by David Tucker
“And what has become of Genesis my Elders?” she blurted without thinking.
The Elders suddenly lost synchronisation, and began speaking in a rabble, “This one speaks out of turn …”
“She interrupts us when we are trying to explain.”
“The little one must be silent if we are to talk to you, our lesser subjects.”
The Elders slowly joined back together and spoke again, irritably, “You will need to quieten your mind beloved Zariah, we cannot answer effectively when we are disturbed. Much our minds have to do and hard it is to communicate in this, our most primitive form.”
Zariah released her hand and fell silent, but still looked anxious as the Elders continued.
“Now to Genesis. He has survived, but his sacred armour and body has been severed from us and the SINAI’s relay. We can no longer see his presence. We believe he encountered a Tel’nagara and the creature somehow interfered with his AI and has stopped his suit from linking to us. From what little we can see, the Tel’nagara was lost in the resulting explosion and destruction of the Seekers of Truth’s vessel; Immortal 05, however, somehow escaped this blast.
“We ascertain this from the report prepared by Admiral Herodes Antipatros, which states that Genesis is physically intact. But due to the nature of his encounter he will be leaving his assignment immediately to undergo analysis and repair. He will do this upon Gomorrah, where he will be required for joining a session of faction-wide diplomacy over the new appearance of the portal.”
Without pause, the Elders continued, “Gladarch and Zariah, you will also facilitate the liaisons of our diplomatic parties there, which will soon be meeting on Gomorrah. You will explain to them in full the nature of this portal and will request support of all factions of the SED.”
Gladarch looked up, surprised, “But, my Elders, I don’t know what the nature of this portal is! How can I poss—”
The Elders again sounded irritated by the disturbance, however they kept their synchronisation this time as they cut back in.
“The nature of this portal, 07, is prosperous. From what the deep scans can tell, it is locked on to the same location as where the last, original portal, led. We are not sure why yet, but it seems it leads to the same location in the Cen’Shur’a sector as our original portal did, above Mars Prime, years ago. For now all the factions need to know is that it is safe and fortuitous for our future path.
“We have already sent SFR droids through and there seem to be no threats on the other side. We have even detected a natural amount of movement upon Kna’an’s cities and colonies beyond.
“It could well be that they are all completely unharmed and have been functioning normally since they were segregated from us all those years ago. This we forecast to you and only you. The portal’s closing may have been no fault of theirs and might have been just an unfortunate and ill-timed event; however, this will need to be investigated further when we travel through to them …” The Elders’ voice rose, “Oh yes, soon, my brothers, we may be inviting our lost children to join with our flock once more … our power will be redoubled and so, for this new portal and Sacred gift, be joyous.”
Osiris felt a massive positive energy, like nothing he’d sensed in many years, wash over him as the Elders pondered on the idea of finding the lost children. Not being asked to speak, the four waited patiently as their deity collected itself to go on.
“Much is in motion to secure this alliance once more already, and re-align our children again. After meeting on Gomorrah we will be sending a team through to investigate and restore diplomatic relations first on the capital world Kn’an and then within the Cen’Shur’a sector our planet governs over.
“For this task we will be sending a small force – as this portal also seems unstable and we do not want to run the risk of it closing down like the first one did, and we are taking precautions until we can stabilise it from the other side—”
Osiris spoke up, wondering out loud at the new information and unable to stop himself after hearing such amazing news. He turned a full circle, addressing all twelve of the dark shapes within their safely hidden recesses.
“This is unbelievably good news my brothers … however, forgive me, for I don’t understand, how could this portal open in the same location as our last portal? I thought, as is written, that each portal would lead us to a different portion of space, a new leg of our journey, and eventually to the fields of battle where Armageddon was once fought? This does not seem … harmonious with our beliefs.”
The Elders barely hesitated as their joint entity instantly formulated a response.
“This is true Osiris, you are ever the Historian are you not? Your mind never ceases to bring us closer to our path – blessed be your concerns. True, it is written that this will unfold as you say, but we have felt from this portal a different essence. From what little we know so far, we understand this portal is a second gateway into the Cen’Shur’a sector. It seems our Creators had the intelligence to create a second way to achieve portal travel from our Terithian space. Which is perfectly in line with their great wisdom, as why would they create a portal that can be accessed from only one location? Why would they give us a gift that can be taken away?
“Yes, with this second portal, we can now open travel from our sector of space once more, we will find the fault in the Temple over there, receiving our Mars Prime Portal, and bridge Terithian space again to Cen’Shur’a – and once secured, we need not fear evermore its closure, thanks to our newly found most recent portal. Thanks to our Creators’ grace this era will be a time to remember Osiris, this new development ensures our way cannot be blocked anymore. Once we realign Mars Prime Portal we will have free travel there and back again, with the safety of our portals alleviating any fears of abandonment.
“So we counsel you to be wise and stop fretting, be joyous young brothers, for we will soon be on our path once more.
“But that is enough of this mediation, we must make ready immediately.
“Zariah and Gladarch, you will go to Gomorrah and prepare our allies. You will be addressing the galaxy’s most powerful leaders for this, one of the most important articles of news in the past century which is now with you, so dwell upon your words well and speak truly when the time comes.
