Condition Evolution 4

by Kevin Sinclair

  “It would involve you traveling to the border and trying to make contact with one of the scout ships,” Jezai responded.

  “Would the response from seeing one of the Apochros not produce the same result?” Ogun said. Clearly he didn’t fancy flapping his gums anywhere near the Fystr, but considering the torture they’d recently put him through he had my sympathies. He also made a fair point.

  “As for why not us, the simple truth is that I would like our appearance to be a surprise. Our best chance of defeating them quickly and decisively will be if they are unprepared to face us. While I accept it is an awfully underhanded method, we must use all advantages that we have. You can be sure the Fystr will.”

  “I see the sense of your plan,” Ember chipped in, “but what I just can't fathom is how that entire fleet is just for us?”

  “Yeah, I was wondering that too,” I said, backing up Ember’s curiosity at the huge number. “It seems overkill, for sure, unless they’re planning to conquer some of the Galactic Empire while they’re on about catching us?”

  “If I had to guess, it would be the opposite,” replied Jezai. “The numbers will be to deter any attacks from the Galactic Empire. They clearly want you back very badly; nonetheless they must avoid losing ships to opportunists outside of their own space. That may start a war they have no interest in fighting.”

  “Why wouldn’t they want to take more of the Galaxy? I thought that would be an ambition of theirs.”

  Ogun cleared his throat. “Perhaps I can answer this question.”

  Jezai nodded in response. “I’d be interested to hear an opinion on that from a recently defected Fystr.”

  “Simply put, it is an administrative issue. The larger their empire becomes, the harder it will be to rule over with absolute authority. Their stringent birth control restrictions would have to be relaxed to produce more Fystr to rule over the larger area. More Fystr, far away from the ruling classes, represent the potential for rebellion. This is how the suppression of our own people began, after all. Further expansion would also require the removal or extermination of other occupying races. The Fystr elite are notoriously xenophobic and would not tolerate other species living among them. In conclusion, they are extremely confident in their ability to destroy any alien threat. The only threat they fear is that of their fellow Fystr. This is why they’re so determined to reclaim us. As to why they have not sought out the Apochros, I do not know.”

  Jezai replied, a serious expression written on his face, “A chilling reminder to us all of the attitude of the Fystr and their danger to us all. As for searching us out, Fystr society was in chaos when we left and with so few of us leaving as quietly as we could, it is quite possible they did not know the full extent of our departure. They may have even searched for us. But we ran and ran and ran without ever looking back.”

  “Kinda like what we tried to do, but with more success then?” I pointed out.

  Jezai laughed. “Very much so. If we do go through with this, we will be announcing a presence that we have spent a long time attempting to hide.”

  The room fell silent at that. I didn’t like silence. “Well, if you change your bloody minds on us, just let us toddle off this time, yeah. No more mindwipes, please.”

  “I promise you, we will not turn on you. I wish there was a way to ease your concerns, but I am at a loss. Only time will prove that.”

  “Not quite, Father.” Ialos spoke from the end of the table. “I have requested and been accepted to be a member of Uprising.” She turned to us now. “If they were to alter their approach to you, they would also be turning against me.” She smiled.

  All the Apochros turned to look at her in confusion and surprise. “You’re joining them? Why would you do such a thing?” Galivea said abruptly.

  “Why wouldn’t I? I want to be amongst the urgency and passion, and want to see the events that unfold around the… Va—” She looked at me quickly. “Shaun,” she quickly amended. “I believe in their great cause and wish to help them succeed.”

  “And what of your duties here?” Herial questioned next, just as abruptly.

  Jezai, I noticed, had not yet spoken. He just looked at his daughter with a wry smile.

  “We don’t need a doctor here, or anywhere on Accre,” replied Ialos. “I’ve been called upon three times in 2000 years, and my apprentice Abrial is 3000 years old! He was as capable 1000 years ago as he is now. It’s all a farce. At least on Uprising I will have a purpose.”

