by Craig Gaydas
“This is Moro the Exterminator,” Ibune continued.
I was taken aback. I shuddered when I realized that he was the person responsible for Kale's assassination. I hoped I would never have to meet him in a dark alley. Ibune smiled warmly before continuing. She moved on to Vayne. He shrugged indifferently and waved his hand for her to move on. After him came Scribe. His expression remained a mystery behind the bandanna he wore.
The next person was another new face. A huge furry one. The next Timeless was a polar bear wearing a sumo mawashi made of metal. Two empty holsters were attached along each side. At first I thought he had antlers like an elk before realizing it was actually a helmet. His piercing azure eyes seemed to stare into my soul. I began to fidget with my foot underneath the table, tapping it incessantly. I wondered if he would leap across the table to sink his fangs into my neck. Was he hungry? Was that his stomach growling? My mind started to ask ridiculous questions in an effort to drive me batty.
“This is Arcturus the Navigator.”
He growled and I remained rigid in my chair. I prepared myself to leap out of the way at his slightest hostile movement. Several long seconds passed while he studied me. Finally he smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. He transformed from Mor'du to Yogi Bear in mere seconds. When he smiled he appeared as dangerous as a stuffed toy.
“That is nice set of teeth you have there,” I chuckled nervously. “You must have one hell of a dentist.”
His smile faded and he cocked his head inquisitively. I decided it would be best to lower my sarcasm level. My gaze instead fell to the empty holsters. “I think you are missing something there.”
“Weapons are not allowed inside this chamber,” Ibune explained. “This is a place for civilized discussion, not violence.”
Ibune moved on to the next person who happened to be a Lianth-less Menjaro. Apparently gorilla mounts were not allowed inside the chamber either. Menjaro acknowledged me with a sly grin.
After passing two empty chairs, Ibune moved to the next in line. The next person had a canine face. Although I didn't know dog-face, I recognized him. Depictions of him were plastered in many of my high school history books. He was the spitting image of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis. He was as black as the table with the exception of his eyes which were two globes of pearly white filled with dots of blue. He wore the same crown and cloth tunic as the ancient pharaohs. The persona was complete down to the square, wiry beard attached to his chin.
“This is Horus the Advisor.” Ibune moved behind him and smiled. He bowed but remained silent.
Ibune moved past another empty seat before coming to the second to last person in at the table. Moro may have looked evil but this person radiated it. The air around him seemed to yellow slightly, as if a sour gas oozed from his pores. Like Horus, he was completely dark-skinned with the exception of glowing yellow eyes which peered at me from behind a pale-green cowl. He had a matching shawl draped across his shoulders as well as pants to match. Both seemed stitched together from some sort of animal skins. He wasn't very tall and despite his thin, lanky frame I knew better than to underestimate his strength. If his appearance didn't intimidate his enemies, the pole strapped to his back with a faded yellow skull dangling from it just might.
“This is Mortem the Destructor.”
I raised an eyebrow. “The Destructor? That doesn't sound very appealing.” As soon as the words left my mouth I wished I could take them back.
When he spoke it was raspy and distant, like a voice from the bowels of a grave. “It's not meant to be appealing human.” He spat out the last word.
Ibune dropped her hand on his shoulder and he relaxed. It seemed Ibune's calming influence worked on the Timeless as well as it did on me. “Let's move on.”
She moved behind the last person and placed her hand on his lower back. If she wanted to reach his shoulder she would have had to climb on a step ladder because he had to stand nearly ten feet tall. His skin was emerald green with a barrel chest and arms as big as tree trunks. His bright red hair was unkempt and wild making it seem like his head was on fire. He shoved his thumbs into his wide leather gun belt (also empty) and fixed his fiery eyes upon me.
“And finally we have Lapiz the Protector.”
