Cuddy never, ever, wanted to forget this swirling, magical, moment in time. Gazing upward, not one but two side-by-side spiraling galaxies of stars were taking shape above.
At the very top, the apex of the two pods where the fronds were the smallest, the leafy blades had begun to unfurl. Both pods opened in unison—like a choreographed dance, their movements were perfectly timed—synchronized. The Jahin’s celebratory song reached a crescendo, and ended. An equally dramatic silence now encompassed the spectacle. The pods continued to unfurl until the last, the widest fronds, unfolded, lying flat upon the ground.
Cuddy knew now was the time to look up, where all shooting star-like life forces emanated from. They came at once—one from each swirling galaxy. Shot out from the heavens, they simultaneously flashed brilliant—one on the newer pod—one on the ancient pod, where two glowing physical forms now stood erect: One a Jahin, one a Human/Pashier hybrid.
The Jahin, acting confused, was quickly met by fellow villagers. Taking his arm, they guided him away. Yet the human/Pashier needed no assistance at all. Brian, walking off from atop the pod, seemed unfazed by his new surroundings. By then, Jackie was already running toward him, excitedly yelling out his name.
* * *
One by one, hundreds of shooting stars shot down from the heavens. The Jahin rejoiced, seeing the return of many they’d known before, but eagerly welcomed the unknown ones too, returning from ancient ages, long since past. The adjustment for those ancient beings would be difficult; a whole new world lay before them. Cuddy wondered if they carried their old prejudices, their malice toward the Pashier, with them. Hopefully, their perspectives had elevated, since dwelling within the Empyrean Expanse, though he had no idea how any of that worked. A good question for Tow, Cuddy briefly wondered when he would see his old friend again, where he was right now.
Cuddy and Haffan stood back as their team members fielded rapid-fire questions at Brian. Indeed, he did look different now, like he did prior to entering the wellness chamber over a month ago. His once good looks mutated into something grotesque after spending far too long a time within the chamber. Even with the help of Pashier elders, he’d not looked normal again. But now Brian did—looking the way he should look. What Cuddy found more interesting was how he answered his teammate’s questions. Was he still an ass? Yeah, he seemed to be, which was both disappointing as well as encouraging. Encouraging because showed he’d brought much of his old self back with him—it was still the same Brain they’d all come to know. Several times now, as Brian spoke, he looked beyond the others, making eye contact with him.
Tony asked, “So…were there any heavenly babes up there?”
Brian didn’t dignify the stupid query with an answer. Standing, he again looked Cuddy’s way. “How ‘bout we take a break from the twenty questions. I need to talk to Cuddy.”
Momentarily, Jackie, sitting next to Brian, looked somewhat slighted, but recovered, saying, “Fine, if you’d rather talk to Cuddy…go ahead,” and put on an I couldn’t care less smile.
Brian headed away, motioning with his head for Cuddy to follow. When Haffan didn’t immediately release his hand, Cuddy leaned over and asked her, “What is it?”
“Not everything Brian will tell you will be true. It may be real for him…but not necessarily true.”
“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”
With that, Haffan was seven again. “Jackie, can you show me how to do that again?”
“A cartwheel?”
Haffan nodded, as Cuddy headed off in Brian’s direction, into the darkness beyond. He found him standing alone at the edge of the trees, staring up to the heavens.
“It’s good to have you back, Brian,” Cuddy said.
“Cut the shit, Cuddy. I seriously doubt that’s true. In any event, we have much to talk about.”
“Like what?”
“Like how you need to get the team out of here…like right away. Like now!”
“Why…it’s nice here. What’s the big rush?”
“Survival, for one thing. Also, we need to dump the kid. Where she goes…trouble will always follow. Keep in mind I now have a far better perspective of things than you do. Remember where I’ve come back from. I’ve been to the very essence of consciousness. Climbed the mountain and viewed the world through the eyes of God…”
Cuddy stared at Brian, wanting to tell him he needed to take a few more trips up that heavenly mountain. Brian hadn’t changed one bit, hell, maybe he was more arrogant than he remembered. “Haffan isn’t going anywhere. You say something like that again and you are I are going to have a problem. But if you want to share whatever dangers you see lying ahead for us, then I’m all ears.”
