“Don’t fight it, Rels. It’s much easier when you just give in. It will all be over soon. No pain. Just peace. Inner harmony. One in the time, many.”
I would give Mistuuk a lifetime stash of jojo fruit if Emvel would just shut up with the Gashnee mumbo jumbo.
Don’t fight it, huh? Innovative idea, Emvel.
With a show of resistance, I decided to let my face go placid, my eyes to focus on the blue glow, and allow my mouth to droop open and drool.
Would he buy it?
Emvel turned and walked away from me. “There you go, Rels. Just relax. Enter into the stardust.”
He bought it.
Who’s the weak one now, huh, buddy?
But now, what do I do next? What’s going to happen next?
My peripheral vision went to the Xty next to me.
He had a spear, holding it upright.
That would work, but how do I pull this off.
There were six Xty in the room along with one stone brute; and Emvel.
My shifting eyes went to the Xty next to Yren. He had the crystal gun and knife.
The odds weren’t good. Then again, when have they been?
Should I make a move? That was the question.
The question was blurred as the mind-altering effects of the serum and the blue light fought for control.
The heavy feelings turned into something painful, as if my brain would be torn in two or burst from pressure.
I didn’t know if I had any time left if this Insight was that powerful.
Emvel sure wasn’t going to help.
He approached the light. “Great Insight of the Gashnee. What shall we do with these vessels against the Gashnee? The ancient text of stardust speaks of two sides, one for and one against.”
The blue specter pulsated and a sound came from the triangle. More like a cryptic noise almost too deep to hear than an audible language.
More gibberish if you ask me.
Emvel smiled from ear to ear from the drumming sound enveloping the room with the Insight’s response.
“They shall fight for the privilege of becoming one in the time, many. The Insight has spoken,” he announced.
Our traitorous friend went over to the Xty warriors. “They shall fight to the death. The last one standing will join our ranks. Give a spear to each.”
This can’t be good. Fight to the death?
I needed to do something.
The Xty placed a spear in each of our hands.
Emvel approached Yren. “Yren, you will fight Kayasa.”
“Yes.”
He next went to the Vrae. “Kayasa, you will fight Yren.”
She nodded.
And I get to fight the midget. How fair is that?
I heard Mistuuk’s voice say ‘yes’ next.
Emvel walked over to me and stood before smiling.
I should stick him in the eye now. But the voice in my mind was saying ‘yes’.
“And you, my Human comrade. You will fight Mistuuk the Cuukzen,” he chuckled. “Give us a good show for our race now, Rels. Don’t embarrass me in front of the Insight. Out of all of you, I would like to see you make the selection for our cell. I have a need for a loyal bootlicker at my side, and to see that Yren will not make it out of this against the Vrae. You will make the best slave, my friend. Welcome to this side of eternity, Rels Sentel.”
I wasn’t his friend or comrade, but I had no choice and hadn’t thought of a plan yet, so I heard myself say ‘yes’ to fighting Mistuuk.
Data CELL 56
Sontar Jal paced his bridge.
He was in deep, self-reflecting contemplation.
A soldier called out from a nearby console. “General, we have the arrival of the first Human ship into the system. It is the Orion’s Rage.”
Sontar stopped in his tracks. “Marvelous. Their lead command ship.” His eyes darted and he rubbed his chin. “This is going better than planned. The ship and commander who retook this system from the Domain. The same ship and commander who made us fools at our own conference of races. My glory is unfolding before my eyes.”
“Shall we activate the device, General?”
Sontar paused for a moment. “Wait for more or take it now?” he asked himself.
“Sir?”
“Active the Blight Apparatus now!”
“Yes, sir.”
Data CELL 57
The Kryth destroyer lifted and broke in two with the last impact of Human weapons.
Chunks of its hull rained down from orbit, hitting the exosphere and lighting the upper layers with flashes of fire.
The ship’s death spiral found its debris streaking through the Earth’s sky to the surface below.
Following the wake of destruction were twelve Storm-Tac fighters streaking by, preparing to enter the stratosphere.
Storm-Tacs were variable-wing aircraft able to modify their dynamic wing surfaces and shape to most atmospheric conditions.
The single-seated crafts activated their configuration upon entering.
Their wings and vertical tail surfaces extended to meet the oncoming dense air of the planet in one synchronized movement.
Contrails buffeted against the leading edges as the variable engines adjusted their vectored nozzles.
The forked fronts of the sleek vehicles streaked in high above the Erudition camp just as the Kryth bombers made another, but final, pass.
∞∞∞
“Kryth ship destroyed, sir. Storm-Tacs picking up their targets now,” Kansec announced.
“What of the Kryth fleet?”
Kansec moved the holo-board and updated it with a flick of a finger. “They are still in position outside the orbit of Pluto. No other contacts in or outside the system. Looks like they’re the ones.”
“What are they up to?” Parejas questioned aloud.
“I also have comms coming in from the Erudition site, sir,” Kansec said.
“Put it up.”
The image of the Adjutant Sergent appeared. “Commander, we appreciate your assistance. We have things under control here thanks to your fighters.”
