Evolution's Essence

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “I like it.” Vanishing Claw chuckled. “And I know the Creelin well enough that they are honor bound to consider this only because Oliver’s words carry weight.” Tammat nodded once. “Good enough for me. I rather like Solarian laws for warriors, especially about a Warrior’s Pride. Wouldn’t mind getting one of those felines over a Neo-companion. Besides the laws are easy to abide by and so are the punishments.”

  “Prides are always made in groups, but the Liger cubs currently are promised to another. As soon as they get collared they do the test of pain and be bred with frozen strains to expand the genetic gene pool to negate inbreeding.” Oliver went back to working. “But if you want a Pride, the females are willing to birth after every collaring.”

  “What is the test of pain?”

  “You want to feel what I did when I took them as mine?” another piece was set.

  “It’ll give me an idea and I’m no stranger to pain.”

  “Better put your feet down. Trust me, you’ve felt nothing.” As soon as the chair returned to all fours Oliver met Nova’s eyes and a moment later the king feline stared hard at the oldest Hunter alive who sucked in a breath and went rigid. His light tan shot flush with blood and the muscles in his neck went taught. His own veins could be seen pulsing. Even Talon knew a telepathic attack, but never to this extent. Oliver mentally pulled Nova’s focus back and stopped it.

  Vanishing Claw gasped and beat his head against the table till it bled over and over again. It was so shocking no one had ever then the man hurt himself. After breaking the skin, the nanites clotted and eventually he gasped again and again before asking without lifting his head and fingers pulled at the brown hair. “What kind of pain was that? I’ve never felt the like.”

  “You only lasted five seconds, Elder. Olly endured for eight long hours with these teeth imbedded in his torso.” Renee reached past Rose and lifted the lip flap of Nova to show off the enormous and thick fangs. “You cannot show fear or even smell like it. Had Olly so much as moved, Nova and the others would have eaten him as a light snack.”

  “If you still want a Pride, you must undergo months of pain training where you will never know a moment of comfort. You will also be required to do daily tasks till the pain threshold doesn’t allow a Pride king or queen to sense weakness and you are devoured for being unprepared.” Archiver Tammat added, trying to save the man from nightmares that would be much worse now.

  “Who would volunteer for that?”

  Tammat answered another scientist. “With the rescue of the last twelve in existence… as you call them Ligers, more than a thousand are undergoing the pain trials with Oliver’s promise to one of our game wardens. More will be subject to endless pain for a Pride of their own and to breed back their entire species within three years. With the promise we can breed them back, Oliver proves his generosity. Though none of you believe it right away…” Tammat touched the golden wrap Cultio behind his back and the segments fell free, but attached to an antenna he brought around was a thick golden ring. “so too am I among those taking on pain. I can barely walk and think appropriately, but the warden promised I would receive the first birthing. Having her as kin helps, but to show you the level of pain I’m using… here.”

  The device was removed, closed and passed to Elder Scythe sitting next to him.

  Using a gauntlet didn’t reveal pain, but as soon as he touched it to a cheek he jerked it back and said “Stars! I felt on fire… and not the pleasant kind.” Others looked to find the Archiver noticeably looking much better, his constant white eyes also turning soft blue. Relief. He passed it down to another Elder who cursed colorfully.

  The large ring was passed around and even the imperial couple tried it, shooing the agents off and no one enjoyed it.

  The Archiver had it returned and his eyes returned to white as soon as he touched it, clipped it on and reapplied the golden wrap, looking like a curved spike.

  Three more hours were spent asking questions. Johnny got permission to do a neural scan while Oliver read something at full speed and was shocked speechless, but seconded the results disclosed via transmission to Coleson from Jake Dorgen. Amanda Lockwell finally asked heated questions, but Oliver remained calm and working. Renee was her usual self, despite trying he best to remain cordial and sophisticated. Second opinions proved all data on Oliver was even more accurate than what the scientists were trying to disprove.