Brian chuckled. I’ve always underestimated you, Cuddy. But I’ve recently learned you’re as dangerous to be around as that Pashier child. This mission of yours…of Tow’s…to find the Prophesy of Harkstrong could very well get everyone killed. Take your brother, and that half-wit Tony, also the alien child…but not Jackie. She needs to come with me.”
Chapter 48
“I think you’re forgetting what we’re doing out here, about our mission, Brian. There’s more at stake than any one of us, including Jackie, or have you forgotten that?” In the darkness, Cuddy couldn’t see Brian’s reaction, if there was one, then he wondered if he really had lost track of what they were doing here. Brian was right about one thing. The answers they were seeking weren’t on Camilli-Rhine 5. He thought back, using his near-perfect memory recall, to one week earlier when Lorgue Supreme Eminence Calph was still alive, and their initial conversation together when they stood in front of the Marauder ship—the Farlight.
The elderly robed Howsh had said, “The world you call Primara…the Pashier Promised Land…will be attacked soon. An entire fleet of Marauders is being retrofitted with the very same technology. Earth may soon be next. Perhaps not immediately, but the Howsh are well aware of the ancient writings. The reference to an azure and emerald planet make Earth the obvious one.”
“Why would Earth be of any interest to the Howsh?” Jackie asked.
Her query seemed to amuse Calph. “It isn’t so much Earth…as it is you humans. A secular band of young humans, you are chronicled about in the ancient writings. A band of redeemers, is the more accurate phrasing…a small band of redeemers, dwelling on the third world beyond the yellow star…an azure and emerald planetoid. It is so written that the band of redeemers will deliver upon the soil of Primara a heritage pod and new Pashier life will thence reemerge.”
“So, we’re like famous?” Tony asked. “What else do those ancient writings say about us?”
“More than I can share with you at this time. Let me just say this…as the destinies of the Howsh and the Pashier are closely intertwined, so too are yours. But the final fate of the Pashier, as well as the Howsh, is not set in stone. Nor is yours. The decisions you make today…here and now…may very well have immense repercussions later on. I have been careful to let such decision-making be yours and yours alone.”
“What’s your angle in all this?” Brian asked. “What do you get out of meddling in everyone else’s business?”
“As I said, we’re talking about the fate of two intertwined civilizations. I simply am a warrior turned scholar. Their ancient past was inscribed onto animal hide scrolls. Or chiseled into stone tablets. So too is their future. The Howsh and Pashier civilizations may have come to their respective ends…a crossroads is now upon us…one where billions of lives lie in the balance. How could I not become involved with such an endeavor? What could possibly hold more importance for me…for anyone?”
“How long before Primara is attacked?” Cuddy asked.
“It could be days…possibly weeks,” Calph said.
“And this quest of yours. How exactly does it help? Stop an attack?”
“By the dissemination of knowledge, human. As it presently stands, few Howsh know of their forefathers’ true natural capabilities; that Howsh life forces too can re-
cycle over many lifetimes, via heritage pods. Like the Shain Ritual of Awakening, of the Pashier. What you do not know, could not know, is the simple truth that the Howsh are dying out. Becoming extinct. They are unaware, as a species, of the need to re-cycle their life forces—the only solution to their impending demise as a people.”
“You say certain Howsh higher-ups…elders…know about this,” Jackie said. “That they’ve read the ancient writings too, and know about their commonality with the Pashier, right? I would think they would see it as a good thing; a way to save their species and live on forever having incredible telepathic and telekinetic powers. Why keep it a secret from the masses?”
“The answer is simple,” Lorgue Supreme Eminence Calph replied. “Hatred.”
“Hatred?”
“The Howsh elders…those who comprise the Howsh High Council…rule with an unforgiving power. They are a deeply religious…sectarian, bunch. They have followed a doctrine of hate for millennia. Where their differences with the Pashier have been an ongoing, timeless, drumbeat, the mere future prospect of developing a closer bond with their interminable enemy…well…that cannot be allowed.”
