“I know his heart already.” She chided him. “Your opinion is misguided.”
“Tell me what you think of that when all this is over, child.” Bryx growled back; leading her on to the barracks. “Long life has granted me much insight on these matters, I only hope I am wrong this time. I hope I am wrong about everything.”
—
She had been drug from her cell in the deep dark of night and hours later Kala was huddled in confusion and fear in the corner of this new room. Her once clean and beautiful uniform was now filthy and tattered; her reflection in the mirrored walls showed a ragged and beleaguered figure staring back at her. The image was frightening and she quickly turned her head away to examine the new room. It was dimly lit and empty, but smelled of Ifierin filth. Her senses told her she was somewhere in the barracks region of the ship. Time had slipped by without comprehension since her painful meeting with the unknown menace and her soul shuddered at the thought of facing him again. Kala’s eyes cracked open to peer down at her disfigured hand; the reminder of how powerful and painful that encounter had been.
She was already tucked in the far corner from the door, but as it began to open she recoiled further; fearful that he was coming back to finish the job. A painful squeak escaped her lips as she struggled to contort her body into an area not willing to accommodate her, and a large looming shadow entered the room.
“What a difference a few bad choices does.” A familiar voice called to her.
Looking up from the floor, Kala saw Council Lyxia standing in the mammoth shadow cast by a larger than usual J’Karin. Her former friend’s eyes showed remorse and disappointment; yet another blow to the once proud officer. Lyxia knelt in front of her and thoughts of striking out at her enemy crossed Kala’s mind, though her body was far too weak to act upon it.
“You can’t win.” She whispered to her former commander.
“Whatever you and yours started is already lost.” Lyxia chided her. “It is my curiosity to the reasons behind all this, which has kept you alive thus far. And though your co-conspirators confessed all they knew, there is more yet to be learned before the day is out; and you are the one to tell me.”
“Let the darkness take you.” She spat at Lyxia. “You will get nothing from me.”
“I am not sure if you have ever met my associate here in person before.” Lyxia stood up and stepped back to introduce the monster behind her. “Bryx is the guardian of the Empress, and he is most interested in discussing your treasonous actions with you.”
“I thought you would sick your murderous dog on me.” Kala pointed out. “Not try and reason with me by using this tunnel digger filth.”
Bryx lurched forward so quickly her brain didn’t comprehend him even moving, grabbed her by the throat and pulled her up from the floor effortlessly. Kala felt little more than a piece of refuse being scooped up so casually only to be discarded. The mighty J’Karin leaned in to her and growled at her; she could smell the monster’s breath, and feel its heat on her face.
“This ‘tunnel digger’ has inflicted more pain in one lifetime than your nightmares could ever haunt you with.” He muttered; obviously he had taken offence to the racial slur. “And when I am done with you, you will wish upon the mercy of the ‘murderous dog’. He will be much more merciful than I.”
His claws had hooked into the base of her skull and she felt the warmth of her blood trickle down her neck. His claws and fingertips bore the weight of her emaciated body and thus prevented her from choking, though it was equally as painful. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lyxia leave through the door; Kala was now alone with this beast and wondered how long she could hold on until he let her die.
—
Lyxia returned to her quarters as the day had been long and tiring. Months of being away from her post had backlogged her work beyond expected. Seeing her friend - her former friend who had been at the head of the conspiracy aboard the Dark Light - had been difficult. Once, she had admired Kala for the dogged determination that she attacked life with, but now it was that same determination that was keeping the truth from being told. It tore her heart out to torture another being like this, but she trusted Aen that this was the most effective way to get the upper hand on something that had been a step ahead of them for so long.
The doors opened, and she smiled, as Aen was standing inside. Since they had returned, she would always come back each night and find him waiting for her; yet she had given him no codes to open the door. With his abilities, there was little anyone could do to stop him from going anywhere, though Lyxia was always overjoyed to see him. Like all the other days, he stood in the center of the room looking out of place as he did most everywhere else. Here, he no longer was adorned by armor; Aen was dressed in a plain gunnery uniform of grey and red. On him she saw the normally drab and dull garb become attractive; though Lyxia chalked that up to the one wearing it.
“Another day wears upon you.” He welcomed her with his usual flat expression. Over the last few months Lyxia had learned to adapt to his lack of emotion expressed; knowing full well the passionate fire that burned beneath his stoic exterior. “How can I help ease your burden?”
“By being here, you have eased it enough to face another day.” She smiled back at him; taking his hand in hers. “My life is hard, but complete with you in it.”
“I am yours.” A small smile broke on his lips.
“And for that, I am eternally grateful.” She whispered falling into his arms.
Every night they spent together still felt like a dream; a realization denied for so long even now it was impossible to fully embrace. With little more than instinct to guide her, Lyxia let herself go and let the raw emotion drive her on this path. Never before had she known emotion so great, it would tear her apart being away from him for a few hours. And though it scared her more than any enemy lurking in the darkness, in his arms it felt right and that was all she needed right now.
