She took it and went to the door. “Thanks.”
* * *
Seles was getting ready to go out when a knock came from the door. Baed stood opposite her, doing the same.
“That’s probably Mira and Jesela,” Baed said. She went to the door and opened it, Mira and Jesela waited.
“What’s taking you two so long?” Mira asked.
Seles finished up and joined them. “Sorry, I woke up late this morning. Let’s go!”
The four headed excitedly towards the Avoni’s exit, for a day of fun, food, and shopping. On the way, Brian passed them as they went down the hall. Seles ran over to him with irritation in her eyes.
“Something’s bothering you,” he said, shifting his feet uncomfortably.
“Thanks to you I’m getting funny looks all over the ship,” Seles said.
He glanced at the three with her and noticed they stared intently. “Oh…I get it,” he said, leaning and surprising her with a kiss. “Let them talk about that for a while,” he said with a smile.
Blushing, she turned and saw her friends gawking. She turned back to Brian. “I’ll be staying in your room sometime soon.”
“I’ll look forward to then,” he said, resuming his trip to the bridge. “Don’t let me hold you up any longer ladies. I know how precious little time you get outside,” he said as he passed Mira, Baed, and Jesela.
Seles stood silent for a moment, and then turned to her friends. “Come on, let’s go!”
As they resumed their way to the exit, Baed walked up next to Seles. “You still haven’t answered my question Seles.”
Seles turned red. “It’s fun, alright.”
Mira and Jesela looked at each other funny.
“What question did you ask her?” Mira asked.
* * *
Brian pressed the door com for the captain’s room adjacent to the bridge. “Valis, I need to talk.”
She opened the door, noticing troubled look in his eyes. “Come in,” she said. He went inside and let the door close behind him.
“I have an issue dealing with combat situations,” he said. He put his hand up. “Wait, first answer this question. How’s Kivi?”
“She’s doing fine. We heal really fast these days because of the technology,” Valis said.
Relief appeared on his face. “That’s good to hear. I’ll go see her in a little while.”
“So what is the problem?” she asked.
“Celi believes I’m experiencing the berserk state in battle,” he answered.
‘I was hoping this wouldn’t be an issue since you’re Terran,” she said, closing her eyes and thinking for a moment. “The best thing to do is to resume training. I want you to train every day until you can control your berserk.”
“I need your permission to turn of the safety measures for the HDC. Unless the simulations are dangerous, I can’t go berserk,” he said.
She nodded. “You can take care of yourself.” She took his hand. “I’ll set the system to obey your commands in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” he said.
* * *
Seles, Baed, Mira, and Jesela went into the city of Dega Jul. The four enjoyed an afternoon of shopping and dining, with a few stops along the way in the open air markets. As evening fell they headed back to the Avoni. They entered and empty area and headed down an alley. It came out of nowhere. A barrage of pulse fire came at them. Jesela was hit first and went down. Mira grabbed her as they scrambled for cover in a nearby building.
“It’s a stun pulse,” Mira said after checking her friend. The three conscious women drew their pulse pistols and began surveying the area. Seles and Mira looked out the windows and saw a squadron of heavily armored Kalaidian troops. Looking at the insignia on their vests, Seles saw the crest for her family. Fear pitted in her stomach while panic seized her thoughts.
“It looks like we’re surrounded,” Mira said. “Do you know anything about them?” she asked, looking to Seles. “I know you have a better grasp on military insignias.”
“They’re from royal guard,” Seles said. She looked back at Baed, who was nursing an injury.
“I’m alright. It’s just a graze,” Baed said as she joined them.
The three checked their weapons and were about to move when a pair of stun grenades came in from two different windows. Mira and Baed managed to dive into another room, but Seles couldn’t get out in time. As her world turned dark, all Seles could see were the feet of Kalaidian soldiers.
* * *
Brian sat alone in the HDC with the Earth-like forest as the background. It was night, and he gazed at the stars. He sat up as he heard the door opened. Kivi walked in and headed his direction.
He stood up. “How are you?”
“I’m feeling fine,” she said as she joined him next to the illusory campfire. “I wanted to thank you for saving me.”
“There’s no need to thank me,” he said. “After all, I was the one who put you in danger.”
She tapped him on the chest. “Really, I’m okay. And remember, I was the one calling the shots,” she said with a smile. “Daes said it would be awhile until my new exoskeleton was finished.”
He nodded. “She told me she had some modifications to work on mine as well.”
The main door opened and Baed stumbled in. She held her side and ran to Brian. He met her half way and braced her from falling. Baed looked up at him. “They’ve taken Seles…please save her,” Baed said, falling unconscious in his arms.
Kivi ran over and took Baed. “Go. I’ll take care of her.”
He nodded and ran from the HDC through the halls. The ship was in an uproar. As he passed sickbay, he saw Jesela lying on a bed with Mira at her side. He ran in.
“What happened?” he asked, looking to Mira.
She had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry Brian. It was all I could do to save Baed and Jesela.”
“Who took Seles?” he asked, grasping Mira’s hand.
She stopped crying and wiped the tears away. “She said they wore the insignia of the royal guard.”