“That’s bogus,” Tony said.
The others looked to Cuddy, who noted in all their glances that they would probably follow his lead. Even Brian. “I’ll instruct Bob to pilot the Evermore back to Primara and deliver them the wellness chamber. Those here who wish to return to Primara with the orb, that’s fine.”
“Nah…I’m with you, kemosabe,” Tony said, and Brian, rolling his eyes, said, “Fine. I’ll come along,” just as Kyle said, “Me too.”
Jackie smiled. “Well, there’s no way I’m letting Haffan go off with this guy without tagging along. So, Cuddy, I guess we’re all going on this adventure together.”
Back in the present moment, Cuddy contemplated how things had evolved since one week ago. Lorgue Supreme Eminence Calph was now dead. Cuddy and his crew had outwitted Calph, also the dead Lorgue Sub Eminence Lange, to acquire the ancient scrolls. They’d learned of some mysterious thing, called The Prophesy of Harkstrong, that Tow believed would, ultimately, hold the key to averting imminent demise of both Pashier and Howsh people…
“Brian, we’re leaving here tonight. Jackie will not be going with you. She’d never leave Haffan behind, nor would I. We believe in this mission, Brian. Believe that the Howsh can be saved from their misdirected folly; that their winding-down evolutionary course does not have to come to a final end. If they cannot learn from the ways of the Pashier, they can learn from the Jahin—a race closer to their own kind. Accepting too that recycling of life is a necessary aspect to their ultimate survival; that the Pashier not only will survive but will also flourish, if the Howsh let them. But first, we need to complete our quest…find the Prophesy of Harkstrong. Come with us, Brian. Help us find this elusive Prophesy…and thereby bring peace and longevity to these two alien races, both now in dire peril of surviving.
“Come on…You don’t even know where it is, Cuddy. Take a look up there,” Brian said, gesturing to the stars above. “Billions of worlds…how on earth do you plan to discover just where this Prophesy of Harkstrong resides? The ancient scrolls you now possess will only take you so far.”
“Because you will tell him where it is…”
Those words, spoken by none other than Tow whose glowing form appeared brilliant in the surrounding darkness. So happy to see him, Cuddy wished he could somehow embrace his ethereal astral projection. “Tow…you’re here!”
Tow’s gaze stayed on Brian. Cuddy had not seen such intensity in his eyes before, as
Brian stared defiantly at Tow. “Why is any of that my concern? If there is one thing I’ve learned traveling to the other side is that one must fend for himself. Watch for numero uno first.”
“Brian…your time within the Empyrean Expanse was brief…mere moments, relatively speaking. You were alone, among life forces unaccustomed, and unwelcoming, to your presence. That mountain I heard you speak of earlier…sorry, but you have yet to take one step into the higher realms.” Tow’s words were harsh, though his expression remained kind, even compassionate.
Tow stepped closer to Brian, close enough that his ethereal glow reflected onto Brian’s stony face. “Take time to realize that everything happens for a reason, even your death, then re-emergence on Camilli-Rhine 5. You have an immensely important choice to make. Certainly…you can do as you said: watch out for numero uno, or you can tell Cuddy, right now, what you learned from the only person you spoke with within the Expanse. I cannot intervene with your personal experiences there; that must come from you.”
Tow stared at Brian for several moments before turning his attention back to Cuddy. “My time here, on the other side of Rah…here within Tanthian…is coming to an end. The same aspect of me you see will not appear to you again.”
“But we need your help. I need your help,” Cuddy pleaded.
“And you will have it, only not this way. Be patient with Brian. His is a relatively new life force. But there is much hope that he will make wise decisions.”
“Will I see you again?” Cuddy asked, feeling his throat suddenly constrict.
Tow’s eyes conveyed conflict…sadness peppered with good humor. “Do not worry, my friend.
Cuddy wanted to call out to him, get clarity on what he meant. But new distant, yet approaching, sounds gave him pause. What is that?
