“Is it from old Earth?” Madilay asked.
Shawna kept walking around surveying it. “That, I am not sure of. It does look old. The edges and metal texture is strange.”
“Oh, look. I found some writing,” Madilay stated in an excited tone.
The director approached and crouched down near one of the legs Madilay was looking at.
Shawna did not recognize the tower, but she did know these symbols.
The director stood up and began looking around.
“What’s wrong, Shawna?
The director was nervous now at what she saw in the markings alongside the support leg. “We need to get out of here,” she whispered.
“What’s going on? Tell me.”
Shawna grabbed Madilay by the arm. “We have to move. Now. Those markings are not Human. They’re Kryth Mahr.”
Data Cell 39
Assemblywoman Qurinden entered the rear of the Assembly chamber.
She could hear the commotion as the guests arrived and seated themselves in the spectators’ row within the great room.
Kayleon stopped before she rounded the corner behind the Great Seal of the Mount.
Her thoughts were on Commander Parejas.
She had a choice now.
She could speak up against his views on why Marshall Law should be kept in place; or, she could side with him and why it should remain.
She adjusted her long robes.
Kayleon so wanted the commander to like her, but she knew that his ingrained ideals were difficult to change.
She repeated to herself the words she held close in her matrix: I think, therefore I am. The memories of the past she had spoken in private with Antiquity were too great to ignore.
Parejas was going to respect her today.
She had made her choice. She was ready for the vote at hand.
As she entered the main chamber, she could see everyone that needed to be there for the vote was present.
Kayleon moved to her seat.
She spotted Tallis’ welcoming nod as he took to the podium.
Next, she saw Commander Parejas speaking to Captain Takkar.
He didn’t acknowledge her entrance.
That’s to be expected, she thought.
The Assembly Leader called the chamber to order.
Those remaining standing took their seats and the commotion settled down.
Mordon Tallis spoke first, “Do we have any objections on why these proceedings should not go forth today regarding the Sixteenth Precept with those who have a vote?”
Command Parejas stood.
“Commander Parejas,” Tallis said in an exasperated tone. “Do you have an objection?”
“I do, Assemblyman.”
“Of course you do,” the Assembly Leader muttered. “And what might that be?”
Parejas didn’t hesitate. “I request a reprieve to the vote on the Sixteenth Precept for thirty days from today.”
“And why do you want a hold on the vote, commander?” Tallis inquired through gritted teeth.
“We have a grave security issue, Assemblyman, and we would like a hold until we can reassure there is no clear and present danger with our current defense status.”
“Oh, I see,” Tallis mocked. “It’s about safety and security of the colony. Isn’t it always so, commander?”
Parejas was not impressed with the Assemblymen’s snide remark. “I’m glad at least you can consider the colony’s safety so trivial, Assemblyman. This is a grave matter. We need time to investigate these new threats.”
Tallis was seething from the commander’s comments.
He had enough of the Ordinance’s bravado, and this was not going to take place on his Mount.
“Commander Parejas, let me explain how these proceedings work under my majority seat in this chamber,” Tallis lectured as he would a stubborn child, but was interrupted by another, softer voice.
“I have a question for the commander,” Kayleon said.
All eyes moved from the two adversaries to that of the cyborg Assemblywoman.
Tallis, mouth still open, closed his mouth and glared at Commander Parejas a moment longer before turning to Kayleon and nodding towards her to speak.
“What is your question, Assemblywoman Qurinden?” Parejas asked.
“What new threats are you speaking of, Commander Parejas, when you refer to our defense status?” she queried.
“The Kryth and the Gashnee threats, Assemblywoman.”
“Are they imminent?”
The commander was taken aback by the question. “‘Imminent’, Assemblywoman?”
“Yes, commander. Do they look to attack us soon? Are you certain an invasion is imminent by either the Kryth Mahr or the Gashnee?”
Parejas paused for a moment, knowing full well where Kayleon was going with her line of questioning. “I never said an imminent attack would take place.”
“I understand that, commander. However, I am confused by your report here. The section that speaks of these two threats from these two races does not mention the words ‘attack’, ‘invasion’, ‘imminent’ or any other word which would sound dire such as the word ‘grave’ you just used with Assemblyman Tallis.”
Tallis’ eyebrow raised, his interest piqued.
Her questioning was precise and direct as usual, a slight grin creeping onto his face as he watched his ally dismantle Parejas’ argument.
She continued on with her questioning, “Would that be a ‘no’, commander, for any imminent invasion by either the Kryth or the Gashnee?”
Parejas hesitated, his brow furrowed.
“That…would be correct.”
Assemblywoman Qurinden pressed on, “How about any imminent invasion of the Mydian System by either of these two races within the next thirty days? Do you have any confirmation regarding this threat?”
Parejas paused, turning to his friend, Captain Takkar.
Takkar just shrugged.