  “I cannot find fault in your logic, daughter. These newcomers have certainly had an effect on us all. Imagine fighting and beating the Fystr, even if it is just once. How sweet a victory that would be.”

  “So you agree?”

  “Would it matter if I didn’t? I think not. And for those who have issues with your decision, I might remind them that we are not Fystr and we do not control our peers. We tried that path very recently, and it backfired rather spectacularly.

  “Ialos, you are among the wisest of us. Do as your heart commands, with my blessing. But please be careful.” His smile was full of warmth for her. He turned to me with a far sterner expression. “You must look after her.”

  “We will, do not doubt it. We would be blessed to have a physician of half her quality.”

  Jezai beamed at the compliment to his daughter, before he resumed a more serious expression. “How do you feel about the plan to entice the Fystr into battle then, Shaun?”

  “Entice? You mean how would we like to go and bait the bastards?” I replied. “I feel like a piece of cheese.”

  “Sorry, would you care to elaborate?” Jezai asked.

  “Just ignore him, Jezai,” Ember said. “First of all, we need to discuss this amongst our crew. The plan is risky, and we’re currently still coming to terms with all that’s happened.”

  “That is fair. Today we are happy just to welcome you back and set out our intentions. Please take all the time you need,” Jezai replied. I saw Herial about to speak, but Jezai hushed him. I had a feeling I knew what he was thinking.

  “I imagine time will be of the essence,” I said. “We don’t want the Fystr scouts suddenly leaving the area. I assure you we’ll have an answer tomorrow. We don’t want the assholes disappearing on us, either.”

  “Agreed, and by tomorrow you will have your new ship in your possession. It will be quite the day.”

  The meeting drew to a close with everyone but Ember and I leaving with Melik to the arranged quarters. We headed in a different direction, going down the main street and onto the country lane.

  The sun had almost set, but there were intermittent lights that illuminated the lane with a soft glow. I was feeling slightly nervous as we walked along arm in arm. It was like a first date all over again. She broke what I considered to be an uncomfortable silence, remarking on how pretty my little lane was, and how much better it was than the space station she’d been forced to live on. I just laughed, thinking about all the things we were going to do together once we got into the house.

  I opened the door, gesturing to her to enter. “Honey, we’re home! For a night, anyway.”

  “Ooh, cozy. Where's the bedroom then?” She eyed me seductively.

  “When I said I never want to be parted again, I may have been too hasty,” Havok said. “Please leave me outside of the bedroom.”

  “Definitely, pal. Find yourself somewhere nice to relax.” He left my back and my gaze met Ember’s. “Follow me,” I said, grabbing her hand eagerly. Once through the door we quickly stripped from our suits and dove onto the bed, lost in the heat of passion. She took hold of my…

  Chapter 21

  It Fit In So Easily!

  Manhood had certainly been interesting for me, I mused, as I walked toward the Apochros hall the next morning with Ember. Fighter, roofer, fat-ass and finally one of the leaders in a cross-galaxy war between superpowered aliens—maybe even a God one day, if I lived long enough. Where would I even live if I was a God? Somewhere sunny, I hoped. Spac
eships were cool, but they lacked a certain something that my body and mind craved.

  On entering the hall, I was happy to see it filled with the members of Uprising who had stayed on the surface. They were seated around the long table, chatting and eating a breakfast of wild variety. Fruits, meat, bread, a huge steaming bowl of what appeared to be porridge, and that’s where my knowledge failed me. I didn’t know what any of the other stuff was. A number of council members also sat at the table. I acknowledged Jezai with a smile. “Sorry, guys, did we sleep in?” I asked as we took seats.

  “Nah, we’ve only just arrived,” Mick replied in the seat next to me. “Nice spread, huh?”

  “Yeah, looks incredible. Did you all sleep okay?” The answering nods were unanimous. “Anything we need to know?”

  Jezai replied this time. “I thought we would enjoy a nice, peaceful breakfast before we discuss anything else.” I wholeheartedly agreed and began tucking into the meat and fruits.

  The chatter over breakfast continued for around an hour, before Jezai addressed the table again. “This morning I have only one piece of news, and that is, your new ship has arrived!”