“They’re coming….” Brian said.
“Who…who’s coming?”
Chapter 49
Lorgue Prime Eminence Norsh’s advanced fleet of new Marauder warships entered into the Kwo planetary system. Nine days had passed since he’d retired the Pintial and came aboard the Raging Storm, his new command ship.
Norsh had neither slept, nor eaten in days—not since he’d received the devastating news. To do so would insult the memory of Lorgue Sub Eminence Langer—his younger brother. Norsh’s sorrow was so great it exhibited itself physically—a congestive pain. His huge sense of personal loss gripped his heart—at times he felt it was being ripped from his chest.
Norsh’s arrival at the obscure, totally inconsequential small planetary system was nothing short of a miracle in itself. The odds of finding the murderous band of killers—those humans who’d stolen poor Langer’s life—should have been astronomically improbable against such a possibility.
But a miracle had occurred. Aboard the stolen Marauder, the Farlight, was a true patriot. With a series of clandestine, interstellar messages, she single-handedly managed to bring forth justice even to a cold, harsh galaxy. She would be rewarded. Perhaps, he would allow the old cow to bed with him…but then, probably not.
But his good fortune hadn’t ended there. As far back as he could remember, he’d heard stories—more like fables—that there was a Howsh-like society, living an enigmatic existence somewhere out in the vastness of space. A weird and dangerous people, they held an ideological perspective that threatened the status quo, dangerously mirroring the Pashier—and unbelievably, here too were more fucking heritage pods.
As Norsh stood at the red railing on his new vessel, he savored the prospect of what was about to come. Vengeance. The opportunity to make an example of that wayward clan of Howsh, or whatever name they called themselves.
A new rush of adrenalin coursed through the Howsh leader’s veins as he took in the constantly scrolling tactical readout near him. Indeed, there were indicative signs of biological life within the sixth planet of the system—the Kwo System. The highest concentration emanated from Camilli-Rhine 5—their destination.
Along with the new command vessel came a new crew. His First, Mongere Sub Fhat, was an old space brawler, fifteen years his senior. His matted fur was the color of trampled ice sludge and his milky eyes appeared nearly colorless. He moved, more like waddled, around the bridge with slow, determined conviction. The experienced Fhat could have had his own command decades earlier, but he was not ambitious. Norsh heard that what he lacked in ambition he made u
p in loyalty. We shall see.
Mongere Sub Fhat approached the red railing. “Sire, as you ordered, the fleet will split into three squadrons.” He spoke in a low gravelly voice that hurt his ears. “Squadron one will begin surface-level exploration of Camilli-Rhine 5 at once, based on the rough coordinates provided in the last communiqué coming from the Farlight.”
“You find even the most primitive collective of life forms down there…any kind of community at all…torch it!” Norsh let his words fully sink in before continuing: “Before we leave the Kwo planetary system, we will ensure that nothing larger than a house fly survives. I am talking total eradication. Do I make myself clear, First?”
“Clear…yes, sire. If total eradication is what you seek, then that is what you shall have,” Fhat said, his voice emotionless.
“One more thing. Do not forget…our prime directive here is to destroy the Farlight; bring that band of humans to a quick, and just, end. If they manage to escape, then no one on board here should ever expect to return home. If you know anything about me, you know my executions are not quick. Nor painless.”
A junior officer approached, waiting to be acknowledged. Norsh gave him an impatient glare. “What is it?”
“Sire, squadron one has zeroed in on a small village. Intelligent life. Sensor readings tell us the genome characteristics are nearly identical to those of the Howsh.”
“And the Farlight?” Norsh asked.
“Still looking, Lorgue Prime Eminence Norsh. But there are telltale energy signatures that could only come from an advanced spacecraft. We are close…it is only a matter of time.”
“Carry on with your previous orders. Clear the village and the nearby surroundings,” Norsh said, watching for a reaction from Fhat. Something wasn’t right about the old bag of bones. Norsh turned his attention to the primary display, watching as bright energy bolts rained down on the dark landscape below.
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