  “That is plenty for today, Everyone.” The Emperor stood, staring at the table. “We need a break for the evening. Let us stroll through the city and retire. I wonder what tomorrow might bring.”

  “A field test, so bring your best pilot by tomorrow around eight hundred hours.” Renee grinned, glad it was over.

  “Why?”

  “Because I and my wife designed a revolutionary technology. Oliver saved us from the danger, but we have a product that was designed from Star-sabers that will make all current fighters obsolete on the battlefield.” Stephanie spoke confidently, sipping on a glass of wine. “The idea was made from understanding how Star-sabers were made.”

  The man looked down at his own blade before smiling. “Quite a boast. Better deliver, Mrs. Menann. We’ll see you for this tantalizing unveiling. Until tomorrow. I’ve got a city to see and an argument to listen to about adopting the three hundred laws.” He offered an arm his beloved took and was escorted out. Davan stayed as the group of men, women and androids left the room.

  Amanda Lockwell extended a hand to Oliver. “Thank you for the interview.”

  “Take that hand back woman before I break it.” Renee tried to soften the promise by showing pearly whites. “You can shake mine, but don’t forget what happens to women. It’s not as bad as when I’m pregnant, but he’s my male and therefore mine. Motherhood still makes me imaging breaking you in half.”

  “My apologies. Then I thank you instead.” Amanda was hesitant, but Renee took it gently and they parted.

  “I must depart as well. I thank you for a most pleasant stay.” Archiver Tammat was able to clasp Oliver’s wrist without upsetting Renee.

  The room quickly cleared out. Ligers took their cubs out again and Oliver and Renee spent time with their daughter. Sparky and Rose left on a date outside too.

  Chapter 4

  A muggy predawn didn’t hinder Oliver’s natural night vision that could pierce the dark veil in even the most minimal light. So it was the same with the twelve additional points of view he saw through. A sturdy tree limb twenty meters from the ground held up his crouching bulk in the strong, six times standard gravity based on Earth Standard. Decaying leaves cloyingly helped mask the nutrient rich soil sparingly littered with animal scat. Sharp eyes and an even sharper nose picked up everything when it isn’t burnt by his own child’s bodily functions. The wind shifted, bringing the mouthwatering scent of Beasts to an empty stomach. They had been drawn to the area due to his daughter, but being careful made the creatures find it difficult to hunt her.

  Three kilometers from the site of the Ripper’s handiwork let him feel close enough that instincts didn’t force him back home fast to keep his family safe. So he waited patiently and watched.

  It was again training time for the Liger youth. Nova began to withdraw his dominating telepathy on his daughter, the leader of this second generation and also showing signs of being larger than the males. Part of their creation to always know who was in charge. Ligers were created on the principal shown by the black Keptl queens and thanks to Creelin knowledge proved that was primarily what they were made to combat.

  Nova withdrew the other furry adults as the small female that stands mid-thigh now let out soft growls and snarls. Renee wanted to name them, but Oliver finally made her realize it would confuse them when they get a new master.

  By the young alpha female’s command the other cubs surrounded silently the tracked down prey, an overgrown Praying Mantis as tall as a human and it was eating a herbivore Beast called a Venesay, similar to a deer, but much more aggressive and as large
as a moose. Being occupied, it didn’t even sense it was being stalked from all directions. Oliver could feel Nova’s satisfaction through the link that was established after the trial of pain down in the city deep beneath a mountain on Drakken Prime. The father at last saw his child do something correctly. As leader, she had to stay back and watch the big picture even though her Pride was more numerous than her father’s, though it hadn’t always been so. She guided them all into position and did as taught to be a successful hunter rather than prey. She made three swipe their tails across wet leaves.