“Osiris and Justice, you will remain behind for now, setting out in three weeks for the new Temple, and for its analysis. You will leave for the Temple with our translation and religious archaeological teams – which if correct as we expect – should hold a Ten’stone, or something similar to what activates our own portal here on Mars Prime. You will learn more of how to use these Sacred places and artefacts in preparation for when we send you through to the other side. Much else must and can be studied though, and we could not think of a better choice than a Historian like you Osiris.
“For now however, you must remain, there is something of great historic importance we must also do here. For the first time in over a century, we will be testing another for the signs of the Reborn.”
Zariah and Gladarch looked up in amazement. The Elders went on unconcerned.
“Osiris you will shortly wait outside; we will need the full three weeks to test Justice. Sladdent is preparing your quarters as we speak. Gladarch, you and your pupil may now depart, farewell and we will watch over you with diligence and wish you our full fortitude and Rieft knowledge. All details of what needs to be prepared is being transferred to you now.”
Gladarch and Zariah bowed their heads in respect and swiftly exited the chamber at their cue for dismissal.
The instant they disappeared, and with a clang of metal cogs, the Elders wheeled forward on their pivots, appearing from their hollows and hovering over the floor until encircling Osiris and Justice to scrutinise them closely and more fully. After a few seconds they spoke once more, with eerily quiet voice.
“You are now dismissed Osiris, and no matter what you hear, what you think you feel, remain out of this chamber; this process is not e
asy and will not be kind to your pupil. You will be tempted to help, but for all our safety you must remain abstained from this rite. This is for the Wielder only – we farewell you for now and blessed be thou name Osiris.”
Osiris quickly left, leaving Justice behind as the young Immortal fell to one knee in preparation for his trial. The door sealed tightly behind Osiris as he fretted even more nervously than before. Compounding this was the fact that he now also felt frustrated at the paucity of knowledge the Elders had imparted.
None of what the Elders had said alleviated him in the slightest, and he was now even more concerned and riddled with the fearful dread from before. He was also haunted by fear for his pupil … for he knew deep down that Justice was no Reborn, and all he could hope for was that his training afforded his survival.
Osiris began meditating, frowning deeply as he plonked onto the cold marble benches, lost completely in his new puzzles and hundreds of buzzing thoughts and worries.
Chapter 28 Frayed
Gladarch stalked the many passageways with Zariah; it was quite a trip to get back to their vessel, far above them, in Pavises. He could sense Zariah’s concerns about the little the Elders had told them. In truth, he also felt a little peeved; he’d even felt the ever peaceful Historian’s patience becoming frayed.
He averted his eyes as her robes burst into nanos and she built them into combat form, completely oblivious to his presence. With a slight sway of her agile form she padded ahead of him, her face downtrodden as she puzzled out the news, momentarily forgetting she was walking with her Sovereign. However, her no-nonsense voice soon echoed off the walls as her head came back up and she turned to face him, as he’d expected.
“Gladarch, I just don’t get it, the SINAI isn’t telling us something … it doesn’t make any sense for it to send just the one Immortal on that mission. I mean, if I were chasing Skink militias in the vicinity of a portal, there’s no way I’d send the one Immortal. And most of all, what troubles me, is how can it be sure the Cen’Shur’a sector is fine, from just a few probes? What, after seventy years the cut off cities and societies are all just happily going about their business, and forgot they needed to turn their end of the portal back on?
“Where the hell are their probes? Aren’t they interested in making contact with us again? Or are they too busy to notice? You know it too Sovereign, don’t you? It just doesn’t add up.”
Gladarch felt the same way, but didn’t know where to begin. He decided to be honest; always the best way to start with Zariah.
“Well, I’m not sure either, and yes I feel something is not revealing itself, but we must take comfort in the fact that the Elders are much wiser than we are, and if something hasn’t been told to us … well, then that’s for our own benefit.”
Zariah gave him a pert smile as if to say, suuure. Gladarch knew he’d struggled to make his reassurance sound sincere, but was it truly that bad? He guessed it must’ve been since he didn’t believe it either; and there I was trying to start off all honest.
“Look Zariah, just because Kna’an was cut off from us doesn’t mean it ceased to exist. I’m sure it’s been functioning efficiently since we were separated. They had a lot of resources on that end as well, they even had Immortals to govern them, and they could be doing just fine.”
Zariah’s eye’s flashed as her head snapped up, “Then why haven’t our lost Immortals emerged then? If everything was okay then surely they would’ve been monitoring the portal and come through the instant it re-opened?”
Gladarch used his most calming voice and tried hard not to be angry with his pupil’s lack of faith. He loved Zariah like a daughter, but it was certainly clear that she was not as devout a believer as some. He took a breath as his belief in the path flooded through his thoughts, making him feel calm and yet a little zealous and defensive of his deity, the SINAI.
