Alutia Rising

by Craig Gerttula

  They walked into the room and found only darkness as the door reassembled behind them. A single spotlight suddenly emerged, shining from the deep darkness high above to light the center of the room. Standing larger than the world, illuminated by the single light, was a statue that sparkled of a man who Sasha recognized immediately. The sparkles, seeming to be attracted to the light above, began to flow up the statue, erupting from the crown one after another. They began to spin, coalescing above the statue into the shape of a galaxy...their galaxy. She slowly moved forward, pulling the dazed Trent behind her.

  "My father, the King..." Sasha said under her breath and Trent looked up suddenly, doubt covering his shadowy face.

  "You’re the daughter of the King of the galaxy?" The disbelief in Trent's words caused her to freeze, she glared back at him.

  "I thought you said you would trust me?" She tried not to let any anger seep into her voice, but she wasn't completely successful. Trent's face turned to concern as he noticed her tone.

  "I do...but I haven't seen anything that would completely convince me that what has been happening is not some sort of grand corporate experiment that I've happened to get caught up in." Sasha couldn't believe his explanation and was about to start yelling, but Trent rushed on.

  "But I have seen some things that even I know are well beyond this world. So if you tell me...Sasha...that this is not a corporate experiment......that we are not brainwashed...that this is real...that everything I've heard and seen is real......I will believe you. No matter how hard my mind cries not too..." Trent's face showed hope...hope that someone could put his concerns to rest. Sasha looked into his eyes...she planned to only say this once.

  "Everything is real Trent, what is fake is the life you lived. Earth is an experiment created by the NHA to study human development and evolution." Sasha continued staring into his eyes as she spoke, hoping to see recognition that yes...he did in fact...understand.

  *********

  Her words didn't register at first, being so unbelievable that his mind tried to smother them before he could fully comprehend. But as he stared into her eyes ...such caring, beautiful eyes...his frozen mind began to thaw and the blinders flipped...his life was a lie.

  Trent let the knowledge sink in, pushing against the voice that screamed that this was all a lie...that she was trying to confuse him, manipulate him. But he knew she wouldn't lie, having already accepted her word that everything that had occurred, all the outrageous events he'd experienced, were all related to some gigantic human space empire. But this new knowledge she presented, that Earth was just an experiment...his entire life until now...a lie...shook his very being.

  He stared deeply into the eyes of the woman he'd met less than an hour before, wanting her face to say it was a cruel joke, but instead, seeing nothing but truth. It made a strange sort of sense, Trent suddenly realized, since he always felt that there was something inherently wrong that he could never quite place. Now he knew what that feeling was, the feeling of dislocation...Human's were not native to Earth.

  "So that would make you not just a Duchess, but a Princess?" Trent sighed, voice filled with resignation. He'd finally given up completely on his past...on Earth...it was time to move on.

  Sasha took a step back, rising to her full height, while turning her head slightly, as she looked him up and down. Leaning in, she kissed his cheek before he could react. He flushed and his heart pounded in his ears, his mind going blank. Sasha smiled mischievously, a smile that Trent thought could melt anyone's heart ...even his.

  "Actually...it is Grand Duchess and Princess, make sure to get it right next time!" Trent smiled, laughing lightly as he heard her playful tone for the first time. Sasha turned with a wink, appearing content that he understood, and walked the last few meters towards the statue. Trent followed close behind, his smile turning into a gay looking grin.

  The statue was big, about 10 meters tall, and stood on a large dais with a carved description which read: King Johan Vn'Oco of the 189th New Universal Empirical Human Alliance Galaxy. He stared with amazement at the larger than life depiction of an aged king, with a majestic expression and long, silky white hair. Sasha stood silent at his side, lost in thought, recalling memories Trent couldn't even begin to imagine.

  "So your family name is Vn'Oco?" His sudden question caused her to stir and stare at him in momentary confusion.