“The answer to your question, Assemblywoman Qurinden, is in two parts. Number one: an invasion by the Kryth in the next thirty days is not confirmed, but this can always change at a moment’s notice and we must be prepared for attacks we don’t know of as well as those we do,” he said, looking over each of the Assembly members. “Number two is unknown. We are just learning about the Gashnee race and their possible intentions. However, their involvement may cause the Kryth to act unpredictable.”
“Is the unknown calculated in the rise in the defense status, commander?” Kayleon asked.
“It is, Assemblywoman.”
“Then what would change in your investigation within the next thirty days if an imminent invasion is questionable inside that time frame?”
The commander put his head down in thought.
Tallis’ eyes lit up at Kayleon’s questioning.
He couldn’t have asked for a better outcome and he didn’t even have to lead the discussion.
She’d cornered the commander.
The seconds ticked past as the commander looked to be in deep contemplation over the question.
The audience chamber looked around and shuffled at the uncomfortable silence, wondering what Parejas would say.
The commander looked back up. “In times such as these, one must have patience and trust in one’s instincts to anticipate what has not been witnessed. Our defense network is extensive and effective to the best of our skills and technology, but we cannot predict every single attack with perfect accuracy. In this, I trust my instincts. I would not ask for the reprieve of the vote if I did not need or warrant it.”
Tallis was miffed by his remark. “Are you asking all present company to trust your instincts over facts and evidence, commander?”
“At times, you must. Evidence is not always enough. In my occupation, underestimating one’s instincts may result at a grave cost, Assemblyman Tallis.”
The murmurs and shuffling came to a chilling silence at Parejas’ statement. All eyes looked at Tallis, awaiting his respons
e.
Tallis fumed, looking as if he believed he could vaporize Parejas if he glared hard enough.
Kayleon interjected their staring contest, “Let us stay on topic-” But was cut off by her mentor.
“In my position, Commander Parejas,” Tallis hissed the name. “I trust matters of fact and evidence, because they are the undeniable determinants of reality instead of speculation.”
Parejas shrugged. “That is why you’re the Assemblman, Tallis, and I’m the commander. You’re decisions-”
Tallis broke into the commander’s statement. “We need evidence, Commander Parejas-”
The commander continued on in a booming voice, “YOUR decisions, Tallis, don’t decide life and death on a grand scale. Mine do. Don’t presume to mince words with me regarding facts and evidence, for I always seek those first.”
Tallis’ mouth opened to respond, but Parejas was not yet finished and maintained his tone.
“But, when time is against you and you’ve nothing else, then one must trust in their own honed intuition learned through experience and come to a resolved conclusion, and hope in everything you believe that you have made the right choice.”
“Gentlemen,” Kayleon called out. “We are all passionate about our ideals regarding the Sixteenth Precept, but the people hold the scales in how we vote. Shall we trust what they want or shall we continue to rant about our views until we have become bitter enemies?”
“Too late for that,” Takkar mumbled, leaning towards Parejas.
Three bangs were heard throughout the chamber as the Mount Leader slammed down the gavel rock against the podium. “We shall call a vote on the suspension and delay of hearing the Sixteenth Precept today per Commander Parejas’ request,” Tallis announced.
The court buzzed with more mumbles as the guests discussed amongst themselves.
Did the mentioned threats justify a delay?
Would they give him the thirty days?
Would it change the outcome?
They were about to find out.
The votes came in.
Mordon Tallis looked to the counter on the podium. It was hard for him to keep his emotions in check as the final number came up.
The Mount Leader lifted his head upon the last vote. “Two-thirds of the vote say nay on granting a thirty-day extension to Commander Parejas.”
Cheers went up throughout the chamber, with some boos heard.
Parejas and Takkar looked around behind them at the throngs of spectators.
“I guess we know who’s for lifting the law,” Jesan said to his friend.
Parejas smiled. “Businesses looking to profit. Why wouldn’t they cheer?”
“They have no idea what they’re doing, do they?” Takkar asked.
Parejas rested his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Politicians will do what politicians do.”
Takkar followed. “Let us do what we do.”
The gavel hit the podium again.
“Let us open up arguments on the lifting the Sixteenth Precept regarding Marshall Law!” Takkar shouted. “Commander Parejas, you have the floor and ten minutes for your argument on why we should keep the precept in place.”
The crowds settled down.
Parejas did not move from his position behind the desk across from the seated Assemblyman.
He placed his arms behind his back. “Mount Leader Tallis, I relinquish my time and request a move to the final vote.”
A unanimous gasp ran through the chamber.
The guests in the seated chamber were shocked.
Even the Mount Leader was shaken as he looked over in Kayleon’s direction.
No one had expected that.
The commander wasn’t going to argue for keeping the law. He would let the vote take place and let the votes fall where they may.
Tallis was still silent, unsure of the tactics Parejas employed here.
“Mount Leader,” Parejas stated. “Shall we hold the vote?”
Mordon Tallis responded, “…Y-yes. We shall vote on lifting of the Sixteenth Precept.” He slammed down the gavel to punctuate his statement.
It didn’t take long.
