Universe in Flames – Ultimate 10 Book Box Set: An Epic Space Opera Adventure

by Christian Kallias

  Sarah barely listened to Yanis’ eulogy. She heard the words but they didn’t really hit her conscious mind as fully formed sentences. She was too concerned about Chase and worried about not having received news from Ares. She would spend most of her time in med-bay two talking to Chase, though she doubted he could hear her in his current state. But it made her feel better. She also felt that Chris was listening. In fact, she knew it.

  She had heard all kinds of stories about pregnancies, but none matched her own experience. How could it? It wasn’t every day that an unborn child projected themselves into their mother’s thoughts in adolescent or adult form and entered into a dialogue with her. There were still times she thought she was losing it. But she knew better.

  She wondered why Daniel wasn’t attending the ceremony. She hoped he was okay. Last she saw him he didn’t want to talk with anybody and was clearly on edge. He acted coldly and distantly. It probably was his way of dealing with the grief, but she worried that perhaps he wasn’t dealing with Fillio’s death very well. She couldn’t blame him, though. She just wished he would let her help.

  Soon it was time for Saroudis to say a few words.

  “Today we are saying goodbye to a kind soul and one hell of a pilot. I didn’t know her very well, but in the little time I had the pleasure to serve with her, she made quite an impression on me. Life in the military is dangerous, a fact we have been made painfully aware of today. Commander Fillio Steriopoulou lost her life fighting for the Earth Alliance, for freedom and for life. She will be deeply missed. We commit her body to the stars. Farewell, Commander.”

  Commodore Saroudis saluted and everyone present did the same. He pressed a control on the space casket and it rose from the ground, then slowly flew out of the landing bay.

  Sarah felt sorry for Yanis. His eyes were filled with tears but the hatred he had harbored towards Chase was gone. She wondered if he still blamed himself, though. Now was not the right time to ask.

  Soon they would reach Earth. They had stopped on their way from Droxia to perform the funeral and soon they would return to hyperspace.

  The crew was invited to the observatory lounge on deck two, but Sarah felt tired and returned to med-bay two for a quick visit before returning to her quarters for some much needed shut-eye. So she excused herself to the commodore and left the landing bay.

  Soon she was by Chase’s side. He hadn’t moved an inch since he had been put in cryostasis to preserve the little life force still left in him.

  Sarah wondered if he was aware in this state. Did he dream? Did he hear when she talked with him? Did he feel anything at all?

  It didn’t matter whether or not he heard her. She liked talking to him as if he was in the room. Telling him everything that had happened during the day, their next move, what she was thinking for Chris’ room back on Earth. Anything and everything . . .

  “I’m sure Fillio would have liked it if you had been there, but perhaps you were in spirit. In any case, I’m sure she understands, under the circumstances. I mostly feel sorry you weren’t able to say goodbye to her today. I’m sure you would have liked that, and perhaps say a few words to the crew.”

  Then Sarah remembered what Yanis had told her in the Jeffrey’s tube shortly after his sister had died.

  “What would you have said?” She let the words hang for a minute before continuing, “I don’t think I told you, but Yanis told me you kinda dated her. Oh and don’t worry, I’m cool with that. I mean, I can’t blame you for what you did before we met, right? I mean . . .”

  Why am I telling him this now?

  “What I mean, Chase, is that I understand why you didn’t tell me about it. Who we dated before we met is our own business.”

  What am I doing?

  “Okay, you know what, this is ridiculous, and I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

  “You do realize he can’t hear what you’re telling him, right?” said a male voice behind her.

  Sarah jumped from her seat in surprise. It was the commodore.

  “I’m so sorry, Sarah, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that. I thought you heard me come in.”

  “I didn’t, Commodore.” She breathed rapidly. “And no need to apologize. You just startled me. I was too much into my own thoughts.”

  The commodore smiled. “I wanted to come and see him. But I can come back later.”

  “Don’t be silly. I actually need to rest, so he’s all yours, so to speak.”

  “Thank you, Sarah. Get as much rest as you need. We’re still two days away from Earth.”

  Sarah gave a firm nod and left the med-bay.

  When Apollo arrived back at his temple, Ares appeared in his golden human form in front of him.

  “What the—” exclaimed Apollo. “Ares. So Dad was right? You were at his temple.”

  “Hello, brother.”

  “Hello to you too. Next time, try to knock or something.”

  “I’m not sure what that would have accomplished.”

  “Well, at least it would have prepared me. You just appeared out of nowhere.”

  “The advantages of being an energy-based life form, I guess.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it. I take it you heard my conversation with our father. That’s why you were there, right?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Then let’s discuss the reasons of your impromptu visit while taking a walk.” Apollo gestured towards him. “Shall we?”

  “Sure.” Ares followed his brother into the most beautiful garden of Olympus.

  There were flowers everywhere. Those that bloomed at night, like the star lilies, were shining gold, and their thousands of lights cast ethereal shadows. The sun-friendly flowers, though less prominent against the night sky, were nonetheless given life and purity by the light sources around them.