He acknowledged me with a nod and Ibune took a seat. The others followed. She steepled her fingers underneath her chin and glanced at me. “It has been a long time since we have come together in this room.” Her voice floated across the table like snow in a gentle breeze. I found myself hanging on every word, hungering for the next. “It has been even longer since we faced the threat of a war large enough to tear the universe asunder.” She spoke to them as a mother figure just as Grillick had described. “I have summoned before us Nathan Chambers, human child from the planet Earth, located in the GX-743 galaxy. Some of you do not know him. Others have heard of him and a few have already interacted with him.”
I looked around the room and noticed that the other Timeless hung on to each word as eagerly as I did. At the mention of my name a few murmurs sprang from the crowd. Not all of them had been pleasant. Unperturbed, Ibune continued. “All of you understand that he was a former member of the Consortium who held the title of Cartographer.” A few more whispers passed through the group. “You are also aware that the Consortium is failing. It was once an organization that took pride in maintaining balance in the universe through exploration, knowledge and defense. At the time of its formation we agreed to remain in the background while continuing with our individual pursuits. We vowed to remain neutral and stay out of their conflicts as long as they did not threaten us directly. The time for inaction has passed. Meta's leadership is leading the organization down a dark path from which there is no recovery.” She turned and looked at me before continuing. “The attack on Earth had been unprovoked and unwarranted. This goes against the very concept on which they were founded.”
“That's what we get for empowering mortals with such a task,” Mortem grumbled.
Ibune glared at him. He lowered his head and studied the floor. “We are mortal as well, lest you forget.” She motioned to the empty chair next to him. “Or do you need a reminder?” Mortem remained silent and I noticed there was a metal plaque embedded in the seat. “Everything I just told you most of you already know. There is one thing, however, I have kept from everyone.” All heads turned to her in anticipation. “Several years ago Kell, the previous Cartographer, stumbled across the true map of the universe on planet Andromeda 7. The map had been left behind carelessly by someone who shall remain nameless.” Grillick lowered his head and muttered under his breath. “Once Kell realized the map in his possession was not accurate he started his research at the Archives. At my direction Grillick worked with Kell in modifying the map to not only pinpoint wormhole locations but also design a device that would repair these wormholes.”
“Transceivers!” I blurted. The word left my mouth before I could stop it. I looked around, embarrassed.
Ibune didn't seem to mind the interruption. Instead she nodded her acknowledgement. “The Consortium viewed the wormholes as convenient methods of travel either through space or time itself.”
“But it was much worse than that,” Vigil added.
“Correct,” Grillick agreed. “The wormholes are rips in space-time. If left unchecked they could lead to another universal breakdown.”
“Another Big Bang, I suppose?” I asked.
“Precisely,” Grillick replied. “Time is a river. Normal wormholes are like pebbles. They hardly affect the flow. Time holes, however, are like boulders. Depending on the size of the time hole, or boulder if you prefer, the flow of time will simply divert around it.”
“But if the boulder is large enough, it could stop it,” I finished.
Grillick brayed laughter. “See? I told you, Vigil. He's not as dumb as you think.” Vigil waved his hand dismissively.
“If time is stopped, so is the universe,” Ibune explained. “One cannot exist without the other.�
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“What does this have to do with me or the war with the Consortium?” I shook my head in confusion.
“Meta views the Ascended as a threat and treats the time holes as an enemy. Destroying a planet does not destroy the hole completely. That is an ineffective method of eradication. Despite this fact, Meta will continue to in his attempts to eliminate them. He does not have patience for the transceivers. In his zeal he will tear apart the universe.” Ibune stiffened. Based on her somber expression, I realized she had taken the deterioration of the Consortium personally. There seemed to be more to her story, but I decided to not press that issue.
“What does this have to do with me?” I asked. “Shouldn't you be talking to someone leading an army? I'm just a kid with a robot.” I glanced at Gard who lurked quietly in the corner flashing his eyes at us.
Ibune smiled. “You were brought here because of recommendations by your predecessor. I value Kell's input and the decision to bring you into this was not taken lightly, I assure you.”