The votes were tallied within minutes.
The look that came over the face of the Mount Leader was one that Parejas had seen before. It wasn’t surprising. He already knew what followed.
“The votes are in.” Tallis’ lips quivered. “We have fifty-two percent vote in favor of lifting the Sixteenth Precept.”
The leader didn’t get the last few words out before the chamber erupted in applause and cheers. Some looked down with grim expressions.
Mordon Tallis turned to some of the other Assemblyman and embraced them.
The mood was, overall, euphoric.
Tallis spotted Kayleon.
He beamed as he made his way over to her seat and gave her a hug. “We did it, Kayleon. The people have spoken.”
“They have. Congratulations, Mordon.”
In his excitement, Tallis couldn’t wait to turn and behold the face of the man he despised and defeated.
Time to see the face of failed intuition, he thought.
He searched the crowd that had gathered from the halls outside the chamber.
Where was Parejas?
Tallis’ joyous grin took on a sinister glint.
Our brave Ordinance Commander. He probably fled in his defeat, Tallis snickered inwardly.
This was his moment. This was his time.
The time the people trusted him with their innermost desires of freedom and open trade.
Then, just as he had accepted and gloated over Parejas’ cowardice, he saw him near the door. Parejas caught his eye with an expressionless face, held his gaze with those predator eyes of his, and left without so much as a twitch.
Tallis felt a shiver down his spine and his smile weaken for a moment before returning to congratulatory cheers from his friends and peers.
Data Cell 40
We sat around a large table with an even larger bounty of food strewn across its length.
Emvel had brought us to an open eating area within the underground city.
The other little creatures of this place were called Sutii, we found out. They were sure taking a liking to Mistuuk.
He had four around him.
They were about the same height as the Cuukzen, around one meter tall. They even had similar large heads, but their eyes were small black and beady. Their mouths were also tiny and the ears were insignificant compared to the large drooping lobes of the Cuukzen.
They were speaking some dialect of squeaks and mumbles.
Their hands were all over Mistuuk’s head, touching his features as though he was a long-lost cousin returned from an arduous journey.
He said the Sutii were a working-class race just like the Cuukzen when the Gashnee ruled the galaxy.
It made sense. Use a non-threatening, small race of beings to do your work for you.
My little partner didn’t seem to mind all the annoying attention he was getting from the Sutii.
Seemed like the boot was on the other foot for a change.
Mistuuk didn’t have it the worst, though. His bot Blink was drawing the most attention.
Several Sutii took turns spinning the little hovering light show by tapping its triangle corners and taking turns spinning the helpless Blink back and forth like kids playing with a top that defied gravity.
I had taken my mind off my other tagalong friend, but it wasn’t for long as she had my ear once again.
“We need to find out more from this Human, Rels.” Kayasa whispered to me.
“Well now, calling me by my name again, Kayasa?”
“Yes…no. I mean, we need to find out what’s going on and how to get back.”
I knew what she meant. I was thinking the same thing, but it was good she was back to calling me by name. Assassins don’t personalize their targets.
Looks like she needs us as much as we need her, and it’s usually better to be
on the hilt of a knife than the blade.
As far as our host Emvel goes, he was eating at the other end of the table while conversing with several Sutii.
He had just finished telling us how he saved the Sutii against the Gashnee when they left the galaxy, running from their foretold demise within their mysterious prophecy.
Emvel said that he had launched a Gashnee weapon into the wormhole they’d used in this sector and closed it.
He then helped the Sutii escape the leftover contingent of Gashnee on the planet.
It was here, with the help of the Xty resistance, that they had defeated the last of the Gashnee; but their victory didn’t last long.
Emvel said that the Xty Compendium was too strong and powerful as they had help of the stone Glyphtern giants.
In return for saving their race, the Sutii had named this place after Emvel and had made him their leader.
I found his tale hard to believe. These small Sutii were no warriors – miners and tinkers, maybe – but by no means soldiers of any magnitude.
Unless they had some hidden talent for gnawing kneecaps off, they weren’t doing any real fighting anytime fast.
Time to ask more questions.
“Emvel,” I called out over the table and conversations. “How did you find out of the Gashnee’s plans with our DNA and reconquest of the galaxy?”
He stopped his conversation with his tiny friends.
“They told me,” he said.
“They just told you?” I asked.
He smiled. “I was to be the first host of many that would come. I would be the Advocate for Humanity. I would be the cure that would merge the races…but, once I found out their plan, they had to be stopped.”
It was at that moment a tall figure caught all of our attention.
Yren.
Emvel got up to greet her.
She approached the table, removing her covered hood. “Greetings, my friends.”
“Yren!” Mistuuk exclaimed. “Hey, Rels, it’s Yren!”
I brought the bounty hunter of the obvious along with me so I wouldn’t miss the any other surprises, like Yren walking right up to us. “Thanks for the heads-up, buddy.”
I walked up to her. “I’m glad you made it out. We were worried about you.”
Annals of the Keepers - Rage Page 25