  “Awesome,” I said, stretching back in the chair. “Can’t wait to see how it stacks up against the Uprising. Good to have somewhere for all our crew, too. Hey Acclo,” I shouted down the table to our six P’s officer. “Any idea how we're gonna split everyone? Shit, we’re gonna need to pick a captain too,” I said, turning to Ember. Her face darkened notably.

  “Stop, please, Shaun. All of that can be arranged after you visit the ship,” Jezai suggested. “Perhaps we should make our way there now?”

  “Sure thing. We’ll use the opportunity to split the crew, while we have everyone in one place.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Jezai said, before making his way to the door.

  Ember and I walked alongside him on the way to the docks. “By the way, Jezai, I probably should have mentioned it yesterday, but we’ve left some people on the station. I wasn’t just leaving it to you, only I hadn’t decided what to do with them at the time and it felt too risky to have them with us.”

  “What would you like to do? Pick them up once you're settled in your new ship, or would you like me to arrange a ship for them to leave?”

  “If you don’t mind giving them a ship? There’s only eleven of them. We can pay for the ship you send, too, but just make sure it's the smallest, shittiest ship you can find. Uhm, and no quarters either, with barely any blankets. Oh, and a bucket to use for the toilet that they all have to share.” I noticed Jezai was looking at me with a disappointed frown.

  “What?”

  “That seems unusually petty for you, Shaun.”

  “Was the bucket too much? Ember hasn’t made her suggestions yet.” I laughed.

  “I don’t even want to think about them. I might go walk with Elyek while you discuss it,” she said, and fell back with Elyek. I shrugged, and was about to speak to Jezai when I heard her shout, “No toilet paper! And limit their FSU to sprouts!”

  Even Jezai laughed now. “I take it that sprouts are an unsavory food?”

  “Don’t tell Ember, but I actually like them nicely cooked with some butter and bacon,” I made the chef’s kiss, saying, “Magnifico.”

  “I want no part in punishing those I do not know. If you wish to do that, then you may deal with them yourself, otherwise we will provide an adequate ship, if basic for their needs.”

  “Just tell me what we owe you,” I said, waving my hand in a dismissive gesture.

  “I think we’re past that, don’t you?”

  “Probably, but I still don’t really get how your economy works, and I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking the piss.” I shrugged.

  “We no longer use a currency among the Apochros. We have access to so many resources, yet require so little that currency is meaningless. Most of what we do as work is purely for our own interest and cultivation.”

  “Must be nice.”

  “I have, at times, considered whether we lack a certain drive because we are not exposed to certain hardships. Although that is all about to change, I believe.”

  We arrived at the docks while we talked. Jezai guided us to the Uprising.

  “You know this is already our ship, right? You’re not trying to pull a fast one here, are you?” I laughed. “Come on, where's the ship?” I said, looking around.

  “Did I not say? You will have to go up into orbit to collect it. The docks are a little busy to bring it down.”

  I looked around at the docks. They didn’t seem to be overly busy. “This is getting weird, Jezai. I don’t know what you’re up to, but you better not be fucking us over again. Where is Ialos? She can fly up with us.”

  “Ialos is already onboard. But do not worry, Shaun, all will be well,” he said calmly, but alarm bells were ringing.

  “Jezai, you can’t tell me not to worry. We are literally miles away from ‘don’t fucking worry’.”

  The others were already standing around me now, wondering what all the fuss was about.

  “I am intending to fly up with you on the Uprising too. Will that ease your concerns? Besides, I would like to see your face.”

  I eyeballed him suspiciously. “Okay then, let’s go.”

  “You should just kill him now, Shaun,” Havok slid in. “I bet he's got oodles of Omni Energy.”

  “Oodles? What are you on about, Havok? He helped me rescue you.”

  “Okay then, how about one of his friends?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Shaun, you’re taking all of the fun out of this! I was convinced you’d be killing a shitload of Fystr when we met. So far, as much as I love you, you have been a massive letdown in that department.”

