminent danger. An action that caused the adjacent soldiers they passed to dismiss their reactions as a form of habit instilled in them since they’ve passed their yearlong training session.

  The two women of the Commando core halted before foreign soldiers in a different khaki uniform. Noel-Len scanned the frozen forms of the women from over his shoulder, his eyes watching Leandra and Tracey’s somewhat hostile expressions. His attention drifted to Michael with hopes that he’d have an explanation. However, Noel-Len was left confused as he watched his old friend the women with a warranted form of curiosity. Michael followed their gaze and stared at the men the women scrutinised. “What’s wrong?” Michael asked, his eyes examining the Marines.

  “Nothing.” Tracey urged, her voice reserved of emotion. Her tone was irrevocably flat and cold. Something that reminded the men to not press. Noel-Len observed Michael. Perplexity folded the lines of his face while he watched Leandra walk ahead. Mimicking Leandra’s actions Tracey followed after her leaving Noel-Len and Michael silently inspecting their odd behaviour as they walked away.

  “What was that all about?” Michael asked, his eyes lingering on the backs of his comrades.

  Noel-Len’s gaze drifted to the Marines. A few unrecognisable men viewed the women with a look that made his spine curl as they marched away. “Not sure but let’s keep an eye on them.” Noel-Len murmured hi
s eyes narrowing on the glint behind their scrutiny, “I don’t like that look.” In all honesty, Noel-Len wasn’t certain how to take their attraction to their teammates but since it made his female comrades uncomfortable, they had to be careful. That went for whoever paid their comrades special attention.

  “Agreed,” Michael said in return. Both Noel-Len and Michael trailed after their female comrades aware of a set of eyes on them, but as expected they were unaffected. When the soldiers returned to the building where Noel-Len and Michael were stationed in the southern section of the Barracks, everyone sensed a difference in the air the moment they entered the Mass Hall.

  “What’s up with everyone?” Michael asked, utterly puzzled by what he saw. Everyone in the building was lined up and a woman who they recognised as Corporal Melissa McGuire, strode back and forth barking orders marred with an expression to kill. However, their orders weren’t quite so scary, if anything it was rather—odd.

  Unfortunately, they were the last to enter the room.

  “You two!” Corporal Melissa McGuire snarled, her eyes falling on Noel-Len and Michael’s almost elusive forms. Caught they straightened under her dissecting gaze, and patiently waited for her orders. “Will be outside weeding! Understood?”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Noel-Len and Michael responded at once, not forgetting a salute was in accordance to their superior. Satisfied with the soldiers, the woman spun her attention from them and stormed out of the tense atmosphere crowded room. Everyone dispersed at once and Noel-Len acknowledged the soldier walking towards him. “What happened?” Noel-Len asked, his eyes conceding to the sight of every Private cleaning the room.

  “Someone pissed Corporal McGuire off.” Private McFarland said, his hazel eyes leering over his comrades, beneath the shortcut of his dirty blond hair.

  “How?” Michael asked, curious. He was known to be a little bit of a tease at times, but he was sharp enough to pick up on the expression masking their superior’s features. He knew it had to be something terrible to force one of their commanders to lose their cool. “I mean it’s not like someone was sexist or something ... right?” he joked but regretted those words the moment Private McFarland’s hostile eyes fell on his.