  The distracting sound made the Mantis pause consuming the lifeless Venesay and turned its enormous woodsy head in that direction. Having multidirectional vision still didn’t help as three silently sped under its large abdomen and pause. Then when it turned and dropped the meat she roared proud and mighty. The shocking sound startled it just enough for a mere, confusing moment. From beneath, the three stealthily maneuvered cubs chomped down on a leg and ran out, ripping the limb as they went in different directions. From all directions the remaining young Ligers swarmed and tore open the hard carapace while two additional ran all out and ripped off the sickle-like arms that could strike like lightning. Without, it was helpless. The leader dealt the killing blow as she arranged for everyone to hold it’s still powerful body down. With a swipe of her paws, sharp claws removed the head. Then they filled their bellies.

  Oliver knew what this signified and though the adults didn’t feel sadness like he did, it was the milestone Nova had been eagerly waiting for. Oliver dropped to the ground unharmed, knees absorbing most of the impact before speeding through the trees away from the felines, but watched and witnessed regardless.

  He found a huge lake not far away and he had a hankering for Stingray, the second Beast he had ever met. He absorbed the cape and dove into the deep depths in the same leap. His helm filtered air out of the surrounding water and began fishing with his sword and dagger.

  Nova waited till the young were full and when they were the other eleven parents stood shoulder to shoulder like a striped wall. The cubs could sense something had changed and their urging had the alpha female send a questioning thought. Her father impressed that no longer would they be together. They had a successful hunt and were ready to splinter. Now was the time to put to use all he had imbued into her and any deaths to her Pride were on her from this point forth.

  In response they all whined, but at Nova’s primal roar and ferocity that silenced all animal activity for leagues around, they stopped and huddled together for safety. This was their final task programmed into their genetics. Survive to adulthood. Nova also impressed that they leave the area and any attempt to return would be met with severity. Oliver passed along some energy and Nova loosed a small Kinetic Stream, a beam of electrical light that can cut steel like butter. It bunt a hole in the ground. Without a master, the cubs knew they couldn’t do that.

  Use a master’s Psionic energy to discharge as a weapon.

  Before the twenty two felines parted, Nova in a way warned he and the others would attack from time to time. How well they coped would determine how soon they get their collars and a master of their own.

  Twelve Ligers watched as their young left and disappeared into the trees, wishing them luck in their own way.

  In the murky lake three large bodies churned the lake bottom due to Oliver’s disturbance. Natural vision was practically useless, but due to the excessive quantities of Psionic energy always seeping from his eyes he could see electrical energies by color, shape and intensity. It was clear he found his prey over the gargantuan Piranha filling the waters of this world. Ranging from ten to fifteen meters from wing to wing were Stingray, closely resembling Earth’s manta ray, only bigger, meaner and had teeth. Sharp, needlelike teeth. The three converged on Oliver who feared them as much as a buzzing fly. His armor was stronger than the razor edged fins and teeth. Deciding on a course of action he waited, sword and dagger in hand for the first to arrive. The flippers from his feet made it easy to flip and bring the sword along, slicing off a wing effortlessly with the curved cutlass. His great speeds wasn’t an aid in resistant water because after the first kill, the next bit down on a leg. The beige dagger stabbed straight into the spinal column at the base of the brain. Paralyzing it.

  The third was further away, but that gave it time to build up speed. Oliver sheathed the dagger on his right leg and used his free hand to brace the tip while delivering his bodily energy in the edged weapon, adjusting as the Stingray’s fin edge met his. Flesh stood no chance against a Star-saber being channeled with power. It’s atom-sharp edge made for effortless cutting.

  Three meals were captured by a blue energy net that expanded from his hands before touching the muddy floor. Legs pumped back and forth so the flippers made it easier to reach the surface. Rising bubbles from his mask made it simple to understand up from down. The hearty meals were drug to shore before he cut a thick slab of fleshy purple meat and sat it off to the side.