  “Sorry, man, I’ll try better in the future.”

  “Yes, please!” he said with enthusiasm.

  “Shaun!” Ember called.

  “Yup?” I answered, when I came back from talking to Havok.

  “Were you talking to Havok again?” she asked.

  “Ah yeah, sorry.”

  “You should consider using your bond to help,” Jezai offered.

  “It’s tough when you’ve got voices coming from everywhere, including my own mad rambling. I was better with it before I got my memories back. Must be a damn Clarity thing,” I said as we ascended the ramp of the Uprising.

  Most of the crew would have to sit in the canteen or the cargo hold while we made the journey. The Uprising had never been so full.

  On the bridge, Jezai gave Hwista the coordinates to our destination.

  “Thank you,” they replied, entering them into the navigation terminal.

  “You shouldn’t need them,” he said neutrally.

  I watched him like a hawk and knew he was up to something. I just didn’t know what.

  The Uprising’s engines came to life, and while there wasn’t any noise, or even notable vibration, I could somehow just sense them working. A second later we were off, shooting through the atmosphere like a bullet.

  Once in orbit, we took a direct course to the coordinates. Up ahead loomed an absolute monster of a ship. It wasn’t the size of a Beler space station, but it was still bloody enormous. Elongated, coming almost to a point towards what I assumed was the bow. The hull didn’t have a smooth part on it, with weapons and god knows what else protruding at all angles. While not beautiful, it sure was a mean-looking ship. Jezai stood looking out the front viewing screen and I moved to stand next to him.

  “That’s a fucking behemoth! You guys make some impressive stuff. Is our ship in there somewhere?”

  “Not yet, but it soon will be.”

  “What games are you playing, Jezai, I thought you said it was here already?” I quizzed him with a smile; I was beginning to suspect what he was up to.

  His next words removed all doubt as he opened his arms to gesture at the behemoth. “What do you think of your new ship?”

  I suspected it was coming, but I was still left spe
echless. He couldn’t be serious, could he?

  Ember was not speechless. “It's a bit fucking big, isn’t it?” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, it looks bloody awesome!”

  “You intend to expand your crew, do you not?” Jezai asked, still smiling.

  “Yeah, but we can only put 100 on it, at best. We still have to man the Uprising too.”

  “The Uprising will comfortably fit in the docking bay of your new ship. I am sure you will still find plenty of use for it. Perhaps you should take the tour first before making any decisions? When choosing a suitable ship for you, I took into consideration that you have been essentially nomads for quite some time. While the Uprising’s class of ship is comfortable, it is still limited. This ship, however, contains many of the things you may have missed. There are different areas for entertainment, sport, different dining areas. Those will be yours to fill, should you have more civilian people join you in time. The living quarters are larger and more comfortable, they even have working doors.”

  I finally managed to form a response. “I can barely believe it. How long is the tour going to take?”

  “That will depend on how thorough we are. I was planning on just showing you the essentials and then letting you explore the rest of it yourself.”

  “I do have two more concerns,” Ember said.

  “Which are?”

  “Firepower and speed?”

  Jezai nodded. “Valid concerns, at least one of you is asking the right questions.” He smirked at me. “The ship can move at approximately the same speed as the mining transport ship you took to gather your crew. Around half the primary engine speed of the Thoth or Seshat. Its jump drive has the same range as those two ships, although not as far as the Uprising’s folding drive. That piece of technology is a little special. Our scientists have studied and are trying to recreate it. Do you know who built the ship?”

  “No idea,” I said. “One of the Veiletians, or even Calegg, might know. They’re into that kind of thing.”

  “I will ask later. I still have questions of my own to answer. Firepower!” he said with a clap of his hands. “This is where your new ship excels; you will find its weaponry both diverse and extensive. While our developments in travel have been somewhat stunted, as we don’t leave this sector, our defense and weaponry technology has developed dramatically. In that vein, I might mention it also has excellent shielding, far above anything you have seen outside of our territory. You may be slower than you’re used to, but you are now a veritable mobile fortress.”