Parejas stood from his chair. “Good to hear. How many casualties do you have, sergent?”
“We are still working on the numbers, but I would say one hundred so far.”
“And the whereabouts of Director Shawna Bowlan and Madilay?”
That question caught the attention of the Keeper.
Laurenell watched the commander’s facial features, recording every moment of the events at hand.
Parejas didn’t flinch or waiver upon his question or to the sergeant’s response.
A solemn look came over the adjutant sergeant. “We are still looking for them, commander. We think we have a reading and are sending units to that location now.”
“Understood, sergeant. We stand ready for any assistance. Commander Parejas, out.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The holo-image flashed as the communication ended.
Parejas walked down the steps towards the viewing deck on the bridge.
His arms were held behind his back.
Laurenell followed.
“Excuse me, sir.”
“What is it, Keeper?”
“I hope I’m not being too intrusive, but I wondered if you were worried about Director Bowlan.”
Parejas paused for a moment before answering. “Why would I worry about things that are not within my control?”
“Because you care about her.”
“Is caring or loving someone defined by how we worry about them or is it how we handle that fear?”
The Keeper looked away from the commander and out towards Earth.
“I believe I understand, but I just don’t see much emotion from you; and when I was reading those events, I didn’t sense any worry about the situation, commander. That’s all.”
Parejas smiled. “Sometimes, in life-and-death decisions, we have to suspend the worry so we may focus on the task at hand. It doesn’t
mean I don’t feel those emotions, Keeper. I choose to concentrate on those things that will bring as many of those living, back home. I don’t waste energy worrying, I do what I can.”
She looked back at him.
Parejas continued. “I care about Shawna. I hope she and Madilay are alright and that the sergeant will find them.” He walked up to the glass and pointed at a patch of space. “What do you see there, Keeper?” he asked.
She tried to focus on the area he was pointing. “I don’t see anything except stars, commander.”
“There is a Kryth battle fleet sitting outside the orbit of Pluto. That is my priority. I don’t have the privilege to focus on just one person when so many are counting on me. The entire Earthiest Colony is under attack and if I allow myself to be consumed by worry towards one person, even if I do love her, it might blind me from what I need to do.”
Laurenell smiled. “Thank you, commander.”
“Your father used to ask me those questions all the time. So, please, keep me in check when you feel the need to do so. You Keepers are not just historians; you’re also the voices of reason, guidance, and most of all, friendship, in times such as these.”
The Keeper watched the commander walk back to his command chair.
“Update, Kansec,” Parejas ordered as he sat.
“Kryth bombers destroyed. No movement from the Legion Flag group, sir. The science station is reporting an anomaly, though.”
“Where at?”
“It looks to be coming from the sun.”
Parejas swiveled his chair to face the science station on the other side of the platform. “Ensign Chal, what do you have?”
“We picked up something coming from the star,” she said, pulling up a diagram of the sun.
A three-dimensional, real-time version of the star appeared right above the console before her.
“The object… ” She was cut off.
“‘Object?’”
“Yes, sir. There is an unknown object in this region. We are picking up elevated levels of dark mater emanating from it.”
Parejas looked, his already heavy brows furrowing. “Do we know what it is?”
“No, sir.”
“Keep monitoring and give me updates.”
“Yes, sir.”
The commander swiveled his chair back to face the bow. “Kansec, bring the artificial online.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Antiquity, are you there?”
[Yes, commander.]
“I need you to monitor the object we found within Earth’s sun.”
[I’ve been following along in my rest state.]
“Do you have a conclusion?”
[I do, commander.]
“Elaborate.”
A holo-image of the sun appeared above his console. A centered image of the object in the sun was pulled away, rotating in mid-air.
[It looks to be a Gashnee device described in Vrae history as a “Blight Apparatus”. It was used by the Gashnee to close wormholes and works on dark matter principles. No other information is available.]
Parejas thought for a moment. “Are we sure it’s meant to close, not open, wormholes?”
[From the description, that is the nomenclature of the device. Two known devices were recovered by the Kryth Mahr Domain. The Kryth and the Vrae each laid claim to one thereafter.]
Parejas’ face changed.
He stood.
A seriousness came over the commander.
The Keeper watched from her station, knowing something was wrong.
“Antiquity. Give me an analysis of the dark matter.”
[Analyzing.]
Laurenell stepped up. “What is it, sir?”
Parejas did not respond. His concentration was on the device before him.
[Commander,] came Antiquity’s calm voice, [it looks as though the dark matter is emanating from the device and expanding throughout the star’s chromosphere, causing a reaction.]
“Is the sun’s chemical makeup changing?”
[Yes.]
“At what rate, Antiquity?”
[One meter per second with exponential increases every minute.]
“Antiquity. What is your analysis of the change in the star’s structure?”
[It will lead to the star’s full collapse and destruction of the entire system.]
A gasp issued from the Keeper.
Kansec turned around in his seat.
They all waited for the commander to respond.
“It’s an ambush. The Kryth want the star to fail. Antiquity, what is the estimated time of full collapse?”