  “Ares, I’m surprised you’re not here to talk about how to save Aphroditis. After all, you’re the only one that followed her after she defied Father.”

  “There’s something more important at the moment, more pressing.”

  “And that’s what I find difficult to hear coming from you. But okay, what’s the matter?”

  “I need your help to save Chase.”

  “That would be your protégé Fury? Why should I care?”

  “Because without him, we’re all doomed.”

  “Says who?”

  “Aphroditis, for one.”

  “We both know she didn’t exactly see the future, just possible ones.”

  “Yes, and yet those from which Chase was absent were all catastrophic.”

  “Alright, let’s for one minute assume that I accept that the fate of this universe is linked to a single Fury, no matter how absurd this sounds. What do you need from me?”

  “I need to find Asclepios.”

  Apollo stopped and looked at the stars for a brief moment. “He’s dead.”

  “Why are you lying to me? I’ve known you too long not to recognize the signs, brother.”

  “Right. I was never able to lie to you. I wonder why.”

  “So he’s alive?”

  Apollo nodded. “But he might as well be dead.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because Father had me imprison him in the Abyss.”

  “Surely if you took him there, you can get him back.”

  “Not all Olympians are willing to defy their leader as carelessly as you and Aphroditis. Some of us accept that he knows what he’s doing.”

  “Yet you clearly defied him tonight. You know in your heart that we need to do something or the Furies will annihilate us.”

  “Us, and everyone else it seems.”

  “That’s why we have to do something. I know we didn’t always see eye to eye, but I think we can agree now that we can’t just stand back and hope for the best.”

  “I wish it was that simple. It’s one thing to agree with you and another to defy Zeus openly.”

  “That’s if you tell him about it. Can’t we simply free Asclepi
os without him knowing?”

  Apollo rubbed his chin. “Perhaps. Still, Zeus isn’t the main issue.”

  “Then what is?”

  “A powerful Titan is protecting his eternal prison.”

  “Not another one!”

  “Right, you and your friends must have had fun killing the one protecting the Pandora stone.”

  “Fun isn’t the word I’d use to describe the entire endeavor. But we prevailed, and if that’s what it takes to bring Chase back, then we’ll prevail again. Tell me more about this Titan.”

  “He has a temper. Locking him there wasn’t easy, and I think Menoitios will definitely hold a grudge if I show my face anywhere near him.”

  “Nonetheless, we must free Asclepios, and fast. What kind of resistance can we expect? Can you take him down?”

  “Not a chance. His bad temper alone will be a problem. After being imprisoned for countless generations, I can only imagine the kind of wrath that awaits anyone that shows up on his doorstep.”

  “We have to try.”

  “Look, Ares, I’m all for helping you if you’re sure this is what needs to be done, but make no mistake, this is not a fight I can win.”

  “How did you manage to control him in the first place?”

  “Well, you know how we work. I tricked him, of course. I trapped him inside an energy field. Unfortunately, Asclepios is in there as well.”

  “Can we simply sneak past him? Couldn’t I simply teleport Asclepios out? This form has advantages.”

  “Unfortunately, while you could go in there, you’d be trapped as well. The energy field cancels all Olympian powers. The only way out is to bring that field down, and it’s only coming down if Menoitios is killed.”

  “Why would you create such devices?”

  “Look, Father asked for an impenetrable prison. I just do what I’m told.”

  “Aren’t you tired of doing his dirty work?”

  “That’s a conversation for another time. Our problem right now is that I’m nowhere near powerful enough to defeat Menoitios.”

  “Who is then?”

  “We’re talking Fury-level power. Ironically, your boy Chase probably could defeat him.”

  “Yeah, well, that’s not happening.”

  “Then I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t think anyone but a very powerful Fury could kill Menoitios. So unless you know of another Fury . . .”

  Ares stopped walking. Perhaps now was the time to test his theory about Argos. It wasn’t as if they had a choice.

  Apollo stopped and turned around. “Any candidates?”

  “Yeah, but I might as well ask Hades to help us.”

  “He’s not such a bad guy, you know.”

  “Who? Argos? You clearly haven’t met him.”

  “I was referring to Hades.”

  “Oh, forget about Hades. He’s confined in the Underworld so he can’t be of help to anyone. So if I come back with a Fury, will you let me know where to find Asclepios?”

  “I’ll have to come with you, if I can remember where the hell in Tartarus I trapped those two.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “It’s been a long time, but I’m pretty sure it will come back to me when we’re there.”

  Ares didn’t like the sound of this. So many variables, so many things that could go wrong.

  Apollo put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You think you can ask this Argos to help you?”

  “Do we have any choice?”

  “I’m afraid not. But can he be trusted?”

  “If there’s one person I would never, ever trust, it’s Argos.”

  “Things are looking bleak for the universe, then.”

  “Yeah, just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”

  “Look at it this way, at least it will give you something to pass the time.”