  "No...I'm not sure how it works on Earth, but ruling noble family names are based on their holdings. So I am officially Sasha Alutia. I was previously Sasha Vn'Oco, but like most other unlanded nobles, I would go by a single name as not to confuse others of my actual authority." Trent nodded. It made sense in a way ...many family names from Earth originating from places people lived, jobs they performed, or areas they grew up.

  "On Earth we take our family name, I'm officially Trent Marcello." Trent said as he noticed Sasha had returned to studying the statue, not really listening. She suddenly released his right hand, moving around to his left to grab the other. Curiosity filled him as he wondered what she was doing, but before he could question, a strange sight caught his eye.

  Lines of light had begun crisscrossing the statue, similar to how the sparkles had moved across its surface before forming the swirling galaxy. But these new lights were larger, leaving long trails as they continually circled the statue of King Johan. Sasha took her left hand and placed it on an empty portion of the round dais, just below the statues foot. The lines of light changed direction as one and streamed towards her hand. They appeared to be attracted to her touch, quickly moving past, before swirling back, creating a strangely hypnotic design.

  The purple gem on Sasha's bracelet began to glow brightly, its radiant purple light intermingling with the swirling lights on the statue. But as the purple glow expanded, it forced the lights away from her hand, appearing to herd them, forcing them to slowly circle. Each light would attempt to get closer, then, as it struck the purple glow, would obediently stop, before merging with its fellows. Trent stared in awe as the circle of lights started to accelerate, brightening with every pass, until a sudden boom caused him to shrink back. All light vanished, except for the swirling galaxy and the purple glow from Sasha's bracelet.

  A hole appeared where Sasha's hand lay against the dais. She reached in slowly, grasping something that glistened before vanishing into her palm. She took a few steps back, pulling Trent with her, then placed him in a position standing before her. The dark statue stood over them, looking down upon them with a Kingly gaze...her earlier words finally sinking in. Sasha was a Princess and he was an Earthling...a son of an experimental planet.

  Another spotlight appeared out of the rising darkness, this time enveloping Trent and Sasha in its pure white essence, while the statue began to glow without emitting any light. Trent stared, frozen in place as his eyes cleared and the woman before him changed.

  The beautiful Sasha, who moments before still wore her jumpsuit, suddenly appeared to be dressed in a regal gown of crimson, with a small platinum tiara set with a large, rose shaped red ruby, on her brow. She released his hand as she rose to her full height, stunning and overpowering, and he knew she was a princess.

  "Kneel." Her voice was that of command, no longer filled with her previous kindness. Trent obeyed without a second thought, falling to one knee while locking his gaze on her majestic visage, the giant statue of King Johan glowing faintly behind her....watching silently over the two below.

  "TSB Lieutenant Trent...As is my right as the Grand Duchess of Alutia, who holds responsibility for the special protectorate of Earth, I hereby award you the Star of Terra for your actions on 236th day of NHA year 75,023." Trent stared in awed disbelief as Sasha spoke, his mind turning. Why did she refer to him as TSB Lieutenant and what was the Star of Terra? The questions kept coming as she opened her right hand and Trent saw a platinum ring, inlaid with a blue sapphire, interspersed with red and green gems that were sunk into the ring itself.

  "Lay forward your right hand." T
rent lifted his right arm at Sasha's words ...as if all self control had left him...he was at her command. She lightly grasped his outstretched hand and slid the ring over his ring finger, lingering with her touch. As she released him, he reluctantly pulled his hand back, looking into the sapphire on the ring. He suddenly felt himself being drawn into its surface, the strange floating lights within seeming to dance, calling for him to join them...it was beautiful.

  "Stand, Sir Trent, holder of the Star of Terra!" He stood, pulling his vision away from the ring and back into the emerald eyes of Sasha. In her left hand unfurled a choker of platinum, with a large purple gem flanked by two smaller green gems....similar, if not identical, to the ones that adorned her bracelet. She took a step closer and for the first time Trent was well aware of her height and that she was, in fact, taller than him.