“Thank you,” he said.
He left sickbay and ran to the cargo bay. Not knowing it, his eyes began glowing blue. The crew members he passed stared and avoided him. He walked into the cargo bay. Daes was working on a computer, oblivious to the world. Looking at the Mjolnir, he went to get on the giant when Valis stepped in front of him.
“She’s gone,” Valis said.
A calming sense of sorrow filled the air. His eyes glowed, and all reason had fled him. As he moved past Valis she her drew her pulse pistol and aimed it at him.
“Lieutenant Commander Peterson! I command you to stand down!” She held her weapon to his head.
The glow faded from his eyes. He looked at Valis. “Where is she?”
She lowered her weapon. “She was taken by the Heimus, a vessel under the direct command of the Queen herself. Our scouts saw Seles taken onboard a drop ship. By now, they’re probably half way to Kalaidia Prime.”
He pounded the floor with a resounding punch.
She knelt next to him. “I think the best thing we can do for now is to let things settle down. I could see the rage in your eyes, but now is not the time to blindly chase after her.”
Composing himself, Brian looked to Valis. “You’re right.” He glanced at the Mjolnir once more and turned back to her. He dropped his rakna blade and pressed the button to undo his armor.
“I want you to hold onto these for now,” he said after stepping out of his armor. “I need a few days to sort things out. I’m sorry if this is an inconvenience to you.” He turned to leave.
“What does Seles mean to you?” she asked.
He turned back with sadness in his eyes. “I’m not sure Valis, not yet.”
Chapter 32 – An Unwelcome Homecoming
It feels like I’ve been asleep forever. Seles thought as she opened her eyes. She was lying on a flat raised cot; inside of a cell resembling the one Brian was in when she fir
st met him. She stood up and started checking for shields. Looking into the main room, she noticed there were no guards. She went to the front of the cell and poked the force field. Reaching for her pulse pistol she found her weapon had been taken away. Frustrated, she went back to the cot and sat down. She turned to lie down and stared at the ceiling. She reached up with her right arm, as if to grab something. Closing her eyes she sighed in frustration. The door opened. Seles rolled off the cot and saw a Kalaidian officer with long flowing black hair, deep crimson eyes, and lightly tanned skin. She wore the uniform of a captain, complete with the triple leafed circlet. On her left breast was the insignia of the royal house. It took her a moment to recognize the woman.
“How do you feel Lady Seles?” the captain asked. “My troops used tranquilizers, but I can’t imagine getting shot by one is too pleasant.”
“It’s been a long time Lady Obril,” Seles said. “I feel a bit groggy, but otherwise I’m fine. And please, drop the Lady part.”
“Alright Seles, then you can call me Lena.” She walked in circle, thinking. “Tell me Seles, how’s Valis?”
“She’s doing great.” She noticed concern in Lena’s eyes. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me off of this ship?”
“I’m sorry Seles, but I’m under direct orders from the Queen.”
Seles sighed. “I just want to do what I want. Why can’t mother understand that?”
“It’s because you’re the Princess. It’s the duty of each Kalaidian to fulfill the role of the previous generation, even if that role is difficult,” Lena said turning to look Seles in the eye. “But then again, I never was one for dogma. I’ve always preferred reality. Your mother was content for a long time to let you roam free. But now there’s a great need for you back on the home world.”
“What do you mean?” Seles asked.
“Since the Great Upheaval there’s been unrest amongst the people of our world. The Queen wishes to restore order, but many of the nobles are against her.”
“I hate this game,” Seles said. “One of the reasons I left was because of the court intrigue.”
Lena laughed. “I agree. My escape is the Heimus. But, Queen Celestia needs your presence Seles. With the populous in general unrest and the nobles bickering, a civil war could break out at any time.”
“What of your family Lena?”
“The Obrils stand firmly with the House of Daevon. Anything the Queen orders we will follow. You should rest for now Seles. We’ll reach the homeworld in a few hours.” Lena bowed in respect before leaving Seles alone, with nothing but her thoughts.
Seles curled up on the cot. She hid her face from the world and started crying. I left home because of this hell. Why was I born into a society that doesn’t let its people decide their fate?
* * *
Valis walked the halls of the Avoni as if she was surveying the vessel. Each crew member stopped and saluted her, but there was a change in the air. The crew wasn’t talking about it, but it was obvious they were concerned. She came to Brian’ door and hit the com button.
“Brian, its Valis. We haven’t heard from you in a while,” she said. There was uncertainty in her voice. “I thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing.”
Silence passed before the door opened. She walked in and saw Brian sitting on a chair alone in the dark, sipping a glass of water. As the door closed behind her, she saw his eyes glowing. He blinked and the glow stopped.
“Lights,” he said. The room lit up. “I’m sorry Valis. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just…needed some time alone.” He looked at her with an unconvincing smile.
She went to him. “It’s been three days. You really need to eat something.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I haven’t been hungry.” He stood up and went to his computer. He turned on the monitor before facing her. “It’s funny, I don’t even know if this is reality anymore.”
“Is this what you’ve been thinking about?” she asked.