Hours later, the two lay together on her bed; the sheets a tangled mess strewn about their naked bodies; and her mind wandered blissfully. Glancing over, Lyxia saw the glow from her lover’s eyes lighting up the ceiling above. He was always awake, and though on the rare occasion she had seen him sleep, most often he was always just looking beyond the here and now.
“What is it that takes you from me?” she asked, rolling over and draping herself on him. “Where is it that you go when you think I am asleep?”
“I am always here.” He answered. “I do not leave your side until your duties call once more.”
“Not physically, you ass!” Lyxia slapped his chest playfully. “I mean where do your thoughts take you; what is it that robs your mind from me?”
“I am studying.” His eyes fell down to hers. “The past and all that has been forgotten, tells tales that will lead us to what will come. These days have been seen by your Prophets, and though they have forced me to interject and change those prophecies, there is much in them that can aide us.”
“So I am to ignore work for time with you, but you cannot do the same?” she teased.
“You were sleeping.” He replied. “I didn’t think you would mind.”
“I wasn’t asleep, but I was recovering from our fun. Each time, your energy envelops me and does things to my body I cannot explain.” She grinned wildly at him. “Sometimes it nearly stops my heart, but I wouldn’t stop you if I could.”
He wrapped his arm around her and held her closer; the unspoken response to her thankfulness of him being with her. Her eyes closed, and the day’s events had worn her down as such that within moments she was fast asleep aided by the comfort of his touch. But even in her dreams, Lyxia could not escape the looming shadow cast by the unknown enemy they sought; the darkness prodded at her in nightmarish twists and turns. When the bell for a waiting message came, Lyxia was more than willing to leave her slumber for reality; despite how dreary it was becoming.
“Yes.” She answered groggily; reaching back over and slipping from Aen
’s arm.
“Our guest shared many a secret.” Bryx growled through the comm.
“Don’t tell me you were still at it with her?” Lyxia gasped and noticed that Aen had taken a keen interest in the conversation; leaning over her shoulder now.
“In a time of war, council.” Bryx replied, “There can be no limit to one’s endurance; only that it out performs that of your enemy. She was strong, but expired shortly after telling her tale. We should meet urgently, our plan is in danger of failing.”
“Understood.” She said. “Call the others; we will meet in an hour aboard the black ship.”
“It shall be done.”
The line ended before she could reply and Lyxia paused as she comprehended what had been said. Bryx spoke so very little that one tended to have to read between the words to see all that he conveyed. Her mind began to paint a picture of what had happened after she left that room, and it wasn’t pretty. As her mind understood the urgency, she leapt out of bed and scrambled to get dressed. Aen remained on the bed, and watched silently as she made herself look presentable for her position once more.
“She told of a trap?” he asked.
“I am not sure.” Lyxia answered with a nervous smile. “He wasn’t clear.”
“I will meet you there, but know I have planned for all contingencies.” He smiled back. “Rest assured, the age of Myril shall end before it can start.”
“For all our sakes, I hope so.” She spoke softly before turning and rushing out the door.
Lyxia left before the thought of staying with him became too strong to resist. He was like a drug she couldn’t quit and the longer she spent with him the harder it was to leave each day. But she gave into her needs with reckless abandon with the thought that these might be her last days alive, and what better than to spend them with the one she loved.
—
“To enter Lyarra’s grace is suicide.” Bryx began the meeting by referring to their impending arrival in the home system of the great Empire. “There are checks upon checks; a multitude of fail safes that we can’t hope to overcome. The second we emerge from jump-space and do not provide the proper identification we are dead. They will erase us in seconds.”
A look of sorrow fell over the group, and even the masked Iana hung her head in frustration. They all had come so far and learned so much that it seemed a waste to not finish what they started. Even the proud Axyn was puzzled; his mind racing to solve the unsolvable puzzle.
“What else did she say?” Sara asked in a whisper.
“She described the whole effort in great detail; the infiltration of every ship in the Fleet and the grooming of the assassins to make them passable as officers and even Ifierin. From the majority of the Council itself to key cogs in Fleet Com; the infestation is complete and worse yet, effective. Myril has complete control of the Empire before ever being crowned.”
“Then we have lost.” Lyxia murmured.
“No we haven’t.” Aen smiled proudly. “We have the enemy exactly where we want them.”
“Why does the whelp grin like that?” Bryx brooded to Lyxia. “Is it because the immortal isn’t afraid to lead his troops to their deaths?”
“It is because I saw this coming.” Aen quipped back before Lyxia could respond. “And though the thought of your death humors me at the moment, I am shocked at the lack of faith in this room. When this all began - before I ever revealed myself to Iana; I knew how it would all play out and anticipated every twist and turn.”
“Explain.” Lyxia loudly.
“It was apparent to take over the Empire, she would have to use all her resources to control all aspects of it before she wore the crown. But getting in will be surprisingly more simple than you all think; in fact, I am surprised none of you can see it.”
