Micah Trace and the Shattered Gate

by Eric Swanson

  “You know the one thing I need, Shel…” Susa said mournfully. She shifted a bit on the rocks and drew a sharp breath as her back brushed a particularly hot stone. “No one can help me with that.”

  “Wish I could, Sue.” Shellai was quite nearly the only person the planet Ceres who called Susa anything other than her name or some derivation of her Royal Title. She did this exclusively in private, but theirs was still a singular closeness. The Carer’s white robes pushed steam aside and brushed the taupe stones on the lavatory floor as she stepped closer to the stone bed and Susa. She rested a small hand on the Princess’s shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. “Some things are meant to be.” She paused and took a breath that hitched a bit in her throat. A few unwanted tears welled in her eyes. “Some things are not.”

  “I know.” Similar emotion cracked Susa’s voice a bit and tears soaked a small part of the inside of her mask. She pulled it off and Shellai walked around the stone bed to face the Princess. “He’s leaving out of duty to the Crown, Shel.”

  “…And you’re living out of duty to the Crown.” Shellai offered quickly. “What’s the difference?”

  “So this is my fault?” Susa’s face twisted in a moment of confusion. Surely Shellai wasn’t suggesting something so hurtful.

  “Not at all, Sue.” Shellai shook her head hard, emphatically. “I just mean that you’re sacrificing for something larger than yourself just like Garreous.”

  “Marrying Peeksar is hardly as great a sacrifice as a suicide mission to Earth.”

  “Sacrifice is sacrifice, Sue.” Shellai said as she settled into a chair against the wall of the steam-filled room. She rested her elbows on her knees and locked eyes with the Princess. “And nothing says that Garreous going to Earth means he isn’t coming back.”

  “We stole tens of thousands of their people and they responded by sequestering themselves behind a wall of orbiting weapons.” Susa spat with more than a little anger. “What’s the most likely outcome when they see another of our ships coming their way? Surely they’ll see them coming from a great distance…”

  “But now we come in peace…” Shellai said, a bit uncertain. “…and with half-humans in tow.”

  “You think the humans will give them the time to explain all of that before raining fire upon them?” Susa asked. “Garreous said the ship they’re taking is an exploratory vessel, almost entirely unarmed.”

  “Surely the humans will be able to detect their lack of weaponry, right?”

  “I don’t know…” Susa trailed off and wondered absently for a moment. “Could we detect that?”

  “I don’t know…” Shellai echoed Susa and they both fell silent.

  Silence took the room, more steam than sound around the pair of young Cerans. In rare periods of upset in Susa’s life, Shellai had developed an uncanny sense for whether conversation or quiet would soothe the young Royal.

  In this moment, she was unsure.

  Susa shifted on the rocks again and sighed sharply as her skin settled onto warmer surfaces than it had previously touched.

  Shellai nearly spoke, intent upon asking if she could be of assistance to Susa, but her mouth closed without sound escaping.

  They sat in silence for a few more moments and Susa eventually slid her mask back into place. Shellai shifted in her chair and rested the back of her head against the beige stone wall behind her. Her white hood serendipitously flopped over her eyes and in the warmth and the relative dark, Shellai began to drift off into sleep.

  “Will I ever love Peeksar like I’ve loved Garreous, Shel?”

  Shellai’s eyes snapped open and she sat up quickly. The motion threw her hood back and her dark reddish hair bobbed for a second after Shellai leaned closer to Susa. “My trainers at the House used to tell us that an arranged marriage grows in love like a Handa tree: shallow roots at first, then deeper and broader before the tree explodes in growth above ground and reaches for the sky…”

  “I see…” Susa said, sure Shellai had repeated the same analogy to her in the past. “And were any of the house Matrons… married… by way of arrangement?” She smiled playfully, secure in the knowledge that none of the Training House Matrons ever married.

  “No.” Shellai confirmed, a sheepish smile on her face. “But they spoke of it… with a great deal of authority.”

  With that, both young women erupted in peels of laughter that bounced off the stone surfaces around them.