  From there he extended his right arm and the Valek latched onto all the large pieces and consumed them. The intent was to save all that was nutritious. Soon all that remained was a stinger and a little cartilage. Everything else was ground together and compressed into two normal pellets no larger than a hard lima bean and the third was the size of a grain of rice. He swallowed one and knew with it he wouldn’t need to eat for about three weeks. The steak would merely be for the act of enjoying a meal. He put the pieces together in a pocket and ran back.

  Along the way the Pride waited and as soon as he was there they radiated pleasure to run fast and free with their master. Rather than run straight back he took a detour through some mountains, running around ninety kilometers per hour. The Ligers could go around hundred seventy to eighty, but the act of being with him eased the feeling of separation they all felt, especially the nine females.

  It took about an hour and a half for dawn to officially arrive when Oliver ran fast and silent through the forested world, scaring animal and Beast at times. They slowed down to a casual walk, made it to the grassy edge of the unnatural clearing, passing the erected barrier keeping Beasts out and began walking down the steep slope. Shoots of grass were already spouting, nature reclaiming the ground as it always does.

  Taking it all in he noticed that by their ships was a much larger blue star fighter twice as large as even the pirate king’s private shuttle. It designed as a yacht over a sailboat style. Great arms were folded, revealing folded silver. Solar sails. It was massive and he hull was painted royal blue. Large legs were made for landing gear, coming right out of the curved hull that was sharp. Wings shot out from the deck supporting four giant balls used for rotating cannons currently pointed forward. Displayed on the side of the ship was the imperial seal. Earth beneath crossed swords. Extending to the ground was a ramp from the deck. Flying around were ten Drakes and riders and above them were thirty imperial fighters.

  Their own ships looked miniscule, Oliver noticed, looking at the River Skipper. Movement around the Flare and Sun Spots had him using the chip to zoom in vision. Admiring it were soldiers, Hunters as well as the Emperor and Empress.

  Mostly though they soon stood before Renee and Jessica beside the Gravity Forge and a covered fighter yet to be unveiled. Oliver decided to let Jessica have her shine in the spotlight and explain her own idea brought to life. He didn’t try to hide either. Likely it was a Drake or rider, but one of the agents touched their ear and others turned to look in their direction. Jessica wasn’t interrupted though.

  “…A miniature Neutron Star you say?” Oliver eventually heard the Empress ask and she stared at the large spherical contraption.

  “Yes, Ma’am. The original prototype failed and proved Oliver’s estimation true. I scoffed at the idea in private, but in a mere few moments of reading my preliminary data he mentally knew it was a distinct possibility the matter can self sustain. I’m glad he warned me and adjusted the calculations… And here he is.” Jessica smiled, wearing
another lovely dress, standing in thick grass brought in so she didn’t stand in mud.

  “Good morning, Oliver.”

  “Morning.” He shook the Emperor’s hand.

  “Olly, where are the cubs?” Renee asked, wearing her armor because she carried Isabella cradled at her back and underneath her long cape. “The Ligers are all… they were sent away huh?”

  “We both knew it would happen one of these days.” He said and unwrapped his cape to cut the slab of meat in half and hand her one.

  She sighed and ripped a chunk with her teeth. The Empress blanched but the husband looked intrigued.

  “What what would happen?” the Emperor wondered.

  “The cubs are trained till their first successful hunt and then are sent to fend for themselves. Nova and the others will attack them from time to time to hone their skills and cooperation. Pain is also part of the task. The leader needs to deal with pain to find someone worthy. They are on their own. Oh, don’t try to capture them or get close.” He warned when he noticed a look on his and the scientists faces. “They’re feral right now. Nova isn’t overriding their primal instincts. At their size and ability to resist Psionic energy you’ll become food faster than you can blink. Don’t believe me, watch the speed of an adult.” He made a signal and one of the males roared, leapt over the group as well as the massive yacht and powered his bulk all the way around the bowl of land to come to a stop in the same place he vacated. “Any questions? No? Good.” He chuckled at the shocked faces, seeing Liger speed for the first time. “Jessica, please continue.”