“Zariah, our new world Orders are both developed from the Sacred Texts. Slowly over time, we changed and evolved to become our powerful religion and society which, even cut off, I’m sure could survive. Our true path, the Way of the Sacred, is an enduring reign for all time. We expected this day to come, when our lost brothers would return, and we should embrace it as the SINAI instruct. We predicted that some event would happen to allow us back on our search for the other portals, and now it has happened. If anything, our past should have taught us that we are a resilient race indeed, capable of surviving such cataclysmic segregations.
“Just take a look at the time after our forefathers won the Battle of Armageddon … not directly at them, but the remnant society that were left in its wake. Look how they survived; cut off from almost everything and on the brink of extinction … and yet they somehow went on, with a lot less than our brothers in the Cen’Shur’a sector on hand.
“Apply this knowledge Zariah, for in their time of renewal – over a thousand years it took – our own religion and battered species, with barely a glimmer of hope, re-forged and developed us back into a stable and focussed condition. And this – albeit helped along by the Tel’nagara – somehow evolved from nothing and cultivated into the combined systemic history, with a strength marvelled even by alien species, to forge a stronger rule than any man has ever had in existence.
“Right now, this instant, we walk inside the very pinnacle of our united dreams and endeavours, we walk amongst humanity’s greatest symbol that humanity is and will be designed, crafted and worthy to survive. This machine is more than cogs and metal, it is our destiny … built by us, for us, and which will not let us fall into destitution.”
Gladarch felt some comfort in this thought, but unsure how it affected Zariah, he decided to go on.
“I mean look at what we have accomplished Zariah. The SINAI is now powerful enough that it can continually watch even our neighbouring galaxies, all for its human aspirations, which it protects and upholds. It searches around the clock, even while we sleep, for signs of the other Facilities of the Sacred, and for which our next steps in the path to evolution and destiny is locked within. Our SINAI, built from the ashes of our civilisation to be rekindled into its brightest beacon, truly holds the key for humanity to expand, and the least we can do is listen; for our Elders who sacrificed themselves into the SINAI will led us to the Creators’ race and once more alongside our forefathers’ salvation. Zariah, although we may doubt from time to time, we must have faith.”
Incomprehensibly, Gladarch began raising his voice, scolding and cursing her as a hint of anger wrangled through his words. Shocked, Zariah simultaneously felt her defences melt; his words not even making sense to her as she became confused – the one person she ever truly saw as worthy of a mentor was now cutting into her carelessly. This was the first time she’d ever heard Gladarch speak to her like this, and once again she was standing before her bastard of a father as he despised her. Zariah felt her hands begin to shake as tears burnt behind her eyes, it was killing her to hear him speak like this. She tried to say stop, but her throat had ceased working, and just like then, all she could do was promise herself not to cry.
Heedlessly, Gladarch’s voice sliced though her, unable to be silenced.
“Yes, but still unlike you and your kind, it is content to do more, which is a reflection of true heritage and upbringing – decent bloodlines flow through its energy, more strongly than your pathetic amount of faith deserves anyway. The SINAI’s superior constructs offer us all that we are today, and yet you scoff at their words, little snipe of a human.”
Zariah processed this betrayal as she continued listening in silent agony.
“You should know better Zariah, we must not question our deity, it pains me when you do, listen to me now little girl, for I knew some of the Elders personally, before their sacrifice. Listen, when I tell you the SINAI has the most loyal Terithian minds, proven through sacrifice, strength of character and discipleship, as their greatest portion of stately self, and you must simply take my word and listen girl, that they are to be believed and beloved.
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br /> “How dare you question these sacrifices, how dare you … a small insignificant child … question them! They are instruments to the Sacred Almighty, and which would not ever lead us astray, what right do you have to be suspicious? They give us our grand instructions and direction and we shall follow. Do you understand girl? Do you get it through your thick head?
Gladarch’s voice was now not his own; it was bitter and his eyes were staring off wildly into nothing, the old Immortal was trembling with fury. Zariah felt a burning hatred well up inside her, Gladarch’s face becoming distorted as she stared through misty eyes at the monster of her father.
With lightning speed she lashed out and slapped him hard across the face, screaming into his ear as she grabbed hold of his garments.
“SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP! YOU OLD, SON-OF-A-BITCH, YOU BLOODY ASSHOLE BASTARD!”
Her hands slowly dropped as Gladarch stood motionless, blinking rapidly.
For the next few seconds they stood in the passageway staring in shock at each other, neither knowing what to say or do. Gladarch turned bright red, he didn’t know how he’d let himself allow what had just happened, something had come over him, something he’d never felt before. Malevolence had crept into his mind and poured malice upon the one person he held dear.
What the hell had just happened? He thought disgustedly, morosely terrified of his actions.
Zariah’s mouth fell open as she placed both hands on her hips, then folded them, then gestured uncomfortably, trying to find words to say. The anger dissipated, but had she really just hit her Sovereign? What had just happened, and who had Gladarch turned into? Only one sentence could form in her head as she spat it out.
“You deserved that … Sovereign.”
Gladarch’s eyes showed shock and sadness as he responded.
“I know. I am so, so sorry my dear, I don’t know …”
Zariah cut in, “It’s the SINAI, it must be fluctuating with all these new events, it must be affecting us somehow.”