  “Susa…” Shellai spoke with a rare serious tone. Conviction steeled her face and she stood before she approached Susa more closely. Shellai laid a hand on the Princess’s ankle and gave it the same soft squeeze Susa’s shoulder received moments earlier. “You know that when you leave the Pillar to take your Island Throne… You know I’ll be there, right?”

  “I do, Shel.” Susa tried to equal Shellai’s stoic manner and spoke again immediately when she didn’t feel that the gravity of her reply was enough. The Princess sat up and locked eyes with Shellai. “I have never properly thanked ¬you for all you’ve done for me… most of which has been beyond the confines of your duty as my Carer.”

  “You’ll never need to thank me for anything, Susa.” Shellai smiled warmly and stood straighter to fight off another wave of emotion. “You’re the sister this world has given me. It isn’t duty that binds me to you. You bind me to you.”

  More steam came into the room as Shellai retook her seat and the future Queen and her Carer decided a less weighty conversation was in order moments later: their ongoing debate of Most Attractive Antisar player.

  Sanballat’s Plan

  2045 Hours

  Sanballat spent the balance of his time away from the Pillar alone. While his network of contacts and leveraged relationships benefitted him greatly when an opportunity presented itself, at his core, the Courtier was a bit of an introvert. An evening spent in his home listening to nearly ancient musical compositions authored by great geniuses of Ceres’s past in solitude pleased him greatly and prepared Sanballat for another day spent among the masses when the auburn sun rose once more.

  Eyes closed and prone on a small dark red couch, Sanballat could scarcely have been more relaxed. Loose fit dark blue linen pants and a matched tunic rested on him. The soft sounds of a complex piece of music played in coordination by a large group of diverse instruments floated around the room as he breathed slowly.

  “Sir?” SAMI’s voice broke into the calm a beat after Sanballat’s music fell slightly in volume.

  “Yes, Machine?” Sanballat responded through clenched teeth, all the peace and calm so recently upon him gone in an instant.

  “I apologize for interrupting-“

  “Of course you do. I programmed you to…”

  A soft series of beeps came over the music.

  “May I address you, sir?”

  “Fine, yes. What?” Sanballat spat all three words in quick succession with more anger than before.

  “Sir, Barrister Tobiah is calling.”

  “You—” Sanballat sat up in a violent motion and took a moment to rub his temples, eyes still shut. “Put him through, Machine…” After another soft series of tones, Sanballat whispered: “If you weren’t inexorably tied into everything in my home…”

  “Sanballat, we need to talk.” Tobiah’s voice came over the speakers throughout the room and replaced the Courtier’s music entirely. The soft hiss of a high-quality air purifier took up sonic space between Tobiah’s words, a sound which perturbed Sanballat to no end (hence the music).

  “We are talking Tobiah…” Sanballat said, almost as frustrated with the Barrister as he had been with his SAMI. “For a legal genius, you can be stunningly dense.”

  Tobiah cleared his throat and the noise invaded Sanballat’s home. The next sound the Courtier heard was his blood thumping in his own ears.

  “What-“ Sanballat spoke haltingly, through gritted teeth. “Do—You – Want?”

  “The trip to Earth… Do you think this plan will really work?”
<
br />   “It’s my plan.” Sanballat said. He allowed a moment of quiet to hang between them then continued. “You’re asking if I think that the humans will be manipulated into embracing the Copy after we arrive? If we can use that connection to convince the King that the Copy presents a threat to Ceres after Gate is completed?”

  “I---” Tobiah tried to interject but the softness of his voice was all Sanballat needed to hear to divine that nothing the Barrister had to say would be valuable.

  “Further, you’re asking if I think we can leverage that perceived threat to convince the King to use the newly functional gate to invade and clear the Earth of enough of the humans to make it settlement ready?” Sanballat walked to his bar and poured a long drink into a crystal glass which belonged to his father, like most things in his home. “Are you unclear of your role in the plan, Tobiah? Or is it the reward we agreed upon for your participation which has suddenly slipped your mind?” Sanballat paused and cocked his head to the right just slightly. “…Is this conversation your inelegant way of renegotiating that reward?”