  "As is your right as holder of the Star of Terra, I now present you with the Eye of the Emperor, to help you in times of need." She took the last step between them, standing so close he could feel her breath, and reached around him, clasping the choker about his neck. Trent felt the cool touch of its metal exterior, which suddenly tightened, then loosened, causing its touch to vanish. Sasha studied the choker, running her fingers over its surface, lightly brushing against his skin. The touch was arousing and he found himself pushing closer to her, craving the contact. But she suddenly stepped back, face flush as the elegant gown vanished and all lights faded.

  *********

  Their breathing was the only sound penetrating the darkness as she pulled herself away. The lingering sensation of his body's touch begging her to embrace him, but she held herself back, knowing this wasn't the time.

  It was done and no matter what others may say, or what repercussion may come...Trent was now a noble. At first, she had no idea why Vin had led them to this room. But then, as if she'd always known, the knowledge flooded into her mind.

  When, in times that the Emperor or King's presence is required, locations will present themselves where their likeness can be found. Since the awarding of the Star of Terra requires the elevation of an individual to the noble rank of Duke or Duchess, which can only be officially performed by a King or Queen, they were led to a Royal Room, since Vin deemed the appropriate authority had been granted. She was then presented with the Star of Terra and Eye of the Emperor to act, during that time, with the King's authority, allowing her to bestow the full award.

  As she turned her attention back to Trent, something caught her eye. Showing through the darkness, the purple gem on his choker glowed a dim blue, similar in color to the worldstone sapphire that adorned the Star of Terra. Sasha reached out her hand and touched Trent's arm, the blue glow on the Eye of the Emperor and the red glow on Arm of the Emperor both suddenly shifting to purple. She quickly released his hand, and Trent's gem returned to glowing blue and hers to red. After touching and releasing him multiple times, and seeing the same phenomenon repeat, she sighed, now certain that there must be some sort of connection between them. She was about to ask Vin to explain when the door to the Royal Room collapsed opened, allowing the light from the outside hallway to shine within.

  The same sensation she felt when they were about to enter the transport tubes from the hanger bay overcame her...the sense of another's presence. She ran to the door, pulling the still dazed Trent behind her, and peered out. She couldn't see anybody down the long hallway, but she was certain that there was something to this strange, throbbing sensation. Trent, seeing Sasha's sudden hesitation, seemed to recover and start to move around her to take the lead, when a shadow appeared in the distance, she pulled him back from the doorway.

  "There is someone out there...at the split...about 20 meters down the hall." she whispered into Trent's ear. He looked at her inquisitively, giving her a slight nod as he pushed her up against the wall and peered around her. He pulled back instantly, hissing an unintelligible word under his breath.

  "Four...all wearing green. Sir Simwa's men." whispered Trent harshly as he pulled his laser arc from his belt. Sasha did the same, knowing they were in trouble. The only way out of the room was the way they'd come...the way blocked by their enemies. Sasha stared at Trent's face, which was unreadable, when he suddenly pulled her wrist to his mouth.

  "Vin, is there another way out of this room?" The small sphere appeared above her bracelet. Sasha cursed herself for not thinking of it sooner.

  "Yes, according to the original construction schematics there is an old access tunnel in the ground behind the statue." responded Vin in its monotone voice and Trent turned to look at Sasha.

  "This time we do it my way." He pushed her towards the statue standing in the middle of the darkness and leaned out into the doorway, firing his laser arc. Sasha caught a glimpse of the men diving to the floor about 10 meters outside the doorway as the laser bolt struck the ceiling, sending smoke and debris in all directions. Trent fired a second shot before turning and running towards Sasha, who'd stumbled upon a single light on the floor behind the statue that swirled into a small circular opening at her touch.

  A cool breeze struck her face as she realized the hole fell into darkness...she wondered how deep. Trent didn't stop as laser arc fire broke through the doorway, harmlessly striking the far wall. Firing once more as he rounded the statue and came to a halt, he looked to the dark hole, then her, and without hesitation, grabbed her, pulling her close.