He nodded. “A little bit. Let me ask you something. You and the others left Kalaidia during the Great Upheaval five years ago. Why did you leave?”
She thought before saying anything. “We left because we believed in determining our own destiny. It’s the belief of the Kein family we should abolish the old system, largely because the population is shrinking fast. But, the main reason was my family thinks that the people can rule themselves, not the nobles.”
“Was it worth it?”
She nodded. “Yes, it was. Making money is more difficult than when I was an officer of the Kalaidian fleet, but having the ability to make my own decisions gives me satisfaction.”
“What you speak of is freedom,” he said as he called up a written document on the monitor. “Those who’ve tasted freedom can’t return to tyranny. My people learned this a long time ago.” He waved at the monitor. “Valis, I’d like you to read this.”
“Sure,” she said. She read the document intently. He turned away and gazed at a painting of mountains on the wall. After a while, she rubbed her eyes and stood next to him.
“Is that your writing?”
He smiled and laughed. “No, I could never write something with that much feeling and beauty.”
She closed her eyes, filled with inspired energy. “Those words spoke to me. Even though it’s obviously written for Terrans, the document speaks of why I and many others left the homeworld.”
“It’s called the Declaration of Independence,” he explained. “My homeland fought for those ideals and won their freedom.” He gazed into her eyes. “From the writings of Gaelic Kein, I get the impression he felt the same.” He closed his eyes. “I took my freedom for granted and never thought about it. I was raised in a place where I had the right to determine my own destiny.”
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked.
He opened his eyes and took her into his arms, “Because I want my freedom.”
She was surprised by his embrace, but didn’t resist.
“Valis, I’m going to get Seles back. I promise to return and fulfill my contract. But, I have to save her. Long before I took an oath to you, I promised my life to her. I must go.”
She noticed he was crying. I trust him. She pushed him away and composed herself. “I give you permission to do this. But I order you to come back.”
He smiled. “I won’t break my contract with you Valis.”
“Do you have a plan?” she asked.
“Yes, I do.” He leaned down and whispered into her ear. “All is found within the Books of Kali.”
* * *
It seemed like an eternity to Seles as she waited in the cell. After several hours, Lena returned with three guards.
“It’s time to bring you back to the palace.” As the force field went down, two of the guards held Seles in place as the third put on hand restraints. As she was escorted out of the cell, Lena stopped her. “I’m sorry I had to do this Seles.”
Looking rather worried, Seles was escorted to the shuttle bay. There, she was taken onboard a standard landing shuttle, very similar to those on the Avoni. With her hands bound, Seles could do nothing as she was taken to a shuttle and dragged onboard. As they left the Heimus she saw the planet she called home for sixteen years. Kalaidia Prime looked very similar to Earth, matching the swirls of white and blue oceans. The difference was the continental configuration. Kalaidia had two massive continents dominating the surface. They broke atmosphere and landed a few minutes later. Seles was escorted outside. She knew by seeing massive white pillars and water fountains that this was the palace. The three guards escorting her stopped and waited. A moment of silence passed before five palace guards dressed in silver armor and carrying rakna lances came. The leader wore a circlet with twin leaves with short silver hair and purple eyes.
The commander stepped forward. “You may return to the Heimus. The Princess is now under our jurisdiction,” the commander of the palace guards said.
The three saluted and went back onto the shut
tle. Seles watched as it flew into the air.
“It’s been a long time Seles,” the commander said as they escorted her.
“You look like you’re doing well Jabril,” Seles said as they walked towards the palace entrance.
“Only two years ago I was a lowly palace guard,” Jabril pointed to her circlet, “Now I lead them.”
“You always were ambitious. How’s my mother doing these days?” Seles asked as they passed the palace doors, leading into an elaborate front hall. The walls were lined with statues of Kalaidian mythology while the ceiling was open to the sky.
“Queen Celestia is doing well. She’s worried about you much these last few months. If things weren’t the way they are now she would have probably gone to see you herself,” Jabril said as they passed from the front hall into a smaller passageway. The walls were lined with paintings, new and ancient of the greatest Kalaidian artists. Numerous halls led to an endless number of rooms, but they continued towards the throne room. Jabril stopped the guards and Seles to knock on a golden door adorned with the image of the Kali. As the door opened, Seles saw courtiers leaving the room in a flurry. Her mother sat alone on a golden, gem encrusted throne at the far end of the room. Queen Celestia looked much like Seles, with long silver hair, purple eyes, and perfect figure. On her head was a simple circlet with four leaves. She wore a flowing silver dress and matching shoes. Despite her age, Queen Celestia looked more like Seles’s sister than her mother. She gazed at her daughter and smiled. Jabril pushed Seles into the room and closed the door behind her. Celestia stood and went to Seles.
“It feels like you’ve been gone forever,” Celestia said with a voice similar to Seles’s. She put her hands on Seles’s face. “You’ve grown since I saw you last.”
Seles backed away, annoyed. “Don’t tease me mother, I’m in no mood for that.”
Celestia laughed. “I’m glad you’re back, even if you’re petulant about it.”
Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero Page 15