  Ares chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing. It seems our people have become complacent. You remind me of Athena.”

  “Oy, watch it,” said Apollo with a wide smile. “We may not be as active as before, but who knows, maybe this new Fury war will change that.”

  “One can only hope. It’s a shame to see such lethargy amongst our race. We used to be better than that. We stood for something once.”

  “If you remember well, at that time you didn’t really stand for the kind of things you’re hoping we care for today.”

  Ares felt a pinch inside what should have been a heart.

  “We all make mistakes. It’s time to fix them now,” said Ares before disappearing.

  Apollo shook his head. “Bye to you too, brother.”

  Argos watched the Dark Star leave the planet where Miseo had dropped him before returning to Erevos. He wasn’t very happy about parting with his ship, but he had already been working on a more powerful, mid-range interceptor vessel for some time now. It would soon be ready. That gave Argos some time to think about his next move.

  If Miseo thinks I’m gonna be his dog on a leash, he’s in for a surprise.

  But Argos had to admit he had been surprised with Miseo’s decision to let him go and lie about his demise to his father. Argos had thought he would have to get rid of Miseo one way or another before they reached Erevos, which would not have been easy. But could he be trusted? Miseo was not an easy character to understand. He clearly had his own agenda.

  Still, Argos decided he shouldn’t stay on this planet for much longer, should Miseo have been testing his allegiance, only to betray him at the first opportunity. No doubt Miseo would if it meant protecting his own interests, just as Argos would in his place. They were both deviants. It took one to know one.

  That was when Argos surprised himself, wondering if Chase was alright.

  What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I care?

  Surely he had crossed him off as a brother a long time ago, way before he became Chase. It had taken such emotional restraint on Argos’ part not to kill his brother then, more than he had ever displayed in his life. But now he worried about him. It made no sense. She was dead because of him!

  But was that true? Could Argos’ own hatred have killed his precious Tami-Ahn? Even if Chase had struck the killing blow.

  Argos’ heart thumped loudly against his ribcage and a tear formed in his eye. He wiped it quickly and smashed the nearest table in anger. His teeth were clenched and a vein near his right temple throbbed. He spoke aloud. “No! You’re the one who killed her, by refusing to help me! And now you’re going to die.”

  But then another rush of strong feelings shook him to the core and he fell to his knees. This time he was unable to contain the tears that splashed onto the metallic floor of the landing strip. Whatever Argos was trying to repress would not have it. He felt compassion for Chase, and no matter how much his brain hated the idea, his body, his heart, wasn’t fooled by his own self-deception.

  Was it because he felt so alone now? For such a long time he had reveled in loneliness, planning the return of his beloved Furies. But the homecoming he had hoped for had not happened. Not only had he almost been killed by Arakan for his deeds, but he was denied the position of power he had been promised. And then, just like that, he felt alone and longing for someone.

  Nonsense!

  He closed his eyes and took three deep breaths to calm himself. He emptied his mind of all these conflicting thoughts. Now was not the time to have a nervous breakdown.

  It would take a couple of hours for the Zarlack ship he had called via subspace to come and pick him up.

  That left him enough time . . .

  He rose and grabbed the cargo with his mind, the one he had unloaded from the Dark Star before Miseo left. He levitated the heavy crate next to him as he walked through the waterfall that hid the entrance to his observatory in this sector of space. Soon he was inside the abandoned base. It had been weeks since he had last needed it. This part of space now belonged to the Zarlacks and Furies, so there was no need to have a crew
operate it anymore.

  When he stepped inside the main control room, the lights came to life and all the systems booted. He dropped the crate gently near him and opened it. While it contained supplies such as food and water to last a week or so, that was not what Argos was looking for. He grabbed the jar containing the Kyrian snake and heard the beast hiss inside. He walked into his ready room. Electric sparks ignited the torches in the room and he sat on his throne.

  Every room in which he spent any amount of time closely duplicated home. Dark walls, illuminated by the natural light of fire, not the maddening cold incandescence of artificial lighting that Argos despised so much.

  He took the lid off the jar and let the snake take a welcome bite at his forearm. It had been many days since he last had his fix, so it acted faster and more potently than he anticipated. He quickly put the snake back in the jar before he entered a state of semi-conscious bliss.

  5

  Chase and Fillio had walked for hours towards the red light source in the Underworld, but it felt like days. Chase wondered if time was a different concept altogether in this place.

  “It’s been a while since you said anything,” said Fillio, interrupting Chase’s train of thought.

  “I’m not sure what else there is to say.”

  “And yet I feel you still have a lot on your plate.”

  Chase sighed. “I feel like this all the time, ever since the Star Alliance was defeated.”

  “And Aphroditis told you how important your role is in all of this?”

  “Yeah . . .”

  “You remember the old days?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Look, Chase, you’re your own man, but it seems to me that this destiny talk is what is troubling you the most. Do you remember that time before, when you didn’t believe in destiny? How many times you told me that we are free to do what we want and that we’re in control of our own lives?”