  "Hold on tight and don't let go!" She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed with all her might.

  "Jump!" As Trent yelled, they plunged into the hole, falling into the unknown darkness.

  Chapter 15

  The tension on the bridge eased as the damage alarms finally went silent. Daniel, along with the rest of the bridge officers, had been working nonstop since the short, 20 second battle had ended, assessing damage and running the crewmen ragged. At first, it looked like they'd have to fall out of formation, but readiness reports kept coming in and...to Daniels chagrin...the TSB Ero'Cia would continue the fight.

  He studied the latest weapon status updates and found little good news. The plasma cannon was still online, but two of the ten plasma feeders had been damaged, increasing the charge time by almost five seconds. One large LPA had made it through unscathed, two had been destroyed completely, while the fourth was salvageable. Six medium LPAs were reporting online, but only four point defense LPAs would ever fire a shot again.

  The laser particle arrays, or LPAs, were the most susceptible to damage since they extended beyond the protection of the energy shield system, or ESS. Daniel recalled almost asking why during his first days at the academy, but stopped himself when he remembered the purpose of the ESS, since the shield would be just as effective stopping fire from inside as the outside.

  Seeing his weapons crews occupied and his immediate attention no longer required, he switched from the weapon status display, returning his PDU to the standard tactical. The distant HZBF battle groups came into focus, filling his display. He frowned as he noticed little change in their numbers, knowing that the loss of one super-capital, one capital, and a number of screening units did little to affect their advantage.

  Having seen enough, he punched another icon, causing the display to zoom in on the much smaller TSB Fleet. He held back a cringe as he looked over the pitiful sight. The remaining TSB starships, after having completed the 90 degree burn, bringing engines to full while continuously turning 90 degrees on their momentum, to adjust course with little speed burn off, had been reorganized into a new formation.

  The TSB fleet had been devastated during the 20 second battle, even worse than Daniel had originally thought. More than half the starships in the fleet were either too damaged to continue or destroyed. This included the majority of the fleet's firepower, the battleships and cruisers. Luckily, they did receive reinforcements...if not the ones Daniel had originally hoped for.

  Two TSB battle groups that had been trailing the HZBF as they entered the Earth star system, rendezvoused with the rest of the fleet as
they turned. Fleet command, seeing no reason to try to manage the eight heavily damaged battle groups that fought in the first battle, decided to reform the fleet into three new battle groups. Combined TSB Battle Group One contained the Dreadnaught TSB Reverie and two of the eight remaining battleships. The other six battleships were split between battle groups two and three, while the remaining cruisers, corvettes, and frigates were split evenly.

  The TSB Ero'Cia was assigned to Battle Group One and had entered formation between Knight Captain Quinn's TSB Reverie and the battleship TSB Mercury Three. The Fleet had taken up a wall formation, stacking starships vertically and horizontally, which if viewed with the three-dimensional display projected by the PDU, appeared as a wall. The HZBF battle groups had reformed into an arrow head formation, allowing the damaged starships that had been able to keep up with the acceleration, some additional protection.

  As soon as the TSB fleet had passed out of range, the Hulk'Zif Battle Fleet accelerated for 15 minutes at 105 kilometers per second squared, to a constant speed of 100,000 kilometers per second, on a direct course for the TSB Fleet Base. In response, the TSB fleet accelerated to 150,000 kilometers per second and was closing in on the HZBF battle groups. They were currently 100 million kilometers behind, which meant they would be in weapons range in a little over 31 minutes...unless, Daniel hoped, something changed.

  "Captain, sensors are picking up multiple starship readings coming in system at two million kilometers per second! At current rate of deceleration the ships will reach TSB Fleet Base in one hour thirty-six minutes." The voice of Lieutenant Howe, the sensor operator, broke the bridges silence.