  “No, of course not. What the humans call Australia is more than enough.” The Barrister cleared his throat again and Sanballat rolled his eyes and sighed loudly enough for Tobiah to hear. “There are people coming with us…” Tobiah spoke tentatively. “Hybrids and Cerans coming with us who will oppose your plan.”

  “I know that, Tobiah.”

  “So… What about them?”

  “I’m not worried about them, Tobiah.” Sanballat emptied his father’s glass swiftly and poured another drink. He paced the room for a moment then stared at the inlaid representation of the Capital on his wall, before the Blocks… His father’s Blocks. “Convincing the humans to kill each of them will be simple enough. We’ll get to Earth and our time together on the journey will be long enough to discern who is with us… and who isn’t. They’ll make it to Earth, Tobiah. Then they’ll all die there.”

  The List

  2315 Hours

  Precious few Cerans and even fewer Hybrids had ever been in the presence of the Royal Family in the Residential sector of the Pillar. While most who had never seen the Royal Quarters pictured it ornate with inlaid gold all over the walls, rare stones set into every fixture, this was far from reality.

  Artax and Hanani were not terribly different from the monarchs who preceded them in that they saw no value in gaudy displays of their family’s nearly limitless wealth. Hanani’s decorative style bordered on minimalist, to the extent that Micah had always wondered what the Royals truly spent their considerable wealth funding if not their own home.

  Micah and Garreous entered the Royal Quarters shoulder to shoulder. They walked through a tall wooden door identical to the door in the Throne Room. Rich, darkened wood fashioned into a heavy, almost sweet-scented door groaned softly as it opened to reveal the Royal Atrium.

  A soft sky-blue colored granite covered the floor and white granite lined the walls. It all shone a bit but neither color sparkled like the black granite found on the ceiling. Both Garreous and Micah craned their necks a bit to stare at the ceiling.

  “How does that granite… sparkle?” Micah asked. “That’s what it’s doing, right? My eyes aren’t playing tricks on me?”

  “I’ve often wondered the same, Micah.” Garreous turned to the Hybrid as he dropped his hood. The King’s face revealed without Artax’s presence rattled Garreous and he stuttered through some thoughts on light and molecular density before his voice trailed off. His eyes never left Micah’s shared Royal visage.

  “If it’s weird for you,” Davin’s voice came from the balcony further into the Atrium, fifteen feet overhead. The young Royal had observed Garreous’s discomfort with Micah’s face in silence for a beat then opted to contribute. “How do you think I feel, Gar?”

  It was impossible for most to see Davin’s smile and fail to return it. Smiles spread across Micah and Garreous’s faces as Davin made his way down the stairs. The Prince hugged both in turn and laughed.

  “My mother used to tell me stories of when I was younger,” Davin began as he threw an arm over Garreous’s shoulders. He pointed across Garreous to Micah with a smirk and continued. “That I’d see Micah and call him Father… But that I’d say it like a question.”

  Davin walked between the would-be travelers as the three entered a sitting room. The white walls gave the space an airy feel and very little decorated the room but silver inlaid designs on the walls. Several seats were arranged in a half-circle around four understated versions of the Royal Throne. The young Royal took a few steps toward his throne then sat. His face shifted with embarrassment at his place and he shrugged playfully to both Garreous and Micah.

  “Are you apologizing…” Micah said slowly, uncertain. “For your station, Davin?”

  “No, I mean, not-“ Davin uncharacteristically stammered. “We all came into the room and I was… I don’t know…” Davin ended his embarrassed verbal dance and spoke clearly after a long nod. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

  “Have you ever heard me apologize for my intellect or expertise?” Garreous asked. Moments like these made Davin forget he and Garreous were almost precisely the same age.

  “No.” Davin replied with full conviction.