[Forty-five minutes and thirty-six seconds, commander.]
“At what stage of contraction will it affect the Earth’s position within the habitable zone?”
[It will decrease one percent in fifteen-minutes, contracting the habitable zone and leaving earth on the farthest edge, Commander.]
Parejas thought for a moment. “Can the device be destroyed without causing a reaction?”
[Unknown.]
“Can we move it?” Kansec asked.
“I was thinking the same thing, LC,” Parejas followed. “Antiquity, I need the shielding requirements for a shuttle moving into the sun near the device.”
[Working on those now,] Antiquity replied.
“What about the people on Earth?” Laurenell questioned.
The commander looked over with care at the Keeper. “Antiquity, what is the time for extraction of the Erudition camp?”
[With transport resources on board…three hours and twenty-five minutes.]
Tears welled up in the Keeper’s eyes. “There’s not enough time.”
“Kansec, get the adjuntant sergeant for me now.”
“Aye, sir.”
A holo-image of the sergeant’s face appeared before Parejas within seconds.
“Sergeant, we have a situation. I need to know how long it would take you to evac all personnel off-planet with the Erudition.”
“It would take several days to prep. Why, commander?”
“What about your shuttles?” Parejas followed.
“They were destroyed when the Kryth attacked. They were the first to go.”
“Thank you, sergeant. I’ll be back in touch.”
The image of light blinked out.
Parejas walked down the raised bridge platform. “Antiquity.”
[The estimates are coming now, commander. The XT-Transport onboard would need to be used with its larger shield capacitors. I estimate that three additional ground shield projectors be added to the cargo hold of the transport to withstand the pressure and heat of the star.]
“For how long?”
[Thirty seconds.]
“That should be enough time to pull the device out.”
[Correct,] Antiquity said. [Once past the corona, the dark matter will cease to have any effect on the star, stopping all contraction.]
“Kansec, have the transport prepped and jump it towards the device.”
“Aye, sir.”
Keeper Laurenell approached the commander. “The transport is needed for planetside evacuation, though.”
Parejas responded to her. “This is our best chance to save them all.”
“But what if it doesn’t work?”
“Antiquity, set hyperspace coordinates that I give you. Prepare Q-Jump on my command and send a situation report to Ordinance Command regarding our state-of-affairs.”
[Awaiting coordinates, commander. Sending report.]
“We’re going to let them die? Is that the decision?” Laurenell pressed, her voice rising.
“It might be,” Parejas said in a whisper.
“I-I don’t understand. Why?!”
“Another lesson for you, Keeper. I expect your full awareness during the events that are about to take place. I need a full recording of your senses no matter the outcome. Please, take your position up on the viewing platform.” He turned away from her.
She moved to get in front of him.
“I need to know why you decided the doomed fate of so many so fast.”
“Because we don’t have the leisure of time. Time is against us, Keeper Renske. We can only hope to achieve the best possible outcome with what little time we have. Now, if you excuse me.” He gestured towards the front of the ship.
The Keeper turned, heading towards the bow window.
She stopped and looked back.
Her back was straight, shoulders back, and her jaw was set in defiance.
Parejas looked at her, almost swearing he could hear her teeth grind, and gave a curt nod.
Laurenell’s lips thinned and she whirred around, more to put her back toward Parejas than to look out at the stars and anticipate witnessing Earth’s decisive destruction.
There it was, right before her, the blue planet of Human origin. Laurenell’s eyes matched the color of the oceans below, reflected in the crystal glass before her. Her entire life had been dedicated to studying this planet and Human history on it. She looked at the whorls of clouds and the green continents and saw a distant home she grew up learning but never seeing or stepping foot upon.
Her lips quivered.
Then, she thought about the Erudition colony and shook at the notion of what was about to befall those naïve to their own impending annihilation, their lives depending on thirty seconds and a chance.
A tear rolled down her cheek, but she no longer trembled.
Data Cell 58
Kason stood still and let the aythra charge towards him. He left his rifle hanging
across his back. He heard its long claws click and scape against the stone floor as it bounded closer, snarling, hungry for flesh and blood.
He dodged to the right, unsheathed a blade on his left gauntlet, and scored a long bloody gash down the side of its thick hide as the aythra passed. He heard its roar of pain as it landed behind him, trying to slow down and turn.
Plasma bolts burned paths through the air overhead and flashed on the solid surface about ten meters away. Kason heard the aythra’s claws scrape as it slowed and turned around for another charge, this time at Kason’s back. The Korin Shai closest to Lintorth and next to Kason moved in, silent and graceful, firing plasma bolts from their spears as they moved.
Kason activated his weapon with his retinal signature, choosing ammunition types and sequences. He fired a controlled trio of rounds at a charging Korin Shai: plasma, armor piercing, and shatterspike. Kason’s judgement about the Korin Shai was accurate. They moved without pause or hesitation and with a lithe grace as they charged the Reavers. Those nervous from before were indistinguishable as the battle commenced. Battle was their home.
Annals of the Keepers - Rage Page 33