“Kell? I asked dubiously. “You brought me here on the recommendation of a dead man?”
Her smile didn't fade. She touched the table and a holographic screen appeared. Inside the screen was the metallic face of an android woman. When the woman spoke her voice was completely devoid of emotion. “What is your command?”
“Please summon our guest,” Ibune commanded.
A door behind Vanth slid open like an elevator. A human male walked through the door carrying a book the size of a dictionary.
“Sam!”
Sam wandered over looking exhausted. It seemed he had aged ten years from the last time we spoke. “I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, Nathan. We had to see what Calypso had planned.”
“What the—,” I fumbled for words but failed to come up with a single coherent question. My mind was racing so I closed my eyes and breathed deeply before starting over. “How is this even possible?”
Ibune stood. “All will be explained in due time. It seems you two have a lot of catching up to do. As of right now we have a more important matter to discuss.”
I leaned over to Sam and whispered in his ear. “What do you have to do with Kell?”
He smiled. “That's one thing we need to discuss,” he whispered in return. Turning his attention to Ibune he nodded. “Yes, we do.”
Ibune continued. “Solomon Corvus is dead. Calypso has taken control of his forces but as of yet we do not know what his next move is.”
“We must strike now!” Vanth slammed his fist on the table. “We will never receive a more perfect chance to crush the Ascended and switch our attention to the Consortium.”
“I disagree,” Scribe chimed in. “I overheard what Meta was planning. He wants to rout the Ascended and destroy any planet containing time holes.”
“That's insane,” I said.
“I feel there may be a more sinister plot afoot,” Horus interrupted.
All eyes turned to him. “Please enlighten us.” Ibune folded her hands underneath her chin.
“Calypso's murder of Corvus was nothing more than a power grab,” he insisted. He has been gaining power behind the scenes while all eyes were fixed on Corvus. I believe he may be attempting to establish some kind of universal empire. Perhaps even a twisted version of the Consortium. He has been gathering allies like flies to a corpse.”
“It's true.” It was Arcturus who spoke. “Word has spread that Consortium worlds are beginning to defect.”
“I have heard these words first hand,” Moro growled. “After slaughtering Kale I heard mutterings that of Umbra and Atrora have defected.”
“That would be dire news indeed,” Grillick squeaked. “The Umbrals were thought to be the strongest of the Consortium's allies.”
“This really leaves us no choice.” Vigil looked to Ibune for confirmation.
Ibune nodded slowly. She surveyed the room, looking long and hard at each one of them, including me. I swallowed hard, realizing that a decision was about to be made. Their faces were ancient masks of grimness.
“The Insurgents have been decimated by the attack on Vaire. I see no other option.” She sighed heavily and paused before continuing. “Peace is no longer an option. I propose we fight alongside the Insurgents.” She folded her hands in front of her and rested them on the table. “Cast your vote now.”
Mortem was the first one to speak. He had a giddy look about him and I realized that war must have been right up his alley. “Aye!”
“Aye,” said Vanth.
“Aye,” Grillick squeaked.
Vigil looked down and muttered, “Aye.”
“Aye!” Moro roared.
Vayne shook his head. He seemed undecided, as if he was torn between sacrificing himself for the greater good and holing up somewhere with his riches. In the end he choked out an “aye”.
Horus also paused for a long time with a furrowed brow. He seemed deep in thought weighing the pros and cons. “Aye,” he said after moments passed.
“Aye,” Arcturus roared.
“Aye,” said Scribe.
“Aye,” Menjaro voted.
All eyes turned to the last vote, Lapiz. His closed fists sounded like thunder when he dropped them on the table. “I am the Protector. It is my job to do what must be done to prevent the undoing of the universe.” He looked down and let out a heavy sigh. “Aye.”
With unanimous consent, the war began.
Epilogue
Meta stood alone in the observation room aboard the Astral Spirit. He was busy pondering recent events. His ship along with the remaining Defense Fleet hovered near the Sloan asteroid belt preparing their counter attack on Vaire. When he first received the news that Vaire had fallen to the Ascended he was incredulous. That was until the first confirmed video footage rolled in. His face was grim as he tapped on the window and studied the stars.