  “And Micah…” Garreous said a beat after he noticed that the Mimic was uninvolved in their conversation. “Have you ever heard Micah apologize in any way for his…” Garreous’s voice tapered in volume when it dawned on the genius that he knew close to nothing about Micah other than his shared genes and desire to travel to Earth. “Hidden face?” He finished the question more awkwardly than intended and Garreous felt his forehead flush with shame.

  “I would…” Micah said before he gestured to the hood rested on the back of his neck. “But I’ve had so few opportunities…”

  Again, all three laughed. Davin settled into his throne, three more empty to his left. As a calm quiet fell over them, Micah began to survey the room. He noted several designs in the room very similar to some of the Ceran blocks’ decoration and resolved to ask about those similarities soon.

  “Rise for your King.” Ryann the Court Caller spoke with less bombast and volume than he did in the Court Hall, but the low clear timbre of his voice was unmistakable.

  All three rose and stood at attention.

  “I’m not sure all that is necessary, Ryann.” The King entered from the doorway from which the three had just come and smiled warmly at Ryann as he passed the Court Caller. Dressed in plain white linen clothing, Ryann contrasted greatly with Artax’s black pants and tunic, both subtly lined with gold and purple accent lines. “We’re just here to review a list, I believe.”

  “Habit is a deeply cut path, your Highness.” Ryann bowed after his eyes shut slowly and a small smile crept onto his face.

  “Indeed.” Artax said, his smile broadened. Artax laid a hand upon Garreous’s shoulder as he approached. “Glad everyone is here.” The King’s grin shifted a bit when he saw Davin seated on his throne, the boy clearly uncomfortable.

  “Davin, you don’t have to sit the throne in situations like this.” Artax whispered into his son’s ear as they hugged quickly.

  “Of course, Father.” Davin whispered back. “Practice is important, I think.”

  “Certainly.” Artax stepped back from Davin and set himself into his throne. He settled in with speed and soon looked quite comfortable. “Micah, Garreous… Shall we discuss your list?”

  “Absolutely, Your Majesty.” Garreous pulled a data pad from a bag he’d brought with him. “The list isn’t lengthy, but I believe each party is worthy of… discussion.”

  “Do you want to discuss our inclusion, My King?” Micah asked as he gestured lightly between himself and Garreous.

  “No.” Artax spoke with conviction, swiftly. “Let’s tackle the other ten…”

  “Starting with Sanballat and Tobiah.” Garreous said.

  Micah, without much thought, groaned the sound of the Courtier’s name. He quickly tried to mas
k the sound with a cough but failed.

  Davin chuckled softly and another friendly smile graced his father’s face.

  “Sanballat has few friends…” Artax said. He settled his eyes on Micah. “But he’s a gifted orator and layered strategist. He’ll be valuable on the mission, as will Tobiah.”

  “Can I trust Sanballat to assist in the completion of our mission? He…” Micah asked, hesitant.

  “Serves the Crown and looks to the Pillar in everything he does.” Artax said in a plain voice. “I trust Sanballat.”

  For a moment, Micah felt like an admonished child and his head hung slightly. After he processed Artax’s words a few silent beats later, Micah’s head rose and he nodded to the King.

  “Then…” Micah said with a sigh. “So do I.”

  “Tobiah as well...” Garreous said, the tone a bit inquisitive at the end.

  Artax only nodded, once.

  “Who is next, Micah?” Artax asked.

  “Wes Ventra.” Micah said.

  “Your Hybrid friend?” Artax asked. He smiled again and tried to make clear his support for Wes’s inclusion.

  “There’s no one alive I trust more than Wes, My King.” Micah said with steel behind his voice.

  “Well, then that’s an easy affirmative, isn’t it?” Davin filled in for his father and nodded once, just like the King had moments before.

  “I suppose so…” Micah said. “Lahm and Po are both coming, from what I’ve been told.”

  “Yes, it seemed prudent to have each of their perspectives represented during the trip. Once your team has a chance to interact with the Humans and their leadership, it’ll be imperative that they see the Hybrid population is free to move within our society and develop their own philosophies.”