He looked at each one of them as all had a blank and confused look on their faces; he even imagined the same look on Iana beneath her helmet. The message had been open so as to leave room for interpretation from the group, but it was apparent they were so occupied with the ending they couldn’t see the way to get to it. Aen was about to let them in when it was Sara that clued in and spoke.
“We don’t go in together.” She said with confidence. “We arrive separately. Some in the Dark Light, some in the J’Karin ships, and the rest in this stealth ship.” She looked at him proudly.
“Close,” Aen answered her. “Sara will stay aboard the Dark Light along with Axyn and the majority of our forces. She was reported being aboard when we set off from Earth so it would raise suspicion if you somehow disappeared. The J’Karin Elite will pose as the Council delegation in the first ship, and arrive after the Dark Light with the codes provided by Fleet Com.”
“And the rest of us?” Bryx inquired.
“We will be left behind in this vessel, and will arrive close to the end of the ceremony once all is ready. Lyxia, Bryx, my protégé and myself will avoid detection in the Guild ship we reside in now.” Aen answered.
“Good plan.” Bryx boomed. “But you have yet to tell how the Dark Light is to get past the perimeter of the Lyarran system without proper identification.”
“That is where I come in.” Caretaker trumpeted. “After all, I have complete autonomy of the Dark Light and have access to any and all data stored in her; even the encrypted files. The late Kala was not as clever as she thought she was and stored all her files in a rather pathetically protected corner of the main drives. Getting in will be a snap; and it gives me a chance to do my best Kala impersonation.”
“And what of when we act?” Axyn spoke up at long last. “They still have control over the Fleet. The moment we show our hand we will be struck down swiftly and violently.”
“They have control with a few key positions, yet the major and overlooked piece of the puzzle remains loyal to our cause. That’s where you come in Captain.” Aen explained.
“Me?”
“Caretaker, is the open Ifierin frequency still open and unmonitored?”
“Indeed it is.” The Ai replied proudly. “Age old hatred and contempt seemed to have omitted that channel from being scrutinized. Quite the major faux pas if you ask me.”
“I need you to contact all your fellow soldiers Axyn.” Aen began. “Cross reference the list of traitors that Caretaker has compiled for us and make sure you can trust the ones you speak to. Tell them little about the plan, but enough to gain support; maybe tell them of the ‘Forgotten’ presence in their ranks to encourage the precise action needed. Once the ceremony starts, Caretaker will shut down all ship to ship communication and the troops can take back the Fleet.”
“And my Elite?” Bryx piped up.
“They will raze the Temple on Ryas to the ground and burn all traces of the Guild to ash. By the time Myril is set to receive the throne, her forces will be dwindled to those which surround her there. Those will be mine to deal with.”
“You make it sound like it will be easy.” Axyn mumbled sarcastically.
“Your parts are.” Aen replied somberly. “Our enemy feels secure and confident; she won’t expect an attack so close to home in her moment of triumph. My part on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. Each of you must complete your objective before the ceremony, and before I make my move.”
“And if we don’t?” Bryx boomed.
“Then everything we worked for; everything Iana stood for, will be washed away the moment Myril sits upon that throne.”
—
Lyarran System; Throne World Havyiin, Imperial Palace
Three weeks; three more weeks until the throne was hers. Each day passed slower than the last, but the closer the coronation got the more relaxed Myril became. Most threats had been neutralized; the Fleet, the Council and everything they commanded were hers. There were only a few loose ends, with the incoming Dark Light as the most troubling.
At last she had heard, it had been inbound after a long set of communication silence and untouched by her hands of change. The message to begin the waiting coup within t
he ranks never got through; as far as Myril knew, Council Lyxia still controlled the Dark Light and posed itself to be a minor wrinkle in what was unfolding to be the perfect day. She revelled in the thought that it would be caught in her web of security as it emerged from jump-space, then held until the coup could be carried out. By the time she had been crowned, the flagship of the great Fleet would be hers to control at last. All the details had been covered; all except one.
The ghost that was haunting her; the tormenter which poked continually at her through his messages was still at large. All attempts to find him had failed, so instead of playing the part of the sword, Myril concentrated on creating a shield; one that the Prophets themselves could not breach. Around the perimeter would be a guard of Ifierin, within the crowd would be scattered her ranks of the Forgotten, and around the stage would be the Imperial Guard. If he stayed true to his promise and showed his face, he would be struck down quickly and publically. His failed attempt on her life would be the perfect show of her power to the rest of the Empire.
Deep in thought, Myril didn’t hear one of her servants approach and startled when she realized she wasn’t alone.
“My apologies, your Highness.” The old priest bowed.
“What is it?” she hissed.
“I only wanted to convey the message that we have committed attendance and imminent arrivals for representatives of all the Imperial worlds; even the J’Karin.” He said apologetically.
“J’Karins?” she pondered while waving him off with a dismissive wave, “Even the J’Karins are acknowledging my rule. What a wonderful surprise; maybe there is use for the tunnel diggers after all.”
Ghosts of Lyarra Page 29