“My precognition is failing,” he muttered. The room offered a silent acknowledgement. How could I have missed the attack on Vaire? Not a single image of the attack came to him. He was losing his ability to foresee. If he lost that, command of the Consortium would surely follow. Command of the Consortium has been in his family for generations and he refused to lose it on his watch. A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Come in.”
Hark-Kalech entered the room with Varooq in tow. They looked as grim as he felt. “The fleet is in place, sir,” Hark-Kalech said.
Meta noticed that both were dressed for battle. Varooq had a rifle strapped to his back and a grenade belt fitted around his thick, hairy waist. Hark-Kalech wore a long slender dagger with a handle carved in the image of a daggerfish—the deadliest beast in the Caelum Sea. The weapon was a normal accessory for the senior officers of the Aquanauts. He also had a holstered hand cannon by his side and wore the angular, golden battle helmet of the Defense Fleet. Since Embeth's defection, he had been placed in charge of their defenses.
Varooq recognized Meta's expression of confusion. “I know it is not standard protocol for Council members to participate in combat, but we wanted to personally make sure Vaire is recovered,” he explained.
“The soldiers' morale would improve significantly if we were to lead the invasion,” Hark-Kalech added.
Meta nodded. He had been so worried lately about the defection of Consortium worlds that he had lost touch with the fleet. He turned to the window and folded his hands behind his back. “I agree.”
Although they had been loyal Council members for as long as he could remember he refused to reveal his failing abilities. No one must discover the truth. Meta was determined to get to the root cause of the problem, but that was a battle for another day. There was a more important fight coming.
Varooq stepped forward. “I will lead four battle cruisers over the northern hemisphere of the planet.”
“That part of the planet is comprised mostly of water,” Hark-Kalech explained. “The Ascended forces are gathered along the southern hemisphere. They stray no further than the Shreen villa
ges beside the beaches.”
Meta turned. “What about the Shreen? They may be outnumbered but they are fierce warriors. Surely they could push back against the Ascended incursion?”
Varooq and Hark-Kalech exchanged glances. They were brief but Meta recognized the doubt in their eyes. If his Council members doubted his ability then doubt of his leadership will follow. He clenched his fists in agitation.
Hark-Kalech tugged at his left eyebrow which was a sign of apprehension. Meta recognized it. “We thought you were aware of the situation on Vaire. We apologize for not briefing you properly,” he said slowly.
Whenever Hark-Kalech was restless like that something troubled him. Occasionally it had been Council matters, other times it had been matters of a personal nature. Was it the impeding battle that troubled him, or the fact that he recognized his leader had lost something of utmost importance? “What is wrong?” Meta asked.
It was Varooq who answered. “Calypso has somehow swayed the Shreen to join his cause.”
That was a two-sided coin of bad news, Meta lamented. First, the Ascended have added a fierce fighting force to their growing numbers. Second, Meta should have seen this. The lack of clarity on the matter only further fortified his fears. He turned back to the window in silence.
Meta could see their reflection in the window. They were staring at each other uneasily. Why not? It was as clear as the Emerald Sea. Their leader had lost the ability which had guided the High Princes of the Consortium for centuries.
“This is ill news,” Hark-Kalech said.
Varooq moved beside Meta and sighed. “I agree.” His big arm fell across Meta's shoulders. “Do not worry, we will overcome this.”
Varooq's arm was like a tree trunk bearing down across his shoulders. Meta found it difficult to simply nod his agreement. “It will be dealt with,” Meta agreed. “How quickly can we mobilize against Vaire?”
Hark-Kalech moved behind him. Suddenly Varooq's arm closed around his head, shoving his face into the bigger man's fur coat of a chest. His air supply was cut off by the mass of Varooq's bicep. He wanted to cry out, but he couldn't breathe.
